Royal Report: February 2021
This month, the royals were fully focused on existing patronages, promoting the vaccine and frontline workers in the UK, and trying to manage an onslaught of news from the Sussexes and exciting baby news!
Vaccine Support
The main focus across the family, especially in the second half of the month was to promote the COVID vaccines and encourage people to get them, while also supporting and thanking the volunteers, NHS staff and military that were helping to roll it out.
The Queen gave a rare video address, urging everyone to get the COVID vaccine.
William and Kate spoke with two women who have preexisting conditions, forcing them to “shield” the entire past year, and are now eligible for the vaccine. The call also supported various health charities that have formed a coalition to promote the vaccine to people with long-term health issues.
Sophie started volunteering at an NHS Vaccination center in Greater London. She is planning to volunteer there long term, which I think is so amazing and shows her commitment to helping.
William visited a vaccine center at King’s Lynn Corn Exchange to meet volunteers and learn about the work they are doing.
Camilla visited the Wembley Vaccincation Centre in North London to thank volunteers from the NHS Volunteer Responders, people who are furloughed from hospitality, entertainment and travel industries, who are facilitating the rollout.
William spoke with members of the military who are part of the effort to roll out the vaccine.
Our Other Favorites
For Children’s Mental Health Week, Kate spoke with teachers through her patronage Place 2 Be, who have been championing mental health in schools. She also worked with them to have kids express their feelings through drawings and shared those!
Camilla promoted the “Ask for Ani” campaign, where victims of domestic violence can use that phrase as a code to ask for health in pharmacies across the UK.
Prince Charles launched the Prince of Wales Nature Challenge, a series of 6 activities over 6 days for young students to do during their February vacation.
William and Kate spoke with a nursing student about her first year as an Adult Nursing student and what her typical shift looks like with the impact of Covid. She also shared a great “day in the life” video on their social media!
Gossip and Unofficial Work
The happiest event of the month was the birth of August Philip Hayes Brooksbank, the son of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. The happy parents put out a very cute photo of the three of them in their garden, looking exhausted and overjoyed.
It was a big month for Harry and Meghan. They are officially out as working royals, with their honorary military titles and bigger patronage removed. Meghan also had a big victory in court, winning a summary judgement against the Mail on Sunday for printing a letter she had sent her father - I didn’t think she would win this one so decisively, but I’m also not a copyright/privacy law expert! Then they announced that Meghan is pregnant again, and that they were doing a sit down with Oprah. The fallout has been intense, but mostly in March, so I won’t be getting into it here.
Harry also made an appearance on James Corden’s show, seeming almost like his old self that so many people loved. It was the best PR he had done in a while, although I wish he had been a little bit more critical of The Crown and not brought up his family so much.
Prince Philip was admitted to the hospital and is sadly still there. He’s 99 and everyone is just hoping he will make it to his milestone birthday in June!
What I’m Looking Forward to in March
March 1st - Sir Timothy Laurence’s 66th birthday
March 7th - Commonwealth Day Service
March 10th - Prince Edward’s 57th birthday
March 23rd - Princess Eugenie 31st birthday