Royal Report: March 2021
March was a…rough month for the royals. The Sussexes interview with Oprah put a very negative international spotlight on them, while the UK pushed back hard on the narrative that the California royals spun. Nevertheless, the working royals kept on doing their jobs, while also making their first appearances in person due to Covid restrictions lifting in the UK (their rules have been country-wide and much more strict than most of the US, although they don’t require masks to the extent we do).
Royal Report: March 2021
Charles and Camilla made the first State Visit to Greece for their bicentennial, Kate announced new phases of two big projects and we welcomed several new royal cousins!
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Kate announced the expansion of Mentally Healthy Schools, one of her key programs that offers resources for educators, into secondary schools with an in-person appearance (supported by William likely because of all the Sussex drama), at a school in London.
The UK held a nation-wide Day of Remembrance for Covid, and the Cambridges visited Westminster Abbey. The significance of this visit to the site of their wedding, given their upcoming 10th anniversary, and Kate in a white coat, was not lost on anyone!
The family marked Mother’s Day by sharing cards the children had made for “Granny Diana,” which were so sweet and a subtle reminder that Diana had two sons that miss her dearly.
I loved their recorded video, where they spoke Gaelic for St. Patrick’s Day! Kate’s bright green blazer and shamrock necklace were perfect and it was such a cheerful way to celebrate and acknowledge that their last big appearance before lockdown last year was a state visit to Ireland.
One of my favorite projects from the pandemic was Kate’s Hold Still photography competition with the National Portrait Gallery. After sharing the exhibit online, and putting the images up around the country, they announced there will be a Hold Still Book. The book sold out very quickly, showing the true impact of the project and Kate’s influence.
The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
The Queen had a charming joint video call engagement with Camilla to thank the Royal Volunteer Service. I loved seeing these two ladies interact, as it isn’t one of the common royal pairings!
Commonwealth Day is one of the biggest days on the royal calendar, usually marked by the senior working royals attending a special church service. This year, the Queen instead recorded a video address where she stressed unity during these trying times. It was overshadowed a bit by the Sussex airing their interview with Oprah a few hours later (a date that was likely chosen intentionally), but given how rarely the Queen films a longer address, it is always reassuring to see her on the screen.
Charles and Camilla undertook the first state visit in year, visiting Greece to celebrate the bicentennial of their independence. This was especially meaningful as Prince Philip (and therefore Prince Charles) is descended from the Greek royal family. It was so lovely to see them out and about in the world again and gave us a taste of things returning to normal.
Gossip and Unofficial Work
Zara (Princess Anne’s daughter) and Mike Tindall welcomed a baby boy on March 21, Lucas Philip Tindall, their third child.
I’ve talked a lot about the Sussexes last month and the fall out from the Oprah interview, but for now, I’m not going to include their work in the royal report unless it has to do with other members of the royal family or is a significant project/personal announcement. So far, they have just announced/done smaller initiatives and roles that wouldn’t normally make my round up.
Prince Philip made it out of the hospital!
Pippa (Middleton) Matthews (not a royal, I know, but I love a royal cousin!) gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Grace Elizabeth.
What I’m Looking Forward to in April:
April 21st- The Queen’s 95th Birthday
April 23rd - Prince Louis’ 3rd birthday (fingers crossed for a new photo of him)
April 29th- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s 10th Wedding Anniversary - so much press expected around this!