Royal Report: May 2020
This month, the Royal family kept their focus on the Coronavirus pandemic, along with celebrating several annual events that had to be cancelled or moved online. They continued to show us all how to look and sound fantastic on Zoom, and used their social media channels more and better than ever before. It feels like they are all taking their work even more seriously than ever before and while the U.K. government has made quite a few fumbles, the family has been almost flawless in their efforts. My highlights included:
To virtually celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show, an annual event that the Queen attends as Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, the family each shared their favorite plants and flowers at this time of year as part of the #MyChelseaGarden campaign.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge called out out bingo numbers and thanked workers at a care home
A large group of the currently working royals appeared in a video to commemorate International Nurses Day, which also highlighted calls that several of them had with nurses across the Commonwealth
The 75th anniversary of VE Day was marked with an address from The Queen and other family members laying wreaths. I can’t help but feel sad about the beautiful ceremonies honoring those who served that we would have seen if things were normal.
The Duchess of Cornwall’s work with the Safe Lives “Reach In” campaign encouraged people to reach out to domestic violence victims if they suspect they are suffering from abuse while under lockdown
Kate launched the Hold Still campaign in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, a photography competition to “capture the spirit, the mood, the hopes, the fears and the feelings of the UK” during the Coronavirus outbreak. Some of the photos that have already been submitted are incredible!
Princess Beatrice gave a rare interview about her experience with dyslexia in support of non-profit Made By Dyslexia - I love that she and Eugenie have turned their challenges into an important part of their personal charitable work.
Camilla made an adorable guest appearance on Taika Watiti’s star-studded reading of “James and the Giant Peach” to show her support for the fundraising being done for @partnersinhealth and @roalddahlcharity, of which she is Patron
A few disappointments:
Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York are facing more legal trouble over missing payments for a recently purchased Swiss chalet that I mentioned in my royal vacation post
The Tatler article about the Duchess of Cambridge. It was basically a summary of the cruelest things ever said about her and her family, with a few more distant “sources” thrown in and some backhanded compliment about how successful she is as a royal. Already disputed by Kensington Palace, it was very clearly not fact-checked and I’m not linking to it, but wanted to mention that it should be read with a critical eye
More Harry and Meghan. Constant Harry and Meghan. News, stories from “friends”, new books coming out, drama over security and payments on Frogmore Cottage, all from Harry and Meghan. I’m too tired to even write about their anniversary or Archie’s birthday. Are their PR people just as tired?
Key Celebrations in May
May 2 - Princess Charlotte’s 5th Birthday - love the new photos taken by the Duchess of Cambridge and that they have the kiddos out doing charity work!
May 6 - Archie Mountbatten-Windsor’s 1st Birthday (this video for Save the Children was very cute, although a little bit too much about Meghan)
May 8 - VE Day 75th Anniversary
May 19 - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s 2nd Wedding Anniversary
What I’m Looking Forward to in June
June 13 - Trooping the Colour, The Queen’s official birthday parade where we typically see every single royal, working and non-royal out in full force. This year would have been amazing to watch and see if the Sussexes made an appearance, and if Prince Andrew would be allowed to attend. I wonder if they will do anything virtually to celebrate?
June 10 - Prince Phillip’s 99th Birthday (wow!)
June 21- Prince William’s 38th Birthday