Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The new ORDER II
2018 is set to revolutionise our monarchy as young royals take up the baton from their elders
Next year our Royal Family will reach a watershed – a tipping of the balance from the old to the new. The Queen will turn 92 and the already semi-retired Prince Philip, 97.
Prince Charles, who will be 70 next November, will one day reign – but it is the two sons he is guiding who are the vanguard of a new order shaping the history of our monarchy.
Public attention globally is already focused on William, Kate and their young family, and Harry and his bride-to-be Meghan Markle. Team Windsor are the future, although it didn’t always look that way.
In recent years, the two princes have enjoyed careers outside royalty. William was a search and rescue helicopter pilot and Harry a military officer.
They both hinted being a fulltime royal would “drive one spare”.
Their lack of royal duties unfairly led to them being labelled workshy.
But since then, the royal brothers have knuckled down and are proving themselves a great asset to the monarchy and the country.
FRESHER
They have drastically increased the engagements they carry out and the number of patronages – making a real difference to the mental health debate in this country as a result.
They have devoted themselves fully to serving Queen and country at home and abroad.
As a result, today the monarchy has a younger, fresher and more relevant feel.
And the old guard could not be happier.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who quit solo engagements this year, has said he feels he has already “done his bit”.
Her Majesty will carry on in the top job supported more and more by Charles and his sons. But for how long?
Charles has already stood in for her at a major national event – at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday in November with his mother watching on from a balcony.
Queen Elizabeth is an iconic figure, a national treasure, but she is only human and has to accept the passing of time like everyone else.
There has been talk that, should she live to 95, she would then pass the baton to Charles, making him Prince Regent – although never quitting or abdicating her title.
Whether that happens or not is not really that important, for the passing of responsibility is already taking place.
When Charles travels abroad now he is there on his mother’s authority as she no longer makes longhaul flights. But at home next year, there will be one royal occasion she will not want to miss for the world. Harry and Meghan are set to steal the show with their spectacular wedding.
On May 19, the eyes of the world will be on Windsor when the 33-year-old prince marries his fiancee, American actress Meghan, 36.
Royals, celebs – and maybe even ex US President Barack Obama and wife Michelle – will be at the social event of the year.
The wedding will not be on the same scale as Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
But it is sure to be a global spectacle – with television networks descending on the Berkshire town to broadcast the big day to the world.
The ceremony will take place at the historic St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
It is where Harry was christened and is said to have become a “very special place” for the couple in their relationship so far.
It seems safe to assume there will also be prominent roles for little Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who will be joined by a baby brother or sister in April.
The Windsor wedding will not naturally provide the same grand Buckingham Palace “balcony moment” enjoyed by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (and other royals before them). But while the crowds may be smaller, it appears Harry and Meghan will still put on a show for the public.
BIRTH
Ahead of the royal wedding, we will also have another major royal event, when we witness the birth of William and Kate’s third child in April.
In the same month, the Queen will host the important Commonwealth leaders summit (CHOGM) in London and Windsor where Prince Charles – who has been busy overseas promoting the Commonwealth – is expected to play a key role.
Charles and Camilla will also officially open the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Newlyweds Harry and Meghan are bound to embark on a number of overseas visits around the Commonwealth – with a joint visit to Australia in the autumn for the Invictus Games bound to be on the cards.
Other visits will possibly include Canada, Meghan’s adopted home where she filmed the hit series Suits in Toronto. A trip to New Zealand is likely too.
The royals are certainly on the up. And it is truly refreshing that Prince Harry, a young man of great warmth and passion for his causes, has found true love with a mixed race American divorcee.
What is even more refreshing is the way Meghan has been warmly welcomed into “The Firm” and by the general public and royal fans alike.
It heralds the beginning of a brave new world for our Royal Family
Robert Jobson is the author of numerous books on the Royal Family including the No. 1 bestseller Diana: Closely Guarded Secret