The monarchy's milestone year
It was a solemn anniversary and as the Queen joined her family at several events to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, she was suitably sombre.
But for a few moments at a service at Westminster Abbey, the monarch allowed herself a small smile. Surrounded by her nearest and dearest, she was perhaps reflecting on the strong united front her family present at occasions such as the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, and feeling grateful that 2018 has been a particularly good year for the royals.
“The royal family has never seemed stronger than it does today,” says palace expert Richard FitzWilliam.
Her Majesty takes nothing for granted, and there are times when she can’t help worrying for the future of the monarchy, with concerns about what will happen to her children and grandchildren once she is gone.
But the positive public response to big events this year such as the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle and the birth of Prince William’s third child, seven-month-old Prince Louis, should help to put the Queen’s mind at rest.
The news that Harry (34) and Meghan (37) are expecting a baby has been another boost to the family, which has also celebrated the arrival of Zara Tindall’s second daughter, Lena, in June and the wedding of Princess Eugenie in October.
Meanwhile, the Queen will no doubt be pleased about the amount of warmth directed towards her eldest son Prince Charles on his 70th birthday.
The heir to the throne tends to be one of the less popular members of the family, and some believe the order of succession should skip past Charles, with the crown handed instead to William (36) when the Queen dies. William and wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, often top preferred ruler polls ahead of Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Tom Bower, the author of Rebel Prince, an unauthorised biography about Charles, says the Queen is well aware that while her reign has helped unify her people, “Charles does the opposite. He divides the nation between those who like him and dislike him.” Anything that can endear him to more people is a good thing, in her view.
Last year was a difficult one for Charles, mostly because the mistakes he made in his first marriage were front and centre again thanks to the many documentaries released to mark 20 years since his ex-wife Princess Diana was killed in a car crash.
It was also tricky for his wife Camilla, the “other woman” in Charles and Diana’s relationship, and the couple sensibly kept their heads down while the tributes flowed for Diana.
But this year, with the exception of Tom’s book – which painted the prince as arrogant and out-of-touch – Charles looks to be regarded more favourably, especially after he didn’t hesitate to step in and walk daughter-in-law Meghan down the aisle when her father Thomas Markle pulled out of the wedding.
Charles’ revelation, in a documentary to mark his 70th birthday, that he won’t “meddle” in causes close to his heart − such as environmental issues − once he becomes king may have also won him more fans. There has been concern that he will continue with campaigning considered to be inappropriate for the monarch, but he bluntly said in the programme, “I’m not that stupid.”
In recent years, Charles has been taking over more of his mother’s duties – and his father’s, following the retirement of Prince Philip (97) from public life last year – so the 92-year-old sovereign doesn’t have such a heavy workload. The Queen still calls the shots, but it must be a relief for her to see how Charles is handling all of the extra responsibility.
William too has won his grandmother’s approval for
THE QUEEN AND HER FAMILY ARE STRONG IN NUMBERS AND POPULARITY
the way he has dealt with his official duties since resigning as an air rescue helicopter pilot.
While many of William’s engagements are given prominence – such as his recent attendance at an awards evening for conservation projects – there are others he carries out behind the scenes that the public don’t hear about.
In recent weeks he has had dozens of appointments in his diary, including attending meetings of the Duchy of Cornwall, taking part in a wildlife conference, holding a reception for British divers involved in the rescue of the Thai boys trapped in underground caves, and meeting the presidents of Uganda, Botswana and Gabon.
And now that her maternity leave is over, Kate (36) has also attended numerous events in recent weeks, including the opening of a photography centre, attending a mental health summit and meeting representatives from the charities she supports.
Harry and Meghan too have wasted no time in becoming another powerhouse couple in the royal firm, as we got to see for ourselves in New Zealand during their visit. The pair will be able to do great things on the Queen’s behalf, says a royal commentator, especially given the fact that so many people around the world are interested in what they say and do.
It must be comforting for Her Majesty to know that the legacy of the work she has tirelessly carried out for the last 66 years is being so ably continued and that she can unwind a little, knowing the family business is in safe hands.