Charles makes a stand against cancel culture
The King delivers a powerful speech calling for unity
It will go down as one of his most famous speeches – when King Charles took on cancel culture, in his address at Mansion House on Wednesday.
The King has long been known for his outspoken views on everything from environmentalism to architecture and he took this occasion to speak about unity and community – something we desperately need.
“I have taken the opportunity to reflect on what it is that makes this nation of ours so special – for every generation lives with its own set of hopes and fears, as if caught in a perpetual tussle between optimism and pessimism, promise and peril,” he said. “I have often described the United Kingdom as a ‘community of communities’; an island nation in which our shared values are the force which holds us together, reminding us that there is far, far more that unites us than divides us.
“Yet we are living in something of a watershed age,” he said, going on to discuss AI, climate change, refugees and cancel culture, emphasising we should always hear both sides of a debate.
“We live in an age where, across the demographic spectrum, education and lived experience have schooled us in our rights…. Do we pause, instinctively and unerringly, before speaking or acting to ensure we are affording equal weight to both sides of the balance? Our society would be a kinder and gentler place for it,” he said.
“Next, there is the breathing space we afford one another, leaving us able to think and speak freely. This well carries the politeness and respect we owe to one another; our willingness to put others first and treat them as we would wish them to treat us. To listen to their views and, if we do not agree, to remind ourselves to engage in a way which is passionate, but not pugnacious. This includes the practice of our religious faiths, in freedom and mutual understanding.
“Such understanding, both at home and overseas, is never more vital than at times of international turmoil and heart-breaking loss of life.”
It was a powerful, moving speech and we think it will go into the annals of Charles’ other important speeches, including:
His 1969 Investiture as Prince of Wales, when he spoke in Welsh.
His first speech as King, when the Queen passed away in 2022.
His Cop 15 speech when he said, “The eyes of the world are upon you”.
His 1984 speech at the Royal Institute of British Architects, where he famously called modern design a “monstrous carbuncle”.
Gin, gin, magic Mike
It was Mike Tindall’s 45th birthday on Wednesday and we bet we know what the rugby star toasted his big day with – his own gin. Mike launched Blackeye London Dry Gin recently, which gives parts of its proceeds to support the game of rugby.
One thing’s for sure, he knows how to get a party started and the rest of his family always looks to be having a ball in his company. For proof, revisit the hilarious podcast of The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, with his mother-in-law Princess Anne and Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who all looked to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Visit the royal palaces for £1
There’s good news from the royal palaces, as some of the nation’s most historic houses are opening their doors for a pound, for those on benefits.
Historic Royal Palaces looks after Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London and Kensington Palace. “Historic Royal Palaces is committed to making our sites as accessible as possible, and we are aware of the pressures people are facing due to the rise in the cost of living, particularly those receiving benefits,” a spokesperson said
“We hope that by launching a £1 ticket offer… more people can enjoy a memorable day out at these historic sites.” For details, visit hrp.org.uk
Charles coins it in
Talking of money, The Royal Mint’s eight new coins will go into circulation at the end of this year. In the biggest change to UK coinage in decades, we’ll soon be pocketing these beautiful new designs, ranging from the 1p to the £2 coin.
All designs were approved by King Charles, reflecting his love of British flora and fauna and his passion for conservation and the natural world. This is also the first time both ‘heads’ and ‘tails’ of UK coins have changed at the same time. Our faves are the £1 bees, 2p squirrel and 1p dormouse. Buy yourself a King Charles III Definitives 2023 coin set here, prices from £33.
In other royal currency news: a gold coin stamped with the name ‘Esunertos’, sold at auction this week for a world-record breaking £20,400. Its existence also means Esunertos, a forgotten Iron Age King, takes his place in the annals of British history. Experts believe the coin, found by a metal detectorist in a field in Hampshire, was made between 50 and 30 BC.
The coolest corgis!
Corgis chillaxing on corgi inflatables have totally made our week (click pic to see them in action). We love this clip so much. We also hope Fergie clocks this and is already upgrading Royal Lodge for Muick and Sandy’s waterpark. The nation expects!
