No rest for the Queen, who's back to business
With a packed schedule, the 95-year-old monarch has a busier social life than most of us half her age
The Queen spent a night in hospital on Wednesday, but typically, was back in action by Thursday lunchtime. According to reports, the 95-year-old monarch was taken into hospital for tests, but discharged the following day and remains “in good spirits.”
“Following medical advice to rest for a few days, The Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits,” Buckingham Palace said.
We wish her a speedy recovery. But really, it’s no wonder she’s tired - she has a busier social life than most of us half her age, Kerry wrote for The Sunday Telegraph this week. Here’s an extract:
It’s no wonder the Queen needs a lie down, she’s been getting about so much, she’s making us giddy from our vantage point on the sofa. This week she declined accepting an award from the Oldie magazine, because she doesn’t think she qualifies. Organisers had hoped to bestow the honour on the monarch on Tuesday, but instead received a letter from Buckingham Palace which read, “Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel, as such The Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept and hopes you will find a more worthy recipient.”
Unfortunately, her doctor had other ideas and immediately afterwards ordered her to rest for a few days, meaning she missed a trip to Northern Ireland.
But really, is it any wonder she’s tired? She’s still on the go 30 years after the rest of us retire. This month the Queen has attended multiple events, from opening parliament in Scotland and Wales to launching the Commonwealth Games baton relay, going to a British Legion centenary service in Westminster Abbey and on Tuesday hosting a reception for billionaire business leaders at Windsor. Guests included US climate envoy John Kerry, who she told she’d “seen on the telly doing William’s Earthshot Prize thing.” That’s more activity than we’ve done all year.
Surely all HRH really wants to do is loll about in her monogrammed dressing gown and slippers and watch Coronation Street with a corgi on her lap, not climb into a co-ordinating dress and coat combo and make small-talk. Or is that just us?
Still, she is proof the more you use your brain, the longer you keep your wits. This nonagenarian has no need for Sudoku, she discusses Alan Turing with Bill Gates. In fact, VIPs are more likely to fluff it than the Queen – when George W. Bush once mistakenly stated the Queen had visited the White House in 1776 rather than 1976, he received a withering look in response. “She gave me a look only a mother could give a child,” he said. Well, she is called Ma’am.
Kate’s on red alert
While wearing a chic red outfit the Duchess of Cambridge helped launch the Forward Trust’s Taking Action on Addiction campaign on Tuesday. Tucking a £225 cashmere Polo Ralph Lauren turtleneck into her £845 Christopher Kane pleated midi skirt, Catherine accessorised with £480 nude Ralph Lauren pumps and a DeMellier Nano Montreal bag - yours for £295. But it wasn’t all designer, with a pair of £10 Asos 14k gold-plated twist hoop earrings topping off her awesome autumnal look.
And it wasn’t just her winning style making the headlines. As patron of the Forward Trust, Catherine made a taboo-busting speech at the event in London, saying, “no one chooses to become an addict, but it can happen to any of us”. Aiming to break the stigma of addiction, the Duchess urged everyone to understand the “multi-layered and complex” journey towards addiction, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Meghan and Harry are backing the kids
This week Meghan wrote a passionate letter to US politicians advocating the urgent need for paid maternity and paternity leave in the United States. Pointing out she was only writing as a “mom” she highlighted the millions of women dropping out of work so they can care for their children. “The working mom or parent is facing the conflict of being present or being paid. The sacrifice of either comes at great cost,” she wrote.
The duchess also revealed more about the arrival of Lilibet this June. “Like any parents, we were overjoyed. Like many parents, we were overwhelmed. Like fewer parents, we weren’t confronted with the harsh reality of either spending those first few critical months with our baby or going back to work.”
Meanwhile, Prince Harry was deeply moved by children’s entries in a WellChild photography competition illustrating what life is like for families living with serious health needs. As patron, he was Chair of Judges as winners were chosen in Hopes and Dreams: My Life Through A Lens, and said: “I was deeply moved by each and every photograph, as they capture a moment and say so much about their personal story.”
Backstage with the Cambridges
There’s no denying Prince William deserves a massive pat on the back for his ground-breaking environmental initiative, the Earthshot Prize. And, like millions of others, we were hooked on the awards ceremony broadcast last Sunday from London’s Alexandra Palace (watch the highlights here).
But now we can’t get enough of the candid photos snapped backstage of William and Catherine looking adorably loved-up. Chris Jackson, Getty Images’ royal photographer for nearly two decades, is the man we have to thank for releasing his perfect behind-the-scenes pics. Click here for more of his Earthshot Prize star-filled snaps.
And if, like us, you’re a big fan of the talented snapper the royal family know and trust, then buy his new book Elizabeth II: A Queen for Our Time. It features his favourite 150 photographs capturing the monarch at work, home, overseas and with her family.
The Queen of cooking
Another Queen was in the news this week, when Mary Berry picked up her Damehood. The baking royalty was awarded the honour last year, but the pandemic delayed the ceremony.
The 86-year-old travelled to Windsor Castle on Wednesday to collect the honour from Prince Charles. A beaming Mary said she wished her family had been there. “I am absolutely overwhelmed to receive this very great honour. For most of my life I have been lucky enough to follow my passion to teach cookery through books and the media,” she said. “I just wish my parents and brothers were here to share my joy, as my only achievement at school was just one O-Level - in cookery of course. However, I am sure they are looking down and smiling,” she said.
Mary also won the most stylish recipient award in our book, looking super-chic in her £1750 pink Suzannah cowl-neck dress.