Royal romance
The Windsor winners and losers in love
Just like for the rest of us, sometimes the course of true love runs smooth and sometimes royal couples hit a roadblock. To mark Valentine’s Day, we take a look at the Windsor winners and losers in the game of love.
The Queen and Prince Philip: Theirs was a true fairy tale romance – when 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth first saw 18-year-old naval cadet Prince Philip, during a visit with her family to Dartmouth Naval College in 1939, she never had eyes for anyone else. Married in 1947, they lived and worked side by side, through thick and thin, for 73 years, until Philip passed away last year.
King George VI and Elizabeth, Queen Consort: The Queen had good role models in her parents King George VI and Elizabeth, Queen Consort. They, of course, had never even expected to be monarchs, until Edward VIII abdicated. Plus, Elizabeth had initially turned down Albert’s proposal, not wanting a royal life, with the pair eventually marrying in 1923. George passed away in 1952, aged 56, after which the Queen Mother lived until the splendid age of 101.
Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales/Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: When Charles finally married Camilla in 2005, the Queen said in her wedding speech, “My son is home and dry with the woman he loves”. The tragedy came, of course, with his first marriage to Diana, in 1981, ending in their high-profile divorce of 1996.
Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson: Proof even kings will do anything for love, Edward VIII gave up the throne in 1936 so he could be with the woman he loved – twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson. “I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love,” he said. They lived the rest of their lives together – Edward died in 1972 and Wallis in 1986.
Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips/Timothy Laurence: The Queen’s famous Annus Horribilis of 1992 was the year three of her children’s marriages crumbled – Anne divorced husband Mark, then married Timothy. They will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary in December.
Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York: Likewise, Andrew and Fergie also called it quits in 1992, although their story wasn’t so straightforward. They married in 1986 and divorced in 1996, but still live in the same house and despite Andrew’s troubles, Sarah is sticking by him. “I completely stand by Andrew 100 per cent,” she said on Italian TV. “I feel very strongly that in this day and age that we must stand by our hearts, what we think is right with integrity and honour and loyalty.”
Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon: Her uncle Edward had abdicated, but in the end, Margaret chose the crown over marriage to first love Group Captain Peter Townsend, in 1955. In 1960 she married society photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, but their turbulent marriage ended in divorce in 1978.
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex: It was fourth time lucky for the Queen’s offspring, when youngest child Edward made the right choice first time with The Royal List favourite Sophie. The couple married in 1999 and have formed a solid family unit ever since.
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge: One couple who took it slow and steady was William and Catherine – so slow, in fact, she earned the nickname Waity Katie at one point. But the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have gone from strength to strength since their Westminster Abbey wedding in 2011.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex: How we loved Harry and Meghan’s 2018 Windsor wedding and while the couple’s love for each other is rock solid, their love for the royal life was not, announcing they were leaving in 2020.
Charles’ double dose of Covid
Poor Prince Charles – on Thursday it was revealed he has tested positive for Covid again, just before he was to unveil a statue in Winchester. It comes the day after he and Camilla attended a reception at the British Museum for The British Asian Trust, a charity he founded. Guests included Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel.
“This morning The Prince of Wales has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating,” Clarence House said. “HRH is deeply disappointed not to be able to attend today’s events in Winchester and will look to reschedule his visit as soon as possible.” Charles previously caught Covid at the start of the pandemic, in March 2020.
Camilla has tested negative and the Queen - who spent time with Charles before he tested positive - is being monitored, according to Buckingham Palace.
Snuggle up with Kate’s bedtime story
It might even beat the times Tom Hardy has read stories – but don’t miss Catherine reading a bedtime story on CBeebies tonight, when she reads The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark by Jill Tomlinson. It airs at 6.50pm.
The Duchess is marking Children’s Mental Health Week. “Children’s Mental Health Week is a key national moment for spotlighting and recognising children’s mental health,” Kensington Palace said in a statement
Catherine wore a cosy Fair Isle sweater, £179, from her new fave label Holland Cooper.
August turns one
How time flies - Princess Eugenie’s son August hit his first birthday on Wednesday and his mum posted sweet snaps of him on Instagram to celebrate. Alongside a photo of Eugenie, dad Jack and a camo-clad August on the ski slopes, she also posted a photo of him with his name tag on his back and the caption, “Happy 1st Birthday to our little hero Augie. You are such a special soul that brightens every room with your smile and wave. You have made us so very proud. We love you!”
Next to celebrate will be cousins Lucas Tindall, who turns one on March 21, Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor on June 4 and Sienna Mapelli Mozzi on September 18.
The secrets of Camilla’s crown
The Queen made a touching gesture, when she announced on the 70th anniversary of her accession, that she would like Camilla to be crowned Queen Consort. “It is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service,” she said. According to the Daily Mail, Camilla will wear the crown made for the Queen Mother.
The crown includes the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond, which had been previously in the crowns of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary. This historic Indian diamond, was given by the last Sikh ruler, Duleep Singh, to Queen Victoria and has been subject to legal disputes, with India demanding its return.