Royal winners and losers of 2020
It's been a year of duty, diligence, disgrace and departures in the Royal Family. So who came out on top, and who lost their crown...
It’s been a busy year for the Royal Family. Kerry took a look at the Windsor winners and losers for this week’s The Sunday Telegraph. Here’s a taster…
The Queen and Prince Philip: Distinction for diligence The monarch, 94, worked solidly all year and was all smiles when she met up with her family on Tuesday for Christmas carols. Philip celebrated his 99th birthday in June, Beatrice’s wedding in July and his 73rd wedding anniversary last month.
Prince Charles and Camilla: A for effort It’s also been a stand-out year for Camilla, with her hard work at the forefront of the NHS Volunteer Army and chic new look. Charles was one of the first to contract coronavirus in March, but battled through. They recently became the first members of the Royal Family to attend Remembrance Day celebrations in Germany.
Prince William and Catherine: A plus for perseverance William contracted Covid in April, but kept it quiet. The Cambridges have been relentless in their support for the NHS, this week touring the UK to thank healthcare staff and taking the kids on an adorable outing to a charity panto in London, on Friday.
Prince Harry and Meghan: B for bravery The award for bravest royal couple goes to Harry and Meghan who exited the Royal Family and set up camp in California. The pair has been active supporting mental health initiatives and food banks. Sadly, Meghan recently revealed she suffered a miscarriage.
Prince Andrew and Fergie: Disqualified Andrew has become the first Windsor to be cancelled, thanks to his links with Jeffrey Epstein. Sarah spent lockdown distributing food parcels to NHS workers, wrote a book A Gift of Kindness and became the Global Ambassador for the Kindness Research Foundation.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie: Honorary joy degree Special mention to Beatrice and Eugenie, the former for her lovely intimate royal wedding in July and the latter for her happy pregnancy announcement.
Baby news: Why Team Tindall is the best
Who doesn’t love royal baby news – and this week Zara Tindall joined Eugenie in the club, announcing she is expecting her third child. The pair has suffered two miscarriages in the past, so are being cautious. The laid-back royals announced it – not through Buckingham Palace – but on Mike’s podcast.
We’re super-excited Team Tindall is expanding, as we might be biased, but Mia, 6 and Lena, 2, are our favourites. There, we said it. The family is just so normal, wheeling prams around horse trials while Zara competes and having loads of fun, while cheeky Mia and Lena beg for ice-cream. We reckon Mighty Mia and Lovely Lena will be ones to watch.
Inside the Royal Train and it’s not as posh as you think
William and Catherine hopped aboard the Royal Train this week, for a three-day, 10-stop UK tour thanking key workers. One look at the Royal Train’s highly-polished claret livery got us imagining its interiors: elegant dining cars and luxuriously-furnished salons evoking the vintage age of travel? Er, no: the pair had to make do with a rather more utilitarian style, compared to the train’s glory days.
First in service in 1842, somewhere along the line most lavish upholstered comforts were ripped out. Gone are the double beds with silk eiderdowns and opulent carriages (Edward VII had a mahogany-panelled smoking room, and George V fitted the first bathroom on a train). This current nine-carriage iteration hasn’t been updated much since 1977, and looks more like a youth hostel on wheels, take a look here. But the Queen loves it - the Royal Train is her favourite way to travel.
Cracking Crown Christmas gifts
If you can’t let The Crown go, get a load of these goodies. Etsy and Red Bubble are catering to all our Crown withdrawal symptoms. There are heaps more Crown gift ideas on both sites.
* I’d Rather Be Watching The Crown T-shirt, from £15, TeesAndThingsByMAC
* The Crown framed poster, from £23.99, CestSophieCherie
* The Crown hoodie, £31.46, FraserRidgeDesigns
* The Crown coasters (set of four), £12.12, Redbubble.com
And finally, random regal (festive) fact of the week
The Queen and Prince Philip have sent about 50,000 Christmas cards during her reign. Wonder who licked all those stamps…