The royals' eventful week in Scotland
The family has tartan hearts, but as King Charles's historic first 'Holyrood Week' closes, there's no denying that the relationship is not exactly fully reciprocal...
Charles’s first ‘Holywood Week’ as King of Scotland was an unforgettable and historic one. Not least because Edinburgh and St Giles’ Cathedral were the picture-perfect location for Charles’s Scottish ‘coronation’ on Wednesday.
Just like his mum did on 24 June, 1953, Charles received the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels - the oldest ones in the UK) in a special centuries-old ceremony. But unlike the late Queen, this time the royals couldn’t have failed to have noticed the substantial and loud ‘Not My King’ Republican demonstrators in a prime spot (and within earshot) of the cathedral’s doors.
Although the protestors were significantly outnumbered by thousands of supporters cramming either side of the Royal Mile, it must have been bittersweet for the family to hear the protests as the royals’ loyalty, commitment and love for Scotland runs deep. In fact, ever since Albert and Victoria fell in love with the Highlands and bought Balmoral as their summer retreat in 1852.
William and Catherine, who are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, were also in the cathedral for the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication which saw the Honours of Scotland presented. The Honours consist of the Crown (the oldest surviving one in the UK, dating back to 1540 and the Coronation of James V), the Sceptre and the new Elizabeth Sword.
The monarch’s traditional annual Holyrood Week (which this year lasted four days), saw Charles and Camilla staying in the historic Palace of Holyroodhouse, official residence of the monarch when in Scotland. Holyrood Week or ‘Royal Week’ is celebration of Scottish culture with engagements, investitures and garden parties attended by the King and Queen and other royal family members. The Princess Royal joined them on Tuesday for a rather soggy garden party entertaining 6,000 guests.
Also, according to reports, while this summer’s royal holiday at Balmoral will still go ahead, it’s likely to be much shorter than was traditionally the case. The Queen would stay at her beloved Scottish home from mid-July to early October. However, the growing tide of Republicanism is sure to be a topic of private debate as they look forward to spending time at the Highland estate.
The move towards Scottish independence is not going away, polling consistently shows that 16- to 35-year-olds are overwhelmingly in favour of it, despite the UK Supreme Court ruling out a Scottish government referendum, unless agreed by the government at Westminster.
Whether Charles, and eventually William, can stem the tide threatening to break up the Union, is yet to be seen. For now, the royal motto is clear: keep calm and carry on. Carrying on with their charitable work, support and influential convening power to help make a difference for Scotland. Whether enough of the Scottish people will be won over is ultimately all down to a decision that will be honoured when its time eventually comes.
Will & Kate’s NHS tea party
It was a very special date on Wednesday, when the Prince and Princess of Wales joined the NHS Big Tea to celebrate the 75th birthday of the National Health Service. The couple, who became passionate patrons for NHS Charities Together in December 2020, surprised staff and patients when they joined the party in in the well-being garden of St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
They got stuck in, laying the tables and helping ice cupcakes. They met guests including Aneira Thomas, the first baby born on the NHS and those on the frontline of Covid-19.
It’s been a busy week for the couple – Catherine has dazzled at Wimbledon, attended the Scottish Coronation, then raced back for William to compete in – and win – a charity polo match in Windsor, on Thursday. See their cute PDA here.
What a yacht of memories
As part of the King’s visit to Scotland, he made an emotional pit stop to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Launched in 1953, for the new Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Yacht served for 44 years and made nearly 1000 state visits to 135 countries.
It was decommissioned in 1997 and is now a tourist attraction in Leith, Edinburgh. Celebrating its 70th anniversary, it has so far welcome 6.5 million visitors. The King drank a traditional tot of rum and toasted, “To all the marvellous yachties who keep it all going, you are all brilliant.” The first time he has been on board for 25 years, the yacht holds many memories for the King, who sailed on it as a child and also with his own family.
For more info and tickets, visit royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Visit Blenheim Palace for a royal treat
Time is running out on your chance to see a fantastic exhibition, Royal Connections Crowns and Coronets, set in the grandeur of the only non-royal palace in the UK - and a world heritage site to boot.
The Royal List’s Maria enjoyed a glorious day trip recently to the Dukes of Marlborough 300-year-old ancestral home. Marking this Coronation year, the comprehensively-curated exhibition unfolds throughout some of its ornate 187 rooms telling the story of the Churchill (later Spencer-Churchill) family’s centuries-old, close personal friendship with the Royal Family, and the Duke and Duchesses roles in numerous Coronations over hundreds of years.
There are many historical objects, from Lady Rosemary’s original Maid of Honour’s dress worn in 1953, the 10th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough’s 1937 Coronation robes and coronets, to other fabulous artefacts and personal mementos. The family photo albums are a highlight showing candid shots of holidays and events with royals, such as Princess Margaret, King Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales (who was distantly related to them). You’ll also see some of the costumes hand-made for The Crown (the late Queen’s Coronation robes are amazing reproductions).
Because literally every room is dripping in historical provenance, you will also pass through a more modest one where another Blenheim overachiever was born: Sir Winston Churchill. Buy tickets here, before the exhibition closes on 30 July. And look out for the friendly picnic-crashing ducks.
Jam or cream: The royal decree
It’s a debate which has divided the nation – should you put jam or cream first on your scone? Now, the Princess of Wales has given the royal verdict. According to Catherine, she follows the method approved by the late Queen and puts… jam on first, or the Cornish method.
At the Big Tea Party for the 75th birthday of the NHS, the princess said, “I always do jam and then cream.” William added, “I go with whichever is closest to me to start off.”
Finally, William also gave the definitive pronunciation of “scone”, which he says to rhyme with “gone”, not, “bone.”