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  • Writer's pictureBethany-Jane Christian

Coronavirus Pandemic: A Reflection on the Role of The Royals

In my previous blog posts looking at the work of the royal family during the Coronavirus Pandemic, I focused on the work of individual members of the royal family, and their impact. There are 3 blogs looking at that, and you can read them elsewhere on this blog. But as lockdown lifts, I want this post to be a reflection and analysis of the overall impact of the royal family during the pandemic.


As one looks back through history, it is clear that during times of national celebration and disaster, the royal family have been at the centre, Indeed, they themselves have become a cause for national celebration and mourning, through events such as birthdays, jubilee’s, anniversaries, and funerals. The royal family binds the nation together and becomes a focus point, something that embodies and personalises the nation, and a figurehead for us to unite as a nation.


The Coronavirus Pandemic that has swept across the world has been no exception when it comes to the royal family uniting the nation, and indeed the commonwealth. Despite lockdown, the royal family have creatively worked, embracing new technology, to support individuals, charities, organisations, and the nation as a whole. They have created a balance between new engagements via video call that have come about because of covid-19, and also upholding engagements that were already in the diary, albeit in a different way.


I am so pleased to see the many charities and organisations that have been promoted and supported by video call’s from the royals, many of which have been adversely affected, or are working on the front line during lockdown. Even the Queen embraced this technology; on reflection that is no surprise as she has quietly been embracing new technology her whole life. The social media accounts of the royal family continued to promote good causes and help people get the help they need.


We have also seen some normal patterns of rhythm upheld by the royals. Whether that is through them marking special days such as World Bee Day, or Carers Week, via their instagram, or still attending engagements that were already in the diary via video call, or through releasing video messages. This has enabled some sort of normality to be kept, which is great for everyone’s mental health.


Of course, the standout moments have to be the way the royals have opened the new NHS Nightingale Hospitals in different locations across the country. Using video call, different members opened different locations. In their speeches, they congratulated those who helped to develop the hospitals in record time, so that as many people as possible could be admitted.


Another standout moment was the Queen’s speech to the nation and commonwealth, to encourage them during the lockdown and pandemic. Speaking from Windsor Castle where she has been isolating during this whole time with the Duke of Edinburgh. You can read more about that speech here: https://b-jchristian.wixsite.com/royalbritannia/post/coronavirus-pandemic-the-queen-s-address-and-the-work-of-the-royals


The Royals also led us in our VE Day celebrations. The fact that these celebrations were held in lockdown added an extra element, as people were determined to celebrate despite restrictions. You can read about that here:


As lockdown eases, the royals have started to get out and about more on socially distanced visits. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited local businesses near their home in Norfolk, Anmer Hall, where they have stayed during lockdown. The Duke also visited an ambulance station, and has been to learn more about the development of a vaccine for covid-19. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have undertaken similar engagements. Princess Anne has also carried out socially distanced visits.


The Prince of Wales tested positive for covid-19 himself, and was unwell for a time. It goes to show that the royals are like us, and in a similar way to when Buckingham Palace was bombed in the second world war, it connects them to the people. Although of course, I wish that the Prince hadn’t had to suffer and be unwell with covid-19!


The royals have been volunteering too, notably the Countess of Wessex, helping with charities close to her home in Surrey. The young Cambridge’s also helped pack and deliver food parcels to vulnerable residents around the Sandringham estate. Princess Eugenie has also been volunteering.


The generations within the royal family mean everyone has someone to identify with. Whether that is isolating and shielding like the Queen because you are elderly, or homeschooling young children like the Cambridge’s and Wessex’s. This makes the royal family able to connect and lead, and help, the nation. I for one, am grateful for them.

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