It’s been a few weeks since the Queen addressed the nation and commonwealth in her televised speech about the Covid-19 pandemic. That was our last report on all the work the royals had been doing towards the covid-19 effort. Here, I am giving you an update on all the work that the royals have been doing since then; they have been working hard to continue to bring positivity and encouragement to everyone, support the vulnerable, raise awareness, and be our figurehead. They have been the embodiment of our gratitude to our frontline workers, and reached out to the unwell and vulnerable, and have used their patronages and networking across charities to mobilise work towards tackling the pandemic. They do much behind the scenes work to encourage and support various charities.
I am starting off with the Queen; on World Health Day she sent a message to all healthcare professionals across the commonwealth and world, saying, “On the occasion of World Health Day, I want to thank all those working in the healthcare profession for your selfless commitment and diligence as you undertake vitally important roles to protect and improve the health and well-being of people across the Commonwealth, and around the world. In testing times, we often observe that the best of the human spirit comes to the fore; the dedication to service of countless nurses, midwives and other health workers, in these most challenging circumstances, is an example to us all. My family and I send our enduring appreciation and good wishes.”
As well as carrying on with her role as Head of State, communicating with the government, and dealing with official papers, the Queen released her first ever Easter speech; this was an audio recording of her speaking, accompanied by a video of a candle. I think the Queen was motivated to do an Easter speech for the first ever time, because she realised that these are testing times, and she has the ability to speak hope into people’s lives, and unite the nation in much the same way as her Christmas speeches do, and her Covid-19 address did. The Queen expressed the hope that her Christian faith gives, saying, “Many religions have festivals which celebrate light overcoming darkness. Such occasions are often accompanied by the lighting of candles. They seem to speak to every culture, and appeal to people of all faiths, and of none. They are lit on birthday cakes and to mark family anniversaries, when we gather happily around a source of light. It unites us.
As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter Day, many Christians would normally light candles together. In church, one light would pass to another, spreading slowly and then more rapidly as more candles are lit. It’s a way of showing how the good news of Christ’s resurrection has been passed on from the first Easter by every generation until now.
This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn’t cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever. The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this. We know that Coronavirus will not overcome us. As dark as death can be — particularly for those suffering with grief — light and life are greater. May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future.
I wish everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter.”
Traditionally, the Queen distributes Maundy money on Monaudy Thursday of each year, to pensioner’s across the UK who have been nominated by their parish, at a special Maundy Thursday service. This year, the Queen wrote to all 188 recipients of the specially-minted money, saying, “I am sending you this Maundy gift to thank you for your Christian service. I know that you, as a Recipient of this year’s Maundy Gift, will be as deeply disappointed as I am that it is not going ahead, while understanding the necessary decision in the current circumstances.”
The Queen also sent a message to the people of Nova Scotia, Canada, following the shootings there, and had a phone call with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Arden, to find out how the people of New Zealand are doing at this time. The Queen is queen of both Canada and New Zealand, amongst other nations. The Queen will continue to have phone contact with many Commonwealth leaders during this time.
Of course, the Queen celebrated her 94th birthday on 21st April. Celebrating privately from Windsor Castle where she and the Duke of Edinburgh are self-isolating, the Queen decided that no gun salute would take place this year to mark the occasion, as is tradition, due to the circumstances.
The Duke of Edinburgh released his first message since his retirement, saying “As we approach World Immunisation Week, I wanted to recognise the vital and urgent work being done by so many to tackle the pandemic; by those in the medical and scientific professions, at universities and research institutions, all united in working to protect us from Covid-19.
On behalf of those of us who remain safe and at home, I also wanted to thank all key workers who ensure the infrastructure of our life continues; the staff and volunteers working on food production and distribution, those keeping postal and delivery services going, and those ensuring the rubbish continues to be collected.” I have huge respect for the 98 year old Duke, and I think it shows how personally important this is to him, that he chose to this to be the first message he has released since retirement. This is when I know that the royals are true figureheads, and come into their own, as they choose moments like these to support the nation, commonwealth, and world.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex continue to work with their various charities, hospices, and organisations, to offer support. The Earl of Wessex opened NHS Nightingale, Bristol, via video call. The Countess worked alongside volunteers at her local Frimley Park Hospital (near the couple’s Surrey home) to prepare food and care parcels for NHS workers. The Countess also took part in a video call with crew members from Thames Valley Air Ambulance, who have been redeployed to help NHS workers. She said, “I am very proud to be your Patron... When we do our Thursday clap, you are part of that as well... Look after yourself, look after your families and please stay safe.” The Earl sent a video to all the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold achievers who could not attend the cancelled awards ceremony. He sent them, “ huge, enormous, gigantic gold-coloured,” congratulations. The video then featured well-known celebrities from around the world, who joined in giving their congratulations. I love how hard working the Wessex’s are, and all the work they do behind the scenes.
The Prince of Wales has been sending out a lot of video messages lately! He sent a video message to the Sikh community to mark the festival of Vaisakhi, and a video to mark the opening of Ysbyty Calon Y Ddraig, the Dragon’s Heart Hospital in Cardiff. On the occasion of the Jewish community marking their annual day for Jewish Holocaust Remembrance, he released a video saying, “They have been, and continue to be, shining examples to the world of how it is possible to triumph over adversity.” His fourth video was to Muslims starting the beginning of Ramadan.
The Prince released messages to the people of Nova Scotia following the mass shootings there, and for EarthDay 2020. He said, “As we look to shape the next fifty years, I very much need your help. To reflect and inspire the world to action, while aiming for a green recovery, I would ask you to join me by sharing your vision for a more sustainable future (socially, environmentally and economically) using the hashtag #ReimagineReset.” The Prince has always been a champion of the environment, and I think his sincerity shines through. The Prince wrote a message in Country Life magazine, highlighting the role of Britain’s farmers during the pandemic.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall celebrated their 15th Wedding Anniversary by releasing an informal photo of them with the Duchess’s Jack Russel dogs, taken at their home of Birkhall, Scotland, where they are self-isolating. The couple also released a video of them clapping frontline workers outside their front door, to coincide with the BBC’s Big Night In appeal.
The Duchess has made innumerable calls in her role as patron of various organisations. As president of the Royal Voluntary Service, she joined in with the NHS Volunteer Responder programme by undertaking a, ‘check-in and chat,’ over the phone with Doris, 85, who has spent the last two weeks self-isolating. She also released a video message to NHS Volunteer Responders. The Duchess also curated a reading list for Easter weekend, in her role as patron of several literacy charities. The Duchess remotely opened the NHS Nightingale Hospital North West, Manchester, via video call. As patron of The Silver Line charity, the Duchess had a phone call with 90-year-old Betty from Hampshire to see how she was coping at this difficult time and lend a friendly ear. The Silver Line operates a 24-hour helpline for older people to call if they are lonely or in need of help. Finally, our last report on the Duchess is that she is to become Vice Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance, and as such, undertook a video call with Darcey Bussell and Angela Rippon to discuss the RAD’s Silver Swan’s program that makes ballet accessible for the elderly, and is now accessible for those self-isolating at home.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been working very hard, but also found time to celebrate Mother’s Day and Prince Louis’s second birthday with some lovely family photos! The Cambridge’s, I think, continue to promote strong family values, and the importance of helping others and good mental health. The couple had a video call with Casterton Primary Academy, to thank the teachers for their hard work in arranging online content for homeschooling, and staying open for the children of frontline workers.
The Duke called grassroots charities being helped by funding from the National Emergencies Trust, in his role of patron. I think how amazing that he became patron of the charity just before this pandemic broke out. Now, more than ever, it is vital that different aspects of the emergency services work together, and the Duke is doing a great job as patron of the charity, especially with his experience as an Air Ambulance Pilot!
The Duke also opened the HS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham via video call, and spoke to staff there. The Duke and Duchess partook in a video for the NHS Every Mind Matters campaign, promoting how to stay healthy mentally during this time, via an app that helps you come up with an online plan. This forms part of the couple’s focus on mental health, and I think their long term dedication to this area shows sincerity and credibility as they help share the message. The couple also spoke to the BBC via video call about the Every Mind Matters initiative, and opened up about their lockdown experiences, including home schooling and connecting with family via video call. They also highlighted the incredible work of the NHS and frontline workers. They also spoke about Captain Tom Moore, and his sponsored walk of his garden, that has raised millions for the NHS. This was later shared with Captain Moore, who was so pleased that the couple had taken time to recognise his achievements.
The Cambridge’s are patrons of a variety of charities, and they pulled them together, as part of their Royal Foundation and Heads Together campaign, to come up with a way to provide 24 hour support for frontline workers and their mental health. It takes the form of volunteers on hand, by call or text, as well as specially developed online resources, toolkits, and advice. I think this shows real skill and talent for bringing people together, and working as a team; great qualities to have in our future monarchs!
The Duke took part in a comedy sketch with Stephen Fry’s character from Blackadder, General Melchett, ahead of the clap for frontline workers at 8pm, as part of the BBC’s Big Night In. The whole Cambridge family then made an appearance outside their front door to lead the nation’s clap that night. Personally, I love how the Duke was up for taking part, showing his comic side, and that the whole family were there. It was wholesome and heartwarming, and united the nation.
The Duke and Duchess privately celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary on 29th April.
Lastly, I’d like to add that the Duke of Gloucester, patron of Barts Guild, spoke to volunteers at St Barts Hospital to encourage them in their work. There is much work being undertaken by the extended royal family that does not get a mention in the press. I am so grateful for all they do.
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