This week Buckingham Palace, citing “normal procedures,” was swift to advise King Charles to cancel many of his engagements as soon as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a snap election. Sunak had to inform the King, as head of state, of his election intentions ahead of its public announcement. The King, who has only recently returned to a full-slate of duties amid his cancer treatments, sent his apologies to those affected by the cancellations. It is thought that major events, such as Royal Ascot, Trooping the Colour and Order of the Garter would continue, but that the Japan State visit would not. The King and Queen have been confirmed to attend the 80th anniversary of D-Day commemoration in France on June 6.
Meanwhile, Kensington Palace also issued an update on The Princess of Wales’ work plans, stating that, although Kate is being updated on her signature Early Years project, that one should not read that as a sign she is returning to duties. Upon the release of a new report by Deloitte about the project, the palace sought to forestall further speculation about the level of Kate’s involvement at this time. “The Princess is not expected to return to work until it is cleared by her medical team,” said a spokesperson.
Kate’s absence from the public eye has not stopped publications from celebrating her image. A new portrait for the cover of July’s Tatler magazine raised almost as much internet buzz (and derision) as the portrait reveal of a life-size King Charles on a striking red canvas did last week. Kate was immortalized by British-Zambian artist Hannah Uzor, who depicted the princess in formal attire – specifically from the late 2022 reception for the South African president at Buckingham Palace. On that occasion, Kate wore a gem-embellished Jenny Packham white gown and the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara, along with earrings that had belonged to Diana when she was Princess of Wales.
Reaction online was swift, with hot takes from fans who said they never would have recognized Kate from the likeness had it not been for the famous outfit. Others called the portrait “an insult,” with a prominent London gallerist putting it rather more politely (and obliquely) to the Daily Mail: While the portrait aims to depict strength and dignity, says Alex Bury of Grove Gallery, “this depiction falls somewhat short of capturing these qualities.”
In the end, the magazine actually came up with a terrific way to make a splash with the beloved princess and commissioning a piece of art had the intended effect for the British society bible. It got people talking, and put the most glamorous royal back into the conversation. Newsstand sales will surely follow, as “bad” publicity is just as effective as “good.”
Gardens and Galleries
Buckingham Palace had much the same idea. As publicity for the roll out for a new exhibition that just opened at the King’s Gallery at the palace of some rarely seen photos of the Royal Family over the past 100 years. These include previously private shots of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Kent all holding infants in 1964; the shot was a gift to the doctor who delivered all the royal infants.
But the marquis shot of the exhibit is one of Kate on her 40th birthday. The romantic photo of the princess in a gauzy white dress with loose, tousseled hair is hung alongside the 1964 painting of Princess Alexandria, after which Kate’s photograph was styled. A number of new-to-the-public portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, in a fresh angle from her coronation by Cecil Beaton, and another of her wearing a dramatic black cloak in 1968, also headline the exhibit.
Meanwhile, the most British of spring events, the Chelsea Flower Show, drew the King and Queen this week. Both avid gardeners, they were clearly delighted touring the blooms. The Royal Horticultural Society, which puts on the show, recently named Charles its patron – a position previously held by his mother.
They played along gamely as they were given nametags: Charles was King of the Compost, and Camilla’s read Queen of the Bees. “There is nothing more fun than eating the things you’ve grown,” the King said to schoolchildren at a children’s only garden. “It tastes so much better.”
Royal and gardening fans can stay on top of the event, which concludes on May 26th, with coverage on BritBox in Canada.
All in the (Extended) Family
British top hat and tailcoat shops must be jammed this time of year. On Tuesday, Prince William played host to a garden party on the grounds of Buckingham Palace. Several of these are held every year, and William has previously hosted on behalf of the monarch. Rainy weather brought out a sea of umbrellas and loaded up the tea tents, but nothing dampened enthusiasm for the array of royal cousins who came out to support William. Zara and Mike Tindall, Peter Phillips, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester all wowed partygoers. Zara, Eugenie and Beatrice all colour-coordinated their tea dresses: Zara wore a white cap-sleeved dress with pink buttons by Laura Green London, pink Rosa Boater hat and pink suede heels; Eugenie wore a white dress from Ulla Johnson with a pink headband; and Beatrice closed the pink loop with a cerise Beulah London dress with a white headband. This pink theme was a sweet nod to last week’s garden party hosted by Charles and Camilla, in which the King and Queen wore a matching pink waistcoat and dress, respectively.
As the election curtails many royal events for the short-term – the reasoning is not to distract from campaigning or for the monarch to be seen to be favouring any candidates – the efforts of the larger Royal Family have buttressed the short-staffed “slimmed down” A-team. The royal cousins gave the palace press a big boost in their matching outfits Tuesday and, before that, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh appeared last weekend in their namesake city, taking part on behalf of the King at the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Two of the King’s biggest current working assets, Sophie of Edinburgh and Princess Anne, both undertook brief foreign trips this past week as well, Sophie to Italy and Anne to Norway. The palace’s use of social media enables them to get news of these emissaries events out, even when they don’t attract the gaggle of cameras more senior royals usually earn. Publicity is a delicate dance, and this week went quite well for the short-staffed palace.
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