Another month has flown by, with even more royal events, tours, and appearances! All of us, no matter what we do, are slowly emerging from Covid lockdowns in one form or another. Luckily for us, that means that there are more royal engagements outside of Zoom. And since I posted on 27 March, quite a bit has happened…
Prince Andrew Escorts The Queen at Prince Philip’s Service of Thanksgiving
This is old news at this point, given that it happened a full month ago, but I did want to quickly touch upon it. The Duke of York escorted his mother into Westminster Abbey for Prince Philip’s Service of Thanksgiving before taking his seat. They came in a side entrance, so it wasn’t the full walk, but it was enough of a statement for the press around the world to grab hold.
I do believe that at an event like this, an event for her husband and his father, that isn’t out of line. Would I have chosen him myself? That is a no. Would I have him at any public Platinum Jubilee events? That is a resounding no. However, she should be able to have the person that comforts her walk her in. Unfortunately it stole all of the attention from an otherwise lovely event, though.
A Royal Visit to Canada is Announced
So we finally have a Canadian appearance on the horizon! On 11 April, Clarence House announced that The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall would be visiting Canada in May for 3 days; they are scheduled for Newfoundland and Labrador, Ottawa, and the Northwest Territories. Further details were announced, with the visit scheduled for 17-19 May.
I’ve got to say, as a Canadian, this is exceptionally disappointing. It feels quite random other than Ottawa, and three days for a country the size of Canada, especially when it is the senior realm, seems an odd choice. I don’t believe that the monarchy is in a strong a place in Canada as it once was, and part of that is due to the fact that they are very remote and rarely here. I’m curious if the shift is coming with the understanding that more and more countries are looking to move away from the monarchy, but this seems to cross the line from “we are on board with what the people want” and into “we are giving up”.
In any case, it will be fun to see! I had originally hoped to maybe go to Ottawa, but unfortunately, it was announced too late- flight prices in Canada have always been bad, but are much higher now ($1200+) and we have far fewer direct flights with Covid. I will be watching from a distance!
The Prince of Wales Steps in for The Queen
Charles and Camilla stepped in for Her Majesty at the Royal Maundy Thursday service at Easter, which was lovely to see. Understandably, The Queen is 96, and it sounds like she might have some lingering effects of Covid, so other royals will need to continue to step in. The Royal Maundy service has always been important to Elizabeth, so it seems a good sign that the torch has been passed to the heir! (Whether it is permanent or temporary, we don’t know, though I suspect permanent.)
Recipients this year received special Platinum Jubilee Maundy money, as well as 96 pence to mark The Queen’s 96 years!
I hope you’ve enjoyed Musings on Monarchy: April 2022, and will be back at the end of May with more royal news!
Cheers,
The Historian
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