The royal year is rapidly moving to a close with many working royals keeping a busy schedule of engagements. October and November tend to be a full time for the royals as they will typically spend the holiday season on vacation (with much of January also away). This November has been a mix of regular engagements, sports events, state visits, and holiday events. Let’s get into Musings on Monarchy: November 2022 and see what has happened!
The Crown Causes Issues… Or Does It?
The Crown‘s fifth season was released on 9 November on Netflix, and as always, it made a splash. This season covers much of the 1990s, though stops short of Diana’s death in 1997, and as such, it has stirred a lot of public sentiment. Many of us remember the War of the Waleses and the discord in the 90s, so it is feeling less historical and more emotional. Commentators speculated everywhere that the new season would damage Charles in his new reign, but quite frankly, it was a tad hyperbolic. No real change comes from public sentiment about the royals from a television show. (I won’t lie, this was not my favourite season- I’m not much for marriage drama, and I think everyone needs to move on.)
Sports, Sports, Sports
As always, the European royal families still love their sporting events. The Danish Royal Family has been sharing their support of the Danish women’s national team in the European Women’s Handball Championship. We got a cute shot of one of their pups enjoying the game, as well!
The World Cup has not been without its royal problems. King Felipe of Spain has flown to Qatar to support the Spanish national team, with many critics questioning the monarch. Qatar has been criticised as host for their wide-ranging human rights issues, including their complete lack of LGBTQ rights, and many see the number of world leaders and royals going to the tournament as support for Qatar’s policies.
The new Prince of Wales has also come under criticism for his vocal support of England but not Wales. Welsh actor Michael Sheen has once again questioned having a Englishman as the Prince of Wales, as William’s support tends to go towards England. The British Royal Family essentially divides up the four nations in football and rugby to support, but it is a somewhat poor approach as it can have political ramifications. William’s response that he will be cheering for Wales, as well, did not go far in Wales. Given that the World Cup has only just started, I suspect we will hear more royal “issues” pop up.
And people say that sports aren’t political…
King Charles Hosts His First State Visit
The new King and Queen have hosted their first State Visit with the South African President visiting for three days. The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted the President upon his arrival, with the Princess wearing the Princess of Wales Feather Brooch for the first time. And we were not disappointed on the tiara front, at least with the Queen! While Catherine wore the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara as she almost always does, and Sophie wore her wedding tiara as she almost always does, Camilla got creative. The Queen Consort chose the Belgian Sapphire Tiara for the state banquet, a tiara that Queen Elizabeth specifically bought (as a necklace) to add to her collection. Other than a state dinner for China in 2010, we haven’t seen it since the 90s, so it is nice to see it again! (Hopefully the vaults will open a tad more…)
Queen Margrethe is Back on Stage for Christmas
The Danish Queen, known for her artistic talents, has been visiting Tivoli Gardens ahead of Nutcracker season. Margrethe visited the Tivoli Garden Ballet to see rehearsals for the Christmas ballet and talk with staff and dancers. She designed the costumes for the production, and can be seen examining them. She has designed the costumes and sets for several productions for both Tivoli and the Royal Danish Ballet. I love getting to see this side of her! We typically do not get to see much of the monarch’s personal life, but Margrethe tends to stay fairly open.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde Host Switzerland
Britain is not stealing all of the state visit thunder! King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are hosting the Swiss president for a state visit. After greeting the couple, the King and Queen accompanied them to the Music Instruments Museum to enjoy a recital. And of course Mathilde did not disappoint during the state banquet, either. She chose to wear the Brabant Laurel Wreath Tiara, which is a fairly young tiara. Mathilde received it as a present in 1999 to mark her wedding to Philippe, and is the only tiara she personally owns.
I will be back soon with a holiday post on the royals; I hope you’ve enjoyed Musings on Monarchy: November 2022!
Cheers,
The Historian
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