After the year they’ve had, it’s probably as close to the ‘new normal’ for the Royal Family as we’re going to get, at least for the moment.
Naturally, all eyes were on the Princess of Wales as she returned to the public spotlight in her most important official role since she effectively retired from royal life earlier this year following her shocking cancer diagnosis.
Her warm smile and dazzling sense of style made us realize how much Kate had been missed, even if this particular princess wasn’t in a position to go to the “ball” (aka the State Banquet).
MailOnline understands that this is all part of his “gradual” and measured return to work, balancing his commitments generally, but also specifically this week between the State Visit and his own annual carol service on Friday.
However, it was still a tonic to see her so happy and well, Prince William only once discreetly placed a comforting hand on her shoulder but otherwise happily letting his wife get on with what she does best: shining.
There were also other “adjustments” throughout the day, most notably for Queen Camilla, who was forced to withdraw from the official welcoming ceremony at Horse Guards as she is still suffering the after-effects of what we now know to be a nasty case of pneumonia.
Instead, he met with the royal party inside Buckingham Palace (a completely sensible move for a 77-year-old man suffering from such a debilitating viral infection under the circumstances) and announced a slightly reduced appearance at the glittering State Banquet. the night.
Later, in the historic palace’s Picture Gallery, the old masters looked down as the royal group examined a noticeably smaller display of artifacts from the Royal Collection, including the late Queen Elizabeth’s speech during the state visit to Qatar in 2010, than in previous years.
Kate’s appearance at the Emir of Qatar’s welcome ceremony made us realize how much the Princess of Wales had been missed, since she retired from public life to undergo cancer treatment.
It was heartwarming to see Kate looking so happy and well, Prince William only once discreetly placed a comforting hand on her shoulder but otherwise happily letting his wife get on with what she does best: shining.
The future king and queen of Great Britain at an official royal engagement at Horse Guard’s Parade on November 3
Instead of several tables taking up a third of the length of the room, there were only two, as if the organizers silently wanted to keep things moving at a slightly faster pace.
All of this may seem insignificant to the untrained eye, but in real language it is these small details that often reflect the bigger picture.
It is important to emphasize that this is not a pessimistic portrait, far from it.
Remember the beginning of the year, when King Charles and Catherine were hospitalized simultaneously: he for a prostate condition and she for serious abdominal surgery.
The blows continued to come hard and fast: within weeks we not only learned that doctors had diagnosed an unrelated form of cancer in the monarch, but the princess revealed that she had also been told the cancer had present and that at the age of only 42 years he needed to undergo preventive chemotherapy treatment.
The nation was drunk with shock, soon after the loss of the stabilizing influence of Queen Elizabeth and the courageous stoicism and seemingly endless longevity of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Indeed, it is absolutely remarkable that less than a year after these seismic (and potentially catastrophic) events we have almost all members of our Royal Family on duty simultaneously at such a diplomatically crucial event.
But it also highlights that, at least for the moment, we may have to be a little more lenient with them.
The Royal Family was out in full force today to welcome the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher (pictured, left to right: The Princess of Wales, Prince William, King Charles, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher)
All eyes were on the Princess of Wales as she returned to the public spotlight in her most important official role since her shocking cancer diagnosis earlier this year (she is pictured today alongside Prince William at the Guards Parade at Horse).
A source tells me: ‘It’s just a matter of adaptation given the particular challenges of this year. “I don’t think this is a sign of things to come, but rather a necessity for where we are right now.”
Indeed, at a time when recent debates have focused more than ever on both the role of our monarchy and its financing, yesterday’s state visit has highlighted more than ever why it remains, in terms diplomats, our trump card.
A senior Qatari diplomat recently told me that we should not underestimate the importance that his Emir, educated in the United Kingdom and stationed at Sandhurst military college, and who could be seen smiling from ear to ear all day long, has given him.
In fact, it is considered something of a coup d’état that his country is the first Middle Eastern state to receive that honor.
This is of no small importance in Whitehall, where mandarins appreciate more than anyone the importance of the longevity of the Royal Family’s friendship with countries such as Qatar (which is currently investing heavily in British science and technology), particularly given the level of political instability that we have. seen in the UK in recent years.
King Charles and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani were photographed inspecting a Guard of Honour.
Kate’s warm smile and dazzling sense of style were missed. She is pictured wearing a stunning burgundy ensemble for the elite occasion.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, arrive today for a tour of Westminster Abbey.
Queen Camilla joined the royal party inside Buckingham Palace following lingering side effects from a nasty case of pneumonia.
The King and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar inspect a guard of honor
King Charles travels today on the Irish State Coach with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, along the Mall to Buckingham Palace.
The Princess of Wales attends the welcoming ceremony at Horse Guards Parade today
It is worth noting that we are now our seventh Prime Minister in less than a decade and only our second Head of State in 70 years.
And at the center of it all is the King, a man who, although “living with cancer”, and for the foreseeable future will continue to receive weekly treatment in London, has been stoically on maneuvers from morning to night.
He heads a renewed Royal Family, one that is smaller and, yes, a little more vulnerable than before, but which has nevertheless demonstrated more than ever this week its continued relevance.
Just in a slightly different way than before.