There’s been a lot of talk this week about how the Princess of Wales is getting too much attention and overshadowing King Charles and Queen Camilla. On Monday, Kate made a “surprise” visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, where she arranged for a dozen photographers to document her keen “picnic” with some local schoolchildren, many of whom were Black and brown. She got on the cover of many of the papers in Britain, even if she was widely mocked online for using those kids as diversity props. The other problem was that on the very same day, Charles and Camilla visited the Chelsea Flower Show and their visit barely got any attention. “Sources” told Richard Eden at the Mail that Charles was furious about Kate’s thunder-stealing. Except now Charles’s biographer Robert Jobson claims that Charles is fine with Kate’s keenery because she and William are the future…? That seriously sounds nothing like Charles.
Queen Camilla has wisely always stayed more in the shadows – stressing her ‘supporting role.’ Now he is King for the first time in decades he is very much the star attraction again – for now at least. Wherever he goes the crowds are 8 to 10 people deep. Perhaps it is due to the novelty of wanting to see the new monarch up close and personal. But Charles is under no illusions that it is the younger royals that have the star quality and are crucial for the future of our monarchy.
We have seen a sign of that at the Chelsea Flower Show, where the Princess of Wales dazzled and, perhaps understandably, drew more attention than his own visit. Catherine and William have the wow factor – as a double act at the Earthshot Prize launches they have pulling power. They make headlines for the right reasons. She has made the role as the new princess her own. Her work with Early Learning for young children has been groundbreaking. She looks great, she is smart and is an inspiration to many women at home and abroad. But she never overplays her hand.
Speculation that Charles is concerned that his son and daughter-in-law are stealing his thunder is wide off the mark. Whatever he might have felt in the past, The King knows his role is different now. His position as Head of State and ‘Father of the nation’ must be a unifying one. His days of going out of a limb, speaking on potentially divisive issues are in the past. His legacy on the environment and sustainability is secure.
The Palace, however, is conscious that with less so-called ‘working royals’ the grid system of engagements must complement each other. There must also be a clear strategy towards the Commonwealth too, of which the King was created head of by consensus.
The Harry/Meghan distraction will over time become less important as the King establishes his new reign – and we move from the transitional period. There is no doubt that Charles’s position as the paterfamilias is established. After William and his family, The Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have declared their unreserved support to the Crown. Over time any uncertainty will fade.
But make no mistake, whilst it is Charles’s head that wears the Crown, it is William, Catherine and their children that will steal the limelight. They are bound to. And it is right. This time, it will be with Charles’s blessing – for he knows for monarchy to survive it must be relevant to the younger generation.
This reads like a palace adviser giving Charles a pep talk, trying to calm down Charles because he’s enraged about Kate’s thunder-stealing. “It will be okay, sir, you’re still king, you’re still in charge of this family, Kate will naturally get more attention.” All it does is emphasize that there IS “uncertainty” and that for the past five years, the biggest show is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the royal court of Montecito. “Interest in the Sussexes will fade, Your Majesty!” How many years have they been saying that?
As for Kate’s keenery… “The Palace, however, is conscious that with less so-called ‘working royals’ the grid system of engagements must complement each other.” There it is – Jobson telling Kate and William that they need to clear their sh-t with Charles and Cam so that their events “complement” each other.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
HRH Princess Catherine of Wales at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, UK on May 22 2023.,Image: 778212086, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Lee Floyd / Avalon 
HRH Princess Catherine of Wales at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, UK on May 22 2023.,Image: 778213757, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Lee Floyd / Avalon 
HRH Princess Catherine of Wales at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, UK on May 22 2023.,Image: 778213796, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Lee Floyd / Avalon
HRH Princess Catherine of Wales at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, UK on May 22 2023.,Image: 778213822, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Lee Floyd / Avalon 
HRH Princess Catherine of Wales at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, UK on May 22 2023.,Image: 778213834, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Lee Floyd / Avalon 
London, UK, 22nd May 2023. Catherine, the Princess of Wales visits Chelsea Flower Show. She first meets school children for the first ever children’s picknick at the show, then visited the Savill’s Garden, Samaritans Garden and garden of the Royal Enthomological Society. Press day at the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, showcasing garden designs, products, floral displays and all things horticultural from May 23-27.,Image: 778227796, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Imageplotter / Avalon
The Princess of Wales with pupils from schools taking part in the first Children’s Picnic at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London. Picture date: Monday May 22, 2023. Ten schools from the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening were invited to bring pupils along to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, marking the first time in the event’s 110-year history that a Children’s Picnic has taken place.,Image: 778230122, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jordan Pettitt / Avalon 
London, UK, 22nd May 2023. Catherine, the Princess of Wales visits Chelsea Flower Show. She first meets school children for the first ever children’s picknick at the show, then visited the Savill’s Garden, Samaritans Garden and garden of the Royal Enthomological Society. Press day at the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, showcasing garden designs, products, floral displays and all things horticultural from May 23-27.,Image: 778258687, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Imageplotter / Avalon 
Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla walk Keith Weed, President of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), at Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, May 22, 2023,Image: 778307421, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: TOBY MELVILLE / Avalon
Britain’s Queen Camilla sits on a bench in London Square Community Garden at Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, May 22, 2023,Image: 778307422, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: TOBY MELVILLE / Avalon 
Britain’s King Charles gestures, as he visits Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, May 22, 2023,Image: 778307494, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: TOBY MELVILLE / Avalon 
Britain’s Queen Camilla visits Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, May 22, 2023,Image: 778307505, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: TOBY MELVILLE / AvalonncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWlpZYRxe8momaynnpS4qrrGmJqhmaKhsrSryKyWraeklrmtxb6foKedj6y2tbS%2BsKClpJmWuqC3wK2cmKukmq6ttc2glq2glZS5qrnEpaCgoKRk