Such
was the drama of Boris Johnson’s confidence vote on Monday, it felt we
were robbed of a collective pause for breath so we could digest the immensity
of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. I had no sooner shed a few
emotional tears over Paddington Bear’s tea party with the Queen before
I was in a TV studio discussing the odds on our Prime Minister’s political
survival.
But that incredible weekend of
pageantry does deserve our further attention. Because although it was a vast
coming together of a nation to celebrate the faultless 70-year rule of our
longest-reigning monarch and her service, it was also a demonstration of the
transition taking place within the royal family. In recent months it has become
clear there will be not one person leading the royals in the future, instead
expect the multi-generational foursome of Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince
William and the increasingly glamorous and pitch-perfect Kate. A
combination of steadfastness and starry youth.
Then there are, of course, the
grandchildren, the third generation. Who can forget Prince Louis blowing
raspberries at his mum during the pageant on Sunday?
The Queen has held such a grip
on our daily lives that when that day dawns the loss to our identity as a
nation, here and worldwide, should not be underestimated. And despite the
sizable allure of this new quartet, the Firm remains horribly slimmed down,
with the loss of the Sussexes and Prince Andrew’s scandalous exit from royal
life.
Recent polls show there is
little reason to fear the position of the monarchy is in any doubt. Even if
those wishing to abolish it have risen in recent years to 22 per cent, many
more, polled in April, spoke favourably of Charles being king.
There is, however, still a
stark rift at the heart of the family. And it is damaging. Despite the Sussexes
mixing with the rest of the family during their brief stay, including
introducing one-year-old Lilibet to the Queen, Princes Harry and
William apparently remain estranged. These rumours could be wildly exaggerated
and perhaps the brothers kept apart to ensure the pageant was not overshadowed
by their relationship. I’m not sure many of us buy this theory. That Oprah
interview is still perceived to have crossed a line with Prince William — not
least when there has still been little public acknowledgement of the hurt
caused, let alone an apology.
There was scant evidence
William is making any effort to ease a reconciliation. In contrast, the Queen
ensured Harry received his jubilee medal, was invited to St Paul’s (where the
couple were loudly cheered) and were nearby if not actually on the Buckingham
Palace balcony. Many of the other royals attended Lilibet’s birthday party on
the Saturday, proving there is still a large portion of the family who are
determined to keep loving channels open.
The princes’ grandmother,
whilst no doubt desperately wishing these two brothers’ were friends again,
understands the power of a family united. She knows that Harry and Meghan’s
undoubtable star power both here and abroad, if harnessed correctly even as
non-serving royals, remains a huge bonus for the international royal brand.
A country in poverty can
swiftly turn on royal expenditure, but the royals bring close to £600 million
a year in tourism every year, far outstripping their bill to the taxpayer.
None of the more junior royal
members carry the same global celebrity the Sussexes do. And don’t forget their
firm grip on the imagination of Americans.
It would be for the benefit of
Prince William, not just Harry, if this younger team can fix their fallout.
William should perhaps consider his recent tour of the Caribbean, where the
tone was wrong. Harry and Meghan are also a modern representation of the royals.
Maybe he should consider them as friends not foes — and people to turn to for
counsel.
I know some readers will howl
with derision but for many younger generations Meghan represented hope and
change.
We do silly things when we’re
hurt. It is human. Sorry is an easy word – it doesn’t matter where fault
principally lies. Prince William is the elder of the two and if he wants to be
viewed as kingly, he needs to forgive and display the same calm wisdom of the
current monarch.
Harry humbly played his part
this weekend. Joined together they are a force for good. Apart, the brothers
will continue to be a PR disaster, and a royal family driven apart.
