I’m starting to wonder whether I can get a loyalty card for covering state visits – or at least a free coffee after the fifth one. In the past eight months, we’ve had four incoming and one outgoing, with a second due next month, if the government signs off plans for the King and Queen to travel to the United States. It’s a lot. Even by royal standards.
But it’s not just the big moments of pomp and pageantry that define royal soft diplomacy, it’s the quieter, regular flow of meetings behind the scenes. Over the past week alone, the King has welcomed a steady stream of global figures: Mark Carney, prime minister of Canada, President of Finland Alexander Stubb and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine – now something of a regular visitor, having been hosted for audiences at least six times in the past few years.
On the same day he met the latter two, the King also held audiences with the High Commissioners of Australia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Canada.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesWith President Zelenskyy, who has been a regular visitor to the UK in recent years
That was after a full day of engagements in Manchester on Monday, including a memorable moment mixing music on the decks (you can see the joyful footage in the video below), and a day before he hosted President Tinubu of Nigeria for a full day and night at Windsor Castle.
WATCH: The King hits the decks
If that sounds busy, it was. One of the standout moments during that visit came when the King charmed his guests with a toast which began in Yoruba and ended in Pidgin, weaving in references to Nigeria’s influence on the UK – from Afrobeats and Premier League footballers to Jollof Rice.
As usual, no detail had been overlooked. And this being the first visit by a Muslim head of state during Ramadan since 1928, there were special adaptations to make the incoming delegation as welcome as possible.
A prayer room was set up inside the castle and for the first time in living memory, canapés were served at the pre-dinner reception, allowing guests to break their fast.
President Tinubu of Nigeria – with a non-alcoholic toast – and the Princess of Wales at Wednesday’s State Banquet
And there was no slowing down. As soon as he had waved off his distinguished guest the next morning, he headed for the South Downs national park to inaugurate the King Charles III coastal path, taking a 2km walk along the clifftops to unveil a plaque to mark the occasion.
For a 76 year old monarch still undergoing cancer treatment, the pace – and stamina – have been remarkable.
And it wasn’t just him. The royals were very much out in force. The Princess of Wales attended the always uplifting St Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks, while Princess Anne quietly clocked up seven engagements over the week.
After a month dominated by headlines about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, this week has felt, whisper it, like a return to business as usual.
There was even a strongly-worded statement defending the Duke and Duchess of Sussex against claims made by author Tom Bower in his latest book, and the magazine Variety, which offered a notably unflattering take in the wake of Netflix’s split from Meghan’s As ever brand and the couple’s reduced production output.
After a month dominated by headlines about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, this week has felt, whisper it, like a return to business as usual.
No wonder the King looked so delighted to be out enjoying some fresh air after a packed schedule of diplomatic meetings.
For unsuspecting ramblers testing out the newly opened route, it was quite the surprise to come across the monarch, walking stick in hand, as he sampled it for himself.
© Getty ImagesWalking stick in hand, the King was in his element on the South Downs on Thursday
My seaside sojourn
My own week has felt almost as busy, even if I didn’t cover quite as many miles as His Majesty.
After a 12-hour stint covering events at Windsor on Wednesday – from the ceremonial welcome in the castle’s quadrangle, via the display of items from the Royal Collection, to the glittering state banquet in the evening, I got an early train to Bournemouth the next morning.
Prince William was in the south coast city to help showcase the pioneering work of his Homewards programme, which is tackling youth homelessness in the area.
A very worthy cause, which I wrote about for HELLO!’s website here.
Royals keeping it real
But what struck me most was how, like his father on his countryside walk, he turned up without fanfare and surprised passers by out walking their dogs or enjoying a day at the seaside.
After weeks of reading about the high-handed behaviour of the former Prince Andrew, it’s more important than ever for the royal family to show that they don’t all operate like that.
My favourite moment came when William spotted a young family who had boldly asked him for a selfie as he walked down Bournemouth Pier to meet international youth homelessness experts from Canada, Australia, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands
William promised he would stop on his way back – and 45 minutes later, he did.
Lily Childs, 12, brother William, eight, and five-year-old cousin Eva, could not have looked happier as he granted their wish. (Their grandmother Jan kindly allowed me to share the resulting image.)
Stopping for a selfie with Lily Childs and family
It was a small moment, but it mattered a great deal to them.
It’s this blend of normality and approachability that will keep the royal family relevant and connecting with people in a fast-changing world.
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