Camilla and the Queen

In years gone by, the presence of Camilla Parker-Bowles anywhere near Queen Elizabeth II would have caused a sensation.  Even after her marriage to the Prince of Wales in 2005, the new Duchess of Cornwall was rarely seen with the queen whose realm she and Charles rocked with their relationship. But today Elizabeth II and Camilla of Cornwall attended an event together in London.

 

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cornwall were rarely seen in public together but are now carrying out joint engagements

They were at the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton and while the day's events might have been fairly run of the mills for seasoned royals with a little light plaque unveiling and some horse riding to watch, the sight of the two of them together is bound to cause talk.  The Queen is looking to the Prince of Wales to take on some of the longer overseas trips that fall to her and the sight of Camilla at her side is a reminder that the woman who was once a royal outsider is now one step away from a throne of her own.  Camilla my be called Princess Consort on Charles' accession - she may not, as legal experts insist she must be queen as he is king - but she will be the most important woman at court.  And the sight of her with her mother-in-law on a day's engagements underlines that.  Camilla has been seen to be made welcome by William and Harry and the queen who rules the House of Windsor as well as Great Britain.  Her royal acceptance is more than complete.

 

The Queen of England and the woman who will be Princess Consort - Elizabeth II and Camilla of Cornwall on October 29th 2013

A prince in need

Prince Harry has broken his toe and if that doesn't spark a mad rush of offers of nursing, then nothing will.  The younger Wales brother is about to embark on a two hundred mile trek to the South Pole (again, if that doesn't spark a mad rush of offers to provide thermal vests and flasks of coffee, then there's no hope for anyone).  That walk is in aid of one of his favourite charities, Walking with the Wounded, which helps former service personnel overcome long term injury.

Harry in warmer climes as he fights off a sea of mobile phones in Sydney earlier this month

 

He's thought to be resting the toe to help it heal as fast as possible - after all, the trek isn't just your run of the mill stroll to the Pole that princes like to indulge in as Christmas approaches.  This is a race against teams from America and the Commonwealth.  The royal toe is under a lot of pressure to get well very soon.

Royal christening: mother love

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released another portrait of the christening of their son, Prince George.  And after the formality of the group shots and the history of four generations of monarchs together, the latest picture shows a mother and her son sharing a look of love while daddy looks on with pride.  A reminder that behind the pomp, circumstance and glamour, George is above all, a much loved son.

 

Prince George smiles at his mother, Kate, while she gazes adoringly at him and all under the watchful eye of proud father, Prince William

 

Mary and Letizia: going home

Ten years after their engagements were announced in rapid succession, Princess Mary of Denmark and Princess Letizia of Asturias are both on high profile visits to their homelands.  Mary is in Sydney where, along with Crown Prince Frederik, she is marking the 40th anniversary of the famous Opera House and its Danish design.  Letizia has been in Oviedo, her hometown, helping Felipe present the Principe de Asturias awards for 2013.  In the decade since their royal roles began, their paths have taken them far and wide, around the world and into brighter spotlights than they could ever have imagined.  But it seems quite appropriate that as they both mark ten years of royal partnerships, they are going home, if only briefly.

 

Frederik and Mary of Denmark on their visit to Sydney, Australia

 

 

Felipe and Letizia at the 2013 Principe de Asturias awards in Oviedo

The day of destiny

It is a moment of history that was well worth the wait.  For only the second time in royal history, four generations of monarchs have posed together.  It's been 119 years since we saw a queen regnant with the three men who will succeed her in the same photograph.  Victoria set the pace and now her great, great granddaughter has emulated her.  One queen regnant, three kings in waiting and one more day of destiny.

Queen Elizabeth II with her successors on October 23rd 2013 at St James' Palace, London

 

When Victoria sat down at the Royal Lodge in Windsor on July 16th 1894 for that first historic photograph of four generations of monarchs together, she thought she held in her arms the guarantee of her dynasty.  In fact, that came a year later when she cradled the future George VI on the day of his baptism.  But the hopes and the dreams were there.  Like Elizabeth II, Victoria was never expected to be queen on the day of her own christening but both have given longevity and vitality to an institution that they were never meant to lead.  From carefree little princesses to queens to mothers to great grandmothers, their paths have taken them to the same destiny.  To leave the crown they were never meant to wear with three generations ready to inherit it.

Queen Victoria with her successors on July 16th 1894 at the Royal Lodge, Windsor