The United Kingdom has been the scene of a terrorist attack three times this year, and yet the British Royal Family has remained largely quiet, leaving many wondering why. In March a terrorist attack took place near the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the British Parliament. Four people were killed, and over 50 were injured when the attacker drove a car into pedestrians on the pavement. A service of hope was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, while Prince Charles thanked doctors.
In May a suicide bombing occurred at Manchester Arena in Manchester after a concert by Ariana Grande and 23 people were killed, and 119 were injured. Her Majesty The Queen decided to not cancel the planned garden party later the next day and appeared at the event in a bright yellow dress, although a minute of silence was held. After the obligatory statements were released, it took three days before Her Majesty visited people in hospital in Manchester, where she described the attack as “very wicked.” It seems a silly way to describe a horrific nail bomb that killed 23 people, and the distance between Her Majesty and the victims can be sensed from the photos.
Then came the attack on 3 June when three men drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge and then stabbed people after the van had come to a stop. Eight people were killed, and 48 were injured. So far, the only member of the British Royal Family to publicly speak of this attack was Prince Harry who commented, “Our hearts go out to the victims, their friends and families,” during a visit to Australia. However, as condolences and messages of solidarity poured in from all over the world and from other royal families, I cannot help but ask, “where is The Queen?”
As a Dutch person, I remember the 2009 attack on the Dutch Royal Family only too well, where a man drove his car at high speed into a parade, which included most of the Dutch Royal Family. He drove through people lining the streets, which resulted in the deaths of eight people and ten injuries. The Royal Family remained unharmed. Just a few hours after the attack a visibly shaken Queen Beatrix addressed the nation in a video message.
What started out as a beautiful day has ended in a terrible tragedy that has shocked all of us. People who were standing nearby, who saw it happen on television, all those who witnessed it, must have been watching in astonishment and disbelief. We are speechless that something so terrible could have happened. My family, myself, and, I think, every person in the country feels for the victims, their families and friends, and all who have been affected by this incident.
Also, after Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down with 193 Dutch citizens (from a total of 298 victims) on board, the Dutch King and Queen were at the airport meeting with the victims’ families as the first bodies were flown to the Netherlands for identification. A national day of mourning was declared for 23 July 2014.
The Queen, instead, choose to continue her daily work after the attacks in the UK, which although admirable, leaves me wondering where the outrage is. To be able to move on from events like this, a time to mourn, to be angry must be a part of that process.
Overall, the lack of public response to the terrorist attacks has been limited and has failed to unite the country behind the one thing that is supposed to bind the people, the crown.
NO ! The role of the BRF is to console the bereaved, comfort the injured and shocked and to reward/thank and encourage the countless brave people who worked to help or keep safe those involved in these atrocities. ANY involvement in politics is to be avoided, and [like it or not] these outrages do inevitably become mixed up with politics.
All the royals visited victims in the hospitals including Prince William, Prince Charles, Sophie and the queen. Queen praised Prince William and Harry for helping with the mental health aspect
it won’t be long then until wills and harry will need to comfort the present / still PM may after she completely lost her mind :-D.
*scnr*
while it is indeed not the BRFs business to mingle with politics or dircuss their own political views in public, i see no reason why they shouldn’t visit victims of such assaults in hospitals. her maj did it herself recently.
This article is complete and arrant nonsense, and shows absolutely no understanding of how the monarchy operates in the UK. This would have QEII and the royal family dabble their toes in political hot water and is precisely the reason that Charles Ii lost his head in the 17c. She has an elected government that speaks on her behalf.
Please let’s not forget that we have lived through terrorism and various attacks here in the UK for much longer time than the current bout of attacks here and in the rest of Europe, the Queen and her family have seen members of their own family killed and maimed in a terrorist attack in 1979. They went quietly about their business and grieving during this time.
Please do some homework before hitting the “post’ button on such articles.
This article is utter nonsense. I would have thought that the opinion of the Royal Family regarding terrorist attacks is patently obvious. Royal Central should be ashamed of printing such complete tripe.