One week, seven days and plenty to talk about. In another week dominated by speculation about what might be happening behind closed Palace doors, royalty across Europe has continued with changed agendas that reflect the times in which we all now live. As the pandemic continues and engagements remain largely rooted in video calls and photos, there were some face to face engagements as well as images that told stories all of their own. Here’s the royal week, in pictures.
Healing Hearts
[getty src=”1231783203″ width=”457″ height=”594″ tld=”co.uk”]It’s been another turbulent week for the House of Windsor so when The Duchess of Cambridge stood in front of a mural of a healing heart, there were plenty ready to see some kind of symbolism in the image that followed. Kate was on a visit to Newham Ambulance Service with William where the couple heard about the ongoing work being done by staff during the coronavirus pandemic. They were given an idea of how support is offered throughout the service as well as the huge demands, physical and mental, placed on ambulance staff. And there was a chance for a smile as they ended up chatting with the family of one paramedic via video.
Under the Carpet
[getty src=”1307399033″ width=”594″ height=”396″ tld=”co.uk”]King Felipe VI seemed rather taken with the wrong side of a rug when he visited the Spanish Royal Tapestry Factory in Madrid during the week. Felipe, along with wife Letizia, took part in celebrations for the 300th anniversary of the establishment. The factory has been producing and restoring tapestries since it was set up in 1721 by the last King of Spain to be called Felipe. Given the torrent of controversies that have engulfed the Borbons in recent months, this Felipe would be forgiven for checking no other royal scandals were lurking under the carpet on his tour.
Standing in Line
[getty src=”1307764520″ width=”594″ height=”396″ tld=”co.uk”]It’s not often you get to see a former Head of State queuing patiently in a transformed exhibition hall but people in Heysel turning up for their coronvirus jab during the week found themselves waiting in line beside the former Belgian monarch, Albert II. The king and his wife, Paola, checked in for their vaccination after receiving their invitations, along with many over 80 year olds in their local area. It’s not clear what ID the man whose face was on stamps and coins for so long had to show as he reported for his vaccination but the couple happily posed for photos on the day that European leaders gave their full backing to the AstraZeneca jab.
Heading Home
[getty src=”1307370081″ width=”594″ height=”396″ tld=”co.uk”]It’s the photo so many had been waiting to see. After four weeks in hospital, The Duke of Edinburgh headed back to Windsor Castle for rest and recuperation. Prince Philip’s latest stint had been his longest in-patient stay and his time away from home included a heart operation at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital as well as treatment for an infection. He was driven away from King Edward VII’s Hospital to be reunited with The Queen at Windsor. Presumably, the TV and radios have stayed off and all the newspapers have been hidden.
