The past year has brought many major moments in the royal story around Europe. While many months have been filled with smiles and positivity, some have been dominated by sadness and controversy.
Anger at a memorial moment
A Thanksgiving Service for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh was held at Westminster Abbey on March 29th 2022 with the Royal Family joined by kings, queens, princes and princesses from across Europe to pay tribute to Prince Philip. However, the initial moments of the ceremony were overshadowed by the controversy which developed as the Duke of York walked his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, into the Abbey. Prince Andrew had only just been forced to hand back all his patronages and military associations after a court case and ongoing controversy around his friendship with convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.
A much debated tour
It came at the end of a difficult month for the Royal Family which found itself at the end of some sharp criticism over a tour of the Caribbean by the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. William and Catherine visited Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas as part of a string of Platinum Jubilee tours by the Royal Family. However, they faced debate about colonialism and were told by the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, that his country intended to become a republic.
Prayers for Ukraine
Royal families across Europe were quick to show their support for Ukraine and its people following the Russian invasion at the end of February 2022. Among the first to condemn the invasion was Crown Prince Haakon of Norway who, along with Crown Princess Mette-Marit, took part in a peace service for Ukraine at the Trinity Church in Oslo within days of the aggression beginning. Other royals showed support in different ways with Queen Letizia of Spain wearing a traditional Ukrainian blouse days after the invasion began.
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