As autumn gets under way, the royal families of Europe are beginning royal engagements again albeit in a very different way from this time last year. With restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic touching every aspect of every day life, royal appearances look very different as we turn for winter. From duchesses in visors to social distancing as the norm, here’s the royal week just gone, in pictures.
Understanding Innovation
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duchess of Cornwall notched up another royal first this week when she debuted a visor on a visit to see a groundbreaking new project designed to detect Covid-19 at airports. Camilla saw the work being undertaken by Medical Detection Dogs at their training centre in Milton Keynes, all while wearing a protective visor. She was given an overview of the trials now underway to see if dogs can sniff out coronavirus, even in asymptomatic carriers. If successful, the project could see dogs deployed at airports to help test incoming travellers. Camilla has been patron of Medical Detection Dogs since 2014.
Thanking Emergency Responders
The Royal Family marked Emergency Services Day this week with messages of thanks and support and a visit to Belfast by the Duke of Cambridge. Prince William spent time with police, fire and ambulance service representatives and saw work going on to support mental health. He also met PTSD training dog, Tara, who got plenty of royal attention before the second in line to the throne headed to Cavehill Country Park to meet up with the Community Rescue Service to hear about their work.
Supporting Sweden
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel went on mega hike through parts of Sweden as it was announced that King Carl XVI Gustaf wants his family to spend the coming months visiting every part of the country to show support for people in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Victoria and Daniel walked 47 kilometres between the mountain stations at Storulvån, Sylarna and Blåhammaren with the future queen even stopping for a drink taken straight from the Swedish countryside. Full details of the tour, which will include the King and Queen, the Crown Princess and Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, will be announced shortly.
Back to School
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s time for pupils across Europe to head back to class after one of the strangest times in their academic careers. Many youngsters across the continent are returning to school for the first time since the pandemic closed classrooms in early spring. Among those going back were Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia of Spain who began a new academic year at the Santa Maria de los Rosales college in Madrid this week. However, within days of getting back to lessons, they found themselves in quarantine for fourteen days after a fellow pupil tested positive for coronavirus.
A Milestone for a Young Prince
Embed from Getty ImagesNorway’s third in line to the throne, Prince Sverre Magnus, was confirmed this week in a special ceremony attended by his closest family. Coronavirus restrictions meant the young royal was allowed just sixteen guests at the service which took place at Asker Church. Sverre was joined by his parents, his sister and half brother and his grandparents among others for this major milestone.
