As the last rays of sun fade into the cool days of autumn, royals across Europe have found themselves at their busiest since the pandemic hit in the chill of winter’s end. Special projects, family moments and a new royal star have caught attention in the past seven days. Here’s the royal week just gone, in pictures.
Picking up the pieces
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Earl and Countess of Wessex, along with their children, headed to the beach to help with a litter pick up this week. Edward, Sophie, Louise and James joined other volunteers in Portsmouth to collect rubbish as part of the Great British Beach Clean, organised by the Marine Conservation Society.
Proud Parents
Embed from Getty ImagesKing Philippe of the Belgians presented new recruits to the Royal Military Academy with the blue berets they have been awarded after completing a month’s initiation with his first born child, Princess Elisabeth, among the cohort. As Philippe handed over the beret to his heir, he couldn’t resist a proud paternal handshake which turned into a pat on the arm as he clearly struggled to contain his emotions. You could almost hear his heart beat with pride.
Baby Love
The Queen will become a great grandmother for the ninth time in early 2021 with Princess Eugenie confirming what many had suspected for quite some while – she and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, are set to welcome their first baby. After the formal announcement from Buckingham Palace came an Instagram post from the mum to be herself, featuring a rather cute pair of baby slippers for the future eleventh in line to the throne.
Dazzling Debut
Europe has a new royal superstar and he’s had quite a few close ups this week. Prince Charles of Luxembourg, future ruler of the Grand Duchy, was baptised this week and just two days later his proud parents took him along to see a tree dedicated in his name. Charles, who is now four months old, gurgled his way through his two big appearances.
Gala in the time of coronavirus
Embed from Getty ImagesMany parts of the royal schedule have had to be reimagined as the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic continue to affect all areas of life. Gala evenings have been among the last regal events to make a reappearance on the schedule but this week, Princess Charlene of Monaco showed everyone just how they should be done as she dazzleed in silver sequins at the Monte Carlo Gala for Planetary Health. Charlene rubbed shoulders with all kinds of A-Listers at the event but it was the Princess of Monaco who really shone. A template for autumn’s sparkling evenings if ever there was one.
And that’s the royal week, in pictures.
