The Royals Work from Home
I want to start out by making it very clear that all around the world everyone is doing the very best they can in a very difficult situation. This is not a place to attack the Women of Windsor for how they have chosen to respond to this crisis but rather appreciate that they are trying to help and support people (from a distance) with a wide variety of issues that this pandemic has caused. We have begun to see how the Royals are continuing to support their various charities and organizations while adhering to social distancing rules put in place all over the world.
The Queen released a message filmed at Windsor Castle sharing hope even in these dark times. There were some references made to how today's struggles mirror some of the struggles experienced in previous hardships such as World War II. Now, like then, people are separated from their loved ones, their daily activities and hobbies now interrupted as social distancing prohibits children from going to school and adults face new challenges in their working lives. Queen Elizabeth offers a message of home saying;
We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.
-Queen Elizabeth II
After finishing her fourteen day isolation, the Duchess of Cornwall was back to work. She has gotten involved in a new volunteer responder programme run by the Royal Voluntary Service of which she is President. Camilla spoke with 85 year old Doris who had spent the last two weeks self isolating as part of the "check in and chat" initiative. The Duchess of Cornwall also sent a message of thanks to NHS volunteer responders acknowledging the pressures they are facing in the current climate and hoping that these volunteers will help support and encourage them in the coming days and weeks.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have not let quarantining or social distancing stop them from celebrating their fifteenth wedding anniversary. The couple released a photo with their two dogs (which the Duchess rescued from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home) at their home in Birkhill.
Camilla has also compiled a list of book recommendations for anyone looking for something new to read while in quarantine. The Duchess of Cornwall is an avid reader and supports many charities focused on literacy and encouraging a love of reading in children. Her book recommendations include The Architects Apprentice, The Red Notebook and A Gentleman in Moscow.
While the Cambridge Family is quarantining in their home in Norfolk, the Duchess has continued supporting some of her charities and lifting peoples spirits. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a short clip of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis applauding for the #ClapForOurCarers campaign to thank the NHS staff and other essential workers during the pandemic.
The Duchess spoke via telephone to Catherine Roche who is CEO of Place2Be, a children's mental health charity. Many charities find themselves in more need than ever due to higher demand and dwindling funds. If you are financially able at this time, please consider donating to some of these charities that are doing amazing work.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge then did a Zoom call with Casterton Primary Academy to talk with some of the students who are there owing to their parents being essential workers. They also thanked the teachers and staff who were with the children for continuing to provide a safe environment for them at this time. Casterton is a Place2Be mental health school so the children have resources available to them should they feel they need extra support.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been sharing some tips and tricks for coping with your mental and physical health on their Instagram before they said goodbye to the account at the end of March. According to reports they have decided to quarantine in Los Angeles, which is closer to Meghan's mother. While we have not heard from them since they shut their Instagram down, it is plausible they have decided to keep out of the papers and therefore we would be unaware as to how they are helping.
The Wessex family had also joined in on #ClapForOurCarers from their home in Bagshot park. The Countess of Wessex has released a few clips (filmed by Lady Louise) about services available during this time which you can learn more about here. Sophie volunteered (with proper social distancing and health precautions taken) with The Hope Hub, a homelessness charity in Surrey.
They are currently providing emergency food packages to their clients who are staying in temporary accommodations at this time. Without the Hope Hub, many of them would have no place to go so the services provided and those volunteering are vital in keeping the vulnerable homeless population safe.
The York Princesses have also been volunteering alongside their parents. They have been donating food and care packages to NHS staff and volunteers as a means of conveying their appreciation for the vital work being done. Princess Eugenie has also been sharing stories of hope and good deeds on her Instagram stories to spread some cheer during a very difficult time for many. She has praised the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital for becoming a trauma centre for the first time in forty years in order to respond to the severity of COVID-19.
I hope everyone continues to stay safe and healthy. xx