Are Meghan and Harry’s antics final nail in the coffin for Queen? (Image: Getty)
As the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh settle into their traditional summer holiday it’s an appropriate moment to put the question, since they themselves will be debating the issue.
At Balmoral, time stands still. The place is pretty much as Queen Victoria left it, with an excess of tartan and an ancient timetable that has remained unchanged over many years.
But here, in this safe refuge, the family gathers to discuss the recent past – and the future.
It’s the one moment in the calendar when they have the space and time to ask: “Have we had a good year? A bad one?”
Coronavirus is at the gate, with new lockdown restrictions in nearby Aberdeen and the imposition of a five-mile travel limit to hamper their holiday pleasure.
But that’s the least of the royals’ worries.
The eight months since this paper warned 2020 was a “make or break” year for The Firm, their numbers have been depleted – no Harry, Meghan or Archie after they upped and left for a new life in the USA.
Their mission? Why “Finding Freedom” of course, just like the controversial title of the book they say they had nothing to do with.
Meanwhile Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have both seen the early stages of married life overshadowed by their father, Prince Andrew, who is now living in a twilight zone while the drama surrounding the arrest of his close friend Ghislaine Maxwell slowly plays out.
Just before the end of 2019, the Sunday Express warned that 2020 would be the year to decide the long-term future of the Royal Family (Image: Getty)
And then there’s coronavirus, with the nation facing a crisis like nothing since the Second World War. In times of such doubt, the people naturally turn to their first family. Have they done well enough to ensure the nation’s continued support?
The Queen will be 95 next birthday; Prince Philip will be 100 – but the game, as far as they’re concerned, is far from over. Who’d have thought this time last year that the Queen would be taking part in Zoom meetings, broadcast all over the world?
Or that the ramrod-straight Philip, now officially in retirement, would be turning out on parade aged 99 to hand over his patronage of The Rifles to Camilla?
The House of Windsor hasn’t let us down – if anything, the pandemic has offered them opportunities to shine in a way we’ve never seen before.
The regular online appearances of Charles, who contracted the virus but recovered, as well as Camilla, Anne, William and Kate, have brought them once again to the forefront of public attention.
They may be travelling less, but they’re being seen more. It’s a glimpse of the future.
Charles contracted coronavirus but recovered (Image: Getty)
And the recent TV documentary to mark Princess Anne’s 70th birthday this week was a useful reminder of the often overlooked contribution she makes.
We’ve also seen more of Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, with whom the Queen has an especially close relationship – and, in the absence of the headline-grabbing Duke and Duchess of Sussex, there’s space to appreciate what a glittering adornment she is to the royal crown.
As for William and Kate, in the months since Christmas they’ve finally grasped the nettle and given in to the public wish to see more of them. A year ago it was still possible to say the Cambridges were doing less than people expected of them – but no longer.
Their appearance in Gavin and Stacey-land, the curry with Peter Crouch, and other high-profile outings they’ve had recently, all hit the target.
They’ve shown that they do know how to please – the true key to successful royalty.
The next 12 months, until the 2021 summer stay near the banks of the River Dee, will be a long one.
The recent TV documentary to mark Princess Anne’s 70th birthday this week was a useful reminder of the often overlooked contribution she makes (Image: Getty)
Harry and Meghan’s thirst for litigation, the publication of Finding Freedom and their first, stumbling attempts to earn money in Los Angeles – a city with no respect for royalty, and one that will inevitably exploit their vulnerability – are all likely to further damage relations both with the family and the nation the couple left behind.
As for Prince Andrew, whatever fate befalls him it will have serious consequences for the House of Windsor. That prospect, more than anything, is likely to concentrate minds as
the royals plough ahead with their traditional picnics and barbecues and Ghillies Ball this summer.
Queen Victoria described Balmoral as her heaven on earth, but Princess Diana hated it. Not every royal loves the place as the Queen does – or wants to dress up in a kilt.
Prince Philip, on his first arrival there as a young man, hated the idea so much he jokily ducked into a deep
curtsey in front of his future father-in-law. The King was not amused.
Thankfully, everyone else was. Let’s hope there are a few more laughs like that in the weeks and months to come – the royals certainly could do with them.
