A Smashing Success, a Spanish Princess, and Sophie Wessex
“I myself prefer my New Zealand eggs for breakfast.” - Queen Elizabeth II
Well, here we are on the other side of #RoyalVisitPakistan. I think most of us had high hopes for this visit and William and Kate definitely delivered.
From start to finish, this was billed as a visit that would showcase Pakistan “as it is today – a dynamic, aspirational and forward-looking nation.” I think many people may have had an opinion about Pakistan that was rightly changed during this visit.
It’s a gorgeous country. The people of Pakistan were warm and welcoming at every stop. The culture was on full, vibrant display. I give full kudos to the government of Pakistan, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the British High Commissioner, and anyone else who had a part in putting together William and Kate’s programme: it set out everything they hoped to achieve.
Now, onto William and Kate.
I was struck by how stately they acted all week. They were warm and inviting to everyone they met; engaged in all topics, whether it was climate change, educational opportunities, children, or the security and military relationship between the UK and Pakistan.
They — mainly Kate, but William got in on the action as well — wore respectful Pakistani-inspired or -designed clothes that were incredibly appreciated by the Pakistani people. They gave interviews to the press, including one of Kate’s rare talking heads:
And yet it never seemed forced. I think we’ve seen them grow into their roles ahead of the future that awaits them. It’s going to be interesting to see how this carries forward.
Overall, I think they achieved everything they — and the governments of the UK and Pakistan — set out to do. I hope they flew home very proud of the tour.
We likely won’t see William and Kate out and about with any regularity until November, as the children are currently on a break from school. But what a high note to leave on.
Princess Leonor Gives a Speech
Princess Leonor, the Princess of Asturias, attended the Princess of Asturias Awards for the first time this weekend with her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and younger sister Infanta Sofía.
There, she gave a speech where she promised to “serve Spain and all Spaniards with dedication and effort” and reminded the audience that “I carry Asturian blood,” because her mother was born in Oviedo. She also said that her family had taught her and her sister “to love and admire Asturians.”
The Princess of Asturias Awards — formerly the Prince of Asturias Awards when her father held the title — are presented annually to people who have made significant contributions to the arts, sports, sciences, and public affairs.
This was the first time Princess Leonor had attended the awards, and it seems like the perfect easing in point to start her on her royal duties while still keeping it age- and workload- appropriate.
In Praise of Sophie
Earlier this week on Twitter, I posted this:
If there’s an unsung hero of the British Royal Family, I’d like to bring forward Sophie for consideration. Well, at least among the non-blood royals. We all know that Princess Anne holds the title for blood royals.
There’s something to be said for the quiet way that Sophie goes about her work, be it working with and on behalf of survivors of sexual violence, promoting The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and girls’ participation in it, agriculture, the prevention of blindness, and fashion.
She puts her head down, she gets the job done, and she’s passionate about her patronages and activities. For someone who doesn’t get near enough coverage that she should, she’s certainly turned herself into a valuable asset for The Firm.
For more, here’s a great article in Maclean’s about Sophie.
Elsewhere
The Queen’s upping her own social media game:
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands paid a State Visit to India, and this might be my favourite Maxima look ever:
The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg hosted King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium for a State Visit as well:
Prince Charles will star in a two-part documentary about the Duchy of Cornwall and the work he’s done on it over the past 50 years. Prince William will also feature, talking both about the work his father’s done and how he’ll carry on that work when he inherits the Duchy:
Queen Silvia of Sweden was in Beirut, Lebanon to see the work of Mentor Arabia:
Harry and Meghan attended the WellChild Awards:
Lovely Moment(s) of the Week
Kate chatting with a little girl at the SOS Children’s Village in Lahore. Look at the proud smile on her face when she finds out that she has the same teddy as a princess.
Waifa, a young cancer patient at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, having tea with William and Kate.
See you next week!