The Royal Dispatch
A future Queen drinks Guinness and Queen Maxima's tiara moment
Hi Royal Clubbers, it’s Millie bringing you our latest edition of The Royal Dispatch.
It’s been a full-on week for the royals, and The Royal Club’s Emily Nash has been in Estonia with Prince William, so we have lots of exciting behind-the-scenes content and insight to share with you.
But before we get on to the best royal pictures of the week, time for some royal history.
On this day…
On 22 March 871, West Saxon forces met an incoming Viking invasion, and a brutal battle took place.
Much of this conflict is lost to history, including the location of the battle, as reports vary in spelling, including ‘Marton’, ‘Meretun’ and ‘Marden’, so it’s hard to guess exactly where this took place. It’s assumed to be in Dorset, Hampshire, or Wiltshire.
Leading the West Saxon forces was King Æthelred, and his younger brother, the future Alfred the Great. That year, the Danes and Saxons fought nine times, including at Marton where Æthelred’s forces clashed violently with Danes led by Halfdan Ragnarsson.
Things didn’t proceed to go well for the Saxons: the Vikings claimed the victory, renowned warrior-bishop Heahmund was killed, and by Easter that year the young King Æthelred was dead. Because of the short time between the battle and his untimely demise, it is speculated that Æthelred died of his wounds.
Much is known about the defeated Alfred, whose vision inspired the formation of England; less is known about Heahmund, though he was of course memorably portrayed by Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the epic TV series, Vikings. To modern sensibilities, the concept of a fighting man of the cloth is rather anachronistic (most village vicars struggle to wield a bible let alone a sword), but back then fighting clerics were par for the course.
The real Heahmund lived in the 9th century in Wessex, and was first ordained Bishop of Salisbury before becoming the Bishop of Sherbourne. Reports place him not only as an impressive warrior but also as a sharp-minded strategist who assisted the kings of Wessex that he swore to serve.
Following his death at Meretun, Heahmund was buried at Keynsham and made a saint venerated both by the Catholic and Orthodox church.
Best Royal Pictures of The Week
Queen Máxima
What a tiara moment! Queen Máxima of the Netherlands looked completely regal in the Dutch Sapphire Necklace Tiara, worn recently by her daughter Princess Amalia at Prince Christian of Denmark's 18th birthday gala dinner. The Dutch royals were at a state banquet on Tuesday offered by President William Ruto of Kenya and First Lady Rachel Ruth in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Dutch queen had another incredible fashion moment in this red combo for the welcome ceremony.
Princess Catherine
The Princess of Wales was festive in green at Wellington Barracks on Monday as she visited the Irish Guards in her role as Colonel.
Queen Letizia
Looking glamorous as ever, Queen Letizia met with a representation of the Federation of Associations of Deafblind People in Spain at Zarzuela Palace on Tuesday.
King Charles and Queen Camilla
The King and Queen looked delighted during a tour of a 200-year old bakery on their trip to Limavady, Northern Ireland on Thursday.
Queen Mary
It was lovely to see Queen Mary back on her feet on Monday after an illness kept her away from royal duties last week. She was welcomed by students at Pilehaveskolen as she participates in the School Force, a program to combat bullying.
Prince William
Not just another day at the office for Prince William, who strapped into a Challenger 2 battle tank during the official handover ceremony between The Royal Dragoon Guards and the Mercian Regiment in Tallinn, Estonia on Friday. He is there to meet with the Mercian Regiment, support NATO's eastern flank, and explore Estonia's response to the Ukraine conflict and advancements in renewable energy and technology.
Dutch royals
Another mention for Máxima as we absolutely had to include this incredible photograph of King Willem-Alexander and his lovely queen who have been on tour in Kenya this week.
A special mention
While not strictly a royal, we couldn’t help but include this rather regal pup who turned up to greet the King and Queen for their visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday!
Royal Diary
The indomitable Princess Royal has a packed week of engagements coming out, plus the Queen is set to host a very special reception at Clarence House.
Find out more in the royal diary…