The Royal Dispatch
Royals at Sandringham and Christmas speeches
A very happy festive season to you, Royal Clubbers, it’s Millie here with a Christmassy edition of The Royal Dispatch. If you missed the last one, you can catch up here.
Of course, the star of the week was the wonderful Sandringham outing made by the British royal family. We saw Princess Catherine looking radiant as she makes her return to normality, the King and Queen in good spirits, and the Wales children speaking with the crowd - Princess Charlotte even stopped for a selfie!
Before we go into the royal pictures of the week, it’s time for some royal history.
On this day in history, 29 December 1170, Thomas Becket was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral.
The violent and sudden nature of his death would come as a shock to many. Thomas had a tumultuous relationship with England’s king, Henry II.
Eight years previously, Thomas had been appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, and later Henry’s Chancellor. While Thomas initially took up both positions, he later resigned as Chancellor to focus on broadening the influence of the church, a decision which angered the king.
In 1164, Henry tried to pass laws limiting the power of the Church – changes which Thomas refused to put into place. He was put on trial for disobeying the monarch, and fled to France.
The relationship further soured when, in 1170, Henry began to think about succession plans. Concerned for the fate of his lineage, Henry had the Archbishop of York crown his son as a ‘junior king’. While symbolic, the move angered Thomas, as coronations were traditionally performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
He and Henry resolved their differences and Thomas returned to England from France, but before he did so, he excommunicated all the bishops involved in the coronation ceremony.
The king was livid. It is said he shouted: “Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?” when learning the news, which was overheard by four knights.
They rode to Canterbury, and entered the cathedral, calling out: “Where is Thomas Becket, traitor to the king and the kingdom?”
The intention was to drag Thomas outside the church, but eye-witness reports say he clung onto a pillar. One knight cut off the crown of his head while the other two struck him, the third delivering the killing blow.
It is not known whether Henry really called for Thomas’s murder. In the time after his death, the king was forced to show public repentance, and miracles were reported using mixtures of the Archbishop’s blood. Thomas was made a saint in 1173.
Best Royal Pictures of the Week
Princess Beatrice
A pregnant Princess Beatrice joined her uncle and other royals for the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church. Also with her was husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi and Beatrice’s stepson, Wolfie, making his Sandringham Debut.
Princess Anne
The Princess Royal was festive in red on Wednesday as she walked the short distance from Sandringham House to the church with her brother and other royals.
Princess Charlotte
The nine-year-old Princess cut a very grown-up figure in tartan when she and her brothers walked to the Christmas Day service.
Princess Catherine
How elegant is this photograph of the Princess of Wales! Viewers described Princess Catherine as ‘laden’ with flowers from well-wishers, all who praised her for being such an inspiration though sharing her cancer journey this year.
King Philippe of Belgium
King Philippe chose a festive background for his Christmas Day speech, filmed in the Laeken Royal Palace in Belgium.
King Felipe of Spain
King Felipe delivered his customary Christmas Eve speech on Tuesday, using the opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of flooding in Valencia earlier this year.
Prince Louis
Six-year-old Louis had his hands full of Christmas presents from well-wishers at Sandringham, including a stuffed toy and lots of chocolate!
King Charles
The monarch made his annual Christmas Day speech, which was televised on Wednesday. He spoke about his royal tour to Australia and Samoa, the devastating conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world, and the community spirit which emerged in response to riots earlier in the year.
He said: “From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed.
“I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.”
As the royals are taking a much-needed rest during the festive period, the Royal Diary will be back in January once official engagements start up again.
Princess Beatrice joined her Grandfather? I’m American, but I thought Charles was her Uncle. Was not Philip her Grandfather? Or was Fergie’s Dad there?