4 April, 2024

Sean Coughlan Royal Correspondent Welcome to this week’s Royal Watch. King Charles was back meeting people in his biggest appearance so far this year. His cheerfulness in Windsor sent an optimistic signal about his health.  ‌ With the seasons turning, this summer there are plans for two famous royal residences to let the public get closer than ever before. But it won't be cheap.  ‌ And another survey highlights that younger people are sceptical about the value of the monarchy.

King Charles back meeting crowds The King had his first chance to meet the public this year when he went to the Easter Sunday service in Windsor. ‌ This was his biggest public appearance since his cancer diagnosis and it seemed to send a positive message about his treatment and recovery. ‌ If you see King Charles on an official visit, you’ll have noticed how much he seems to enjoy meeting the crowds.

The King has continued some work since his diagnosis, but previous engagements took place in private. Credit: Getty Maybe it’s a welcome contrast to the stuffiness of formal events, but he genuinely seems to come to life when he’s swapping jokes and shaking hands with the public. ‌ That was the case in Windsor at the weekend, when he chatted to people waiting to see the royals. ‌ But he won’t be back to official duties for a while. “I have to obey my instructions,” said the King to a well-wisher, indicating the limits to his activities during cancer treatment.

The 75-year-old King surprised waiting crowds, who applauded as he greeted them outside St George's Chapel. Credit: Getty Your emails about the King and Catherine seem to favour being patient with the royal patients, and letting them return to public life when they’re ready. ‌ “They need peace and quiet,” writes Mary. Although Linda in the US puts it more directly: “So glad the hounds have backed off.” ‌ Do let us know what you think via email. King appears in public at Easter service

Royal connections to World Central Kitchen Seven workers from food charity World Central Kitchen were killed by an Israeli air strike in Gaza earlier this week.

The Israeli army said it has been reviewing the incident "at the highest levels" to understand the circumstances of what happened and how it happened. Credit: Getty This aid organisation has multiple royal links. ‌ Prince Harry and Meghan have been prominent supporters, backing efforts to supply food to communities caught up in war or natural disasters.

José Andrés called the aid workers “angels”. Credit: Getty The charity’s founder José Andrés has also been involved in Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, speaking at one of its events in New York last year. ‌ And when the then-Prince Charles visited Ukrainian refugees in Romania, it was World Central Kitchen providing the food.

José Andrés heartbroken over aid workers’ deaths

Behind palace doors As part of a wider plan to open up more of the royal estates to the public, visitors to Buckingham Palace and Balmoral this summer are going to see parts of the royal residences that were previously private and off-limits.

Since 1837, Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of the UK’s sovereigns. Credit: Getty For the first time, the East Wing of Buckingham Palace will be open to visitors, with guided tours in July and August. That wing includes the famous frontage with the balcony, although visitors won’t actually be able to step on to the balcony to try out their waving technique. ‌ As a bit of trivia, the palace’s East Wing, built during Queen Victoria’s reign, was funded by selling Brighton Pavilion in 1850.

And at Balmoral, the Royal Family’s Scottish retreat, there will be guided tours revealing more of the castle, showing rooms, paintings and historical artefacts previously not on view to the public.

The Queen’s life at Balmoral was celebrated in a 2022 exhibition. Credit: Getty It's not cheap though. The private tours of Balmoral will be £100 per person and the tour of Buckingham Palace’s East Wing and state rooms will be £75.

Would you pay £150 for Balmoral afternoon tea and a private tour?

Royal generation gap There are big divides in public attitudes towards the monarchy with support slipping among the under-50s, according to a public opinion survey. ‌ YouGov runs an opinion poll twice a year asking whether people think the monarchy is good or bad for Britain. ‌ The latest survey, carried out in March, shows 51% say it’s good for Britain. However, 28% say it’s “neither good nor bad”, 16% say it’s bad and the rest don’t know.

There were anti-monarchy protests during King Charles's coronation in 2023. Credit: Getty Five years ago, 60% said the monarchy was good for Britain. ‌ But in a pattern repeated in many such surveys, there are major differences between age groups. Among the over 65s, 74% were in support of the monarchy, while for the 18-24 year olds it was 29%.

In the past, Kate has polled as the nation's favourite royal. Image credit: Getty Among 50 to 64-year-olds, more than half believe the monarchy is a good thing ‌ It’s also worth noting the second biggest response was to say the monarchy was neither good nor bad. It suggests many people have more nuanced views, rather than being entirely for or against the institution.