20 June, 2024

Sean Coughlan Royal Correspondent Welcome to this week’s Royal Watch. ‌ Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to glimpse the Princess of Wales as she took her first step back into public life. But here’s a question: should she be called Kate or Catherine in the media? ‌ The monarchy might need her more than ever as another survey suggests its popularity is slipping. ‌ And there was a historic ceremony in Windsor, but what’s going on with all those ostrich feathers?

Smiles of a princess still recovering So there she was. After months of ill health and speculation, the Princess of Wales appeared at the window of a carriage leaving Buckingham Palace. ‌ Catherine, dressed in white, was there for the Trooping the Colour ceremony, in what was her first public event since Christmas Day.

Thousands waited in the rain for the highly-anticipated event. Credit: Getty It was a big moment, played out in London’s lashing rain. The soaked crowds gave their modern equivalent of a cheer, all holding up their mobile phones to take a picture of her return.   ‌ After the parade, she waved from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, symbolically standing next to King Charles, who also had a cancer diagnosis this year. It was an image of togetherness after a tough year.   ‌ Although this was an important stage in Catherine’s recovery, in her own words she’s “not out of the woods yet”.

King Charles has said he is “so proud” of Catherine for sharing her cancer diagnosis. Credit: Getty It was a cautious optimism. Catherine says she is making “good progress” but still has months of chemotherapy ahead of her. ‌ As many families will recognise from their own experiences, there will be “good days and bad days” with her cancer treatment. ‌ It had only been announced in a briefing to royal correspondents the day before that she would be at Trooping the Colour. ‌ But after almost six months away from public duties, and some sometimes crazy rumours, the princess was back. Kate makes appearance at Trooping the Colour

Your Royal Watch Last week, we asked for your opinions on anti-monarchy protests at royal events. ‌ You sent plenty of thoughtful emails – and many of you sought to find a balance, saying public protest was an important right, but it could spoil special moments for those who turn out to see the royals. ‌ “I believe the right to protest is sacrosanct in a working democracy,” says Daniel in Canada. But he thinks the location and timing of protests should be flexible. For example, protesters might march after a parade has finished. ‌ Ruth in the US has a similar message. “I do believe protesters have rights to tell their story,” she says, but it would be better to “keep royal events and protests separate”. “Safety first,” she adds. ‌ But Mary in Germany recognises that protesters will want to be “visible” when they demonstrate against “any institution, including the monarchy”. ‌ This week, with the Princess of Wales in the news, we want your views about how she’s described in the media. ‌ Her first name is Catherine, but for many years, she’s often been called “Kate” in headlines. A short name works well on front pages, and it’s become how she’s known. But her own family prefers to use Catherine. ‌ How do you think she should be addressed? Is Kate too informal for a senior royal? Perhaps you think it works perfectly well? Send your thoughts to royalwatch@bbc.co.uk. Please remember to include your name and which country you’re writing from.

A low point in public opinion A major survey on public attitudes in Britain has flashed up some warning signs for the monarchy. ‌ The National Centre for Social Research, which produces the British Social Attitudes reports, looked at how public attitudes have changed during the last five tumultuous years - which have included the pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine, the cost of living crisis, a revolving door of prime ministers and the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles is under pressure to be visible as support declines. Credit: Getty The findings showed growing dissatisfaction with institutions, including the monarchy. ‌ In 2018, 68% of people thought the monarchy was “quite” or “very important” to Britain.

Some of you have expressed support for the Princess Royal in your emails. Credit: Getty By 2023 that had fallen to 54%. That’s a low point in 30 years of tracking public opinion. ‌ It shows how challenging it will be for the monarchy to stay relevant.

Why all the ostrich feathers? For any visitors to the UK, the annual Order of the Garter must be one of the more baffling, as well as colourful, annual events. ‌ It’s a ceremony that goes back almost 700 years and originated with Edward III’s attempt to replicate the idea of King Arthur and his most illustrious knights.

Apart from the Royal Family, up to 24 people can be members of the order at any time. Credit: Getty The garter was tied around the leg of new members, in an order dedicated to St George, with the annual service still held in St George’s Chapel in Windsor. ‌ But what people will really notice are those huge ostrich plumes on the hats. ‌ New recruit to the order Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber was seen wearing one for the first time this year.

Andrew Lloyd Webber composed music for King Charles’s coronation. Credit: Getty Ostrich feathers have been a big heraldic symbol for the monarchy, believed to date back to at least the 14th Century. The badge of the Prince of Wales still has three ostrich feathers. ‌ Ostrich feathers were luxury fashion items for centuries, peaking in the Victorian era when a single feather could cost the equivalent of around £500 in modern prices. ‌ In London’s East End, an industry grew around selling ostrich feathers, but it is long gone. King and Queen appear in Order of the Garter ceremony

A piece of royal history Trooping the Colour begins with the monarch and the soldiers on parade travelling from Buckingham Palace along the Mall. ‌ Until 1987, the late Queen Elizabeth II would make this journey riding side-saddle on a horse. ‌ Below, you can see her on a horse at the Trooping the Colour parade back in 1952.

The Queen attended her first Trooping the Colour as monarch in 1952. Credit: Getty In 2022, Trooping the Colour was part of Jubilee celebrations which marked Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne. ‌ Although Queen Elizabeth appeared on the balcony, the then Prince Charles inspected the guardsmen and officers. He also took their salute in his mother’s place.