23 May, 2024

Sean Coughlan Royal Correspondent Welcome to this week’s Royal Watch. ‌ The King’s constitutional role took centre stage this week. He was part of the process of calling a general election. ‌ There was also a message this week about the health of the Princess of Wales – and it was really to say that nothing has changed. She isn’t back at work. Her return depends on her recovery after cancer treatment. ‌ The Chelsea Flower Show has had its annual royal moment and a Buckingham Palace photo exhibition is providing its own royal history lesson. ‌ Plus, take a step back in time to see Queen Elizabeth in 1952, and you give your verdicts on Queen Camilla’s decision not to buy any new fur.

Kate not ready to return There’s no sign of Catherine, the Princess of Wales returning to work yet. ‌ She’ll need the approval of her medical team before coming back to official duties, according to Kensington Palace. ‌ That news emerged from an event to launch a report from her Centre for Early Childhood.

Kate’s early years campaign has been described as her “life’s work” by palace sources. Credit: Getty Although it was not framed as a health update, it was probably the clearest piece of information about her recovery in recent months.   ‌ We know from your emails that readers have been concerned about how the princess is getting on since she revealed her cancer diagnosis in March.   ‌ But it’s still a case of wait and see.   ‌ Return to work ruled out for Kate

YOUR ROYAL WATCH Last week, we asked if you supported Queen Camilla’s decision not to buy any more real fur. Many of you seemed to support her, although some Royal Watchers worried about the longer-term implications. ‌ Jenny from New Zealand thinks it is a common-sense step for the Queen to take. “Considering how many furs are in storage, there is no need for any new ones to be added,” she writes. ‌ Marcelle from Canada says Queen Camilla’s decision could make others reflect, and change their buying habits. ‌ “Killing animals to satisfy our expensive tastes shouldn’t be tolerated in 2024.” ‌ Geri, on the other hand, is concerned the Queen could have too much influence and her stance might “put furriers out of business, or cause protests in front of their boutiques”. ‌ “It was a divisive comment. She may regret it.” ‌ This week’s question is about the events that the royals attend. Each year, they go to Royal Ascot, the Chelsea Flower Show, Trooping the Colour and so on. What other places and events do you think they should visit? ‌ Thanks as ever for all your contributions. Please remember to include your name, and which country you’re writing from when you get in touch. Send your thoughts to royalwatch@bbc.co.uk.

The royal event regulars That pattern of events I just mentioned is part of the monarchy’s sense of continuity. This week, we saw the annual trip to the Chelsea Flower Show, with the King and Queen enjoying a photo-friendly visit during a brief glimpse of sunshine. ‌ Certain other people always seem to appear at these events. You could dab names off a bingo card for who was going to be at the flower show. ‌ The actress Dame Judi Dench. Check. The actress Dame Joanna Lumley. Check. The gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh. Check.

Lifelong gardener Alan Titchmarsh has referred to King Charles as a friend. Credit: Getty The Queen is going to launch another round of her Reading Room podcast. Who’s the most famous guest on that? Joanna Lumley. And if you go to the new King’s Gallery royal photo exhibition, who narrates the audio guide? Joanna Lumley. ‌ The only regular missing was former politician, author and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, another fixture in this modern celebrity version of a royal court. ‌ King and Queen visit Chelsea Flower Show

Picture perfect at the palace There are some beautifully evocative pictures in the new exhibition at the King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace.

Royal Collection staff look at a 2013 Nadav Kander portrait of King Charles. Credit: PA Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography is like a trip through time, using the changing images of the royals, from the Hollywood glamour of the 1930s through to the most recent portraits of the Coronation of King Charles. ‌ The collection, open until 6 October, includes everything from elegant Cecil Beaton photographs through to the Sex Pistols’ iconic record sleeve for God Save the Queen.

A 1953 coronation portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton. Credit: PA It includes formal settings and informal moments. It also showcases the long tradition of touching up images to get the perfect picture. Nothing is new.     ‌ Unseen pictures in royal photo exhibition

A piece of royal history We thought you might enjoy this photo of Queen Elizabeth II at the Chelsea Flower Show. ‌ She is pictured on 20 May 1952, just months after she became Queen. Her Coronation came around a year later, on 2 June 1953.

A Chelsea Pensioner salutes Queen Elizabeth II as she tours the gardening show. Credit: Getty The late Queen visited the Chelsea Flower Show more than 50 times during her 70-year reign. ‌ Last year, the annual gardening show paid tribute to her in the Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration.