30 May, 2024

Sean Coughlan Royal Correspondent Welcome to this week’s Royal Watch. The Prince of Wales was at the FA Cup final to hand the trophy to Manchester United as they beat their local rivals Manchester City. But who do the royals support? ‌ The UK’s general election campaign has taken off. Could there be an awkward royal diary clash when the winner is ready to form a government after 4 July? ‌ After the anger at a famous tree being chopped down, the King gets a seedling for some environmental regeneration. And your thoughts on where the royals should visit.

Royal football fans Prince William, with his son Prince George beside him, was at Wembley to present the FA Cup to Manchester United. ‌ But the Prince of Wales, president of the Football Association, isn't their number one fan, because he's a very vocal supporter of Aston Villa.  ‌ He's been seen at matches in the Birmingham-based club, and took to social media to celebrate Villa's success in qualifying for the Champion's League. “A historic season and an amazing achievement,” he said. Celebrating with the Villa faithful must be something of a pressure-release valve.

Prince William says football is “a huge force for good”. Credit: Getty His reasons for following Villa, rather than the usual predictable winners, have also been revealing: “I wanted a team that was more mid-table to give me more of the emotional rollercoaster moments,” he once told the BBC. ‌ King Charles supports a different team: Burnley. He has previously explained his choice to support the Lancashire-based team: “Because Burnley has been through some very challenging times and I’m trying to find ways of helping to regenerate and raise aspirations and self-esteem in that part of the world.”

In 2010, King Charles met with young people who took part in programmes run by his charities at Burnley Football Club. Credit: Getty Put that into a football chant. And Burnley might need some more morale boosting next year, as they’ve been relegated. Manchester United and Manchester City's rivalry explained in six images

Your Royal Watch Last week, we asked for your ideas on other places the royals could put on their annual circuit, which currently includes the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot. ‌ “They should also visit places which symbolise community, like stadiums for sport and music, to show that they are in touch with the times,” says Dorian in Romania. ‌ A trip to the US is suggested by Thomas in America. Another reader proposes the Henley Regatta. ‌ “They should attend events or venues where their presence is most needed - wars and disasters,” writes Lorraine from Tasmania. ‌ Chris in the UK doesn’t like the cost of visits made at “vast expense to the taxpayer, sometimes even by helicopter” and argues that there should only be public funding for royal trips when they are related to a constitutional role. ‌ In your emails, we’ve also seen lots of concern about the health of the Princess of Wales – and divided opinions about news coverage of her. ‌ Mathilde in Italy understands the need for privacy, but adds “we royal fans would like to be reassured about her condition”. However, Lourdes in Mexico writes “let Kate be!” arguing there is no need for information until she is able to return to work. ‌ It’s always going to be a balance, but how much information do you think should be shared?    Thanks as ever for all your contributions. Please remember to include your name and which country you’re writing from. Send us your thoughts at royalwatch@bbc.co.uk.

Election diary clash In case you hadn’t noticed there’s a general election campaign taking place in the UK. ‌ And once the vote has been held on 4 July the winner will go to meet the King. But where will this symbolic meeting take place?

Rishi Sunak met King Charles as he became UK prime minister in 2022. Credit: Getty It’s usually in Buckingham Palace, but the King traditionally spends the end of June and early July in Scotland, in what’s called “Holyrood Week” or “Royal Week”. ‌ Will that have to be adjusted to avoid clashing with the election result? Or would it mean the new prime minister going to Scotland, rather than meeting in London? ‌ There is recent precedent. Two years ago, when the late Queen Elizabeth’s health was failing, the incoming prime minister, Liz Truss, travelled to Balmoral in Scotland rather than holding the meeting in Buckingham Palace.

Liz Truss was the last prime minister to be appointed by Queen Elizabeth. Credit: Getty The King will be expected to carry out the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament, currently scheduled for 17 July. It will be his biggest constitutional role since his cancer diagnosis. What happens after election results are announced?

Seeds of hope There was outrage when a famous tree near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland was chopped down last year. ‌ But a seedling from that Sycamore Gap tree has been given to King Charles, and when it’s big enough it will be planted in Windsor Great Park.

The National Trust nurtured the seedling to health. Credit: PA  The Royal Family’s social media account was in a philosophical mood: “Part of the power of trees to move and console us lies in the continuity and hope they represent: the sense that, rooted in the past and flourishing in the present, their seeds will be carried into an as yet unimaginable future.” King receives Sycamore Gap tree seedlings

A piece of royal history As the King prepares to play his constitutional role in the general election, we thought you might enjoy this photo of the late Queen Elizabeth talking to Winston Churchill in 1953.  ‌ The Queen first met Churchill when she was only two years old. Speaking about her, he remarked that she had “an air of authority that was astonishing in an infant”.

In 2022, a photo exhibition at Churchill’s family home celebrated the pair’s working relationship. Credit: Getty Later, when she became Queen in 1952, he was the first leader to serve as prime minister during her reign. Fourteen other politicians, including Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, would follow in later years.  When Churchill died in 1965, the Queen described him as the “inspiring leader who strengthened and supported us all”. The wartime leader also received a state funeral.