MARG
Imperial Majesty
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2005
- Messages
- 10,598
- City
- Christchurch
- Country
- New Zealand
As to who accompanies the Queen, I am guessing that will depend on the engagement. This year is really where William, Catherine and Harry are getting their feet wet in the work of the "Firm", putting into practice what they have seen and learnt throughout their lives. Unfortunately, it seems to be a baptism by fire for the three of them in that there have been so many disasters in such a short time.It is interesting that the Queen made the visit with Prince William. It might be just a coincidence, but it adds to the speculation on who the Queen's "plus one" will be as the Duke of Edinburgh retires from public life.They had a joint engagement last month.
I agree it was a good choice to send the Queen and William. Charles, the future king, Camilla and Catherine were busy as well today and it's very nice to see that the "team" is hard at work.
We can expect more visits from the senior royals anytime soon ...
I was interested watching HM when a woman began screaming out/crying and watched her never lose focus. She knew there was nothing she could do and that there were plenty of trained people there who could. William, on the other hand, found himself almost making excuses and promising to come back as he was leaving. The man calling about children was not related to the children and once again, HM could do nothing herself and neither could William, but he felt the need to apologise.
That is going to be one of the hardest lessons for them to learn. Focus on the reason you are there. The situation at this stage is too new, too raw, for them to go off script. And if they try to get engaged in everything they will soon find themselves suffering from compassion fatigue. Worn out and unable to do what they alone can do.
They cannot allow themselves to be drawn into the details, stepping on the toes of volunteers and/or professionals, let alone local and national politicians. Hard as it may be to grasp, that is "politics". And just as the last three terrorist attacks are political, the Grenfell Tower fire has already become very, very "political.
HM, and the senior members of the BRF know this. William, Catherine and Harry are going to have to learn this the hard way.