RICHARD EDEN: It’s time to promote Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to frontline royal duties. An Aging ‘Company’ Needs HELP!
It’s time for an aging British monarchy to promote Prince Andrew’s daughters to frontline royal duties, says Richard Eden.
As His Majesty the King approaches his 75th birthday later this month, ‘the Firm’ is already overloaded.
“When I have watched the King and Queen carry out their assignments in East Africa, what struck me most is that they need help,” Eden writes in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter.
King Charles, who turns 75 this month, will address the state banquet in Nairobi during his tour of Kenya
The King (74) and Queen (76) will not be able to make regular long-distance state visits
‘The Firm’ needs help, says Richard Eden. The royals should promote Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to frontline duties
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh embarked on a six-month tour of the Commonwealth in 1953, the year of her coronation. Charles is in no position to do the same. They are pictured at the door of the royal plane as they prepare to fly to Bermuda for the first leg
“If we want the monarchy to remain as strong as it was under the late Queen, we need new recruits to ‘the Firm’.”
Although it is no one’s fault, there is, he says, a clear shortage of youth and energy at the heart of the monarchy – a situation which has been significantly exacerbated by Prince Harry’s unexpected departure to America.
Eden points out that the king has been on the throne for fourteen months, but has yet to visit any of the fourteen Commonwealth realms (apart from Britain) of which he is monarch.
Kenya, a republic, is the first Commonwealth country he visited as king.
Although Charles and Camilla are friendly and enthusiastic ambassadors for Britain abroad, it is clear that long-distance foreign visits will be few and far between, he writes. Camilla, 76, is not a fan of flying.
‘After his mother, Queen Elizabeth, came to the throne at the age of 25, she embarked on her longest ever Commonwealth tour with Prince Philip, lasting six months and covering 45,000 miles.
“For the king and queen, there won’t be anything remotely like that.
‘This means other members of the royal family will be called upon to share the burden of foreign travel. Prince William, for example, is expected to visit Australia and New Zealand before his father heads Down Under.
Her Majesty, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in Bermuda as they begin their tour of the Commonwealth
Led by William, Prince of Wales, the late Queen’s grandchildren pay their respects as she lay in state last year. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are right behind Prince Harry. Behind them are Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex. Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips are at the back
Princess Beatrice, husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Eugenie leave St Paul’s Cathedral after the Thanksgiving service for The Queen’s during the 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London
‘King Charles should ask his sensible nieces, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, if they want to become working royals.
“I know they have a great sense of duty, so they’ll probably agree with that.
“A Commonwealth realm that does not expect the new monarch to appear anytime soon would undoubtedly welcome a visit from one of his nieces.”
- To read more of Richard’s expert royal commentary, click here