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Welcome to this week’s edition of Royalist, The Daily Beast’s newsletter for all things royal and Royal Family. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Sunday.
“State visits are back in business”
The royals are planning a two-year travel campaign to persuade Commonwealth countries to remain loyal to the monarchy, as well as to show the rest of the world that the royals are still relevant, according to the Mail on Sunday. King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton are relying on “soft diplomacy” to achieve their goals as they embark on a global tour, with William and Kate considering the possibility of bringing their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis with them. A source from the palace told the Mail that “state visits are back in business.”
So far, Charles has not visited any of the 14 Commonwealth realms outside the UK where he serves as head of state. However, the Mail reports that he and Camilla are planning a trip to Kenya later this year, even though Charles is not recognized as the head of state in that Commonwealth country.
Meanwhile, Kate and William are likely to visit Singapore, with William also scheduled to travel to New York City in September. Charles and Camilla are also planning a trip to France, which had to be rescheduled due to riots earlier in the year.
Historian Ian Lloyd, speaking to the Mail, explained that a visit by Charles to Canada, as well as one that involves the Waleses traveling to Australia and New Zealand, would capitalize on the global interest in the Coronation. He emphasized the importance of doing so before that interest wanes, and suggested that taking the Waleses’ children along would be a PR triumph.
However, in a setback to the Commonwealth, the Australian state of Victoria recently announced its decision to withdraw from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, citing the high cost as the primary reason. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness also confirmed his country’s desire to become a republic, but emphasized the continued respect and love for the queen, pledging that she and her family would always be welcome in Jamaica.
It is worth noting that during a previous tour of the Caribbean, Prince William issued a statement implying that he believes the future leadership of the Commonwealth should be determined by the people, rather than by a member of the royal family. He stated that he and Kate are committed to serving and supporting the people of the Commonwealth in whatever way they believe is best.
Protection of Queen Elizabeth’s name
The Cabinet Office in the UK has announced that Queen Elizabeth’s name will be closely protected when it comes to its use by buildings, parks, and businesses. Permission to use her name will only be granted in dignified and appropriate ways, and will be sparingly granted. The full title of Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be closely protected to preserve its rarity and honor.
A new photo of Prince George for his 10th birthday
In celebration of Prince George’s 10th birthday, Kensington Palace released a new photograph taken by photographer Millie Pilkington. The photo shows George sitting on what is believed to be the steps of the Duchess of Kent’s Mausoleum in Frogmore Gardens, Windsor.
This week in royal history
This week marks two significant royal weddings. On July 23, 1986, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson tied the knot, while on July 29, 1981, Prince Charles married Princess Diana.
Unanswered questions
Will the two-year royal family travel campaign be successful in convincing the world to support the monarchy, or could it potentially have unintended consequences?
