GB News’ Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker has provided his exclusive insight into engagements undertaken by Prince William, King Charles and the Princess of Wales this week.
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THE REAL REASON PRINCE WILLIAM POSTPONED A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT
Just hours before The Prince of Wales was due to carry out his first solo engagement as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, Kensington Palace announced he had postponed it.
Kensington Palace said William “sends his sincere apologies to those who he had been due to meet and hopes to reschedule his visit at the earliest convenience”.
The Palace added poor weather “would have significantly restricted the planned programme”.
You see, Prince William was due to arrive in style, flying in a wildcat helicopter, at Wattisham Flying Centre in Suffolk.
He planned to meet soldiers and watch them take part in fitness training.
But a “no-fly” order, I understand, meant the Army Air Corps couldn’t collect the future King as planned.
It is unclear when Prince William’s team is looking to reschedule the visit; perhaps the summer months will bring better weather.
Just hours before The Prince of Wales was due to carry out his first solo engagement as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, Kensington Palace announced he had postponed it.
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WHY KING CHARLES’ LETTER WILL REMAIN SECRET FOR 100 YEARS
“I’ll bury this at the bottom,” joked King Charles as he placed a very personal letter at the bottom of an oak box at Dumfries House in Ayrshire on Wednesday.
He was attending an event marking the 35th anniversary of The King’s Foundation, founded by His Majesty in 1990 when Prince of Wales to “build sustainable communities and transform lives”.
The oak box, made at the Snowdon School of Furniture, part of The King’s Foundation at Highgrove, is actually a time capsule.
It will be buried on the Dumfries House estate at the end of the anniversary year, to be opened in 100 years time.
The King placed the first items inside, including a pair of his beloved garden shears – His Majesty is known for his love of gardening.
Perhaps the most intriguing item, however, is the private letter.
Royal sources tell me the contents will remain private until at least 2125 – a century from now.
The King placed the first items inside, including a pair of his beloved garden shears – His Majesty is known for his love of gardening.
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THE PRINCE OF RAILS
The Prince of Wales chose to travel by train to attend the first ever Emergency and Critical Care Conference in Birmingham on Wednesday, instead of using an expensive royal helicopter – which sometimes leads to criticism.
Kensington Palace has announced he has become Patron of the College of Paramedics, and I understand this is a particularly personal patronage for the future King.
Prince William has first-hand experience of traumatic situations experienced by the emergency and critical care workers, having piloted the East Anglia Air Ambulance and the RAF Search and Rescue helicopter in Anglesey.
He told paramedics, who had travelled to Birmingham from across the country, that “saving lives is not the only challenge you face. In your role, you are there for people in the most critical and emotional moments, having to display care and skill in highly stressful and often distressing circumstances.
“Working alongside you in Wales and East Anglia, I know the team effort that is required to provide emergency health care, but I also know that at the beginning it is sometimes a lone paramedic – in a car, on a bike, in a helicopter, in an ambulance, on foot.
“Your ability to calm the patient, to listen to their fears, to reassure them that help has arrived, is as important as the subsequent medical intervention.”
In the past, Prince William has opened up about how traumatic it was flying a critically ill children to hospital, having become a father himself.
In 2018, he convened senior leaders from the emergency services, launched the Blue Light Together initiative in 2021 – described as a “landmark” mental health package for emergency workers in the UK.
ONE PINT WILLY?
Mike Tindall once joked his nickname for Prince William was “one pint Willy”, referring to his beer drinking skills (or lack of).
So punters at a local Wetherspoons in Birmingham were shocked when the heir to the throne casually walked in and joined some Aston Villa fans for a drink.
I understand The Prince asked his favourite football club to arrange for some die-hard supporters to join him at a pub before a mid-week match.
He spent time with eight fans to have a chat about their beloved Aston Villa, who were playing Everton in an away match.
Prince William smiled as he posed for pictures with the group, and I suspect that smile didn’t fade when Aston Villa beat Everton 1-0.
Punters at a local Wetherspoons in Birmingham were shocked when the heir to the throne casually walked in and joined some Aston Villa fans for a drink.
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PRINCESS OF WALES IN REMISSION
When it comes to royal statements, timing is everything.
The Princess of Wales’ visit to the Royal Marsden hospital on Tuesday was her first solo public engagement in more than a year.
It coincided with confirmation from Kensington Palace that Her Royal Highness has become Joint Patron of the world-leading cancer hospital, alongside Prince William.
I understand it was always planned to be a solo visit to reflect The Princess’ personal cancer journey.
Perhaps it was an opportunity for her to show true empathy with cancer patients, but also to shine a light on the care and compassion showed by medical staff.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson tells me: “The Princess wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides.”
I suspect The Princess’ priority was focusing the spotlight on the work of the Royal Marsden, particularly the Diane McCathy Medical Day Unit that she visited.
The Unit, which delivers crucial cancer treatment, was funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and The Princess’ visit has increased the profile of the organisation.
Could the royal visit lead to more financial donations and support for the charity?
After The Princess left the hospital, I’m told she was keen to share her own reflections with the public.
Taking to social media, and in an unusually lengthy personal statement, she confirmed the unexpected news that she was now in “remission” and looked forward to a “fulfilling” year ahead.
I suspect this timing was deliberate.
If The Princess of Wales announced she was in remission ahead, or during, her visit to the Royal Marsden, the story would have been entirely about her.
This is not Catherine’s style; she would want the focus to be on the hospital, the patients, and the caring staff that looked after her during the rough months she was undergoing chemotherapy.
Royal sources have indicated The Princess will continue a gradual return to royal duties, and there is no major reset at the start of 2025.
It is understood The Princess has been busy working behind the scenes on her Centre for Early Childhood project, attempting to drive action on more provision for the early years to create better life chances in adulthood.
Perhaps we will see more engagements focused on this work in 2025, but it is unlikely they’ll be confirmed with advanced notice.
I understand international travel is also off the table, which contradicts what The Prince of Wales alluded to in November.
Make no mistake, being in remission is great news for The Princess of Wales, but in her own words: “it takes time to adjust to a new normal”.