We’ve heard a lot recently about the idea of being a half-in, half-out royal, and why that won’t wash, as far as the King is concerned. Six years after the late Queen made clear that the model was not an option for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a letter from the Lord Chamberlain on behalf of the current monarch was unequivocal in reiterating that stance.
The reasons for sending it were, according to sources, that organisations were coming to them for advice on how to address and welcome Harry and Meghan at public engagements, as well as how to ensure their security
It was made public for the sake of transparency, given the probability that it would otherwise be leaked, at least in part.
But the letter went further than addressing the practicalities of a visit by members of the royal family, whether they are “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests”, as the letter states, or “public figures”, as Harry and Meghan would prefer to be recognised.
It drew a very clear distinction between the occasional charity engagements they will turn up to and the everyday business of working for the Firm full-time.
The subtext was clear: monarchy isn’t something you can dip in and out of, depending on gaps in your commercial activities. A lot of people have interpreted this as a broadside to Harry and Meghan, but it was just as much a show of support for those who do work for the King, Prince William in particular.
Waving Prince George off to boarding school
His whirlwind week perfectly sums up the very different pulls on his time and the commitment it takes to be all in.
It began with waving Prince George off to Eton and a trip down memory lane for his father. William and Catherine have been criticised in the past for putting their family first and carving out as much time as possible to devote to parenting.
But for them, it goes beyond just sharing the school runs and turning up to sports matches. They are raising the next generation of royals, and, crucially, a future King. Getting that right will be vital for the continuity of the monarchy.
Family division has been one of the greatest disruptors to the stability the public expects from the institution, so bringing up their children in a way that builds their empathy, resilience and emotional openness will have an impact that goes beyond their own four (or more) walls at Forest Lodge.
A statesman on the world stage
A day after leaving George to begin his new chapter, William was in Oslo, Norway, to pay his respects at the funeral of King Harald. As heir to the throne, he is also now the royal family’s mourner-in-chief, tasked with representing his father the King at the funerals of foreign heads of state.
After two decades of building his experience on the world stage, he has become adept at playing the role of global statesman, on this occasion, representing the British monarchy at the funeral of the King’s cousin.
© Peter Summers/Getty ImagesPersonal passion projects
And then alongside family and constitutional duty, there are William’s own passion projects as Prince of Wales.
I’m writing this on the train back from Liverpool, where William delivered a powerful speech, calling on the sports world to “make suicide prevention part of your game plan”.
As Catherine watched on, he also spoke directly to anyone struggling with their mental health, saying: “You are not alone. There are people who care about you, people who want to help, and support is available. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength. Whether it is a friend, a family member, a teammate, a coach, or a professional service, please take that first step and reach out to someone you trust. Because your life matters. And help is there.”
© Kensington PalaceHis address was heard immediately by the 250 or so people in the room, but its message will reverberate far and wide, because of the unique platform he has.
Several of the high-profile sports stars at the event, including Dame Kelly Holmes and former England rugby star Maggie Alphonsi, paid tribute to the Prince and Princess of Wales for using their positions to confront a difficult topic that has been mired in stigma for too long.
This particular project, On Your Side, a new suicide prevention toolkit developed by the Royal Foundation, is the result of work dating back to 2016’s Heads Together, the campaign fronted by William, Catherine and Harry, which had such an impact in breaking down barriers around the discussion of mental health.
Harry may no longer be part of the set-up, but Catherine is firmly at William’s side. The royal couple’s convening power is immense and their commitment to the issues has been unwavering.
Crucially, the work William has done, particularly as an air ambulance pilot, has hugely influenced his interest in this. He’s seen for himself the devastation faced by loved ones when someone dies by suicide. And he has spoken to many others, such as the hugely inspiring Rhian Mannings, whose husband died by suicide after their one-year-old son tragically succumbed to pneumonia.
For William, now is the time to make an impact on these issues and this is all part of the legacy he wants to build while he still has some leeway as heir. It’s a chance for him to focus on the things that really matter to him because, when the moment finally comes for him to step up as King, he will have less time and flexibility to pursue them.
Three days, three very distinct kinds of responsibility, each perfectly illustrating what it means to be not half in, but all in.
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