This month sees the 75th birthday of the Princess Royal, who typically refuses to have any fuss made about it. The princess did hold an early summer reception at Buckingham Palace for her numerous charities where she thanked her guests for their support over the years. On many occasions Anne has said the one thing she really enjoys is sailing around the coast of Scotland with her husband, Sir Tim Laurence. Sailing gives them the freedom and challenges that are frequently absent in the daily life of members of the working royal family.
Her brother the King enjoys walking in the hills of Scotland. It is just him and the elements and Queen Camilla has jokingly likened his energy to that of a mountain goat. The Queen, who is 16 months older than her husband, celebrated her 78th birthday on 17 July. During the five days of Royal Ascot she and the King hosted numerous guests including many members of the extended royal family in the royal box. Although they did not have a winner, their support of racing is of immense value to the sport and Royal Ascot provides a chance for people to get a relatively close-up view of the royals.
This year Holyrood Week, the sovereign’s annual visit to Scotland to celebrate culture, community and achievement, marked a return to tradition after last year’s events were reduced to just two days because of the general election. After a busy July, the royal family look forward to their summer sojourn north of the border. This is the one time in the year they can catch up with each other and their friends as they enjoy the fishing and shooting that the Balmoral estate has to offer.
The announcement that the royal train is to be decommissioned in 2027 will have been sad for the King and the members of his family who have used it since childhood. The idea of a special royal train to transport members of the royal family and their household around Britain has been going since the time of Queen Victoria, but over the years storage and maintenance costs have made it a hugely expensive mode of travel. Rolling stock needs to be updated for modern railway systems and it has been decided it is no longer financially viable. Two locomotives painted in the claret livery of the royal household will remain in operation; these have always been in more general use when not pulling the royal coaches.
Despite a 2020 report stating these locomotives use biofuel made from waste vegetable oil it was ultimately decided that two new fuel-efficient helicopters offer a less glamorous but more sustainable alternative.
The exciting news, for the fashion industry in particular, is that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been given permission by the King to issue royal warrants to their personal suppliers, beginning in 2026. The last Princess of Wales to do so was the future Queen Mary before the accession of her husband as King George V in 1910.
