Both the Princess of Wales and Princess Michael of Kent were born under the sign of Capricorn and celebrate their birthdays this month, Catherine’s being the first on the 9th when she is 43. Princess Michael is 80 on the 15th. She admitted to me that being a January baby was never much fun as her parents rolled her birthday and Christmas into one – or at least the presents; my exclusive interview with the princess begins on page 18.
Catherine and Marie Christine are often seen as the backbone of their families. I feel sure they are glad to leave 2024 behind as it wasn’t a joyful year for either of them, both having suffered serious health problems. Marie Christine also had the catastrophe of her daughter Ella’s heartbreak over husband Tom Kingston’s tragic death.
The Princess of Wales returned to work on 3 December for the state visit of the Emir of Qatar, the ninth richest man in the world. The pageantry of a state visit provided a spectacular welcome for Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his first wife, Sheikha Jawaher, who he married in 2005. Having been educated in the UK the emir is a dedicated Anglophile and the Qataris have made huge investments in London including the Shard, Harrods and the InterContinental on Park Lane as well as a large portfolio of exclusive properties.
The emir attended the late Queen’s funeral and the King’s coronation. QIPCO, which is owned by six royal brothers, has sponsored Royal Ascot since 2014, while their thoroughbred racing and breeding is based in the UK. Qatar Racing even named one of their two-year-olds ‘King’s Coronation’ just a fortnight after the crowning of Charles III.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the formal welcome on Horse Guards Parade and the lunch that followed at Buckingham Palace. The princess, however, did not attend the state banquet on the advice of her doctors. The Queen almost didn’t make it either. Queen Camilla’s recent chest infection turned out to be a form of viral pneumonia and during her recovery she had to keep indoors. She was allowed to attend the lunch and state banquet, which was just as well as her input is invaluable on these occasions, though she was not part of the receiving line. The Queen can talk to anyone with ease and of course shares a love of horses and racing with the emir and his brothers.
A significant sadness for Camilla in November was the death of one of her Jack Russells, Beth, which she rescued from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, of which she is patron. No one is sure of little Beth’s age, but she had a wonderful character and along with her friend Bluebell her silhouette was embroidered on the Queen’s coronation gown.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales has been hailed as a ‘pin up’ after taking a motorbike for a virtual spin during a day trip to Belfast and wearing military fatigues on a visit to the Welsh Guards on Salisbury Plain as colonel of the regiment.
Hopefully, this year will be a positive one for the royal family as they return to full-time duties.
