Are The Younger Royals Enjoying the Half-In/Half-Out Lifestyle the Sussexes Sought?
This is an argument made often by Sussex fans and by the Sussexes themselves; does it hold water?
On Tuesday, Prince William was the lead royal at a Buckingham Palace garden party. With Kate still recovering from her cancer diagnosis, William called on not just one cousin but all of his maternal cousins in his age-range (the Edinburghs’ children were not there) to join him on what turned out to be a very rainy day albeit laughter-filled afternoon. Despite the rain, there was a very festive air to the garden party and the presence of all those (relatively) young people certainly supercharged public interest.
Several news outlets were already reporting earlier this month that the Palace is considering tapping Princess Beatrice to stand in for Kate and bring some feminine glamor to various events. For example, there has been talk that Beatrice might join the King at the Japanese State Visit, which will take place in late June. Following up on that, Kate Mansey has a special report in the Times today highlighting Beatrice’s activity:
There is no suggestion that the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York will take on official duties or receive public money in doing so, but she is expected to be seen supporting the monarch and senior family members more frequently in the coming months.
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The garden party is not the only royal event the princess is expected to attend. Beatrice is likely to join her uncle, the King, at Royal Ascot and at other royal events when appropriate.
Kate Mansey noted Beatrice’s presence on the royal scene will likely continue for a while. In ten years, she notes, the royals “will find they are somewhat thin on the ground. By that time, Prince George will most likely be at university and the King, Queen, Princess Royal and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will be in their eighties. The stalwart Duke of Kent will be edging towards his 100th birthday.”
Beatrice’s projected ascendency in particular—and the presence of all the cousins at the garden party, generally— raises the question often among fans: aren’t these cousins half-in/half-out royals, just as Harry and Meghan wanted to be, but were denied? Meghan and Harry have suggested as much on several occasions but the comparison does not hold up.