How Princess Catherine's Royal Engagements are Changing Post-Cancer
Swedish royals react to horrific school shooting in Örebro, and one of Marius Borg Høiby's alleged victims speaks out
Catherine, The Princess of Wales shined as she spent time with four and five-year-olds at the National Portrait Gallery on Tuesday, February 4 as part of her Shaping Us initiative. It was another surprise engagement for the Princess, as she continues to recover from the major abdominal surgery and the cancer treatments that she had last year. But it also shows that the Kensington Palace team is dealing with a new reality for the Princess.
Previously, royal engagements were announced either a day or two before the royal was set to attend, or merely hours before, depending on the potential security issue. I believe that the time period for Catherine has been shortened even more, and in her post-surgery and -cancer life most engagements will only be announced as she’s literally walking out the door.
As the Palace has been keen to stress to royal reporters, Catherine is still in recovery in many ways. She is probably still struggling with good days and bad days. Though her engagements are scheduled months in advance, I would imagine that every single one of them is contingent on Catherine’s health that particular day. This means that we will get less advance notice for her appearances. If we’re lucky perhaps a day, but most likely closer to the hour or so that we’ve seen as what happened with Catherine’s recent appearance at the Holocaust memorial. The media is probably getting some sort of press announcement, but probably all blockaded until the last moment.
However, this is surprisingly good.
When it was initially suggested that her reentry into royal duties would be slow, I was concerned. Both Catherine and William have been accused of being workshy for years and I’ve seen recent rumblings of “holiday kings” accusations towards King Willem-Alexander and King Frederik on social media. Those can quickly gain momentum if a royal family is not careful.
At least to me, it seems like a good balance has been struck between getting Catherine out in public and making sure she takes time with her family to recover. 2024 was an immense challenge for sure for the Waleses family, but the world delights in seeing Catherine out and looking her best as she takes on her new post-cancer life.
Early Years Shares New Shaping Us Framework
HRH’s Early Years Program continues to make strides in utilizing research to help give parents and guardians the best foundation to help children in that critical age range of 0-5. The latest is the launch of The Shaping Us Framework, which is a system designed to describe “social and emotional skills in a clear way which can inform and inspire action across society.” Catherine hopes that this will help create a “happier, healthier society.”
As part of the launch, Catherine took a trip with young school children to the National Portrait Gallery to have them participate in the Bobeam Tree activities. This is to help them “discover the stories of people through portraits, listening to audio recordings, using props, exploring facial expressions and finally, by thinking about their own lives, feelings and thoughts while creating a self-portrait.”
Catherine also shared her thoughts, “It’s such a great way for children to engage and understand other people’s perspectives in a creative and less intimidating way. They don’t have the language yet, but they’re finding ways to talk about emotions and feelings and understand them.
“I’m really excited to be using portraiture to explore social and emotional skills because I feel it’s such an untapped potential, but also to make it accessible to lots of kids so it’s not just in school but is something that’s embraced by the community.”
In an introduction to the longer written report, Catherine wrote, “This report sets out a universal approach to understanding these core social and emotional skills throughout all stages of our lives. It highlights the skills which are the bedrock of any healthy, happy society and it helps individuals and organisations understand the ways in which they can contribute to making this conceptual model a living, breathing reality for everybody.
“It lays out why early childhood is such a golden opportunity to give the next generation the most positive start in life. But it also shows that these skills continue to grow throughout adulthood – it is never too late.”
One of the suggestions in the report is that parents should avoid looking at their phone when with their children, especially as they’re developing. It might seem obvious but it is good piece of advice, especially with the advent of family vlogging as a YouTube career.
The Reality of Royal Fashion
Catherine is also trying to encourage less attention on her clothes and more attention on her work. This is not the first time that she has tried that, but it’s unlikely to work. Fashion is a key part of royalty, and women can tell a powerful story with their wardrobe.
For more, check out the new Substack from RNN, Royal Fashion News!
British Royal News…
King Charles is set to star in a new Amazon documentary focused on how to “show not tell” and “transform people, places and ultimately the planet.” The filming for the series began in January at Dumfries House in Scotland, which aligns with Charles spending the first part of the year up north. According to The Times, this series aims “more than any other documentary he has done before … to tell the world what the King stands for and what he is all about.”
King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh held a reception for Members of Parliament and Members of the House of Lords at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have arrived in Kathmandu for a six day royal tour of Nepal.
Prince William met with Earthshot Prize Finalists Nature Metrics, which has seen a $25 million investment as the result of Earthshot Prize’s investment matchmaking platform, Launchpad.
Dame Anna Wintour, editor of the U.S. edition of Vogue, was made a Companion of Honour by King Charles. An interesting connection, given reports that Catherine has been offered a spread in either the U.S. or U.K. version of Vogue. For the occasion, she wore an amethyst necklace that was originally part of a piece that belonged to Queen Mary.
Emails have emerged showing that Prince Andrew remained in contact with Jeffery Epstein, even after he claimed to stop communication with the disgraced financier. In one email, Andrew even said, “keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!” (The multiple exclamation points were in the original email.) The use of wording is incredibly disconcerting, considering the allegations of sex trafficking against Epstein and by extension Andrew.
Princess Beatrice gave birth to her second child, another daughter named Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi. She weighed only 4 pounds 5 ounces, which is a little underweight for a newborn. The announcement was also a week after her birth, likely reflecting perhaps a longer hospital stay since it seems that she arrived rather early and could have needed some additional medical assistance. Both mother and baby are now doing well.
Belgian Royal News…
King Philippe hosted King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan.
Princess Maria Laura announced the birth of her first child, a son named Albert. Her mother is Princess Astrid of Belgium and her father is Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este, a branch of the Hapsburg family.
Danish Royal News…
King Frederik and Queen Mary have announced upcoming State Visits to Finland (March 4-5) and France (March 31-April 2). King Frederik will also make a trip to Japan for an accession visit from April 23-25. He will also participate in the World Exhibition EXPO 2025 in Osaka.
Crown Prince Christian has begun his four month military training. The future King of Denmark is currently undertaking a gap year before potentially starting university in the fall of 2025. He told the awaiting press, “I am excited and I am looking forward to it.”
Lene Balleby, the outgoing head of communications for the Danish royal household, was given a farewell reception attended by Frederik and Mary.
Prince Joachim and Princess Marie will be attending the Invictus Games in Vancouver. The couple are now located in Washington DC, after their children were stripped of their prince and princess titles and demoted to counts and a countess. No other royals have been announced to attend.
Dutch Royal News…
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima have been criticized for taking another holiday, this time for a week of skiing. Rumblings are growing that Willem-Alexander is a “holiday king.”
Queen Maxima attended the NCFG action meeting, discussing the impact of how healthcare institutions can help employees with their financial health.
Queen Maxima visited an SVO vocational training school, where students learn how to prepare food for restaurants and food service chains.
Greek Royal News…
Prince Nikolaos will marry Ms Chrysí Vardinogianni on Friday February 7 in Athens. The ceremony will be private. It’s less than a year since Nikolaos announced his separation from his first wife Princess Tatianna. (In arriving for a recent rehearsal, it was hard to ignore the possibility that Ms Vardinogianni is likely pregnant, hence the shotgun wedding to establish legitimacy.)
Japan Royal News…
A United Nations committee on discrimination against women has called for a review of Japan’s male-only succession laws. The move has drawn the ire of the Japanese government, which has now announced countermeasures against the U.N. committee. This includes blocking any of their donated funds from going to this particular committee via the the High Commission for Human Rights.
Jordanian Royal News…
King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan have been making the rounds throughout Europe, including meeting with EU officials. According to King Abdullah, he shared that Jordan has seen a “new milestone by launching a strategic and comprehensive partnership” and looks forward to continue working with the EU to achieve “regional stability.”
King Abdullah is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump next week to discuss the situation with Gaza.
Queen Rania participated in the World Summit on Children’s Rights in Rome and met with Pope Francis.
Monaco Royal News…
Members of the Monaco royal family attended various fashion shows for Paris Fashion Week. Charlotte Casiraghi and her half-sister Princess Alexandra of Hanover attended the Chanel Fashion Show, while Beatrice Borromeo attended the Dior Show. Charlotte and Beatrice are brand ambassadors for the respective fashion houses.
Norwegian Royal News…
Princess Märtha Louise has come under fire after Netflix apparently named her upcoming series with her husband Shaman Durek Verrett, “Princess and Shaman.” The title violates the terms of her departure from the royal family, as she agreed to not use her royal title in any commercial endeavor. It’s unclear if the series title will be changed. It recently had its premier in Denmark.
One of Marius’ alleged victims, tv personality Linni Meister, was in “shock” after police revealed that she had been assaulted. She remembered it only as a social gathering and only had nice things to say about the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit. According to her lawyer, “It came as a surprise to her, and she was shocked. She is cooperating with the investigation, but wants to protect her small family and therefore not participate in any public discussion about this while the case is being investigated.”
In a documentary about 2024, the King and Queen have revealed that Harald was close to death during his heath crisis in February, where he ended up with severe infection. He said, “When I got sick, it was suddenly very far from home. Then we were suddenly very far away.” The doctors were struggling to address his low heart rate, which is why he needed a temporary pacemaker before a permanent one was implanted. Harald ended up still being medically evacuated from Malaysia.
Spanish Royal News…
Queen Letizia spoke at the Institutional Event for part of World Cancer Day. She praised the “initiative that aims to strengthen health strategies to improve their effectiveness and efficiency.”
Queen Sofia attended a concert to raise money for those who have been affected by the devastating flooding in Valencia.
Swedish Royal News…
King Carl Gustaf has shared a response after a recent shooting in Örebro, Sweden resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people. It is the largest school shooting in Swedish history. His Majesty said, “Tonight we send our condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. Our thoughts at this moment also go to the injured and their relatives as well as others affected.”
Their Majesties also made the trip to Örebro, where a very emotional Queen Silvia said, “I have a great wish for the entire great Swedish people. Where did the beautiful Sweden go? I want to ask everyone to help build it up again and strengthen Sweden's good... reputation, I don't want to say, but the name. Everything that means to be Swedish. That's what I wish for now. A lot has happened lately and it is my great wish, and the King's too, of course, that we all together build up the fine Sweden that was.”
King Carl Gustaf also said, “We must listen to each other. We must be able to talk to each other and dare to help each other. It is something you have to learn, says the king.”
Reporters are waiting for the royal family to release the allowance breakdown for last year. In 2023, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia received 8,486,000 kronor (an increase of 334,000 kronor), Crown Princess family received 4,774,000 (an increase of 188,000 kronor) and Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia 1,167,000 (an increase of 46,000 kronor)
Royals Spotted Out and About…
Princess Sofia, who is due to have her fourth child any day now, was spotted out in a park to watch her sons’ football. (soccer) training session.
Royal Birthdays…
January 30 - King Felipe (57)
January 31 - Princess Beatrix (87)
February 1 - Princess Stephanie (60)
February 5 - Queen Mary (53)
February 6 - Princess Marie (49)
This Week in Royal History…
On January 29, 1649, the death warrant for the execution of King Charles I was signed by 59 Commissioners. His crime was treason. The execution occurred on January 30th, and he remains the only English monarch tried and executed for treason.
When the monarchy was restored by his son King Charles II in 1660, 13 of the men who signed the warrant were later executed.
Fashion Moment of the Week…
Princess Catherine rewears Zara while at a favorite in Wales, proving that royal fashion doesn’t have to break the bank to look fabulous.
Well done Crown Report. Love from Sweden where the flags are at half-mast 😢