Royal Snippets at Christmas
With daughter-in-law Sophie — the Countess of Wessex and wife of Prince Edward — absent on baby production duties over Christmas, the Queen will miss her company over the holiday season, we’re told.
Sophie is a favourite companion of the Monarch, providing welcome female chatter amid the male talk of the rest of the family. She also remains with the Queen when the men embark on their traditional Boxing Day shoot at Sandringham.
Sophie will be admitted to Frimley Park Hospital on December 21 for a planned Caesarean, hoping to take the new baby home to Bagshot Park on Christmas Eve.
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Prince Charles and Camilla will spend only a short time at Sandringham this Christmas. Arriving late on Christmas Eve, they will depart for Balmoral after the Boxing Day shoot.
With Princes William and Harry also anxious to get back to London and their friends, it will be a short and unusually quiet holiday season this year in Royal Norfolk.
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When Earl Peel, the Lord Chamberlain, announced at a reception at Buckingham Palace last week that the Queen would not be retiring any time soon, he is said to have received a rousing cheer.
The thought of the Queen retiring is enough to ruin many people’s Christmas spirit, but has not been an issue since her 80th birthday passed without carpet bags at dawn. I wonder why it was necessary for Peel to reiterate this now?
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With the interminable Diana Inquest appearing to be hurtling towards an inevitable Accidental Death verdict, the “Dearest Pa” letters between a clearly affectionate Prince Philip and an appreciative Princess Diana have garnered a lot of coverage and comment in the press.
Attempts to blacken the name of the bluff war hero have diverted attention from his sterling qualities as head of the Royal Family. While Philip can be outspoken at times, his heart has always been in the right place — in support of the Queen.
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As 2007 draws to a close how will the Queen assess it?
Royal Anecdotes imagines her delighted at the arrival of a new grandchild; glad that a succession of major anniversaries are finally over; and looking forward to the first of what could be many Royal Weddings in the spring — that of Peter Philips and Autumn Kelly at Windsor in May.
Despite all the minor problems the flesh is heir to, that’s not a bad haul of good news to concentrate on.
Merry Christmas.
I think HM has had a lot to be thankful for this year the impending birth of an grandchild and her Diamond wedding anniversary. I’m sure that HM will miss Sophie this year at the festivities it is clear that she will never accord such a fondness to Camilla. I also find it strange that Camilla is flying to Birkhall on boxing day where does her new grandchild fit into all this? I suppose her children and grandchildren will alway take a back seat to life with HRH. I certainly hope HM and PP a wonderful new year the marriage of their first grandchild and new arrival of baby Wessex can only be the sign of wonderful things to come.
By Trudie on December 17th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
I agree, Trudie — unusually.
By John on December 17th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I hope the endangered hen harriers at Sandringham will be wearing bright orange vests during the traditional Boxing Day shoot. After all, we wouldn’t want these lovely birds to be “accidentally” blown out of the sky if Prince Harry is around!
By Arthur on December 17th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Well it seems like William will be spending New Years with Kate and that’s great. Can’t wait until the baby is born. Next year will start off great with a wedding and possibly with more royal news so I truly wish the Royal family a very happy Christmas.
By Claudius on December 17th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I am so happy that things are going so well for the Queen as Christmas approaches! It really has been a splendid year, with the Diamond Anniversary, the Queen’s grandchildren doing well, falling in love and getting engaged, a Royal wedding coming up in May and a Royal baby expected in time for Christmas! I feel as if, to quote the poet, “God’s in His Heaven, all’s right with the world,” as far as the Royal sphere is concerned! Advance Britannia!
Fie! Arthur! It was never proved that Prince Harry had anything to do with those birds being shot. Someone pour Arthur a glass of champagne, the cabin fever is making him broody.
By Gigi on December 17th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Gigi, the new baby has arrived. See my post!
By John on December 17th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Forgive me, Gigi. I’m sure it was an unfortunate coincidence that Harry and his friends just happened to be hunting in the vacinity when the hen harriers took their final flight. In the spirit of the Christmas season, I will give the Queen’s Grandson the benefit of the doubt!
Now, let’s dive into that red velvet cake in honor of Baby Wessex. 
By Arthur on December 17th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Excellent sentiments, my dear Arthur!
I forgive you, of course and am delighted at your forebearance! How tolerant you are! John you are wonderful to post so swiftly about the birth of the new Royal Baby!! I am so thrilled about it!! I long for more details!
By Gigi on December 17th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
WONDERFUL photo of the Earl and Countess of Wessex holding precious little Viscount Severn today in the Daily Mail! I Love it!! I am absolutely enraptured!! Please, John, or any of our merry band, post as soon as you hear any more details–anything at all!
By Gigi on December 18th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Well The Sun is reporting that Kate now lives with William at Clarence House, like if we didn’t know. I hate that people have to make a big deal about it.
By Claudius on December 19th, 2007 at 4:35 am