We need more of the Princess Royal – giving her a prominent position would be a hugely popular move from the new King
It felt strange watching coverage of Remembrance Sunday, with its ineradicable memory of courage, whilst absorbing the news that Dominic Raab is the latest minister to be accused of bullying by civil servants because he “threw tomatoes across a room” in an “explosive tirade”. That grave allegation was soon modified. The then Justice Secretary did throw tomatoes, but they appear to have been from his Pret A Manger salad and he chucked them into a bag “making a loud noise”. Was it the tomatoes that made the noise or the minister? Either way, this came across as a pathetic attempt to bag another scalp-scoop by the Westminster media marauders and a shamefully biased administrative class.
Every year, I wonder if the dead would look at what their country has become and think the sacrifice was worth it. Doubtful. There was added poignancy this year as the new King did the honours at the Cenotaph. He had stood in for his mother, but this time was there for himself. He looked watery-eyed, perhaps recalling his dear mama laying the wreath, as so many of us were. We felt tearful too.
I suddenly realised that our best memento of the late Queen is her daughter. The Princess Royal both resembles her mother and talks in the same beloved voice. She also shares the same brisk, no-nonsense approach to a life of duty.
It was ludicrous that Prince Andrew and Prince Harry were “counsellors of state” – Royals who can stand in for the monarch on official duties – when she was not.