Pam Pardy-Ghent: Still Number One

With 2019 still in its infancy stages, all the media outlets are talking about the top news story of the year that was. I watched and read a few of those compilations over the past few weeks and in every single case something royal related topped the list. From Prince Louis’ birth to Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s wedding, royal was king in 2018. 

It was quite a year for anyone loyal to royal watching. In sweet news, Princess Eugenie and her longtime love, Jack Brooksbank, walked down the aisle. Awwww. But there were shocking news too. 

Disturbing Scandal 

Thomas Markle made headlines days before his daughter Meghan married Prince Harry. Daddy dearest was caught staging photos with the paparazzi and an always reliable ‘insider’ told Us at the time that Meghan was “hysterical” over and “disturbed” by the scandal. 

The former TV lighting director then claimed he could no longer attend the nuptials at the last minute because he had to undergo heart surgery. Prince Charles took over for Meghan’s dad and walked the bride down the isle. It was the classy thing to do and the world loved it. 

And now, months after the wedding, Harry and his new bride are expecting their first child. Now that we’ve all seen the first baby bump photos, the excitement mounts as we await the birth of the new prince or princess who will hold nothing but some precious, fancy title and perhaps a silver spoon. 

In other news, will Charles ever actually be in charge? Prince Charles celebrated his 70th birthday on November 14 and he still has never been anywhere near being crowned king. But there were celebrations. 

To commemorate his 70th, the palace released two official family portraits. In the sugary sweet snaps, Charles and wife Duchess Camilla, Harry and Meghan, William, Kate and their kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, posed on a bench at the Clarence House garden. Lovely tell yer mudder.

The One to Watch

But it’s the Queen herself who is really the story of the year. She was the one to watch at the royal weddings, and she’s the one everyone holds their breath over if they hear she’s feeling poorly. Royal fans anxiously awaited an update on the Queen’s health after she did not attend a service at St Paul’s Cathedral in June of last year because she was “feeling under the weather.”

Make no mistake, she’s still the head of the family, in fact the Queen is still being applauded for her wardrobe choices; from her wedding attire to her Christmas service church clothing choices. 

“The Queen dressed up in her Sunday best to attend a church service at the St. Mary Magdalene Church on her Sandringham estate, where she is spending Christmas with her family. Her Majesty looked incredible as always, rocking a red, white and grey tweed jacket with a matching skirt. 

“The boucle ensemble was totally on trend with its red statement buttons and we loved her coordinating hat which was made in a dark grey and had a matching red feather sewn on the top. She wore red lipstick and her favourite pearl drop earrings. Fabulous,” wrote the folks at Hello. 

A Needed Message

But she’s much more than just pretty lipstick and a classy suit. In her first statement concerning Brexit, the Queen, in her Christmas message to the nation, urged Britain to overcome “deeply held differences” by treating one another with “respect and as a fellow human being.”

Her Majesty’s message of peace and goodwill was one she said was needed “as much as ever.”

“Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding,” she said.

As head of state, the Queen usually remains publicly neutral on political matters, so speaking out at all is interesting, but considering her classy track record, she did what many would expect of her; she took the high road and asked for peace and goodwill. Lovely. Classy. And really, it’s what we’ve come to expect from the lady who is, and will for a long time be, number one. 

Pam Pardy Ghent, The Herald’s Managing Editor, can be reached by emailing [email protected]

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