Catching up with the royals (April 7, 2025 edition)
The King's musical talent (of sorts), Meghan's sell-out, and Harry's enduring scandal
THE KING RETURNS TO WORK
Nothing says the King is back to work after a brief hospital visit after cancer treatment than hosting a reception for community music at Windsor Castle — and playing the music to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on a recorder fashioned out of a carrot (yup, the orange vegetable). That performance, accompanied by members of the London Vegetable Orchestra, shows how much he likes his job, and the fun he has doing it. (video here and in the Instagram post below).
LA VITA E BELLA
On Monday, King Charles III and Queen Camilla flew to Rome for a four-day state visit (the Vatican leg is postponed due to the Pope's ill health). This is the 18th official visit by Charles, who has also holidayed in Italy many times.
On Wednesday, April 9, they celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary with hundreds of strangers at a state banquet. Such is royal duty. Their “work before personal” ethos echoes what happened 20 years ago. Then, their wedding, originally scheduled for April 8, was delayed by a day so Charles, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and other dignitaries could attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
It has been a remarkable 20 years for Camilla who has become more popular, especially now as the pillar on which the King depends for his strength as he deals with cancer. Along the way, she's been transformed from the "wicked" woman to an admired Queen.
WILLIAM’S NEXT FRONTIER
In what was the worst kept secret in the royal world, Prince William announced that the next Earthshot Prize ceremony will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November. It’s timed to dovetail with the COP30 meeting held in Brazil.
South America is the fifth continent in five years to host the Earthshot ceremony (Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, South America), which is halfway through its 10 year mandate.
Earthshot made up for the lack of surprise with a video announcement packed with famous supporters for the eco cause.
MEGHAN’S BIG WEEK
More than a year after she launched her American Riviera Orchard brand, the Duchess of Sussex has finally launched her lifestyle brand (now called As Ever).
On April 2, eight items went on sale to U.S. customers. They ranged from US$14 raspberry spread in “keepsake packaging” to US$28 wildflower honey with honeycomb. They immediately sold out, so quickly that questions were raised (and not answered) about the quantities actually available to be bought.
The As Ever site did say that it would have "limited seasonal collections." Up next are hospitality and homeware products. (The Daily Mail got a jar of the raspberry spread and did a video review: too runny and sweet was their verdict).
Still, sold out is sold out. Take the win!
COOKING WITH A DUCHESS
Also on April 2, a New York Times food writer got an exclusive peek inside Meghan’s home for a splashy article, “Inside Meghan’s Real Kitchen, Away From the Cameras.”
Along with revelations like “When it’s just her and the kids for dinner, she said, she often relies on chicken nuggets, veggie burgers and Tater Tots (the freezer is stuffed with them)” were two recipes:
Chantilly Lili (A riff on her Grandma Jeanette’s banana pudding recipe)
Spring Garden Pasta Salad (Featured in the Netflix show “With Love, Meghan”)
The article included an interesting aside:
Last week’s visit — the first time a reporter was invited into her kitchen — showed that she is a passionate home cook who knows her way around a vinaigrette, is quick with a lemon zester and deft with a knife. (I was allowed in on the condition that no photographs were taken in, or of, the house, for reasons of privacy and security.)
Within hours, Meghan herself posted a video inside her own kitchen of her making that Chantilly Lili recipe. Later, she posted another video detailing the steps of that recipe, again showcasing her kitchen, which the NYT was not allowed to photograph. Gotta wonder how such moves went down in the newsroom of the NYT.
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