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From the Queen permanently moving to Windsor Castle to title changes and official events, the monarchy looks and feels very different to when Her Majesty Elizabeth II was coronated in 1953. Ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we take a look at what’s changed in the royal family this year…
1. The Queen permanently moved to Windsor Castle
Back in March this year, it was announced that the Queen would permanently move to Windsor Castle. While Buckingham Palace will remain the central headquarters of the monarchy, the royal residence is currently mid-way through a £369 million refurbishment, making it unsafe for the Queen to live in.
Buckingham Palace has been home to the royals since 1837, when Queen Victoria set the seal on the use of the Palace as a family home. Before moving to Windsor Castle, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh lived in the private apartments on the north side of the Palace. Rooms on the upper floors of the north and east sides were occupied by other members of the royal family, meanwhile much of the ground floor were used by staff who work for the Royal Household.
2. The Queen opted out of royal garden parties
The Queen will miss her traditional royal parties this year, with other royal family members set to attend instead. Recognising and rewarding public service, around 30,000 people usually attend Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the parties every year.
It is the first time in three years members of the public have been invited to the Palace for the garden parties. According to the BBC, details of which royals would attend would be confirmed later.
3. Some royal family members will be missing from the Buckingham Palace flypast
As part of the Trooping the Colour, the Queen will watch the Jubilee flypast of military aircraft from the Buckingham Palace balcony. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Prince Andrew will not join her and the family. For the first time, the monarch has limited the balcony appearance to working royals only.
As well as the change in people attending, the flypast is expected to include more than three times the number of aircraft which took part in the Queen’s last birthday parade in 2019.
4. Camilla will take Queen Consort title
The Queen stated that it is her “sincere wish” that Camilla would become Queen Consort, instead of Princess Consort, when Charles becomes King. At the time of their wedding in 2005, royal officials believed there was too much public animosity towards Camilla following the death of Diana, however the Queen has announced the new title to honour Camilla for her years of service.
5. Kate Middleton and Prince William plan to move
According to reports from The Sun, Kate Middleton and Prince William want to move closer to the Queen this summer. The couple, who currently spilt their time between Kensington Palace and Anmer Hall in the country, are keen to relocate to Berkshire while their children are still young. While it has not yet been confirmed where the Cambridges are living, reports say the couple have their eye on a turreted royal residence nestled within the grounds of Great Windsor Park.
6. Prince William spoke about turning 40
Prince William has said he is “looking ahead” to the decades to come, ahead of his 40th birthday in June this year. According to royal reports, the Duke of Cambridge wants to be the “people’s prince” and has got a lot to look forward to.
Speaking to The Express, a royal journalist said: “Getting some reporting on how Prince William feels about turning the big 40 in a couple of months. William is excited about this new chapter in his life and the challenges he’ll be facing. He has high ambitions of creating the perfect balance between being a respected role model and decision-maker and relatable to the public.”
It is also rumoured the Queen is planning to throw William a big birthday bash to celebrate his 40th in the summer.
7. Prince Charles attended the State Opening of Parliament
The Queen opted out of 2022’s State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years, due to ongoing mobility problems. Prince Charles and Prince William were given the authority to open Parliament on her behalf in their capacities as “counsellors of state”, giving them the power to undertake official duties when the monarch is unwell.
A spokesperson for the Queen said: “The Queen continues to experience episodic mobility problems and in consultation with her doctors has reluctantly decided that she will not attend the State Opening of Parliament.
“At Her Majesty’s request, and with the agreement of the relevant authorities, the Prince of Wales will read the Queen’s Speech on Her Majesty’s behalf, with the Duke of Cambridge also in attendance.”
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