Oct. 21, 2024

Sophie closes in on Princess Anne's Hardest Working Royal title

Show Notes
Transcript

Princess Anne and the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, are having a lighthearted competition over who can claim the title of “hardest-working royal.” According to the official Court Circular and Royal Diary for this month, Princess Anne is currently in the lead with an impressive 75 engagements, compared to Sophie’s nine. However, insiders note that Sophie’s schedule will pick up with upcoming engagements in Malta and other visits not yet listed, though her total won’t come close to overtaking Anne’s busy agenda.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!

This podcast supports Podcasting 2.0 if you’d like to support the show via value for value and stream some sats!

Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media

We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping?

WEBVTT

1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:14.519
Caloroga Shark Media. Hello and welcome through Palace Injury Game

2
00:00:14.560 --> 00:00:18.600
your host Mark Francis, Princess Anne and the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie,

3
00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:21.359
are having a lighthearted competition over who can claim the

4
00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:24.920
title of hardest working royal. According to the Official Court

5
00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:27.960
Circular and the Royal Diary for this month, Princess Anne

6
00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:29.960
is currently in the lead with an impress of seventy

7
00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:33.880
five engagements compared to Sophie's nine. However, insiders note that

8
00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:36.759
Sophie's schedule will pick up with upcoming engagements in Malta

9
00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:40.399
and other visits not yet listed, though her total won't

10
00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:44.200
come close to overtaking Anne's busy agenda. A source close

11
00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:46.799
to the royals revealed Anne and Sophie can see the

12
00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:49.439
funny side of it, and the race is on. Last month,

13
00:00:49.479 --> 00:00:51.679
Sophie was in the lead, but it looks like Anne

14
00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:54.759
will trounce her. In October, the competition comes on the

15
00:00:54.799 --> 00:00:58.719
hills of Sophie significantly increasing her royal engagements, nearly doubling

16
00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:02.399
her September activities from the previous year, handling close to

17
00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:06.959
forty engagements. Sophie often dubbed the firm's secret weapon has

18
00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:09.760
stepped up her royal duties this year, especially with both

19
00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:12.319
King Charles and Princess Anne having been out of action

20
00:01:12.439 --> 00:01:16.400
at different times due to health issues. In contrast, Princess Anne,

21
00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:18.560
long recognized as one of the hardest working members of

22
00:01:18.599 --> 00:01:22.040
the royal family, has kept up her rigorous schedule after

23
00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:24.840
recovering from an injury. In June, she represented King Charles

24
00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:27.599
of the eightieth and adversary of the Battle of Arnham,

25
00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:32.120
and continues her NonStop royal workload. Despite the friendly rivalry,

26
00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:35.359
both royals remain committed to their duties, supporting the monarchy

27
00:01:35.400 --> 00:01:38.120
through engagements at home and abroad. Privy once again that

28
00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:40.599
when it comes to work ethic, he's to a leading

29
00:01:40.640 --> 00:01:45.280
by example. Toronto based royal author and historian Carolyn Harris explained,

30
00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:48.239
Sophie is playing a very important role for the royal

31
00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:50.519
family because this has been a difficult year for King

32
00:01:50.599 --> 00:01:54.719
Charles the Third and his immediate family. The Duchess's recent

33
00:01:54.760 --> 00:01:57.719
engagements have been diverse and impactful. One week, she was

34
00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:00.959
in Tanzania recognizing progress in the fight against a preventable

35
00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:04.200
and blinding eye disease. The following week, she was closer

36
00:02:04.239 --> 00:02:06.519
to home in Surrey, West of London, supporting people with

37
00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:09.840
multiple disabilities, visiting a community center for a stay in

38
00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:12.719
play session with parents and children, and even cuddling her

39
00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:17.599
rescued chicken named Stumpy at an animal sanctuary. Sophie's efforts

40
00:02:17.639 --> 00:02:21.560
in addressing preventable blindness have been particularly noteworthy. During her

41
00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:24.479
recent visit to Tanzania, she delivered a message on behalf

42
00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:27.840
of King Charles, committing efforts to rid the country of trachoma,

43
00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:32.520
an eye disease that can lead to irreversible blindness. Craig Prescott,

44
00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:35.400
a constitutional expert and lecturer in law at Royal Holloway

45
00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:38.400
University of London, commented on her efforts, this is a

46
00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:40.639
perfect example of what a member of the royal family

47
00:02:40.680 --> 00:02:42.639
can do. This is an issue that if you talk

48
00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:45.000
to anyone, it would be yes, that seemed like a

49
00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:48.400
really good issue, but it's one which doesn't capture public attention.

50
00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:52.120
Sophie and her husband, Prince Edward, have long been known

51
00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:54.599
for their busy royal schedules. Harris noted the Duke and

52
00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:57.159
Duchess of Edinburgh have been very crucial to the monarchy's

53
00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:00.560
public image. Those who met Sophie off the praise her

54
00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:03.520
empathy and warmth. After her visit on September twenty fifth,

55
00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:06.080
the Hale Community and Youth Center said on its blog,

56
00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:09.000
it really was a very special day. Harris added, Sophie's

57
00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:12.599
widely admired for being a very warm, approachable figure and

58
00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:16.080
for taking an interest in all aspects of her public engagements.

59
00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:20.400
Looking ahead, Harris expects Sophie's profile to continue to increase.

60
00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:24.400
She also noted growing public interest in Sophie's fashion choices, saying,

61
00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:26.439
We're starting to see a lot of interest in Sophie's

62
00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:28.800
fashions to a degree that perhaps might not have been

63
00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:33.199
predicted previously. Sophie will need to work hard to keep

64
00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:35.639
up with Princess Anne. Recently, a ninety five year old

65
00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:39.120
man who restored his father's classic car received an award

66
00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:42.639
from the Princess Royal. Mister Stearn's journey began when he

67
00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:45.319
was researching his father's old car to create a three

68
00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:49.319
D model. Serendipitously, he discovered the actual car up for

69
00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:53.120
auction in twenty twenty, albeit in poor condition. Despite its state,

70
00:03:53.479 --> 00:03:55.599
mister Sterne and his wife decided to purchase it for

71
00:03:55.639 --> 00:03:59.319
six thousand pounds due to its sentimental value. Mister Stearn's daughter,

72
00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:02.639
Samantha McGain mary, shared how her father's car was on display,

73
00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:04.280
so he was happy to show it off and talk

74
00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:07.879
about his work with like minded enthusiasts. We're also proud

75
00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:11.240
of him. The Princess was very gracious, interested in all

76
00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:13.919
the restoration projects, and took time to chat with each

77
00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:17.199
of the award winners individually. She appeared quite interested in

78
00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:23.000
dad's story. Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire reflects

79
00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:25.879
her deep love for animals, the passion she likely inherited

80
00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:28.680
from her mother. The seven hundred acre property houses a

81
00:04:28.759 --> 00:04:32.959
variety of animals, including English bull terriers, horses, sheep, pigs,

82
00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:35.720
chicken and cattle. Hello took a look at the Princess

83
00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:39.199
Royal's private living room, which is filled with animal themed decor.

84
00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:41.920
A twenty twenty one photograph shared on the royal Family's

85
00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:45.120
Instagram page offered a glimpse into this cozy space, showing

86
00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:48.639
Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Lawrence watching television.

87
00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:53.399
The room features numerous equestrian related items, including horse sculptures

88
00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:57.000
made of porcelain, china and crystal. A racehorse figurine stands

89
00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:00.360
prominently on a bookshelf alongside a painting of cattle. Other

90
00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:03.680
animal motives include a greyhound figurine and the couple's dog

91
00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:07.720
bed near the TV. Princess Anne has expressed her gratitude

92
00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:10.439
for country living in her twenty twenty guest Editor's letter

93
00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:13.600
for Country Life magazine. She wrote, every year, month and day,

94
00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:16.519
I realize how fortunate and privileged I am to have

95
00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:19.399
grown up and spent most of my life in the countryside.

96
00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:21.879
It's not only in the space and appreciating the seasons,

97
00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:25.519
the wildlife, the plant life, the arable crops and the livestock,

98
00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:28.160
but most importantly it's the people who live and work

99
00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:31.519
there and understand the complexity of their environment. I have

100
00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:34.240
lived at Gatcomb for more than forty two years. We

101
00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:36.079
were not looking for a farm, but it has been

102
00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:38.680
a real privilege to try to work with what we have.

103
00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:43.600
Ours is an organic, extensive grass enterprise, usually complicated by

104
00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:48.600
running the Horse Trail Championships. In early August, in a

105
00:05:48.639 --> 00:05:51.879
BBC documentary, Princess Anne shared her late mother, Queen Elizabeth

106
00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:54.879
the Second's concerns about dying at Balmorral, believing it might

107
00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:59.000
cause additional complications. However, Princess Anne reassured her that it

108
00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:01.439
shouldn't be a factor in her decision. According to The

109
00:06:01.480 --> 00:06:04.360
Times assistant editor Kate Mansey, speaking on the Royals with

110
00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:07.720
Royer and Kate podcast, the Princess Royal was quick to

111
00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:10.319
ease her mother's worries, telling her just do what you

112
00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:14.360
want to do. It's fine. Bal Moral, a cherished royal

113
00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:16.600
residence since eighteen fifty two when it was bought by

114
00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:19.720
Prince Albert, held special significance for the Queen, but it

115
00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.079
was also a place where specific plans were in place,

116
00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:25.360
such as Operation Unicorn should she pass away in Scotland.

117
00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:29.079
The late monarch worried about the potential complications of dying there,

118
00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:31.319
but Princess Anne and others assured her that the personal

119
00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:35.040
wishes were what truly mattered. Reflecting on it, Princess Anne

120
00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:37.720
said they had persuaded her mother that her concerns shouldn't

121
00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:41.399
dictate where she chose to spend her final days. Ultimately,

122
00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:44.519
Queen Elizabeth passed at bow Morral in September twenty twenty two,

123
00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:48.279
and the royal family smoothly implemented the detailed plans in place,

124
00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:52.160
ensuring the transition and morning period were handled as anticipated,

125
00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:56.480
whether in Scotland or elsewhere. Palace Intrigue'll be right back.

126
00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:02.879
Moral Castle King Charles Highland Retreat is offering a royal

127
00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:05.600
culinary experience to the public with a two hundred and

128
00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:09.279
fifty pounds per head estate to table dining event for

129
00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:12.199
those eager to dine like royalty. The seven course mule

130
00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:16.160
will feature locally sourced dishes such as smoked salmon, venison

131
00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:20.279
loin and treacle tart crafted by the Bowmoral chefs. Limited

132
00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:23.519
to just ten guests per night, these exclusive events will

133
00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:26.959
take place over seven Friday nights in November and December,

134
00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:30.800
complete with live music, the castle tour and paired wines.

135
00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:34.199
Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by a traditional piper

136
00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:37.480
before embarking on a tour through seven rooms of the castle,

137
00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:40.879
each inspiring a course on the menu. The event, held

138
00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:44.160
in the castle's recently redesigned a restaurant, promises to be

139
00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:48.480
a memorable experience highlighting the estate's finest produce, including meat,

140
00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:52.480
fish and vegetables. The high demand for bow Moral experiences

141
00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:55.439
is no surprise. Earlier this year, tickets for summer tours

142
00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:58.839
sold out within hours, with the website even crashing due

143
00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:01.519
to traffic. Those who miss out on this lavish dinner,

144
00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:03.439
the castle grounds will still be open to the public

145
00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:07.439
free of charge during the winter season, and they have

146
00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:09.839
it plan to email us or addresses the Palace Intrigue

147
00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:12.120
at gmail dot com. Please follow us a Spotify, Apple

148
00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:14.399
or the app of your choice and leave us a

149
00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:16.600
review of some stars. If you're enjoining the show, I'm

150
00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:19.560
my Francis My Thanks to John mcdermot's A Palace Intrigue

151
00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:20.399
and Good Dams

Sophie closes in on Princess Anne's Hardest Working Royal title

Listen On

Recent Episodes