The royal women have shown great dignity and strength since the Queen’s death – it’s what she would have wanted
EVER since the warrior Queen Boadicea led an uprising in Roman Britain, royal women have exhibited great strength.
Today, instead of a mighty sword and chariot they use their dignity and fortitude to win their battles.
This dark period of mourning has proved that the Queen’s unique dedication to duty lives on in those who remain.
It is the Princess Royal who has perhaps embodied her mother’s spirit the most during recent events.
Anne was at Her Majesty’s bedside at Balmoral Castle when she died and has made sure her mother has not been alone since.
On Tuesday, she was the only one of her siblings to accompany her mother’s coffin as it made its way on a six-hour car journey through Scotland, from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh, then on a flight to London.
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It was a fitting final act of love from a daughter who has always been there for the Queen.
Last night it was the turn of younger members of her family to stand vigil in Westminster Hall.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie joined cousins Prince William and Prince Harry, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, James Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor to pay their respects.
Princess Anne proved her fortitude from an early age.
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She began working on behalf of Her Majesty when she was 18 years old.
During Anne’s first year of public duties, she carried out 30 engagements on her own.
But her public life was not without scandal.
INBUILT QUIET DIGNITY
She divorced her first husband, Army Captain Mark Phillips, in 1992 during the Queen’s “annus horribilis”.
Eight months later she married Timothy Laurence, a Navy commander charged with caring for the Royal Family’s horses.
But she moved on from the headlines by dedicating herself to hard work, regularly performing more duties than any other royal.
On Friday, with her siblings Prince Andrew, King Charles and Prince Edward, she stood in a silent vigil beside the coffin.
It was their second and final vigil to the Queen before she is laid to rest tomorrow.
Anne bowed her head and stood with a solemn expression as she stood guard for 15 minutes.
This was the first time a female royal has attended such an event — a tradition known as “vigil of the children”, which dates back to the time of George V.
Watching on was Queen Consort Camilla, who earlier that day paid a touching tribute to Her Majesty by wearing a replica of a diamond leek brooch that she and Princess Diana wore, as she joined Charles on his first visit to Wales as King.
The royal women, led by the Princess Royal and the Queen Consort, are uncomplaining and have an inbuilt quiet dignity that does not need reminding or praising.
As poor King Charles has had two episodes of “pen rage”, latterly taking issue with a leaky fountain pen during a signing ceremony at Hillsborough Castle, Camilla was calm and took charge.
She took the offending item from his hands, muttering calmly: “Oh look, it’s going everywhere.”
It’s typical of the good grace in which she goes about her duties.
Working at a growing number of royal engagements and travelling the world on foreign tours is not exactly the life Camilla imagined she would be leading in her mid-seventies, but her steadfast support for her husband has been evident.
Her desire to support Charles is stronger than ever.
She has also had a remarkable rehabilitation in the eyes of the public.
Far from being “the other woman”, Camilla has cemented her place at the heart of the family with quiet dedication.
Sophie Wessex has been described as the “secret weapon” — and has proved herself since the Queen’s death.
On Thursday she showed her natural empathy, by embracing a young mourner in Manchester.
Sophie was about to leave when she saw the youngster with his arms outstretched and rushed over to give him a hug.
She wears her emotions on her sleeve and choked back tears during the procession of the coffin in Edinburgh.
It is understandable she would be so upset. Sophie, her husband Edward, and their two children spent a lot of time with the Queen.
Sophie developed a very strong bond with Her Majesty and called her “Mama”.
She has also been keeping an eye out for Meghan, who has been welcomed back into the family because it was the Queen’s wish, not necessarily their own choice.
Her daughter Lady Louise, 18, is also playing an increasingly public role.
She is set to embark on her first year of university but is mature for her age and is tipped to play a larger part in the future.
But it has not always been plain sailing for Sophie.
When she married Edward, she already had her own successful PR business and did not intend to become a working member of the royal firm.
Her father-in-law, the Duke of Edinburgh, had his doubts but was fully behind her decision.
HER FINAL JOURNEY
But the Queen felt enormous sympathy for her and encouraged Sophie and Edward to quit their business enterprises.
The monarch wanted their help during her Golden Jubilee year in 2002, as life as a working royal truly began for Sophie.
The Queen would no doubt be touched to see how prominent her role is now.
Last night Sophie was clearly distraught watching her children stand vigil.
A week earlier there were more emotions on show.
Reading the tributes left at Balmoral, a weeping Eugenie was comforted by her father the Duke of York.
Andrew’s daughters have carved out successful careers.
In the wake of the Queen’s death, Beatrice has been made a Counsellor of State, meaning she can stand in for King if he is abroad or incapacitated.
Kate, who has been married to Prince William for 11 years, will be pitch perfect for her latest title.
On Thursday she and William made their first solo outing as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The couple spent about 45 minutes speaking with mourners outside the Norwich Gates of Sandringham House.
Kate told well-wishers that Prince George “understands the loss” of his great-grandmother, while younger siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis understand it “less so”.
One well-wisher heard Kate tell a group of children that Louis had said “at least Grannie is with Great Grandpa now”.
She accompanied another young girl across the crowds so she could lay her flowers in person.
Without trying, she will bring her own unique brand to the role.
Kate has a indicated she wants to make the part her own, while still respecting the importance of her late mother-in-law.
And while the Duchess of Sussex has caused great tension in the family, her support of Harry during this difficult time is clear.
She has been quick to comfort the Duke, who seemed particularly nervous and upset during public mourning, with an affectionate stroke of his back or by holding his hand.
It is the working royal women who will walk in the footsteps of the Queen.
Sophie, Anne, Camilla and Kate were all dedicated to helping the ageing monarch in her twilight years.
They have helped her on her final journey without the focus being on them.
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That is how it should be. It is what the Queen would have wanted and expected.
- Ingrid Seward is editor in chief of Majesty magazine and author of William And Harry.
