The last Wednesday of the month means it is time for a brief summary of the recent events and a guide to the posts published on this site during the month. It was rather a jolly month (despite the weather) and yet again the British people displayed that even in the pouring rain they can throw a party or put on a show.
Robert and I managed to fit a lot in this month, including a long weekend away on our own. We were away over the Coronation weekend and did not watch the entire Coronation service. But we did see clips of course on news broadcasts. There was a moment that seemed a little ridiculous when HRM King Charles III had to repeat the words: “In His name and after His example, I come not to be served but to serve.” I was slightly baffled – the contrast between the way Christ lived and the pomp and showiness of the royal display could not have seemed more vast at that point. Still, I mean no disrespect to the King himself. The clergy however…their hypocrisy do alarm me. The bitter vitriol directed towards Charles and Camilla twenty-five years ago seems to have dissipated over time. HRM King Charles III seems to have endeared himself in many respects to onlookers. He seems like a sweet, gentile man, someone who has tried to support very important causes – and someone with a kindly heart. I approve of the modern royals being very active in their diplomatic and charitable roles, and not lazing about in a debauched and scandalous lifestyle as royals of a bygone era seemed to do.
The month of May is a truly beautiful time of year. Here in the Village, wisteria is bringing an extraordinarily pretty splendour and scented bliss to our area – like some sort of fantasy land. The many pink and purple blooms are delightful. On the rare occasion of a deep blue sky, I am unable to supress wide smiles.
We have had lots of visitors this month, and hosted lots of dinners. It’s been highly enjoyable to see friends and share our news with them. Some very interesting conversations and discussions have been held across our dining table. We also attended two weddings during the month – extended family members and enjoyed seeing connections we have not seen since before the Pandemic. Wills asked and has been allowed to take Laura to both of the family weddings. She is very charming and amiable and I saw what a fine dancer she is at the receptions we attended.
We have another trip to France planned before Wimbledon starts. Whenever we holiday in France, we always say to each other “let’s move here”. But we are too attached to our friends, our work and our home. We just need these chances to escape to France to recharge our batteries and drink our fill of a certain culture and ambience that we are quite in love with.
I hope your May was enjoyable and with three bank holidays (in the UK) provided time to rest and relax. I ought to start packing our suitcases before our escape to France.
It is impressive to see these enormous displays of precision organisation involving thousands. Those troops marching through the pouring rain – my heart went out to them. That sense of commitment and duty even in adverse circumstances stirs some admiration – does it not? I hope that each and ever one had a chance to soak in hot bath after standing and marching around in cold rain for hours. Not everybody was on as straightlaced and impeccably comported as the military though. There has been much talk about the younger royals stealing the show yet again – I think my personal favourite are clips of Prince Louis reinventing the royal wave with a two-handed display. Some of the highlights provided by the younger videos are captured in this video I found. Much has also been said of Penny Mordaunt’s sword wielding.
LADY LEWIS 