Valentine Low on Royal Family Dynamics, Brexit, and Royal Funding

Royal Neutrality and Political Engagement

• 👑 King Charles and Prince William are committed to being "very nice" to Donald Trump during his state visit, setting aside their differing views, particularly on the environment.
• 🤝 Charles aims to support the current government, demonstrating his role in assisting any administration.
• 🧐 Valentine Low's book, "Power and the Palace," explores the evolving relationship between the monarchy and government, noting that previous monarchs like Queen Victoria and George V were also known to express political opinions, with Queen Elizabeth II being more of an outlier in her public reserve.

Revelations on the Late Queen and Brexit

• 🇪🇺 Contrary to a 2016 Sun headline, the late Queen was a Remainer during the Brexit debate, expressing a preference to "stick with the devil you know."
• 🗣️ While the Queen had criticisms of the EU's bureaucracy, her private views on remaining might have influenced the referendum result if they had been public.
• 🤫 Palace sources often suggest misinterpretations, but Low asserts his sources clearly indicate the Queen's remainer stance.
• 💬 The Queen did express opinions on her Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, finding him "interesting," and on the content of the Queen's Speech, showing a willingness to share views, especially as she grew older.

Personal Stories and Royal Conduct

• 💔 Camilla, as Duchess of Cornwall, confided in Boris Johnson about an attempted sexual assault during her teenage years, a personal experience she has not publicly disclosed in her advocacy work.
• 👠 Camilla's response to the assault was to use her shoe heel to strike her assailant, showcasing her strength and robust character.
• 🤫 The palace has not disputed this revelation, suggesting a pragmatic approach to encourage victims to speak out without shame.
• 👑 Charles was reportedly "in the doghouse" with the Queen and government in 2012 for questioning government policy regarding the Succession to the Crown Bill, leading to a leak of his private conversation.

The Monarchy's Soft Power and Funding

• 🌍 Post-Brexit, senior royals were deployed across Europe to remind nations of the UK's continued relationship, a form of soft power deployment by the government.
• 💰 The creation of the Sovereign Grant, funded by 15% of Crown Estate profits, saw the palace play "hardball" with the Treasury to secure the deal, resisting attempts to reduce the percentage.
• 🏛️ Politicians often avoid public spats with the palace due to respect, belief in the monarchy, and electoral considerations, though this deference may erode with declining public approval, particularly among younger generations.
• 🌟 The appearance of political neutrality is crucial for the Head of State to unite the country, a role that becomes difficult if the figure is divisive.