So-called ‘Megxit’ – Prince Harry and Meghan stepping away from royal duties this month – and controversies surrounding the Queen’s son Prince Andrew and his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have headlined a year of turmoil.
The problems have left the Royals short of members to cover a busy schedule of events this year.
Islanders have expressed their disappointment after it was announced on Tuesday that the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are to come to Jersey to mark arguably the Island’s most important Liberation Day anniversary to date.
The Queen visited Jersey for the 60th anniversary, while Prince Charles came to the Island to mark 50 years since the Channel Islands were liberated. The Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, the 27th in line to the throne, is Her Majesty’s paternal cousin. During one of his most recent official engagements, he visited the Railworld Wildlife Haven in Peterborough. The charity has a nature haven, a model railway and other exhibits.
It had been rumoured that Jersey hoped to attract the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine, for the celebrations on 9 May, which have been years in the planning.
Deputy Kevin Pamplin, who chaired the Liberation 75 working group, has vowed to make sure the event is memorable – regardless of Islanders’ concerns.
‘The event is going to be great, amazing. What it is all about is the people, the survivors, for whom it may be last big anniversary they see. They are the focal point and that is what I have been saying all along,’ he said.
‘It’s also about the younger generation too and showing them the importance of Liberation Day.’
On social media, many Islanders have expressed their anger at the announcement. One commentator said: ‘I’m sure they are lovely people and all that, but how disappointing that, on this special anniversary, and with the time that has been spent in planning, a more senior Royal wasn’t invited or couldn’t be available to celebrate with the only part of the country to have suffered Occupation.’
Another asked: ‘Who? Don’t you think Jersey deserves – after 75 years – to have somebody better known from the Royal family to celebrate such a famous liberation?’
The Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, is the Queen’s first cousin and the grandson of King George V and Queen Mary. He is also the Royal Honorary Colonel to the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers Regiment, which is the parent unit of the Jersey Field Squadron.
The Duke and Duchess are to stay at Government House during their visit.
Government House, the Bailiff’s Chambers and Buckingham Palace were all contacted for comment.
The States police said they would not comment on security arrangements for the Royal couple.
