Princes George, Charlotte and Louis made their social debut with a post dedicated to their father, the Prince William, accompanied by a beautiful photo taken by Kate Middleton. The image, as well as the presence of the princess at the Trooping The Color on 14 May 2024, could mark a new phase for the royal family, the beginning of a positive and more serene period after the great fear of the illness that struck Kate and King Charles III.
“We love you”
In the United Kingdom, Father’s Day traditionally falls on the third Sunday in June. This year the little princes George, Charlotte and Louis wanted to celebrate their father not only in private but also with a public message. The first of their lives. Just like the other members of the royal family do. On 16 June 2024, a post was published on the social networks of the Princes of Wales with a very tender photo, taken by Kate Middleton last month and an equally sweet caption: “We love you dad. Happy Father’s Day. G, C & L”.
The image immortalizes George, Charlotte and Louis hugging William, with their backs to the camera, as they look at the sea in Norfolk, in a location not far from Anmer Hall, their country home. The pose, the beach, the blue sky contribute to giving us a feeling of family unity, affection, cohesion, normality, everyday life, but also freedom and the desire to move on after an unhappy period. The photography communicates a certain optimism for the future, the desire to look forward which is not only of the subjects portrayed, but also of those behind the lens, namely Kate.
The princess, naturally, does not appear next to the family, but it is as if she were there, because her thoughts give “voice”, depth, concreteness and personality to the portrait. After Kate’s return to official commitments, sanctioned by her arrival at the Trooping The Colour of 14 June 2024, this harmonious family picture almost seems like the classic “icing on the cake”, the watershed between the past and the future, the turning point we were all waiting for.
The tributes of William and Charles III
Prince William also wished his father a peaceful Father’s Day with a photo on social media dated May 1, 1984, which portrays them together, smiling, while playing with a ball. The caption is very simple: “Happy Father’s Day, Pa. W.” THEthe detail of the nickname, “Pa””, contains all the complicity and affection between William and Carlo. The shot is part of a photo shoot created for the prince’s second birthday, in which he also appears Lady Dianapregnant with Prince Harry at the time.
Charles III certainly did not forget to prepare a tribute dedicated to his father, the Prince Philipwho passed away in 2021. For the occasion, His Majesty published, again via social media, a touching video made when he was a child, next to the Duke of Edinburgh, with a message aimed at all fathers: “I wish all the fathers and those who lost their parents today a peaceful Father’s Day.”
According to the biographies, the relationships between Carlo and Philip would not always be easy. The two would have had various misunderstandings, due to different characters: the sovereign has always been a thoughtful, shy man, the prince consort, on the other hand, had a very determined personality, perhaps even a little authoritarian, more inclined to action.
Differences which, however, would be overcome over time, making their bond stronger. The Windsor generations remembered their fathers, their roots.
It’s just missing Harry (at least from the public point of view), but perhaps it is not too late: William and Charles’ feelings may not have changed completely towards the duke, but he would need to take a real step forward to reconcile with the family.
