When discussing the history of the royal family, polo holds a significant place. For instance, in 1980, during a polo match, Royal photographer Arthur Edwards spotted a new woman in Prince Charles's orbit and promptly informed The Sun's news desk. Just 11 months later, she became the Princess of Wales.
That same polo event witnessed the first and only photograph of Diana and the then Camilla Parker Bowles together. In 1992, the troubled state of the Wales' marriage became apparent as the princess visibly rejected Charles's attempt to kiss her on the cheek.
Fast forward to 2006, when Kate Middleton and Chelsea Davy attended a charity match to support their princely boyfriends. Speculation regarding forthcoming engagements sparked interest. Then, in 2019, while watching polo, photos emerged of Catherine and her somewhat new sister-in-law, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. These pictures revealed a noticeable lack of interaction between them.
Now, let's focus on the recent polo outing of William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales. Fresh photographs of the couple have revealed something entirely different about them. They actually like each other—truly, deeply like each other. This newfound dynamic places us in uncharted territory, where history is being made. Let's take a moment to reflect. Throughout a thousand years of kings and queens, genuinely affectionate couples have been rare.
Historical marriages were typically driven by factors such as power, politics, religious considerations, securing alliances, inheritance, and sometimes a mix of all the aforementioned elements. Love, trust, and a healthy relationship were rarely the primary considerations.
However, William and Catherine's relationship breaks this pattern. They share a genuine partnership both inside and outside the palace walls. Eventually, they will ascend to the roles of king and queen, and they will need to fulfill their duties while posing for stamps and maintaining a busy schedule. What sets them apart is that they are poised to be the first king and queen whose relationship is one of equality and partnership.
Although only William will officially hold the title and receive the holy oil, when they assume their thrones, they will be the first couple to wield significant power on equal footing within the royal family as a brand, an institution, and an entity striving to make the UK and the world a better place. In terms of public opinion, they will be seen as equals in their roles.
Of course, it's understood that formally opening Parliament or enacting laws falls under William's jurisdiction. However, when considering the royal family as a collective, as an institution striving to positively impact society, William and Catherine will stand on equal footing. They will be a couple who, as future monarchs, will hold substantial power. Although their official capacities may differ, their partnership and influence will be evenly matched, marking an unprecedented shift in the monarchy.
Before any objections arise, it is acknowledged that William is the one who will officially assume the role of monarch. However, as a couple working to shape the royal family's future and its impact, they will navigate their roles with equal influence and shared power.
In British history, the first and only co-reign occurred in 1689 when William and Mary of Orange ascended to the throne together. They were jointly crowned and served as monarchs. Now, with the upcoming reign of King William V and Queen Catherine, we may witness another co-reign, at least in practical terms. Unlike many previous royal consorts, Catherine will not merely be an adjunct, enhancing the aesthetics of a room or entertaining guests. The Wales family is building a model where both William and Catherine have important focuses and work that they pursue with equal dedication, vigor, and financial resources.
For William, his priorities lie in addressing homelessness and finding solutions to the climate crisis. Catherine, on the other hand, aims to make significant changes in early childhood development, specifically from pregnancy to age five, with a goal of reducing mental health problems and addiction in future generations. Based on what we have seen so far, there is every indication that William and Catherine will continue to follow these parallel paths, supported by the resources and influence of the royal foundation.
If this trend continues in the coming decades, even when they plan their move to Buckingham Palace—a historic place reportedly not favored by many with HRH titles due to its lack of heating—they will create a case for the history books. Unlike previous kings who energetically focused on ruling while their wives politely opened hospital wings, William's reign will present a different dynamic. We can envision both of them waking up to enjoy healthy breakfasts, dressed in their matching mid-priced blazers, and heading out to shape the nation and build the future together.
With William and Catherine on the throne, the UK will witness a regal double act, providing the people with a two-for-one deal, akin to a BOGO (Buy One, Get One) offer for the monarchy. This could potentially be a game-changer. While royal consorts of the past have varied in their levels of involvement, with some doing very little and others taking on significant roles like Prince Philip's involvement in the launch of the World Wildlife Fund, William and Catherine will both approach their roles with full workloads, commitments, and long-term projects to oversee. Catherine's work will never be viewed or treated as lesser than William's—an extraordinary first.
What makes this even more remarkable is that all of this will unfold within a couple deeply in love, rather than being forced into a marital alliance for political purposes. Sigmund Freud proposed that love and work are the two essential elements for happiness, and it appears that William and Catherine, as they step into their future roles, may become the first king and queen in British history who can genuinely claim to have both.
