The summer of 2020 has been a season of contrasts for the British royal family, as two of its most prominent couples, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have chosen to spend their summer in very different ways. While Kate Middleton and Prince William have opted for a low-key, family-focused summer, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have embarked on a high-profile tour that has garnered significant attention from the media and the public.

The Cambridge Family‘s Quiet Summer

After a busy spring that saw them undertake numerous engagements and attend several high-profile events, the Cambridge family has chosen to keep a relatively low profile this summer. Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, have spent much of the summer at their country home, Anmer Hall, on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

While the family has made a few appearances at local events, such as the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony and a visit to the Queen’s Sandringham estate, they have largely avoided the spotlight, focusing instead on spending quality time together as a family. This decision is likely due in part to the fact that the family has been dealing with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced many people around the world to reevaluate their priorities and focus on what truly matters.

The Sussexes’ High-Profile Tour

On the other hand, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have chosen to use their summer to embark on a high-profile tour of Africa, which has garnered significant attention from the media and the public. The tour, which began in late August and concluded in early September, saw the couple visit several countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and Malawi, where they carried out a range of engagements and met with various dignitaries and members of the public.

The tour was designed to promote British interests and strengthen ties between the UK and the countries visited, as well as to highlight several causes that are close to the couple’s hearts, such as conservation, education, and women’s empowerment. The tour was also an opportunity for the couple to introduce their young son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, to the continent where he was born and to allow him to meet some of the people and places that will be important in his life as he grows up.

Comparing the Two Approaches

While both the Cambridge and Sussex families have chosen to spend their summers in ways that are meaningful and fulfilling for them, their approaches could not be more different. The Cambridge family has opted for a low-key, family-focused summer, while the Sussexes have embarked on a high-profile tour that has garnered significant attention from the media and the public.

One reason for this difference in approach may be the fact that the Cambridge family is already well-established within the royal family and has a clear role and set of responsibilities, while the Sussexes are still finding their footing and determining how they wish to contribute to the monarchy. Additionally, the Sussexes may feel a greater need to establish themselves as a prominent royal couple, particularly given the fact that they have chosen to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family and pursue a more private life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the summer of 2020 has been a season of contrasts for the British royal family, as the Cambridge and Sussex families have chosen to spend their summers in very different ways. While the Cambridge family has opted for a low-key, family-focused summer, the Sussexes have embarked on a high-profile tour that has garnered significant attention from the media and the public. Ultimately, both approaches are valid and reflect the unique needs and priorities of each family, and it will be interesting to see how these choices shape their roles within the monarchy in the years to come.