King Charles and Prime Minister Keir Starmer Make First Joint Public Appearance at Windsor Castle
In a significant moment, King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer came together for their first public appearance since recent Epstein revelations placed them in the spotlight. The event, held at Windsor Castle, was a reception to celebrate the inspirational work of the nation's paid and unpaid carers, drawing attention to their vital contributions.
A Warm Greeting Amidst Royal Splendour
All eyes were on the two leaders as Sir Keir Starmer approached King Charles with a warm greeting, shaking his hand and even touching him on the shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie. The Prime Minister then greeted Queen Camilla with a kiss on each cheek and a surprising pat on the arm, before the trio briefly conversed and mingled with the 380 excited guests in the castle's state apartments.
Also present in the royal party were the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, adding to the grandeur of the occasion. The reception, organised by Buckingham Palace, aimed to recognise the hard work and challenges faced by millions of carers across the United Kingdom, from professionals to young people with caring responsibilities.
Personal Stories Highlight the Carers' Plight
Among the notable guests was Coleen Rooney, elegantly dressed in a white pinstriped trouser suit and diamond necklace. She spoke movingly about her family's experience caring for her sister, Rosie, who was severely disabled and passed away in 2013 at the age of 14. Rooney emphasised the importance of recognition for carers, stating, 'Tonight is about recognition for carers, whether that be your job role or your family member. I think it is something that isn't talked about enough and isn't celebrated enough.'
She added, 'If you have a family member it's not a job, it's because you care and you love them. It's very important that they are recognised and celebrated.' Rooney also shared her joy at meeting the King and Queen for the first time, describing it as a lovely experience.
Voices from the Caring Community
Presenter Kate Garraway, who cared for her late husband Derek Draper until his passing at age 56 due to Covid complications, described the caring community as 'brilliant'. She highlighted the isolating nature of caregiving, saying, 'It is a very isolating existence, as much as you love it and want to do it. But it doesn't feel very recognised because it's just you and the four walls. So to come and be recognised somewhere like this by the King and Queen is very special.'
Garraway also pointed out the financial pressures carers face, noting, 'People have to give up their job every day to care. There are a lot of pressures. People can find themselves in a very changed financial position.'
Royal and Political Support for Carers
Sir Keir Starmer expressed his gratitude, stating, 'It is really important to celebrate them. I am really pleased His Majesty The King and Her Majesty the Queen are hosting this at Windsor because it's an opportunity not just to say thank you but also to recognise and celebrate what carers do.' He shared a personal connection, revealing that his sister is a carer, and praised the skill and dedication involved in such work.
The King and Queen maintain long-standing links with organisations supporting carers, including Age UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, and Maggie's. The Duchess of Edinburgh's patronages, such as Shooting Star Children's Hospices and Brainwave, were also represented, along with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester's affiliations with Parkinson's UK and The Children's Society.
Staggering Statistics and a Royal Message
The 2021 Census revealed that there are 5.8 million unpaid carers in the UK, with 29% providing more than 50 hours of care each week, and women making up 59% of this population. Barnardo's estimates that as many as one in five children in the UK may be young carers, while the adult social care sector in England alone employs approximately 1.59 million people.
In a printed message to guests, King Charles highlighted that around five million people in the UK provide unpaid care to a loved one—one in every ten adults. He praised their selflessness, saying, 'They do so not for recognition nor reward, but because their hearts compel them to.' The King also addressed the challenges faced by young carers, noting, 'There are hundreds of thousands of them across this nation, some as young as five years old, helping to care for parents, siblings or grandparents.'
He concluded with a call to action, urging society to ensure that carers' efforts are never taken for granted, emphasising the profound value of their work for humanity as a whole.
