OPINION - The Standard View: King Charles's first visit is a deeply personal one
Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, in London
The King is back. For the first time since his cancer diagnosis, His Majesty was making a return to the public spotlight. He was visiting the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, in an event filled with personal touches. The facility, which opened its doors to patients in 2012, provides not only world-leading treatment for cancer and non-cancer conditions, but also offers crucial support to those who need it at life’s most challenging moments. In other words, it acts as a beacon of hope.
This summer will be a different one for the King and royal family. His public engagements will remain scaled back to assist his recovery, though he continues with his duties as head of state, including conducting audiences and Privy Council meetings. The King’s medical team are said to be “very encouraged by the progress made so far”. And the public will no doubt be delighted to see him as he continues his recuperation.
Finish line in sight
With just two full days of campaigning until Thursday’s mayoral election, the candidates are out in full force. Labour’s Sadiq Khan today focused on action to combat violence against women and girls. This is a subject his Conservative rival, Susan Hall, has campaigned on too — but who has also faced criticism for her suggestion that police misconduct ought to be dealt with “behind closed doors”.
Hall, for her part, provided something of a Nineties echo, promising if she wins to “get back to basics” while also campaigning on what is in many ways her flagship issue: opposition to Khan’s Ulez extension.
Though both Khan and Hall are stressing this contest is a two-horse race, other candidates are working hard for support. Today’s Evening Standard features an interview with Zoë Garbett, the Green mayoral candidate, who urged Londoners to “vote for what they believe in” — as her colleagues criticised Khan’s plea for Green supporters to “lend” him their vote on Thursday. Whatever your electoral calculus, not long to go now.
Culture at its best
When it comes to cultural capital, there is no place like London. So it should come as no surprise that two of the city’s great museums, the National Portrait Gallery and Young V&A, are among the five nominees for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2024, the world’s largest museum prize.
Their success is based on an understanding that great institutions can never stay still. The National Portrait Gallery reopened last summer following its most significant overhaul since 1896, while Young V&A opened in July following a £13 million transformation. And Londoners can enjoy these national treasures on their doorsteps.
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