The Scottish independence movement grows in strength with each passing year. Scottish people didn’t want to “Brexit,” they wanted to stay with the EU. Scotland treated the pandemic seriously and they seemed to have a lower mortality rate than England. They are also tired of being treated like an afterthought in London politics, from what I gather, and they are just tired of Tory political BS. Personally, I think Nicola Sturgeon is pretty badass and she seems to have a withering opinion of Boris Johnson and the state of the Windsors. Sturgeon was openly critical of William and Kate when they barged into Scotland (while Scotland was still on pandemic lockdown) last December too. My point? Sturgeon isn’t going to play footsie with royalists. If Scottish people want independence, Sturgeon will back them. So Queen Elizabeth wants her family to do some kind of charm offensive:

The Queen is to lead a Royal charm offensive to help persuade Scotland to resist the demands of nationalists for independence – with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge expected to play a key supporting role. The strategy, which is being discreetly backed by Downing Street, received its effective launch on Saturday when the Duke of Cambridge gave a deeply personal speech in which he described the ‘special place’ that Scotland had in his heart, a country which he said held both some of his ‘happiest memories’ and his ‘saddest’. Kate will join William in Scotland on Monday as they embark on a week-long tour to win hearts and minds.

Pressure for a second independence referendum has increased after the Scottish National Party narrowly missed winning a majority in the Scottish Parliament. Public opinion about independence is on a knife edge according to polls and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants a vote before the end of 2023.

Officials at No 10 have held discussions about how to emphasise ‘cultural bonds’ – with the Royal Family seen as one of the most powerful weapons in the armoury. However, some pro-union supporters have expressed concern that Aberdonian Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office Minister given responsibility by Boris Johnson for brainstorming ideas for combating independence, does ‘not seem fully focused’ on the issue.

The Queen is passionate about the union and spends her annual summer break at Balmoral. Her subtle comment about the independence referendum in 2014 – asking people to ‘think carefully about the future’ – while staying at Balmoral, was credited with influencing the vote to remain.

In his address on Saturday to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh, Prince William not only touched upon some of the most private aspects of his life, but also struck a conciliatory tone. In what was interpreted as a nod to longevity, he referred to his children including Prince George, who is third in line to the throne. ‘George, Charlotte and Louis already know how dear Scotland is to both of us, and they are starting to build their own happy memories here too. We have no doubt they will grow up shar-ing our love and connection to Scotland from the Highlands to the Central Belt, from the Islands to the Borders.’

The Queen is making plans for her traditional ‘Holyrood Week’ in early summer. Aides say there will be several ‘high-profile events where Her Majesty will be seen out and about’. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will also be involved but the decision to send the Cambridges ahead was a clear part of the PR strategy. A source said: ‘It’s about opening a dialogue – listening and talking. All members of the Royal Family have a strong affinity with Scotland.’

One former Downing Street insider said there had been discussions about how the popularity of senior Royals could be used to help bolster support for the Union.

‘People are well aware of the popularity of the Royal Family. If you look at polling, especially on the Queen, it’s a very positive thing for the Union,’ the source said. ‘It’s something that needs careful deployment, but it’s certainly recognised that the Queen and in particular William and Kate are popular figures north of the border.’

[From The Daily Mail]

William referencing his children in that kind of way is unsurprising. That seems to be his go-to argument for anything. “You should do this for MY children.” He says that about conservation: “Protect wildlife so my children will be able to see elephants.” And now with Scotland: “You have to remain part of the UK so my children will rule over you some day.” It’s… not the argument he thinks it is. And if this is the Windsors’ idea of a charm offensive, well… it is pretty offensive. Clenched jaws, buttons, tartan, wiglets, maniac smiling, hands tightly balled into fists, slumped posture. Where’s the rest of the Magnificent Seven? Is Prince Andrew going to be sent out to play golf in Scotland to win hearts and minds?

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.