The royal family's real advantage? Emotional connection and making people feel seen

On paper, the engagements could not have looked more different.

The King and Queen, dressed in their robes of state and wearing crown and diadem, processing through the grandeur of the House of Lords, appeared worlds away from the excitable crowds reaching out for handshakes and hugs in north London and Northern Italy. And yet all three moments were connected by the monarchy's ability to project stability and optimism in an increasingly unpredictable world.

At a time when British politics feels increasingly volatile, the steadying sight of the monarch making the regular journey through the Lords Chamber to give his speech served as a welcome reminder that political drama eventually passes (before too long, ideally).

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But it was his next engagement, in a packed week of them, which really showed his power as a symbol of unity.

For readers who may not be familiar with Golders Green, it's a suburb of north London which is home to a large Jewish community. In late April, while the King and Queen were in the United States, two local men were stabbed. The attack came amid heightened fear in the community about the rise of anti-Semitism across the UK, something that coincidentally, Prince Harry wrote about this week.

The King, as we know, is a staunch supporter of interfaith dialogue and has shown consistent support for different religious communities across the UK since long before his accession to the throne. So, it felt inevitable that he would make the journey there himself. His visit, when it came, could not have been more welcome. Crowds ten deep gathered to clamour for a handshake or photograph, with others climbing on lampposts and standing on rooftops to catch a glimpse of him.

Charles's simple act of showing up resonated in a way that a politician could not replicate. His compassion and warmth really shone through. As Moshe Shine, one of the victims of the 29 April attack, explained: "He was very concerned about how I am recovering. The most inspiring thing was that he didn't let go of my hand, that was amazing. 

"He is the King. I felt a genuine warmth and concern. He wasn't asking me questions politely, it was out of genuine care and concern. He said 'Are you sure you're ok?' It was a really special moment. It's the simplicity of it, in the nicest possible way, his ability to interact with ordinary people really came over."

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The symbolism of the King's visit, of course, travelled beyond north London. "His presence here is extremely important to the Jewish community at large – it's highly significant. We feel we have a genuine friend," added Moshe.

Proof, if ever it were needed, that some of the most powerful royal moments are not the grandest ones, but the quieter visits that make communities feel seen and supported.

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'A very special woman'

If the King's engagements demonstrated the monarchy's role as a source of stability and solidarity, the Princess of Wales's visit to Italy showed its power to amplify important messages.

I saw that in action throughout the Princess of Wales's visit to Italy this week, where she used her platform to shine a global spotlight on the inspirational work of educators in Reggio Emilia. 

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I've written a great deal already in the past few days about the incredibly warm reception that greeted her. But it was in the quieter, personal moments that made the deepest impression on those she was meeting, whether crouching in the grass with little children to marvel over a newt, or listening intently as the experts explained their work.

"She's a very special woman," Annalisa Rabotti, pedagogical coordinator for Reggio Emilia, told me after showing Catherine around the Salvador Allende preschool on Thursday. "She looks you in the eye and treats you as an equal. I was surprised and I'm very happy."

It all reflects a shift we've seen in the monarchy in recent years and particularly during this reign. Emotional openness and intelligence now trump pomp and pageantry when it comes to making an impression that counts, and the royal family is at its best in those moments which are most personal and authentic.

And if the King is shaping the current tone and approach, we can be sure that William and Catherine are already well on their way to shaping that of the future. They may hold no political power, but this week was a reminder once again that their soft power can be enormously influential in its own right.

And in moments of uncertainty, that different kind of leadership can matter more than ever.