Quiet acts of kindness
Well done, Mum.
This autumn she became a Member of the British Empire for making an indelible mark on a South Sudanese Community.
Flicking through the names and roles of those being recognised, it was clear that these honours — excluding the political ones — cannot be bought or swindled. This eclectic mix of wonderful British citizens is a credit to the country and clearly cherished by their communities. Apart from a few of the more famous folk, these contributions are not financially remunerated.
Instead it is a spark of compassion that creates a flame of service — years, decades, even lifetimes, spent quietly showing up again and again. “Services to…” cancer treatment in children, the Welsh language, supporting bereaved people, child safeguarding, cyber-crime awareness, midwifery leadership, the people of the Spiti Valley, the Forest of Dean community, combating hate crime and extremism, education in Nepal, dance for the learning-disabled community — to name but a few.
And of course, Mum: “Services to South Sudanese Refugees.” These kind hearts — usually unsung, except on this golden day. Whatever your stance on the monarchy, these honours speak to something precious: to those who resist the evolutionary urge to better themselves, and instead suggest — in this moment of global reckoning — that the human capacity for kindness and regeneration may yet prevail.
I also want to recognise the community working within the Royal Households, and the Royal Family themselves. If it’s possible to judge the institution solely by what I witnessed yesterday, then it represents a source of hope for Britain — and for what it means to be British.
Those who checked the cars and coats, cleaned the floors, and held the doors represented a broad cross-section of cultures, each wearing a broad smile. Not performative, nor imposed upon them — genuine and kind. They congratulated my mum, and we felt it.
Likewise, Prince William made her feel like the most important person in the room for that extended moment — as indeed she was. For him, each medal pinned may be just another, but for each recipient, it is the moment of a lifetime. The way he held that space so skilfully and generously showed that he understood the gravity of this.
In an age when the idea of being British has too often been hijacked by populist politicians and racist bigots, I see the Royal Family as playing a vital role in ensuring that our deeper cultural values are not lost. Yesterday, I felt proud to be British — and, of course, proud of my mum.
