I've always considered myself a royalist. It's a bit of a family thing - my grandfather [who died before I was born] worked at the Royal Mint, making the King's Maundy Money, and also worked as a cook in the Buckingham Palace kitchens.
I was taught to stand for the National Anthem. I was encouraged to pray for the Queen and those in authority, as Scripture tells us. I got my Queen's Badge in the Girls' Brigade- the youngest person ever to do so [and my record will be forever unbeaten, because they subsequently changed the rules] and was in a guard of honour for Her Maj. I waved my Union Flag, celebrated various jubilees, and watched the Royal Weddings. Then the Queen died. And this summer...
...and I am really struggling to be enthusiastic about this event. Bob, as Parish Councillor [altho not the Royalist that I am] has some responsibilities for events in this village over the celebration weekend. And I am on the planning committee for the event in the next village - as the rep for our chapel. I am being supportive [and organising the children's tent - no surprise there]
But honestly, I have very little enthusiasm for the whole business.
Is it just me? I had respect for the Queen. I am not so sure about the rest of her family. How did relationships get to the point where her grandson could write a book tearing into his father and his brother in such an unpleasant way?
When Diana died, Charles and his sons were with the Queen at Balmoral. One of the newspapers published a headline Where is our Queen? and insisted she should be back in London 'with her people'. I was angry at that. I felt that as a grandmother, she was doing the right thing, staying with the two young boys who had just lost their mother. I still feel that way - she always put duty and service first, and in August 1997, she felt her most important duty was to the children.
Somewhere along the way, in the years since, things clearly have not been handled well. And I am sad about that. I remember years ago talking to someone from the States who said they envied us Brits with our Royal Family. They said their Head of State was the President, which was sometimes troubling if he was a bit dodgy, but whoever was our Prime Minister, at least we always had the Queen to look up to, setting us a good example. [and this remark was said to me way before Tricky Dicky Nixon, or Dodgy Donald Trump] But now, I just don't feel the same way about the Royals.
Don't get me wrong, I think some of them work really hard to do good stuff [I've great respect for Sophie, Countess of Wessex] but I can't help but feel things have shifted in the public's perception since last summer's Jubilee. What do you think?
And on a trivial note, it does sound a little silly to say to Bob "I'm just going to a meeting about the Coronation Street Party"
Isn't it all so sad and disappointing? I don't know where to begin. The transition from Queen's style of rigid moral duty towards 'modern' expressive royalty just didn't go well. The glimpses I got of her children's childhood (nurseries, boarding schools etc, more detached from informalclose parenting than most children) gave me the impression that they were always going to find modern life difficult as adults, especially in a world where everyone is encouraged to put self-fulfillment and personal happiness at the top of the list.
ReplyDeleteThe age of social media and gossip magazines has done them no favours. I suspect royal families have always been an unholy mess, but now we have books and tv shows and commentators and paparazzi to put it all on show.
I just avoid reading any of it.
I have absolutely no interest in reading "Spare"
DeleteMe neither.... and I scroll on past any 'news' about any of them. I do value the work of the royals; it's all the salacious tittle tattle about who said/did what... even Sarah Ferguson and the Queen's corgis appear to be newsworthy?!?!?!?
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DeleteI know what you mean. I dislike the whole dialogue over Harry and Megan and everything. If we just (the newspapers, public etc) ignored the situation and stopped giving it such attention and hype, then that would help resolve things without the web of misinformation or whatever it is. Like you, I had no interest in spare or the Netflix documentary. I don't want to give any attention or money to the situation. I think Kirsten is on the right track with what she said but certainly selfish modern life is not the place for them! Kezzie x
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DeleteI totally agree with you, Angela. We will not celebrate in any way and shudder to think how much the whole “slimmed down” event is going to cost a country where people are struggling so hard just to live. Catriona
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DeleteI think Kirsten has summed it up very well. The Queens distance from her children, particularly shaking hands with a very small Charles when she returned from a tour, instead of picking him up and giving him a great big hug seemed so cold. I think King Charles has compassion,which some may see as weakness but overall is a thoughtful human being. Unfortunately some younger members suffer from huge mental health problems which the media have jumped on and manipulated. I don’t think people under 60 care much for the Royal Family, they see so much division in society, you cannot blame them. Sandra.
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DeleteI can't get up any enthusiasm for the Coronation festivities. They will pass and I'll still be here doing the same things!
ReplyDelete👍and do please keep blogging about your activities. Much more interesting Sue
DeleteMy thought is that the Royal Family should have no part in politics. I cannot remember the Queen ever voicing her opinion on political matters. Their role is head of the Christian Church. The trouble is Charles and William are making connections with those who want to take our world in a different direction. Charles should distance himself from that.
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DeleteThe Monarch has been Supreme Governor of the CoE for political reasons since the 1558 Act of Supremacy but certainly not the head of the Christian Church in the UK or anywhere else.
DeleteI think I have to agree with Anon on this. As a nonconformist I would argue that Jesus is Head of the Church!
DeleteSo glad that you published this post as I feel just the same way ! I am also supportive of those who wish to celebrate but will be concentrating on the 'give back' aspect of the festivities rather than the supposed 'great and good'!
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DeleteThank you for your post about your relationship with royalty...in Germany the last king abdicated in 1918 and sometimes I think a royalty would do Germany good.
ReplyDeleteHowever, what's going on in Prince Harry's head is hard to reconcile with positive thoughts about families of any kind. I avoid information from the media and tabloids, it makes me sleep happier.
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DeletePersonally, Charles would have been a bigger man had he stood aside and handed the reins to William and Katherine. I'm having trouble recognising Camilla as Queen Consort.
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DeleteYou've beautifully outlined the contraditions so many feel. As an American, I'm generally sucked into the pagentry and spectacle of the royal family. I suspect I will be on May 6 too. I think it's a bit different here in the states. I can tune in for one day. I'm not being asked to help with any of the details for community celebration or hear about it endlessly on the tele. As an outsider, it's remarkable the community effort that comes to the fore. Sadly, we have nothing to draw us together here--and I fear our divisions are only deepening. Thank you for sharing your feelings and thining about this. You've given me much to think about in the days leading up to the coronation.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan. Always interesting to hear the perspectives of those in the USA 👍👑
Deletei certainly don’t have the late Queen on a pedestal. She was not a very good mother, her children were raised by servants and sent off to boarding schools asap, Charles was pressurised into a loveless marriage to ensure an heir and a spare. Harry’s book is worth reading for the angst and horror of his childhood even if his actions later are open to criticism.
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DeleteI always feel a sympathy with a good and kind person who has to follow in the footsteps of one who is classed as a “ hard act to follow “ So I keep our new king and queen in my thoughts and prayers. Our last queen was wonderful. She came to the throne as a beautiful young woman, at a time when Britain longed to throw off austerity, and celebrate. I am glad that Charles makes time for everyone, and did so in the raw days of having lost his mother. Published plans show that he wants his coronation to be inclusive. Yesterday was Womens Day, and I watched a film clip of the Queen Consort meeting a huge group of outstanding women, drawn from all walks of life. Their joy in the occasion was wonderful, and her warmth and welcome was touching. The Royals are a family. . That is a great part of their appeal, and they share their family with us.There are no perfect families, we can’t expect there to be. This is a family, who by a large majority, care and want to do and promote good, even if it occasionally it doesn’t work out. Do I want to relate to a president who will bring politics with their tenure, or do I want to relate to a family supporting good and above politics. Give me the family. This coronation will be different, but I’m hoping and praying that with our support, it will be a time of joy and bring us all closer together. Love Isabel
DeleteThanks Isabel - that's 👑 and 🙏 then!
DeleteThese days everyone just seems to want to know the ins and outs of everyone's lives, and I guess the royal family are at the top of the list for some folk, alongside media stars of any description. We seem to build people up, put them on a pedestal and then take great pleasure in knocking them off. It's a sad state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteI just try and keep things in perspective with the royal family, there have always been rumours, wrong doings and various carry-ons down the years. I think our beloved Queen was just an oasis of calm, duty and 'doing it the right way' so much so that virtually everyone else stands out so much more.
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DeleteTotally agree, me and OH were talking about this earlier today.
ReplyDeleteNothing against King Charles but all the ridiculous in fighting and Harry stuff.......perhaps it is time there was a scaling down of all this, it feels like one big soap opera
Alison in Wales x
"Scaling down" in times of austerity seems wise to me too. 70 years ago, at the last coronation, the people were relying on ration books. Now they are relying on foodbanks. 👍👑
DeleteThe media seems to be at its worst at the moment. I just dont want to know or read about the gossipy rubbish that is printed. Like you I have little interest in the Coronation, which is sad as it should be such a joyful occasion. It's been overlaid by so much anger.
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DeleteIt seems strange to be looking forward to a coronation. I was at school when the last one took place. As for "Spare", I have no desire to read it. It is rather sad that troubled feelings have to be hung out on the washing line for the world to see. My favourite royal is Princess Anne, who quietly goes about her duty faithfully, and follows the example of her mother in her commitment.
ReplyDelete👑 👍 Anne does usually come at the top of 'duties performed/events attended' list
DeleteI am looking forward to watching the coronation and hope that it will all go well. I watch presidential inaugurations, too, although at least one was with a sense of disbelief, disappointment, and even horror, that it was happening!
ReplyDeleteSome presidential inauguration ceremonies have been very moving. Others not so much
Deletenot looking forward to the Coronation, never liked Charles and now all the carry on with Harry, it's tarnished the whole thing for me.
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