Tag Archives: Royal Family

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The State of British Royalty

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This isn’t a topic I usually delve into, but every now and then, thoughts about the Royal Family come to mind, and I feel compelled to express them. My interest in the monarchy has been somewhat sporadic over the years, which explains why I don’t often share my views. However, having observed their interactions with the media and those who claim to represent public opinion for quite some time, it has become increasingly clear to me that the Royal Family does not operate independently, despite any assertions to the contrary. In reality, they are heavily influenced and controlled by external forces comprised of individuals who have no personal ties to them—primarily those who are either employed by the monarchy or involved in some form of contractual relationship.

Everyone recognizes that the monarchy operates within a constitutional framework, which, on the surface, implies a lack of concrete political power. However, the Royals manage to exert significant influence over various facets of legislation, acting as the Head of State during formal engagements with foreign dignitaries. These interactions often serve the purpose of “soft power,” creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the 16th century, wherein visitors are ceremoniously introduced to figures they perceive as true rulers.

Yet, the crux of my thoughts doesn’t rest solely on this dynamic. What preoccupies me is the realization that the Royal Family appears to have surrendered control over their own lives. Their decisions and actions seem to be dictated not by personal choice but by the whims of the public and the relentless scrutiny of the media. Over the last nine years, virtually every step they have taken has been either shaped by sensational tabloid headlines or determined by questionable public opinion polls. It’s astonishing to witness a family unwittingly transform into puppets of the press. In this scenario, it becomes evident that not even the government is exerting control over them, which at least would present a semblance of rational governance.

Here we have an entire family that has effectively relinquished their autonomy, allowing their lives to be governed by the collective will of the public and by a handful of billionaires who remain detached from the everyday realities of life in the nation. Internal conflicts arise as they turn against one another based on the media’s portrayal of family dynamics, with the press dictating allegiances and rivalries. The idea of surrendering one’s free will so completely—merely to secure a place of acceptance within society—strikes me as profoundly weak and shallow. This desire to be viewed favorably and maintain a status above the general populace seems to overshadow any sense of integrity or strength they might possess.

As someone observing these dynamics, I truly struggle to understand how anyone could view this family as admirable or deserving of respect. Their behavior suggests a disconnect from the normative values of love and fidelity that most families share. Instead, they seem willing to betray each other for the sake of personal advancement, revealing a painful truth about individuals who are ostensibly revered as exemplars of gentility and grace. If the current trajectory continues, I foresee a breakdown within the family—a consequence of harboring so much negativity and bitterness that it becomes unsustainable in the long run.

Ultimately, the Royal Family, these so-called “Royal Puppets,” may continue to inhabit their opulent castles, but I can’t help but think they will face a lonely existence, richly rewarded despite their isolation. Their fulfillment appears to stem from the accumulation of wealth drawn from an unknowing public, rather than from genuine human connection or familial love. It’s a rather sad commentary on what it means to possess power and wealth while lacking the very qualities that make life meaningful.

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Finding Freedom

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Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family

by Omid Scobie,
Carolyn Durand

I do not read a lot of biographies because I am not always very interested in the lives of others. It has always seemed a bit voyeuristic reading about the lives of living people in particular. I can count on one hand the number of biographies I have read. I read this one particularly because I have followed what has been done to this couple from the announcement that they were dating to this very day. I wanted to get an idea of why and how things seemed to get so out of hand. It gets 5 stars for pushing for truth and integrity instead of lies and hate-mongering.

If you go into this expecting major revelations then you will be disappointed. This is not intended as a tell-all or reverse smear campaign against those who bashed them. This is about setting the record as straight as can be while still maintaining a sense of personal responsibility. This is not a counter to the trashy novels which have come out which merely continued to bash the couple and continue their agenda of smearing globally. I would also say to avoid the one-star
reviews which are also a part of the wider agenda by those who have a bias against the subjects of the book.

I like the overall set-up of the book and can feel the differences in which the author had input into what as it was written. Each chapter is a self-contained capsule dealing with an individual idea or situation. For instance, we get to start with the first dates after they are set up and move forward in time from there. The extra information regarding what happened around their personal lives is great but we also get some insight into those nasty headlines and the people who helped to keep the hate and ugliness going. As I said above, there are no major revelations but there is still good fleshing out and debunking of a lot of the salacious and sensational articles which have been written over the past years about the couple.

This is not perfect because there are several issues with missing words, the wrong word, and grammar pretty much throughout the book. They needed a good proofreader. I do the same thing because my mind is moving faster than my fingers and I am sure I caught everything I had in my head, so I always cut a little slack when I see it. It was not as distracting as it could have been though. The jumping around in time was distracting the first time it happened but you get used it. When talking about one thing they will segue into a past situation that is connected to one or the other.

I enjoyed the read and I have a great deal of respect for the authors, particularly Omid for taking the time to try and set the record straight even at the expense of being bullied for doing so. We got some information that was withheld originally, though I wonder if anyone noticed that some tidbits were revealed. For those interested in the subject matter this will be a good read, for those not so interested but who need to purchase to malign it is what it is.

Maybe not a masterpiece but well worth the time and effort to give it a listen or read. I have three ways of doing so, and it has a great place in my library.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Racism in the UK takes a different form than it does in the United States, but there is no mistaking its existence and how engrained it is. A major theme of racism in the UK centers on the question of who is authentically “English.” It can come through in subtle acts of bias, micro-aggressions such as the Palace staffer who told the biracial co-author of this book, “I never expected you to speak the way you do,” or the Daily Mail headline, “Memo to Meghan: We Brits Prefer True Royalty to Fashion Royalty.” While their columnist was criticizing Meghan for her Vogue editorials, there was another way to read it, and that was that to be British meant to be born and bred in the UK—and be white.