Royalty

Quite a few months ago I watched a biography on Queen Elizabeth on BBC America, my favorite channel on T.V., that intrigued me. This one hour documentary started my current quirky fascination with the royal family. I am not obsessed with it and am quite content in calling it a minor intrigue about them and Britain in general. Being an American, I will not claim to understand the workings of a monarchy. I am not a political person. I hardly pay attention to my own government let alone someone Else's. I have never left the safe confines of the U.S and up until recently that was fine with me, but now I desire to travel. Last night Matt Lauer, who I don't particularly care for since he reminds me a pampered little nymph, did an interview with the two princes. Needless to say I had to watch. I was struck by how "normal" they really are. They are truly really good boys. I was impressed with their level on contentment with their lives, something that most of us can hardly fathom. The sincerity and humbleness they exuded about their mother. And their philosophies about the media and those trying to cash in on their mother's memory.
These boys reminded you of everyday people caught in circumstances beyond their control. It is amazing how honest they are about their position in life. How daunting it must be to live in a fishbowl world. Because they won the DNA gene pool they now have to live their lives under constant media scrutiny. They showed a quiet reserve about the media but their contempt I think was quite obvious. How could you possibly not have something bad to say about them when the paparazzi fed on your mother like wolves up until the minute of her death and after? I believe they have chosen the high road in their comments and I am not quite sure how.






The part that disturbed me, I honestly don't know why, is the part where they were talking about making friends. How surreal it must be to not know if you have a friend because of who you are or because of what you are. They said they can usually tell one from the other quickly. Harry explained that the two princes come with a lot of baggage. This, they claim take a toll on their friends as well. Someone who is fake would not make it. This would make anyone suspicious of who their real friends are. But the princes seem to take it all in stride. I think they understand the public fascination with them and try to be patient with it. Could you imagine dating one of these guys? You would never get a moments rest. I believe it is in the human nature to want to be famous, but as humans we have a tendency to want what is bad for us. It would get to be a very lonely and chaotic world quickly. Everything you do, every step you have ever taken has been filmed. If you kiss your girlfriend it is headline news. If you have a good night out with the guys you are a global phenomenon. I think, since they have been in our lives so much for so long we feel a kind of ownership if you will. We feel that we, on some level, know them. It drives the paparazzi to do some of the most heinous stories imaginable. This was a hot button issue with the boys and it is understandable.

They spoke of a time when their mother took the printed word about herself a bit too hard. The newspaper had reported that Diana had cellulite and being the lady that she was, beautiful in every way, this hit her hard. They said that they remember the toll that the constant media attention took on their mother. Has the world gotten so carried away with wanting to know celebrities every move that we are willing to torture another living soul to get it? Think about the torment it must be to wake up in the morning, know you have to go out, and know you have to get your picture taken all day long. How would you mentally prepare yourself for such blood suckers?
It has been 10 years since Diana's death, it is so hard to believe, but I think the boys have come a long way. I think, being a mother myself, that Diana would be proud of her sons. They are handsome, funny, and hard workers. They are as natural and down to earth in their bodies as she always seemed in hers. What a testament to her abilities as a parent to have the princes as your sons!