Posted by:
Nightingale
(
)
Date: June 17, 2023 02:47PM
Lot's Wife Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ... the social barriers between royals and
> non-royals have eroded. Wallis Simpson--a twice
> divorced American--was part of the reason King
> Edward (there was also that Nazi thing) was forced
> to abdicate in the middle 1930s, but now marrying
> mere nobility, commoners, or other people who
> aren't reared in the traditional strait jackets
> has become more acceptable.
Two major personal areas "the establishment" involves itself in for those born "royal": Divorce & Virginity
From Town&Country (Nov/22)
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a29309328/prince-charles-camilla-parker-bowles-did-not-marry-reasons/“Even if Charles had wanted to settle down, he would have encountered those with serious doubts about whether Camilla was an appropriate bride for the heir to the throne. As Charles's relative Patricia Mountbatten told Bedell Smith, there were "obvious problems" with the idea of Camilla marrying the future King."
“Though it seems almost comically old fashioned now, the fact that Camilla had a dating history was a major strike against her." (Translation: She was not a virgin).
"The conventions of the time called for the heir to the British throne to marry a woman who at least appeared to be virginal," writes Bedell Smith."
"You didn't want a past that hung about," Mountbatten said.”
Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973. They had two children. They divorced in 1995.
Charles married Diana in 1981. They had two children. They divorced in 1996.
The article states: “A change in the Church of England's rules about remarriage after divorce, which took effect in 2002, made it possible for Charles to marry Camilla.”
Charles and Camilla “… married in a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor, and then had their marriage blessed by the Church in St. George's Chapel. While the Queen approved of the marriage, she was not present at her son's wedding ceremony. But she did attend the church blessing and reception.”
Due to being the head of the Church of England the Queen skipped the civil ceremony but reportedly she did approve of the marriage.
Yes, there are a lot of rules. Not a lot of room for the major royals to choose their own destiny or live their lives the way they would perhaps rather choose. For some it can be a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't - i.e. they can't do anything that pleases everybody.
Born royal may sound appealing but what price personal autonomy?
Because public funds go towards upkeep of the monarchy (members, buildings, activities, etc) a feeling of ownership develops, as in the people own the members of the monarchy and many feel they have the right to make certain demands.
I can understand Harry's frustration with being the "spare" as he has strict rules to follow (if he wants to stay in his role which, of course, he chose not to) and if he doesn't he faces a lot of blowback from family and the public (as has occurred).
I have some sympathy for him in that regard as he had little personal choice within the confines of the family. Some of his choices seem to have backed him into a bit of a corner, no doubt.
While we're talking about him, in a bit of a tangent I'll mention too that I had great sympathy for him about his mum. What a horrific shock her sudden death was, especially as he was so young. I can see how continued press intrusion could make him totally freak, as has occasionally happened. It could well be a recurring nightmare, with flashbacks, for him. That I do not find difficult to understand at all.
Too, it must be disheartening to be the centre of so much intrusion and speculation and the subject of so much criticism. I'm sure he often feels that the adage "damned if you do, damned if you don't" was made for him. I hope he can find peace.
> The question therefore becomes whether the
> monarchy can survive without its ancient dignity.
Yes. Certainly an issue to be seriously considered.
Maybe it's true you can't let them see behind the curtain.
Same as with Mormonism, to swing wildly back onto topic for a moment. I've mentioned here before how my "convert" friend and I would whisper in SM while the sacrament was being passed: "The Emperor has no clothes" and laugh as we said it.
Yet really it wasn't funny at all...