I've always loved thinking about the Royal Family... Queen Elizabeth became queen the month before I was born. I remember seeing and being mesmerized by the magazines about the Coronation that my grandmother had in her house when I was a child.
I woke my young kids up at 4am so they could watch Diana's funeral in September of 1997
Of late, I've watched all the episodes of The Crown, which are very telling in terms of the "behind the scenes" operations of the Royal Family.
Then, today, I just streamed the Oprah interview of Meghan and Harry.
Any thoughts?
My first thoughts are that they appeared to be very real--I didn't detect phoniness. I clearly saw parallels between Diana's life and Meghan's. At the same time, I see how the Queen and the family could almost be pawns of the institution of the monarchy. In The Crown it was so interesting how Tommy Lascelles pretty much controlled the decisions that were made--and all decisions had to serve the Institution; therefore, Elizabeth had to deny Margaret her own choice of husband. Many decisions seemed to have been made at the expense of people she loved, only to serve the monarchy--the upholding of which is her sole duty.
I think Meghan is right when she says she went into the whole thing naively. So, who is "wrong" and who is "right"? Should the Palace provide training for non-royals? Should they just tell them to "put up and shut up" because they signed up for this admittedly very tough job? Is Meghan spoiled or deserving of pity?
I'm wondering what the fallout will be. I see the Palace has already issued a statement, under pressure from the outside.
Anyone else see the interview? Is anyone else interested at all?