Last week we were at Windsor Castle. It was a chilly, drizzly day and there were only a handful of us nosy tourists poking around. I had been there as a 12 year old and still marveled at Queen Mary’s dollhouse like the 12 year old girl I used to be. I brought home a book on the magnificent dollhouse for future miniature marveling.
We went in the St. James Chapel and I sat on the bench in front of Doria’s roped off seat. I remember feeling so many feelings for this American mother during the wedding and admiring how Prince Charles treated her. How she must of felt! I can’t even imagine how she feels now. I read a few days ago that Hillary Clinton had been at Frogmore with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that same day we were there. Obviously I have no idea why she was there but I’m grateful for any and all support the young couple receives. I’ve started many drafts of unfinished blogs voicing concern for the horrific bullying by the press and social media of these young parents, especially their main target Meghan. I’m so grateful every time I hear someone publicly stand up for them. Shout out to you, George Clooney! I’m particularly disappointed in the comparisons and pitting against each other of the two Ducchesses. I find it especially distasteful from other women. We know better. The idea that people think they know strangers who they have seen photos of but have never met always astonishes me. Having just spent a joyful week and a half in the UK, I was reminded that neither of these lovely non-Royal born women have any privacy or any freedom. They live in gilded cages with their beautiful babies and hopefully the support of some dear friends. They can not walk the gorgeous streets of London, pop in shops, or enjoy the restaurants I love. They can’t stop into a pharmacy or a lingerie shop and buy any personal items without it ending up in the paper. They can’t even buy chicken at the grocery store without ending up in a tabloid. Even if they try to do errands they are gawked at, photographed, followed, or worse. Yes, they have beautiful homes but they probably don’t feel safe leaving them.
I spent yesterday in Vermont curled up by the fire absorbing with delight the third season of The Crown. I won’t spoil it but what fabulous actresses!! Much of the series reiterates these observations. The Queen spends a great deal of time watching the world on TV. Having grown up royal (and before such penetrating media coverage) the royal sisters lived their lives behind thick walls, often at the expense of their marriages and children. Seeing Princess Margaret, played by Helena Bonham Carter was just magical.
