A PRINCESS ON PARADE

On Monday we heard the long-awaited announcement that Prince Harry was engaged to marry  Meghan Markle, the American TV actress, divorced, of mixed American-African origin and, at 36, 3 years older than highly eligible Harry. Harry and Meghan appeared at a photo-call and then were interviewed by the BBC. Both performed well, talking in a relaxed fashion, clearly in love and Meghan was articulate, pretty and unsurprisingly complimentary about the Royal Family. Having already admitted relatively plebeian Kate Middleton, mixed race Meghan adds to the inclusive reach of the modern British monarchy. Good luck to them!

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle interviewed on their engagement

Meghan has the makings of a popular princess, poised and intelligent, but being a princess is not an easy job. Much of the historic problem lies with royal princesses being under-employed and limited in their social circle. A case in point was Princess Margaret (1930-2002), an attractive, if haughty, woman in her prime. She had a very protective childhood but was bright and musical. An unsuitable love for aide-de-camp Peter Townsend, an unwise marriage to bohemian Tony Armstrong-Jones and a foolish liaison with Roddy Llewellyn put paid to her popularity and after too many cigarettes and too much drink she died a sad liability to the Windsors.

Princess Margaret in 1960

It could have been different. Princess Alexandra has lived the life of a minor royal, for many years happily married, performing public duties with dignity. Princess Anne has displayed her real equestrian skills and is a busy, if rather dull, patron of charities, honorary colonel of regiments and opener of new hospital wings. Less dull is Princess Michael of Kent, of high birth from the German-Hungarian aristocracy, who champions Catholicism but whose indiscreet statements have earned her the epithet Princess Pushy. Our princesses are certainly a mixed bunch.

Princess Michael of Kent

Of course the great icon among British Princesses was Princess Diana who died 20 years ago. Born into the leading aristocratic Spencer family, her marriage to Prince Charles seemed to be a dream come true. But the marriage fell apart with dire faults on both sides, despite two fine sons. Diana was pretty enough to become a popular super-star, warmly outgoing to the sick and the under-privileged. She was erratic in many ways but her sudden death sparked off a tsunami of grief, which underlined the sentimentality bubbling in many British hearts.

Princess Di

A minority of the British are indifferent to, if not positively inimical to the Monarchy. Certainly the popularity of the Monarchy ebbs and flows as controversies arise, but at least at present its stock stands high. The cynical ones talk of the “royal soap-opera” and they moan and groan unconvincingly about the alleged high cost. The anti-monarchists are egged on by the Murdoch Press including the Times, the Guardian and the Independent, stalwarts too of the anti-Brexit clique.

There is of course an element of fantasy-fulfilment about our monarchy. It is truly extraordinary that a middle class student like Kate Middleton (aka Princess William of Cambridge) can capture the next-but-one heir to the throne – and make a good job of it. She will be joined by equally extraordinary Meghan Markle (soon aka Princess Harry of Sussex) who has captured a very senior royal and will radiate Californian sunshine. May the royals peacefully continue their symbolic duties and always surprise and delight us!

Princess Kate

Soon-to-be Princess Harry (Meghan)

SMD

29.11.17

Text Copyright © Sidney Donald 2017