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The View From Here – Did You Watch?
If you know me, you know I love the royals. I have been a follower since the day Charles and Diana said “I Do”. I remember waking up in the early morning hours to watch that now famous wedding. The fairy tale that never truly got the happy ending. When we lost Diana in a horrific car crash, the loss was felt around the world. We never got over that. And as someone who lost her family in a car accident, I immediately felt a bond with William and Harry. Though I have never met them, I feel like we have a connection only those who have been through something similar will understand.
To watch them from a distance, grow up, get married, have kids – it’s been amazing to watch. I think all of us, as fans of the late princess, feel a sense of pride. Like we are all watching over her kids for her. “We’ve got them Di”.
I was in awe of Queen Elizabeth. I thought she was a wonderful Queen. Watching the Crown brought a new perspective of what royal life was like. Both good and bad. The pain of balancing family and duty. A deeper understanding of why it isn’t as good as you might think.
When Harry married Meghan and they moved away from England and away from royal duties, and they sat down with Oprah for a tell all interview and then Harry wrote a book – we got an even greater understanding of royal life. And we wondered how Harry could share so much, and how some “traditions” continue when they cause so much pain and heartache to others.
You see why Harry wanted to escape it. At the same time a greater understanding of why members of the royal household are the way they are. Seeing Charles with Camilla, I actually sympathized with him. If only he had been permitted to marry the love of his life, the one he wanted to marry -the heartbreak and scandal that came with Diana never would have been. But neither would William and Harry.
The Coronation this weekend was a reminder of the ancient traditions. The over the top pomp and circumstance. At times, I looked at my tv screen and wondered “Is this REALLY necessary now?” The robes, the crowns, the jewels. Can we talk about those gowns? The almost absurdity of it in the year 2023? The swords, the orbs. So “extra”.
Or is it?
Is it nice to still have that tradition? That sense of importance and grandiose celebration? The carriages themselves were ridiculous but beautiful and impressive. I was so conflicted watching.
I was moved watching William honour him, and give him a kiss on the cheek. Sometimes you catch the connection of simply family. Father and son. And the moment is beautiful. A proud moment for William and for Charles as well. It must be bittersweet to know that the only reason he has been crowned is because his mother is gone and that pain is something that never goes away no matter how old you are.
It’s hard to celebrate Charles and call him King when he’s the one that caused so much pain to Diana. Camilla will never be Queen to me. She has the crown, but as I’ve seen all over social media, a lot of us will never be okay with calling her Queen. That was Diana. “Queen of people’s hearts” she once said. She always knew she would never be Queen.
But over the years, I think we’ve seen Charles in a new light. I do think he has a lot of positive traits. He has ideas and I do think will make an impact on the world. He will bring change where he can. He’s passionate about the environment, and I do believe he can make a difference.
King Charles III. How strange still. But it was nice to witness and feel like you are part of something, sitting on the living room couch, watching the events unfold, knowing so many others in the world were doing the same thing. Celebrating our new king.
My oldest daughter walked in the room and said “Oh. Those people! The royals. I’ll never forget when you made me get up to watch the wedding!” She was of course referring to the wedding of William and Kate. I woke both my girls for that event. And now they remember that like I remember my mom dragging me out of bed to watch Charles and Diana get married. It’s a moment I will never forget and I like that my girls now share that with me. Full circle. So special.
So tell me. What did YOU think? And did you see the Coronation Concert? Videos shared below.
Katy Perry and Lionel Richie performed at the Coronation Concert – but they also were surprised by a few royals during American Idol last night.
