The Coronation- Then and Now

 

At 12pm, on the 6th of May, Great Britain made their new King and Queen official. King Charles the III and Camilla, Queen Consort, were crowned at Westminster Abbey followed by a lengthy, expensive display of wealth past St James Park- finishing at Buckingham Palace. Charles and Camilla rode past crowds in an air conditioned diamond jubilee state coach, commissioned by Australia in 2012 and weighing in at 3 tonnes. Sticking with the royal tradition of horse and carriage, and choosing the comfier of the two as they disregard the traditional gold state carriage that Queen Elisabeth II rode in for her coronation. When will the Royal family kill tradition and drive over in an Audi?

The taxpayer has funded the event at a hefty price of up to £100 million. Compared to the £20.5 million spent at Queen Elizabeth's, converted in line with inflation from then. Money arguably wasted, as in 15-20 years another coronation of our Prince and Princess of Wales is set to grace the streets of London. An argument not wasted on the thousands of protestors arrested outside as they waved posters claiming Charles is 'not their king'. Growing unrest towards the Royal Family has amassed since Queen Elizabeth II' coronation which was the first to be televised and shown to 27 million viewers who bought or rented TV sets, numbers that were not quite matched for this years coronation - 70 years later. 

The reception of both coronations can be attributed to the circumstances they were held in, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned not long after the victory of WW2, where the Royal Family utilized their military background and empathised with the nation, the future Queen herself handing out blankets and food to the wounded. King Charles and Camilla have not built up the same amount of respect with our country today. Rumours surrounded Charles and Camilla as they were accused of cheating on former spouses throughout their respective marriages, most notably Charles' relationship with the late Princess Diana; a beloved royal known for her class, dignity and generosity. Furthermore, our generation is dictated by internet memes and pop culture, with Charles and Camilla often the face of a viral tweet, mainstream media being a massive influence towards the thoughts and ideas of our young people. For example, Charles' 'sausage fingers' became a sensation, as pictures emerged of the Kings bloated hands.

In a country no longer ruled with an iron fist, the monarchy have lost their power and status. Freedom of speech enables people to actively share their disdain, with no real consequence. Thus demeaning the old - fashioned traditions of the Coronation such as the 'regalia' being held by the next King or Queen. Whereby objects of grandeur such as the Orb, Sceptres and Coronation Spoon, are presented to the Monarch during the official ceremony. This links back to supreme ideas such as the monarch being chosen by God, and should be treated likewise. Other traditions deemed as 'cult-like' are the pledging of allegiance to the King, those present and watching are asked by the pope to repeat' I swear I will pay true allegiance to your majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.'

These colonialist traditions are outdated and no longer applicable to a modern society. Pledging ourselves to a monarch no longer holds meaning, with the current monarchy offering nothing to this generation than a few memes, and the face of a dying tradition met with less respect and honour each time. 

 In addition, there was a lot of speculation over the title Queen Camilla would take, whether she would be queen consort or given a different title. The Royal Family give the title of prince consort to the husband of a Queen (such was Prince Phillips title) and the wife of a King is called a queen consort. However, the issue remains that Camilla is Charles second wife- royal protocol does not dictate what title to give after a second marriage. In today's society, divorce is common and shouldn't be restricted for royals either. Yet, as proven, the Royal Family are dictated by old, outdated rules. Nevertheless, Camilla was crowned queen consort. 

Both coronations, Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, will be moments in history, some may look at them as proud examples of British heritage- others may see them as displays of wealth and grandeur mocking a nation riddled with poverty. 

If you want to read more about the coronation, follow this link- 

Your complete guide to the King's coronation - BBC News

The Black Sheep of the Royal Family

In the midst of preparation for King Charles coronation, a topic on everyone's lips is who will be in attendance.

The Duke of York, son of the late Queen Elizabeth and brother of King Charles, is reportedly set to attend the big day. Creating controversy as he has not been a working royal since 2020, as well as being stripped off his HRH title in 2022 after sexual assault allegations from a Ms Virginia Giuffre. 

Prince Andrew has amassed many names for himself, derogatory terms revolving around his alleged sex crimes and involvement with Jeffery Epstein. He denies all claims against his involvement in Epstein's multiple defilement of young girls. Despite being pictured with Jeffrey Epstein multiple times around the alleged period Epstein would have been trafficking girls, Prince Andrew denies all involvement. After Epstein's arrest in 2019, accused of sex trafficking a minor and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, Prince Andrew began to face allegations himself with accusations of rape and misconduct.

Epstein may have committed suicide in prison , avoiding the prison sentence he ultimately deserved , but his social circle of the rich and famous did not have such a clean break. Prince Andrew formed a close friendship with Epstein ,for example pictured in 2000 at the races with Gislaine Maxwell- Epstein's partner in crime. Maxwell and Epstein were frequently flown over to royal residences such as Balmoral Castle in attendance with the prince, a sign they were all extremely close.

Maxwell has since been convicted herself, sentenced to 20 years in prison for assisting Epstein in luring in girls for trafficking.

Maxwell made claims she felt bad for her 'dear friend' Andrew after Epstein's death , as documents who were previously sealed were then released with Prince Andrew proving to be a royal with disturbing interests.

Maxwell referring to Andrew as an associate of hers only further implicates him as he denies any close friendship with Maxwell. 

Prince Andrew condemned himself by not issuing any statement after Epstein's arrest , choosing to stay quiet on the issue had only made him look more guilty. 

Nevertheless, Virginia Giuffre sealed the Duke's fate. Her choice to speak out against the esteemed royal was not an easy task, facing similar backlash as most women when making allegations against a powerful man. Virginia claims she was forced to engage in sexual acts with the prince, at the young age of 17. Lured in by Maxwell and Epstein. Her and Prince Andrew reached a settlement in 2022 with the prince still refusing to admit guilt to his crimes. However he agreed to pay Virginia a substantial, undisclosed amount as well as making a donation to her charity for survivors of sexual assault. Albeit not as satisfying as a royal being sentenced to prison, the power of money and privilege being the biggest flaw in the US and UK justice system.

The Duke of York has certainly built a reputation for himself, arguably the black sheep of the family. With the lack of a title , we are set to see him stood elsewhere on the day of the King's coronation- instead of infamously pictured on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of Charles siblings and children.

If you are interested in finding out more, check this link out;

Prince Andrew: Who is the royal and will he attend the coronation? | The Independent

Harry and the Hackers

Prince Harry's name is yet again splashed along tabloids, but this time he is striking back. His decision to pursue legal action against The Sun newspaper, amidst claims of phone hacking and the press ruining his relationships, is only placing him under more scrutiny from the media. 

Harry's life has largely been documented through the eyes of a camera lens, as expected when you're a young, good looking prince. With the press constantly infiltrating his life, the fame of being a royal doesn't come as a choice. Despite this, other royals such as Princess Anne continue to keep a low profile and live a life hidden from the camera. She also didn't marry an American actress and choose to leave the royal family, a decision that has seemingly hounded Harry as the media cannot get enough of knowing what him and Meghan will get up to next. 

Prince Harry does have the support of his brother, also a victim of phone hacking who managed a private settlement with The Sun. Another reason as to why Harry is desperate to have this put through. 

However, Harry has been told by Charles to drop the charges- perhaps as a bid to evade more negative attention? 

It's understandable that the media may have taken it too far in Harry's case, phone hacking is a huge invasion of privacy, with The Sun leaking stories on Harry and former girlfriend Chelsy Davy's phone calls whilst Harry was away at a military base. Naturally, this hasn't just affected Harry but also someone else, a running theme of tabloids drawing focus to his relationships- ending with Meghan. 

Meghan seems to be another factor urging Harry to move forward with his lawsuit. Her own subjection to media vultures who have portrayed her as a stuck up , money grabbing American have not deemed her as appealing in the eyes of the British public. Meghan and Harry's interview with Oprah went into great detail about the abuse Meghan has received from the press, and her new family since marrying the Prince. 

Meghan detailed an instance where the Royal Family had concerns about her baby's skin colour throughout the pregnancy, with an unnamed family member implying it would be a shame if the child had Meghan's skin tone.  Furthermore, Prince Harry detailed the lack of support from his family towards Meghan being shamed in countless news articles. He went on to say that 'over 70 female members of parliament, both conservative and labour, came out and called out the colonial undertones of articles and headlines written about Meghan. Yet no one from my family said anything.' 

Harry and Meghan continue to show a unified front in their relationship, despite the Royal Family and the media conveying Meghan as the main instigator in their decision to leave the Royals. However, instead of attempting to live a life of relative solitude with their family and escaping from the front pages, Meghan and Harry have utilised their controversies and made money. Harry's autobiography 'Spare' amassed 1.43 million copies sold worldwide, their interview with Oprah gaining 12.4 million watches, and Netflix even making a documentary on the couple titled 'Harry and Meghan'.  They have certainly managed to keep the money flowing off the backs of the bullying and harassment they received.  

Could it be Prince Harry is pursuing the media as a legitimate act of justice for himself, or another way to keep his pockets full with the Royal family no longer offering the security he once relied on? 

To find out more about Prince Harry taking legal action-

Prince Harry news – live: Duke’s case back in court after Charles and William revelations emerge | The Independent

Are you a Protester or a Patriot?

 

The King’s Coronation is approaching, with tens of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate the beginning of King Charles’ reign.  

However, amongst the crowds of people cheering, we are set to see just as many showing their disdain towards Charles and the Royals. Anti-monarchy campaign group ‘Republic’, plan to protest with yellow T-shirts and placards with phrases such as ‘not my king’ printed. Their efforts to remain controversial during a historic event such as the coronation of our new monarch will not be ignored, with royalists claiming it is disrespectful and an embarrassment to the country. However, some argue it's a right to freedom of speech that should be allowed to continue as protests do, as long as it remains passive and non-violent. Should our rights to free speech be persecuted because it may affect the reputation of the Royals?  

Seemingly not, as the Royals do a remarkable job of ruining their own reputations. Prince Harry is set to be attending the coronation, but on his own with no wife or kids present after their decision to cut ties with the family. A decision that arguably put them out of pocket, the only reason I can think of for Harry’s choice to ghost write an autobiography aptly titled ‘Spare’. Featuring confessions from the prince himself as well as a detailed story of him losing his virginity to an older woman outside of a pub (a story that fuelled many internet memes with a direct quote being ‘an older woman who liked macho horses and treated me like a young stallion.’)  

Perhaps it's for the best Meghan won’t be attending, amidst her explosive interview with Oprah and the claims of racist prejudice within the family causing her to withdraw, her presence would no doubt draw a lot of attention and speculation. Despite this, anti- royalists are set to cause their own disruption, a movement that has always been present, but suggests growing unrest as they make themselves more obvious. Will Charles reign help settle a nation battling political and economical crisis?  

It is easy to argue that the Royal family have become nothing more than a symbol of our country, a tourist catch. Without century old traditions and the occasional charity fundraising, they have no real power over the future of Britain. They are no more relatable to the average working class individual than a dog is to a cat. Whilst the older generation may look to them as valuable and pillars of society, the younger generation see them through fresher eyes, who did not witness their admirable war efforts and military service, but instead see them splashed on headlines besides words such as murderer and paedophile.  

This is undeniably down to social media, with news now having the ability to spread like wildfire. The royal family have been placed in an even harsher spotlight, with Andrew’s involvement with Epstein, Meghan and Harry’s own claims against the royals and even the past coming back to haunt with conspiracies around Diana’s death.  

The protestors will protest Charles is not a worthy king, but we will all watch as the crown is placed on his head so what matter does it really make if you are a royalist or not? 

To read more about the protests at the coronation, check out this article here: 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1760669/anti-monarchy-protests-coronation-poll-spt