Kensington Palace, the London residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton, recently opened an exhibition showcasing royal servants. Tourists wandered through the public rooms on Thursday, likely unaware of Kate Middleton’s whereabouts, adding a sense of intrigue to their visit. The featured portrait of Bridget Holmes, a 96-year-old servant, humorously depicted her lifetime of menial work, underscoring the monarchy’s inherent inequality.
The essence of monarchy hinges on the stark contrast between debased lives and the glittering lives at the top. This dynamic might have made sense when kings were seen as divine intermediaries, but today, it only holds if the spectacle of immense wealth satisfies a collective need. If William and Kate represent a remote fairytale existence, the costliness of their lives paradoxically increases their worth to the public.
The Royal Reality vs. Public Perception
The scandal surrounding Kate Middleton has strained the royal family’s relationship with the media and the public. Since her last public appearance on Christmas Day, the family’s secrecy has fueled wild speculation, damaging their credibility. Phil Chetwynd of Agence France-Presse likened their trustworthiness to that of North Korea, highlighting the severity of their breach with the media.
Historically, the British press had a tacit agreement with the royals: fawning coverage in exchange for controlled access and information. This fragile balance was disrupted after Diana’s death, leading to a fraught relationship further complicated by Meghan and Harry’s exit. Despite legal battles, Harry and Meghan couldn’t significantly alter the media’s approach, leaving Harry to redefine his life outside the royal sphere.
The Unattainable Ideal
For the British public, the royals are held to an impossible standard of perfection. Many wish the royals would normalize and reduce their costs, while others remain fascinated by their lives, demanding flawlessness. William and Kate’s missteps, like the alleged Photoshop incident, are seen not as stupidity but as human errors in an unmanageable situation. They are trapped in a fairytale-like existence, continually scrutinized and expected to live perfectly trouble-free lives.
The swirling rumors about Kate Middleton are so exaggerated that the truth, when revealed, will likely seem anticlimactic and hasten a return to normalcy. This drama, though unintended, highlights the unrealistic expectations placed on the royal family. Their lives, much like a dark fairytale, are dominated by public demands that no human can truly meet.