In a preemptive PR move to establish his royal and political relevance, Prince Charles condescended to a carefully managed interview on the popular American news programme 60 Minutes (e.g., no questions about the well-documented spousal abuse he inflicted upon Princess Diana was allowed). The interview gave the Prince a national forum to declaim on everything from the looming hazards of global warming to urban planning and the redeeming values of Islam. His courtiers timed it for broadcast last night as a teaser for the 8-day tour of America the Prince embarks on tomorrow with his royal consort Mrs Parker Bowles.
But as he travels the country – dutifully courting the surreal entitlements of his charmed life – Prince Charles would probably prefer it if fawning Americans did not know that back home an increasing number of disaffected Britons dismiss him as a self-indulgent, spiteful, whining, pontificating bore. Of course, we now know that he thinks commoners are just “bloody fools” (see link below) because one of his obscenity-laced temper tantrums was caught on camera during his ski vacation in Switzerland last winter.
Nevertheless, Prince Charles strikes me as a remarkably intelligent and thoughtful man. And he seems to have done a commendable job of executing his noblesse oblige through a variety of charitable ventures. But therein lies the Prince’s inescapable paradox: Because everything Prince Charles says and does is undermined by the fact that he represents, indeed personifies, an institution that is (almost) as anathema to the founding principle of democracy – that “all men are created equal” – as the institution of slavery.
And, no matter how public-spirited the Prince or legally sanctioned his entitlements, the monarchy remains as much an eyesore on the landscape of modern societies as the modern buildings he once described as
“…a jostling scrum…so mediocre that the only way you ever remember them is by the frustration they induce – like a basketball team standing shoulder-to-shoulder between you and the Mona Lisa.”
Well, at some point along his tour, perhaps an American bloody fool will inform the Prince that monarchy obstructs the advance of democracy just as that basketball team obstructs his view of the Mona Lisa. Then let him explain which obstruction is the more unseemly eyesore.
Note: I would like to see monarchies abolished as much as Prince Charles would like to see modern buildings bulldozed. But I invite you to click here for a little appreciation of what informs my distaste for this anachronistic institution.
News and Politics
sinclairxyz says
it’s amazing how quickly people forget but i think it’s important to remember how he treated princess diana. i saw the interview she gave about how he cheated with camilla on their honeymoon. bill clinton was jerk-off too but at least he had to answer to we the people. i agree that the monarchy should be abolished. and i wish americans would get over these royal fools.
i won’t even dignify that racist prince albert with a comment.
Anonymous says
The British Royal Family are admired all over the world and are an invaluable asset to this country. HRH Prince Charles is a brilliant and very sensitive man. Americans ought to be grateful to have him travel your way.
Samantha
Anonymous says
Hmmm..I dont want to sound hostile, but I am not sure what Americans should be grateful for with respect to HRH Prince Charles. You are entitled to hang on his every word, but do you really expect the rest of us to sway in his presence.
Anonymous says
Samantha
You have a point because the fact of the matter is we Americans probably support your royal family more than you British people do. I also think Charlie and Cammy will have all of high society in America falling over themselves to be in the room with this traveling royal circus.
Anonymous says
You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Camilla was the mistress of The Prince of Wales during his marriage. Her disgusting behavior (and his) cannot be easily forgotten.
eurosceptics says
I wonder how Americans would feel if Bill Clinton had divorced Hillary, or worse, and married Monica.