Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Royal Mythology

The particular aspect which baffles me (not for the first time) about the whole Royal myth is the degree to which so many people, both inside and outside the establishment, all over the world, participate in the myth whilst knowing perfectly well that it is a myth and with evidence clearly in view to anyone who cares to look, that Royals (throughout history) can and often do behave as badly as 'ordinary' people, sometimes worse, because they can get away with it. Yet the veil of mythology which coats eyes more effectively than cataracts makes it seem that really bad human behaviour, even criminal behaviour, simply does not ever happen within Royal circles because these are superior beings living in a superior world where such things simply don't happen. So when Opra Winfrey's mouth along with the world's collective mouth drops open when Meghan or Harry mention that an anonymous Royal asked a racist question, the collective assumption is: OMG! You mean that a Royal can actually be racist? As well as all the other awful things that any Royal might be? Impossible!!

The mythology will no doubt persist but if the veil can be lifted even a little, then I give Meghan and Harry credit for this cataract operation.

6 comments:

Vincent said...

I never heard of such a mythology anywhere, in history books, popular culture or you name it. Sources, please?

Natalie d'Arbeloff said...

Vincent, that wasn't from a source, it was my own choice of a word which I feel fairly well describes the way monarchies are perceived by vast numbers of people, past and present, Kings, Queens, princes and princesses, all the royal paraphernalia, the fairy tale mythology around it, the special, reverential status members of royalty have for 'the Public', that's what I mean. The myth is that Royalty, the royal life, somehow endows the individuals who live in palaces and have those titles with superior qualities, unlike ordinary people. Deep down everybody knows that they're just like everybody else, apart from the accident of birth and inheritance, but the habit of myth-making is so powerful that when Royals visibly behave like ordinary people, somehow it's brushed aside, under the royal carpet and soon forgotten.

Vincent said...

Aaaah! thanks Natalie

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

What? Royalty behaving badly? Haven't you read the fairy tales where they live happily ever after?

No, no, not the one about the queen who poisoned the apple, or the princess who threw tantrums, or the...on second thoughts...let me stay quiet, hehe.....

Vincent said...

Here's a nice article from an interesting website
https://www.thealternative.org.uk/dailyalternative/2021/3/15/alternative-editorial-a-loud-cry

Natalie d'Arbeloff said...

Thanks Neena and Vincent, both much appreciated.