My feelings about the coronation and the royal family are so mixed, thank you for allowing the voice for different perspectives in this space Elizabeth!
I too have mixed feelings about watching the Coronation. I had looked forward to the Coronation to see the pop and circumstance, but hoped Queen Elizabeth II would live to be pass 100 before this day came. When Duchess of Sussex joined the family it was even more special that someone who looks like me would be a part of historic events. I understand why Duchess of Sussex is not attending the British media is obsessed with her and she would be on the cover of papers not the King. It’s disheartening that The Firm wasn’t about to protect Duchess of Sussex ; something could have been said to stop the racism part the media played. However I will up at 5am for the history that I am able to watch. Like the Windsors I have long longevity in my family so will likely see Prince George coronation.
I could have written this essay (well, not as eloquently). As a long time royal watcher, I just feel the bloom is off the (English) rose now. A family who can’t even make amends with their son or care about the grandchildren of that son just feels unsupportable. I have decided not to watch it.
Really appreciated this perspective and Tariro’s The Cut piece on Spare. I felt and feel very similarly. It’s hard to justify any of this knowing the context. While I’ll consume the posts and observe some things from afar, I find less urgency and excitement about it all.
Thank you for sharing your views. I lived-in small-town Texas during the Charles and Diana years. I married in early July of 1981 and had my first the same summer she had William. When you described your mom ....I was thinking ...me too. But I simply can't overcome my distaste for Camilla. She has no honor. My daughter in DC has already planned her time around watching. The draw for me now ....at 61 ....in Austin Texas.... is simply the history and to see if Charles and his people "read the room" and provide a scaled down experience.
Thank you for sharing this perspective. I have mixed feelings about the coronation, and they are wrapped around the colonial history of England and the present day difficulty the monarchy has with being relevant in today's world. I find it not possible to get past the affair between Camilla and Charles while they were both married to other people and their treatment of Diana. Plus, there is the way the British press has been so unkind to the Duchess of Sussex as well as Prince Harry. I feel as though the British royal family needs to address the rift in the family - it does not need to be in public at all, but I think this inability to reconcile, talk and forgive has played a part in many people's perception of the coronation. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to express our feelings.
My feelings about the coronation and the royal family are so mixed, thank you for allowing the voice for different perspectives in this space Elizabeth!
I too have mixed feelings about watching the Coronation. I had looked forward to the Coronation to see the pop and circumstance, but hoped Queen Elizabeth II would live to be pass 100 before this day came. When Duchess of Sussex joined the family it was even more special that someone who looks like me would be a part of historic events. I understand why Duchess of Sussex is not attending the British media is obsessed with her and she would be on the cover of papers not the King. It’s disheartening that The Firm wasn’t about to protect Duchess of Sussex ; something could have been said to stop the racism part the media played. However I will up at 5am for the history that I am able to watch. Like the Windsors I have long longevity in my family so will likely see Prince George coronation.
I could have written this essay (well, not as eloquently). As a long time royal watcher, I just feel the bloom is off the (English) rose now. A family who can’t even make amends with their son or care about the grandchildren of that son just feels unsupportable. I have decided not to watch it.
Really appreciated this perspective and Tariro’s The Cut piece on Spare. I felt and feel very similarly. It’s hard to justify any of this knowing the context. While I’ll consume the posts and observe some things from afar, I find less urgency and excitement about it all.
I’m in Jamaica for the weekend for a family event. And I haven’t seen a single coronation anything anywhere.
Thank you for sharing your views. I lived-in small-town Texas during the Charles and Diana years. I married in early July of 1981 and had my first the same summer she had William. When you described your mom ....I was thinking ...me too. But I simply can't overcome my distaste for Camilla. She has no honor. My daughter in DC has already planned her time around watching. The draw for me now ....at 61 ....in Austin Texas.... is simply the history and to see if Charles and his people "read the room" and provide a scaled down experience.
Really appreciate this perspective, and the links to Tariro’s other wonderful articles!
I'll be watching!
Thank you for sharing this perspective. I have mixed feelings about the coronation, and they are wrapped around the colonial history of England and the present day difficulty the monarchy has with being relevant in today's world. I find it not possible to get past the affair between Camilla and Charles while they were both married to other people and their treatment of Diana. Plus, there is the way the British press has been so unkind to the Duchess of Sussex as well as Prince Harry. I feel as though the British royal family needs to address the rift in the family - it does not need to be in public at all, but I think this inability to reconcile, talk and forgive has played a part in many people's perception of the coronation. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to express our feelings.
Really enjoyed this thoughtful piece.
My feelings on the coronation are so conflicted. Thank you for sharing your thoughts as well!