I am officially on Royal Watch, now that Prince William has popped the question to his lady love, Kate Middleton, and the wedding date has been set (April 29 – the same day of the month of Charles’ and Diana’s wedding).
I am getting ready to celebrate, and I've already decided what I am going to wear. It may be in the middle of the night here, but I won't be wearing pajamas!
I couldn’t be more chuffed (that’s Brit-speak for happy), as I have been a fan of the Royal Family and all things British since practically birth. When I was growing up, I remember books around the house about the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, so I think my mother must have started me down that road. I was born the same year as Prince Charles, so she probably had some thoughts about her little princess marrying a real Prince.
And of course the "British Invasion" of the 1960’s, and the Beatles, also set my imagination awhirl, as I fantasized about marrying Paul, wearing cute Mary Quant dresses and moving into a lovely home in the British countryside with Paul.
(I know this picture is not the Beatles - this is "British Invasion" part.)
Since then, I can’t get enough of the UK – TV shows, books, visits, movies…. I have been watching the British soap Eastenders for over 25 years, I have adopted such expressions as knackered (tired), peckish (hungry) and adverts (advertisements, which I never have to watch because I have TIVO), and when I hear a British accent, I swoon. If I have lived before, it had to be as a Brit.
What does this have to do with libraries?I
I’m not sure, but I will think about that while I run upstairs to put my Princess Diana doll back into her wedding dress.
It was Diana who most sparked my imagination.
I loved her from those first moments as Shy Di and as she walked down the aisle to marry Prince Charles.
Like millions of other Americans, I woke up in the middle of the night to watch the wedding.
It was cause for celebration.
I followed her through the births of her boys
to that sad interview where she revealed there were “three of us” in her marriage to her even sadder death.
I was up all night watching the funeral and crying my eyes out as her two boys walked behind her coffin with Harry’s card on it that said “Mummy.” I feel choked up just thinking about it. I’m still not over it.
Lest you think I don’t have much of a life (well, I kind of don’t), I am not alone in my fascination with Diana. Diana evoked something in people, something far greater than mere celebrity watching. I just felt happy to be in the world with her. Loved her, loved her clothes, loved the work that she did, loved her sons.
And now we have some things to celebrate again --
A Royal Wedding...
And Diana’s legacy…a son who will be King but a different sort of King. Yes, there will be the traditions, but Diana strove to bring her sons up knowing something of the world besides those royal traditions, to have a purpose beyond being just Royal.
And watching Prince William and his Duchess mature and rule will bring some of Diana back to the British Monarchy (I told you I didn’t have much of a life).
So how are libraries related to this?
…let’s see…here are some things I was thinking while getting my Diana doll ready for the big occasion.
Libraries Rule! Well, that’s true but, no, that won’t work.
Libraries are majestic…well, yes, but…mmm…
Actually I think the fascination that many Americans have with Royalty is the fact that we don’t have it as a tradition. Look how we tried to turn the administration of JFK into a sort of royal reign by calling it "Camelot."
Traditions move and uplift people.
Take for example, the Coronation of Elizabeth II. It still gives me chills thinking of her walking down the aisle at 23 with the chorus resounding all around, ready to embrace her destiny and carry out the royal traditions– ahem, not that I am old enough to have actually seen it at the time.
But traditions are also comforting.
It is comforting to know that from generation to generation certain things will always be there, that they can be counted on, that they will happen again and again.
And that’s what brings me around to public libraries.
They are innovative and awash in technology, but the pillars that hold public libraries up are the positive traditions they uphold as a haven for free thought and learning that embodies what democracy is all about.
Generation to generation...
Public Libraries will always be here (despite what people say about the Internet, trust me).
Public Libraries can be counted upon to offer a warm, welcoming environment for children to learn reading skills, do their homework and just laugh and play during family story times. They offer free services, quality classes and programs and a wide range of materials that cover all interests and points of view.
Public Libraries will again and again work to meet current community needs by providing materials and services that help people make sense of the world they live in.
We may not have the tradition of a Royal Family, but our free and open public libraries keep alive a tradition that embraces freedom: freedom to read, freedom to watch, freedom to seek whatever information one needs to live one’s life.
And that is also something to celebrate.
9 comments:
We had a revolution for a reason you know...
And I'm sure that slavery was a "tradition" in the south that many white people found very comforting.
It's mystifying that educated and intelligent people find something of value in such an outdated dog and pony show.
And I was so looking forward to seeing your Diana doll all dressed up. Your blog is the highpoint of my day--see, you're not the only one who doesn't have much of a life! Keep 'em comin' Rosie.
Dear "Anonymous"
Comparing the British Royal Family to slavery - really?? You know, different people have different interests and royal watching is not so different from being a fan of the Mariners or Seahawks. Just because I don't paint my face blue-and-green on Sundays doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to express yourself that way. That was the reason we had a revolution!
Dear first Anonymous comment:
The revolution was over 200 years ago. Since then, we have joined with Britain to fight two world wars and most would consider Britain our closest ally. You may want to get with modern times.
And likening the British Monarchy to slavery? Last I looked slavery did not engage in philanthropy and charity. Oh, and I believe the British Monarchy abolished slavery years before we got around to it here.
It's mystifying that people would waste time making grouchy comments on a library blog.
I too love the magic of the monarchy ~ thanks for sharing
When it is said that a truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone, who knew it would someday include blogs!! Eegads!
Wow, did someone touch a nerve? I feel sorry for the first poster. I didn't know blog postings were only for those who agree with the author.
And to "anonymous two"-- learn your history. The British Monarchy did not abolish slavery, Parliament did.. And your comment on the wars is meaningless, because the British nation and the British Monarchy are not the same thing-- one can support one without supporting the other.
Even though I might not agree with the first poster, I'll take a grouchy cynic over a ignorant cheerleader any day. Or is this a private blog for the author's family and staff?
Blogger:
Lovely and humorous to read this--btw "not much of life" isn't really a good description of yours
For some people Royalty Watching is a profession and a living e.g. the photogs who follow celebrities and sell the images and the writers who write gossip columns.
Some people have turned their blogs and You Tube videos into a business. (Lauren Luke comes to mind.) (Also, Perez Hilton.)
I think it's great one has no censorship on the internet. And the freedom to have any interest in any form. I, too, am charmed by members of the royal family and, as some have suggested, this upcoming marriage,has lifted the spirits of many in these depressing time.
I have wondered in recent years why Price William didn't just "get it over with" since Ms Middleton appears to be a great candidate for a princess. They both seem to genuinely love each other as well.
And,I have finally been relieved of my (self-centered) agony and now get to monitor the upcoming
nuptials and obsess about the dress.
Please continue with your lively blog. It can enrich the lives of others and inspire them.sc
Thanks, Bye.
Hi Walter -
Thanks for chiming in - we wouldn't want Ms Rosy to get too lost in all the love, so it's nice to have some balance in the comments.
Just to clarify your one nitpick, yes it was Parliament and not the King who abolished slavery in the British colonies in 1833(a full 30 years and a bloody civil war before it was abolished in the US). So even then, the royalty served no real useful function other than ceremonial, and to provide a common source of national pride and identity.
Which it still does to this day. We follow the comings and goings of the British royal family because we enjoy the grandeur, pomp and tradition that they embody. And while they have no governmental relevance, they do have influence and have been dedicated to using that influence for good. No one can deny the good works that Diana did on behalf of poor children and to abolish land mines, or the good works that Prince Charles does to his day, and the spirit of service they have instilled in William and Harry.
So while I agree with you that all comments should be (and apparently are) welcome - grouchy or not - I suppose the larger question here is: "what's your point?"
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