Town Talk

Most of us grow up with parents who clearly express their opinions, values and preferences and, as children, we are inclined to adopt our parents’ views, perhaps especially towards the family football team and political party. However, as we grow and develop our own view of the world, we find ourselves becoming more secure in our skins, rejecting some of what we have been taught, adapting other things to better suit us; in other words, we start becoming the individual person we were designed to be.

One of the things I kept was my loyalty to the Crown. I am a Royalist, and I have frequently found that difficult to explain — even to two of our three sons. It’s an emotional choice and logic seems to have little effect. I have said things like “Why fix something that isn’t broken? Australia works quite well the way it is.” And I am told to believe in the strength of our democracy.

So, I’ve been thinking about our new King, Charles III. Who is he? What matters to him? What do I really know about him? I’ve been re-reading some of my books and reviewing notes I’ve taken — and thought you might be interested.

What sort of man is Charles III?

I’ve always thought that Charles’s ‘sense of entitlement’ was inevitable. My excuse for him was that he knew, as a three-year-old, that he was to be the monarch; there was always a servant at hand. What else could you expect? However, eventually, along came Prince William, also aware of his future, who took a job he loved as a rescue helicopter pilot; no apparent air of entitlement, just a desire to help out. It is likely that this was the ‘Diana factor’. She had a strong influence on both of her boys and yet they grew into two very different men. Harry, in this instance, with an inaccurate view of his importance.

Whatever! Charles grew up, as he did — with his future clearly mapped out.

Personally, I have long forgiven him for falling in love early — and for being loyal to that love. It was a natural thing for a lonely young man to do. Unfortunately, his grandmother — the Queen Mother — didn’t consider Camilla Shand to be up to the mark; she couldn’t tick the virginity box. So, with the help of Lord Mountbatten, she arranged for Charles’ first job in the Navy, to suit the purpose. He was to be on the HMS Norfolk, based in Gibraltar.

Then — and think about this — Major Shand (Camilla’s father) and Derek Parker Bowles (to become Camilla’s father-in-law) decided to place an engagement notice in The Times. It was March 15, 1973 and Andrew Parker Bowles had yet to propose to Camilla; and she had yet to accept. The notice also included a wedding date, just four months in the future. They had been dating — and there was some gossip about them; their fathers wanted to put an end to this, and they did. Nobody seems to know if they wanted to marry.

A sad Prince Charming

So, the stage was set. Charles was an unhappy young man for a long time, until the relationship resumed. Andrew Parker Bowles was a ‘ladies’ man’ and perennially unfaithful during the 22 years of his marriage to Camilla. After their divorce, he immediately married his latest mistress.

After his five-year stint in the Navy, with annual promotions, Charles was busy with his 900-acre property ‘Highgrove’. If you’ve visited the Cotswolds, you’ve probably driven past its walls. He had turned it into an early model of sustainable farming. Long before organic products were popular, in 1990, Charles began producing a line of products which, today, are sold under the Waitrose label: Waitrose Duchy Organics. The products have raised over 30 million pounds ($54 million) for the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund.

In the late 1980s, he donated land, in Dorset, to build the experimental village Poundbury. It was an integrated community of residences (one third of them affordable housing), businesses and shops. Today, it is a thriving village which, in 2012, discovered how to turn food waste and maize into local, renewable, sustainable energy. You would think that this would have made headlines, but no. The press was still busy laughing at his ‘toy town’.

And, of course, over this period, there was Diana — the beautiful, fragile princess.

At the time Charles married, his interests had clearly formed. He was 33 years old. He was interested in sustainable farming, architecture, the environment, the Trust he had established to help disadvantaged youngsters, painting, literature, and classical music. His 19-year-old bride saw him as a fairytale prince. She was interested in contemporary music and dance. There was never a chance that these two could last the distance. They had nothing to talk about. In time, Diana became passionate about her charities and turned some of her energy in that direction. However, there were a number of men, smuggled into Kensington Palace in the boot of cars. She was lonely and Charles was, after all, in love with another woman.

There is a dozen or more books on my shelves, written about Diana and Charles. They are written by palace ‘insiders’, journalists, Diana’s butler, a former lover and various ‘good’ friends. But they all tell the same story. There was never any hope.

So, who is our new King? What sort of man is he?

Tony Blair is quoted as saying “He was a curious mixture of the traditional and the radical. At one level he was definitely New Labour; at another, definitely not — and of the princely and the insecure”. (The Palace Papers by Tina Brown). The former Prime Minister may have been remembering his attempt to improve relations with China. At the same time, Charles organised a reception, at St James’s Palace, for the Dalai Lama; to express his support of Tibet. He was also strongly opposed to the war in Iraq.

The Prince’s Trust, set up at a time when few were interested in young people who failed secondary school, has assisted 86,000 young people to start businesses — and many more into employment of their choice.

At the time of Elizabeth’s death, Charles worked non-stop for five days. He was everywhere in the UK because he had always feared this period of time, when a much-loved Queen left a huge hole in the fabric of the nation — and the world. Would he be accepted? It appears that he was warmly welcomed — although, just recently, an attention-seeking youth decided to throw an egg.

Like his mother, he has a keen sense of humour and, as a young man, counted ‘The Goons’ as his friends.

We can safely say that he is loyal; loyal to the love of his life and to the maintenance of the monarchy. He has assured the British Parliament that he will no longer harass them with letters — and that he truly understands what ‘constitutional monarchy’ means. It would be a positive thing if he could learn to relax and be himself. He is well-read and interesting, not so good at maths — but it will be essential for him to tone down his strong opinions. A constitutional King must be neutral — at all times — in all things. He will follow the example set by Elizabeth and most likely, be a good enough King. But perhaps with less passion for the Commonwealth.

None of this has helped me much. I love and respect my country. Of course, it is grown-up enough to self-govern. You know, I think some of this comes from my love of history — including British. Perhaps I’ve just read too much and know too much about the history of the monarchy. However, at this stage, I remain a Royalist. I’m sorry — I can’t imagine myself voting against my heart.

Which way is up?

These versions of world maps aren’t new, but it’s the first time I’ve had access to photos and I thought you might find them interesting. I first saw them on that classic television series West Wing. (My sons were passionate fans and it didn’t take much to convert me, given my ongoing search for true political leadership.)

Rectangular shaped maps can never be as accurate as a globe; they all distort the size of countries close to the equator. These are called Peters Projection Maps, and Arno Peters argued that, with his maps, the distortion is even across the board, making them more accurate.

The original world maps, known as the Mercator Projections, were first used to help ships navigate the world (and invade other countries!). They were designed, of course, by Europeans.

The biggest disadvantage of Peters Projection Maps is that they look so weird to us. Traditional maps turned upside down freak people out! But is up really up? Perhaps we are at the top of the world, with Hobart ‘north’ of all capital cities and Melbourne not far behind. That would be fun — we just need to convince the rest of the world.

How goes Christmas planning?

At last it is summer (no-one knows exactly what happened to spring) — at least, it is definitely summer as I write (even wearing shorts). However, who knows what season you will be ‘enjoying’ as you read this.

Our Christmas tree is up, lit and decorated — and only a few days later than usual — thanks to my grand-elves. However, each member of the family has a named bauble — about 40 cm in circumference — and next Sunday they will arrive to hang the baubles on the tree. Someone will make a weak joke about the family balls, thinking I didn’t hear or understand — and then they’ll get on with the job. So, when completing this stage of decoration, we have to keep in mind the avalanche to come. They will also be celebrating two birthdays and eating everything I put in front of them — with a new restraint.

The grand-elves are rapidly becoming vegetarians; apparently it is catching, and Christmas dinner won’t be easy. I had naively thought that lobster mornay would be acceptable — but no. Apparently, there is a name for vegetarians who eat seafood, but I’ve forgotten it.

I have said I will prepare vegetarian dishes for those who have indicated their preference — but there will also be a reasonable choice of meats. However, if I see a vegetarian eyeing off the meat prepared for others, I’m leaving home. Sunday will be their last chance to state final preferences.

I joke about this, but it worries me a little. At one stage in my life I was good friends with a doctor, who said that when she had a new patient stating their vegetarian status, she’d inwardly groan because this meant their bodies were out of balance. Now I’ve got five of them!

Are your Christmas plans progressing okay? Nineteen days to go!

Take care of yourselves and may it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. PO Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish.)