In this realm, a few certainties exist: King Charles will invariably appear somewhere in the countryside donning an extravagant suit, Queen Camilla will perpetually wear a wistful expression, perhaps envisioning a pint of Gordons gin awaiting her at home, and Catherine will inevitably spend a substantial sum on a dress that appears to have been crafted by adding a touch of magic to late 80s Travel Lodge curtains using a trusty sewing machine.
Now, let's turn our attention to the precious little prince, Louis. If he happens to be in the public eye, be it during a military parade or on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, rest assured that the young boy will guarantee Fleet Street's photo editors a delightful and charismatic shot.
The past year has demonstrated that Louis is a walking embodiment of cuteness, a surefire choice for front-page features. Yet, perhaps this isn't entirely beneficial. Maybe it's time we pause and reconsider.
Over the weekend, the Glastonbury Festival unfolded, transforming acres of Somerset into a muddy quagmire. Approximately 200,000 people paid to endure grim conditions reminiscent of the Battle of Bosworth Field, all while pretending to have a grand time. Amidst the festival buzz, a flag emerged on Twitter, recreating the moment from last year's Platinum Jubilee when little Louis expressed his joy at the RAF flypast, much to the delight of the Queen. Undoubtedly, the image was heartwarmingly adorable, and only the coldest of hearts could resist being charmed and enchanted by it. However, as I gazed upon that flag, I couldn't help but feel that we may have reached a tipping point.
Louis has transitioned from being merely a royal child to a pop culture caricature, a source of entertainment. But is this truly fair to him? After all, he is just a little boy, not a meme. If the royal family and the world at large genuinely desire to break the centuries-long curse of being the "spare," then this is the moment to act. For Louis's parents, William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the challenge lies in raising their two "spares," Louis and his older sister, Princess Charlotte, in a manner that prevents them from suffering the same fate as their predecessors.
Let us examine the case of Princess Margaret, who lived a life devoid of purpose and indulged in excessive drinking. Prince Andrew, on the other hand, acquired a preposterous ego, an unwarranted sense of entitlement, and, at best, a lamentable taste in friends. And Prince Harry, well, that's a story unto itself. Never before has the destiny of those born in such close proximity to the throne been such an issue. Thanks to Harry and his numerous outbursts, it is evident that his adult life has been shaped by two significant factors: the tragic loss of his mother at the tender age of 12 and his status as a chromosomal backup plan for the monarchy.
One crucial point highlighted in Harry's book, "Spare," is the persistent sense of inferiority that was instilled in him throughout his childhood and teenage years. Harry writes, "I was the shadow, the support, the plan B." Hence, for William and Catherine, the pressing challenge lies in ensuring their children never endure a similar experience. They must find a way to ensure that Charlotte and Louis do not feel like mere placeholders or sacrificial donors. Even if the Prince and Princess of Wales manage to raise their children with equality and foster a strong sense of individuality, practical issues remain, ones that have barely been broached.
Chief among these is the absence of a formal job description or defined role for the spares. Even at the tender age of nine, George finds himself burdened with a lifetime of expectations. The path forward for William and Catherine is fraught with complexity and the need for innovative solutions. The stakes are high as they navigate uncharted territory, striving to safeguard their children's well-being and shape their destinies independently, all while grappling with the practical challenges that lie ahead.
The future path for Prince George seems fairly clear and predetermined. He will likely attend Eden, followed by university, possibly taking a gap year and spending some time in the military. Eventually, his royal responsibilities will take precedence, as he assumes patronages, learns the intricacies of running an investiture, and gains expertise in the art of knighting someone without causing harm. His religious beliefs, day job, and place of residence are all firmly established, leaving him with limited say in matters that shape his life. This lack of freedom is a reality he must accept, unlike other children his age currently enrolled in schools across the UK.
On the other hand, Charlotte and Louis face lives primarily defined by what they are not. They will never ascend to the throne as king or queen. Their faces will not grace every pound coin in circulation. As they grow older, the only working members of the royal family remaining will likely be their parents, along with their great uncle and aunt, Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. This suggests that the young siblings may find themselves compelled to join the family business, albeit taking on lesser engagements and patronages, all while strictly adhering to the paramount rule of never overshadowing the heir.
In the future, Charlotte and Louis will be expected to fulfill their roles diligently while accepting their status as supporting players in a centuries-old theatrical production. It won't matter how dedicated or hardworking they are, nor how motivated they may feel. They will forever be relegated to second place. It is conceivable that one day they will be called upon to sacrifice many of the freedoms enjoyed by ordinary individuals for the sake of the crown. However, they will never have the opportunity to wear the crown itself.
Furthermore, the roles they will eventually assume are important yet somewhat nebulous. There are no definitive guidelines or rules, except the knowledge that they may face criticism and repercussions if they make mistakes or overstep boundaries. Biographer Tom Quinn recently shared his concerns, stating that Louis, in particular, seems to resemble Harry in his mischievous nature. Quinn believes that Louis may encounter similar challenges to those experienced by Harry in finding his place within the royal family.
Prince Harry himself expressed similar worries in a conversation with Bryony Gordon of The Telegraph. He acknowledged that William made it clear his children were not his responsibility, yet Harry still felt a sense of duty, knowing that at least one of the three would likely end up like him, as the "spare." This realization weighed heavily on him and caused him concern.
Even in the short term, the challenges are already surfacing. William and Catherine must navigate the delicate balance between allowing their children to enjoy their childhood while simultaneously preparing them for the extraordinary and surreal lives that await them. Over the past decade, there has been a concerted effort to redefine the rules and principles governing the photographing of royal children, resulting in rare instances of paparazzi photos of the young trio.
Beyond that, there is a need for broader societal and cultural recalibration, establishing boundaries that preserve the Wales children's right to a private childhood amidst their already prominent public lives. We owe it to Louis not to trivialize or mock him. He shouldn't be reduced to a punchline or a cartoon character. If we fail to provide him with this respect, it could potentially lead to a future where he sits on a sofa, pouring out his deeply hurt feelings to the likes of Oprah, thirty years down the line.
