With all that’s been going on in my world lately, sleep is often an aspiration and, frankly, occurs only when my body reaches a point of exhaustion where it’s impossible for me to continue thinking or moving. Fortunately, it hasn’t yet happened while I was operating a motor vehicle, but otherwise, it’s fair to say you could be talking to me one minute and the next minute I could be snoring in your face. Try and forgive me if you can should that happen, believe me, it’s me, not you.
So I often try and deal with this issue with processing and reacting to news and information; indeed, quite a number of these writings occur at these ungodly hours. And over the past week, that inevitably means a lot of live coverage of the events across the pond surrounding last week’s death of Queen Elizabeth II. Like millions around the world, I’m drawn magnetically to the reverence and somber ceremonies that will culminate tomorrow morning in her funeral, the first for a British monarch in my lifetime. And as I trace my maternal roots back to England, I have a small but significant emotional stake in all of this. I never met Her Highness, of course; the closest I’ve gotten was visiting the ship in Long Beach Harbor named for her.
But I’m utterly fascinated by how much her reign, and the Royal Family as a whole, captures the fancy and the attention of a nation that is technically not a monarchy; indeed, for as revered as Queen Elizabeth was, she was a figurehead. Her death at 96 was not unexpected, she had been in failing health. Reportedly, a hologram of her was used during ceremonies earlier this year celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. But with a “mum” who survived to age 101, and a husband who came within months of 100, there was a persistent belief that despite all of the warning signs she would make it that far as well, and perhaps beyond.
Her story was the foundation for THE CROWN, perhaps the most globally revered television series I’ve ever had the privilage to work with. Much of what today’s world knows about the Royals comes from this lens, and several generations of Brits and those influenced by them had it as their inspiration. Among them were the “Arrogant Aussies” that helped shape Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, who for better or worse helped shape my somewhat jaded view on what we like and why. As Peter Brennan, the executive who helped give us A CURRENT AFFAIR and JUDGE JUDY, wisely shared with me, “There are only two kinds of stories we give a sh-t about, mate. Those that make you wish they were happening to you and those that make damn glad it’s not”.
“Take the Royals”, he would continue. “Aussies have always believed they were their bastard stepchildren, a world away geographically, the Union Jack relegated to a corner of the flag. We’re the misbehaving young ones relegated to the kids’ table in the living room at the holiday dinner. We have nothing in our culture that is as formal or revered as is the monarchy. Heck, our prime minister is named Bob!!”.
Yes, Peter did drink a lot, but, trust me, he made far more sense with a highball or two in his gut than most executives I’ve met have ever made fully sober. So I’d seize the opportunity to probe him a bit. How can an averags schlub–which I proudly consider myself one of–identify with such a culture? (FYI, these conversations occurred at a time when Princess Diana and now King Charles were going through their very public marital woes).
“Look at the Windsors. You have a maternal figure who rules the household–and literally every other one in her domain. A husband who is diligent but distracted. A son who lived at home, never worked at much, married a hottie and cheated on her. You’ve got Sarah Ferguson and her crap. And remember the whole reason Liz even got a shot was the disruption that started when Edward left the throne for a commoner. Face it, this family’s more screwed up that most of ours”.
I suspect Brennan would see where this family is today with even more pointed feelings. Charles is indeed finally King, but at 73, even with his DNA isn’t seen as a long-term proposition, or even the top choice by a plurality of Brits. Prince William is now next in line, and as a son who essentially grew up without his mum is seen as the heart and soul of the current generation–although it’s clear that he needs to mend the rift with his younger brother Harry, who, much like his great-granduncle, has polarized a nation with a eerily similar saga. As THE INSIDER reported: