I wasn’t going to write this post as I thought it might be a bit sensitive for some. However, Royal Anecdotes’ readers are grown up so it should not be a problem with them. If the views expressed here seem to contradict earlier pieces, let me explain the distinctions. I don’t believe what happened to Kate Middleton had anything to do with snobbery. It was certainly Realpolitik and, in particular, the preservation of the world’s greatest Royal house.
In the clash of dynasties, who you are is more important than what you are.
After the Norman Conquest in 1066, the English Monarchy was for centuries regarded as French by the English people. To this day, some Parliamentary documents are still written in 11th-century Norman French.
When the Elector of Hanover was put on the throne as George I in 1714, he spoke only German. Three hundred years later the British Royal Family is still called “the Germans” by its enemies, despite George V’s name change from Saxe-Coburg to Windsor in the early 20th century.
By contrast, Prime Ministers disappear when they quit office. Most of them leave little trace. The next one may be totally different in type, character and background. But a King needs the right connections on his escutcheon or his perceived failings will reverberate for centuries.
Back in February it was commonly believed that Prince William would announce his engagement to Kate Middleton. Well-connected journalists Richard Kay and Geoffrey Levy thought so. Kate herself expected it, we’re told. Most of us thought it was a done deal.
Now they have split up. What went wrong in February?
I have no direct knowledge of what happened, but looking at the situation from a Royal historical perspective — which won’t be understood by many in these democratic times — I believe the following scenario prevailed :
On the 22nd of December, Christopher Wilson wrote an article in the Daily Mail about his researches into Kate Middleton’s lineage. He called the piece, “Kate, the Coal Miner’s Girl“.
It was around then that the atmosphere cooled dramatically. Kate didn’t go to Sandringham for Christmas. William didn’t turn up at the Middleton’s Scottish retreat for New Year, and a tension was perceptible between them. After a few month’s grace, the relationship was called off.
Undoubtedly, many words have been spoken in private — words we’ll never hear, nor should they ever be released into the public domain. This is not about snobbery or personal superiority, or even about Carole Middleton. The public will judge it as such, of course, but in fact it goes way beyond that.
It is essentially about dynastic survival. Were William to marry Kate — as personally suitable as she is — the House of Windsor would be changed forever.
The aristocracy can be very curt about lineage, especially the lesser families. European Royalty is particularly cutting about alliances not seen to be Royal. You can imagine a future European Royal occasion in which the hosts sigh and say, “Do we have to invite the coal miners?”
Left-wing rags would stop writing about “the Germans” and adopt the same term instead. In the clash of dynasties the House of Windsor would be diminished forever.
A country can always change its Prime Minister or President. Britain will even survive the depredations of Tony Blair. But once the Royal house is marked by genetic inheritance, it’s judged by that forever.
I believe that is what happened between late December and February. I may be wrong, but we’ll never know the truth of the case. The Royal Family keeps its secrets well, as it should.
This is not about the Middletons personally, but the long timelines of Royal inheritance. At the level of Monarchs, times don’t change much.
The Observer newspaper reports that Iraqi insurgents will regard Prince Harry as “the mother of all targets” when he arrives with the Blues and Royals next month.
The French could easily end up with a Royal Presidency after the second round of voting on May 6.
