The entire globe is fascinated with
Britain's new princess.
"O, the Grandeur. The splendid, majestic state of being Royal. Specialness. It is a chance to live vicariously, or at least satisfy curiosity - getting a glimpse into an intimate moment in the lives of royalty," explains Dr. Allison Conner, Psy.D in her article written right before the wedding, for Therapy in Mind.
The role of a princess can be a deviously glorified pony show that is spoon-fed to girls (and many little boys) at a very young age. Companies such as Disney and Mattel provide a wide line of products that promote fairy tales painted in pink. In Peggy Orenstein's book Cinderella Ate My Daughter, she recalls the moment her young daughter discovers the princess costumes available in her classroom: "As my little girl made her daily beeline for the dress-up corner of her preschool classroom, (finding a Little Mermaid costume) a character who actually gives up her voice to get a man."
But the modern princess wouldn't have to give up her voice to be royalty, not in this day and age, right? This isn't a Disney movie with mermaids and evil stepmothers. Princess Diana had a voice; she was an activist, volunteer, mother, wife and role model. In Andrew Morton's biography of Diana entitled Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words, Diana gushed about what wearing a crown was like:
When I go into the Palace for a garden party or summit meeting dinner I am a very different person. I conform to what's expected of me. They can't find fault with me when I'm in their presence. I do as I'm expected. What they say behind my back is none of my business, but I come back here and I know when I turn my light off at night I did my best.
Diana's son and his new bride recently had their engagement photos done by the same photographer that snapped beautiful pictures of Di years ago. There is a glowing resemblance between Kate and Diana's charm and beauty. According to Vanity Fair, the Queen has granted the couple a two-year grace period in which Kate will pick her charities and patronages and adapt to royal life. Hopefully Kate's voice won't get lost in the sea...I mean, grace period.
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