For the latest on KATE (and on PIPPA) see Princess Kate & Scandal-Sister Pippa; CONGRATS TO THE ROYAL COUPLE on their ANNIVERSAY! CELEBRITIES IN DISGRACE, our short film, played as an official selection at the Hoboken International Film Festival
HONEYMOON READING for KATE… by Elizabeth Searle
I love a good Royal Wedding. Years ago I woke at 4AM and painted Kachina Dolls (my high school job) while raptly watching Prince Charles and– the undeniable unforgettable star of that long-ago show– ‘Lady Di’ take their festive and ill-fated vows.
As noted in my previous post (Is Kate Middleton the anti-Di?), compared to ‘Chuck and Di’, Kate and Wills seem to have– with their longtime courtship, relatively lowkey personas and media savvy– both feet on the ground.
My Wedding Wish for the pretty, smart and sensible Kate Middleton is that her own
wedding scores much lower TV ratings than that of her groom’s all-too-famous ‘mum.’ And if Kate is seeking Honeymoon Reading, try Tina Brown. For a vivid analysis of how Diana’s love affair with the besotted public drained her and her marriage, Kate should brave Brown‘s brilliantly entertaining book, The Diana Chronicles. I was up till 2AM last weekend reading it.
The witty British-born Brown, new editor at Newsweek, is ideally suited to tell this tale as a former Tatler reporter with insider access to Diana during her reign. Brown gives Di her due as a true superstar whose unique and genuine connection to ‘her public’ thrilled and comforted countless fans– even as it stole Diana’s best energies and fatally addicted her to heady worldwide fame.
Diana’s personal pains and intriguing contradictions fueled our own addiction to her. Despite ominous reports of pre-wedding weight loss, Kate Middleton seems to be made of less luminous more sturdy and long-wearing material. Pre-wedding interest has been high but less than maniacal Di-level, which can only be good news for likable Kate’s marital prospects.
In Brown’s book, the most touching moment was her description of a shaken Charles at the Paris hospital after viewing Diana’s lifeless body, following her final media-frenzy crash. With the hospital surrounded by grieving fans, officials asked Charles if he wanted Diana’s body to be helicoptored away to the airport.
No, Charles replied firmly in blated recognition and respect for his ex-wife’s deep bond with the public. ”There are people waiting out there who love her.”
Hopefully, for Kate, the main people who ‘love her’ were inside the church, close beside her, while the fans among us take in the show– then let the nice new Princess Bride go.
(photos: thedesignerclothes.com, thumb.php, katemiddletonfan.com.uk)
yes this girl does seem more sturdy and i hope they’ve learned from his mom’s life&death
i too love a good royal wedding
Hi Livvy–
Yes, I’m sure Kate already has learned from that example– but for the rest of us, Tina Brown’s book is fascinating.
Cheers to you on Royal Wedding week!
I read the Diana Chronicles and I agree it is a cut above! Good Wedding Wish for this couple, let their ratings be low and their happiness high.
Well-put, Kathy.
Glad to hear from a fellow reader of the Diana Chronicles which I could not put down…
Also read Andrew Morton which was not nearly so good or balanced.
Hi again–
Yes, what I like about Brown’s book is– like a good novelist as well as a good invesigative reporter– she really tries to get into all POVs, even the chilly Windsor family…
Hopefully the differences I observed between the two weddings will play out in this marriage. 19 year old virginal Diana was terror stricken as she appealingly mixed up her betrothed’s middle names (I believe she said Charles Arthur Phillip George rather than Charles Phillip Arthur George). Kate was resplendent in Chantilly lace and a perfect bodice for her body type. The self assured 29 year old clearly paid far more of a role selecting her dress than poor Diana who looked like a wrinkled linen clown in that balloonlike dress they put her in. I was 17 as I watched that wedding which felt much like an arranged marriage: Charles, you have pl
I agree– and about the dress as well! Your comment was mysteriously cut short and I’m curious what you have to say about Charles. But yes, Kate looked so lovely and poised in that gown which has been compared to Princess Grace’s. She has that ‘cool’ quality which should serve her well in her new life. Sister Pippa looked fab. too and I hope Pippa gets her wish of a disco ball at the dance… All in all, a happy hopeful affair!
Well done, Britain.
“Charles you have played the field for long enough. Here is an appropriate bride for you.” In the 30 years that have elapsed since that day, I’m glad the Royal Family has realized that allowing the prince to make his own choices, date and live together like everyone else of his generation may lead to a more well adjusted couple. Good luck Will and Kate!
Surely you are not seriously recommending the books about the tragic life of Diana for honeymoon reading! I might recommend the more challenging “Wolf Hall”, winner of the 2009 Booker Award by Hillary Mantel. It is about Henry VIII’s challenge to the church’s power to prevent him from divorcing the queen to marry Anne Boleyn or “The Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton. I loved the wedding and was pleased that she chose a classic gown rather than the overly popular strapless gowns. She really was elegant and so poised. The simplicity of the wedding party..just a Maid of Honor in white and those darling children was so refreshing. I must say when I looked at the picture at the top of this blog, I was surprised at how much Kate looks like the author of the article.
Hi Barb–
I loved the Royal Wedding too! I like your suggestion of reading for Kate and I doubt they will read much at all– they will probably be dying just to relax after the big day. And no, I’m not serious about suggesting that book as Honeymoon Reading but just as a Cautionary Tale for this lovely young couple to keep in their minds. No one wants her to repeat that past!
And also I did want to heartily recommend the Tina Brown book to blog readers– it is a page-turner and also an excellent and compassionate analysis of Diana. THANKS for saying I look anything like Kate M! She was so beautiful and poised and really rose to the occasion!
Cheerio- Elizabeth