Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Royal Review: Princess Diana - The Day She Didn't Die

Based on the title it would be easy to dismiss this book as yet another attempt to reincarnate Diana. Other books have tried and, in my opinion, have fallen short. Mainly in terms of the complete lack of plausibility. Therefore I approached this book with skepticism. Surprisingly, I found myself gripped from the start.

One of the main things that sets this novel apart from the competition is that Diana is not only alive, she hasn't taken drastic measures to escape from the past. The car accident happened. Another car was involved and the Mercedes hit the pillar. The driver died, there is no Trevor Rees-Jones, but Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed survived.

When Diana died, many unanswered questions remained. Was Diana just having a fling with Dodi? Were they engaged to be married? Was she pregnant? Was someone trying to kill her? Princess Diana - The Day She Didn't Die tries to answer them by fictionalizing what Diana's life would have been like in the aftermath of the accident.

Dodi Al Fayed's reported reputation as a playboy while alive is replaced by a responsible businessman, more than capable of holding his own with Diana and the complications that come with her. To their credit, the authors do not take the easy route by reducing Diana to a charicature based on public perception.

People viewed Diana in a variety of ways. She was seen as a fairytale princess, a fashion icon, and someone who had great influence. Despite her divorce, the interest in Diana would not have ended but instead evolved. To gauge the public response to her new life with Dodi Al Fayed, we have the perspective of a university student named Ella. Because of Diana, Ella is also exploring Islam and experiences similiar conflicts while dating a Muslim, albeit on a smaller scale.

One of the biggest unanswered questions is whether Diana would have converted to Islam. While interesting, I found there to be too much emphasis on religion and the effect on their relationship. While understandable under the circumstances, there should have been more to her existence. Given her seeming addiction to the limelight, it's hard to imagine Diana giving up her global role; no matter how much she loves Dodi. In life, taking a backseat never seemed to be Diana's style, and it's unrealistic to expect otherwise.

The role of the royal family is minimized to occasional visits from her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry and a guest appearance by a disapproving Prince Charles. Yet there is also the interesting possibilities of what Diana's role would have been as a de facto member of the royal family which remain unexplored.

Covering the period from the 1997 car accident to the September 11th, 2001 attacks the ending is somewhat abrupt, leaving more questions than answers. Seemingly on the verge of converting, there are many possibilities that could have been explored, with not only Diana's continued reluctance to embrace Islam, but also Dodi's potential complications in the aftermath of 9/11.  Given everything they went through up to that point, it's interesting to contemplate whether their relationship could have withstood this development.

As in real life, we will never really know. But this book takes an effective, realistic and plausible attempt at imagining what could have been without resorting to happily ever after.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Royal Report for Sunday October 23, 2011 - Royal Baby Watch - October edition

On this episode, tips on making a royal baby. Why does Prince Philip have a twinkle in his eye? Can a book about Diana's death be plausible? Find out on this episode:

The Royal Report - Royal Baby Watch - October edition

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 235 24 October 2011

Chatelaine November 2011 issue - Cover story: Kate Middleton - What's next for the most talked about woman of 2011

From My Royal Collection

Princess Diana - The Day She Didn't Die

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday October 30, 2011 at 9:00PM ET (North America)

The topic will be: The Royal Family in Scotland

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The Royal Report for Sunday October 16, 2011 - Girls rock, let them rule!

Despite having illustrious histories with extremely capable Queens regnant, namely Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria and the present Queen, males still take precedence over females in the line of succession. By these current rules, should William and Catherine's first child be a girl, her position would be usurped by any younger brothers.

Prime Minister David Cameron has recently announced his support for changing these rules to allow for equal rights to the throne. Is it about time these rules are changed? What's involved in changing them?

Listen to this episode to find out: Girls rock, let them rule!

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 234 17 October 2011

Tatler - October 2011 Cover Story - Zara!

From My Royal Collection

Bright Young Royals: Your Guide to the Next Generation of Blue Bloods

Websites mentioned

World of Royalty Blog

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday October 23, 2011 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: Royal Baby Watch - October edition

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Kate Middleton and Catherine who?

The Official Royal Wedding photographs
Exhibit A
It was inevitable and understandable. Hanging on to the past is reassuring and familiar. There could also be disbelief that the royal wedding actually occurred. Rest assured it did and there's plenty of proof when it doubt. You might actually have to pinch yourself but it's time to face reality. William and Kate Middleton are married and now she is Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge. It's on DVDs, books and china. There's even official photographs. I present Exhibit A.

The Duke and Duchess  of Cambridge open the new Oak Centre for Children and Young People during a visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital
Exhibit B
Despite the wedding ceremony and official announcements there are still numerous articles referring to Catherine as Kate Middleton. In rare occurrences she is called The Duchess of Cambridge, like when she unveils a plaque (Exhibit B). But for the media it seems they just don't get it. Some reporters, unsure of what to do, have inventively created a hybrid 'Katy Cambridge'. It's as if they want to acknowledge reality but don't want to let go of the past.

In the beginning, we may have thought that this misconception would be temporary. It would take time for people to adapt. But six months later, people are still using her old name. No matter how many new fashions Catherine wears, she is still referred to as Kate Middleton. She can wear shiny pantyhose to her hearts content but it doesn't change a thing. The  name Kate Middleton is so deeply ingrained that there seems to be no other possibility. It's as if Catherine is just not good enough. It's always 'Kate Middleton, Kate Middleton, Kate Middleton.'

It's an unfortunate occurrence that Catherine would feel neglected. Eclipsed by a more familiar counterpart, possibly at risk of developing an inferiority complex. She needs to repeat the mantra: 'Catherine, you're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggone-it, people will clue in eventually.'

It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Sunday, October 02, 2011

The Royal Report for Sunday October 2, 2011 - Royal Patronages and Charities

Members of the royal family receive many request to be involved in charities as patron. Far more than they can lend their support to. On this episode the history of royal patronages, a look at charities that members of the royal family support and the reasons they do so.

Listen to the episode to find out: Royal Patronages and Charities

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday in Canada, there will be no episode next week. The Royal Report will return with a new episode on Sunday October 16, 2011 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

Topic to be determined.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.