As a child, I might have dreamt of the life of princess, fantasised about a royal life as a teenager but long ago stopped being enamored by the lives of kings and queens. Whatever little envy I had been left with, disappeared after watching ‘The Crown’, a Netflix series on British royalty that blurs the real life of the royals with the reel life.
The four seasons of the television series portraying many characters spanning over several decades of British monarchy turned out to be an eye-opener for me. I realised that the lofty life in Buckingham Palace is not a bed of roses. The opulent lifestyle of the royals doesn’t make their lives enviable. Despite possessing wealth, titles and adulation, there is discontent and dejection lurking in the corridors of the palace. Most of the royals have been shown living stifled lives looking unhappy, empty and dissatisfied as their deepest desires and dreams are choked by rigid protocols, centuries-old traditions and icy demeanours.
I always thought there was unconditional love between the old royal couple, the queen and the Prince Philip through their more than 70 years of wedded life but the couple’s depiction in the Netflix historic drama painted a complex picture showing a relationship that wasn’t always straight forward. Early accession of Elizabeth to the throne five years into their marriage rattled their relationship.
The first two seasons depict the personal struggle of Philip as he had to leave behind his Royal Navy career to become a consort to his queen wife, always walking a few paces behind her in public. It took him significant time and effort to accept his role as a second fiddle to his wife. In the subsequent seasons, Philip is portrayed as a softer man playing crucial to Elizabeth’s success as a monarch.
While watching the series, I realized no man’s life is a fairy tale. People who live in castles are humans too. Like any commoner, they too get hurt; feel pain. They too have their own insecurities and frustrations. Fame and fortune are no guarantee for happiness. Living in palace offers luxurious life but doesn’t raise happiness quotient. Power may be heady but along with power come insecurities. Lofty titles don’t make a person stronger.
My take away from the historical drama is that material pleasures are not enough to keep a person in a state of perpetual happiness. There is no need to envy the celebrities for we don’t know what they are going through- enjoying life or crumbling from within. We have no idea about their pain, frustrations and insecurities.
Let us be happy with what we have and be content with our mediocre life. It is better to be happy with ordinary than to revel in extraordinary. Let us enjoy simple joys of life and celebrate being the ordinary.
(Published in Deccan Herald as Middle on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 )
Your article..
Life of celebraities…
Give much information.
Until now read about it only India Today.. Or day to day information in News Papers.
Netflix series must be larger picture about it..
How honestly you wrote about childhood dreams of living life of princess..!!!
Behind charms n royalities is death of human emotions n feelings… As Prince feels..
Truely agree with you about much peace in living life as destined… N precious freedom in small moments to take decisions.. N that too unnoticed n unwatched..!!!
In Lonliness… At soul domain… Especially as we grow in age.
You gave very interesting material to read.
Be blessed.. ❤
Thanks di for reading with interest and giving your thoughtful comment.
It was Covid time with lot of time in hand , I started watching this long Netflix series’ The Crown ‘ on British Royalty. I found the life of Royals had its own challenges and struggles.
The depiction of the life of Royals in the drama prompted me to write this article ‘ No one’s life is a bed of roses .’ Actually it is not .Let’s be contented in being ordinary.
Thanks di once again for your kind words.
This article is an eye opener . U have given insight in the lives of celebrities or Royals . U have to pay the price for everything in this life. U can be royal & enjoy the perks but along with it come the one loose ones freedom to do anything. U can be a commoner & enjoy ur freedom . There is pros & cons of everything. Sun is always bright on other side . So be with whatever u have . One can strive for better but without suffocating in present.
Thanks Romila for reading. Glad the article resonated with you . The fact is grass may look greener on the other side of the fence but in reality it may not be the case . A close look at the lives of celebrities shows that they too are grappling with their own issues and challenges.