Britain: A Revitalised Royal Household

THE MONARCHY

IT was not so long ago when the monarchy seemed to be struggling for its very survival.

In the space of just two decades there have been two messy divorces, an explosive book about the infidelity of the heir to the throne, Camillagate, and the exploits and shenanigans of the Duchess of York. The perceived lack of emotional reaction from Buckingham Palace over the death of Princess Diana capped the turmoil of the Royal Household which looked to have lost its way. There was no doubt that public esteem for the Royal Family had hit a historic low.

HOW different the picture looks today. Prince Harry’s wedding to the thoroughly modern actress Meghan Markle has done far more than simply place a seal over a fairytale romance. It has symbolised the monarchy’s evolution into a contemporary institution fit for the 21st century.

And what a glorious day it was. A day in which tradition and modernity were fused in perfect harmony. We had a mixed-race divorcee bride being led down the aisle by our future king, a black Episcopalian clergyman officiating, and gospel singers complementing a traditional choir. On the hymn sheet were the soul anthem Stand By Me and that great Welsh and stirring hymn Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer.

Of course, the rehabilitation of the House of Windsor is about more than this one event. It has been a slow and gradual process.

Much of the transformative changes owes a great deal to Prince William and his own bride, who with their three children are blossoming into a modern family.

Prince Charles himself has also changed from a rather haughty, sometimes petulant royal into a more rounded and contented soul.

Above all, it has been the fortitude and selfless hard work of Her Majesty The Queen – supported in rock-like fashion by the Duke of Edinburgh – which has kept the monarchy on the rails. Through the tumult she has remained a shining example of how a sovereign should act.

If the Duchess of Sussex needs any advice, she should seek counsel from the Queen. Over the course of 65 years, she has proved herself to be the greatest royal diplomat of all.

Arts, Literature, Philosophy

The Stoic: Control & Choice

CLARITY

“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own.” – Epictetus, Discourses, 2.5.4–5

A metonymic adage, coined by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839.

THE single most important practice in Stoic philosophy is differentiating between what we can change and what we can’t. What we have influence over and what we do not. A flight is delayed because of weather – no amount of yelling at an airline representative will end a storm. No amount of wishing will make you taller or shorter or born in a different country. No matter how hard you try, you can’t make someone like you. And on top of that, time spent hurling yourself at those immovable objects is time not spent on the things we can change.

The recovery community practices something called the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Addicts cannot change the abuse suffered in childhood. They cannot undo the choices they have made or the hurt they have caused. But they can change the future – through the power they have in the present moment. As Epictetus said, they can control the choices they make right now.

The same is true for us today. If we can focus on making clear what parts of our day are within our control and what parts are not, we will not only be happier, we will have a distinct advantage over other people who fail to realise they are fighting an unwinnable battle.

– The Stoic is a new series on site which aims to interpret powerful quotations and historical anecdotes through personal commentary.

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stoicism