What about William and Kate and all that Royalty Crap? Give Me a Break...please [Post 6 of the What About Series]

Royalty is not my cup of tea... pun intended. I may be about to step on some toes, but this is a subject I feel passionate about. From the time of my childhood I have been acutely aware of certain injustices that humanity seems to simply accept. Slavery in its day, is one of those things. But that's not today's subject. Royalty is.
The idea of "royalty" really bugs me. Back on April 29th of 2011, when all the hoopla about the "royal wedding" was blasting at us from every media venue, and then worse, when the "royal couple" came to visit America, I found myself cringing, rolling my eyes, shaking my head, and of course, spouting my words of wisdom at my only audience... my husband, bless his heart. Ditto when the "royal" baby was born. Actually, every time they are mentioned, which more often than not has something to do with the dress Kate was wearing, or like just today, the necklace she wore, I can't keep my eyes from making the circle.

I tried hard to understand the obsession with royalty. Even in America, it's been ingrained in us. Maybe it's the fairy stories from when we were young... or all those adorable Disney princesses, who could never marry a commoner... the guy had to be turned into a prince in order for them to be together. I write contemporary romance, but I do love to read the Regency novels as well. Lately, however, because I have pulled my head out of the sand, as I read those Regency novels, the idea of royalty becomes even more absurd.

I have never felt anyone, not one being or entity on this planet is any better than another. There are some who are more intelligent than others, some who have amazing talents, some who have demonstrated great compassion, some who have worked hard at producing value and some who are lazy and haven't accomplished much. The only difference I can see in these individuals is that some are more evolved than others. Some are awakened and some are not. Some are born into circumstances that give them every opportunity and some are born into trash heaps and every scenario in between. Some have done much with very little and some have done little with very much. But NONE are better than, more important than or more worthy individuals than any others simply due to their circumstance of birth. 
Some are more deserving of respect. I know I have a great deal of respect for those who have produced wonderful values, e.g. great works of art, beautiful music, uplifting books, amazing movies and plays, and innovative consumer needs. I am inspired by those who have overcome great odds with a great attitude. I also have respect for those who have pursued perfection whether it be in their bodies, their sport, their music or just their everyday life in small ways. However, a person's circumstance of birth never, NEVER, makes them better or worse than any other human being. Thus, the idea of royalty is absurd.

A child born into wealth is not better... in any way... than a child born in, let's say, the slums of New York. A child raised by great educators who focus on his intellect is no better than a child whose parents have to both work and therefore is literally raised by uneducated daycare workers. The tenth child born to a starving African women is no less important than the first child born to a prominent football legend. Surely, we have evolved enough to realize this. I feel most would agree with me so far... except those who would be feeling threatened that giving other people importance would take away their own. (The opposite of that is actually true, but that is another subject in itself.) Okay, so what am I getting at?
I'm almost there. So, when I meet someone on the street, I may not owe them respect, for that has to be earned, but because we are all connected I can greet this person with courtesy. Courtesy is all I owe them. I owe them this courtesy because you should treat people how you would like to be treated and I would personally like to be treated with simple common courtesy. I don't demand respect from others, only courtesy. Now I believe we should show this common courtesy to all. I hope I am honest enough with myself that I would be just as courteous to a homeless man as I would to the Queen of England. And this is where I will begin to step on toes. The idea of royalty is most affronting to me. The idea that someone is better than others or deserves more respect than anyone else due merely to their circumstance of birth is absolutely absurd. The idea of royalty is absurd. If royalty were to have any credence it would be based on accomplishments, not birth. You want royalty? How about Beethoven, Mozart, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Leonardo DaVinci? Even better than those, are the people who are heroic in your everyday lives, like some of the mothers and fathers, doctors and nurses, soldiers, firemen, etc., etc..  They represent more “royalty” than any king or queen.

Back when the Obamas visited the Queen in April, 2009, one of the newscasts covering this event listed the rules of protocol one must follow in visiting the queen. Here are some along with my running commentary:

You mustn't speak unless spoken to. This is the number one cardinal rule.

Puleez. I am not a child, (not that we should apply this rule to our children either.) I will speak whenever I feel the urge. Again, I have no problem with common courtesy, but my right to speak is innate.

When addressing royalty for the first time, use the highest official address which applies, such as “Your Majesty for the Queen” or “Your Royal Highness” for a prince; afterwards use sir or ma'am.

A silly request made by one unsure of their worth. That is like someone with a PHD demanding you address them as "Doctor." Ego anyone?

When meeting the queen, women should curtsy, men should nod their heads.

Most greetings in every culture imply a namaste’ of sorts. The light in me acknowledges the light in you. I have no problem with greeting someone in the fashion to which they are accustomed. For example, if an Asian man bows to me, I’m happy to bow back. If a Frenchman kisses me on each cheek, I’m happy to oblige. If an American woman offers her hand, I’m happy to take it. If someone is happy to meet me and offers a hug, that’s cool with me. And if the queen curtsies to me, I’m happy to reciprocate. Or... if I curtsy to her, I expect her to reciprocate. Simple courtesy from one mere human to another. But shall I bow to her because she is "royalty?" It won't happen. Not from me.

If the Royal person offers a hand, the handshake should be short and not hard.

More silliness. And the following are so absurd and silly, they don’t even deserve a single response.

Should something drop during dinner do not say a word, someone will retrieve it quietly and without fanfare.

During meals, the Queen eats first and when she stops the others at the table stop. Eat what is served and do not request anything more or less.

Allow the Queen to leave the room first; backs should never be turned toward the Queen, unless it absolutely cannot be helped.
Do not go to the restroom during a meal unless it is an absolute, have to go situation. Discreetly ask where the lavatory or loo is located and make it fast. It is best to cross the legs and suffer through if possible.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Although there are many more do’s and don’ts in the world of royalty, the idea is obvious that the Queen sets the tone and she is to be respected to the nth degree.

Why is she deserving of my respect? Because of her blood line? Because of her amazing accomplishments?

While it is true that some of the more obnoxious protocols are fading, (I’d hate to know what those were,) the Queen is still the Queen and demands the proper treatment from all who grace her presence.

Grace her presence? Grace... her presence? I shot the clerk?

It blows me away that in this day and age we give credence to this behavior in any way. Some say, well, it’s just their culture, you have to understand their culture. Sorry, that explanation doesn’t get it. It was the culture of the Egyptians, the Romans, the Confederate States (and many others too numerable to mention,) to own slaves. And that wasn’t right either... and yes, it’s all the same. The people who owned slaves thought that by their birthright of race or wealth, they were better than another race to the point of taking their freedom. The people who believe they are “royalty” because of a circumstance of birth are similar because they are sporting the same ideology... better by birth.

Okay, that being said, I am certainly not promoting any uprising in any country. Violence to do away with royalty is not the answer. Teaching, those who will be taught, learning when we are ready, and asking each individual to awaken is all that is required. Thus, the purpose of writing on this subject.

Now, I’m sure Elizabeth Windsor is probably a very nice person. Well, I’m not sure since I’ve never met her, but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. (Another courtesy.) Pushing all conspiracy theories aside, she was raised with certain ideas and had all this royalty garbage pumped into her head since birth. Wouldn't it be cool if she could now see and admit how absolutely absurd it is to think she is any better than anyone else? Elizabeth Windsor could make a huge difference if she were to suddenly declare all this royalty stuff “hogwash,” kick up her heels and join in the fun of being merely human. Wouldn’t that be a trip? And certainly, the Brits should be able to see the fatuity of thinking their queen is better than them. She isn’t. We are all royalty, or none are royalty. I realize that some of the citizens of Great Britain, or other countries who support royalty, may feel insulted by this view. Take a deep breath. I mean no insult. I have great love. Love for ALL people. 
It may sound like I am thinking as an American and just don't understand. Oh, I understand. Americans not only worship British royalty, but they have their own royalty. Celebrities. Not all Americans. I and many I know worship no "celebrity." We don't believe in "celebrity" any more than "royalty." Meeting a famous movie star would not send me into bouts of not being able to speak or begging for autographs. My heroes are the regular people who do big things. And I realize that not all Brits, not all Norwegians, not all Cambodians, etc., worship their kings and queens.

I suppose my point in writing this, other than venting my frustrations, is to ask people to stop and think before following blindly the idea of royalty. You may find it interesting to follow the lives of Kate and William and that's cool. Whatever floats your boat. Just try to remember that nothing makes them any more special than anyone else. The circumstances of one's birth gives them no more importance than any other individual, nor does it make one any less. It’s what you do with what you get that commands respect. Live as an inspiration.