The mother of one of my oldest friends, who was always there with a shoulder to cry on when life got tough in our 20s and 30s, had a favourite saying. ‘Keep your lamps lit, girls,’ she used to say cheerfully, as we sobbed into our Earl Grey after yet another romantic disappointment or setback.
I’ve summoned that spirit more than once over the years, and it’s always served me well.
Put on a brave face, get out there – and try to radiate positivity, even if it’s the last thing you feel like doing.
Watching the Royal Family do their traditional Christmas walkabout at Sandringham this year, I was reminded of that sound advice.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three frankly delightful children weren’t just keeping their own lamps lit after a very difficult year, but acting as a veritable beacon of positivity for everyone in the Royal Family.
These Christmas Day walkabouts can be very awkward and rather performative, and in recent years have felt somewhat doom–laden, especially as the older generation of royals has started to shuffle off this mortal coil.
But this year, as the Waleses met with well–wishers and a fresh–faced new generation took their place in the limelight, the miasma of gloom that had lately settled around the Monarchy seemed to evaporate like dew in the morning sun.
The Wales children were adorable, graciously accepting gifts and patiently doling out hugs and handshakes in return, especially young Charlotte, who was pretty as a picture in her neat little pea coat, glossy hair, big bow, sensible brown tights and ballet flats.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three frankly delightful children were acting as a veritable beacon of positivity for everyone in the Royal Family, writes Sarah Vine
Princess Charlotte and Mia Tindall attending the Christmas morning service at Sandringham
Posing happily for selfies and chatting to fans, they radiated wholesomeness and functionality as a family.
Quite a contrast to the week before, when a picture had been released from the Jeffrey Epstein files of Bad Uncle Andrew lying across the laps of five unidentified young women in the saloon room at Sandringham, a wolfish grin on his face, Ghislaine Maxwell laughing behind him.
That, plus the fact that the poor King had to make the decision, difficult no matter how inevitable, to cut his brother out of the family completely, might have easily overshadowed proceedings.
But it didn’t, not even for a second. In fact, if anything, the atmosphere was the exact opposite. Thanks to the presence of those three beautifully dressed, beautifully mannered young royals and their equally charming Tindall cousins, it felt full of joy and hope for the future, a fresh new beginning after years of darkness, rancour and sorrow.
Forget Prince Harry and his score–settling; forget the Duchess of Sussex and her narcissistic self–promotion; forget Andrew and his grubby friendship with one of the world’s most prolific paedophiles.
Forget even the King’s illness, and the Princess of Wales’ own health woes. All of it seemed to pale into insignificance in the face of the next generation, so full of life and happiness.
For those of us who have, at times, worried that the Royal Family was rather struggling after the death of the late Queen, it felt like they were once again pulling together, the Queen confident in red, the King comfortable in his role as patriarch, Prince William growing in his role as heir but also, perhaps more importantly, as father.
Meanwhile the Princess of Wales, who has rarely brought anything but her A–game to proceedings, seemed even more on top of things. Those three children are a credit to them both – confident yet not arrogant, polite and respectful, full of character yet disciplined and well behaved.
Given who they are, they seem remarkably well–adjusted and unspoilt, and appear to have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. It’s not easy to teach children of that age to interact with members of the public in such a high–pressure setting, and yet they carried it off with aplomb.
It’s wonderful, too, to see their friendship with their cousins, Zara and Mike Tindall’s two daughters, Mia and Lena, who are similar ages. These are important bonds to have because being a royal child is a unique, complex and occasionally trying experience, and it will no doubt help to be able to rely on each other.
Credit too to Mr and Mrs Middleton, who despite years in the limelight have never once stepped out of line (despite, on occasion, provocation), and who, it is said, have been invaluable in supporting their daughter and son–in–law with the children’s upbringing.
The only dark cloud on the horizon for this sunny generation of young royals is the absence of their American cousins, Archie and Lilibet.
What a shame that the Sussexes can’t seem to see past their own psychodramas sufficiently to put the past behind them and allow their two to join this happy band of young royals. How strange – some might say dysfunctional – to want to deny them that closeness.
Who knows, maybe next year. As the Prince and Princess of Wales are proving, it’s never too late to break that generational curse.
Another one bites the dust: the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have parted company with their 11th publicist, Meredith Maines, who has stepped down after just a year inthe role.
At this rate, they could start their own gameshow: Traitors, USA.
PM’s mixed–up priorities
Keir Starmer has professed himself ‘delighted’ at news of the release of Alaa Abd El–Fattah, a British–Egyptian activist detained by the regime in Egypt for over a decade.
I wonder, is the Prime Minister aware of views expressed in the past by Mr El–Fattah?
In 2011, for example, during the riots, he urged his followers on X to ‘go burn the city or Downing Street or hunt police’.
Previously he had written that ‘police are not human,’ ‘they don’t have rights’ and ‘we should all just kill them’. His expressed views on ‘Zionists’ and Jews in general have been equally reprehensible, and he has professed himself ‘proud to be racist against whites’.
Perhaps this is not the same Alaa Abd El–Fattah which the Government has worked so tirelessly to repatriate, in which case I apologise unreservedly.
If not, I suggest that the Prime Minister re–examines his priorities.
North West, the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye, shows off her diamond shark teeth
What kind of idiot buys their 12–year–old a set of diamond studded ‘shark teeth’ grillz (the absurd yet menacing dental jewellery favoured by rappers)?
The same kind of idiot who buys each of their four children a Pomeranian puppy for Christmas. Is there no end to the dreadful Kim Kardashian’s attention–seeking?
Bad enough that she involves her children in her toxic behaviour, now she’s dragging animals into it, too.
Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay leaving Bath Abbey after their wedding service yesterday
Congratulations to Holly and Adam Peaty, who tied the knot yesterday at Bath Abbey.
Just one question, though: why was the bride wrapped in what looked like a giant net curtain?
