Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The Royal Baby and Downton Abbey

I love babies. I also love Regency period romance novels and British accents.The term "fish and chips" makes me hungry. Do I long to someday tour London? Yep. Am I overly enamored with the royals? Uh-huh. Congratulations, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on your new baby boy!




The royal baby would have gotten major press regardless, but I think the success of Downton Abbey brought the fevered "royal pregnancy watch" to a new level. There's nostalgia for a time when Britain was the world's only superpower. We wonder what it would have been like to be born in one of the wealthy aristocratic families, with maids and servants and parties and wardrobes. Even the emerging middle-class often had a servant or maid to help with daily tasks. Of course, not many of us fantasize about being born poor and having to slave away for eighteen hours a day with a few hours off every couple weeks. I know I don't!

While Downton Abbey gives us a fun peek into fictional lives, the British Monarchy provides a real link to a long gone era. Tradition abounds. William and Kate don't flaunt the rules--they were married in a church, Westminster Abbey to be precise. They follow protocol, and we love them for it! Even the birth announcement for the new baby clung to tradition by being displayed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Proving the royals aren't stuffy, the announcement also went worldwide through Twitter.

A little old. A little new. Kind of like the time period of Downton Abbey. Everything is changing, and it's fun to watch the characters cling to the old while trying the new.

Did you follow the "royal baby watch"? Why or why not?

Have a lovely Wednesday!

17 comments:

  1. I didn't follow it, but I sure couldn't miss it! It's everywhere:) But it's been fun to see and follow glimpses of. There's just something about a real life fairytale:)

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    1. Yes, the fairytale!! That's what it feels like. I get UsWeekly, so I was up to date on every detail of this pregnancy!

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  2. I caught myself asking a total stranger in CVS about a week ago if Princess Kate had the baby yet. Could be b/c I always feel so out of the loop with the latest news but I have a sense Kate is a solid person & will make a great mama.

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    1. Isn't it great we can ask total strangers and they know about it too? I think they'll be great parents. I can't wait to see what they name him!

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  3. Didn't really follow just watched whatever hit the news.

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    1. I can catch you up on anything you need to know. :) *wink, wink*

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  4. I didn't follow until last week when the papparazzi went to the hospital. I love the Royals (and I do write period Regency romance with British accents and all) and it was fun to get into the thrill of it all. Just love babies. I love their smell.

    I just hope and pray the papparazzi leave Kate and the new baby alone. I would hate to have something like what happened to Dianna happen to Kate. But I don't think it will. William loves Kate and we all know Charles never loved Diana, so Kate won't be left alone all the time.

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    1. Oooo, you write Regency!! I hope the press leaves them alone too. Sure, I want to see pics of the little tyke, but the paparazzi takes it too far.

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  5. I didn't follow it super closely but I did smile when I saw the headline about the royal birth. It makes me happy when sweet stuff like that steals the headlines from the usual slew of gloom and doom news.

    And I tend to love all things British too. Studied and interned in London in college and then went back three times after, so it's got a pretty big piece of my heart. I need another return trip!!

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    1. If you need an assistant on a return trip, I'm your girl! How cool that you studied there!!

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  6. I didn't follow the Royals this time. I just didn't feel it was the thing for me to do. I have come to the conclusion that they are just people--yes, they are royalty but they got there because they were born to it. I stopped getting into watching their lives when Diana died.

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    1. It was heartbreaking--and a reminder that the royals are human, bound by life and death. :(

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  7. I am Canadian. Thus beith thine answer.
    Those of us who live in Commonwealth countries, and many who don't, simply ADORE Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. In almost every photo, you can tell they love each other and genuinely have a blast together. Harry isn't a third wheel, he is the support they both need. William has clearly made a massive effort, and has the expectation, that her family not be brushed aside, as his mother's was. Most people expect that she and the baby will stay with her parents once William's paternity leave is over. Just like any other military family.
    The best scene? Him putting the car seat in the vehicle. Anybody with a baby knows he practiced that move about 100 times!!

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    1. Can I give you a hug?? This is my view too! I haven't seen the pic of him putting the car seat in--must Google it now!!

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  8. I did a little bit. I do think Kate and Will are a classy, lovely couple. Great role models!

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    1. Agreed!! Couldn't say it better myself, Kelly!

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  9. I love to follow them both--Downton Abbey AND the royals. No, they're not perfect. (And I'm not just talking about the royal family. Remember season two of DA?) But, as you said, they give us a glimpse into a bygone era and a continuation of tradition, both of which are often underrated in our culture. I think you must be a kindred spirit!

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