"Spare" beats the press at its own game: excellent review of the book & US culture...

[pnwmom]

148. The Royal Family IS celebrity -- by birth, not by any achievement of their own.

Last edited Sat Jan 14, 2023, 02:27 PM - Edit history (8)

And I do understand what narcissism is. But maybe you don't, if you don't understand how growing up in the narcissistic Monarchy is like growing up with a narcissistic parent.

How the Monarchy is a narcissistic system:

Grandiosity -- check!

The Royals believe themselves to be superior to everyone else. Inferiors -- which includes all UK citizens, including the Prime Minister -- are expected to bow or curtsy to them.

Link to tweet

Lack of empathy -- check!

Two hours after learning of their mother's death, the young princes were made to attend Mass -- where no one acknowledged that their mother had died, by order of the Queen.

The Royals require their children to perform on command -- check!

Days later, after their mother's funeral, when they were still reeling, the young princes were expected to smile at the crowds who waited along the road, to shake the onlookers' hands and and to comfort THEM.

The Royals have a most favored child. Check!

The Royals favor one child -- the Heir to the Throne. They not only have a favored child, they formally RANK all their children, from #1 on down the line. When a new child is born, that child is automatically ranked lower than his older siblings(s) - but if he's the son of a King, or a future king, then that baby automatically ranks higher than the King's own second child.

(Within a heavily narcissistic family system this all makes sense.)


The Royals refuse to accept a child's charting their own path -- check!

When Harry moved to Canada, thinking he could work from another part of the Commonwealth, he was told that if he didn't return, all financial support would be cut off, including funds needed for his security.

The Royals expect all family members to reflect well on the Monarchy -- image is everything! Check!

The Royal Family has its own press office (communications office) specifically designated to manage their image in the media. How many non-narcissistic families have that?


And, yes, there is a thing as healthy narcissism. It's the difference between a parent telling their child that, if they worked hard, they might be able to be President some day -- versus a parent telling a child: you were born a Prince, and your father is the King, and someday you'll be King. (Or: Someday your brother will be King, because he was first born. Your only job is to support him and the monarchy for the rest of your life.)