➡️ Heretofore, I’ve intentionally not commented on @KensingtonRoyal despite frequently writing about the British Royal Family in context of national security — and King Charles’ status as head of state & head of the Commonwealth. For the past several weeks, I’ve watched in utter disgust as a young mother has been trolled, attacked and maligned by so-called nameless Sussex squad Twitter accounts — and wondered how they would personally react if the world’s town square turned on them or a beloved family member during a time of significant health crisis. Several of my own sources I have always found credible, confirmed weeks ago to me that the Princess of Wales was undergoing a significant health crisis. Believing in privacy, I went no further as her health condition falls outside the purview of what I cover as a journalist. Yet her story was never about royalty let alone about a royal personage. It was solely about a woman enduring a significant health crisis — and every Twitter account that reveled in demonizing her for clicks and revenue should be ashamed. Cancer sucks. I’ve watched close family members die of it. I’ve attended the wake and funeral of a young 11-year-old boy I helped coach and train in soccer. You don’t have to believe in monarchy to believe in decency and human kindness. I am under no delusion. These accounts do not care about humanity. They’ve attacked her children, her parenting decisions to prioritize raising George, Charlotte and Louis — and they have attacked her husband, the Prince of Wales, for adamantly refusing to betray her desire to keep the nature of her illness private until she and her family could process it. Clearly, as an American, I do not believe in monarchy as the best means of governing a democratic nation. Yet, at the same time, I 💯% percent respect that this is a choice for only the British people to make — and it is none of my business what choice they make. England is America’s closest ally — and I believe that means being as supportive as possible of the decision the British people make for themselves. I also believe in decency — and it is sorely missing by many on this and other social media. Godspeed to Catherine, William, George, Charlotte and Louis as they as a family face this period of uncertainty as so many other families do when cancer attacks. ↖️
➡️ Huge thank you to everyone who followed me. Thank you too for everyone who shared how cancer has affected themselves & their families. Cancer sucks. I hope I answered everyone. My apologies if I missed you. I had to peel off to focus on a Nat Sec piece I was writing. ↖️
@MCTothSTL @KensingtonRoyal Very well said Mark.
@MCTothSTL @KensingtonRoyal Well said! I think it’s important to bear in mind how little political power the monarchy actually has. Their symbolism & soft power are their strength.
@MCTothSTL @KensingtonRoyal Thank you Mark. You consistently offer a far better analysis of the monarchy and family than the Royal rota- the so-called specialists
@MCTothSTL @KensingtonRoyal Well said. 👏