Endgame
is a book written by Omid Scobie as a sequel to Finding Freedom, which was about H&M's bid to be released from the fold of the Royal Family. It was written after Spare had been published.
While nothing much new in the book regarding H&M it did have some points about the whole general mystique of the Royal family, esp the traditions they have made up over the years, convincing the people of England/Britain that they are the ones ruling and in charge of the nation and their empire.
Queen Elizabeths 'I have to be seen to be believed' mantra had struck me is that the Royals really do subscribe to the belief, which may even be religious, that they are the 'anointed' ones that are part of God's plan and they are sort of semi-divine. and require peoples devotion or worship.
In that they seem to be not much different from what the Pope is to Catholics...someone who is infallible and above the rules or makes the rules for everyone else to live by. There seems to be some expectation that this family is meant to be Christian -and nominal head of a church, even though the Bible states that Jesus was the only anointed one to rule a kingdom (of Heaven) and that earthly kingdoms were all going to be crushed anyway.
Also, a point that not even this book made, because a lot of books don't delve into the religious side of the Royal Family apart from personal faith of the Queen, is that Diana had such a following, even became somewhat of a cult leader to people who adored her. And in the Bible, we read about how Diana of the Ephesians was simliarly adored by the Greeks, and was vital to their economy of the time. I mean Diana's many outfits, I think maybe she had a different one for each day of the year most have cost an absolute fortune (of taxpayers money) propped up an entire fashion industry. It was partly this was the reason why she was photographed so much, aside from just the fact that she became a princess married to a prince that would be a future King.
We see this somewhat played out again in how Kate comports herself, always in beautiful outfits that sometimes eclipse what she does, until all we see of her are her clothes. Nobody cares what Prince William or Harry wear or what designer made them, but people DO care about what Kate wears.
It's the main conceit behind Cinderella stories, and the Princess Diaries where a somewhat ordinary girl gets elevated into Royalty mostly by the transformation of her clothes and hair.
What this meant for Meghan was she had to don an entire new wardrobe for the role, and she chafed against having to wear stockings, and beige colours because she wasn't supposed to upstage the Queen, and where somewhat modest clothes, and hats and things like that. Always dresses. No more barefeet and ripped jeans (even though Diana in her off days rocked that look). You'd never see the Queen or Charles in denim jeans. You'd never see the Queen wearing pants (except maybe in her off days horseriding) . Looking beautiful and polished is a requisite for the job.
Anyone read book of Esther? Queen Vashti paraded as the trophy wife until she couldn't take it anymore and Esther taking her place. After 6 months of beauty treatment and having to disguise her race of course. And not being allowed to speak because it wasn't the done thing for females to speak on things or have opinions.