Would diversity and the British royal family mean more Plantagenets?
by Rashmee
Posted on April 5, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY I’m not a royalist but I generally try not to be rude about the British Queen. She will be 95 this month for God’s sakes and it’s not particularly kind to go round metaphorically kicking an old lady. That said, news that the British royal family may appoint a diversity champion had … Continue reading “Would diversity and the British royal family mean more Plantagenets?”
Read MoreLike any business, the Royal Family must supply the goods that keep it profitable
by Rashmee
Posted on March 11, 2021
/IT’S THE BUSINESS The truest analysis of the Harry and Meghan interview with Oprah has to be in business terms. Meghan called the British Royal Family “the Firm”. And it is. It is an institution that sells the idea of itself to remain rich and relevant. Mark Landler put it exceedingly well in The New … Continue reading “Like any business, the Royal Family must supply the goods that keep it profitable”
Read MoreDid Harry subtly nudge the needle of suspicion to point at Prince Charles?
by Rashmee
Posted on March 10, 2021
/ TAKE UP ONE IDEA Journalist learn how to read “no comment”, to divine who might be an “anonymous source” and the chances that an individual referred to without identification is actually “Mr X” or “Ms Y”. It is guesswork, of course and not always accurate. But often enough, it is. Accordingly, Harry and Meghan’s … Continue reading “Did Harry subtly nudge the needle of suspicion to point at Prince Charles?”
Read MorePrince Andrew’s conduct raises a key question: Britain’s head of state should be one person not a family
by Rashmee
Posted on November 23, 2019
This is going to sound controversial but it isn’t really. The Queen was ill-advised to modernise the monarchy in the 1960s and to allow her children to become celebrities. Simon Jenkins, former editor of The Sunday Times, raised this point the other day and I thought it was eminently sensible. Britain, he said “is unlike … Continue reading “Prince Andrew’s conduct raises a key question: Britain’s head of state should be one person not a family”
Read MoreDifference? Swazi king renames country; UK Queen asks Commonwealth to let her son lead
by Rashmee
Posted on April 20, 2018
Spot the difference. Swaziland King Mswati III’s renames his country eSwatini and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II tells the Commonwealth she hopes her son and heir becomes head of the organisation. There is a difference. Actually, there are two clear points of difference. King Mswati III, one of the world’s last absolute monarchs, could rename … Continue reading “Difference? Swazi king renames country; UK Queen asks Commonwealth to let her son lead”
Read MoreBarbara Bush was the American equivalent of Britain’s Queen Mother
by Rashmee
Posted on April 18, 2018
The former US first lady enjoyed something rare for an American – in fact only one other woman has ever had this position – she was married to one US president and mother of another. So Barbara Bush was a bit like the late Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother – married to one ruler and mother of another. … Continue reading “Barbara Bush was the American equivalent of Britain’s Queen Mother”
Read MoreBBC’s dive into royal deference over Prince Philip story betrays UK hankering for past importance
by Rashmee
Posted on May 6, 2017
Anyone but a diehard monarchist would have to be in a state of shock over Britain’s hyped coverage of the “retirement” from royal duties of Prince Philip. That’s the 95-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, by the way. The hysteria was on a scale that suggested Prince Philip had been a fixture on our television … Continue reading “BBC’s dive into royal deference over Prince Philip story betrays UK hankering for past importance”
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Rashmee has lived and worked in several countries in the past decade, including Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Tunisia, the UAE, US and UK