The common touch

Prince George is being reared the royal way.  With plenty of adoring fans, paparazzi, the usual cordon sanitaire, and of course, the right playmates. Which, by the way, as happened in his first visit to New Zealand, included the child of a gay couple.

How's that for proper upbringing. I call that starting on the right foot. No need to introduce values such as prejudice, bigotry, or intolerance to the heir to the throne of England, three times removed.  Instead, it's all about acceptance and equality.

Talk about sending a strong message as to the personal cum political views of the royal couple. Gay relationships and the even trickier area of gay parenthood were tackled and swiftly dealt with in this first ceremonial function of the prince. And, unlike that diminished map of Chinoise-land that Angela Merkel gifted China, this one was a hundred percent deliberate.

That makes me even more of a fan of Prince William and Duchess Kate.  As one who gushed copious tears when Princess Diana died, and who watched the two boys grow up while clucking over Princess Fergie's escapades and sympathizing with the queen's horrible annus, I do have a lot invested in the royal family. And now, I so whole-heartedly approve of their decisions on what values to inculcate in the latest member of our family.

Let's compare that to what passes for royalty in this coconut republic: showbiz.  Television couple Julius what's his name and Tintin what's her face apparently practice this belief system that their son has to have the proper macho toys like soldiers and guns. Since they don't want to end up with a gay son, they would admittedly steer their son away from dolls and other feminine frills.

Good luck, son of showbiz.  I hope that despite the stereotypes being force-fed unto you, you will be able to transcend the unfortunate handicapping visited upon you by your ill-meaning parents.

So, back to Prince George.  I wonder what other new-fangled ideas will be introduced to the prince. Will he be given role-neutral dolls for him to use his imagination on, and will he be given absolute freedom on decisions about how to dress them? (Goodbye, Barbie and Ken).

Ernie and Bert of Sesame Street won't be an issue, as well as the Teletubbies. Maybe, Kate will even explain to George all those undercurrents of that disturbing love affair going on between the Hobbits. More clarity on the motivations of the central character and all that.

Will the royal couple even go to the extent of letting him try on make-up and dress up with Mummy's ball gowns? Why not? The Brits have less hang ups, than say, Middle America, about dressing up in drag. So a visit to Mum's fabulous walk in closet might be in order. (Ooh, wait until he gets his chubby hands on those fabulous crown jewels!).

Safaris and hunting trips in Kenya? We'll see if the boy has the thrill of the hunt in him, but if he shows a distinct preference for polo playing or knitting. It probably won't matter, either way.

So, having been raised a tolerant person by his 21st century parents, King George (assuming he lives beyond the present monarch, who doesn't seem inclined to give up her throne yet to Granpa Charles) will be well equipped to deal with the social issues besetting this century. That's on the assumption that they're even issues at that time.

There's been a sea change over the past decade alone, with gay marriages becoming, if not common, then not uncommon. Might they become royal as well? We shall see.