His outfit was ridiculous.
A crass display of wealth and extravagance that gathered crowds of all ages.
The handlers kept a trained eye on us ‘regular’ folk to make sure we didn’t get too close or linger too long when he deigned to actually reach out and shake our hand, high five or fist bump.
Even with that spectacle serving as a hat, his ears were unmistakable. All massive and sticky outy. Just like we’d seen in countless pictures. His whole existence had been documented since he existed.
We had mocked the whole idea of him and everything he represented only moments before but now look at us…
We were losing our goddamned minds with excitement.
Shouting his name. Hoping he’d look at us and meet our eyes just so we could feel special… even for a moment. Like him acknowledging us somehow gave us value.
We snapped our pictures with the biggest and stupidest grins on our faces and then before we knew it, he was gone and we went back to eating our breakfast.
The Chef Mickey’s character breakfast at Disney World had won over the most cynical hearts yet again.
I kinda hated the fact that I felt happier after it.
I wanted to maintain my perpetually raised eyebrow when it comes to the royal mouse family, I mean they have probably done some sketchy things, but I was caught up in the whole damn pomp and circumstance and I was still smiling an hour after.
I didn’t watch the coronation. Shannon got up to watch and enjoyed the show. I joined in time to sit with my coffee and watch the new King and Royal Family come out on that famous balcony to address the tens of thousands gathered in the streets below.
So silly.
Too expensive.
A tired and dated establishment.
A charade.
Like getting excited about a person in a mouse costume.
Oh.
I’m not here to defend the Royal Family, their history or actions/in-actions, their sketchy members, or the money required to keep them going.
However, I am here to say…
we may need silly things like the monarchy… or Mickey Mouse.
In my experience, I’ve noted that we humans need people (or anthropomorphic mice) to look up to.
Those who are examples of good behaviour, respectful protocol, ceremony, and weirdly, unattainability.
Those who have the ability to unite us above the everyday and hopefully make us happier and better people.
Even if we only believe they embody those traits.
Even if we know they are flawed and possibly awful.
Even if that’s not what they’re like when the ears come off.
No, I don’t know why.
Yes, it is stupid.
Humans are stupid.
If we can keep our ridiculous idolatry relatively benign and harmless, it serves a greater purpose.
It provides a bit of magic.
It makes us feel that the time we are occupying here on Earth is somehow special.
That we might be special.
That, in turn, makes us happier, which hopefully makes us better humans, so we do good things, which hopefully means life actually does get better for all of us.
God save the Mouse Kings.
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I agree, but it ain’t just the mouse.
The US has many forms of royalty, it's just that they usually don’t see it for what it is. It’s not just the showy Hollywood royalty who play the role of constitutional monarch (no formal power, but massive influence), but there are other forms of American royalty as well, such as the old families who manage to wield and exert extraordinary political power by producing unelected business leaders who can effectively buy elections with strategic donations, or create and maintain corporations that function as de facto nation states. That’s not to mention the many robber barons who can buy pharmaceutical companies with absolute legal monopolies on certain drugs and then hold vast groups of people to ransom.
Some pundits (oh wow, did I just call you a pundit? Well… you are one… deal with it :-)) have pointed out the immense financial cost of the coronation, but many people don't seem to stop to think that your average Hollywood film now costs many times what was spent of the coronation, and yet has far less historical importance.
Monarchy, in one form or another, appears to be a natural part of human civilization, whether we admit it to ourselves, or not.
(Oh, and clearly your post riled me up enough to subscribe so I could reply to your post... you... you monster)
A good laugh was had by… me! You had me going with the ears and outfit. Nice touch. I’m not sure about the royalty (being of French Canadian and Acadian descent doesn’t help, I guess), but I am certain that I need laughter (comedy) to survive the challenges this world presents. Thanks!