I don’t want to trivialise privacy but I laughed at this tweet as I shuddered at my voyeuristic complicity .
“Shortly our 24/7 live coverage will cross to London where we have reporters outside seven Royal locations, all of whom will be urging punters to respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.” #insiders #katemiddelton pic.twitter.com/iuGL3FzNqS
— TOM RED (@TomRed43) March 23, 2024
We are living at the moment in Eton, the other side of the Thames from Windsor Castle. Yesterday afternoon I walked up to Peascod Street to buy some milk and cereal in Tesco. I walked home again, turned on the news and discovered that Windsor is “heartbroken” by the news of Kate Middleton’s illness. This is not true, Windsor and Eton are getting on with their weekends. That does not make me or my fellow shoppers heartless, public compassion is non-locational.
Three of my friends are currently going through chemotherapy, my thoughts are with them daily, they are on our prayer list as we pray for all those who need support. I could, if I choose worship in St George’s Chapel, we will worship though our laptops at Wesley’s Chapel. Our prayers fly up the same way, we are not royal for living next to royals. We do not suffer ,
It does not take particular stoicism to recognise that in life we are in death, that ISIS could as easily mown down concert goers in the O2 as the Crocus City Hall in Moscow. As I write, Moscow is retaliating against Ukraine, its universal scapegoat.
We will pray in our church this morning for all those who have been affected by violence though we will no doubt focus on this incident.
Our lives are our own, they cannot be lived out vicariously through role models. But we take strength through understanding and compassion. Kate and William are behaving with exemplary dignity, showing leadership in their adversity. What Kate is going through is life-threatening and affects us. This is a beautiful tribute from a mother, an example of public compassion that is neither voyeuristic or sensational.
Of all the times in life to be diagnosed with cancer, being a mother of young children is among the toughest, most crushing. A mother’s fears will be compounded by deep and painful anxiety for her children. Wishing #KateMiddleton, and everyone battling cancer, strength.
— Josephine Cumbo (@JosephineCumbo) March 23, 2024
We will pray for Kate and William and their family and in that moment, they will be our family. Such is the nature of public compassion.
