Some years ago I read an interview with the inestimable Vanessa Feltz, my colleague here at the Daily Express. In it she was asked about her big break: sometimes, she said, an opportunity lands on the table in front of you and you have to grab it with both hands. In her case it was an appearance on what was then Richard and Judy and she went for it: she did so well (my words, not hers), that a glittering career in television soon followed. And very much deserved it is too.
Vanessa was talking about her career but the same applies across the board, in all aspects of life. So here’s a tale of two women, both of whom were given extraordinary life opportunities, open only to the tiniest handful at any time in history, with markedly different outcomes. I refer, of course, to the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex.
Both come from backgrounds entirely unrelated to royalty and both were given the chance to step up to the plate. One succeeded spectacularly, the other went off to try to cash in and flog jam.
Meghan could have made history being a biracial American divorced princess, the first on all counts in the Royal Family, but utterly failed to see the bigger picture and is adrift in a hollow lifestyle which will collapse as soon as the public loses interest in her.
Already she and her thick-as-a-plank husband have dropped from A-list to D-list; just this week it was revealed that her “craft” jam is actually made in a factory 2,000 miles from her home.
She could have been remembered centuries hence as a pioneer; does anyone in their right mind think Meghan from Montecito will make the history books?
Whereas over on the Wales side, matters could not be more different. I fully believe that Catherine fell in love with a man who happened to be a prince (and a pretty important one, at that) rather than the prince-dom being the attraction, but for all the wealth and privilege that comes her way, it cannot be an easy ride.
She is under scrutiny 24/7 and yet never loses her temper, never complains, never puts a foot wrong.
She understands what the full meaning of the monarchy is, its importance to the country and her own role within it, both as a support to William and in her own right. It was not a job opportunity a la Vanessa, but a moment at a crossroads in life.
The older Royal she most reminds me of is Prince Philip, in attitude if not temperament. The moment this became most clear was at Philip’s funeral.
Look at her that day and there’s absolutely no doubt that you are looking at a future queen. History called out to both of those women. Only one knew how to respond.
