The royals are really hitting back these days. First Prince Andrew. Then just a few days ago, Princess Beatrice hit back on claims that she was workshy. Now this.
Good for them.
I agree. For too long they've had to sit back and just take whatever is thrown at them (via the tabloid press). So much of it is unfair, like that Daily Mail article of a couple of days ago, which made me quite depressed – and I didn't even dare read the public comments.
The truth as I see it: Prince Charles appears to be a happily married man, with a marriage style that works well for them both. He loves his children, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, and has an easy relationship with them. Perhaps not quite as close to his parents and siblings with various factors coming into play. He cares about his 'job', the future, people, and the earth, which is shown by what he does and his charities...
Not much there to write an article about...
So what happens? An article is written with mostly unnamed sources, hearsay, and innuendo, slanted towards getting a reaction out of people – after all, sensation is the thing! Good news just does not sell.
Reminds me of a favourite movie I saw some time ago, which goes along these lines (I've had to paraphrase, as I can't quite remember the wording).
Two men stand staring out to sea.
The older man is an experienced journalist, telling the new guy how it works.
Oldtimer to newbie: "What do you see?"
Newbie, staring out to sea. "Nothing."
Oldtimer: "Look more carefully."
Newbie, perplexed: "I don't see anything."
Oldtimer: "Look at that cloud over there."
Newbie: "So?"
Oldtimer: "Headline could read, 'Advancing Storm Bears Down upon Village!' "
Newbie, nonplussed: "But what if it doesn't happen?"
Oldtimer: " 'Village Spared from Approaching Disaster!' "