This is modern Britain – where a princess pleading for children’s rights seems almost radical | Gaby Hinsliff
In her first public address since her recovery from cancer, the Princess of Wales delivered a heartfelt message emphasizing the importance of nurturing environments for families and children. Speaking to a group of influential employers, she highlighted that every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and valued, advocating for a culture of tenderness and collective responsibility in shaping the future for generations to come. These sentiments, while universally appealing, stand in stark contrast to the actions of the current elected government, which some perceive as prioritizing divisive and negative agendas over the well-being of families and children. The Princess’s call for compassion and respect for caregiving roles serves as a poignant reminder of the values that should underpin society, yet it also raises questions about the effectiveness of political leaders in embodying these ideals.
The royal family has traditionally maintained a careful distance from political discourse, often expressing sentiments that align with widely accepted social values. However, the Princess’s remarks take on a deeper significance in light of recent controversies, particularly the troubling association of her uncle, Prince Andrew, with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. As the royal family seeks to navigate its role in a changing societal landscape, the juxtaposition of the Princess’s nurturing message against the backdrop of political strife and scandal highlights a growing discomfort. It underscores a yearning for authentic leadership that champions the welfare of children and families, contrasting sharply with the actions of a government perceived to be chasing the worst instincts of society.
This moment serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and the collective responsibility we share in fostering a supportive environment for future generations. As the Princess of Wales advocates for a culture of care and respect, it calls upon all of us—royals, politicians, and citizens alike—to reflect on our roles in nurturing the values that truly matter.
It is uncomfortable to watch royals appealing to the nation’s best instincts while an elected government feels compelled to chase our worst
Every child has the right to feel safe, loved and as if they belong.
Put like that, there is nothing remotely radical about what the Princess of Wales used her
first public speech
since recovering from cancer to say: that families need consistently nurturing environments to flourish; that the world could actually use a bit more tenderness; that we are all responsible for the culture in which future generations grow up; and that (as she told an audience of blue-chip employers) caring for others is work deserving of respect. It’s the reasons why those motherhood-and-apple-pie values don’t always prevail in real life, rather than the values themselves, that are generally too contentious for the carefully apolitical royals. Yet what were once safe, bland nothings are increasingly no longer so – and not just because of the awkward shadow now cast over any royal initiative involving childhood by the former prince Andrew’s
infamous association
with the sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist
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