Ah, the royal titles—what more can be said about those shiny, seemingly desirable badges of nobility that scream “Hello, I’m important!”—but for whom, really? When it comes to little Prince Louis, the youngest scion of Prince William and Kate Middleton, darling titles might just be akin to golden shackles.
Picture this: Prince Louis, growing up in the wake of change within the Royal Family, standing fourth in line to a throne he likely will never warm. It seems the monarchy is undergoing a facelift, moving towards modernization, yet here they are, still serving real-life shadows and sibling rivalries on a silver platter. William and Kate, known for wanting to raise their children as normally as possible—whatever that means when you’re royalty—might truly consider a plot twist of revolutionary proportions. Imagine a setup where Louis and Charlotte, his equally enthralling sister, step out sans royal titles. A shocker? Potentially. Necessary? Perhaps more than we dare to admit!
The Peril of Being a Persistent ‘Spare’
Remember Prince Harry? He who shall forever be remembered as the quintessential “spare”? A role conveniently stashed behind his brother, who is being groomed for a crown. Being the eternally-underestimated spare must have been equally exhilarating and exasperating. It’s no wonder Harry took the royal exit ramp and headed into the sunset, on his own terms. The ginger-haired rebel has vocalized concerns that Louis and Charlotte could be looking at a similar future of partial prominence.
William and Kate, modernizers by design, seem ostensibly keen on normalcy. But honestly, ‘normal’ is just not in the royal vocabulary. Does it not make sense to let Charlotte and Louis taste life beyond the gilded gates and palatial etiquette? If we’re to truly honor the notion of choosing one’s path, perhaps severing the regal ropes is a step in the right direction.
Is it Just Glorious Glitter
To some, royal titles are nothing more than vintage heirlooms. They exude grandeur, sure, but holding on to them might protrude an air of detachment from the very society they lead. Could renouncing these titles, even just partially, help in grounding them with their people?
Imagine Louis, without the heavy crown-consideration hanging by a thread above. Picture him mingling with commoners, understanding their dreams and desires, becoming a face of relatable leadership in a not-so-relevant yet deeply-rooted family tradition. What could be more critically acclaimed, vital even, for the monarchy’s survival?
From the dim echo of many a palace parlor, imperial insiders whisper of Louis charting a course far from the echoing halls of Buckingham Palace. Should the day come when a “normal” life heralds his name, the ceremonial tiara might very well become the proverbial elephant in the room.
The Road Not Taken or Too Scary to Pave?
William and Kate’s intentions are obviously draped in love and pragmatism. Wanting the best for their offspring, might they dare to dream beyond precedent? Could they strip away, bit by glimmering bit, those glittering emblems, giving Louis and Charlotte the liberation of choice?
Maybe not. What their regal reluctance reveals is that a full-throttle modern monarchy might be wishful thinking, at least for now.
After all, change is a grandiose word bandied about with wild abandon until those who supposedly embrace it find themselves snug in their cobwebbed traditions. But then again, in another twist of fate, perhaps young Louis might one day sit down with a cup of common brew and decide for himself: “To title or not to title, that is the question.” Wouldn’t Shakespeare have pondered that over cereal?
