The Royal Report for Sunday October 24, 2010 - Is Lady Gaga more powerful than the Queen?

On the 2010 Forbes list of the World most powerful women, Lady Gaga ranked 7th on the list while the Queen came in 41st. Is Lady Gaga really more powerful than the Queen?

Listen to the episode here

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada No 191 25 October 2010

Hello! Royal Special The Royal Women Inside their legendary stories of love, power and passion

From My Royal Collection

The Queen and Her Children by Lisa Sheridan

Websites and blogs mentioned

The World of Royalty Website

The World of Royalty Blog

Resources

Forbes List of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women

The New Forbes Power Women

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday November 7, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: When the Queen goes to that glittering palace in the sky, can Prince Charles and Prince William modernize the monarchy for the 21st century?

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal & The Clueless - Episode 19

On the last episode of The Royal & The Clueless, Prince William caught girlfriend Kate Middleton in Enrique's clutches. In an effort to avoid future awkward situations, Enrique was sent on a global tour to promote awareness of the lack of Party Supplies in Third World Countries. Enrique, recently returned from his tour, demoralized but with a thicker skin, tries to avoid Kate - to no avail.

Enrique: (*sigh*) Bono refused to meet with me

Kate: You think you have problems!

Enrique notes that Kate is pouting. Her mother Carole sits beside Kate, consoling her.

Enrique: What is it now?

Kate: (whimpering) William (*sob*) says (*sob*) his 'whole heart is with the Army' (*sob*)

Enrique smolders as he considers this new development

Carole: Nothing to fret about dear.

Carole suddenly visibly brightens

Carole: The word 'Army' must be code for Kate!

Enrique shakes his head

Kate: Oh Mummy, what will I do?

Carole: You'll just have to take a different approach, that's all.

Carole thinks for a moment and comes up with an idea.

Carole: We'll have to put you in camouflage!

Enrique: What?

Carole: They wear camouflage in the Army, right?

Enrique: Well, yes but..

Kate: Oh that's a brilliant idea!

Carole: We'll get you all kitted out! Vest, helmet, machine gun, the works!

Kate, looks hopeful. Enrique looks anxious. He rubs the scar from the stapler incident in episode 7

Enrique: Mrs Middleton?

Carole (gathering momentum): We'll sign you up for tank driving lessons!

Kate: Yes, Mummy! yes!!

Enrique kneels before Kate and takes her hands in his.

Enrique: Kate, do you think this is a sign?

Kate: A sign of what?

Enrique: You've given up everything, you've taken voice lessons and still...

Carole: (firmly) Never mind! I will not give up! It will be worth it in the end!

Kate: (confused) What?

Enrique: (delicately) Kate, maybe it's time to face reality?

Carole: Don't give up now Kate! The prize is in sight!

Enrique: No, Kate, don't...

Kate looks from her mother to Enrique, unsure of what to do next. Carole helps Kate to her feet and leads Kate away.

Carole: Kate, maybe Daddy can give you flying lessons....

Enrique gets up slowly and sighs

Enrique: I quit

Will Enrique really quit when there's so much potential in the storyline? Does Kate look good in camouflage? Will she learn how to drive a tank? Will she finally face reality?

Find out on the next episode of The Royal & The Clueless.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Why the Prince Harry kidnapping film intrigues me

Oh the horror!

Actually showing the potential reality of the situation!

A first for any movie dramatizing the royal family where artistic licence is the norm.

Channel 4 in the UK is set to broadcast a film called 'The Taking of Prince Harry.' The film dramatises the third in line to the throne being kidnapped by the Taliban, 'shot with an unloaded pistol and forced to appear in Al-Qaida and Taliban propaganda videos'.

Now people are shocked, and high ranking military leaders are concerned for what it would do for morale or lest it give any terrorists ideas. The powers that be at Channel 4 have not bowed to pressure to shelve the film. Good for them.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want Harry to be harmed or kidnapped. But this is the reality when he heads over to Afghanistan to fight with his boys. The potential is always there. Or is it? A film depicting Prince Harry being kidnapped is seen as distasteful.  Is it better to dramatize the kidnapping of some other soldier provided we don't know who he/she is?

In 2008, when we saw footage of Harry in Afghanistan he was depicted in his job as a forward air controller, looking macho in camouflage while firing a machine gun, and foot patrolling a deserted Afghan town, hugging his weapon.  Yes, the photos of him were impressive. He played his role well. Certainly we should be proud that he 'walked the talk' and no question he did something to earn the medal he was awarded. But there is no way he would ever come into harms way. Guarded from birth, no one would ever let that happen. Prince Harry is a fool to think that he can fight like any other soldier. He may be fed the same food, allowed to get dirty, exposed to the elements and wear the same gear. But that's where the similarities end. Unlike his fellow soldiers, he has people who are paid to take bullets for him.

Which is why this special sounds so intriguing. What would happen if he did get kidnapped? How much would the ransom note be? Would the government *gasp* negotiate? Who would wring their royal hands more, Charles or the Queen? How would the military deal with it? How far would they go to secure Prince Harry's release? If they put the same amount of effort into rescuing him than they do for other soldiers, then maybe this film isn't so realistic after all.

I wish I could watch the film. It seems like it shows the potential reality Harry could have faced while in Afghanistan. And it faces the reality should he return there.

Maybe it's time that Clarence House did the same.

© Marilyn Braun 2010