TOntonio Caprarica, the famous London correspondent of RAI, knows the English royal family like few others. In his latest book, And they didn’t live happily ever after, 50 princesses out of a fairy talewith illustrations by Barbara Picotti and published by Mondadori Electa, explores the world of Royal women, and not just British ones, for a young audience.
“All stories”, explains Caprarica, “very tumultuous, some even with a tragic outcome”, which demonstrate how a life of luxuries and privileges does not always translate into happiness “.
With the sole exception, however, of Elizabeth II, the last on the list. What is it that sets her apart from all the others?
I entered it because I wanted to conclude on a hopeful note. Elizabeth is a positive example of the fact that even princesses can have fulfilling lives. Her was. The one with Filippo was a great love storywhich Elizabeth lived with transport, until the end, without regrets.
“Queen Elizabeth, a long reign marked by joys and satisfactions”
A very different life, therefore, that of Elizabeth, if compared to the other princesses and queens: from Boadicea, ancient queen of the Britons who fought against the invading Romans, the unfortunate Lady Diana, Caroline of Monaco and the melancholy Japanese princesses.
Elizabeth’s life as a queen was a life with a happy ending. She ruled loved by her subjects, she managed to impose her personality in a totally masculine world such as that of royal power, she got the man she wanted. This is why I feel like saying that in the end, yes, at least one real queen had a happy and contented life.
Antonio Caprarica (Getty Images)
Lady Diana was an excellent example of a princess in constant pursuit of happiness, but it did not come true.
Diana was certainly a paradigmatic character of unhappy life that is often led at courtbut showed that, inside what she called “the cage” and which she hated, a woman with character, will and determination can break the bars that hold her prisoner and find the reason for her existence, a mission to which to hook your life and be happy.
“The reasons for contentment for Queen Elizabeth within her family are very scarce”
The book speaks of invincible warriors, but in recent times the queen, increasingly fragile, does not seem to be. How much are the events of recent years affecting her happiness?
Well, the “end of the reign” is always marked by moments of uncertainty, of instability, and this is also what is happening to Elizabeth. These last few years have been marked by profound factors of dissatisfaction and discontent, from the story of his son Andrea to the escape of his nephew Harry. But if the queen looks out the windows of Buckingham Palace, she will be pleased to see a country that now considers her a matriarch and has turned her into an object of veneration.
“It was not at all obvious when Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne seventy years ago”
It was not taken for granted after all the crises of these last decades, but it must be said that what Elizabeth has accumulated in her life in terms of credibility today is returned to her in terms of affection and veneration on the part of her subjects.
Which princess has impressed Antonio Caprarica the most among the fifty outlined in the book?
I really like Eleonora d’Aquitania, a formidable woman, a true indomitable warrior who, until the last days of her life, continues to fight for her children. A very modern and contemporary type of woman. But they are all extraordinary characters, women who have tried to assert their autonomy, independence and personality in a world of males. Women to fall in love with.
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