British author Hilary Mantel is mostly known for her observations of the current British royal family as well as her historical fiction.
For example, in September 2021, the late author said that she did not believe that Prince George, the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, would be crowned king.
She also estimates that the royal family may cease to exist within two generations.
“I think it’s a reasonable guess, but let’s just say I wouldn’t put money on it,” she said Time. “It’s hard to understand the thinking behind the monarchy in the modern world when people are only seen as celebrities.”
Prince George is the eldest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales. He is currently second in line to the throne, after his father. He was third until King Charles succeeded his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, upon her death on September 8, 2022.
At the time, Mantel stated that the Queen and Charles did their job “as best they could” and “take it as seriously as possible”.
When asked about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s widely publicized disputes with the royal family, she said: “I’ve tried to stay away from Meghan’s issue because I think it’s too early to comment. And anyway, all of us commentators are part of the problem.
“I wish we all talked less. And give them a chance to find some sort of solution.”
Kate, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk to meet members of the public at Windsor Castle
(AP)
In 2013, Mantel caused controversy when he called the Princess of Wales a “shop effigy” with the sole purpose of providing an heir to the throne.
During a lecture at the British Museum, she claimed that the Duchess had no personality and described her as “glossy”.
She was later criticized by public figures, including the then prime minister, David Cameron, who said Mantel was “totally wrong” in her remarks.
However, Mantel defended her comment, saying her words were taken out of context and that she was, in fact, describing the perception of the Duchess created by the media.
She told presenter Anne McElvoy on BBC Radio 3’s night waves: “My lecture and the essay that followed were really supportive of the royal family and when I use those words about the Duchess of Cambridge I am describing the perception of her that has been built up in the tabloids.
“My speech ended with a plea to the press and the media in general. I said, ‘Stand back and don’t be brute. Don’t do to this young woman what you did to Diana.’
“My whole subject is how we mistreat people in the royal family, making them superhuman, but less than human.”
Mantel was awarded a CBE in the 2006 Birthday Honors and was made a Lady Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBW) in 2014, for her contributions to literature.
She died on September 22, 2022, at the age of 70.
