Few events unify hardened cynics or dyed-in-the wool republicans with patriotic monarchists, but the news of the birth of Meghan and Harry's first child back in May did just that – bringing together many people from opposing political standpoints in celebration of his birth.
Awaiting the presentation of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor to the world, it was difficult not to get a little excited to catch the first glimpse of the newest member of the royal family – and the child of a couple breaking all the usual tired protocols.
After a turbulent few years, the British public is desperate for good news and anything that offers a moment’s distraction from the on goings in parliament and a chance to briefly forget the damage done to the national psyche of recent years is warmly welcomed frippery.
The increasingly bitter and divisive politics and seemingly never-ending Brexit confusion of the past three years has negatively impacted on how the British people think and feel about themselves.
One only has to think back to at the collective sense of pride the country felt reflected in the opening ceremony of the British hosted Olympic Games in 2012. Compare that with the current national state of mind in which the British feel less admired and are thought to be inward-looking and insular by the rest of Europe.
A 2018 YouGov poll of 200,000 people in England found that there was more than a hint of nostalgia about people's sense of Englishness. Almost three times as many of its residents think England was “better in the past” than believe its best years lie in the future.
And what better way to feel nostalgic and to hark back to simpler times than to focus on a Royal wedding - or this time a Royal christening as a way to briefly shut out the constant news reports full of pessimism; potential financial collapse; and impending chaos that is adding to so many people’s sense of overwhelm and anxiety?
In a recent survey of 5,700 Brits carried out by The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) it was found that one in three of the people surveyed felt that Brexit has had a negative effect on their mental health.
Stress and feelings of powerlessness increase levels of anxiety and depression - the effect of which was recognised in a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) study which showed mental ill health was 50 per cent more detrimental to a person’s ability to function in the world than any of the most common physical ailments such as angina, asthma or diabetes.
So, yes, as a country we can allow ourselves a rare moment of united gratitude for a new public figure before we shake ourselves out of our revelry to once again tut at the cost to the State; remind ourselves of the absurdity of a monarchy in this day and age; and get back to focusing on our life's trials and tribulations. I know I will.
