LIZ JONES: This feels private… like a member of my household struck down
Wasn’t the Princess of Wales like a brightly flickering candle at Christmas when she hosted her annual carol live performance at Westminster Abbey?
She’s the particular person we’d all like to have in our household at particular get togethers: cheerful, unflappable, fantastically turned out, nice with the little ones, keen to muck in, clear plates and discard wrapping paper, play the diplomat in household arguments.
Just the sight of her, wherever – reed slim and chic, conker hair shining, all the time, all the time smiling – makes the world nicer, higher, simpler, navigable.
The information on Wednesday afternoon that she has been admitted to hospital – presumably for 2 entire weeks! – despatched shivers down my backbone. And then the disclosure that she is unlikely to return public duties till after Easter!
The sight of the Princess of Wales (pictured on Christmas Day final 12 months) – reed slim and chic, conker hair shining, all the time, all the time smiling – makes the world nicer, higher, simpler, navigable, writes Liz Jones
Police Officers stand guard exterior the hospital, the London Clinic, the place Kate is at present receiving therapy
January all of the sudden appears interminably lengthy, and far greyer than it was earlier than. I used to be strolling my canine, and noticed a younger lady cease, stare at her telephone, mittens capturing to her mouth. I requested if she was okay.
‘It’s Kate, she’s in hospital!’ Everyone in earshot rummaged in pockets to search out telephones, and to cease and stare.
With the King, properly, it wasn’t surprising information to listen to he has prostate issues. But Catherine? I’ve a niece similar to her: Sophie is 40, serene, lovely, had youngsters when she was younger. I needed to textual content her on listening to the information about Kate, simply to verify she’s okay.
The information about Catherine made me need to give Sophie a hug. We shouldn’t take anybody as a right.
The shock that Catherine might be out of motion for months isn’t in any means on a par to shedding Diana, however there may be that very same frisson of worry that if one other shiny gentle is turned out, the world will appear very darkish certainly.
The information yesterday is a reminder that Catherine isn’t infallible, made from metal. It’s not true that nothing touches her.
It’s a reminder life is treasured. I misplaced my sister, Carolyn, two weeks earlier than Christmas and wished I’d seen her extra usually: we all the time used to get the giggles rising up.
She was achingly lovely, had two sons, and labored in intensive care on the very hospital Kate is in now.
Come on, Lynnie, give Kate a digital hug from all of us. We’re glued to the information, looking for clues.
And Catherine? She will probably be so cross with herself that she is making us all so nervous.
