In the 1990s, Alicia Silverstone became popular for her role as Cher Horowitz in the teenage movie Clueless. Although she continues to act and is still relevant in Hollywood, what’s catching people’s attention these days is her parenting. The 46-year-old actress is a mother to Bear Blu Jarecki, who is now 11 years old, and their upbringing has been far from usual.
Bear’s Parents
Bear’s mother is a well-known figure, but his father Christopher Jarecki who is a musician, is not as widely recognized. Christopher and Alicia met outside a cinema and were in a relationship for eight years before they tied the knot.
In 2011, the couple had a child named Bear and although they had some issues in their marriage, both remained involved and caring parents for Bear. Tragically, Alicia and Christopher separated in 2018 after being together for two decades. Despite their divorce, they have agreed to share the responsibility of co-parenting Bear amicably and have joint custody of him.
The Controversy
Back in 2012, Alicia’s abilities as a parent were criticized after she shared a video on her website called The Kind Life. In the video, Alicia was seen giving pre-chewed food from her own mouth to her 10-month-old son, Bear.
Alicia’s decision caused a lot of controversy and made the public raise doubts about her parenting style. However, the actress defends her stance by stating that it’s a natural phenomenon that has been happening for ages and still continues to do so all over the world.
Alicia’s Parenting Style
Alicia’s approach to parenting is commonly known as attachment parenting, which is one of the several recognized methods of raising kids. It emphasizes the emotional and physical connection between a parent and their child.
To illustrate, some of the practices that fall under attachment parenting include carrying infants in baby carriers, sharing a bed with them, and acknowledging crying as a way of communication rather than a tantrum or manipulation. The fundamental principle of attachment parenting is that a parent’s attachment with their child influences all of the child’s future relationships. However, Alicia characterizes her approach to parenting in a distinct manner.
A Natural Mom
Alicia characterizes herself as an instinctive mother who simply follows her natural inclinations. She identifies as a caring mother and values love and the force of nature. She perceives that modern society has a fear of nature and love.
Alicia explained that in nature, being close to one’s offspring is a common practice for parenting when questioned about her relationship with Bear. She emphasized that if you were in a natural environment with animals, leaving your baby in a separate location could lead to the newborn being preyed upon. Thus, it is not recommended to keep the baby away from the mother.
Alicia’s Household
Alicia has a sustainable house that incorporates solar panels and an organic garden. Her family takes care of their own waste through composting, bring their own shopping bags, and abstains from buying disposable items. Both Alicia and Bear follow a vegan lifestyle and have welcomed numerous rescued animals into their home throughout the years.
I aim to set a good example for others by consistently making choices throughout the day that positively impact our planet. As a result, the Bear has become a small ambassador for the environment, showing compassion, love, curiosity, and awareness.
Medical Choices
Alicia holds a disinterest in contemporary medical practices and rather relies on her son, Bear’s, natural body mechanisms to function. The performer asserts that her child has never required any medical help, such as vaccines or antibiotics.
I’m not implying that I wouldn’t provide it to him, but my point is that he does not require it. He has only experienced sickness twice in his entire life, and both times were for a mere few hours. On both occasions, he conveyed to me that he was feeling unwell and needed to rest.
Gender Fluid
Bear’s parents are not strict about social conventions, particularly with regards to gender, and he has faced criticism for maintaining his long hair. Nonetheless, he has decided to continue with his hairdo, and Alicia has backed him up on this choice.
Mother and father will not prevent him from being himself. His hair is lovely, and we adore him just the way he is. We will never impose societal norms about hairstyle based on gender. We should all strive to accept our children for who they are without any biases.
Letting Go of Bear’s Locks
When he was nine, Bear made the decision to alter his appearance by cutting his hair. Bear’s hair was previously very long, reaching down to his waist, but he chose to buzz it all off. Alicia mentions that this was a significant transition for both her and her son, as he now looks more like a child than a baby.
Even though she is not accustomed to it, the actress adores Bear’s new appearance. Nevertheless, she anticipates that he will soon regrow his long hair. For now, she is preserving his disconnected tresses.
Bath Time
The Silverstone family enjoys bath time, although some individuals find it revolting that Alicia and Bear bathe together. It was a customary practice for the mother and son to bathe together, but it is uncertain if they still do this since Bear turned nine years old.
Although some supporters considered the decision unsuitable, others mentioned that it is typical in diverse cultures. A few fans struggled to comprehend the logistics of the Silverstones’ bath time since bathing with a little kid seldom appears calming.
Bedtime
Just like how they bathe together, Bear and Alicia also share bedtime. It’s worth noting that as of July 2022, the actress and her 11-year-old son still co-sleep. Alicia openly admits that they still sleep together and that some people might disagree with her choice. However, she doesn’t really care what others think.
Her predictions turned out to be accurate, as several supporters condemned the approach as completely inappropriate and nearly exploitative. On the other hand, some individuals contributed their own stories of co-sleeping with their parents or their offspring to show that it’s not strange.
Potty Training
When Bear was a little kid, Alicia had some unusual ideas about teaching him to use the toilet. Silverstone supports elimination communication, a method that removes the necessity of using diapers.
Instead of sticking to a fixed schedule, the parent observes and interprets their child’s behavior to understand if they need to go to the potty. If they do, the parent then holds them over the toilet. Alicia claims that this approach is incredibly effective and allowed Bear to become fully potty trained even before he turned six months old!
No Stroller? No Problem!
Alicia, just like other advocates of attachment parenting, chose not to rely on a stroller for Bear during his early stages of life. She had the belief that her son’s physical closeness to her was vital for his growth and development.
Alicia opted to hold Bear or use a sling instead. She has a dislike for using diapers, strollers, and cribs (which she believes signify abandonment), so it’s not shocking that she has described her parenting approach as simple and free of extravagance.
No Need for Discipline
Alicia does not support the idea of enforcing rules through punishment. She argues that she doesn’t have to use discipline with Bear because his mood is well-balanced due to his diet which consists of natural vegan food, resulting in a sense of peace and balance. According to Alicia, Bear is not excessively hyper or agitated.
There is no need for me to raise my voice or use strict measures to correct my child’s behavior. Merely calmly saying “Oh, Bear, no thank you” is enough for him to understand and comply without any fuss. We communicate in this manner because my child is calm and not overly excited.
A Tech-Free Home
It’s ironic that Alicia, who is an actress, and Bear, who rarely watches movies, have a mostly tech-free home. They may watch a movie sometimes as a special occasion, but they value spending time with each other more than being glued to screens.
Bear and Alicia find pleasure in being outdoors, engaging in physical activity, and playing with their dogs. Alicia expresses joyfully that despite not relying on electronic devices, she and Bear have yet to feel bored.
Bear’s Seal of Approval
At present, Alicia is searching for love; however, before anyone can date her, they must receive Bear’s approval. Alicia regularly updates her son on her dating life and will not take any romantic relationships seriously unless Bear gives his consent.
Alicia has revealed that she is currently present on many dating applications and is eagerly looking forward to what lies ahead. However, she also acknowledges that some aspects of restarting her romantic life can be perplexing. This information was disclosed in the year 2021.
Co-Parenting
Despite their romantic relationship ending, Alicia and Christopher (Bear’s father) have a great relationship and work well together as co-parents. Alicia has expressed that they have a harmonious dynamic while raising their child.
Alicia partly attributes this to the fact that she communicates with Christopher every day and they maintain a friendship. She asserts that Bear also gains from the fact that her parents have opposite lifestyles, which gives him a broad perspective.
A Free Thinker
Alicia has demonstrated that she is confident enough to go against the norm, and she desires to teach her child, Bear, to be an independent thinker as well. As a mother, she frequently motivates him to be inquisitive and to not blindly accept whatever information he is given.
Silverstone leads by example, by making sure that Bear observes her “not always conforming to the norm and critically analyzing things, examining them carefully and closely.”
Activism Runs in the Family
Bear’s mother, Alicia, is an advocate for veganism and her son appears to be adopting her beliefs more as he ages. The Silverstone family attributes their plant-based diet to Bear’s strong physical condition, well-behaved nature, and Alicia’s ability to conceive.
Alicia has praised her son’s good health by stating that he’s a great representation of wellness. Her child follows a plant-based lifestyle, as both Alicia and Bear have been following a vegan diet since 1998 and birth respectively.
Cribs = Neglect
As mentioned before, Alicia equates putting a child in a crib to neglect. She also believes that kids should sleep in the same bed as their parents for as long as they want. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Alicia has some pretty harsh words for cribs.
She says that parents who subject their children to “a barred-in box completely alone” miss an opportunity to bond. “Sharing a bed with Baby means you can tune in better to her needs, which in turn builds security and trust.”
Independence
One might think that an attachment parenting style would lead to a child being dependent on their parent but Alicia insists that Bear is actually more independent than a lot of his peers. “The whole idea is that you love and attach so much so that they’re free enough to be and leave.”
She continued, “It’s heartbreaking, but you have to. My kid’s so fiercely independent because he is right [in my heart] all the time. He’s so great.”
Alicia’s Parenting Book
In 2014, Alicia released a parenting book titled The Kind Mama: A Simple Guide to Supercharged Fertility, a Radiant Pregnancy, a Sweeter Birth, and a Healthier, More Beautiful Beginning.
Silverstone says that she wrote this book in order to “make a guide for women so they could have that experience that they deserved to have.” However, The Kind Mama got extremely mixed reviews and has been extensively analyzed by childcare experts.
The Backlash
Many of Alicia’s critics complain that her book is mostly anecdotal and unscientific. They argue that a lot of The Kind Mama’s advice is dangerous for a child’s physical and emotional well-being.
However, Alicia points out that she never pretended to be an expert, her book simply contains the parenting techniques that work for her. “Everything that’s in the book is there to show you why you might want to consider it, always just to give you information. […] If you don’t choose that, that’s totally fine.”
Proud of Her Choices
Despite the backlash, Alicia is proud of her parenting choices and the book she’s written. She says that women on the street often approach her to thank her for the parenting advice that changed their lives.
The actress believes that motherhood and activism have given her purpose and she’s making a positive change in the world. As for the critics, Silverstone says, “Anyone who has issues with it can have them; it doesn’t affect me.”
Kisses on the Lips
People tend to be very opinionated as to whether or not parents should kiss their children on the lips. Given how much importance Alicia puts on physical bonding, it’s unsurprising that she has no problem showing Bear affection with a quick peck on the lips.
The actress even joked that Bear was a bit confused after watching Clueless for the first time and he thought that he was supposed to French kiss his mom, as was done in the movie.
The Rules of Social Media
Being a celebrity parent, Alicia obviously can’t control what photos the paparazzi take of Bear or where they’ll get posted. That being said, she does try to respect her son’s privacy when it comes to her own social media account.
Alicia doesn’t upload anything involving Bear onto the internet unless he agrees to it first. So far, it seems that the 11-year-old is happy to share his life with his mother’s fans.
Mom to the Rescue
Many parents of young children believe in the ‘cry it out’ or self-soothing method. This means letting one’s baby cry until they’re finished or comfort themselves, rather than running to console them. The idea is to teach the child independence.
Alicia disagrees with this method, though, and instead was always there whenever Bear was upset. Silverstone believes that anything other than being present for a crying child disrupts the trust babies have that their parents will take care of them.
Alicia Knows to Be Selfish
While being a mother is a selfless job, Alicia firmly believes that she needs some time to focus on her needs in order to be a better mom to Bear.
The actress makes sure that she gets some time to herself each day, that she’s eating well, and sleeping enough. Alicia believes that not only does this allow her to be more emotionally healthy for Bear, but it also teaches him not to neglect his own self-care.
But Doesn’t Want to Miss Anything
Although she knows the importance of having time for herself, Alicia also doesn’t want to miss any aspect of Bear’s childhood. Silverstone tries to spend as much time with her son as possible and to always be mentally and emotionally present when they’re together.
Alicia explains, “It’s not some kind of spoiled thing. It’s just that when you love someone, you want to take them in and soak them in. And many of us didn’t get that.”
Will Bear Get Siblings?
It seems that having more kids isn’t in the cards for Alicia. However, that’s not for lack of want. The 46-year-old explained, “I wanted to have more [kids], but then my relationship got messed up, and it wasn’t a great time to bring one in.”
“I didn’t want to have one right away because I was so in love with my Bear […] so it wasn’t until he was like three that I was ready to make another baby and then I didn’t have a partner.”
Alicia’s View on Motherhood
Alicia knows that her parenting methods have sparked controversy, but she doesn’t seem to care. “The things I’m doing I’m not inventing, I didn’t invent any of it. I would love to take credit for all of it but it’s not me unfortunately, it’s just me following nature.”
Silverstone is at peace with the knowledge that her family is happy and healthy. And she loves being a mother! As she’s said, “Being a mom is the most precious, most unbelievable experience in this world.”
Love is an intensely personal thing, especially when it comes to family, and the Royal Family is no exception. The Queen isn’t only a monarch and Head of State, but a woman, a mother, and a grandmother, too, with a family all her own — and every family has its complicated story.
It’s Tough At The Top
The Queen has reigned for 67 years and counting — longer than even her great-great-grandmother. In that time, Queen Elizabeth was blessed with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. That’s a lot of competition for attention. Now, also with in-laws in the picture, let’s see who the Queen has a complicated relationship with.
One Big Happy Family
Queen Elizabeth married her husband, Prince Philip, in 1947 — that means they’ve been together over 72 years! On top of everything else they’ve accomplished, a marriage that strong is an achievement in itself. Over that time, the couple has brought four children into the world: their eldest, Charles, Prince of Wales, the heir to the throne; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and their youngest, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. They have all gone on to have children of their own.
Sister And Aunt
As well as being a wife, mother, and grandmother, the Queen is also a sister and an aunt. Her father King George VI had only two children, both daughters: Elizabeth, the eldest, and Margaret, the youngest. Though Margaret has now sadly passed away, she is survived by two children of her own, David and Sarah. The Queen’s niece and nephew are 20th and 23rd in line for the throne, respectively.
A Royal Grandmother
The Queen and Prince Philip have eight grandchildren altogether, though some are more famous than others. The whole world knows Prince William, who is second in line for the throne, and his younger brother Prince Harry is just as popular. Up until recent years, Prince Harry was third in line. The Queen’s other grandchildren are Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, Princess Anne’s children; Lady Louise Windsor and James Viscount Severns, Prince Edward’s children; and Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York, Prince Andrew’s daughters.
Playing Favorites
If you ever asked your grandparents who their favorite was, they’d look at you with a twinkle in their eye and swear they loved everyone just the same — but we all know love and favoritism are two very different things. In the Royal Family, Prince Charles was said to be the Queen Mother’s favorite grandchild. The two shared a special bond.
Learning The Ropes
Like the Queen Mother, Queen Liz is very involved in her grandchildren’s lives — especially William, the future heir. From early on, she took an active role in Prince William’s education, knowing he will someday be King. With Prince Harry, on the other hand, the Queen has been known to take a more casual approach with less focus on royal responsibilities — the two have been seen chatting and laughing on many occasions.
The Royal Princesses
Sharing the spotlight with Princes William and Harry are their cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. These two are well-known socialites and fashion icons in their own right and have made quite a splash in society. Their outfits and their lifestyles have caught the eye of the public, and won them many admirers — but have they made a good impression on their grandmother?
The Newest Additions
The list of grandchildren continues with the children of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex. A daughter was born to the couple in 2003, Lady Louise Windsor, followed by her little brother James, Viscount Severn, born in 2007. These two are the youngest of the Queen’s grandchildren, and the youngest are often the favorites in any family. Still, there are more grandchildren to go, so we shouldn’t make our minds up just yet.
A Growing Family Tree
That might seem like a lot of names to keep up with, but we’re not done yet. The Queen’s reign has been a long one, and as time goes by her family continues to grow, with the addition of several great-grandchildren. The Queen is great-grandmother to Prince William’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as well as Prince Harry’s son Archie. There are also Savannah and Isla, and Mia Grace and Lena Elizabeth. The great-grandchildren are still quite young, but their time will come to shine.
Heir to the Throne
Prince William is second in line to the throne, after his father Prince Charles, and you might expect that would make him his grandmother’s favorite. The two have spent a lot of time together since William was born, with his gran training him in what it means to someday be King. The two are very close, and they have a unique relationship. They are grandmother and grandson, but they are Monarch and Future Monarch, as well — though it seems that hasn’t quite made him the favorite, after all.
Prince Harry And His Gran
Prince Harry, William’s younger brother, has his own unique relationship with the Queen as well. There have even been rumors that he was the favorite, and it’s not hard to see why. In the Queen’s Christmas Message in 2017, she had photos of her family members on display — but only one of her grandchildren was include in the shot. You guessed it — it was Prince Harry. Not even Prince William and Kate made the cut!
Almost A Favorite
Prince Harry was once third in line for the Throne, but since the birth of his nieces and nephews, he has moved back a bit in the succession. This has meant his relationship with his grandmother is not quite as serious or professional as her relationship with William. Harry and Lizzie are often seen laughing and joking around, and the two appear to be very fond of one another — which has fuelled rumors that he is the favorite for quite some time.
Promoting the Games
Prince Harry and the Queen promoted the Invictus Games in a 2016 video, filming a light-hearted take on an American video. One clip you’re sure to recognize from the video is Prince Harry’s now famous mic drop. The Invictus Games allow sick, injured, and wounded veterans to compete, as well as armed services personnel, and the Queen is said to have had a great time filming the video.
Harry and Meghan
The Royal Family is like other families in many ways, but in some ways can be quite different. Family events and holiday meals must still follow protocol, and even a Royal’s partners must receive an official invite before they can attend. In 2017, in a big break from protocol, Prince Harry’s partner Meghan was invited along to Christmas — sparking further rumors than Harry might well be the favorite after all.
Love And Marriage
The Queen isn’t just the Head of State — she is also the Head of the Church of England, and the Church has a complicated history with divorce, to say the least. The Queen has traditionally avoided weddings where either party was divorced, like Prince Charles’ wedding to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. However, the Queen broke tradition to attend Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle — who was divorced before she married the Prince. Yet more fuel on the fire of the rumors that Harry is the favorite!
The Last Laugh
Another royal tradition is to treat the Queen with the utmost respect — the Royal Family will avoid poking fun at Her Majesty, but that doesn’t seem to include Prince Harry. Harry has been known to make playful comments about his grandmother, which no one else would do, like the time he said he found it very hard to shop for her. Although it’s a tame comment, it’s out of the ordinary to be so light-hearted about the Queen, and it points to Harry at least being in the running for the position of favorite.
A Family Tragedy
When Harry and William were young, their mother Princess Diana passed away. William was 15, and Harry was only 12. This tragedy brought them closer to their grandmother, who was there for them after their mother’s death. They were only kids, after all, and they needed love and support following this dark and troubled time. The Queen was there for her grandsons when they needed her most, and that formed a special bond between the Princes and their grandmother.
Meghan and The Queen
Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan, now Duchess of Sussex, has been seen in public spending time with the Queen — it’s as if the two of them are the best of friends. It seems clear that the Queen has welcomed Meghan into the family and into her heart. Meghan and the Queen were seen in public together less than a month after she and Prince Harry were married — now that’s a friendship formed in record time!
An Olympic Effort
Princess Anne is the Queen’s only daughter, and she has two children, a daughter and a son: Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. Zara has known her fair share of the spotlight, too, though not in the realms of fashion and high society. Zara has competed in the Olympics, winning silver at London in 2012. She has inherited her grandmother’s love of horses, and has won many other equestrian competitions — enough to make her the favorite?
The Common People
Although Zara and Peter’s mother is a Princess, they didn’t inherit a royal title like their cousins. That’s because, according to royal tradition, only the children of a Prince are granted the title of Prince or Princess. They were given the opportunity, though, when the Queen offered them both a “courtesy title.” That’s the kind of generous offer someone might make to a favorite, though in the end the two of them decided to decline, instead living without such royal titles.
One Of The People
Peter Phillips, like his younger sister Zara, declined the offer of a “courtesy title.” He preferred instead to live a regular life as one of the people — as regular as possible, at least, for a man whose grandmother is the Queen! Peter has worked several jobs, received a university education, and has raised a family of his own — a life any common man might live. So, it may come as something of a shock to learn he is said, by many, to be the Queen’s favorite grandchild!
A Cherished Bond
Who is Peter Phillips, anyway? Born November 15, 1977, he is the only son of the Queen’s only daughter, Princess Anne, and he’s the firstborn of the Queen’s grandchildren, too. Peter might not get the same amount of press as some other members of the Royal Family, but he shares a unique and close bond with his grandmother all the same. When he and his sister were younger, they spent time with the Queen in Balmoral, Sandringham, Windsor, and played in the halls of Buckingham Palace.
A Loving Grandchild
Like so many of us, Peter loves his gran. He speaks of her with warmth and fondness, and he has expressed his respect for her role as the monarch of the United Kingdom and head of the Royal Family. The two spend time together when they get the chance, sharing a cup of tea and chatting about life. Things haven’t always been quite so friendly, though — Peter has caused some scandals in his time, and they’ve landed him in the Queen’s bad books.
Rules Are Made To Be Broken
Peter’s come a long way since he was a little boy growing up in the royal palaces. Even without the title of “Prince,” Peter’s place in the Royal Family has been of great interest to the public, particularly his wedding. There are strict protocols around royal weddings: the Palace only allows official statements and photos of the Royals, and everything needs to be approved in advance — but when Peter was married, he had other ideas…
A Public Wedding
Peter married his sweetheart, the Canadian actress and model Autumn Patricia Phillips, in 2008. Although the Queen approved of the match, there was part of Peter’s plan she would certainly not have approved of — if she had known. Without his gran’s knowing, Peter had made a £500,000 deal with the tabloids, giving exclusive wedding snaps to Hello! Magazine. Photos not just of the happy couple, but of the other Royals, as well…
A Public Backlash
The wedding photos of Peter and Autumn were printed, and they came as quite a surprise to the Queen and the Palace. It’s hard to imagine the Queen being anything but displeased when she found out. Not only that, but the government got involved as well — the Queen is the Head of State, and so the government takes Palace protocol very seriously. The Queen was not a “footballer’s wife,” they said — she shouldn’t be shown off so casually in a tabloid magazine.
A Family Affair
The rest of the Royal Family was not amused, either. Princes Harry and William were unhappy to discover their new girlfriends featured in the wedding pics as well. The princes were planning to use the wedding as an opportunity to introduce their girlfriends, Kate Middleton and Chelsy Davy, to their grandmother. Now, they felt that this personal and private occasion had been spoiled by Peter’s decision.
Alright In The End
It took some time until the Queen was on good terms again with Peter, and the whole ordeal seemed to be forgotten. Peter’s wife, Autumn, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Savanah, only a few years after the wedding. This happy occasion seems to have smoothed things over, and the Queen was reported to be thrilled at the new addition to the family.
Out Of The Spotlight
Peter and Autumn had their second daughter, Isla Elizabeth, in 2012. It was around this time that they started to retreat from the public eye and pursue their own lives in private. Peter may have learned his lesson from the scandal of his wedding photos, although he is still involved with his family, which he would demonstrate again some years later with a very special event.
A Special Event
The Patron’s Lunch was a special event organized for the Queen’s birthday, and Peter played a big role in putting it together. It commemorated his grandmother’s special day and highlighted the tireless work she had done as Queen. Prince Harry and Prince William were involved as members of the Patron’s Lunch board, but Peter was the one who brought it together and made it happen — which is exactly something that a favorite would do.
The Race For Favorite
So, the Queen is very close with Prince William and Prince Harry, having a unique relationship with both — but they don’t quite qualify as the favorite. In the final count, with all things considered, the Queen’s grandson Peter wins that position. There’s one simple fact that can’t be overlooked here: Peter is the Queen’s first grandchild. It was Peter who made her a grandmother, and Peter is the grandchild she’s known the longest. That has to form a special bond, and it shows.
A Shocking Result
It might come as a shock that the Queen’s favorite isn’t one of her more well-known grandchildren, like Prince William or Prince Harry, but these things don’t always turn out how we might expect — and that’s not to say the Queen doesn’t love all her grandchildren equally. After Peter put together the Patron’s Lunch, though, we have to ask: who doesn’t love a big, fancy birthday party? A special celebration goes a long way, even if the Queen does spend more time with Prince William and Prince Harry these days.
The Favored Child
If Peter is the Queen’s favorite grandchild, who does that make her favorite child? For many years now, it’s been said that the Queen’s favorite child is her second son, Andrew. Andrew is the Queen’s first child to be born after she began her reign. The last ruling queen to give birth was Victoria, over a century before. She has spoken proudly of his service in the Falklands War.
The Favored Great-Grandchild
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is the latest of Queen Elizabeth’s great-grandchildren to be born, bringing the number to seven. It’s still early days for the great-grandchildren, though — they’re all so young, and they haven’t had much chance to develop a relationship with their great-grandmother just yet.
Word On The Street
This is all just speculation, of course, because the Queen would never admit she had a favorite — but it’s human nature to have favorites, and Queen Elizabeth is just as human as the rest of us. Based on rumors shared by many sources, and the evidence we see from public occasions, it seems that Peter stands out as the favorite grandchild — but of course, Lizzie’s love for her entire family is without question.
A Mother’s Love
There’s nothing quite as personal as a mother’s love for her children, and although the Queen is a very public figure she keeps that aspect of her family life as private as possible. The Queen has many demands on her time, and Prince Charles has spoken of his mother’s absence when he was young. On the other hand, his brothers and his sister have spoken fondly of their mother’s warmth and love when they were growing up.
Third In Line
Princess Elizabeth wasn’t born as the heir to the throne — in fact, for most of her life, she was third in line. Then, with the death of her grandfather when she was only 10, she became second in line. Her uncle, as the eldest son, took the throne. This was a short reign, though, because he abdicated shortly after. This made his younger brother — Elizabeth’s father — the King. In 1952, when her father passed away, Elizabeth took the throne, being only 25 years old.
Who Runs The World?
When she was only 14, Princess Elizabeth wanted to fight for her country when World War II broke out. She was too young, of course, but it goes to show that the Queen has always loved her country.
The war raged on, and when she turned 18, the girl who would be Queen joined the women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service — making her the only Head of State alive today who saw active service in WWII.
What’s In A Name?
Gammy, Nona, Oma — people have more names for their grandparents than we can count. Although most of the Queen’s grandchildren affectionately refer to her as “Granny,” it seems there are two exceptions. When he was still very young, William couldn’t quite pronounce “Granny” — so his special nickname for Lizzie was “Gary.” Kate Middleton has said her son George follows in William’s footsteps, calling the Queen by the adorable nickname of “Gan Gan.”
Many Happy Returns
Everyone has that friend who celebrates her “birthday week,” and the Queen takes the opportunity to celebrate her birthday twice a year. It’s just another perk of being the boss. Her actual birthday is in the gloomy month of April, so following a family tradition she chooses to also celebrate in a sunnier month like May or June. Other monarchs have done the same, and it sounds like a good deal to us!
A Sad Ending
After being married 12 years, the news of Peter’s split from his wife Autumn is said to have greatly upset the Queen. Some sources have said that Autumn’s decision came as something of a shock to Peter, too, who was said to be “devastated.” However, there have also been reports that the split is amicable, after months and months of a rocky relationship. The pair are said to have had a “conscious uncoupling,” but they aren’t planning to finalize the divorce in a hurry.
A Friendly Word
There was some concern that Autumn would return to Canda, and take her children with her — something the Queen would not want to see happen to her great-grandchildren, or her family. That didn’t happen in the end, though. Zara, the Queen’s eldest granddaughter, is reportedly quite close to Autumn. It’s said that the two spoke things over, and Autumn made the decision not to leave the country.
A Family Home
Zara and Autumn are close friends, in part because of their close proximity. The two live at Gatcombe Park, Princess Anne’s estate, and their daughters are close as well. It’s no surprise, then, to hear that Autumn had considered moving back to Canada — it can’t be comfortable living with your ex, after all, but Zara is said to have reassured Autumn that she’s still one of the family, no matter what’s happened.
Family Comes First
Despite their split, and despite Autumn’s Canadian citizenship, she and Peter have both decided to stay in the country. It appears they’re putting their children first, and want to be the best parents they can be to their girls. Autumn’s decision might be unrelated, but it comes at a time when a split with the family and a move to Canada is in the news with another of the Queen’s favorite grandchildren, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan.
A Shift Of Focus
With the world reeling from the news that Harry and Meghan were moving to Canada, there was less of a focus on Autumn and Peter announcing their separation. It’s said the couple was struggling before now, and perhaps they took this as an opportunity to make the split public. 2020 has barely even begun and already the Queen’s grandchildren have been making a big splash in the news. With Harry and Meghan’s big announcement, though, Autumn and Peter’s news might make less of a stir.
The Times Are Changing
How could this news affect the Queen’s choice of favorite? Everything changes over time, after all, which includes personal relationships — and the Queen is no exception. She won’t be as close with Harry and Meghan anymore, because they’ll be too far away to catch up quite so often anymore. When it comes to Peter, time will tell how his latest news might change his relationship with the family.
Her Relationship With Charles
One of the most enigmatic royal relationships has undoubtedly been between The Queen and her son, Prince Charles. Many believe that the two never managed to form the bond that had been hoped for. This was in no small part due to the fact that Elizabeth started her royal duties around the same time that Charles was still very young. In fact, experts believe that Charles had a closer bond with his nursery staff, as well as his grandmother. He gave her an emotional tribute at her funeral in 2002.
Charles & Diana Broke Her Heart
It is clear that Queen Elizabeth II found it very difficult to come to terms with what was happening between her son Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. From day one, the couple didn’t seem to be on the same page and with time, they grew more and more distant. With both parties reportedly cheating on each other, The Queen managed to avoid sharing her thoughts on the matters at every possible opportunity. Despite this, experts can’t help but assume that the Queen was left heartbroken.
She Hardly Approved
It was a saga that had so many twists and turns. Prince Charles’s relationship with Camilla has been extremely unpredictable. Although he seems to have finally gotten his way with the Duchess of Cornwall, The Queen didn’t seem to exactly approve of their holy matrimony. Ultimately, she didn’t get in the way of the couple’s love, despite the fact they were both divorcees. On April 9th, 2005, Charles and Camilla officially tied the knot at a registry office. “She’s made our father very happy,” Harry said.
She Loves Kate
It is no secret that The Queen has a strong relationship with her grandson Prince William, as well as his wife Kate Middleton. However, there’s actually much more to it than that. Ingrid Seward told Majesty Magazine that Elizabeth II could end up seeking more support from the couple after it was announced that Peter and Autumn Phillips were no longer together. “If she didn’t have them, I think she might say to herself: ‘Goodness, after over 70 years on the throne, it’s come to nothing,’” Seward said.
Not So Complicated Anymore
To say that The Queen’s relationship with Harry and Meghan has been complicated would be the understatement of the century. While some have wondered why The Queen has been so lenient towards Meghan, there have also been incidents when she has been surprisingly withholding from the Duchess of Sussex. It is also believed that The Queen was deeply “disappointed” when Harry and Meghan decided to spend their first Christmas as a family away from the royal family.
She Didn’t Attend Archie’s Christening
It is generally accepted that a baby’s birth helps to bring families closer together. However, this seems to have caused the opposite effect when baby Archie was born. It turns out that the Queen didn’t end up attending the christening of Harry and Meghan’s newborn son, despite being seen in photoshoots with him. Moreover, Elizabeth II had attended ceremonies of other grandchildren. What makes things even stranger is that The Queen was apparently planning a 38th birthday party for Meghan around the same time.
She Kept Breaking Rules for Meghan
What also adds to the mixed signals The Queen was sending Meghan Markle was her tendency to bend the rules for her – something that completely bewildered the media. Before Meghan even married Harry, The Queen reportedly let Meghan attend the family Christmas dinner, something that only family members were allowed to attend in the past. Moreover, Harry ended up becoming the first royal to marry a divorcee in the church. The Queen was responsible for that…
Putting Her Foot Down
Although The Queen has been very lenient towards Meghan in many respects, there have been other situations where she has been pretty strict. For example, she didn’t let the Duchess of Sussex have access to her Royal jewelry collection. “There was this row where Meghan wanted this particular necklace, Harry said ‘Meghan gets what Meghan wants,’ and the Queen turned around and said ‘oh, no, she doesn’t,” commentator Gavin Gray said. “I decide what necklace is going to be worn out of the Royal Collection.’”
What Does She Think of Their Decision?
One decision Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that was bound to upset The Queen was their choice to step down as “senior members” of the Royal family. After issuing a statement on social media, The Queen commented on the news, claiming that the family “are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family.” However, it is believed that Prince Charles is “livid” about it. Moreover, insiders have claimed that The Queen has been personally “hurt” by the news.
They’re Staying Loyal to Her
On the flip side, Harry and Meghan have made it crystal clear that they are still determined to make The Queen proud and are, by all accounts, still representing her. Their decision to step down as senior royal figures has certainly made experts question their loyalty to Elizabeth II. However, the couple has since doubled down on their stance, claiming that they are just as loyal to “Her Majesty The Queen” as ever. Time will tell if they are being honest.
A Difficult Time
The Queen is said to be quite upset at the news of Peter and Autumn’s split. Three of the Queen’s four children are divorced, and now it seems the same thing is happening to her grandchildren. That isn’t the real reason, though. It turns out it wasn’t just Peter who was the Queen’s favorite, but his wife Autumn was one of her favorites as well. The two are said to be close, and it must be a difficult time for the Queen to be losing a friend from the family.
Making A Break
Some days, it might seem like the Royal Family is falling apart. First, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step down as working royals and move to Canada, and then the announcement of Peter and Autumn’s split. There are some who say that Harry and Meghan’s decision gave Autumn the courage she needed to make her own break from the family, despite the sacrifices she’d made to become a part of the family in the first place.
A Matter of Faith
Autumn met Peter in 2003 at the Montreal Grand Prix. They began dating, long-distance at first, and after a few short years, Peter proposed. It seemed like a fairytale romance. There were sacrifices to be made, though. Autumn had been raised Roman Catholic, but to marry a Royal she had to convert to the Church of England — a long-standing royal tradition. Autumn made the change, and the two were wed.
A Royal Surprise
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Peter’s relationship with Autumn is that at first, she didn’t even know he was a member of the Royal Family! We have to wonder how that didn’t come up in conversation sooner. It wasn’t until she’d moved to England that she found out about her boyfriend’s family. Apparently, it happened by chance when she saw Peter at Prince William’s 21st birthday — while watching TV with her mother! “What have you gotten yourself into?” her mother asked, and perhaps she was wondering the same thing.
Milking It
Despite the ups and downs, life goes on for Peter. He continues to work, sometimes finding the strangest of jobs. Most recently, he’s been spotted appearing in ads — for a milk manufacturer based in China! Appearing as “British Royal Family member, Peter Phillips,” he speaks of Jersey cows, of his childhood, and of drinking glasses of milk. Not everyone bought it, though — Darren McGrady, Princess Diana’s former chef, hit back. He claimed that when it came to milk, maybe Peter had enjoyed the occasional glass, “a couple of days at Christmas and a weekend at Easter.”
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