monarch obsession

i've been stuck at home. and in between shuttling from the loo and the bedroom, i've had lots of time to watch tv. my latest obsession has been with monarchs.

it all began with a great documentary about the inner workings of Windsor Castle which was followed by a series about the English Monarchy. This has included bios on the late Princess of Diana, Prince Charles. Something about the formality of everything, especially watching all the people behind the scenes work out everything for the royal family, resonates with me. Reminds me a bit of work too, although it seems much more cordial and polite in Buckingham palace, compared to our Island's offices.

I then chanced upon a lovely documentary about a monarch closer to home- Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. It was about the pertabalan (appointment) of  HRH Tunku Mukhriz, King of Negeri Sembilan. What i found most interesting was the fact that the crown isn't inherited directly via the lineage, i.e. when the king passes on, his first-born son does not inherit the crown automatically. Instead, they have a semi-democratic process in place.

Negeri Sembilan which literally translates into 9-states, is divided into 9 districts. Each district has its own elected chief. Now the king of Negeri Sembilan is chosen by these 9 chieftains. HRH Tunku Mukhriz's father who was King of Negeri Sembilan had passed on when he was a young boy. And the 9 chieftains had selected his uncle to inherit the crown. When his late uncle, the late King passed on, HRH Tunku Mukhriz was selected from among his cousins to be king.

I believe Negeri Sembilan is a unique case in Malaysia and perhaps in the rest of the world.

Now what struck me most about the documentary, I must admit were the princes. *LOL* I was very impressed by the way they carried themselves and their British English accents. I was especially swept away by the younger Prince, Tunku Zain, who although like his older brother was very articulate had a special something about him. Although he is the younger prince, it is interesting that there seems to be no sense of entitlement at all among the brothers, after all, who gets to be King after their father is fair game. Afterall, the older son doens't automatically succeed his father.

Okay, i also think he's quite cute and seems very accomplished...afterall he did come up with a new arrangement of the state's anthem......heee...*drool*

Anyways, taken by Tunku Zain, i googled him and found to my surprise that he's a research fellow at the LKY school just minutes away from me. Sooo exciting! But soo sad. Seeing that i am married and with some additions on the way. *groan*.

LOL!