Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story is Netflix’s most recent addition to its collection of docuseries. Having grown up as part of the generation to whom the name alone is synonymous with the term ‘sex offender’, I was certainly intrigued to see just why he was such a national icon throughout his lifetime. Having recently finished the series, I was left primarily frustrated and angered that he was able to roam free for so long but, more surprisingly, shocked and irated that the royal family had such a large part to play in his progression to power, rendering him an untouchable saint and national treasure.
I would describe Savile as a man who did everything and nothing, similar to the royals. Best known as a presenter on “Jim’ll Fix It”, we soon learn that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Disc Jockey, radio personality, wrestler, hospital volunteer, marathon runner… the list goes on. He may have raised over 10 million pounds for the Stoke Mandeville Hospital and regularly spent time at the Leeds General Infirmary as a porter but the dark tale behind his charity work was a sickening one that left many patients traumatised as a result of his sexual abuse. But where does the royal family come into the picture?
Something that many viewers were shocked to learn was just how much power Jimmy Savile had, not just in the political sphere but in the royal one. “How on earth do you raise 10 Million pounds in three years?”. The praising words of one Prince Charles congratulating Savile on his tremendous work as the British personality plays coy, brushing off the prince’s compliments. It is a scene that introduces us to the pair’s growing friendship and the start of Savile’s growing sphere of influence. We soon learn of a continuous correspondence between the pair with Savile offering his counsel on public affairs, speeches and events. Suddenly, the presenter-come-sportsman-come-porter had become a confidante for the future King of England and an untouchable force against whom his victims felt powerless.
You may think “but nobody knew and neither did the royals”. This may be somewhat true but let us take a look at the role of the royal family today. As stated on the official royal family website “Members of the Royal Family support The Queen in her many State and national duties, as well as carrying out important work in the areas of public and charitable service and helping to strengthen national unity and stability.” What I find the most striking is their role in national unity and stability. The irony is that in befriending and entrusting Savile with so much responsibility, they have indirectly wounded his victims both emotionally and physically. Yes, the nation created Jimmy Savile but the royals enabled him and gave him the mask, or more specifically Knighthood, behind which he could hide. In the act of publicly associating with the personality, they have broken their duty to create a united and stable nation.
With the queen set to celebrate her platinum jubilee marking 70 years of service, we must look to the future of our monarchy and our future King. Since Savile’s investigation that commenced shortly after his death in 2012, Charles has failed to comment, even refusing to respond to the information presented in the Netflix documentary. With Prince Andrew’s recent sexual assault scandal and links to Jeffrey Epstein, what kind of monarchy are we set to look up to? One of lies, scandal, abuse and racism? Could this be the beginning of their downfall or will they simply survive another destructive scandal once again?
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