WEIGHING in at 3.8kg, the new Prince of Cambridge was not ‘whale-like’ at birth, but even if he does exhibit elephantine proportions as king, he may recall the legacy of two famous well-nourished predecessors: Queen Victoria and Henry VIII (supposedly a hottie when younger).
Unlike in some other cultures, there has been no consistent trend for large waists amongst Malay Rulers, as far as the pictures show at least.
Perhaps Queen Victoria’s friend Sultan Sir Abu Bakar of Johor was amongst the more rotund, while the portraits show no gargantuan rulers of Negeri Sembilan.
Indeed, Yamtuan Antah, who led his soldiers against Queen Victoria’s forces at Bukit Putus in 1875, was apparently “slim and lithe”.
Most of my life, I have been constrained to the same weight regardless of my eating habits or the amount of sport that I do.
This era seems to be over, though, as recently I have been putting on weight. The reaction from friends is vicious, of course, but even less familiar people have suggested that I go the gym.
For now, I welcome this corrective effect of societal disapproval, but I can imagine it can be tiresome for those who constantly face it.
Weight aside, there are other more interesting facts that have emerged as a result of the birth of the new third-in-line to the throne of 16 Commonwealth Realms.
Firstly, in anticipation of the possibility that the first-born might have been a princess, all the realms passed laws in line with the UK’s Succession to the Crown Act 2013.
This ensures that even if the hypothetical daughter were to have a younger brother, she would remain ahead in the line of succession. In Malaysia, succession to the thrones is also determined by law – the state constitutions – and all mandate male occupants.
Historically, however, our region has had many female heads of state, from Siti Wan Kembang of the east coast in the 16th century, the queens of Pattani in the 17th, the female Undangs of Johol in the 18th and Tunku Intan who was Regent of Negeri Sembilan in the 19th century.
Of course, one’s female ancestry still determines clan membership and thus eligibility to be elected as an Undang or Penghulu of a Luak. Apparently, though, the state constitutions of Melaka, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak don’t explicitly specify that their Yang di-Pertuas Negeri have to be male.
Secondly, the baby shares my birth sign of Cancer, like Prince William and Diana, Princess of Wales. According to an astrologer, this means he will have “regal power” and a “very special aura”.
Furthermore, “this will be a person who will understand very clearly the importance of family, of duty and of state.
Whilst Cancer people are often far more tenacious than given credit for, this is the sign of feeling, of emotion and of caring.”
I had no idea. I am sure some will not approve of any affinity towards Western astrology though, so I am happy to report that George Alexander Louis of Cambridge shares my birthday in the Hijri calendar – 14 Ramadan.
I remember well my experience of Ramadan when I was at school in England.
Although I was the only Muslim in my boarding house, the school facilitated me in observing the fasting month. Apart from giving me some dispensation to skip sporting events, the housemaster entrusted me with the key to the breakfast room so I could have my sahur of cereal, bread and tea.
I note that in the ongoing debate about Titas (which I wrote about last week), Rafizi Ramli has defended his support for the course in part by referring to his own experience in a Scottish boarding school and the resultant exposure to other civilisations that this brought.
These experiences of tolerance, accommodation and learning are in contrast to the initial story accompanying the photograph posted on Facebook depicting non-Muslim students eating in what was claimed to be a school toilet.
That description has since been challenged, but even the most plausible version – that it was a shower room already being used for meals before the fasting month due to renovations at the school canteen – fails to address the fact that there should have been a more suitable venue on campus.
Even if it might have nothing to do with race or religion, it still has something to do with competence.
My final fun fact emerging from the royal birth is that when Prince Charles was born, Prince Philip was not by his wife’s side, but was instead playing squash.
When that day comes for me, the choice will be clear! Tunku Abidin Muhriz is president of Ideas.