The Chambers Dictionary defines the word ‘privilege’ as meaning, ‘an advantage granted to, or enjoyed by, an individual or a few; freedom of burdens borne by others.’

I consulted the official definition of the word a while back after the showing worldwide to countless millions of viewers, of the television interview – by American superstar Oprah Winfrey – of (Meghan) The Duchess of Sussex and, to a lesser extent of her husband The Duke – Prince Harry, Grandson of Her Majesty The Queen.

I will admit that whilst I noted ‘bullet points’ regarding the broadcast which were relayed on all news channels, I did not actually see the chat myself; I had no desire to and doubt I ever will. For cynic that I am, the Duchess seems to be a lady who wishes to ‘have her cake – and eat it’. She had to have been aware she was marrying into the most famous family in the world; one presumes she was pleased to do so.

Overnight, she became exalted; now the Dictionary defines the word ‘exalt’ as meaning ‘to set aloft; to elate; to extol’. Thus for the rest of her life, materially, she will want for nothing; also to a large extent her ‘very wish’ will be someone else’s ‘command’.

Does this lady, however, believe she can move up to the very stratosphere of society and position yet still live her life exactly as she used to – and clearly wishes still to do? Is not the answer to this contained in another jaundiced take on life and the world, again with reference to food – ‘there is no such thing as a free lunch’.

The great majority of Britons are supportive of Her Majesty and of her family, but they do expect some return on their loyalty.

A new school, hospital, leisure centre to be opened, military tattoos and commemorations to be attended, various countries far away to be visited and praised in the interests of our nation, trophies to be presented, walkabouts amongst the inhabitants of towns throughout the United Kingdom – all this, and more, is expected of the royal family; crucially, overwhelmingly it is delivered.

Sadly, however, it would appear that whilst the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have no problem in accepting the benefits which bless their elevated rank, they are not keen to carry out the duties and commitments which come with it. At least not if it is accompanied by the intense scrutiny that is part and parcel of being a British royal.

There are many others in our land, mind you, who enjoy privilege of a different kind. Looking back I feel that such advantage came my way via the polling booth.

I had the honour of being an elected member of the Tavistock Town Council for over 40 years and of the West Devon Borough Authority in excess of 30. It brought no wealth my way – but then I never thought it would or should.

What it did, though, was promote me to a position where, as an elected representative of the local community, I could put forward my views and ideas and perhaps influence decisions made which would affect the lives of people in our town and district; also, to a lesser extent, it raised my profile in the local area which had to be of help to someone who writes articles and books as part of his living.

This, though, assuredly was not a ‘free lunch’ situation; it meant turning out on foul weather nights to attend, often, tedious meetings and virtually always being available to the people in our community, ever ready to listen to problems, worries, gripes, many of which were nothing to do with the council. Also there would be phone calls from irate council tax payers, sometimes late in the evening, with complaints which were diverse and, at times, almost absurd.

One which I’ve never forgotten was at 11pm on a Saturday night from a lady complaining that her washing machine had broken down and, as she lived in a council house, she expected me to do something about it.

As elections were due very shortly and I was about to put my name forward hoping to have my ‘privilege’ renewed for a further four years, I said “leave it with me”, and on her behalf phoned a repair man the next day.

There is, however, one direction in which I am the most privileged of men – I’ve been married to my wonderful Ann for over half a century.