Caroline Kennedy loses Uncle Ted and Camelot dims

  AP Photo (the late Sen. Ted Kennedy and niece Caroline)

As the nation mourns Senator Edward M. Kennedy, we will again be reminded of his last major political alliance -- bringing Caroline, his shy niece, into the limelight to support Barack Obama.

It was hoped that she would then follow in the Kennedy footsteps and make a push for the powerful Senate seat in New York.  For a variety of reasons, she withdrew at the 11th hour. Dems embrace dynasty politics - Charles Mahtesian - Politico.com

But as the last surviving Kennedy brother, Uncle Ted still had plans for Caroline, an ambassadorship was whispered.  Then came the news:  "Vatican sources told Il Giornale that their support for abortion disqualified Ms Kennedy and other Roman Catholics President Barack Obama had been seeking to appoint.Vatican blocks Caroline Kennedy appointment as US ambassador ...

We don't quite know why she wanted an ambassadorship.  But to read The New Yorker article suggests some strain in her marriage.  But strain on marriages has been a Kennedy trademark. The intense family connections and expectations are said to have driven Jacqueline Kennedy to the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.  However for Caroline, Uncle Ted of late seemed to be more of an anchor for her than her husband. Caroline Kennedy's Senate bid : The New Yorker

Her husband is said to be a shy man, and there has been gossip that the marriage is on shaky territory.  Social Diary 6/21/06 - Dancing in the streets  -- but here is another side of the man we seldom hear about  Octogenarian: Caroline Kennedy's husband and me

In the wake of her Uncle's passing Caroline has lost a strong advocate.

But today, this week, most people will be remembering Caroline as the little girl who stood with her mother and brother when Camelot came crashing down.  For Caroline right now there is no longer an Uncle Ted.  There is no ambassadorship.  And there is no Camelot. 

We don't know if there will be a story-book surprise for Caroline, the last survivor of what started out as a child living in Camelot.  The comparison of The Kennedy Years to Camelot was a reference to the slain President's favorite musical. It was Caroline's mother who kept the myth alive. If one goes back to the Kennedy Library archives, the reference to Camelot was quite touchingly from Jackie Kennedy.

The words from the song, "Don't let it be forgot / That once there was a spot / For one brief shining moment / That was known as Camelot." 

Jackie Kennedy is said to have added the words, "There'll be great Presidents again - but they'll never be another Camelot again."

While today Camelot dims, we do wish for Caroline some of Camelot's shining moments after the sadness of her aunt Eunice Kennedy Shriver's passing and now Uncle Ted is gone.

(Another sad Kennedy story for Caroline this summer: Camelot takes a hit: a Kennedy affair between Jackie and Bobby)

Here is another Examiner story:  Who will replace Ted Kennedy in the US Senate? One celebrity may have his eye on Kennedy's seat

Copyright 2009 Rita Watson