To think the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge need to work on their PR strategy?

[SamanthaBrique]

In recent months they've been accused of being work shy and what's their solution? To release photos of them and the children on a luxury skiing break! Now I don't begrudge them a holiday, but why make it so public? If they wanted to release photos of the kids then they could've just released a few shots of George and Charlotte at Kensington Palace or Anmer Hall. I don't know who is advising them on their PR but AIBU to think they need to engage someone a bit more in touch with public sentiment?

After her divorce, Diana had to fund her own security.

Diana received the bulk of her money from Charles and the Dutch of Cornwall.

Just saying I don't think their publicly funded security is unreasonable.

A friend of mine was shot recently. He had an armed police guard in hospital, funded by the public purse.

After her divorce, Diana had to fund her own security.

No, she was still extended the services of the Royal Protection division, but she was paranoid that they spied on her (for the RF, the state, whoever...) so she chose to eschew them, leading to the subsequent problems she had with pap chases and media scrums.

We're still feeling the ripples of her decision in W's behaviour now, I think.

He's not air rescue or RAF, he works for East Anglia Air Ambulance and his hours aren't standard.

"After her divorce, Diana had to fund her own security."

Yes, she declined to have publicly funded security against the advice of the police. It was still available to her, and she had to have it when the Princes were with her.

privilege in return for being a visible figurehead and public 'personality'

But that is exactly what he does. He poses with his wife and hours-old baby on the steps of a hospital, when anyone else would be either still in bed, or straight home for a rest.
He releases photos of his family at regular intervals so the public can pore over them, they make staged parades through churchyards and shake the hands of thousands of 'well wishers'

What you seem to be criticising them for is not taking on a Kardashian-esque level of public sharing of their lives, but it has never been so. Diana might have been a bit of an anomaly but there is no tradition or history of the duties of a 'visible' figurehead meaning available 24/7.

Is he trying to have his cake and eat it, or is he simply trying to protect his young children?

Does he hate the press, or does he just remember how much of a circus his childhood was and now feels he wants different for his children.

His first day at nursery would have been nerve-wracking enough without the camera flashes and the noise of the paps. Maybe he feels it isn't necessary to put his kids through the same.

They can't win. They will never please everyone, so they might as well please themselves.

My comment about security was in response to them 'not costing any public money'. It is a massive cost, just see it bandied around a lot. It's not the only cost either. Don't mind debating but it's a bit frustrating when things like that are said.

The security costs, give or take a few airfares and hotel rooms, would be the same whether they went on holiday or didn't.

What you seem to be criticising them for is not taking on a Kardashian-esque level of public sharing of their lives,

That's a strange interpretation to inflict on what I said spare.

They have plenty of family members who have decades of experience of filling their diaries with public engagements and worthwhile pursuits and patronages. (You could hardly accuse HMQ or Princess Anne etc of Kardashian antics!) They really don't need to look very far for role models or mentors.

"Get rid of the monarchy. Problem solved"

This!

Is he trying to have his cake and eat it, or is he simply trying to protect his young children?

How would he endanger his DC by undertaking a few more royal duties Liz?

That's what a good PR would advise him to do.

I agree so much with your comment, Bombardier. Very well said. I really don't understand the levels of vitriol posters often spew on these threads, when they have never even met William or Kate. I can't imagine disliking someone so much for so little reason.

they have plenty of family members who have decades of experience of filling their diaries with public engagements and worthwhile pursuits and patronages.

So you are saying that Prince William doesn't have enough patronages or public engagements compared to Princess Anne..?

Do you want to compare the numbers?

Go on spare. How many public engagements each so far in 2016?

I don't understand the fawning starling. I think it's okay to question what is a good use of money when so many families are struggling with day to day living.

Gooseberry, the post that I quoted was about quid pro quo with the press and had nothing to do with royal duties.

Gooseberry, the post that I quoted was about quid pro quo with the press and had nothing to do with royal duties

But it's all part of a PR analysis, Liz. It's connected.

They wouldn't be getting this amount of grief about the ski trip if the perception was that they worked hard.

Understandable that he despises the press

But he has a role to play and one he can walk away from if he really wanted to

I am not too concerned I have thought for some time that the monarchy as we know it will end with William, it will change under Charles and the great British public will just not feel the affection and teapect they do for the Queen and I include myself even though I am a staunch republican

teapect

I am sure I typed respect

I don't think comparing a 30-something new father with a full-time job with a 60-something full time royal is particularly telling or relevant, so why don't you look at them both at similar stages of their lives. Anne when she had 2 young children (and a job, of sorts, riding) vs William now...

I understand them to an independently wealthy family

Fine, so if that is the case, and their privacy is so important to them, why don't they remove themselves completely from public life, drop their royal status, live on their own wealth and stop taking the tax handouts and all the other 'perks' of being a royal. Nobody is forcing them to live the life they do if they hate it so much.

As it stands, we have no choice in having to pay for their real life soap opera, so we may as well get to watch it.

I would love to see them working hard for the money they receive for the security at least and that would be some big number. Diana did far better than these two even though this generation has internet at their disposal. But I really don't think I will see them doing much else than whatever they do right now. I really liked that ex of Harry's who was a lawyer is something? Looked like a far more better option for a royal daughter in law to me than Kate.

The only thing stopping William abdicating his assent to the throne and becoming a private citizen is William.