Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie say its hard work being a modern princess.AIBU to say give it up and do something easier

284 replies

longwayoff · 05/08/2018 06:44

Like brain surgery or astrophysics. You know the kind of thing that's easier than the absolute slog of princessing.

OP posts:
EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 05/08/2018 09:34

They could quite easily go under he radar most of us wouldn’t recognise them if we past them in he street

They could make use of their titles and their privilege but have chosen not to

They don’t help themselves they are entitled and spoilt

Can’t remember which one is marrying soon but why does she need such a big wedding not many people are that interested get over yourself

NataliaOsipova · 05/08/2018 09:39

I’m not exactly weeping for them, but they are in a weird position. They’re high enough up the chain that people expect a lot from them and feel entitled to an opinion on how they live their lives, but because of Charles streamlined monarchy plan they have no clear roles and a lot less protection than their cousins. It’s an awkward, very modern spot to navigate. Being royal enough that your life has to be built around that, but not royal enough to get, well, the full royal treatment.

I do agree with this. They are in a difficult position. It was the same with Edward and Sophie back in the day; they work in the commercial sphere and they're "blatantly exploiting their royal name and connections". They don't have a job and do Royal stuff and they're freeloaders. All they can really ever do is join the armed forces and even then (look at Harry), they aren't really allowed to pursue that fully (for perfectly understandable reasons because it compromises the safety of others ultimately). But they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. And, as others have said, the constant comments about their looks and their clothes and their weight are just awful.

BanjoStarz · 05/08/2018 09:39

PP who say they’re in an awkward position are correct though.

Royal enough to be expected to do something, too Royal to get away with being anonmymous.

And comparisons to Sarah Chatto and Zara Tindall don’t really work - Beatrice and Eugenie are much higher in the line of succession.

It wouldn’t be that much of a “disaster” that would place them and their children directly in line:

Charles is old, there are fairly frequent “jokes” in the media about him not lasting long enough to be king.

Given the Cambridge’s propensity to travel as a complete unit it would only take a car accident to completely remove that line.

Then Harry - given the age for his new bride it’s possible they might have trouble reproducing.

And before you know it Prince Andrew is the Heir and one of these two is future queen.

* I’m aware that it’s completely and utterly crass to talk about the deaths of several people like that, but isn’t that the reason the monarchs breed spares? Because disasters do happen?

Better to get rid of the lot, no?

Cantusethatname · 05/08/2018 09:43

Car crashes do happen.

NataliaOsipova · 05/08/2018 09:44

It wouldn’t be that much of a “disaster” that would place them and their children directly in line:

Interesting point. Look at Queen Victoria. She was the daughter of the youngest (fourth!) son of George III and two of her uncles became king.

legolammb · 05/08/2018 09:44

Nobody is forcing them to stay in the public eye - the likes of Peter Phillips or the Wessexes don't court attention in the same way. They're so far down the line of succession as to be irrelevant and shouldn't be afforded the privileges they are IMO. I've become a bit of a royal fan in recent years, partly because I'm a big fan of William and Harry, but I'd like to see the people further down the line being cut off and made to get real jobs

Tomselleckhaskindeyes · 05/08/2018 09:46

Eugenie has a job as curator in an art gallery?

Thatssomebadhatharry · 05/08/2018 09:47

This thread is a little mean. I think there are kids in Syria etc who would say no one has a right to moan in this country. I know that’s extreme but when you start to compare you should accept that there are many things you should be greatful for.
The fact is there probably are some things that are difficult being a royal and I would detest the constant attention on my life. I hate being photographed and get very awkward socialising. Being a princess and having my every move scrutinised would be my idea of hell. While I appreciate that beats living on the streets or stressing about how we will pay the bills I do get what she is saying.

ilovesooty · 05/08/2018 09:54

Their greatest misfortune is to have Prince Andrew as their father.

Everytimeref · 05/08/2018 09:55

Isn't one of them getting married in October and insisting on a carriage ride around Windsor?

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 05/08/2018 10:04

Their greatest misfortune is to have Prince Andrew as their father

And Fergie as their mother. She is very loving but she treats them like they are still kids living at home.
Saw some photos of Beatrice at a tech conference in Barcelona. She looks like an 18 yo on work experience. She 100% has got her job to milk her connections.

Seasawride · 05/08/2018 10:10

Silly spoilt idiots.

coolncalm · 05/08/2018 10:20

and doesn't allow overstepping. 'Naff off' as she memorably said to the press pack many years ago

Telling people to "naff off" whilst they are trying to earn a living, something they wouldn't understand.....She doesn't "suffer fools gladly" does she. How endearing to have such an attitude when you're protected with your huge wealth and privilege.

19lottie82 · 05/08/2018 10:25

Most of the people slagging them off, I bet you wouldn’t stop places with them for a
Minute.

And I agree that although it wasn’t the wisest comment to make, it could have quite possibly been taken out of context.

coolncalm · 05/08/2018 10:26

Being a princess and having my every move scrutinised would be my idea of hell

Well it doesn't seem to bother them, they obviously love it because they court publicity, they feel like celebs, but without having to try. Anne and Edwards daughters don't have their every move "scrutinised", but then they probably don't court publicity.

19lottie82 · 05/08/2018 10:28

Telling people to "naff off" whilst they are
trying to earn a living, something they wouldn't understand....

Oh do be sensible Hmm

Like the journalists that hounded princess Diana to her death and left two kids without a mother? Is that ok because they were just trying to make a living?

Im sure you would be so understanding if photographers were following you around 24/7 taking intrusive photos of you and your kids to sell to the tabloids. Not.

coolncalm · 05/08/2018 10:30

Most of the people slagging them off, I bet you wouldn’t stop places with them for a Minute
Ask that to someone who's just had their benefits sanctioned, no food, no heating, and can't pay the rent. That's a ridiculous comment. Millions would change places with them in an instant, rich or poor. They might make better use of their privilege and money than they do though.

Tinycitrus · 05/08/2018 10:32

It’s tough. All they want to do is give interviews to Harper’s Bazaar and
tatler. And the press are hounding them. Poor loves.

I thought that what killed PrincessDiana was her drunk driver.

lightonthewater · 05/08/2018 10:34

Re comments about PC sliming down the monarchy - he is the biggest spender of all. The recent book about him is very damning. He is the most entitled and moaning of the lot. He is a spoilt, whining and selfish man. I hope he never becomes King.

19lottie82 · 05/08/2018 10:34

That's a ridiculous comment

Of course it isn’t.

I didn’t say people with no heating or food wouldn’t stop places with them, did I? I said most of the people slagging them off (I meant on this thread btw) wouldn’t swop places with them.

And it’s also fair to assume that a lot of people in poverty would stop places with most people with significantly more money then them, not just royalty. And that’s what I’m reffering to, being royalty, NOT being able to afford to shop at Waitrose, turn the heating up and going on holiday.

coolncalm · 05/08/2018 10:36

lottie If they don't want the press following them for a few lousy photos then bow out and give up your royal status, press attention is the price they have to pay for what they get, and Diana died because she wasn't wearing a seat belt, and give over with the "hounding". she used the press as and when it suited her.

19lottie82 · 05/08/2018 10:37

I thought that what killed PrincessDiana
was her drunk driver.

That’s been debated. And even if he was over the limit (which no doubtably didn’t help) they were still being chased by paparazzi which was a major contributing factor to the crash and her death.

coolncalm · 05/08/2018 10:38

Sorry i can't see much downside, the benefits far outweigh it.

19lottie82 · 05/08/2018 10:41

coolncalm you’re not quite getting my point. I’m not saying they should give up their royal status if they don’t like it I am saying (for the third time) that most people that like to slag them off (and the royals in general would never swop places with them.

Yes, the seatbelt thing is true, but likewise she wouldn’t have died if they weren’t being chased by the paps at high speed, and yes I would consider that hounding, wouldn’t you?

coolncalm · 05/08/2018 10:56

lottie whether people would like to swap places with them or not is irrelevant. Personally I wouldn't, but not because of their "lack of privacy, criticism of their clothes, etc" type of thing, (a small price to pay for what they get imo) but because i don't believe in the immorality of a "royal family" The whole point is, we just shouldn't have them.
Diana courted the press when it suited her, you can't expect to have the press at your personal disposal which is what she seemed to think she could do. It was a drunk driver and no seat belt that killed her.