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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

It must be great to be royal.....

137 replies

ssd · 18/06/2019 17:46

Seen pictures in the papers recently of Kate etc, all done up at events, looking lovely, lots of family around
I'm jealous!!!
I know they are under pressure and if course I wouldn't swap my anonymity but it must be nice dressing up in gorgeous new clothes all the time, with somewhere to go and no worries about babysitters, house a mess, cost of day out...
Beats always going to asda and lidl on your day off.

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ssd · 19/06/2019 16:29

Yes, the support network is what I'd like. Extended family who actually like each other and care about each other would be amazing. The royals seem to have that although I think they have to stick together to protect their privileged way of life.

Still it looks nice from the outside.

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creakingknees · 19/06/2019 16:40

they can't just nip out for a Maccy Ds at 3am

Well no @NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace but that's what my butler would be for Grin

ssd · 19/06/2019 16:42

I've never nipped out for a maccy d's at 3am I wouldn't miss it.

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ChardonnaysPrettySister · 19/06/2019 16:44

I like her and William, as people, they seem to have a loving family.

How can you like someone you have never met and don’t know at all?

ssd · 19/06/2019 16:46

It was kates blue lace dress yesterday that set me off, it was so beautiful. I can't imagine wearing something so gorgeous and having somewhere to go. She must have people to say 'in 6 months your going to royal ascot so what would you like to wear' and get it all brought to her, all perfect. I bet her house smells of Jo malone candles and is spotless. Can you imagine how nice that would be?

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ssd · 19/06/2019 16:49

Chardonnay, how daft, I like lots of people I'll never meet. Doesn't everyone? Same as I dislike intensely people on TV I'll never meet either. I like Kate and William they seem genuine, if cosseted. They seem wholesome and kind. Who knows, they could be a right pair of eedgits in RL.

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BalloonSlayer · 19/06/2019 16:54

I thought Kate looked like Valerie Jones in that dress yesterday and felt sorry for her having to wear it, so just goes to show how we all feel it differently.

ssd · 19/06/2019 16:56

Eh I googled Valerie Jones... What are you on about??

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BalloonSlayer · 19/06/2019 16:58

She is a character in a Jilly Cooper book.

BalloonSlayer · 19/06/2019 16:59

Bear with me a minute and I will find it and copy out the description.

BalloonSlayer · 19/06/2019 17:02

OK

"She was wearing a pale-blue midi dress with a full skirt and a top, of which the satin lining was the strapless bodice, and the gauze over it covered her arms down to her wrists and her shoulders and tied in a pussy-cat bow at the neck. It was the most ghastly dress Lizzie had ever seen."

I saw the photo of Kate yesterday and the above came to mind.

ssd · 19/06/2019 17:08

Ah okay, I get you now!

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IcedPurple · 19/06/2019 17:11

I think being a minor royal is a sweet deal.

Let's say you're Sophie, Eugenie or Zara. The last two aren't 'working' royals and Zara technically isn't 'royal' at all despite being the queen's granddaughter, but she has benefitted massively from her royal connections. Minor royals get to dress up and enjoy the pomp and cermony on occasion, but nobody really cares about them andmost of the time they're just left to get on with life in their fully-staffed palatial homes. And all this for going out to smile and shake hands maybe twice a week. Not too shabby.

VladmirsPoutine · 19/06/2019 17:12

Wrt Kate - I've noticed that despite the spotlight and various criticisms (in the early days) she does always look comfortable in herself iyswim? I imagine I'd be a nervous wreck all the time - regardless of the amount of engagements I attended as 'training'. Meghan has that aura too as did her mother.

IcedPurple · 19/06/2019 17:14

Well-for a couple of hours most days........

More like for about half an hour a few times a week, and then get driven back to your palace in a chauffeur driven car.

I have to make small talk with strangers several hours every day, and I don't get driven around, with someone doing my hair and helping me get into my designer dress, which I did not pay for. I'm sure it can be quite a dull and stifling life in many ways, but the perks are undeniable.

MangoFeverDream · 19/06/2019 17:17

You get to meet all sorts of interesting people while not being all that interesting or accomplished yourself! Only a connected journalist could come close to having those kinds of opportunities. Must be nice.

IcedPurple · 19/06/2019 17:22

I would hate all the attention and having to look groomed and neat and tidy all the time!

But it's not 'all the time', is it? They're on show for maybe a few hours a week, if that. And they hae a whole team of people who help them to look groomed. And the rest of the time, they're free to loll about their luxury homes being waited on hand and foot.

im sure there are even richer folk in the world out there that have a lot of this and are anonymous, best of all worlds for them! ( i would rather that than being a Royal)

Yes that's true. By rich people standards the royals aren't that rich, and due to their position have to avoid looking too ostentatious or extravagant. Not that I feel sorry for them, mind.

escapade1234 · 19/06/2019 17:23

Yes, the looking groomed is really only a handful of times a month. Most of us quite enjoy the opportunity to look our best - especially if someone else is doing your hair and makeup and buying beautiful clothes for you!

IcedPurple · 19/06/2019 17:25

I remember being amazed when I read that Princess Diana in full make up. hair done beautifully. Wonderful clothes etc ,Said to an Aussie housewife on walkabout "I d swap lives with you in a heartbeat!.I should imagine the woman was totally nonplussed!.Life is always greener on the other side of the fence it seems !

Diana was an Earl's daughter who was raised on a huge estate and educated in the most expensive private schools. She hadn't a clue about the reality of the average woman's life and probably would have hated it if she'd ever had to live it.

Reminds me a bit of her son saying a few years ago that he wished he could have a 'normal' life. For Harry, 'normal' means like his Eton chums - lots of money and connections, but no paps or protocol. These people are immensely privileged, and have no real idea how the other half live.

ssd · 19/06/2019 17:26

I'm sure I've read on here or in the papers, late taking the kids to the shops and to the park. She probably has more of a straightforward life than we imagine. The pomp and ceremony stuff must make the humdrum less boring.

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ssd · 19/06/2019 17:27

Diana didn't have a happy marriage Kate does.

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IcedPurple · 19/06/2019 17:28

Diana didn't have a happy marriage Kate does.

I genuinely hope so, but who really knows what goes on behind palace walls?

ssd · 19/06/2019 17:28

Kate not late Blush

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mummmy2017 · 19/06/2019 17:29

Have noticed the papers are always on about Snubbing or Telling off.

I swear 90% of the things that are making the front page about them are a joke..

The80sweregreat · 19/06/2019 17:29

I agree that it's ' not for long' looking glam for these engagements, but they are still under scrutiny when they do appear. I don't feel sorry for them, I just would hate it myself! It can't always be a wonderful life.

Look how much grief Meghan gets for example : I bet she didn't even realise how bad it can be sometimes even if she was a minor celeb before. It must be horrible even though they go into it all willingly.