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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The knives are out for the royal family

999 replies

justasking111 · 19/08/2019 14:26

It may be deserved in some cases, however it would seem the gloves are off as far as the media are concerned. They have lived high on the hog for centuries so what is new?

Am scratching my head here is it shoot the royal family season or a smoke and mirrors exercise designed to distract us from something more important??

I would hate to be in the PR business with the RF just now.

OP posts:
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TelAvivLastNight · 21/08/2019 11:20

I heard an interesting story about MM when she was dating PH. She was in an airport VIP lounge and occupying a group of seats. A group of foreign dignitaries arrived and the lounge staff asked that she move seats as she was a single and so the group could sit together.

It did not go down well and in short her reaction was along the lines that this would be one of the very last times she would be asked to move seats for anyone...

Hithere12 · 21/08/2019 11:30

but I’m struggling to think of anyone high profile who doesn’t have a large carbon footprint

Off the top of my head I know Emma Thompson and Brad Pitt fly first class instead of using private jets.

LaurieMarlow · 21/08/2019 11:32

Erm Emma Thompson was just being lambasted for private jet use. Wasn’t she?

NotJustACigar · 21/08/2019 11:37

They could always renounce their claim and step out of public life 🤷‍♀️

I think they think they're actually doing a public service. I'm not saying they're right or wrong but just trying to look at things from their perspective as I find it interesting.

I think it was Harry who let it slip that none of them enjoy their royal duties. But stepping down would be a huge decision affecting the whole family plus future generations. And would they actually be allowed (by the public and press) to lead obscure, normal lives anyway if they did? They'd probably be roasted for derilection of duty. And making a decision that big and getting the whole family to agree? Well, my family has a hard enough time all agreeing where to go for lunch....

Loopytiles · 21/08/2019 11:37

Agree with PPs that Prince Andrew’s sexual conduct and associations is a far bigger deal than other stories and should be fully investigated and reported.

The H&M thing reminds me a bit of Charles’ past attempted interference (letters) in politics on architecture, farming, crafts and things.

SheStoopsToConker · 21/08/2019 11:37

No, she was lambasted for taking a commercial flight to the Extinction Rebellion protests @LaurieMarlow. So it seems there's no winning!

TelAvivLastNight · 21/08/2019 11:38

Emma Thompson flew into attend a rally about climate change and carbon footprint and was then photographed flying to the US in first class very shortly after 😂😂😂

Loopytiles · 21/08/2019 11:38

Actual public servants are not as well paid / looked after (with taxpayers’ money).

MangoFeverDream · 21/08/2019 11:38

Erm Emma Thompson was just being lambasted for private jet use. Wasn’t she

The big issue was that she took a pointless flight to join in the extinction rebellion, which was misguided at best, when it would have made a better impression to support them from afar. It was commercial (though she likely flies private too on occasion)

MangoFeverDream · 21/08/2019 11:40

No, she was lambasted for taking a commercial flight to the Extinction Rebellion protests

Rightly so, she added nothing by being there and really hurt the cause. She could have supported from LA by releasing public statements, etc

Pamplemousecat · 21/08/2019 11:49

I don’t think there’s ever been such a collective appetite for radical changes to the Royal Family. Probably because joe public can exchange views on forums such as these whereas such free exchange of opinion wouldn’t have been technologically possible years ago. It just feels as though in real life I am encountering fewer supporters too. I think there’s have always been skeletons and scandals in RF and whilst PA is an utter disgrace, it’ll be the Antoinette style spending, coupled with the hypocrisy, the preaching, the celebrity diva style behaviour that will cause the tipping point ( one minute it’s “ look at us! Listen to us!” The next it’s demanding a private life and pushing people away”)

Loopytiles · 21/08/2019 11:53

I think it’ll be the Queen’s death that triggers more open debate. Charles doesn’t have much public support.

NotJustACigar · 21/08/2019 11:59

Agreed, Loopytiles. Charles has very little support and Camilla even less. I have a visceral negative reaction to her whenever I see a photo despite not particularly disliking any of the other royals. The palace had made massive efforts to rehabilitate her reputation but I just don't think it's working.

GlitchStitch · 21/08/2019 12:03

Well Jameela Jamil has stepped in to tell everyone that it is not safe for royals to fly with the general public so they are actually doing us plebs a life saving favour by flying private I guess! Thanks H and M! And pure coincidence that JJ tweets in defence just as MM puts her on the front cover of Vogue. What a cringey embarrassment. Whatever happened to never explain, never complain? I'm just waiting for Clooney or Oprah to release a statement on what amazing humanitarians they are.

ssd · 21/08/2019 12:07

It's getting pathetic now. Who else will step forward to defend the royals? Guess it depends on how many arse licker there are out there who need a favour.

Mrsjayy · 21/08/2019 12:08

Thank the lord for Jameela and her words of wisdom Grin

Mrsjayy · 21/08/2019 12:11

I remember Jameela presenting t4 introducing hollyoaks now she is friend of royals and our social concience !

ssd · 21/08/2019 12:12

Off the top of my head I know Emma Thompson and Brad Pitt fly first class instead of using private jets.

That's big of them.

Jillyhilly · 21/08/2019 12:13

I don’t believe you. Sorry. 90% of the time it’s either of those reasons.

Oh well if you say so i guess it must be true.

I’ve only worked in the industry for 25 years, what do I know.

Loopytiles · 21/08/2019 12:15

Given the level of paparazzi interest and likely behaviour by some members of the public it could be genuinely difficult for them to fly with “Joe Public” on any airline IMO.

But given their choice to fly private jets - rather than not travel - and very high consumption lifestyle in general, it was unwise to use their platform preach to others about their choices.

MangoFeverDream · 21/08/2019 12:32

Y’know I was all mad at Harry for being a hypocrite and taking all those private flights just after his “green speech” but now that Pink and Jameela have defended them, well, that really changed my mind.

.....how stupid do they think we are? As if other overprivileged people defending them is going to calm the unwashed masses. As someone else has said, they are putting jet fuel on the fire

Hithere12 · 21/08/2019 12:33

Erm Emma Thompson was just being lambasted for private jet use. Wasn’t she?

Errrr no. She was lambasted for flying first class eating beef & drinking champagne. So nowhere near as bad as flying privately.

GlitchStitch · 21/08/2019 12:37

All we need now is Gwyneth and Bono to step in and the smugfest will be complete.

Hithere12 · 21/08/2019 12:41

Lol Jameela doesn’t seem to realise UK PM’s, and royalty including Harry Kate & William all used to regularly fly commercial. What exactly would happen to them in first class surrounded by security?

Hopefullyendsmeet · 21/08/2019 12:52

I think part of the problem is that H&M are confusing public/private life and have got things the wrong way round.

It’s always been accepted that for official duties, the RF take private transport. It is actually a more practical way to travel as they will have an entourage of officials with them, plus a tight schedule to stick to.

However, for private holidays etc, they absolutely should use public services or be held up as eco warrior hypocrites.

They are behaving like a couple of spoilt brats in refusing to listen to well reasoned criticism. And it’s just embarrassing that Ellen et la are coming out of the woodwork to excuse them. They really do need to grow up.