To find Prince William a bit smug

[strawberriesandpecans]

I'm sure he means well, it's just that he seems to be lecturing everyone on the environment while he travels by helicopter a lot and has a mansion. Also I just find them quite twee and irritating, particularly at the moment when so many people are struggling. AIBU?

I think they are lazy too but I think they all are apart from the Queen, Charles and Anne. Did they really mention the school run? That's a joke, not as if they have a nanny or anything 🙄🙄

I am afraid unless they step away from the lecturing and grandstanding they are quickly going to lose any kind of support they had, the country won't stand for much of Harry's flouncing and William's lectures quite frankly when we are footing the bill for it all.

Most people can see what an amazing head of state the Queen has been, she would never do something like this!

So they HAVE to take their lead from her, stick to the politically neutral, stop getting involved, stop lecturing and above all being royal means that you do not need to join the fray, so don't. Your job is to represent the country in the best light possible, fly the flags for the commonwealth and support the country. Thats it. No lectures, no flouncing and no TV shows!

@ReeseWitherfork

Ooooo don’t type “ilovemeat.com” into the search bar, goodness knows what will come up.

There's a voice in my head screeching NSFW!! And another one whispering "dooo iiit"

I actually did type ilovemeat.com into my browser (with a mental image of Ten talking about how he can't resist pushing great big red buttons) and it actually IS a website for meat recipes and tips for how to butcher and cook various different joints of beef, how to spatchcock a chicken, etc.

Spatchcock is a filthy word, isn't it?

How did we get from William to spatchcock in just a few pages? 😂

'Spatchcock '
does sound rude!

Yes I find him and Kate intolerably smug!!

I hated the David Attenborough thing too, why not visit some under privileged kids who are passionate about the environment, it would have made their day.

I just find him extremely dull.

@lollipoprainbow

I hated the David Attenborough thing too, why not visit some under privileged kids who are passionate about the environment, it would have made their day.

He does that as well.

What is he smug about?

OP, you are correct. He is smug and clueless as to how he comes across. The whole family are awful and should all abdicate or whatever. It’s ridiculous to have a royal family these days.

The fact that so many royals think they can lecture people on their beliefs is so annoying. They are all hypocrites (Well most of them)

I concede that the Queen has worked hard in some respects and I also concede she isn’t as stupid as the rest of them. She tends to know to keep her thoughts to herself.

I feel a little bit sorry for William, because I think he’s trying his best to do his job as a Royal, but it doesn’t always come naturally to him. He’s been born into a role and wants to get it right, but perhaps isn’t naturally inclined towards public life- so he comes across as slightly awkward? He doesn’t have Diana’s natural rapport with people.

I’m glad he married Kate, because although her family became wealthy while she was growing up, she’s basically from an ordinary background so she’s able to bring a more realistic perspective.
I think the Middleton’s started their business in the mid-1980s so she’ll remember a less privileged lifestyle.

They both try, they don’t always get it right, but I don’t think they’re terrible either.

The Queen has played a blinder over the years. Never complain or explain , don't write letters to anyone ( as Charles has done in the past about climate change etc) be pleasant and just get on with it all. She has kept the brand going , but the younger royals are a different kettle of fish entirely and I bet she secretly thinks they are letting the side down a bit , (especially M and H. )
For all his mums faults and failings she did have the 'common touch' with people. Something William appears to lack a lot I think. His more like his dad than his mum.

What is he smug about?

That we need his 'help' to sort out the environment? That he's qualified to lecture us about the environment and share a platform with David Attenborough?

He's an actual real life prince, and bazillionaire. In what world could he NOT be smug?

@strawberriesandpecans

He doesn't bother me, he's nowhere near as bad as Harry

I prefer Harry myself

Wills and Kate appear a happy, close and devoted family. He is clearly passionate about conservation.

Until now I didn't realise he was passionate about it at all

Every time I hear him banging on about conservation I remember the poor hen harrier that mysteriously died when he and his equally trigger happy brother were out shooting one day. Every year endangered raptors are deliberately shot or poisoned on estates to protect game birds.

Be nice if they acknowledged this , all very well getting teary eyed in photo shoots with tethered elephants in game parks but please show awareness that animals in the UK are deliberately slaughtered so idiots like him can go out and shoot other animals. Maybe a good start would be breaking the cycle by not taking your small child with you when you go out killing.

He talked about humanity being on a precipice, but then chose to have a third child . Rather like Prince Philip talking about overpopulation and then having 4 children.
I think the current COVID crisis has exposed the RF for their irrelevance.

It the hypocrisy that is so patronizing and obnoxious. If I was worried about the Earth I don’t think I’d be ferrying the kids around in a massive Range Rover or taking private flights.

Flying is shite for the environment but at least commercial flights pack as many people as possible.
Jetting off for multiple long haul holidays is not something that anyone who genuinely cared about the environment would do.
Why can’t Prince William understand how he comes across.

I had to turn the Today programme off, it was making my toes curl.

It's good, suppose to hear a high profile figure talking about these things but his and his family's carbon footprint must be huge. Even if you consider some of it is "work", their personal lifestyles are hardly modest in terms of consumption.

Anyone preaching in this way needs to lead by example to be taken seriously.

@AmICrazyorWhat2

I feel a little bit sorry for William, because I think he’s trying his best to do his job as a Royal, but it doesn’t always come naturally to him. He’s been born into a role and wants to get it right, but perhaps isn’t naturally inclined towards public life- so he comes across as slightly awkward? He doesn’t have Diana’s natural rapport with people.

I’m glad he married Kate, because although her family became wealthy while she was growing up, she’s basically from an ordinary background so she’s able to bring a more realistic perspective.
I think the Middleton’s started their business in the mid-1980s so she’ll remember a less privileged lifestyle.

They both try, they don’t always get it right, but I don’t think they’re terrible either.

She was educated at one of the most expensive schools in the country through a family trust fund, I dont think she ever experienced an ordinary background. Elite schools from age 3.

[quote Seychelles98]@Taikoo Do you really believe that rumour? I can't imagine Prince William having an affair as he seems so committed to Kate and the children...[/quote]
If he doesn't he will be the 1st monarch not too since... (well not sure when but going back they all have)

He talked about humanity being on a precipice, but then chose to have a third child Maybe it was an accident, there seem to be plenty of them on mumsnet. Then it would Kate's choice not his, her body her decision.

If he doesn't he will be the 1st monarch not too since I don't think I've ever heard a suggestion that our present monarch has had an affair. I think her father George VI was devoted to his wife and I don't think their were rumours about him. Although her uncle, the Duke of Windsor, had many relationships as he was unmarried for his brief period as king I think we can say he didn't have an affair while he was king. The Queen's grandfather, George V, was said to have been devoted to his wife, I've never heard rumours of him having affairs, however his father Edward VII had a reputation as a womaniser much to the displeasure of his mother Queen Victoria.

@BathtubGin. I think am inheritance came later though- not sure about that. The family business was definitely started when they were living in a semi. Being able to afford private schools doesn’t automatically mean a family is super-wealthy. I know plenty of people with normal lifestyles who send their kids to private schools, sometimes with the help of a well-off relative. It doesn’t mean they have nannies/servants/massive houses, etc.

The Middleton’s are now v. wealthy, but they weren’t in that league when their children were young.