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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find Prince William a bit smug

534 replies

strawberriesandpecans · 08/10/2020 12:42

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?

OP posts:
JustoldLondonme · 08/10/2020 21:02

@LynetteScavo

Your mum died when you were 15 and your whole life is mapped out and pre determined ahead of you. You are born to be a king and your life is not your own.

If you were William and this had happened to you, through no choice of your own and you had to live this in the public domain for all to see, you would be smug?

You would really be smug at your life events ?

derxa · 08/10/2020 21:18

I'm not the least bit interested in this documentary. However I do believe William and Catherine have struck a chord with the nation.

Apple222 · 08/10/2020 21:19

Exactly what @Friendsoftheearth said. This is nothing more than a PR campaign to be relevant, current and woke. They need to be seen to be supporting the ‘right’ causes in an attempt to get public support.

Is it authentic? No. Otherwise their behaviour would live up to what they are preaching.

While William didn’t choose his life, he could change his behaviour. Kate, however, did choose this which makes her even worse in my eyes. Anyone who truly values the environment and feels keenly about animal welfare and humanity would not be choosing membership of the Royal Family.

Original poster
strawberriesandpecans · 08/10/2020 21:26

However I do believe William and Catherine have struck a chord with the nation.
I see that in the media. I don't know what people think irl although to be fair I don't ask people I know. I don't know how much of it is what their PR people want to portray. I've nothing against them generally, although it does seem quite an artificial/1950s ish set up.

livingtothefull you have summed up exactly how I feel about it. It does come across as everybody else's problem. I've no doubt it was well intended.

For me, one of the problems is the royals assuming they can dispense wisdom to the serfs. Somehow the Queen is different, she seems far more aware that most of the time it's better to keep quiet on issues.

OP posts:
JustoldLondonme · 08/10/2020 21:28

@strawberriesandpecans

Not sure how old you are buttercup , but there have been many attacks on the royals in my lifetime.

The police have well earned their stripes as have members of the public , as have royal protection officers , some of whom were shot in duty in the case of the Princess Royal in the 70,s.
I also remember the bomb that killed Lord Mountbatten. Then there was Fagan that woke and disturbed her
majesty, The Queen.

I think you will find OP that that the royals need protection.

derxa · 08/10/2020 21:33

However I do believe William and Catherine have struck a chord with the nation
I see that in the media. I don't know what people think irl although to be fair I don't ask people I know. I don't know how much of it is what their PR people want to portray. I've nothing against them generally, although it does seem quite an artificial/1950s ish set up
The thing is it's no skin off my nose. I just carry on with my life.

chillicheesebuns · 08/10/2020 21:37

YANBU. He's smug, petulant, immature, hypocritical petty, work shy, has a history of not treating his wife great, and apart from his love for his kids has no positive qualities that I can see. I believe the affair story, there's too much evidence not to.

I've been reading parts of the Robert Lacey book which was supposed to be a rebuttal to the Finding Freedom book, and it paints William as an absolute rage monster who is unfit to rule. There have been so many stories over the years that William has anger management problems and that he regularly screams and has meltdowns. The book paints Kate in a good light and a calming influence on him, though the naked dress story was Shock and she clearly pursued him for years when he wasn't particularly interested. Her goal is to be Queen and IMO she'll tolerate anything to get the crown.

One time David Attenborough protected by best friend from being pounced on by Kate's bodyguards, so he's got a permanent gold star in my eyes.

ReeseWitherfork · 08/10/2020 21:41

Can I derail and moan about Kate? She’s so damn pointless! I can’t believe in this wonderful era of outspoken women she doesn’t ever say anything. Does she have any opinions on anything? She seems to do nicey nicey non-controversial things but why not stand for something a bit more high stakes. She’s in a wonderful position where she could pretty much say anything and not lose her life. I’ve thought this for years now and then along cake Meghan who makes a bit of noise.

(But big disclaimer that of course she is welcome to not really care about anything. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t make me cross though!)

Notfeelinggreattoday · 08/10/2020 21:44

They may live a life of luxury but personally i would rather live in my council house away from the public eye and let my children enjoy being children without all the pressure
Its their roles to try and tell us and encourage things , and if it makes just a couple of people take notice then its prob worth it
All celebrities now preach this or that as well

dudsville · 08/10/2020 21:45

You are being unreasonable to be surprised by this revelation. You find an incredibly privileged person a bit smug?

JustoldLondonme · 08/10/2020 21:47

@LynetteScavo
and @strawberriesandpecans have gone quiet when challenged on their posts.

TheKeatingFive · 08/10/2020 21:48

It is depressing to realise that what people want from royal women who ‘marry in’ is for them to keep their mouth shut, do as they’re told, wear nice clothes, push out the babies and cultivate nice, unthreatening hobbies like gardening.

Kate’s bowling a great game.

I’m not sure if that’s because she is naturally like this or she’s figured out that’s what the public want from her.

Enrico · 08/10/2020 21:52

They're all a bit weird. He's pointless and creepy, Kate's a stalker, Charles is scared of women and is past retirement age having never worked, Camelia is jolly sex sticks, Harry is a Nazi, Meghan is intent on founding her own cult, Andrew is a paed, Edward is clearly unmentionable, Phil is a racist dinosaur. I like the Queen alright but the rest of them are freaks.

Notfeelinggreattoday · 08/10/2020 21:54

How can he rent out his home , think if the security issues alone that would cause , its not that simple !!

AutumnleavesturntoGold · 08/10/2020 21:55

I used to like William But I suddenly went right off him at the beginning of covid, in remember feeling terrified when it was an unknown, hospitals were filling up and my dd, with respitory weakness had been hospitalised before and the hospital had run short of breathing equipment.

He made a joke to ambulance people about silly people thinking they had covid he said smugly 'and you say No!! it's just a cough'

In that moment I suddenly thought, William, you won't ever be on a packed children's ward with George, watching him struggle for breath, without the proper monitoring equipment. So please don't take the piss out of us peasants here on the ground worried about a fucking pandemic.

I see a strained face all the time, up tight, judgemental, sounds like he's been a total shit to Harry.... Kate also gets on my nerves.

I'm not sure what else they could really, I just don't warm to them..
I much prefer Harry and Megan and find them much more natural and appealing.

DownstairsMixUp · 08/10/2020 21:57

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Anordinarymum · 08/10/2020 21:58

@Enrico

They're all a bit weird. He's pointless and creepy, Kate's a stalker, Charles is scared of women and is past retirement age having never worked, Camelia is jolly sex sticks, Harry is a Nazi, Meghan is intent on founding her own cult, Andrew is a paed, Edward is clearly unmentionable, Phil is a racist dinosaur. I like the Queen alright but the rest of them are freaks.
Why don't you say what you really think:)
IcedPurple · 08/10/2020 21:58

Can I derail and moan about Kate? She’s so damn pointless! I can’t believe in this wonderful era of outspoken women she doesn’t ever say anything. Does she have any opinions on anything?

I'm sure she does but why do you think we need to hear them? Just because she married a prince it doesn't mean her opinions are any more valuable than yours or mine.

Part of the royals' contract with the nation is that in return for a very luxurious lifestyle subsidised by taxpayers, they refrain from public discussion of politics or other controversial topics. Sounds fair enough to me. I'm tired of people who think that just because they're famous, we all need to hear their banal opinions.

JustoldLondonme · 08/10/2020 21:58

@TheKeatingFive "! Kate’s bowling a great game"

I think she is.

BathtubGin · 08/10/2020 21:59

@Notfeelinggreattoday

How can he rent out his home , think if the security issues alone that would cause , its not that simple !!
He doesn't need 2 houses. He could rent 1 out permanently- no security issue there . It was rented before he evicted the tenants.
AutumnleavesturntoGold · 08/10/2020 21:59

chillicheesebuns*

What evidence of an affair?

TheKeatingFive · 08/10/2020 21:59

How can he rent out his home , think if the security issues alone that would cause , its not that simple !!

He could sell it and donate the proceeds to a homeless charity.

Many options.

AWiseWomanOnceSaidFuckThisShit · 08/10/2020 21:59

I would love to know if the affair rumours are true!

DownstairsMixUp · 08/10/2020 22:00

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

TheKeatingFive · 08/10/2020 22:01

What a great sum up Grin