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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Royal train trip across the UK. How is this good with a pandemic?

154 replies

yoyo1234 · 07/12/2020 21:40

Prior to the Covid 19 pandemic I was not particularly for or against the royal family. I have been rather shocked at somethings they seem to have done throughout the pandemic including moving between (multiple) properties and even countries ( Prince Charles with positive test). Wondering what others think of the latest ongoing journey through England, Wales and Scotland.
YABU- they should travel

YANBU- traveling sets a bad example.

OP posts:
thegrassisgreenwhereyouwaterit · 08/12/2020 17:16

@VinylDetective it’s hardly work is it and it certainly isn’t essential. I fully accept there will have been meticulous planning and risk assessments, but at the end of the day they are putting others at risk for no reason.

I think having a bad dose of covid has definitely made me more risk averse.

VinylDetective · 08/12/2020 17:19

It doesn’t have to be essential. How many more times does that need pointing out? If it had to be essential they wouldn’t have opened all the hairdressers and nail bars. And of course it’s work, it’s what they’re there for.

I hope you’re feeling better. I can understand that makes a difference.

formerbabe · 08/12/2020 17:20

It's absolutely fine imo. I'd would imagine the safety measures are in place and I'd guess that they're tested regularly. I have no issue with it. It's their job.

cabingirl · 08/12/2020 17:43

It wouldn't have been their idea and choice - hardly any of the official visit stuff like this across the country and abroad are. This will have been planned for weeks - potentially months - and will have been done in full co-oporation with the government - possibly asked to by the goverment. I agree with a pp - bet it was a Boris idea to distract from hi Brexit mess.

If I was in their position I'd much rather stay at home and do Christmas activities with my kids, have a lie in and enjoy my life of luxury. Which is exactly what they'll get to do if we become a republic - I bet they can't wait.

formerbabe · 08/12/2020 17:54

Why the constant changes of coats?

Out local homeless charity is appealing for warm winter cost- used or new

Unless Kate has been personally walking the streets snatching coats from homeless people, I don't see the link?

eddiemairswife · 08/12/2020 17:58

She could donate the coats to charity once they have been worn, then we won't have to put up with silly headlines about Kate 'recycling' a coat she has worn before.

cabingirl · 08/12/2020 18:02

@formerbabe

Why the constant changes of coats?

Out local homeless charity is appealing for warm winter cost- used or new

Unless Kate has been personally walking the streets snatching coats from homeless people, I don't see the link?

Lol! She give pasta machines with one hand, snatches coats with the other!

I think the clothes changes are to ensure the press takes photos and identifies each place they visit - so that the photographers don't just take loads of pics for their stories in Manchester and then don't bother filing as many in Wales. Gives each region / charity / whatever thing they are highlighting a stab at the press coverage.

The point isn't to photograph Kate in a new coat - it's to photograph her in a new place and specifically mention that part of the tour.

Tabloids are very easily bored - like toddlers need a shiny new object to keep their attention.

Aprilx · 08/12/2020 18:06

Yes it’s work but it’s not essential work.

Work doesn’t have to be essential, I am having my hair cut this week, it is definitely not essential. I think they have done a decent job of boosting morale and appropriate covid safety measures will certainly be in place.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 08/12/2020 18:08

She probably has a lot because royalty is stupid and has stupid rules so she is probably always getting told ‘you can’t wear the red one on 27th March, it’s against protocol’ or ‘you can’t wear the blue one, the Queen Mother wore a blue coat to visit Staffordshire in 1952 and tripped getting out of the car and ever since then The Family has considered it unlucky to wear blue coats in the Midlands.’

eddiemairswife · 08/12/2020 18:26

Does she buy her clothes, or are they given to her in order to create publicity for the designers and manufacturers?

Figgygal · 08/12/2020 18:30

They can’t do right for some people can they? They were working whether you think it’s work it is their work

I’m sure their recognition and gratitude to the people they met, which isn’t just on behalf of them or their family but all of us really, was appreciated

IdblowJonSnow · 08/12/2020 18:35

Agree they can't win and I honestly can't get fussed about this.

Who benefits? Will some people like the royal family and would get a boost from a visit.

I imagine it's extremely carefully orchestrated and as William has already had it, perhaps kate has too.

providentglue · 08/12/2020 19:17

I imagine it's extremely carefully orchestrated and as William has already had it, perhaps kate has too.

And the rest of the manpower involved in the trip? Or do they not matter?

BonnieDundee · 08/12/2020 19:35

It doesn’t have to be essential. How many more times does that need pointing out?

I'm afraid it absolutely does have to be easential to travel to Scotland. I'm not allowed to travel there to see my family Xmas Sad

Skysblue · 08/12/2020 23:50

Yanbu. It’s a stupid idea and a bad example. Next summer after the vaccine is widespread it would have been a nice idea but this is too early. We’re about to head for a really nasty spike in cases in Jan after all the xmas mixing.

PicsInRed · 09/12/2020 00:01

I take it this means we should all feel free to embark on tours of thanks then? I might do a few thanks tours of Edinburgh, York, Bath and London. That'll do all my thanking nicely for the hols I mean work year.

Anyone up for some Thanking Tours?

Mydogmylife · 09/12/2020 00:02

I think they misread the mood in both Scotland and Wales for sure and it was such a whistle stop it really wasn't worth the effort ( and cost) involved. Travel restrictions in Scotland are still very much in force and it's illegal to travel out of your council area if you are in tier 3 or 4 except for very specific reasons which really this didn't fit. Can't really be bothered with royals personally

shamalidacdak · 09/12/2020 00:10

They have to be seen to be relevant. They're already on thin ice with the British public as it is.

blueberryporridge · 09/12/2020 00:19

Why must folk find fault with everything, can't just accept some things for what they are no they have to moan about issues they can't change.

But we should try to change things that are wrong. I have nothing personally against this pair but I object to their sense of entitlement and, let's face it, this is just as much about PR for the Royal family as anything else.

They are at the top of a pyramid of hereditary privilege which perpetuates inequality right through our country.

And they think it is fine to take the risk of infecting the plebs either directly or indirectly by undertaking this trip.

The Scottish Government and the Welsh Government basically told them not to come and they did it anyway.

Same as Charles and his entourage hightailed it to Balmoral with Covid earlier this year against guidelines.

The fact that some people like royal visits and fawn over Kate's coats does not make it right.

Chloemol · 09/12/2020 00:32

It’s called working

WillSantaBeComingToTown · 09/12/2020 00:36

@formerbabe

Why the constant changes of coats?

Out local homeless charity is appealing for warm winter cost- used or new

Unless Kate has been personally walking the streets snatching coats from homeless people, I don't see the link?

Then you share the same insensitivity

It is brash to flash the cash when people dont have coats. Are we now up to 8 different coats worn on a 3 day trip

Let them eat cake?

Graphista · 09/12/2020 01:50

They're an outdated, entitled waste of money!

I've heard all the so called arguments for them and imo none of them are sufficient reason to maintain them in the current form.

These actions prove how selfish, entitled and ignorant they are!

This virus doesn't give a fuck if they're royalty and such actions will be putting them in contact not only with all the people who are having to facilitate and prepare them for such nonsense (and they don't even shave or dress themselves! Let alone pack or anything more substantial!) and irresponsible behaviour but also all the people they WILL come into contact on these travels (and if the argument is they're not then what's the point of the travels?!)

It's UNNECESSARY "work" and the term "work" here is extremely loose! (Frankly if ever any of them actually DID have to do a real days work they'd probably faint at the mere prospect!)

It's absolutely NOT essential "work" at all.

They can’t win though.

Stay at home- hiding playing tennis on their private courts living life of luxury.

Work- on a tour that has no doubt been carefully put together to minimise risks- bastards flaunting the fact they can travel

Those are FAR from their only options!

They could:

1 Donate funds to research and those financially impacted by covid.

2 Raise morale verbally/via video call etc

3 Make public statements urging the public to follow their lead and stick to the rules and minimise the spread

4 Raise the profile of charities that are supporting those affected and researching the illness

5 They could have paid their staff that were laid off and/or furloughed themselves and let the staff particularly vulnerable to covid have paid leave from their duties - they can certainly afford it!

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz's suggestions are also excellent

But no! They've done nothing but suit themselves and put others at risk throughout

Selfish selfish selfish!

The absolute most ridiculous and most selfish part - meeting midwives! If I was a pregnant mother now being served by that nhs trust I'd be FAR from impressed at my and my child's lives being put st risk for a sodding photo op!

They wouldn't know a real days work if it bit them on the arse!!

no facilities required for them at the places they visit what planet you on?! Apparently the same distant one the royals THINK they inhabit!

They need fed, watered and a toilet at the very least! They'll EXPECT far more!

How can someone be so insensitive as to change their coat several times a day? it's just typical of their complete lack of insight, understanding and true compassion

Pretty much a perfect example of virtue signalling purely for the signallers to kid themselves they're doing good!!

They've really misread the mood of the nation.

I wish people would learn that they don't really CARE about the mood of the nation or its populace beyond MAINTAINING their privilege!

Whatever they do to be "nice" to us isn't for our benefit, not really, it's to stop us calling for a republic

It's like during the Blitz when the QM and King George VI went and visited people who'd been bombed no it's not! They were not taking active bombs with them were they?!

MN seems to attract a disproportionate number of republicans who fail to understand they’re in a minority elsewhere

An opinion being in the minority doesn't make it wrong. Women's suffrage being desirable and equality generally were once held to be in the minority. As were many other things that suitable progress and the voices of the "unpopular" made happen.

When was the last time one of you miserable sods thanked someone for doing something amazing? at least once a week - I thank people who are ACTUALLY doing work and helping me and others. Supermarket staff inc delivery drivers, pharmacy staff, nhs staff, my mum and dd for their support of not only me but the others they care for and support, more recently various charities to which I have also donated for their support of the most vulnerable and needy at all times but especially just now...

It's completely tone deaf and irresponsible.

ClarenceBoddicker · 09/12/2020 02:43

I’m not cap doffer but do people seriously believe that them personally thought to themselves fuck you to the rules. I can’t claim any inside knowledge but imagine it was put to them as a positive act which would be welcomed before the backlash hit. And yes it is ‘work’. Travelling around constantly doing three gigs a day shaking hands isn’t an enjoyable endeavour we’d just do for fun. You can argue they’re well paid for it but not that. They can’t win as has been said. Of course they can use Xoom. They’ve been doing that for months. Someone told them they should do something else. Hardly then being ‘arrogant’. Much easier not to and do video stuff

ClarenceBoddicker · 09/12/2020 03:19

Sturgeon now needs to make clear how her plans on the constitutional make up of an independent Scotland as she’s at least been honest of her disdain for the Royal Family.

PirateCatQueen · 09/12/2020 04:10

@ClarenceBoddicker

Sturgeon now needs to make clear how her plans on the constitutional make up of an independent Scotland as she’s at least been honest of her disdain for the Royal Family.
Don’t think she has to answer to you @ClarenceBoddicker

Although her plans are pretty clear if you pay any attention at all.