To think William and Kate are currently over exposed

[greenandpinkbudgie]

Why do we need to keep seeing them everywhere? The more I see them trying to convey their perfect Boden lives the more I find it irritating. I think their PR people seem to have gone into overdrive

If they weren't so exposed they'd be called lazy. I quite like seeing what they're doing to be honest.

@KeflavikAirport

I agree that being or at least seeming engaged and interested is a skill. What happens if we have a king one day who is cripplingly shy or has communication difficulties? One of the many reasons I think we should get rid of the whole lot of them.

We did - the Queen's father. Having not been brought up to be King, he had to struggle massively to improve his stammer, so that he could communicate properly. Many people had great respect for him in doing that - and the way that he and the Queen Mother (Queen Elizabeth as she was then) supported the nation during the war.

Are you seriously saying that we shouldn't have a monarchy incase someone has a disability?

@JackieWeaverHandforthCouncil

They usually go quiet when they go on holiday abroad. It was reported in the foreign press that they went to the Caribbean over the Christmas holidays.

Reputable source?

They usually go quiet when they go on holiday abroad. It was reported in the foreign press that they went to the Caribbean over the Christmas holidays.

Not last year they didn’t.

observer.com/2020/12/kate-middleton-prince-william-christmas-holiday-plans-anmer-hall-george-charlotte-louis-lockdown/

I must admit, when I see 'foreign press' I automatically have doubts. 'Kate pregnant with triplets' was one 'foreign press' headline.

Even more rubbish printed than in our press!

@ajandjjmum

I must admit, when I see 'foreign press' I automatically have doubts. 'Kate pregnant with triplets' was one 'foreign press' headline.

Even more rubbish printed than in our press!

Foreign trash is just as bad as our trash press, but more decent publications show and speak of a lot more things than the UK press.

Even if it's just the kids playing in a park with their nanny.

Talking in general, it makes for funny read when you compare the 2.

The UK is far too obvious with a few "candid" shots and complete silence over something the royals want to keep private.

[quote Blossomtoes]They usually go quiet when they go on holiday abroad. It was reported in the foreign press that they went to the Caribbean over the Christmas holidays.

Not last year they didn’t.

observer.com/2020/12/kate-middleton-prince-william-christmas-holiday-plans-anmer-hall-george-charlotte-louis-lockdown/[/quote]
not sure what an article written BEFORE the Christmas period actually proves?

There are about 1 million reasons not to have a monarchy. Forcing someone with a communication disability into leading a public life is one of them.

Well you don't like them, so avoid reading about them. I don't click on royalty links, and the odd news item doesn't bother me. Not over exposed at all, just doing their job.

They are in Scotland to say how much they love us and love the union.

not sure what an article written BEFORE the Christmas period actually proves?

It was printed on 21 December, that’s pretty much the Christmas period where I come from.

@Blossomtoes

not sure what an article written BEFORE the Christmas period actually proves?

It was printed on 21 December, that’s pretty much the Christmas period where I come from.

Please just read your comment again and think about it for 2 minutes... 😂

[quote Blossomtoes]Here you go. Whether it’s accurate or nor, who knows?

brandfinance.com/wp-content/uploads/1/brand_finance_monarchy_press_release.pdf[/quote]
Thank you.

That figure was widely reported and seems to have somehow seeped into the national consciousness as accurate.

Problem is no-one knows who commissioned Brand Finance to produce the report, no-one knows who if anyone paid for it or even if they just dreamed it up themselves to promote their business.

For all those reasons it's hard to take the nebulous claims of the royals vaunted value to the economy with anything other than a large pinch of salt.

Save your breath, CathyorClaire; it's no more than a verbal tic really, often spouted without very much thought, never mind evidence - though one the RF must love hearing repeated so often

Absolutely. It's been served up as an unrefutable argument in the royals' favour so regularly it's become part of the narrative.

Problem is no-one knows who commissioned Brand Finance to produce the report, no-one knows who if anyone paid for it or even if they just dreamed it up themselves to promote their business

As with any other report the background was the first thing I looked for, but unfortunately it's silent on the matter
Add to that the inclusion of the Royal Collection (which is supposedly held in trust for the nation rather than "owned" by the monarchy) and a random figure picked for security costs which aren't actually disclosed, and the whole thing's a confused mess

Shame really, as it might have been a handy learning opportunity - although I did smile at the emphasis put on warrants/coats of arms (perhaps influenced by the fact Brand Finance had just received one?)

Charles and Camilla went to NI and W&C went to Scotland. Obviously they are trying to keep the UK together, and the whole reason for having the RF is soft diplomacy.

Soft diplomacy on whose part? Seeing as they had a secret meeting with Gordon Brown at Holyrood and banned Channel 4 from showing footage of him arriving, I think we know what side of the Scottish independence debate they are on. The ironic thing is that many pro-indy supporters are pretty neutral as to whether an independent Scotland should retain the royals as heads of state or go down the republican route. But you can be sure that secret meetings with unionist politicians will push move over to the republican side. So this example of "soft diplomacy" is very possibly an own goal by the Cambridges ...

Exactly. The reason for this Scottish trip was to have private political meetings.

Meeting sick kids is just bread and circuses and the hard of thinking gobble it up.

The Cambridges using bully boy tactics to censor Channel 4 is a misstep. The royals need to keep the press on their good side, it's the 'unspoken deal.' C4 have been unusually blunt in calling out Kensington Palace's lies and false allegations. Not great to have a major broadcaster calling you liars when your job relies on the good faith of press and public.

Shame really, as it might have been a handy learning opportunity - although I did smile at the emphasis put on warrants/coats of arms (perhaps influenced by the fact Brand Finance had just received one?)

It is though interesting to note that the speakers at the launch event included Clive Cheesman, Richmond Herald of the College of Arms. Further Miss Marpling reveals that the heralds are members of the royal household and act under Crown authority.

Another of the speakers included Ben Marson, Director of Partnerships at The Prince's Trust.

Intriguing choices.

The meeting with Gordon Brown was hardly secret, given that we all know about it, he was hardly smuggled in in a laundry basket. Some of you are really scraping the barrel for things to blame them for.

Intriguing choices indeed, CathyorClaire, but as I mentioned the College of Arms had just given Brand Finance a nice, shiny coat of arms, so it's hardly surprising if they felt inclined to invite someone along for a sausage roll and a glass of warm fizz a schmooze and some canapes

V. true, Puzzledandpissedoff.

Maybe a more pertinent question might be why a dynamic, modern marketing firm of twenty odd years standing might want or apply for such an archaic symbol especially as it doesn't appear to figure prominently if at all on their website.

@SoupDragon

I wish people would stop posting poorly disguised bitching threads about them.

I wish people would stop talking about any of them. The entire family are, at best, tedious.

I wish folk would stop telling others what to post. There. I suppose I just did it myself.

@Viviennemary

I wish folk would stop telling others what to post. There. I suppose I just did it myself.

Do you not understand the difference between "I wish..." and "Do not..."?

The meeting with Gordon Brown was hardly secret, given that we all know about it

Like Watergate?

Something we only know because of a journalistic expose those in question tried to censor is the definition of a secret.

Some of you are really scraping the barrel for things to blame them for.
One of the largest broadcasters in this country felt the secret meetings and attempted censorship was serious enough that they had to issue a statement calling Kensington Palace liars.