Royal style & gossip: What a smashing, positively dashing spectacle - the Ascot opening day

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Obviously today's the second day of Ascot but given Kate's outfit yesterday, I felt a My Fair lady tribute was fitting!

Link to previous thread

Link to ALL other RS&G threads for anyone who wants a big catch up.

I agree with some others that if you want to be modern and espouse more merit based causes the RF is the wrong place for you. Accepting a HRH is becoming a member of the most anachronistic club you can join. If you want the status you have to take what goes with it. Or give up the titles, the royal residences and the tiaras

I think the hands off / on parenting approach has changed irrevocably since Diana, at least down her line.
Also the Queens grandchildren have all married pretty normal people.
For the great grandchildren; I think the parenting seems pretty normal middle class stuff.
I think the children will probably board at 13, but there is talk that Kate wants hers children to Marlborough. Still a very exclusive public school; but it’s coed and there are way too many Etonians “running” the country.

But even with Diana's more hands-on approach, didn't William and Harry go to boarding school quite young? I don't see that happening with George, Charlotte, Louis, or Archie.

Bert Princess Anne has a rescue horse (called Annie, by coincidence!) as her happy hack around her estate - she's obviously v into competing and wotnot but she does love 'normal' horses too. And she does a fair bit for equine welfare.

Don't know about the others!

“I agree with some others that if you want to be modern and espouse more merit based causes the RF is the wrong place for you”

What, like the education of women and girls? How can anyone think that’s a remotely controversial cause for a membe of the Royal Family to take on??

Just watched the PA wedding footage. I can't believe they married nearly 30 years ago. It's odd that no one seems to consider her husband to be a Royal, yet all of her brothers' wives were immediately expected to conform to the role of a royal duchess / princess.

“But even with Diana's more hands-on approach, didn't William and Harry go to boarding school quite young? I don't see that happening with George, Charlotte, Louis, or Archie.”

I bet they all board from 13. At the latest.

@SenecaFalls
Yes William and Harry went to Ludgrove at 8. Which just seems insane.
All the Middletons went to Marlborough, (as did Princess Eugenie) so I think the Cambridge’s will follow suit.

I reckon Archie and future sibling(s) will probably go somewhere different for secondary. Maybe the US for a bit?

8! Dear god, that's horrendous. I just can't imagine sending such a young child away. Sorry if that comes across as judgy, but I'm afraid my reaction to that comes straight from the gut. Too bloody young.

It might seem strange to us but ludgrove is still a thriving school full of aristocratic boys from 8-13 it’s a distinct possibility.

Although maybe from 11 for 2 years before Eton (or Marlborough for Charlotte).

Just watched the video of the Royal Foundation interview. All 20 odd minutes of it. No eye rolling as far as I could see.

The only difference between MM's contribution and that of the other 3 was that MM was talking about herself, her thoughts and experiences and her attitudes, whereas the other three were talking about the Foundation and the work and help of others. I think this was due to MM being under-prepared and also not understanding the cultural norms.

Oops just read that back- obviously Charlotte won’t go to ludgrove 🤦‍♀️ But you know what I mean...

Once again- must have been a different video I watched!

You probably had your MM-rose-tinted-glasses on @BertrandRussell.

If Charlotte goes to university will she be the first daughter of a monarch to do so?

What, like the education of women and girls? How can anyone think that’s a remotely controversial cause for a membe of the Royal Family to take on??

With you on that @BertrandRussell!

It's not about the cause it is about the self promotion. She talks about herself doing things for "women and girls" but doesn't go into specifics. It's all about her. She isn't actually saying anything it's all soundbites and cliches. I'm saying that this was down to being under-prepared, it was obvious she didn't have anything concrete to say but instead of keeping quiet she carried on talking, presumably through nerves.

“You probably had your MM-rose-tinted-glasses on @BertrandRussell”

No. I just hate seeing a woman being criticised for not being submissive and demure enough. And for expressing views that have a nodding acquaintance with feminism.

I'd don't get the criticism of how Meghan acted at the Foundation launch. The other 3 have their areas of interest, why isn't Meghan allowed to say what hers is?

I thought they behaved impeccably during that interview, the only thing that bothered me was Meghan using "pushing the envelope" but that's about it.

I just realised it's the first time I listened to both Kate, and Meghan speak.

@BertrandRussell no I'm criticising her for talking about herself instead of what she was there to discuss and for not adequately preparing so she knew what she should talk about.

If you are at an event to discuss chairs you don't start talking about your passion for apples.

So what was she supposed to be talking about if not the charitable/developmental causes close to her heart?

She was supposed to be talking about the work of the Royal Foundation and their projects and collaborations.

She was asked about her interest in education for girls. She didn't have the experience of working with the Foundation that the others did, so could only draw on her relevant experience in her answer. She could've hardly said "no I can't answer that question"!

She should have said that she would like to see the Foundation do some work in that area in the future, not bang on about her work in the past and how she would hit the ground running.