Royal style and gossip: From foundation to Foundations...

[QueenOfTheAndals]

I've lost count of how many threads we've had! Previous thread.

Let's keep the gossip lighthearted and, as always, stick to critiquing the clothes rather than being overly critical about the women wearing them.

IIRC PW wanted to be a policeman when young but Harry told him he couldn’t as he had to be king. Not sure how true it all is.

Thing is it’s really ceremonial and a bit thankless - it’s not like being Henry VIII (thank god), and it’s all a bit ridiculous. Plus by the time George is older we might be abolishing monarchy so he might as well enjoy his childhood and youth as any other child would :)

Do they have power?

Yes I think so. Perhaps not in the ‘off with your heads, I only like this bit of the legislation’ traditional sense but there is still a kind of undeniable power in status.

Apple I'll think of Mustique when I have my annual dip at Gorleston this summer!

Love the pic of George on the grass, very cute.

Love the photos of George. My nephew is one day younger than him and I adore all the gapped-tooth giggling photographs of that age.

Frugal I think they are very similar places.

Although the yachts on the the boating pond are better in Gorleston 🤣

Yes power in status or perhaps more like importance in status? Apart from visiting and hosting other royalty (and Trumps family), and putting their name to charities, can they make any decisions? Are they powerful in the same way as big celebrities eg JK Rowling, Tom Hanks, David Attenborough (although those three earned their status which puts them above the RF in reality).

If David Attenborough made a statement about conservation, the world sits up and listen (part of it at least). If Charles makes a statement, people might or might not. If Charles becomes chairman of the conservation society, more people might listen, though not many more but ultimately David Attenborough is still more powerful...., so do the RF really have any power or are they simply like big name influencers???

Is it any wonder we are more interested in what they wear and more interested in their private opulent lives than in whatever they might say. And yes they must be apolitical etc but so are many others incl David Attenborough

I met Prince Edward a few weeks ago! (Lurker)!!!!

Was he wearing a single- or double-breasted suit @Cahu58??

Ha ha, no suit he was very casual, and honestly much more attractive in real life! No gaydar was remotely triggered!

He seems like a really nice bloke IMO.

He was very relaxed and chatted easily to a group of kids I was with who didn't have a clue who he was...

Such adorable photos of George for his birthday, so sweet and natural.

Prince George is a real cutie!

Apple I bet the chips are better here too!

I think the RF’s power comes from Access to anyone they want.
Eg, David Attenborough for conservation.
Then if they have another interest eg Art, or Homelessness, they can call on the experts / most influential people in their field to come on board their projects.
Eg, Meghan Markle would not have been able to secure a gig for Trevor Engleston with Oprah Winfrey, but the hrh The Duchess of Sussex makes a call and Prince Harry is making shows for Apple TV.

Even A list celebrities are overawed by Royalty. Ironically, especially Americans. The Brits tend to be a bit more irreverent; probably because we have grown up with the RF.

Yes, IMO their 'real' and modern power lies in their ability to influence. Their influence has enormous potential for doing 'good', but that influence is governed by their popularity. No one's going to take notice of a dinosaur of an institution.

For me, that's why it's so galling when they get their public relations wrong (the younger ones) or appear very out of touch (older ones). Every time they cock it up it's a blow to their credibility and so ultimately a blow to the amount of good they can do, as they've undermined themselves. There's no point in them as purely decoration.

As for the 'would you pass them on the street' thing - personally, yes i totally would. I'm AWFUL at noticing who's around me. i regularly drive/walk past members of my own family without realising and it can be embarrassing (I tend to look at things, colours, shapes and light, rather than people.)

that's why it's so galling when they get their public relations wrong (the younger ones) or appear very out of touch (older ones). Every time they cock it up it's a blow to their credibility and so ultimately a blow to the amount of good they can do, as they've undermined themselves. There's no point in them as purely decoration.

Exactly this ^

@Laiste - are you my dsil?

We literally have to bump Into her for her to realise it’s us. It’s become a standing joke luckily we know she’s not ignoring us as she’s just not the sort!

We saw Prince Harry once. He stopped off at our local
petrol station to put petrol in a very posh car. I was putting diesel in on the other side of the pump. I was in a daydream as usual and didn't realise at first. I told my son when I got back in but he was as much use as a chocolate teapot because he didn't know what Prince Harry looked like.

Lovely photos of Prince George :)

Photos of George are gorgeous - his happy smile is so cute

I’ve told the tale before of Princess Anne rocking up at our stand at Badminton Horse Trials, shopping bags in hand! I’d imagine a few double takes were done that day