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The royal family
Original poster

Idle question about telephones and the RF

22 replies

AdventureIsWaiting · 10/04/2021 13:20

I imagine younger members of the RF have their own mobile phones, but if say Prince William wanted to call the Queen or his dad for a chat, would he have to call a switchboard first? Then it would be up to whoever he got hold of whether his request to speak to his granny would be put through?

Just wondering whether anyone knew the definite answer to this, not a TAAT, but have been thinking about this for a while from various programmes / events / interviews, particularly the ones about how 'courtiers' can have a lot of power in terms of who gets what, what stories get leaked and what information gets passed on (not just recently; I was reading about Backstairs Billy et al the other month as well).

Things like Harry saying Prince Charles wasn't taking his calls, or that Dan Wooton piece, or the leaks about the Queen being 'shocked' at some of the stories (not just H&M) that have come out over the years (i.e. wasn't aware of them beforehand), makes me wonder how much the staff actually control who has access to whom and how easy it is to, e.g. tell PW the Queen is too busy to speak, and if she finds out afterwards and gets annoyed, make up some excuse about thinking she didn't want to be disturbed. But if you're PW in that scenario presumably if it happens enough times you'll think granny is annoyed with you, i.e. it fabricates something out of nothing.

It made me - and I appreciate this is pure conjecture! Grin - wonder how much of this stuff is actually bad blood between courtiers or staff who have a particular angle to grind.

OP posts:
RedGoldAndGreene · 10/04/2021 13:23

I assume they'd contact the private secretary who might know the best time for a chat. Private secretaries are like personal assistants right?

RedGoldAndGreene · 10/04/2021 13:28

I'd imagine that palaces are very echoey places so as a cleaner, gardener or whatever you'd overhear plenty

GeidiPrimes · 10/04/2021 13:30

I don't know about the RF specifically, but IME aristocracy types rarely communicate with each other directly - all done through accountants, solicitors and secretaries. My late dh had such a family and if he wanted to speak to his dad he had to speak to his secretary first. She'd pass the message on to FIL and he'd decide whether it was important enough for an appointment.

meditrina · 10/04/2021 13:46

There was alovely story about the extensions within/between the royal palaces in London being connected by switchboard, and the operator saying one of the great pleasures of her job was connecting HMQM and HMQ for a their morning chat

'Your Majesty? Her Majesty, your Majesty"

I guess times have moved on, but yes there are a certain amount of gatekeepers to their time, and only certain windows when they are free to take personal calls. I expect direct access if all by mobile phone these days and only a very select few have the direct, likely to be answered numbers. But there will always be a staff member who can reach the principles directly and rapidly when there is need.

Original poster
AdventureIsWaiting · 12/04/2021 09:06

That's really helpful, thank you!

OP posts:
Pupster21 · 12/04/2021 10:37

Did Harry & Meghan not suggest that now they are no longer working royals they have more direct access to the Queen. So I think most would ring the private secretary for a time but H&M now have a direct line.

Lockdownbear · 12/04/2021 11:54

Do you think HMQ has a cordless phone?
I can't actually imagine her getting up to answer the phone to anyone.

Lockdownbear · 12/04/2021 11:57

Actually thinking about I imagine that even although William and Kate will have mobiles I bet when they are on "business" their phones are left with others.

Lockdownbear · 12/04/2021 13:32

Actually thinking about it and how into technology Philip was my guess is he had a mobile.
Mildly bemused by thinking of him roaming Sandringham in the Land rover and Lillibet phoning Philip your dinners ready Grin

megletthesecond · 12/04/2021 13:37

I'm sure I read that The Queen has a mobile phone and her grandchildren have the number.

ohforarainyday · 12/04/2021 13:43

The younger royals have a WhatsApp group (which Harry and Meghan used to be on but left) - I remember there were a couple of media kerfuffles over it. Once when Meghan was accused of announcing her pregnancy at Eugenie's wedding, but it later came out they'd told everyone over WhatsApp days earlier, and later when Mike Tindall revealed something to the press he'd learned via the Whatsapp group.

I think communication with the older senior royals is more remote and done via courtiers and secretaries.

Lockdownbear · 12/04/2021 13:44

Brilliant I don't know why that amuses me so much. Mobile in the handbag With some footman to charge it for her.Smile

RedGoldAndGreene · 13/04/2021 01:05

Phone case with a corgi perhaps? Wink

mermaidsariel · 14/04/2021 07:23

I think the Queen mainly uses landlines. There are lots of photos of her using them, including by her bed. I’m sure the calls are put through by staff according to importance. Harry was shown explaining to her how to text on a mobile a few years ago, so she probably does have a mobile, but would guess she doesn’t use it much.

I read something this week about how irritated PP used to get by the amount of time the Queen spends on phone calls. I imagine she spends quite a lot of time phoning her children and grandchildren for news and updates, as well as friends and extended family. After all she can’t just pop round, can she? Apparently she likes to have people for afternoon tea.

Lockdownbear · 14/04/2021 07:30

She certainly has a brood to keep track of. Bless her!

It was interesting to hear that the first time Meghan met her was at Andrew & Fergies and she popped in unexpectedly. Although that could have been more planned that Meghan made out.

EdithWeston · 14/04/2021 07:51

Lots of articles relating how the Queen is and the Dof Ed was an enthusiastic early adopter of tech, has a personal mobile and even pseudonymous SM account/s (bet that's all racing and dogs though)

Lockdownbear · 14/04/2021 08:02

Yes I read the other day that DofE was one of the first to have a mobile phone.
So much is coming out about him and his enthusiasm for Engineering and Technology. People saying they were expecting to meet someone who was well briefed on the subject but actually when he started asking questions he it became clear he really knew his stuff.

I didn't realise she was an early adopter of tech too but I suppose it would be odd for her not to be when he was so progressive.

Wildswimming3 · 14/04/2021 08:07

When i was younger i worked for BT in a telephone exchange as an operator. There was a pool of ladies who would go and work in the exchange at Buckingham Palace. I was desperate to go but never got picked! So you ring the palace number, an operator answers then puts you through to the appropriate persons office, the queen or whoever is then informed that tbe caller wishes to speak with them. All very formal.

ohforarainyday · 14/04/2021 20:23

I heard a rumour this is the Queen's Finsta:
www.instagram.com/corgis_of_instagram/

moochingtothepub · 14/04/2021 20:30

No idea about the Queen but the younger ones have phones and call directly to each other like anyone else would. A connection of mine (friends dd) had Kates number when they lived in Norfolk because they were friends. Pretty sure Mike Tindall mentioned a WhatsApp group too

DobbyTheHouseElk · 14/04/2021 20:40

I can confirm that HMQ has a mobile. Someone I know saw her using it at a horse event. This was 12+ years ago.

Lockdownbear · 15/04/2021 12:09

What do you think it's set up so only certain numbers can get through to it?

I can't imagine random people being able to call her.

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