Prince William wants cousin Zara Tindall to help weather royal staffing storm

[Postapocalypticcowgirl]

www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/prince-william-wants-cousin-zara-5304916

Obviously this is all rumour and speculation, but I thought it was interesting.

I can see all the reasons why William might want Zara involved in the future- although I know she's said in the past she's glad not to be a HRH or titled.

But if true, this suggests that Andrew's family are pretty much on the out when the Queen dies? Which is interesting?

Personally, I can't see this actually working out the way the article suggested, but it's interesting such articles are even being floated, I think?

@diddl

Perhaps instead of co opting more in they should tailor the "workload" to those who are available?

This is my feeling too.

Even if George is nominally an adult by the time Charles takes the throne (which I do agree is probably unlikely), William and Harry weren't full working royals at 18, were they? It would be a lot for an 18yo to take on.

I agree that Zara and William are obviously close, but as others have said, she's got her own successful career, and has arguably had the best of both worlds throughout.

I have to say, I do think of Zara as "working" even though her career is clearly a passion, compared to Beatrice and Eugenie. I'd be hard pressed to say what they've done for work, which might be part of the problem!

Even if George is nominally an adult by the time Charles takes the throne (which I do agree is probably unlikely), William and Harry weren't full working royals at 18, were they? It would be a lot for an 18yo to take on.

Sort of repeating what I said on another thread, but I think the loss (in terms of working royals) of Andrew, Harry and Meghan means it's unlikely George, and possibly the younger two, will get the same leeway William and Harry have to do uni/military then live a quiet family life for a few years.

Assuming that demand for royal engagements is still high I think he'll be full time straight from uni/what he does then.

Maybe they should stop doing so many engagements.

It should be as many as each of them can do in a 40 hour week 46 weeks of the year.

But they should Def change the rules of succession to equalise men and women to put Anne and her crew above the younger sons.

They must have thought it was a possibility or autumn Philips wouldn't have renounced her Catholicism prior to marrying Peter.

It's all been very quiet regarding their divorce too.

They are still married but she's been forgotten.

Peter is still young enough to get a second wife and a few more issue.

The rules of succession have been changed to equalise, that’s why Louis birth didn’t push Charlotte down the order.

It’s nkt retrospective though so won’t affect Anne and her children.

Having met Zara in several capacities including social, fairly frequently over around 25 years, I can say hand on heart that she definitely isn’t royal duty material. Perfectly pleasant woman but definitely not a ribbon cutter or glad hander. And why should she be.

@JustLyra

Even if George is nominally an adult by the time Charles takes the throne (which I do agree is probably unlikely), William and Harry weren't full working royals at 18, were they? It would be a lot for an 18yo to take on.

Sort of repeating what I said on another thread, but I think the loss (in terms of working royals) of Andrew, Harry and Meghan means it's unlikely George, and possibly the younger two, will get the same leeway William and Harry have to do uni/military then live a quiet family life for a few years.

Assuming that demand for royal engagements is still high I think he'll be full time straight from uni/what he does then.

That seems pretty tough for him. I know he's very privileged etc etc, but it would be a lot for an 18yo/21yo to take on in terms of responsibility and being constantly under scrutiny. I know that's what the monarchy is, and if he wants the privilege, he'll probably need to do it, but it just feels quite tough.

And what if Charlotte/Louis really don't want to?

How old was Charles when he started doing proper royal duties? Does anyone know.

Eugenie and Jack maybe.

The way Beatrice and Edoardo got together just right as he split up with his fiance and mother of his then toddler... no. We've had plenty enough of that, no need for more.

@Porchie

Having met Zara in several capacities including social, fairly frequently over around 25 years, I can say hand on heart that she definitely isn’t royal duty material. Perfectly pleasant woman but definitely not a ribbon cutter or glad hander. And why should she be.

FWIW, I think Zara is/was great at what she does, which takes a lot of skill, obviously. I think it would be a real shame if she was forced into a role she was uncomfortable with for the sake of her family, and if she had to give up eventing before she was ready to.

I wonder is Lady Louise and her brother plan to be working royals? I know that they aren't as high profile as Zara but their parents seem to do their fair share.

How old was Charles when he started doing proper royal duties? Does anyone know.

He left the military at 23/24 I believe.

There’s a programme on YouTube, I believe it was shown here once and never again, about the royal family and he’s in a meeting about the Cornwall Dutch. The Queen is also involved because he couldn’t take sole charge of it until he was 25, so he must have been under that.

@ForThePurposeOfTheTape

I wonder is Lady Louise and her brother plan to be working royals? I know that they aren't as high profile as Zara but their parents seem to do their fair share.

No, they are being brought up expecting to get jobs. That’s why their parents decided not to use the HRH and Prince/as titles for them.

@diddl

Perhaps instead of co opting more in they should tailor the "workload" to those who are available?

Yes, that's the rub.

It means that lots of charities will lose Royal patronages. Which they currently value and want to have because they see it makes a difference them,

My prediction is that Princess Anne will continue, for a decade or so. And the Wessexes for 25 years. The York princesses and the young Wessexes will do small numbers. I doubt Peter Philips will take in anything new, but Zara might do a small number of the sporting charities.

And it will all come down to the Cambridges in the longer term. But I think we'll need a new idea of what 'all' encompasses

I can't imagine Zara would be up for that. She's a very nice life with her family and her horses and her sponsorships. Pre-covid, she and Mike were often in the local pubs, drinking and having a laugh much like anyone else. Her brother pops up a fair bit too, being relatively normal (but obviously very well off). Even Anne rides about on her horse and always says a pleasant hello (she's very popular round here). The only one of them I've ever seen with obvious security is Anne's husband - which is odd, but there you go.

Although he does not have a title, Princess Anne's son-in-law was invited to the funeral ahead of the Duchess of Gloucester and Sarah Ferguson who is still the Duchess of York. I can't take any article seriously that writes this. All the DPs were invited, Peter is separated so obv not Autumn and Meghan didn't fly so one not her. But even the newly married husband's for an invite over their MIL.

But they should Def change the rules of succession to equalise men and women to put Anne and her crew above the younger sons.
Theyy must have thought it was a possibility or autumn Philips wouldn't have renounced her Catholicism prior to marrying Peter. Even if they'd changed the succession rules retrospectively, I doubt Anne would have contemplated her lineage taking the throne. William was 26, and in a pretty serious relationship (they married two years later) and they're was no reason to presume she wouldn't bear heirs. And Harry was early 20s so no reason to assume he wouldn't settle and do the same.

By the time Wills is King, possibly in 25 years time, he will have his 3 kids to do it all.
Added to which, nobody will care by then.

But they should Def change the rules of succession to equalise men and women

They have already done this in 2012. It does not displace anyone born prior to 2012 though, but for example Charlotte ranks above Louis and so will her children .

I'd be hard pressed to say what they've done for work, which might be part of the problem!

Maybe because despite the press wanting to paint them as lazy and feckless they do actually both have full time proper jobs and don’t especially want their employers dragged through the press all the time.

I'd be hard pressed to say what they've done for work, which might be part of the problem!

Don't you have Google? Or another internet search engine - if you type in 'name' 'career' or similar you'll find quit a lot of info. HTH>

@Quincie

I'd be hard pressed to say what they've done for work, which might be part of the problem!

Don't you have Google? Or another internet search engine - if you type in 'name' 'career' or similar you'll find quit a lot of info. HTH>

Oh FFS, obviously I could find out if I was bothered- I was just talking about public perception.

This is what happens when you have a slimmed-down monarchy. And as for William not being King for 25 years - it's highly unlikely as Charles is already 72 and doesn't look as though he'll have the Queen's longevity. Some of the Royal patronages will inevitably fall by the wayside - orf with their heads!

@Creepygnochi

The Cambridge's are very close to the Tindalls'

Yes they are but I doubt the authenticity of the article, quite honestly. It just doesn't ring true.

I'm not very keen on the Tindalls. I hope they don't get signed up.

Hmmm kites being flown suggest a trimming of the workload rather than coopting replacements in and I really think that's the best way to go.
I just don't think there's the appetite, particularly in younger generations for anything other than a slimmed down monarchy.
I think H and M may have done everyone a favour.

Jack's company was quick to include their branding when his and eugenie's baby was born. So that would all have to be thought through if she was given more royal duties.

There is going to be some sort of staffing issue with in the RF especially if they want Williams kids to live a little before becoming full-time Royals.

But there again Anne was full time from 18, Charles must have been early 20s, the Queen herself must have been early 20s she was Queen at just 25.

They'll have to cut the number of royal patronages and amount of stuff they do and have a focus on what the RFs roll is.