William & Kate 10 year wedding anniversary video

[Crimsonripple]

Has anyone else seen this on Instagram? It's so lovely and natural. Their PR camp are hitting the right buttons! The Oprah interview now just seems so trashy in comparison!

Just think, in a few years at most Charlie will get to put on a fetching pair of tighty tights and a cape decorated with a bit of stoat fur. Then we can all pretend that a deity most people only half believe in out of a sense of awkward politeness has personally appointed him our rightful ruler.

Charlie will wear his gold hat with crystallised carbon decorations and sit on a very big fancy chair to dispel any lingering doubts at to how important he is (at least compared to those of us who’ve never regally volunteered to work as an ersatz sanitary product).

Then we’ll all get to cheer for our new ruler like a bunch of woad smattered peasants as he literally looks down on us and waves from the balcony of one of his palaces that we pay for.

This is all very normal and grown up and totally the way to run a sensible meritocratic democracy.

'like a bunch of woad smattered peasants'

Holding up little posies and shouting 'gord bless 'im'

Small price to pay for what they get in return though isn’t it.

I don't think so, but then maybe I am in a privileged position and don't have to pay through the nose. I could not handle the constant intrusion, the criticism, the scrutiny, the not being able to live a normal life. It depends how good your 'normal' already is, perhaps. And I would be considerably more than bored. I would be exhausted with a headache. I'd prefer to do a fulfilling job, as many of us have the option to do, but they don't.

Holding up little posies and shouting 'gord bless 'im

This made me laugh out loud 🤣🤣🤣

Nesbo This is all very normal and grown up and totally the way to run a sensible meritocratic democracy.

Great post and writing style.
🤣🤣🤣

But... he's been unfaithful hasn't he??

Nesbo

that should go on their official website!

@coronafiona

But... he's been unfaithful hasn't he??

Who?

@Roussette

There is still (when last polled) a majority of people in this country who support the Monarch - warts and all

Yes. But as time goes on, I honestly think that view will change as the generations move on.

I disagree. But the fact is neither of us know - and we are both entitled to our opinion.

@Nesbo

Just think, in a few years at most Charlie will get to put on a fetching pair of tighty tights and a cape decorated with a bit of stoat fur. Then we can all pretend that a deity most people only half believe in out of a sense of awkward politeness has personally appointed him our rightful ruler.

Charlie will wear his gold hat with crystallised carbon decorations and sit on a very big fancy chair to dispel any lingering doubts at to how important he is (at least compared to those of us who’ve never regally volunteered to work as an ersatz sanitary product).

Then we’ll all get to cheer for our new ruler like a bunch of woad smattered peasants as he literally looks down on us and waves from the balcony of one of his palaces that we pay for.

This is all very normal and grown up and totally the way to run a sensible meritocratic democracy.

Love it

@Nesbo

Just think, in a few years at most Charlie will get to put on a fetching pair of tighty tights and a cape decorated with a bit of stoat fur. Then we can all pretend that a deity most people only half believe in out of a sense of awkward politeness has personally appointed him our rightful ruler.

Charlie will wear his gold hat with crystallised carbon decorations and sit on a very big fancy chair to dispel any lingering doubts at to how important he is (at least compared to those of us who’ve never regally volunteered to work as an ersatz sanitary product).

Then we’ll all get to cheer for our new ruler like a bunch of woad smattered peasants as he literally looks down on us and waves from the balcony of one of his palaces that we pay for.

This is all very normal and grown up and totally the way to run a sensible meritocratic democracy.

The thing is, there are absolutely no valid pro-monarchy arguments, as it’s clear the tourism argument and ‘Uh, otherwise we’d have Trump, Putin or BoJo’ arguments don’t hold any water. You’re left with pure sentiment, forelock-tugging, a liking for the reality TV/soap opera gossipiness of it all, or presumably, wildly anachronistic as it is in 2021, an actual belief in the divine right of monarchs.

@Wabe I am not British so come to this with some
distance but I think the Royal Family are a significant part of the national identity, not for all of course.

@coronafiona

But... he's been unfaithful hasn't he??

According to some unsubstantiated rumours in the tabloids you mean?

Yes I wish that would stop @mermaidsariel. A lot of people delight in inaccuracy, gossip and unpleasantness, there is no way of knowing from Giles Coren.

Even the Queen made home videos of Charles and Anne and the others. I think one of them played the violin and hit his brother in the ear with the bow. It's part of the normal Royal offer...and looking more natura than usual for the purpose.

Why do people say there has been an affair when there is no story or incident to go with the rumour? What on earth could make anyone think so - there isn't even a supposed source?

If it was an affair, Kate would not have been banning her rival from the house, as reported. If W and K were making it work after an indiscretion, it would be a matter of common sense that they should no longer mingle socially with the other couple. More likely to be a friendship that Kate didn't like, or too much personal information innocently being disclosed by William.

The Royal family are not supposed to be better than any of us, in the 21st century, they are supposed to be filling a role of service which involves honouring community-minded people for the voluntary work they do to make communities stronger and more cohesive. Hence the garden parties.

I was just reading about Charles Dickens. He promoted the idea of Christmas because it had community overtones, and he felt the festival were revived it would help bring cohesion to society. Royalty is an institution which creates an interest, and it then reflects that interest back on ordinary people, spotlighting and appreciating the role they play. These are the volunteers whose work is supplementing the work of the government offices. Royals today are supposed to be deflecting the spotlight off themselves ...and freeing up politicians to govern and not do all the heads of state stuff.
And unfashionable to say it, as it is, they are trained for the role so don't often make unsuitable decisions, such as squandering hundreds of thousands redecorating a flat they might live in your four years. They minimize opportunities to reward and promote themselves

Slight cringe but mostly adorable. I have a lot of respect for them both.

Diverseopinions Excellent post.

The rumour mill re: the “affair” reinforces why many of us wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. It was started by someone who noticed the Duchess and Rose were seeing less of each other. Now, think up a possible reason that can sell as many newspapers as possible. There’s your likely answer.

The thing is, there are absolutely no valid pro-monarchy arguments, as it’s clear the tourism argument and ‘Uh, otherwise we’d have Trump, Putin or BoJo’ arguments don’t hold any water.

Why don’t they hold any water? Why is a self-serving, publicity-hungry politician as head of state preferable?

There are plenty of people who’d be well suited to the role, but the problem is, few of them would go near politics with a barge-pole.

This is also completely dependent on a functioning, healthy democracy, with an engaged and informed electorate. And as anyone who’s been paying attention can see, democracy around the world isn’t the take-it-for-granted concept it was when many of us were growing up.

You mean Boris Johnson’s “beloved child” and him “living with” his “partner” @Onlinedilema ? In what way isn’t his life acceptable?

Or are you just being vile about a baby for entertainment reasons? That is infinitely less acceptable and you sound nasty.

William gave the rumours credence I thought, by instructing lawyers at the time? Why would he do that about a silly, supposed tiff? They don't usually speak up about any tabloid reports.

I hope it isn't true. However I don't think Kate's demeanour would tell us. We know she is extremely strong and steely, she is absolutely capable of putting on a brave face and continuing. She is uber aware of the watching eyes and cameras. I saw a photo I had never seen before recently. Kate and her rowing team. They are heaving and you can see the effort on their faces... Except Kate who has an easy going, amused smile... Because the camera was there. She has had to temper her expression for years.

In the video I think she's looking at William like that out of nerves and for something to do! As usual he is rarely looking back in the same manner. I think he is a very lucky man.. Diana is stunning in that earlier photo!!

About a third of the works countries are monarchies, and included in their number are the Scandinavian countries usually lauded for their success and egalitarianism.

What the monarchy does will evolve to foster success - for the country not just its own survival (and the two are linked)

I dint think there's any change of a referendum until there is a prospect that the vote is winnable by either side. Even in Australia where opinion polling for years had shown strong republicanism, the vote was lost. It wouldn't be worth doing with such strength of support that the monarchy polls here.

There would also be the utter incongruity that she would continue to be Queen of all the other realms and dominions, so the Crown would continue to exist and could therefore continue to hold property. That would mean the public purse receiving only tax, not the entire revenue. Possibly a bad deal for us really.

@SaturdayRocks

The thing is, there are absolutely no valid pro-monarchy arguments, as it’s clear the tourism argument and ‘Uh, otherwise we’d have Trump, Putin or BoJo’ arguments don’t hold any water.

Why don’t they hold any water? Why is a self-serving, publicity-hungry politician as head of state preferable?

There are plenty of people who’d be well suited to the role, but the problem is, few of them would go near politics with a barge-pole.

This is also completely dependent on a functioning, healthy democracy, with an engaged and informed electorate. And as anyone who’s been paying attention can see, democracy around the world isn’t the take-it-for-granted concept it was when many of us were growing up.

Because you’re making the same error half the people on monarchy threads do, which is (1) to confuse the role of a ceremonial Head of State with a politically-powerful presidency like that of the US, or with a head of government role like the PM and (2) to assume that the role needs to be filled by a politician at all, or would even be appealing to one.

In Ireland all you have to be to be eligible to put yourself forward as a presidential candidate is an Irish citizen of over 35 with nominations from a certain number of members of the Oireachtas or county councils. The salary is pegged to the top of the civil servant salary scale, so no one’s in it for the cash. It has largely ceremonial power so wouldn’t interest a career politician.

@ajandjjmum

But the fact is neither of us know - and we are both entitled to our opinion

Of course, but where have I said any different to that? Perhaps you are muddling me up with someone else.

Forums are all about opinions... we all have 'em.