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The royal family
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Those little things you've always wondered about the Royal family

227 replies

Saltandshake82 · 06/05/2021 17:06

Do the royals watch programmes about themselves.
If a senior royal suspects she's pregnant, who does she ask to get a pregnancy test? (Not sure why I wonder this)
Do they have a GP or a royal doctor. How to they go about seeing them.
Do they have security at the school where Prince George and Princess Charlotte go?
How do they employ staff and ensure they don't divulge information outside of their job.

Most importantly does someone really keep the toilet seat warm for the queen?? Grin

OP posts:
LlamaDrama20 · 08/05/2021 22:08

The staff aren't there, right next to them, all the time though!

They will have bells and separate living quarters. They will probably disappear once they are finished their tasks. Security will be in the buildings, or grounds - not sitting next to them on the sofa Grin.

I imagine it not being that different to a modern Downton Abbey really?

fiheka · 08/05/2021 22:17

I should imagine it is like a hotel but with personal staff in terms of privacy. You can ask staff not to come in and clean, or even to leave meals outside the door.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 08/05/2021 22:28

I want to know if, when a baby has a poonami nappy, do they deal with it themselves? Many a time when I've been soaking a shit soaked sleep suit I've thought 'I bet Kate Middleton's never had to do this!'

Lockdownbear · 09/05/2021 08:51

Kate definitely said there were times her and George were alone on Anglesey without staff when William was working nights. So I'll assume she changed George's bum and dealt with a poonami.

nearlynermal · 09/05/2021 08:52

I wonder which of them supported Brexit and which didn't.

mermaidsariel · 09/05/2021 08:53

They didn’t get a nanny for a while as I recall. Not until they returned to London and had to ramp up the Royal engagements.

Lockdownbear · 09/05/2021 09:29

@mermaidsariel that makes sense and ties to the comment of not having staff on Anglesey.

Becles · 09/05/2021 10:51

@mermaidsariel

They didn’t get a nanny for a while as I recall. Not until they returned to London and had to ramp up the Royal engagements.
Yes they did. William's old nanny came out of retirement.

At one point they had 3 nannies and 2 kids, not sure if it's down to 2 now the eldest are at school.

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 09/05/2021 13:48

W&K will parent far more actively than Royals usually do.

The Queen and Prince Phillip used to see their children for 30 minutes on an evening. I'm sure I recall Charles saying he was raised by his nanny, or something similar.

Diana was considered practically revolutionary because she took the boys to McDonalds and theme parks. She did the school run - very unusual for a senior royal. But she seemingly set a precedent as they seem involved parents, with the nanny's seemingly doing the childcare when they work (like a lot of normal people who employ nannies and childminders)

Maireas · 09/05/2021 13:53

Diana did see more of her children, and was involved, but they still had nannies and nursemaids. One floor at KP was the nursery floor which included a kitchen and dining room for the children's needs. Still traditionally aristocratic, although Diana's involvement with them and their varied activities does show an element of progression.

mermaidsariel · 09/05/2021 18:31

@Becles
The old nanny came out of retirement after they returned from Anglesey. She was not employed when they were in Wales. Carol Middleton took over for a while when they came back.
Then they got Williams old nanny in for a while.

Forgetmenot82 · 12/05/2021 16:45

Does the queen vote in the GA?

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 12/05/2021 17:19

@Forgetmenot82 no, none of the RF do

Forgetmenot82 · 13/05/2021 12:57

[quote FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]@Forgetmenot82 no, none of the RF do [/quote]
I honestly didn't know that!

VexedofVirginiaWater · 13/05/2021 16:12

Didn't Megan vote last year (in the US)?

VexedofVirginiaWater · 13/05/2021 16:12

Sorry - Meghan

Duplobuplo · 13/05/2021 16:18

I wonder why they don't do anything fun like declare that everyone has to wear a silly hat on June 24th or parade around on elephants. Usually people say it's because of royal protocol but if the royals don't set the royal protocol then what's the point?

Vegasbaby2019 · 13/05/2021 16:39

@StrictlyAFemaleFemale

Do they do hostage training like journalists do? Does HM ever win arguments like Elizabeth I in Blackadder by saying who is queen? With a pointed look. Did hm queen Mum REALLY do an ally g impression after christmas dinner? How much was HM involved in the opening ceremony of London Olympics? Who had the idea to have her pair up with James Bond and parachute in? Do you get bored of hearing god save the queen? Please would one of you do a MN AMA thread?
I read an article about Danny Boyle who said that he pitched the idea re James Bond to the Queen's ?dresser, who popped next door and asked the question and apparently HM replied of course, but only if I can have a speaking part. Certainly when the footage cut to Prince Philip watching it he seemed to be really chuckling. I love that story.
SkepticalCat · 13/05/2021 19:38

Continuing the Royal laundry theme, I have sometimes wondered how are royal clothes dried (I'm talking their everyday jeans & tops, not ballgowns).

Do they (or their staff) peg washing out to dry when it's a nice day? Where are the washing lines? I bet they don't have to worry about muddy footballs getting kicked onto the clean washing. Do they worry about spider willies if the washing gets darked on?

Or does it all get shoved in a tumble dryer? Or put on a Lakeland airer?

I am very invested in this.

mermaidsariel · 13/05/2021 20:33

I guess they have a drying room that only the ladies maid or valet can enter, so as not to gawp at the Royal undies.

ajandjjmum · 13/05/2021 20:54

@Vegasbaby2019
I read at the time that Princess Anne was asked if her mother would take part (she was on the Olympic Committee), and she replied 'just ask her'. I suspect she may have laid the groundwork!

CormoranStrike · 13/05/2021 20:56

I wonder if they ever have to face things like teenage pregnancies or addictions etc.

On the former, does the person have a choice in what happens next?

GroggyLegs · 13/05/2021 21:12

I wonder are they ever alone?
I thought about this when Prince Philip died - did that first night once the drawers and security had left, did the Queen suddenly feel the weight of being alone? I'm sure Philip was away many nights during their marriage, but it's different, isn't it?

I also wonder if the queen ever has a really good belly laugh - the ones that make you gasp for air and beg the joker to stop? I hope so, everyone deserves that.

GroggyLegs · 13/05/2021 21:12

*dressers

Standrewsschool · 13/05/2021 21:13

I’ve watched a couple in programmes recently which gives insights into the Royal Family.

  1. Anthony Armstrong and Royal cousins - in particular the last cousin was interesting. Her Mum was a real close friend of the Queen.

  2. Paul Burrell programme - although it was about his career, it gave an insight into Princess Di. For example, she was Marinas, Paul’s Wife friend and used to visit her in servant quarters in Buck Palace.

  3. Lady Glenconner wrote an interesting book about her life. There’s quite a lot about The Royal family, in particular Princess Margaret.