Will and Kate now have a YouTube channel - thoughts?

[lulugee]

Just that really. I'm divided - ok one hand I totally get how they are desperate to appeal to a generation that they need to get on board to save the monarchy. If the younger generation don't buy into them then it's not going to be sustainable long term really is it.

But on the other hand I feel it's a bit weird and fake! And they are trying a bit too hard too suddenly to change their image - it's almost coming across as competitive.

What do you think?

@Roussette

Interesting Marsha. I don't doubt you. Maybe the 18-24 year olds will carry it through. The ones I know are older as are my DCs.

No I think I got it wrong?

I’m losing it maybe I haven’t

Although 57% is still quite high considering

Personally, I don’t set much store by opinion polls.

What I would like is that we all be asked whether we want to keep paying out millions each year for palaces and security . You know, as the citizens in a democracy , which we are told we are .

Is that allowed?

Maybe it's because of the idea to slim down the monarchy, there won't be as many face-to-face engagements in the future but they can do a brief video to highlight a cause. You could fit a lot more videos into a day than face-to-face engagements.

William is probably the only future monarch here to have worked for an outside company (air ambulance) rather than just the armed forces (he's done that as well). I doubt that was an option for Charles, things change as time goes on.

I don't think they have been trying too hard. They are probably late on this and catching up with times now.

Just watched the video with KM speaking with a little girl with cancer from the Hold Still project. Was so lovely but so sad as well, brought a tear to my eye

@Ohdeariedear

Standard channel to have alongside FB/Insta etc as part of the comms/marketing mix for any organisation these days.

More surprised it’s taken them this long to do it.

Agreed, especially as YouTube allows longer videos than Instagram and Twitter. I’m not sure if Facebook allows longer videos. I’m not really clued up on social media but do use YouTube a lot.

I don't think the style suits them as well as the traditional format.

There are always going to be people to meet face-to-face to congratulate them on the service they do for the community. This formulation emphasized the importance of the individual community worker. Everything about the style of the old format puts the ordinary citizen centre stage: the block colours the royals wear, making them look like a prop of state office rather than a cool individual; the formulaic words and the use of scripted moves to go and shake hands and view set pieces showing good works - all controlled, proper and impersonal. Royal duty is emphasized.

You tube channels and informal themes only emphasize that they are not really ordinary underneath it, but helped by a lot of staff and hairdressers. We like them because they put their duty above personality and keep the personal side private in deference to their purpose. We like Carol Middleton because she is there with the grandkids when required, but doesn't push herself or her business: ditto Pippa and James.

I also don't think Catherine has that off-the-cuff TV personality, great though she is. I prefer her doing a job.

Isn’t it one of those things where people think they’re doing something that appeals to younger people, when in reality the young cool people have moved on to newer things years ago, most older people are online now anyway and there is a third body of people would neither follow them on Instagram/twitter or YouTube regardless.

I don’t think it will change/increase interest in them, but might give more access for those who already were. It will no doubt be a very carefully curated and controlled content.

No lots of older people are not online or only use online for very specific tasks e.g. a skype call with grandchildren or emails, and use nothing else. There is a lot of research on this. A lot of younger adults seem to over estimate the digital use by elderly people.
Totally agree though that young people have moved onto cooler platforms.
I suspect this will get a lot of views from people in other countries.

Castemary, perhaps my sample pool is different but my 60-70yo relatives are constantly posting nonsense on FB

I don't see 60 as elderly. I was thinking more 70 plus, but especially amongst those who did not use computers at work. My only relative in this age group who uses social media was always young in her outlook and happy to try new things.

I wouldn’t say 60 was elderly either, I said older which is subjective I guess

I have read a lot of these threads re : the royals and there is often an attempt to shut down criticism of the royals by arguing that they are ‘ value for money’ or ‘ better than an elected president’ or some other bullshit .

Can I recommend ‘ And what do you do ?’ by Norman Baker . I have just started it but it is a meticulously researched take down of every pro monarchy argument . It is factual not gossip . Everyone should read it so that the facts are widely known .
Any monarchists dare to ?

I think they don't want to know the facts. It's more comfortable for Royalists to gloss over facts.

However, I will look for this. Reading the reviews is gobsmacking. This stood out for me...

'This is a cogent, timely and very important study of an ancient institution, the monarchy, which has evolved highly modern methods of spin and obfuscation - especially about its money. Respect for a dedicated long-serving Queen has stifled analysis of the remarkable "shell game" which generations of her family and courtiers have shuffled assets and income between public and private and hidden the true costs of the Royal Family to its taxpaying subjects.'

I wonder how much longer the opacity can go on?

@Taketheredpill

I have read a lot of these threads re : the royals and there is often an attempt to shut down criticism of the royals by arguing that they are ‘ value for money’ or ‘ better than an elected president’ or some other bullshit .

Can I recommend ‘ And what do you do ?’ by Norman Baker . I have just started it but it is a meticulously researched take down of every pro monarchy argument . It is factual not gossip . Everyone should read it so that the facts are widely known .
Any monarchists dare to ?

The idea of a boring wee man like Norman Baker being president is enough for me.

I assume you’ve read the book in that case @derxa?