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The royal family
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prince William - earthshot prize

787 replies

Samcro · 27/09/2021 09:45

could not believe it when I saw the advert for it last night. so PW is presenting this thing. the same Prince who flies all over the world.
obviously won't be watching as him and DA lecturing people about climate change is so hypocritical.
(rant over)

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Roussette · 05/10/2021 19:37

Prove it's not the case and I'll listen to you. As I say "I imagine"

julieca · 05/10/2021 20:12

@Roussette

I don't dislike him but I will admit that I don't warm to him. I just always see a thinly disguised irritation from him
Yes that is always the impression I get from him too.
julieca · 05/10/2021 20:14

@derxa

That comment gives the impression he's bending over backwards for the climate and we're still not happy which is clearly not the case. I don't think that at all. He's just muddling along like the rest of us. Environmental change will only come through government and the implementation of new technology and good ideas that this Earthshot prize might stimulate.
No I have a much smaller carbon footprint than William. Plus I think someone promoting projects to protect the environment in such a high profile way does need to make a personal effort as well.
Washeduponthebeach · 05/10/2021 20:24

@Roussette

I don't dislike him but I will admit that I don't warm to him. I just always see a thinly disguised irritation from him
I think he's probably naturally a very private person who is naturally shy and reserved. He's living a life that no one in their right mind would choose, despite all the perks. I think he values family life above all else, because he never had a loving ,happy family life as a child. He tries very hard to protect his family and private life whilst trying to fulfil his duty as he sees it. I think he would have loved to have been a helicopter pilot full time and had a completely different life. No wonder if he feels irritated. I would be deeply depressed living that way. . Most people would be. No amount of houses , servants and privilege can make up for being essentially a captive with few real choice in life.
julieca · 05/10/2021 20:37

He can abdicate? But that would mean not having the money and I expect he would not like that either.

julieca · 05/10/2021 20:37

The irritation always hints at arrogance actually.

Washeduponthebeach · 05/10/2021 20:46

@julieca

He can abdicate? But that would mean not having the money and I expect he would not like that either.
Maybe he feels a sense of obligation . It's not like any other job which you can walk away from. His grandmother and father would be absolutely devastated.
julieca · 05/10/2021 20:48

You think no one else has ever done things with their life their parents and grandparents are set against and upset about?
Of course he can walk away. Nobody could stop him.

julieca · 05/10/2021 20:49

The Queen thinks it is her duty given by God, so I don't think she could ever walk away. But presumably younger Royals don't believe all that guff?

Roussette · 05/10/2021 20:55

Washed
Up to a point, I agree.
And valuing his family life is to be applauded.
Not sure on the helicopter pilot bit
Who knows what his aspirations are, he's tied into this life, we just have no idea.
What a poisoned chalice it is

StormzyinaTCup · 05/10/2021 20:55

Well if PW abdicates that’s going to be a disaster very interesting😉

julieca · 05/10/2021 21:05

If he was going to do it, it would make sense when George was old enough to be a clear heir to Charles.

Aspiringmatriarch · 05/10/2021 21:06

I don't dislike him but I will admit that I don't warm to him. I just always see a thinly disguised irritation from him

This is exactly what puts me off him. That and, it may sound silly but he never seems to actually look at Catherine when they do events together. It's like they're together but he's almost pretending they're not? It makes him look a bit cold, to me. But this is not the topic of the thread I realise Grin.

Anyway, I still think the Earthshot prize is in itself, a good thing. We need innovation and investment and to feel hopeful about the future.

I can't get too exercised about helicopters either - not great environmentally but I can understand it's practical for their lifestyle I guess (!) and even if he took a helicopter every day, it's a tiny drop in the ocean and doesn't mean we can't look at the positives. Can't see William wearing patched up tweeds and talking to his plants, but the Earthshot prize is potentially more useful.

Gwrach · 05/10/2021 21:07

@julieca

The Queen thinks it is her duty given by God, so I don't think she could ever walk away. But presumably younger Royals don't believe all that guff?
As not only head of state but also head of the church of England, I can take a pretty wild guess that yes, he does believe in all that "guff" aka his religious belief and the sanctity of the crown as a duty bestowed from God.

There is a reason the monarch is anointed with holy water and that the coronation takes place on a abbey.

Each heir will have been raised to believe wholeheartedly as a belief system that this is their duty bestowed on them by god.

Same way I as a Christian believe Jesus walked this earth and performed miracles. I'm not saying you have to, you could think it "guff" but it's my belief system. And I'm 31!!

Roussette · 05/10/2021 21:09

Interesting discussion.

I had deeply religious parents, and I'm not.

Has he a choice? I dunno

Aspiringmatriarch · 05/10/2021 21:12

I can take a pretty wild guess that yes, he does believe in all that "guff" aka his religious belief and the sanctity of the crown as a duty bestowed from God.

You know, I really doubt he does. Charles I think is quite a deeply religious man but William? It just doesn't seem likely. I think he's like a lot of people who have a churchy background but don't give it much thought. And even if he is religiously inclined, the idea of being literally chosen by God as monarch is just so deeply old-fashioned nowadays. It was even when Elizabeth became Queen really. I think his views are probably pragmatic and it's probably more about a sense of duty towards his family and the expectations he's been brought up with.

Gwrach · 05/10/2021 21:16

@Roussette

Interesting discussion.

I had deeply religious parents, and I'm not.

Has he a choice? I dunno

I think the horse has bolted on choice from the second he was born breathing and took his place as heir to the throne.

Don't forget it's not just "having religious" parents, a heir is trained, you could say brainwashed to take their place. From early childhood he was prepared to be king.

Something I think PW and Catherine have tried to avoid with George as much as they can given the situation/institution they are in. But George will still be honed and trained to be heir.

It's an institution a firm , not a family. No wonder Harry described it as being "trapped" .

Roussette · 05/10/2021 21:20

Yes I agree Gwrach

Far more than just religious parents I know. A destiny or way of life with no deviation

Washeduponthebeach · 05/10/2021 21:21

@julieca

You think no one else has ever done things with their life their parents and grandparents are set against and upset about? Of course he can walk away. Nobody could stop him.
I think this is a very limited way of seeing things. His life is quite different to that of anyone else. Being brought up to be King , with all that involves is not something to be walked away from lightly. It would also impact his own son. It would cause a constitutional crisis and the rest of his family would be hugely affected as well as the image of the monarchy. We will never know what he really feels about it all.
Gwrach · 05/10/2021 21:26

And if you also think about it, any meer fleeting thought of abdication has now been taken away by Harry defaulting (I don't blame Harry, he did what was best for him and his family) but this has now left William well and truly alone. He can't hand over the job to his brother, he knows that's a no go now.

We all know George abdicated and handed over to his brother, but I think he knew his brother could and would shoulder the burden.

Of Harry's mental health is as poor as it is William knows he can't burden him with it, the man would understandingly crumble. No matter how much you fell out with your brother you wouldn't deliver the final blow.

Gwrach · 05/10/2021 21:31

Sorry pressed to soon

Harry would have to act as regent for George. William and Catherine would not be able to because they would have abdicated rather than passed away.

So Harry would act, till George was of age. I believe.

Aspiringmatriarch · 05/10/2021 21:32

And if you also think about it, any meer fleeting thought of abdication has now been taken away by Harry defaulting (I don't blame Harry, he did what was best for him and his family) but this has now left William well and truly alone. He can't hand over the job to his brother, he knows that's a no go now.

It's genuinely sad when you stop and think about it. Born and brought up in the public eye, always knowing what your future duty will be regardless of whether you'd ever have chosen it. Obviously a huge amount of 'privilege' but zero freedom really so what does that really amount to? In another life, I can imagine him being quite content as an accountant and weekend lycra dad. And yes I'm damning with faint praise a bit but there's nothing wrong with being ordinary and it's just bizarre that we have this family who are preordained to be heads of state regardless of their natural aptitudes or desires.

Aspiringmatriarch · 05/10/2021 21:35

And now as you say, he's alone with it. Not that I blame Harry for that. I rather think it's partially of his own making but it must be a lonely position to be in now.

Washeduponthebeach · 05/10/2021 21:40

@Aspiringmatriarch

And now as you say, he's alone with it. Not that I blame Harry for that. I rather think it's partially of his own making but it must be a lonely position to be in now.
Even worse when Charles dies and the Queen is gone. There will be no support for him apart from from his wife and i bet she dreads the day.
Gwrach · 05/10/2021 21:44

@Aspiringmatriarch

And if you also think about it, any meer fleeting thought of abdication has now been taken away by Harry defaulting (I don't blame Harry, he did what was best for him and his family) but this has now left William well and truly alone. He can't hand over the job to his brother, he knows that's a no go now.

It's genuinely sad when you stop and think about it. Born and brought up in the public eye, always knowing what your future duty will be regardless of whether you'd ever have chosen it. Obviously a huge amount of 'privilege' but zero freedom really so what does that really amount to? In another life, I can imagine him being quite content as an accountant and weekend lycra dad. And yes I'm damning with faint praise a bit but there's nothing wrong with being ordinary and it's just bizarre that we have this family who are preordained to be heads of state regardless of their natural aptitudes or desires.

It is what it is, we have a monarchy, I mean if the people chose to revolt and become a republic so be it, but that will never happen in our life times.

The UK constitutional law relies on having a monarch, so the poor people who would have to do that paperwork change!! And it's not the 16 hundreds now with just Barron's and gentry to please whilst the change is enacted, it's international law, human rights law and so so much more. I would envy those with that admin job.