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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)

OP posts:
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Zuluqueen · 02/10/2021 17:37

Tbh I don’t understand why the RF are not talking about vaccines and encouraging the UK to do better with most of the Commonwealth countries. I think it’s actually disgusting that the UK government said it will not recognize vaccine certificates from Africa considering that most of these countries are in the commonwealth. What does that say really, some of us can’t have family visit us even though they are fully vaccinated by AstraZeneca that their governments bought from the UK for the above mentioned reason. I hope most African countries wake up . Most African countries don’t even harm the environment compared to western countries & China & Europe. Instead some governments like Kenya have let toxic rubbish from the west be dumped in their countries for a fee, think that’s disgusting. I’m glad that William said he got inspired to be involved with earths hot whilst visiting Namibia hopefully it showed that in Africa we are actually one with the environment & take care of it.

Serenster · 02/10/2021 18:30

@Aspiringmatriarch

people were mumbling where is William's project Not really. Actually, they were. I think it's something that behind the scenes the palace probably weren't too impressed by either. The big projects and charity campaigns are one area I believe royalty can do well in and make a difference with. William has dabbled here and there but nothing that defines him in a positive light, he's definitely been slow on the uptake if you compare him to his father and grandfather. Hopefully this prize will help with that.
After he left the armed services (which is pretty much compulsory for someone in his position) William worked as a part-time royal/part time air ambulance pilot until July 2017. I imagine the Palace were probably very happy about this role, as it was such a literal demonstration of commitment to public service? It then took him just over a year to come up with his big project. Not sure if that’s slow on the uptake?
Aspiringmatriarch · 02/10/2021 20:49

Agree to disagree, Serenster. Smile

JADS · 02/10/2021 23:41

PW's degree is subject was Geography, although I think he started out doing something else. Doesn't make him an expert, but he must have had some interest for a while.

Looks like a good project. Both the DoE awards and Prince's Trust are huge so they are tough acts to follow. Maybe PW has been a little slow on the uptake. Given how long the RF seem to live, it seems prudent to not rush headlong into things, to mature on the quiet and then step up.

julieca · 02/10/2021 23:48

Maturing on the quiet and then stepping up has to include living the values of what you are championing.
I have a fundamental problem with this concept and similar. It promotes the idea that technology is the way out of our climate crisis. It really is not.

SallyLockheart · 03/10/2021 01:35

Clearly julieca you still haven’t bothered to read up on the project and it’s finalists. You might learn a lot but hey, don’t let fact get in the way of your prejudice

Facts aren’t really a strong point with you, are they?

redfernstation · 03/10/2021 07:24

@julieca

Maturing on the quiet and then stepping up has to include living the values of what you are championing. I have a fundamental problem with this concept and similar. It promotes the idea that technology is the way out of our climate crisis. It really is not.
Why is technology not the way out? and if it isn't, what is?
rubicscubicle · 03/10/2021 08:34

After he left the armed services (which is pretty much compulsory for someone in his position) William worked as a part-time royal/part time air ambulance pilot until July 2017. I imagine the Palace were probably very happy about this role, as it was such a literal demonstration of commitment to public service? It then took him just over a year to come up with his big project. Not sure if that’s slow on the uptake?

This is a job where William was not working enough hours, so his colleagues were complaining. That does not show a strong work ethics or commitment.

Slow uptake, as the older brother. Why does it take him so long, 7yrs after Harry. And it's not like Harry was not doing other projects on the side, quite significant ones too. Like his big African animals projects (Africa Parks), co heading Sentebale, Travelyst etc. He has been very visible in his projects.

Arguably, William will have a lot of work when he becomes king, but that is such a long way off, as his family have long lives, it makes no sense for him to come across as idle as he does.

rubicscubicle · 03/10/2021 08:37

@Aspiringmatriarch

people were mumbling where is William's project Not really. Actually, they were. I think it's something that behind the scenes the palace probably weren't too impressed by either. The big projects and charity campaigns are one area I believe royalty can do well in and make a difference with. William has dabbled here and there but nothing that defines him in a positive light, he's definitely been slow on the uptake if you compare him to his father and grandfather. Hopefully this prize will help with that.
The problem for William is that he does not seem to be passionate about anything.
Aspiringmatriarch · 03/10/2021 08:57

Arguably, William will have a lot of work when he becomes king, but that is such a long way off, as his family have long lives, it makes no sense for him to come across as idle as he does.

Is it a long way off though? The media reports at the moment look to me as if they're positioning him as the next monarch. Which would be sad for Charles but as a man in his seventies with a (still) pretty unpopular spouse perhaps it makes sense.

The problem for William is that he does not seem to be passionate about anything.

I agree and have said this in previous threads. However, the Queen doesn't appear to be particularly passionate about anything and has nonetheless been a successful monarch up till recently. Perhaps not being associated with particularly strong views on anything (architecture, organic farming etc) could be a positive in a future head of state. Easier for people to then project onto him whatever qualities they want.

upinaballoon · 03/10/2021 09:04

I think the Queen is a bit passionate about the gee-gees. Is it true that she's won loads of money from betting on racing pigeons?

rubicscubicle · 03/10/2021 09:17

Well the Queen does love horses. If she had the time before becoming queen I could see her being a version of Zara, who then gets heavily involved in animal charities.

The problem with trying to be a blank slate is that it may have worked all those years ago (and lately the queen is familiar because of her longevity), but with such a diverse country nowadays, it may not work quite as well.

Back when the queen started everyone was pretty much conservative in views, lack of diversity, just a decade after the war, unity, rationing etc. next thing you know, she is part of the furniture. William will come in at a completely different time.

derxa · 03/10/2021 09:26

However, the Queen doesn't appear to be particularly passionate about anything and has nonetheless been a successful monarch Yes that's true

derxa · 03/10/2021 09:29

The Queen or King is the figurehead of the country not the head of a lobbying group for their 'passion'.

rubicscubicle · 03/10/2021 10:07

A former figurehead who was a head of state was very passionate about his country and people. His name was Nelson Mandela.

Anyway, William is no king. For now he is another royal we pay tax for.

derxa · 03/10/2021 10:18

A former figurehead who was a head of state was very passionate about his country and people. His name was Nelson Mandela. What's that got to do with the price of fish?

rubicscubicle · 03/10/2021 11:03

Your posts seems to imply, you should not be passionate about anything if you are a figurehead.

smilesy · 03/10/2021 12:18

Not sure Nelson Mandela was just “a figurehead”

Coronateachingagain · 03/10/2021 16:40

@rubicscubicle

Your posts seems to imply, you should not be passionate about anything if you are a figurehead.
Your post seems to imply, that the Queen is not passionate about the people. And how do you know?
julieca · 03/10/2021 17:30

Nelson Mandela was not just a figurehead! He was a very controversial figure who actively fought against apartheid. Everyone knew what he stood for.
We all know the Queen loves horses and her corgis and is keen on outdoor sports and walking. William just seems like a boring middle-aged man. I have zero idea what he likes doing, except that he seems lazy.

Aspiringmatriarch · 03/10/2021 17:41

Actually, I do have more of a sense of the Queen as a person than I do of William. As in her love of horses etc, she's outdoorsy, has quite a wicked sense of humour I think and has a deep Christian faith. I couldn't say anything definitive about William at all really which now I think about it, is a bit strange. I mean the bare facts of what he's done and a few quotes but nothing that really leaps out as a distinctive human being.

smilesy · 03/10/2021 18:31

I think that William is more reserved than other members of his family, a bit like his great-grandfather, George VI. He is also in the somewhat delicate position of being the 2nd in line to the throne and I think he is aware of not overshadowing his father. Not everyone has to be loud and in your face to have passion for things. I think we only really know quite a lot about the Queen because she has been around for so long. Perhaps we will see more of William now that PP has passed away and the Queen needs more support. Who knows?

julieca · 03/10/2021 18:43

No one is asking for him to be loud. But he is a 39-year-old man funded by taxpayers since birth. But seems to have zero passions and interests.
It's like Catherine who seems so bland the media keep comparing her to other RF members like the Queen, Princess Diana, etc. As if they can't get any sense of who SHE is.

derxa · 03/10/2021 18:53

@julieca

No one is asking for him to be loud. But he is a 39-year-old man funded by taxpayers since birth. But seems to have zero passions and interests. It's like Catherine who seems so bland the media keep comparing her to other RF members like the Queen, Princess Diana, etc. As if they can't get any sense of who SHE is.
You're objecting to William because he seems a bit dull ... and his wife. You must be absolutely scintillating yourself. I don't blame them for keeping themselves private in some aspects. When you see them they're working.
Aspiringmatriarch · 03/10/2021 19:16

Well, I'm not objecting per se. Just observing. I will admit William leaves me rather cold, but I doubt he's going to worry about that. Catherine seems genuine and rather shy. I like her, I think she looked bloody gorgeous at the James Bond premiere, but I wouldn't want her to be a role model to my daughters (if I had any). She's good at her role though.