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The royal family
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Charles and that “bloody” pen

327 replies

nonono1 · 13/09/2022 21:21

The clip of Charles with the leaking pen is an interesting insight into how the royals behave and how they are treated by their seemingly very obsequious staff. Is Charles’ behaviour reasonable or do you think he’s kicking up an unnecessary fuss? Interested to hear other people’s perspectives really because I’ve never seen a clip like this before.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11206531/King-Charles-III-awkward-moment-pen.html

OP posts:
Lzzyisgod · 14/09/2022 06:35

Ah I can understand this tbh.

We've all (probably - i have them frequently 😂) had those days/weeks when youre under tremendous pressure with massive time constraints, trying to juggle about a million things and emotions with people constantly wanting your time and attention and feeling a huge weight of expectation and it's the tiniest, most insignificant thing that just tips you over the edge.

(for me yesterday it was crumbs on the kitchen worktop. The toaster got the pen treatment )

ChagSameachDoreen · 14/09/2022 06:40

Celticandco · 13/09/2022 21:27

The man must be on his knees with exhaustion and stress, think we need to give the poor guy a bit of a break for now at least

What exactly has he done that's so stressful? A couple of speeches? He's been preparing for this moment most of his life. His very elderly mother has passed after a long and full life. It isn't a tragedy. He needs to stop being a dick.

roundandroundthegarden1 · 14/09/2022 06:45

I'm not a fan of the royal family at all, but I imagine that when your mum has just died and you're under immense pressure with a load of responsibility added to your plate, and you're being paraded around in front of thousands of people who are shoving mobile phones in your face trying to get pictures of you, that you really are at the end of your tether.

oopsfellover · 14/09/2022 06:47

It’s not really for us to say what another person should or shouldn’t find stressful. We don’t know how Charles feels about anything or why he reacts as he does, because we have no access to that private side of him. Getting annoyed over a leaky pen seems like an absolute non-event, whipped up by the media as so many more things will
be.

CockingASnook · 14/09/2022 06:51

This is who he is. He’s a fussy, tetchy little man who has someone to squeeze the toothpaste onto his brush every day. Get used to it.

AuntieMarys · 14/09/2022 06:53

It will be interesting watching him with foreign dignitaries in the coming years.

Glitterspy · 14/09/2022 06:58

He’s human. He got the date wrong, twice, was annoyed with himself and it manifested as irritation at the pen. The Queen didn’t have every whisper caught on camera. I find the responses of his staff equally brusque, they’re clearly up to the job. Love how Camilla is completely and totally unruffled by his outburst (he must do it all the time). Love his choice of “stinking”, he could have said “every fucking time” but he didn’t. Posh old men are curmudgeonly and irascible.

Antarcticant · 14/09/2022 07:03

Lzzyisgod · 14/09/2022 06:35

Ah I can understand this tbh.

We've all (probably - i have them frequently 😂) had those days/weeks when youre under tremendous pressure with massive time constraints, trying to juggle about a million things and emotions with people constantly wanting your time and attention and feeling a huge weight of expectation and it's the tiniest, most insignificant thing that just tips you over the edge.

(for me yesterday it was crumbs on the kitchen worktop. The toaster got the pen treatment )

Yes, I agree with this. Charles is all over the place at the moment, literally, with this 'Four Nations Tour' happening at the same time as the Queen's coffin is moving around, he hasn't really stopped since his mother died - and he is 73! It's ill-advised, really - he should have waited before doing the tour - but I'm not surprised he is on a knife edge.

Blueblell · 14/09/2022 07:06

In this second “pen incident” 😂 I think he just seems annoyed with the pen and not the pen guy.

Getofftheladder · 14/09/2022 07:13

I’m half his age and I couldn’t handle his schedule this week with or without the grief. Not sure why anyone though this four nations whistle stop tour was a good idea so soon.

How hard is it to find a non leaking pen when the King comes to visit?

lemmein · 14/09/2022 07:15

No time at all for the royals but him asking what date it was reminded me when I've lost someone in the past how the days just roll into one and you haven't got a clue what's going on. I imagine being in the spotlight and attending so many engagements this week whilst grieving is very stressful.

I did think he was a bit of an arse just walking off and not waiting for Camilla though - but, meh...he's done worse! 🤷🏻‍♀️

NotQuiteUsual · 14/09/2022 07:20

He's in his 70s and just lost his mother and become the freaking King of England, following on from an incredibly beloved and iconic woman, who once again was his mother.

I'd rather a Monarch who is a little more human this time anyway. He's been all over the UK since Thursday, it sounds exhausting and I absolutely cannot blame him for quietly getting flustered. Camilla comes across as a fantastic support doesn't she?

AngelinaFibres · 14/09/2022 07:21

NeedAHoliday2021 · 13/09/2022 22:49

My job is to make sure execs in front of cameras are fully prepped for all situations so that would include desks laid out for them in a workable way with workable pens would be included. I think his team need to be on it so they’re right on hand, telling him the date and ensuring the pens are a style the king can write with. I remember in grief totally losing track of what day I was on. I think he’s doing well but his team need to step up.

One of my friends is an event organiser. She was amazed they hadn't 'walked through' the first paper signing/ pen disaster. The table was too small for the size of the papers and the pens and inkwell stuff were totally in the way. Surely someone could have tried it out as if they were doing it for real and realised that it just didn't work.
The most important and public thing most of us will sign is our marriage certificate. I think most of us would be upset if we got ink all over our fingers at that point. Our photos would be see by by a few people. The photos of him signing things will be seen by billions of people and picked over for the rest of time. He may turn out to be a self absorbed, entitled arse,or he may not. Time will tell. My father died 5 1/2 years ago. It wasn't a surprise, it wasn't an event of world significance . I had retired so if it all got too much I could take some time and have a sleep/ a massive blub. He can't do that . I can't imagine the strain.

Greenfrog78 · 14/09/2022 07:24

It shows hes human and grieving.!!! But I feel someone should have checked the pen for him.

Summerfun54321 · 14/09/2022 07:25

Poor man paraded in front of everyone and cheered at after his mother had suddenly died. Huffing at a leaky pen is nothing in the grand scheme of things, I’d be in tears with the frustration of it all.

nachoavocado · 14/09/2022 07:25

AngelinaFibres · 14/09/2022 07:21

One of my friends is an event organiser. She was amazed they hadn't 'walked through' the first paper signing/ pen disaster. The table was too small for the size of the papers and the pens and inkwell stuff were totally in the way. Surely someone could have tried it out as if they were doing it for real and realised that it just didn't work.
The most important and public thing most of us will sign is our marriage certificate. I think most of us would be upset if we got ink all over our fingers at that point. Our photos would be see by by a few people. The photos of him signing things will be seen by billions of people and picked over for the rest of time. He may turn out to be a self absorbed, entitled arse,or he may not. Time will tell. My father died 5 1/2 years ago. It wasn't a surprise, it wasn't an event of world significance . I had retired so if it all got too much I could take some time and have a sleep/ a massive blub. He can't do that . I can't imagine the strain.

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Yes. I think all of your post makes really good points.

MetalScrews · 14/09/2022 07:30

I think if I was signing incredibly important paperwork and got ink in my hands every single time, I'd probably be a bit miffed too. He has to then go out, shake hands with gazillions of people while global media watches his every move. So yes, it was ill-tempered but in the same circumstances, we'd probably all be the same too.

If he's still behaving like this in a year's time, the media will give him a nickname like 'grumpy Charlie' or something. But right now he's got a period of grace due to the exceptional circumstances he's in.

Soontobe60 · 14/09/2022 07:31

daysayso · 13/09/2022 21:40

Then he shouldn't accept the role as long, simple

I think he's acting like a twat and it's an embarrassment

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No, hes acting like a human being. Its people like you who think he should have absolutely no emotions that are there embarrassment. I thought the days of ‘British stiff upper lips’ had well and truly been put behind us - it seems I was wrong.

themessygarden · 14/09/2022 07:34

I think he is generally bad tempered when things don't go his way, however surprised he couldn't control it for a a few minutes .

Soontobe60 · 14/09/2022 07:34

CockingASnook · 14/09/2022 06:51

This is who he is. He’s a fussy, tetchy little man who has someone to squeeze the toothpaste onto his brush every day. Get used to it.

Now you’re being ridiculous.
When your nearest loved one dies and you have to sign the paperwork for the undertaker / death certificate / bank / probate and the pen leaks on you every time, just remember that you have no right to be fussy or tetchy.

Antarcticant · 14/09/2022 07:35

On a lighter note, perhaps someone should send him a Bic?

Soontobe60 · 14/09/2022 07:37

themessygarden · 14/09/2022 07:34

I think he is generally bad tempered when things don't go his way, however surprised he couldn't control it for a a few minutes .

How do you know? Do you follow his every move 24/7? Think carefully, why do you think he was annoyed that his pen leaked over his hands? He wasn’t annoyed at a person, didn't shout at anyone, didn't throw anything, didn’t stamp his feet or strop off. Do you actually know how damaging it can be to bury your emotions when you've just lost someone you love?

upinaballoon · 14/09/2022 07:39

He just might have inherited a bit of his father's temperament as well as his mother's.

Didn't George VI sometimes get angry?

TwinkleChristmas · 14/09/2022 07:49

Ffs he just lost his mum and he’s under immense stress.

give him a bloody break.

HookyHug · 14/09/2022 07:55

I don't think that's very surprising for someone who has experienced a trauma like the death of their mother and getting a new job where the eyes on most definitely on you - the cameras on them almost 24/7 after they've.
Added to his obvious cock up where he got the date wrong on two documents - his temper rising with frustration when his pen leaked was the proverbial straw. Newsflash - despite being chosen by God and divine providence - he's actually human, there's an enormous amount of pressure on him at the moment to get things right and maybe we should cut him a little slack..