Is anyone else thinking the optics are off: royals in a golden coach whilst the UK is in a cost of living crisis?

[MsPinkMarshmallow]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11456933/Prince-Princess-Wales-greet-South-African-president.html

People are struggling to heat their homes, feed their kids and pay their mortgages but the royals are in the Mall in a golden carriage and giving state banquets.

Can't we just get rid of the lot of them?

Along with nurses at food banks and starving children

😂😂😂😂

And given to the homeless. In gold bars, presumably, or very expensive firewood.

Yes.

It's nothing like the Gold Coach - pic of that has now been added by a pp

There are various black ones with painted trim. The Irish State one is the one normally used for Heads of State on an official (ie governmental) visit. As far as I can tell KC has followed the normal level of ceremonial - and also think it would be snub to omit/downgrade.

Is there a reason we would want to send that message to the South Africans right now?

You know what would look more authentic? Her opening up about her own experiences more genuinely

I don't think Kate has any mental health issues. Not everyone has. Doesn't mean she doesn't genuinely care about those who do.

Snort!

Appalling judgement.

How dare they put on this charade during the financial crisis!!!! 😠

How much more would it have cost if they'd just used cars? How much more special does the visiting head of state feel going in a coach with such pomp? How much warmer does that make a head of state feel towards the uk to be treated so well?

It's not 'a charade.' It's a state visit by the head of state of another country with which GB has long standing ties and presumably the govt expects it to pay off handsomely in trade agreements and diplomatic contacts both formal and informal. Heads of state ALWAYS get the royal welcome like this - want to be the govt official who explains to SA why they didn't?

The whole institution needs to be pared back and sensitive to the macro environment.

I’ve always been ambivalent towards to monarchy. Now I’m angry!

It's a government decision, be angry at them for the current situation by all means, they've been in power for over a decade

Miserable lot !

They're not exactly flaunting anything are they? They're doing their jobs on the world stage at the request of the government.

Meh I dunno what you expect them to do? Hide until the recession is over?
What about other rich people?

You know what would look more authentic? Her opening up about her own experiences more genuinely

Maybe she doesn’t want to? I shared some very personal stuff as part of a roll out of a workplace D&I initiative; whilst I was happy to share, after speaking to other women who’d been through the same thing many told me I was very “brave” in doing so. You know, suggesting they felt they couldn’t or didn’t want to be as open as I had been, which is completely understandable. Just because the POW has a public role doesn’t mean we’re entitled to know her personal problems, health concerns, insecurities or past traumas.

And maybe she thinks that if people are talking about their experiences then the focus should be on them, not her.

Kate looked stunning this evening.

Meh, the gold coach has existed for yonks, it’s a diplomatic shindig to improve trade and the economy otherwise the govt wouldn’t pay for it.

It’s what the RF is there for. And Cyril looked like he was having fun, so hopefully he’ll do whatever the govt is hoping he’ll do to benefit the Uk

It’s a trade mission you plonker. It’s too improve the economy.

TO improve

It’s a trade mission you plonker. It’s too improve the economy

Oh come on. Everyone knows it's to rub the faces of the populace in their poverty. RF prob have the thermostats in BP turned up to mega and all the windows open because they can. I wouldn't be surprised if they sat in that state banquet burning twenties.

It’s all rather Marie Antoinette “let them eat cake” isn’t it didn’t end well for her

She didn't actually say that. MA was actually very sympathetic (well, as sympathetic as she could be while spending millions on diamonds) to the plight of the poor.

The dress and jewellery were amazing . I loved Sophie’s dress too .

If they are not there the ceremony still goes on

OK you are RIGHT

I bet they don’t have double glazing in their squillion windows on purpose!! Also bet Camilla has a log burner in the dogs’ room, and tonight’s posh feast involved a choice of TWO blatantly hot puddings.