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Kate and William booed at Celtic game in Boston

127 replies

antelopevalley · 01/12/2022 15:36

Kate and William have six events on their trip to Boston, one of which is attending a Celtic baseball game. Every time their faces were shown on the Jumbotron ( giant TV screen) they were booed and there were chants of USA. William and Kate reportedly looked very uncomfortable at the game.

They hadn't done anything wrong at the game. They turned up suitably dressed and watched the game, that was all.

But I think going to Boston and especially to the Celtics game was always a mistake. They seem to operate on the basis that everyone will be thrilled to see the Royal Family and do not appear to understand that this is not always the case. They need to choose the places they visit much more carefully and drop any outdated beliefs that they will be welcome everywhere they go.

OP posts:
wordler · 01/12/2022 18:42

Pallisers · 01/12/2022 18:31

www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/30/sports/celtics-had-some-royal-guests-wednesday-prince-william-kate/

Entirely different reporting of last evening in Boston itself - and not just in the Boston Globe but on radio etc. Apparently the original plan was to leave at half time but they stayed on and were unphased by .... shock/horror ... unruly and loud fans.

Still, it was a great excuse to get a bit of anti- Irish American vitriol in.

I couldn't get through the paywall for that but here's an archive version of it too

archive.ph/EWuRw

Blargh · 01/12/2022 18:43

Why shouldn't they be? The Irish Americans who left during the famine survived and thrived in the US. Half of our population who couldn't make it over there died. The rest of us continued to live under British rule for several more years, which culminated in a War of Independence followed by a bitter Civil War followed by decades of economic stagnation followed in turn by guerilla warfare in the North. We made a peace agreement and rebuilt ourselves as a modern successful nation in our own right. Part of that involves moving on from the past and and that includes affording visiting royals some common courtesy when they visit.

ChateauMargaux · 01/12/2022 18:43

greenhousegal · 01/12/2022 16:34

Inevitable, given the venue, team, and "Irishness" of the city. That's not to say that Irish people in Ireland hate Royalty, but often the old ways and history live on in the diaspora.

Bad choice. Again...

What makes you think Irish people in Ireland would roll out the red carpet.... they might be polite and there might be some people who would turn out to see them.. I mean I can't speak for every Irish person, I hold a certain amount of emotion around monarchy, colonialism etc.... having been born in a republic .. I live in a third country now with lots of people from different countries, it is interesting that those of us who are from republics don't really understand the feeling that people who are from constitutional monarchies have about their Kings and Queens... our leaders change frequently, some of those who have been around for a long time, stay longer in our affection and even then, some not.. but there does seem to be a difference in feeling depending on the structure of the state.

LindorDoubleChoc · 01/12/2022 18:45

What's wrong with being a public figure and expecting to go about your job and NOT to be booed?

Booing is boorish and foul behaviour. I might boo at a pantomime - otherwise I keep my mouth shut.

There are some public figures I detest in every way - Trump comes to mind - but booing him if were ever in his earshot (hopefully unlikely) would just demean me. Those who booed were arseholes, each and everyone.

#definitelynotaroyalist btw.

BedTaker · 01/12/2022 18:45

Boston is full of 10,645th generation 'Irish' who hate Britain and some of whom donated to the IRA back in the day because of a romanticised idea of an Ireland they have never even been to.

My mum is actually Irish and went and queued to see the Queen when she died. 🤷‍♀️

I do think it was probably a mistake for William and Kate to go that game though, what did they expect?

OP posts:
Facecream · 01/12/2022 18:47

@antelopevalley
is there lots of boos ? Any boo-hoos?

Original poster
antelopevalley · 01/12/2022 18:48

Celtic fans in the UK have also been anti Royalty at a game.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-11212613/Celtic-fans-mock-Queens-death-f-crown-Sorry-loss-Michael-Fagan-banners.html

OP posts:
DillDanding · 01/12/2022 18:49

I’m glad. Anything that’s not fawning obsequiousness is progress.

ArcaneWireless · 01/12/2022 18:54

I cannot help but think that those who obsess about finding fault with strangers must lead such desperately sad little lives.

What a shame. Imagine being pitied for that by strangers on the internet.

Facecream · 01/12/2022 18:56

@Blargh
Im Irish - from Ireland so I don’t need the history but it’s missing the point to say the people who emigrated thrived - did they?
Do you feel the same about Afghans and Iraqis who left their countries or the Windrush people - just forget about it?
I’n no fan of the “boo” as it’s just, in my view, a polite way of saying I don’t like this/it/you.
It is pointless.
But so are the Royal Family abroad.
Go incognito if you really want to see a Celtic/any other controversial sport or cultural event if you care that much (W&K).
I live in the UK - from your previous post I take it you don’t (could be wrong) - and while many, many Irish people respected the Queen (because of what she did more than her role, though the British might not see the difference) - especially with her visit to Dublin Castle, the Queen wasn’t tone deaf.
The offence to those who had to leave their homes is always greater because the loss is double.
I couldn’t care less if a visiting royal used my loo - happy if they need to.
But I’m still astounding how tone deaf those who come after the Queen are: literally no attempt at treading carefully. Just turn up and expect everyone to think they are incredible for existing

LindorDoubleChoc · 01/12/2022 18:56

DillDanding · 01/12/2022 18:49

I’m glad. Anything that’s not fawning obsequiousness is progress.

What about just being neutral and not acting like an animal? Staying quiet is not "fawning obsequiousness".

OutFortheBirds · 01/12/2022 18:58

Absolutely agree @Blargh

LadyEloise1 · 01/12/2022 19:00

greenhousegal · 01/12/2022 16:34

Inevitable, given the venue, team, and "Irishness" of the city. That's not to say that Irish people in Ireland hate Royalty, but often the old ways and history live on in the diaspora.

Bad choice. Again...

I agree.
There is a thread on Mumsnet on Royal Fashion and quite a few of the posters are Irish.
However many of those Irish Americans in Boston will have been raised learning about the oppression by the ruling British class that their ancestors suffered back in the old country.
Remember much of the funding for the arms buying for the Provisional IRA would have come from the US.
For many of us living in Ireland, it's different. We have moved on a little.
However there is a saying in Irish politics " ... nearer to Boston than Berlin" meaning we are closer to the US than the EU.

I did notice Kate wearing green. I thought that was a nod to the Irishness of Boston.

Facecream · 01/12/2022 19:01

But WHY should “visiting officials” be given respect or whatever niceties in PUBLIC?
In State ceremonies or visits - fine.
Would you “boo” Putin?
If Putin were at a Ukrainian football/hockey or whatever game - should he be respected??

LindorDoubleChoc · 01/12/2022 19:03

In the UK and much of the rest of Europe, in our living memory, we have a good argument for hating "the Germans". Do we though? Do we boo their politicians and statesmen because of what that nation inflicted on us in the middle of the last century?

No of course we don't.

Life HAS to move on. To hold onto all this ancient hatred towards generations who weren't alive when the injustice was done is - unhealthy at best.

wordler · 01/12/2022 19:04

It feels like the British media and the Twitterati are making the 'booing' out to be a much bigger deal than it was. It's not like people were booing them on the streets - it's a rowdy sports arena - in Boston which is known for its rowdy (and fun) fans.

I'm in the USA and watching the reporting over here and particularly the local coverage from Boston - it was a bit of minor heckling. This is the first time I've been in the USA while a royal visit takes place and the contrast between the British and American press is amazing.

LindorDoubleChoc · 01/12/2022 19:04

You're not putting William and Kate in the same folder as Putin are you? Not really?

MintyFreshOne · 01/12/2022 19:06

LindorDoubleChoc · 01/12/2022 19:03

In the UK and much of the rest of Europe, in our living memory, we have a good argument for hating "the Germans". Do we though? Do we boo their politicians and statesmen because of what that nation inflicted on us in the middle of the last century?

No of course we don't.

Life HAS to move on. To hold onto all this ancient hatred towards generations who weren't alive when the injustice was done is - unhealthy at best.

Well, u did win

Facecream · 01/12/2022 19:07

@LindorDoubleChoc
Of course not!!!
I don’t mind them

Its the point though - why do visiting officials think anyone not involved in official “stuff” owe them respect (by that I mean, for instance “boo” or whatever else).

AllyCatTown · 01/12/2022 19:08

Snnowflake · 01/12/2022 18:26

Perhaps the trip to the basketball was suggested by the Mayor or was it the Senator and his wife in Boston. Not realising the reaction.
I don't think there's be the same reaction at a Celtic game in Scotand as mentioned above - I think they'd be largely ignored. Celtic/ Rangers keep their wrath for each other..

I don’t know about Celtic fans. They brought a banner about hating the royal family and chanted through the minute’s silence for death of queen

dreamingbohemian · 01/12/2022 19:10

If Irish people want to be courteous to the royals, they are welcome to do so

Americans in general think royalty is very silly and are rather happy that we chased out the Brits, add a bit of Irish heritage on top and yes some people will have no inclination to be courteous.

If a bit of booing is the worst thing the royals have to deal with, it's still a rather charmed life isn't it

Facecream · 01/12/2022 19:10

And as @MintyFreshOne says - the Irish didn’t “win”. They didn’t “gain”, in any respect from what the British did. Hence, my original point, I’m sure the Celtic/Irish Americans have “moved on” and don’t live and breathe hatred for the RF - but it’s not hard to understand why they would express distaste at the RF flouncing to their diaspora lives expecting to be treated as if there were no issues…

bellac11 · 01/12/2022 19:15

What happened at the Caribbean trip?

healthadvice123 · 01/12/2022 19:15

All those irish anericans who have prob never stepped foot in ireland. Maybe they were invited and turning it down would of been frowned upon as well so they can't win.
People can't move on can they it seems , imagine the outrage if done to anyone else