AIBU to think lots of engagements are not "work"?

[babsanderson]

Just reading the Court Circular and I am struck once again by the reality that many engagements can not remotely be called work.
So just looking at January so it is clear I am not cherry picking over many months, there are the following engagements.

1. Anne went to a Dinner with the Caledonian Hunt
2. The Duke of Kent attended a carol service
3. Duchess of Gloucester, Patron, the Arts Society, today held a Meeting via telephone with Dr. Florian Schweizer (Chief Executive). So basically a phone call.
4. Anne attended lunch at the Royal Yachting Association.

It is not even the time of year to attend Film Premiers, tennis matches, football matches and theatre premiers.

You're contradicting yourself - in one post you 'have' to look like you're enjoying yourself at a social event, in another you enjoy these occasions and are sociable.

Do you have to do that day in day out every day? Could you actually say no if you really wanted to?

But people wouldn't turn out to see you. They want to meet the royal family.

Some comedian described what they do as “silly pseudo jobs” which I agree with, but still not something I would like to do on a regular basis, it seems more like work than fun.

That’s rich coming from a comedian!

The irony. 😆

Sorry, have just noticed you said the same.

This debate actually brings up a really good point that the Court Circular is being used as a way to judge what 'some' of the working royals are doing on a day-to-day basis but it's not the right vehicle to assess the impact of that work.

I do think the different Palace communications teams need to work on how to convey that information in a better way.

I think Charles was doing the best job of that with his annual reports as Prince of Wales, I'm interested in seeing what will happen now that he's King - whether he will create any kind of annual report. And also whether William will continue with the same kind of transparency as his father.

I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than do what they do. It is work x 100.

Earlier in my career, I had to entertain clients, free booze, fancy restaurants, expensive events like Wimbledon or theatre. Nope, I'd rather eat lunch at my desk than be that show pony in heels and an uncomfortable outfit trying to say the right thing and not do the wrong thing.

😂😂😂

@babsanderson I’m amazed you have time to go and see your nephews and nieces in shows with all the reading you have to do to keep up with what the Royals are doing

Yes, I suppose it is.

They have the complete choice though whether or not to accept the meeting/event. Their private office would compile a list of possible events, and they pick and chose, delegate or say no completely. Yes it’s their ‘job’ but they pretty much control what they will do.

Just like a lot of people in very senior positions and anyone who’s self employed.

Maybe domestic events but the Government directs them to meet Heads of State who visit this country eg Donald Trump et al

There isn’t enough money in the world to make me do it. It’s a life sentence too.

As I said to a PP. They don't want to come and see you.

Hahaha! Work? They've never worked a day in their parasitic lives. The royalists on here do make me laugh with their pathetic comments.

I think every appearance is a performance, so as valid as any actor, model, CEO wandering the shop floor etc

I agree that there a lot of public engagements that the royal family do are what a lot of us do for fun ( and pay a lot of money to attend) The Chelsea flower show for instance, I'd love that, or Wimbledon.
It's not exactly doing a 12 hour hospital shift or teaching 30 kids is it?
It might be work but it's work with perks and a lot of it you might actually enjoy and I think they get a lot of time off to recuperate- more than the 5.6 weeks a year most of us get.
But I do think for some royals the media attention and being constantly observed could be overwhelming. Particularly if they aren't born into it.

Agree with this. I have to attend loads of functions in my work role and they are nothing like the things I go to in my private life. For instance going to a concert or the races or a flower show as a representative of my company, best behaviour, corporate dress, early start/finish, probably music I am not interested in, driving there and back, evening of my life I'll never get back.

Generally not relaxing, not a lot of fun, on duty, endless small talk with people I don't know, feigning interest all day - bores me rigid.

I am far from Royal but I agree it is a performance.

If they fill it in themselves, why was Harry moaning his engagements weren’t in there, but cutting ribbons for horses was?
Did he forget to do it then 😂

well, I would consider it hard work. I am a teacher, and would rather teach a double lesson to year 9 than have to smarten up, and go and be engaging and sociable at a compulsory lunch. I think the lunch sounds very much like hard work.

I'm sure they have enough money to stop if they don't like it . No ones forcing them