Charles did well today in Germany

[Ndd135632]

I never post on this forum. I am not a massive royalist and have been dismayed recently with all the shenanigans. But with all the division going on I so loved listening to Charles speak in Germany today.

Respect that he did so much in German. That is such a warm gesture. He is in Germany so he speaks German. Shame more Brits can’t do the same when abroad. And also lovely to listen to the peace and warmth in his voice.

I am being an optimist and think solidarity and togetherness is the way forwards.

I mean thousands and thousands of refugees that live in my area (even small kids in my kids’ school) speak two or even three languages and nobody is lining up to bleat about how well they do.

It wouldn't be that hard. Duolingo is free and you could probably find 10 minutes a day to do it. You don't have to be raised as a Prince to learn a language.

He didn't do it out necessity. He did it out of respect. Well done him.

You don’t have to be a prince to be rich or to play polo, but it makes it significantly easier, doesn’t it? It is much harder to teach yourself a language with no support than to have the best support money can buy and no stresses on your life.

I just wouldn’t be fawning over someone who has no real job managing to learn a speech in another language with extensive support and training. I don’t feel it’s super impressive.

Nobody's fawning over anyone. Charles made a well received speech in Germany's seat of government, in a language not his first, that helps mend fractious relations with the EU. That is surely a good thing?

Brits are renowned for not bothering with other languages - plenty of people in other countries seem to manage to learn another language with no fuss. It's got nothing to do with money.

I thought Charles did very well. I also enjoyed watching Camilla in Hamburg speaking with school children. Their English was very impressive by the way.

It has everything to do with money. That’s the only reason people idolise these people.

Sorry, are you suggesting that no-one can learn another language unless they have money?

Do you think all heads of state have no real jobs? or do you just reserve that opinion for British head of state?

Oh no, don’t worry! I reserve it for all those who are elevated/elevate themselves above the common person by accident of birth. I think the monarchy is an outdated joke.

Not just British monarchy, I mean. I reserve the same school of thought for any monarchy in any country.

You don't say.....

But do you actually think a Head of State is not a real job even if it is by accident of birth?

It's taught in school like French used to be here. I lived in Germany (and learnt the language) and most Germans are very good English speakers.

I think he did well to speak in German (not easy) and it was appreciated. The tour was received positively in the German press.

It can be a bit embarrassing at times, being a Brit living in Europe. So it’s a nice change to see someone representing the UK who is respectful, compared to the excruciating behaviour from UK politicians that we’ve had to put up with in recent years.

For me it shows the value in soft diplomacy if that makes sense.

Yes. I think being born ‘special’ because you were born into a rich family then sometimes doing speeches while living in shocking opulence and being clueless about the real world is not a real job. If it was a real job there would be criteria for the correct candidate other than ‘pushed out of the right person at the right time.’

And I think it’s quite sad that regular people who do real work place these people above themselves and slavishly adore them. You don’t have to join in the fiction that they’re better or cleverer or more special than you are - that’s what gives them the power they have.

A head of state is a real job

A 'king' is not

A head of state does not have his entire extended family , pedophiles included, living off the people . And yes they do take from the state - crown estate is publicly owned - no 'royals' -100% to the state

A head of state is not above the law

A head of state does not accept bags of cash and let someone else face the consequences ( if there are any - because 'royals ' are above the law)

A head of state can manage to sign a document without entitled hissing at assistants and tantruming over a pen

His father was German - why is so amazing that Charles read a speech in German?
What a low bar you set .
I can imagine why you are relived though

Haha, can't believe someone started a gushing thread on the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha family being able to speak German.
In fact the whole visit should have been conducted in German exclusively.

I'm a republican but I too enjoyed watching Charles giving a speech in German. Credit where credit is due!

It was really refreshing to see, and I'm sure that it will have helped to build some much-needed bridges after the last few disastrous years.

Does he speak French, too, I wonder?

I see where we are back in Novella’s imaginary nirvana where all other constructional systems apart from the British monarchy are perfect. In the real world though, as most of us know, that’s not the case.

A head of state does not have his entire extended family , pedophiles included, living off the people . And yes they do take from the state - crown estate is publicly owned - no 'royals' -100% to the state
Novella has clearly never heard of Donald Trump and his numerous offspring…

A head of state is not above the law
It’s actually the norm in most constitutions for the Head of State to have immunity in their own country, and the International Court of Justice has also held that they have immunity from prosecution by other states too. Also, Novella can’t have ever heard of Silvio Berlusconi either, clearly…or Imelda Marcos, or many others. Actual criminals, not just people she doesn’t care for.

A head of state does not accept bags of cash and let someone else face the consequences ( if there are any - because 'royals ' are above the law)
Never heard of Cyril Ramphosa and his couch cushion stuffed with cash? Plenty of examples of dodgy financial dealings amongst world leaders who can’t point tot he fact, as Charles actually can, that the money was a donation that went through due process by the charity board before it was accepted.

A head of state can manage to sign a document without entitled hissing at assistants and tantruming over a pen
You can’t seriously never have come across examples of people holding high office behaving inappropriately? Getting cross at a pen pales into comparison against Julie Payette, in her role as Governor General of Canada having to resign because she harrassed her staff. Donald Trump threw his lunch at a White House wall. Eisenhower threw a golf club at someone and Richard Nixon threw ashtrays at staff.

So yes, Heads of State do all these things - and stay in office, and have high approval ratings too. Not having a monarchy is absolutely no guarantee that you’d have a system free from the aspects of the monarchy you dislike. Quite the opposite, in fact.

I was amazed at how many people turned out to see them. I’m glad it went well. I like them both.

The irony of @Serenster post with where Trump is currently !

Speaking of Ramaphosa, you do know that his predecessor Zuma, was in a long criminal court case right?

Presidents / PMs do not keep their position till death, so they can be trialled at some point. British monarchy, not so much.

Me too, and in the shocking weather!

Sorry, wrong thread. 🤔