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The royal family
Original poster

Need to go to a top private school to marry an Aristocrat!

108 replies

Missingprincess · 15/03/2024 17:50

From observing Kate & Pippa, Rose & her sister Marina & lots of other women (& men) who married aristos it seems attending top private schools seems to be a prerequisite. Eg Kate & Pippa went to Marlborough, Rose & Marina Stowe..
Does it happen oftern that an average girl who went to a normal comp from a 2 bed terrace marries into landed gentry?

OP posts:
WibblyWobblyJane · 15/03/2024 20:21

That’s one thing I really can’t abide, don’t try to take someone’s hard earned education away from them. Meghan did earn a place there and it’s an outstanding school that most people would be very proud to see their children attend. She did the work and earned her degree.

Severalwhippets · 15/03/2024 20:29

Why would you want your dd to actually marry one of these chaps? They are good fun, mostly, but many are emotionally stunted due to mixed boarding experiences and bonding with the nanny rather than their mother. They tend to be intensely insecure due to never feeling good enough compared to their ancestors that are always so revered and cavalier. Many expect traditional wives in every respect Substance abuse is not unusual although always well hidden.

The inheritances are drying up fast. Mother in laws are a whole new layer of hell.

KERALA1 · 15/03/2024 20:44

Also it’s horrible being amongst people you don’t fit in with why would you want that for your children. But then I turned down a date with a son from one of englands most aristo families to go out with dh (we all worked at same City office). Dh told
me I’d made a massive mistake when he found out and agrees I am a hopeless golddigger. Stand by my choices though!

Puffalicious · 15/03/2024 20:52

Not UK, but my friend- born & bred East End of Glasgow, was cabin crew - went out with the heir to a very, very wealthy European food business (household name). He was brought up in the best schools, mansions across the world, based in Switzerland. He wanted to marry her. She decided against it. The reason? She realised that deep down, he was rather boring!🤣

She's now engaged to a normal guy- a taxi driver.

KERALA1 · 15/03/2024 20:56

Marry for money earn every penny.

Would rather be with a decent hard working likeminded fun and kind equivalent to me man.

That said our teen has joined the jet set of her own accord but nowt to do with us.

tittybumbum · 15/03/2024 21:22

NannyPay · 15/03/2024 18:01

Northwestern really isn't that prestigious at all...and Stowe is one of the lowest performing private schools. It's just posh. It is definitely known for somewhat thick kids who won't ever need to earn a living.

Northwestern is a very highly regarded school what are you talking about saying it's not.

tittybumbum · 15/03/2024 21:24

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 15/03/2024 18:30

@Missingprincess most american universities are private.

No they aren't 🤦🏻‍♀️

tittybumbum · 15/03/2024 21:25

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 15/03/2024 18:43

old money absolutely needs to stick together otherwise it will be gone. i believe it's very difficult to keep it beyond 3 generations so for old money to stick it comes with certain rules and expectations (think prenup's, lots of ringfencing, and tax mitigation strategies).
likewise it's tiresome for families to have to fund friends who can't fund themselves so friendship circles where trips/travel can be mutually exchanged is helpful (and i don't think you need to be mega wealthy to understand this). plus after years of travel to unique and varied locations a cottage 200 miles away with no pool is pretty boring unless the company spectacular.
some schools also have legacy grants for family (i believe some usa ivy leagues are getting called up on this issue).
my neighbor is an accountant for a group of mega wealthy families and he helps guide young people on how to manage their own trust funds personal wealth and it's funny hearing the stories.

3 generations isn't old money.

MsFogi · 15/03/2024 21:26

I think that it helps if you have grown up surrounded by and been to a school with toffs - otherwise it is very hard to put up with them on a daily basis (they don't half talk shit, have over-inflated egos and snort a lot of cocaine).

User14March · 15/03/2024 21:27

If you’re very attractive, have at least a veneer of sophistication & high IQ GSOH etc you can mix in those circles. Donna Air, stunning IRL…etc

tittybumbum · 15/03/2024 21:30

NannyPay · 15/03/2024 19:21

You really can't compare Northwestern to any uni in the uk. It's got a very high acceptance rate and Americans simply don't do class in the same way as Brits. It's not remotely comparable. It's a decent school as are 100s of others in the US. The air is not rarified!

You're smoking weed. NW has an acceptance rate of 7%. Same as Cornell, Princeton and Johns Hopkins. Nirthwestern is very prestigious.

iwafs · 15/03/2024 21:32

Why would you want to marry into the aristocracy though?

They have problems just like the rest of us. Their problems aren't money I suppose (although they might be if they have to upkeep and heat massive old buildings). But they have plenty of problems. Only recently a royal has died of a gunshot to the head, another aristocrat is accused of baby murder, many of them are splashed all over the papers.

I'm happier in a normal street I think.

fluffycatkins · 15/03/2024 21:38

Northwestern does not a high acceptance rate and is a very well regarded school, at least as well regarded as St Andrews.
The rest I can't talk to.

LifeExperience · 15/03/2024 21:43

@NannyPay Northwestern is ranked #9 in the US according to US News, which is the most respected publication that ranks American universities. It is very prestigious. My niece and her husband went there.

eise · 15/03/2024 21:49

WibblyWobblyJane · 15/03/2024 18:14

Yes, and I don’t think Thomas Markle put all of his money into sending his daughter there just so could bag a Hollywood guy then a chef then a prince.

I think he is an ass, but that he truly wanted the best education for his daughter.

Edited
Show quote history

BOTH Meghan's parents contributed financially towards her education at Northwestern. Meghan also contributed via an academic scholarship and a work study program. They all wanted the best outcome.

IWishYouWouldJust · 15/03/2024 21:49

But would you really want any of that for your child?

eise · 15/03/2024 21:50

fluffycatkins · 15/03/2024 21:38

Northwestern does not a high acceptance rate and is a very well regarded school, at least as well regarded as St Andrews.
The rest I can't talk to.

I would say given it's ranked way above St Andrews, it's a far much better University. St Andrews is however highly regarded in the UK.

Original poster
Missingprincess · 15/03/2024 22:23

KERALA1 · 15/03/2024 18:42

She has brilliant social skills and is great fun and gorgeous (trying to be objective) so they like having her around. It is another world believe me. Mind blowing

Well she gets to mix with both worlds which is great! You must fill us in more though, I find it fascinating ☺️

OP posts:
Original poster
Missingprincess · 15/03/2024 22:27

Paradiddlediddle · 15/03/2024 18:44

My cousin married the younger brother of a baronet. She grew up in a semi in zone 6 but got a sports scholarship to Millfield. They both work in finance now. She was actually
fairly middle class as her dad owned a sweet kiosk and did well for the family. My Nan, on my mothers side, who I shared with my cousin was proper working class, living in a council flat, smoking rollies and wearing a pinny until the day she died, and the aristo husband adored her and sobbed really loudly at the funeral 🤷‍♀️

So it does happen!! But your cousin did go to a private school!
It just all seems so important to penetrate, lots of secret markers & upspoken codes..

OP posts:
Original poster
Missingprincess · 15/03/2024 22:28

VisitationRights · 15/03/2024 18:47

Autumn Kelly grew up in a privileged area of Montréal and went to a very prestigious university. She wasn’t quite in the Trudeau/Mulroney sphere but definitely not from a two up/two down background.

Thanks I didn't know. I liked Autumn pity it didn't work out with Peter Philips..

OP posts:
Original poster
Missingprincess · 15/03/2024 22:30

SevenSeasOfRhye · 15/03/2024 18:52

The upper class/rich upper middle class students moved in their own world when I was at university. It wasn't that they came across as snobby or unkind - if, say, you were in a tutorial together or whatever they were perfectly friendly. But they'd be off every weekend to some country house or event.

I expect their socialising would have been far too expensive for the average comprehensive school person like me to join in, even in those long ago days before tuition fees, but in any case there was no route into it - they had their crowd that they moved with and that was it.

That was more than 30 years ago - no idea whether it's still like that.

Remember reading that Pippa Middleton's was in a circle like that. She palled with the country aristos & every weekend was spent shooting or partying at country estates around the UK

OP posts:
DoIdriveaVauxhallZafira · 15/03/2024 22:36

KERALA1 · 15/03/2024 18:31

Dd is in those circles and is at state school. I don’t love it I must say some of the public school boys have made comments. I would prefer it if she socialised with state / normal local private school kids but what can you do

What do you mean boys have made comments? What comments?

Original poster
Missingprincess · 15/03/2024 22:37

canttellyouwhereorwhatido · 15/03/2024 19:03

Growing up in sussex in the 70s & 80s my NDN (3 girls) lives appeared carefree .. I was one of three with 2 brothers so we were 'a gang' in so far as that happens in a rural area..

The three girls were educated at a well respected private from 4-16 .. but at 11/12 mum stepped in and and the state school urchin from two fields down was sidelined (me) whilst mum got on with the programme...

  1. Pony club (the right sort of girls.. I was lucky here as there was a spare pony 🤣)
  1. Ballroom dancing lessons every week plus practicing !
  1. Fencing (no not posts and rails the pointy sticks)
  1. Music - Piano in their case .. started young at 5 and no dropping out countenanced.
  1. THE MOST IMPORTANT BIT .. 6th form at a big public boys school (they were just starting to accept girls) So off they went.

No. 1 & 2 to Marlborough.. no 3 (my best friend) to Stowe.

Then followed the usual path.. Oxbridge via Operation Raleigh / Duke of Edinburgh gold etc etc...

It was like a military operation worthy of Mrs Bennett from P&P... but Mama had her success.

No1 married a very respected composer internationally famous.
No.2 married a very promising officer she met at sixth form and went on to be one of the most senior officers in the army and is now titles 'lady'..
No.3 was a bit of a rebel and married 'someone in the city' but richer than the other three put together ..

It DOES NOT HAPPEN BY CHANCE.. it's a life's work ..

And now they all have kids .. rinse and repeat. Between just three girls they must have property holdings in excess of £12m... as the saying goes... the rich just get richer...

I joined the communist party in 1983 ..perhaps that was an influence 🤔

You see they had an ambitious, aspirational mum like Carole Middleton & that's worth more than anything to propel you forward!

OP posts:
Original poster
Missingprincess · 15/03/2024 22:42

WibblyWobblyJane · 15/03/2024 20:20

I don’t think this is accurate at all. It’s tops over here in US. Not Harvard but an excellent school.

Show quote history

I'd disagree with this. Northwestern most definitely is a very highly rated college. Meghan had a top notch education.

And let's remember the American high school system is so rigorous both academically & what's expected extra curricular & volunteering wise.

OP posts:
weareallqueens · 15/03/2024 22:43

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 15/03/2024 18:05

private canadian and american schools (especially parochial ones) are nothing near the uk equivalent.
do not be misled into thinking the school megan attended was nothing more than a basic religious based school.
i do think a good university education however would make up for not attending the right high school.
but ultimately part of the equation is it's family money and teaching the young how that money needs to be protected (which starts early on).

Jesus actual fuck. The snobbery.