Will, George & Charlotte - Taylor Swift concert (photos)

[PrettyFlyforaMaiTai]

Looks like William took George and Charlotte to see Taylor Swift for his birthday. Looks like Taylor was just as happy to meet them as they were to meet her.

What work is that they do for the government on the government's orders? I'd not heard of that. They have ceremonial and representative roles, and then do charitable projects of their choosing etc. Which is fine by me.

So lovely to see the children, george especially, who often seems ill at ease with all the attention they receive and rarely smiles without an edge of nervousness about him, look so relaxed and happy with such natural smiles.
Especially in light of their mum being ill.

People forget that the RF are essentially civil servants. Very well paid and privileged civil servants, but they are. The government says 'entertain this despot, we need to sell some arms,' so that's what the monarch does, and smiles and is gracious while doing it. The late queen entertained some horrors I'm sure she'd rather she'd never set eyes on, let alone have to dinner and have staying.

That's the deal. You do as we decide, we'll let you have the privileges. And should the day come when the people say no more to monarchy, you depart quietly.

Aside from personal patronages/charity engagements and their long term projects (Earth Shot/Centre for Early Childhood/Homewards) almost everything else is by direction of the govt - the tour of nations during Covid was a govt request, all overseas tours are govt requests, attendence at state occassions for visiting VIPs are at govt request, investitutures are govt requests really

Yes, that would be a good idea. There is certainly a place for a discussion on the future, or otherwise, of the monarchy in modern Britain.

But I'm not sure why every thread has to turn into the same circular 'discussion' about how much the royals are costing us. What is the motivation in doing this, I wonder? I doubt it's because they are interested in discussing the merits of monarchy as an institution. If they were they could, as you say, simply start a thread. So why don't they?

But I'm not sure why every thread has to turn into the same circular 'discussion' about how much the royals are costing us. What is the motivation in doing this, I wonder? I doubt it's because they are interested in discussing the merits of monarchy as an institution. If they were they could, as you say, simply start a thread. So why don't they?

Maybe it's because some people's values are solely monetary and they don't see or understand anything else.

All the fanfare of the Japanese state visit next week is all done at the order/wishes of the government.

All the state visits - the ones they do abroad and the ones that come here - are decided on by the government.

I hope this won’t be outting but I just put my little ❤️ on Taylor’s instagram post of her with the Wales.

I wonder how things would have worked out if HMQ had "retired" at say age 70. I know (before anyone tries to re educate me) that abdication is a dirty word and HMQ believed in doing her duty until her dying day, which she in fact did.

However, if KC had ascended then would things be different now I wonder? KC was a long time waiting (essentially for his mother to die), and by the time he got there he was tired and then got ill. He may have innovated, pared things down, I dunno. As it is it is business as usual but with less energy on both KC and QC's part by the looks of things. I often think they'd be happier out of it all and doing their own thing as ordinary (but very wealthy) citizens.

Who knows? Is it a poisoned chalice?

I’m kidding! I was number 7.5 Million and something to like it. 😅

There is a rumour I read once that she hid behind some trees in the BP garden to avoid Nicolae Ceausesceu out walking when he came for his (very unpopular) state visit.

Can’t blame her!

I did too so we’ll both be outed 😂

I’m giddy!!!

Now that just showing off 😂

I love the video of William dancing along!

It makes them seem so much more human!

What a lovely experience for the kids.

I heard that one. Also that some African president's wife smuggled her dog into the country to avoid quarantine. HM was furious, apparently, and had the dog removed.

Oh god would you ever give your head a sizeable wobble!!! Do you have any idea how ridiculous statements like this come across?!!

It’s ok. The revolving crowd has sent the posters head spinning 😂

Reports done, back for another look.

Seems a theme on MN to be as disingenuous as possible when you disagree with an argument but can't really think of a response.
I'm not comparing RF to Kim Jong Un at all. I'm making the point that the royals are political figures as they're the family of the head of state and paid for through our taxes. If someone posted a pic of Kim Jong Un and his kids, people on MN wouldn't say it's not political, it's just a family at a concert etc.

But feel free to deliberately misunderstand.

BTW, my exercise is walking to work three times a week. 15 miles, not great but a start!

Me too. It really made me smile!!! I picture them all dancing around the house enough to this song. It’s clearly not the first time he heard it.

The last thieving, demolishing and destroying I can recall was the Reformation, when Henry VIII plundered the wealth of the monasteries and promptly squandered it. So poster is talking shite.

A not unusual occurence on this board.

I'm pretty well informed actually about where my taxes go, thanks.

I can’t understand it at all. What does Kim Jon Un have to do with an awesome concert? Swift is a global sensation. Going to her concert is not a political act. Even your amazing sister likes her!

Or 'Relax'!!

That's not true at all:

https://www.republic.org.uk/tourism

And even if they did bring in money, which they don't, they're not democratic.