William on the global stage

[PrettyFlyforaMaiTai]

The government have asked Prince William to attend the ceremony to mark the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. He is mixing with world leaders such as Trump, Macron, Zelensky and Meloni, as well as Elon Musk and First Lady Dr Jill Biden. He will also be having a private meeting with Trump to discuss Anglo-American relations.

Is this a sign of things to come for William? Is this preparing him for his future role as King?

news.sky.com/story/prince-william-and-donald-trump-meet-at-notre-dame-cathedral-ceremony-13269085

True!

But I suppose the only opinion that matters unfortunately are the ones who are in power.

I disagree there is a video of Trump on his plane going through a glossy photo album of pictures of him with the late Queen and other RF members. It was clear how much he valued the way he was treated.

This soft diplomacy with the President Elect is important to the UK.

Yes. He loves schmoozing the royals, or them schmoozing him, it appeals to a Trump ego

Exactly, so using this by sending William is flattering Trump’s ego and keeping a good relationship between the US and UK.

Let's not pretend it's anything other than a flattery for a huge ego.... Whether that translates into good relations between two countries is another matter

You do know OP that Head's of State were invited not governments?

That's why PW was there (representing the king), the Kings and Queens of Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco .... in countries with no royal Head of State it was the president who attended.

Americans and the French are fascinated by the royal family. In fact both countries are fairly obsessed with royalty across the board.

The fact that presidents and heads of state of various countries are meeting the Prince of Wales at an official international event has nothing to do with him being royal. William is there representing his father, the King - who happens to be the head of state of the UK.

Okay, but is Trump having private meetings with any of these other royals to improve diplomatic relations with these countries? I’d be genuinely curious if he was:

The power and status of the UK may not be as grand as it used to be, but it's still more important than Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco...

a backwater country! As if! The future king of England!

Not everyone bases their whole personality on their nationality and how superior they think their country is to other countries like you. Being born in a particular country isn't actually an achievement believe it or not. Get a hobby

This is exactly the sort of thing that William should be doing, representing the King at this sort of stuff

Yes, and he looks to be good at it. Having a younger generation doing these state visits also invigorates the image of the RF.

It's his job.

Yes this is how ‘soft’ power works. And centuries old institutions. And in a funny way this is what Harry and Meghan have come up against. No matter how successful their ventures (and the record there is mixed) ultimately William by virtue of who he is will hang out with heads of states, host state visits and dinners and have an automatic place on the global stage. And William doesn’t have to do anything to earn this- it will come to him as long as the monarchy exists. For H&M to build up a ‘brand’ that has the same global reach is actually almost impossible.

I was wondering if it'll turn out like the Department Of Administrative Affairs?

I think this demonstrates why having a Monarch as head of state rather than an elected political leader can be an advantage. The King was invited to represent the UK and sent William as his representative which leaves Keir Stamer to get on with his job here, rather than do all the hand shaking and chatting that William is doing over there.
Joe Biden apparently sent his wife in his place whilst Trump technically didn't qualify for an invite but as President elect it was presumably thought to be diplomatic to send him one.

These sorts of gatherings are important for diplomacy, and one such as this (all European heads of state plus US president plus others) are important, for the bilateral opportunities (between officials, as well as the principals).

Unlike funerals, which come up at short notice, this was planned by the French government. It would be deliberately after the US election, so whichever way the vote went, they could get incoming president at the very outset (whether that was Biden/spouse representing him plus Harris or Trump)

Who the new president wanted to see will be taken as an indication of where his priorities lie.

Anyone know who else Trump had a one-to-one with? Ditto William?

You do realise hw is next in line don't you? This is not news

That's unfair in the circumstances

No one thinks Musk will last 4 years

Real world - how many people do you know who would be able to take the best part of 12 months paid time off work if your partner is ill?

@jellybellysaregood just England?

@luckylavender "Parker231
It’s his job - however boring, to do these things although he hasn’t exactly done much work lately.

That's unfair in the circumstances"

Really? What's unfair about it?