VE Day Parade & Flypast

[PrettyFlyforaMaiTai]

Is anyone watching the VE Day parade?

My goodness, George has really shot up.

William has drawn the short straw and has Louis next to him. He’s been very patient considering he’s just spent the last few minutes tapping his shoulder trying to get his attention whilst William was talking to a veteran 🤣

I really loved all of it, I think the Wales children were adorable and very well behaved given their ages and the length of the ceremony. Lovely to see Kate looking so well. Also I note George walks on his own now (or did when leaving the dais) formally and alone, in front of his parents.

Princess Anne fabulous as always and Tim Spall also excellent. I had not realised he was going to give his reading in the style and manner of Churchill so that was a nice surprise.

In the BBC live footage I watched I saw several instances where Camilla appeared to be completely ignoring Starmer (seated right behind her) even when he was expressly speaking to her. It could have just been the timings of the footage though - ie maybe she had to have her eyes on the parade. Did anyone else notice or was my view of this just skewed for whatever reason?

Edited to add - I felt that William, whilst looking dashing, should have been clean shaven when wearing his military uniform. I understand (I think?) that this is no longer a requirement (or he was given special dispensation to have a beard, or something) but I feel being clean shaven would have been the correct mark of respect on this day.

I don't believe they get rewards, they have long learned this is public service and that it's a privilege to be in their position. George did look a bit grumpy compared to previous events, I guess he's approaching the moody teens. He'll be 12 this summer. In 6 and 8 years the RF will have 2 new adult senior royals. Time flies, as they say.

My FIL is 101 and still independent and of sound mind. He served in an engineering role in the RAF.
He would interview brilliantly as a veteran (especially as there are so few now too 😢) but he is not interested in talking about the war. DH asked him if he was watching the TV coverage and he said not.

My grandfather is 100 and served as an English soldier in WW2. He never, ever talks about it and has no desire to revisit it.

To be honest for some people on Mumsnet it wouldn't matter if Louis did nothing, they would still find an excuse to label him the problem child. Yes at the Jubilee thing he was 4 and got very bored. Today he is 7. Just copied something his older brother did and he gets immediately criticised. Give the child a chance will you.

I actually heard that Keir Starmer rescued Queen Camilla's water bottle when it fell backwards today. Also military personnel are now allowed to have beards. It changed fairly recently but William didn't break any rules or protocols.

No one labelled him a problem child, well apart from you! I think he's fabulous and why shouldn't he act like your average 7/8 yo!

Who has labelled him a problem child? I can’t see anyone saying that except for yourself 🤷🏼‍♀️

I'm certainly not calling him a problem child. I'm his greatest fan. I just worry that not just on here, but in lots of social media there is so much focus on every action his young boy does. I like that he's energetic, funny and I'm sure he drives his sister bonkers, and that is just like any other family. I just have a fear that in certain circles Louis has already been typecast and I'd rather he be allowed to develop his own character.

@tinyfishies they have to be taught somehow though, their impeccable behaviour doesn’t happen by chance !

While I found Louis's antics at the Jubilee hilarious and very sweet (he reminded me of my own brother at the same age) I get the concern about him being somehow typecast as "the fun, naughty one" based only on very typical young child behaviour.

For what it's worth, my hyper little bro is now a rather serious businessman of nearly 60, but then he was allowed to develop his own character naturally. I've got faith in William and Kate fully enabling that, rather less in the media.

It’s all been wonderful. An emotional day.
My lovely grandad, Ted (RIP) was a POW in Japan. He survived, but the war continued for him and his fellow internees for a few more months. I miss him so much & his recollections. A very brave man.

Seriously just stop with the projection, you have absolutely no idea on how George or any of the other children are feeling, leave their well being to William and Catherine who, if today is anything to go by are doing a sterling job of preparing their children for public life.

I don’t believe they’re being rewarded just for behaving well at events. They've been taught what’s expected of them since they were toddlers it’s simply part of their way of life. Just as some children learn to do chores or tidy up from the age of three, the Wales children have been raised with clear expectations around public behaviour.

They also have access to countless enriching activities sports, forest school, Scouts, and an impressive range of extracurriculars through their private education. Being well-behaved for a few hours at public events isn’t particularly extraordinary, many children are capable of that, especially when it's been consistently modelled and reinforced from a young age.

Of course, not all children are raised with the same expectations, and that does make a difference. But in the case of the Wales children, this kind of behavior is part of their identity and upbringing it’s not new, and it’s certainly not performative. They’ve been practicing this for years. They're trained for this.

I thought Sophie's coat was very inappropriate. It looked too informal, in colour and pattern, and the checks make her look large and 'matronly'.

I've noticed that a lot of her outfits swamp her and make her look bigger than she is. I don't know if she has a personal stylist but if she does, she needs replacing!

I thought the check pattern on the Duchess of Edinburgh's outfit was to tie in with her husband's cap band.

I was a little surprised not to see the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on the balcony, given that they are still working royals and that this wasn't a moment to be emphasising the 'slimmed down' monarchy (and Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke of Kent were there). I hope no-one is unwell.

The Gloucesters are in Copenhagen representing the British Royal Family at the Danish VE celebrations.

That's good - thanks

I'll look for coverage, thank you. The story of how the Danes protected and saved their Jewish countrymen is incredible and inspiring.

I liked the fact the RF were mixed up with the veterans. I have just been watching Sky where they have been broadcasting the afternoon tea from BP. George was listening intently as his father spoke to a veteran. I don’t think the children would have found it boring at all. Working in a primary school, I find children are generally fascinated by the war and very respectful of it. It’s the best behaviour we get in any assembly!

I don't know how to post pics on here but BBC now have some photos from the Tea Party at Buck House and it looks as though George but not his siblings has joined his parents in attending and chatting to the veterans and their families.

i found Camila's hat odd. it covered half her face. like William with a beard. really suits him.

At least one of the primary schools near me sends the children on a day pretending to be evacuated. I loaned a friend a few bits to enhance her son's outfit. At 11 he was really interested in a book I loaned him about living in WWII. We should never assume children won't find things interesting just because they were in the past.

George at the tea party

The Gloucesters in Denmark