Royal Rota outdated?

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Since the last time you actually saw William and Catherine, there have been no photos, no videos, no genuine sightings, and no credible stories—except for one instance.

This Summer’s Three “Wales Family” Stories

The Fort Belvedere Move Rumor

A claim that they might be moving to Fort Belvedere. They repeat a story like this every year—mostly in summer—to plug the seasonal news gap.

George and Eton

Endless guessing about whether Prince George will go to Eton. These rumors have been circulating since 2023, with reporters flip-flopping between Eton and Marlborough because they have no idea. Statistically, they have a 50% chance of being right—pure filler, this time using one of their children to stir public outrage.

"Vacation" in Greece

A supposed controversy about them vacationing in Greece, based on claims they were on a different boat. They even sent a reporter to Greece who went to those islands and couldn’t find a single worker or local who had seen them—except for one woman who swears she saw them from 30 feet away while swimming. Four separate stories were written about it, dragging the children into it in an attempt to spark outrage—which failed. Curiously, there was no outrage—or even a single article in the Daily Mail—about Camilla being on a boat in Greece.

Since January 2024—When Catherine’s Health Issues Became Public
It has become clear that the media has no real sources inside the Wales camp. Nobody knew what was going on. Not one of their supposed “insiders” had any information. Kensington Palace is now like a fortress.

Their fallback? Writing about other members of the royal family who generate more drama—because William and Catherine don’t. And it’s starting to feel like the public is getting bored of it.

The Problem for Reporters

The Wales family doesn’t generate drama. No drama means no clicks. When the public stops clicking on stories about non-working royals—something that’s already starting—these reporters will have a real problem.

A few gossip websites still make up the most salacious rumors about the Wales family, but even that isn’t working anymore—except for those 15 commenters who are living in an echo chamber and believe anything that nutter says, or want to believe it anyway. People are smarter than those sites think, and they’re not buying the false narratives.

Now the media resorts to using body language readers and lip readers to create stories, or they simply recycle old headlines. Or use so called royal experts for example Jennie Bond, Tom Quinn, Angela Levin, and a couple who don’t even live in the UK to create false stories.

Why the Royal Rota Is Outdated

The Royal Rota feels like a relic in the age of social media. The royal family could release their news directly on their own channels, without relying on intermediaries.
When rota reporters attend engagements, they often focus on throwaway comments William and Catherine—or other royals—make. The actual work of the charity or event they’re covering is usually given just a couple of sentences at the end.

So, in my opinion, they should do away with the Royal Rota. Use their own social media and maybe work with local media to report on their engagements.

Thank you very much Wordler I really appreciate this explanation.

There is no royal immunity for anyone except the monarch.

If Andrew is being protected in any way it is because a close look at his trade activities will lead to questions about why the government and civil service let their representative behave in a manner that did not reflect well on the count.

Apologies! I thought I was using quote function!

Wordler I was thanking you for your detailed explanation of the royal rota system!

Have you listened to the podcast? They do cover a range of topics. It’s interesting what you say about their alignment to H because they do seem to go very softly on him, even when he gave that ridiculous interview to the BBC recently. I haven’t been listening to them long enough to notice any bias (yet).

I thought MPs weren’t allowed to discuss PA in Parliament though?

I agree we want the government to do what it should have done already, given the nature and extent of the evidence and allegations arising out of AL’s book! The government should launch an enquiry to protect itself and also manage expectations within the RF.

And everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that subtle and not so subtle pressure is sometimes brought to bear behind the scenes. We know that lobbying went on which allowed the RF to get advance notice of discussions in Parliament relating to their finances for example.

If there isn’t an official enquiry now, in to Prince Andrew’s activities, what message does this send members of the RF going forward! Carry on! We turn a blind eye!?

And this is precisely why imho the Monarch should not be afforded protection when it comes to government business! The question “how much did the late Queen E2 know?” seems pretty pertinent right now.

Incidentally, and this specific story is probably worthy of a separate thread, I have just watched a clip of a tv interview of Andrew Lownie talking to Judge Rinder on Jeremy Vine’s show, in which Lownie states he was “enormously surprised” by the “level of the Queen’s knowledge” about these matters.

He went on to say that he has evidence of politicians and civil diplomats bringing evidence to the Queen about Andrew’s behaviour and her ignoring it. In fact AL saiid that someone from the intelligence services had reported to the Queen that they had evidence of PA accepting bribes, and the Queen didn’t want to know.

This is a huge story because PA is at risk of having committed an offence under the UK bribery act. Why did no one look in to this at the time? The late Queen’s lack of action, if true, is wholly unacceptable as it gives the impression that she thought the RF above the law! And please don’t tell me that her inaction didn’t influence inaction further down the line.

It doesn't give me the impression she thought she was above the law. If true it does give me the impression that the Queen, like many many parents, found it hard to believe ill of her son.

I would be interested to know what those who have read the book think of his evidence.

The Queen’s role though was not simply that of mother! She was Head of State. And we were always given the impression, and even I believed, that she put country and duty before family.

I would also welcome views about this evidence from others who have read the book!

He went on to say that he has evidence of politicians and civil diplomats bringing evidence to the Queen about Andrew’s behaviour and her ignoring it.

I'm very interested in hearing his evidence.

It's interesting (and concerning) because we do know the Queen took her duty to the country extremely seriously.

What I'm not clear on is where her responsibility for Andrew's behaviour in a trade envoy role would lie, as against the government's responsibility.

We know that she was scrupulous about not overstepping constitutional limits (witness her letter to RAVEC mentioned upthread, where she acknowledged she could request only, and that any decision lay with RAVEC). Might she have been concerned about any appearance of interfering with government decisions?

I don't know - just musing about possibilities. She might simply not have wanted to believe what she was told, that her own son could behave in this way.

If only a mothers love and blind devotion could keep all their shady kids out of prison eh?

I am sure that the late Queen didn’t want to believe it. And she had been known in the past for her ostrich head-in-the sand reactions to unpleasant events.

So I can very much understand, especially given the latest revelations in the AL book about Andrew allegedly suffering SA as a child, that she would look away from his nefarious activities with underage women. Not to excuse it in any way at all - it was all completely reprehensible and inexcusable - but it goes some way to understanding why possibly? Not that everyone who has suffered SA goes on to abuse of course, but it is known that some do. Especially those from dysfunctional homes,

If true, it also explains why some members of the RF tolerate his presence.

However, no one can in any way, imho, justify ignoring a secret service report about Andrew taking bribes while working as a trade envoy on behalf of the UK. That is law-breaking corrupt behaviour and it’s truly shocking that it was covered up, And if true, and it can be proved that there’s been a cover up, it could have serious ramifications for the royal family down the line.

It’s highly likely that these trade envoy records were hidden for this reason so we need to see them, it’s as simple as that. If there is nothing to hide then publish them and prove it. Let’s get a trusted judge to redact anything that could potentially be a threat to national security and let’s get to the meat of it!

I hope one decent MP out there will be brave enough do the right thing and ask the right questions.

And if true, and it can be proved that there’s been a cover up, it could have serious ramifications for the royal family down the line.

Trouble is.. nobody cares

The royal family carry on just like they always have done. Unquestionable. Entitled.

I hope one decent MP out there will be brave enough do the right thing and ask the right questions.

They cannot be questioned. Erskine May. MPs and Ministers have tried. Impossible. Won't happen

She might simply not have wanted to believe what she was told, that her own son could behave in this way.

I find that utterly pathetic. It was not an isolated incident she could brush under the carpet. It was decades of backhanders, entitlement, sleazy behaviour, bringing the Monarchy into disrepute at every turn.

Well the king had his minions accept literally millions of pounds in suitcases from foreigners as “charitable donations” to his own charity (doing up and running one of his many houses) so why are you surprised at QEIIs reaction? They are all at it!

I am hoping that the evidence in AL’s book provides a bit of heft in Lord Foulkes fight to change Erskine May.

https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2025/02/02/peer-seeks-end-to-gag-order-for-mps-discussing-royals

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/15/questions-prince-andrew-public-money-parliament

It seems no smoke without fires. Haven't they announced they are moving to Forest Lodge now.

What is ridiculous is... Erskine May is not law. It is just guidance.
Which they choose to adhere to rigidly.

Yes, absolutely!

William and princes Catherine are just lazy, racist and useless. So yes outdated and not needed.

And this is why Meghan Markle deserves every word of criticism she gets. Because she put this poison out into the world and now idiots grab onto it.

Very interested as to how you think they are working their socks off?

They're not.