Princess Anne

[Mylovelygreendress]

Love this photo of Anne at the rugby today . She is such a brilliant supporter of the Scottish Rugby team

I think much of it is the same stuff people ‘liked’ about the last queen — the resting bitch face that suggested this was not fun, in case we thought she had it easy, the air of doing her duty when she’d rather be on a horse, largely unchanging physical appearance, a completely unearned reputation for ‘hard work’, the fact of never having said anything untoward, or indeed much at all, in decades of public life.

If you speak to anyone who works for one of her charities, or has simply met her, you'll only ever hear good things. She clearly does work hard, gives a lot of time and support, and most of it out of the public eye. The fact that she is evidently no pushover, and doesn't suffer fools, simply adds to her appeal.

I’d be very interested to hear details of all this work. I mean, exactly what does it consist of?

She's the 'hardest working' royal yet still only manages the FTE of two months a year.

Interesting though that she's yet another beavering away behind the scenes at work too secret and special to let the public know what it entails.

How many more are at it?!

Clearly there’s a demand or interest to meet the Royals or no one would bother.

Many people working in charities, in ill health or in useful but unsung professions enjoy meeting them, feeling a bit important and ‘recognised’ when they might not otherwise. Many enjoy the ‘glamour’.

My local florist years ago - a lovely chap who did masses of free stuff for the community and had had a hard time himself- was delighted at a royal garden party invitation and had a wonderful day out. He told me he’d had two long conversations with - I think maybe- the Duchess of Gloucester- who’d made a point of finding him again within the crowd to ask him about a particular flower.

But that’s not work, by any stretch of the imagination. What is all the hard work that Anne is said to do for her charities?

In fairness to Anne she is 75. She should be enjoying semi retirement at least!

She’s been in retirement most of her adult life. She comes across to me as a self aggrandising buffoon who enjoys raiding the royal dressing up box to impress the credulous peasants.

Well yes. Their work consists of having conversations with people, going to events that most people do in their leisure time and sometimes demonstrating an interest in someone. And everyone is so impressed that they manage to do it into their 70's and 80's.

If she's averaged the calculated FTE two months a year that equates to a stonking nine years at the wheel without taking statutory annual leave into account.

Just sayin'🙂

@GoldBthehypo
😂😂😂

Actually TLQ should have been forced to abdicate long before reached her 90s. The national scandal of AMW might not have reached its dreadful heights if Charles had been in control.

Yes, I think Netherlands has had Monarchs abdicate voluntarily for quite a while once they reach a certain age. Maybe it should be mandatory. I also think there should be age limits for political leaders too.

‘Two months a year’? Here’s me believing that she was a hard worker up until now. (Well recently)

That family really has a strong line in propaganda and myth making.

That is probably the most patronising post I have ever read on Mumsnet. And it is a wide field!

Hardworking. Ok.

Really? Most of us don’t work down a mine. What is hard enough that you consider it ‘work’?

Work is an activity with some perceptible value or benefit to someone that you’re paid for.

Personally, I find travelling, having to mug up on a subject and converse with lots of different people in a professional courteous manner quite tiring and I’m much younger than she is!

It’s not patronising to recognise that people like meeting the royals. You may not like it , but it’s true. They like meeting them because of who they are - the history, the grandeur, the mystique perhaps. Personally, I’m not fussed, but I think they’re probably better than the alternative. In a tumultuous world, there’s a good deal to be said for maintaining some continuity.

It’s something different in what can be a dark, dreary world.

I think you need to re read your posts- “feeling a bit important” “enjoy the glamour” “my local florist-a lovely chap”….

Respectfully, skimming a précis someone else researched and wrote for you, giving a speech someone else researched and wrote for you, being driven to the door and saying ‘Have you come far?’ to a series of people is hardly onerous, by the standards of virtually any job.

And you’re confusing two entirely separate things. I agree, bafflingly, that some people enjoy meeting royals. This does not constitute ‘work’, or anything like it, for said royals, though. Which is why I’m asking — what is all this ‘work’ they apparently do for charities?

Why on earth would you think that a hereditary monarchy where you just get whoever’s next in line, be they a Nazi sympathiser or someone who has sex with trafficked girls and leaks sensitive trade information, is ‘better’ than an elected HoS, in which, as befits a democracy, you get a say, and get to replace them at the end of their term?

The people who bleat ‘Oh, the royals are better than President Trump/BoJo” are clearly very confused about the way in which the country is governed.

It's very strange isn't it, some people would be beside themselves to see or meet a royal. Others, like me, are just not the slightest bit interested. I have tried to understand the desire but can't!

I don't want to go into detail but Charles before he was king, came to our tiny village, it was maybe 2-3 minutes walk from my house to where he was going to be for half an hour or so. I didn't go, I wasn't interested to meet him, I've seen the pictures, there has been a plaque put up which he unveiled. There was maybe about 20-30 people there, plus school children. My neighbour was absolutely beside himself with excitement as he ended up having a chat with him. I couldn't understand his fervour, he never shut up about it!

What history exactly ?

There is no direct line . That’s more PR for the credulous . The current lot were 65th in line when they got the shiny hat. 65th! You could walk past someone in the street with a better claim if you believe in that sort of thing.

The ‘pomp’ that royalists point to was invented a couple of hundred years ago. Why? Because people were pushing back against the cost and against having to pay for Saxe Coburg Gothas- now Windsors- and ‘shiny things’ were needed to distract. Still works for some I see

As for the nonsense that it was Elizabeth’s age that led to Andrew’s behaviour.
Rubbish. They all have things to hide. They have ALL protected Andrew. Charles William and Kate all took part in attempts to rehabilitate Andrew’s image . They knew who he associated with . They didn’t care . The statement from Buckingham palace - still not retracted- shows what they think of the rest of us.

I agree with @EvelynBeatrice

I wonder how people who think royals don’t work would fare in their shoes? I’m a little older than the King, in fairly good health, and I’d hate their life. Privileged or not, to be constantly judged and scrutinised on every aspect of my life makes me grateful to be ordinary. Sitting in my scruffy dressing gown, in my small semi, with the sun shining, is bliss this morning. I’ll probably pop to the shops for an anonymous browse later, then go swimming at the leisure centre and meet some friends. No security, no press, no one trying to catch a photo of me in my swimsuit!

I remember the feeling when it was the coronation of QEII. I was a young child in Scotland, there were flags everywhere, the Saltire, the Lion standard, and the Union flag. There were street parties for the children, and those who had TVs invited those without to watch. Coming less than ten years after WWII, it lifted morale. Although there has been lots of negativity, much of it deserved, in more recent years, the RF is still a tourist attraction, bringing revenue to the UK. Better them than some of the alternatives. IMO.