PR and the Palace; are the mists clearing?

[Whentherainsetin101]

For those of us interested in the PR aspects of how the institution of the monarchy presents itself to us, the unsuspecting public, and given that Charles Spencer’s book has prompted a re-examination of events which took place over twenty-nine years ago, I thought this might be a good time to examine what Andrew Lownie calls;

“that gap between the curated narrative and the reality”.

We now know lots of things that weren’t obvious thirty years ago, for example;

We know that BP sometimes issues statements that question the credibility of the “accuser” rather than addressing an accusation directly.

We know that the relationship between the press and the palace is largely self serving on both sides.

We know that the royal rota tow the line in exchange for access.

We know that certain tabloids favour certain royals eg Fergie and The Sun.

We know that BP leaks and briefs certain stories to deflect from other more damaging ones.

We know that BP uses “safe” public figures to broadcast their spin for them eg it used to be Nicolas Soames but now appears to be Rory Stewart.

We know that many things presented to us in one way are in reality very different, eg the late Queen Elizabeth’s marriage, AMW being “banished” to Sandringham.

Given all of the above, do you think the Palace are losing the PR battle, simply because people are now much more switched on about ‘spin’ and because they favour a much more authentic approach?

This is a very good point. It’s shocking actually that they just got buried.

Not as long as we have “a royal family” .

That’s the issue unfortunately.

Credit where credit is due, Princess Anne is a great asset to the Crown. I used to think it was faintly ridiculous that she dressed up in uniform having never served a day but I have changed my mind on that as she works hard and is continuing to do so which fulfills the definition of service I think.

AMW not so much.

But they still both remain siblings of the monarch. What’s more, AMW could have become monarch if any ill harm had come to Prince Charles.

Yes the Palace must rue the day the Epstein files became prominent. Who can forget AMW kneeling over some young girl who was laid out on the floor

Or Epstein and Maxwell up at Balmoral in QE2's private bothy photographed

Or the 5 women holding AMW horizontally in Buckingham Palace

Or a trio of rapists and sex offenders living it large at Windsor Castle at a party the Queen was at.

This would've all been covered up big time if they could

Sorry but the RF and the institution of the monarchy is an organisation in to which we collectively invest £137.9 million a year, the sum of the sovereign grant

'We' don't invest in the monarchy via the Sovereign Grant. The Sovereign Grant is a percentage of the revenue from the Crown Estate, which originally belonged to the Crown. The Crown Estate produces a very substantial surplus each year, which is paid over to the Treasury. So 'we' in fact benefit from this model of funding.

I'm American, not from the UK. William has an excellent reputation in the US. People online were comparing his very successful NYC visit where he jogged in Central Park unnoticed with Harry's security last week shoving commuters off the sidewalk. I've only heard praise for how he raises his kids. If William visits again, he will get a warm US welcome.

I watch Neil Sean and the comments are very pro - William. Many are from around the US and Commonwealth. A few months ago, one poster from William's dutchy posted that William was quietly visiting and talking with his tenants. He seems to be trying to make changes there with his own money.

William appears to be a serious guy. That doesn't make him angry. If you look at actions, Harry is a much angrier person. His recent behavior in NYC makes this very clear

The crown estate is not their private property . If there was no monarchy it would belong to the people

But Harry isn't a royal anymore.

William will become king. And he's mostly shaping up as an angry, resentful man. Not great optics.

The crown estate is not their private property .

No it isn't. Nobody said It was. It belongs to the Crown, not any individual.

If there was no monarchy it would belong to the people

You think 'the people' would get a whiff of the Crown Estate if there was no monarchy? The whole of it would be subsumed into public spending, as the vast majority of the income is today. See if you can find out what the income from the Crown Estate is spent on.

William will become king. And he's mostly shaping up as an angry, resentful man. Not great optics.

Some evidence for this? Or is this one of those 'say something often enough and some people might believe it' threads?

There seems to be an epidemic of William bashing at the moment. One might almost think it was a coordinated campaign.

Totally agree about the “managing” of AMW’s “punishment” to make it look like he is holed up in Sandringham. It’s dishonest.

I’m not sure that apathy is the enemy of the RF though; I think if anything they rely upon it as people are too busy surviving the COL crisis to bother protesting.

Especially as there are no accessible mechanisms through which the public can vote to change the status quo except “writing to your MP” but what difference does that make when MPs are allocated so little time in Parliament to discuss the RF? I find this shockingly undemocratic.

I think the jury is out on William. He may yet surprise us all and be a great reformer… we’ll see… I agree that the next twenty years will be crucial to the institution’s survival. Imho William has to come in hard with his sword and scrape out any rotten practices relating to finances, massively reduce the scope of their duties, and the monetary rewards they receive for them, the number of buildings they maintain, and become much more open and accountable, or it’s over.

You think 'the people' would get a whiff of the Crown Estate if there was no monarchy? The whole of it would be subsumed into public spending,

When I say the people, I mean British taxpayers and quite rightly that is how it should be treated
I am not expecting each member of the public to have a share in the crown estate lol

My thoughts exactly . Things going badly for H and M who look more and more ridiculous so let’s pile on William .
No doubt Catherine will be in for some criticism soon .

One might almost think it was a coordinated campaign.

What are you suggesting?
It is against TG to say someone is paid or whatever. If you have serious doubts about a particular poster, contact MNHQ.

FWIW I also think William has disguised anger

I have an increasing respect for William and do think he will greatly change the future monarchy for George and his heirs. He appears to be very media savvy, he shares what he wants to about his private life, and seems to be greatly invested into raising the next generation in ways different to his father and himself. He and Catherine prioritize their family over duty, and I used to feel a bit resentful of that but no longer do. I also think William does a lot of work behind closed doors in terms of the Duchy of Cornwall/charities and doesn't see his role as just shaking hands in public.

He's seen first hand what raising spares like Andrew and Harry in complete privilege and entitlement has done to the family optics.

If it’s disguised , how do you know ?

I was going to ask that. Afaik the only public demonstration of William’s ‘anger’ was when he had a go at a photographer who despite requests would not stop hassling the family on a private outing.

We are all allowed perceptions and opinions and that is mine

Have you never met anyone with disguised anger? Have you not heard of the term before?

Quite the contrary, the Palace PR people are clearly some of the very best in the world.

I do not think that most people are interested enough in it to think about it. The people posting in Facebook comments all buy the exact narrative that the Palace PR want them to.

I find it very interesting and at the moment is seems that Prince Harry's image is being rehabilitated.

Yes, but which of the common symptoms do you think William displays?

Given that the Palace very publicly reminded the Sussexes that they are not working royals with their letter via the Lord Chamberlain, I’m not sure why you think Harry is being rehabilitated?

Why do I have to go into it in detail with you?
I have worked with and know people with what I call disguised anger.
How it manifests itself can vary from person to person
Physical tension, body language etc

I think comparing the Sussexes’ PR and reputations before and after they left is a good indication of how effective royal PR can be. Take it away and this is what you get.

Are you a supporter of the Windsors ?

Because your post is ageeing that the whole Windsor facade is hiding rot.

Oh I just haven’t seen any examples of William displaying the common signs and thought you might have some you could share. Obvs fair enough for anyone to diagnose what they call disguised anger tho, and no obligation to back it up with evidence.

No and how so? I don’t agree that effective PR necessarily = rotten facade. PPs upthread asserted that royal PR isn’t very good, I’m just suggesting that you can see how effective it can be by comparing the Sussexes’ public image with and without it.