William on Graham Norton

[viques]

Poor Harry. As if his week hasn’t been bad enough he has now had to watch his brother appearing on the best talk show , holding his own, looking comfortable and relaxed, keeping up with the banter, making half decent jokes, telling stories against himself with humour.

Makes Harry’s attempt at tv chatting seem even more uncomfortable.

“Call me William” versus “I am a prince.”

Or maybe William just arranged to go on months ago, compared to Harry it’s nothing.

they’re two males who have fallen out, it happens and I can hardly blame W. He has had to get on with life as H has also and H does his own thing, often clashing when W does something.

let them be their life how they want to.

I agree.

I haven't fully caught up but I've posted this pertinent piece before:

https://archive.ph/uyPBi

What on earth are you on about? Paid bot?

It means to slide into place

Frankly William on Graham Norton and the PM (that's me !) on GoggleBox means we aren't a serious country any more. Now if Harry goes on Strictly - that’s it - start packing the Windsor’s it's over. The Revolution will be televised.

Did you actually watch GN? Do you understand what was being discussed?

I agree KC takes care with his clothes - I like his linen suits and silk pocket squares etc. William has the advantage of being tall and slim and looks good in his various outfits.

Might sound trivial but these things make a good impression.

@CoffeeCantata charles dresses like a king , to me William looks like a student still.
Hopefully he will take on dad's tailor and step up.

A student? Did you actually watch the show? He was in a tailored suit. Are you thinking of Harry?

Omg I mean generally ! He has has uniform doesn't he !

His uniform is similar to that of many middle aged men - trainer shoes, chinos, checked shirt, quarter zip. Suit for smarter occasions.

Trump's an outlier, an anomaly.
A better comparision would be the Irish presidency, which costs the Irish taxpayer around EUR6 million a year. Some estimates quote a cost of more than half a billion pounds a year for the monarchy, once you take into account (from Republic, via the BBC):

• Official Sovereign Grant and related baseline costs.
• Police and public security for royal residences and events (~£150 million).
• Foregone or lost revenues from the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall (~£99 million).
• Potential commercial revenue lost from royal residences (~£96 million).
• Local authority spending on royal visits. 1]

The Irish costs of 6m don’t take into account
policing and security. Building and maintenance costs of the Aras etc, travel and costs of state visits. The cosfs of running an election which are substantial and occur every 5-7 years. The last UK election cost taxpayers north of 200m so it’s not cheap.

If you have 3-4 Iiving ex presidents they all get police security, office costs and other costs which again add up. They’re all getting 200k plus costs of running an office etc.

Thinking if you abolished the King it would cost taxpayers 6m is pie in the sky.

Living UK Prime Ministers also get protection and security details for life, and a pretty decent pension, even if, like Liz Truss, they didn’t even have time to get the calling cards back from the printers…..

I suppose only he can know what it’s like to have your entire destiny mapped out for you from birth. It’s easy to think it’s his norm … but there is literally NOTHING normal about his life. Or his children’s …

All day long.

I thought PW was great - he came over really well. He didn’t try to dominate proceedings and was likeable and self-deprecatory.

Good for him!

Ooo haven't seen that, didn't even know about it but will definitely be watching that on catch up. Love him.

You hope that he will "give back" in a big way and dedicate his time (and money) helping with the homeless issue ....

I don't think anyone reasonably can claim that the cost of the Irish presidency- which seems the best model to replace a constitutional monarchy- comes anywhere near that the of the UK monarchy.
Just an example- the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester lived in a 21 room apartment in Kensington Palace for over 40 years, before 'downsizing' to a mere cottage in the grounds of said palace, after it underwent extensive renovations. All of this tax payer funded for someone even a Hello reading royalist would struggle to recognise, who is 33rd in line to the throne.
I doubt the Irish taxpayer funds the lifestyle of their president's first cousin once removed.

I was shocked recently to go to an NHS hospital here in the SE of England. I'd read and heard about corridor care but until you actually see it, you can somehow imagine it away. Actual 90 year olds being washed in corridors. To me it's immoral we have large palaces full of Elizabeth II's cousins which cost you and me millions of pounds a year, but we are prepared to put up with creaking public services. And then blame asylum seekers.

Sure, if people really want a monarchy in 2026, one family in a mansion with security. But not the hangers on, not the extended family, not the multiple palaces and motorcades. Not the sycophantic drivel, not the pictures in primary schools of Charles....

Sure William seems more normal than Andrew or whoever, but one palace is enough for anyone.

I always think William comes across extremely well. He’s understated, natural and just funny enough. He strikes the balance perfectly without seeming to try too hard. Honestly, I think this is part of the reason Meghan struggles to win people over. There’s a sense that she’s always performing, whereas William comes across as entirely at ease with himself. I genuinely think someone in her camp should show her a few clips of William and explain that sometimes, less really is more. I do appreciate though William has been groomed his whole life for this role though. Meghan has not.

Still think William is work shy but he is extremely likeable and a massive asset to the RF. They would be screwed without him

Agreed, but we can’t have an informed debate on this until there is greater transparency on royal finances. As the cost of living crisis deepens, we might (hopefully) find that there’s more pressure to reveal their true costs. We might even get them to pay tax at the same rates as everyone else.

Of course it’s greenwashing .

It’s also ‘techno optimism’ ie keep going as we are , don’t challenge profit or consumption , don’t rethink anything . Keep the billionaires- yes that’s William too - exactly where they are with no accountability.

Venture capitalists behind it all .

The so called ‘glitzy’ ( unnecessary jetting around the world) award show that no one watches on top .

Same with the ‘ donation’ ie sell off of generational farmland by William. Who is behind that ? More venture capitalists? Not very green is it William despite your water filtration system . Not exactly helping homelessness when you are only meeting the legal minimum requirement of social rent and will continue to maximise your rent take - much more profitable than farmland isn’t it ?

None of it is genuine philanthropy.
It’s busy work to make William look like he does something and green washing for billionaires

The actor Michael Sheen gave away 100,000 of his own money to help ordinary people in debt . He sold property to helps homeless project .
That’s philanthropy.

I am so glad we love in a world where we can all be different and not a carbon copy of one person but don't forget you won't see the true person he is just like many celebrities etc there is always a version of him you will be shown, curated to fit the purpose it needs to achieve.

I don't think Meghan has it in her to be "schooled" by anyone. That's part of her problem. She won't take advice from anyone. Another red flag that she's narcissistic. Plus she's incapable of self deprecation and doesn't appear to have a sense of humour and so will never be liked.