Prince William for Special Forces after time with Kate
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that Prince William will spend time with Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff, and General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, when he returns to his Army service in September.
Intriguingly, he will also serve with the Special Forces, the SAS, and possibly the SBS, but will not be involved in forward operations. This placement is at his own request, the BBC reports.
In the four or five months remaining of his military service, William will be shown what goes on at the very apex of the Services’ hierarchy with the highest of the top brass, deep in the MoD building in Whitehall. It will be the culmination of an action-packed and wide-ranging three-year training period to prepare him for his future role as Head of the Armed Forces.
From tomorrow, the Prince will be on holiday in Mustique with girlfriend Kate Middleton, who has already flown out to the Caribbean to be with him. It has been reported that she refused a free upgrade to First Class on the BA flight, preferring to be treated like everyone else. “Please call me Kate,” she told cabin crew, putting an end to recent confusion over her preferred name.
On the couple’s return, they are expected to spend a week with the Queen and the Prince of Wales at Balmoral in Scotland. Some news sources are claiming that plans for a summer wedding next year are well underway and will be put to bed in August. At the very least a hint of an announcement may just leak out of the grand Scottish castle to set Royalist hearts aflutter all over again.
In the BBC footage this morning I was struck by William’s growing maturity and poise. In full Navy kit he no longer resembles his mother, but bears a striking likeness to the young Prince Philip, his grandfather.
It’s a very good omen.
I think what Prince William is doing is great. He is getting a very good overview of the armed forces. Just what he needs.
I just read some comments on another royal message board. It made me laugh out loud although I’m totally on my own today. Kate was called snobbish because she told the flight attendents to call her Kate, because that is not done among strangers. This girl cannot do anything right, can she
I suppose she just thought it was nice if they could be a little less formal and call her Kate instead of Miss Middleton all the way across the Atlantic. She is the daughter of a flight attendent herself after all.
BTW according to the same forum this is just PR from the Middleton camp. That is also just very silly, isn’t it?
By dagga on July 31st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Dagga, the Sun spoke to British Airways officials, so it can hardly be Middleton family propaganda. It just shows that people full of resentment never get anything right, even when it’s staring them in the face.
By John on July 31st, 2008 at 12:38 pm
dagga,
Do those people know how whacko they sound when they say stuff like that? We’re all anonymous when posting our comments, but I would still be incredibly embarrassed to make some of the absurd statements that come from the Kate haters. Good news for Prince William. Now I know that his handlers at Clarence House are capable of playing their cards close to the chest- there were no leaks about William’s plans with the SAS. All the Sunday stories were about his plans for next year, and Clarence House still hasn’t made those public yet.
By lizzy on July 31st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
This morning, after seeing some new photos of William in the press, I thought exactly the same thing John describes. William does look more and more these days like a young Prince Philip. And, despite his significant ability to put his foot in his mouth, Prince Philip was a dashing, handsome young man in his day. Actually, I think William’s looks combine the best of the his mother’s and father’s families.
Here’s to Prince William’s new ventures — may he learn to rule well!
By Stephanie on July 31st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I think William bears a strong resemblance to the Duke of Windsor at the same age.
By Ursula on July 31st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
John, on a lighter subject—one in which you are not likely to have such controversial opinions—how do you like David Milliband for PM?
By Dan on July 31st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Dan, David Miliband is a bright policy wonk who hasn’t had a moment’s experience of commerce in his entire life. He would be every bit as much a disaster as Gordon Brown.
Our hopes must be on David Cameron in 2010.
By John on July 31st, 2008 at 5:52 pm
John,
As one of your readers on the other side of “the pond” who is not very aware of the British military structure, could you please explain further your statement about Prince William:
“Intriguingly, he will also serve with the Special Forces, the SAS, and possibly the SBS, but will not be involved in forward operations.”
Does this mean that he will have a position more along the lines of an American military person working at the Pentagon? If he is not to be involved in forward operations, does this mean that he will no longer be out at sea “on the front lines” as we have seen him these past couple of months?
Thanks in advance!
By Lisa on July 31st, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Is it at all possible for Kate to be called Queen Kate? I mean if she requested for people to call her that. The media will probably call her that anyway.
By Lizzy on July 31st, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Like Princess Di
By Me on July 31st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I should think coronations are like any other legal proceeding—full names only, as they appear on the birth certificate, driver’s license, etc. Unless her birth certificate says “Kate,” it is a nickname.
If it is her fate, she’ll be crowned Queen Catherine, no matter what the world informally calls her. Incidentally, the Palace will refer to her most often in public as Her Majesty The Queen. No name required. Go to the Royal website and see how rarely the name “Elizabeth II” appears.
By Dan on July 31st, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Quite correct, Dan. The Coronation is, after all, principally a religious service, full of tradition and reverence and extremely formal in every detail. I only hope that I live to see Prince William and Kate crowned King and Queen!!
By Gigi on July 31st, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Here is the link to the article: http://tinyurl.com/65vnqv
Even more interesting is the fact that if this does turn out to be true, how in the world was it kept from all of the red tops and the other news outlets?!
By mapleleaf on August 1st, 2008 at 2:38 am
mapleleaf,
I read that Fox report too. But in Richard Kay’s new column he says that Kate was taken by police in Barbados through customs to her plane. Actually Kay is reporting that she waited in a VIP suite before being taken to the plane. Most interesting is that, according to Mr. Kay, William and Kate will be guests at a party thrown by Lord Glenconner next week. Lord Glenconner was apparently a friend of Princess Margaret.
By lizzy on August 1st, 2008 at 3:38 am
I would guess William will be very careful when it comes to using military helicopters. But then how else would one get on a navy vessel? Maybe it is true after all. Are “civilians” even allowed on board of navy ships? The reports sound rather confusing but Kate could first have gone through “VIP” treatment on the airport and then have been taken to the HMS Iron Duke by helicopter.
By Isana on August 1st, 2008 at 4:56 am
Lisa, William has now finished his placement with the Royal Navy and returns to the Army for the final few months of his service.
He will work in our equivalent of the Pentagon to get the feel of top command. He will also spend some days (I understand) with the Special Forces at their base in Hereford, getting a sense of how they train and plan operations.
He will leave the Forces in January.
By John on August 1st, 2008 at 8:57 am
Lizzy, if that’s what she wants, why not? I suspect though that there was some truth in the K/C story in that she would prefer Queen Catherine in the end, but Kate until then.
After all, we don’t have Queen Lilibet I.
By John on August 1st, 2008 at 9:00 am
Mapleleaf, I heard that story too from various whispers. It looks like an MoD news blackout operation, a bit like the Wings ceremony when Kate’s presence was kept secret until it was all over.
I imagine William will have a party onboard for all the crew to celebrate his final day with them. It would be great to have Kate aboard with him.
No doubt more will leak out over the weekend.
By John on August 1st, 2008 at 9:06 am
Isana, when ships are in port relatives are sometimes allowed on board. It’s fairly flexible these days and depends on the type of ship. Iron Duke is a frigate so would probably have relaxed rules. For some reason it’s known as a “party ship”.
By John on August 1st, 2008 at 9:10 am
The Fox story has a lot of inaccuracies, like Kate using the Buckingham Palace pool. I’ve never heard that one before. And as for the workout video, the media would claw her to pieces if she went down that route.
Then there’s William’s dancing lessons. I can picture Lionel Blair (an old British hoofer) coming out of retirement to teach him. I can assure you if William were to have dancing lessons, he would keep it totally secret on pain of a long stretch in the Tower,
He would probably ask Vince Cable, the Liberal-Democrat Treasury spokesman and a noted ballroom dancer, to give him a few twirls under the pretext of lessons in economics.
By John on August 1st, 2008 at 9:19 am
As for the Richard Kay piece about “Waity Katie,” it seemed a bit suspect to me. It was. It was written by someone called John McEntee — presumably Kay is on holiday.
It could be that the official plane was laid on by the Royal Navy to take her to the port where Iron Duke is berthed in time for William’s leaving do. She would have had no control of the circumstances surrounding that flight. The tone of the piece is all wrong in that case.
By John on August 1st, 2008 at 10:04 am
Thank you all for the info. I would much rather read breaking news about William and Kate here, where sanity reigns, than to have to read it at places where lunatics and Kate Haters rule.
By Positive on August 1st, 2008 at 11:51 am
True, Positive. Also, with John, we know we are getting accurate, thorough information from informed sources, which can hardly be said of the other sites. Regarding dancing lessons for Prince William, I am rather surprised that Princess Diana, a very accomplished dancer, did not teach her sons this skill or arrange lessons for them when they were young. This is especially puzzling since, as is supposed, both Princes will be attending Royal balls for the remainder of their lives and must be able to perform a variety of ballroom and cotillion dances with some degree of skill, including Highland reels.
By Gigi on August 1st, 2008 at 1:18 pm
John, thanks for your answers.
By Lisa on August 1st, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Gigi William probably knows ballroom dance and Highland reels I’m sure he was a bystander at the balls at Balmoral. William just hasn’t got the rythym when it comes to the current hip hop, rock music. That was in evidence last year at his mother’s memorial concert he looked like Charles trying to dance in the 80’s at a Princes trust concert.
By Trudie on August 1st, 2008 at 10:42 pm
OH MY GOD!! Rebecca English has just posted one of the most absurd articles I’ve ever read in my life on the Daily Mail website. There are so many beauties in this I can’t list them all. Here are a few: 1.) William will be moving BACK IN to Clarence House. Ms. English doesn’t let the fact that William never moved out of CH to start with deter her. 2.) This decision to move back into a place he never left will cause people to believe William wants to put off his engagement to Kate for another year! 3.) I’ll leave you with the title of the article “The blonde helping Wills move back in with dad, at the age of 26″. Enough said. I was speechless when I came across this- the entire article is incoherent sensationalism. Did Katie Nicholl kidnap Rebecca?
By lizzy on August 1st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Will they ever get their stories straight? Doesn’t the truth ever enter in any more? Do people really believe this junk? Lizzy, I’m with ya, incoherent sensationalism!
By jacqueline on August 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 am
I don’t know, Lizzy, the logistics of it sound about right. I too am beginning to think that William and Kate won’t get engaged until later next year with a wedding in 2010. Next year will be one of major adjustment for William, and the hoopla and distraction of a major event — his wedding — will just be too much of an adjustment.
I am a Kate & William fan, but they need to hold off for one more year, for each of them to adjust to William’s new role, as well as for Kate to really begin to fit into her lifetime commitment as a working member of the royal family.
By Positive on August 2nd, 2008 at 4:35 am
That is not to say that I won’t be thrilled if they go ahead and announce their engagement later this year (Hooray!!), but it just sort of makes sense to me if they wait just one more year, when they will be closer to 30 years, and William will have begun his life as a full-time royal. Because as soon as they marry, the speculation about a pregnancy will begin. I have a feeling neither Kate nor William is looking forward to that pressure and are trying to preserve their freedom from that expectation for as long as possible.
By Positive on August 2nd, 2008 at 4:39 am
Positive,
The issue I have is the dishonesty of the article. Prince William never moved out of Clarence House. Ms English’s entire premise is that because William has chosen to move back into a place he never left to begin with means he wants to delay his engagement. There’s also the innuendo about Thea. We disagree about the engagement. I think the longer this goes on without Kate having any sort of official recognition the worse it gets for Kate. She has no body guards protecting her, no palace walls to protect her, and no public relations team to speak on her behalf. Amanda Platell compared Kate to Camilla in the DM today. This is in addition to all the Waitey Katie nonsense. There’s been a change in tone towards Kate over the past few months. The sharks are definitely circling. Having her go through this for another year as only William’s girlfriend is unfair in my opinion.
By lizzy on August 2nd, 2008 at 5:41 am
I agree with you lizzy, William will not put this off any longer and that announcement will come.I think the press just don’t know where Kate will fit in on all of this but we can see that Kate will be by his side through it all. This “new role” includes her. To be frank with you, I think she is ready for this.
By Claudius on August 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 am
Wasn’t it also reported that William and Harry would share an office? So any employee would be working as much for Harry as for William - so the whole “Team William” thing is inacurrate. I was also surprised at the claim that there was no room in any royal palace for William. How can they be “full”? I think except for the names the article did not get a single information right.
By Isana on August 2nd, 2008 at 9:04 am
Why are the DM acting as though William hasn’t always lived there. Aren’t they the ones who tried to sell the story of Kate moving in with him and that William had even built a gym for her. They really need to stop contradicting themselves with their stories.
By Ash on August 2nd, 2008 at 10:42 am
Lizzy, I agree with you as well. I’m going to give the author of the article the benefit of doubt in thinking it’s semantics regarding William “moving back in.” If you consider he has been living away for the most part during his military commitment with perhaps spending more time at Charles home in Tetbury, perhaps she means William will be moving back to CH full time.
As for the rest of your post, I suppose you are right about Kate the knives being out for Kate and the longer her status remains in limbo the more toxic it gets for her. This is William’s call, and hopefully he won’t bungle this.
By Positive on August 2nd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Actually, the passage in Rebecca English’s story could work the other way. Here it is:
“The Prince’s decision to move back into Clarence House will encourage speculation that he is keen to put off an engagement to his girlfriend Kate Middleton for another 12 months or so.”
Well, let’s say a summer wedding is already planned for next year. Would William move in with Kate before the Wedding? It would offend many traditionalists. Also, they may not have decided their post-wedding living arrangements yet.
So deciding to keep Clarence House as his main London residence until after the wedding makes sense and causes minimum disruption. The news may confirm a coming wedding rather than the opposite.
Amanda Platell’s piece just goes over old ground. Get a job, get a job! Who would employ him full-time once the security implications are examined? Only the Army, I suspect.
By John on August 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 am
Although as I think about it, no matter how they handle this engagement, the haters will be out in full force against Kate Middleton. Many of them were out for blood from the first time she was photographed. They denied her relationship with William from the beginning, they “prayed” for a breakup, and they celebrated when they briefly split, then denied their reconciliation until they could no longer do so. They brayed for Kate to “get a job any job” and when she was hired at Jigsaw, they attacked the nature of the job and the means by which she got it. Now they attack her for working for her parents.
Alot of the nastiest lines of attack on her spring from two royalty sites on the internet, one really new site where many posters migrated from another site. Shockingly, the press has picked up their lines of attack — i.e. “Waity Kaity,” which was coined at one of those sites, and the no-job nonsense. Also one particular person likes to post nasty comments in response to Kate Middleton articles at The Sun online so much so that another poster has noticed it and called that person out about his/her repeated attacks on Kate Middleton. They also go from website to website posting outright lies about this girl. John has had a problem with them coming here but has put up a very good fight.
Sadly, these concerted attacks by a small, vocal set of internet posters against Kate Middleton are so vitriolic and personal in nature that I really often think that some of those posters are from William’s set who know this couple personally. What is shocking to me is that the working press appear to have been lurking for stories at those hideous sites, where it is very obvious that most of the posters are very young, very immature, very bitter with their own lives, and some I believe are not lucid.
I really don’t believe that Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, the Queen, nor anyone else who is an important part of William’s life would encourage a whisper campaign of ugly attacks against his girlfriend.
By Positive on August 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Positive, that’s a great summary of what goes on at some sites — bafflingly to many of us. We have a first-comment-moderation policy here at RA, so I get to see what first-timers write. Occasionally, they throw in a patsy to get on, only to start rampaging once they’ve gained access.
Most of them are just so spiteful and personal, they are clearly unhinged.
As for William’s set or the Palace pushing out this stuff, that is simply out of the question. There is, however, a large gaggle of uptown girls who meet in upmarket Belgravia and wait for phone calls telling them where William or Harry are that evening. Then they scuttle down there and hang around hoping to attract attention. I think some of these little madams are responsible for some of the noise, including the “doors to manual” episode.
However, I’ve also noticed a lot of Americans are involved. Most of the spite-merchants arriving here have American or Canadian ISPs, so it’s not just a local phenomenon.
There’s also a group of low-level, gossipy Palace servants and a few “courtiers” who have turned against Kate for one reason or another. Maybe her calm personality is interpreted as stand-offish. They appear to have picked up the catty stuff on these websites and have started to speak out to reporters, no doubt in exchange for a few quid. This has increased measurably in recent months as the saga has dragged on.
That’s why I’ve been urging William to take control of the situation by announcing an engagement.
I’m amazed also at how well Kate has taken it all in her stride. It bodes well for her future at the pinnacle of British society.
By John on August 2nd, 2008 at 11:50 am
What you say is very true, but if we are realistic we have to admit that this is not a big problem. There are maybe 20-30 posters all together who are like these you describe. They have no importance whatsoever. The rest of the world couldn’t care less about the existenece of those boards. Just stop reading those forums and you see how unimportant they are! Don’t let yourself be influenced by their weird world. I doubt very much that journalists or royal aides and friends are active users of those forums. The posters there like to think so, but they are totally misjudging their importance. I think you are wrong when you say that they are all young girls though. The really scary fact is actually that quite a few of them are grown-up women! Yes, I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true. At least some of them were adults when Princess Diana was alive.
I say, let us forget those boards. They can attack KM as much as they want. What does that really mean to her? Nothing, she probably couldn’t care less about their existence. I would think she is more aware of the press, although I suppose she has learnt from the royal family not to let them get to her either. She obviously can’t put herself in a position where she has to read the papers or internet forums to know who she is!
By dagga on August 2nd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
BTW. My post was an answer to Positive. John’s post wasn’t there when I started writing
By dagga on August 2nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Again, intelligence and rationality reign here. I appreciate the responses and agree!
By Positive on August 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Isana,
That last quote was really the giveaway that the whole thing was made up. Kensington, St James’s, Buckingham Palace, etc are all full? Really? Even if they were somehow filled to capacity, William would certainly outrank any of the minor royals or dignitaries who are currently occupying those apartments.
By lizzy on August 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
In the absence of any real news, journalists will take bits of the truth and start to play with it. The truth is exaggerated so that it sells papers. These articles stir people up and produce negative feelings. There are sites like this one that wades through all of the exaggerations to get to that bit of truth. This site also puts things into perspective so that people like me who believes everything that they read will have a reality check. The last two articles are prime examples. First, there is Prince William with no job. He does have a job. Right now, his job is to learn all that he can to become an effective king someday. Along the way, he will start taking over some of the duties for the Queen. Is this a nine to five job? No, it is a 24/7 job. As he begins his royal duties more, this article will become irrelevant.
The second article as it pertain to Kate is only a guess as to the timetable for an engagement. Has Prince William granted the DM an interview explaining to them his feelings about an engagement? I haven’t heard of one. The bad part is that BP, CH, or the Middletons do not comment on newspaper articles. So the news or other posters on other websites can speculate and put their negative spin on situations.
For some, the more negative that they can be about Kate the better. I understand that the RF wants privacy. John, you are right. The ball is in William’s court. I am not saying rush into marriage. However, a statement about the relationship would clarrify Kate’s position. I personally would like an engagement which could be a long engagement. I think that decisions have been made. It might be time to let everyone know about those decisions to protect Kate and William’s reputations. John, thank you for your insights into all things royal.
By kat on August 2nd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I absolutely love reading everyone’s comments on this blog!
I am moved to point one thing out though, and that is Fox News is a crap news network and anything they say shouldn’t be taken seriously. They are the news network of our lying a–hole president and often get their facts wrong. So, in regards to the “journalists” at Fixed News, they know nothing.
I thank you all for your amusing and informative blogging and all I have to say is I send my love to England, it’s Royal Family, and you fellow bloggers.
Keep up the great information sharing.
By Meg on August 2nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
By Gigi on August 2nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Gigi as a fellow American I second everything that you have to say!
By kat on August 2nd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Thank you, Kat! You and I may have to call a meeting of our fellow Americans to discuss appropriate behavior by Americans toward members of the British Royal family! This behavior simply will not do.
By Gigi on August 2nd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Gigi, we’ve also had a few Australian barmpots, as we say, and other nationalities too. It’s not just confined to Brits and Americans.
I suppose it will fade away after a wedding, when William is out of the reach of love-lorn suitors.
By John on August 2nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Meg, thanks for the compliments. I enjoy reading our contributors’ comments too. They are mostly quite excellent and I never fail to learn something I didn’t know from them every day.
One tiny point. We don’t classify ourselves as a “blog”. We’d prefer to be in Google News than Google Blog News, even though they both have their share of bad company.
By John on August 2nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Ah, noted.
“Blog” was a lazy term I threw out there. I actually get all of my Royal news from this website and the BBC or Daily Mirror, if there is ever any to be had. I don’t trust American journalists with English news, although I’m sure some of them have good intentions and only want to report the truth. Unfortunately, these days it’s hard to know what is false and what is truth over here. :\
By Meg on August 2nd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Actually I think Amanda Platell’s article was spot on. I think William should take on a job. Of course it could not be just any job but as his father is not yet King there is no reason why William shouldn’t work. I think a great job for William would be to work in some sort of charity that involves agriculture to gain the experience he will need in farming at Windsor and the Duchy of Cornwall Estates. I understand the need for him to take on royal duties but lets be honest there can be accomodations made for him to do both. As he likes the out doors this would be ideal and give him a sense of accomplishment that is sorely lacking in his father and his complaints of not having a proper job.
By Trudie on August 2nd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I honestly think it is unfair to Prince Charles to say that he is unaccomplished. It’s unfortunate that no matter how many jobs he creates and different groups he helps with attention to their causes, he will never get the credit he deserves. I doubt very much that it would be practical for William to have a job. He isn’t in a position to choose a few areas that he is interested in, he has to do them all. Harry can choose, William can’t. That’s how it is. And I’m sure Charles’s experience and opinion on what turned out to be good/not so good training for him, has played an important part when they decided William’s training.
By dagga on August 2nd, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Trudie,
According to the reports we’ve gotten in the last week, William will be working at Whitehall as a civil servant starting next year. This is in addition to his increased charity work, learning how to run the Duchy of Cornwall, and managing Sandringham. Ms. Platell does nothing but take cheap shots at William in that article, dismissing his service in the military. The Daily Mail’s three headed monster of Katie Nicholl, Rebecca English, and Amanda Platell have convinced me to get my royal news elsewhere.
By lizzy on August 2nd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I could not think of a job William could realistically carry out anyways. The diplomatic services would suit his future role but are far too political to be really suitable as a fulltime job and then he could never really do “quiet” diplomacy anyways because of the media and public attention on everything he does.
What else could he do? Any job in business is ruled out for possibble alegations of him exploiting his royal status and then how could he do both have a full time job and do royal engagements. Since I cannot believe that Platell seriously expects the public to be fine with William staying away from official functions and leading a very private life maybe as a farmer somewhere (though I’m sure he’d actually enjoy this), this article looks like nothing but mindless rambling to me.
I also do not have the impression that Prince Charles had an “unproductive”, unaccomplished life or has the feeling he did. I find it so annoying when “journalists” completely ignore all the charity work Charles does and all the engagements he carries out on behalf of the Queen and his country. As if the Prince’s Trust wouldn’t be enough of an accompishment for two lifetimes. How does he do less than anyone with a fulltime job? I would dare say he works actually more than that but then it seems popular right now to point at the RF and accuse them of being “spoilt” without any look at the facts. As if the only way to feel fulfilled and accomplishes is a 9-5 job. Anything to make those working 9-5 feel better about themselves in difficult economic times, I guess.
By Isana on August 2nd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Amanda’s article was a good example of the middle classes imposing their values on Royalty. Don’t get me wrong, I think middle-class values are essential for any civilized society, but Royalty has a completely different task to do.
Trudie thinks William should get a job, but suggests a charity. William has loads of charities he works with, as does Harry. Charles has set up numerous world-class charities himself — the Prince’s Trust, for example.
Take Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, does he have a job? He runs a multi-million pound business, the Althorp Estate. Is that a job? It’s not 9-5, that’s for sure.
Is Harry’s Sentebale charity a job? Not really, his job is as a full-time Army officer.
William simply can’t have a career (the definition of a “job”) because he has one already. Training to be Prince of Wales — a very arduous job — and then King, the Head of State of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
It’s easy to mock those who can’t answer back for constitutional reasons. Cheap stories decrying those destined to hold high office are easy to pen. In the end it’s the character that counts, as with the Queen.
I’m sure neither Amanda, nor Rebecca, nor Katie are out and out republicans (anti-Monarchists), but are working to order and to deadline. I understand that and commiserate, but I think they should be less eager to condemn those who will have to carry their reputations to the end of their lives, and not just to the collapse of their careers, like here-today-gone-tomorrow politicians.
By John on August 2nd, 2008 at 8:43 pm
John, I would disagree with you about Earl Spencer or any of his peers running a multi-million pound estate. Sure, he has loads of employees at his mercy, but it’s not easy being the CEO of that kind of operation, no matter how glamorous it may appear. I would argue it’s much more than 8 hours a day. (Maybe that’s why Earl Spencer appears to be such an irritable man!
(Or perhaps that’s the point you were making!)
And I would agree with you 100% about Royalty being a full-time job, at least for those at the top. There are aspects of William’s future life that I envy, but massive amounts of it that I would never want to live.
As for where he will live, naturally he will live at home until he marries. Remember that Charles bought Highgrove when he married and Andrew was given a home by his mother when he married. Edward and Sophie were allotted a portion of Bagshot Park when they married (or do they have the whole place? I’ve never heard of anyone else sharing that sprawling manse.) I reckon the same pattern will hold. When he marries, William will either be given a home financed by the Duchy of Cornwall (the Harewood Park estate, perhaps?) or he will buy one.
They will NOT set up house outside of CH before they marry. That would be too…Grimaldi.
By Dan on August 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Dan, it’s nearly midnight here so don’t expect me to be fully coherent.
Top Royals inherit their “jobs”. They take on other tasks, such as charities, because they come from a Christian tradition. But to expect them to do a normal job — as in “career” — is just to impose middle-class values onto what is a packed life that doesn’t end at 60 or 65, but goes on until death.
Most of the Royal critics just don’t get what responsibility they carry. William will become the Head of State of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and 16 or 17 other countries around the world. That’s an awesome task. Does anyone suppose he should become an accountant as well?
Middle class journalists should perhaps spend a few months embedded with Royalty to see what it entails before sounding off that they should “get a job”, just as William is devoting years of his young life with the Armed Forces to understand their point of view.
Imposing one’s own values is what politicians do, not Royalty, which seeks to understand others’ points of view.
Besides, there are too many accountants already.
By John on August 2nd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
John, I think your observations regarding Prince William getting a ‘regular’ job are both brilliant and spot on!
Dan, I totally agree with what you’ve said about where William will live after he marries, and I also agree with your statement about the massive amounts of Williams life that you would never want to live. I wouldn’t want to live his life either.
I enjoy being a royal watcher and making pithy (ha! I wish
) observations about their lives and loves, but as royals they have an aspect of true service and responsibility to the public in their lives that I would never want to have to live with. They have to do so much and answer for so much, I would never want my life to be as busy and as obligated as theirs!!
By mapleleaf on August 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 am
I think you all mistook the point I was trying to make. Charles has whined for years that he never had a proper job and all he can do is wait Yes he has done marvelous things as the POW with the Princes trust and other endeavors.
William may get all the training at Whitehall and preparation for the throne but at 26 his father is still POW and until William gets the title I can’t see any reason why he can’t work even part-time at doing something he loves. William loves the out doors and he can make a sort of career taking on organic farming and growing good food to distribute to the poor and work with his father on enviromental issues. We all know he can’t have a proper job working in a bank or shop. But as Charles son I think he is less bound by constituional boundaries unlike his father and really make a huge difference.
By Trudie on August 3rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Trudie, I think you are onto something. Once his military stint is over, his Royal “training” is underway, and his bachelor days are behind him, I think he will through himself into running an estate in the mold of his father. It has been a long time since we have had both a King-in-waiting AND a Prince of Wales-in-waiting, so it will be interesting to see the place William makes for himself.
Whatever it is, it will be rather unprecedented.
By Dan on August 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Although the Queen may live until she is 1oo, she won’t be able to work as hard as she has done until now. I suppose it won’t last that many years before Prince Charles will have to do most of the things the Queen has done so far. And then Prince William will have to do the “Prince of Wales”-things. I doubt any of them will be looking for extra work.
By dagga on August 3rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Thank you Dan I’m glad you understand what I was trying to say. William getting a job or some sort of career as I mentioned would chart new territory for such a situation as a King in waiting and POW in waiting.
By Trudie on August 3rd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
John,
When the Times does their rich list can they really know how much the Queen is worth? The 300 million pounds figure seems about right, but I’ve always been curious as to how they got that figure.
By lizzy on August 3rd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Here we are quite expiring from the heat–106 degrees Farenheit the past few days, with virtually no rain. Is the weather temperate anywhere else in dear RA-land? Someone please tell me and I shall revive.
By Gigi on August 4th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Gigi, it is 93 here. Tomorrow will be hotter at almost 100.
If memory serves me correctly are you in Texas? If so, I hope that you are out of the path of the tropical storm.
By kat on August 4th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Gigi, the upper Midwest is sweltering also. Actual temperature is only in the high 90s, but the “heat index” (factoring in the humidity) is over 100. Major thunderstorms tonight are supposed to break it. Just what the Midwest needs: more monsoon rains!
Stand tall, ye rows of corn!
By Dan on August 4th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Royal wedding lovers will find photos on rex features of the wedding of Lady Rosanagh to Viscount Grimston. Looked like a lovely celebration with some royal guests
By Dot on August 4th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Background: Lady Rosie was in several pictures from the Sotheby’s Summer Party, 19 June, along side George Percy and Pippa Middleton.
Nice to see Prince and Princess Michael dating each other for a change.
By Dan on August 4th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
The current forecast here says that Tropical Storm Edouard is supposed to hit Houston and our area (Austin) and (we hope and pray) pour 3-6 inches of rain on our drought-stricken and parched vegetation. That would be splendid and greatly needed, believe me! I only hope that high winds do not do any damage or injury. Edouard is not as yet classified as a hurricane, so we shall hope for the best.
Lovely photos of the wedding of Lady Rosanagh and Viscount Grimston. Thanks, Dot, for alerting us to the site. The bride is lovely and the groom is handsome and both are nobly born, too lovely! My goodness, doesn’t Princess Michael dress elegantly and in the best taste! Prince Michael looks so much like his Grandfather, King George V, it is truly uncanny. Because he looks like King George V, he also resembles Tsar Nicholas II, who looked so much like his cousin, King George V, that they might have been brothers. I adore family resemblances.
By Gigi on August 4th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Prince and Princess Michael always did cut an elegant and romantic figure. It’s a pity the Princess has run afoul of so many and that the relationship (if you believe the stories) has not been a fairy tale. Still, the Family appears to stand by them.
By Dan on August 4th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Gigi, we have temperatures of around 70 max here and intermittent rain with high humidity. It’s a damp squib of a summer so far.
I think you might swap some of your heat for our coolness.
By John on August 4th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Lizzy, the worth of the Queen depends on which parts of the Royal Estate you include. Personally, I would include all of it, in which case she is up there with the richest of them all.
By John on August 4th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I really, truly wish to see the day when Kate-haters grow up and learn to take things as is done in down-to-earth Scandinavia. Most Danes were happy when Frederik decided to marry his Australian love and most were even more happy with Joachim’s Number 1 (Hong-Kong born Alexandra Manley) and Number 2 (French-born Marie Cavallier).
Sweden’s princess Madeleine is living together with his law-student boyfriend (no blue blood there either) and his big sister, the future queen, is also more or less living in with his personal trainer boyfriend. Why one should judge these people, if they behave in dignified manner, so who cares if they were real estate agents or personal trainers before they met their royal loves?
It is really funny, when Kate Middleton tries to be formal (these stories, like for example “call me Catherine”) she gets bad press. Then when she suggests that a flight attendant might call her “Kate” - well they are not satisfied either. And for God’s sake - her mother was a flight attendant too! Terrible! How very vulgar, doing perfectly honest and good work before God..
I think that most Kate-haters are young women aged 18-30. I.e. the age group close to prince William and Kate. They hate Kate, since she is like they are (”ordinary girl”) but she managed to win his love.. while they cannot achieve this, since there can be only ONE serious girlfriend in prince’s life. Why she, why not them? This is what they ask and feel furious. Most likely they would hate any girl in her position.
Maybe - and just maybe - they would feel different if prince William was dating a duke’s daughter, but just maybe. Then these little snobs might well think that she is somehow so much “above” them & dare not give criticism. -Or then they might of course say that the royal family is living in the past and marrying only aristocrats and being snobbish etc.. -Haha, poor William, I guess he should stay bachelor? These girls just cannot accept any woman in his life..
By Peg on August 4th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
John, those temperatures sound heavenly! We are hoping for a ten degree drop in temperatures here if Edouard hits us with enough rain and wind, but if we do not get a drop in temps, I may ask you to broker a temperature exchange for me.
Right now, I would be pleased if someone upended the Atlantic Ocean and poured it’s watery contents directly on us, sea creatures and all! Well…not the sharks or the whales.
By Gigi on August 5th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Peg, you’ve hit the, um, the peg right into the hole. Those who hate Kate are simply envious. William should set all the naysayers aside and marry the girl he loves. If he does not follow his heart, disaster will follow.
As for Denmark, I have heard how much the Danes loved Alexandra. I hope she is now happy in her new marriage, and Joachim in his.
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 1:33 am
I think Kate haters are partially agitated by journalists such as Katie Nicholl, who gossip about same old stories of her. I don’t think Nicholl and other writers hate Kate personally, but she is a safe topic for lazy journalists because” Prince William’s girlfriend”gets so much attention and people love negative news of rich and famous. Alas!
By Mikado-watcher on August 5th, 2008 at 2:19 am
Peg, it is not what other people think that is important-it is how Prince William and Kate feel about each other which is important. I wonder if the people who have gone negative about Kate wouldn’t do the same thing that she is doing. People can only glimpse part of her life. Since people are not her, they make judgments based their own situations. Unfortuately, they make comments based on only the part of the picture that they see. It is sad that they have such a negative attitude without knowing her. I think that this attitude comes out through their remarks. I wonder if they sat down and talked with her if attitudes wouldn’t change. Maybe? Maybe not? As far as the newspapers, I agree. The more sensational and negative, the more papers are sold. How many papers have you read that have only positive news? Finally, I read this site because it has a positive attitude about Kate and supports both Prince William and Kate. I enjoy reading the history behind the royals. The people on this site wish for William and Kate a long, caring and loving relationship. It is my hope as well.
By kat on August 5th, 2008 at 5:06 am
Well said, Kat!
By Gigi on August 5th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I’ve gone off to Myrtle Beach for a little R & R and I come back to catch up on all things royal and here we go again with the so-called “journalists” yammering on, tediously whinging about Kate and William’s choice of employment. For the love of all things holy, would somebody tell these ninnies to take a rest? William will never be “normal” in any sense of the word. He is the future King of England (the UK actually, if those Scots and the Welsh don’t get too ridiculous :)) and that is that. Kate, as his future wife, will be the Queen. Their lives, by virtue of birth and in Kate’s case, marriage, will be extraordinary and magnificent. Who actually wants a pair of “normal” people with “real jobs” to function as King and Queen — would it not be fantastically dull to watch William pulling into the drive every night at 5 o’clock after a long day at Inland Revenue? Or to watch Kate hosting Tupperware party after Tupperware party in her home, surrounded by unattractively pudgy suburban females? Because that’s what “normal” people do, and let me tell you, if those sorts of people are THAT interesting then why don’t we have a picture of Sid the plumber on the cover of Majesty magazine?
Live and let live I say! Kate and William are leading their lives according to how they see fit — and isn’t that a good thing? Perhaps those meddling old hags like Sue Carroll who wish to tear them down should take a good look in the mirror and at their own families before condeming others.
Rant over, and John, kudos to you for maintaining a fair and balanced royal website!
By alsgal on August 5th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Alsgal, I just laughed so hard at your comment that I nearly went over backwards in my chair! Well said and quite right!
By Gigi on August 5th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Alsgal, you are so correct, I’ll say no more.
By John on August 5th, 2008 at 10:26 pm