Syntagma Digital
LifeTimes
Main Page

Royal Anecdotes is away

Posted in Royal Anecdotes on August 17th, 2008
By John - leave a comment!

Royal Anecdotes away until September 1.

48 Responses to “Royal Anecdotes is away”

  1. John have a wonderfull vacation !

    By Me on August 17th, 2008 at 3:27 pm

  2. Oh where is he going? Did he say?

    By Dally on August 17th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

  3. Lizzie and I are in deepest Cornwall enjoying the constant rain and blustery, cool conditions.

    “Oh, to be in England now that [August] is there.”

    Ho, ho, ho! :)

    By John on August 18th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

  4. Enjoy you vacation!

    By Julie on August 18th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

  5. have a lovely holiday - hopefully you wont be checking email or the site while you are away

    By coni on August 18th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

  6. I hope you are having a delightful time!

    On another note, I wish to express my extreme displeasure at some of the nastier articles being written about Prince William’s “failure” to attend the Olympics. (I wish we had a eye rolling smiley available, as it would best portray my sarcasm here.)

    As Mapleleaf posted so eloquently on another site, why weren’t Andrew or Edward or Harry castigated for not showing up? Why has everyone decided, for lack of a better term, to pick on William?

    Also, allow me to clarify — William and Kate were NOT seen falling out of a nightclub at 4 am — they were walking out fully upright, with complete composure. Any moron who bothered to view the live video of them emerging from Raffles could see this.

    ARRRGHHH! I am sorry for the outburst, but it’s deeply annoying to me that some people are incapable of questioning what actually happened, and are content to sit there, like dimwitted sheep, just buying whatevcer the media or bullying others tell them.

    By alsgal on August 19th, 2008 at 1:44 pm

  7. I second that thought! I was thinking how great they looked.

    But, like others have said, nastiness sells more papers. Sad really!

    By Julie on August 19th, 2008 at 4:41 pm

  8. Nastiness, particularly if it’s about privileged people, topless women, cute animals, and people with odd diseases are indeed most of the things that sell papers, Julie. A huge shame, as there are many more interesting things out there. Orismology, anyone? :)

    By alsgal on August 19th, 2008 at 6:59 pm

  9. alsgal, julie

    You know I have a lot more sympathy for the royals than I did a few years ago. Reading these silly articles have made me realize they can’t win. Some of these people in the media just criticize them because they can, because they know 9 times out of 10 the royals won’t hit back. And of course it’s more interesting to bash them than to praise them for the all the good work they do. No wonder most public figures hate the media.

    By Lizzy on August 19th, 2008 at 8:12 pm

  10. The press is either trying to make money or they are trying to force prince william’s hand. If Prince william and kate had gone to the olympics the press would have made a big deal about kate going-official vs not official, engagement imminent etc. I think that Prince William Kate know exactly what is going to happen at this point. It is getting to the press not knowing. So they write nasty things about them. It was said that one of the main things that Prince William’s new PR person would have the job of coordinating an engagement announcement with the understanding that it will probably/possibly happen. I think that they said that he is coming in October. We might hear something then. They say that patience is a virtue- one that the press might think about trying.

    By kat on August 19th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

  11. That really sounds like it’s the case, kat — of them trying to force William’s hand. God bless him, he is doing things according to HIS timetable and let’s hope he can continue to stay strong on this.

    Lizzy, it’s no wonder the BRF and most people in the public eye can’t stand the press, or are “on guard” when they are around them — most of them are absolutely awful. They seem to forget the subjects of their stories have feelings and pride just like the rest of us. Yet, callously, they twist and turn facts around to suit whatever angle they’re trying to sell that week. How heartless, and utterly lacking in character some of these folks are. How frustrating it must be to do so much good for so many (the BRF, raising millions of pounds per year for charity) only to be slammed over minor, inconsequential details.

    That’s why I only take Hello and Majesty and view the Telegraph online — the rest of the papers I wouldn’t even use in the loo.

    By alsgal on August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

  12. Sorry to double post but I forgot to mention there’s a cute little tidbit in the Telegraph about Prince William sitting it out when he and Kate go to the clubs. As many probably know, Kate is apparently quite the dancer (not surprising given her natural gracefulness) but our poor William isn’t and apparently feels rather awkward about dancing in front of others. Is it just me, or does that make you (Dan and John excluded, of course :)) just want to give him a big ole squishy bear hug and tell him to just get out there, William and boogie — you can do it!?

    He needs a big dose of encouragement in his life right now, me thinks. The poor thing must really be hurting from all the small-minded press of late.

    I feel I should write a letter to the editors at the various rags and demand they cease and desist, and I would encourage all faithful RA readers to do the same, if possible (I understand some of you don’t have quite the same amount of time as I do.)

    By alsgal on August 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

  13. Alsgal,
    Did you notice this little nugget in the Mandrake piece?
    “He loves Kate and would do anything to please her” Yeah!! Doing a happy dance.

    By lizzy on August 20th, 2008 at 12:50 am

  14. do you have links to those articles or videos?

    By Dally on August 20th, 2008 at 1:02 am

  15. While the telegraph piece is certainly cute I wonder whether it can really be true. William happily danced at the Concert for Diana though it was a televised event millions of people world wide saw. So why should he all of a sudden mind dancing with Kate in a club?

    I hope this link works, I’m not very familiar with tinyurl.

    http://tinyurl.com/6nonzo

    By Isana on August 20th, 2008 at 5:37 am

  16. I understand how the poor chap feels. I’m like that too. :)

    At the Diana concert he did look a bit naff and certainly not comfortable wiggling around after a few drinks. He obviously understands himself well, which is a good attribute for a future King.

    Kate, of course, does everything brilliantly. :)

    Alas, we poor men have our limitations. ;)

    By John on August 20th, 2008 at 11:00 am

  17. PW may not be the best dancer in the world but it really does not matter to most women if their man looks like a professional on the dance floor! Personally, I know my man loves me because he dances with me even though he is not comfortable. I always like the song that says, “I hope you dance…”

    I’m hoping you’re right Isana and this is just another thing that the press got wrong :)

    By Julie on August 20th, 2008 at 3:33 pm

  18. I do hope that even if PW were to twirl like a helicopter (though I’m sure they exaggerate) that he doesn’t feel self-conscious at all about it, and he surely cannot be as bad as my own whirling dervish of a husband, who once twhirled his way into the cake table at his poor sister’s wedding reception. Suffice to say, the Bride survived but the cake did not. :)

    By alsgal on August 20th, 2008 at 5:03 pm

  19. Oh, I do hope someone captured that on film??? I’m still laughing!

    By Julie on August 20th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

  20. Yes, we did, Julie.

    On a very sad note, I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who died the Madrid plane crash today. Just started watching the television, and they are saying amongst the dead were two small children traveling alone, oh my goodness. How absolutely awful for all involved.

    By alsgal on August 20th, 2008 at 6:08 pm

  21. Yes. My prayers are with their families. I’ll never understand in this day and age, with all the modern technology, how there are still plane crashes. Just sad. On a lighter note, I’ve seen footage of Wills dancing at the Diana Concert and it wasn’t pretty. Let’s hope he gets lessons in time for the wedding reception!

    By Lizzy on August 20th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

  22. Let’s hope so but just not from my Al! :)

    By alsgal on August 20th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

  23. It is being reported that Kate and Chelsy have been invited to Charles birthday bash. I am so excited for them.

    http://tinyurl.com/6owy9e

    By kat on August 21st, 2008 at 1:55 am

  24. That IS exciting. I hope we get to see photos of their dresses. I wonder if that is likely?

    By Julie on August 21st, 2008 at 1:30 pm

  25. Food for thought: Right now the order of precedence for private occasions for female members is the Queen, Princess Anne, Princess Alexandra, & then Camilla. But the Duchess of Cornwall does rank 2nd for official functions. The reason given for Camilla’s fourth place was that she was a duchess not a princess. Personally, I’m more inclined to believe that other senior royals, including HM, were against the idea of her having a higher rank. But what about William’s wife? Would the Queen put her ahead of Camilla in rank for private occasions?

    By Lizzy on August 21st, 2008 at 8:55 pm

  26. Once married, Kate would be the Princess William, unless another title is given to Prince William. So, if no other title is given, then it sounds like Kate would outrank Camilla at private occasions.

    I’ve been away on a long vacation, with limited access to internet (sometime with no access). Glad to hear I haven’t missed an engagement announcement!

    By Evelyn on August 21st, 2008 at 9:15 pm

  27. They will almost certainly be made Duke and Duchess of something, same rank as Camilla. I don’t know if the fact that she will be both Princess William AND the Duchess so-and-so makes a difference. Wouldn’t Charles’s wife outrank William’s no matter what?

    By Dan on August 21st, 2008 at 9:46 pm

  28. Dan,
    I thought Camilla already outranked Princess Anne & Princess Alexandra. But I had way too much time on my hands today so decided to do a little royal research. That’s when I came across the order of precedence for private and official occasions. Apparently Diana was ranked after the Queen when she was married to Charles and the Duchess of York was third while married to Andrew. So that’s what leads me to believe this is something specific to Camilla. I mean she is Princess of Wales even though she prefers to go by Duchess of Cornwall. But she ranks fourth in the hierarchy of female royals except for official things like state dinners. And as you said William’s wife would be both the Princess William and the Duchess of Something.

    By lizzy on August 21st, 2008 at 10:28 pm

  29. The Daily Mail is reporting that Peter & Autumn Phillips are settling in after moving to Hong Kong for 3 years. I must have missed that news while I was away on vacation.

    By Evelyn on August 22nd, 2008 at 3:26 am

  30. I hope this doesn’t read as if they’ve been banned to the outer regions of civilisation — maybe this was well planned and in the works long before the Hello uproar.

    OT but does anyone know where dear Gigi has gone — another poster told me she thought Gigi was off on her Polo Pony — if so, Gigi, I had no idea those horses can survive in that dreadful heat down in Texas.

    By alsgal on August 22nd, 2008 at 4:32 pm

  31. If I remember correctly, at some point (perhaps in the pre-wedding Hello! article), Peter & Autumn said they would like to live abroad for a few years. That sounds like the move to Hong Kong was in the planning stages before the wedding. It will be interesting to see what kind of work Autumn takes up while they’re there.

    By Evelyn on August 22nd, 2008 at 5:13 pm

  32. Chelsy is back in the UK. She was seen shopping in London and then going to CH afterwards with her mother.

    http://tinyurl.com/6qlucf

    By Isana on August 22nd, 2008 at 5:35 pm

  33. Can someone explain to me why Princess Anne couldn’t have paid for her son’s wedding? Are the Queen, Charles, & William the only royals with considerable wealth?

    By Lizzy on August 22nd, 2008 at 6:33 pm

  34. Princess Anne certainly *could have* paid for the wedding, but she didn’t. There’s been a lot of speculation about why not, but no one knows for sure.

    As to reports that Kate and Chelsy may be invited to Prince Charles’ official birthday bash, it’s mentioned that only spouses and fiancees are usually invited to official occasions. Perhaps Prince William & Kate will be engaged by then! :) vbg

    By Evelyn on August 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm

  35. Here I am, my dear Alsgal, recovering from an appalling lapse of duty, during which my desktop PC flatly refused to allow me to post to LJ for reasons too technical to mention. After attempting to repair the lapse myself, just to be helpful (which is never helpful), I have routed the culprit by firing up Delilah, my laptop, on which I am now typing this post! I have not, as it happens, been riding in the dreadful heat, but I should say that native Texans ride in any weather and never seem to mind the heat. It is not at all uncommon to ride past nearby ranches and places which board horses and see people riding in 105 degree heat. Worse, Texans are known for hosting and attending outdoor parties, barbeques, picnics and weddings in heat so hot that the wedding cake could melt with no further inducement. This type of esprit d’ corps can only be described as Homeric were it not for the fact that guests waiting in line for the barbeque have been known to have eggs frying on their heads. :)

    I hope that the Queen invites both Kate and Chelsy to Charles’ 60th birthday celebration and I hope we get to see photographs of the gala event. No one entertains like the Queen, so this fete is sure to be lovely.

    By the way, in the last three days, we have been blessed with hard, sustained rainstorms and are now delighted to see puddles of water collecting in our garden and yard! Since I am a Pisces and am never happier than when I am submerged in H2O, I will never be entirely sated by the rainfall and hope for more. Nevertheless, we are very grateful for the change in the weather.

    John, I hope that you had a wonderful time in Cornwall. I want very much to see the Cornish coast when we come to England, storied as it is with the legends of Manderley from the movie “Rebecca” and the Cornish home depicted in the movie “My Cousin Rachel” which are two of my very favorite films. :)

    By Gigi on August 22nd, 2008 at 11:03 pm

  36. Oh good grief, another typo–I mean to say that my desk top PC forbid me from posting to RA, Royal Anecdotes, not LJ, which is Livejournal. Also, as another bit of Texas news, I just found a rattlesnake in our garden, slithering around the Mexican petunias and cherry sage. My husband got a spade and dispatched snakie to reptile heaven, if such a place exists.

    By Gigi on August 23rd, 2008 at 12:08 am

  37. I’m glad Prince William did not attend the Olympics. I would have boycotted them if I were he because of the way that animals are treated in China.

    I think, on another point, that it is a nice distinction: royals are not engaged to be married — they are betrothed.

    As for the Princess Royal paying for her son’s wedding, why should she? Tradition says the bride’s parents pay for their daughter’s wedding. I would expect that to be the Princess Royal’s view as well. The Princess Royal undoubtedly profited from her grandmother’s will and receives compensation — and well earned it is — for all the thousands of events, openings, and so forth that she attends in the course of the years.

    By Robert on August 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 am

  38. How do you all think Kate will make the adjustment to royal life? I ask because of all the stories about Diana and Fergie having such a difficult time going from commoner to royal wife. But we haven’t heard about Sophie or Camilla having the kind of problems they had. I’m not saying everything has been smooth for them just nothing like the struggles of Diana & Sarah.

    By lizzy on August 23rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm

  39. In my opinion, Kate has handled a very aggressive and rude press corps with style and maturity beyond her years. She knows how to keep secrets and how to behave like a lady. This combined with the path being paved by Diana, Fergie, Sarah and the DC, I believe she is as prepared as she could be.

    My belief is that she will be a wonderful and great example of how to be a princess and a lady. I think she’s a great choice for a very tough job (one hopefully made eaiser by a very loving husband and family) But that’s just my opinion ;)

    By Julie on August 23rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm

  40. I agree with you, Julie. I also believe that, with the history of Prince William’s childhood, he is unlikely to put up with anyone–courtiers or extended family–undercutting his wife. Some of the old palace guard may have to shape up or ship out! :)

    By Gigi on August 23rd, 2008 at 6:22 pm

  41. That would be nice…I believe that SOME of Diana’s paranoia may have been justified. I don’t think she knew who she could trust and over time it seems like her concerns were proven true regarding people reporting back or giving away her secrets. William would go a long way to ensuring a long and happy marriage were he to choose wisely in that department. Again, IMHO!

    By Julie on August 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 pm

  42. The Mail on Sunday has two articles.

    * Prince Philip is said to want a royal funeral at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, instead of a state funeral at Westminster Abbey, which the Queen would prefer.

    * Katie Nicholl has another article in the “Waity Katie” series, saying that the Queen would like Kate to have a “charity job” before her engagement to Prince William is announced. Also, Katie says that “friends say” that the engagement will be announced shortly before or after Christmas.

    I don’t know the veracity of either article– just reporting what’s being said.

    By Evelyn on August 24th, 2008 at 12:15 am

  43. I am getting really tired of Katie Nicholl and her bitter, rehashed stories. I think this woman has to know that a large fraction of her readers no longer believes what she writes.

    It will be quite difficult for Kate to associate herself in any high-profile charity until her role in the royal family has been firmly established. She’d have to be engaged at the very least. This roller-disco sounds small enough, but anything larger would create a media frenzy about an upcoming engagement.

    By frands on August 24th, 2008 at 2:44 am

  44. The DM also has another royal article now, on Prince Philip asking Prince Harry to vow to tame his lifestyle and become a more dutiful prince. According to the article, these conversations happened before Harry went to Africa this summer.

    By Evelyn on August 24th, 2008 at 3:53 am

  45. I won’t comment on the latest recycled garbage from Ms Nicholl. It’s nothing new and is very old at this point. Like Alsgal, I’m starting to limit my royal news to The Telegraph & RA. Why have there been so many stories about Prince Philip’s funeral plans over the last months?

    By lizzy on August 24th, 2008 at 5:48 am

  46. I can’t help myself, I have written a couple of comments to that KN article, telling them what I feel about their campaign against KM. They won’t be published of course. I think others should do the same. Tell them what you think about their “sources” and their “journalism”. Oh, I’m angry :)

    By dagga on August 24th, 2008 at 10:05 am

  47. Yada, yada, yada — here we go again Miss Katie Nicholls. Does it not occur to Miss Sherlock Holmes that since, as she writes herself, they will likely announce the engagement over Christmas, there is absolutely no point in KM taking on new employment at this point?

    KM cannot become patron of a charity until she’s officially in the Firm, so of course, her participation with a charity would have to be on a somewhat low key level at this point. As for Kate’s “friends” saying she is sometimes rude for not RSVP-ing — hmmmphh! With friends like those, who needs enemies.

    Lizzy, I also subscribe to Majesty and Hello, two very charming, upbeat and positive publications. They have always treated KM well, and I look forward to more respectful coverage from them in the future.

    Gigi, I am deligted to hear you have survived most of that famous (or should I say infamous) Texas August. Indeed those little snakies do go to heaven — where they become the loveliest boots, belts and ladies handbags. :)

    I also find Hello and Majesty to be respectful, so I take these publications as well.

    By alsgal on August 24th, 2008 at 1:27 pm

  48. Hi folks,

    I’m interrupting my rain-sodden vacation to put up a post on Katie Nicholl’s piece in today’s Mail on Sunday. Here it is:

    Kate Middleton engagement at Christmas

    By John on August 24th, 2008 at 2:27 pm

Leave a Reply