Duties and Roles of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie 1: Discussion Until 2022

[Mermaid1962]

This is what I think as well. I don't think that they could blend into the workforce in the UK very well, unless they earn qualifications that enable them to do some kind of professional work in the palaces; for example, archival work or work taking care of/restoring the art or other treasures. Or they could marry men with estates and do some kind of management or other work there. This would also include doing public duties at times. However, if they really don't want anything to do with public life, I think that they'll have to go and live in a country where they aren't known as royal princesses.

And yes, whereas Pss B & E have that HRH, I don't think they'll be able to blend into the mainstream as easily as Peter and Zara. And I don't think they'll need to. I still say that there will be plenty for them to do representing the BRF over the next decades.

 

[Mermaid1962]

HRH Princess Beatrice of York and HRH Princess Eugenie of York vs. Zara Phillips and Peter Phillips. It has to do with the royal title. The same things aren't expected of Zara and Peter, because they aren't titled.

Why?

They are all grandchildren of the monarch - no difference there.

 

[Bella]

Can you give examples of what they could do?

I can't think of anything that isn't already being done that could be picked up by these two - remembering that Kate will also have to pick up stuff herself over the next decade.

As I've said before, currently the duties (attending awards banquets, charity events, visiting schools/hospitals/hospices/businesses) that are presently being performed by Pss Alexandra, the Duke of Kent, the Gloucesters, P/Pss Michael of Kent - not to mention the Pss Royal, P Andrew and the Wessexes - will all become available as these people age. They may not make front page news in their work for the BRF, but they do work. In 10 years the youngest of these, the Wessexes, will be close to 60. The others, I'm sure, will well be retired. Who does that leave to carry out the duties that 10 people do now? HM King Charles and his wife, Prince Wm/Kate, Prince Harry and his spouse? Not alot of people to fill the void, imo. Pss B & E could certainly take on some of these duties. It would make perfect sense. They will be royal cousins taking the reigns from the previous royal cousins.

 

[Iluvbertie]

As I've said before, currently the duties (attending awards banquets, charity events, visiting schools/hospitals/hospices/businesses) that are presently being performed by Pss Alexandra, the Duke of Kent, the Gloucesters, P/Pss Michael of Kent - not to mention the Pss Royal, P Andrew and the Wessexes - will all become available as these people age. They may not make front page news in their work for the BRF, but they do work. In 10 years the youngest of these, the Wessexes, will be close to 60. The others, I'm sure, will well be retired. Who does that leave to carry out the duties that 10 people do now? HM King Charles and his wife, Prince Wm/Kate, Prince Harry and his spouse? Not alot of people to fill the void, imo. Pss B & E could certainly take on some of these duties. It would make perfect sense. They will be royal cousins taking the reigns from the previous royal cousins.

But these people aren't retiring from these duties so there is nothing for Beatrice or Eugenie to do now.

You can't expect these two girls to sit around doing nothing for the next 20 or so years until the older royals retire - remembering by then William's children will be approaching adulthood themselves.

If Beatrice or Eugenie don't want to do royal duties there really are sufficient people around now to cover everything.

I don't see any role for them. It isn't like the situation in 1952 when there simply weren't any older royals either so Alexandra was called up as a young princess but that isn't the case now with the Queen having 4 children and two grandkids to do the work with a new spouse on the blocks as well.

The other problem is also Beatrice finishes uni in June. If she is to be a full time royal then she will be starting out just as Kate is. Who would you want to represent you, or to open your hospital wing etc - the new girl on the block who will be the future Queen or the daughter of despised Andrew and hated Sarah?

What I find interesting is that this far out from ending uni we knew William's plans for the future but nothing has been said about Beatrice. I wonder if the family don't know what to do with her, particularly with Kate also coming on the scene now.

Beatrice will have a degree in History and History of Ideas so no hints there as to what her future might be. It would be great to know what areas of History she has been studying.


An intersting article from a week or so ago:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...ce-for-row-over-Duke-of-Yorks-trade-role.html

According to this article - they have no future role in the family.

"It has been made clear that the Princesses should pursue their own careers and have no formal roles," a courtier claims. "The Prince of Wales is keen that the Royal family should be seen to have 'slimmed-down'."

 

[Bella]

But these people aren't retiring from these duties so there is nothing for Beatrice or Eugenie to do now.

You can't expect these two girls to sit around doing nothing for the next 20 or so years until the older royals retire - remembering by then William's children will be approaching adulthood themselves.

If Beatrice or Eugenie don't want to do royal duties there really are sufficient people around now to cover everything.

I don't see any role for them. It isn't like the situation in 1952 when there simply weren't any older royals either so Alexandra was called up as a young princess but that isn't the case now with the Queen having 4 children and two grandkids to do the work with a new spouse on the blocks as well.

The other problem is also Beatrice finishes uni in June. If she is to be a full time royal then she will be starting out just as Kate is. Who would you want to represent you, or to open your hospital wing etc - the new girl on the block who will be the future Queen or the daughter of despised Andrew and hated Sarah?

What I find interesting is that this far out from ending uni we knew William's plans for the future but nothing has been said about Beatrice. I wonder if the family don't know what to do with her, particularly with Kate also coming on the scene now.

Beatrice will have a degree in History and History of Ideas so no hints there as to what her future might be. It would be great to know what areas of History she has been studying.


An intersting article from a week or so ago:

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie pay price for row over Duke of York's trade role - Telegraph

According to this article - they have no future role in the family.

"It has been made clear that the Princesses should pursue their own careers and have no formal roles," a courtier claims. "The Prince of Wales is keen that the Royal family should be seen to have 'slimmed-down'."

Sorry but I have to disasgree with you on some of these points. I think there will be vacancies alot sooner than 20 years. Already the elder members of the family are taking on less. I believe Pss. Alexandra and the cousins are in their 70s now or very close to it. I don't think they'll be representing the RF in 10 years, nevermind 20. And I think it would give the York girls an oppt. to start taking on some of these roles over the next several years.

As for Charles wanting to slim down the RF, that's been going around for decades. And perhaps he will, but then he'll have to scale down the number of events members of the RF can attend.

Whe girls will do between the time they finish school and the time they take on official royal duties, if they do, is a good question. But I don't think they'll be out working the 9-5 beat. Maybe they could get more involved with their parents' organizations (I know some people will turn their noses up at the mention of their parents, but it is a possibility).

Or, as someone else here mentioned, they might find a job within the royal household in terms of renovating or cataloguing different items. This is a good point and rather confusing. But I still say that in the end there will be a place for them within the royal fold.

Ultimately, I think they will marry well and spend more time with their families as womeno of society.

 

[Iluvbertie]

Sorry but I have to disasgree with you on some of these points. I think there will be vacancies alot sooner than 20 years. Already the elder members of the family are taking on less. I believe Pss. Alexandra and the cousins are in their 70s now or very close to it. I don't think they'll be representing the RF in 10 years, nevermind 20. And I think it would give the York girls an oppt. to start taking on some of these roles over the next several years.

The question is though who would want them?

As for Charles wanting to slim down the RF, that's been going around for decades. And perhaps he will, but then he'll have to scale down the number of events members of the RF can attend.

Or increase the workload of those who are working e.g. Camilla could double her workload and Kate and William could easily be doing 600 or so a year each within the next decade - if Philip could do o0ver 800 there is no reason why his grandson can't do the same (after he leaves the Air Force of course)

Whe girls will do between the time they finish school and the time they take on official royal duties, if they do, is a good question. But I don't think they'll be out working the 9-5 beat. Maybe they could get more involved with their parents' organizations (I know some people will turn their noses up at the mention of their parents, but it is a possibility).

Beatrice finishes uni in about 10 weeks - not a long time to be deciding on a future and create a role. With Kate also being launched I think it is clear that there is no role for the York girls - yes I do believe that the timing of the engagement and wedding was designed with just that idea in mind.

Or, as someone else here mentioned, they might find a job within the royal household in terms of renovating or cataloguing different items. This is a good point and rather confusing. But I still say that in the end there will be a place for them within the royal fold.

I think you might find that that was actually my suggestion. With degrees in history that is the sort of thing they could do but... unless they get the job on merits they will always face criticism and a basic degree with no experience won't qualify in the royal collection. They will need to get experience and that will mean working for years in a 9 - 5 job to get that experience - no other way.

Ultimately, I think they will marry well and spend more time with their families as womeno of society.

I think they might but I hope that as modern women they have more drive than to be simply housewives and mothers - so 19th C rather than modern 21st C.

Whatever they do we should start to get some idea within months as Beatrice leaves uni and some announcement of her future is made (I suspect another 'gap' year travelling the world before she decides to get married and spend her life doing not much at all, with occasional appearances at things like Trooping the Colour and as Daddy's escort on some overseas jaunts until Charles becomes King and then retired from public life completely.

 

[muriel]

Sorry but I have to disasgree with you on some of these points. I think there will be vacancies alot sooner than 20 years. Already the elder members of the family are taking on less. I believe Pss. Alexandra and the cousins are in their 70s now or very close to it. I don't think they'll be representing the RF in 10 years, nevermind 20. And I think it would give the York girls an oppt. to start taking on some of these roles over the next several years.

It was mentioned in TRF recently that the Kents and Gloucesters together do about 300 engagements a year - its the sort of work load that the Wessex's, Catherine, William, and Harry's wife could easily take up by themselves. Anne (and Andrew) do not show any signs of slowing down in a hurry. Based on this, I really do not think that B&E would be required to carry out engagements for the BRF on grounds of "capacity"

As for Charles wanting to slim down the RF, that's been going around for decades. And perhaps he will, but then he'll have to scale down the number of events members of the RF can attend.

Whilst the idea has beeen going around fir decades, Charles has not (and is not) in the driving seat, so he really cannot materially change things at the moment.

I have no doubt that under Charles as King, there may well be a change in the number and type of engagements that members of the royal family carry out, so it may well be possible that some of the currrent "usual crop" do not continue to get royal patronage.

Whe girls will do between the time they finish school and the time they take on official royal duties, if they do, is a good question. But I don't think they'll be out working the 9-5 beat. Maybe they could get more involved with their parents' organizations (I know some people will turn their noses up at the mention of their parents, but it is a possibility).

Or, as someone else here mentioned, they might find a job within the royal household in terms of renovating or cataloguing different items. This is a good point and rather confusing. But I still say that in the end there will be a place for them within the royal fold.

I really see no problem with the girls getting real, 9-5 jobs and developing careers of their own.

 

[Iluvbertie]

Whilst the idea has beeen going around fir decades, Charles has not (and is not) in the driving seat, so he really cannot materially change things at the moment.

I really see no problem with the girls getting real, 9-5 jobs and developing careers of their own.

I think that although Charles isn't in the driving seat as such he would certainly be consulted about the future otherwise you could have two young ladies being told in 10 years time - you are no longer required.

I do think that this will have been discussed at length between the Queen, Charles, William and the girls so that they know what they will be expected to do in the future. The fact that we haven't been told doesn't mean that the girls don't know.

 

[muriel]

I think that although Charles isn't in the driving seat as such he would certainly be consulted about the future otherwise you could have two young ladies being told in 10 years time - you are no longer required.

I do accept that he would have been consulted, and his opinions taken on board, but for now, I suspect his is unlikely to be the last word on the topic

I do think that this will have been discussed at length between the Queen, Charles, William and the girls so that they know what they will be expected to do in the future. The fact that we haven't been told doesn't mean that the girls don't know.

Fully agree

 

[Duchess of Darwin]

I'm another person on here who thinks The York Princesses can't win.

If they take on a lot of Royal duties, they'll be acting more important than they really are, and stealing opportunities from Catherine.

If they they forge their own careers, they'll be depending on their titles, and accomplishing nothing based on their merits.

If they enlist in defence positions, they'll only be interested in how many honours they can boast.

If they focus on marraige and motherhood, they'll be lazy, and have no sense of Royal duty.

If they assist the Family in a more private way (such as archiving) they'll be reclusive.

I think it's partly because of who their parents are, and partly because of their gender, but I'm not certain. As for what I can see happening, I can see them picking up some duties as the older generation slows down. To anyone who wonders what they're going to do until then, their education will allow them to get some work. I really don't see how there can be no future for Beatrice and Eugenie, in The Royal Family. They got their Coats of Arms at the same age some people thought they were going to be demoted, and they can't pass on their HRHs, so it's not as if keeping them will make the Family too large. People were disgusted with William's and Harry's behaviour, but their futures weren't in doubt like this. It's not enough to say that they are further up The Line of Succession. William and Henry are second and third respectively, Beatrice and Eugenie are fifth and sixth respectively, and although William's positon is secure, Harry will get moved down in the same way The York Princesses will. Why the towards the idea of Beatrice and Eugenie being working Royals? Is there something I'm missing here?

 

[sliver_bic]

I think it's partly because of who their parents are, and partly because of their gender, but I'm not certain. As for what I can see happening, I can see them picking up some duties as the older generation slows down. To anyone who wonders what they're going to do until then, their education will allow them to get some work. I really don't see how there can be no future for Beatrice and Eugenie, in The Royal Family. They got their Coats of Arms at the same age some people thought they were going to be demoted, and they can't pass on their HRHs, so it's not as if keeping them will make the Family too large. People were disgusted with William's and Harry's behaviour, but their futures weren't in doubt like this. It's not enough to say that they are further up The Line of Succession. William and Henry are second and third respectively, Beatrice and Eugenie are fifth and sixth respectively, and although William's positon is secure, Harry will get moved down in the same way The York Princesses will. Why the towards the idea of Beatrice and Eugenie being working Royals? Is there something I'm missing here?

William and Harry are in the first line and, more importatnly, are the sons of Diana Spencer. That's why so many people are suddenly so enthralled with Kate, imo, they want to see Diana's boy happy so all the unnecessary comparisons between Kate and Diana come up. And for all the talk about Kate being launched, she's already said it'll be two years.

Bea and Eugenie are the children of the second son, a man considered an embarrassment along with his ex-wife. It's less to do with them being female, consider Anne's reputation compared to her brothers, and more guilt by association. Unfortunate and unfair but it's how it works.

 

[muriel]

I'm another person on here who thinks The York Princesses can't win.

If they take on a lot of Royal duties, they'll be acting more important than they really are, and stealing opportunities from Catherine.

If they they forge their own careers, they'll be depending on their titles, and accomplishing nothing based on their merits.

If they enlist in defence positions, they'll only be interested in how many honours they can boast.

If they focus on marraige and motherhood, they'll be lazy, and have no sense of Royal duty.

If they assist the Family in a more private way (such as archiving) they'll be reclusive.

I think it's partly because of who their parents are, and partly because of their gender, but I'm not certain. As for what I can see happening, I can see them picking up some duties as the older generation slows down. To anyone who wonders what they're going to do until then, their education will allow them to get some work. I really don't see how there can be no future for Beatrice and Eugenie, in The Royal Family. They got their Coats of Arms at the same age some people thought they were going to be demoted, and they can't pass on their HRHs, so it's not as if keeping them will make the Family too large. People were disgusted with William's and Harry's behaviour, but their futures weren't in doubt like this. It's not enough to say that they are further up The Line of Succession. William and Henry are second and third respectively, Beatrice and Eugenie are fifth and sixth respectively, and although William's positon is secure, Harry will get moved down in the same way The York Princesses will. Why the towards the idea of Beatrice and Eugenie being working Royals? Is there something I'm missing here?

It really depends on what "independent" careers the girls decide to pursue. If it is modelling, they could be open to criticism. Other careers, probably less so.

 

[machievelli]

I'm another person on here who thinks The York Princesses can't win.

If they take on a lot of Royal duties, they'll be acting more important than they really are, and stealing opportunities from Catherine.

If they they forge their own careers, they'll be depending on their titles, and accomplishing nothing based on their merits.

If they enlist in defence positions, they'll only be interested in how many honours they can boast.

If they focus on marraige and motherhood, they'll be lazy, and have no sense of Royal duty.

If they assist the Family in a more private way (such as archiving) they'll be reclusive.

I think it's partly because of who their parents are, and partly because of their gender, but I'm not certain. As for what I can see happening, I can see them picking up some duties as the older generation slows down. To anyone who wonders what they're going to do until then, their education will allow them to get some work. I really don't see how there can be no future for Beatrice and Eugenie, in The Royal Family. They got their Coats of Arms at the same age some people thought they were going to be demoted, and they can't pass on their HRHs, so it's not as if keeping them will make the Family too large. People were disgusted with William's and Harry's behaviour, but their futures weren't in doubt like this. It's not enough to say that they are further up The Line of Succession. William and Henry are second and third respectively, Beatrice and Eugenie are fifth and sixth respectively, and although William's positon is secure, Harry will get moved down in the same way The York Princesses will. Why the towards the idea of Beatrice and Eugenie being working Royals? Is there something I'm missing here?

I'm in total agreement with everything you have stated. It's unfortunate that the York Princesses are harshly criticised no mater what they do and no matter what they will decide to do with their futures. It's obvious that the York Princesses are never given a fair shake by the media and others because of the terrible mistakes that their parents have made over the years. I really hope that whatever lies ahead (future roles in the Royal Family or careers of their own, etc.) that the York Princesses will have true fulfillment, accomplishment, and more importantly happiness in their lives. I'm rooting for them!

 

[jemagre]

One of the issues with B and E is that they don't appear to do anything other than party and go to school. Even W and H do more charity work. I know some people think that it is enough but they are becoming irrelevant as a result. They are also far down the line. Granted 5th and 6th do not seem like much but in the age were the royal family is being asked to get smaller it seems a bit excessive. I also think that people don't know anything substantial about them. They don't really give serious interviews talking about the causes they care about.

The media is also obsessed with appearances and given their fashion missteps it makes it worse. It is the unfortunate double-standard of being a women. They also must understand it because why else would they spend a lot of money on designers like Valentino or Vivene Westwood only to have the outfit get panned.

They either try to hard or not enough.

 

[sliver_bic]

One of the issues with B and E is that they don't appear to do anything other than party and go to school. Even W and H do more charity work.

And what did the Wales boys do during University?

 

[PrincessKaimi]

It will be interesting to see what Beatrice does with her degree in history - I agree she can't go straight to the Royal Archives, except in an entry level position. She should think about working abroad for awhile, since it doesn't seem she's about to becoming a working Royal.

I do wonder if she feels she has to work at all, given the extravagance of her overall lifestyle. But I wonder if Prince Andrew can actually maintain the support of these two girls at the level they seem to be accustomed to, until the end of his life - and what then?

I would think that perhaps finding a well-off husband would be on Beatrice's agenda, although at our house we think she comes off as very young for her stated age, and doesn't seem ready to enter an adult relationship yet.

I think I read it here on TRF that Prince Andrew had wanted to get her started in a bit of royal work, but that was before his most recent set of scandals/problems.

 

[Mermaid1962]

We don't know what happened during William's time in university because there was an agreement with the press to leave him alone while he was at St. Andrews. Harry didn't go to university; he went to military school.

And what did the Wales boys do during University?

 

[Duchess of Darwin]

Thanks for all the quotes

I remain convinced that bashing of Beatrice and Eugenie is partly due to gender, but I think that it's mostly because of who their Parents are Anne might have spent alot of her time at derbies, in her early twenties, and she might dress like an 80's party clown, but she was given a chance to carve herself a niche as a hard worker because she is The Queen's Daughter.

As for how the Sisters come across at the moment, I have to admit that they do give off an air of irrelevence, but its not that they are becoming irrelevent, but that they are yet to aquire any relevence. They are at a difficult age; too old to be approached neutrally as children, but too young to have their adult roles in full swing. Some may ask how long they need, but the fact is that they are so closely followed that a year feels like five. The York Princesses do party, but you're only young once, and it doesn't appear to be affecting their studies. Their charity work (not yet as much as the average Royal does) and their University courses, are enough, given their ages.

On the subject of the future, I know that Beatrice's role in The Royal Family hasn't been talked about much lately, but lets keep in mind the wedding that has just happened. If Beatrice's future were to be talked about at the moment there would be an explosion of chit-chat along the lines of "Does Bea have it in for Kate?" and "Palace cat fight - Bea's plans to overshadow Kate!" It would be a bad idea to launch Beatrice with a lot of fanfare, particularly given the messes her parents have found themsleves in recently, so we can't just say that the lack of news at the moment means a future as Lady Beatrice for her.

 

[Iluvbertie]

One of the issues with B and E is that they don't appear to do anything other than party and go to school. Even W and H do more charity work.

How much charity work did William do during his time at uni?

How many times was he at nightclubs and/or pubs during that time? - We don't know because of the press agreement.

I know some people think that it is enough but they are becoming irrelevant as a result. They are also far down the line. Granted 5th and 6th do not seem like much but in the age were the royal family is being asked to get smaller it seems a bit excessive.

Of course unless the present Queen lives at least another 22 years Beatrice will have to spend some time as a Counsellor of State - when Charles becomes King she will be the 4th adult over 21 in line to the throne and thus a CoS. If both Charles and William die in that time period then Eugenie will also have to serve. Down aways but still with a role to play.

I also think that people don't know anything substantial about them. They don't really give serious interviews talking about the causes they care about.

Given the way the press have reported on them do you wonder why they don't give interviews. Even when Beatrice ran in the Marathon to raise money for charity the press were on about the cost of the security for her to run. When she does go to a charity function it is all about her clothes and again the cost of security and nothing about the cause that she is supporting.

The media is also obsessed with appearances and given their fashion missteps it makes it worse. It is the unfortunate double-standard of being a women. They also must understand it because why else would they spend a lot of money on designers like Valentino or Vivene Westwood only to have the outfit get panned.

They either try to hard or not enough.

They are young and have been trying to grow up in the full glare of the public - a public that have already written them off as 'a waste of space' 'spoungers' 'bludgers' and of course being hated Andrew and despised Sarah's children gives them no chance of positive press - whereas sainted Diana's sons can do virtually no wrong.

I think the best things the girls can do is find themselves some sort of career overseas and let William and Harry do all the work - it will also suit William and Harry who I don't think are really that close to them.

 

[jdcharlie]

I just posted an article here about the Yorks - their security and future roles. It disappeared, but according to tomorrow's DM: "The Queen has made it clear that she expects the princesses to pursue their own careers after university, rather than go on the Civil List as working members of the Royal Family." One courtier said: "The princesses will pursue their own careers and have no formal role within the Royal Family."

 

[Mermaid1962]

I'm suspicious of this article because it mentioned the Civil List. Even if the York princesses were to do royal duties, they likely wouldn't get civil list payments. Only the most "senior" royals get it now: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

It disappeared, but according to tomorrow's DM: "The Queen has made it clear that she expects the princesses to pursue their own careers after university, rather than go on the Civil List as working members of the Royal Family."

 

[Iluvbertie]

Beatrice and Eugenie stripped of 24-hour protection after row over £50,000 cost | Mail Online

Here is the link

They are to lose their security and the Queen says they are to pursue their own careers and not be working royals.

Good luck girls.

This will also mean that as the older royals slow down William, Kate and Harry and Spouse will have to pick up the slack.

One thing I found interesting in the DM article was the following:

The cost of guarding Eugenie, 21, in her first year at Newcastle University has been estimated at £250,000 a year. It includes salaries, accommodation and living and travel expenses of two full-time bodyguards.

If you compare it with the following:


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7149076.ece

The cost of guarding Eugenie, 20, in her first year at Newcastle University has been conservatively estimated at £250,000 a year. That includes the salaries, accommodation, living and travel expenses of two full-time bodyguards.

The Telegraph article was written in June 2010 while the DM article was written on the 7th May - and is clearly plagiarising the original Telegraph article but it does raise the following question:

How accurate is the DM? If the Telegraph reported this story nearly a year ago and nothing happened then and the DM simply copied from the Telegraph article without actually updating all the information e.g. Eugenie is now in her 2nd year at uni (to be far the DM did update the next sentence about Beatrice from studying 'in London' to studying at the 'University of London' - which she is doing now - having moved from Goldsmiths and got Eugenie's age right) is the story to be believed?

I think this time it might be right in parts. I do think that the Queen may very well have told the girls that they have to carve out their own careers - as has been reported over the last month or so in other publications - as a result of Andrew and the peadophile and with Charles' support.

Both headlines - June 2010 and May 2011 - say 'are stripped' of the security and yet after the report from June 2010 they still had security in May 2011.


And of course the DM has the major error of suggesting if they did royal duties they would be on the Civil List considering that only the Queen and DoE are on that List.

 

[Susanna Wynne]

The comment about the Civil List may have been made to ensure that the public knows that no "taxpayer support" is going to go to B and E. Up until a few years ago, the Civil List supported a number of royals and minor royals and many may not be aware of the subsequent changes.
I'm sure the Queen and Pr. Charles are anxious that public funding be kept to a minimum. Pr. Charles receives nothing from the Civil List and the staffing for all of his many, many initiatives are paid from the Duchy of Cornwall and (I think...) Lancaster funds. At least his initiatives are intended for the good of all the people (even if I don't agree with some of them, I give him credit for seeking to do good in large and important ways. And some, like the Duchy Originals, are self-supporting). The Queen subsidizes out of personal funds the activities of other royals and minor royals who make appearances on her behalf (e.g., Pr. Anne, Sophie and Edward, Alexander, the Ds of Gloucester and Kent, Pr. Michael, etc.). The question of money and public funding is complicated...

And poor B. and E. need some image consulting. They are doing themselves no favors, and apparently are not getting the kind of guidance they need. They are young women and as such are held to a higher standard of behavior than their male cousins Harry and Wm, and I think it has little to do with the fact that they are Diana's sons...

Fair or not, girls/women will always be judged more harshly for being photographed "falling out of Boujis drunk." I'll bet they are pretty sweet kids, which makes it doubly hard. But perception is everything in our TV/tabloid/paparazzi era, and they must learn to accept that.

 

[Duchess of Darwin]

I have no problem with the concept of Beatrice & Eugenie forging their own carrers, but it would make my blood boil if it were to be forced on the account of Andrew's friendship with the sex offender. What did that have to do with B & E at all, apart from the fact that they are Andrew's Daughters? They are not Andrew, and they are not Sarah either. People need to see them as the Princesses Beatrice Elizabeth Mary and Eugenie Victoria Helena It's not their fault that their Parents are so lacking in common sense. They've never done anthing worse than look as if they've had one shot too many, dress how Lady Gaga would if she wanted to bring Dame Edna to mind, and wear unflattering bikinis This is exactly the sort of inherited hatred that so many users on here are talking about.

As for security, I don't believe for a second that Andrew or Sarah would want anything bad to happen to their Daughters, but they are at risk due to their poor images, and that's not even mentioning all the political Movements which pose a threat to them. If anything happens to either of these unestablished but decent young Women, it will be on the protesters' heads.

Sorry to but it's something I feel strongly about.

 

[PrincessKaimi]

I don't think it has much to do with the sex offender - it seems the Queen has been mulling over their role for some time. She might change her mind in the future.

But if the two princesses want to be seen as working royals (and get all the perogatives), they should probably just start doing some royal work - on their own. Give a few interviews, do some charity fashion show attendance (not runway walking please), things like that. Establish a royal image, get themselves situated to take on some of their father's work.

I do think their gender is against them when it comes to things like Andrew's request to have Beatrice start accompanying him on some of his North African trips (this was before the current trouble there, I believe - correct me if I'm wrong).

It would be hard to envision Princess Beatrice meeting with North African or Middle Eastern oil producing nation leaders.

 

[Duchess of Darwin]

Why have their roles been mulled over? I know about the planned downsizing, but they are Princesses already. What lessened the possibility of them having formal roles in The Royal Family?

 

[sndral]

It is unfortunate that they have such wrecks for parents, unfortunately these are the people who have raised them and are clearly not giving them any guidance currently as to how to appear/behave in public. No surprise, since neither Sarah or Andrew have managed their own public images very well, and they exhibit ongoing bad judgement at an age when they should long ago have wised up. As things are, the princesses are not an asset to the BRF, and no one is helping them learn how to be an asset.
Their father seems to think being born HRH should be enough, and their mother doesn't seem to think at all. It's amazing they've turned out as well as they have.

 

[Duchess of Darwin]

Agreed. The poor girls are not assetts.

They have a frivolous looking dress sense, thanks to Sarah, a complacence about public opinion thanks to Andrew, and an inability to properly address criticism thanks to both.

It's awful because they have the ability to be assetts They don't have muffins where their brains should be, like their Mother does, or a complete lack of presence, like their Father does. They both combine the positive traits. The problem is that the negative ones mentioned above get in the way.

 

[Iluvbertie]

They have done some charity appearances e.g. fashion shows - one where they were asked to give up their seats to Kate Middleton (who was only the girlfriend at the time and Pippa who was attending with Kate).

Beatrice ran the London Marathon for charity - and still got criticised - due to cost of security etc.

It doesn't matter what they do they will be condemned.

They are only 21 and 22 and yet are already condemned to worthless status by the majority of the public and the press. The public can't even get it through their heads that these girls are full time university students, which is why they currently don't work.

The problems confronting them in the future though are what careers they can follow? No matter what they do they will be accused of getting their position because of their titles not their ability, of taking the job of someone more worthy and more in need etc.

They are in a no win situation.

Having security removed also should mean that the press will have less to complain about but that should also mean that the girls can have some comeback about press invasion into their private activities - if they aren't costing the taxpayers anything and are simply rich kids who also earn their own living then the press should be forced to leave them alone and only report their attendance at things like Trooping the Colour.

 

[rmay286]

Agreed. The poor girls are not assetts.

They have a frivolous looking dress sense, thanks to Sarah, a complacence about public opinion thanks to Andrew, and an inability to properly address criticism thanks to both.

Right - I think that makes sense. Sarah has no dress sense, Andrew believes in letting the criticism roll over him, and both parents probably dote on their daughters and tell them they're loved just the way they are (and I bet even their Granny does, to an extent), so they don't think they need to change.

I agree that they're in a no-win situation, but I really think it's best if Beatrice and Eugenie have careers instead of performing royal duties. If they work for the royal family, they will always be compared to Kate, and the comparisons will always be unfavourable. If they're not criticized for their dress sense, they'll be criticized because of their parents, and if it's not because of that, it will be for unfortunate aspects of their physical appearance - Beatrice can't keep her mouth shut, Eugenie has wide hips, etc.

And if it's not that, it will be "Kate is our future Queen, but these girls are useless hangers-on." People don't understand that Beatrice and Eugenie are fifth and sixth in line to the throne. Even if William and Kate have two children, Beatrice and Eugenie will still be seventh and eighth...maybe even go back up to sixth and seventh if the Queen dies before Harry has children. That is fairly high up, but people don't accept that.

People also don't bother reading in depth about the royals - they draw conclusions from pictures and captions. On the day of the royal wedding, when Beatrice and Eugenie showed up on TV, my Mom said, "I hear they're a handful." Me: "Why?" Mom: "Oh, I read it in a magazine at the hairdressers." What does it mean that Beatrice and Eugenie are "a handful"? That they have bad dress sense? That they sometimes exit night clubs looking the worse for wear? The thing is, even those occasions are sporadic. Eugenie may be a bit wilder than Beatrice, but in general, the girls haven't been in much real trouble. I can't remember too many occasions when Beatrice has come out of a nightclub looking drunk; sometimes she just looks tired. So her only crime is not to dress well, and to have goggly eyes and a big mouth - but crimes of physical appearance are the ones that matter most if you are in the public eye.

Which leads to my conclusion that they should get jobs for themselves and retreat from the public eye. They will never turn the tide of public opinion now that Kate is on the scene. I think Beatrice and Eugenie are probably sweet girls, do fairly well in school and are probably just as well-liked by their peers as Kate is by hers, but that doesn't matter - they will never photograph as well as she does, and I think it's hopeless for them to try to perform on the same stage.