IMHO, there are good and valid points in ALL the recent posts above. I certainly think that Beatrice looks poised and elegant in the photographs. But I also think that she DOES need to be seen to be doing something worthwhile, otherwise - however unfair it might seem - she is going to be accused of doing nothing except shop, holiday and club.
The problem is that Beatrice is, IMHO, in a Royal 'no man's land'. The general feeling seems to be [based on these stories that emanate allegedly from BP] that she is NOT going to have a royal role. But then there is talk about her widening her charitable interests, which to me does suggest the beginnings of a Royal career. Which, if true, will really preclude her from working at a full time career.
Whilst I have not got a shred of evidence to back this up, I feel that the reason for the apparently hostility to the York princesses taking up royal duties has in its roots the various 'difficulties' that have beset their mother. From what I have seen in my work, there is a huge appetite for 'working royals' from many 'unsung' organisations, charitable and otherwise. The 'major' Royals and the 'large and important organisations' always hit the headlines, and so the general public is very familiar with (say) the Princess Royal and her work with Save the Children, and Prince Charles with his own Prince's Trust and his Environmental interests. But there is much 'bread-and-butter' Royal work that needs doing - small charities, particularly those concerned with 'unglamorous' subject matters will always be grateful for a Royal presence to help with fundraising, to visit and inspire projects etc and to present awards and prizes etc. It's the sort of work that 'Division Two' royals such as Princess Alexandra carry out so brilliantly. Over the past few years the BRF have lost workers such as the Queen Mother, the Princess of Wales [love her or loathe her, she was carrying out engagements post separation], Princess Alice, the Duchess of Kent. [And, I suppose, even Princess Margaret, although the general perception is that she was quite lazy]. Charles has remarried, but Camilla does not seem to be as active as Diana. In other words, to me there has been a 'net loss' overall so far as the 'Performing Royals Index' goes. And look, the current crop of Royals are getting no younger and many of whom are either approaching pensionable age or have been of pensionable age for some years. Thus, there really needs to be someone who can take over Royal duties.....
I therefore think that if Beatrice is going to have Royal duties, then the position needs to be clarified and confirmed asap. Otherwise, she is really going to have to either start a career or marry Dave!! IMHO, it is a poor move by the Palace to 'let things drift', because it opens B to accusations of 'lazy old Yorks yet again'. All of which is doubly unfortunate because she is one of the best educated members of the royal family - several male Royals have made it to university, but no home produced royal females. I therefore think that Beatrice - if she is not going to take on ANY royal work - is going to have to plan some form of career pretty sharpish!
Just my thoughts and not meant to offend,
Alex
Have you got any suggestions for HRH Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York, the 23-year old 2:1 degree recipient in history and the history of ideas from Goldsmiths College less than two months ago?
