Earl and Countess of Wessex and Family current events 10: February-August 2008

[Kezza]

According to the times court circular website, the Earl and Countess of Wessex attended the Chelsea Flower show.

Court Circular - Times Online

[Bella]

Kezza, obviously you feel passionately about this issue. I don't think anyone is questioning the way the Wessex children are being brought up or that there aren't enough photos of them. The issue is there aren't any photos of them. And this is only viewed as unusual because they are the grandchildren of the Monarch (and more than likely the last grandchildren she will have) and royal children have always been photographed in the past at family functions and family events, even at special photo opps.

I agree, I don't think it's right to subject small children to hordes of photographers but these children were born into a situation where they will be photographed and their actions remarked upon for the rest of their lives and it's only natural for people to want to see them. As I've said before, if E & S aren't comfortable with allowing their children to be photographed in a general sense, then why not hire a photographer to come and do a family sitting, or a sitting of the children - much in the way HM's parents allowed when she was a young child and Pss Margaret a toddler. That way E & S can control the environment, the time the children spend under the lights, the manner of the photographers, everything. Then release a couple of chosen photos to the public. I really don't think by doing that they are infringing upon the children's rights and privacy.

And I think by continually shielding their children in this manner - and I'm sorry but I find it very odd - they 1) don't prepare them for the time when they won't be able to protect them like this and 2) only make it more conspicuous that the children are being "hidden away" - and that only fuels the flames because people then want to know, why?

[Claire]

It has been reveled that Lady Louise Windsor, was a guest at Downing Street when John Brown, also four, and son of the Prime Minister and his wife Sarah, celebrated his birthday two years ago.

[bertie5252003]

I think the answer to the question why do they not allow the children to be photographed can be found with the horrible comments made in the British press this week about Beatrice being a pampered Miss Piggy they go on to say other things. In the wake of this it SHOULD BE CLEAR why. I don't think they lock them away rather they protect them from a cruel media. By the time they are young people their parents would assume the media would not be too interested in the Wessex children given the Wales boys will be married etc.I think we need to be careful passing judgement on areas that are difficult for us to understand. They are not and never will be in the top job and nor will the children. IMO

[susiewong]

I think Sophie thinks she is more royal than the blood born royals. I think she takes the privacy of her children too the extreme. I think in the long term she will regret how she has bought them up. I think Louise will find it hard to interact with other people and you would think with the amount of charity work that Sophie has done in the pass a small eye problem should not let her keep Louise away from not only the public but been seen at all. Sophie doesnt seem to mind at all the trapings that come with been married into the royal family but certainly likes to have things her own way. I can see why she gets on so well with Prince Philip maybe she is as stubborn as him

[Claire]

Yep, Sophie attended Chelsea :) Noone was expecting her, including the family. And in case you were wondering Anne and the Queen greeted them with great enthusiam.
Sophie thinking herself more royal that the blue bloods - unlikely, apparently she is still doing her own housework and getting Edward to pitch in. A fact that alarms the palace staff and amuses the Queen.
Personally I think that the arrangement to not cooperate with the Hello! pics was not Edward and Sophie's - they would have done what the Queen asks, whatever they think. It was their absence on the steps that caused this - and there could have been a number of reasons why they weren't there. Louise might have been asleep, Sophie might have realised that Lady Davina was wearing the same hat.. the options are numerous.
I doubt Louise's eye problem has much to do with Edward's sensitivity to the press intrusion - they are going to so the same with James.

[Claire]

Now to get on Topic, Edward beginnings his visit to America today in New York. In case you are wondering he is doing nothing on the 24th and is taken the whole week off following. Enough time to attend another royal wedding before advancing to Canada.

[Bella]

Originally Posted by Claire

Now to get on Topic, Edward beginnings his visit to America today in New York. In case you are wondering he is doing nothing on the 24th and is taken the whole week off following. Enough time to attend another royal wedding before advancing to Canada.

Another royal wedding? You've got to fill us in.

[giov]

Pics of Edward and Sophie at the Chelsea Flower Show have been posted here:
British Royal Family current events 4: March 2007 -

[Claire]

Originally Posted by Bella

Another royal wedding? You've got to fill us in.

The one in Denmark

[Claire]

I love seeing Christopher Rhys-Jones in school tie at these events. He is always attending Chelsea and Ascot with the Wessex.

[Rebafan81]

This is a hard one to take sides on, I can kind of sympathize with Edward and Sophie regarding wanting to protect their children but even in the days when the paps weren't so active there were pictures of Zara and Peter at family gatherings. I remember seeing them. No you didn't see them as much as William and Harry but you at least saw them when the rest of the family was together. I personally think that they are taking it too far. Unfortunately these children are not just normal children, nor will they ever be. No matter what their parents want them called, they are both direct descendants of royalty and will have to one day deal with it. As they get older, yes Charles will be King and William and Harry will have more of a spot light on them with their children but Louise and James are always going to be the youngest grandchildren on one of England's greatest Queens. Nothing can ever change that and I think that Edward and Sophie need to get over themselves and start preparing the children for a world where pictures of them will be taken. My goodness, no one is asking to see them every day but I personally don't think they should be whisked away and hidden as if there is something wrong with them. If their parents act like this is no big deal when the family gathers, the children will learn to live with it better then if it is treated like it is taboo.
I guess after reading my post, I know which side I am on but please remember, this is just my opinion.

[Bella]

Originally Posted by Claire

The one in Denmark

Oh yeah, duh? For some reason I was still in British RF mode.

[Kezza]

They maybe more relaxed when their children are old enough to understand that there are those that want to take photos at times. Who knows? I just don't think they are as freaked out as some make them sound.

As Claire pointed out we don't know why they left a bit earlier, it could be that they wanted to check up on James. Maybe Sophie hasn't been away from him for too long since he was born.

Reading on the royalist website they stated that the chelsea flower show was Sophie's first engagement since James was born.

Does Sophie really get Edward to do the housework??? I think thats great if she does.

[sydney00]

Does Sophie really get Edward to do the housework??? I think thats great if she does.

is it written in an articel? ^^ i can t find that but sounds good x]

[Claire]

It was years ago in Ok ? magazine,

[Kezza]

Thanks guys.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Kezza

Does Sophie really get Edward to do the housework??? I think thats great if she does.

It may have been true before they married but now I believe they employ staff to deal with the housework and the cooking.

[Bella]

Sorry, but Sophie doesn't strike me as the type to lift a finger to do anything, let alone get her husband to take part. I have the feeling she's more than enjoying her royal life of priviledge and the staff that comes along with it.

[bertie5252003]

AAnd you what Bella I think good for her.