Most/Least prepared to be King/Queen?

[lashinka2002]

Best prepared - Hakon & MM, CP Victoria of Sweden
Least prepared - CP Fredrick & CP Mary

Best prepared in the past - HM QE 2
Least prepared - Tsar Nicholas & Empress Alexandra

[EmpressRouge]

I don't think the monarchy as an institution is very popular in Belgium (unlike countries like Denmark). It's staying power had a lot to do with the charisma of its leader, like Juan Carlos and the Spanish monarchy. Personalities Baudouin and Fabiola, along with Albert I and Elisabeth (and Leopold III to an extent w/ Queen Astrid before her death/his second marriage and WWII) helped elevate the monarchy in Belgium, but the current royal family lacks the admiration (I guess w/ the exception of Princess Astrid) their predecesors enjoyed. King Albert II has an illegiment child; I've heard Queen Paola doesn't speak Dutch too well either like Mathilde; Prince Philippe seems to always make faux pas; and Prince Laurent, who had a reputation for fast cars and fast women before marrying, is currently emboiled in a Navy corruption scandal.

[UserDane]

Deleted as the question was already answered - sorry.

[stephanievl]

Originally Posted by EmpressRouge

I don't think the monarchy as an institution is very popular in Belgium (unlike countries like Denmark). It's staying power had a lot to do with the charisma of its leader, like Juan Carlos and the Spanish monarchy. Personalities Baudouin and Fabiola, along with Albert I and Elisabeth (and Leopold III to an extent w/ Queen Astrid before her death/his second marriage and WWII) helped elevate the monarchy in Belgium, but the current royal family lacks the admiration (I guess w/ the exception of Princess Astrid) their predecesors enjoyed. King Albert II has an illegiment child; I've heard Queen Paola doesn't speak Dutch too well either like Mathilde; Prince Philippe seems to always make faux pas; and Prince Laurent, who had a reputation for fast cars and fast women before marrying, is currently emboiled in a Navy corruption scandal.

I do not totally agree with what you are saying, it is true that the monarchy in Belgium is not as popular as in other Europeen countries but the Belgians love king Albert II, he is a warm, spontanious king who stands close tot the public. Princess Mathilde dind't spoke verry well dutch in the beginning but she improoved a lott, and now she is speaking verry wel, she speaks better dutch as queen Paola, queen Paola speaks dutch, last year there was a documentary about queen Paola with teh title 'voice of the queen' it was a warm, open portret about the queen, she speaks in Dutch French and Italian, her dutch was oke, she made the dowumentary because she wanted the Belgians to know her voice. Prince Laurant ahs always been the "enfant terrible' of the royal family". The royal family of Belgium has changed in the last years, they are more open to the public and to the press, we had the documentary about the queen, several intervieuws, photo shoots,...

I don't think Prince Filip is ready for the trone. King Albert II is doing a verry good job and he loves it. Filip needs more time, let him enjoy a couple more years of his wife and 3 lovely childern before beginning on a hard task, trying to be such a good king as his father.

[Henri M.]

Thank you Stephanie from beautiful Hoogstraten in Flanders, Belgium.

But the core problem is not that King Albert II or members of the Belgian royal family lack popularity. I can imagine that King Albert II is more popular amongst the Belgians than his neighbouring colleagues Queen Beatrix and Grand-Duke Henri.

The core problem is the fundament on which the monarchy is build: the state itself. All of today's European monarchies are well-developed, well-educated and welfare states which belong to the world's richest countries. Their citizens may be happy to live in a country like Belgium, Norway or Luxembourg. So it is hard to imagine any revolution whould arise against the Sovereign, in these countries.

But in Belgium, and no one can deny it, the last 25 years the once so strong centralistic state has become divided, to the profit of the growing independent Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. After the coming elections this summer, there will be another round of state reforms, this time also the social security, the pensions and the taxes will be subject. If this round is succesful, Belgium is really not much more than an empty frame which has armed forces and foreign affairs.

This erosion from inside is a real threat to the monarchy. No matter how popular or not popular some members may be. You can better have a not so popular monarch with a throne fixed in concrete than a popular monarch with a wobbly throne build on a swamp.

[Akilah]

Most prepared for their roles:
1. Charles
2. Felipe
3. Aihirito (CP of Japan)

Those still working on it:
1. CP Victoria
2. Frederick
3. Haakon

[el-khanz]

Most prepared:
1. Prince Charles
2. CP Haakon of Norway
3. CP Naruhito of Japan

Still working on it:
CP Victoria of Sweden

[LadyK]

This is so hard to judge. So I'll do them, heir by heir:

Crown Prince Haakon: Although he and MM are not always the most popular, Haakon has had some experience in the role of the monarch, as he was regent during King Harold V's extended leave due to illness and cancer. I think he probably has the "behind-closed-doors" experience, and I have to believe that his modern, creative personality has to be a benefit to him as a Scandinavian royal. With him, I am on the fence: he could be really good, or have a rocky reign. Only time, and public opinion, will tell.

Crown Princess Victoria: Talk about being groomed almost from birth: she has been doing royal activities since she was very young, and is reasonably popular. However, I can't really do an acurate opinion of her, since I haven't spent that much time in the Swedish threads. But go Queen Victoria! In a time a generation of male heirs, she will be the sole reigning queen.

Crown Prince Frederik: He I also think is being well prepared for the "behind-closed-doors" stuff associated with his future role. He has served as regent for his mother, and does visits. Besides, I can't imagine, with a wife as active as Mary, that he sits around all day. I'll be honest, he will definately have to make sure not to fall into her shadow, though. He is popular now, and hopefully will be a good and popular king. Again, the court holds, due to lack of evidence.

Crown Prince Willem-Alexander: W-A has to be the one CP that I can say I believe will do great. He is strong, but is a family-man, and has Maxima as a foil, to show his softer side. His mother is extremely popular, and I have no reason to believe he won't be. I just hope he continues with his causes (like the water) after he becomes king.

Crown Prince Phillipe: Tempests are brewing here: after a strong reign, King Albert is a modern royal, who somehow manages to hold Belgium together. Phillipe is a more traditional seeming royal, and the commonly expressed fear is that he won't be able to walk the tightrope his father has. I can only hope that he will be able to remain calm and to make diplomatic decisions.

Crown Prince Felipe: He will either do really well, or things could go badly. Spain has a lot of republican movements, and the terrorist groups are still somewhat active. The reason the monarchy has held together as well as it has is the popularity of its king. Many in Spain are actually JuanCarlistas, and hopefully, Felipe will be able to translate his personal strength and his intelligence into guiding Spain into a prosperous future. I just feel like his biggest thing will be remaining in touch with the common man, not becoming too involved with the history and pomp and circumstance of the monarchy of old.

[*SofiaM*]

Originally Posted by LadyK

Crown Prince Felipe: He will either do really well, or things could go badly. Spain has a lot of republican movements, and the terrorist groups are still somewhat active. The reason the monarchy has held together as well as it has is the popularity of its king. Many in Spain are actually JuanCarlistas, and hopefully, Felipe will be able to translate his personal strength and his intelligence into guiding Spain into a prosperous future. I just feel like his biggest thing will be remaining in touch with the common man, not becoming too involved with the history and pomp and circumstance of the monarchy of old.

Agreed. But I don't think it will be that Felipe himself does something wrong, it will be more that the Republican groups take advantage of the change from Juan Carlos to Felipe and do something disastrous. I'm sure Felipe realises how hard he will have to work and hopefully is ready for it!

[eireann]

I don´t think Frederik is not prepared, but he seems to have a reluctance to be in the limelight, which IMO is a serious drawback for someone who is going to lead or be a symbol for unity of their country. One wonders what he would do when the going gets tough - would he be decisive enough, would he be powerful enough to unite a country?

[MissSaga]

Most : Felipe and Charles
Least : The Duke of Brabrant

How is Frederik not prepared ifI may ask ?

[Next Star]

The most prepared we all know there is no contest Prince Charles of Wales being he is the eldest heir out of all the other european heirs.
The least prepared is Crown Prince Phillppe of Beligum because of his actions getting mad and throwing fits in public that is not the kind of actions your suppose to have if your a future king period.

[Aurora810]

I know that King Albert actually took over for his brother so I'm wondering when did Philippe really start to prepare as a crown prince? Perhaps maybe it's not that any of these crown princes are unprepared or not. I think at the very basis it all comes down to a willingness to do a great job as crown prince and continue preparing for your future role. Alright not much of a point I'll admit that but I'm just thinking that there could be some resistance to be crown prince from time to time.

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by Aurora810

I know that King Albert actually took over for his brother so I'm wondering when did Philippe really start to prepare as a crown prince? Perhaps maybe it's not that any of these crown princes are unprepared or not. I think at the very basis it all comes down to a willingness to do a great job as crown prince and continue preparing for your future role. Alright not much of a point I'll admit that but I'm just thinking that there could be some resistance to be crown prince from time to time.

Prince Philippe already was prepared for his future kingship when he was a young adolescent because he was the most likely Heir to his childless uncle King Baudouin. After the Prince of Wales, he has had the longest preparation of all present European Heirs.

When his father, the Prince of Liége, then the Heir-Presumptive, unexpectedly became King, Prince Philippe became the Duke of Brabant and the Heir-Apparent indeed.

[Aurora810]

Originally Posted by Henri M.

Prince Philippe already was prepared for his future kingship when he was a young adolescent because he was the most likely Heir to his childless uncle King Baudouin. After the Prince of Wales, he has had the longest preparation of all present European Heirs.

When his father, the Prince of Liége, then the Heir-Presumptive, unexpectedly became King, Prince Philippe became the Duke of Brabant and the Heir-Apparent indeed.

Wow, I didn't realize he has had such a long preparation for his future. Than perhaps there's just something holding him back. I don't know what it is maybe the current state of Belgium or something else but he just doesn't seem to have the willingness that other crown princes have. I don't look at him and see a man that is confident or comfortable with his role yet.

*Please don't anyone get offended by that remark I'm really just being honest from what I've seen in recent months.

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by Aurora810

Wow, I didn't realize he has had such a long preparation for his future. Than perhaps there's just something holding him back. I don't know what it is maybe the current state of Belgium or something else but he just doesn't seem to have the willingness that other crown princes have. I don't look at him and see a man that is confident or comfortable with his role yet.

*Please don't anyone get offended by that remark I'm really just being honest from what I've seen in recent months.

If King Baudouin had died on the age of 85, let us say something, his successor, Prince Albert would have been 81 and that would widely have been seen as too old. It was in the natural expectation that when King Baudouin would die, his nephew Prince Philippe would be his successor, despite his father being 1st in line of succession. In such a situation the expectation was that Prince Albert would refuse the kingship, in favour of his son. (In Belgium the adagium Le Roi est mort. Vive le Roi! does not count. There is no automatic succession).

The unexpected and untimely death of King Baudouin changed all. Prince Albert was 59 years old when his brother died. The Belgian Government simply followed the line of succession and 'invited' Prince Albert to take his rightful place and to become King Albert II.

[hilal]

Most prepared: Prince of Wales

Least prepared: Prince Philippe

[Gutsy]

As a side bar to this thread I've always found it fascinating and odd to read of heirs to thrones, who when they find themsleves as Sovereigns after years of being Heir express the fact (?) that they are not prepared, had no idea, never wanted to be "King...Tsar..etc..etc.."
What did they think was going to happen?

[Rascal]

Most of the monarchs in the world have been serving for the last 10-30 years, so we have some idea of how they are viewed and how they will be remembered in history.

I am curious what members of the forum think about the next generation - their heirs.
1. What are their strongest qualities?
2. What shortcomings/deficiencies do they need to conquer/develop before ascending to their throne?
3. Which of the current heirs will be most successful on the throne?
4. Which will be the most ineffective or biggest disappointment?
5. Which will have the best support from their family? the worst?
6. If you had to live in a monarchy, which would you most like to have as your monarch?
7. If you had to name them for posterity (i.e. Catherine the Great, Richard the Lionhearted, et.al.) what name would you bestow on them?

Hope you will enjoy considering the near future!

Rascal

[ashelen]

difficult questions to asnwer, the new generetion of princess most of them ex-commoners, are having great success, one more than the other but in general their are all success stories!