Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Current Events Thread 2: December 2011-April 2012

[elizabethkelly]

I think zara and mike have a good reason in that they aren't full time working royals and can't necessarily take a Friday off their regular work schedules for a family event. It's nice that Kate and willam not spending time with he family, I just think Kate needs to step up a bit more in the work department before she can really justify all the holidays.

 

[HRHHermione]

I think zara and mike have a good reason in that they aren't full time working royals and can't necessarily take a Friday off their regular work schedules for a family event. It's nice that Kate and willam not spending time with he family, I just think Kate needs to step up a bit more in the work department before she can really justify all the holidays.

William has a full time job, does engagements on top of that, and just got back from six weeks away for his job. And I think we can safely assume that Kate's work is not just what we see her doing. There's probably a ton of day to day correspondence, planning, meetings, etc. And she did do several engagements while he was away.

 

[angieuk]

Prince William & Kate Middleton Interview. Body Language Analysis. Video tutorial - CJB - YouTube

Body Language - YouTube

Something about when William mentions 'future family' Catherine's reaction!

 

[Tyger]

Something about when William mentions 'future family' Catherine's reaction!

Yes, interesting - and if accurate, rather odd since that is one of the tasks before them - to have an heir. I know there are some posters on TRF who are of the opinion that they won't have children. Funny thing.

So sad about Charles' eye-wipe. He even looks sad. How tragic that all was.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

How can one compare Zara & Mike to William & Kate. As with everything, its about the image that comes across. A future King preferring to ski with his inlaws instead of honoring his dead great-grandmother (who knew what service to the country & sacrifice personal pleasures meant), how classy.

 

[Kataryn]

Prince William & Kate Middleton Interview. Body Language Analysis. Video tutorial - CJB - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgkjen8upMc
Something about when William mentions 'future family' Catherine's reaction!

Nice idea, but I got seasick on watching the first few seconds...

 

[agami.pearl]

How can one compare Zara & Mike to William & Kate. As with everything, its about the image that comes across. A future King preferring to ski with his inlaws instead of honoring his dead great-grandmother (who knew what service to the country & sacrifice personal pleasures meant), how classy.

I'm not surprised what they did. My opinion about William changed drastically. Time will show if British will still support him after next few 'family holidays'.

 

[Empress Merel]

I don't see how it's such a big deal, tbh. They don't need to spend every waking moment with his family.
Obviously, The Queen approved of them going on a holiday.

 

[Kataryn]

Obviously, The Queen approved of them going on a holiday.

My opinion as well. Her Majesty is perfectly able to express her wishes about public appearances of the members of her family. And if she doesn't take exception, who am I?

 

[NGalitzine]

Seems to be an issue here on the forum but not on the streets with the people. Rather like when Lord Harewood died, people on the forums were upset that The Queen and other senior royals did not attend the funeral of her 1st cousin or his later memorial service.

 

[Princess of Durham]

How can one compare Zara & Mike to William & Kate. As with everything, its about the image that comes across. A future King preferring to ski with his inlaws instead of honoring his dead great-grandmother (who knew what service to the country & sacrifice personal pleasures meant), how classy.

It's true that during the war the Queen Elizabeth was a great example to the people. However, the times are different, back then her rationale for wearing very glamorous clothes to view the bombing of the east end would, in this day and time be highly criticized. As to sacrifice of personal pleasure .... the QM was NOT known for personal sacrifice, most especially during her time as QM. This is writen with all due respect but it IS the truth of the matter. I find it much more strange that Edward was not there than W&K. He was attending some British sking event, hardly something that could not have been put aside. As to Zara and Mike, I am sure their work schedules are quite flexible and Zara certainly did know the QM. IMO, this is just another case of W&K bashing on the part of some people, most especially the nasty commenters on the DM.

 

[Thain]

Prince Edward is the Patron of British Ski & Snowboard and attends their championships annually to present awards.

 

[sndral]

One of the issues discussed by the press before the wedding was that William's mother felt isolated when she joined the royal family and that William was determined that this not happen to Catherine. Joining the Middletons on a skiing holiday is consistent with not isolating Catherine.
Additionally, all reports seem to be that William genuinely likes his inlaws, and why shouldn't he? They have remained discreet despite intense vitriol directed at them and their daughters. By all accounts the Middletons have a warm loving intact marriage, something William was not blessed with.
None of us know how deeply the constant press scrutiny affects Catherine, we do know that it devastated Diana and that William knew it devastated his mother and that he is determined that this not happen to his wife. We know that Harry's ex-gf refused to subject herself to that life and that Harry has recently publicly commented on how problematic this is.
I suspect that some of the negativity stems from the fact that the Cambridges are with her family, and the press delights in attacking the Middletons for their 'common origins' and 'social climbing,' hence the press plumbs the 'how dare William spend time with those common Middletons, rather than his own royal family' theme. The second theme is 'how dare the royals go on holiday in these economic times.'
Catherine spent the entire time William was away doing public appearances on behalf of and with his family, she could have bolted to her own family to wait out his return. Despite this, we still see the criticisms that she is work shy. I'm not sure what some people want - that she get a job as a waitress or shop clerk up in Anglesey to prove she's not work shy?
I don't know how important memorial services are to the British - it's not something I'm familiar with, so it's hard to judge how serious a breech this is - but it's not as serious as not attending a funeral, I assume. How often are these memorial services held and who is typically expected to attend? I do believe that if the Queen had wanted them there, they would have attended.

 

[Lumutqueen]

Zara is training for the Olympics, Mike I believe is Rugby training. Prince Edward had a prior engagement. While the Queen may have 'approved' William and Kate's jaunt, doesn't mean she liked it. Surely you know that when a memorial service is held for deceased family members, you've kind of got to attend mainly out of respect. To prefer a holiday over this is thoughtless.

 

[Tyger]

Nice idea, but I got seasick on watching the first few seconds...

Never mind sea-sick - I could barely understand all the words he was speaking. Its a very difficult video to watch because of the technicalities - but for sure interesting.

The perceived ambivalence about children is interesting - though it may be as simple as knowing its a task one *must* perform - 'sigh - not a choice to fulfill at one's leisure. Her side-thought could have been as simple as nerves about the 'job' of it rather than the freedom of it.

 

[Empress Merel]

Like I said, the Queen approved. Who are we to judge? You don't have to attend that particular service in order to pay your respects or remember the deceased for what they were.

 

[royalistbert]

Zara is training for the Olympics, Mike I believe is Rugby training. Prince Edward had a prior engagement. While the Queen may have 'approved' William and Kate's jaunt, doesn't mean she liked it. Surely you know that when a memorial service is held for deceased family members, you've kind of got to attend mainly out of respect. To prefer a holiday over this is thoughtless.

Its not like they missed a funeral. I don't think its thoughtless. Well that's just my view.

 

[Baroness of Books]

I posted this in the BRF current events thread as well. My own two cents' worth; I feel that it would have been nice if William and Kate attended the memorial especially in light of where they were and doing at the time. A 10-year remembrance service is a significant one, IMO. Maybe it wasn't a mandatory attendance and the Queen approved of their vacation, but it still would have been respectful to those living who cared about the deceased to have shown up if other requirements didn't prevent them. Some things just shouldn't have to be asked to do, but to consider this an attack or sign of disgruntlement against his father or anyone else is really a stretch.

 

[Daria_S]

My opinion as well. Her Majesty is perfectly able to express her wishes about public appearances of the members of her family. And if she doesn't take exception, who am I?

That's how I see it as well. Her Majesty could have easily asked them to stay behind, or return early in order to attend the Thanksgiving Service. However, for whatever reason, she did not, so obviously it doesn't bother her as much as it bothers some members of the public who would have complained even if William and Catherine did show up. Of course in this case, the whining would have been about the fact that too much attention was given to the couple, and to Catherine's choice of attire, and therefore, the focus was not at all the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret. As usual, these two cannot win, so it's good they're doing what best works for them. Also, people forget that the first years of marriage are crucial, because the bond is formed between a husband and wife that will set the foundation for the rest of their lives together. William and Catherine are mindful of that, and let's face it, if Heaven forbid, the Monarchy falls, it would be nice to still have each other and a solid and loving marriage. In my eyes, their priorities are where they ought to be, and apparently with Her Majesty's blessings.

 

[Tyger]

I have heard it said that William will 'modernize' the monarchy when he comes into his time on the throne. Maybe this is part of that? Portents of how it will be? Less fuss and bother about all that stuff pertaining to those whom William may feel were not supportive of his mother?

 

[Daria_S]

I have heard it said that William will 'modernize' the monarchy when he comes into his time on the throne. Maybe this is part of that? Portents of how it will be? Less fuss and bother about all that stuff pertaining to those whom William may feel were not supportive of his mother?

Now, that would be extremely petty, vindictive and just rude on his part. Sounds like one of those fairy tales, where the hero is out to avenge those who have been wronged, or wrongly accused. I'd hope that William is bigger than that.

 

[Baroness of Books]

If that were true, he'd have made life hell for Camilla in her marriage to Charles or tried to prevent it in the first place!

 

[EIIR]

Never mind sea-sick - I could barely understand all the words he was speaking. Its a very difficult video to watch because of the technicalities - but for sure interesting.

The perceived ambivalence about children is interesting - though it may be as simple as knowing its a task one *must* perform - 'sigh - not a choice to fulfill at one's leisure. Her side-thought could have been as simple as nerves about the 'job' of it rather than the freedom of it.

Or maybe she's like me - likes the thought of having children, but the idea of what you have to go through to produce one freaks. me. out. We have a show here about mothers giving birth called 'One Born Every Minute' and it's not graphic or anything but it still makes me feel sick.

Then there's the fact that it can ruin your figure, and the fact that you've suddenly got a human being who's going to rely on you for just about everything for the next 18 years at least. Makes me feel light headed.

 

[Tyger]

If that were true, he'd have made life hell for Camilla in her marriage to Charles or tried to prevent it in the first place!

Good point - I take back what I said, or I modify it. I ascribed motive - shouldn't have done that. Colors the response. By 'modernizing' he may be less inclined for any fuss and bother about most things except the big-ticket items like Trooping of the Colours - opening of Parliament and the coronation. Stuff like that.

Would the public be at ease with a monarchy trimmed down that much?

Or maybe she's like me - likes the thought of having children, but the idea of what you have to go through to produce one freaks. me. out. We have a show here about mothers giving birth called 'One Born Every Minute' and it's not graphic or anything but it still makes me feel sick.

Then there's the fact that it can ruin your figure, and the fact that you've suddenly got a human being who's going to rely on you for just about everything for the next 18 years at least. Makes me feel light headed.

Yep. That's the thing, best not to think about it all too closely. One thing not mentioned is the extraordinary experience of being the conduit for another individuality - and the moment one sees one's own child and holds them - its life changing and worth all the trouble. The feeling is beyond description - like falling in love - but in a much deeper way. Hey, it's what makes the world go 'round!

 

[NGalitzine]

While the Queen may have 'approved' William and Kate's jaunt, doesn't mean she liked it.

It also doesn't mean that she didn't like it. Any speculation is exactly that....speculation.

We do know that she herself did not attend the funeral of her 1st cousin the Earl of Harewood nor did she attend his memorial service.

 

[soapstar]

Honestly, I notice nothing out of the ordinary in Kate's or William's body language while they are discussing children. But, I'm not a big fan of body analyzing any way. So much is up for interpretation. I've seen body language analyzers look at the same photos/videos and come to different conclusions.

 

[Daria_S]

Honestly, those videos don't tell me anything about how Kate or William feel about having children. But, I'm not a big fan of body analyzing any way. So much is up for interpretation. I've seen body analyzers look at the same photos/videos and come to different conclusions.

I didn't even see what the fuss was about to begin with. So, apparently she looked to the left, or some such, which was interpreted as her way of having reservations about having children. Well, maybe she got something in her eye, and wanted to get it out without having to actually rub it. That's my interpretation, so make of it what you will .

I do agree with you. Body language analysis are far from accurate, because you have as many interpretations as you do viewers/specialists/etc.

 

[Lumutqueen]

Any speculation is exactly that....speculation.

We do know that she herself did not attend the funeral of her 1st cousin the Earl of Harewood nor did she attend his memorial service.

Did I say anything different? I think not.
Also, was The Queen holidaying in France at the time of The Earls funeral/ memorial service? I don't think so either.

 

[soapstar]

I didn't even see what the fuss was about to begin with. So, apparently she looked to the left, or some such, which was interpreted as her way of having reservations about having children. Well, maybe she got something in her eye, and wanted to get it out without having to actually rub it. That's my interpretation, so make of it what you will .

I do agree with you. Body language analysis are far from accurate, because you have as many interpretations as you do viewers/specialists/etc.

Yep. I was thinking, did I miss something? There are so many things she could have been thinking at that moment.

 

[csw]

Honestly, I notice nothing out of the ordinary in Kate's or William's body language while they are discussing children. But, I'm not a big fan of body analyzing any way. So much is up for interpretation. I've seen body language analyzers look at the same photos/videos and come to different conclusions.

While I think there is some expression of feelings from body language (e.g. telling someone is nervous by their expression or how they hold themselves) I don't think it communicates anything other than a person's current emotions. Using the Kate example, I imagine that you could ask her the question about a family 20 times and her "body language" would be different each time. I just don't think you can look at a few milliseconds of video and know a person's full feeling on the topic of the conversation.

I find it so funny in the gossip mags when they will take a photo of a couple and say they can tell the couple are going to break up because of the body language. I always think that if you took the picture a minute earlier or a minute later, the body language might say something entirely different!