Princess Eugenie of York Current Events 4: June-October 2008

[MARG]

What on earth is all the angst about? Prince Andrew has invited his daughter, Princess Eugenie, to accompany him on this trip as he had with Beatrice earlier. I am sure that they act as de facto partners at official events, which must make a lot of the "formal" occassions a lot easier for his hosts.

As a father I think it is a great way for him to show his daughter(s) exactly what his "job" is. As for Eugenie, what a wonderful and unique opportuny for her to experience visiting a country while to a large extent representing her own.

There has been so much written about how the York girls spent or ar spending their "Gap" year. Whatever career she chooses to follow, meeting the great and the good cannot help but be a major asset in life skills.

As to the money? Whatever is the big deal? Prince Andrew is paying, as he did for Beatrice. But it seems the general carping still goes on.

Eugenie stays at home and enjoys the nightlife. She is a disgrace, doing nothing but pursuing pleasure and really ought to settle down.

Eugenie goes with her father on a little "on-the-job" training and the same people that fault her nightclubing whinge about the cost.

Eugenie is damned if she does and damned if she does not.

That being the case, all power to her, and may her trip be a really informative and educational one, and may she actually have fun doing it.

 

[Skydragon]

My only question is why not have Eugenie accompany her father on a more "local" one day trip in the UK? The Duke had a number of appearances during October that would have been appropriate i.e., Oct 9th visit to South Yorkshire.

I wonder!!!

Andrew is paying for Eugenie.

Did Andrew fly business class? As has been asked by other posters, why didn't she do some of the less glamorous trips first. Most gap year students trot off to foreign climes with friends, not as a pampered poodle making full use of her fathers position and all the extra's that come with it. Whilst I am sure their hosts will be pleased to provide Eugenie with the same perks as her father, it is still not coming out of Andrews pocket. Once again he is taking advantage of his position.

 

[Bella]

I agree w Marg. How many fathers take their children on business trips? Traveling abroad is far more interesting than traveling in your own backyard. Any of us, or our children, would prefer it. It's not costing the taxpayers $$$ for him to bring Eugenie so who cares?

 

[Menarue]

I would like to know how this trip is not costing the taxpayers any money. Also is Prince Andrew living off his military pension? He is no longer on the civil list, so his income must come from somewhere. Perhaps he is getting alimony from the Duchess!!

 

[muriel]

I would like to know how this trip is not costing the taxpayers any money. Also is Prince Andrew living off his military pension? He is no longer on the civil list, so his income must come from somewhere. Perhaps he is getting alimony from the Duchess!!

If I am not mistaken, Andrew's expenses in relation to his travel with his Trade representative hat on are met by the government or the CBI. He is not paid for this role. His private income is provided by the Queen. In addition, he may have a ilitary pension, and other funds is trust received from his grandmother

 

[Skydragon]

I agree w Marg. How many fathers take their children on business trips? Traveling abroad is far more interesting than traveling in your own backyard. Any of us, or our children, would prefer it. It's not costing the taxpayers $$$ for him to bring Eugenie so who cares?

If I were to send one of my employees on a business trip abroad, I would expect him to be giving his job 100% of his attention, not thinking of the next entertaining jaunt for his daughter, or wondering what she is doing today. How many fathers take their daughters on business trips, very few I should hope. Andrew needs to remember who pays his wages, oops sorry expenses!

As with Beatrice, I expect the British taxpayer will be picking up the cost of her protection officers, the cost of flying them out and back, (and out and back as I recall), their OOPE and the extra money paid for overseas assignments. I can't quite see Andrews hand reaching into his pocket for that. It all sounds wonderful that Andrew paid for a business class ticket, without mentioning which class she used and without mentioning all the periphery like protection officers!

 

[Menarue]

The protection officer "thing" is the invisible expense everywhere the royals go, be it private or business or whatever. It is very easy to forget who pays for this.

 

[muriel]

The protection officer "thing" is the invisible expense everywhere the royals go, be it private or business or whatever. It is very easy to forget who pays for this.

Very true. Whilst I cannot see the point of Andrew taking his daughters on his overseas trips, surely the incremental costs of overseas allowances should not inhibit where the young royals go.

 

[Menarue]

I can´t help but think that it is rather nice of him to take her. Now that he is divorced she is his, well, one of his first ladies. She can learn about life as a royal abroad and no doubt it will be nice for her to have some time with her father. I suppose we can criticise a bit too much sometimes.
But I do get a bit sick of the "paying out of his/her own pocket" excuse for every jaunt though.
Anyway I hope that she has a good time, at least it will keep her away from all those nightclubs we hope, and that is what we have wanted for some time.

 

[Skydragon]

Very true. Whilst I cannot see the point of Andrew taking his daughters on his overseas trips, surely the incremental costs of overseas allowances should not inhibit where the young royals go.

It is something that should be taken into consideration, especially when stating that it won't cost the taxpayer a penny. If, as was the case with Beatrice, they had to fly two more out after so many hours and then another two because they are only allowed to work so many hours, the costs mount. If Andrew and his ex want their children to travel, then they should perhaps cover the extra costs out of their own bulging pockets.

 

[Rebafan81]

I am sorry but I don't see what the big deal is, I travel for my profession and a lot of times my husband goes to keep me company and my son used to come when his school schedule allowed. It isn't like Prince Andrew has a 9-5 job and can't meet his exceptions while is adult daughter is along. She isn't some child who will need to be watched, just an adult accompanying her father while she still can. If I was him, I would love to show my daughter what I did and to be able to spend quality time with just her. Maybe because my taxes aren't paying, but I really don't see the harm. IMHO

 

[evnovoros]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...cess-Eugenie-embarks-on-first-Royal-tour.html

Eugenie gets introduction to royal duties abroad from dad Andrew

 

[Bella]

If I were to send one of my employees on a business trip abroad, I would expect him to be giving his job 100% of his attention, not thinking of the next entertaining jaunt for his daughter, or wondering what she is doing today. How many fathers take their daughters on business trips, very few I should hope. Andrew needs to remember who pays his wages, oops sorry expenses!

As with Beatrice, I expect the British taxpayer will be picking up the cost of her protection officers, the cost of flying them out and back, (and out and back as I recall), their OOPE and the extra money paid for overseas assignments. I can't quite see Andrews hand reaching into his pocket for that. It all sounds wonderful that Andrew paid for a business class ticket, without mentioning which class she used and without mentioning all the periphery like protection officers!

Sky, what makes you think P Andrew is not giving his job 100% just because he brings along his daughter? I work in hospitality and you'd be amazed how many biz travellers (at their company's expense) bring along their families. I myself have accompanied my father on a few biz trips as a kid and as far as I know the trips were all successful for him. Let's not even start talking about the perks and priviledges of the rich who sometimes travel w entire entourages and live it up at full tilt - often at the shareholders expense. Let's face it, Andrew is royalty and he's not going to travel like John Smith, tax accountant. It strikes me that he's doing his best to keep costs down and off the taxpayer.

 

[Menarue]

The problem with royals is that they are not 9-5 jobs, they are expected to be royals 24 hours a day. If everyone else is expected to treat them as royals for that time they have to act like them too. Bella tell me how he is trying to keep the costs down? I haven´t noticed. There was that "out of his own pocket" but to most British tax payers that means absolutely nothing when talking about the British Royal family. To make any comparison with a business man taking his family (if the company was ok with it that has nothing to do with anyone, well perhaps the shareholders might ask a question or two at the AGM) is like comparing apples with oranges......no comparison.

 

[Bella]

The problem with royals is that they are not 9-5 jobs, they are expected to be royals 24 hours a day. If everyone else is expected to treat them as royals for that time they have to act like them too. Bella tell me how he is trying to keep the costs down? I haven´t noticed. There was that "out of his own pocket" but to most British tax payers that means absolutely nothing when talking about the British Royal family. To make any comparison with a business man taking his family (if the company was ok with it that has nothing to do with anyone, well perhaps the shareholders might ask a question or two at the AGM) is like comparing apples with oranges......no comparison.

Menarue, wasn't it stated that he is paying for Pss E's expenses and purchased a business class airline ticket? To me, that seems as though he's trying to keep the cost down. Also, I've read that the taxpayers are not paying for her to travel with him, so I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. I just noticed the comment about comparing a business man traveling with his family to the BRF. That is very true, which is why I don't understand how on the one hand, as someone else posted somewhere, the BRF are considered outside the realm of the Average Person and yet people seem to take offense when they do behave like royals and are allowed priviledges the Average Person would not get. It's kinda like they're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

 

[Menarue]

The difference is the very shady area that exists between private monies and tax payers money, it is and never has really been very clear.....No one wants to take away the privileges of being royal, they just feel a bit uneasy in hard times when they are funding too many of these privileges. As Sky pointed out, it is not a young girl being paid for by her father going in economy class, it is the people that accompany her, her security which is definitely paid for by the tax payer and they have to be relieved as there are labour rules to be observed, if she is actually doing something then all very well, is she promoting something? there we have anothervery shady area, "learning royal skills" What on earth is that? I have nothing against a young girl accompanying her father on his voyage but I think quite a few people, who live and pay tax in Britain may have and their protests are very much like the shareholders at the AGM asking questions. It probably won´t be that much fun for her either, if she is seen at a party our doing something that a girl of her age would find fun she will be (unfairly probably) criticized. Perhaps the Queen one day will send her as her official representative to some country of value to the commerce and prestige of the UK but I think she should finish her schooling before then.

 

[Skydragon]

If she had been on an official visit representing her country and happened to be shown the tourist sites, that is one thing. But she is not, it has already been stated she is on a gap year visit, so to try to pass it off as a trainee Royal Duty, is somewhat dishonest. How can it be any help to her when all she is expected to do is go to the evening meals as an escort, does she not yet know how to use a knife and fork?.

 

[Bella]

The difference is the very shady area that exists between private monies and tax payers money, it is and never has really been very clear.....No one wants to take away the privileges of being royal, they just feel a bit uneasy in hard times when they are funding too many of these privileges. As Sky pointed out, it is not a young girl being paid for by her father going in economy class, it is the people that accompany her, her security which is definitely paid for by the tax payer and they have to be relieved as there are labour rules to be observed, if she is actually doing something then all very well, is she promoting something? there we have anothervery shady area, "learning royal skills" What on earth is that? I have nothing against a young girl accompanying her father on his voyage but I think quite a few people, who live and pay tax in Britain may have and their protests are very much like the shareholders at the AGM asking questions. It probably won´t be that much fun for her either, if she is seen at a party our doing something that a girl of her age would find fun she will be (unfairly probably) criticized. Perhaps the Queen one day will send her as her official representative to some country of value to the commerce and prestige of the UK but I think she should finish her schooling before then.

Got it. I can see the taxpayers point in a sense. But isn't this being touted as an official royal engagement? If that is the case, wouldn't security coverage be part of the deal anyhow?

 

[Skydragon]

Sky, what makes you think P Andrew is not giving his job 100% just because he brings along his daughter? I work in hospitality and you'd be amazed how many biz travelers (at their company's expense) bring along their families. I myself have accompanied my father on a few biz trips as a kid and as far as I know the trips were all successful for him. Let's not even start talking about the perks and privileges of the rich who sometimes travel w entire entourages and live it up at full tilt - often at the shareholders expense. Let's face it, Andrew is royalty and he's not going to travel like John Smith, tax accountant. It strikes me that he's doing his best to keep costs down and off the taxpayer.

Sorry Bella, I missed this. As a father part of his mind must surely be on what his daughter is doing. I have to admit to being astonished that parents in the US are allowed to take the family with them. Those that are rich enough to travel with an entourage do not normally have to worry about shareholders! As an employee of the British taxpayer in his job with the Trade and Industry he is answerable and he may be a Royal but as the son of the monarch as opposed to the son of Elizabeth, he is answerable to the British people! As much as anything it's the contempt shown to the people of the UK with the 'Royal in Training' excuse.

 

[HighGoalHighDreams]

This trip is neither meant to be a full-time royal tour nor a regular, fun gap year visit. It is said that she will be doing the tourist thing by day and official royal-type things during the evening, such as dinners.

 

[kimebear]

Got it. I can see the taxpayers point in a sense. But isn't this being touted as an official royal engagement? If that is the case, wouldn't security coverage be part of the deal anyhow?

It's not an official royal engagement for Eugenie, but the security question is moot anyhow. She would have them with her no matter where she was.

 

[Skydragon]

It's not an official royal engagement for Eugenie, but the security question is moot anyhow. She would have them with her no matter where she was.

Not a moot point, as with her sister, they are only allowed to work a certain number of hours and as their cover has to be in place, instead of 2 officers, 2 more are flown out and overlap every few days I believe. If they were in the UK, the cost of the overlap, flights and food and accommodation for them would be the moot point, but as they will on Eugenies account incur these extra costs whilst she is on this unofficial trip, it is very much a point.

 

[Mermaid1962]

If this were a popular member of the Royal Family taking his daughter along and having her attending evening engagements, I don't think there would be a problem either. In fact, personally, I'm more than happy that Eugenie is making this trip. She'll likely meet national leaders (not necessarily political ones, though) during those evening receptions and will get some experience in Royal diplomacy. Andrew is paying her costs himself. If a Prime Minister took his daughter along on foreign engagments, and paid her way from his own wallet, that would be "out of the taxpayers pocket" as well, because a government official is paid by the state; but there wouldn't be an outcry.

I am sorry but I don't see what the big deal is, I travel for my profession and a lot of times my husband goes to keep me company and my son used to come when his school schedule allowed. It isn't like Prince Andrew has a 9-5 job and can't meet his exceptions while is adult daughter is along. She isn't some child who will need to be watched, just an adult accompanying her father while she still can. If I was him, I would love to show my daughter what I did and to be able to spend quality time with just her. Maybe because my taxes aren't paying, but I really don't see the harm. IMHO

 

[Skydragon]

If this were a popular member of the Royal Family taking his daughter along and having her attending evening engagements, I don't think there would be a problem either. In fact, personally, I'm more than happy that Eugenie is making this trip. She'll likely meet national leaders (not necessarily political ones, though) during those evening receptions and will get some experience in Royal diplomacy. Andrew is paying her costs himself. If a Prime Minister took his daughter along on foreign engagments, and paid her way from his own wallet, that would be "out of the taxpayers pocket" as well, because a government official is paid by the state; but there wouldn't be an outcry.

Why does she need to meet national leaders, when Charles becomes King, and if William marries, she will be a minor royal. I don't think we can rely on her meeting many national leaders on this holiday.

The outcry here when Blair and his family took freebie holidays from other people was bad enough, so yes if he took his daughter along as a holiday and then dressed it up as training, I believe the outcry would have been even bigger!

At a time of recession, when people are losing their homes and their childrens educational needs are looking shaky (lack of money to pay the fees), the last thing the public need to hear is how Andrew is yet again letting them down by taking Eugenie on an expenses paid jolly.

Still Andrew has never been concerned with the image he has and the few Brits on this forum complaining won't change him or the way his daughters behave.

 

[Menarue]

Still Andrew has never been concerned with the image he has and the few Brits on this forum complaining won't change him or the way his daughters behave.

Never a truer word Sky.

 

[Al_bina]

... [snipped] The outcry here when Blair and his family took freebie holidays from other people was bad enough, so yes if he took his daughter along as a holiday and then dressed it up as training, I believe the outcry would have been even bigger! ... [snipped]

I would say that the region Prince Andrew has been sent to (i.e., Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, Mongolia) is not exactly a holiday paradise in autumn. The main point is that Prince Andrew pays for Princess Eugine's ticket and accommodation. I do not understand what fuss is about.

 

[kimebear]

Not a moot point, as with her sister, they are only allowed to work a certain number of hours and as their cover has to be in place, instead of 2 officers, 2 more are flown out and overlap every few days I believe. If they were in the UK, the cost of the overlap, flights and food and accommodation for them would be the moot point, but as they will on Eugenies account incur these extra costs whilst she is on this unofficial trip, it is very much a point.

I should have been more specific. As it is her gap year, it is likely that she, like her sister and cousins, would travel abroad no matter what her itinerary was and incur the same schedule needs with her security. So the point I was trying to make was that it is a moot point that she is accompanying her father on this specific trip.

As for her being a soon to be "minor royal", does anyone have specifics as far as security for the Gloucesters and Kents is concerned? Just curious. It is my understanding that the York girls already have the kind of security that the Queen's cousins enjoy.

 

[Menarue]

Surely the Gloucesters and Kents don´t have 24 hour security? If they have, then it is time for another fuss.

 

[kimebear]

I remember there being a big to do about the plethora of PPOs being responsible for a large traffic jam during the Chelsea Flower show some years ago and in being partly responsible for the decrease of security for the York, Wessexes, Kents & Gloucesters.

 

[Skydragon]

I should have been more specific. As it is her gap year, it is likely that she, like her sister and cousins, would travel abroad no matter what her itinerary was and incur the same schedule needs with her security. So the point I was trying to make was that it is a moot point that she is accompanying her father on this specific trip.

As for her being a soon to be "minor royal", does anyone have specifics as far as security for the Gloucesters and Kents is concerned? Just curious. It is my understanding that the York girls already have the kind of security that the Queen's cousins enjoy.

Beatrice was supposed to travel for her gap year wasn't she, but I think that fizzled out after her trainee royal holiday.