Which Royal Doesn't Live Up To The Hype?

[Aurora810]

I'm not sure exactly what it is you mean here Aurora. In Australia, the term 'very easy' holds strong connotations of being overtly open to acts of a sexual nature.



Haha...A fencing match between Elizabeth & Margrethe...now that would be an interesting sight.lol.

Yikes! No, I didn't mean that at all. I understand though I have a bad habit of trying to make my point "stronger" by adding the word "very" in front of another word. In America we have that term too "very easy" to describe a girl in that manner. But in this case that wasn't meant at all. I just meant she had a "girl next door" look that must have made it "simple" to transform her into the princess we now see. I have gone back and corrected that confusing part so there isn't any additional confusion. Sorry everybody!

 

[Madame Royale]

Yikes! No I didn't mean that at all. I understand though I have a bad habit of trying to make my point "stronger" by adding the word "very" in front. In America we have that term too "very easy" to describe a girl in that manner. But in this case that wasn't meant at all. I just meant she had a "girl next door" look that must have made it "very easy" or "simple" to transform her into the princess we now see.

Thank you for your response, Aurora

 

[ysbel]

But the press coverage has only been (to the greater extent) large in Australia and Denmark. Sweden and Norway of course take an interest too some extent.

Like Gracia, Princesse de Monaco or Wallis, Duchess of Windsor...I know that the hype (or interest) surrounding these two ladies in the States was enormous And that really was 'hype', in the true sense of the wold.

That's true Madame Royale. Actually when I wrote about the American exuberance I was thinking about the overexcitement in the U.S. around Grace Kelly's wedding and anything to do with her family.

 

[GlitteringTiaras]

Madame Royale, with all due respect, I believe you are reading into things a bit.

 

[Madame Royale]

Madame Royale, with all due respect, I believe you are reading into things a bit.

I read what I see Glittering Tiaras..I thought it was something we all did (respectively).

Judging by your response I take it that that is not what you intended to mean and again, all I hoped for was a clarification. And you obliged.

 

[Aurora810]

That's true Madame Royale. Actually when I wrote about the American exuberance I was thinking about the overexcitement in the U.S. around Grace Kelly's wedding and anything to do with her family.

Actually I think even to this day. There's still a lot of interest in the Monaco RF here in America. Granted I'm sure it's nothing like it was years ago when the marriage first took place. But I've seen local news reports on things going on in the RF from time to time. Princess Caroline was even on a national birthday list last year. You know how at the end of entertainment shows/news they mention celeb b-days.(Just wanted to explain that in case it was needed) Anyways I was a little surprised to see her listed. And also Prince Albert was on Larry King Live on CNN during one of his trips to NY. That episode aired only months after Rainier's passing. So they are still generating interest.

 

[Huddo]

Personally I don't understand how people can justify not liking a Crown princess. Firstly do you know them personally?...No
have you ever been in their position?...No......How would you react constantly knowing that theres a camera somewhere ready to take a picture of you, and that every single move you make is watched and critised by a celebrity hungry public, who want them to live up to some unrealistic image. They are judged by the media, paparazzi and the public who follow Royalty on what they wear, whats on their heads, who they date, how much make up they have on etc. and not on the Actions that they perform which is more then often overlooked or completely ignored. Personally I think that every Crown Princess does her job extremley well and represents their respective countries with the best of their ability. And its the media that builds up the hype surrounding these women and the guliable public that belive everything the read , hear or see on TV which creates arguments like, Letiza is better then Mary or Victoria is better then Maxima which of course is complete rubbish.

 

[Quin]

Personally I don't understand how people can justify not liking a Crown princess. Firstly do you know them personally?...No
have you ever been in their position?...No......How would you react constantly knowing that theres a camera somewhere ready to take a picture of you, and that every single move you make is watched and critised by a celebrity hungry public, who want them to live up to some unrealistic image. They are judged by the media, paparazzi and the public who follow Royalty on what they wear, whats on their heads, who they date, how much make up they have on etc. and not on the Actions that they perform which is more then often overlooked or completely ignored. Personally I think that every Crown Princess does her job extremley well and represents their respective countries with the best of their ability. And its the media that builds up the hype surrounding these women and the guliable public that belive everything the read , hear or see on TV which creates arguments like, Letiza is better then Mary or Victoria is better then Maxima which of course is complete rubbish.

There are several reasons why I think people are so critical of modern royals and these are a few in no order of importance:

a. They want to be royal and maintain all those benefits and yet want to be like members of middle society (marry commoners - they could always renounce their rights to the throne and the $$$$).
b. They live off the state and/or trade on their name (and yes people from wealthy families can do the same, but they earned their money or at least inherited it.
c. Confuse celebrity with duty.
d. Play no role whatsoever in world events.

At least with royals of earlier times, criticisms a and d and arguably c would not have applied.

The study of royalty between 1800 to 1945 is more historically relevant than the years after.

 

[MissSaga]

and her lazy husband! c'mon Frederik! you're going to be King someday..might as well do some task instead of sailing and attending bachelor parties!!!

Frederik might be lazy in public, but you have no idea what he does behind closed doors.Come on, saying he only sails and attends bachelor parties is an exageration.

 

[UserDane]

i think she should stop all those fashon engagements. it does not make any sense...

Sorry, may I again be allowed to express my intense dislike of this - IMO - totally misjudged view?
If you have problems seeing the fashion industry as one of the biggest money-making industries, just try substitute clothes with, say fish! That was one of the biggest Danish industries pre the Danish EU membership. And voila - you have a perfect understanding that the royal members support the most important money- making areas in Denmark. If one actually checks out the underlying reason - it all makes beautiful sense.

But tell me, how many fashion-events have you actually seen Mary at this year? How many have the others Cpss been at? What are your feelings about e.g. seeing CPss at the recent Norwegian fashion events. There were pics at e.g. Hellomagazine.

 

[Madame Royale]

A wonderful point UserDane

Denmark is fast becoming a world Mecca for fashion and this industry shall only continue to thrive and produce gross economic affluence.

To have the Crown Princess endorse the national industry is exactly what's needed. What better way to export the industry than with the support of the second most important lady in the land?

Those who criticize the Crown Princess' role as patroness have not taken the time to understand how important this industry is to Denmark and that as future Queen it is Mary's obligation to support this industry to the best she can.

And the Crown Princess has only attended one fashion related engagement so far this year...as I'm sure you know

 

[Australian]

I agree with Madame Royale and UserDane. The complaint of Mary attending too many fashion shows is just not legitimate in my opinion. Some continue to use this against her when its just simply not true. Fashion is very important in Denmark, obviously, it is so clear to see.

I see it very telling how some can so easily overlook Mary's other patronages such as the Heart foundation etc and turn a blind eye to them and go on about her over exposure to the Danish fashion world (which obviously gets more media coverage then the Heart foundation etc)

Its easy......Fashion is huge in Denmark.

 

[UserDane]

The Danes have always been masters at public relations. I would venture to say (and a real Dane may come by and totally refute everything I say ) but I see a certain superficiality of Danish culture, where everything is planned to to make a grand entrance. This is not meant as a criticism; I admire it, I'm just too intense to pull it off.

I find the Danish intellectualism is more brilliant rather than deep. It is the type of brilliance that was seen in the witty salons of the French Empire rather than the dingy classrooms of schools and universities.

If they can pull it off, great! Its very fun and entertaining.

Gee - thanks ...I think. Even though a 'certain superficiality of Danish culture' is not meant as a criticism, it is hardly an impression that is appreciated.

Danes are known to be sarcastic/ironic (call it witty if you like); it has been something that e.g. Alexandra commented on as a difficult point by learning Danish - 'they' say one thing but the irony/sarcasm really means something different.
But does that exclude deeper intellectualism at schools and universities? Is there anything that indicates that the intellectual level of the activites carried out at universities and in research in Denmark is marked by surface lustre and brilliance - but lacks depth? I would genuinely be interested in learning why non-Danes would perceive our intellectual milieu as less deep than other countries'! Which areas of 'culture' makes great entrances? And how are they greater than other countries'?

Has this 'brilliance' impression only something to do with the present regent (this is a royal board after all)? She's tall, has a certain posture - and looks regal with her jewellery on. She is many things - but not pretty little thing. If she were shortish and plumb she may not have been able to 'make an entrance' the way she can now (then she might have been off the great entrance hook ) She has also held some great parties and recently a great wedding - but doesn't other royal families celebrate similar events. We have fancy New Year's courts - but we have dull Parliaments openings compared to other royal houses - not much to pull of there! We have in recent years had a royal death, a royal divorce and a royal wedding. Events that triggers interest - and the display of all the pomp and traditions that are connected with any royal house.
In 7 or 8 years' time, Frederik and Mary have probably had the children they want, they have become older and not so much in the limelight; Margrethe and Henrik may have become too old to hold great birthday parties. Will Danish culture then regain some of it's cultural and intellectual depth? And what if e.g. the Swedish young royals start getting married and have children with all the interest, speculation and pictures of royal splendour that triggers off - will Swedish culture then loose it's depth in the eyes of the world that seems to get a lot of this type of news from Sweden? And what when William of GB gets married? Will the interest in great events, big parties and entrances and royal splendour that this event will certainly trigger then mean that British culture will be on a downward spiral?

Finally - re the general claim that Danish DRF are masters at PR - that is a bit funny IMO. Since the wedding they have hired a press officer - Lis Frederiksen. If the office she runs is excellent at what they do - the other royal houses' press offices must be really really poor at their job. I have never liked Lis Frederiksen and her way of handling publicity for the DRF and it is not my impression that the is particularly liked by the media here either. She is heavy-handed and too often appears condescending in her dealings with the public.
So to round this off - I simply don't understand what gave you this impression when - not only you Ysbel - but other posters as well keep discussing the DRF as master planners of publicity.

 

[Next Star]

There is a over hype about the Monaco royal family because of American actress Grace Kelly and still very interseted in the turn out with her children and grandchildren another overhype is Prince William and Harry I like those guys but it too much hype about them too and the rest of the British royal family. Those two royal families are the most watched and talked about out of all the other royal families in the world.

 

[Toledo]

I know there are polls about the "Best" and "Most Disappointing" Royal, but which Royal do you think least lives up to the hype surrounding them and why?

I don't know about the glamour (?) expectations toward many royals but my vote would go, in a positive way, to the Liechtenstein's clan. Not only they are extremely low profile but they avoid the scandals their counterparts get themselves into every step they take. Maybe because none of the Liechtentein's has married celebrity people or high profile tabloid royals?
They could be disapointing, in tabloids terms, but whatever they do to stay off the press seems to be the best example on how to be royal, rich and not infamous.

 

[H.M. Margrethe]

Ohhh UserDane you talk like a tru Dane.Just because we are a small nation it dosn´t mean that we are that less educate.

Gee - thanks ...I think. Even though a 'certain superficiality of Danish culture' is not meant as a criticism, it is hardly an impression that is appreciated.

Danes are known to be sarcastic/ironic (call it witty if you like); it has been something that e.g. Alexandra commented on as a difficult point by learning Danish - 'they' say one thing but the irony/sarcasm really means something different.
But does that exclude deeper intellectualism at schools and universities? Is there anything that indicates that the intellectual level of the activites carried out at universities and in research in Denmark is marked by surface lustre and brilliance - but lacks depth? I would genuinely be interested in learning why non-Danes would perceive our intellectual milieu as less deep than other countries'! Which areas of 'culture' makes great entrances? And how are they greater than other countries'?

Has this 'brilliance' impression only something to do with the present regent (this is a royal board after all)? She's tall, has a certain posture - and looks regal with her jewellery on. She is many things - but not pretty little thing. If she were shortish and plumb she may not have been able to 'make an entrance' the way she can now (then she might have been off the great entrance hook ) She has also held some great parties and recently a great wedding - but doesn't other royal families celebrate similar events. We have fancy New Year's courts - but we have dull Parliaments openings compared to other royal houses - not much to pull of there! We have in recent years had a royal death, a royal divorce and a royal wedding. Events that triggers interest - and the display of all the pomp and traditions that are connected with any royal house.
In 7 or 8 years' time, Frederik and Mary have probably had the children they want, they have become older and not so much in the limelight; Margrethe and Henrik may have become too old to hold great birthday parties. Will Danish culture then regain some of it's cultural and intellectual depth? And what if e.g. the Swedish young royals start getting married and have children with all the interest, speculation and pictures of royal splendour that triggers off - will Swedish culture then loose it's depth in the eyes of the world that seems to get a lot of this type of news from Sweden? And what when William of GB gets married? Will the interest in great events, big parties and entrances and royal splendour that this event will certainly trigger then mean that British culture will be on a downward spiral?

Finally - re the general claim that Danish DRF are masters at PR - that is a bit funny IMO. Since the wedding they have hired a press officer - Lis Frederiksen. If the office she runs is excellent at what they do - the other royal houses' press offices must be really really poor at their job. I have never liked Lis Frederiksen and her way of handling publicity for the DRF and it is not my impression that the is particularly liked by the media here either. She is heavy-handed and too often appears condescending in her dealings with the public.
So to round this off - I simply don't understand what gave you this impression when - not only you Ysbel - but other posters as well keep discussing the DRF as master planners of publicity.

 

[Madame Royale]

Seriously, I find Danes to be exceptional people..like the 'Australian's' of the north actually Or are we the 'Danes' of the south?

I dont think ysbel meant to insult anyone, just wanted to express her opinion on the DRF PR.

I think the DRF PR to be one of the best, or so it has always seemed to me. Their love of pomp and cirumstance is wonderful and they are very much like the British in that they like to maintain their traditions (talking about the royal family).

 

[UserDane]

Just to clarify - I don't think that Ysbel meant it as an insult either - I just don't agree on all points (but I'm sure Lis Henriksen would be thrilled - perhaps even smile?? if she knew that she and her colleagues are perceived as such PR master minds )

 

[Madame Royale]

No worries UD.

 

[MissSaga]

Great posts Userdane and Madame Royale. Agreeing completely.

 

[Larzen]

Finally - re the general claim that Danish DRF are masters at PR - that is a bit funny IMO. Since the wedding they have hired a press officer - Lis Frederiksen. If the office she runs is excellent at what they do - the other royal houses' press offices must be really really poor at their job. I have never liked Lis Frederiksen and her way of handling publicity for the DRF and it is not my impression that the is particularly liked by the media here either. She is heavy-handed and too often appears condescending in her dealings with the public.

I agree completely, the danish court is very new to this PR relations, before the press was handeled by the highest ranking members of the danish court, but with the entrance of Mary the interest reached new heigths and it was absolutly necessary to hire someone at the danish court working only with the press. I dont think any court was later at hiering a press person. If we want to talk about brilliant PR the swedish court has had a press secretary for many, many years (already when Madeleine was born I think) and IMO they are not perfect either but 100 times better than Lis Frederiksen, who IMO seems grumpy every time I see her on TV. Even with a happy thing like Mary and Christian going home from hospital she seemed rude and on odds with the press. And comparing the danish to the brittish press deaprtment is like comparing dry rasins to award winning whine. If you have a good product you can get away with a mediocre/bad Public relations specialist, and obiously *most* danes thinks they have a good product IMO it is not Lis Frederiksen who is the brain in the danish public relations but rather Per Thornit and maybe Ove Ullerups, but they should try and get a better person to deliver his thoughts to the press.

 

[Verde Esmeralda]

That is a good point aurora. The Argentines can be passionate people and so I asked an Argentinian member why Maxima didn't generate the same hysteria in Argentina that Mary did in Australia.

She explained that Maxima came from the upper classes and so a lot of Argentinians may not necessarily relate to her.

I might also agree with that Argentinian member, Ysbel...

I would also like to add, as I did in some previous post in other thread, that at the time Máxima and WA got married, we [in Argentina] where undergoing a severe economic crash. So i guess our attention was really not on this event, for which we would have possibly made a big big fuzz over, if it only happened some other time...

Plus, whenever she's here (excluding last year's official visit), it's for private purposes, she keeps it very low-profile ... of course, we do have press coverage on her visits ... and I personally find it very peculiar to have an article based on, for instance, her visits to the supermarket with her mom, in a Prada coat

I think we just don't relate to her, we don't feel identified with her situation, we just see it as a fairy tale...

 

[Quin]

Sorry, may I again be allowed to express my intense dislike of this - IMO - totally misjudged view?
If you have problems seeing the fashion industry as one of the biggest money-making industries, just try substitute clothes with, say fish! That was one of the biggest Danish industries pre the Danish EU membership. And voila - you have a perfect understanding that the royal members support the most important money- making areas in Denmark. If one actually checks out the underlying reason - it all makes beautiful sense.

But tell me, how many fashion-events have you actually seen Mary at this year? How many have the others Cpss been at? What are your feelings about e.g. seeing CPss at the recent Norwegian fashion events. There were pics at e.g. Hellomagazine.

What does fashion have to do with duty and drawing attention to noble causes. Isn't that the role of royalty? It would be nice to see the royal slaves to fashion (and yes pun intended) draw attention to the eating disorders rampant in the industry. Crown Princesses Litizia and Victoria appear to have had personal experiences in this regard.

Shouldn't commericialism should be left to the those in the industry, trade and finance and not to royals?

Is this too much to expect from modern royalty or is it that people view royalty and celebrity as one and the same.

 

[Madame Royale]

Eating disorders are continually being covered (supported) by worthy patrons and shall continue to find the buttress they deserve and need.

But it is the function of a modernising institution to represent its national interests, and for Denmark, fashion is a progressing and highly valued sector of industry.

Whether some wish to call 'a' Crown Princess a 'slave to fashion' is neither here nor there. They are undertaking a role which benefits the economy and that is largrely what the royal families do and have done for some time (governmental aspects aside). They execute a function of national representation and internal worth.

I would very much like to see substantiative evidence which supports your claim that the Princess of Asturias has experienced an eating disorder. It is public knowledge that Crown Princess Victoria suffered from Anorexia Nervosa but I don't recall Letizia as having ever being confirmed to have shared in that, or any other affliction of body or mind.

 

[UserDane]

What does fashion have to do with duty and drawing attention to noble causes. Isn't that the role of royalty? It would be nice to see the royal slaves to fashion (and yes pun intended) draw attention to the eating disorders rampant in the industry. Crown Princesses Litizia and Victoria appear to have had personal experiences in this regard.

Shouldn't commericialism should be left to the those in the industry, trade and finance and not to royals?

Is this too much to expect from modern royalty or is it that people view royalty and celebrity as one and the same.

If commercialism was left to those in industry trade and finance - how many sightings do you think we would have of the various royals? Try taking a quick count of the trade delegations spearheaded by a royal, or count all the openings of new plants in the presence of a royal.
All monarchies today use their royals to further their country's economic activities, especially exports. Whether a country's main export article is fashion, electric cars, hair appliances or pet food is irrelevant per se. Having fashion as a major trading area is no more 'disrespectful' to people suffering from eating disorders than exporting hair stuff is disrespectful to bald people.
The slave to fashion thing sounds rather outdated to my ears, excuse me for saying it.
To repeat myself - for some countries fashion is an export article like millions of other export articles.

 

[Quin]

Eating disorders are continually being covered (supported) by worthy patrons and shall continue to find the buttress they deserve and need.

But it is the function of a modernising institution to represent its national interests, and for Denmark, fashion is a progressing and highly valued sector of industry.

Whether some wish to call 'a' Crown Princess a 'slave to fashion' is neither here nor there. They are undertaking a role which benefits the economy and that is largrely what the royal families do and have done for some time (governmental aspects aside). They execute a function of national representation and internal worth.

I would very much like to see substantiative evidence which supports your claim that the Princess of Asturias has experienced an eating disorder. It is public knowledge that Crown Princess Victoria suffered from Anorexia Nervosa but I don't recall Letizia as having ever being confirmed to have shared in that, or any other affliction of body or mind.

Paragrpah 1: Yes and.

Paragrpah 2: Denmark
Economy

Once essentially an agricultural country and still possessing a visibly rural landscape, Denmark after 1945 greatly expanded its industrial base so that by the 1990s industry contributed over 25% of the gross domestic product and agriculture less than 5% (Denmark's other traditional industries of fishing and shipbuilding have also declined). Financial and other services, trade, transportation, and communication are also important.
The main commodities raised are livestock (pigs, cattle, and poultry), root crops (beets, kohlrabi, and potatoes), and cereals (barley, oats, and wheat). There is a large fishing industry, and Denmark possesses a commercial shipping fleet of considerable size. The leading manufactures include food products (especially meat and dairy goods), chemicals, machinery, metal products (made almost entirely from imported raw materials, since Denmark has practically no mineral resources), electronic and transport equipment, beer, textiles, and paper and wood products. Tourism is also an important industry.
Denmark's main exports are agricultural and industrial machinery, teak and oak furniture, meat, fish, and metals and metal manufactures; the chief imports are machinery, metals, motor vehicles, and fuels. The country's leading trade partners are Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, and other European Union countries as well as the United States. Denmark suffered severe economic problems throughout the 1980s, and in the 1990s it had a high unemployment rate, large public-sector expenses, and a massive foreign debt. However, tight fiscal and monetary policies combined with an increasing export base held some promise of economic recovery.

Couldn't find anything about fashion, but textiles are listed after beer in the order of Demark's manufactures.

Paragraph 3: See paragraph 2.

Paragrpah 4: Letizia's weight speaks for itself. I truly wish her the best.

I don't know, suppose I expect too much from royals.

 

[Sister Morphine]

Paragrpah 4: Letizia's weight speaks for itself. I truly wish her the best.

I happen to know a couple women who are really quite thin, but suffer from no eating disorder. Some people have a very high metabolism, so it's a struggle for them to gain weight, and they are constantly being asked if they have anorexia, if they are bulimic.....and they're neither. They just are naturally that thin. This may very well be the case for Letizia and frankly, it's irresponsible to assume she's sick if she's not.

Her weight does not speak for itself as there are many reasons why a woman is thin, an eating disorder being but one of them.

 

[Quin]

If commercialism was left to those in industry trade and finance - how many sightings do you think we would have of the various royals? Try taking a quick count of the trade delegations spearheaded by a royal, or count all the openings of new plants in the presence of a royal.
All monarchies today use their royals to further their country's economic activities, especially exports. Whether a country's main export article is fashion, electric cars, hair appliances or pet food is irrelevant per se. Having fashion as a major trading area is no more 'disrespectful' to people suffering from eating disorders than exporting hair stuff is disrespectful to bald people.
The slave to fashion thing sounds rather outdated to my ears, excuse me for saying it.
To repeat myself - for some countries fashion is an export article like millions of other export articles.

Sightings: Industry, trade and finance isn't a red carpet event. Royals will do just fine appearing at charitable and cultural events.

Fashion: Ok. Slave may have been too strong of a word.

Per Se - Trade - Disrespectful - Eating Disorder - Your Ears: Don't get me wrong. I like fashion too, I just don't think its should precede royal duties. The importance of fashion in Denmark's ecomony is born out by the numbers.

Royal Delegations & Trade: The US has done quite well as have many other countries that don't have a monarchy. China and India are quickly rising in the world economy with no monarchy.

All the best,

 

[Quin]

I happen to know a couple women who are really quite thin, but suffer from no eating disorder. Some people have a very high metabolism, so it's a struggle for them to gain weight, and they are constantly being asked if they have anorexia, if they are bulimic.....and they're neither. They just are naturally that thin. This may very well be the case for Letizia and frankly, it's irresponsible to assume she's sick if she's not.

Her weight does not speak for itself as there are many reasons why a woman is thin, an eating disorder being but one of them.

Again, her weight speaks for itself whether it be an eating disorder or a high metabolism.

 

[Sister Morphine]

Again, her weight speaks for itself whether it be an eating disorder or a high metabolism.

What does it speak to? The fact she's thin? There are many reasons, as I stated, for why a woman is either thin or heavy. Eating disorders are one reason, but not the only reason. Do you think it's wrong of her to be thin, especially if it's something like a high metabolism which is completely out of her hands?


So I've yet to see just what her weight "speaks to".