My Pot-au-Feu with Prince William

[QueenMaharet]

Quote:
Thank God the Queen was a steadying influence on all the Windsor grandchildren (William, Harry, Beatrice, Eugenie, Peter, Zara) because they would have had a tougher time otherwise.
No. IMO this is the worst thing that could have happened. As I said previously, Edwardian advice in a 21st Century world doesn't work. The Queen is a darling but her time has gone. Now she is the white-haired old lady in the crown who never puts a foot wrong and you love her because you should. If she doesn't go to a registry office wedding we say, "Well, it's her generation". If William takes her choices, he'll be seen as old-fashioned and out of touch. And thats a very very thin patch of ice to be tap-dancing on.

It sounds like you are saying people shouldn't take advice from their grandparents. I don't love her because I should, that would be rather stupid to blindly love someone just because you are told to. I think she has a lot of good advice to give the "younger generations", and it is certainly far from being the worst thing that could have happened.

[ysbel]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

As I said previously, Edwardian advice in a 21st Century world doesn't work. The Queen is a darling but her time has gone. Now she is the white-haired old lady in the crown who never puts a foot wrong and you love her because you should. If she doesn't go to a registry office wedding we say, "Well, it's her generation". If William takes her choices, he'll be seen as old-fashioned and out of touch. And thats a very very thin patch of ice to be tap-dancing on.

Well Beatrixfan, William is not THAT Edwardian if he's dating Kate

The problem is that the monarchy is not a 21st century institution and I have doubts that it should be. Quite frankly, I'm tired of the cult of personality over real substance. Beatrix and Margrethe are women of substance as well as personality; the substance came first, the personality came later. Margrethe's personality didn't come to the fore until she had been Queen awhile.

BTW, I don't see the 65 year old statesman in William. Right now I see him as aimless as a lot of 24 year olds. Its a generational thing.

[BeatrixFan]

The problem is that the monarchy is not a 21st century institution and I have doubts that it should be

Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about cutting chunks out of the Monarchy. But there has to be some form of bringing it into a realistic working order. There's a growing anti- sentiment growing and people are looking to William to save the Monarchy. Yes, it's unfair and I for one don't think he can do it at all - by the links to articles etc, I'm not the only one.

[susan alicia]

It is Edwardian untill he marries her :)

Originally Posted by ysbel

Well Beatrixfan, William is not THAT Edwardian if he's dating Kate

[Zonk]

Again..I think you are comparing things that are in no way alike.

Now you are making references to the Dutch and Danish press and comparing it to the British press????!!!! I am going to go out on a limb and say there is nothing in this world that is comparable to the British press! Good and Bad!

[BeatrixFan]

I am going to go out on a limb and say there is nothing in this world that is comparable to the British press!

But its the RFs fault they are as they are. If they had set reasonable boundaries years ago instead of trying to dodge them all the time they wouldn't have become the repressed desperate journos they are. There has to be a good level of give and take from the beginning. Other RFs have got the hang of it.

[Harry's polo shirt]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Prince William. What a dull, boring, limp character. One is almost screaming at the screen when he flashes up, "Do something spontaneous!" - he is a 23 Year Old man behaving like a 65 year old statesman. He only needs the Pipe and slippers and he could be a Grandfather. I just see absolutely no promise in him at all.

hummm...I disagree with the 65 year old statesmen...he seems to me as a spoiled brat who needs to grow up. Besides statesmen know who they are; Will obviously doesn't. I think Will will be an admired King--because no one sees any wrong him.

[BeatrixFan]

I think Will will be an admired King--because no one sees any wrong him.

He'll be admired in two camps. The Pro-Charles camp will admire him for being his fathers son. The Pro-Diana camp will admire him for being his mothers son. It's ridiculous.

[Warren]

Whoa! Time to settle down a bit I think.

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

He's got to have some element that makes him different and makes him special.

Reduced to its basics you've answered your own question. The element that makes him different and special is that he is a Royal Prince, he will become Heir to the Throne, and eventually King. Simple. And that's all that most people require. A bit of decency, compassion, and, dare I say it, niceness, thrown in is just an added bonus. Most of us don't make too many demands.
.

[Elspeth]

I think people are looking to William because they believe that Charles is more backward-looking than forward-looking. The Queen came to the throne when she was too young to really take the institution forward; instead she seemed to act as though it were still her father's reign and she just happened to be the one wearing the crown. She's also had her mother's strong influence in not wanting things to move with the times as fast as they should. Charles gives the impression of being another in that mould, although I think that's something of a false impression. People seem to think that Charles's reign will be George VI Mark 3, and that it isn't until we get to William that things have a hope of making any changes at all.

I really think that this blandness and apparent lack of confidence are good reasons why Diana and William partisans shouldn't be too keen to see him follow the Queen directly as monarch. If he takes over before he's really had time to have a life, it's going to be hard for him to break out out of the straitjacket the Household will want to put on him like they put it on his grandmother when she was too young to tell them where to stick it.

[Idriel]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

I've started this due to a question from another board member and comments from others. It's all my opinion and you don't have to agree with it.
I realise that I am going to become as hated as Stalin in certain camps for saying this but I know there are those who agree with the sentiment. Prince William. What a dull, boring, limp character. One is almost screaming at the screen when he flashes up, "Do something spontaneous!" - he is a 23 Year Old man behaving like a 65 year old statesman. He only needs the Pipe and slippers and he could be a Grandfather. I just see absolutely no promise in him at all. He's hailed in some camps as being the 'saviour of the Monarchy' - I do hope Kate Middleton has an ounce of personality and sparkle, because she will have to compensate for the lack of it in his camp. I've entitled this topic, 'My Pot-au-Feu with Prince William' because he has about as much character as the French stew which composes of boiled beef, vegetables and marrow bones. He lacks charm completely. I don't expect somersaults of firework displays but I do expect something that shows who he is. As young as he is, he has shown no reason as to why he'd make a good King in my opinion.

I don't see him as being good King material, indeed, I'd prefer Queen Beatrice to King William any day. William seems to be a walking clone - he needs to be programmed daily to ensure that he'll get through the long hours. Maybe I'm being far too critical, but unlike his brother, he doesn't seem to have formed a backbone or anything that shows he's an individual at all.

Woaw! Brilliant post!!
Just replace William by Charles and Kate by Camilla and you have my exact, perfectly expressed view on The Prince of Wales...

Now, I have to say I'm really impress by you stamina BeatrixFan. Making such a bold statement in the prince William tread... Respect.

However I have to disagree with you. I do think William has a personality, but he goes to incredible extend to show nothing of it. I see it as a defence mechanism. I agree with you that everything he does is quite boring (even his choice of companion does nothing to excite a hint of excitement, at least IMO); but I can't blame him for that. He plays it safe, and considering how the British Press treats Royals, he better do. Look at how Harry (who is also my favourite) has been trashed. Look at how his girlfriend is treated and defamed.
I also disagree with you 65 years old statement. Unlike his father, William has a natural charisma, which is what keeps me interested in him (plus his good looks, I won't deny).

Here are two pics to prove that William can let his hair down sometimes...

William wild 1
William wild 2

PS: Pôt-au-feu is very good!!! (an outraged Gallic poster)

[pollyemma]

ok....welll...i think i could have lived a happy life without ever having seen those 2 photos...

I have to agree with Beatrixfan about wills being dull.

rudy guiliani's used to say that he'd "rather be respected than loved." perhaps it'll turn out that way with william.

though, William's not married yet so everything can still change. willem alexander of holland was generally considered boring and not too bright ( i disagree, but a lot of people think that) and then he marries a sparkling lady like Maxima and immediately the royal family becomes a whole lot more interesting.

[BeatrixFan]

Lol! Thanks Idriel - and God Bless you for your opinion on Charles even though I am totally 100% in disagreement with you! Thats how a board should be.

I totally understand the press issue. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. But look at what we know of Harry - he likes to drink, he likes to smoke, he likes a good party and you can only push him too far. He's a little bit wild, dangerous but he has his strict army side and he knows when he's overstepped the mark. William won't even get within 10 feet of the mark let alone overstep it and as I said, I'm dying for him to do something wrong to prove his isn't the cherub Prince with no personality that I percieve him to be.

[Princejohnny25]

I do think William is over hyped. He is popular for his good looks and that people think he has inherited superhero saintly blood from Diana. He is young man in his 20's still trying to figure out who he is which takes longer cause he is a royal. He hides his fun side and personality because he is not ready to build up his image yet. Plus, I think the press would much rather pay attention to Harry than William when it comes to having fun. Even if William acted the same way as Harry, William looks like a pretty prep boy and wouldnt get much attention. Harry is the red haired sexy bad boy that would get the attention. William is not the savior of the monarchy. He is far from it. We have yet to see Charles reign. From what I hear Charles reign will be very different from QEII. So it will be Williams job to take the changes his father made and form them for the future monarchs to use as a guide line.

[pollyemma]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Lol! Thanks Idriel - and God Bless you for your opinion on Charles even though I am totally 100% in disagreement with you! Thats how a board should be.

I totally understand the press issue. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. But look at what we know of Harry - he likes to drink, he likes to smoke, he likes a good party and you can only push him too far. He's a little bit wild, dangerous but he has his strict army side and he knows when he's overstepped the mark. William won't even get within 10 feet of the mark let alone overstep it and as I said, I'm dying for him to do something wrong to prove his isn't the cherub Prince with no personality that I percieve him to be.

it depends on what he does wrong. i mean, if he gets sloshed in public that'll just prove he's the same as so many other people his age. that would only make me find him more boring.

[BeatrixFan]

it depends on what he does wrong. i mean, if he gets sloshed in public that'll just prove he's the same as so many other people his age

True. He doesn't need to be extreme - Harry isn't extreme - he needs to enjoy being young before he becomes an old bearded King with a paunch and gout.

[Piewi]

However I have to disagree with you. I do think William has a personality, but he goes to incredible extend to show nothing of it. I see it as a defence mechanism. I agree with you that everything he does is quite boring (even his choice of companion does nothing to excite a hint of excitement, at least IMO); but I can't blame him for that. He plays it safe, and considering how the British Press treats Royals, he better do. Look at how Harry (who is also my favourite) has been trashed. Look at how his girlfriend is treated and defamed.
I also disagree with you 65 years old statement. Unlike his father, William has a natural charisma, which is what keeps me interested in him (plus his good looks, I won't deny).

I just coun´t agree more! you read my toughts:)
I also think that Wills has personality but he choose doesn´t show it. He wants the best for UK and his family, so he tries to behave well and take care of his acts. Personally i appreceate him for that: he´s doing a big effort for his people.
If I was in his feet i´d do the same becouse i think it may be my obligation

For me he has a natural charisma, i see it on his eyes:p

Beatrix fan, you are a brave girl!!
btw

[BeatrixFan]

I also think that Wills has personality but he choose doesn´t show it. He wants the best for UK and his family, so he tries to behave well and take care of his acts. Personally i appreceate him for that: he´s doing a big effort for his people.
If I was in his feet i´d do the same becouse i think it may be my obligation

If this is the case, he better start showing it. This holier-than-thou babyfaced act is becoming very very boring. I don't think he could care less about the country at this stage. Its nothing to do with him - he strikes me as the sort who lets other people deal with his problems, as long as he's happy with whats happening to him at that moment.

I don't think he's put in any effort - The Princess Royal, The Prince of Wales ,The Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Alexandra, Princess Michael - they put in alot of effort and they make a difference - what does William do exactly? He's going to be a bank manager or a farmer - the two most boring jobs in the world (unless you happen to be a bank manager or a farmer I suppose).

[Piewi]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

If this is the case, he better start showing it. This holier-than-thou babyfaced act is becoming very very boring. I don't think he could care less about the country at this stage. Its nothing to do with him - he strikes me as the sort who lets other people deal with his problems, as long as he's happy with whats happening to him at that moment.

I don't think he's put in any effort - The Princess Royal, The Prince of Wales ,The Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Alexandra, Princess Michael - they put in alot of effort and they make a difference - what does William do exactly? He's going to be a bank manager or a farmer - the two most boring jobs in the world (unless you happen to be a bank manager or a farmer I suppose).

Don´t you think that being a farmer or a bank manager isn´t a big effort?! Image it may be so boring!!!:p :p

Seriously, if you have a personality it´s quite difficult do things that you don´t like or try to don´t make mistakes when you have 23 years old!
And there are lots of ways to "make the difference": charles and camilla are a example of a bad one, however i don´t like them and i don´t want to discuss about them again. Talking about Wills he can be different having a nice and close relationship with his country, helping, and perhaps showing a bit of his personality, but why he has to be "wild" (sorry,i didn´t find another word) for that? Or why he has to show himself if he doesn´t want it?

We´ll definitly disagree with lots of things but i don´t see anything wrong with him, he´s just trying to be a good monarch:) may be a bored one but he might change and "open" more

[Zonk]

What does he do exactly?

He just graduated from college..thats what he just did...and like other recent college graduates..he is trying to find his place in life. To compare him to other royals who are in their 50's and have a chance to adapt to their life in the royal family..is just unfair.