Charles and Camilla: Visit to Australia (2018 Comm. Games) and Vanuatu - April 2018

[wyevale]

flipping through a magazine during a ceremony like this,

Presumably [in your Olympian Virtue] you NEVER buy and thumb through a PROGRAMME at the Theatre/Concert/Opera ?
Quite clearly this is relevant to the Occasion attended, and NOT 'Woman's Weekly' or 'Vogue'

 

[royal rob]

She looked bored the whole time

 

[Osipi]

Perhaps, and this is just a perhaps, Camilla took some hints from her mother-in-law on how to get through an evening of opening ceremonies. Its a fine art to actually just look bored when in actuality, one is falling asleep.

 

[royal rob]

Charles and Camilla: Visit to Australia (2018 Commonwealth Games) - April 2018

Why all the photos etc of the Queen. This is about Charles and Camilla and she looked bored and it was rude. She has a good life so looking happy wouldn’t hurt her especially when she was being welcomed. The republicans would be loving this

 

[Osipi]

To point out that Camilla was just caught at an odd moment and was not, in any way IMO, rude. Everyone gets the odd moment of being not so attentive or feelings of dozing off sitting through things like opening ceremonies. This wasn't a situation unique to Camilla as pointed out with the Queen looking less than attentive at the opening games of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

There even was an article recently that posted photos of Charles looking totally bored at events spanning 64 years.

Hilarious photos suggest Prince Charles looked bored | Daily Mail Online

This is not something unique to Camilla or something she did that was "rude" but actually something every human being falls prey to at some time in their lives. Camilla is not a robot or a puppet on a string.

 

[wyevale]

she looked bored and it was rude

I watched the BBC coverage of the Opening Ceremony [in its entirety] and saw NOTHING of the sort..
No idea whose coverage you watched, perhaps you could post images of the 'rudeness' ?

 

[royal rob]

I watched the BBC coverage of the Opening Ceremony [in its entirety] and saw NOTHING of the sort..
No idea whose coverage you watched, perhaps you could post images of the 'rudeness' ?

I watched it live

 

[royal rob]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/common...e/news-story/6d43d4e4c9df0cbf7766b452d0e6ace6
Is this what you wanted Nico

 

[Lumutqueen]

Well do you know what, I watched the ceremony this afternoon after recording it this morning and I really enjoyed it! It was great to see something so personal to Australia. I felt like it was very different to the Olympic ceremonies, and I felt very attached to it.

It was lovely to see Charles and Camilla there.

 

[wyevale]

I felt very attached to it.

So did I.. rightly called 'the friendly games' !

 

[Osipi]

I think we can just chalk it all up to being an occupational hazard. It happens to many, many people that are consistently in the public glare.

Can you imagine your life being such that the public thinks they have the right to dictate what you should do, what you should look like and how you should act every minute that you're not in your own private space? I'd find that terrifying.

As pointed out, its happened with the Queen. Its happened with Charles. Its happened with Camilla. Even the best of them have their "game face" slip every now and then. Its a *huge* stretch to call it rude IMO.

 

[Curryong]

Well, I watched the opening ceremony live here in Melbourne and I'm another person who, I'm sorry to say, did see a great opening ceremony but unfortunately a Camilla who didn't appear to be enjoying herself at all. I don't know whether she didn't feel well or the journey had disagreed with her, but she seemed 'off' and disinterested. Even my husband noticed it and he is very unobservant.

If the Labor party get in at the next election there is likely to be a referendum at the end of the first term. And attitudes like Camilla displayed aren't going to cut it in changing any points of view last night, unfortunately. The chatter here this morning among people online is not good either.

I wish fellow posters wouldn't ascribe some sort of ulterior motives to others if their observations don't agree. I am not a republican. I don't want Australia to become a republic. However, Charles looked flat last night and Camilla appeared as if she didn't want to be here, and that is sad, IMO.

The ceremony was great. Long live the Commonwealth. I'm proud that Australia is a member of such a great organisation.

 

[Nico]

I wish fellow posters wouldn't ascribe some sort of ulterior motives to others if their observations don't agree.

No, of course not
Just a simple observation that those kind of remarks about Camilla come, strangely, from the same sources/posters with, let's say, a strong opinion about her (if you know what i mean hmmm ?).
Simple coincidence, i guess.

 

[Iluvbertie]

Let me see if I have this right - she was looking at the programme for the ceremonies she was watching and was seen to be rude.

Has anyone actually seen the programme?

If it is like many I have seen over the years it may very well have included an explanation of what was happening with the various dances etc. If so then she may very well have been reading about what she was watching or about to watch - so rather than being rude she was finding out so she could understand and appreciate more what was going on.

On the other hand she could be like a lot of people - bored to death as it was a very, very boring ceremony. I personally turned off after about 15 minutes and listening to talk-back radio this morning many others also found it boring and awful. No one at my workplace lasted any longer than I did either. It must be bad what the opening ceremony from Sydney was regarded at better as that one was totally awful.

Our Society and Culture Year 11 class are learning about making surveys this week (not my class) and their teacher had them do an 'online' survey during roll call. She just sent through the results about last night - 250 students surveyed from Years 9 - 12. 3 families watched the ceremony right through with 1 hating it 1 saying it was awful and 1 saying it was ok. 189 families turned it off at some point before the official proceedings. 58 families didn't even watch it (47 families said they had never heard of the Commonwealth/Commonwealth Games). This was an 'initial survey' only with more development to come as they learn how to do things of course but ... The kids started developing their surveys yesterday and the student/s who developed this one have a sister competing but the sister here wasn't allowed to go an watch by our principal as it isn't an 'approved reason' for leave.

 

[Curryong]

No, of course not
Just a simple observation that those kind of remarks about Camilla come, strangely, from the same sources/posters with, let's say, a strong opinion about her (if you know what i mean hmmm ?).
Simple coincidence, i guess.

Are the Aussie news report links posted that show Camilla looking bored pro Diana and anti Camilla too, Nico? It's not some giant conspiracy by all Australians to portray Camilla in a bad light. I watched the ceremony live with my husband last night and we both noted a disinterest on Camilla's part. There are also people I know who commented on it this morning. I thought the ceremony was good.

 

[cepe]

is it as bad as wearing earplugs at a concert in your honour?

 

[Curryong]

Earplugs are usually worn for a physical reason, to protect the hearing. Not comparable IMO to looking bored or perusing a programme instead of acknowledging others.

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

LMAO at the images of the Queen and others looking bored the same as Camilla yet not catching Flack.

 

[Curryong]

But what about what the Aussie news links have to say, Nico? And did you watch the ceremony live?

 

[Nico]

But what about what the Aussie news links have to say, Nico? And did you watch the ceremony live?

The links basically say she was caught at one moment perusing the offcial program of the Games and that some folks on twitter tried to stir the pot, as they usually do.
Even the Daily Mail readers, not especially fans of Camilla in general, found this "Camillagate down under" a bit far fetched to say the least.

LMAO at the images of the Queen and others looking bored the same as Camilla yet not catching Flack.

Double standard Camilla style.

 

[Iluvbertie]

Of course it is a double standard.

The Pro-Charles and Camilla people will defend her.

The Anti-Charles and Camilla people will chastise her.

We don't need to read the posts to know which way people will go as we know how each poster will view the incident.

On another note - are discussions of Edward's visit going to get any coverage (he starts his tour down under tomorrow and will be here for a longer period and will close the games)?

Maybe there should be a 'royals at the Commonwealth Games thread' to cover the three of them there and then a separate thread for visits elsewhere????

 

[Mbruno]

Well, I watched the opening ceremony live here in Melbourne and I'm another person who, I'm sorry to say, did see a great opening ceremony but unfortunately a Camilla who didn't appear to be enjoying herself at all. I don't know whether she didn't feel well or the journey had disagreed with her, but she seemed 'off' and disinterested. Even my husband noticed it and he is very unobservant.

If the Labor party get in at the next election there is likely to be a referendum at the end of the first term. And attitudes like Camilla displayed aren't going to cut it in changing any points of view last night, unfortunately. The chatter here this morning among people online is not good either.

I wish fellow posters wouldn't ascribe some sort of ulterior motives to others if their observations don't agree. I am not a republican. I don't want Australia to become a republic. However, Charles looked flat last night and Camilla appeared as if she didn't want to be here, and that is sad, IMO.

The ceremony was great. Long live the Commonwealth. I'm proud that Australia is a member of such a great organisation.

I’m afraid that is a pattern for Camilla. Originally, she was not expected to go to Australia with Charles, but I guess the courtiers, in their wisdom, must have thought that her not going would be interpreted as a snub to the Commonwealth and insisted that she attended the opening ceremony, which was actually worse as she looked bored and detached.

The hard fact is that Camilla is already 70. She is no longer a young, energetic woman and long tours like that may not be particularly pleasant for her. That is why I think those kind of events are better left for William and Kate, who still have the vitality to do it and seem to be a hit wherever they go. Of course, right now, Kate is on maternity leave and cannot travel , and Charles cares deeply about his future position in the Commonwealth , which he, justifiably so, sees as uncertain.

 

[LauraS3514]

However, Charles looked flat last night and Camilla appeared as if she didn't want to be here, and that is sad, IMO..

Another thought: they might have been a little preoccupied with the fact that Prince Philip was heading to the operating room for a hip replacement at the age of 96. Even though hip replacements are pretty routine these days, surgery at 96 is always a little dicey.

 

[VictoriaB]

I’m afraid that is a pattern for Camilla. Originally, she was not expected to go to Australia with Charles, but I guess the courtiers, in their wisdom, must have thought that her not going would be interpreted as a snub to the Commonwealth and insisted that she attended the opening ceremony, which was actually worse as she looked bored and detached.

The hard fact is that Camilla is already 70. She is no longer a young, energetic woman and long tours like that may not be particularly pleasant for her. That is why I think those kind of events are better left for William and Kate, who still have the vitality to do it and seem to be a hit wherever they go. Of course, right now, Kate is on maternity leave and cannot travel , and Charles cares deeply about his future position in the Commonwealth , which he, justifiably so, sees as uncertain.

If the Queen thought that William, Kate or the man-in-the-moon should be representing her at these events she would have asked them to. She asked Charles because, whether people on this forum like it or not, he is the heir and she thought he was the most appropriate person to represent her. Significantly, she has asked Edward (not William or Harry) to represent her at the closing of the games.

Charles' position as head of the commonwealth is no more perilous than William's would be were he the heir. Any antipathy is not because of Charles himself but because most of the countries in the commonwealth are now republics and having the British monarch as head of the organisation is just a hold-over from the days of empire.

 

[Curryong]

Yes, Laura, I did cut some slack for that last night, however other royals have carried on royal duties cheerifully in public under the same sort of circumstances-- ie the wife and daughters of King George VI when he was mortally ill with cancer, Charles and Prince Philip after Lord Mountbatten had been blown up by IRA terrorists, Princess Alexandra when her husband was ill, the Queen when her mother was facing major surgery in her nineties, and so on. Usually there is a 'the show must go on' spirit in evidence.

 

[royal rob]

Let me see if I have this right - she was looking at the programme for the ceremonies she was watching and was seen to be rude.

Has anyone actually seen the programme?

If it is like many I have seen over the years it may very well have included an explanation of what was happening with the various dances etc. If so then she may very well have been reading about what she was watching or about to watch - so rather than being rude she was finding out so she could understand and appreciate more what was going on.

On the other hand she could be like a lot of people - bored to death as it was a very, very boring ceremony. I personally turned off after about 15 minutes and listening to talk-back radio this morning many others also found it boring and awful. No one at my workplace lasted any longer than I did either. It must be bad what the opening ceremony from Sydney was regarded at better as that one was totally awful.

Our Society and Culture Year 11 class are learning about making surveys this week (not my class) and their teacher had them do an 'online' survey during roll call. She just sent through the results about last night - 250 students surveyed from Years 9 - 12. 3 families watched the ceremony right through with 1 hating it 1 saying it was awful and 1 saying it was ok. 189 families turned it off at some point before the official proceedings. 58 families didn't even watch it (47 families said they had never heard of the Commonwealth/Commonwealth Games). This was an 'initial survey' only with more development to come as they learn how to do things of course but ... The kids started developing their surveys yesterday and the student/s who developed this one have a sister competing but the sister here wasn't allowed to go an watch by our principal as it isn't an 'approved reason' for leave.

It rated really well
https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/04/2-million-watch-comm-games-opening-ceremony.html

 

[Mbruno]

If the Queen thought that William, Kate or the man-in-the-moon should be representing her at these events she would have asked them to. She asked Charles because, whether people on this forum like it or not, he is the heir and she thought he was the most appropriate person to represent her. Significantly, she has asked Edward (not William or Harry) to represent her at the closing of the games.

Charles' position as head of the commonwealth is no more perilous than William's would be were he the heir. Any antipathy is not because of Charles himself but because most of the countries in the commonwealth are now republics and having the British monarch as head of the organisation is just a hold-over from the days of empire.

The Queen, or rather the Uk government, have been constantly picking William over Charles for the “ Brexit charm offensive” ( France, Germany, Poland, Scandinavia) and official visits to key countries like China. That makes sense as, let’s be frank, William is far less controversial and less prone to diplomatic misgivings than his father.

William and/or Kate have also been to Commonwealth countries {Australia, New Zealand, and quite frequently in Canada). Polls show that they are far more popular in the realms than Charles and Camilla. As I said, though, William and Kate are about to have a baby in the next days or weeks. It is out of question that either one could go to Australia. And, I go back to my point, Charles wants to be seen as the Queen’s natural successor as Head of the Commonwealth and therefore has a vested interest in attending Commonwealth events.

My point was also that, when Charles and Camilla are on the throne in their mid to late 70s or whenever, they won’t be like the young Queen Elizabeth IIi traveling around the Commonwealth to open each realm parliament session as she did in the early years of her reign. There are limitations that an aging royal couple has and that is precisely why so many continental royals now abdicate in their mid to late 70s.

 

[Curryong]

If the Queen thought that William, Kate or the man-in-the-moon should be representing her at these events she would have asked them to. She asked Charles because, whether people on this forum like it or not, he is the heir and she thought he was the most appropriate person to represent her. Significantly, she has asked Edward (not William or Harry) to represent her at the closing of the games.

Charles' position as head of the commonwealth is no more perilous than William's would be were he the heir. Any antipathy is not because of Charles himself but because most of the countries in the commonwealth are now republics and having the British monarch as head of the organisation is just a hold-over from the days of empire.

Well, Harry was asked to close the London Summer Olympics,(a much bigger deal internationally than the Commonwealth Games) and presumably the Queen acquiesced in that, so what statement did that make?

And what alternative is there to the British monarch as ceremonial head? A rotation system, a following of the alphabet, 'oh it's so and so year, it must be 'N' New Zealand's turn. Their PM will be pleased!'?

And of course Charles is worried about the Commonwealth, about the prospect of realms becoming republics in his reign. It's a breaking of ties with the Crown, for whatever reason. And he naturally wants also to follow his mother and help bind the Commonwealth together as she has done.

 

[sndral]

I can’t link as I’m on a portable device @ the moment, but the Fail is reporting that 2 of the motorcycle officers escorting Charles and Camilla to the opening where involved in a crash and hospitalized - I wonder if the couple witnessed the crash, if so it might account for their somber expressions.

 

[royal rob]

I can’t link as I’m on a portable device @ the moment, but the Fail is reporting that 2 of the motorcycle officers escorting Charles and Camilla to the opening where involved in a crash and hospitalized - I wonder if the couple witnessed the crash, if so it might account for their somber expressions.

I don’t think so