Quote:
Originally Posted by angela
I think the contrast between the British and European young Royals is astonishing.
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Victoria isn't princess Victoria but Crown Princess Victoria, the difference between her and William isn't just 5 years but also she's first in line to the throne and he's one step removed from that. Victoria hasn't being donning her tiara etc forever, she like William has had time to 'train' for her role. At Beatrice's age she was suffering from anorexia, the pressure to be 'crown princess' had got to her. She studied at various universities in Sweden and had some time being annoymous in the US, officially taking short courses at Yale. She's had a short time in the military and this year didn't participate in all that many official events as she was in "diplomatic school" with other potential Swedish diplomats.
The other European heirs are also sons of monarchs, not grandsons or grand-daughters like William, Harry and Beatrice. During their late teens early '20s all of them were studying and had few official engagements. Willem-Alexander spent some time flying in Africa for the Flying Doctors, Frederik worked in Danish embassies, for all of them it wasn't until they were in their 30s that they took on fulltime royal engagements. William, Harry, Beatrice & Eugenie have got quite a few more years before they will need or be expected to take on fulltime royal duties. Especially since too, the Queen's cousins are still working royals.
Zara and Peter Philips both had Gap Years before they went on to study and finding some direction in life.