York Family News and Pictures 2: Sep 2015 - Sep 2022

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

As far as publicity, none of the Yorks said anything. This was all the Chinese ambassador,... and I think he used the Yorks.

Couldn’t agree more, this to me is quite clear just from The Queen offering condolences for the virus and “victory” in defeating it? Did she do so for the Ebola Epidemic, or SARS for instance? I don’t think so.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Madame Verseau

Express - Andrew was there for a private visit to the Chinese ambassador and not speaking for the queen

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.exp...or-meeting/amp

I thought in times of a nation's crisis the queen would offer condolences through official BP communications. Either the ambassador lied in his tweet or Andrew lied to the ambassador to get a meet and greet (and possibly any special goodies). Beatrice and her fiancé look bad for being a part of this meeting (sorry she's an adult now). It's a bad look anyway and the queen (with Charles if necessary) needs to jerk a knot into the Yorks for exposing themselves in this political mess.

How does one look bad for accepting a dinner invitation, that would cause offense if not accepted?
And if Andrew did offer condolences on the coronavirus, that would seem to be a social nicety. Maybe he said exactly what the ambassador tweeted, maybe he didn’t.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

How does one look bad for accepting a dinner invitation, that would cause offense if not accepted?
And if Andrew did offer condolences on the coronavirus, that would seem to be a social nicety. Maybe he said exactly what the ambassador tweeted, maybe he didn’t.

Would it cause offense and, even if it did, that would be the ambassador’s fault. He either doesn’t know about Andrew’ problems and being “fired” - which I find hard to believe- or he doesn’t care. Either case is inexcusable.

I know Andrew is clueless, but I’m not sure that he would actually speak for his mummy, who has supported him as best she could (as a son), when he knows that he hasn’t the right and that it would cause problems if it got out.

I’m really angry at the Ambassador.

[Helen.CH]

Originally Posted by Madame Verseau

Express - Andrew was there for a private visit to the Chinese ambassador and not speaking for the queen

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.exp...or-meeting/amp

I thought in times of a nation's crisis the queen would offer condolences through official BP communications. Either the ambassador lied in his tweet or Andrew lied to the ambassador to get a meet and greet (and possibly any special goodies). Beatrice and her fiancé look bad for being a part of this meeting (sorry she's an adult now). It's a bad look anyway and the queen (with Charles if necessary) needs to jerk a knot into the Yorks for exposing themselves in this political mess.

Thanks! And then in other threads people keep crying out about poor Bea&Edo.
Maybe a sign they will ignore all issues and be as arrogant as Andrew, maybe just as stupid, heaven knows.
To some if us it seems rather stupid to cause more trouble as if there was't enough at the moment, but who knows why they went, the Yorks know well how to make money ;-)

[Lilyflo]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

How does one look bad for accepting a dinner invitation, that would cause offense if not accepted?
And if Andrew did offer condolences on the coronavirus, that would seem to be a social nicety. Maybe he said exactly what the ambassador tweeted, maybe he didn’t.

I would imagine that members of the BRF (working or not) would have to clear it with the FCO before accepting an invitation from a foreign ambassador. The potential for a diplomatic 'difficulty' is huge, particularly if the invitees are tactless, ego-driven & loose lipped.

[sndral]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

How does one look bad for accepting a dinner invitation, that would cause offense if not accepted?
And if Andrew did offer condolences on the coronavirus, that would seem to be a social nicety. Maybe he said exactly what the ambassador tweeted, maybe he didn’t.

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

Would it cause offense and, even if it did, that would be the ambassador’s fault. He either doesn’t know about Andrew’ problems and being “fired” - which I find hard to believe- or he doesn’t care. Either case is inexcusable.

I know Andrew is clueless, but I’m not sure that he would actually speak for his mummy, who has supported him as best she could (as a son), when he knows that he hasn’t the right and that it would cause problems if it got out.

I’m really angry at the Ambassador.

It’s very simple to decline the invitation. Andrew chose not to, most likely because he sees China as a future money making opportunity. Even once he accepted, why pose for those photos, like it was an official occasion if it wasn’t? Once at the dinner he could have chosen to not speak about the virus, or said something noncommittal, but he has a history of putting his foot in his mouth, not just the debacle of the interview he gave on Epstein, but going back years, for example - https://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/29/wi...rew/index.html. Finally, when he chose to speak he could have not thrown his mother into the conversation - but I’m sure he did, his access to her is all that opens doors for him (and his ex) these days.
In typical Andrew fashion he’s charged ahead like a bull in a China shop, interfering with his own government’s diplomacy regarding China’s handling of a public health crisis.
I don’t blame the Chinese diplomat, it’s not his job to understand the nuances of the RF, rather he’s scored a coup in his own country by reporting that the Queen has confidence in China’s ‘victory’ in handling the crisis.
IMO it’s up to the Queen and the U.K. government to control the lose cannon that is Andrew. Perhaps this incident will spur them to do so.
What I don’t know is whether the Queen even knew about this visit. But I do find the lack of a denial that Andrew said the things attributed to him very telling.

Originally Posted by Lilyflo

I would imagine that members of the BRF (working or not) would have to clear it with the FCO before accepting an invitation from a foreign ambassador. The potential for a diplomatic 'difficulty' is huge, particularly if the invitees are tactless, ego-driven & loose lipped.

Well, if they didn’t have to clear it before, I’m guessing they will now.

[MARG]

With the current consequences for not playing by the BRF being even more dire than his current situation, I believe if Andrew went it was with HM approval. It is possible the Ambassador knoes him from his official British Trade days.

As to HM sending a perfectly understandable message to China at such a terrible time, it is common decency and given the severity of the situation it would be a given that the PM was in the loop.

Andrew has been around long enough not to make such a 'rookie' mistake.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by sndral

It’s very simple to decline the invitation. Andrew chose not to, most likely because he sees China as a future money making opportunity. Even once he accepted, why pose for those photos, like it was an official occasion if it wasn’t? Once at the dinner he could have chosen to not speak about the virus, or said something noncommittal, but he has a history of putting his foot in his mouth, not just the debacle of the interview he gave on Epstein, but going back years, for example - https://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/29/wi...rew/index.html. Finally, when he chose to speak he could have not thrown his mother into the conversation - but I’m sure he did, his access to her is all that opens doors for him (and his ex) these days.

In typical Andrew fashion he’s charged ahead like a bull in a China shop, interfering with his own government’s diplomacy regarding China’s handling of a public health crisis.

I don’t blame the Chinese diplomat, it’s not his job to understand the nuances of the RF, rather he’s scored a coup in his own country by reporting that the Queen has confidence in China’s ‘victory’ in handling the crisis.

Except we don’t know any of what you’re assuming from a picture and a statement is the truth.

Andrew, and his family, because if you’re looking to chat business why would you bring your ex wife, daughter and her fiancée along? Were invited by the Chinese Ambassador to the U.K. to celebrate Lunar New Year. It actually is the ambassadors job to know the nuances of the RF because he’s not a typical diplomat. Why decline an invitation for what appears to be a harmless family celebration?

Whether Andrew mentioned the virus at dinner is of no concern, it’s frankly a hot topic of conversation for everybody at the minute considering how fast it’s spreading. However what hasn’t happened is an official statement from BP about the virus, a statement that never happened when similar virus epidemics were on going. So from that we can infer, the message Andrew is reported to have given, actually never happened because The Queen has not previously commented on such issues.

What should happen now, is a denial of some kind from BP to confirm or deny this message that was announced by the Chinese Ambassador. His country is getting a lot of negative press right now, and he could have quite easily thought I’m in with a chance to turn the tide here.

[Countessmeout]

No official visit or commerce meetings. Nothing to get feathers ruffled by.

Embassies often host parties through the year. Lunar new year is a major event and no surprise the embassy had a party. Andrew and the others simply received a private invitation to attend a party. There were likely many people in their circle attending such an event.

If the photo were just of Beatrice and Edo I don't think anyone would blink. It would automatically be assumed it was private. As they are private citizens.

One reassurance people could have is Andrew no longer has official role. No one can worry he was invited to get some influence over him for trade. Days are done for that.

If he was hoping for personal business, he wouldn't be there at a huge party. Or with his family. It would be private meetings.

[Mbruno]

I don't see what the big deal is. Given the severity of the current coronavirus outbreak, it is perfectly reasonable that the topic would arise in conversation with the Chinese ambassador and that Prince Andrew would unofficially mention her mother's concern about the situation in China. I am also pretty sure the Chinese greatly appreciated that and that Prince Andrew's intervention helped to improve relations between China and the UK.

[ladongas]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I don't see what the big deal is. Given the severity of the current coronavirus outbreak, it is perfectly reasonable that the topic would arise in conversation with the Chinese ambassador and that Prince Andrew would unofficially mention her mother's concern about the situation in China. I am also pretty sure the Chinese greatly appreciated that and that Prince Andrew's intervention helped to improve relations between China and the UK.

Of course. Tempest in a teapot.

[sndral]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I don't see what the big deal is. Given the severity of the current coronavirus outbreak, it is perfectly reasonable that the topic would arise in conversation with the Chinese ambassador and that Prince Andrew would unofficially mention her mother's concern about the situation in China. I am also pretty sure the Chinese greatly appreciated that and that Prince Andrew's intervention helped to improve relations between China and the UK.

Originally Posted by ladongas

Of course. Tempest in a teapot.

It appears the Chinese ambassador has criticized the U.K. government re: the epidemic, see, eg: https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...navirus-advice, my point is that Andrew provided additional ammunition to the ambassador. In the scheme of things NBD, but still unfortunate, particularly since the Queen is so very careful in making statements, and steps will need to be taken to assure that Andrew doesn’t create more issues going forward IMO.

[Leopoldine]

Originally Posted by Lilyflo

I would imagine that members of the BRF (working or not) would have to clear it with the FCO before accepting an invitation from a foreign ambassador. The potential for a diplomatic 'difficulty' is huge, particularly if the invitees are tactless, ego-driven & loose lipped.

At the time, I believe the Foreign Secretary was out of the country, so that is one potential loophole that allowed this. We also have what is perceived to be a cabinet in flux, namely the various ministers' special advisors, many of whom may get the chop this week if the traditional broadsheet newspapers are to be believed. So maybe no one was minding the shop?

The ambassador may have invited the Yorks, but the Yorks should have declined rather than freelance at such a sensitive time in the UK-China relationship. Coronavirus and Huawei topics are well beyond the diplomatic abilities of these four guests of the Chinese ambassador.

[princess carmen]

Andrew wouldn't decline an invitation, if he knew people there. If this was a private event
the Chinese should have kept it that way and not said anything.

[sndral]

Originally Posted by princess carmen

Andrew wouldn't decline an invitation, if he knew people there. If this was a private event
the Chinese should have kept it that way and not said anything.

Unless the Chinese ambassador signed a do not disclose agreement he was under no obligation to not speak. I seriously doubt that the Yorks and the ambassadorial couple were personal friends having an intimate dinner.
For years I worked in an office run by an elected official. Occasionally my office would be getting press for various topics and it’s just common sense when attending events - public, semi private, or private, to not comment on things currently in the press that I was not authorized to comment on. At a minimum I would preface my remarks w/ I can’t speak for my elected official boss or my office, but my personal thoughts are. Personally I found it far easier to keep my personal thoughts to myself because IME, even when commenting, the listener has a tendency to hear what they want to hear and the press has a tendency to misquote you or to take a comment out of context and make it mean something entirely different than what you intended. The Yorks have been in the public eye long enough and Andrew in a public quasi official position long enough that they and especially he, should know to politely refrain from opining about such things, particularly when the topic was already the subject of controversy between the countries involved and getting press coverage.

[iceflower]

Eugenie, Beatrice and her fiance Edo Mapelli Mozzi went out for dinner at the Isabel restaurant in Mayfair yesterday, March 4:



** dm article: Sharing bridal tips? Princess Eugenie joins Princess Beatrice..**

[Lumutqueen]

https://twitter.com/sarahtheduchess/...238945280?s=21

A lovely photo of Eugenie shared by her mum on her birthday.

[Duchessmary]

I can't believe she's 30. Where has the ^&* time gone??

[CyrilVladisla]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

https://twitter.com/sarahtheduchess/...238945280?s=21

A lovely photo of Eugenie shared by her mum on her birthday.

The sparkle in Princess Eugenie's pretty blue eyes is wonderful to see!

[eya]

Duchess of York and Princess Eugenie gave care packages NHS staff who have been working on 26 March

https://instagram.fath3-4.fna.fbcdn....d6&oe=5EADC9A5
https://instagram.fath3-3.fna.fbcdn....bb&oe=5EB0F361


And yesterday the Duchess she bought Whole Foods products for some self-isolated doctors in Hammersmith.

https://instagram.fath3-3.fna.fbcdn....98&oe=5EB0CCE0