Albert & Charlene: The Engagement Interview - Page 2

KittyAtlanta · #21 10-04-2010, 06:09 PM

I didn't find her arrogant, I found her nervous. I agree, her French leaves a lot to be desired. I found the question regarding children a bit silly from the interveiwer and would have probably responded the same way. What I was pleased to see is that PA's mannerisms indicate he is just absolutely smitten with her. Considering her origins, I think she did quite well.

Commonconsort · #22 10-04-2010, 09:45 PM

I think she did as well as any other royal fiancee who had to learn a new language and I agree, KittlyA, that she was very nervous.
What bothers me most is the lack of warmth between these two. I can see no spark at all.
Interesting that Al still stammers when he speaks French.

Renata4711 · #23 10-05-2010, 02:26 AM

I don't think he will ever lose the stammer - it reminds him of his father.

By contrast, he felt much more comfortable with his US relatives, and doesn't stammer when with them.

melina premiere · #24 10-05-2010, 09:19 AM

I don't see there was not warmth between the two, when she spoke in french, he looked her with love, ; Also when she ashed him, if it was this answer she must say, he said her it was rigt, when she said there was a house where to escape, he said in taking her arm", when things complicate "she said lovely "no", also when she said she hoped to be ready, he said I am sure you are. he looked her in laughing when she said "take us a break". She was nervous, and he knows how a first interview gives stress. There was also no caoching for this interview, other persons would have ask a coaching, she no I think that's courageux.

lyndaW · #25 10-05-2010, 11:53 AM

I still think Albert could have done much better, but he seems "comfortable" with her

melina premiere · #26 10-05-2010, 01:38 PM

I agree with you

**Zonk** · #27 10-09-2010, 12:41 PM

So that the interview of Albert & Charlene doesn't take over the engagement thread, the musings thread as well as their current events threads, the Monaco moderators have decided to create a thread to discuss the interview that Albert and Charlene gave following the announcement of their engagement.

Please remember the following:

We expect our members to treat each other with respect.
Opinions should be backed up by reference to published reports.
Empty posts, that is posts that do not add or contribute to the discussion, will be removed without notice.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the moderating team.

Happy Posting!

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Moonmaiden23 · #28 10-09-2010, 02:37 PM

What surprised me was her answer to the "Vous etes Protestante?" question..."Non...je suis Chretien"...surely she must understand that any NON CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN IS CONSIDERED PROTESTANT??

(With the exception of the Orthodox)

The word Protestant implies that you do NOT accept the authority of the Bishop of Rome-the Pope-as head of the Universal Church.

That is why a Catholic-though indeed Christian-does not describe him/herself as merely Christian...it is to differentiate themselves from all the other baptized followers of Christ...a Catholic is a Christian who believes the Pope is the successor to the Apostle Peter as head of the Christian Church. Even the interviewer seemed confused..thank goodness he didn't ask her what she meant by the nonsensical "Je suis chretien".

Charlene seems very sweet, but her answer regarding religion indicates confusion at best and ignorance at worst. I was a little embarrassed for her, shame on PA and her handlers for not getting her up to speed.

**Zonk** · #29 10-09-2010, 02:38 PM

I definitely think that the Monaco handlers could be doing a better job of preparing her to be a Princess. Maybe because its been a while since they last had to do it?
I don't know.

Moonmaiden23 · #30 10-09-2010, 02:58 PM

As usual Zonk...we are on the same wavelength. Her French is hesitant, but it is fairly correct grammatically speaking...and she seems to understand perfectly, which is a relief. I am surprised she is not yet fluent, but I have no doubt she will be soon.

As for her answer regarding children, I think she was caught off guard, not being arrogant at all. The answer in French ("Donnez-nous le temps"...I think?) sounded much nicer than the English "Give us a break". In fact hours after the birth of Prince William someone asked Prince Charles about more children and his reply was "Bloody hell...give us a chance!" while Diana's was the even more testy "I am NOT a machine!"...can you imagine if CW had said that??

She and PA seem very much on the same wavelength...the only part of the interview that gave me problems was CW's apparent ignorance regarding Catholicism/Protestantism actually.

Renata4711 · #31 10-09-2010, 04:59 PM

I think it's quite normal for many people not to be au fait with questions of religion.

Adherence to religions/denominations is shrinking as we speak.

I would not have taken exception to CW describing herself as a Christian, rather than as an adherent to, say, Roman Catholicism, or any other denomination.

It may well be that, as a child, she was baptised. If so, then half the battle is done, since baptism is the foundation stone (so to speak) on which one can build in later life.

The main issue is that any child of the PA/CW marriage is baptised a Roman Catholic.

**Zonk** · #32 10-09-2010, 05:30 PM

Personally I don't find the Give us a break comment offensive at all. I believe asking the comment is offensive.

First because its like...Can we get married first and enjoy married life before having a child.

Look at Victoria...she married in June and now people are asking when is she going to have a child. Almost everyone looks at her stomach before looking at her face.

Can Albert and Charlene get married first?

Commonconsort · #33 10-09-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonk

Personally I don't find the Give us a break comment offensive at all. I believe asking the comment is offensive.

First because its like...Can we get married first and enjoy married life before having a child.

Look at Victoria...she married in June and now people are asking when is she going to have a child. Almost everyone looks at her stomach before looking at her face.

Can Albert and Charlene get married first?

Indeed. Al has already had two without getting maried

Is there a requirement that a Princesse de Monaco be Catholic ?

rosana · #34 10-09-2010, 06:43 PM

The question about having a family can never be agressive. It is an ovbious question for a couple that is going to marry. He did not ask "when are you going to have a child". Besides, how long will this couple enjoy married life? As far as I know CW has been living in tha Palace for long. Her answer should have been polite and politically correct. Like PA said after her: "yes of course we want a family".
Instead she answers as if she were among a group of friends. No class at all, and no excuse as regards the language.

**Zonk** · #35 10-09-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosana

The question about having a family can never be agressive. It is an ovbious question for a couple that is going to marry. He did not ask "when are you going to have a child". Besides, how long will this couple enjoy married life? As far as I know CW has been living in tha Palace for long. Her answer should have been polite and politically correct. Like PA said after her: "yes of course we want a family".
Instead she answers as if she were among a group of friends. No class at all, and no excuse as regards the language.

We must agree to disagree then. I find it a rude and none of your business question. And I think asking this question is rude if you are royal, your family, someone you work with anyone.

First, what if they don't want to have children? Not everyone does even though it is widely l acknowledged that Albert should have children to secure Monaco's succession.

Finally, what if whatever reason they can't have kids. Again, I would assume that this has been checked out by the Monaco powers that be but still.

I will agree that Charlene could have handled the question (and the interview) better. I don'tknow who is in charge of the "Princess training" but they are not doing a good job. Maybe they should try to hire the people who worked with Daniel, Maxima, etc.

FanofMonaco · #36 10-09-2010, 11:22 PM

I think you are all being a little hard on Charlene. Remember how Charlotte was nervous and ehhing in her first television interview and she was speaking in her native language. Also, it hasn't been that long ago that Caroline Kennedy was crucified by the American press for her lack of interviewing skills when she tried to get appointed Senator for New York State. Caroline and Charlotte have been in the public eye their entire lives. Think how much more difficult it is for Charlene. I think that they are all just basically shy people. The same for PA. Personally, I find it quite refreshing. They come across as normal people; not jaded politicians.

Lakshmi · #37 10-10-2010, 02:36 AM

I think it is amazing how the same interview is interpreted so differently.

Charlene and Albert seemed really disconnected in this interview. When asked about kids CW said "Give use a brake" and Albert diplomatically "We want to start family"

When Albert stated " When things get complicated" , Charlene was like "No". Dear, those people are together 4 years and they cannot agree on basics.

Charlene's French is horrible. Excuse me, this woman has been living in Monaco full 4 years and she had no job, no duties and all the means provided by a rich prince, she had plenty of time to learn French.

I don't think she was nervous, she was giggling like a little girl and from her prior numerous interviews I know her vocabulary is limited also in her native language, English.

There is no excuse that Charlene was nervous during this interview because it was her first one. She had a lot of interviews before. BTW she has been blabbing a lot for the last four years. By no means she is a shy girl, rather self confident and even arrogant.

rosana · #38 10-10-2010, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonk

First, what if they don't want to have children? Not everyone does even though it is widely l acknowledged that Albert should have children to secure Monaco's succession.

Well, we know that´s far from reality but, that´s why the question!! Do they want or not?

I see that CW attitude is seen very differently, from shy to arrogant, which are almost opposite terms. For me she is just conceited and ambitious. She has known for long she would be a princess one day. PA didn´t let her live in the Palace, and with all means at her will, just waiting for an answer. So, why bother? This woman is laziness in person.

And, come on, to answer a stupid question like, "is swimming helping you coping with stress" (which she didn´t answer at all) or "do you want to have children", you don´t need anybody else to write a script for you. Imagine she has to preside over the Prince Pierre Awards meetings! I hope Caroline stays where she is, as Honorary F. Lady, or whatever.

Nathalie Cox · #39 10-10-2010, 12:39 PM

About Charlotte and the constantly "eehh...", i think it's natural in french speakers do that. If there's any french here, please correct me if i'm wrong, but the "eehh" it's totally natural when they talk.
About Charlene: For me, she didn't know how to handle the interview. It was like they told her one minute before that she was going to be interviewed. And that was the result.
She could have answered differently to the children question, just like Albert did.
And i'm sorry, but i insist with her french: 4 years, she was living there 4 years, not 4 months. She should be more fluent. I don't get why there are here so condescent people defending her...

Commonconsort · #40 10-10-2010, 02:58 PM

I get the impression that her French might not be that bad and that she was just totally unprepared for the interview and nervous.
Her job as princesse de Monaco wont exactly be rocket science anyway. She will be required to smile, look pretty in Armani and provide an heir. She already does the first two and even if she cant manage the third, there are plenty of alternatives.

IMO she is too good for thisfamily.