Albert & Charlene: The Engagement Interview

[Renata4711]

I don't believe that she had no advance warning about the interview. Patrick Poivre d'Arvor (known as PPDA, and very well known!) is one of France's foremost media personalities, and the interview had been planned well in advance.

That the interview fell apart at the end is mainly due to PA who did not prepare CW, and due to CW who seems to think she can do and say to the media whatever she chooses.

[rosana]

Originally Posted by Commonconsort

IMO she is too good for thisfamily.

Dear commonconsort, if you could just say "at what" is she good.

[Commonconsort]

Originally Posted by rosana

Dear commonconsort, if you could just say "at what" is she good.

She is good at not being photographed topless, not getting pregnant or having children outside of marriage, not having any previous husbands ....

[rosana]

Originally Posted by Commonconsort

She is good at not being photographed topless, not getting pregnant or having children outside of marriage, not having any previous husbands ....

And the list can go on and on. She really good at NOT getting a job, not studying anything at all, not learning a language, not answering a silly question in her onw language, etc, etc. After all, what she has to do is smile and have a child, and for that, she doen´t need her brains.

[Zonk]

Not sure what any of this has to do with the actual interview...so let's move on.

[Renata4711]

Zonk, you're right, this is about the interview.

The PPDA interview was no doubt envisaged as a major media coup - partly for managing to get PPDA out of retirement to do the job !!

Sadly, it fell apart through lack of coaching, maybe not through PA's fault.

But I would have thought that PA, after a series of media problems over five or six years, could have "played safe" on that one.

My heart sank when CW said she "would like to get to know France"...... quel dommage....

[melina premiere]

she said I would like to get to know France "and then she added " monaco I know' I don't understand why your heard sank, Monaco is a very very small country the second after the state of Vatican in superficie ( 2 km2). In five years, you have the time to know the landscape of Monaco,Sea and a little mountain behind. France is bigger and various landscapeS ' high mountains, lakes, rivers, a sea and two oceans. And it was to be pleased with PPa reporter who is french.Prince Albert was agree with this answer. IT was a fair answer.

[Commonconsort]

Originally Posted by Commonconsort

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.

Yes, rosana, like I said.

[Zonk]

I think it can be a lot of things explaining why this interview was a pseudo disaster (that's a strong word but it didn't go well). Obviously Charlene could be a little more proficient in French (she has had 4 years to work on it) and she might have been nervous. That bit is certain understandable.

As previously mentioned, people who appear in the public eye and have spoken in public in the past (i.e. Charlotte C. and Caroline Kennedy) still appear nervous when they speak, so that might account for the flippant answers.

Also, as previously stated some of the questions were a bit ridiculous she just needs to get better at giving the answer without giving the answer. Something along the lines, We would love to be blessed with children, but let's not put the cart before the horse kind of thing might be okay. And a nicer way of saying...Can I get married first?

[rosana]

Originally Posted by Commonconsort

Yes, rosana, like I said.

You don´t get an irony, do you?

If the Grimaldi´s are a bad example because they had previous marriages, illegitimate children, or have made topless(?¿), you are living in the Middle Ages. People are not better or worst for that. At least they have University titles, or have made an effort to learn a living without the need of it (like Stephanie).

As for the interview, I still don´t get how the questions can be seen as silly. It is a way of make an excuse for her.The interviewer is experienced and well known.

I wonder what would you ask CW before the wedding. You cannot ask about her past jobs or any interesting activity, you cannot ask how are your French classes, because it is obvious. She doesn´t even make an effort. She just turns to English with a childish "oh I will answer in English", as if she had arrived yesterday. What are the intelligent questions you would ask CW?

[Zonk]

I was under the impression that you too thought some of the questions were silly, or at least I got that from a previous post:

Originally Posted by rosana

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.

Personally I find some questions regarding royals are rather unimportant for lack of a better word. The questions and the answers are rather fluffy or popcorn light. Or maybe its the royal or the time frame. Diana's intial interview was just as bubblegum, if anyone can remember that Are you in love question.

Certainly, if Charlene had participated in programs such as AMDADE and AIDS, then the questions would have more relevance and would have cause for serious answers. Certainly Charles could have a serious interview about the environment, Maxima about microfinance, etc. The problem is that Charlene doesn't have a serious agenda to discuss.

Again, whoever is doing her PR work needs to reassigned. Its not looking so good.

[rosana]

Yes, I should have used another word instead of "stupid", because it can be misinterpreted. I didn´t mean the questions were inappropppriate, but simple.

I have the impression there is a team of people who are in charge of her image, what is shown in public, let´s say, personal apearence and everything included like make-up, clothes. But there is another aspect they have not given much importance (or her), which is the way she´s going to deal, express, connect with people. Not only a language is a way of communicating, the body language, the gestures.
Her smile is always the same, she doesn´t have any shades, it´s like a wax smile, she shows no emotions. Always the same boring, inexpressive face.

[Zonk]

Simple is another word for bubblegum IMO.

And I still think the family question is inappropriate but that is me. I was speaking with a friend today about a common friend, and he mentioned that the woman (that we are both friends with) does not want any children. Now she and her husband have been married for like 5 years, and I always wondered if they were going to have children but didn't think it was my place to ask. And now I know.

Now it could be stated that as a public figure both Charlene and Albert have to answer all questions, but I think EVERY one is entitled to some facet of privacy. Even Charlene and Albert.

But in regards to the actual interview, the questions asked were empty questions that don't show any substance on behalf of the interviewer or the interviewee.

Her face is her face, you can't change that. I think a majority of people in the public eye are used to showing no emotion. Especially royals.

[Commonconsort]

Originally Posted by rosana

You don´t get an irony, do you?

If the Grimaldi´s are a bad example because they had previous marriages, illegitimate children, or have made topless(?¿), you are living in the Middle Ages. People are not better or worst for that. At least they have University titles, or have made an effort to learn a living without the need of it (like Stephanie).

As for the interview, I still don´t get how the questions can be seen as silly. It is a way of make an excuse for her.The interviewer is experienced and well known.

I wonder what would you ask CW before the wedding. You cannot ask about her past jobs or any interesting activity, you cannot ask how are your French classes, because it is obvious. She doesn´t even make an effort. She just turns to English with a childish "oh I will answer in English", as if she had arrived yesterday. What are the intelligent questions you would ask CW?

I did not say they were a bad example. IMO Miss Wittstock has led a much more dignified and decorous life than the Grimaldis. (University degrees they might have but which of them exactly are "earning a living " ??
AFAIK divorces and illegitimate children are as frowned upon by Catholic teachings now as they were in the "Middle Ages"##..and what would I ask her before the wedding ????.....I would ask her why o why she wants to marry this middle-aged little man.

And, with the execption of Mathilde, I believe Miss Wittstock is an acceptable a consort as any of the other current commoner consorts.

[Nathalie Cox]

I'm sorry, this has nothing to do with the discussion, but i just couldn't resist. I laughed so hard when i read this:

she wants to marry this middle-aged little man

Middle aged little man, it's so funny ok, maybe it's not funny but i'm weird so...

[Jaya]

Throughout the interview CW's mouth actions[like moving her mouth about} were strange and she was self conscious to the point of distraction. She had no poise.She lacked the assurance that a person about to enter a public position like this should have.
The question regarding family is asked of all betrothed couples in a public position and I do not think it was disrespectful.However I do think CW has gotten in over her head and as such there will be choppy waters ahead. As for the PR team CW can hire and fire them.
The hardest thing in life is to be exactly who you are and that is what Pa and Cw are in the interview.
Not even being being able differentiate between Christian and Catholic is an embarrassment.Had Cw converted she would have spoken of catechism I think and how she gladly anticipates family therefore and her firstState visit to the vatican which is what the Monequasque couple do as protocol. An opportunity to be received by the Pope. Instead of that brush off she gave the reporter. They are not totally private and ultimately accountable to Monaco.

[COUNTESS]

She is young and lovely and for some reason has incurred the wrath of many here. First of all, her French, perhaps, still a struggle. I read some of the posts on this site and admire that many people whose English is less than "perfect" post, and good for them. But if she made some ridiculous mistake, she would be derided. Asking someone about their plans for children is rude. If you ask any bride that question, it is plain rude. As time passes, she will get used to being in the public eye and how to skirt around the questions.

[rosana]

Originally Posted by Commonconsort

AFAIK divorces and illegitimate children are as frowned upon by Catholic teachings now as they were in the "Middle Ages"##..

The Church is still in the Middle Ages, and the though of many of its members, as well as your.

[rosana]

Originally Posted by COUNTESS

She is young and lovely and for some reason has incurred the wrath of many here. First of all, her French, perhaps, still a struggle. I read some of the posts on this site and admire that many people whose English is less than "perfect" post, and good for them.

It is a pity we cannot find out how YOU write in another language. I suppose you are competent in several languages, as you are so quick to criticize others.

[Moonmaiden23]

rosana, I must disagree with your "Church is in the Middle Ages" criticism.

There is a lot to be said for encouraging people to honor marital vows, and to not take it lightly, and to respect the commitment once it is made.

There is much to be said for urging people to bring children into a loving and stable family with TWO parents..imagine the embarrassment PA would have avoided if he had been more careful(regarding his two natural children?)

Imagine the pain Princess Stephanie would have saved herself if she had listened to the teachings of the "Middle Ages Catholic Church" before she took up with her bodyguard?

The Catholic Church is far from perfect but it, as well as it's teachings have been around for 2,000 years...and there is a good reason for that.