Popularity of the Royal Family in Norway - Page 2

ysbel · #21 01-17-2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandy

Perhaps being a reporter, Tottland can't think past his nose. Märtha Louise has to earn to her own living whereas the other members of the Royal Family get a government allowance. She receives a "stipend" from the King when she performs royal duties other than that, she is on her own. Why should Märtha Louise give up a successful career to live on an allowance that would be dramatically less than what she is accustomed to.

That's what I think. First they complain that the minor royals are sponging off the government without doing anything and then when the royals get careers of their own, they complain that the royals are using their connections and titles to further their careers. Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex faced the same criticism in the UK.

And who doesn't use their connections to further their career if they have the connections? Just because royals have better connections than the rest of us doesn't mean they shouldn't further their careers the way the rest of the world does. It's a lot better than sponging off the government for one or two events a years.

Mandy · #22 01-19-2006, 12:41 PM

I could believe this shuffle http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/364865-post6.html was to reflect Märtha Louise's career plans if it had occurred before the survey "who is doing the best job" showing Märtha Louise and Mette-Marit at almost at the same percentage. But, I really feel it's an attempt to boost Mette-Mette's percentages as she's picking up six patronships from Märtha Louise.

So, with all the complaining about Märtha Louise not performing enough royal duties, how is she to do more if her patronages (from 17 to 6) are being taken away?!

Larzen · #23 01-19-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandy

I could believe this shuffle http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/364865-post6.html was to reflect Märtha Louise's career plans if it had occurred before the survey "who is doing the best job" showing Märtha Louise and Mette-Marit at almost at the same percentage. But, I really feel it's an attempt to boost Mette-Mette's percentages as she's picking up six patronships from Märtha Louise.

No, only one of Mette-Marits patronages comes from Märtha Louise, one comes from the Queen and the rest are new, ie they did not have a royal patron before as far as I know. I dont think the royal family gives 5 cent about a poll in Se og Rør (The King said recently they dont navigate after polls), they already quit their patronages in June 05, and already back then it was anounced that there would be changes (especially that the King and Queen would quit some of theirs to follow the doctors advice to slow down)
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=105043
The King had 42, now he has 22, The Queen used to have 18 now she has 12

There is nothing that says that if Princess Märtha wants to do royal events, she can attend events not related to her patronages.

Laviollette · #24 02-13-2006, 05:38 PM

I keep seeing polls in the Norwegian press showing the royals are much less popular today than even five years ago. It always seems to coincide with Mette-Marit entering the family. Not so much because of her "past" but that she hasn't performed as "Crown Princess" as well as Maxima and Mary have. Both of them are popular beyond belief and have raised the popularity of their respective royal families. Letizia is doing a good job too though she is not as popular as Prince Felipe who himself is not as popular as King Juan Carlos. But they are popular.

So what's the problem with Mette-Marit? Why hasn't she connected with her Norwegian public? She certainly has a sweet personality and a strong character considering what she's gone through.

moosey60 · #25 02-13-2006, 05:43 PM

I thought she was popular, though...and even more now that she's added (Marius,) Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus to the family. And she seems like an excellent connection to the single mothers of Norway. She's down-to-earth and accessible too.

I think it's just the idea of the monarchy in general that's less popular these days. I don't think it's specifically Mette-Marit that's making the family less popular.

Laviollette · #26 02-13-2006, 07:11 PM

But isn't it the job of the crown princess to make the monarchy look more attractive, to help make it relevant to people's lives by working hard and making public appearance after public appearance? There are an endless amount of photos available of Letizia, Mary and Maxima doing tons of appearances, advocating for their causes and supporting their husbands. Even Duchess Camilla seems to make public appearances more often than Mette-Marit. She just seems comfortable behind palace walls but hasn't really earned her keep.

kwanfan · #27 02-13-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laviollette

But isn't it the job of the crown princess to make the monarchy look more attractive, to help make it relevant to people's lives by working hard and making public appearance after public appearance? There are an endless amount of photos available of Letizia, Mary and Maxima doing tons of appearances, advocating for their causes and supporting their husbands. Even Duchess Camilla seems to make public appearances more often than Mette-Marit. She just seems comfortable behind palace walls but hasn't really earned her keep.

Mette-Marit made three trips abroad this year, including one on her own. She also went to Denmark recently a month and a half after giving birth. She went to Greece for Odysseas Kimon's christening, and to Britain for Charles and Camilla's wedding, along with the opening of the Queen Maud exhibition. She also had a difficulat pregnancy. This past year, for someone with two young children and a difficult pregnancy, I think she carried out an awful lot of engagments.

crisiñaki · #28 02-13-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwanfan

Mette-Marit made three trips abroad this year, including one on her own. She also went to Denmark recently a month and a half after giving birth. She went to Greece for Odysseas Kimon's christening, and to Britain for Charles and Camilla's wedding, along with the opening of the Queen Maud exhibition. She also had a difficulat pregnancy. This past year, for someone with two young children and a difficult pregnancy, I think she carried out an awful lot of engagments.

The same happened with Letizia and Mary and they still carry on with their public acts as nothing happened so, where does that leave Mette-Marit?

Laviollette · #29 02-13-2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwanfan

Mette-Marit made three trips abroad this year, including one on her own. She also went to Denmark recently a month and a half after giving birth. She went to Greece for Odysseas Kimon's christening, and to Britain for Charles and Camilla's wedding, along with the opening of the Queen Maud exhibition. She also had a difficulat pregnancy. This past year, for someone with two young children and a difficult pregnancy, I think she carried out an awful lot of engagments.

I think she does as good a job as she can do. I think the trip to Britain last year was fantastic but it doesn't change the perception that she hasn't brought a positive affect on the monarchy. I don't know why. I know the royal couple recently hired a new PR person. Maybe all that they do will be communicated better to the people of Norway, where it counts. Crown Prince Haakon gets high marks for his performance. Mette-Marit should share in that.

kwanfan · #30 02-13-2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crisiñaki

The same happened with Letizia and Mary and they still carry on with their public acts as nothing happened so, where does that leave Mette-Marit?

Letizia and Mary don't have two young kids, and aside from the early contractions, Letizia and Mary seemed to have fairly easy pregnancies.

Laviollette · #31 02-13-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwanfan

Letizia and Mary don't have two young kids, and aside from the early contractions, Letizia and Mary seemed to have fairly easy pregnancies.

Will any of this really matter when the monarchy in Norway is replaced with a Republic?

Alexandria · #32 02-13-2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwanfan

Letizia and Mary don't have two young kids, and aside from the early contractions, Letizia and Mary seemed to have fairly easy pregnancies.

I agree kwanfan. Mette-Marit's pregnancy had to be announced earlier than expected (the same day as Mary's pregnancy in fact, when she was due about six weeks after Mary) because she had to cancel some engagements due to a difficult beginning.

Letizia kept up a rigorous schedule during her pregnancy, missing out on a few events here and there, but very little.

Mary, especially in her last trimester, was (as far as I could tell) the busiest member of the Danish royal family.

But both women have said that they had easy pregnancies, especially considering that they were also first pregnancies.

From the beginning Mette-Marit had a difficult pregnancy and I think no one would've wanted her to go out and keep representing the family if her health or the baby's health was at risk. I'm sure that if Mary had been feeling unwell, no one would've pressured her to keep up with her schedule -- everyone would agree that the baby's health and Mary's health are far more important.

At any rate, you can't compare pregnancies. Mary, Letizia and Mette-Marit made their own decisions, with guidance from their doctors about what was best for them and the status of their health. How can you say that someone should keep working if they feel unwell?

norge · #33 02-14-2006, 01:30 AM

It's weird, if a beauty such as Mette Marit was a first lady or daughter in America, or a princess in England, she would probably be the most photographed person in the world like Diana. She just seems so anonymous in Norway despite being such a natural beauty. I always thought she would burst out onto the scene and become more of a national figure. But hey, she's got more important things to tend to now...

norwegianne · #34 02-14-2006, 02:15 AM

Let's see - Mette-Marit studied for a year in London, during which she did undertake some duties, but focussed on her studies. There's a difference there between the other Crown Princesses, who came into the role fully educated.

She has also been pregnant twice, one of the pregnancies were difficult and she was advised to cut down on public duties. She broke her leg, which cut down on some of the public royal duties, although she was limping around on crutches when she could. She was scarred by a German television interview. She had pneumonia. All things that cut down on public duties.

To me, it seems that Mette-Marit has done a lot of duties - and that she is fairly popular in Norway, despite the polls. (Personally I don't trust polls in newspapers, after having had statistics class this semester, and learnt how stuff like that can be twisted to suit the journalist's need.) She's been burdened with a father, who most people see a bit like a clown, but this only seem to get people to say "poor Mette-Marit" instead of blaming her for his antics.

But yes, in the land of the Jante Law - Mette-Marit's life as a princess is not easy.

Laviollette · #35 02-14-2006, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norge

It's weird, if a beauty such as Mette Marit was a first lady or daughter in America, or a princess in England, she would probably be the most photographed person in the world like Diana. She just seems so anonymous in Norway despite being such a natural beauty. I always thought she would burst out onto the scene and become more of a national figure. But hey, she's got more important things to tend to now...

I think she's totally beautiful and sweet but yeah, she does seem anonymous in Norway. And as time goes on she seems almost not important to Norwegians even though she has given birth to two heirs now and is a mother of three. She's obviously a great mother and that is important but that warmth and caring for people especially children hasn't gotten through to the public I guess. Also while she has "more important things to tend to now" what's more important, besides producing the heirs, than making the monarchy popular so that you preserve the throne for those heirs?

UserDane · #36 02-14-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norge

It's weird, if a beauty such as Mette Marit was a first lady or daughter in America, or a princess in England, she would probably be the most photographed person in the world like Diana. She just seems so anonymous in Norway despite being such a natural beauty. I always thought she would burst out onto the scene and become more of a national figure.

I agree; it is strange. I find Mette Marit very very pretty, in some pictures almost breathtakingly beautiful because of her 'clear-cut' face. I find it strange that she isn't more photographed. I don't know her, but I have always liked her, just by looking at pictures of her

Fashionista100 · #37 02-14-2006, 09:59 AM

I'm not a big fan of Mette-Marit, but I don't think she is trying to NOT be popular. I think her personality is just more suited for an unknown life. She seems to be a quiet, caring person who loves Haakon and her children. But she doesn't mesh with the public. I don't think the public blames her though. They understand. She seems terribly shy. I also think she looks very natural girl next door, casual and other Crown Princesses project the expected image of a royal. But will this bring the downfall of the Monarchy? Doubtfull. Every royal family goes through this type of thing. It's called change. If anything we must applaud Haakon for marrying a woman for love and support, not b/c of what the Crown or the people expect. I sense while she made poor choices that I cannot respect in her early life, she has been given a second choice and is taking it slowly and doing well.

As far as pregnancy goes. I am in my 14th week and all I can say is I'm in absolute misery. And I mean misery. I have difficulty doing basic things around the house, much less going to work. It is a daily struggle to keep food down. If Mette went through this, she has my total sympathy!!

Gillian · #38 02-14-2006, 10:06 AM

I Think yes,because Mette Marit is very sweet:)

Smilla · #39 02-14-2006, 11:19 AM

I think she is shy and not cut out for the life of crown princess. So she keeps in the background and can't get brownie points like other CPss who go to galas, smile at charities and generally look gorgeous. Maybe she simply underestimated the changes she'd have to make - I wouldn't want to be in her shoes.

Princess BellyFlop · #40 02-14-2006, 11:49 AM

Maybe we don't hear more about Mette-Marit because she's not exactly a fashion icon. Sadly. Don't get me wrong: she can be elegant and is a stunning beauty but she and/or her stylists too often make basic mistakes. Too often a detail is ruining the entire look. With time the photographers got used to that and are not running after her to get THE amazing picture simply because a little detail will derail the look. After the shiny pantyhose, we are in the always dark and heavy ones. Boring.