Herlufsholm Boarding & Day School - Incidents and Reactions of the Royal Family

[Muhler]

Okay, I've just watched the docu and this is written with the thoughts that's going through my mind right now.

I looked at the docu with critical eyes, because Herlufsholm is a "posh school" so many may have an interest in picking on that school for that reason alone.
I also asked myself: If there is a culture of bullying at Herlufsholm, how come the parents, who will typically be people with resources, money and at least some influence, won't shout out to high heaven and put an end to it?
Does the journalists have an agenda with this docu?

The docu focused only on what happened among the boys, no doubt there is a similar bullying culture in place among the girls as well.

- This docu was seriously bad for the school in general and for the headmaster in particular! To the point that I will be very surprised if he has not been resigned before the end of this month.
He left a very poor impression of himself. He was not at all convincing to me and he was really in the deep end when faced with pointed questions by the journalists.

But what was most damaging to me was the evidence.

The board under the Ministry of Education who check schools in DK has put Herlufsholm among the 10 % worst schools in regards to reports of bullying and general unhappiness among the pupils.
There were videos of cases of direct violence and sexual abuse, that had they been reported to the police would be investigated as criminal offenses.
There were examples of systematic violence in letters by parents who complained to the school, because their children had been temporarily suspended for being bullies. These letters indicated clearly that it was a culture at the school and that their own children had been subjected to a similar treatment when they were younger pupils.
There were documents clearly indicating that the school had played down and not reported all facts to the Ministry of Education.

There was also evidence in the case of a girl claiming she had been raped, where the school tried to stall the investigation to the extent than when the police was involved, they filed the case due to lack of (fresh) evidence.

The culture at the school is one where the last year high school students are in charge. That includes keeping order and punishing pupils who are out in whatever form. These punishments are physical abuse as well as humiliations.

The docu used two former pupils who talked about what they had been through or witnessed. as well as referring to conversations with some 50 former pupils, most of whom confirmed that bullying takes place and is tolerated as part of the system.

- I won't put too much into that, because you can always find someone to say something that fits your agenda.

So it's documented facts that I put most credence to.

There have over the past ten or so years been four cases of alleged rapes at the school, two of which was investigated by the police, one ending up in a conviction.
That's a lot for any school!

There is a system at the school, where if you are in, you have a great time there. If you are out, you have a terrible time there. Then you only have two options: Endure and/or leave. Or suck it up "like a man" and gain respect that way.

But why not speak out? Why doesn't former pupils who were bullied speak out afterwards?
Well, according to the docu Herlufsholm has a strong network of "old boys". It can have consequences for your career if you speak bad about Herlufsholm or one of the "old boys" there.

-----------

As I see it, and I think that's well known. Most at Herlufsholm come from roughly the same social circle and most will know other pupils there. So there is already a network in place when you arrive, protecting and helping you.

I don't think Christian or Nikolai have been involved in something. Especially not Christian, he is too high up the hierarchy as is, and he has a large network in place. No one will touch him more than "for fun" and he won't have to take part in anything anyway or even know about it.

But why hasn't Herlufsholm taken action against these repeated and quite serious reports? It's an elite school, not some third rate continuation school in some remote part of DK.
A number of parents who went to Herlufsholm will no doubt tell their children to suck it up, "it makes you stronger!"
A number of the teachers are former pupils at Helufsholm, they will know what goes on, they've been there! - The logic conclusion to me is that they "believe in the system." The headmaster believes in the system. The school board believes in the system - so nothing is done.
And being an elite school, a private elite school, there is no interest is airing the dirty laundry.

But what about M&F?

IMO they have a serious problem on their hands!
Okay, prior to Nikolai no member of the DRF went to Herlufsholm - in modern times at least, so they could be excused for not knowing what goes on. But why didn't they check the reports from the Ministry of Education?
Can it really be true that no one among their large circle of friends, many of whom went to Herlufsholm, warned them?
You can't blame Christian and Isabella, because they want to be with some of their friends at Herlufsholm. They have heard the good stories - and they are likely to have a good time there anyway.

As I see it, Herlufsholm will have to immediately undergo some major and serious reforms, otherwise M&F will be forced to pull out Isabella and Christian.
And the DRF pulling out two of their most prominent children will be seriously damaging to the school.
I have difficulty seeing how the current headmaster and board can survive this.

The school has failed IMO.
There will always be instances of bullying and fights among children and young people, it is however the school's responsibility to protect their pupils to the best of their abilities. People are after all entrusting the school with the most precious possession they have: their children.
Violence and beatings that would be considered a criminal offense had it taken place on a street is something that must not only be addressed but reported to the police. It cannot be tolerated. It's not tolerated in the general society, it should not be tolerated at an elite school.

[crm2317]

I’m guessing that some people who watch may use this as an excuse to dislike the royal family more than they already do, mainly republicans.

They may believe that Nikolai and Christian, being who they are, would go straight to the top and be so popular that they would be part of the crowd causing difficulties for the “lesser” pupils.

[suztav]

Thank you, Muhler. An excellent analysis. Although I haven't seen the documentary, I am inclined to agree with you. Headmaster and Board need to go ... at the very least!

[TLLK]

Tak Muhler for your summary. Absolutely shocking and disappointing to read this news about the school.
Sadly my own well known private Southern California high school is facing a similar situation.

[Frelinghighness]

Where di Frederick and his brother go?

[Izzie]

If this has been an ongoing issue with reports filed, etc....why wait until NOW to do this type of investigative documentary? Why not expose this on this level years ago? Sorry, I look at the optics and the timing of this is not lost on me. But attaching the DRF and Christian (who has not been named as being involved in any way, shape or form) are being used in the Headline and photos of the articles being posted. Total click bait IMO. Just watch the DRF (specifically CPC and Christian) will become the face of this when they had nothing to do with it! I hope that the focus remains on the victims, actual perpetrators and the culture that permits this.

Is this a serious issue that needs addressing ASAP...ABSOLUTELY! It is horrendous and needs to be eradicated from the school and the people purporting and supporting it removed! But I am not going to be obtuse and not realize that the timing of this documentary is a little too convenient.

Sorry if that sounds cynical. Occupational hazard I suppose.

[Prinsara]

It's strange, but somehow I can't see them pulling Christian out. Too political. Too much boat-rocking. And it's quite disruptive for Christian who almost certainly wasn't involved.

At the same time, how can they just blithely enroll Isabella unless there are serious reforms between now and the fall? I would be looking at a different school for her and not "rewarding" Herlufsholm with her presence, but I am not M&F.

It's not very reconcilable, so I'm guessing that unless even more bad news leaks, both Christian and Isabella will remain enrolled.

[Archduchess Zelia]

Originally Posted by Izzie

If this has been an ongoing issue with reports filed, etc....why wait until NOW to do this type of investigative documentary? Why not expose this on this level years ago? Sorry, I look at the optics and the timing of this is not lost on me. But attaching the DRF and Christian (who has not been named as being involved in any way, shape or form) are being used in the Headline and photos of the articles being posted. Total click bait IMO. Just watch the DRF (specifically CPC and Christian) will become the face of this when they had nothing to do with it! I hope that the focus remains on the victims, actual perpetrators and the culture that permits this.

Is this a serious issue that needs addressing ASAP...ABSOLUTELY! It is horrendous and needs to be eradicated from the school and the people purporting and supporting it removed! But I am not going to be obtuse and not realize that the timing of this documentary is a little too convenient.

Sorry if that sounds cynical. Occupational hazard I suppose.

Well, obviously they're gonna bring up the fact that the DRF has decided to send 3 of the Queen's grandchildren to the school and, in doing so, to look past its history of violence, rapes and bullying? It would be stunningly naive to think they wouldn't bring the DRF up. Just like it'd be naive of the DRF to send the children to a school with a well-known reputation of this type of behaviour and expect not to have that decision be questioned at the first incident (well technically... second? Third? Since Christian started, that is). It wouldn't be any different at any other school. That's the way it is to be in the public eye. And now they've just so happened to opt for a school that breeds an unnaturally large amount of these cases.

I think the insinuation that they're only doing this documentary for attention now that Christian is attending is grossly undermining the fact that this is not the first time the school's toxic environment has been exposed. I'm no fan of TV2 but they don't need to stir up additional drama. I mean, four students were expelled last autumn for assault and a week ago a student was found guilty of rape, the school is managing deplorable acts on their own.

Originally Posted by Princejohnny25

Unless Christian is involved, which would spell far greater problems, I see no reason to pull him out of a school that he really likes and appears to be thriving in. In fact, one can argue, so long as members of the DRF attend the school then the giant magnifying lens won't go away. This increases the incentive to deal, address, and fix these recurring issues. I believe it's far better for people to face things head on, affect change, and move forward rather than simply changing environments to suit a moral code.

Hardly. I mean, the school has made it pretty clear they don't think they even have any recurring issues, so I don't know where you get that incentive from.

It's all dandy if the current media storm and M&F's statement forces the headmaster resign. Only not all of these incidents happened during the current headmaster's reign so it's clearly an issue that's rooted much deeper than in a weak figurehead. As I see it, the only way M&F would affect real change at the school is if they pull their children. As the school prides itself on traditionalism, being shunned by one of the most traditional institutions in the country would force immediate change.

And I'm sure that would suck for Christian and Isabella, neither of whom seem to have been put off by the school's reputation, but I'd also argue it's slightly questionable to thrive in an environment that's so obviously unhealthy.

Originally Posted by crm2317

I’m guessing that some people who watch may use this as an excuse to dislike the royal family more than they already do, mainly republicans.

The vast majority of Danes, as I see it, are not using the documentary to pile on the DRF. I'm actually surprised at how much public leverage the DRF is being given on the basis of M&F's statements.

[kalnel]

There's another aspect that may come into play: If M&F pull their kids out of the school, it could bring the school down. At a minimum, it would damage the school's reputation even more, validate all the allegations, and hurt donations and enrollment. I doubt M&F would want to be known as the people who brought about the ruin of this venerable institution. Their friends with ties to the school wouldn't like it, either.

It wouldn't surprise me if Christian and/or Isabella gets sent for a year abroad in France or England. It would move them out of the school for a reason other than the scandals and give them some distance from the whole situation. After a year, send them to a different school for their final year or two.

But, who knows? Christian must be having a good experience and making nice friends, or Isabella wouldn't be headed there.

And, to those who say that Christian is too high-ranking for the boys to pick on, just remember Prince Charles's experience at Gordonstoun. His status made him a target.

[Archduchess Zelia]

Venerable?! We're talking about a school that has systematically accepted bullying, violence and sexual abuse among its students for decades! In one case actively sabotaging investigation into a sexual assault by wanting to deal with the matter internally and not letting the victim file a report with the police until all biological evidence was lost. I think Herlufsholm has done enough to ruin their own reputation.

[victor1319]

Thanks to the Forum for keeping us up-to-date!

All this makes me wonder, if the school in question is a "progressive" one.

Because in Socialism, especially in the armies of socialist countries, there was a system, where the older recruits disciplined the new ones by harrassing them - This was not only tolerated, but encouraged! The idea behind this seems to be, that unexperienced and untrained soldiers are worthless...

And from what I read here in the thread, it looks like the older pupils were practically encouraged to bully the new ones, so, that the new ones are forced to "fit in".

But this is just my uneducated guess!

And poor Prince Christian might have had to "fit in" as well. But this (perhaps) culture of systemic violence must come to an end, if a Princess is involved. I mean, if Princess Isabella fell victim to abuse, this would make international headlines and tarnish the whole of Denmark!

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by kalnel

There's another aspect that may come into play: If M&F pull their kids out of the school, it could bring the school down. At a minimum, it would damage the school's reputation even more, validate all the allegations, and hurt donations and enrollment. I doubt M&F would want to be known as the people who brought about the ruin of this venerable institution. Their friends with ties to the school wouldn't like it, either.

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

Venerable?! We're talking about a school that has systematically accepted bullying, violence and sexual abuse among its students for decades!

Systematic acceptance of bullying, violence, and sexual abuse can occur at the most venerable of schools. Regard the bullying and sexual abuse scandals at Gakushuin, a school whose venerability undoubtedly exceeds Herlufsholm's. As kalnel pointed out, the venerability of a school may shield its bullies and sexual abusers by discouraging well-connected people from intervening for fear of the consequences for themselves or others with ties to the school. Muhler's summary of the documentary seems to confirm that has (allegedly) been the case at Herlufsholm:

But why not speak out? Why doesn't former pupils who were bullied speak out afterwards?
Well, according to the docu Herlufsholm has a strong network of "old boys". It can have consequences for your career if you speak bad about Herlufsholm or one of the "old boys" there.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Prinsara

It's strange, but somehow I can't see them pulling Christian out. Too political. Too much boat-rocking. And it's quite disruptive for Christian who almost certainly wasn't involved.

Being who he is, Christian will naturally rise to the top of the food chain among the boys at the school, if he is not there yet. Not only is he the heir to the heir to the Crown, but also, unlike other royal princes who were shy and socially awkward as children, Christian looks like someone who would naturally fit into the "popular kids" category. Being a first-year student, however, I don't see him being involved in bullying incidents, much less assault or anything more serious along those lines, as normally the culprits in those cases tend to be seniors. Furthermore, I am sure he is discreetly surrounded by security whose job also involves keeping him out of trouble without being disruptive of his social life. It is not inconceivable, however, that Christian may have already witnessed bullying incidents in the school, especially if kids in his class are the victims.

[zembra]

They have to pull the children out of the school. Having your children go there IS supporting the school no matter what statements they officially come out with. Words are words. Actions speak so much louder.

A newspaper here in Denmark (B.T) made a poll. I think about 40.000 people answered and 83% voted that thet should take the children out of the school. Thats quite a lot. I have read around on SoMe platforms and there is definetly a lot that agree that it isnt proper to have the children attend the school henceforth.

I agree. You can't in Mary's case preach anti bullying and the wellbeing of teenagers in general, and then at the same time have your children attend a school where there is an openly known rotten culture of bullying and abuse. That would be very hypocritical of her and I for one would loose a good chuck of respect for Mary and Frederik if they don't take a proper stand on this.

Poor Christian though. He would certainly be well protected from any abuse himself and he has probably just began to settle in. He could very well be comfortable and thriving at his achool, but imo.....tough luck. There is no other proper choice then finding another school for the children. I can't help but think that Christian these days really gets a serious lesson of how it is to be royal. That sometimes there will come a time where you have to make some choices that might not be exactly what YOU wanted, but where the security of the royal institution is more important. Still he must be one frustrated teen these days, and I really understand that

[Izzie]

What were some saying about Christian NOT being pulled into this? Exhibit A...BB article about all his close friends at school. I'll await all the speculative articles now about whether he's involved or not
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelig...ner-paa-skolen

And I stand by my statements about the convenient timing of this in depth investigative reporting and documentary even though as some have said this behavior has been known and going on for eons. This documentary would not be getting nearly the same type of attention without the click bait articles. Would it he reported on...yes. To this degree...no, I don't think so. It would be a headline and then a we will keep you updated on any further developments type of story. Thinking different is a bit naive.

[Queen Claude]

I think that as part of the heir apparent chain, Christian needs to be pulled from Herlufsholm. I know that Isabella seems like the easier one to pull because she has not even started the school, but if she has her heart set on attending Herlufsholm and her parents don't think that she will fall prey to being bullied or bullying other students, then she should be allowed to attend and Frederik and Mary will need to deal with the fallout from that. The reason I feel this way is that in recent years we have discussed that heirs apparent are the long-term royals but not the spares, and IIRC in Denmark it has been announced that, in his generation, only Christian will get an appanage. So IMO Christian has to take one for the team but not Isabella, but hopefully Isabella does not have her heart set on Herlufsholm and there is an alternative that she considers acceptable.

On that note, even though Denmark is a small country, I don't doubt that, since it is not a poor country and also a rather progressive country, that there aren't public or private schools that Christian (and the twins when the time comes) can attend that offers a great education in the right environment.

The reason why Christian, and hopefully Isabella, need to be sent to another school is because it seems like the issues being brought up are long-standing and are well entrenched in the mindsets of Herlufsholm's faculty and administration, alumni, parents and students. Can the school "fix" itself, perhaps, but this will be years in the making and I see no reason why the Danish Royal Family needs to involve themselves in the fix (unless Isabella attends), rather they should support the Danish school(s) that did not fall into this particular mire.

Originally Posted by Izzie

What were some saying about Christian NOT being pulled into this? Exhibit A...BB article about all his close friends at school. I'll await all the speculative articles now about whether he's involved or not
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelig...ner-paa-skolen

And I stand by my statements about the convenient timing of this in depth investigative reporting and documentary even though as some have said this behavior has been known and going on for eons. This documentary would not be getting nearly the same type of attention without the click bait articles. Would it he reported on...yes. To this degree...no, I don't think so. It would be a headline and then a we will keep you updated on any further developments type of story. Thinking different is a bit naive.

OK but even if the logic is taken to the extreme and it can be conclusively proven that the folks reporting this are cynically and / or self-servingly exploiting the DRFs connection to this school, or even worse, someone is trying to besmirch the DRF, that does not negate that there was, pardon the pun, something rotten in Herlufsholm

While I will give them the benefit of the doubt that Frederik and Mary were aware that there was a systemic problem, I find it hard to believe that Christian's parents were completely unaware that there was a negative aspect to the school's environment. Perhaps when they weighed all the positives and negatives, Herlufsholm was the best choice, and dig not delve deeper into the negative aspects.

To me any negatives that come from them being seen as bowing to pressure will be far outweighed by an heir apparent attending a school where it is now common knowledge that there was an environment that many reasonable people would deem toxic, a culture of bullying and actions taken to impede the investigation of a crime. This is bad enough in general, but it is them magnified substantially by the fact that the Crown Princess / future Queen has a well-known platform against bullying.

[EML]

Thank you for your opinion after the screening of the documentary. I find it hard to believe the CP couple had not any idea about the bullying etc when I presume they interviewed the Head before Prince Christians admission to the school. I read somewhere that CP Mary was not 100% keen because of historical incidents. Her anti bullying schemes within the Mary Foundation will certainly be put on the spot. Did her father not teach at the school but only for a term? I feel the C PC are now sitting between a stone and a hard place.

[Archduchess Zelia]

Originally Posted by Izzie

What were some saying about Christian NOT being pulled into this? Exhibit A...BB article about all his close friends at school. I'll await all the speculative articles now about whether he's involved or not
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelig...ner-paa-skolen

And I stand by my statements about the convenient timing of this in depth investigative reporting and documentary even though as some have said this behavior has been known and going on for eons. This documentary would not be getting nearly the same type of attention without the click bait articles. Would it he reported on...yes. To this degree...no, I don't think so. It would be a headline and then a we will keep you updated on any further developments type of story. Thinking different is a bit naive.

Who has said that Christian isn't being pulled into it? Has anyone denied that the attention is furthered by the fact that a future monarch is placed in the eye of the storm? But, as I've mentioned before, it'd be extremely naive to think that Christian's (and Isabella's coming) presence on the school wouldn't be brought up. It would be no different had this been... say this PM's son. I think all that matters regarding Christian right now is that he isn't being used as some posterboy for behaviour there's no evidence of him partaking in. And as far as I know, he hasn't been.

As for Billed Bladet's article, I mean, if you've read just one BB article before in your life, I think you knew that was coming from them. This is the same magazine that currently has two almost identical clickbaity articles on M&F's statement. I mean... That's their modus operandi.

Are you suggesting they should've held this documentary and the information they've received through the making of it back till there was no royal child left on the school? Because that's just obscene. I could understand your point if the documentary was build around the DRF's affiliation with it but it very much isn't. And as such, I only think it's a good thing that the DRF's affiliation is giving the rotten culture – something that has been common knowledge for as long as I can remember – widespread attention.

Originally Posted by Queen Claude

OK but even if the logic is taken to the extreme and it can be conclusively proven that the folks reporting this are cynically and / or self-servingly exploiting the DRFs connection to this school, or even worse, someone is trying to besmirch the DRF, that does not negate that there was, pardon the pun, something rotten in Herlufsholm

(...)

To me any negatives that come from them being seen as bowing to pressure will be far outweighed by an heir apparent attending a school where it is now common knowledge that there was a environment that many reasonable people would deem toxic, a culture of bullying and actions taken to impede thebinvestigation of a crime. This is bad enough in general, but it is them magnified substantially by the fact that the Crown Princess / future Queen has a well-known platform against bullying.

Exactly! And if we're being real for a second, the added attention would come anywhere Christian went. Only it's very few schools that have a reputation as tarnished as Herlufsholm. If they had opted for a school that isn't notorious for this kind of behaviour, I can guarantee they wouldn't have been in this situation right now.

[Muhler]

Things are moving.

The PM went out with pretty harsh words!
The Minister of Education was from the Unity List = far left, before she became a Social Democrat, there will be little indulgence with Herlufsholm from her part! As mentioned in a previous post the Ministry of Education has been keeping an eye on Herlufsholm for a while now.

The headmaster at Herlufsholm will take action, but he is still in denial as I see it. As such he is history. If he doesn't resign next week he will be resigned before the end of this month. Most things described in the docu took place on his watch.
He may be a good administrator but IMO he shies away from conflicts. He has got to go. He simply cannot be allowed to stay.
Herlufsholm will conduct a review and call in external help as well as abolishing the the traditions that could be bordering on harsh behavior, says the headmaster.
- Well, they'd better! They have seven weeks - max - to not only introduce major reforms but also implementing them. And when need be enforcing them.
In seven weeks the school summer holidays begin, if Herlufsholm doesn't shape up before then, I will find it difficult to see why Isabella should start there in August.
They may keep Christian on, to give the school a chance. But the school and M&F cannot afford just one more incident at Herlufsholm that is not dealt with swiftly and decisively.
Otherwise M&F have to pull Christian out as well. And if Christian leaves the circle of friends around M&F will probably follow suit and pull out their children as well.

All that would not have happened, had Christian not been attending the school.
The general public really don't care about what happens a posh school and among snotty little snobs. but once the DRF becomes involved it's a completely different matter! Then it becomes amatter for the whole tribe. Especially if it's popular and respected members of the DRF.
Had it been an ordinary state school, this would not have been tolerated. There would have been a political and public uproar. But Herlufsholm has, I suspect, been protected by the network of "old boys".
They can't protect Herlufsolm anymore. Some have been trying after the docu yesterday, but it's too late.

You don't need a degree in psychology to work out what went on at Herlufsholm and why nothing was done about it. It's a downside of elitism.
You can make people do almost anything if it's for the greater good of the brotherhood, the regiment, the party, the school.
And just as importantly, you can make people accept and close their eyes to almost anything if it's for the greater good of the brotherhood, regiment, party, school...
That's the mindset that is being instilled in the pupils at Herlufsholm. We are an elite school.
We are an elite school because we do what has to be done to keep order and ensure the school and the pupils live up to our own ideals and remain an elite. We must protect the honor of our school and brotherhood, so we deal with things ourselves and sweep unpleasant things under the carpet if need be.

Christian would not have been harmed, on the contrary. Having a future king, the first future king, as pupil at the school is an honor for the school and a credit to the brotherhood. And reinforce the notion that Herlufsholm and the pupils there is an elite.
That's the mindset.

It is of course a sick mindset and anachronistic mindset but it is IMO important to try and understand that mindset in order to understand what went on at Herlufsholm and why nothing was done about it.

Herlufsholm has a 450 year history of bullying, that will have to be turned around in less than two months.
If Christian enrolling at Herlufsholm means that this will end, then something good has come out of this mess.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

Who has said that Christian isn't being pulled into it? Has anyone denied that the attention is furthered by the fact that a future monarch is placed in the eye of the storm? But, as I've mentioned before, it'd be extremely naive to think that Christian's (and Isabella's coming) presence on the school wouldn't be brought up. It would be no different had this been... say this PM's son. I think all that matters regarding Christian right now is that he isn't being used as some posterboy for behaviour there's no evidence of him partaking in. And as far as I know, he hasn't been.

As for Billed Bladet's article, I mean, if you've read just one BB article before in your life, I think you knew that was coming from them. This is the same magazine that currently has two almost identical clickbaity articles on M&F's statement. I mean... That's their modus operandi.

Are you suggesting they should've held this documentary and the information they've received through the making of it back till there was no royal child left on the school? Because that's just obscene. I could understand your point if the documentary was build around the DRF's affiliation with it but it very much isn't. And as such, I only think it's a good thing that the DRF's affiliation is giving the rotten culture – something that has been common knowledge for as long as I can remember – widespread attention.



Exactly! And if we're being real for a second, the added attention would come anywhere Christian went. Only it's very few schools that have a reputation as tarnished as Herlufsholm. If they had opted for a school that isn't notorious for this kind of behaviour, I can guarantee they wouldn't have been in this situation right now.

No...what i meant was why NOT have this type of documentary YEARS ago!! IF the problem is SO ongoing and SO Systemic that EVERYONE would have known about it...WHY wait until NOW to do it? WHY not jump on allegations years ago and maybe it would have even prevented some of the most recent egregious behavior? The timing is what I am questioning, especially given, like MANY have said on this thread, that the problems are systemic?!?

And on the contrary to another reply to my comment, NO I am not suggesting they should have held this type of documentary back until NO royal children were students...quite the contrary...I am directly wondering WHY the documentary was not done UNTIL there were prominent royal children (obviously they did not think Nikolai was important enough) as students there! I am calling THEM out for their convenient timing.

And NO I am not suggesting that the horrible behavior and culture at the school should not be exposed and dealt with...QUITE the contrary...I am wondering why THIS was not done YEARS ago!!