The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have held discussions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as they continue their five-day tour of Poland and Germany.
The royal couple met Mrs Merkel at the chancellery in Berlin on the first day of a three-day visit to the country.
During a private lunch they were expected to discuss European politics, global issues and volunteer work.
The duke and duchess then visited the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Holocaust Memorial.
True, but the difference now is that George has reached the age, where he has become aware of himself in regards to his surroundings. Especially if the surroundings pay an extraordinary (in a child's eyes) attention to him.
What I want to point out is that it's balancing act. And such a trip should preferably be a positive experience for a child, rather than a scary and overwhelming thing.
If that means George and Charlotte should leave the plane later with their nannies, so be it.
If the children happens to be in the mood for meeting other people, fine, let them join their parents.
If the children prefer to goof around in the background, sniffing flowers as we have seen the Swedish children do, so be it.
As long as it is on the children's terms at this stage. Once they get more used to it, then they can better understand and accept that "now it's time to say hello and smile".
I like to look at cute children as much as everyone else, but I'm less keen on looking at children who are uncomfortable with the situation, and that is something all royal families has to address, not just the BRF.
A big experiment is going on these years among the royal families, in regards to how to train their children to be in the public eye - considering that the children are different.
I think W&K are doing the right thing in exposing their children to the public early, but perhaps at smaller events initially, then gradually building up to bigger (more "adult") events.
But let's get it into perspective, while Daily Mail would no doubt revel in it, George has not thrown a tantrum. He has not been wailing his head off. He has not stepped on the feet on the Polish PM. Nor has his parents and nannies had to run after him on the runway. He just been uneasy.[/]
I think it's debatable whether George and Charlotte should have come on the trip - if their parents wanted them there and provided the requisite child care I don't see what the trouble is. But I don't buy the argument that they shouldn't be there because George may have been temporarily uneasy with the situation. He'll become more comfortable when these sorts of situations have gone from seeming strange to being familiar and routine. By definition, the only way they're going to become familiar and routine is by doing more of them. And if he starts doing more of them at ten or fifteen or eighteen they'll likely never be as second nature to him as if he's gradually introduced to them now.
That is actually precisely the point as Muhler explained above. On a Canadian or Australian tour, it would be comparatively easier to have events for the whole family, or organize a parallel program for the kids while their parents do something else. On a diplomatic mission to Germany, on the other hand, they feel "out of place" and that is why we barely get to see them. It is an unnecessary stress on the kids as it is unfriendly to them and gets in the way of the official program, It also puts unreasonable demands on the hosts in terms of forcing them to accommodate the special needs of the kids (keep in mind that, unlike the Canadians, the Germans are not "loyal subjects" hosting their future King !)
True, but the difference now is that George has reached the age, where he has become aware of himself in regards to his surroundings. Especially if the surroundings pay an extraordinary (in a child's eyes) attention to him.
What I want to point out is that it's balancing act. And such a trip should preferably be a positive experience for a child, rather than a scary and overwhelming thing.
If that means George and Charlotte should leave the plane later with their nannies, so be it.
If the children happens to be in the mood for meeting other people, fine, let them join their parents.
If the children prefer to goof around in the background, sniffing flowers as we have seen the Swedish children do, so be it.
As long as it is on the children's terms at this stage. Once they get more used to it, then they can better understand and accept that "now it's time to say hello and smile".
I like to look at cute children as much as everyone else, but I'm less keen on looking at children who are uncomfortable with the situation, and that is something all royal families has to address, not just the BRF.
A big experiment is going on these years among the royal families, in regards to how to train their children to be in the public eye - considering that the children are different.
I think W&K are doing the right thing in exposing their children to the public early, but perhaps at smaller events initially, then gradually building up to bigger (more "adult") events.
But let's get it into perspective, while Daily Mail would no doubt revel in it, George has not thrown a tantrum. He has not been wailing his head off. He has not stepped on the feet on the Polish PM. Nor has his parents and nannies had to run after him on the runway. He just been uneasy.
True, but the difference now is that George has reached the age, where he has become aware of himself in regards to his surroundings. Especially if the surroundings pay an extraordinary (in a child's eyes) attention to him.
What I want to point out is that it's balancing act. And such a trip should preferably be a positive experience for a child, rather than a scary and overwhelming thing.
If that means George and Charlotte should leave the plane later with their nannies, so be it.
If the children happens to be in the mood for meeting other people, fine, let them join their parents.
If the children prefer to goof around in the background, sniffing flowers as we have seen the Swedish children do, so be it.
As long as it is on the children's terms at this stage. Once they get more used to it, then they can better understand and accept that "now it's time to say hello and smile".
I like to look at cute children as much as everyone else, but I'm less keen on looking at children who are uncomfortable with the situation, and that is something all royal families has to address, not just the BRF.
A big experiment is going on these years among the royal families, in regards to how to train their children to be in the public eye - considering that the children are different.
I think W&K are doing the right thing in exposing their children to the public early, but perhaps at smaller events initially, then gradually building up to bigger (more "adult") events.
But let's get it into perspective, while Daily Mail would no doubt revel in it, George has not thrown a tantrum. He has not been wailing his head off. He has not stepped on the feet on the Polish PM. Nor has his parents and nannies had to run after him on the runway. He just been uneasy.[/]
I think it's debatable whether George and Charlotte should have come on the trip - if their parents wanted them there and provided the requisite child care I don't see what the trouble is. But I don't buy the argument that they shouldn't be there because George may have been temporarily uneasy with the situation. He'll become more comfortable when these sorts of situations have gone from seeming strange to being familiar and routine. By definition, the only way they're going to become familiar and routine is by doing more of them. And if he starts doing more of them at ten or fifteen or eighteen they'll likely never be as second nature to him as if he's gradually introduced to them now.
I've noticed that. They need to give him a break, he's a shy 4-year-old who is not used to the attention yet and probably isn't quite old enough to understand why he has to do these sort of things. It also doesn't help that the Daily Mail is pointing out that Charlotte seems to be easier and more outgoing than her brother. I know that George has no clue of what they're saying, but I think it may already be setting up their "media personalities" to contrast each other: George as shy and difficult, Charlotte as friendly and easy. We all know that the way the media portrays them can stick around for a while, and it may be hard for him to overcome it as he gets older.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited Berlin's Holocaust memorial to pay tribute to the millions of Jewish people who died.
Prince William and Catherine saw the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, which represents a graveyard.
One survivor told them about his time at Auschwitz, where his parents were killed, and recalled the smell of burning bodies.
The couple are on a five-day tour of Poland and Germany with their children.
After looking around an underground museum at the memorial, the royal couple learned about some of the stories of the six million Jewish people killed during the Holocaust.
The duke and duchess then met a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Leon Schwarzbaum, 96, told them what life was like inside the camp.
At the age of 21, he worked as a runner for the camp commander.
Video:Prince William has said Brexit will not weaken the bond between Britain and Germany as he made a visit to Berlin.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge received an extremely warm reception as they arrived in Berlin with their two children.
The couple enjoyed a private audience with German leader Angela Merkel at the outset of their three-day visit.
It is one of a series of European visits for the family this year that are widely seen as an attempt to use the royals as part of a Brexit 'soft diplomacy' charm offensive.
I should like to finish with a message that my grandmother The Queen has sent to you all for this evening, and which she asked me to read to you:
Prince Philip and I send our warmest good wishes to all of you gathered for this special Garden Party, on the occasion of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's official visit to Germany.
We have fond memories of our five State Visits to Germany, from our first in 1965 to our most recent in 2015. Over the course of those fifty years, British-German relations have thrived, allowing us to face the challenges and embrace the opportunities of the 21st century together.
I am delighted that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will experience the beauty of this country and the warmth of its people when they visit Berlin, Hamburg and Heidelberg.
I hope you all have a most enjoyable evening.
- Elizabeth R
I thought it was very clever and thoughtful for Germany's representatives to have the mini bouquet for Charlotte and it was actually quite adorable to see. It takes me back to my childhood when I was always collecting flowers into bouquets from my Grandmother's gardens.
Read more: Brexit won't divide our bond, Prince William tells Germany - ITV News
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at The Queen's Birthday Garden Party in Berlin: https://www.royal.uk/speech-duke-cambridge-queens-birthday-garden-party-berlin
I don't see why they take the kids on the trip, disrupting their routine but I guess they know better. It will even be clear to the Cambridges that those kids will bring tons of positive PR, much more than when leaving them at home.
I don't see much of a balance, somebody brought up the comparison to Estelle who has been eased into everyday events but doesnt go on official trips.
The Cambridges bring their kids on a full glare official visit like this but we hardly see them in the UK, even on small events that would fit with children of their age. Its like 0 to 100% then back to 0 and not, like with Estelle, a lingering 25%.
I don't think its only a character trait to be more outgoing, Charlotte might simply be too young to realize certain things that George does now.[/QUOTE
Yes, I agree with your assessment. George is only almost four! Reminds me of our first son at that age. For the whole summer when he was four, he would not go in our pool, afraid of it. When we had his high school graduation party at our pool, 14 years later, he dove in with all his clothes on to get the party going!
Give George a chance!