Is William being set up to fail?

[royal_sophietje]

Originally Posted by moosey60

I've also wondered why William is so slow in taking on official duties. I guess it's good that he's continueing his education but he could at least attend some official ceremonies during his school breaks. He's 22 now but once he inherits the Prince of Wales title, he'll likely be overwhelmed by the tasks facing him.

THATS exactly why I'm afraid of!!! When this will happen, he will make the same mistakes as the other Windsors has made....

He has the looks from his mum, but his character is from his father...that will cause problems later...

[Julian]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

How do you know that Prince Charles doesn't let Prince William do anything without his say-so?



And how do you know this? Or did you forget to say that it was your opinion rather than a verifiable fact?

No, I didn't forget to say that it was my opinion. It's my opinion based on events as they've unfolded, so I deliberately and knowingly didn't say it was my opinion because there was absolutely no need to. Do you see every single last post including the explicit phrase "this is my opinion" on the thousands of posts on these forums, or did you forget to look and look only at mine, and because it involves St. Charles?

[Elspeth]

No, I didn't forget to say that it was my opinion. It's my opinion based on events as they've unfolded, so I deliberately and knowingly didn't say it was my opinion because there was absolutely no need to.

When you're talking about things which can be taken to be factual statements, such as comments along the lines that Charles is doing something because of this or that reason, especially when you're involved in a disagreement with someone, it helps to differentiate statements of fact from opinions.

Do you see every single last post including the explicit phrase "this is my opinion" on the thousands of posts on these forums, or did you forget to look and look only at mine, and because it involves St. Charles?

I look at posts from people where there's been confusion in the past about whether they were talking about their opinions or making statements of fact.

[Julian]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

When you're talking about things which can be taken to be factual statements, such as comments along the lines that Charles is doing something because of this or that reason, especially when you're involved in a disagreement with someone, it helps to differentiate statements of fact from opinions.



I look at posts from people where there's been confusion in the past about whether they were talking about their opinions or making statements of fact.

1. I wasn't involved in any "disgreement with someone" when I made that post, and

2. If you looked at posts where there's been confusion in the past about whether they're talking about their opinions or making statements of fact then you should know from that prior experience which was likely which.

I stand by my statements, you can take them however you wish.

[james]

I personally don't think that William or Harry have any intentions of ever doing royal duties but I don't say that as a criticism. They are two modern young men living in 2004. On the few recent occasions when they have sat in a carraige or appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, such as at Trooping the Colour last year, they looked twichty and William's face was red with embarrassment. You could almost imagine them thinking of the ribbing thay were going to get from their mates in the pub the next day. I know other young royals in Europe combine the modern with the old but most have two parents there to guide them and havn't experienced the bitter public humilliations that William and Harry have. A member of the public shook William's hand recently and said " I can't believe I've shaken hands with the future King" to which William replied "And where is he?" A throw away remark maybe, but I think it betrayed something deeper. I suppose we will all find out what his intentions are for sure in the next 5 years or so.

[Ennyllorac]

I guess all that can be said is that only time will tell.

[Ennyllorac]

Originally Posted by james

I personally don't think that William or Harry have any intentions of ever doing royal duties but I don't say that as a criticism. They are two modern young men living in 2004. On the few recent occasions when they have sat in a carraige or appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, such as at Trooping the Colour last year, they looked twichty and William's face was red with embarrassment. You could almost imagine them thinking of the ribbing thay were going to get from their mates in the pub the next day. I know other young royals in Europe combine the modern with the old but most have two parents there to guide them and havn't experienced the bitter public humilliations that William and Harry have. A member of the public shook William's hand recently and said " I can't believe I've shaken hands with the future King" to which William replied "And where is he?" A throw away remark maybe, but I think it betrayed something deeper. I suppose we will all find out what his intentions are for sure in the next 5 years or so.

I just read on Hola.com that Harry is currently in Africa doing humanitarian work. I think the problem is that the press is looking for the foibles instead of the positive. For those who read Spanish: http://www.hola.com/abonados/casasre...5/harry-video/

[Genevieve]

Originally Posted by james

I personally don't think that William or Harry have any intentions of ever doing royal duties but I don't say that as a criticism. They are two modern young men living in 2004. On the few recent occasions when they have sat in a carraige or appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, such as at Trooping the Colour last year, they looked twichty and William's face was red with embarrassment. You could almost imagine them thinking of the ribbing thay were going to get from their mates in the pub the next day. I know other young royals in Europe combine the modern with the old but most have two parents there to guide them and havn't experienced the bitter public humilliations that William and Harry have. A member of the public shook William's hand recently and said " I can't believe I've shaken hands with the future King" to which William replied "And where is he?" A throw away remark maybe, but I think it betrayed something deeper. I suppose we will all find out what his intentions are for sure in the next 5 years or so.

You're right that William and Harry never look very comfortable on the few occasions they are performing royal duties, although Harry at least looks more relaxed than his older brother. William always looks tense and pent up and nervous and on edge. I always thought that to some extent it was part of his character, that he was naturally quite shy and that being on public display as he is for Tropping the Colour or whatever was sort of embarassing for him.

But the reality is this is William's future, shy or not he needs to learn to get over it and make some attempt to perform his public duties with a bit more ease. He may never be 100% comfortable, but he could at least not look like sitting in that carriage or standing on that balcony next to his grandmother and father is the last place he wants to be. And really, I think the best way to get over that sense of unease is to be more out there -- especially while he can be standing next to pros like his grandmother and father who will support him and guide him.

I don't really think that William only having one parent to guide him is part of the problem here. While William and Harry have both certainly dealt with incredible matters in their short life and the very public loss of their mother, the reality is that lots of people in this world are raised by only one parent and none of them are shirking their responsibilties the way that William seems to be. While Diana was still alive, in the last few years of her life especially, I think she taught William and Harry a great deal. If not by explanation then certainly by example of how to go about their duties and handle their royal obligations. If Diana were alive today, would William expect his mommy to hold his hand in the carriage on the day of Trooping the Colour or what?

[Duc de Chatres]

remember one thing, Prince William is not Heir Apparent, he is Heir Presumptive. Its Prince Charles who is Heir Apparent. Until the current reign ends, Prince William is free to carve a niche for himself, explore different areas, serve in the army, get a job! He is not yet bound, by convention, to the duties of an heir, unlike the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg. We cannot compare him to the other heirs because his father fulfills that role.

[willwindsor62182]

I'am very sad to read this to myself.

[belleshysmile]

Originally Posted by Duc de Chatres

remember one thing, Prince William is not Heir Apparent, he is Heir Presumptive. Its Prince Charles who is Heir Apparent. Until the current reign ends, Prince William is free to carve a niche for himself, explore different areas, serve in the army, get a job! He is not yet bound, by convention, to the duties of an heir, unlike the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg. We cannot compare him to the other heirs because his father fulfills that role.

You are right.And i hope William find something usefull to do with his life while waiting.As he is graduating in geography he could do something linked to the enviroment.That would be a great use of his image.Plus that way he could built his own legacy and not picking his mother.
I really don´t want him only cutting ribbon , going to wedding cerimonies and waving to the people.

[bad_barbarella]

Its a very hard life to lead... not knowing if people like you for who you are inside... or what you are (prince)... like he may have a secret side... he doesnt chose to be the future kind of england... he was born to it... what if he has different dreams

[hillary_nugent]

Yes he is...how hard can a geography course be? hahaha.."where is England? um...i have no idea..." hahahaha ah...i'm being to harsh on him aren't i? i mean he has sooo much royal duty at those parties right?

[belleshysmile]

You should get more information about geograghy courses.If he takes seriously or not, i do not know.All colleges I know and my college have a very strict policy about skiping classes and frequency.

But geography is not about pointing in a map the country you are.Just go to any european University web site and get the curriculum.It´s required to to be able to make geopolitcs analizes and many other society matters.

[hillary_nugent]

hahahaha...i was just teasing the subject :P i've studied geopgraphy and i know it's not just about location

[bad_barbarella]

haha i studied geography and sometime you can make up stuff and still get an A hahahahaha i would love to know how those girls get invited to those super hot parties :)

[Von Bermondsey]

Maybe it's to do with him going to uninvercity and maybe they/feels not ready for forgien royal engagements. You also have to remember that some of the European royal houses are near related,ie,the Duchess of Luxembourg (Duke Henri's mother) is the sister to the King of Belguim,Ann Marie of the Hellenies is the sister of Queen Magaret of Denmark and of course Queen Sofia of Spain is the sister of Konstatine of the Hellenies. I think that the British royal family tend to keep to themselves although H.M Queen Elizabeth was a a friend of King Baldwin of Belguim and that was the only funeral of a monarch that she ever went to,in fact she was seen with tears in her eyes,that was the first time the Queen was ever seen displaying such emotions.

I don't think P William has an excuse if he fail his University course. He doesn't have to work during school or at anytime. He has the luxury of being able to concentrate solely on his studies. Very few university student have that luxury nowadays. They have to work to meet their own expenses; some have to support their parents and younger siblings, others have families of their own. P. William has it very easy. And even the media has agreed to stay away from hime while he's at school. He has no excuse for failure. If he fails, he just never had enough brainpower for the course anyway!

[wymanda]

Originally Posted by bluetortuga

I don't think P William has an excuse if he fail his University course. He doesn't have to work during school or at anytime. He has the luxury of being able to concentrate solely on his studies. Very few university student have that luxury nowadays. They have to work to meet their own expenses; some have to support their parents and younger siblings, others have families of their own. P. William has it very easy. And even the media has agreed to stay away from hime while he's at school. He has no excuse for failure. If he fails, he just never had enough brainpower for the course anyway!

Very true bluetortuga! William is very lucky in the fact that he doesn't have to work to put himself through University but I think he has a lot of other pressures that your average student doesn't have. The constant speculation about his mothers death and the attempts to implicate his father in her death, the death of his great aunt, his great grandmother and his maternal grandmother.

[A.C.C.]

I think once William finishes univeristy, then we will most likely see him taking on royal duties and causes. I look at Harry now and his path is clear, he will, of course, follow the royal tradition of going into the military. I feel that William will do the same, even though people want him to be somehow different. I don't think the question is whether William will accept his position and prepare himself for his future as king, I think he has asserted himself on that, the question is when will he began to be a full working royal, he really doesn't have a choice. If he does indeed decide to go into the military, that will be his main priority as it will become Harry's next year.