Working Visit to Copenhagen by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: November 2, 2011

[jemagre]

Originally Posted by TortillaChips

The Telegraph:

Duchess of Cambridge plans to follow in Diana's footsteps with Africa aid visit

"A royal source confirmed that the Prince and Kate Middleton were “considering” a visit to the region to further boost Unicef’s efforts to raise money to help the 13 million people affected by the crisis."

The media is so crazy sometimes with their Diana comparisons. They should give it a rest.

As for their anniversary, I am far more skeptical so i say since it is only six months, let's wait until they hit the two decade mark and still act all lovey.

As for her increase in charity work I believe that given her press attention she can do good work if she wants to. I hope she gets really involved with the causes and not just for photo reasons. As for her work so far she is doing the work the Royals always do. For example, it is not unusual for royals to write follow-ups to people they visit. It is nice to see her continue the tradition though.

I will say though that It would be nice to see a royal get involved in something that teaches people in Africa to be self-sufficient. This will help to end the cycle of dependency in so many ways.

[jemagre]

Originally Posted by Tiggersk8

Oh good grief!! Can't some of you focus on what's important here? UNICEF got badly needed exposure to it's Relief Efforts in East Africa. According to some, their Twitter site crashed due to the mass amount of people checking it out after the coverage of the Cambridges and Crown Prince and Princess hit the airwaves/Internet and that UNICEF has recieved a massive amount in donations for just one day.

That is NOT nothing. Surely there's some site out there for people who hate Kate regardless of what she does. Go and find it so the rest of us can have discussions about what is actually going on w/out the vicious agenda certain posters here seem to have.

Sorry for that, but enough is enough!!

I don't think anyone said they hated Kate. I think people are just making comments on whether or not UNICEF is a fit charity to support, how she did her job or how successful royal/celebrity visits are. It's hard to argue with the notion that even with the increase in funds that it will not eradicate the famine issue there. That doesn't mean people shouldn't donate but until the government/economic/social problems in the region are fixed this problem will keep going.

Just because some people are not lavishing praise on the royal couple does not mean they do not care about the situation in Africa.

[camelot23ca]

William is so very similar to his mother when he's speaking. Same facial expressions, gestures, speech patterns. I find in photos he's got traits from both parents but whenever I see a video of him he's all Diana.

I'm glad this visit seems to have been successful. I think what royal visits can do in situations like these is give people a nudge towards doing something they may otherwise not have gotten around to, such as donating money. A lot of people, IMO, are inclined to be generous and want to help in situations like this but aren't sure where to start. the press reports that go along with royal visits like we saw today are helpful in that people may tune in initially to see the royals but wind up getting practical suggestions on how they can contribute.

[ashelen]

I wonder what they were doing to night a private dinner? may be not so formal?

[Terri Terri]

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge returned to London immediately after their visit...so anything is possible.

[Mermaid1962]

I think that Catherine has gained back some weight and that she looked really healthy on this trip.

[Baroness of Books]

Originally Posted by Daria_S

Tiggersk8, and Baroness of Books, thank you for being voices of reason and bringing the focus where it belongs.

And now, a lighthearted moment of the day.

Ow.ly - image uploaded by @RoyaltyOnline

And an article from Express, dealing with today's visit to Copenhagen. Overall, short, sweet and to the point.

Scottish Sunday Express | UK News :: Duchess of Cambridge joins war on famine

Thank you for the image and link, Daria. Those four people are just so attractive.

And thank you, Ghost Night, for the YouTube link on UNICEF. Those images from Africa are really so poignant.

All in all, a day's work well done by the Danish and British royal couples.

[Tiggersk8]

I'm sorry, but there are certain members of this board that it *never* fails. Their postings are nasty, vindictive and just plain tiresome. It would be one thing if the tone was once in awhile, but it's not. It's constant and not just in threads about the Duchess of Cambridge.

Behaviour such as that does not serve this board and only brings it down. I hate people who post fawning comments just as much as the other person, but when someone goes out and does their job w/out putting a foot wrong, how does saying nothing but negative nasty things about that person or the event come across?

At least I don't cringe or take a deep breath before clicking a thread link w/their names beside it most of the time since the weekend. As I said, the Ignore feature here is a wonderful thing. Sadly, they end up getting quoted and...

And I stand by what I said earlier. If you feel that much venom towards someone so famous, you're not alone in your twisted jealousy, so go and find a board w/others who share your "feelings".

Leave this one for those who not only admire the Royals and what they do, but know the difference between criticism when it's deserved and someone's sad and bitter agenda against a person they'll never meet.

Originally Posted by jemagre

I don't think anyone said they hated Kate. I think people are just making comments on whether or not UNICEF is a fit charity to support, how she did her job or how successful royal/celebrity visits are. It's hard to argue with the notion that even with the increase in funds that it will not eradicate the famine issue there. That doesn't mean people shouldn't donate but until the government/economic/social problems in the region are fixed this problem will keep going.

Just because some people are not lavishing praise on the royal couple does not mean they do not care about the situation in Africa.

[JessRulz]

Article and gallery from Just Jared.

Article from the Herald Sun.

[HRHHermione]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

I know it might be a horrible thing to say but I will say it anyway...From the videos and photos,I get the impression that Mary was a bit 'starstruck' by Wills & Kate...OMG, it is the son of Diana, the first royal wedding I watched as a kid and Kate is so tall and pretty, I am not worthy...(Jokes people, no rotten tomatoes OK) It was just an impression and maybe I am mistaking Mary natural friendliness and enthusiasm for fawning...

I think it's just that Mary looked very comfortable and Kate still looks a bit standoffish- but it's very obviously because of still being a bit self-conscious and getting used to the spotlight.

Also, Mary was in her own country and playing hostess.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by jemagre

The media is so crazy sometimes with their Diana comparisons. They should give it a rest.

I think they are going to continue to try and cast Catherine as some creepy incarnation of Diana for a good few years yet. I think the only thing that will end it is if Catherine finds her own voice and a presence that is unique to her, and having nothing whatsoever in common with Diana. Until then they can and will continue on their creepy way.

Originally Posted by jemagre;1333404I

will say though that It would be nice to see a royal get involved in something that teaches people in Africa to be self-sufficient. This will help to end the cycle of dependency in so many ways.

According to news sources, UNICEF has already reaped financial benefits from the Copenhagen double-hit with the Danish Crown Princely couple and the Cambridge's visit to the UNICEF depot.

[Rosapru]

I just wath the report on TV2 (link provided by Muhler). All for were good on interview. I didnt find Kate nervous at this point. She was very nervous and shy at other moments and Mary very friendly, but in the interview she did very well; dont forget Mary has 7 years of practice. So be indulgent

[Viv]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

Maybe someone could explain to me why the Crown Princess of Denmark may be takenaback or 'starstruck' by the Cambridge couple?

She wasn't IMO! Now please give CP Mary some credit, thank you!
In fact her voice was unfaltering when she summed
up the core of the East Africa problem at the end of the short
'interview! I'm also convinced that CP Mary knew that the
barrage of media people had not flown into Copenhagen for her
sake!
I watched one of our evening talk-shows, where Danish
celebrity commentator Jim Lyngvild dismissed the comparison/competition/formingfriendship
'girliestuff nonsense' we've seen since the visit was announced
by saying, that what he saw was two professional royal couples
focusing on an emergency. ' This is not about forming royal
friendships, this is about promoting on a good cause',
Lyngvild summed up!
Another voice of reason!

oh, and by the way: Some of the recent posters seem to forget that we've discussed whether ex-royal countess Alexandra - the patron of the Danish Unicef - would be present yesterday. Maybe it would be a good idea to scroll back the thread before making hasty, snap comments?

viv

[dazzling]

Here is a BB article and a picture gallery from the event

Kate og William nød Danmarks-besøg

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by Viv

She wasn't IMO! Now please give CP Mary some credit, thank you!
In fact her voice was unfaltering when she summed
up the core of the East Africa problem at the end of the short
'interview! I'm also convinced that CP Mary knew that the
barrage of media people had not flown into Copenhagen for her
sake!
I watched one of our evening talk-shows, where Danish
celebrity commentator Jim Lyngvild dismissed the comparison/competition/formingfriendship
'girliestuff nonsense' we've seen since the visit was announced
by saying, that what he saw was two professional royal couples
focusing on an emergency. ' This is not about forming royal
friendships, this is about promoting on a good cause',
Lyngvild summed up!
Another voice of reason!

oh, and by the way: Some of the recent posters seem to forget that we've discussed whether ex-royal countess Alexandra - the patron of the Danish Unicef - would be present yesterday. Maybe it would be a good idea to scroll back the thread before making hasty, snap comments?

viv

I could not agree more.

[susiewong]

I think Kate could take a leaf out of Mary's books and had dressed down. She didnt really look like she was willing to roll up her sleeves and pack boxes. Her hair drives me insane. She needs to tie it back. I think Mary is always dressed appropriatley for all occassions. Kate just seems to be the barbie doll and needs to think about what she wears and when>

[Duke of Marmalade]

Side by side, Kate and her royal lookalike: Duchess's visit with Danish princess | Mail Online

[Muhler]

Thanks for your words on Mary's English Marge, Kit & MadameRoyale
Most interesting.

I noticed some of the Australian papers this morning.
Some of the headlines were (Australian born) Mary first, then Kate & William - oh yeah, Frederik too.
However, all seems to pay a good deal of focus on UNICEF, so in that respect the visit was a success.

As you know all four of them met some major donors after the visit to the storage fascillity. The press was not alloved near.
My guess it that these people had brought with them some hefty checkbooks and that's why UNICEF were able to, within hours to claim they had recieved millions.
Other donations must now be coming in as the news coverage is spreading.

On another note.
If you see a poster making a deliberate and nasty comment, report or ignore it.
Say whaaaatever and move on.
There is nothing so annoying to be nasty, only to be ignored.

[expat]

IMO people are very shallow, a good cause such as UNICEF only gets more donations because two attractive well dressed couples visit. I am glad UNICEF has reaped some benefit but I think this is ridiculous.

[Lumutqueen]

Now this might just be me noticing something that's been there forever but, since this visit was announced UK television has shown a lot more charity appeals for UNICEF than before. Also Bill Nighy who's in Cannes at the moment for the G8 and G20 summit discussed yesterday's visit.