The Crown Prince family's trip abroad

[Vanesa]

Bad choice...I hope they woulnd't live abroad...What are they thinking about? Crownprinces family MUST live in the country they will rule later. They must travel a lot to know how the world is it; they could eventually spend some motnh abroad...but live out of their countries...Of course, not.

Vanesa.

[Esmerelda]

Originally Posted by Vanesa

Bad choice...I hope they woulnd't live abroad...What are they thinking about? Crownprinces family MUST live in the country they will rule later. They must travel a lot to know how the world is it; they could eventually spend some motnh abroad...but live out of their countries...Of course, not.

Vanesa.

They're not moving abroad. They're travelling for 2 months.

[Hilda Thomas]

I was in Norway a few years ago, I met a lady from Norway she was still not impress with MM. she said that MM goes to schools and colleges but she does not graduate in anything she was concerned that tax payers money is not used falsely.

[lise]

I think this is a great idea, The only thing that seems odd to me is the timing. It would make more sense to me to go before Ingrid started school.

[Her_Majesty]

Originally Posted by Hilda Thomas

I was in Norway a few years ago, I met a lady from Norway she was still not impress with MM. she said that MM goes to schools and colleges but she does not graduate in anything she was concerned that tax payers money is not used falsely.

Personally I made other experiences. I have close friends who live in Norway and they all accepted Mette-Marit rather soon. They are no monarchists, but they accept their Royal family. I got the feeling many people in Norway think like this. The monarchy is part of their country and they accept it.

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmelade

Good for him that Norway is quite a tolerant country,I couldnt imagine any other CP couple getting away with travelling, staying out of the country to do studies etc.

Yesterday I saw a report about the British Royals and once again I recognized that the Norwegian Royals are indeed seen differently in their country then other royals are seen by their people.
While many Royals are followed by the press whatever they do, the Norwegians are able to live rather privately. Of course the press follows them too, but most of the time they are also able to have a rather private life. The King and Queen once said they are glad people accept their privacy; they can go to the cinema and although people recognize them, they don't address them.

[wartenberg7]

Originally Posted by Hilda Thomas

I was in Norway a few years ago, I met a lady from Norway she was still not impress with MM. she said that MM goes to schools and colleges but she does not graduate in anything she was concerned that tax payers money is not used falsely.

Yes, some (mostly) elderly ladies stick firmly and stubborn to their decision, not to accept the Crown Princess, no matter how brillantly she acts in her role...
But, as a norwegian journalist put it, what he answers to them was, that Mette-Marit will be Queen, when they´ll be long gone, no matter how much they dislike her, that there´s nothing they can do about it! And I agree with him that this is quite comforting...

[Hilda Thomas]

My dears, this centry would see many kingdoms vanish.

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by Hilda Thomas

My dears, this centry would see many kingdoms vanish.

No disrespect Hilda, but I always find that an odd comment from American or someone who doesn't live in a particular country. Just as I would someone from another country who speaks about our government. Its very easy to make statements based on one's opinions, a person, what you read from a particular magazine/newspaper (that is usually slanted to one opinion over another), etc.

Do you speak with the average Norwegian (or Dutch, Danes, British, etc.). How do you know what a majority of them feel?

[Hilda Thomas]

Incedentially it was a young person of MM's age that made the remark that she does not seems to graduate from her studies and it is not the elderly women and men that would topple many of the kingdoms it would be the young generation.

[Hilda Thomas]

Dearest Zonk I was a British Subject and I travel and read a great deal. If I overstep ped my boundry thank you for keeping me in check.

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by Hilda Thomas

Dearest Zonk I was a British Subject and I travel and read a great deal. If I overstep ped my boundry thank you for keeping me in check.

Hilda I am not trying to keep you in check. And yes, as British subject you definitely have a "feel" for the average British citizen. Your location says US

But I stand with the rest of my statement. I live in Maryland, and I certainly would not feel comfortable speaking on behalf of all of my fellow Americans or Marylanders. And I certainly would not feel comfortable saying that the Norwegians feel that they don't need the royal family. That is my point. And you are not the only person who expresses such views about other countries...that is also one of my points, that I say to them as well.

And I can totally understand why an older generation would question MM past and dedication to her current job. They are and hold a different set of values and opinions. Of which, they are certainly entitled to

Finally (to get back on topic) I agree with other posters who stated that Haakon, MM, and the kids living abroad with no information, timeline, etc....is something that would not be acceptable in a lot of countries.

[nascarlucy]

Many of my co-workers and friends have very little interest in royalty. When I've mentioned that I've gone unto this blog, they roll their eyes. To me, this blog has opened up a new world for me. Even though I live in the Central Florida area, I don't in my everyday life met people from other countries. When I do, it's usually if I go to one of the attractions (Disney, EPCOT) or in the Orlando area. In Daytona Beach you don't met too many people from other countries (once in a while you do). Most of these people have been from England, Canada, Germany, Ireland, France.

When I've gone on vacations to other parts of the United States, then I've met a lot more people from other countries. That sounds strange, given that many people from all over the world come to Disney and the Orlando area.



I can't exactly speak for Americans in general or people who live in Florida.

[fairy tale]

How do we know that a decision like the one of the Crownprince family to stay abroad for several weeks "would not be acceptable in a lot of countries" (like Zonk said)? And even why should that be important in this case? There are still King and Queen to carry out the Royals' duties. The CP family has chosen this way to broaden their mind. Nobody knows for how long there is a chance to do such a travel. As the whole plan is quite exceptional I guess any date would appear to be unfavourable.
I think if they can really take something for themselves from this trip the effects are only good for their country.

[Zonk]

Well, I am not British but I am familliar enough with the BRF and based on some newspapers and magazines that I read (which are British). Knowing how there is already a HUGE fuss about security of a Royal wedding, and people did not like paying for Beatrice and Eugenie (the Queen's granddaughters) protection officers when they are clubbing.

I am QUITE comfortable to say that William, Catherine and their kids going abroad to live for a couple of weeks/months WILL NOT go over well. Who is paying for this (i.e. airfare, lodging, etc.). Are we paying for the protection officers, etc.

Not all all. Norway appears to be a more relaxed country and thus this doesn't appear to be bringing a BIG fuss. I am sure someone people aren't happy but its very different. Its one thing to take a vacation (which is greatly criticized in the British press) but you are going to be gone and we (who are supporting you thru our tax dollars) don't know where you are? Nope. Not acceptable for the Brits.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Britain - unthinkable for any heir to the throne. William and Harry were allowed to do what any young British twen aims to do - travelling during the "gap year" between school and university. People could understand that both are important enough that security had to travel with them, but not in Beatrice & Eugenie's case, it attracted huge critizism.

I can only add that in case the Spanish CP couple would bow out for a couple of months to broaden their horizons while travelling foreign countries there would be strong bets that the Spanish monarchy will be the first one to go in Europe, within a couple of years.

People will ask themselves, if they are going to travel on our expense and wont be able to do what they are there for, serving the country, do we need them at all? Then why not let them travel and do what they please while we pay for elected people that we can get rid of quickly if they dont do what pleases us.

[wartenberg7]

I´m pretty convinced that others, also Princes William or Harry, would do the same thing if they were determined to - no matter if they were criticised for it or not.
Of course I cannot be absolutely positive, but from all what I´ve seen and know about W and H (and I "know" them from their day 1 on this planet!) I´m sure they wouldn´t let anyone stop them if this was their desire!

[wartenberg7]

From everything I´ve seen and heard about Princes William and Harry (and I "know" them from their first day on this planet) I´m pretty convinced that they wouldn´t let anyone stop them doing a 2 month trip if they were absolutely determined to - now or at any time in the future. I don´t think this was "unthinkable" at all. And let´s be honest: The two young men never did things the usual and traditional "royal way"....

[Alison20]

I think this is an interesting interlude for the Norwegian CP couple and family. It is only for 2 months, so couldn't really be considered as 'bringing up their children in a foreign country' - which most countries are against happening with heirs to the throne.

Although SM is quite young, M is getting to the stage in his education where disruption is not a good idea. Also, the King is not getting any younger and, although he made a good recovery from his recent ill health, it may only be a few years before Haakon has to take over most or all of his work-load as a Regent.

Also, they have said that they are paying for the trip with their private money. Security would have to be provided anyway so it will not be a big extra to have some travel with them.

As to the British Royal Family - you will hear a lot of negative comment from the media generally, and there are some very outspoken anti-monarchists (and many students - who always like to protest againt the status quo!). However, there is a very large 'silent majority', which is happy with and proud of our traditions and way of life, including the Monarchy. If you think back a few years, the BBC let it be known that it wouldn't be doing much coverage when the Queen Mother died. Then, when they saw the great outpouring of respect from the ordinary majority and the way they lined some 20 miles of road, spontaneously, when her coffin was moved from Windsor to London (or was it the other way round?) they changed their mind. The media is often out of step with people, and can believe their own propaganda too much.

[Enigma]

two articles from msn.no:

http://translate.google.com/translat...jectid%3D99185

the original article in norwegian:
- Kronprinsfamilien skal feire julen i India | Starlounge

another article:

http://translate.google.com/translat...jectid%3D99889

original article in norwegian:
Kronprinsparets reise møter kraftig kritikk | Starlounge

[Esmerelda]

The two translated articles are identical.