Lessons In Royalty
 

what do you think the new commoner princesses had to learn from her engagement until their wedding? we all know that they had to learn protocol, some of them new languages and history... let's post any general assumptions on what we think their schedules were during the engagement period and their preparation as princesses and particular skills that particular princesses had to gain to be a princess...

to start and to add my two cents, i know princess letizia was taught "aristocratic english" and history of spain. there were rumours on that she took hunt lessons, but that was never confirmed. it was also said that she visited the palaces belonging to the royal house to learn about their facilities and their history and that she had a notebook with her all the time and kept asking the people things to write them down... :) which i thought it was a cute detail and showing a lot of commitment. there was also a little introduction to wines, how to taste them, names and procedences...

of course, she was also taught protocol and i wouldn't be surprised if she had some kind of lesson on international organisations and international politics.

I think new ones would be taught manners, such as how to stand, walk, hold yourself in public. Also, one would be taught how to take good pictures, how to smile, how to speak - anunciatjion...How to put outfits together (that look nice), how to sit up, how to eat - which utensils are used for what, how to drink and hold their wine - red or white, ettiquete...ah! there are soo many new things for a new princess to learn!! :)

By the way, Carlota, great thread! :)

thanks for the post mathilde! i forgot about those really important things, how to stand, walk, talk in public, greet people...

I think they all receive personal stylists so I don't think they need to learn that. But everything else, yes. :)

what about British Royals? have learn lesson?

She was probably given lessons on how to write proper correspondence, too, and the appropriate response for the occasion, along with what kinds of stationery to use (correspondence cards, letter sheets, etc.). I'm sure she has a secretary to answer her letters for her but in case she has to respond personally, this would be good to know.

Maxima was tutored by some professors, among them prof. Victor Halberstadt (who was the chairman of one of the bilderberg conferences), mostly about dutch history & society and dutch social and political organs and traditions.
Mrs L. Gaarland, lady in waiting of HM The Queen, who now acompanies Maxima most of the times, probably instructed her on royal customs.

must be so stressful, got to cope with the engagement, new life, new in-laws, the media and the nation!!!!

yeah, only the power of love can get a girl through.

The Countess of Wessex certainly took to this pursuit. She's like Annie Oakley when she has a gun...:D

Lessons In Royalty
 

Hello,
I was once looking through some articles about Duchess Kate (new fan here) and I saw that she had taken "princess lessons" where she would be learning about "how the State works" and "learning about organizations such as the arts, the media, and the government."
I highly doubt that was all she learned so I was wondering if anyone knew what a royal would have to study or learn before coming into the position? What are "the arts" in specific she would have to learn? (Is having a degree in art history not enough?)
Thank you

The Duchess of Cambridge was reported to have such lessons but I would doubt that they were referred to as Princess school. The arts include more than the visual arts i.e. the dramatic arts and UK legislation may be something she had little prior knowledge of. Britain does not to the best of my knowledge have an abundance of constitutional lawyers.

Lessons In Royalty
 

Not many people seem to really comprehend the intricacies of the British constitution (which in fact really isn't a constitution per se). I've even read a supposed quote made by The Queen somewhere where she admits to find it a bit difficult.


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In the movie "William and Kate", Kate is given curtsying lessons.


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And movies reflect real life? The British Constitution is also largely unwritten, to the best of my knowledge.

Let's get real. No member of the royal family is taught how to curtsey. It isn't important. It's a minor bit of protocol that is fading away. It's trivia

What is important is an understanding of the balance between royal(state role) and government. So meetings which explain that, the relationship between royal and government would take place. Working with the "constitution" is vital. Just image you become a member of the BRf and think what is the priority to learn..

One bad curtsey does not undo a princess, even one by marriage.

Then there is gaining an understanding of the protocols within the BRf. Then of course you could ignore them, but it is necessary to know that's what you are doing. If you gain seniority then your views could have impact.

There is also the need to understand how the Royal Household functions and the impact of changes. The decision to change lies with the Monarch. Same applies to managing budgets.

Stuff like who curtseys to whom seems of no importance to me. What is crucial is the protocol between monarch and government.

And there is no speculation on that, it will be a matter of law

I don't think Kate was giving Princess lessons, I think her and other royal brides are probably pulled aside before the wedding and giving tips on what to do an not to do. Like etiquette, protocol's and how to deal with the press. What to wear or not to wear in certain countries and how to address other royal's.

. Did The London Gazette not carry the new protocol as established by H.M regarding who curtseyed to whom and it was picked up by The Daily Fail. If true it would appear curtseying matters to H.M.

Managing Budgets? H.M is getting out a calculator to manage a budget? Seriously!

I read that Kate had protocol lessons and instruction on how to get in and out of a car without wardrobe issues....how to bend down to talk to someone without flashing etc etc. Those sorts of things.


LaRae