- Joined
- Aug 21, 2017
- Messages
- 11,295
- City
- BC
- Country
- Canada
Once in a while the discussion comes up as to what non-full time working royals should be doing? Typically this mainly concerns the younger children of a monarch but in some royal families this question might also be asked for the next generation (grandchildren/cousins/nieces & nephews of the monarch). So, this thread is specifically dedicated for that question. It will be interesting to read the various perspectives. What are best practices and what should definitely be avoided? And how to go about the inherent risks that come with almost any endeavor for royals in this position.
Prince Edward, Sophie, Fergie and Märtha Louise all were or are 'banking' on their profile as royals, so they don't fit the description of doing things that are not depending on their 'royal brand'. They fit the description of indeed being problematic.
Infanta Cristina's job is actually a pretty good example, she is doing meaningful work without attracting any controversy. That her husband was involved in criminal practices, was of course problematic and would be problematic independent of what specific job that person was doing.
Prince Laurent is receiving a dotation, so he does not depend on any outside activities to earn a living. Prince Joachim is also in that boat and it seems to be a rather complicated position: receiving money from the state but with a lighter work load than the 'core royals' (even more so over time).
Princess Laurentien's example shows that being involved in political issues is tricky and should be avoided - although previously her work in various areas was lauded, so, it is a very thin line.
Other examples of (mostly) success stories that I can think of: prince Friso and princess Mabel, the younger children of grand duke Henri. In Monaco, Albert's nieces and nephews (the de facto next generation for quite some time) also don't cause lots of controversy or trouble for his reign. The Liechtenstein princely family seems to be doing fine as well.
As far as royals, particularly spares, pursuing commercial endeavors, clearly ML has made agreements and then willfully disregarded certain terms, but IMO, I think that royal families are still grappling with what is the right way to allow the non-working royals to earn a living in a way that is not overly problematic for the monarchy.
I'd say problems typically arise when royals want to earn money by becoming a brand. If they have a regular job (either working for a larger company/organization or as an entrepreneur focused on the product they offer instead of their name), there isn't as much of an issue typically.
Are there really that many royals, specifically children of monarchs that have had "regular" jobs or been entrepreneurs? They are out there, Prince Carl Philip, Prince Constantijn, Infanta Elena, and even these still get criticism but I don't recall a scandal about their business practices but I am not 100% sure. I am not counting Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie because they are not children of the monarch, although I suppose that they can get an honorable mention because of how high profile the BRF is.
There are royals that have worked "regular" jobs or been entrepreneurs had controversies, with some being quite spectacular - Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Fergie, although after her divorce, Infanta Cristina and her ex-husband, Prince Laurent, Princess Martha Louise and recently Princess Laurentien.
Prince Edward, Sophie, Fergie and Märtha Louise all were or are 'banking' on their profile as royals, so they don't fit the description of doing things that are not depending on their 'royal brand'. They fit the description of indeed being problematic.
Infanta Cristina's job is actually a pretty good example, she is doing meaningful work without attracting any controversy. That her husband was involved in criminal practices, was of course problematic and would be problematic independent of what specific job that person was doing.
Prince Laurent is receiving a dotation, so he does not depend on any outside activities to earn a living. Prince Joachim is also in that boat and it seems to be a rather complicated position: receiving money from the state but with a lighter work load than the 'core royals' (even more so over time).
Princess Laurentien's example shows that being involved in political issues is tricky and should be avoided - although previously her work in various areas was lauded, so, it is a very thin line.
Other examples of (mostly) success stories that I can think of: prince Friso and princess Mabel, the younger children of grand duke Henri. In Monaco, Albert's nieces and nephews (the de facto next generation for quite some time) also don't cause lots of controversy or trouble for his reign. The Liechtenstein princely family seems to be doing fine as well.