When William and Kate came to Hollywood- William was the Honorary President of BAFTA, they belonged there and they were the biggest hit of the night that was glowingly talked about for months in the world press and still is - Kate’s dress, their red carpet walk, the biggest Hollywood stars breaking their necks to meet the British newlyweds.
I wince whenever I hear this - its a bug-aboo of mine because I was around for the above - and it was an eye-opener for me. Its like the reporting of a disaster - there is always a disjunct between the reportage and what its like 'on the ground'.
This has everything to do with PR machines - which Albert and Charlene clearly are not vested in - and William and Kate are, or they that 'handle' them are.
William and Kate were the 'hit of the night' because the event was arranged around them within the venue. What you're 'quoting' is the PR machine - the British press delivering the spin. The 'world press' are the tabloids. Their 'red carpet walk' was minimal and nothing on the order of the Oscars. Hollywood stars - contrary to what has been reported - were not 'breaking their necks' to meet the newlyweds. Dear heavens! There were people attending that event who had quite another opinion of 'the newlyweds' showing up at that venue - but you haven't heard that because it doesn't go along with the fiction being spun.
'Official' LA, too, (like the mayor) did everything they could to make them feel welcome - because that's what they do - but it was far from a 'triumphal progression'. A handful of 'regular folk' turned out to 'greet' them - even though the nightly news the night before asked Angelinos to show up. Those interviewed, who happened to be around the locales the royals were at, indicated that 'royalty wasn't their thing'. Ooops!
As I say - it was an eye-opener watching that whole thing. The presentation - the furiously working PR - and the reality - were quite different. Hearing it always referred to as 'a success' is wince-able. I think some people mistake 'politeness' extended - people
saying how great it was in an interview in Britain, say - for
actual success. The Americans are being polite! (BTW its not that it was a non-success, either - it was great for those who like that sort of thing, of course it was {I am one but I am rather fond of accuracy, too} - but it was most definitely
not the heady hysteria that seems to be the fiction peddled).
Same for Albert and Charlene - you may be under the impression you indicate - but Albert has been a presence here in Hollywood for many years. He has far and away more 'right' to be here than William - whose BAFTA position is merely 'honorary', no personal work to back it up (yet), just position of birth. Albert (and Charlene) are sought after here in the best possible of ways regardless of what you may have been led to believe by spin.
Rant over.
Who would PA donate to? That is ridiculous. His foundation has had a relationship with Disney for several years. He was their guest. PA has been surrounded by people from Hollywood since birth. His mother was an Academy Award winner. People like George Clooney, Brad and Angelina, Michael Douglas and Stephen Spielberg are seen in Monaco yearly. If you want to get snobby, why was Jane Seymour there? She is a hasbeen TV personality. (I like Jane so I don't mind.) I note a tinge of envy from Europe, especially the UK.
Right on! All sorts of folks are attending the Oscars - for very good reasons. Albert and Charlene got press is the difference.