Prince William's Suitability to be King


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William could have arranged for the press to be there to record their visit to church but he didn’t which for me sums up his personality. He doesn’t feel the need for validation. They wanted a quiet family Easter, he got it. It was SM that wanted more just as they did when Catherine was ill.
I don't begrudge the family for having a quiet Easter with Kate's parents, away from the flashbulbs. Why would he share that with the press? As you can see, the press are there to take photos anyway. I think as soon as it was announced that the family were at Anmer Hall, the photographers were already gearing up for it. Imagine if he had informed the entire English press, it would have been the end of a quiet Easter within the family.

Sometimes social media is quite a pest!
 
I think it is legitimate to discuss, William is going to be King one day and it has become a tradition (though like all traditions it is not as old or long standing as people might think) for the Sovereign to spend Easter at Windsor and appear in public on Easter Sunday to attend Church.
Discussing it does not mean judging or saying Catherine should be dragged from her sick bed. It means just what it says -a discussion.
we can questions why we have this discussion so often with William and I would say it is because IMO he doesn't do as much as we have become use to from a working royal - and a senior in rank one at that but we don't need to get bogged down in specific incidents or events nor turn against each other in a discussion. They didn't attend - many wished they had because they want to see the family. It is not like people were demanding they walk through the street nightly for out entertainment. Church on Easter Sunday is an established event in the BRF calendar now so it was a deliberate decision for them not to attend, they could just have easily planned to do so. We have all learnt along the way, many learning for the first time that Charles didn't attend regularly, I would still say was relatively unknown because when you have a full schedule of events it is less notable when you don't attend something, I don't think it is a double standard as such just where there is absence of events expectations grow.
But we can all agree certainly that social media is often a place of extreme and tbh quite scary views. It has become a place for preaching and peddling "news" based on nothing than supposition and conjecture where discussion is replaced with arguing and imposition of opinions - at least these forums haven't become like that.
 
I think it is legitimate to discuss, William is going to be King one day and it has become a tradition (though like all traditions it is not as old or long standing as people might think) for the Sovereign to spend Easter at Windsor and appear in public on Easter Sunday to attend Church.
Discussing it does not mean judging or saying Catherine should be dragged from her sick bed. It means just what it says -a discussion.
we can questions why we have this discussion so often with William and I would say it is because IMO he doesn't do as much as we have become use to from a working royal - and a senior in rank one at that but we don't need to get bogged down in specific incidents or events nor turn against each other in a discussion. They didn't attend - many wished they had because they want to see the family. It is not like people were demanding they walk through the street nightly for out entertainment. Church on Easter Sunday is an established event in the BRF calendar now so it was a deliberate decision for them not to attend, they could just have easily planned to do so. We have all learnt along the way, many learning for the first time that Charles didn't attend regularly, I would still say was relatively unknown because when you have a full schedule of events it is less notable when you don't attend something, I don't think it is a double standard as such just where there is absence of events expectations grow.
But we can all agree certainly that social media is often a place of extreme and tbh quite scary views. It has become a place for preaching and peddling "news" based on nothing than supposition and conjecture where discussion is replaced with arguing and imposition of opinions - at least these forums haven't become like that.
I didn’t have a problem with people being disappointed in the fact they were not attending at Windsor, I would have liked to see them as well. I believe in fairness, which I don’t think was always present on the thread.
 
What is the "Waldo reference"? Never heard of it :unsure:

Where’s Waldo is a series of books where children have to find Waldo in a sea of people.


It’s been used during the hysteria about Catherine in Feb-March last year to suggest that she in hiding for various reasons.
 
I don't begrudge the family for having a quiet Easter with Kate's parents, away from the flashbulbs. Why would he share that with the press? As you can see, the press are there to take photos anyway. I think as soon as it was announced that the family were at Anmer Hall, the photographers were already gearing up for it. Imagine if he had informed the entire English press, it would have been the end of a quiet Easter within the family.

Sometimes social media is quite a pest!
Attending service at St Mary Magdalene's would take nothing from privacy except for hour of church.

Not about Windsor. Charles did Easter at other churches as POW
 
William could have arranged for the press to be there to record their visit to church but he didn’t which for me sums up his personality. He doesn’t feel the need for validation. They wanted a quiet family Easter, he got it. It was SM that wanted more just as they did when Catherine was ill.
The fact that they went to church privately on Easter Sunday, without advertising it to the whole world, is actually a credit to Prince William's Christian credentials (for those who doubt his faith).
 
Attending service at St Mary Magdalene's would take nothing from privacy except for hour of church.

Not about Windsor. Charles did Easter at other churches as POW
They attended church , they just didn’t announce it beforehand.
They managed to attend without too much fuss and those who had concerns that the heir was a non attender have had their concerns answered. Everybody is happy.
 
Something to remember is that Charles-who I do like-has a jealous streak.Who recalls his jealousy of Diana's popularity and him not wanting any tiaras, etc at his coronation? I think William knows this very well and treads a fine line. His day will come.
 
Taxpayers give Prince William £1.5m-a-year for an abandoned Dartmoor prison – and former inmates say it gave them cancer

This article makes me think what if other than Catherine's illness, William's lack of public engagement as PoW is because he's been dealing with his Duchy stuff? Based on last year media investigaton report (can't recall was it Sunday Times or Telegraph) about the Duchy, Dartmoor prison seems not the only problematic one. To be fair, it's not entirely his fault since most (if not all) of the problems have been going on for a while, but he is the current Duke of Cornwall so he's the one who has to deal with it. The Duchy of Cornwall is not a small estate so it would take a while for him to go through the papers (and obviously it won't be reflected in Court Circular). Sure he has staff, but he gives me an impression as a hand on leader (IIRC, there's article mentioning about his frequent whatsapp chats with the Duchy people) and it it's been keeping him busy these past two years.
 
That’s an interesting point Yukari. From his response to other areas he’s involved in, I imagine William is someone who wants to get to grips with his responsibilities in the Duchy, rather than allow others to do things on his behalf.
 
The problem I see with
Taxpayers give Prince William £1.5m-a-year for an abandoned Dartmoor prison – and former inmates say it gave them cancer

This article makes me think what if other than Catherine's illness, William's lack of public engagement as PoW is because he's been dealing with his Duchy stuff? Based on last year media investigaton report (can't recall was it Sunday Times or Telegraph) about the Duchy, Dartmoor prison seems not the only problematic one. To be fair, it's not entirely his fault since most (if not all) of the problems have been going on for a while, but he is the current Duke of Cornwall so he's the one who has to deal with it. The Duchy of Cornwall is not a small estate so it would take a while for him to go through the papers (and obviously it won't be reflected in Court Circular). Sure he has staff, but he gives me an impression as a hand on leader (IIRC, there's article mentioning about his frequent whatsapp chats with the Duchy people) and it it's been keeping him busy these past two years.
The problem/issue with this is that William is much more than the Duke of Cornwall, he's also the Prince of Wales of the UK.

Personally, I don't see an issue with William and his family not attending Easter with the rest of the royals at Windsor. Royal traditions can be maintained for so long before they become a burden to new generations living in a different society from 200/100/50 years ago. Monarchies can't get so bogged down with old traditions they are unable to adapt minimally with the rest of society.

I think the problem is optics and the old adage "the wife of the Cesar not only has to be honest but appear honest" Obviously, I'm not talking about his honesty but William should be careful not to appear work shy. His not appearance at the BAFTAS, Easter, his lack of being seen as taking over his father who is old and has cancer, together with the family skiing trip only 2 weeks ago and his attendance to Champions League games supporting his football club, is beginning to a make a few people raise eyebrows.
 
That’s an interesting point Yukari. From his response to other areas he’s involved in, I imagine William is someone who wants to get to grips with his responsibilities in the Duchy, rather than allow others to do things on his behalf.
I agree, I am sure that report shocked him, he will have trusted people supporting him to review everything, not just turning up at a monthly ( or whatever ) meeting .I can see changes being made around the Duchy, possibly to be more beneficial to the people of the area, I am not sure what they will be but he will be hands on. He also has to bear in mind George, he will want things in place for when it is his time, and as we do not know when that will be we do not know what age he will be. All things to bear in mind.
 
The problem I see with

The problem/issue with this is that William is much more than the Duke of Cornwall, he's also the Prince of Wales of the UK.

Personally, I don't see an issue with William and his family not attending Easter with the rest of the royals at Windsor. Royal traditions can be maintained for so long before they become a burden to new generations living in a different society from 200/100/50 years ago. Monarchies can't get so bogged down with old traditions they are unable to adapt minimally with the rest of society.

I think the problem is optics and the old adage "the wife of the Cesar not only has to be honest but appear honest" Obviously, I'm not talking about his honesty but William should be careful not to appear work shy. His not appearance at the BAFTAS, Easter, his lack of being seen as taking over his father who is old and has cancer, together with the family skiing trip only 2 weeks ago and his attendance to Champions League games supporting his football club, is beginning to a make a few people raise eyebrows.
He followed his fathers tradition of not attending at Windsor...
 
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The problem/issue with this is that William is much more than the Duke of Cornwall, he's also the Prince of Wales of the UK.

Personally, I don't see an issue with William and his family not attending Easter with the rest of the royals at Windsor. Royal traditions can be maintained for so long before they become a burden to new generations living in a different society from 200/100/50 years ago. Monarchies can't get so bogged down with old traditions they are unable to adapt minimally with the rest of society.

I think the problem is optics and the old adage "the wife of the Cesar not only has to be honest but appear honest" Obviously, I'm not talking about his honesty but William should be careful not to appear work shy. His not appearance at the BAFTAS, Easter, his lack of being seen as taking over his father who is old and has cancer, together with the family skiing trip only 2 weeks ago and his attendance to Champions League games supporting his football club, is beginning to a make a few people raise eyebrows.
Genuine question: what is being a Prince of Wales entailed? In my understanding, William will still be King even if he hadn't been given the PoW title.

Meanwhile, being Duke of Cornwall is automatic as the first son of the king and with the role also come the responsibility of the Duchy. And in this case, him managing the estate will directly affect his tenants' livehood.

Personally, i think if he currently indeed focusing on his Duchy, isn't it shown a good character for a future king since it means he cares about his subject/tenants' wellbeing more than the 'optic' (of being the PoW or whatever it means)
 
Genuine question: what is being a Prince of Wales entailed? In my understanding, William will still be King even if he hadn't been given the PoW title.

Meanwhile, being Duke of Cornwall is automatic as the first son of the king and with the role also come the responsibility of the Duchy. And in this case, him managing the estate will directly affect his tenants' livehood.

Personally, i think if he currently indeed focusing on his Duchy, isn't it shown a good character for a future king since it means he cares about his subject/tenants' wellbeing more than the 'optic' (of being the PoW or whatever it means)
You are asking me a question, British posters should answer. As a Spaniard, I expect the Princess of Asturias to work hard for the institutional role she's inherited and the privileges that come with it.

Monarchies need to be careful in today's society. William is 42.y.o. and needs to be seen as a hard working royal, taking most of the responsibility of the institution, specially when his father age and health is failing. This is what I tried to say in my previous post.

I won't enter into a debate with British posters because frankly, I don't live in Britain.
 
But does Charles accept that? I don’t say William offered.
 
You are asking me a question, British posters should answer. As a Spaniard, I expect the Princess of Asturias to work hard for the institutional role she's inherited and the privileges that come with it.

Monarchies need to be careful in today's society. William is 42.y.o. and needs to be seen as a hard working royal, taking most of the responsibility of the institution, specially when his father age and health is failing. This is what I tried to say in my previous post.

I won't enter into a debate with British posters because frankly, I don't live in Britain.
William is the most popular member of the British royal family according to the polls. And Catherine is the second most popular. I don't think either of them has a "popularity" problem.

Furthermore, comparing the situation in Spain and the UK is like comparing apples and oranges in my modest opinion. King Felipe and Queen Letizia are in practice the only adult working royals in Spain, with Queen Sofia now playing a secondary role.

In the UK, on the other hand, King Charles made a point of not demoting his siblings after his mother's passing (other than Andrew, who had already been banned before Charles' accession). As a result, not only did the Princess Royal keep her royal workload, but also the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh apparently increased theirs, which means that the Prince of Wales can concentrate on "bigger issues" and leave the more run-of-the-mill engagements to the King's siblings or even the Gloucesters, who are still active too.

Princess Leonor in turn is currently undergoing military training in the 3 branches of the armed forces, which Prince William also did when he was slightly older than Leonor, as he got his Scottish master's degree from St Andrews first before going to the military academy.
 
Good grief, I'm not comparing Leonor to William. All I've said is that William needs to step up if he wants to appear to be a hard working royal taking on the responsibilities of the role he has as Prince of Wales.

I rarely want to get involved in this forum and I'm out.
 
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As far as I am aware, there are no specific responsibilities attached to the role of the Prince of Wales. It is the title that is bestowed on the oldest son of the monarch which,up until recent changes in the UK of the male primogeniture, has been the heir to the throne. By this I mean in the future, if the monarch’s oldest child was a daughter, I assume she could be given the title Princess of Wales. The title dates backs to the 1300s.
The Duchy of Cornwall, which was also established at around the same time, is the main source of wealth for the heir to the throne ( the Duke of Cornwall ) as it is a private estate over which he presides. It therefore comes with many responsibilities. There’s some more information here.
 
There are no responsibilities specifically attached to the title of Prince of Wales. However, the job of the heir to the throne is to support the monarch, for example at official occasions and by holding investitures, to manage the Duchy of Cornwall, and to be involved in philanthropic/charitable work.

William and Catherine are both very popular. However, yes, all senior royals need to be seen to be hardworking. No-one wants to become known as "Air Miles Andy" or "Freeloading Fergie" - there's been enough of that.
 
There are no responsibilities specifically attached to the title of Prince of Wales. However, the job of the heir to the throne is to support the monarch, for example at official occasions and by holding investitures, to manage the Duchy of Cornwall, and to be involved in philanthropic/charitable work.

William and Catherine are both very popular. However, yes, all senior royals need to be seen to be hardworking. No-one wants to become known as "Air Miles Andy" or "Freeloading Fergie" - there's been enough of that.
William holds investitures, manages the Duchy of Cornwall, is involved in philanthropic/charitable work, and participates in various state functions including state and official visits. I don't think it makes sense to say that he is "lazy" because he has fewer annual engagements than, let's say, Princess Anne.

To be honest, I doubt that Prnce William's work ethic is even an issue in the UK at the moment, except for the usual suspects, i.e., republicans or the Sussex/anti-Wales squad.
 
There are no responsibilities specifically attached to the title of Prince of Wales. However, the job of the heir to the throne is to support the monarch, for example at official occasions and by holding investitures, to manage the Duchy of Cornwall, and to be involved in philanthropic/charitable work.

William and Catherine are both very popular. However, yes, all senior royals need to be seen to be hardworking. No-one wants to become known as "Air Miles Andy" or "Freeloading Fergie" - there's been enough of that.
His father had 70 years to be ready for the role as monarch, it became more intense the last 2 years of the late Queens reign. William has nothing like that time to prepare. Easter Sunday is an example as how William works, he does not feel the need to explain himself. Whether that is the correct strategy or not is for others to judge.
I just do not think it is as straightforward as laziness as others would like to make out.
I think we should be patient , there is more than meets the eye here,
 
All I've said is that William needs to step up if he wants to appear to be a hard working royal taking on the responsibilities of the role he has as Prince of Wales.
I'm not British, but given William's popularity, he must be doing something right. I’d assume the British public sees him as hardworking—by their standards, at least. If he didn’t, he probably wouldn’t be polling so well.
 

Representing King Charles at the funeral of Pope Francis will be one of the biggest international events that Prince William will have undertaken on his own so far.

It marks another step on to the global stage, after engagements such as his meeting with US President Trump in France last year.
 
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