"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
So...could the next royal news story get a fresh thread? This one is getting awfully long. And for some reason is no longer taking me straight to the newest post when I click on it...
Also on the topic of the christmas card - it suddenly strikes me as odd that we (including myself here) fully expect a "normal" christmas card picture out of these people. While at the same time saying things like, "I'd really like to see a different tiara" But they give us this cute little happy smiley family just like us! I mean...they aren't just like us. That's the whole point of royalty isn't it?
I'm fine with starting a new royal thread, I just keep using this one because nothing "new" has actually happened, its all just kind of random gossip and pictures.
The royals are obviously not like us, but William and Kate try to convince people they are. (there was an article maybe last year? With William talking about how he didn't want his children to grow up behind walls, etc. The photos included with the interview literally had the kids playing in a walled garden. LOL.) So I think these images play into that public image they try to project.
anyway, I'm not sure what the overall history on the royal Christmas cards is, but I know Will and Kate have used them to basically give updated photos on the kids as they grow.I wouldn't mind if they were posed pictures in the drawing room of the palace or whatever, lol. But their picture last year was so boring and blah. And Charles and Camilla typically seem to release a picture from one of their tours, but this year its from his 70th birthday shoot.
ETA actually I would kind of love it Will and Kate released a picture of themselves dressed for a state function - in a tiara, and William in his white tie with the kids super fancy as well. Like, WE'RE ROYAL AND YOURE NOT! Embrace it Cambridges.
So...could the next royal news story get a fresh thread? This one is getting awfully long. And for some reason is no longer taking me straight to the newest post when I click on it...
Also on the topic of the christmas card - it suddenly strikes me as odd that we (including myself here) fully expect a "normal" christmas card picture out of these people. While at the same time saying things like, "I'd really like to see a different tiara" But they give us this cute little happy smiley family just like us! I mean...they aren't just like us. That's the whole point of royalty isn't it?
I'm fine with starting a new royal thread, I just keep using this one because nothing "new" has actually happened, its all just kind of random gossip and pictures.
The royals are obviously not like us, but William and Kate try to convince people they are. (there was an article maybe last year? With William talking about how he didn't want his children to grow up behind walls, etc. The photos included with the interview literally had the kids playing in a walled garden. LOL.) So I think these images play into that public image they try to project.
anyway, I'm not sure what the overall history on the royal Christmas cards is, but I know Will and Kate have used them to basically give updated photos on the kids as they grow.I wouldn't mind if they were posed pictures in the drawing room of the palace or whatever, lol. But their picture last year was so boring and blah. And Charles and Camilla typically seem to release a picture from one of their tours, but this year its from his 70th birthday shoot.
ETA actually I would kind of love it Will and Kate released a picture of themselves dressed for a state function - in a tiara, and William in his white tie with the kids super fancy as well. Like, WE'RE ROYAL AND YOURE NOT! Embrace it Cambridges.
I agree with all of this. Particularly the ETA. I know they want to be just "normal" but that's really sorta strange all things considered. Like, will...you're going to be the king. Shit ain't normal. But it's still a cute picture and I like it.
Post by CheeringCharm on Dec 14, 2018 10:43:58 GMT -5
I think what is interesting about them is that they do straddle those two poles - on the one hand, they're obviously in a very, very unique position that few people on earth can relate to. But on the other, they are "real people" too, which is easy to forget. They're not zoo animals. They have many of the same fears, concerns, desires, etc. as the rest of us. And one of those desires is to raise a close, loving family like the one Kate grew up in. Given the things they've said about the family life and that Kate primarily runs it, I have a feeling that behind closed doors, they are a lot more normal and down to earth than you'd assume, certainly more so than how William was raised and how Queen Elizabeth raised her children.
I think what is interesting about them is that they do straddle those two poles - on the one hand, they're obviously in a very, very unique position that few people on earth can relate to. But on the other, they are "real people" too, which is easy to forget. They're not zoo animals. They have many of the same fears, concerns, desires, etc. as the rest of us. And one of those desires is to raise a close, loving family like the one Kate grew up in. Given the things they've said about the family life and that Kate primarily runs it, I have a feeling that behind closed doors, they are a lot more normal and down to earth than you'd assume, certainly more so than how William was raised and how Queen Elizabeth raised her children.
I guess my question is, what does normal and down to earth mean? Celebitchy talks a lot about how William seems to "fetishize" being normal and I kind of agree with that. It basically comes across - to me - like when he says "normal" he just means not royal. Like he still wants to be rich and privileged, he just doesn't want to be king. I agree that I think Will and Kate are more involved in their kids daily lives than probably Diana and Charles were, but I also think at least part of that is a function of William not being PoW yet.
And for the record I felt the same way when there was that story last month or the month before about Harry and Meghan were going to raise their child to be "normal" and to "have a job" and stuff. Sure, baby Sussex will have a job. But its probably not going to be like the jobs most of us had in high school, lol.
Post by thelurkylulu on Dec 14, 2018 11:32:34 GMT -5
This is one of those the grass is always greener situations. Like William was never going to be able to have a normal childhood, so a normal life is all he’s ever wanted.
While all of us grew up “normal” and we all say we would embrace royal life, be wearing tiaras daily, and taking full advantage of the royal perks. You always want what you can’t have!
There are some generational differences in how kids were raised between that time period and now, and differences in terms of their family. I don't think family life was amazing for Harry and Will because of the divorce and their mother's death and being royalty. And I really don't know Kate's background that well, but if it is true what previous poster said that they were a lot closer, I can see them together making that decision to try to create a closer more hands on family.
I don't think they are really ever going to be completely down to earth and normal. But it seems they try to be more so that way, rather than totally out there.
This is one of those the grass is always greener situations. Like William was never going to be able to have a normal childhood, so a normal life is all he’s ever wanted.
While all of us grew up “normal” and we all say we would embrace royal life, be wearing tiaras daily, and taking full advantage of the royal perks. You always want what you can’t have!
Yes and I also think a part of it is wanting a normal FAMILY life. Happy parents and happy, secure kids.
I think he idealizes the kind of family life Kate has and part of what he means by normal is that kind of family life.
You can kind of see it in how they are embracing George’s more sensitive nature. From his school to him being encouraged in doing dance, to limiting his photo calls
This is one of those the grass is always greener situations. Like William was never going to be able to have a normal childhood, so a normal life is all he’s ever wanted.
While all of us grew up “normal” and we all say we would embrace royal life, be wearing tiaras daily, and taking full advantage of the royal perks. You always want what you can’t have!
I would not survive as a royal lol.
now rich, I could probably handle. Wonder if George Percy is still single........
ETA I don't know why I'm worried about George Percy. It's not like I'm single. (because my husband is the only thing standing in the way of my becoming a duchess....)
I love all three photos, especially the Cambridges. Those kids are adorable.
I think when Will says normal he mostly means a family where the parents interact with their children, where they eat dinner together often, where the parents go to school events or send in goody bags for the class party. Basically not his childhood where he was with nannies so much and his parents constantly had other focuses. I think that's part of why they really took advantage of being able to be a bit less out there royal work wise until now (even to the detriment of their outward reputation in terms of being considered slackers).
I don't think Will wants to be anything other than rich (I can't imagine even he would fantasize about that life) but I can imagine he sometimes thinks what it would have been like if he could have just had his flight career while Kate stayed home or worked with the party planning family business.
Creepy doesn't even begin to describe those wax...things.
Those aren’t wax. Those are actors who are spoofing the Madame Toussad exhibit. They’re still creepy and weird but to a slightly lesser degree than if this had been a serious exhibit.
Right. That's what the tweet specifies, actors wearing latex masks. The oddly sized and immobile heads on moving people = creepy to me.
I think what is interesting about them is that they do straddle those two poles - on the one hand, they're obviously in a very, very unique position that few people on earth can relate to. But on the other, they are "real people" too, which is easy to forget. They're not zoo animals. They have many of the same fears, concerns, desires, etc. as the rest of us. And one of those desires is to raise a close, loving family like the one Kate grew up in. Given the things they've said about the family life and that Kate primarily runs it, I have a feeling that behind closed doors, they are a lot more normal and down to earth than you'd assume, certainly more so than how William was raised and how Queen Elizabeth raised her children.
I guess my question is, what does normal and down to earth mean? Celebitchy talks a lot about how William seems to "fetishize" being normal and I kind of agree with that. It basically comes across - to me - like when he says "normal" he just means not royal. Like he still wants to be rich and privileged, he just doesn't want to be king. I agree that I think Will and Kate are more involved in their kids daily lives than probably Diana and Charles were, but I also think at least part of that is a function of William not being PoW yet.
And for the record I felt the same way when there was that story last month or the month before about Harry and Meghan were going to raise their child to be "normal" and to "have a job" and stuff. Sure, baby Sussex will have a job. But its probably not going to be like the jobs most of us had in high school, lol.
Yeah I mean normal and down to earth for rich people. My point is, they don't seem to be living Downtown Abbey style lifestyles, although they easily could if they wanted to. William's upbringing seems a lot more formal and closer to that era than how Will and Kate choose to live now. They have staff for the extra help but they don't seem to completely outsource childcare to their nannies. They don't employ someone to squeeze toothpaste for them. They both drive themselves around, Kate does her own hair and makeup on her off duty days, she does the school run, apparently she likes to do craft projects with her kids at home and she likes to of to the grocery store on occasion and cook meals herself. I think she'd want to take cute yet casual family photos like these whether they planned to release them publicly or not. I don't think it is a pose they are putting on for pretense. I think this is close to who they actually are. In their private lives, they seem to live like "normal" rich people. To be honest, it seems like they are trying to replicate Kate's childhood growing up. Although she is often described as coming from a middle class background, in the US we would consider her family to be fairly wealthy.
I guess my question is, what does normal and down to earth mean? Celebitchy talks a lot about how William seems to "fetishize" being normal and I kind of agree with that. It basically comes across - to me - like when he says "normal" he just means not royal. Like he still wants to be rich and privileged, he just doesn't want to be king. I agree that I think Will and Kate are more involved in their kids daily lives than probably Diana and Charles were, but I also think at least part of that is a function of William not being PoW yet.
And for the record I felt the same way when there was that story last month or the month before about Harry and Meghan were going to raise their child to be "normal" and to "have a job" and stuff. Sure, baby Sussex will have a job. But its probably not going to be like the jobs most of us had in high school, lol.
Yeah I mean normal and down to earth for rich people. My point is, they don't seem to be living Downtown Abbey style lifestyles, although they easily could if they wanted to. William's upbringing seems a lot more formal and closer to that era than how Will and Kate choose to live now. They have staff for the extra help but they don't seem to completely outsource childcare to their nannies. They don't employ someone to squeeze toothpaste for them. They both drive themselves around, Kate does her own hair and makeup on her off duty days, she does the school run, apparently she likes to do craft projects with her kids at home and she likes to of to the grocery store on occasion and cook meals herself. I think she'd want to take cute yet casual family photos like these whether they planned to release them publicly or not. I don't think it is a pose they are putting on for pretense. I think this is close to who they actually are. In their private lives, they seem to live like "normal" rich people. To be honest, it seems like they are trying to replicate Kate's childhood growing up. Although she is often described as coming from a middle class background, in the US we would consider her family to be fairly wealthy.
This is a fair counterpoint to the comment above about the normality fetish. Like King Normcore is a little weird to me, but this makes sense.
So Wills is just like everyone who visits their granny and has to remember to use their best manners because she's kinda old fashioned and such...it's just sometimes he has to also wear weird sashes and crap and not just that itchy sweater she bought him.
True, because even Meghan as a commoner didn't really have a normal job. Her mom does though. So the kid will have that great influence.
Even Kate and Pippa barely had "normal" jobs. They each did for a little while, kind of, but then defaulted to "working for their family company."
I mean, Eugenie has a job, but she's still a Princess. Harry and Meghan's kids also won't be working royals, but...
The default in these situations seems to be art gallery staffer or PR. Lol.
I mean, historically, it would have been considered outrageous and beyond the pale for anyone to even suggest that the grandson or granddaughter of the current monarch should lower themselves by getting a job and working for money. Even well into the last century this would have been considered crazy. The idea that Eugenia and Baby Sussex should be mostly self supporting (backed up by family money of course, as everyone in their larger social circle has to a greater or lesser degree) as an adult is pretty modern for royalty.
I mean really don’t care if they are real normal or Royal normal or not really normal at all. That it is a value for them, whether attainable or not, whether it looks like my normal or not, is cool. 🤷♀️
Yeah I mean normal and down to earth for rich people. My point is, they don't seem to be living Downtown Abbey style lifestyles, although they easily could if they wanted to. William's upbringing seems a lot more formal and closer to that era than how Will and Kate choose to live now. They have staff for the extra help but they don't seem to completely outsource childcare to their nannies. They don't employ someone to squeeze toothpaste for them. They both drive themselves around, Kate does her own hair and makeup on her off duty days, she does the school run, apparently she likes to do craft projects with her kids at home and she likes to of to the grocery store on occasion and cook meals herself. I think she'd want to take cute yet casual family photos like these whether they planned to release them publicly or not. I don't think it is a pose they are putting on for pretense. I think this is close to who they actually are. In their private lives, they seem to live like "normal" rich people. To be honest, it seems like they are trying to replicate Kate's childhood growing up. Although she is often described as coming from a middle class background, in the US we would consider her family to be fairly wealthy.
This is a fair counterpoint to the comment above about the normality fetish. Like King Normcore is a little weird to me, but this makes sense.
So Wills is just like everyone who visits their granny and has to remember to use their best manners because she's kinda old fashioned and such...it's just sometimes he has to also wear weird sashes and crap and not just that itchy sweater she bought him.
I think William wishes he had grown up in a well-off middle class family like Kate's and could live a boring anonymous middle class life. Diana used to take William and Harry to McDonald's and amusement parks, which was considered shocking at the time. But perhaps it made them less remote. I imagine growing up Downton Abbey-style would be a real disability in relating to 99.9% of the population. And the ability to relate to the British public (and commonwealth) is key to the Royal Family's survival.
I love all three photos, especially the Cambridges. Those kids are adorable.
I think when Will says normal he mostly means a family where the parents interact with their children, where they eat dinner together often, where the parents go to school events or send in goody bags for the class party. Basically not his childhood where he was with nannies so much and his parents constantly had other focuses. I think that's part of why they really took advantage of being able to be a bit less out there royal work wise until now (even to the detriment of their outward reputation in terms of being considered slackers).
I don't think Will wants to be anything other than rich (I can't imagine even he would fantasize about that life) but I can imagine he sometimes thinks what it would have been like if he could have just had his flight career while Kate stayed home or worked with the party planning family business.
I think it's this too. When they say they want to be normal, they're not talking "worrying about the mortgage or being careful with the grocery bill" kind of normal. I think they imagine what their lives would be like without the public burden and responsibility that that comes with royalty but with the backdrop of family money, which most of their social circle seems to have and which they'd have anyway from Kate's side of the family. So when they're talking about Baby Sussex getting a job someday, they're envisioning a glamorous or service type job that might not pay very well but is still very competitive to get and, more importantly, is considered to be personally meaningful and fulfilling. So something like Will's air ambulance work or Eugenia's auction house job. Kate, I strongly get the feeling from her that she'd prefer to be a SAHM who does charity work or volunteers in her kids' school on the side.
I guess my question is, what does normal and down to earth mean? Celebitchy talks a lot about how William seems to "fetishize" being normal and I kind of agree with that. It basically comes across - to me - like when he says "normal" he just means not royal. Like he still wants to be rich and privileged, he just doesn't want to be king. I agree that I think Will and Kate are more involved in their kids daily lives than probably Diana and Charles were, but I also think at least part of that is a function of William not being PoW yet.
And for the record I felt the same way when there was that story last month or the month before about Harry and Meghan were going to raise their child to be "normal" and to "have a job" and stuff. Sure, baby Sussex will have a job. But its probably not going to be like the jobs most of us had in high school, lol.
Yeah I mean normal and down to earth for rich people. My point is, they don't seem to be living Downtown Abbey style lifestyles, although they easily could if they wanted to. William's upbringing seems a lot more formal and closer to that era than how Will and Kate choose to live now. They have staff for the extra help but they don't seem to completely outsource childcare to their nannies. They don't employ someone to squeeze toothpaste for them. They both drive themselves around, Kate does her own hair and makeup on her off duty days, she does the school run, apparently she likes to do craft projects with her kids at home and she likes to of to the grocery store on occasion and cook meals herself. I think she'd want to take cute yet casual family photos like these whether they planned to release them publicly or not. I don't think it is a pose they are putting on for pretense. I think this is close to who they actually are. In their private lives, they seem to live like "normal" rich people. To be honest, it seems like they are trying to replicate Kate's childhood growing up. Although she is often described as coming from a middle class background, in the US we would consider her family to be fairly wealthy.
Middle class means something different in the U.K. It’s what was historically between the working classes and the aristocracy, which reads as well off to us.
Yeah, it was considered shocking that Diana did things like give birth in a hospital or send her kids to a regular nursery school. It was a pretty big uphill battle, but she did a good enough job to set her sons up for being able to connect to the citizens of the commonwealth and raise their kids in an even more “normal” way.
And Diana was both wealthy, kind of like Kate, AND a part of the nobility.
Post by penguingrrl on Dec 14, 2018 17:40:01 GMT -5
It’s an interesting thing. The pressure on Will and Kate as far as giving their children any sense of normalcy is so much lower than it was on the Queen when her children were young. She took the throne when Charles was 3, so she was trying to parent while being the reigning sovereign, as her father had before her. Will has the luxury of not even being PoW yet, so they can and are giving their kids a more normal childhood as far as parental involvement (versus hired staff) because it’s a luxury they’re afforded. I also suspect they’re doing it as long as they can because they know that at any moment that will go away.
I guess my question is, what does normal and down to earth mean? Celebitchy talks a lot about how William seems to "fetishize" being normal and I kind of agree with that. It basically comes across - to me - like when he says "normal" he just means not royal. Like he still wants to be rich and privileged, he just doesn't want to be king. I agree that I think Will and Kate are more involved in their kids daily lives than probably Diana and Charles were, but I also think at least part of that is a function of William not being PoW yet.
And for the record I felt the same way when there was that story last month or the month before about Harry and Meghan were going to raise their child to be "normal" and to "have a job" and stuff. Sure, baby Sussex will have a job. But its probably not going to be like the jobs most of us had in high school, lol.
Yeah I mean normal and down to earth for rich people. My point is, they don't seem to be living Downtown Abbey style lifestyles, although they easily could if they wanted to. William's upbringing seems a lot more formal and closer to that era than how Will and Kate choose to live now. They have staff for the extra help but they don't seem to completely outsource childcare to their nannies. They don't employ someone to squeeze toothpaste for them. They both drive themselves around, Kate does her own hair and makeup on her off duty days, she does the school run, apparently she likes to do craft projects with her kids at home and she likes to of to the grocery store on occasion and cook meals herself. I think she'd want to take cute yet casual family photos like these whether they planned to release them publicly or not. I don't think it is a pose they are putting on for pretense. I think this is close to who they actually are. In their private lives, they seem to live like "normal" rich people. To be honest, it seems like they are trying to replicate Kate's childhood growing up. Although she is often described as coming from a middle class background, in the US we would consider her family to be fairly wealthy.
I mean, I hear you, I just disagree. We have different opinions on them. *shrug*
Eta and I’ll say that part of the reason i don’t agree is that all those tidbits you shared are ones that are carefully shared to downplay any idea of privilege and play the up the idea of normal Bill and Cathy. I’m not saying they’re not involved parents, but I also think it’s relative, and I think their real lives are probably more downton abbey then we think. Not as much as Williams was, but not a complete change either.