Prince William accused of being ‘lazy & cynical’ by anti-monarchy group

136166PCN_AnzacDay11

Here are some photos of Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince William at the “commemorative ceremony marking the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign,” otherwise known as Anzac Day, in London yesterday. William added this to his schedule somewhat last minute, I guess he was expecting Kate to be in labor around now (which will probably happen today or in the next few days, I’m hoping). As you can see, Kate didn’t join William and no one was expecting her to. As you can also see, the Queen looked fabulous in black & white.

Meanwhile, on Friday, The Express’s royal reporter Richard Palmer published a rather scathing exposé on William’s work-shy ways. Palmer cited a study done by the “anti-monarchy” group Republic and their examination of the real numbers of William’s work schedule. The study picks up on William’s schedule after he left his RAF job in September 2013, and while Republic acknowledges that William did some work on anti-poaching campaigns (in between hunting trips with Jecca Craig, obviously), Republic does not a distinct lack of… actual WORK.

Republic complained that William’s decision to leave his job as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot after serving only one three-year tour of duty had left the taxpayer with a £400,000 bill in training costs never recovered. Graham Smith, Republic’s chief executive, said: “Despite continuous claims of being a hardworking royal, Prince William has been anything but. William has done fewer than 47 days of work in the year since leaving his RAF job. A lot of these engagements have been entirely self-serving, promoting the royal brand as much as performing any kind of public service.”

The Duke, who has postponed becoming a fulltime working royal to pursue a career as an air ambulance pilot, has always undertaken part-time royal duties, like his brother Prince Harry. In the year between September 2013 and September 2014, when he began studying for air ambulance exams, he worked on royal duties for at least part of 78 days, according to Republic. But after calculating the time he was actually on official duty and allowing for travel and planning time, the group estimated that William worked the equivalent of 46.7 full days.

Some 49 of the engagements he took in that time were for parties, trips to the cinema, sports fixtures or other kinds of entertainment, according to Republic. There were two trips to the cinema, 14 to a show, sports event or theme park, while 21 were attending a party, 10 a dinner, and two were going to church. “For most public figures these would be considered private events or perks of the position, even if deemed to be part of the job, as it might with a political leader,” Mr Smith said.

Much of William’s royal work is funded by his father Prince Charles’s income from the Duchy of Cornwall estate, a property empire designed to give each heir to the throne a private source of funds. But he and Kate live in taxpayer-funded accommodation at Kensington Palace. Their 21-room apartment cost taxpayers £4.5 million in renovations before they moved into it. They are also protected around-the-clock by taxpayer-funded Scotland Yard police officers and have their travel and costs met from the Government in the Queen’s Sovereign Grant.

Royal sources pointed out that William’s 10-week agricultural management course at Cambridge was designed to prepare him for his future royal role as Prince of Wales managing the Duchy of Cornwall. Privately, some friends of the family have admitted, however, that his “transitional year” was not as busy as Kensington Palace might have suggested initially. Palace officials objected in the strongest terms when British media described it as a second gap year.

Mr Smith said: “The claims of hard work by royals have always sounded hollow – hardworking people do long days five or six days a week and get paid normal salaries, while keeping up with the demands of family, mortgages and struggling with the rising cost of living. This research puts the lie to the claims and shows William to be every bit as lazy and cynical as any other royal.”

[From Express]

This is what gets me: “Privately, some friends of the family have admitted, however, that his ‘transitional year’ was not as busy as Kensington Palace might have suggested initially…” No sh-t, Sherlock. William didn’t even have Kate’s built-in excuse of “wanting to be a stay-at-home mom to her first child.” Even Kate said that William was barely around for George’s first year (nor do I believe that William is around that much for George right now). William doesn’t want to do royal work and if you’re going to make him do any kind of work, it’s got to be fluff like “going to a film premiere” and even then he’s going to pad the numbers. So he doesn’t want to do royal work, he doesn’t want to spend time with his family, he wants to fly planes… until he gets bored with that too. Whatever is a petulant princeling to do?

136166PCN_AnzacDay28

Photos courtesy of Getty, Pacific Coast News.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

186 Responses to “Prince William accused of being ‘lazy & cynical’ by anti-monarchy group”

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. Sixer says:

    Haha. Go, Republic! That is all.

    • mimif says:

      I only come to these posts to see what you have to say. 😀

    • Sixer says:

      Today, I love Republic for their evidence-based ammunition!

      I’m sure there’s some mileage to be had in his paltry medal count but if you can pun it well for me, I’d be grateful.

    • Kiddo says:

      Stands by for more Sixer puns about poshness and naffery.

    • Red Snapper says:

      He’s really painted himself into a corner, whether he realizes it or not. He is out of gap years. He’s committed himself to this ambulance job, and when he changes his mind, and he will, he’s got nothing to fall back on except his royal duty. Which he clearly despises. People are onto him now, and the whispers of his lazy, petulant, work shy ways are getting louder and louder. I’m fascinated. What will he do next?

      Also, he just bought a bunch of new clothes. Wonder who he’s dressing up for?

      • Olenna says:

        Yeah, that 800 GBP shopping trip’s got me curious, too. She was out shopping as well. Neither of them have much of a work ethic, but the masses have a short memory. Once the spare is born, the majority of folks will be in love the couple all over again.

      • bluhare says:

        LOL. £800 of blue sweaters and jeans.

      • £800 of checked shirts, blue v neck sweaters, Barbour jackets, and jeans. LOL. That’s very un-posh, to buy new clothes. Everyone knows REAL posh people have holes in their jumpers.

    • Miss Jupitero says:

      +1000 dear Sixer!

    • Sixer says:

      I’m looking forward to the day when the good people of East Anglia phone 999 (911) and say, “Please can I have an overland ambulance? I trust the driver to turn up.”

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      So agree. It’s about time he was taken to task. Kate is constantly criticized, legitimately, but I always felt, “what about William? He’s the actual royal.”

      • Kiddo says:

        #whataboutwilliam

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        #stepoffofKate

      • notasugarhere says:

        She wasn’t a workhorse for the decade they dated and didn’t follow through on anything (boat race, job offers, photography, children clothing line). I don’t think responsibility for her laziness gets to be removed from her shoulders.

        Even IF he was limiting her royal work, she should be giving 110% to those rare commitments and she isn’t.

      • FLORC says:

        Kate’s criticism is valid and deserving most of the time. It also seems more bad press or fluff press will be released about her to distract from William. Shameful.

        William is held to a higher standard and does even less. Made worse by his PR campaigns. He has been prepped for his role his whole life and still claims he needs more preparation time while leaving jobs half done in his wake.
        He shouldn’t need anymore time. And that he isn’t taking anymore prep work or courses imo only demonstrates there’s nothing left for him to learn. That he’s ready to be fulltime.

        There’s only 1 way he can forever silence his critics. He needs to work as a full time royal if he still wants to spend and be covered like one. If he wants to be a pilot he can live like a pilot. Even just while he holds the job as one while suspending his royal duties.
        That seems perfectly fair.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        I said the criticism of Kate was legitimate. I just think it’s about time William got his share.

      • ArtHistorian says:

        Gnat,

        I quite agree! He’s the one who is going to be the Head of State after his father – and I think that his work shy habits and evident disdain for the kind of public service that comes with the immense privilege that he enjoys ought to examined and questioned much more closely. When it comes to the BRF it is always the poeple who marry in who become the most obvious targets

  2. Freebunny says:

    Royals are lazy, it’s part of the job.

  3. Bea says:

    Well this is a bit of an anti-climax.. Willy hasn’t worked in years.

  4. kiki says:

    I don’t get it either, except maybe he doesn’t want the opportunities that is expected to be King.

    So I feel for Prince William, Princess Kate and their royal brood.

    • bettyrose says:

      Even if he’s reluctantly resigned to a position he doesn’t want, there’s no honor in wasting immense privilege. A. He could devote himself full time to air ambulance work, demonstrating a real commitment to *something*. B. He could use his position to bring global attention to any number of issues, poaching, child marriages, lack of clean water…

      • Bea says:

        Or he could abdicate? It’s not like he HAS to do it.

      • bettyrose says:

        I think this has been discussed on previous threads, but is converting to Catholicism the only way he can get out of the line of succession? I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one. It’s hard enough to hurt your family by converting to a religion they don’t share (assuming you belong to a family that cares about such things), but doing so with no real conviction or sincerity is sort of hard to even fathom.

        I feel like it was said somewhere that he can’t just remove himself from the line, though I don’t quite get why he couldn’t.

    • Murphy says:

      If he doesn’t want to be King–he can step aside. Very simple. Stop take take taking the priviledges if you can’t or won’t do the work that comes with them.

      • Green Girl says:

        He could abdicate, you’re right. If he decides to do that, I doubt he’d do it while the Queen is still alive.

      • notasugarhere says:

        The Queen Mum lived to 101. HM is 89. If William waits until HM dies to remove himself and his line from the succession, he (and the Monarchy) may be in limbo for another decade.

        Charles is taking on duties from both HM and Prince Philip. He needs an heir who will start doing Duchy, Prince’s Trust, and other work today. If William isn’t that heir, he needs to step aside now and for clarity, he needs to take the kids with him.

      • FLORC says:

        Nota
        During the time of Philip’s illness growing worse and the concern that surgery at his age might be his end wasn’t it noted Harry stepped up where William would not?
        That as Charles took on more of the Queen’s and Philips duties (as well as other royals doing the same) it was expected William would take on the load of PoW duties. While William did not I thought I read Harry stepped up for his father even though it would have been great experience for William.

      • kyzmet says:

        Even if he abdicated, if his great uncle is anything to go by, the privileges never end . Edward retired to the south of France and bought out Cartier on the regular for Mrs Simpson and lived the life of Riley. So really, it is win/win for him. Lucky duck.

      • frisbeejada says:

        @kyzmet – if my memory serves me correctly over a documentary about Edward, he never actually paid Cartier, or indeed any of the other high class jewelers he frequented to ‘buy’ Wallis Simpson her fabulous bling. Instead he quite deliberately and cynically relied on his position to get the items for free. He was a horrible little man apparently.

  5. MelissaManifesto says:

    Forget the other stuff, but I hate that he’s so terribly absent for fatherhood.

    • epiphany says:

      IKR? Where in the world does this come from? Both Charles and Diana were affectionate, involved parents – it makes no sense that William would think his lack of involvement with his son is correct or healthy.

      • Murphy says:

        Yeah I have no idea where he gets it.

      • Imo says:

        Here we go again with the fantasy that Charles was involved and affectionate. He was interested in his children once they were old enough to begin their riding lessons, basically. He was never stern, demanding or cruel and somehow this is translated as affectionate and devoted just because memories are fading.
        And please spare me the war of the Wales excuse. The media was grumbling about Charles before anyone even knew about Camilla.

      • perplexed says:

        I think Charles was affectionate with his kids from their babyhood. Or at the very least I think showed the same amount of affection and involvement as Diana. Both Diana and Charles were privileged and aristocratic, and, well, kind of odd in terms of their dealing with the press, but I think they both transcended those backgrounds to at least give affection to their kids. Neither were perfect and obviously there are some things you could argue against in terms of how they both handled certain things (i.e the press), but more generally I think they went beyond what might have been expected from someone raised in that kind of privilege. To account for why William is the way he is (if this is how he actually is), I think that’s because of other stuff. Maybe even the Queen might be partly to blame. Doesn’t she call the shots on how work is doled out? Maybe she favours him the way she favours Andrew…(not that I think William is anywhere near as bad as Andrew).

      • Imo says:

        Perplexed
        Affectionate compared with the child rearing style of his set, yes.

      • FLORC says:

        Imo
        Considering, but not excusing Charles having a distant relationship with his parents as well he did fine. He was there for his children and a parent when needed. Even as they were babies. And especially during the time surrounding Harry’s conception. Charles and Diana were noted by many to be completely in love like teenagers and were quite a family unit in private. William at that young age had both parents being very sweet and attentive to him. And that lasted past Harry’s birth if i’m not mistaken.

        And no matter how you fall on this argument there’s absolutely no reason for William to have not been around George and to not be around his expanding family. That he hasn’t been has little to do with anyone other than himself.

      • Imo says:

        FLORC
        Huh? I never said anything about William’s parenting style. I think anyone who doesn’t make his family a priority is foolish.
        As for Charles I think if you took all information into account you would honestly see that Charles and his needs always came first. Yes there were some lovingly intimate family moments but should we forget the screaming, yelling and stubborn behavior because of it? I am not comparing Charles and Diana. Charles stands on his own and his track record is horrible. Focusing on polo, his intellectual. And environmental pursuits and rehabilitating Camilla’s image are what Charles is about.
        Failing to find adequate support for his grieving sons, being lenient and letting others be firm with them at his orders, installing a club with a bar in the basement at Highgrove for his teen children to entertain in, throwing Harry under the rehab bus after marijuana usage is discovered, instructing his PR machine to leak info about Harry and William meeting with Camilla. Doting father of the year.

      • FLORC says:

        Imo
        I brought up William’s parenting style because he does the same as Charles it seems. And I didn’t mean to comment back to you. It was an “IMO: form.

        And ofcourse a few good moments shouldn’t cast out the bad. IMO both weren’t great fathers.
        And Camilla’s image needed rehabing desperately. Very much so for her safety. I’m sure you’re aware how life was threatened and she could be out with charles without people throwing things at her. If there was ever a reason change your image it’s for safety purposes.

      • Fan says:

        FLORC, Charles and Diana acted like in love teenagers? You’re kidding! It is infamous that Charles never loved Diana, he even admitted this himself. And lets not forget his answer to a journalist during their engagement when asked if he was in love, he said yes “whatever that is”. And, he brought a photo of Camilla on his honeymoon, as well as wore the CC intertwined cuff links Camilla got him, on said honeymoon. I could go on. I honestly don’t know where you are getting that they acted like in love teenagers from, you must be confusing Charles/Diana with someone else. It is so opposite the truth when it comes to those 2, that it would be sarcasm if you’re not serious. They had a cold, loveless marriage right from day one. He never loved her, I don’t think there is a person who doesn’t know that.
        As for the boys, Charles was pretty much absent until later years when he took up the slack when Diana died. I think he came good then. But, before then he paid very little attention to the boys. When Harry was born, he said something along the lines of in a disinterested and disappointed voice “oh, another boy. A redhead” Then turned and left to go play polo.

      • Guest21 says:

        Fan:

        All of that is Diana’s version of events. I would take what she said with a huge grain of salt due to her motive — assassinating Charles’ character.

      • Imo says:

        FLORC
        Charles in love with Diana? You can’t be serious. And how can you be certain that you are not swallowing Charles’ propaganda as you believe we must be swallowing Diana’s? Charles has had many more Diana-less years to get his PR pitch perfect. Now everyone is sold on Charles as doting father kept by fate and duty from his one true love and forced to marry the mad, desperate Diana? On what planet does this ring true?
        Again, members of the media cast shade on Charles as a hands on father before anyone knew of the wreck of his marriage.and after Diana’s death does he dedicate the next few years to making sure his sons grieve and heal properly? No. He becomes their polo buddy on the weekends and throws himself into making Camilla his respectable wife.
        Rehabbing her image had nothing to do with her safety compared to Charles’ overwhelming obsession with making himself happy. Even had people not thrown bread rolls at her in the supermarket Charles was playing the long game to make Camilla his consort.

      • FLORC says:

        Imo
        How can you be so sure they didn’t love eachother at least for a few months in their marriage? Love. Not lusty in love.

        And this is something many biographers and reporters of the time agreed on as well as staff leaking the details. And if that wasn’t enough the way they looked at eachother and bodylanguage made it clear they were on very good terms to say the least.

        To say i’m wrong means you must have been a fly on the wall.

        As far as grieving… I don’t judge how others deal with that stuff. I don’t think anyone has the place to do so. We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. What happens to us when it’s just us and the dark. Until we know that we shouldn’t judge how another deals with a loss.

        2 sides to everything. There’s never just 1. That alone hinders your argument without insider knowledge.

    • zinjojo says:

      Really shows an overall lack of character, doesn’t it? Avoids all adult responsibility, but he’s in his thirties and acts like he’s still an early 20-something.

      So my question is, what does he spend all of his time doing then? Not working, not with his family? Where is he and what is he doing?

      • runcmc says:

        That’s what I was thinking when I was reading this…like, what does he even do with his time? Watch TV?

    • aims says:

      Totally agree!! He can’t even say,” I’ve been hanging out at home helping with the baby” excuse. Which having had young kids would piss me off to no end if my husband was off doing his thing. I know they have “help” but his ass needs to be home or working. Something!!

    • Suze says:

      It’s all of a package really – honorable people commit themselves to the tasks at hand, whether it be parenthood or your obligation to be a contributing member of society. In his case, a society that is paying a pretty penny for his privilege.

    • Sharon Lea says:

      I’ve read comments here about him being an absent father for a while, like the comment from Kate about him not being around much the first six months. But what other info do you guys know? Or is it the lack of pictures with George & William, like we occasionally see of Kate pushing him in his carriage at the park, at the petting farm?

      • FLORC says:

        Sharon Lea
        Besides Kate’s admission there’s other evidence.
        During that time William was said to be at a bespoke Cambridge Certification class. Another version of previously taken courses by him and tailored to fit his needs/schedules. He was found to have taken a few breaks from his studies to hit the local pubs and vacation. Most notable with Jecca on a hunting trip to Spain. During the same time Kate was taking George to Mustique with her family.
        Given that William has before visited the Midds there for a small amount of time he could have again. And if he wanted to see George and Kate there’s no doubt they would have stayed behind or postponed the trip to accomidate William.

        The greatest evidence is their schedules and photo evidence of their locations. If William was seen working there would be no issue. This was his fun time choosing to not see his infant son for long stretches of time.
        And it’s worth mentioning the caption that was given to those pictures of William and Jecca was calling Jecca William’s Camilla. And how random the photog knew exactly where he was and with whom? Hmm… After that William came back and shortly later a private getaway to the Maldives with just Kate.

  6. India says:

    Prince Petulant aka The Clench Jaw.

  7. LindyLou says:

    Too bad his mother isn’t around….Diana would whip him into shape I bet!

  8. ncboudicca says:

    I have to disagree with the last statement “…shows William to be every bit as lazy and cynical as any other royal.” I can’t speak to the cynicism levels in that family, but I wouldn’t put William and his grandmother anywhere close together on the laziness spectrum.

    totally off-topic, but all that metal on Philip must be heavy for him.

    • Timbuktu says:

      I’m not sure how a “hard-working royal” is not an oxymoron to begin with.

      • Ponytail says:

        +1

      • Franca says:

        I totally agree- What they do is simply not work.

      • Ncboudicca says:

        Hm, I don’t know. I am an introvert and would consider 400 official engagements per year so exhausting that I would be a basket-case by the end of Year 1. I just don’t find the current Queen to be lazy. Overly-privileged based on totally random luck at being born into her situation, yes. Lazy, not so much.

  9. CH says:

    The most ironic thing about this is that William probably doesn’t read about himself – he hates press. I bet he has no doubt that he works “very hard” (remember that expression used to describe Kate’s days of waiting for the ring?)!

  10. Izzy says:

    So, the Royal Truthers have spoken and it’s not pretty. Wee Willy Princeling is setting a new bar for royal laziness.

    • CH says:

      At least they’ve stopped blaming his wife. It’s obvious he is the one in the fam who decides what they do or not do and it was getting annoying all that blame being piled on Kate and Carole.

      • Sharon Lea says:

        CH – I agree, there is a piece up today on The Daily Beast, ‘The Monarch Nobody Wants.’ It says something like Charles (& PR team) would love to have a photo op with George to release, and has used his own children to boost his ratings, but “no way” Kate would allow that. And I thought, ‘Really?! We all know William makes the rules when it comes to how he interacts with the royals, having Christmas lunch with them or not etc’. Please, that’s not up to Kate.

  11. PoliteTeaSipper says:

    So disappointed in him.

  12. Lozface says:

    OT of the laziness: it really was nice to see the Queen, Prince Phillip & William out to commemorate ANZAC Day in London, which is a very significant day for us Australians & Kiwis. I’m glad William (as a serviceman himself) made the effort to attend when he could’ve used Kate’s pregnancy as an excuse. Both Harry & Charles attended the dawn service in Gallipoli with the Australian & New Zealand Prime Ministers. Charles even read a tragic letter sent from a soldier to his family before the events 100 years ago. Very moving.

    Sorry for the rambling, I just wanted to note the significance of the day.

    • bluhare says:

      That is not rambling.

    • ShazBot says:

      I kind of wonder if he did it solely because of Harry in Turkey with Charles. Harry, who is genuinely dedicated to military and veterans, flying back from working in Australia for the service and the London Marathon, then flying back…William only seems to do a little bit when his brothers a lot a bit starts making him look bad.

    • FLORC says:

      Not rambling. Thre was importance to this event and that letterr was tearful.

      Was William always intended to be at this event? If not he should have been. And there is a strong link to what minor news will come out on William when Harry is covered working steadily while still fully commiting to his other roles.

      There’s a lot to be said that when you do show up for your duties people wonder why? Because it’s so unexpected he be seen working as a royal. That is where you see the main problem.
      And the only way he can fix that image issue is to actually work. His next baby won’t. His PR won’t It comes down to numbers and substance contained in those.
      Now that was rambling 😀

    • Franca says:

      Do countries that were on the other side also have celebrations of battles in WW1? I mean, in WW2 it was clear who the bad guys were, but in WW1 there was no clear good side/bad side.

      • maybeiamcrazy says:

        I don’t think Austria or Germany has celebrations although they may have memorials. For Turkey, it is a bit more different because while they were on the side that lost, they gained their independence and new republic in the WW1. AFAIK Anzac day is for remembering the soldiers who lost their lives in all wars rather than just Gallipoli although I may be wrong about that.

      • FLORC says:

        Franca
        There are many memorials to remember the fallen of smalller battles. Or of those who came from certain towns will have a memorial within that town, but not as to the war as a whole.

        And some that as we find later were clearly in the wrong will put up nothing and would rather it be forgotten entirely.
        And there are some that celebrate things like the USA’s Pearl Harbor Day. But still, it’s to remember lives lost and honor those who fought bravely. No matter what side they were on not all were evil and wanting to end the lives of those not known to them.

      • Ange says:

        Yes maybe, ANZAC day has become more of a general remembrance day for soldiers past and present and there are services and marches all over the country. This year was extra significant because it was the centenary of the battle that started the ANZAC legend, if you will.

  13. Jaded says:

    So let’s tally up his pro’s and con’s:

    CON’S:
    – Lazy
    – Negligent father
    – Tempermental
    – Unfaithful (allegedly)
    – Spoiled
    – Hates public duty
    – Despises the unwashed masses
    – Frivolous and selfish waster of public funding

    PRO’S;
    ….*crickets*…..

  14. Sara says:

    Compared to his nearly 90 years old grandmother, he is lazy.

    • Two degrees says:

      Compared to all of the working Royals he is lazy .
      Prince Charles did over 400 duties
      Prince Edward over 300
      Sophie Countess of Wessex around 300
      Princess Anne over 300

      William is just lazy.

  15. bettyrose says:

    Perhaps he suffers from undiagnosed, untreated depression. Not an excuse, just a possible explanation.

    • Citresse says:

      Yes, this has been my suspicion for years.
      Not wanting to be King, losing his mother, hating being in the public eye and then married to someone who just hung around long enough.
      I think he’s depressed.

    • bluhare says:

      Until you said that I hadn’t even thought about it, but you might be right. It would explain a lot.

    • notasugarhere says:

      William’s hatred of the press and doing anything related to duty has been around since he was a little kid. I think he and his mother share(d) the same emotional nature (Charles does too). She channeled her unhappiness into hard work helping others. He channels it into complaining about his life, running away from duty and family, and being selfish.

      Is it part of his stubborn nature to refuse to listen when people tell him he needs help? Probably. He married an enabler and her family. His father and grandmother don’t know what to do with him.

      He is almost 33 years old. The BRF learned from Diana and aren’t anti-counselors or anti-therapy. If William does have some kind of undiagnosed depression, he has has unlimited resources to deal with it. If he hates his life, he can leave and get an enormous settlement package out of HM.

      There is talk of Frederick of Denmark having inherited his father’s depression too, but he seems to be working through it and improving in the last few years.

      • ArtHistorian says:

        I think we should be very cautious about armchair diagnosis. Depression is a very serious issue and it has a set of clear symptoms. however, we don’t know these people, we don’t know how they act in their daily life so I feel very uncomfortable with this.

        I’m Danish and I’ve never before heard this theory that Frederik has a depression. He and his wife have, however, taken over a lot of his mother’s duties because she has health problems.

        Regarding the Prince Consort Henri – the Danish tabloid press has really been after him this last week because he didn’t participate in the celebrations for his wife’s 75th birthday due to having the flu, which isn’t a small thing for a man in his 80s. However, it has been no secret that he has and has had problems with his rank within the royal system and the fact that the Danish press and public hasn’t been that nice to him

      • Imo says:

        Notasugar
        William aside, let me make sure I understand you. If someone’s mental health is impaired and that intersects with his personality/choices he is to blame for not getting proper help? Recharge that sensitivity chip.

      • notasugarhere says:

        I think he has had the resources for 20 years to get help, where many people do not have the financial ability to get the help they need. His family probably put forward offers for that help through the years. If he has chosen not to accept the offered help, why wouldn’t that choice be on his shoulders?

        We are ultimately responsible for ourselves, and it is an incredibly difficult choice to step back and say, “I can no longer keep trying to help this person who keeps refusing help because it is destroying me as well.” At some point you are no longer supporting the people you love if you keep enabling their poor choices.

      • Imo says:

        Notasugar
        I think you lack a firm grasp of the mechanics of mental illness. I do not disagree with all of your points but certainly your premise. Do you realize how many people struggle with depression and can’t even put a name to it? Much less their families. And judgemental attitudes help keep the stigma of mental illness alive and well.

      • ArtHistorian says:

        Nota,

        Having struggled with depression since my early 20s, I can assure you that you only accept help when you’re ready to admit to yourself that you’re not well. You can’t force a person to get treatment if he or she is in denial. It took me several years to finally admit to myself that I have an illness and to love myself enough to ask for help and seek treatment.

        If a person suffering from a depression hasn’t gotten to that stage it doesn’t matter if he or she has all the resources in the world at his or her disposal. The first step is admitting the problem, and that is something that cannot be forced. Frankly, dumping on someone who hasn’t reached that stage do seem rather callous and it certainly isn’t helpful – though in this instance it is all academic since we don’t know the man.

        We don’t know if William has a depression, and I think that people should be cautious about labelling people they don’t know with a psychiatric diagnosis issued from an armchair.

      • Imo says:

        AH
        Well said and I am glad you are in a better place now.

      • bluhare says:

        No one has labeled William. It was put out there as an explanation for his behavior.

      • notasugarhere says:

        I would like to point out, I’m not the one claiming William is depressed or has any form of mental illness. I’m responding to those who brought it up. I’m still going with he’s spoiled rotten and emotional, not depressed or mentally ill. I stand by the idea that there comes a time when you cannot save someone else, and you endanger yourself by continuing to try.

        I’m glad, AH, that you’re in a better place.

    • TessD says:

      I wonder if he (even) can relinquish his claim to the throne, sort of the way some of his relatives gave up their titles?If he hates it so much ?

      • FLORC says:

        It’s been mentioned a few times here he could leave the CoE and becomes Catholic. That would take him out of the line.
        I hold steady he might hate what is expected of him, but not the perks and lifestyle. You lose 1 you could lose the rest.

        Re: Depression. If he struggles with it that’s awful. I have only so much sympathy for someone that can get help and improve their situation, but doesn’t. Especially when he has the resources and it isn’t a financial or time struggle to seek help.
        If this is so those who care for him should be pushing him to get some help. That he should be facing his demons instead of burying them.

    • Mamunia says:

      I agree with you. But someone needs to step in and force him to get help. There is no one in his life he seems to listen to. They made such fun of Diana when she would try to get help, but at least she was trying.

      • Cricket says:

        If William does have depression or something similar, IIRC during the War of the Wales, Charles’s side went hard and heavy at Diana and her psychological issues. William was old enough to remember this and see how his mother was labelled as unstable and weak. If William saw his mother labelled as weak and unstablem do you think he would ever acknowledge any issues he faces himself?

    • Vava says:

      You may be right. His behaviors certainly suggest that something unusual is going on with him.

      It may take some sort of event to open his eyes to the possibility that depression is at play. Immediate family sometimes don’t recognize it, either. Or they are afraid to say something. Someone close to him might though. Years ago, I confronted my best friend about her behavior and it turned out that she has depression and ADHD. I didn’t know that at the time, all I knew was that something was very wrong. Her family thought I was horrible to confront her, but as it turns out, she told me that her doctor told her that I “saved” her. I’m not sure about that, but at least I spoke up because I saw something strange going on and I wanted things to be better with my friend.

      • Imo says:

        God bless you for that.

      • FLORC says:

        That is a lovely story of you and your friend Vava.
        And often very tough situation. Do you say something when nothing is wrong and risk insulting them? It’s a risk you take with greater reward though imo.

        Just from us in the cheap seats if he does I feel for him. I just seem more entitlement behavior. Supported by how he’s surrounded with those who won’t cross him. More of learned and accepted behavior rather than an illness/disorder.
        Again. Cheap seats.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I don’t know about that. I have had bouts of terrible depression all of my life, and when I’m in the throes, and not thinking clearly, my number one priority is to appear normal, even perfect. If I have duties, I perform them, no matter what it costs me. Then spend my private time sobbing. Of course, everyone is different, but I’m not sure that’s his problem. I don’t know, of course. But I think he might just be a brat.

      • FLORC says:

        GNAT
        Sorry you’ve been through that. *Cyber Hugs!*
        That is often the norm for those suffering. You have moments where you break down completely. When there’s a task to be done though you suck it up, put on a facade and hold it until you’re safe to unleash your complicated feelings.

        Your story reminded me of a really great time in my life. Great job, great social life, but as I would be coming home or getting ready to leave i’d just cry heavily for almost an hour. clean off and head out like nothing happened.

        We can’t know what is going on with anyone that doesn’t want us to know. Even if things are great depression will hit.
        I wish that on no one. And I think it’s more brat behavior.

    • minx says:

      I don’t usually wade into these William and Kate threads, but you may be into something. He certainly had a breeding ground for depression in his formative years.
      He also looks a lot older than his age IMO and it’s not just the thinning hair. Whatever is going on in his life–he doesn’t look like a happy person.

    • thelazylioness says:

      BettyRose, this is a very interesting theory. I suffer from depression and this has never crossed my mind as the possible reason for William’s behavior. It makes perfect sense. Maybe he isolates, feels overwhelmed when having to perform any duties and it also explains the lack of joy in his face. He needs help. If he’s too proud to accept help, he should abdicate but I don’t see this ever happening.

    • MinnFinn says:

      I have believed for a long time that Wm has a very anxious neurotic personality b/c in video, he always does several things that indicate to me he has a lot of anxiety. And rampant anxiety is the precursor for depression.

  16. Lorelei says:

    Clearly. The royals are on welfare.

  17. Louise177 says:

    I always get a chuckle at these “royals aren’t working” stories. I can’t bring myself to think that showing up at a school or ceremony for an hour or two is work.

  18. Citresse says:

    Yes, I was a bit surprised it made the headline of the Express online yesterday.
    In terms of the extent of William’s laziness, you know it’s really bad if it becomes the headline of the Times.

    • Betti says:

      Yes – you know its bad when The Times take a pop. Willy doesn’t care what the people or the press think and the only way he will do something about it (get help for any issues or make an effort) is if he’s forced to i.e. his grandmother gives him the kick up the ass his father won’t.

      If he doesn’t want to do royal duties – own up to it and walk away. He’s embarrassing the BRF and himself. Thou Kate and her mother will never let him walk away – they’ve worked too hard to get this far and the main prize is within reach. If Willy walks away now he’s taking his kids out of the succession – cuz there is the chance that he’d have to rule as regent until PGTips was old enough. If he doesn’t want to be King then he sure as hell won’t want to be regent. Thou saying that they could name Harry as regent if that happened.

      He looks miserable in the photo’s (whatever is wrong with him is showing in his face) and HM & Philip looks fab as always.

  19. Jess says:

    So glad the republic pointed this out. Reports like this make me so glad I’m not a British citizen bc it would tick me off to see this “welfare prince” taking my tax dollars!

  20. Murphy says:

    I’m a monarchist but I’m still glad someone called Prince William out on this. We deserve a King who works hard and cares about the people–right now William does neither.

    • bluhare says:

      I totally agree Murphy.

    • notasugarhere says:

      That’s the change I’ve seen in comments online. More people are saying, “No, I’m not Republican. The problem isn’t the Monarchy, the problem is W&K and their attitude.”

    • Sixer says:

      I’m a republican, but I agree. Much as I’d prefer to live without a monarchy, I don’t see getting rid of it as a priority on the list of things I’d do if I were in charge of my country. I’d let it carry on while I sorted out things that actually make a difference to the person in the street, like housing and health. But I would prioritise a requirement for some bang for the country’s buck as far as William – or any other royal that takes and doesn’t give back – goes. No bang? No buck.

      • Imo says:

        But what are they ‘giving back’ that they shouldn’t be doing for free?

      • Sixer says:

        I don’t understand the question.

        My position is this: a constitutional monarchy isn’t the system I’d choose but it wouldn’t be a priority for me to get rid of. Other things matter more. But, while we have a constitutional monarchy, Sovereign Grant money (and the other associated funding outwith the Sovereign Grant) should not be forthcoming for members of the family that do not contribute sufficient public service.

      • Imo says:

        I meant why can’t they complete philanthropic endeavors without compensation.

      • ArtHistorian says:

        Sixer,

        What’s your thoughts on the House of Lords? I’m not British but if I were, I would like to see that particular institution abolished.

    • goofpuff says:

      would be nice if he stepped aside for Harry

      • Citresse says:

        I wonder if Harry will ever settle down?

      • notasugarhere says:

        He is only 30. Let’s not pressure another Windsor to get married just for the sake of the “it is time to settle down” argument.

    • Kiki04 says:

      It’s the 21st century, it would almost be nice if they didn’t have such an antiquated version of “first born gets to be king no matter what” but “best suited for the job” or heck “one who actually wants the job” gets it. I know it’s ridiculous, but I feel like the British monarchy will be over if William takes over, but would have a good chance of surviving with Harry.

      • Franca says:

        It’s the 21st century, it would almost be nice if there were no royals.

        I think the Middle Eastern royals have that system, the oldest isn’t always the hier.

  21. maplely says:

    Isn’t being a snobbish, parasitical creature, perpetuating the superiority of a group of descendents of genocidal colonialists and slave industry producers what the monarchy has always been about?

    • misstee says:

      ‘ genocidal colonialists and slave industry producers ‘

      Im leaning towards being anti Monarchy – but you could say the exact same thing about a great swath of people in the US with lineage that goes back a few generations.

      Don’t perpetuate the Myth that the World would be a vastly better place if the Brits had never got the power building bug.

  22. The Original G says:

    Elizabeth has been an extraordinary figure who has carved out an unique niche in history. It will likely be revealed to be even more amazing once she passes.

    The monarchy is over, rightly, with her and who cares what Charles and Will do?

    • Franca says:

      How was she extraordinary? I siriously don’t see how she was better than other European royals or what impact she had on history. British history would be exactly the same if it was a republic.

    • Imo says:

      Extraordinary? She cared very little for the common man. She is praised for getting old? For not dropping the ball? For not firing on the peasants at the gate after Diana’s death? Is this what it takes?

      • ArtHistorian says:

        It is the inertia of history and a long life. Remember towards the end of her reign Victoria was celebrated like a great monarch though the reality was that she was a very poor one. her early missteps can be explained by her youth, her lack of experience and her odd and highly controlled upbringing. However, she went into an almost complete seclusion after Albert’s death and she criticized very harshly by members of Parliament. By the end of her long reign this was virtually forgotten.

      • Imo says:

        This.

      • E.M. MAXX says:

        Perfectly put

      • bluhare says:

        I agree she’s an anachronism and gets respect simply for longevity. She has, however, never shirked her duty as she sees it.

      • ArtHistorian says:

        No, QEII has never shirked her duty but neither has she struck me as a particularly imaginative woman who has tried to bring the institution of the monarchy into the modern age. To me it sometimes seems like the BRF lives in a little time pocket. Furthermore, she doesn’t seem to inspire any genuine affection either – that is at least my impression after I’ve lived and travelled in England. Maybe because she doesn’t share anything of herself with her people.

  23. Vava says:

    I always enjoy Kaiser’s choice of photos. LOL

    • Kiki04 says:

      +1000. Love the lack of the photoshopped ones.

      • FLORC says:

        I said I wasn’t going to mention it…. But here we go.

        The photo of the 3 of them (brunette in backround). Someone gave it the caption of the 1st photo since marriage of Kate without photoshop. So Mean! And I don’t support it so I won’t say where. Still, I chuckled.

  24. SnarkGirl says:

    I think he’s traded on the very genuine sympathy people had for the loss of his mother while he was so young, but that’s clearly wearing thin. He either needs to commit to a regular job, or to full-time Royal duties in the way the Queen has. He’s a grown man now, and faffing about doing a little of this and a little of that just won’t cut it anymore.

  25. weirswalker says:

    People in Britain are homeless and starving, and the monarchy costs the people billions…same old story..

  26. mrdarcy says:

    I don’t care if they bring in more money than they cost us, I can’t believe we are still clinging on to the idea that an exclusive number of individuals, by virtue of nothing else than having been born into a certain family, can be allowed, even celebrated, to live so extravagantly at the expense of taxpayers. 21 rooms? 21 rooms I ask you? For a couple of movie premieres and hand-shaking?

    I volunteered at the London Marathon this morning – got up at 6 on a Sunday to pile people’s bags on trucks from 7 – on my own time, because it’s a brilliant event and I love the atmosphere and running, even though the cleaning and cooking for the week were waiting for me back home. Prince Harry was at the finishing line giving out medals to Paula Radcliffe (who I’d do anything to meet), a couple of photos, and then I’m sure back home for a nice fry-up courtesy of his household staff. I guess that counted as a day’s work for him?

    I don’t want to sound bitter – I just don’t understand, honestly, why the money I’m going to earn tomorrow at work is going to pay for William’s next blue shirt or Harry’s fry-up when it could be going to public services that really need it.

    • bluhare says:

      I actually agree more than disagree with you, but I’ve got to step up on Harry’s behalf on this one. He was in Australia last week, flew back for the Gallipoli remembrance yesterday, was at the Marathon today, and he’s flying immediately back to Australia to finish up there. I don’t begrudge him his fry up in this instance. 🙂

      But I absolutely agree with you that they need to provide some value for money given them.

      • Imo says:

        This is the problem. The sense that this antiquated system of outeageous privilege should be abolished is swept away because of a cute, red headed prince. This is how they get you every time.

      • bluhare says:

        Huh? I had no idea I was a problem. I just made a comment about Harry deserving his fry up.

      • Imo says:

        Blu
        We must have been posting simultaneously because there was as of yet no comment from you when I hit submit. So I wasn’t referencing your comment. However my general point was and is that all the royals should be volunteering and working without compensation – even the cute ones.the rf should take their hands out of the common man’s pocket.
        And what is a fry up?

      • bluhare says:

        Perhaps your reply went in the wrong spot.

        I mentioned Harry because he had a pretty intense few days, not because I might find him cute. A fry-up is a fried breakfast. Which I now want, and it’s dinner time soon.

        I do agree that the royals should all be putting in an honest day’s work and not padding their engagements and counting movie premieres as work.

    • FLORC says:

      It only makes sense if we regress as a society. To care for a family that need not work hard physically and contract illnesses. They in turn will be cared for by the public to be healthy and hghly educated. To take care of the land and people from other lands and leaders. Now, if the people are able to do this on their own and with another form of goverment… Why must they still be so cared for while having far less duties past ceremonial?

    • Anne tommy says:

      With you all the way on those views mrdarcy, well said.

  27. racer says:

    Prince George has been photographed twice, officially for the public – once immediately following his birth at the hospital and second during their trip to New Zealand. How old is he now? The UK is being played like a finely turned fiddle.

    • FLORC says:

      Goerge photos..
      Exiting hopital.
      Baptism.
      KP window family photo.
      Steps with Harry’s assitant taking the shots.
      Family photo “leaked”, but really planned release just before the NYC tour of Cambridges.
      And that’s just the official ones approved off the top.

      By large George is not to be seen to keep his privacy. Unless there’s bad press about his parents and the people need a distraction.

      • Red Snapper says:

        Also the time Kate took him to see William playing polo.

      • FLORC says:

        Red Snapper
        While these are all photos taken with approval I didn’t count it because it wasn’t “official” in the way of prep time, posing, and staging. It was in a way all those things, but meant to look more candid.

        Much like those most recent photos of George with Kate playing.
        It was Kate. No nanny. Being motherly. And no one going on the offensive screaming privacy. And no RPO stopping it.

      • racer says:

        Right, the baptism- thanks FLORC. I’m thinking of official work events or when he’s photographed with both parents out and about – not polo matches or approved photos to appease the peasants.

      • bluhare says:

        Official photos if memory permits:

        In the Middleton’s back garden
        Christening
        Mother’s Day
        Birthday
        Pre Christmas

      • FLORC says:

        Bluhare
        Forgot about Pre Christmas too!

        Racer
        Don’t feel bad. We all forget this random info. That we have it at all is actually a great memory exercise 😀

  28. MBP says:

    If anyone wants to see what a Royal is officially up to – lazy or otherwise – you can search the Court Circular http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/CourtCircular/Todaysevents.aspx

  29. The Other Anna says:

    In other news, water has been accused of being wet.

    Seriously, though, when your 88 year old grandma is out-working you and you’re a (probably mostly) healthy 30-something, don’t you feel at least a little bit of shame? I have to agree with all of those here who have said that after his mother’s death the public gave him a lot of rope and he’s been trading on that ever since.

    And one of the things I’ve recently thought about with regard to Will and Kate – it’s been my understanding that the reason the British monarchy survived so much longer than the monarchies of other, similar nations was because they stayed in touch with their people. They never wanted for anything, but they were careful not to flaunt their money in the face of their people. I don’t even live in the UK, but when it comes to monarchy vs. no monarchy, I definitely fall on the side of the Republicans. I think Elizabeth works hard and provides an important historical perspective for the company, but after she passes, I think Charles should transition the country into a Republic and William should never take the throne. And all of the properties owned by the Crown should stay with the government. That way they can be operated as tourist attractions that bring in huge amounts of revenue. Help offset royal spending on Will and Kate, like their ridiculous wedding and shopping trips.

    • racer says:

      Tourism will always thrive even after the monarchy is abolished because of the rich history. Dinosaurs no longer walk the earth and yet people spend millions on prehistoric memorabilia.

      • The Other Anna says:

        Exactly my point. The argument that the monarchy brings in money because it promotes tourism is total BS. France hasn’t had a monarchy in several hundred years and their palaces bring in plenty of money. So why not phase the monarchy out and keep the properties that are owned by the Crown (and thus owned by the government, not by the Windsor family) to open as tourist sites to bring in more revenue?

    • ArtHistorian says:

      The European monarchies that exist today have survived because their countries haven’t been shaken up by huge political events. It takes quite a lot to dislodge such an old and traditonal insitution as a monarchy.

      The monarchy in Greece was abolished in the wake of a military coup, the monarchy of Spain was temporarily disbanded by a fascist regime. The monarchies of Eastern Europe disappeared under Communism. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was dissolved after WWI and so was the German Empire (previous German monarchies such as Preussia, Bavaria and Saxony was dissolved when Bismarck unified all of the myriad of German states, electorates and kingdoms into a German nation state). Finally, the French monarchy was dissolved in a violent and very bloody revolution as was the Russian Tsarist Empire.
      We have yet to see a monarchy abolished through a democratic process and I doubt we will see it anytime soon, unless something really catastrophic happens.

      Regarding the BRF. Compared with the other European monarchies they are the royals who are the least in touch with the people today IMO, especially when compared to the Dutch and the Scandinavian RFs.

      • Imo says:

        Brilliant 🙂

      • NutellaPot says:

        Spanish monarchy was temporarily pushed into the corner by the republicans’ insurgency until the clergy called the army upon to rescue it. Franco then instilled in Spain a fascist regime which lasted until 1976!

  30. Sharon Lea says:

    I wonder if the government could ever set up ‘rules’ for the monarch and their line of succession as far as ‘must do XXX engagements for 100% full payment from the civil purse and use of royal residences’ and ‘if said royal member falls below this number by 10, 20, 30% etc, the amount of money will be refunded to the country, and royal member must vacate one of their homes for the next year until engagements return to full numbers.’ ??? My vacation days at my office job are allotted by so many days worked, why couldn’t their’s?

    • OhDear says:

      I was thinking something in the same spirit. This may be a stupid question, but why can’t the senior royal family members get William in line? Are they just unwilling to or are they unable to?

    • bluhare says:

      There you go being logical again. 🙂

  31. elisabeth says:

    I was recently reading nostradamus predictions … it clearly says that Prince Harry will become King and not Prince William not sure why though…

    • Not while Carole Middleton is alive . . .

    • FLORC says:

      Because Nostradamus was high as a kite and writing down (in some, but not all) cases information that was vague enough to be translated into current or past news.
      He was the Blind Item of his day in a way.

  32. perplexed says:

    Charles was better looking at that age….what is happening to Wills’s face?

    • TessD says:

      Not fair – he can’t help it. Would you rather him getting it fixed?

      • perplexed says:

        He was gorgeous when young. He wasn’t unattractive or ugly his whole life. He was born with good looks but doesn’t appear, despite having immense financial resources and still being relatively young, to have kept them.

    • Bored suburbanhousewife says:

      Yes, I was struck by how much he looked like a blond Prince Andrew in these pix! Same look of bloated dissipation in the face.

      I don’t know what he does with his time but perhaps unsavory stories will pop up in the future similar to those that we are now reading of his uncle.

      SUCH a disappointment.

      • Citresse says:

        I want to believe he is not a disappointment.
        I keep in mind he is the heir to the heir. We had certain expectations from Charles because he is the heir. We saw the wedding of C&D was such a spectacle especially compared to William’s, – again, because Charles is the heir.
        I know William is capable of more work, more involvement with the public and charities and so is Kate.
        I had no idea William was away so much from George. I would like to believe he is not away as much now that a second child is arriving soon.
        I believe there is still hope for William and Kate. I am still giving them a chance since they are young and raising children and again, because William is the heir to the heir.

    • FLORC says:

      Windsor genes and a clenched jaw.

    • MediaMaven says:

      He suffers from BRF – Bitchy Resting Face.

  33. rudy says:

    I think it is quite possible that Willy is suffering from depression.

    I do and many of his actions are similar to mine.
    HOwever, and this is a big however, men and women have very different symptons from depression.

    For instance when my husband is depressed you would never know. But because of me and my decades long teaching on depression and what to do about it, my husband knows when he is depressed. William may have no idea.

    And it is IMPOSSIBLE to just shrug it off. Does Not Work At all.

    And the worst thing is when you have to pretend you are fine. It eats at you little by little. AWful awful feeling to smile over and over.

    I cannot even imagine how horrible it must be for him if he is in fact depressed. This is not an excuse, just a reality. The whole world looks at his actions, deciphers every little movement he does.

    Perhaps he just has no desire to be a royal but sees no way out. When you are depressed, yoi cannot work. So of course Willy would take advantage of the money coming his way. But I am sure he wants to please his dad, his grandma, his country. We hold this guy up to such a high standard. What if he is just a normal average person who really cannot do and do and do. Getting thru the day is hard enough when you are depressed. Impossible to do anything else but get dressed. Sometimes not even that.

    • Imo says:

      I’m not sure if you are right or not about William but your compassion shines through.if it were Harry nearly everyone would be on board with the armchair psychology – whatever helps when it is a royal with a great personality and big heart, like Harry. But since when does a spoiled, stubborn personality or any other personality flaw disqualify anyone from compassion *if* he is suffering from a debilitating disorder?
      The comparison of his and Harry’s grief over their mother is especially cruel. William is described as using Diana’s death for sympathy while Harry is described as ‘so sexy’ when he publicly sheds tears about his dead mother. Shallow…and creepy.

      • bluhare says:

        Who said that a spoilt stubborn personality disqualifies itself from compassion?

      • Imo says:

        Blu
        It shouldn’t but some have said that if William were indeed clinically depressed they would find it difficult to feel sorry for him because he is stubborn, probably wouldn’t take therapeutic advice, has enough resources to combat it and isn’t doing so, etc etc.
        They are using his difficult personality as a reason to not feel compassion.

      • FLORC says:

        Well said Bluhare
        And to add, sometimes it’s the private struggles that is the link to why people are cruel or mean. Like they’re lashing out from a place of pain. And once that pain is dealt with and relieved everything about them changes.

        As it is, William is headed to the throne. And he’s about to be the father or another child. If he IS dealing with depression or something else who wouldn’t want him to get help?

      • bluhare says:

        Exactly, FLORC. If spoilt and stubborn personalities are not deserving of compassion, I fear for my future. 😉

      • Imo says:

        Bluhare
        I think you have attributed what I’m frustrated with to what you believe I am espousing. Not sure though. At any rate quite the opposite is true. Anyone with a mental illness deserves compassion whether they have an unsavory personality or not. Besides who knows which is influencing which?

      • bluhare says:

        I haven’t attributed anything, imo. And technically you haven’t answered my question. No worries, however; we agree pretty much on this one.

        However, this little exchange is taking me down memory lane. Have you posted here before?

      • Imo says:

        Bluhare
        No one used my words – I paraphrased. But within this very thread the sentiment has been expressed that if William is clinically depressed he is not entitled to patience/sympathy because he has more than enough resources to have handled the problem by now. I find this to be callous and blames the victim.
        I’ve been posting here since December/January-ish but have been a long time reader.

      • notasugarhere says:

        No, point is he has far more resources than many other people. That doesn’t meant a person with a problem doesn’t deserve sympathy, but the people who have a problem and do NOT have access to those same resources? Yep, I’m going to sympathize/empathize/feel for them more.

    • Flower says:

      If William wants out all he has to do is convert to Catholicism, he loses his right to the line of succession and can retire into lazy oblivion. Never going to happen.

  34. Flower says:

    That lady behind the Queen in the last photo = Kate in 20years

  35. Jib says:

    How come no articles come out about how lazy Harry is?? Or Charles? Or the Queen?? Because they aren’t, right??

    Harry has Invictus, he has an African charity that he actually visits and engages in, he flies home for a ceremony and the marathon (why couldn’t Wills do the marathon duty?) and he is always joyful looking when engaging with people. William rarely does charities, he is rude to the press, doesn’t seem to engage with people at all, and seems to avoid real work. Why?? I don’t think he is depressed, I think he is entitled and has shared that with his wife, who is naturally lazy and spoiled herself. And I agree with a comment above that she and her family are enablers – thet tell him he is entitled to a 4.5 million dollar renovation (gasp!! I had NO idea, that is a load of money!!!) while contributing nothing to the country.

    If it were that the British were a mean people, you would see horrid comments for all of them, but Harry, the Queen and even Charles all seem to be admired, for their work, at least. William – I think his mother said when he was young that Harry was more suited to be King someday and she was right. I can’t imagine people resenting Harry and his sunny and seemingly generous ways the way they resent William.

    And I appreciate the honesty on this site. I can’t even read gofugyourself anymore for all of the gushing over William and Kate by the fug girls and the commenters and all of the “exploding ovaries” every time there is a picture of George. Ugh.

    • bluhare says:

      At the risk of raising your blood pressure, it was £4.5, not $4.5, so it was more like $6 million. 😀