Note by Kaiser: Around the same time that the Duke and Duchess were returning from their exhausting luxury vacation in Courchevel, their press office was giving the hard sell to People Magazine about how William and Kate are super-keen to get involved with mental health issues even further. For more than a week now, People Mag has been trying to convince people that William cares deeply/is keen about preventing male suicide. So now that they’ve taken a little break to recover from their vacation, Will and Kate set out today to knock out several charitable engagements all in one day. Their first stop was at St. Thomas’s Hospital to check in with the program Rethink Mental Illness. According to People’s earlier report, Will and Kate were heading back to Kensington Palace to watch part of a documentary on mental illness, then they were doing meetings/discussions with families affected by suicide. This is their first dual charity appearance of the year.
Note by Celebitchy: Kate and Will met this morning at St Thomas’ Hospital in London with Jonny Benjamin, a suicide survivor, and Neil Laybourn, a personal trainer and good samaritan who talked Jonny down from taking his life by jumping off a bridge in 2008. Their story is touching, Jonny was saved by Neil and then sectioned and treated for his schizoaffective disorder at St. Thomas’ hospital. Jonny didn’t know who Neil was and couldn’t personally thank him for saving his life until he launched a campaign to find him two years ago. You can read more about that on Jonny’s blog entry here. The Channel 4 documentary which Will and Kate are screening at the palace for about 20 schoolchildren from London is called Stranger on The Bridge and tells Jonny and Neil’s story.
Kate wore a green Erdem coat to their visit to St. Thomas’s hospital. This is the same emerald zip coat she wore in New Zealand in 2014 and again to an event in July of that year. So this is at least the third time we’ve seen her in this gorgeous contemporary coat which… is sensible given the fact that the narrative was last about her expensive fur-lined gloves on that luxury ski vacation she just took with Will and the kids.
For as seldom we see Will and Kate, they’re raising awareness for this cause and I hope they’re bringing some comfort to the families. They will make another joint appearance tomorrow. Hello! reports that “they are due to pay a visit to urban youth charity XLP to see the work carried out by their mentoring scheme XL Mentoring, which offers support to young people aged 11-18.”
Update by CB: Here are more photos which have come out since we published this story:
.@MrJonnyBenjamin and The Duke and Duchess discussed the importance of talking about mental health from a young age pic.twitter.com/NQENQuOlwq
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 10, 2016
Photos courtesy of WENN and Twitter/Kensington Palace. The gallery photos are from a couple of weeks ago from Kate’s appearance in Scotland.
Next vacation in 3,2,1 after this hard day of work,
Silly Billy is probably viewing vac schedules as we type!
This is serious business, here. I hope their involvement does help those who are suffering. If it does, and they provide continued support to the cause, that s a huge mark in their favor. It would also go a long way to rebuilding their image, which has taken a hit lately.
I will also say that it was smart of the Duchess to go low key and repeat her coat – keep the focus in the patronage.
It’s a good charity and if you ever get that chance to see the documentary, do. It’s incredibly moving. I watched it last year some time.
I’ve been saying for ages that male suicide is something we should be doing a lot more about. It’s the leading cause of premature death among men in the UK. It’s my go-to response to idiot MRA types when they fantasise that feminsim wants to ruin everything for them: “Go and do something about stuff that actually does negatively and disproportionately affect men like suicide rates, instead of d!ckswinging on the internet, you idiots”.
Unsure how a proven lightweight like Willy will perform in this sensitive area. I suppose we can only live in hope.
BTW: BBC are reporting this visit and again, even they are spending more time in the report on his not working than they are the visit. As I said t’other day, if the BBC is reporting negative royal stories, you know it’s bad. They’re all about “William coming under pressure” today.
The French holiday/laziness bit was one of the lead stories for BBC America news too.
The press are not letting the ski holiday/laziness thing go easily and they shouldn’t. Willy boy has to understand that these ‘token’ visits/PR stunts are just not cutting the mustard.
Sixer, I can’t even get into it with the stupidity but yes, men suffer too. And most women are acutely aware of it and try to support them. We’ve all hurt a man’s feelings at one time or another..relationships end and that’s part of life, but in general it is not women who create false ideals of manhood that hurt men. It’s men who do that, so MRA morons look in a goddamn mirror. /rant
Patriarchy hurts both women and men.
Arthistorian – I feel like so many men understand that, but an obnoxious few don’t get it. My SO loves being able to flit around in artsy jobs, making enough to support himself but never enough to support a family. I love that he supports my career, and I’m more than happy to be the primary breadwinner. I mean, we fall into certain stereotypes at home. He does the handy stuff. I clean and grocery shop. But I can only imagine how many men had to sacrifice their own low paid artistic ambitions in the days before feminism because the world expected them to be breadwinners. Why would any man resent economic opportunities for women? I don’t get it.
I don’t know much about the Royals, but I’ve read before about Kate backing out of scheduled engagements. Is it possible she suffers from anxiety and or depression? As someone with anxiety, I’m seeing it from my perspective, but if she backs out of stuff that much..it just reminds me of past behavior.
I don’t really get that vibe from Prince William, but I wonder about her.
She has no problem meeting movie stars and Ben Ainslie, so I’m not buying the social anxiety angle.
KB
I’ve only read about Kate backing out of engagements when she had morning sickness. If you can post more info, that would be helpful.
Well there was the time she was too ill to go to a scheduled engagement, but flew to Scotland instead.
Take ithe coat off, though! She always leaves her coats on and it seems as though it’s to make a quick escape.
And after teaching older teens for 25 years,
I’m good at body language and those
big grins and Krinkly nose laughs she does read as totally phony to me.
There’s a fabulous article in the Daily Mail today about Will’s lack of work ethic.
Apparently he’s living a part time royal life with the full approval of the Queen who has fond memories of her private childhood before Edward VIII’s abdication and her married life in Malta before her father’s death.
William (described in the article as difficult headstrong and with a short fuse- what a stellar description) reminds him of her husband and she wants him to enjoy his little family.
Nice try.
Ha! I read it this morning and rolled my eyes so hard. I may have pulled a muscle. Though I loved the Harry story.
This story they put out sounds like it came from the Queens camp rather than duke and duchess Dolittle. What do you think?
I can’t believe the Queen’s camp (or the Queen herself) would approve of their lack of work ethic. She’s always had the philosophy that the Monarchy is there to serve the people and ever since she was a child she’s combined private and public life very efficiently.
She’s also known to be frugal and holidays in Scotland year after year.
I can see that she would want William to lead a private life (which she is) but all those stories of private jets, lack of works etc must disappoint her.
If this is actually from the queen, which I doubt, I would say she has lost her marbles.
HM never lived in Malta. When will that lie die a rightful death? She visited four time in two years.
Now their PR has thrown HM under the bus. Wonder if this will be enough to get her to yank her head out of the sand and order them to get to work?
This isn’t the first time they’ve used the Queen and Malta ‘story’ to drag HM in to justify themselves. She lets them, they will get away with it this time just as they did the last time.
The Queen herself referred to Malta as a home on their recent visit. She did spend the better part of two years there–Charles staying behind. It’s easily tracked through papers and court circulars. the ‘visits’ were often several months at a stretch. The Queen (Mum) and Margaret picked up some slack. When Philip was at sea she would return to England so it was weeks/months back and forth. But it is one of the Queen’s happiest memories. It shouldn’t be discounted nor used to justify the Cambridges though–and shame on William if he’s using it to tug his grandparents’ heartstrings. That was the only period of being ‘just’ a married couple.
“Princess Elizabeth also visited Malta four times while Prince Philip was stationed there on naval duties, and enjoyed the life of a naval wife and young mother.” Official website of the British Monarchy
She worked the entire time she was there and it wasn’t a solid two years. The Malta spin didn’t really take flight until the Palace announced KM was going to stay home and be a military housewife. Then fans and the press started spinning Malta into something it wasn’t.
When I think of why the Queen tolerates, if not downright indulges William, Malta definitely comes to mind. Yeah she did not live there continuously but to me Malta was Princess Elizabeth’s Anmer Hall, and if “Malta” happened in today’s environment, the condemnation that William and Kate get in certain quarters would look like child’s play compared to the condemnation that the direct heir to the throne with a sick father would have gotten. Having said that I don’t know if that level of tolerance/indulgence is needed for William and Kate, it’s not as if when William is the direct heir or monarch that he and Kate are going to be sent on a six month tour of the Commonwealth leaving their children behind.
It’s great if she approves, because honestly I think Wills would be “doing it his way” whether she – or anyone – liked it or not.
The part in the article about how she thinks Wills is more like her than Charles and would reign more like her than Charles will- bwahahaha. The Queen has a dutiful personality and Will has the polar opposite. Maybe either her view of Charles is so jaundiced and/ or William has her totally snowed.
If HM made a deal with these people and approves their lack of work, why would she provide an Official residence in London refurbished at taxpayer expense of £4.5M – with a justification that the exhorbitant cost was due to his starting royal duties and therefore in need of an official London residence, an official Helicopter specifically for their use – also taxpayer paid although HM cusioned the blow by saying other royals would use it too, an official car – that they don’t seem to use preferring to use the Range Rovers instead of the Bentley.
IF she spending state funds on them like a drunk sailor, all the wile having agreed that they shouldn’t work…we need MORE articles showing us how profligate SHE is.
BTW: i don’t believe for a second that she would have agreed to any of this. She’s using her classic ostrich approach to dealing with her family and he is invoking her name knowing she won’t publicly slap back nor will she rein him in until we’ve reached fever pitch hysteria over this.
There you go with your facts again!
I think so too. She does not like family drama so I think she will hold off until she absolutely has to. I always wonder about Charles’ feelings about William’s work ethic. Do you think he feels so guilty about his parenting/Diana/affair with Camilla that he holds back from confronting William? (Also I get the feeling that he gets very little time as it is with George/Charlotte and may not want to jeopardize that either.)
Happymom: i think you are right.
A few months ago, there was a twitter conversation between an ex-Royal chef [30yrs+ with HM, Diana and Charles] and *Victoria Arbiter, Royal correspondent and daughter of HM’s ex-Media secretary Dickie Arbiter which said as much. The issue seems to be that the Palace treads softly and carefully with William because of the Diana card.
* Victoria grew up at KP and consequently tends to be very loyal and sycophantic no matter which royal she is discussing and particularly if they are/were KP residents. It was notable that she would say anything remotely negative about William
That is one trait of the Queen that I don’t care for. The Ostrich Approach. Will surely never forget that was how she behaved after Diana was killed. I hope the Press and The People raise hell over how William is behaving. It’s got to stop.
The ostrich syndrome is her worst quality. Someone needs to wake her up and by someone I mean Philip.
I recently watched a youtube video titled Prince of Wales, Up Close (I think), year 2005??? Anyway, there’s footage of Charles and William appearing together at a function involving the Prince’s Trust and Charles gives a speech.
Charles looks at William seated in the front row and says something to the effect of : is my son falling asleep????? Charles likes to make people laugh, however, it seems Charles has long been aware of William’s lackluster involvement in anything pertaining to royal duties.
Am glad that publicity it being brought to this as more needs to be done to help people.
Re the Buckets: Several, last min, engagements in one day is rare for them and am sure they will be using the copter to get around, they should have done this BEFORE the luxury pap stroll snaps and there might have been less snark. We all know this is only to counteract the very negative press they’ve been getting and is a one off so lets not get too excited about them ‘working’. This ‘keen effort’ never lasts.
Plus it seems like the royal press pack has finally been allowed the pleasure of being in their presence. Hopefully it gets more attention that Kate’s HuffPo UK fiasco which was largely ignored by the UK press.
Once again, this doesn’t make me have any respect for will or kate. its going to take alot more action than talk.
I hope their effort brings worthwhile attention and help to this cause. However, everything they do looks so “plastic” to me. I just don’t get a feel for any sincerity.
I watched the video of them on the Daily Fail, and Kate mumbled some stupid thing and her body language was definitely very “closed”. William looked uncomfortable, as usual. (It does look as if he’s had his teeth bleached, though.)
These two are just wrong for the job. I think LAK’s comment below about the nurse who killed herself is very well taken. If these two dolts were truly interested in this situation, they could have shown more support for that poor woman’s family than they did. Actions speak louder than words, and lately we can see what makes these two worthless idiots tick and it’s not admirable at all.
They know the tide has turned. Got to “work”, appease the peasants.
Never understood the point of royalty. Some dude or dudette, decided to rape, pillage and conquer a piece of land. Call themselves king aand Queen and then their lineage “rules” for centuries onwards. Ridiculous concept really, indigenous tribes generally had no concept of land ownership. It was for everyone to share. Then some idiot came wiped them out or tried to. Enslaved the rest and told them we are your king or queen bow to us. I would never bow to any human, it’s degrading.
Awareness on any issue is always a positive regardless of who brings it. Even this Duchy couple.
I do agree. But I will say that this lot didn’t do any raping or pillaging. We willingly and knowingly imported them from Germany in order to get rid of the previous lot and their raping and pillaging. (See: Glorious Revolution and not a shot fired.)
Sarah- I agree with you 100%. This crap needs to be abolished.
I was hoping to never see that heinous green coat ever again. But at least she’s doing something 🙄
Why doesn’t she take her coat off when she’s inside? Isn’t she hot? It always looks to me like she’s ready to run out of the room because she still has her coat on.
I do find that strange as well. It kind of sends the signal that she’s not going to be there long enough to bother with removing her coat. It may seem an insignificant detail but even tiny details can send a message (even if said message is unintended). It just sends such a visually incongruous message, especially since none of the men wear outerwear inside.
I do wonder if this practice with a royal woman not removing her coat indoors is something that the other women of the BRF do as well. It is just such an odd thing to do and I find it rather rude but maybe that’s just me.
I think it’s rude, too.
I always figured the coat WAS the outfit. Not that she is nude underneath, but it seems her thing: coat as dress.
I think her coats are beautiful but I’m SO BORED with her whole wardrobe of tailored coats. They all look almost exactly the same, plus or minus some buttons.
I have to say that I really don’t understand the concept of the coatdress. To the uninformed it simply looks as though the engagement is not long enonough to bother with removing the coat. It is a small issue but it is one of how she presents herself, like wearing the appropriate clothes in relation to the event in question. Clothes always send a message on some level, it always has, it is simply not ruled as strongly by social mores/strictures as it has been in past centuries.
That was why I was wondering of the other women of the BRF do the same – because even though it may something that the Queen’s or Queen Mother’s generation did, to a modern audience, it may very well be interpreted as rude.
If William talks about ‘anti-poaching’ and anti-hunting… how come he poses next to his wife wearing fur??!!
Ofcourse this couple cannot walk the talk ..as it is they barely even talk :/
He’s not anti-hunting. That’s the difference.
You mean the Possum gloves Kate got for Christmas which was online in the DM yesterday ? Which she wore on the slopes that Carole gave her and Pippa for Christmas. If Kate wears any item the demand is overwhelming in the US so surely there has to be consideration about buying fur lined Possum gloves from New Zealand. Poor little possums that is all I can say, hope they don’t get on the endangered list
On the positive the highlighting of mental health is long overdue so well done to them on their determination to highlight
Possums are a major pest in New Zealand. They are not native to the country and have been very damaging to the environment. There are various eradication measures in place to deal with them.
Regardless of their motives, they are giving attention to a serious and important issue. Suicide is devastating, it is devastating for the person suffering and devastating for their family and friends.
What attention? They showed up. Big deal. I have yet to see the effectiveness of their ‘work’ It’s another photo op for damage control. And why the both of them?
It is being reported on isn’t it? There are many people who may not have heard of Jonny and Neil’s story before.
I used to work on a crisis line, and my nephew’s best friend committed suicide at age 19. Sent my nephew into such a tailspin we were worried about *him*. We don’t need to bring attention to suicide per se but we do need to bring attention to how it affects everyone, warning signs so loved ones can intervene, and services available for those who do recognize they need help as they are so severely depressed that suicide looks like a good option, especially for those on the lower income scale. That is what needs attention — and money.
So keen!
Love this quoting Kate at the appearances today (from DM story). “the work that we do”!!
‘We see through the work that we do with addiction, homelessness, and knife crime that a lot of it stems back to childhood,’ she said.
Makes me cringe too. Ten more years of ‘the work that we do’ at her pace of 60 hours per year, will maybe take some of the sting out.
An aside, it’s startling to see a reference to “knife crime” from the point of view of Americans concerned about gun violence.
Also, her body language -everything is crossed!
I agree as an American it’s so jarring to hear ‘knife crime’ instead of gun violence as an issue.
I can imagine. Guns are so hard to get here that really it’s only serious criminals who have them. But people are still violent! I just looked at the figures for 2015: 13,488 assaults with a knife. And 26,370 knife crimes recorded in total – but the ones that weren’t assaults were mostly possession – it’s also against the law to go about armed with a knife. NRA types would spontaneously combust at our laws!
Different world, I guess!
There is nothing open or receptive about her. She brought the body. Which she must protect at all costs from proximity to the filthy plebs
First, the story behind #FindMike is so compelling. This is a great charity and I hope there is more awareness as a result of this visit.
I don’t care what it cost. That green housecoat should never see the light of day again. Are the extensions back? The hair looks much heavier all of a sudden.
Huh and I was at that hospital this morning for an appointment and thought all the police were for the junior doctors strike. My observational skills are always second to none
Visiting is not work.
Hear, hear. I’ve said this before but I am offended that they cast their visiting/highlighting these worthy causes on a par with the work done by those that actually, um, do the work!
I think it is a transparent attempt to counter the “work shy” label by using the phase “my work/our work” as much as possible. It’s dishonest puffery. Rant over.
+ a gazillion
Kudos to them for calling attention to suicide. I just read that it is now the top cause of death in Australia among young adult and older teens.
My hunch is that talking about removing the stigma of mental health is not helping remove the stigma. It only serves to remind people of it. Just stop mentioning stigma already!
With all the background knowledge, wok ethic, etc., I am not sure who we should give kudos for this issue. But let’s be positive today so I agree. They went and did it.
Canadian stats say the leading cause of death for males 15-24 is drowning. Suicide is the second highest cause of death for youth aged 10-24. (based on a study done in through the 90’s)
How many of the drownings were suicide though I wonder?
It’s still such a huge stigma (particularly for some religious backgrounds) – I think that the figures are often not quite accurate as families try to cover up what really happened
@ Lex – probably not terribly many. Some young men have a tendency towards recklessness and drinking. When that happens near water, drowning is the result. It’s what took a cousin of mine.
Among Vet’s in the U.S. – there is a suicide a day – recent rank and file veterans have a 50% higher rate of suicide (both male and female) than non military civilians.
I don’t understand the point of Will and Kate’s involvement with this heartbreaking issue – are they adding something to the conversation? Will their presence at this meeting change Anything for Anyone? It seems as shallow as a photo-op..
Yep. Yep. Yep. In the big scheme of things how effective is it? That the charity was in the news for a millisecond in the 24 hr newsday. The show up, look concerned, chat a bit, and leave. End of story. Then their PR goes to town about their endless “work” and the science papers Kate reads.
Johnny and Neil are great people. That is all I took from this story. Sorry, not sorry Willnot and Kannot.
Woww what a story that two guys had!! Truly awesome!
Can anybody enlighten me why they use this People Mag so much? Do they have somebody there or are they the only ones not throwing shade at them? Is it published in the UK too, I honestly thought it is only published in the USA. Me not informed enough.:-)
For me it comes down as they feed info to this gossip type of magazine but not the British newspapers. No offence meant if it not gossipy.
On another note, I am so not to know how to say this but these young royals body language with hands like that always reminds me of being back at school and being reprimanded for something. They seem to be awkward and without any clue. But I am sure it is either my fault or the photographer taking these shots all the time.:-))
Yes they are both incredibly awkward in front of the press, something Kate never was before. If you look back at shots of her in the GF years it was obvs she loved the press attention. Wills has always been awkward with them.
With some of the shots they look like they’d rather be elsewhere and the both had their ‘must look serious and interested’ faces on.
I had not noticed that she never looked awkward during the GF years but you’re so right. That says a lot.
And I can’t think of a time though when they looked awkward when they’re doing appearances we know they adore. Examples – their New York City tour, film premieres, anything with Ben Casey.
It’s not your fault, Anett. I think that Kate looks awkward a lot.
I saw the DM photos and one of them show Kate with such a massive grin, it seems every tooth of hers was visible.
I’m not sure how appropriate that is given the circumstances of this kind of appearance.
I updated with those Citresse they came out after we published!
Celebitchy thanks!
They both seem to be smiling so hard, as if looking giddy will make everyone else pleased with them.
Or William whispered another luxury vacation destination in Kate’s ear.
Well, maybe it reflects the ending of the story: the suicide survivor got the help he needed and was able to thank the man who stopped him from jumping. I’d be smiling too, if I met those guys.
Imagine being a professional who has to meet these bozos to explain what they do and explain a subject or whatever. Idiots. Thick thick thick. I would say “sorry busy that day”. Didn’t William do colouring in and Maps? (geography and art or something).
Can’t just one of the royal family – just one – get a job in the city at Goldman or something. Just one. Just one brain cell. Just one.
i shall be the vinegar to pour on all the sugar today.
how come these people were NOT CONCERNED about suicide when that nurse, Jacinda Saldanha, killed herself due to an unfortunate combination of personal issues, THEIR HOSPITAL STAY and that Aussie radio station?
They sent out a cursory note full of platitudes and have never followed up with the family.
Yet, suddenly they are ‘keen’ on suicide prevention because two other people dug deep and put together a campaign that they [WK]can use for maximum advantage to pull themselves from the hole they dug themselves into!!!!!!
Suicide isn’t some superficial fashionable cause you numpties. Stop using people that you will drop when another shiny toy takes your fancy next year.
Thank you for the reminder. W&K’s insistence on doing things “their way” contributed to that awful situation.
LAK, I remember thinking what a dreadful situation. I also felt sad for the family survivors, and hospital staff.
I think it only reinforced William’s controlling nature regarding any kind of media.
But, to be devil’s advocate, we don’t know for sure if they never followed up with the family.
Pixelated: The family were very open about any contact they’d had with WK. It consisted of a note and a phonecall. And then….crickets.
I just heard an anvil drop. A much needed reminder, LAK. Thanks.
Amen, sister. Very good point. I hope the BBC picks that up and asks that question publicly.
Wow! That’s right. Yes, wonder why they don’t mention her, seeing as her suicide was tied so closely to them?
They are both trying to take focus away from their outrageous spending in Courchevel skiiing trip with entourage of nannies servants security detail chef maids etc on private jet costing thousands and het ski gear with possum fur in.. disgraceful she will never learn … always wears such expensive outfits for shaking a few hands and they just stay a short time and take their leave …
They treat the media disgracefully using them to their afvantage when they want to be photographed what they will not realise is they are in a very Priviliged Role and it comes with the turf for living the extravagant lifestyle they have … the taxpayers are not getting the benefit of these two arrogant fools
This is a really good cause and all anyone can comment about is their four day trip and her possum gloves. Is eveyone sporting a vinyl purse and shoes? Suicide is becoming more prevalent among young people for various reasons and they’re doing something about it. I think that’s great.
It is a good cause, Maggie. I agree with you. What have you to say about Jacinda Saldanha, as LAK points out?
They aren’t responsible for her suicide but their support for mental health might be because she did commit suicide. Maybe it really affected them. Holding them in any way responsible for her act is really reaching.
I think that’s a reach, Maggie, but blimey O’Reilly, it’s your best reach to date! Mega points for trying!
Maggie, no one is holding them responsible for Jacinda’s suicide.
They are positioning themselves as experts in the field of Mental Health, sub-set Suicide prevention – Kate has repeatedly referenced ‘her work’ in the field. The question remains, why have they shown no support for Jacinda’s family?
Lak how do you know they haven’t? Maybe this is their way. How are they positioning themselves as experts? Looks to me like they’re out there supporting and learning.
Maggie: if you read any of Kate’s recent speeches, PSAs, Blog posts, you’d see the frequent reference to ‘her work’ in the field that allowed her to become an expert on the subject. Not that she’s learning or listening.
Further, she’s worded them as if this was the issue she’s been working on since she married in. Nevermind hospices and Addiction. two areas that she very visibly supported and was previously ‘keen’ on. We are supposed to forget that and instead focus on her new area of interest positioned as if it was always what she was doing.
Secondly, Jacinda’s family have been very open about all the support they’ve received. Including any support they received from WK.
Lak wow! Talk about negativity. Damned if they do damned if they don’t. How can you find fault with this? They’re out there trying to bring awareness. You’re position is flimsy.
By the way if you want to place blame on Jacinda committing suicide blame it on the media. The very same who are trying to smear william because he demands privacy. That’s what they’re doing. They have waaaay too much sway on the gullible. I can understand people not wanting to support Royalty but to buy into their bs is scary.
Damned if the take on something for PR only, approach it with their regular shallow attitude, and end up making a mess of things. Showing up and laughing like hyenas isn’t working or solving anything.
Not everyone who works in the press is out there spinning PR lies 24/7. Some are out there reporting facts and letting people make up their own minds. There are plenty of gullible folks out there believing every spin article W&K’s hired PR gurus are pushing.
W&K’s failure to follow regular royal protocol resulted in confusion at the hospital. That played a part in what happened, although many would like to pretend it didn’t.
Maggie: As Sixer said above, you are reaching. And whoever was to blame, the point remains that her death was a suicide. Something they’ve decided to be ‘keen’ on. until next year when they find something else to be ‘keen on.
And i take issue with their dilettante attitude, not to mention using old fashioned, debunked information on a very serious subject that requires more nuance and depth than they are capable of.
At least the other royals understand the limits of their own capabilities and highlight the people who are working to positively affect their areas of interest. They certainly don’t position themselves as experts in the field when they can’t even connect the dots of an event that happened close to them that should have immediately opened their eyes instead of waiting for the PR manager to point them in the direction.
I don’t know that they are doing something about it, maggie, although I will agree they had a couple of engagements today to point out what other people are doing about it.
My issue is that they appear to have fair weather causes. They flit from one to the next without really having an impact on any of them. Where’s the follow through on children’s mental health from a couple of weeks ago? I read the other day there supposedly is this three pronged attack on mental health coming from them at the end of April, with William taking suicide, Kate doing children’s mental health, and Harry veterans. I suppose I’ll wait to see what happens there but other than Harry (who does appear to stick with his interests) I’m not expecting much.
Whatever. The way I see it is cost versus benefit. The cost of these two is 51p, the price of a chocolate. If one suicide attempt is prevented because of awareness brought on by this media attention then good. I just can find fault. And not expecting much is already sticking a negative connotation on something that has not happened yet.
“Whatever”??
Apparently you’ve never heard the expression about past behavior being the best predictor of future behavior. For example, I pretty much know what you’re going to say before you say it based on things you’ve said before, just as I can predict what others will say here. Same applies with William and Kate, unless this latest media blast has them a bit nervous. In which case, it’s done some good if it gets them out and about more.
The cost for a working royal work day is £278,000.
There are many valid ways to calculate what they cost. My formula is the best way to look at it because the Queen has repeatedly said royals have to be seen to matter.
The formula is £334 million/1200 work days. The ‘working royals’ average number of unique appearance days has been averaging around 1200 per year.
The cost is not 51p, that’d be the royalist figure that the British Royal Family want you to believe. The more accurate figure is closer to $600 million annually. Just the other day a poster gave a beautiful summary of what else could be done with this money instead.
Right on, Bluhare.
That 51P or whatever the real cost is per person including babies,I gather, turns into millions. That 51P would be better given to those in need, to ensuring people don’t die of cold, so many social needs. Instead that mere 51P is given to these gilded slackers to support their opulent lifestyle. It’s amazing how far that 51P stretches.
I’m probably going to get butchered for what I am about to say, but its a thought, and I need to get it off my chest.
Of course I think mental health is a noble cause. Of COURSE!
But I can’t help but notice that male suicide disproportionately affects white males. Couple this with Wills’ other “causes”, and I’m really starting to question Will’s and Kate’s…shall we say, racial blind spot (I’m being kind).
His anti-poaching efforts? It’s a complicated subject, and partly a class thing….like, many poachers are poorer black Africans — who do it to get money to survive! Also, Wills refused to take over the Prince’s Trust, which helps many non-white kids in the UK.
Again, not saying that male suicide isn’t a good cause. It is. But the fact that this seems to be their only charity issue — well this and poaching — the optics are starting to look bad. They can go to sailing events, and rugby events, and Hollywood events……
Yes, Wills did that one interview with that woman from Centerpoint, but there was something off / condescending about that too. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
I know people are going to jump down my throat for saying this, but I had to get it off my chest, as I am really starting to believe that Wills and Kate may be casual racists.
Yet, I don’t get that vibe from Harry AT ALL.
Putting the race card aside, William’s approach to his causes and charities is seriously myopic and unintentionally imperialist.
mytake – the UK doesn’t record ethnicity on death certificates, only place of birth. The suicide rate in the US may be higher among the white population (is it? I don’t know) but in the UK we just don’t know.
Mytake- Those are really interesting points to consider.
Very interesting insights. And a good reminder to us all that there can be discrimination even though that was not the intention. In employment practices in the U.S. the legal concepts are disparate impact and also adverse impact.
Yes very interesting especially the Princes Trust piece. And I have gotten a whiff of colonialism through his African conservation “passion”. It’s like, save these rhinos so my kids can go on luxe safaris with Jecca’s kids someday! Harry’s focus in Sentebale is a lot more cognizant of the issues facing the African continent. Not that you can’t support human and animal causes both, but William’s tone on it strikes me as immature and privileged.
They also don’t seem to have ANY friends of color which is odd considering how diverse the UK is.
I think that’s an old money thing. I’m not defending it, but the fact that they have no non-white friends is kind of part & parcel with their rarified stratum of society. Maybe they are politely acquainted with some rich celebrities/athletes of colour, but their real, close friends went to private schools and live on huge country estates.
Diana and Charles had plenty of friends of color and the schools they went to are full of students of color. It’s also very odd how little they’ve traveled — it’s all just hunting and skiing and beach vacations. They’re remarkably provincial considering all their opportunities.
#PoorJason got a winner with the DM story about Normal Bill making a balloon animal for a kid with a nut allergy. Did we not predict a feel-good story in the works? Still waiting for him to rescue a barrel full of kittens.
Something that was said to have happened a month ago. Not the first time they’ve deliberately released something long after it happened – but released during time of PR crisis. No verification that William did anything, of course, merely that a parent thinks it was probably him.
Yes, the Mirror covered it in February. Good catch!
Can someone explain to me why their PR releases/leaks information to People Magazine? Are they more concerned with keeping the Princess Kate narrative alive in the US, a former colony, than fixing their reputations in the country which he will one day be Head of State?
What gives, #PoorJason?
They seem to release information to American outlets easily than they do British ones. All their PR seems to be directed at an American audience including giving interviews to American media and William being the very definition of personable whilst on American engagements and resentful and surly on British ones.
But why? What is the purpose? Are they going to exile themselves to the US and live off of their celebrity?
I sincerely do not understand their PR strategy. They will not continue to be Royal by the pleasure of the american people. They have their subjects confused.
It’s baffling.
Poor Jason is American. He has contacts in American media. He’s probably got a go-to person at people, a relationship. Not that baffling.
@RedSnapper I don’t find the HOW baffling, rather the WHY. They will not be King and Queen of the USA, so what is the point of leaking and releasing all of these reasons and excuses to an American magazine instead of to the British media?
You may be on to something about why People mag. The Beckhams and other Britishers started building their brand in America before they actually moved here. People works very well for that end goal.
They’ve forgotten Downton Abbey has finished?
In their minds THEY ARE Downton Abbey.
Quite.
Yes. Kate is Lady Mary.
Carole is Mrs. Levinson.
Can I be Lady Edith, CAN I CAN I so I can call Lady Mary A Be Otch!!!
Probably because they arent living on our dime and can feel extra special. We also don’t keep close tabs on them and we have a cultural fascination with aristocratic culture and adored Diana. Or we are nostalgic for the Old country our motherland. Or maybe because wealthy Americans would sell a vital organ if they could be royal or be addressed as such.
Also Kate can use that maniacal smile because Americans are smiley and we love to show off our dentistry.
On a positive note, it’s nice to see them doing joint appearances after almost five years of marriage. William doesn’t have the situation where he feels eclipsed by Kate, therefore in that respect they make a good match.
The coat is very nice. Kate, however, is aging somewhat quickly and not well.
A holiday with a lot of negative press followed by image rehab charity work, how convenient!
It’s kind of hard to believe there’s any genuine concern on their part, when it seems they just pull these events out of thin air after some bad press. I get that suicide prevention is a valuable and worthy cause, but how exactly are they helping? By meeting with one person and giving an hour (tops) of their time? What are the real benefits of these self-serving visits? I’m miffed the Brits find this sort of thing worthy of their tax money.
I must admit that shallow visits like this don’t do anything for me, but Anne, Charles and Sophie (and, to be fair, Harry) do work of real value and get heavily involved with their charities. Baby steps – first we get them to do something, and then we get them to do something of substance.