Friday was VE (Victory in Europe) Day, the end of World War II in Europe. Japan would fall months later in 1945 (August 15, 1945), soon after America bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic weapons on August 6th and 9th. VE Day came eight days after Adolf Hitler killed himself in Berlin. There were probably big memorial events planned for the 75th anniversary of both VE and VJ Day this year, but the coronavirus pandemic messed up many of those plans. Throughout Europe, the VE Day celebrations were subdued, and that includes the royal houses of Europe.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are still in lockdown in Norfolk, and they seem to have gotten into the rhythm of Zoom calls and video-conference events. They decided to do something sort of cool for VE Day: they Zoom’d into a VE Day party at Mais House Care Home, which I assume is some kind of assisted living facility or nursing home. William and Kate got a glimpse of the party being thrown there, and they got to speak to some of the seniors who saw the war first-hand, either serving or simply living through the Battle of Britain.
First thing – my mom’s assisted living facility won’t allow people to congregate like that! Even if the staff wear masks, it’s not good to have a bunch of seniors all hanging out in the same inclosed space, good lord. As for the chat between the Cambridges and the various couples… it was cute. William and Kate are, uh, getting better at this social media thing. Again, they hired (“stole”) the Sussexes’ social media guru post-Sussexit. Oh, and the Cambridges changed their social media-icon photo to a family pic from the “clapping for carers” thing.
One more thing – the Daily Mail praised Kate for being “thrifty” because she recycled an LK Bennett dress for the video. She wore this dress to Wimbledon in 2015. Considering she’s worn several new-to-us dresses in previous videos, I don’t get why she’s suddenly so thrifty! Especially since she was also praised for wearing those new dresses and “supporting High Street.” Pick a lane, DM!
Charles & Camilla stepped outside (in Scotland) to mark VE Day with bagpipes and a wreath.
Screencaps courtesy of video.
I think this is a good lane for them. They should focus on being accessible, safe Royals cutting ribbons and kissing babies locally around the U.K.
They are out of their league trying to compete with the Sussexes who operate on a global scale and focus on more impactful projects.
I agree. They are better at these kinds of bread and butter events and they should stick to them. the problem of course, is that they have to actually keep DOING these kinds of events when the restrictions are lifted. I’ve said that before about Kate (and I guess will falls into that category too) – not everyone is an ideas person, and that’s okay. Harry is good with ideas and clearly Meghan is as well. That’s one of their strengths, and its a good one to have. Will and Kate don’t really have that strength, but I feel like they “want” to, so that’s why we get all these tidbits about “Kate’s early childhood initiative” that was a 5 question survey etc.
they should play to what are THEIR strengths and I think these kinds of events are good for them.
Agree and I dont think they want to do anymore than that. But they want the glamor and excitement and interest that surrounds Harry and Meghan, so we get the fake PDA, we the five question, we get the prestigious prize.
The problem is that they generally are also poor at execution as well.
The wonderful community of commentators here have been saying for years that Will and Kate should be focusing on bread and butter royal events and volume instead of creativity. The problem with that is that it would require them to work more, an ability that they seem to be lacking.
I think they have done very well during the pandemic but I’m not sure what we are seeing from them isn’t an aberration as opposed to a trend. I hope we continue to see them put this effort in post shelter in place but again remain doubtful.
@sunny its also worth pointing out that they are doing this work from their home in Norfolk (which is where we know Kate prefers to be anyway). Doing more bread and butter events (which is what I think Kate is good at, just ribbon cutting and the like) would require being in London or traveling throughout the country more, and we know that’s not what she is doing to do.
I agree. I see them as local royals as well. I think the problem is that they don’t see themselves as local.
Agreed. This is what they’re good at. The photo ops, ribbon cutting, museum and hospital openings is what they should stick at. But like Becks1 says, they actually need to do a lot of it. Kate has yet to do more than 160 engagements a year. William has at least cracked 200 but I think they both should be aiming for mid 200s. It won’t happen this year obviously but I hope next year, after a decade of being married in, she’ll finally do more than 200 engagements (I thought she could finally crack 200 at the beginning of the year but then the virus happened)
Even if Kate doesn’t work when the children are on holiday, the kids are at school for roughly 38-40 weeks a year. If she works 3 days a week and does 2 engagements a day, that’s 6 engagements a week. So in a year she can do 228-240 engagements. Plus add some tours/foundation meetings, and she can easily hit the 250 mark
Kate can spare some time. She does not have to stay with the children all the time There is a nanny that can help.
They could do more than one zoom call per week. There are a ton of things they could do even virtually. They choose not to because no one expects much from them. Being the white couple is good enough for the royalist crowd.
Small, or more accurately “targeted”, doesn’t have to be bad. Two of the most successful endeavors of the Sussexes were the Hubb Kitchen cookbook and the Smart Works collection. Targeted but very successful and brought a lot of deserved attention to those causes. Haven’t really seen anything yet with a global reach.
But that said, the Cambridges do NOTHING. They dabble in something, get bored, dabble in something else. This is perfect for them. 20-30 minutes in front of their computers from the comfort of their homes.
This is exactly it. They didn’t want to do numbers as high as Anne, or even Sophie because they claimed they would do more in depth work. After almost ten years it’s obvious they never will. I mean we don’t even have the results produced for that alleged eight year in the making survey.
Do the 30 min engagements but do several per day like Anne has done. And since everything is being done virtually right now, they could get at least three done per day. But still right now they do about one per week.
Maybe they’ll do them all by video from now on…to forever… ’cause all they have to do is step into the next room in front of the videocam and engage for five minutes. Willy even read his briefing notes, he knew what to ask the fellas about – way to go work-shy Wills! Must be the influence of their new social media advisor.
This was a good “event.” For them, and the most engaged I’ve seen William in a while. I’m glad they don’t talk to the elderly people like children, a lot of people get uncomfortable around the elderly so they resort to treating them like they are kids. Everyone seemed to enjoy talking to them and they seemed to enjoy talking to everyone so, ya know, good job.
My best friend is an event coordinator for a care home and they did a little parade for mothers day. While they don’t allow outside visitors they do allow the folks inside to have small gatherings for like happy hour and game night.
No royal should ever be praised for being thrifty. There is not a way you can be thrifty for re-wearing something that cost them someone’s monthly bills. Ever. I hate that. “They re-wore! So thrifty.” Not thrifty. Literally the opposite. Thrifty would be never having spent the money on a dress to begin with. (Can you hear me burning with class resentment?) LOL
Also there isn’t a way they “stole” the social media guy, they made him an offer, which is smart since watching them is like watching paint dry and they needed to be refreshed. The guy is probably being paid buckets, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.
I agree – so she re-wore a dress, whoop-dee-freaken-doo, she lives in multiple palaces/mansions provided by the British people, uses their money for her personal upkeep (which costs $$$) and takes private helicopters everywhere.. but ya, she is “so thrifty”…
Using thrifty for any of the royals is simply fallacious. They live in mansions and have servants. They aren’t thrifty at all. The tabloid media needs to stop using that word. It is especially offensive to use the word thrifty when someone wears a dress more than once. That’s not what thrifty means.
Yes to all of these comments! She clearly has someone doing her hair and makeup as well, which is just beyond ridiculous to me during a pandemic. How superficial can you be? I understand looking nice for Zoom meetings, but between this and the clapping in matching outfits outside of their home, it shows her “substance” is squarely set in appearances. (And I realize I’m not saying anything new here, but was really struck how made up she was in these two videos.)
I think it was cute, and I don’t know why the facility is doing this!
And Kate has always recycled clothes, so I don’t get the fuzz.
Kate is not “thrifty” she is very privileged and wealthy. I think it patronizing for her even think of being “thrifty” when there are people with no incomes now.
This sort of thing is great for them. Low effort, high visibility. I wonder how they’ll continue once restrictions are lifted.
Zoom calls will be the norm for the rest of the year tor them.
Big shift in the family firm during the last week or so. The Queen has basically retired – no Ascot, no Trooping – when a 94 year old puts things off 6 months that’s huge. Also for her to not stand somewhere next to a wreath on VE day 75th anniversary means she physically can’t. Only Charles and Camilla did the honors. He’s the king now.
And these two nitwits, Bill and Cathy as TLo calls them, seem to have finally accepted modern coaching. Bill acted WAY less haughty and Cathy seemed almost at ease. If I didn’t know their story, I would think I like them from this performance.
Charles is not the King now. The Queen did not retire. I don’t think Kate and William have changed one iota.
I’m wondering if this COVID-19 sequestration will be the thing that prompts her to finally abdicate and let Charles be king. I know she’s committed to the monarchy, and that she feels that her place is for life. But she’s 94, and I can’t help but think that her quarantine is a welcome rest and respite. I’m sure she’s still getting the red boxes and all, but at least she doesn’t have to be out and about at events, or receive people at Sandringham or wherever she is. I’m curious to see what the lifting of the quarantine will bring for her …
I can stake my life on the fact that E2 will never, ever abdicate.
Marjorie, because of her immense age and also no doubt her position, the Queen is being especially shielded. Most people of that category are not even allowed to leave their houses. It would have been pointless her standing beside a wreath that at her age she would not be able to lay. She has made two superlative speeches on British TV in the last few weeks. She is as sharp as a sharp knife ! and still in control. Charles and Camilla were perfect laying the wreath/flowers in Scotland.
A bit more about Anne. Regardless of what the Cambridges might be wanting to prove, she puts an immense depth into her engagements . I know someone who met her and she was informed and charming. She over-ran and had no time for lunch so picked up a pack of sandwiches from the student bar to eat in the car.
Please don’t think all Brits are racist. The idiots that voted for Brexit and this govt could be but there are others in other areas of Britain who don’t even notice.
It was really wonderful. 75 years since VE Day!!!! The veterans are so funny and wonderful in the video. I’m glad they were recognized- so many events were cancelled due to COVID – 😞😞😞
Wearing an outfit twice in 5 years is not being thrifty.
Agree. It should be out of the ordinary to wear a new dress not re-wear one that hasn’t seen the light of day in years.
Maybe someone can let her know there is no need to wear a dress on zoom, just a wear a nice shirt like the rest of the world.
I’m wearing the dress I wore to my nephew’s wedding today, because it’s a lovely dress (with pockets!) and I like it. If I don’t wear it, it sits in my closet, which means neither I or the dress are having any fun. I used to keep things “for good” but not so much any more. Now it’s use it or lose it….so I’m using all my “good” stuff…every day. I have no meetings planned…just a dog walk later in the day.
@Lizzie, please, please why are you bothering tell anyone to “just wear a nice shirt like the rest of the world”? I NEVER wear shirts, the buttons gape at my bust. I NEVER wear T-shirts, they don’t fit as well as a nice top. I OFTEN wear dresses, because they are comfortable and look nice. I am of this world, though apparently not like the rest of the world. And that’s gotta be okay, y’know ~ ?
A new dress for every new zoom video is wasteful, they really need to share the wealth, it’s really disgusting and unforgiveable. They need to get off the public dole, and keep their billions and cut there losses
They’re so boring.
And they are annoying too IMO.
Cain and Catty please go away.
Maybe they can be continue being thrifty and stay home and zoom this instead of multi-million dollar vanity tours.
“thrifty”?!!! Goodness me,that’s an insult to people who are stretching a pound to last a week! Re wearing a £500+ dress a second time does not make you relatable or some kind of a frugal woman!!! She litterly has the same outfit in different shades!!
I agree with other commentators, they are good at these zoom sessions! They’ll probably try to continue doing them even when the situation improves. The keenbridges love cutting one day’s “work ” into different parts and putting them in CC individually
Bet this 5 minute call costs 10000 in costume to prep for (not including cost of grey men people behind the scenes)
The BM is not doing her any favors by putting out these silly stories. I know they are doing a good thing here but I just can’t with these two after what they did to Harry and Meghan,
Ditto
These Zoom calls, and the subsequence press fawning over the Cambridge, are so tiresome. They are putting in the absolute least amount of effort possible while being praised to the heavens. I prefer prince Charles’ laying a wreath at the memorial, he actually showed respect to those who lost their lives. These two are nothing but attention hounds.
I actually think it’s okay for the seniors at this facility to be celebrating and having a party to celebrate the end of the war, it is after all the 75th anniversary and a big deal to the people who can remember that, I think it’s a great thing the staff did here. They most likely took huge precautions and sanitized everything, these people can no longer see their families so they need something fun to look forward to.
There have been so many articles about seniors being stuck in their rooms during their quarantine and not allowed to leave at all. That takes a HUGE toll on mental health when you’re old, confined to a wheelchair, and the only person you are physically interacting with is presumably the aide coming in wearing a mask. While rules have had to be strict because senior care facilities have been some of the hardest hit by the virus, it is also unrealistic to maintain such strict isolation procedures for seniors until a vaccine is found as that could be well over a year away. Facilities are going to have to allow them to mingle again at some point, they can’t all stay in their rooms for months on end with zero visitation. It will destroy their mental health.
Okay, this is good. It feels like overcelevrating when this is what they should have been doing already, but yes, they should keep this new guy on! I wonder, when /if social distancing measures end, if they will continue to do some events via zoom – they “count” , can be done from home, require less security and money, and could reduce the Cambridge carbon footprint significantly. I mean, so would not taking a private jet to Mustique every year, but…baby steps!
Do they just have one computer? Can they just WiFi in this corner? Why can’t we be getting glimpses of their home?
Also, this is 100% Kate doing her own hairc
I think the Cambs find a good excuse to cover up their laziness. Their (semi) public funded allowance didn’t stop coming in, despite them hardly working for it in return.
Harry and Meghan are not funded by the RF and not working royals anymore, but by counting the amount of activities they’ve undertaken from afar for their UK charities, they almost have beaten the Camp ‘s ‘engagement’ numbers since the Covid pandemic.
W&K are not considered as part of the big Covid-19 risk group. I’ve seen many other European royals in their ages group on outdoor engagements, whilst following their government’s social distancing rules and restrictions. If Sophie Wessex can do an engagement (with sort of some impact), why not William and Kate?
Charles and Camilla stepped out and they’re in the target group, but these two lazies haven’t bothered incase we set our expectation too high.
They are so BORING
Lazy duo