Prince George is 9

On another note - I’m not sure who George resembles. Maybe Diana’s father or brother? I think Charlotte will be the spitting image of the Queen when she’s older.

Maybe some people cannot fathom why one child is singled out for so much attention because they turned 9! Seriously, the country is full of 9 year olds. The elevation of one family (including their children) for a life of privilege is what is disturbing to many. It's not 'mean', it's a rational response to a bizarre preoccupation with a family who are destined to have jobs for life, unbelievable wealth and the adoration of many without having to do anything to earn it.

Still no reason at all for such vitriol about a child.

ruthiek is right - GN has changed in the last couple of years and not for the better.

Vitriol? Really?

"Bitter criticism or malice"

If you think what has been said about the lad is bitter criticism or malice then I must surmise that you have led a very sheltered life.

True Callistemon , not the forum it was, when posters could
and did disagree on some topics but no venom. So sad that many no longer post.

Saying a child doesn't care about us isn't venom. He's nine. He probably cares about Power Rangers or football or something.

Exaggeration at play here, I think.

I cannot see any 'vitriol' on this thread towards any child.

Casdon

paddyann54

Maybe we should reserve the kindnesss for the millions of children who live in families where a holiday is a distant dream and not this child who has several holidays every year .This overprivileged boy doesn't know we exist and cares even less .Save your good will for the ones who may not even get a decent meal a day once schools close for summer in England !

Maybe we should be kind to all children paddyann54. I’m not in favour of only being kind to some, whoever they are.

What paddyann54 said was unkind to Prince George. Attributing negative emotions to him that she can’t possibly know whether he has or not. There’s no getting away from it I’m afraid.

Vitriol? Venom?

That's just silly.

Unkind.

Perhaps. But not venom or vitriol and those who say it is are demonizing people, for no reason except to paint them as wicked, when they are not.

Not guilty of exaggerating what was said, but I really can’t stomach unkindness to children and would always call it out if I see it.

Casdon

Not guilty of exaggerating what was said, but I really can’t stomach unkindness to children and would always call it out if I see it.

I don't think anybody has been unkind to a child. That's my view, others may differ.

Not making comments on our system just because a child is peripherally involved is unfair to everybody.

Anniebach

True Callistemon , not the forum it was, when posters could
and did disagree on some topics but no venom. So sad that many no longer post.

Ho ho ho! No venom …

Maybe in fifty years time there will not be a monarchy.

There are so many threads (too many) about the royals where people can comment about the system though, aren’t there? I generally stay off them, but I just don’t think a thread about wishing a child a happy birthday is the right thread to make unkind comments about him. The adult royals are fair game, but not children.

Lucca

Anniebach

True Callistemon , not the forum it was, when posters could
and did disagree on some topics but no venom. So sad that many no longer post.

Ho ho ho! No venom …

It depends how far back we're talking about, Lucca

Calendargirl

Callistemon21

Lucca

Who is being unkind to Prince George ? Posters are commenting on the “system” not on him.

Read the post.

this overprivileged boy doesn’t know we exist and cares even less

To me, that reads as a comment on him, not the system.

Excuse me but I had read the post. It means he doesn’t care in the same way any 9 year old wouldn’t be interested.

Honestly you can’t say anything without being called nasty etc it’s ridiculous,

The comments are on the system. How could they be otherwise? Unless you are seriously suggesting GN posters would attack a boy they don’t even know.

As for hijacking the thread …. How many pages of non stop happy birthday George would be enough ?

Callistemon21

Lucca

Anniebach

True Callistemon , not the forum it was, when posters could
and did disagree on some topics but no venom. So sad that many no longer post.

Ho ho ho! No venom …

It depends how far back we're talking about, Lucca

Dont understand your post sorry

And there’s plenty “venom” on certain threads masquerading as righteous indignation.

Casdon

There are so many threads (too many) about the royals where people can comment about the system though, aren’t there? I generally stay off them, but I just don’t think a thread about wishing a child a happy birthday is the right thread to make unkind comments about him. The adult royals are fair game, but not children.

Quite right, Casdon

It's rather sad that wishing a young boy happy birthday brings forth unpleasant comments about him and his family.

There are plenty of other threads discussing the monarchy - this is not the right thread for that kind of discussion.

volver

Vitriol? Really?

"Bitter criticism or malice"

If you think what has been said about the lad is bitter criticism or malice then I must surmise that you have led a very sheltered life.

then I must surmise that you have led a very sheltered life

Silly remark - and personal.

Nobody's preventing anyone wishing the boy happy birthday. Many people have. If people don't like some of the posts, get the thread "back on track" by posting nice things. As we're always being told, ignore the posts one doesn't like. But I suspect the temptation to demonize people who don't hero worship the Windsors is too strong for some.

I'll just add what an excellent photographer Kate is! Not just the composition of the picture, but the way in which she captures the child's sense of fun is sheer mastery.
She is very astute too, because by providing the perfect image it is pointless for the press to try to compete for pictures of the children.

They flew 1st class back from Australia
I was on the same flight.
It was difficult as all us other passengers had to sit & wait on the plane for ages as they disembarked first at both the stop over in Dubai & At Heathrow

Clearly my saying several times that I’m not being unkind to the boy is ignored, it’s always the same.