King Charles III

Bigger table needed, simples

I was listening to King Charles’ itinerary yesterday. At his age and in such circumstances he has an awful lot on his plate. I’m sure the last thing he wants or needs to be doing is all these public engagements. He isn’t being given time to grieve. He is off to Ireland shortly then back to London the same day. I’m much younger and really couldn’t face it. Almost 74 and suddenly he’s shouldering all this responsibility. Give the man a break; he’s hardly had time to catch his breath.

I lost my mum a couple of months ago. She wasn't 96 years old and there was no warning. The day after she died I was behaving like a human being, not taking it out on people I didn't know in public places. And I'm not Royal.

If having a Royal HoS is all about them behaving impeccably and showing an example to the country, that hasn't happened, has it?

Lexisgranny

I am neither a monarchist nor a republican, but what I do believe in is fair play.

I watched the events on Saturday morning as I was very interested in the historical significance of the occasion. My first reaction when the scrolls were produced was that there was not enough room on that table and that there appeared to be not only a pen tray but an inkwell on the table that would prove disastrous. What I saw was a swift hand gesture. He was dealing with two important historical documents, ink blots would not be a good idea. (Incidentally I was wearing a new pair of spectacles at the time)

This man had had a few short hours to mourn his mother before being thrown straight into hours of state business. I totally agree with you MaizieD

Well said Lexigranny.

Jaberwok well said

Well said Jaberwok

FGS, this poor man had only just lost his mother, and, surprise, surprise he was clearly extremely upset, as most of us are. Extreme grief can make one irritable, it certainly did for me. The pen episode was unfortunate, but hardly a cock up, a blip in an otherwise perfect transition. Wouldn't it be nice if people could occasionally offer some praise for the faultless transition, the long journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh, those absolutely amazing soldiers performing fantastically at very short notice, faultless trumpeters, respectful crowds and so much more, instead of latching on to one minor indiscretion and blowing it up out of all proportion.

I'm not a fan of the monarchy.
But my first reaction was to laugh at Charles's expression. People react differently.
Mr Nada would have done the same as Charles.
Surely a fountain pen was all that was needed, and a bigger table.
Who needs an inkwell nowadays?

I am neither a monarchist nor a republican, but what I do believe in is fair play.

I watched the events on Saturday morning as I was very interested in the historical significance of the occasion. My first reaction when the scrolls were produced was that there was not enough room on that table and that there appeared to be not only a pen tray but an inkwell on the table that would prove disastrous. What I saw was a swift hand gesture. He was dealing with two important historical documents, ink blots would not be a good idea. (Incidentally I was wearing a new pair of spectacles at the time)

This man had had a few short hours to mourn his mother before being thrown straight into hours of state business. I totally agree with you MaizieD

Surprising as it may appear to some GNers, I have a soft spot for Charles. He's had to wait 70+ years to fulfil his destiny and he will always be in the shadow of his mother.

However he is human; he may or may not be a good king (whatever that means) but we have no choice in the matter. He can be gracious or he can snarl at officials.

None of it matters, he will be king, come what may. And we can either semi-deify him and forgive him all transgressions, or we can look at it with dispassionate eyes, and decide if this is how we want to go on.

Germanshepherdsmum

That’s disgraceful volver. The reference was I believe, to the system of monarchy, not the monarch.

No, I was referring to Charles. Who, I think we've got to know pretty well over the past 70 years..

In the documentary " Kate, the making of the future queen" , Charles is referred to by staff as" The Pampered Prince" and is reportedly the most difficult and demanding since Princess Margaret.
"He will not pick up anything that has fallen out of his reach, but will ring for staff from other rooms to pick it up for him."
" The Prince of Wales doesn't lift a thing and has his staff do everything for him, even the simplest daily task"
" According to Clarence house staff and given all his excessive rules, it's clear Prince Charles is the most demanding royal since Princess Margaret"
I think we just saw a glimpse of the "Pampered Prince" at the proclamation signing.

volver

Well the "devil" you know has gone. We've got a new one now.

You mean that Charles' existence has been kept a deadly secret for 7 decades and that we've known nothing about him until this week?

Germanshepherdsmum

That’s disgraceful volver. The reference was I believe, to the system of monarchy, not the monarch.

I use my inverted commas advisedly. But carry on and take offence if you want to. That's not my responsibility.

volver

MaizieD

volver

www.trendsmap.com/twitter/tweet/1568571445852393474

44 seconds in. It wasn't an inkwell, it was a pen tray.

Defend him all you like. But just examine your consciences when you slag off another royal for holding hands with his wife.

You haven't watched it all. It was the pen tray during the first signing, then he juggled with the inkwells to keep them out of the way.

It was during the second lot of signing that he gestured for the whole lot to be removed. I don't blame him, I think I would have done, too. In fact, I was surprised that that no-one had taken the hint the first time and got them out of the way.

We Brits have always patted ourselves on the back for our meticulous planning and implementation of ceremonial. This was a cock up. A cock up that was being televised to the whole world.

Have you watched it at all MaizieD?

Pen tray at 44 seconds in. Snarling King. Sheepish hand and arm of some military chap.

Is this the start of re-writing history to suit the monarch's inviolable character?

I watched it live. I thought what a bloody stupid arrangement, WTF were those pens and inkwells doing getting in the way of the person signing. I didn't see any more than a look of annoyance.

But then, I'm not scrutinising every second of the TV coverage to hunt for character defects and build mountains out of molehills.

volver

Well the "devil" you know has gone. We've got a new one now.

Yes isn’t it great?! Many more to follow as well. Long live the King

That’s disgraceful volver. The reference was I believe, to the system of monarchy, not the monarch.

Well the "devil" you know has gone. We've got a new one now.

volver

Oh for goodness sake.

I'd quite like Zelenskyy. He had no money and a career as a comedian. And an electorate with a bit of faith in themselves and their fellow countrymen.

I'm sure we'd all love Zelenskiys, but they are extremely rare beasts. We're far more likely to end up with someone like the motley crew already cited.

I think I'd rather stick with the devil I've known for decades.

I’m with Volver regarding Charles and his manner regarding the pen trays. Watch William when he needed a pen. It was executed beautifully with no irritation at all. The Queen may have been equally irritated but you would not have known it because she would have behaved with dignity.
I remarked upon it to my family at the time but didn’t remark on here as this appears to be mainly a Pro Charles forum and I couldn’t find my tin hat.

MaizieD

volver

www.trendsmap.com/twitter/tweet/1568571445852393474

44 seconds in. It wasn't an inkwell, it was a pen tray.

Defend him all you like. But just examine your consciences when you slag off another royal for holding hands with his wife.

You haven't watched it all. It was the pen tray during the first signing, then he juggled with the inkwells to keep them out of the way.

It was during the second lot of signing that he gestured for the whole lot to be removed. I don't blame him, I think I would have done, too. In fact, I was surprised that that no-one had taken the hint the first time and got them out of the way.

We Brits have always patted ourselves on the back for our meticulous planning and implementation of ceremonial. This was a cock up. A cock up that was being televised to the whole world.

Have you watched it at all MaizieD?

Pen tray at 44 seconds in. Snarling King. Sheepish hand and arm of some military chap.

Is this the start of re-writing history to suit the monarch's inviolable character?

merlotgran

volver

www.trendsmap.com/twitter/tweet/1568571445852393474

44 seconds in. It wasn't an inkwell, it was a pen tray.

Defend him all you like. But just examine your consciences when you slag off another royal for holding hands with his wife.

Your wooden spoon is out early this morning, volver.

First mention of H&M has come from you, goading others.

Well done for spotting that I mentioned H&M. Is that a capital offence now?

I think its a valid comparison that people are happy to cut some slack to the members of the RF whom they are led to believe are the good guys, but will instantly condemn the ones they are led to believe are the bad guys, often for imagined transgressions.

volver

www.trendsmap.com/twitter/tweet/1568571445852393474

44 seconds in. It wasn't an inkwell, it was a pen tray.

Defend him all you like. But just examine your consciences when you slag off another royal for holding hands with his wife.

You haven't watched it all. It was the pen tray during the first signing, then he juggled with the inkwells to keep them out of the way.

It was during the second lot of signing that he gestured for the whole lot to be removed. I don't blame him, I think I would have done, too. In fact, I was surprised that that no-one had taken the hint the first time and got them out of the way.

We Brits have always patted ourselves on the back for our meticulous planning and implementation of ceremonial. This was a cock up. A cock up that was being televised to the whole world.

Oh for goodness sake.

I'd quite like Zelenskyy. He had no money and a career as a comedian. And an electorate with a bit of faith in themselves and their fellow countrymen.

Grany we shall see. I just don’t fancy Tony Blair, Trump, Biden, David Cameron et al as head of state. It will then be about who has the most money and backing to promote themselves and win. I can’t see that doing much for ordinary people. We might even end up with a Putin.

Charles has served a long apprenticeship under a master. Let’s see what happens.