Gransnet forums

News & politics

Are the Royal Family losing their touch?

(846 Posts)
volver Sun 03-Apr-22 16:22:31

A couple of weeks ago we had the disastrous PR associated with the Caribbean tour, and now the judgement of the Queen is being questioned, for giving Prince Andrew such a prominent role in the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service.

The position of the Royal Family depends very strongly on their acceptance by, and the support of, the public both here and overseas; are they losing that?

JaneJudge Sun 03-Apr-22 16:25:59

Prince Andrew has apparently today deleted posts on his ex wife's Instagram account about how the Falkland's war affected him too, which were posted in the early hours.

Urmstongran Sun 03-Apr-22 16:29:16

I think people (most of us) love HM The Queen. She has dedicated her life to service.

Going forward?
Hmm.
Not so much I think.

If Prince Charles slims down the numbers of the RF I think it might survive.

Shelmiss Sun 03-Apr-22 16:29:44

I think the Queen failed massively by getting Andrew to walk her into the memorial service. In that alone she has gone down in my estimation.

Ilovecheese Sun 03-Apr-22 16:31:59

The two mis steps, the tour of the Caribbean and the prominent role given to Prince Andrew,have been so close together that I have to wonder if they have new advisers who are not up to the job.

Urmstongran Sun 03-Apr-22 16:36:44

Shelmiss

I think the Queen failed massively by getting Andrew to walk her into the memorial service. In that alone she has gone down in my estimation.

Not mine. She’s a mum at the end of the day. And Andrew was going to attend that service it was for his father. Family stuff.

maddyone Sun 03-Apr-22 16:37:32

Shelmiss

I think the Queen failed massively by getting Andrew to walk her into the memorial service. In that alone she has gone down in my estimation.

Me too.

Gilly3 Sun 03-Apr-22 16:38:31

They either need to reinvent themselves or quietly disappear. To be fair, the Cambridges probably did everything that was asked of them by the old guard on that tour, but I wonder if they are now sitting at home questioning it all.
The Andrew business is irritating to say the least. I hope he keeps out of the way at the Jubilee.

MerylStreep Sun 03-Apr-22 16:38:45

I’ve heard it reported that the Dean of Westminster was going to escort her but Andrew ( who was with her in the car) muscled his way in.

Atqui Sun 03-Apr-22 16:41:17

She’s his mother and Prince Philip his father.unconditional love

mumofmadboys Sun 03-Apr-22 16:41:49

I think we should admire the Queen for sticking with her son through thick and thin. We love our children unconditionally. We don't stop loving them even if they do something very wrong. Hate the sin, not the sinner.

mumofmadboys Sun 03-Apr-22 16:42:37

Sorry crossed posts Atqui

Urmstongran Sun 03-Apr-22 16:43:58

MerylStreep

I’ve heard it reported that the Dean of Westminster was going to escort her but Andrew ( who was with her in the car) muscled his way in.

I can totally believe this crass behaviour of him!
He encapsulates the “do you know who I am” entitlement.
So crass.

Gilly3 Sun 03-Apr-22 16:45:29

6 years ago. Why does PA always hog that front seat? Has he got a leg problem?

sodapop Sun 03-Apr-22 16:45:34

Exactly how I feel too Atqui & momb

maddyone Sun 03-Apr-22 16:45:42

There is speculation that Andrew wants to accompany her to the races, Epsom I think. And also that he wants to have a role in the jubilee celebrations. All speculation at this point I think. I hope it doesn’t happen but it’s my opinion that the Queen wants him back in some sort of public role, otherwise surely she wouldn’t have allowed him to accompany her in the church at the memorial service.

Anniebach Sun 03-Apr-22 16:49:06

There are 8 working members of the royal family, which should be cut out from the 8, can’t be the Queen or Charles , Camilla, William, Kate , so Anne, Edward and Sophie ?

MissAdventure Sun 03-Apr-22 16:54:21

I think Charles will be making at least some of the necessary changes, when his time comes.

mumofmadboys Sun 03-Apr-22 16:56:55

It was a memorial service for his Dad Maddy.
The church is for sinners.

Calendargirl Sun 03-Apr-22 16:58:14

Gilly3

6 years ago. Why does PA always hog that front seat? Has he got a leg problem?

I don’t know what occasion that was, but Charles and Camilla don’t appear to be there, so I assume Andrew is sitting where he is because, after William and Harry, he is next most senior royal at that event, whatever it was.

MissAdventure Sun 03-Apr-22 17:00:46

In terms of body language, that rogue leg speaks volumes.

Calendargirl Sun 03-Apr-22 17:10:47

In answer to the OP, no, I don’t think the RF are ‘losing their touch’.

I don’t see the Caribbean tour as a PR disaster, despite what the media say. Some things might have been done differently, no doubt ‘lessons will be learned’ for the future. Doesn’t make it a ‘disaster’.

And I don’t think the Queen showed poor judgement for having Andrew escort her. I admire her for doing it, and personally, I didn’t see it as any sort of issue until so much was made of it. It was all done quietly and without fuss, Andrew didn’t push himself forward at all.

If the Queen over rode what others thought should happen, well, good on her.

??????????

Gilly3 Sun 03-Apr-22 17:14:19

Maybe Calendargirl, but I was thinking of MerylStreep's comment how he often muscles himself to the fore at events.
Here he sits next to Boris and yet Harry & Meghan are seated behind him.
Who is allowing him this prominence and are we expecting it to continue?

Gilly3 Sun 03-Apr-22 17:15:14

Not that anyone would really want to sit next to Boris.

Calendargirl Sun 03-Apr-22 17:27:05

That’s a bit unkind Gilly.

Perhaps they all drew lots and Andrew lost.