William, Prince of Wales

[gremlin45]

Mar 22, 2023 20:34:03 GMT -4 tiggertoo said:

He represents his country and the RF very well. Thank goodness he’s the eldest and not H. It may have been an Edward and George situation repeating itself.

Yikes! No way would Harry and Meghan have stepped down! We would have been stuck with the pair of them.

It might have saved the world from The Bench though.

[boxofrocks]

During his trip to Poland, William had dinner at an LGBTQIA+-friendly restaurant

William’s visit to a gay restaurant was a welcome sign of allyship to Poland’s beleaguered LGBTQIA+ community.

According to the 2022 ILGA-Europe report, the status of gay rights in the country is among the worst in European Union nations, and the law does not recognize same-sex unions.

So on official business, William met with Polish President Andrzej Duda to strengthen British-Polish relations, and visits British and Polish troops and Ukrainian refugees. Then in his off hours, he dines at and is conveniently photographed at the aforementioned restaurant, expressing support for the LGBTQIA+ community in a country where their rights are endangered (in part due to Duda himself). Both were great ways to use soft diplomatic power.

[Hujambo]

Mar 24, 2023 16:07:06 GMT -4 boxofrocks said:

Then in his off hours, he dines at and is conveniently photographed at the aforementioned restaurant, expressing support for the LGBTQIA+ community in a country where their rights are endangered (in part due to Duda himself). Both were great ways to use soft diplomatic power.

It was such a good way to thread that needle. Lord knows that the monarch and those in the Firm have to meet with people they don't necessarily align with politically. This was a nice/thoughtful capstone to the trip. This entry reminded me of William's first diplomatic trip with stakes. And how, with Charles now at the helm, it's likely that Wills will be taking on more of these types of visits.

[seat6]

So William isn't going to have an investiture as Prince of Wales? I suppose this is in keeping with Charles' desire for a streamlined monarchy. And another official ceremony would just give Harry and Meghan an opportunity to gripe. And all that ostentation looks bad when so many people throughout the Commonwealth are suffering financially.

I guess this is old news, but I'm just now hearing it.

[OnyxRose]

A coronation is one thing, an investiture would be a step too far in this economy.

[ahah]

I think that it made sense to do an investiture for Charles because he got the title when he turned 20 - it wasn't at the same time that his mother became Queen. Since William became PoW in conjunction with Charles becoming King, it doesn't make as much sense.

[Ladybug]

At the time of Charles's ceremony, there was a growing Welsh nationalist movement and the UK government wanted to promote tourism and modernization in the region. Having a big event for Charles in the middle of Caernarfon Castle helped. Half a billion people watched the ceremony on tv. Although there was a significant protest against it as well.

Charles was only the 2nd Prince of Wales to have an elaborate investiture ceremony. The previous Prince of Wales, later known as the Duke of Windsor, had the first one in 1911. It's a made-up thing and does not have nearly the historical depth of a coronation. For William, a better use of his time and resources would be to actually spend time in Wales. And improve his Welsh.

[americanchai]

Allegedly Princess Margaret's husband was also instrumental in pushing to make the investiture a thing. Most of it was designed by him.

[Ladybug]

William is taking my advice, I see, LOL. Another day in Wales and a trip to the Aberfan Memorial.

[Sunnyhorse]

Apr 28, 2023 9:38:21 GMT -4 Ladybug said:

William is taking my advice, I see, LOL. Another day in Wales and a trip to the Aberfan Memorial.

It is a lovely gesture. Obviously there's no crushing need for monarchy in this day and age, but royals can represent a nation's collective memory and conscience beautifully and sensitively. The Waleses are trying hard, I feel. This is the work that the Sussexes had no interest in doing.