The Royal Family and the Press

[SophieChloe]

I agree.  Especially, as they had a little shindig at KP for some journalists just before the tour.  Smacks of being "users" to me. 

[cinrit]

^^ Yes, you could look at it that way.  Those get-togethers for journalists are ploys most counties use.  The White House here in the U.S. certainly does it.  The annual one is done up big, there are even performers and awards given out.   

Cindy

[Lothwen]

I saw a tweet from Rebecca English who was basically saying the William and Kate don't acknowledge the press on their formal engagements.


I understand ignoring them when you're on your own personal time, but I do think they need to realize that acknowledging the press when you're working is not a bad thing.

[SophieChloe]

I remember the last tour, Kate was (to me) genuinely friendly with Arthur Edwards and gave him a lovely smile (it was after the rowing event). 

I believe the lack of acknowledging the press pack, comes at the behest of William.   

Also, I think it was you, Lothwen, who posted that when W&K departed one of the many aeroplanes, William totally ignored the lady at the bottom of the steps, whilst Kate said hello and gave her a lovely smile.  I've also noticed, when car doors are opened for Kate, she says Thank You and smiles to  the person opening the door.  Nice touches says a lot about her. 

To me, William is the moody monkey.  Totally spoilt.  He is the one ruling the roost - IMO.  Shame.

[Lady Adams]

^^I actually think William and Kate are both fond of Arthur Edwards, this was recently written:

But after capturing more than 200 royal tours across 120 countries, Edwards can — on advice from Prince William — 'take it easy'.

"It's difficult for me to answer but yes, they do (recognise me)," he said.

"I was with William at a job with the Queen last Friday in Windsor and he asked 'are you coming to Australia and New Zealand?' I said 'yes' and he said 'right get plenty of rest because you're going to work hard'. He said 'just take it easy'.

"He was very concerned in fact when we were in Solomon Islands two years ago. He said 'Arthur, I'm not going to let you retire. Even when you're in a wheelchair we're going to get have you brought to the front of the press pack and we're only going to look at you'."
Looking through a royal lens with Arthur Edwards | News.com.au

And it's okay for them to have a reporter or two they love, but that still doesn't mean they can't be polite to those in the press pack. As Rebecca English pointed out on Twitter, other royals-- including Charles/Cam and Harry-- all do.  :shrug:

[PrincessOfPeace]

^^^ I'm looking at the Twitter of Rebecca English and she says that 'others manage it' but doesn't say which royals or how often.

Do you have the tweet where she specifically mentions Charles, Camilla, Harry etc?

Edit: found it -Rebecca English ‏@RE_DailyMail Apr 24

@HRHDuchesskate The Duchess of Cornwall is very good, Prince Charles also. Prince Harry does - but normally to say something sarcastic!

Maybe Rebecca English doesn't like the Cambridges being friendly with AE and not her


Does anyone remember Prince Charles basically calling a reporter from the BBC an idiot during a press call?

Just to show that Royalty is not immune from the curse of the live microphone, who could forget Prince Charles's muttered asides about a BBC royal reporter, during a ski slopes photo-shoot in 2005 with sons William and Harry. "Bloody people, I can't bear that man. I mean, he is so awful, he really is," the heir to the throne said without realising the microphones could pick up every word.

BBC News - Classic gaffes caught on microphone

[cinrit]

^^ I remember that.  He didn't realize that his microphone would pick it up.  I can't remember the name of the journalist, but Charles started with, "I can't bear that that man, he's so awful......I hate these people."  Make a blunder like that and you'll be nice to the press for the rest of your life. :lol:   (Doesn't look like Rebecca English was exactly praising Harry, either.)

Prince Charles Press Blunder - YouTube

Cindy

[Limabeany]

I think it was a photoshoot with his sons, skiing? If I remember correctly...

[cinrit]

^^ Yes.  The link I provided is to the YouTube video of the interview.  For some reason, I can't post the video itself.

Cindy

[PrincessOfPeace]

Wow the video is uncomfortable... even Arthur Edwards can't really defend Charles when asked about it. (AE is wearing the red jumper)  Although in hindsight so many journalists turned out to be less than honourable maybe its not surprising many members of the BRF try and keep an arms length relationship with them

[TLLK]

As well there is a thread on another site entitled 'camera hungry eyes' , so I agree with Cindy. Royals are always in a no win situation when it comes to people who want to find fault.

It's a tough call on these photos. I know that the press and/or crowds will call out their names so we often get photos that appear to have them seeking out the cameras.

[Lady Adams]

Wow the video is uncomfortable... even Arthur Edwards can't really defend Charles when asked about it. (AE is wearing the red jumper)  Although in hindsight so many journalists turned out to be less than honourable maybe its not surprising many members of the BRF try and keep an arms length relationship with them

Lumping all journalists together makes no sense. Sure there are jerks in the profession. Just like there are awful doctors and pedophile teachers. But journalists as a whole are often running into dangerous situations while others are fleeing-- even losing their lives in the process (an AP reporter was just killed in Afghanistan).

Journalism is not for the faint-hearted. I've reported all over the world, and seen things that made me so sick I called my mom (as an adult woman!) weeping. So please, even though it's easy, let's stop with the attitude that journalists are sub-human.

:soap:

[Limabeany]

:RAFWilliam: The dates of of Charles and Camilla's Tour and Harry's may coincide at some point...
It will be interesting to see how this will be handled by their pr dept. and the media...  :random44:




:goodpost: Lady  Adams!  Without the media they wouldn't have a job!  :snob:

[In All I Do]

Wow the video is uncomfortable... even Arthur Edwards can't really defend Charles when asked about it. (AE is wearing the red jumper)  Although in hindsight so many journalists turned out to be less than honourable maybe its not surprising many members of the BRF try and keep an arms length relationship with them

Well, and the reporter in question had both written an obit of Princess Margaret that detailed all of her lovers and her drinking, and had, during the cannabis incident a short 3 years before the Swiss interview, reported live on air that Harry had taken cocaine (and had to retract that).  I can't say that I'm all that surprised by Charles' distaste for the guy; it's been my experience that people are much less quick to forgive wrongs done to their kids than they are wrongs done to themselves. 

[TLLK]

Some of us were discussing the family and friends,acquaintances, colleagues, neighbors and classmates of royals who have chosen to speak to the press.

With Queen Maxima, the press found out that her close family and friends closed ranks and would not talk about her.
Other royals have had their share of family speaking to the press: Sarah, Duchess of York's father, Mette-Marit's father, among others have chosen to allow themselves to be interviewed.

Does anyone know of other royals who have had someone in their inner circle speak to the press with/without their consent?

[Curryong]

I don't follow the Spanish royals much, but I believe certain members of Letizia's family have been a large thorn in her side. An aunt who makes sure everyone knows she's a socialist and therefore anti royalist has gone to the press to criticise on several occasions. A male cousin of Letizia's wrote a book a couple of years ago, in which he alleged that Letizia had had an abortion, and he also spilt the beans about her divorce and dating years with Felipe. I think they are the worst examples I can think of.

[TLLK]

I agree that Letizia has had some bad luck when it comes to her family and the media.

[HereditaryPrincess]

Yes, I've heard that about Letizia too. Around the time of her husband's Proclamation, I remember reading that Letizia's aunt Henar Oritz had Tweeted asking her followers to call for a republic. I have also heard that about Letizia's brother (I do believe the book he wrote is called "Adios, Princesa"), where he also stated that Letizia had almost begged her family to agree on the name Pelayo for Leonor had she been a boy, or something like that. But the Spanish press are particularly cruel towards the SRF. I've also read that Infanta Elena's older son hates the media and once wore a disguise when he went out shopping with some friends, and he's still quite young.

I think Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also been on the receiving end of some negative press reports over the years, as there were the divorce rumours about her and Haakon a few months ago, as well as criticism of their over spending (particularly around the time of their birthday party last year).

[TLLK]

 Do you mean her cousin? I know she only has sisters.

MM has not had an easy year. The neck surgery, the rumors etc... :(

There have been at least one or two "tell all" stories about Mathilde's family and some in fighting between her late father and his siblings. Many suggesting that the couple have an "arranged" marriage agreement. (There are some ugly rumors out there about the Belgians.) :wacko:

[Limabeany]

He and Mathilde look so great together, that is hard to believe.

[TLLK]

I agree and they have created a lovely family together.