Last month, the Princess of Wales took George, Charlotte and Louis to visit the Baby Bank in Maidenhead, near their Windsor home to volunteer. The foursome were filmed arriving in the evening (likely an after school outing). As they stepped inside armed with several bags of toys and essentials, Kate told the children "Here, there's lot of people who give up their time and lots of volunteers who come and help out, so you're the volunteers for this evening". The video was shot by Will Warr.
'One of the volunteers asked them to try and choose some presents for children of a similar age. “Think about what you would like to play with,” she said.
All three then bustled around looking at clothes and toys they wanted to pack into their gift bags.
While Prince Louis, dressed in a shirt and festive jumper was particularly taken with the gorilla, Princess Charlotte cooed over the tiny baby clothes.
As she unpacked a box of clothes, she held up a small navy coat, she appeared to exclaim: “Ooh la la,” before adding: “So sweet!”
One of the volunteers told Kate, "George wants to come back, so that's good".
Kate told the future King "You can see how rewarding this sort of work is, knowing that you are helping out others", to which he replied "yes".
Charlotte and Louis get to work filling bags of toys.
Princess Charlotte was incredibly excited when Kate handed her a Babygro, she smiled and said "This is Welsh".
Louis reportedly walked around examining options for his bag and said "Let's See" :)
'They went to the baby bank, one of a network of similar centres around the country providing essential items to struggling families with babies and young children, to support an initiative launched by Kate’s Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Last month it launched an initiative to support families in the run-up to Christmas.
The children packed gift bags as part of the Christmas Pyjama appeal, and also packed referral bags containing clothes and toys for local families.'
Kate wore the Reiss Edina Relaxed Wool-Cashmere Blend Roll Sweater. The £158 piece is available in several colours here.
Kate wore her See by Chloe boots.
Kensington Palace closed by saying: "Our experiences, relationships and surroundings during early childhood lay foundations that shape the rest of our lives, and future society. Supporting parents and carers, who are doing their best to provide for their families in challenging circumstances is essential and can have a life-changing impact. Baby Banks are warm, caring places for families to access equipment, products, clothes and toys to help relieve some of the stresses creating significant pressures on people caring for babies and young children".
lovely to see this thank you Charlotte
ReplyDeleteTry 2. Love this! In my circle of life, so many people are looking for family friendly service opportunities and this works so well. The kids can fully participate and see actual tangible fruits of their labor. And their ages are good to start serving and understand what serving means. Very in line to when Diana started taking William and Harry out to service engagements.
ReplyDeleteI was unable to comment timely for the Christmas card but wanted to say I love it. It felt very classic and timeless. Does not compete with Charles and Camilla’s coronation portrait and has a similar vibe to what so many of us have in our houses. It’s also very reminiscent of portraits Diana and Charles had done with the boys (although separate photo shoots).
I also loved the winter white / snowy white of the Christmas carols outfit.
That was just lovely. So kind of The Princess of Wales and to bring the Children along. They all look like they took the job at hand very serious. I hope Santa leaves a gorilla just like that under their tree for Louis. Charlotte is very good at folding. Toys are of course always the top of Children's Christmas list. For some a new pair of pyjamas or clothes would mean a lot to them. The bags were well filled with good quality items. People can be so generous. Christmas for some seems to be what more do I need or can I get. For others it is what more can I give or do. S.🙂.
ReplyDeleteI love this so much!!! And what a great approach. This is exactly the type of work people want to see from the Wales family & yet its very difficult to publicize bc then ‘you're just doing it for publicity’ except if they dont show us, then people often refuse to believe its taking place!! I would bet they have introduced the kids to charity in other private ways as well, and i very much believe that Kate & Will both orobably do ALOT of workmbehund the scenes that no one wants to gife them credit for! They really cant win! So bravo for this effort which is bith imoactful for their children and as an example to many others across the country!
ReplyDeleteVery good points Sara. Especially the use of the word example. I think that is the whole idea. Letting people know that it's needed and when and if they donate it is going where it should be. Those gift bags will mean so much to Children this Christmas. I was reading comments on this story yesterday and one person said 70 years ago their Mother would make them pack up some of their old toys to bring to the local orphanage. Said they will never forget the joy on the kids faces. If everyone that can afford to gave a little it would go so far. S
Delete😀.
Sadly, totally agree with you Sara. As they do, they do wrong. And it's a shame, I think they do great things, in front or behind the scene. Federica
DeleteWhat a wonderful visit and important place to highlight! The children are darling. Sue from IL
ReplyDeleteDoes anyoe else thing Princess Charlotte looks like Sarah Chatto?
ReplyDeleteYes I think she has a look of Lady Sarah and sometimes I can see the late Queen in her. Definitely Windsor genes but sometimes I can see her Grandmother Diana in her. She is a beautiful little girl who even at her young age takes her Royal role and duties very seriously. S.😀.
DeleteI do!
Delete-Victoria, Oregon
I always thought she looks like Sarah Chatto; I like seeing Sarah at events; she is one of my favorites. When my daughter was younger we would also take her to help put together presents, it is so important. I am so please to see them introducing the children to these events. Signed Miss T.
DeleteI do!
DeleteYes. And Sarah Chatto looks like such a grounded person.
DeleteI absolutely love this!! So wonderful seeing the children and mother interacting and coming together for a good cause. Not only that but understanding and appreciate what they have and perhaps having them learn and realize to stay humble regardless of what class they are part of. The children are darling!!!! ♥️♥️
ReplyDeleteIt’s absolutely shocking that a quarter of families with kids under 5 are living in poverty in the UK (according to the video). When K first started going to baby banks a few years ago I thought it was great but not that big a deal. A few years on and these baby banks are now an essential support for so many and it’s all volunteer driven.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an area that K has had a significant impact beyond creating awareness. I know the RF typically shy away from political issues but this is definitely an area that warrants funding and resources. As a mom and an educator I know that kids need the basics to feel safe and to thrive not just survive.
In the US we have a similar baby bank called Baby2Baby (which MM supports), please consider donating :) - celticgirl
Just so so special and priceless! Such lovely children being raised so well! The UK is so fortunate to have such a brilliant future!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE LOVE LOVE this video. I’m not familiar with Baby Banks - it’s not something that we have here in the US that I’m aware of. All I know of them is from this blog but it sounds like a fantastic program. We have Goodwill and other charities that collect items for those in need but the Baby Bank sounds more specific to children which is so special.
ReplyDeleteI do love seeing the kids helping out and depending on parents watching, maybe some will take their own kids to volunteer. My family volunteered for quite a few years hosting Christmas parties at a homeless shelter for families. We brought food, crafts and presents and my Pop-Pop dressed as Santa and we took Polaroids for them. For some of them, it was the first time they had a photo with Santa. I remember one mom had just had her photo taken with Santa and her kids and asked shyly if she could have a photo by herself with Santa, of course Santa said yes! We gave her the Polaroid and she said it was the first time she had a photo with Santa that she got to keep for herself (I think we all ended up in tears).
Christmas is such a special time and for those who need extra help or support, it can be incredibly challenging and heartbreaking. I’m so happy to see William and Kate including their children in these opportunities - it makes a lasting impact.
Baby2Baby is a well known and highly regarded baby bank here in the US.
Delete“Well known” is relative - I have asked friends and family in a number of states and it’s not as popular in the areas we are living or at least not that we are aware of but it’s good to hear that there is a program here.
DeleteI had not heard of Baby2Baby until Meghan donated but it seems to be a very helpful and reputable charity. https://baby2baby.org/impact/ provides a map of all locations. There are clusters in CA and NY and down to only one location in some states. I'm sure their aim is to grow with increasing publicity.
DeleteWow! I'm so glad that this was shared. I remember my first time doing a charitable drive (maybe 1970?) - "Toys for Tots" - with 2 girlfriends was leading up to Christmas. Our parents weren't part of it. We simply went around the neighborhood with a wagon asking for donations and then a parent drove us to a drop off location. I remember we got a postcard thanking us. This is a perfect way IMHO to introduce kids to charitable work. Diana took William (I thought she was so brave at the time) when he was 11 along with Harry to a homeless shelter - Centrepoint - of which he is now a patron. This family is so charming and will impact future generations.
ReplyDeleteNice job. Bit I guess this work is not as rewarding as one might think, after looking at Kate's engagement numbers this year too.
ReplyDeleteThey aren't good, it's true. Let's hope she does more things like this
DeleteWhat a great way for the children to learn about a life of service.They are so privileged, it’s good they are learning to help others, and give back, especially at this early age.
ReplyDeleteThis was a lovely outing. I'm sure the bags contained toys of their own the children had been asked to donate, and this active helping of those less fortunate helps shape their own future selves too.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second recent activity where we have seen Kate donating goods (books were the last gift she brought) answering those who complained she just visits without contributing - when it is appropriate, she does it publicly, although we also know the funding for these organisations is boosted by their Royal Foundation.
The clothes were entirely appropriate for this hands on occasion.
Nice to see the Princess introducing her children to volunteer work via an activity like this. I would have loved picking out toys for other children when I was their ages. I still love wandering around a toy store looking for items to donate to Christmas toy drives, which I did just the other day. I bought an extremely cute tea set for a girl, because one of my favorite Christmas gifts as a child was a little china tea set. The one I purchased was eco-friendly and less destructible than china. How things change.
ReplyDeleteI love that white turtleneck (as we say in the US) and the earrings, too. I keep looking for the perfect white turtleneck that doesn't cost a king's ransom and have never found it. The result is that I own a stack of white turtlenecks, each of which is almost right but not quite.
Speaking of "right but not quite," I didn't comment on the Christmas carol service because I didn't have time the other day. However, I'll say here that while I love winter-white outfits, for some reason, the Princess's choice didn't strike me as quite right. I'm still trying to figure out why I thought this.
I found the buttons on the pants to be a bit sporty (like those beautiful black pants Meghan wore in a pre-wedding visit) compared with the nonstructured luxury of the blouse and coat.
DeleteI think it is the style of the waist band of the pants, informal looking. The pants are gorgeous and I love the whole look but a more sophisticated styling of the waist would work better. Either just a smooth hidden side or back zipper or a band without belt loops would be better. Ali
DeleteTypically the type of engagement I love to see ! And with the children it's really nice.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the year we often talk about generosity, solidarity, giving our time without expecting anything in return...
In addition to that, the color of their sweaters (white, red, Louis's sweater) really gives a Christmas atmosphere.
A lovely event. Great to see the kids. I think they are striking just the right balance between privacy and exposure with them. I liked seeing Charlotte's outfit, it had personality, somehow.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see the royal children participating. Well done to them. A wonderful organization helping the less fortunate at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this on so many levels.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte for posting the video... it is wonderful & it was the only thing that has moved me to respond.... As some of you may remember, I was looking forward to my son's wedding over Thanksgiving Weekend. To say that those 4 days were Amazing & such a treasure, would be an understatement. However, we were immediately hit by 2 deaths. It's been surreal & quite frankly I'm now at the numb phase.
ReplyDeleteI've continued to come here to read & it's been a good momentary distraction.. but I couldn't process the comments...
Basically I'll just say this... It was wonderful to see CP Victoria & Daniel visit from Sweden & I feel Kate looked absolutely stunning that night..... & I just don't know how she does it... she absolutely glows from within, even when things are going so wrong around them.
I loved her in her rewear of the Glittering Pink JP Gown for the Diplomatic Reception & loved seeing her in her all Winter White ensemble for her Carol Service. It broke my heart to read all the negative opinions of her at These events. I of course understand that we all have a variety of opinions & I also understand that I am at a vulnerable emotional place.... but I just felt it was a bit on the harsh side.
I admire Will & Kate, the job they are doing & the way they are juggling their Royal Positions & their family life. I think, much like how they played "The Long Game", in the 1st decade of their marriage... they are doing things & making choices very intentionally. What I loved most about this visit with the children, is it was so honest. You can't script things for children (Charlotte getting so excited, while showing her brothers the onesie from Wales). I think that says a lot. There were no eyerolls or hesitancy from them, about jumping in. That tells us a lot about W&K's parenting & how comfortable the children are, in mucking in to help out others.
I will say it again. I think there is a LOT that goes on Behind The Scenes with W&K. They seem intrinsically the type of people, that are more comfortable helping out when the cameras are not there. However, as QEII used to say, I need to be seen to be believed.
The UK is lucky to have them. I find them to be an inspiration & I believe the BRF is in good hands for years to come.
Dear Becca, I'm so so sorry you are going through such a difficult time... I do feel for you, especially as I'm in a similar state myself after my Mum passed away in October. And I know exactly what you mean by being heartbroken about the negative comments - I feel the same. One feels harshness more acutely at such times. Being sad, you would like people to be sensitive and a bit more kind. Also, it brings a change of perspective: why get annoyed by things that don't really matter so much, why be hyper critical? I agree with what you say about the Waleses' parenting. The kids do them credit and they are a loving family. I hope you can gradually find peace and I send you a sincere hug, dear Becca. 🩵 🙏Zora from Prague
DeleteI'm glad you had such a wonderful time at your son's wedding. And I'm really sorry about your bereavements.
DeleteBecca, I'm SO sorry you had such sadness, especially mixed with your special days of the wedding.
DeleteIt sounds like you have been on a roller coaster since your son's wedding, Becca, I so hope you are able to find time during the holiday season for yourself.
DeleteI agree with you about the nitpicky and negative comments and have actually been trying very hard to make a concerted effort to not read any comments on Charlotte's recent posts, although sometimes I apparently like to punish myself because I will scan them, hence the reply here.
I also agree with you about the long range planning vision, work behind the scenes (this event published after the fact is a good example), and that W&C are taking the time to raise their children in a loving home that shows them, by example, how to be empathetic, kind, and appreciative.
Border Terrier lover
Becca - I’m so very sorry for your loss… my heart goes out to you…so this my first comment. I too am in the USA and had a similar celebratory- then devastating loss almost 2 yrs ago and it certainly puts the details of this temporal life in perspective.
DeleteSo I *completely agree* with your comment here and can’t say it any better. I’m trying to think of a way to find humor in the “Debby Downer+ Negative Nellie +Shaming Sheri” reactions… some kind of mash-up maybe. ha, ha
Charlotte - I love this blog. Wonderful work - thank you so much for sharing! I’ve been across the pond twice while my daughter was doing research in the Royal Archives at Windsor. I always hope for another visit so I can do my own ancestral journey since we’ve traced 600 years of our heritage in England before our Mayflower Pilgrim ancestors crossed over.
I probably will not comment much… so Merry/Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Becca, sending you ❤️ and my condolences. Going on my own life experience with grief and loss. How easy we forget to live each day as it were our last. Leave nothing unsaid or done. The shock of the loss can sometimes be worse than the grief ahead. I don't know if this will help but the only comfort I have from the death's of people close to me is that death has no control of the love that will last forever. Hopefully hosting all your Family and getting together before your loss will bring you all some consolation. S.🙂.
DeleteOh, dear. People here were so kind when I lost my mother earlier this year, so I must extend my heartfelt sympathy to you, Becca, and to the Anon who lost her own mother in October. My siblings and I are still recovering from our loss, which was compounded by the unexpected death of our favorite aunt not long after our mother died. In these situations, faced with multiple griefs, one starts to feel as though the gods must be angry. I can only say that the sharp pain (and even anger) one feels at first does give to numbness and then, over time, to just a dull ache. I'm still waiting for the "happy nostalgic memories" phase.
DeleteThis is such a tough time of year for those who have recently experienced great loss. It seems so unjust for the bereaved to have to cope with holly, jolly Christmassing all around them that you tend to think there ought to be a way to petition the universe for a time-jump: "Just for this year, let's leap straight to January 1, OK?"
But my mother loved Christmas and gave us magical holidays when we were children. Perhaps the best way to remember our missing loved ones is to celebrate as they did.
The royals get a lot of public money. They live amazingly well off their public benefits compare to many Brits who struggle to survive on far less benefits. The government is happy to give the royals quite a hefty raise to outpace inflation. Huzzah. It’s rather funny these people all feed from the same public trough. It’s important to find humour when and where you can. We can all use a laugh here and there. This why I laughed at this whole mess. I prefer laughing my heartaches. After all, tis the season of scrooges and many ghosts as the country is fast embracing the return of BBC Dickensian England. Perhaps crinoline and rookeries will make a big comeback. I don’t know if I should even mention Tiny Tim as our PM just gave himself an ‘atta boy’ for doing away with the minister of state for disabled people (yes, yes, quite a title. We are a nation fame for our Blckadder after all). As proof of Blackadder’s legacy, now disabled people need to prove themselves by working from home or prove that they are truly too disabled to WFH, if they are to keep their benefits. Oh, if only they can make charming videos as proof….lol.
DeleteThe ever prescient Blackadder: “We've been sitting here since Christmas 1914, during which time millions of men have died, and we've moved no further than an asthmatic ant with heavy shopping.”
Becca, just to echo the words of several posters here. I'm so terribly sorry. Christmas brings such joy to many, but can be a truly painful time for many families with a loved one missing.
DeleteThinking of all our readers going through bereavement.
Becca, so sorry for your loss.
DeleteZora, thinking of you too.
Thank you both for being so positive and kind, I always enjoy your comments very much.
Anonymous at 04:42, the royals actually don't get a lot of public money. While they may not pay as much in taxes as they should (so far as I know, the question of the Duchy of Cornwall and corporate taxes remains unresolved), they are not supported by taxpayer funds. The Sovereign Grant represents a minority percentage of the Crown Estate income, not taxpayer monies. In fact, the state gets the majority percentage, in a deal first made in the late 18th century. The truth is that the taxpayer is getting much the better end of that deal, which could be revoked by the King if he wished.
DeleteThe Waleses' official expenses were previously paid by then-Prince Charles from his Cornwall income. Now, that income is theirs, and a very generous income it is, too. The major public expense associated with the monarchy is security coverage, but the hundreds of millions of pounds that the state receives from the Crown Estate income helps compensate for that.
Vittoria, I'm sorry to have to say this to such a intelligent Lady. I really think you are wasting your time on this, no matter what facts are pointing out to them, some people unfortunately believe that the Royal Family takes bags of cash from the tax payers. Which we both know isn't true. S.🙂.
DeleteVittoria, the Crown Estate and all Duchies that provide for the royals are British assets and would be used for taxpayers if they were not earmarked to generate income for the royals. The Duchy of Cornwall is a huge landholding property. The royals technically had no right to it except through the deals they made with British taxpayers. Without the royal family this would revert back to the taxpayer and generate income for the taxpayer. So it is completely wrong to say that the taxpayer does not pay much for the royals. They are sitting on hundreds and millions of dollars' worth of physical assets that are technically British property. Especially if you include their numerous royal estates, art and jewels.
DeleteIt is amusing to see that people still believe that the monarchy is a good deal for the taxpayer.
I’m so sorry Becca.
Delete@21.12. Yes indeed the crown estates and duchys are. British assets. On the crown estates I suggest s good history book. As for the duchy's they are privately owned .I'm reminded of Brexit, referred to asthe most complicated divorce in history. It hasn't really worked out that well for some.Can you imagine trying to separate the crown from the state. Who owns what, who paid for it, where did the money come from ect. The British royal family are privately very wealthy people that's just how it is. I wouldn't expect them to give that away or feel they have to. When I think of the British royal family I think of King Charles as the head of the church of England, not his personal wealth. S🙂.
DeleteAnon at 21:12, given that the state gets far, far more of the Crown Estate income than the royals do, yes, the taxpayer is getting the BETTER end of that particular deal. That's the point I made. Moreover, while there are certainly arguments to be made in terms of who should or shouldn't be receiving the income from the CE lands, it's important to dispel the myth that the monarchy is directly supported by tax monies. That debate must take place with facts, not incorrect assumptions, in hand.
DeleteI remain perplexed that British schools apparently do not teach precisely how the monarchy is funded. This is something British citizens have a right to know.
As for Cornwall, given that it's been an appurtenance of the eldest son of the monarch since the early 14th century, I rather imagine that it's somewhat too late to drag it back from the hands of the royals. That could have been accomplished when the CE deal was made, or possibly even at the time of the Abdication, when much regarding the heir's perks and privileges could have been discussed in Parliament, but if the monarchy survives -- and the majority of the British seem to want it to do so -- then I suspect that the Duchy will remain in royal hands. The former Prince of Wales at least managed to turn it into a modern, paying, business concern, though as I said, while he pays personal tax on his Cornwall income, the Duchy apparently pays no corporate tax. It certainly should.
Anon 21.12…thank you for your voice of reason. The Royals have no private money… where would they get it from they never do paid employment. If like the French ( but without the guillotine please) we abolished the monarchy all these so called royal, private duchies would revert to the state.. In addition as a widow, as was the Queen, when I die my Estate will pay tax on all my already taxed money… the current King paid no inheritance tax, which would have been very many zeros added to millions. All the Estates, the jewels etc etc… if we want a monarchy and accept that , then that is fine, but please can people stop saying the monarchy is not funded by the British tax payer…LRB
DeleteVittoria, I think you missed my point. The Crown Estates income should *all* come to the taxpayer, and it would have, had royalty been abolished . The fact that it does not is because the royals work for the country. Anything they get from any British assets - whether it is property, Duchy income, art etc. is in exchange for representing the country. The taxpayer is most definitely not getting the better end of the deal. You seem to be arguing that they are not technically supported by the taxpayer because their income does not come directly from tax monies that British citizens pay yearly. That may be the case, but that does not mean that the royals are not supported by British residents and citizens. They are entirely supported by other people's assets, one way or other.
DeleteLRB - thank you for stating that. The CE and Duchies' income are given to the royals in exchange for their work. They are not entitled to *any* of it by virtue of existing. And yes, it is hard to get rid of the monarchy - nor is there any appetite- but if there ever were a proper movement in that direction all of the income would revert back to the taxpayer.
DeleteBecca, thinking of you at this very difficult time, and sending love.
DeleteAnon at 1:03. I did not miss your point at all. I've heard that argument many times before; it is not new and unique, nor do I really disagree with it. However, given the stretch of time that the duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster (and the Crown Estate properties) have been in the possession of the royal family or the monarchy, one cannot really state that these assets somehow belong to others, except in some imaginary, ideal Britain that doesn't actually exist -- and one in which private property doesn't exist either.
DeleteThere is, in fact, no actual contract with the royal family that states they receive their perks and privileges in exchange for this or that. Indeed, as a historian, I have to point out that this is a concept that has evolved only recently in the grand scheme of human history and in the much shorter lifetime of the British monarchy. I don't disagree with it at all -- indeed, I support it. My point was, and remains, that there is no direct grant from tax monies to the monarchy. I am really wondering why stating that is a problem. However, I am tiring of this little exchange and will not respond to further posts.
Becca,I’m so sorry for your loss of two loved ones.After the joy of your son’s wedding it’s no wonder that you feel numb.
DeleteSo lovely to have the children involved they get an understanding at a young age how important and worthwhile volunteering is. I've said it before I like casual Kate as its so how I dress everyday!! The style of the video of them arriving is great. Looking forward to seeing the family at Sandringham on Christmas day. Sue in WA
ReplyDeleteI find that including children in this kind of work, and encouraging them to help others, particularly other children, really brings out the best in them: kindness, helpfulness, the ability to observe and learn.
ReplyDeleteThis is where the Wales family can be proper role models.
I have to say, though, that I didn't particularly like the soft focused well-communicated video (KP's insta-site) or the lyrical text to go with it. In this case, action would've spoken louder than any well-composed words .
Heidi
Beautiful. I never, ever compare our lovely Princess Catherine to the late Princess Diana in any aspect, but this was a sweet, Diana-like visit. Charlotte is particularly fun, I'd like to think someday the children will do this sort of thing with their own children.
ReplyDeleteI think it is of course a very good thing to volunteer, anywhere. I think having the children is a feel-good video is absurd and appears to be using the misfortune of others. It's not appropriate or necessary. It would be nice to see the family volunteer somewhere on a regular basis, without video of their inside actions. Frankly, I feel like I'm invading their privacy.
ReplyDeleteThere are many families with enormous wealth in the UK and US, and elsewhere, more than the RF's wealth, and I hope they are doing something to truly help.
Do we think there will be another xmas engagement from Kate? I suspect no and it makes me quite sad, there were not many this year. School will soon be on a break for the kids and I have noticed lately the Waleses have been releasing pre-taped videos just before their longer absence.
ReplyDeleteI am puzzled about the very beginning of the video - I thought Kate has secretly been doing these visits with the kids for some time now, as a part of upbringing and also for the kids to be able to reveal (if they wish) later in life that they spent a lot of time volunteering with their mom. Baby banks look like a good choice and given that Kate supports them a lot, I assumed she volunteers there regularly in personal capacity with the kids. From the video it seems as if it was the first visit for the kids which makes me a bit sad. I always thought that Kate's lower engagement numbers are also because of her off the radar volunteering - when she was younger, with the scouts e.g., nowadays with her kids. Ella
The Wales publicize every single thing they do. They have hired a PR team whose job it is to create videos and put out newsbytes that make the Wales look good. I doubt that they do anything in secret. Since 2018 the Wales have been trying very hard to make themselves look very good, regardless of whether they are doing any good or not.
DeleteDoesn't look like there will be any more engagements..hope I'm wrong .. but..Very disappointed..
DeleteElla the lady who worked at the baby bank even said this was Kate's 2nd visit, the first being back in April. She then went on to day that Kate and the kids stayed for 1 hour which was longer than they had planned. Both statements were made by her like it was a good thing. I find both very lacking. When Kate dies finally do something it is for a very short period like 1 hour. With the kids in school full time and a large staff doing most the work, one wonders what she and William do all day.....
DeleteThank you NC for your comment! I certainly am disappointed. I still hope they might be volunteering privately somewhere else and maybe just came here so that the other place stayed under the radar for them to be able to come again. But the information about their stay being an hour long...that is not good. How much can one do - find, sort, collect, prepare, pack - in one hour? Methinks not much. Sigh. I am so sad there wasn't more from the Waleses this christmas.
DeleteElla
I think people here misunderstood the criticisms and concerns regarding how the royals used this visit. The point made by people is that government is failing the people, especially the most vulnerable. The safety net is very broken and charity can’t make up such losses. More to the point, having such wealthy and privileged people portrayed in such a slick, well choreographed video gives the impression that the this is about the royals, their benevolence, and that the public should be praising their effort. The thing is common people give and give all the time in money, goods, and time…. far more than the royals. They don’t need to model after the royals when people pay way more taxes than these royals. Look, a couple of photos would have been far better and more subtle in making a PR point. Drawing this much attention with an expensive video production about the royals brings unnecessary scrutiny. They could have used the money for the video and donate it to the baby bank instead.
ReplyDeleteTaxes pay for the safety net to better society. Any attempt to avoid paying taxes with legal dodging (especially when the laws exempt the royals, after their heavy lobbying, from paying taxes and allow them to hide their assets from public scrutiny) means there is less funding for the people, for the children, for the homeless, for safe housing, for food security, for education, for early learning, for wrap around mental health service, and other vital infrastructure needs. Greed is devolving our society.
Charity is but a drop of water in this ever expanding desert.
They actually pay a lot more tax than the average person. The Prince of Wales pays tax on the income from The duchy of Cornwall. A billion+ pound estate. The duchy of Lancaster doesn't have to pay tax as it is owned by the Monarch. Queen Elizabeth started paying tax on the income from the estate voluntarily in 1993 and that continues to this day. The Monarch doesn't pay inheritance tax. S.🙂.
DeleteI agree far too few engagements this year - unacceptable to me . No doubt we won’t see them apart from Christmas Day for 5 weeks . I hope that in 2024 they step up their workload and get out and help those in need GT
DeleteThe safety net is clearly not working. You can blame brexit, the war in Ukraine, the situation in the middle east, China, the economy's plunge...but the fact is that there is poverty and if institutional solidarity is not working, charities are doing what they can. I read somewhere that Kate's visits to food banks normalised them and the argument was they shouldn't be normalised, they shouldn't even exist. In theory, yes, it is a shame poverty exists and is only alleviated by charity, but pragmatically, if foods banks exist it is because they are needed. Spontaneous solidarity is something to be grateful for and not an obstacle for the government meeting its responsibilities. Talking about taxes, there is also the question of how they are spent, how they are managed by the authorities, what the priorities are and what they choose to fund. There seems to be money enough for certain things. I am going to stop before becoming too political.
DeleteNatacha, I've read stories about foon banks in hospitals in the UK..... For the nurses. Yes I also think running out of excuses. It's the government. I'll have to disagree on Brexit. I do think it has had a big impact. We were very worried here in Ireland because they are our closest neighbours and we have a special relationship. The Irish economy is doing very well except for a shortage of housing. They can't build them fast enough. A lot of people in need are very grateful for any kindness shown to them. S.🙂.
DeleteActually by law which they lobbied for, the royals don’t have to taxes, but they do. They chose to volunteer to pay taxes and this includes the duchy of Cornwall. There was a lot of pressure for the royals to pay some taxes as they received so much in tax funded benefits. Because it’s voluntary, they don’t pay the same tax rate average taxpayers pay in part because they are able to keep their assets from the public eye despite getting hundreds of millions of pounds from taxpayers.
DeleteIt’s like people saying Jeff Bezos or Warren Buffet pay more taxes than average Americans. That’s true dollar wise, but not when you look at percentage of their wealth. That’s why Warren Buffet said his secretary tax rate at 31% was much more than his own tax rate.
The fact that people don’t understand that the rich don’t pay tax rate based on income, but on qualified dividends and long-term capital gains means they pay taxes at lower rate than wage earners. That’s the dirty secret. Add the way assets can be shielded or with tax offset, the rich with full time accountants, lawyers and tax havens (the Queen got caught up in this) are able to pay very little taxes to no taxes. Yet they are able to take from the public trough.
The royals lobbied for special exemptions. That’s not political because supposedly they are above politics. It’s still wrong.
This is why the royals need to be taxed fairly and open up their books. The senior royals already live and work rent free in palaces. They pay nothing for security. The taxpayers paid a pretty price for the coronation. The hundreds of millions spent on these state events could have done gone to early childhood programs and toward homeless outreach services.
There is a delicate dance one does when it comes to charity. Everyone deserves dignity, grace, and respect. When we help people, it’s important that it’s done in a respectful and humble way. When my children were young, I reminded them whenever they participated in a charity drive to treat others in the way they would want others to treat them should they ever need help. As children, they hated being condescended to and they considered being called or described as unfortunate a pejorative. Also charity isn’t something to crow about because it can be a marker of a failed society.
ReplyDeleteA number of readers have been in touch regarding pre-Christmas engagements. George, Charlotte and Louis are now on holidays, so I imagine the Waleses will head to Norfolk quite soon.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't confirmed by KP, however I know Kate is supposed to appear on an episode of BBC Two series 'Secrets of the Aquarium' on Tuesday evening. It was reportedly filmed earlier this year.
The King (going by previous years) hosts a pre-Christmas luncheon at either BP or Windsor. If it's the latter, I don't anticipate we'll see photos of the Waleses, as they live on the estate. Last year, it was reported the Wales family skipped the luncheon, and it's thought they decamped to Anmer Hall a little early). There's no official word on plans for this year.
I appreciate her first responsibility is to her children but they are all at school full time . This week no engagement from Kate yet the children don’t break up til today .
ReplyDeleteLots of people say these engagements need research yet Princess Anne undertakes over 3 times the number Kate does I’m assuming she has research to do too .
With Kate’s limited number of patronages her research workload must be substantially lower than harder working royals .
In addition they have over 50 staff what do they all do?
Seriously it is time they stepped up to the plate GT
I fully agree GT. The kids being in school full time means she can't use that as an excuse not to work anymore. I know engagements take research but that's what her staff does. They do all the behind the scenes work and then brief her about it. Although William acknowledged on a tour that they don't always read the briefings. So again, not much prep work. It does make you wonder what she and William do all day. They appear to want an easy life of luxury but that won't work when your life is subsidized by the people. They need to do more but sadly appear to lack work ethic of the older generation. And Aldo to me says they just don't care as much. I know the other excuse is they want to focus on large projects and not small ones. But again this seems like an excuse not to work when their staff does the work. The small stuff is what makes the royals special.
DeleteI would also add… many many women in the UK, including myself, have had no choice but to work when our children are young. You can be a very good mother AND work. the Princess of Wales could work 5 days a week 10-3, and say… 2 days a week in the school holidays, with the usual 5-6 weeks a year of full holiday. The concept that to be a good mother you cannot work in the school holidays is very patronising to the very many working mothers in this country. LRB
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ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity since my nan has been complaining about her council tax, I looked up how much council tax Queen Elizabeth paid for Windsor per year. £2,300/yr. £1,560.56 for Buckingham Palace. £3,186.98 for Balmoral. Ha! Those thrifty Scots.
ReplyDeleteSooooo, I was shocked. I assumed it’d be in 5 figures at least for each property but wow, one of their dresses or coats costs more than what they pay in council tax. Depending on where you live, some households are paying £2,000 per year and with inflation, it’s putting a squeeze on many working people. Wales is suffering economically and any tax raise is a hardship. This is why people are so grumpy this holiday. It’s not coal lumps in the stocking, but we are pinching a bit and we are the lucky ones who own a home (with a scary mortgage).
I should give myself a moniker but to add on to my comment as to why there’s such a big difference in council tax depending on where you live matters. Basically if you are poorer and live in a poorer or middling area, there tends to be higher social needs which are expensive to fund. Council tax goes to pay for a lot of these services. It’s a vicious cycle. Poorer people need more help, yet because they are poor, they are taxed at a much higher rate. In some cases, 10% of their income. This tax on top of income tax (because most poor and middle class people don't live off investment dividends), VAT and many other taxes regular people pay are why the poverty rate is increasing and people can’t get ahead.
ReplyDeleteIf you are rich and live in Westminster or posh Surrey, there’s less need for social services and the council gets so much tax revenues from businesses and other sources, it doesn’t have to charge residents much.
It’s really a case of why the rich gets richer and everybody else is struggling trying not to land in the bottom of this social heap. It’s why England can’t seem to shed its stymying class system.
I think each new monarch enters an age with different public attitudes. Certainly the current era of social media presents new challenges for the RF. And presumably the number of people who love their RF just because they feel comfortable having a RF is declining. And W&K are really no different from so many who inherit great wealth, like the Duke of Westminster who owns $12.5 billion. Like the US, there is definitely the top 1% and then many, many who are suffering.
ReplyDeleteI think some of the discontent is because W&K are really not showing up even like they did before the Queen died. I remember a huge flurry of visits before Christmas by Kate in the past. I frankly don't believe much goes on behind the scenes. I believe their PR staff has conceived of the larger projects and did all the work. Not a criticism but it only seems logical.
But it's still a job that one has to give up independence forever, although the perks are certainly fun at times. And maybe the main function of a RF is to just appear at all holidays, state dinners, ceremonial events, etc. Surely attitudes have changed since Queen Elizabeth set her pace. Just because someone in the past had a philosophy does not mean things shouldn't change. I always thought things would have worked out in a much healthier manner if RF members were allowed to "explain" weekly, refuting all the false cruel stories put out each previous week.
I'm afraid I used to be quite naive about relationships in the RF and "Spare" set me straight. I can't feel affection until the family is less dysfunctional, but I can try to be neutral and objective. And I can certainly enjoy (or not) the fashion!!
Allison I agree about all but the weekly explain. Honestly the 'never explain never complain' policy has grown on me in the past years. People get tired of hearing explanations often. People don't have time to follow weekly explanation newsletter. Sometimes there is nothing to explain. Often, time and space is needed before rushing in with a vocal response. For those and many more reasons, I believe that it is kinda good to stay silent and weather the storm. (I assume we are talking about public explanations, not about family convos to debrief in private - that would be good.)
DeleteI agree so much about the 1st part. Christmas used to be my favorite Kate-watching time of the year. But now we are getting very little - carols are very nice but lack the warmth and reach of the xmas in person visits.
Ella
Allison, please don't believe everything you read. There are two sides to every story and we gave only heard one side. Caro
DeleteHi Ella, I was thinking that I would love a weekly "no, that's not true" list! All the dumb and stupid things that have been said about Kate and Meghan -- just a simple calm "No that's not true. Thank you." would at least allow them a voice. I agree on no explanations.
DeleteI know that Kate's work is always a bone of contention but I wanted to remind you all that she and William have 50 staff. 50. Just for royal "work". This excludes the nanny, housekeeper, chef, gardener and obvious housekeeping staff that we hear nothing about. The help Kate and William have is unlike anything else anyone on this planet has.
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason to question the lack of activity from them ..particularly these last few weeks before christmas.. Not good at all.... I mean Kate didn't do an awful lot in earlier years but crikey this year its even more apparent ..I'm starting to seriously question this pair...
DeleteI think it comes down to what one thinks of as “work”- for some that’s public engagements and for others it’s forging a deeper connection with a smaller group of organizations to have a bigger impact overall. I can’t imagine Princess Anne has much of a connection with the 400+ engagements she did even if they are “good causes.”
ReplyDeleteA staff of 50 does seem large though, I think there has been too much focus on PR in the last 12 months and not as much on results. I read that K has had 4 or 5 private different private secretaries in the last 5 or 6 years and they reportedly left as they felt uninspired by the work. That pretty much sums it up for me too.
All the pant suits in the world won’t change the perceived lack of significant impact. I agree that K is in a bit of a rut but that’s a pattern we’ve seen repeated a few times now. Hoping for a more fulfilling 2024! - celticgirl
I just read that they will go to Italy on a tour in 2024 -- that should be wonderful to see!
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