Royals - normal?
 

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...141201,00.html

See, this is what I don't get. Zara claims she lives a 'normal' life, just like anyone else. But surely, just as we don't know what a day in the life of a Royal is like, how can she she knows what a 'normal' life is like? For example, I don't know of many people who were educated at one of the UK's top private schools.

For the record, I'm not having a go at her as she seems to be one of the more down-to-earth Royals, but she needs to get things in perspective. Over-doing the "I'm just like anyone else" bit can be a bit tiring sometimes.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

in my view no royal has earned the right for special treatment, i dont care if you will say that they bring x amount of trade in.... economics play a vial role in that (look at outsourcing of jobs)

also :

'normal' people go to a 'normal' high school, not a private snobby establishment.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

I'm not begrudging her for going to a private school - perhaps it offered better security than a local comprehensive? She may be a minor Royal but she is still afforded protection. So possibly, a private school like that would be the better option. Fine - but she should not refer to her upbringing as 'normal'. At a guess I'd say she's been to Buck Palace a few times, I can't say many 'normal' people get to visit relatives there.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

She doesn't have a normal life. Do 'normal' girls of her age get the chance to go out with top jockeys, rugby players etc. She's had all the best things all her life and hob-****** with the upper crust which has let her achieve and do things normal people wouldn't have any hope of doing. I think her attitude of "I'm just a normal person and I've had a normal life" is insulting to people who have to struggle through life making ends meet and having to do crappy jobs they don't like to pay the rent and put food on the table. She wouldn't last 5 minutes in a 'normal' life!

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Normal ? yeah right .... :rolleyes:

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Whilst not 'normal'. Does she mean normal in the sense of any privilaged child. I'm sure Bransons kids are afforded the same upbringing, her implication being that these are the benefits of wealth not royalty.

She still has to study and pass the exams in the same way every other kid on the planet does. Just a little more teacher support and fewer disruptive kids at Gordenstone (edit - Isn't that where Branson went too?).

Re: Royals - normal?
 

So what is a "normal" life anyway? Is your life "normal"?

Is it "normal" in comparison to some "chav"? How can you say because you're not (presumably!) a "chav"!

Well I don't know about "the UK's top private schools" (I can't seem to find any league tables), but I was certainly educated at one of Bristol's top private schools.

But so what? Does that make me less "normal"? (As opposed to anything else...! :D ) Or is this just sour grapes because they've got money and you haven't? And I don't think anyone's ever described me or the school as "snobby".

Again, so what? Not many "normal" people get to visit relatives who live and work at Number 10 Downing Street either. Now yes, of course, more people can get to live in No.10, but it's still really from a very select group of people, so it's hardly "normal" is it?

Again, is this just sour grapes? And do "normal" Welsh Schoolgirls get the same chance or maybe even the chance to sing for the Queen, the Pope and two American Presidents? Well Charlotte Church did. And I'm sure she went to events where there were top jockeys and rugby players as well.

Ok, so you can argue that she had a good voice and had to work at it, so what about "super models"? They were just lucky to be born with pretty faces, they didn't have to work to get to big events, did they?

Most of what I've read in this thread is just petty bitching because someone else has been luckier than you and you seem to want to drag them down to your level because it's "not fair".

Well, tough, that's life, grow up and get over it.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Jeepers Graham, who rattled your cage tonight? In comparison to the majority of people in the UK I'd say it's a pretty sure bet that her upbringing was different to theirs. Yes Charlotte Church has lived a life which many would not call 'normal'.

On the subject of your comments of my life, you know NOTHING of my life and your assertion that I'm commenting because I don't think it's fair? Yeah right Graham, get much exercise from jumping to conclusions do you?

Re: Royals - normal?
 

No, but I would say that Charlotte Church isn't normal either. Although not to my tastes, she has a very good singing voice and has earnt the right to do the above through her own hard work, practice and talent, not just because she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. I think your comparison here is unfounded.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

That's your opinion :)

Others seem to agree with me (so far).

As for Charlotte Church, why mention the silver spoon? What's that got to do with anything? I don't consider her teenage years to be anything like 'normal'.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

In comparison to everyone else, most upbringings have something that could probably be defined as "not normal". Hell, these days being brought up by two parents for 16 years could probably be defined as "not normal"!!

And today's award for the "Missing the Irony" award goes to...! :)

I wrote that *knowing* that someone would jump on it because I "knew nothing of their life", yet all through this thread we have people making assumptions and jumping to conclusions about what a "Royal Life" actually is and nobody else has made comment about that!

Re: Royals - normal?
 

I don't have sour grapes about this. I have a good job, good flat, a couple of cars, all from my own hard work, not because of who my dad is. I don't begrudge her the things she has, but please, to have her say she has lived a normal life like the rest of us! :rolleyes:

Re: Royals - normal?
 

I wouldn't say having armed guards is 'normal' - I wouldn't say having the Head of the Commonwealth (if that's still Liz's title) as a grandmother is 'normal' - I wouldn't say having parents with a royal title is 'normal' - would you?

Yayy!! :clap:

Good for you Graham!! I'm sure that's made your day....

Re: Royals - normal?
 

And what if you dad had been chairman of one of the privatised rail companies who got masses of cash from the sell offs? Or your parents died leaving you a house worth loads of dosh? You wouldn't have got *that* through your own hard work, would you?

So why make such a big deal about it?

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Don't know about you, but I gave the sentries the night off and I'll only require Jeeves services until 10pm this evening! :D

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Ahhh, so you think we're just jealous of someone else's cash/position??

Re: Royals - normal?
 

The whole thing is, they weren't. So your point is?

I'm not making a big deal about it. I'm not writing to the newspapers, calling my MP, walking in protest down the mall etc. I'm merely posting my opinion on a forum.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

I'm sorry but the whole thread is coming across to me as sour grapes.


Incog.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Yes, but most "normal" people don't face terrorist threats or risk kidnapping either. The question is, what do you do about it? Do you let it rule your life or do you just get on with it "as normal"?

No, but what's the big deal about it? Does she go around saying "I'm Royal and you're not, you horrid little commoner"?!

Well I wasn't expecting a bite quite so quickly, but, yes, thanks, it did.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

But it obviously matters enough that you *did* post an opinon rather than going "that's boring, let's go onto something more interesting"! :shrug:

Re: Royals - normal?
 

ok, lets calm down now before the fighting starts.

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I'd say a terrorist threat is an everyday possiblity for people in the UK.

No she doesn't but then again, I don't go around claiming I live a "Royal life" and expect people to believe me.

Easily pleased little guy tonight aren't you.....

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Well, until this last 10 minutes it had taken me the grand total of about 2 minutes to write. I don't mind the royals. I think they do a lot for the economy and raising the UKs profile abroad, but I find it slightly patronising for one of their children to try and make out she's had an average Joe's life. I'm sure the kids knocking about a council estate with bugger all future will clearly identify with her and realise she's just like them when you get down to it. What unique talents does she have that would have got her what she has today if she had been born in a poor area in the Newcastle, Glasgow or any other area a long way from Buck house.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

In which case I suggest you change your newspaper...!

Hmm, more sour grapes?! :rofl:

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Graham...he posted an opinion because that's what people do on a discussion forum. He can take one side or another. The fact he objects to what she said does not mean it's affecting his life of bothering him in any way...

More jumping to conclusions....I don't read one.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Well, I wish *everyone* would realise that everyone else is "just like them when you get down to it".

Maybe then we'd have less hate crimes in the world.

And again I ask, what if you were the offspring of a rich business man?

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Graham, that's just your opinion, please don't present it as a fact.

But he's not...is he, Graham?

Re: Royals - normal?
 

No! Really?! :shocked:

Have I ever said he couldn't?? :confused:

But if you object to something it *must* ipso facto bother you!

Anyway, this is all :notopic: for this thread, so if you want to discuss it further I suggest you put it in a PM.

More missed irony...! :rolleyes:

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Err, which bit of "I wish..." did you miss?

I have no idea. I'm stating it as a hypothetical possibility. Would his opinion be the same if he was?

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Thanks, but I have a layer of emulsion drying on the wall which I feel watching would be time better spent!

Re: Royals - normal?
 

??? I'm not. If I was I'd be happy, because doubtless I could pop downstairs now to my indoor heated pool and swim a few lengths. What I wouldn't do, is go down the local pub and tell people that despite my vast wealth and associated priviliges, I'm really just the same as them.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

But you're saying that from your point of view of *not* being the offspring of a rich person...!

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Enjoy your rep for that :D

Hypothetical possibility and all that?

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Incog decides to tiptoe awayfrom this entire thread.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Yes, but it's one thing to say "if I was that person I would do X", but since you're *not* that person and haven't lived their life and had their experiences (and not yours, of course!) you're only speculating which is the point I'm trying to make.

Addendum:

As I said right at the start:

Is [your life] "normal" in comparison to some "chav"? How can you say because you're not (presumably!) a "chav"!

Re: Royals - normal?
 

And the point I'm trying to make is she has a lifestyle which the majority of people in the UK do not experience. OK I don't know what she does on a day-to-day basis but I know enough about her (armed guards, Queen as grandmother, cousin as future King etc) to say that this is NOT what I'd call 'normal'.

I (and I think most people) would define normal as get up, go to work, come home shattered, make dinner, slouch in front of the tv or indulge in hobbies, you know, the 'rat race', worry about debts etc. This might not be EVERYONE'S idea of a lifestyle but I'd bet it would be closer than what a member of the Royals goes through each day.

As for being a 'chav' - maybe I am, maybe I'm not. I don't waste my time being concerned about whether I fit a social stereotype or not. My judgements on people are based on what I see and what information they make available. And even then I could be wrong. But there are some aspects which are undeniable, such as what we know a royal to go through.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

But the whole point is this. I'm not a member of the royal family or the son of a millionaire businessman, so I don't make out that my life has been similar to anyone who is one of these things, it's just ridiculous. It would mean that I'm in some way ashamed of who I am and where I have come from. So why should someone who is in that position try and do the opposite. Maybe it's partly through some kind of guilt at their position that makes them try and convince people that they haven't had a priviliged upbringing, but anyone who looks at their upbringing can tell them it's not an everyday, 'normal' one, so why try and make out it is. Perhaps in comparison with other royal children it has been less pampered, but they have still had many, many more advantages and opportunities than the average person of the same age.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

The final gauge on this is:

At this moment there is a thread on this forum and possibly others about Zara, who is a famous young royal and who has just been on TV saying she is a normal person.

At this moment there are absolutely no threads on any forums about Charlie_Bubble, who is not so young any more and certainly not royal and the only time I have ever been on TV has been at sporting events or once when I sang to Princess Margaret.

Out of the two above, who seems more normal....on second thoughts, don't answer that one! :p: :D

Re: Royals - normal?
 

I guess it depends on what you define as 'normal' - my interpritation (as I believe is most peoples') is 'what is shared, known or experienced by the majority'. Not sure which dictionery it came from but it was online....

Anyway, going on your example above, and my definition, I'd say Zara's life resembles 'normal' the least.

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Another way would be to say; Does a normal person get to do their own TV programme to talk about how they are like everybody else? The fact that she feels the need or someone has asked her to do a show in itself says she's not normal, or average.

Anyway, tired of this and her now! :)

Re: Royals - normal?
 

Keaunu "the Chav" Smith pulls up in his modded Fiesta with the extra lights, spoilers and England flags attached, the bass bins in the back blasting out 120 decibels of Beastie Boys.

He flicks his fag out of the window, the sunlight glinting off his gold sovereign ring and starts to speak, then realises that nobody can hear him over the racket from his stereo.

Reluctantly he turns it off (or, at least, down) and gets out, his white trainers and baseball cap setting off his Hillfiger t-shirt and trousers and the heavy gold neck chain and ID bracelet (with his name on as a reminder) says...

"Urr, well, yeah, like I had an effing normal childhood didn't I? I bunked off the effing local comp like everyone else, learned to smoke at effing seven, nicked a bunch of effing stereos an' got some effing community service order from some muppet magistrate.

"Then I got on the dole and did some effing work cash in hand for a mate and spent it on effing Special Brew then I come home and watch effing Sky Sports all effing evening.

"An' what's this effing crap about not having an effing TV show? Haven't you ever effing watched effing Trisha?

"That's normal, innit?!"

Re: Royals - normal?
 

OFF WITH HIS HEAD

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I'd say that is more 'normal' to people than Special Branch guards, Royal Titles in the family, invites to film premiers etc.

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No, why ?

Re: Royals - normal?
 

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: