It’s really amusing to see all of these royal stories come together all at once. The Crown’s Season 4 has managed to undo decades of Prince Charles’ careful rebranding efforts, and Charles’ people have been blanketing the media to complain about the Netflix series for days now. Did anyone else catch the fact that Netflix dropped the series one day after Charles’ 72nd birthday too? “Happy belated birthday, you absolute douche!” Add to that, there’s all of the current real life stuff with the pandemic, and Brexit, and Charles’ trip to Germany. The point of his German trip was to do some Remembrance events, but also… to be a soft-diplomatic power in the endless Brexit-EU issue. So Charles dusted off his German (most of the older Windsors are fluent in German, the language of their ancestors) and spoke about how no man and no country is an island. Except for the UK, which is literally and figuratively an island.
Prince Charles has made an impassioned plea to our European neighbours to continue working together just weeks away from Brexit, saying: “no man is an island”. In a dramatic break from royal tradition, the heir made his most direct reference to date surrounding Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, praising the bonds of friendship, culture and shared values during a visit to Germany’s National Day of Mourning in Berlin.
Speaking in Germany’s parliament – the Bundestag – the Prince of Wales said politicians and officials may be negotiating the “shape” of the two nation’s relationship but its “essence” was down to the “connection” between its people. Charles echoed the famous words of poet John Donne when he said “no country is really an island” and told guests our destinies would remain “interdependent” to a “considerable degree”.
Charles said: “The United Kingdom has chosen a future outside the European Union, and the relationship between our countries is evolving once again. Its shape is a matter negotiated between our governments and its essence is defined by the enduring connections between our people. It is, therefore, my heartfelt belief that the fundamental bond between us will remain strong: we will always be friends, partners and allies. As our countries begin this new chapter in our long history, let us reaffirm our bond for the years ahead.”
In an historic visit marking the first time a member of the royal family has ever attended the annual day of remembrance event in the German capital, Charles, who delivered large parts of his speech in German, said: “The English poet John Donne famously wrote that ‘no man is an island entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main’. One might equally submit that no country is really an island either, other than in the wholly literal sense. Our histories bind us tightly together and our destinies, although each our own to forge, are interdependent to a considerable degree.”
I mean, I imagine this went down well in Germany, if people were paying attention (and I’m not sure they were). But… what else is there to say or do? The British people screwed themselves over with Brexit, just like Americans screwed themselves over with Trump. It feels like Charles is asking for mercy and trying to remind Germany that they’re all cousins or something. I don’t know. It does feel important that Charles is “being political” and “breaking protocol” and “referencing Brexit.”
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
These photos make Charles look like a beaten man. Reminds me of The Tudors, where at the end King Henry saw all those whose life he terminated. I wonder, if as Charles is getting older, he begins to see all the mistakes he made along the way. This does seem like it is an important occasion with what he said and Bretix, but Germany is going to go what is in her best interests and pay no mind to speeches or the blood lines that tie the Windsors to Germany.
He does look defeated here, but not sure if its just the pictures chosen or what. It’s been a tough year for him (relatively) but I don’t have much sympathy because he could have made efforts to keep H&M here, starting long before January.
I agree though that Germany is going to do what’s best for Germany (as it should) and I don’t think the fact that the Windsors have German blood is going to mean a whole lot.
Doubt it. I think he always defaults to feeling sorry for himself.
I am sure there are other pics from the same event that do not look as bad. I have no sympathy for him what so ever. You reap what you sow. I will say, if I were in his shoes, I would be more than miffed at having to keep waiting to take my turn at King.
This first thing I thought when I saw that picture was that that is his “I’m never going to get to be f’ing king” face.
@Guest who, EXACTLY. And he has to pick up the slack his mummy has left due to age and COVID and yet, still no crown on his head.
Put a wig on him and he’s the spitting image of paintings of King George III. Guess it’s ok for Charles to be political about a specific topic, but not ok for Meghan, as an American citizen, to generically encourage ALL Americans to vote. The double standards of this family just never quits.
William is looking like George III also, shape of his head and expressions.
His German sounded pretty good.
yeah it did. he was reading it though. so i’m just gonna keep thinking they’re all lazy. but yes he does pronounce “zwischen” (between) alright.
I took 4 years of German in high school. Sexy language, soooooo guttural, lol.
Yes, it is!
I have a question.
But the Royal Family shouldn’t be apolitical? They are not entitled to their own opinion or whatsoever. I mean everytime Meghan or Harry say something revolutionary like “please vote it’s important” they are torn apart because royal family can’t say a word and the freaking protocol, here we have the future King doing diplomacy for the Brexit mess. How weird!
I guess the UK had to sent someone with gravitas to beg Germany to clean up their mess. God knows Boris and his flunkies have none. Also, so suspicious that some Royals are allowed to be overtly ppolitical and yet, other Royals can’t make benign comments about being active in democracy. Methinks the BRF are heading into a downward spiral with their short-sighted and hateful hypocrisy.It’s about time.
This isn’t a bening comment but “a dramatic break from royal tradition”.
Whatever…
Not to defend Charles, but in this case it’s very likely that he was asked by the government to do this.
Yes, they’re supposed to be neutral, but their job is also to represent Britain’s interests.
I agree with you. I believe Charles’s was ask to do this by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office. I have read several tabloid articles on this German visit. The comment sections are over-run with people thinking Charles made a very big mistake by going to Germany and is way to “woke”.
“One might equally submit that no country is really an island either, other than in the wholly literal sense.” Sorry, but this does not mean that he says there are no Islands.
Isnt the UK on lockdown? why is he traveling?
And did he take a private plane? I assume the press is going to tear him apart for that?
Yes, private plane but, no, he won’t get torn apart for it. That is reserved for H&M. Charles gets a pass, especially on “royal business”. Because, you know, planes put out fewer fumes if they are on state business.
England is in lockdown, not the UK.
Airports are still open in England for essential travel. We are to avoid travel unless for business/education reasons. This would have been at the request of the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office specifically for Remembrance Day/Brexit.
It’s 99% certain that he was asked by the UK government to do this, so “lockdown” doesn’t apply. And if there’s any chance Charles can lessen the massive damage the Tories have done with Brexit, he has a responsibility to try.
That second picture says it all. Chuck knows his pheasant is well and truly seasoned and cooked.
Wonder where Cammy is in all of this….?
She joined Charles on the German visit.
Wonder if he felt a bit hypocritical praising those “shared values” that led to two world wars with the UK fighting against Germany. Those war casualties he was honoring helped to create some of the UK casualties he was honoring a few days before.
You’re not supposed to notice that!/s LOL! If there were some WWII British veterans in the audience, he would not be caught dead honouring Germany’s war dead. Where is the uproar in Britain about this visit? I guess History is flexible to the BRF.
**In German** What does it take to get a little sympathy from this country.
German here. He got nothing really. Here is the first time I read about it.
I think the majority of people here have other problems than worrying about the selfmade troubles the UK has with Brexit.
Most companys have prepared for a hard Brexit anyway.
This is just sad. The EU has shown at every point since 2016 that it doesn’t want Brexit, certainly doesn’t want a hard Brexit, and has made overture after overture with the last four Conservative governments, only to be rejected and vilified in Parliament and the right-wing media. It’s not the EU that Charles should be begging to be kind to post-Brexit Britain! It’s not the EU’s responsibility to try and save the UK from itself. Charles should be making a version of this speech at home to the British government, parliament, and people. But of course he won’t.
I don’t see how he can preach about togetherness when his own family is a dumpster fire.
I am mid season 4 in the Crown. He is awful, petty garbage.
And i’d like to think he and Camilla feel badly about the way they used a 19 year old girl as a pawn, and she certainly got a little revenge by making them look like monsters.
But, seeing how petty and small minded and provincial the queen is- i am not sure Charles is any better. All jealous that they don’t get the most attention.
She didn’t have to make them look like monsters–they behaved as such. Their behaviour spoke for itself, at the end of the day. All Diana did was ensure the world saw them for what they were, because they were going to cover all that shit up and cow her into silence, while tearing her down and building themselves up.
I live in Germany, and it did make the news. His German was quite good, but as others here have said already, he came across defeated. He knows that the UK is nreathing its last breath. 2021 is going to rock their world. I work as a translator for one of Europe’s largest food retailers and the forecasts are not good. Prices will sky-rocket, especially for fresh produce. Supply chain disruptions and long delivery times expected. Sadly, the people who will be hit the hardest will be the very ones who voted for Brexit. And then there is the issue or N. Ireland and Scotland wanting out of the UK. And then there is Covid. So yah Prince Charles knows GB is going to be anything but great for quite a long time.
I hope it will hit the hardest the dumbs who screamed Brexit eith thefoam in their mouth. I really hope they suffer and maybe learn finally to use logic and connect such basic thing as action -reaction
Where are the folks demanding Charle lose his title for being “political”? Oh wait those rules only apply to the Black Duchess and her Prince
Right? Everyone knows this has always been about race, even those insisting it’s not race related. They just don’t want to admit they were wrong and that they took part in the racist abuse of the first biracial princess in the BRF.
I get the soft diplomacy but I’m surprised the British press let this off the hook. He really went to Germany, a country that was never really Great Britain’s friend, to beg them to be soft on Brexit? Is he having a laugh?
Oh but I see, he and his family are German when it suits them.
I hope Charles never becomes King and right before he dies he sees Diana with Angel wings laughing while he drops down to hell.
If I were the Germans, or any country that was a part of the EU really, I would have rolled my eyes and said, “Whatever.”
The British deserve whatever they get from Brexit. I feel awful for the people who did not vote to leave, and I hate that they’ll have to suffer for everyone else’s greed, racism, and selfishness. But for the people who wanted to leave, Brexit means Brexit, which is to say Brexit means fucking over your relationships with your closest neighbours and allies, screwing over your economy to benefit the few hedge fund owners who are invested in this garbage (Terribly Moderately Wealthy James Matthews is about to get a pay day when all this goes through), and having to eat chicken fajitas out of a paint bucket. But hey, I sure hope getting to tell those Polish construction workers and the immigrants who staff and keep your NHS running that they have to “go back to where they came from” was worth it at least.
ETA: Also, the political implications here with Charles saying this–please keep an eye on this because I think it speaks to the political split within the royal family itself. I do not think Charles’ views are shared, either by the Queen, her staff, or William and his staff. William has had Brexiters on his staff before. He has been rumoured to be quite close with the Tories. Let’s not forget that the journalist who broke the story about exiling Harry was someone from the Times–a paper owned by Murdoch. The editorial staff of that paper is Tory supporting–and it was one of their journalists who first broke that news.
So Charles is rather isolated in the way things are with the royal family at present. He is not exactly cozy with the Tory establishment–part of the reason why they get so annoyed when he speaks up on these issues. There’s just a lot going on here that people aren’t giving words to right now, but I think all of it speaks to the fact that the royals are just much more enmeshed within the political establishment of this country, in ways people are going to be surprised by if it ever comes out.
I feel nothing for the British Royal Family as an aggregate or Charles personally. He won a little of my goodwill when he agreed to walk Meghan down the aisle and showed respect to her mother. But…he has in general, before that minute and after it, shown himself to be as small-minded, full of envy, petty, stupid when it comes to personal and public relations, and extraordinarily selfish as the rest of his family.
As for Brexit, I feel terribly sorry for the British people, as I did for my own (Americans) when we voted for Trump. But both democracies got what we voted for. We had to have Trump for 4 years (and will always have to be on guard against the next Trump, from now on), and the UK has to have Brexit. God save them.