What would concern me (if I cared) is the lack of loyalty and leadership within the royal family. I find it odd and perhaps a little scary that the international media is reporting on reports about a possible story, the basis of which is innuendo and gossip. Such journalism.

Sadly, the days of true journalism/news reporting are gone it seems.

And there's very little one can do individually to fight it because you can't get into a pi**ing contest with someone who buys their ink by the barrel!

I don't think it is a question of disloyalty by the British people that fuels the rumours. We Brits expect our royals to act with the highest dignity and decorum. Once you cross the line, you are fair game to be criticized. Prince Charles crossed the line with his affair with Camilla. If you notice, there are members of the royal family who are never criticized (Her Majesty, the Queen Mum, Duchess of Kent) because their character is seen as above reproach. Look how Prince Edward has been left alone after marrying and getting a job. We Brits don't want our taxes to pay for the royals to have fun, but to work for their tucker.

well said ThinGorJus. If Charles behaved like his mother and not his father, then we wouldn't feel the need to reproach him for his behaviour.

He's the future King, unfortunately it's too late for him to start behaving like one, the damage has already been done (and not by the latest gossip). However he's not the first Prince of Wales to behave less than perfectly whilst fiddling his thumbs waiting for the thrown - you only have to look at the previous two (Edward VII and VII). They're the only royals who lifetime career is waiting around for the big promotion, and the boredom seems to affect them badly.

clearly that is "throne" and not "thrown" :)

You lot (as they say) might be the ones to advise me. My son is applying to a slew of U's in the U.K. (Edinburgh, Cambridge [King's], Sheffield, King's London, Durham, York). Wants to study philosophy. We live in New York. He's already been given an unconditional offer to Edinburgh. Still dreams of Cambridge, but we're having trouble affording the trip over just for an interview in early December. Are we making a big mistake?

Sorry for interrupting the flow here. Maybe I should post a separate query.

guy, yes, maybe you should post this as a separate thread.

All the uni's you list are top grade (although I can't speak for which one is best for philosophy) and Edinburgh is certainly what you'd consider "Ivy League".

However, there's nothing to quite beat attending one of the world's most renowned universities. Kind of guarantees you success for life.

guy - Are you aware of what it will cost to send your son to any of these top schools? Getting over there for the interview is the least of your financial worries. The cost of living is nothing to sneeze about in the UK. My parents are still talking about the money we spent when I continued my studies in England and that was 20 years ago. Why not have him go to school in the US and then continue further studies later - say after he has worked and saved some money for the opportunity. You must be very proud of his academic accomplishments. Best of luck.

Prince Charles has always reminded me of Alfred E. Newman.

cigale- LOL!