MM's spending habits criticized

[divinemiss]

I must confess myself somewhat divided on this subject. Whilst I agree in theory that the money they are given is theirs to spend as they see fit I do believe there is a stronger principle at play too.

These are not private individuals, they are paid representatives of a country and if the average citizen of a country is struggling financially (I am ignorant of Norways current economic clime) then it is nothing short of offensive for one of its paid representatives to flaunt ostentatious material possessions.

There is a time and a place in royal life for wearing expensive clothes, expensive jewellery and having spent a good deal of money on hair and make up. The problem is, as I see it, the current crop of princesses do not appear able to distinguish when that time is and when the time for wearing good quality but not instantly recognisable designer clothes/accessories are.

That's exactly how I feel. 

I think the biggest problem is that you simply go blind on your status after a while. Compared to about 80 % of the world we live in luxury, do we acknowledge this? Do we feel pampered by the fact that we can afford stuff? Do we even think twice before we throw our favourite bath soap and shampoo into the shopping cart, just because we like it and it smells good, although there are 10 products that are much cheaper and should do the trick too?
I think that after a while those royals and celeb and wags do not even notice the price tags. A bracelet looks cute, they buy it with as much consideration to the $6000 tag as we would for a $60.
We allow them, we actually want them to be that way...and than we rake them over the coals for not being down to earth. I think they just can't, they just lose their connection.

Fairy 
I think that what you say here makes a lot of sense.

I can understand that its easy to learn to live to your new means and i think that perhaps most people would as you said Fairy. I don't expect them to have no fancy jewellery or nice clothes but something in the way of solidarity with the people who keep them in the style to which they have become accustomed so readily isn't a helluva lot to ask IMO

There is a quote that QE made about life in the palace during the war and it went along the lines of "mother/father refused to allow us to have butter on the table during meals or sugar etc. it wasn't much but if the people of Britain were making massive sacrifices we could make one of two as well" (thats not exact but you get the gist) .....thats not a bad thought process for a royal IMO.
Its about caring enough to make a gesture...because thats all it could ever be - a gesture.

[Clara]

I wonder if she paid for the bracelet or if it was gifted to her? It is alot of money for such a simple piece of jewelry but if its within the CP's budget IMO its their business what the spend the money on once its in their bank account. I haven't heard stories of Haakon and MM blowing their budget like Fred and Mares so they must be able to afford MM's expenses.

Not if it's taxpayer money. If it is taxpayer money it is the business of hte public and I don't think MM brought thousands upon thousands wiht her into her marriage ot spend on what she likes. If it is her husband's money, it is his business. President Obama is getting crucified on a daily basis for his antics in regards to spending taxpayer money like it's his in his own right and there is no reason that he should expect to stay in office in 2012. If blowing thousands on stuff like this or Valentino couture or is at all spending money on designer shoes, she has no business not expecting a backlash. You cannot say she had enough money of her own to spend on Valentino before her marriage.

Should every civil servant publish his/her personal purchases paid with their salaries (i.e., taxpayer money) ?

In my country, yes. Every civil servant has to publish his/her spendings and salary every year and every time he/she spend or receive more thyan 5000 euros in cash, counts or gifts. I thought this come along with EU regulations but I undersund ...not?

I work at a state university.  Every professor and administrator's salary and benefits are a matter of public record.  For example, I know that the president of the university earns $450,000 USD per year, and the football coach earns $2.6 million per year (don't get me started on that nonsense ); the chief of cardiology at the medical school on our campus earns $700,000 and the student workers get about $10.00 an hour.  I think that this is the fair thing to do, since they are all government employees.  We are all prohibited from accepting gifts or bonuses from outside sources, and if we do get some kind perk, it must be publicized and approved.  If this can work for my university (and there are a few thousand employees at this school), then there's no reason why it shouldn't be done for the royals.  Their tax-payer funded benefits and salaries should absolutely be public knowledge.  Royals owe it to their subjects to be open and up-front about how they are using the taxpayer's money.

Pixiecat and ssassi, I don't think you understood me. I wasn't talking of their benefits, the official presents received, making the amount they receive as a salary public...
I was talking of demanding that every civil servant (and you're one too pixiecat) discloses their private spendings, i.e., how they spend their private salaries, how much does MM spend on tampons, how much they spend on medicines, on food, on clothes for the children, on gas, on the   car's insurance...That's ridiculous and that seems to be what some people want. I agree that spending like MM does on clothes (hardly working but showing up on a State Visit to smile, chit-chat and have dinners and luncheons for two days and wearing three different and new Valentino outfits is excessive) but blaming her for spending like it's water (it's their private salary, they can do whatever they want with it, another thing it's what they should do with it), especially when Haakon may be spending much more on his clothes and jewels (cufflinks, watches...) but will never be criticised for that, that's unfair.

     I'm sorry, Clara, I did misunderstand you.  I don't believe that every civil servant should disclose their private spending UNLESS they are earning a very large salary (like the football coach) AND they are asking for MORE money-like Fred and Mary.  There's no reason for royals to go over their budget and ask for more.  When Fred and Mary did this, the government should have started auditing them.  There's no reason for those two to overspend and ask for more.  They already live rent-free, they enjoy many, many perks and free things.  I don't really follow the NRF, but IIRC, MM hasn't asked for more.  It's totally stupid that she spends so much, but if she's staying within her budget and not asking for more, then I guess that's her business.  

The Danish government on the other hand, should have demanded a thorough audit and investigation into F&M's spending habits when they started asking for more money.  

      as soon as I can 

I have mixed feelings about MM's, or any royals', spending habits. Yes, the parliament agrees to give them a certain amount. If they stay within their budgeted amount, their spending shouldn't be anyone's business.

HOWEVER, if they wear exobitantly expensive items while visiting the homeless or the misfortunes, that annoys people. Or if they urge stressed taxpayers to be generous to charitable causes they promote while they wear jewelry and outfits worth thousands without donating any money themselves, that's the kind of hypocracy I can't stand.  

As for F&M, they take the cake since they've been over-spending the allowances they're given. In that case, I think the partiament should demand an accounting of their spending in order to judge whether they really need extra money.

I read in El País that the DRF's finances are actually audited by a private company (that I guess sends reports to the government)

[Tulip of Nonsense]

In all truth, they should count their blessings, but all they do it appears is to count their worldly gain...

To become even a minor royal is indeed a great deal more than getting ‘just’ title and money. The very magical moment they say ‘I will’, they’re lifted instantly above the crowd - once and for all. Nothing will change that back, not even a possible divorce.

They’ve got the biggest jackpot there was for anyone to hit. And they know it, they know it full well. It takes an enormous self-restriction, self-discipline, a proper education in a broad sense of the word, a healthy still necessary humble attitude etc etc not to become arrogant, superior or self-obsessed.

Deep down they’re all aware of being perfectly ordinary, average (sometimes slightly second-rate, non?) a commonplace of a (wo)man who was lucky enough with the right time and the right place, as the saying goes. But... puzzled as they well might by the choice of their spouse(s),  they nevertheless got totally overwhelmed by real and freely available ‘everydayness’ of the ridiculous perks and riches. And so they spend...
Instead of showing a genuine respect for people who make it possible for them, especially at hard economic times. Instead of saying their pray of gratitude for the Prime Force that definitely has a finger in every pie... They spend, because now they can...

No names needed, as each of us has their own favourite... 

PS I’m not quite sure what impetus has stimulated this ‘outburst’ of mine, but please excuse me all the same... 

[BaronessLee]

Do the NRF have a large private fortune or are they mainly funded by the public like their Danish counterparts?

Don´t quote me on it, but I think it is like it is here in Denmark. A few years ago, Sonja and Harald had some major restaurations done, and there was a lot of criticism from the public about the lavishness of it. If it was done with their own money, there would have been no criticism.

That doesn't rule them out as having a large fortune of their own. The queen does, but if the British tax payers will pay for work done to one of her homes, or one of her tours, they still do. I doubt most royals spend their personal funds, when they can get the tax payers to pay for it.

[Kuei Fei]

I have mixed feelings about MM's, or any royals', spending habits. Yes, the parliament agrees to give them a certain amount. If they stay within their budgeted amount, their spending shouldn't be anyone's business.

HOWEVER, if they wear exobitantly expensive items while visiting the homeless or the misfortunes, that annoys people. Or if they urge stressed taxpayers to be generous to charitable causes they promote while they wear jewelry and outfits worth thousands without donating any money themselves, that's the kind of hypocracy I can't stand. 

As for F&M, they take the cake since they've been over-spending the allowances they're given. In that case, I think the partiament should demand an accounting of their spending in order to judge whether they really need extra money.

To me, the whole thing is about the fact that taxpayers do pay for them (security/travel/hospitality) for a lifetime and if she's been spending money like water, she needs to be restrained. In the US, the President is paid a salary and has to forgo any other jobs and business interests while in office, along with his wife. It's for eight years and the reason that so much is covered, is because the President literally runs the country and has to deal with the rest of the world as well. After they are out of office they are guarded because while in office they learn all our nation's  secrets and are HUGE targets for maniacs.

Now, as for the royals like MM, they are not privy to the secrets of the nation, they are not at all carrying the weight of the major descision making process that wears down so many politicians and yet, MM and the other princesses are drowning in couture, drowning in jewels, enjoying the best the world has to offer, but the most they do is run charities and make speeches and sit and look pretty. Second, the royals are supported for the rest of ther LIVES and that is no small term like eight years, often it can be up to eighty or above. Since she is going to be married for life, she needs to cut back on the grubbing for luxury.

She has her whole life to enjoy it and she needs to ease back and work on her country, husband, and kids and enjoy all that she has.

[schmichaelira]

I am sure that Norway has many fashions of their own and MM should be seeking out skilled unknowns and then having them create fashions for her instead of going to Valentino. How on earth does this promote Norway's fashion industry and I am sure there are tailors who would kill to be able to end up decorating their Crown Princess. I really do think that many of these princesses are so utterly high maintenance; none of them came with a trousseau or clothes of their own? The minute they get that ring they suddenly go on a spending binge on couture and now MM is buying Buddhist jewelry, despite being a Christian? One thing if hse spends that much on a lavish jewel, but quite another if she is spending thousands (OF HER HUSBAND'S MONEY!) on stuff that you can find for cheap at a dime store. It's not like MM is at all really so wealthy herself or that she doesn't already have enough. In this economy they should be slowing down.

These princesses are just going utterly insane with their expenditure and I really do wonder if it is best to institute the dowry system. One minute they are 'down to earth' commoner princesses and the next minute, right after the honeymoon, they are decked out in the finest couture that money can buy and have the biggest jewels that can be found and tossing the kids off to nannies and developing eating disorders. There are plenty of designs they could get for cheap and end up promoting a designer if only they would be willing to be thriftier.

Really?  The dowry system is incredibly degrading and dehumanizing.  It's basically selling your daughter to a man and his family-it's very creepy when you think about it.  I'm sorry, but there's no place for that type of system in today's society (or at least there shouldn't be, IMO). 

You mean like what the Millers family (Duty Free owners) did with their daughters? 

[jessmie]

Larzen, thanks for your post.  Very informative.

Personally I dont care what they spend on their clothes as long as they are within the money the state gives them, but I think it would be better to go to a neutral tailor and have clothes made especailly, and not act as walking billboards for labels like Prada and Valentino that really does not need the promotion....

ITA with you here.  Royals (especially royal women) are going to spend their allowances and personal funds on expensive clothes.  It's just part of having royalty.  So if a country wants to have a royal family, this sort of thing is just kind of a package deal.  There's never going to be any such thing as a royal family on a budget.

I totally understand the fact that since they are royals and "grand" ambassadors of their countries they are expected to be appropriately dressed and behave in a certain way etc. However, I have no clue as to why they need to be dressed in couture and expensive ready-to-wear clothes ALL the time. MM is always wearing Valentino and Prada. Mary is always wearing Prada and Chanel. Their clothes are insanely expensive. They both carry Hermes bags, which costs £20,000+ a piece. Why do you need to visit an animal shelter being dressed in Burberry (MM)??

At least Mary wears some pieces from Danish designers. I am not trying, under no circumstances, trying to defend Mary, but I have not seen MM wear a single piece by a Norwegian designer. To me, both Mary and MM appear to be taking their role as fashionistas in comparison with Maxima, Letizia and Mathilde, who have many engagements.

Btw did I mention that I recently visited the Valentino exhibition at the Somerset House in London and I saw chairs with MM and Rosario's name on them?? NO?? Well, the exhibition was set as if it was a catwalk, where visitors walked on and they could observe many of Valentino's dresses from the 50s to the 00s. Among the models there were many chairs which counted as the front row with household names on them like Sophia Loren, Liz Taylor, Princess Grace of Monaco, Monica Bellucci, Diane Kruger, Elle Macpherson, Linda Evangelista, Natalia Vodianova, Meryl Streep and many other successful women in their respective fields. Imagine my shock when I noticed Mette-Marit's and Rosario's of Bulgaria names. I was totally shocked!!   
WHAT EXACTLY have these two spoiled brats done for the fashion industry?? What's their contribution???

[Fragrance78]

MM singlehandedly revived the leggings/black tights industry. Maybe that's what she's recognised for?

[linnpinn]

Some Norwegian design:




She really doesn't wear much, but there are not alot of choices either for her to choose from. Norwegian design is not much to be proud of, IMO. There is nothing that can compare to Malene Birger for example. Sweden and Denmark are miles ahead when it comes to fashion designers.

[jessmie]

MM singlehandedly revived the leggings/black tights industry. Maybe that's what she's recognised for?

I hope you're actually joking!!

[norwegianne]

Some Norwegian design:




She really doesn't wear much, but there are not alot of choices either for her to choose from. Norwegian design is not much to be proud of, IMO. There is nothing that can compare to Malene Birger for example. Sweden and Denmark are miles ahead when it comes to fashion designers.

Also, irrc, she started wearing Pucci after Norwegian designer Peter Dundas joined the team. It's not strictly Norwegian fashion, but she wasn't wearing them before he joined - opting chiefly for Valentino or Norwegian designers before that.

[sleepyvalentina]

I am sure that Norway has many fashions of their own and MM should be seeking out skilled unknowns and then having them create fashions for her instead of going to Valentino. How on earth does this promote Norway's fashion industry and I am sure there are tailors who would kill to be able to end up decorating their Crown Princess. I really do think that many of these princesses are so utterly high maintenance; none of them came with a trousseau or clothes of their own? The minute they get that ring they suddenly go on a spending binge on couture and now MM is buying Buddhist jewelry, despite being a Christian? One thing if hse spends that much on a lavish jewel, but quite another if she is spending thousands (OF HER HUSBAND'S MONEY!) on stuff that you can find for cheap at a dime store. It's not like MM is at all really so wealthy herself or that she doesn't already have enough. In this economy they should be slowing down.

These princesses are just going utterly insane with their expenditure and I really do wonder if it is best to institute the dowry system. One minute they are 'down to earth' commoner princesses and the next minute, right after the honeymoon, they are decked out in the finest couture that money can buy and have the biggest jewels that can be found and tossing the kids off to nannies and developing eating disorders. There are plenty of designs they could get for cheap and end up promoting a designer if only they would be willing to be thriftier.

Really?  The dowry system is incredibly degrading and dehumanizing.  It's basically selling your daughter to a man and his family-it's very creepy when you think about it.  I'm sorry, but there's no place for that type of system in today's society (or at least there shouldn't be, IMO). 

You mean like what the Millers family (Duty Free owners) did with their daughters? 

Oh, Mary could spend through that 200 million.

Princess Grace reportedly paid her own dowry (at least, part of it).

[Maria]

MM singlehandedly revived the leggings/black tights industry. Maybe that's what she's recognised for?

I've got almost nothing but black tights. It's the most common colour tights, I think, you can buy in Scandinavia - we like black. MM is just wearning what most other women up here are. At least her tights are flesh-coloured or shiny

[Fragrance78]

That's was my attempt at being sarcastic....clearly failed 
I was just being tongue in cheek about MM and her tights, as Steph with her scarves, Mary with her Prada, etc...

[Maria]

That's was my attempt at being sarcastic....clearly failed 
I was just being tongue in cheek about MM and her tights, as Steph with her scarves, Mary with her Prada, etc...

I totally missed the sarcasm - sorry!