MM's spending habits criticized

[Lollie]

Perhaps I was a bit hasty, but really, these crown princesses are blowing so much on jewels and couture it's disgusting.

The husbands allow it and they don't seem to say stop so why only put the blame on the women?

Maybe that's because the royal born husbands have never known anything else but wealth and they don't know what it's like to earn a living so they can rent a flat/pay their bills/buy their food/etc... They never had to worry about that. I bet that when they were little, they just had to ask for new toys to find them in their nursery a few hours later.

The consorts being commoners, one would think that they'll be  reasonnable with their spendings because they're supposed to know how hard life is.
It's the same for all consorts in european monarchies, once they get the ring, they seem to throw their morals in the trash.
And when I read in the papers that a single pearl on a red string costs 7000€ (8800$, 5700£), I just want to throw up..
(source : http://www.kjendis.no/201...z/justin_bieber/19657733/ )

[TLLK]

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.

It was the restoration of the palace, which of course Harald and Sonja does not own, it would be kinda strange if they should use their own money to renovate it. The palace was rotten after King Olav had neglected to take care of it because he wanted to be modest and not ask for more money, the same as happened with many buildings like the royal farm, all rotting and falling apart. So he pushed the rennovation over to the next generation. It was the state who put a budget for the rennovation, and it turned out ot be all to little, and the King and queen was critisised for the budget collapsing,  I think it was one factor that the state had not known just how bad state the palace was, and Sonja thankfully was very insistent on spending time and money on getting the historic colors and an interior back to its old stage, which i guess contributed to the costs increasing. Yes it cost money but I think it was worth. Norway only has one palace, and we are one of the richest countres in the world, of course we should take care of the few historic buildings we have. I must say Im glad Sonja and HArald took the criticsm back then-HArald has said he thought the critism of his wife was unjust and it made him sad to see her critices in the press so much at the time. They could have gone for easy solutions or whatever but usually with old buildings that is just pushing the problem forward. I hope for the future they have learned and do continues renovation


The Kings fortune has been speculated about alot, all from 100 million NOK, to a billion, the latter has been denied, as has the rumour that he owns alot of property in London. forinstance the Kings sister Princess Astrid is listed in the tax lists having a fortune of 54 million NOK, in 2004 Märtha had a fortune of 16 million NOK.  When HArald and sonja took over Skaugum as CP couple he had to borrow money in the bank renovate and run Skaugum, so that he was very rich then is out of the question. It is likely to belive that Haakon has a fortune as well, maybe more than Märtha but since his is not public it is impossible to say. He does get more covered than Märtha who bought the house they live in for 10 million NOK or so, and spent alot on renovation of King Olavs old summerhouse which she got as a weddinggift, also in a bad state I guess

Mette-Marit spending on clothes has been a thing for the press ever since she got engaged, the court has been very restrictive to talk about it, they are not like the UK court who confirms the designers, but a year or so the communication chief said that they would often buy on sales or last seasons design. they also denied it back in the days when VG said that her blue Valentino dress for Frederiks wedding was a couture dress that cost 500 000 NOK, the palace said it was ready to wear dress modified for her and the prize unrealistic and that the paper had to removed ATELAST a zero. Still prizy but shows that there is alot of uncertainty about what they pay for clothes. Sonja was also critisiced for her spendings on clothes when she was a CP, but because she is older now, there is not much that is said about her and her Chanel purses, and the fact that she wears less norwegian design than Mette-MArit. Almost all major occasions the last years she has worn french, italian or old danish designs by Erik Mortensen when he worked at Balmain, she also has used Kent Fredin who dresses Mary now and then as well. that beeing said Mette-Marit would be smart to turn down her love for Valentino, it is to noticable a design and the press calls Harrods and the likes and asks what such a dress would cost and then she gets the press she got around Nobel. the one in the family who wears most norwegian design is Märtha Louise....and it really shows.....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....

Thank you larzen for the info.

[Little_star]

When thousands, if not millions, of women face utter misery and in many cases death because of the whole dowry issue I find it astounding that anyone could be calling for its return

http://english.pravda.ru/...933-india_brides_dowry-0/
http://www.youthkiawaaz.c...em-in-india-then-and-now/

I can´t tell you how this breaks my heart. I actually think about this a lot, and have thought about what I can do to help and support these women, but it seems so overwhealming. Do you know about any international organizations that work against this? I would so much like to help in any way I can.

Honestly, I'm afraid I don't.  Most of the time my family donates directly to the poor via relations in Pakistan. For example when my Uncle's cook married a few years ago my cousins put together things for her dowry like household utensils, food supplies for the first year or so etc. Her husband was a very decent man and didn't actually ask for anything but they wanted her to have some things just in case.

It's not exactly the same thing and it isn't based in India but the Edhi Foundation helps abused women, single mothers etc in Pakistan. They're a VERY reputable organisation. We often donate to them. 
http://www.edhifoundation.com/

[PeDe]

wow...they are on her, like white on rice






The Norwegian Princess Mette-Marit has enough money.

Or it is induced into believing. The princess has invested in an expensive bracelet from the Danish jewelry company Shamballa Jewels. As you can see in the picture consists of a thin bracelet, red leather strap, which is a walnut diamond sphere with a price of DKK 50,000. Princess Mette-Marit is not unfamiliar with beautiful and expensive objects. She used to be dressed in designer clothes from Valentino and Pucci.

50,000 DKK = 51,331.83 NOK > 8,538.44 USD > 8,355.46 AUD > 6,702.08 EUR

But according to the company's website would be madness. The bracelet was inspired by Tibetan Buddhism, which should give spiritual energy. Whether she chose to go to his sister Princess Martha's footsteps, which is certainly not unfamiliar with spirituality, or whether she would like the same booth as several superstars from Hollywood and music industry is not known.

But Karl Fredrik Tangen, associate professor of sociology at the Consumer Market School in Oslo, is not surprised that Mette Marit has chosen to invest in a costly ornament.
- Spirituality legitimizes conspicuous consumption, and is therefore a smart strategy. As when the use of designer dresses explained that would promote Norwegian design, he says to kjendis.no. Shamballa jewelry symbolizes extra exclusivity, as each piece is only produced in one copy.


Oh, Shamballa my ass - This jewelry is all a designer rip-off.

I have the a very similar bracelet, string thingie - because it's really far from a bracelet - only difference: the red string is a thin black crochet string. Pfffft.....go on "Etsy", or "Ebay" and you will not have to pay some thousand $$ for the string & diamond bead - this is a really ridiculous 'name game'....that's why I hate designers. And if I wouldn't have received my bracelet as a gift, I would have never bought it.

[Snow Queen]

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.

[pixiecat]

wow...they are on her, like white on rice






The Norwegian Princess Mette-Marit has enough money.

Or it is induced into believing. The princess has invested in an expensive bracelet from the Danish jewelry company Shamballa Jewels. As you can see in the picture consists of a thin bracelet, red leather strap, which is a walnut diamond sphere with a price of DKK 50,000. Princess Mette-Marit is not unfamiliar with beautiful and expensive objects. She used to be dressed in designer clothes from Valentino and Pucci.

50,000 DKK = 51,331.83 NOK > 8,538.44 USD > 8,355.46 AUD > 6,702.08 EUR

But according to the company's website would be madness. The bracelet was inspired by Tibetan Buddhism, which should give spiritual energy. Whether she chose to go to his sister Princess Martha's footsteps, which is certainly not unfamiliar with spirituality, or whether she would like the same booth as several superstars from Hollywood and music industry is not known.

But Karl Fredrik Tangen, associate professor of sociology at the Consumer Market School in Oslo, is not surprised that Mette Marit has chosen to invest in a costly ornament.
- Spirituality legitimizes conspicuous consumption, and is therefore a smart strategy. As when the use of designer dresses explained that would promote Norwegian design, he says to kjendis.no. Shamballa jewelry symbolizes extra exclusivity, as each piece is only produced in one copy.


Oh, Shamballa my ass - This jewelry is all a designer rip-off.

I have the a very similar bracelet, string thingie - because it's really far from a bracelet - only difference: the red string is a thin black crochet string. Pfffft.....go on "Etsy", or "Ebay" and you will not have to pay some thousand $$ for the string & diamond bead - this is a really ridiculous 'name game'....that's why I hate designers. And if I wouldn't have received my bracelet as a gift, I would have never bought it.

Apparently, spiritual energy can be yours for just 50,000 DKK   I'm sure it's just what the Buddah would have wanted for the universe   I'll bet that Tibetan monks everywhere are forking over the money for a bit of this "spirituality"   Ridiculous.

[Kuei Fei]

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 MM is 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.

[abs]

When thousands, if not millions, of women face utter misery and in many cases death because of the whole dowry issue I find it astounding that anyone could be calling for its return

http://english.pravda.ru/...933-india_brides_dowry-0/
http://www.youthkiawaaz.c...em-in-india-then-and-now/

I can´t tell you how this breaks my heart. I actually think about this a lot, and have thought about what I can do to help and support these women, but it seems so overwhealming. Do you know about any international organizations that work against this? I would so much like to help in any way I can.

Honestly, I'm afraid I don't.  Most of the time my family donates directly to the poor via relations in Pakistan. For example when my Uncle's cook married a few years ago my cousins put together things for her dowry like household utensils, food supplies for the first year or so etc. Her husband was a very decent man and didn't actually ask for anything but they wanted her to have some things just in case.

It's not exactly the same thing and it isn't based in India but the Edhi Foundation helps abused women, single mothers etc in Pakistan. They're a VERY reputable organisation. We often donate to them. 
http://www.edhifoundation.com/

Thank you, I really appreciate it. 

[Snow Queen]

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 MM is 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.

Of course people can complain if they choose to but if the CP couple doesn't go over their alloted budget then nothing is going to come of it. If they are given a set amount of money every year for their "salary" its theirs to do with as they choose. No comment on President Obama as he has nothing to do with MM's spending habits.

[dKaren]

Does their salary include the money for representation ? If it does, MM rarely worked, so the money could be saved for her own goodies  .

[Clara]

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.

It was the restoration of the palace, which of course Harald and Sonja does not own, it would be kinda strange if they should use their own money to renovate it. The palace was rotten after King Olav had neglected to take care of it because he wanted to be modest and not ask for more money, the same as happened with many buildings like the royal farm, all rotting and falling apart. So he pushed the rennovation over to the next generation. It was the state who put a budget for the rennovation, and it turned out ot be all to little, and the King and queen was critisised for the budget collapsing,  I think it was one factor that the state had not known just how bad state the palace was, and Sonja thankfully was very insistent on spending time and money on getting the historic colors and an interior back to its old stage, which i guess contributed to the costs increasing. Yes it cost money but I think it was worth. Norway only has one palace, and we are one of the richest countres in the world, of course we should take care of the few historic buildings we have. I must say Im glad Sonja and HArald took the criticsm back then-HArald has said he thought the critism of his wife was unjust and it made him sad to see her critices in the press so much at the time. They could have gone for easy solutions or whatever but usually with old buildings that is just pushing the problem forward. I hope for the future they have learned and do continues renovation


The Kings fortune has been speculated about alot, all from 100 million NOK, to a billion, the latter has been denied, as has the rumour that he owns alot of property in London. forinstance the Kings sister Princess Astrid is listed in the tax lists having a fortune of 54 million NOK, in 2004 Märtha had a fortune of 16 million NOK.  When HArald and sonja took over Skaugum as CP couple he had to borrow money in the bank renovate and run Skaugum, so that he was very rich then is out of the question. It is likely to belive that Haakon has a fortune as well, maybe more than Märtha but since his is not public it is impossible to say. He does get more covered than Märtha who bought the house they live in for 10 million NOK or so, and spent alot on renovation of King Olavs old summerhouse which she got as a weddinggift, also in a bad state I guess

Mette-Marit spending on clothes has been a thing for the press ever since she got engaged, the court has been very restrictive to talk about it, they are not like the UK court who confirms the designers, but a year or so the communication chief said that they would often buy on sales or last seasons design. they also denied it back in the days when VG said that her blue Valentino dress for Frederiks wedding was a couture dress that cost 500 000 NOK, the palace said it was ready to wear dress modified for her and the prize unrealistic and that the paper had to removed ATELAST a zero. Still prizy but shows that there is alot of uncertainty about what they pay for clothes. Sonja was also critisiced for her spendings on clothes when she was a CP, but because she is older now, there is not much that is said about her and her Chanel purses, and the fact that she wears less norwegian design than Mette-MArit. Almost all major occasions the last years she has worn french, italian or old danish designs by Erik Mortensen when he worked at Balmain, she also has used Kent Fredin who dresses Mary now and then as well. that beeing said Mette-Marit would be smart to turn down her love for Valentino, it is to noticable a design and the press calls Harrods and the likes and asks what such a dress would cost and then she gets the press she got around Nobel. the one in the family who wears most norwegian design is Märtha Louise....and it really shows.....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....

Thanks Larzen. I read in Hola that they received a raise this year to repair the Palace's roof.

[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 MM is 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) ?

[TLLK]

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 MM is 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) ?

Excellent question Clara. 

[Clara]

Thanks TLLK   
I've always found the "we should know what they're doing every moment of their lives and how they're spending every cent because it's ours" argument as very cheap demagogy.

Perhaps I was a bit hasty, but really, these crown princesses are blowing so much on jewels and couture it's disgusting.

The husbands allow it and they don't seem to say stop so why only put the blame on the women?

Maybe that's because the royal born husbands have never known anything else but wealth and they don't know what it's like to earn a living so they can rent a flat/pay their bills/buy their food/etc... They never had to worry about that. I bet that when they were little, they just had to ask for new toys to find them in their nursery a few hours later.

The consorts being commoners, one would think that they'll be  reasonnable with their spendings because they're supposed to know how hard life is.
It's the same for all consorts in european monarchies, once they get the ring, they seem to throw their morals in the trash.
And when I read in the papers that a single pearl on a red string costs 7000€ (8800$, 5700£), I just want to throw up..
(source : http://www.kjendis.no/201...z/justin_bieber/19657733/ )

But what is reasonable? It all depends on what is available to each person and their priorities, as long as they don't overspend and need to beg the state for extra money.
If their husbands are spending money within their means (in expensive clothes, watches, cufflinks, cars, trips, restaurants...) are they supposed to spend as much as they used to? (MM with a waitress salary?)

[Snow Queen]

Thanks TLLK   
I've always found the "we should know what they're doing every moment of their lives and how they're spending every cent because it's ours" argument as very cheap demagogy.

Perhaps I was a bit hasty, but really, these crown princesses are blowing so much on jewels and couture it's disgusting.

The husbands allow it and they don't seem to say stop so why only put the blame on the women?

Maybe that's because the royal born husbands have never known anything else but wealth and they don't know what it's like to earn a living so they can rent a flat/pay their bills/buy their food/etc... They never had to worry about that. I bet that when they were little, they just had to ask for new toys to find them in their nursery a few hours later.

The consorts being commoners, one would think that they'll be  reasonnable with their spendings because they're supposed to know how hard life is.
It's the same for all consorts in european monarchies, once they get the ring, they seem to throw their morals in the trash.
And when I read in the papers that a single pearl on a red string costs 7000€ (8800$, 5700£), I just want to throw up..
(source : http://www.kjendis.no/201...z/justin_bieber/19657733/ )

But what is reasonable? It all depends on what is available to each person and their priorities, as long as they don't overspend and need to beg the state for extra money.
If their husbands are spending money within their means (in expensive clothes, watches, cufflinks, cars, trips, restaurants...) are they supposed to spend as much as they used to? (MM with a waitress salary?)

This!! 

MM is no longer a commoner waitress, she's the Crown Princess of Norway and its unreasonable to expect her expenses to be that of her former life. Typically when a couple marries they join assets and I don't see why that would be different for MM & Haakon, his $ is her $ and he doesn't seem to have a problem with that. Personally, I think its stupid to spend that much money (if she did in fact pay full price for it) on a dinky little bracelet but for whatever reason MM values it and wanted it. It was within their budget so its her right to purchase it. The same applies to her wardrobe.