HRH at Greenville Games

[MacBean]

Difference in culture perhaps? Americans, historically at least, don't recognize titles from kings and queens to knights and ladies. There isn't any reason they should dress for the occasion as there is no special occasion. Oh, OK, they of course, realize that he's special in the UK, but I doubt concepts of protocol make sense here. After all, that is one of the things we fought for in the Revolution (and we do call it the Revolution rather than the War of Independence).

Greenville may be further west in S.Carolina than most battle sites, but they do say more battles were fought in that area than in all the other states combined. That was long ago, but I suspect the Carolinians are taught their history.

As for how he's dressed, I think it was a perfect and practical choice. If he looks a bit tropical, well he's pretty close to the tropics!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I was told by someone who had the opportunity to ask HRH himself that his choice not to wear the kilt was in deference to the hot climate, and Prince Edward expressed an interest in obtaining a cooler-wearing kilt "for when he returns to North America."

[piperdbh]

I wish I had had a hat like HRH's. The sun was pretty warm, and my wool Balmoral didn't do much to alleviate the heat.
I believe the young ladies he's pictured with are athletes, and they seem to be enjoying getting to meet the prince.

[macwilkin]

Difference in culture perhaps? Americans, historically at least, don't recognize titles from kings and queens to knights and ladies. There isn't any reason they should dress for the occasion as there is no special occasion. Oh, OK, they of course, realize that he's special in the UK, but I doubt concepts of protocol make sense here. After all, that is one of the things we fought for in the Revolution (and we do call it the Revolution rather than the War of Independence).

Greenville may be further west in S.Carolina than most battle sites, but they do say more battles were fought in that area than in all the other states combined. That was long ago, but I suspect the Carolinians are taught their history.

As for how he's dressed, I think it was a perfect and practical choice. If he looks a bit tropical, well he's pretty close to the tropics!

Not this American citizen, who always shows respect to our mother country and our Commonwealth cousins.

T.

[Lyle1]

I thought he looked nice, and he seemed very relaxed the entire time he was there. It was a hot and rather humid day, and he was smart to dress for it. I would guess that the suit was tropical weight. I was talking to a band member from Scotland, and she found the heat to be very oppressive and said that she couldn't get used to it no matter how many times she was in the USA.

I thought the crowd was very respectful, too.

[JSFMACLJR]

Originally Posted by MacBean
Difference in culture perhaps? Americans, historically at least, don't recognize titles from kings and queens to knights and ladies. There isn't any reason they should dress for the occasion as there is no special occasion. Oh, OK, they of course, realize that he's special in the UK, but I doubt concepts of protocol make sense here. After all, that is one of the things we fought for in the Revolution (and we do call it the Revolution rather than the War of Independence).


Not this American citizen, who always shows respect to our mother country and our Commonwealth cousins.

T.

I am with you there, Todd. Americans certainly DO recognize titles; we just don't have them for ourselves. The last time I checked, the President of the US still calls the Queen of Canada when she visits the US "Your Majesty", rather than "Ms Windsor"!

[davidlpope]

From my vantage point, Prince Edward's visit was a great success. Congratulations and hearty thanks all around to the folks who did the hard work and planning (three years worth) so that he would agree to make the first-ever royal visit to a US highland games. Everyone appeared to have a very enjoyable time and the Prince was very gracious to put up with the heat, humidity, and the "different" way that Highland Games are done here in the States. Worrying about what clothes he wore seems a little short-sighted to me.

The Earl of Caithness, the chief of the Greenville Games, was present wearing traditional Highland attire as one would expect. In my mind, one earl wearing a kilt out of two isn't too shabby...

Cordially,

David

[macwilkin]

From my vantage point, Prince Edward's visit was a great success. Congratulations and hearty thanks all around to the folks who did the hard work and planning (three years worth) so that he would agree to make the first-ever royal visit to a US highland games. Everyone appeared to have a very enjoyable time and the Prince was very gracious to put up with the heat, humidity, and the "different" way that Highland Games are done here in the States. Worrying about what clothes he wore seems a little short-sighted to me.

The Earl of Caithness, the chief of the Greenville Games, was present wearing traditional Highland attire as one would expect. In my mind, one earl wearing a kilt out of two isn't too shabby...

Cordially,

David

Well said that man!

T.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

HRH's schedule was very full on Games day-- in addition to visiting the games, he had to attend a luncheon with the Lt. Governor, State Attorney General, and numerous national and state elected officials, as well as meet with the Miss South Carolina Pageant participants in the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, and attend a dinner in his honour hosted by Furman University. There simply wasn't time for HRH to leave the games, return to his hotel, change, and attend the next function.

[ThistleDown]

Difference in culture perhaps? Americans, historically at least, don't recognize titles from kings and queens to knights and ladies. There isn't any reason they should dress for the occasion as there is no special occasion. Oh, OK, they of course, realize that he's special in the UK, but I doubt concepts of protocol make sense here. After all, that is one of the things we fought for in the Revolution (and we do call it the Revolution rather than the War of Independence).

Greenville may be further west in S.Carolina than most battle sites, but they do say more battles were fought in that area than in all the other states combined. That was long ago, but I suspect the Carolinians are taught their history.

As for how he's dressed, I think it was a perfect and practical choice. If he looks a bit tropical, well he's pretty close to the tropics!

Sorry, Mark, but I don't follow your rationale there. Especially not on this site named "X Marks the Scot". Is it not simply a matter of politeness and respect? If that were not to be properly offered to another national, why would that national be invited?