Beckham and Middleton
From the USA to Australia Borkowski quoted on the issues of the day
A royal romance that’s hardly a fairytale The Age – Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
But she manipulated the press to sell her image and unhappy message, a prominent British public-relations consultant, Mark Borkowski,
Britain Reacts to Posh and Becks’s U.S. Move
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20008333,00.html
A royal romance that’s hardly a fairytale
Their family’s press office has modernised since Diana’s death. “Charles’ office, Clarence House, has brought in more commercially minded people … (The royals) are much more controlled, in the same way a Hollywood studio would control the production of a film,” he says.
Ms Middleton is seven years older than Diana was at the same point; she has a university degree, a fledgling career in fashion and an earthy sense of humour. Early indications are that her stable background and level head will prevent the isolation and paranoia that Diana was susceptible to.
In Ms Middleton we see less of Diana and more of Princess Mary — formerly Mary Donaldson of Hobart. She had an established career in advertising and was 31 when she became engaged to Crown Prince Frederik. Support from the Danish establishment was crucial for Mary’s seemingly smooth transition from Aussie girl to royal consort. She learned Danish and was comprehensively tutored in royal life; from deportment and public speaking to the all-important media management.
Mr Wober says such preparation for Ms Middleton is vital. Clarence House did not respond to questions on whether she is receiving training, even though she and William are not engaged.
But Mr Borkowski is adamant that it is under way. “She would be going through a huge amount of training. Of course. Anybody who comes in (does), yes, absolutely.”
But no matter how much preparation Ms Middleton undertakes, Britain’s media is notoriously aggressive and it will have a huge bearing over her future. Ms Middleton’s lawyers have urged editors to exercise restraint. They are liaising with the Press Complaints Commission but have not launched a formal complaint.
On Tuesday, Rupert Murdoch’s News International — owner of The News of the World and The Sun — announced that it would stop buying intrusive paparazzi pictures of Ms Middleton. One News International photographer told the BBC: “This girl is very young, very, very stressed … on her own walking out of that house every morning. She’s had no experience, no training for it, she’s just fallen in love with a prince and she shouldn’t be punished for it.”
William’s spokesman issued a statement, saying: “We are pleased that News International has agreed to stop using the paparazzi pictures. What Prince William wants more than anything is for the paparazzi to stop hassling (Middleton).”