Bill Shorten says the Royals are about as interesting as Married At First Sight


Bill Shorten compared the dramas surrounding the British Royal Family to an episode of Married At First Sight after Princes William and Harry released separate tributes on the death of their grandfather Prince Philip.

Appearing on The Today Show on Tuesday, the former Labor leader likened the issues plaguing the Royals to that of the Nine Network’s controversial dating show.

‘Prince Philip was a very distinguished person, no question. But to dare to be a bit different here, like this is a British family and they have got their troubles, like families have. I don’t want to be a therapist to a foreign family on the other side of the world,’ Mr Shorten said.

‘They are a lovely family. Good luck to them. They have their problems – some people don’t like who their grandsons married. I don’t mind. She [Meghan] seems a nice person. But I don’t care, dare I say it. It is interesting but so is Married At First Sight.’

Appearing on The Today Show on Tuesday, the former Labor Leader compared the recent dramas plaguing the Royals to that of the controversial dating show Married At First Sight

Appearing on The Today Show on Tuesday, the former Labor Leader compared the recent dramas plaguing the Royals to that of the controversial dating show Married At First Sight 

Princes William and Harry paid tribute to their grandfather, Prince Philip, who died on April 9 at age 99

Princes William and Harry paid tribute to their grandfather, Prince Philip, who died on April 9 at age 99

Mr Shorten said he ‘just wants us to get on’ and introduce an Australian head of state.

‘It’s about time after 250 years of European settlement that we decided not to worry about a foreign family as being the key determinance in our nation’s decision making structure,’ he said.

‘I just think there is more important things to worry about right now, like getting the vaccine roll out sorted and underway.’

Mr Shorten’s scathing remarks come after William released a new photograph, taken by his wife Kate, of a then two-year-old Prince George with his great-grandfather in one of his beloved carriages on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk in 2015.

‘I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!’ William said in a statement via Buckingham Palace.

‘My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation.

‘Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support the Queen in the years ahead.

‘I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.’

William said he was grateful to have the Duke of Edinburgh’s ‘enduring presence’ and support during the ‘hardest days’ of his life – a likely nod to death of his mother Princess Diana – and would always be thankful for the ‘kindness he showed’ to Kate since they became a couple in 2003. 

Meanwhile Harry’s statement has been seen as a return to his cheeky prince persona of the past, at a time where critics have accused him of following his wife Meghan Markle’s ‘woke’ ways since they married in 2017. 

Prince William has given this moving tribute to his 'grandpa' Prince Philip, who died on Friday at the age of 99, pledging to continue his work and support the Queen

Prince William has given this moving tribute to his ‘grandpa’ Prince Philip, who died on Friday at the age of 99, pledging to continue his work and support the Queen

Prince Harry's tribute to his grandpa Prince Philip, who he called a 'legend of banter', was released via the Archewell charity he set up with Meghan, not Buckingham Palace

Prince Harry’s tribute to his grandpa Prince Philip, who he called a ‘legend of banter’, was released via the Archewell charity he set up with Meghan, not Buckingham Palace

Harry said: 'Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts' - but chose not to share a statement with his brother William (pictured together in 2017)

Harry said: ‘Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts’ – but chose not to share a statement with his brother William (pictured together in 2017)

The Duke of Cambridge also released a new photograph, taken by his wife Kate, of a then two-year-old Prince George with his great-grandfather in one of his beloved carriages on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk

The Duke of Cambridge also released a new photograph, taken by his wife Kate, of a then two-year-old Prince George with his great-grandfather in one of his beloved carriages on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk

‘My grandfather was a man of service, honour and great humour. He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm – and also because you never knew what he might say next. He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a prince and a duke,’ Harry said in a statement. 

‘You will be sorely missed, but always remembered – by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts.’

The Duke of Sussex spoke out about the Duke of Edinburgh’s death hours after landing at Heathrow without his pregnant wife Meghan Markle ahead of Saturday’s funeral on his first visit to Britain since the couple’s bombshell Oprah interview.  

The Duke of Sussex was reportedly seen leaving his California mansion on Saturday night in a black Cadillac Escalade to board an early-hours flight from LA to London.

Harry’s return to the UK will be the first opportunity to reunite with Prince William and his father Prince Charles, who is said to be ‘looking forward’ to a reunion with his son.

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