Kate and William holiday for two !

And how anyone can say it's a pr exercise taking him to Australia is beyond me! They would be away from him for much longer.

I think having to parade around smiling and shaking hands, and looking happy evenif you're not, must be pretty awful. And all that sitting watching parades, and aborigines and the like prancing around, with all eyes, plus tv cameras, on youwould definitely be gruelling.

Like I say, lucky granny.

I certainly don't think they are doing themselves any favours in the popularity stakes.

* Lona* Yes , it is partly at our expense e.g. security staff.

Jing Hardly gruelling, basically doing what many of us do on holiday but everything arranged for them and first class.

Taking George to Aussie, yes , certainly a PR exercise as they are obviously not that bothered about leaving him.

It wouldn't have entered my head to go off on holiday without either of my children, especially at 8 months old!

To be fair, the official tour to the Antipodes will be much longer than their jaunt to the Maldives and it would be far more damaging to leave George at home for that prolonged period.

Gruelling jingl? Really?

I'm actually really shocked and disappointed to hear this. I mean, she can't be exhausted looking after a baby with all the help she gets. I wouldn't have been able to physically travel so far away from my baby; it would have been tantamount to cutting one of my arms off.

That's not fair nightowl. They have got a gruelling tour coming up. Why should n't they have a holiday beforehand? They took the baby to the last trip away, which was a family thing to celebrate Mrs M' s birthday.

Carole M doesn't strike me as being someone to be nervous of very much at all really. Bet she will love it.

They exist at our expense Lona. I don't mind that, I would prefer a slimmed down monarchy to a republic but I do expect value for money and I'm not sure any of them should be having so many expensive holidays in times of austerity. They should perhaps follow the Queen's example.

As a Granny and Grandpa looking after the future king of England I would be scared witless of caring for him whilst parents are away. I bet there will be professional back up though.

Is this holiday at 'our expense' nightowl?

I don't care whether they leave their baby behind or not (and I have read that it's with granny and grandpa so I'm sure they are indeed delighted). What I do care about is the fact that their life seems to be one long holiday at our expense.

And I feel a little bit cynical now about the fact they are taking him on the tour of Australia in a few weeks time. I wasn't a particular fan of Diana but I genuinely believe that when she took baby William to Australia it was because she couldn't bear to leave him behind, and she broke with royal protocol to do so. William and Kate obviously feel differently about leaving George behind so I can only assume they are taking him to Australia as a PR exercise. I am sadly disillusioned by this young couple.

Plus her tan could hardly have faded after the last holiday at end of January in Mustique .
Hmmm

Must admit I was slightly surprised , have also read that they will be having a night away from him when they are on their New Zealand tour !!
Ho Hum eh ?
Are they turning into "Royals" if you get my drift !

Who are they leaving the baby with? And how long for?

Could be Granny and Grandad M are delighted!

Sorry, if one has a child, one should look after it. If it is not appropriate to take a small baby to a specific country for whatever reason, one should not go. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made.