We haven’t been hearing about our grandson, Knut, quite as much lately, because he’s visiting the maternal side of his family for the past month or so. He’s in South Korea getting spoiled by his other set of grandparents, in a culture that is making much of the fact that he’s the first grandson in the family. I knew he was getting the royal treatment, but I didn’t realize how much until I got this photo today.
Very traditional. Very classy.
Ed Seedhouse says
So that’s what “Return of the King” was about.
What a Maroon, living up to the 'nym says
They really ought to have taken that down at the beach.
Charly says
The Emperor has clothes. But no shoes.
PZ Myers says
If the emperor chooses not to wear shoes, the emperor does not wear shoes. Otherwise, what’s the point of being emperor?
Stan Gosnell says
My wife is Korean, so I know how important grandchildren are. At least I thought I did, until we had some. Turns out the only reason to have kids in the first place is so you can have grandkids.
anchor says
Now that is snazzy garb!
jimmyfromdelaware says
The first grandchild is so spoiled.
PZ Myers says
#5: Definitely true. Children are just a demanding, difficult intermediate stage in the production of grandchildren.
Rob Grigjanis says
What a Maroon @2: Gah! Beat me to it. And now, a musical interlude.
Giliell says
See that look on his face? He knows.
Ruler of all he surveys for sure.
Reginald Selkirk says
Is this photo 10 months old, or is there something I don’t know about calendar use in Korea?
birgerjohansson says
He looks like the leader of the Time Monks on Discworld, a year after being reincarnated to a younger body.
Very frustrating for the courtiers, with a boss that alternates between discussing policy, and throwing food around.
magistramarla says
We just became grandparents again on September 1. We now have five grandsons and two granddaughters.
This new one is big (9lbs, 7oz at birth), beautiful and already the ruler of all he surveys. Even his 5 yr old brother has become his willing servant. I’ve already seen several pictures with big brother kissing him and being at his service.
gijoel says
That photo reminds me of this for some mysterious reason.
https://youtu.be/FyJvs4pMWv8?t=1m59s
William George says
@5 I don’t blame them. Being an uncle is also superior to being a parent. All the joy, none of the back to school shopping.
jrkrideau says
Personally, I can see him preparing a lecture on punctuated equilibrium as we look at the photo.
Our only hope is that his South Korean grandparents deprogram him in time.
John Morales says
Reginald Selkirk,
I suspect that’s when it was taken, but that PZ was only given the photo today.
(Me, I find the capitalisation on the caption more interesting)
anchor says
@#4: If the Emperor chooses to wiggle his toes in the open air, so be it.
nomdeplume says
Shouldn’t the keading be Knut knews?
Tethys says
Om nom nom. I agree that grandchildren are completely awesome, and those toes and chubby feet are in need of nomming.
I'm pretty sure that is his birthday and time, and this photo is a birth announcement made by his proud grandparents.