Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

The latest royal family drama

999 replies

Kinsters · 03/03/2021 05:52

It's like a TV show. How embarrassing!

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/royal-aides-reveal-meghan-bullying-claim-before-oprah-interview-7sxfvd2c3

The latest is that Meghan is accused of bullying staff. Harry and Meghan then responded that Buckingham Palace was using the Times to peddle false stories/a smear campaign. So presumably the "leak" comes from Buckingham Palace/the Queen.

It's all so childish. Why can't they all just be grateful for the extremely cushy life that they have!

I'll be watching the Oprah interview. I think the royals never come across well in these kind of things. Like Andrew's awful interview...he's just so out of touch with reality. And I think that's a characteristic that Harry unfortunately shares with him.

OP posts:
GreenSlide · 03/03/2021 19:52

@somethingonthecarpet

I just don't understand why there is all this mud-slinging between them all. If this bullying thing is a calculated smear, why would they when they've not seen the Oprah thing yet. The Oprah thing could be perfectly nice, and just a bit of banging on about their good deeds to advertise their Netflix and Spotify stuff.
Pretty sure the Queen will be privy to an advance viewing.
PretendSpeedGun · 03/03/2021 19:52

There is also a key difference, the allegations around Andrew relate to his personal life. The allegations against Meghan relate to her conduct towards employees of the Palace in her position as a senior royal. It is clear that Knauf was a whistle blower at the time but his warnings were not adequately investigated. As an employer the Palace has no choice now but to investigate these claims - as any corporate would do in the same position. Workplace bullying should not be tolerated anywhere - most corporates are all over this at the moment.

Bertiebiscuit · 03/03/2021 19:52

I have a great deal of sympathy for Meghan - she was treated to misogyny and racism in the UK and she is entitled to speak frankly to whoever she likes about this. I just question her husband choices

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Puzzledandpissedoff · 03/03/2021 19:53

I'm sure the FBI can fly over if they want to

No doubt they can, but it wouldn't guarantee access to anyone if the palace didn't wish it; only too easy to announce a sudden tactical "illness" or whatever

Frankly, though, I'm just amazed the thread's still here - maybe, with the story all over absolutely everything, it's too big to be crushed this time

TheCatWithTheFluffyTail · 03/03/2021 19:55

@Storingeggs

Attempting to smear Meghan by accusing her of bullying when we all watched Meghan being torn apart daily by the media and anyone else who felt like it is really a case of transference. Meghan was horrifically bullied and Harry was probably right to remove her from that pressure. Regardless of whether they are privileged or not, that was not enjoyable to watch every day and nobody deserves to go through that level of hate because they married someone. I do think sometimes the least said, soonest mended.
But that is an issue with the media. The Times’ article is about Meghan’s treatment of those under her. It’s totally different.
TheCatWithTheFluffyTail · 03/03/2021 19:56

@Lookingforwardto2021

If i was Ph and MM, I would laugh and ask for more transparency and investigation and accountability. Oh, I’m being accused of bullying, let’s have a proper ethics committee or even an employment tribunal investigation! Oh, questions about our finances? We encourage transparency, investigations and FOI for the RF finances! That would send the RF scurrying 😃

The whole I’m a victim bit can be a bit tiresome.

And then what would Harry and Meghan have financially to fall back on?
Lookingforwardto2021 · 03/03/2021 19:59

Huh? Their Netflix and Spotify deals are plenty.

The Rf would never agree to external scrutiny of their affairs.

Gosh PH and MM need to learn from sumo wrestling, the art of using their opponents weight to unsettle them 😊

SunbathingDragon · 03/03/2021 20:00

@Puzzledandpissedoff

I'm sure the FBI can fly over if they want to

No doubt they can, but it wouldn't guarantee access to anyone if the palace didn't wish it; only too easy to announce a sudden tactical "illness" or whatever

Frankly, though, I'm just amazed the thread's still here - maybe, with the story all over absolutely everything, it's too big to be crushed this time

It reminds me of when any comment that linked or related to a story in the media that was negative was deleted on the basis of being made up media-bottom-feeding lies. Then Finding Freedom came out, the judge said Meghan contributed towards the book and fed its author information, so then all those articles were fair game. 🤷🏻‍♀️
catinbootsx · 03/03/2021 20:10

@PicsInRed

Jason Knauf's email effectively says "ooooer, they were so mean and people are so hurt and just so totally broken" without saying anything specific about what was actually said or done.

What did Meghan actually say which was hurtful?
What did she actually DO?
NOTHING or they would have said.

It's all subjective feelings and "terror" 🤣 of the staff and courtiers. Whatever happened to a British stiff upper lip? I thought all this feelings stuff was embarrassing American guff? Or is that only until it's convenient to have the feelings?

For all we know, they found her too "loud", too "aggressive" and/or didn't like her "tone". Then declared themselves "bullied". Hmm

I presume you are joking?
CathyorClaire · 03/03/2021 20:10

@Mummy195

H&M did put out a statement saying they were self funding.
And again.

Can you provide a link to this and how does it square with the recent revelation that Charles has been funding their mail service and will only cease to do so at the end of next month?

Roussette · 03/03/2021 20:14

What is a mail service? The Post Office redirection to a new address?!

ImAncient · 03/03/2021 20:21

These allegations do not do any favours to either the Sussexes or BP.

If the allegations are found to have substance & the BP knew about them at the time & failed to investigate it doesn’t look good at all on BP.

Also people asking about PA all the time. What is there to say? He’s a nasty piece of work? Yes of course he is. But I’m not sure we will ever get an answer there while HM is alive & not forgetting there are I think allegations involving Epstein, Trump & Clinton. I doubt they can go just after PA without going after 2 ex presidents.

Brefugee · 03/03/2021 20:24

Pretty sure the Queen will be privy to an advance viewing.

I don't think Her Maj will watch it. Someone (one of the Moustaches) will watch it for her and brief her on the contents. TBH I'm pretty sure she must have other things on her mind right now.

Can the FBI just waltz into UK and demand to interview a British citizen? I'm pretty sure, outside of extraordinary rendition, they can't. I'd like to see them try to stuff that fucker into a van outside Buck House!

Mummy195 · 03/03/2021 20:25

MN does not allow me to attach files, sorry. But if you scroll down to the end of this article it states :

*Correction: Sept. 2, 2020
An earlier version of this article referred incorrectly to a source of income for Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. They do not draw income from the Duchy of Cornwall, as they did before they left Britain *

It has been reported a lot of times, even the RRs were tweeting about it so am a bit surprised you are not aware.

www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/business/media/harry-meghan-netflix.html
also

people.com/royals/meghan-markle-prince-harry-not-receiving-financial-support-prince-charles/

PicsInRed · 03/03/2021 20:26

Can the FBI just waltz into UK and demand to interview a British citizen? I'm pretty sure, outside of extraordinary rendition, they can't.

No of course not, you're right. Preposterous idea.

PretendSpeedGun · 03/03/2021 20:28

Maybe Nicola Sturgeon should have just answered every question 'But what about Prince Andrew' - seems to work here..

PicsInRed · 03/03/2021 20:30

@PretendSpeedGun

Maybe Nicola Sturgeon should have just answered every question 'But what about Prince Andrew' - seems to work here..
Maybe she should have gone to Pizza Express? Worked for him.
PretendSpeedGun · 03/03/2021 20:31

It's also lovely to see all of Meghan and Harry's friends, employees and former work colleagues come out today to defend them against these preposterous allegations. Oh hold on, wait..

Not even Elton John has planted a tree for them this time.

PicsInRed · 03/03/2021 20:36

@PretendSpeedGun

It's also lovely to see all of Meghan and Harry's friends, employees and former work colleagues come out today to defend them against these preposterous allegations. Oh hold on, wait..

Not even Elton John has planted a tree for them this time.

I just 5 minutes ago watched one English friend and colleague defend her on Sky News.

So there you go.

Mummy195 · 03/03/2021 20:37

@PretendSpeedGun

It's also lovely to see all of Meghan and Harry's friends, employees and former work colleagues come out today to defend them against these preposterous allegations. Oh hold on, wait..

Not even Elton John has planted a tree for them this time.

Last time EJ tried to defend them, his words got so twisted by the press......

I think everyone learned (see the 5 friends who were almost called to court) that the smear is way beyond them.

Serenster · 03/03/2021 20:37

@Roussette

What is a mail service? The Post Office redirection to a new address?!
Prince Charles has paid for staff to manage and respond to the large amount of correspondence addressed to to the Duke & Duchess in the UK. Given Christmas, then Duchess' recent miscarriage and then pregnancy announcement, the upcoming interview etc, this has apparently, been a lot (more than one person, full-time apparently, so an annual cost of at least 30,000-40,000). They'll now have to pay themselves for someone to deal with it.
wewillmeetagain · 03/03/2021 20:38

It seems to me that there is a massive divide when it comes to H &M. Those that can't stand them and those that will not hear a word against them no matter what they do. I tried to say about them bullying staff and the high rate of staff leaving on here the other day and was basically called a liar. Low and behold this comes out today! Leaking this now is definitely a strategic move by the palace to discredit them ahead of Oprahs interview.

Roussette · 03/03/2021 20:40

Serenster thanks for the info.

CathyorClaire · 03/03/2021 20:41

I'm sure the FBI can fly over if they want to

They shouldn't need to. Andrew went on national TV and said he would co-operate with enquiries. There is nothing stopping him offering an informal interview remotely from any of the many palaces he's free to skulk around.

Everyone knew what Saville was up to? Even the hospitals that gave him access? Even the public who supported his fund raising? Of course everyone knows now and they all have perfect recall of what they "knew" back then

I don't believe the general public had an inkling of what he was up to but his wrongdoing at the BBC was an open secret as were his attacks on helpless children in hospital. Even Esther Rantzen has admitted she heard rumours of his activities and used her junior reporter status as an excuse not to act. This was the woman who later founded Childline and still didn't act during his lifetime.

And while we're talking royals and sex offenders it's worth remembering Charles' support for Peter Ball even after his caution for sex abuse in 1992.

Serenster · 03/03/2021 20:42

The palace has just bought into a world of pain though with their statement tonight though. Speaking as someone who was working somewhere that went through its own #metoo cultural crisis a few years ago, once you make it clear that people can speak up and will be taken seriously, an awful lot can come out of the woodwork. That's a high-risk strategy, at best...