The latest royal family drama

[Kinsters]

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.

@wewillmeetagain

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.

I don't really care about them. I do care about the way she in particular has been targeted and the relentless bullying of her that has been allowed to go on in the papers and tv (Piers Morgan) day in, day out. It's hideous. I don't think I've ever seen such hatred aimed at anyone so persistently.

I don't care that they've gone to America. I don't care about the royal family particularly. I think the Oprah interview is a mistake although do wonder if it's actually going to be a positive thing rather than negative. I can't believe they'd go on and slag off the family,

I can imagine if I was Harry that I'd feel let down by my family in not protecting her but they aren't a normal family are they?

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

Quite

I've linked the criticism he received as a result of the inquiry again and again, and there's hardly ever a comment about it
It's almost as if people don't want to accept that the RF contains not one paedophile pal but two

I do care about the way she in particular has been targeted and the relentless bullying of her that has been allowed to go on in the papers and tv (Piers Morgan) day in, day out. It's hideous. I don't think I've ever seen such hatred aimed at anyone so persistently.

How do you feel about the accusations, ones Meghan hasn’t denied, that she is a bully herself? Do you not care about those bullied or is it just Meghan you care about?

@PretendSpeedGun that's what I was going to say.

Why is she the only one allowed to say a certain behaviour is bullying?

I remember doing some training about how to look after children and the subject of bullying. What I remember is: if a person perceives something to be bullying...then it is.

So if someone thought MM was bullying them, then that person is right.

If MM thought someone was bullying them, then MM is right.

There's talk that William's people leaked fake stories about H&M. This Knauf fellow worked for both households and was the one behind the stock "no comment" to those very leaked stories. Knauf apparently works for Will now and, as we know, Harry and Will no longer speak.

It will be interesting to see how much of that is touched on and whether that's why the very specific flurry on this by BuckPalace - which wouldn't normally get involved in Kensington Palace business unless it affected The Crown in some way.

I'm sorry I've missed that Puzzled. I do know about PC and his friendship with Peter Ball. It was very glossed over and PC behaved very badly supporting that man.

@wewillmeetagain

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.

You're right on all counts. It's pointless arguing for or against. In ten years time things will settle down. I wish them all the best and hope they reconcile with their families

@SunbathingDragon

I do care about the way she in particular has been targeted and the relentless bullying of her that has been allowed to go on in the papers and tv (Piers Morgan) day in, day out. It's hideous. I don't think I've ever seen such hatred aimed at anyone so persistently.

How do you feel about the accusations, ones Meghan hasn’t denied, that she is a bully herself? Do you not care about those bullied or is it just Meghan you care about?

She has denied them.

@Puzzledandpissedoff

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

Quite

I've linked the criticism he received as a result of the inquiry again and again, and there's hardly ever a comment about it
It's almost as if people don't want to accept that the RF contains not one paedophile pal but two

Off the top of my head, Catherine Howard was likely to have been 16 years old compared to an almost 50 year old Henry VIII at the beginning. Or 15 year old Mary II getting married. Then there were a couple of queens who were closer to preschool age. I mean if we are flinging accusations around at all the royal family, why not keep going back in history. It’s not as if anyone will run of things to come up with. It’s not as if it actually detracts from what is being discussed about Harry and Meghan either. 🤷🏻‍♀️

You are right Derxa. I’ve said on other threads I hope the Sussexes find peace. I don’t think going on Oprah was the right way to go about it. Watching fractured family relationships is never pleasant. I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle. It’s just a sorry mess.

@kirinm where in this statement, issued by Meghan’s spokesman, is there a denial?

”The duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.

"She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good."

The very carefully worded statement made today does not deny the allegations, kirin.

One aspect of Harry & Meghan's behaviour that has always raised my hackles is their tendency to allow criticism of staff members who are identifiable, knowing full well they will be subject to NDAs or professional obligations and can't answer back. Such as the nanny fired in the middle of the night and written about in Finding Freedom (Omid Scobie also gossiped to an interviewer what her alleged misdeameanour was - lots of people in professional circles will know who that was), Melissa Toubati who was accused by name in Finding Freedom of such unsatisfactory work that Meghan and Harry were not disappointed when she left, and obviously Angela Kelly too, who was roundly criticised in the book. It always seemed like an abuse of their position to me. The current allegations make their attitudes less surprising.

@Serenster

The very carefully worded statement made today does not deny the allegations, kirin.

One aspect of Harry & Meghan's behaviour that has always raised my hackles is their tendency to allow criticism of staff members who are identifiable, knowing full well they will be subject to NDAs or professional obligations and can't answer back. Such as the nanny fired in the middle of the night and written about in Finding Freedom (Omid Scobie also gossiped to an interviewer what her alleged misdeameanour was - lots of people in professional circles will know who that was), Melissa Toubati who was accused by name in Finding Freedom of such unsatisfactory work that Meghan and Harry were not disappointed when she left, and obviously Angela Kelly too, who was roundly criticised in the book. It always seemed like an abuse of their position to me. The current allegations make their attitudes less surprising.

That behaviour is also a form of bullying.

@Serenster

The very carefully worded statement made today does not deny the allegations, kirin.

One aspect of Harry & Meghan's behaviour that has always raised my hackles is their tendency to allow criticism of staff members who are identifiable, knowing full well they will be subject to NDAs or professional obligations and can't answer back. Such as the nanny fired in the middle of the night and written about in Finding Freedom (Omid Scobie also gossiped to an interviewer what her alleged misdeameanour was - lots of people in professional circles will know who that was), Melissa Toubati who was accused by name in Finding Freedom of such unsatisfactory work that Meghan and Harry were not disappointed when she left, and obviously Angela Kelly too, who was roundly criticised in the book. It always seemed like an abuse of their position to me. The current allegations make their attitudes less surprising.

The report I've read refers to the article as being defamatory.

In any event, even if it is true it doesn't mean that suddenly the behaviour towards her for the last however many years is suddenly okay.

Absolute fucking gold 🤣 🌟
twitter.com/munyachawawa/status/1367182324291493894?s=20

Would the article cause injury or damage to the reputation of the Duchess of Sussex? If yes, then the words can be considered defamatory. It may also however be true, and truth is an absolute defence to defamation though. See what I said about it being very carefully worded?

@bushhbb

The timing of this being dug up again also makes RF look desperate and pathetic and almost discredits the claims slightly. Just very petty. But I suppose they can do no wrong.

Exactly this. Anyone who's old enough to remember the breakdown of the Wales' marriage, will emember how the RF briefed against Diana. The timing of this is so obvious, just before next week's interview. It's always her they go after isn't it, never Harry.

I do hope they are putting as much energy into investigating Andy's activities over many years. Probably not.

"Meghan...used the Queen's corgis...in jollof rice recipe" still laughing 🤣🤣🤣

@Serenster

Would the article cause injury or damage to the reputation of the Duchess of Sussex? If yes, then the words can be considered defamatory. It may also however be true, and truth is an absolute defence to defamation though. See what I said about it being very carefully worded?

It isn't defamatory if it's true. So by saying it's defamatory, they're saying it's not true. Yes truth is a defence but that has absolutely nothing to do with using the word defamatory.

At some point we may or may not find out. Who knows. The damage is done now regardless.

In any event, even if it is true it doesn't mean that suddenly the behaviour towards her for the last however many years is suddenly okay.

One of the reasons that the publication of Finding Freedom had so many of the royal journalists absolutely spitting feathers with rage was the fact that so many of the stories that they had sourced and published in the last few years about the Duchess, and which had been vehemently rebuffed as complete fabrications and terrible press bullying, were suddenly revealed to have been true all along. I don't know if any of the journalists have ever gone through and done a thorough audit of which stories still can be shouted down as inaccurate, but I bet some of them are quite tempted to!

Well then kirinm, let's wait and see if they sue The Times for defamation then, shall we?

[quote PicsInRed]Absolute fucking gold 🤣 🌟
twitter.com/munyachawawa/status/1367182324291493894?s=20[/quote]
🤣🤣🤣
Bit me to it @PicsInRed

I used to like Meghan Markle. But when she chopped up bodies withe her earrings, while she did some massacre with avocados all the while bullying bats. Well, thank goodness Kate was there to stop her killing Charlotte with those flowers.

🤣🤣

@Serenster

Well then kirinm, let's wait and see if they sue The Times for defamation then, shall we?

I honestly don't know if you are intending to have a tone with your post or not. I object to the way she's been treated by the press and Piers Morgan. Yet somehow that makes me approve of her bullying?

Get a grip.

So by saying it's defamatory, they're saying it's not true. Yes truth is a defence but that has absolutely nothing to do with using the word defamatory. No, they are saying it damages her reputation. They are not at any point saying it’s not true. You, like many they are hoping to fool with the wording, are reading it as a denial. It isn’t.

@TheCatWithTheFluffyTail has nailed it - it is defamatory of course it is. Something can be defamatory whilst also being true. Problem is, if it is true then you won't win a court claim for defamation as truth is an absolute defence. She has not denied these allegations at all. Very well crafted response without any denials.