Harry and Meghan-part 2

[BertrandRussell]

Following on from this -it was just getting interesting. Someone posted about how Meghan called herself a feminist but hadn’t earned the title. I was interested to know how you earned the title- but the thread ended.

That spending was in honour and for a party thrown for Meghan, so yes, I think we have a point criticising her.

As for rowing across the Atlantic, the same argument was made above, see OP's comment about Morisson's catering. Again, if you really want your party in the US, despite claiming how green and environmentally friendly you are, then there are other options. As far as I know there are scheduled flights, so clearly rowing is not the only alternative option.

Of course you might think using a private plane and spending half a million on a party is noting out of ordinary and in good taste.

“Of course you might think using a private plane and spending half a million on a party is noting out of ordinary and in good taste”

I think for people like Serena
Williams and the Clooneys it probably is nothing out of the ordinary, frankly. Rafa Nadal is wearing a watch worth half a million as we speak!

But the point is- Meghan didn’t spend it- her friends did. How is that her fault?

For her party, so at any time she would have had the chance to say Hang on a minute, this is a bit tone deaf, can we tone it down a bit.

So I don't care who spent the money, it doesn't change my opinion that it was crass and vulgar.

What's with all the black and white photos they release? I suppose it's because you can't see he's a ginger.

Ah so this allegedly intelligent woman hasn't got a mind of her own to see how ott extravagant displays of wealth for a tea party looks crass?

You do realise that the everyday lives of this family are therefore "crass" by your definition?

It's not possible to have a monarchy and expect them to live frugally. That goes against what a monarchy stands for. The very definition of that institution is that they're better than the rest of us. If they led ordinary lives, they'd be obsolete.

Perhaps you prefer them to get on with it behind closed doors and not tell us about their luxury skiing trips and tropical paradise vacations?

The others must be loving having the heat off them while MM is under the spotlight.

Maybe if we really had in-depth about all of their everyday lives we'd be a republic by now

Maybe - though I still think they're reasonably protected as long as the Queen lives

Speaking of extravagance around aircraft, I see it's reported that Charles the avid "environmentalist" arrived by helicopter today. I believe he was in Wales yesterday, but last time I looked there was a perfectly good train service ...

I seem to recall with the baby shower there appeared to be a lot influencer type gifting going on too which isn't a great look for the royals.

No one believes the RF don't live a life of great luxury but the smarter ones cover it up a bit. Kate must have loads of rich friends and am sure they do amazing holidays etc together but maybe not in the centre of New York and maybe not with celebs desperate to post everything on their Instagram stories.

They know everything they do is picked over and judged and they hire very expensive PR and social media people so use them.

But for people like the Clooneys and Serena Williams that’s not crass, it’s just everyday life! It was just a party to them- it’s all relative.

It's pretty hypocritical to plead for everyone to reduce their carbon footprint on a poorly-written, sanctimonious post on Boastagram in the same week it is revealed that the royal family's carbon footprint has doubled in a year - and after the Duchess has enjoyed a gas guzzling baby shower (it's not relevant who paid for it).

It all smacks as do as I say etc.

I'm sure other members of the RF are profligate but they have the nous to keep it under the radar and balance it with the odd 'recycled' outfit, 5 bar electric fire and Tupperware breakfast container.

Sack the publicists!

I'm sure other members of the RF are profligate but they have the nous to keep it under the radar and balance it with the odd 'recycled' outfit, 5 bar electric fire and Tupperware breakfast container.

How depressing that we're ok with all this as long as it's hushed up and we don't get our noses rubbed in it.

“and after the Duchess has enjoyed a gas guzzling baby shower (it's not relevant who paid for it).”

Ironically, she guzzled no gas- she went on the Clooney’s plane that was going anyway.

My only gripe is that why don't we hear more about the other royals and the times when they stay with celeb and billionaire friends? Yes Charles often used to holiday on the yachts of his rich friends but we don't hear so much about it now.

Who says the Sussex couple aren't keen on the general public - I would have said the opposite - and what is wrong with monochrome photographs? Many people think they are quite smart, I do too, love black and white. Regarding the baby shower, I knew nothing about that but people on here often talk about extravagant baby showers and they are quite a thing in the USA. She's an extremely wealthy American with many friends so not a big deal.

Honestly, what a lot of fuss about nothing.

Just looked at the photographs and they are lovely, beautiful baby.

Bertrand - you are beginning to sound like that mother at school who blamed all their child's misdemeanours on their friends

Meghan is clever - she knows how it looks to be pictured on a private jet.

The black and white picture is lovely. The group one is a bit rubbish though- amazed that was the best of the packet!

@BertrandRussell
we now have a royalty on their terms and it doesn’t really work

Completely agree. It is going to be a constant battle to keep the press at bay, he’s not going to have a normal childhood and the harder they push back against it (whilst expecting the tax payer to fund it) the more it will piss people off.

William and Kate do a great job of throwing a few bones to the public without too much intrusion, as did Anne. It’s a fine line. Admittedly the American element adds extra interest to American press, but I really think the palace could handle it. If they let them.

it’s like those high profile injunctions, genuinely couldn’t give a shit, but the minute you slap an injunction and tell me I ‘cant’ know, well, I’m desperate to know.

“Meghan is clever - she knows how it looks to be pictured on a private jet“

So better to actually increase her carbon footprint for the sake of the optics?

Some of us must be looking at different occasions & photos.
I certainly didn't think the Baby Shower was crass or vulgar.
Why waste money on a plane ticket when you can get a free lift?

What's wrong with spending money if you have it?
Before I get the argument but we pay for the RF. No we don't. The Sovereign grant comes out of the profits of the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate that was signed over to the government of the day by George III as he was strapped for cash & doing so absolved him for paying for much of the country's upkeep such as defence etc.
The Crown Estate has given billions to government over the last 200 plus years.
Anyway this point has been flogged to death on these threads sometimes I think to no avail.

I buy downloads & CDs from musicians so I'm one of millions paying for their lifestyle.
I pay to see movies at the cinema so my money is going towards those actors lifestyles.
I buy books from authors.

The RF provide me with entertainment which is worth the £2 or so of my portion of the Sovereign grant (that's if the Sovereign grant could be shared out amongst the population but it can't)

Finally the RF do also have their own money from inherited wealth & income from investment portfolios.

Good luck to them I say.
I'm not jealous at all, I just wish I had loads of money, don't we all.

We'll all have to agree to disagree.

Do you think it’s an element of British wealth vs american wealth.
IN Britain we see a flash car and think “cock”. U.s they look and go “good for them”.

But they have thrown a few bones to the public - they appear at events, had a public wedding and appeared in public with the baby - H also appeared in front of the press to talk about the birth. Now people have seen christening photos.

What more do people want? They are lower down the pecking order than W&K so why do people want more?

Kevin that's probably right.

Bertrand I know you aren't stupid

Why do you think they spend £££ of PR etc - it is all about the optics for them.

Maybe not be seen to be supporting travel by private jet. Slum it in first class on a commercial flight like the rest of the 1%

Meghan was a blogger she is all about the optics. If she was an average billionaire's wife then fine - travel by private jet never wear anything but couture and re-do our house every year. But she is not - she is a part of the Royal Family and the optics matter.

But you know all of this.

“Bertrand I know you aren't stupid wink”
No, i’m not. But the RF has been playing the British Public for fools for years. There was a very serious mumsnetter recently going on about the Queen’s frugal streak, and how wonderful it was she reused Christmas wrapping paper. And we’re supposed to applaud that while quietly ignoring the fact that she has 6 palaces and her own train. And the Cambridges spent 4 mill ( I think) on their hoUse -including moving the tennis court 6 feet to the left. And that’s all fine. But Meghan goes to in a friend’s
to a party paid for by her friends, and she’s the extravagant one??