Royal style & gossip: from maximum Maxima to minimalist Meghan

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Previous thread:

Royal style & gossip: what do we want? Frock shots! When do we want them? Now!

Dropping in to say that Anne de Courcy's The Husband Hunters, about American heiresses marrying British aristos, is 99p on Amazon today. Thought I'd mention it in case it's of interest to any Downton fans, or of course the spooks who now have us on their radar.

I don't believe in a rift based on the information that's been offered, which doesn't add up to much more than M&H wanting to raise their children in the country just as W&K did. I could believe in a culture clash between Meghan and the Palace - bearing in mind that the various royal households are very much in their own little world and even Brits have trouble adjusting - but I certainly can't fault Meghan for having a work ethic and a point of view.

Is anyone else as staggered as me at the many houses that they all have? And it’s just not one stately pile each couple has it’s also their “apartments” and “cottages” let alone other places in the Cotswolds, Balmoral etc and probably places we are unaware of, that picture of Sophie and Edwards house...... it really does bring it home the staggering amount of wealth and privilege they have. I love a bit of royal gossip and fashion but when you see some of their many homes it actually makes me feel it is all a bit wrong.......

Yes, it’s pretty mind blowing Betty. I’d never given much consideration to where the royals all lived - especially the more obscure/elderly ones. Fancy living a life of absolute luxury simply because you’re descended from a long dead monarch. How many generations does it take before you have to get a job (albeit a posh non-job handed to you on a plate because... connections)?

Was Bagshot purpise built for them? I can't decide of it looks new or refurbed. It is vast. I can't imagine why a family of four would need such a house, even with staff. I guess the bigger house the more grounds so good for privacy and security? But still. I find huge houses not at all cosy. I wouldn't want one.

It’s not just Royalty there are grace and favour apartmentscand properties all over for the great and the good. A friend who used to work in the field said some properties were absolutely amazing with just one person rattling around in them.

Bag shot I think belonged to the crown but had been leased to the army. There was a huge renovation done on it when Sophie and Edward moved it.

Is anyone else as staggered as me at the many houses that they all have?

I know!

Imagine the annoyance of realising you'd left your favourite sunglasses or whatever at Balmoral once you got back to Windsor.

Or calling your mobile when you couldn't find it and thinking "I can't hear it ring... Is it on silent or did I leave it at Frogmore....?"

Yes! I always wonder about the multiple homes thing. DP has on occasion suggested the idea of a country retreat but I always think it must be a PITA having to pack up to go to the countryside at the weekend - do you have 2 lots of everything to keep there? How do you keep track of food in 2 kitchens?! Maybe servants make the process a lot easier for the royals!

Frogmore seems a good choice - a lot more privacy than Kensington with all the tourists milling around (I go walking in the park quite often and am guilty of trying to have a nose). But they are still near enough to London, close to Heathrow for Doria jumping on and off the plane to visit the baby, and for getting out to the Cotswolds.

I have friends whose parents have houses in three different European countries. They are in their 70s and very frugal (although wealthy). She was telling me that when she left home A for home B earlier this year she packed some sausages in her suitcase because they needed using up. And she said she often wants a specific item such as a favourite shawl and remembers it's a plane journey away.

Was Bagshot purpose built for them?

No, it's much older than that. Here you go: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagshot_Park

120 rooms apparently; rather a lot for a family of four, even with staff, but then why not if you know you can help yourself to a massive pile on largely public money?

Sorry to intrupt all the house chat has anyone seen Fergie and Eugenie out tonight

Is anyone else as staggered as me at the many houses that they all have?

🙋🏼‍♀️ I didn’t realise the extent of it till I joined these threads. I don’t know what I thought before. Perhaps that they had, at most, two houses each, an everyday home and a country escape? It seems I grossly underestimated things.

I always think it must be a PITA having to pack up to go to the countryside at the weekend

Yeh. The first thing that sprung to my mind was toiletries. Packing up body wash and other leak prone products, no thanks. Lucky they are richhhhhh so they can have a complete set at every address! Clothes I suppose is similar 🤷🏼‍♀️

I wasn't sure if it was a modern house. Could have been either from that photo. Thanks for the link. What on earth are the 120 rooms though?! Even if there are 20 bedrooms and bathrooms. That still leaves 80 rooms. It's mind boggling.

PS is that definitely a photo from tonight? Looks like Eugenie is wearing the same dress as the other night?

I like Rania’s outfit in Japan. The fillers appear to be wearing off

Looks like Maxima has a watered down version of the designer’s original vision ....

Meghan in traditional headdress in Malta in 2015 ( apparently she has a Maltese great grandmother.)

Honestly; I thought she was auditioning for The Handmaid’s Tale.

Prince Harry arrives in Zambia.
( He is greeted by someone taking style tips from Queen Maxima)

Apparently Zara & ike Tindall live at Gatcombe Park; Princess Anne’s gaff.

CurlyWurly that's a heck of a hood!

Ohh maybe not she put it on her instagram tonight so I assumed it was tonight but maybe it's just a delayed post as you were then

How come everyone's talking about cottages?

I thought this was S&B?!

Ooh Génie looks amazing in that frock

halfwit style extending to 'lifestyle'? Lots of scope for that on these threads.

I’m finding all the chat quite interesting not just the S&B stuff 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’d love to know what skincacre the Duchesses use! I’d also love to see Kate in something like the outfit Rania is earring that Curly posted above 😍