Royal style & gossip: more gowns, less frowns

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Link to previous thread.

And once again, let's keep this good-spirited. Spiteful comments are about as welcome as Fergie at Prince Philip's birthday party!

I have finally caught up! Re: Thomas and MM. they seem to have had quite a close relationship for a long time and that article says she lived with him from 11. Obviously no one knows what has gone on but it must be so hard for to be, what he thinks is close to his daughter, to not even speaking to her. I thought all the about MM was made up because her 'star' had waned. But now I am thinking there is no smoke without fire. Then who knows really?!

The flat Kate and her sister lived in is very classy and tasteful. Just because they were younger when they were there does not mean everything had to be tacky pink and glitter.

I think the flat is beautiful. When I had my first house in my 20’s it was all antique furniture (because it was given by my parents) it wasn’t ikea. Not all twenties have ikea or Argos.

Have just caught up and I have to say I feel so sorry for MM. her family sound like a bunch of narcissists. What a year she's had, I wish the media would just leave her alone.

I haven't read the DM article on Thomas Markle. I really couldn't be bothered. I don't whether he is a narcissist or not. However Meghan is an adult with a family of her own now. She has to do what is right for her, Harry & the baby. No contact would appear the best way forward. I do feel sorry for the dad, but not for the sister. There's probably as much infighting and bitching in the RF as well, its just not aired in public.

Right, I'm off to the Crown thread to discuss!

...her family sound like a bunch of narcissists.

That explains why she behaves as she does.

As someone who, on the surface, was very close to my parents and sibling for over 40 years (I now realise out of a sense of misplaced duty), and went NC 3 years ago I fully agree that we don't know what has gone on. Any person reserves the right to go NC with their parents of the relationship is bad for their health. I can't imagine how stressful it must be for her having it takes over in the press every few weeks. Once you've made the (very hard) decision you just want to put it behind you. I can't imagine being in DoS' shoes.

I do wonder if PW is thinking "I did try to tell you..." or if he is being very supportive. Such a contrast with his own experience with the in-laws.

That flat was a very good buy. 3 bedrooms in Chelsea, it was always going to just. Go up and up in value. And great for the kids. Had they never ever married well and had to work for a living and not been very successful, they'd have been OK - just look at James, lol!

The difference with the two duchesses families is key. Kate appears to have a very stable upbringing with parents and particularly mother who can hold her wellbeing in mind. Megan appears to have experienced more loss, parents separated, living with father for some of adolescence, different homes, parents, half siblings. After what PH and PW have been through with their own mother, the strength of the Middleton family must really be an asset to Kate and PW. I do wonder and fear for PH and MM who will not have this source of support.

But LadyCassandra.. she was talking to him at that point. He was invited to the wedding! Agree he’s behaved appallingly since, but he isn’t going to go away.

Well William has the Middleton home as a safe and easy sanctuary. The Royal Family is vast but they are like satellites with their own paths. They only occasionally intersect and seem to keep themselves to themselves the rest of the time. It's not like they can just pop in unannounced anywhere.

I don't have much close family and it is bit sad. I have no parents to see at the weekend, no family home to visit. However once kids come, you tend to make your own little nucleus and you grow up a bit. A welcoming family is nice to have, but you realise that actually you will be the welcoming family for the kids when they grow up. So it's just the way life goes.

I imagine it is harder if there are no kids. I have a sister with no kids and she finds weekends lonely. So she tends to drop in on us! So I guess we have become the substitute for that family nest.

It's easier to have a cosy loving Middleton background, but you can be content without it, is my point.

@applecatchers36
I do agree about the stable family support. PW has also benefitted from the Middletons. He has know them pretty much all of his adult life and has learned what normal family life is through them, and has shown he wants this recreated for his children.
To be fair to Meghan, she has got a close relationship to her mum; but she is miles away. I do wonder why Meghan lived with her Dad for a bit and for how long; that part of her life has not been publicized much.

I think the "well she lived with him" thing is probably a red herring

How many threads have there been here from Mums worried their X is trying to turn their DS or DD against them post divorce?

How many threads with Mums distressed because their teen has become rebellious and decided to go and live with Disney Dad because he's a soft touch?

And then you grow up and you see through the bullshit and you see that your Mum WAS the supportive one and your Dad was manipulative and absent/surface

There are other options for interior decoration when you're in your 20s other than tacky pink glitter or Argos/ Ikea...

Thomas Markle seems a toxic parent and if Meghan posted here she'd be told to go NC with him. Just look at the stately homes thread.

there is no smoke without fire

I really do wish people would stop saying this on these threads. Sometimes there is no fire, but just make-up bullshit. And the suspicion of fire is just what bullies often want people to think.

I totally agree. I've been NC with my friends parents for some time now. It was a terribly painful decision to make, but had to be done for the sake of my mental health and being able to care for my children.

Her dad is showing how he views her; as a possession "everything Meghan is, is what I made her" or words to that affect. He sounds like a nightmare and I don't blame her for going NC if that's what she's chosen to do!

*with my family and parents that should read!

I live in south ken, and this sort decor is bit typical of this area, English classic/ country. Some are really gorgeous,but I must say their apartment is bit underwhelming.

Didn't Pippa live in parsons green?

Also as to the statement in that article that she lived solely with her father from age 11, that would be a highly unusual arrangement. I am fairly sure, based on statements Meghan has made and my general knowledge of divorce laws in the US, that she divided her time between her parents. That has been the norm in the US for a long time, unless there are unusual circumstances.

There are relentless rumours of an unusual circumstance but nobody ever substantiates them.

Meghans mother went off with a bunch of hippies 'to find herself' that is the reason Meghan lived with her father.

Do we know that for sure or is it just a rumour?

The chances that flat hasn't been redecorated in some way since Kate lived there are slim.

Also, it looks like it's been staged, so half the stuff probably doesn't belong to anyone, it's just for show.

If I was the PR advisor to the RF I would be urging some low level contact to be made as someone else suggested. They don't need to be best friends but keep your enemies close etc etc.