Royal style & gossip: back to style, back to reality...

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Sorry! I was in a meeting and dropped the ball.

Previous thread and previous rules apply!

I think it was reported that Archie stayed behind but I'm sure his father and nanny are perfectly capable of looking after him for a weekend. Leaving your baby for 48 hours is nothing by royal standards!

Archie will barely notice she’s gone .... for literally 48 hours.
Would have done Meghan the world of good to go home and catch up with some friends.

FWIW, I thought the denim dress was fab. Scouring online to find something suitable for me for Autumn.

@CurlyWurlyTwirly I noticed lots of denim shirt dresses in the shops today so you shouldn't find it too hard to find one.

@QueenOfTheAndals
Thanks; I’m in the UK in a couple of weeks so I’ll have a look.
Otherwise it’s La Redoute or M&S ( oh the Per Una shame! )

@CurlyWurlyTwirly Try Warehouse when you're here, I saw loads in there.

Thanks for thé heads up

nothing's "started" @BertrandRussell. As I said, it's just how I feel. Not worried whether anyone else feels the same. Each to their own.

I'm with Audacity! I think my PFB went for a sleepover at my parents' at about 4 months. I know DH took her to his parents' for the weekend not long after that.

I have to admit that I have an extreme, and admittedly unreasonable, prejudice against denim dresses, but I think Meghan looked great in hers. (My prejudice comes from a very stylish friend of mine years ago referring to someone's denim dress as the female equivalent of the "Texas Tuxedo.")

Would have done Meghan the world of good to go home and catch up with some friends.

Yes, to this. Considering all of the nastiness that she is subjected to in some quarters of the UK media, it was likely a healing antidote.

I went back to work when my PFB was four months old! As a teacher I planned to have him in the spring so that officially I went back to work at the start of the summer holidays (full pay) and then my part time contract started in the September. It meant I didn't miss the start of the new school year. That was 16 years ago though so much less maternity leave on offer than there is now. I cried buckets the first time I left him at nursery. Not sure I could have left him overnight at that age though, in fact even now I don't get to do it as we've never had anyone to leave our kids with! It's one of those things I can't get too bothered about either way really, family dynamics and what's right/wrong aren't anyone else's business and one of the things I learned as a new parent was that whatever you do someone will judge and tell you it's wrong, and whatever you do you'll feel guilty about it at some point, so you have to have confidence that what you're doing is the right thing for your little family and just get on with it.

I'm not judging anybody for going back to work and putting their baby in a nursery. I was lucky, didn't have to (although sacrifices had to be made). It's a bit different going across the world on a weekend jolly. I just wouldn't have wanted to myself.

Oh no, I didn't mean to imply you thought that (or anyone else) I was just adding my thoughts into the mix. I thought when I first saw in the press that she was coming back to work soon that 'people' would think he was too young to leave, and then thought that it's not that long really since maternity leave here became as long as it is. I don't think I could have left mine that young to go off on a jolly either.

Meghan's maternity leave has been long by American standards, where the average is about 2 months. Not saying that's a good thing, but I do think it factors into cultural expectations.

I think royal maternity leaves are a bit different as it's not like they're going back to a 40 hour a week job.

myimaginerycathasflees: I'm not sure that your comment: "Not worried whether anyone else feels the same. Each to their own." is really true after your original statement of:

"I find it odd that she would want to leave her four month old baby - and PFB at that - for a weekend jaunt and yes I am judging her."

The only time I felt guilt about leaving my PFB in the beginning was because he was such a nightmare that I felt bad for the poor saps who were looking after him - whether that was DH, a paid professional or a family member. I'd love Harry to casually mention at his next event that him and Archie had a great weekend and he took him to see family-member x or whatever while Meghan was away. ie he just got on with it and probably sought some company.

I was pleasantly surprised by the denim dress. I think they're hard to pull off but she did it well.

I agree with whoever upthread mentioned the tie-dress being an unflattering style on MM. That said, she could wear a bin bag and still look utterly gorgeous. I wonder too, if the style looks better in real life rather than on camera?

Not sure about Sophie's skirt or jacket for that matter. A rare fail from me.
LL looking more age appropriate and lovely.
DM LINK
Lady Louise Windsor joins mother Sophie at Burghley Horse Trials
mol.im/a/7440631

At first glance I thought Sophie was wearing flared cropped trousers!

No, @BlingLoving, I really meant it. Personally, I couldn't have left any of my babies at that age. I wouldn't have wanted to. I have no issue with anyone who has to leave their baby to return to work, their choice, which I respect.

But I do struggle with the idea that someone would choose to fly across the world and be away for at least two nights from their baby, especially a PFB. However that's just how I feel, I'm not expecting anyone to agree with me.

Poor Lady Louise with the dreaded braces, they will be terribly uncomfortable. Worth it in the end though!

Sophie’s skirt is by Gabriella Hearst if I’m not mistaken. She always wears really beautiful pieces but sometimes it does nothing for her, maybe she needs a stylist.

I left DS with My DM and a very capable nurse for a few days, that was 13 years ago, I can’t ever forget the guilt I felt back then, still do.
Wish I delayed my trip as the guilt and constant fear of something wrong happening , made it all so unbearable.
It really made me feel for all those mothers who have no choice but to go back to work.

It’s not Malice to say “oh I couldn’t do that”. I think those who say that are only saying that MM had the choice to attend or not, It wasn’t a pressing matter, it’s just a game , one which she went to earlier in the summer.

I think if it was another famous person Or reality star she would be getting a lot of negativity from some posters.

I really like Sophie's skirt but it doesn't work with a dark blazer/top and dark tights/boots - it's almost like two different outfits.

Lady Louise looks lovely and seems very happy. If I was being critical I'm not sure about the blouse but it's just nice to see her and Sophie out on an engagement together and both seeming so relaxed.

I think if it was another famous person Or reality star she would be getting a lot of negativity from some posters.

Not me, I don't care if it's her or if it's Kate or if it's Kim Kardashian. Their child, their business.

Inspalterritory - one thing - Almost everyone looks wonderful when kitted out for dressage (and sidesaddle)! Kristina Cook usually outshines everyone.

It’s a weekend trip, he probably slept for half of it!

Can’t begrudge her a trip home occasionally . It’s not like she’s feeling all the love here is it?