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!

In William and Kate news, they're apparently joining forces with Richard Curtis on a mental health initiative but no word yet on exactly what said initiative involves. No word on a date for their Pakistan trip either, though some outlets are reporting that it might be cancelled due to tensions in Kashmir.

I wonder what Meghan’s going to do all day while Harry’s off doing stuff. It sounds a bit dull.

@CurlyWurlyTwirly

I’d love to see her in some local designers and wearing colourful African prints. I’m hoping she’s going to lay off the Givenchy when visiting Africa.

Why? You do know that quite a lot of Africans are very much into their designers? Africans tend to really appreciate thought and effort into dressing, it's seen as a sign of respect so MM will need to ensure she doesn't come across as patronising of she goes with the suggestion that the continent isn't worth the same effort she AND Kate put in for other tours.

Also a fun fact, apparently Nigeria is the world's second biggest consumer of champagne after France.

Just because it's Africa doesn't mean we should expect a poverty stricken, famine infested narrative.

Slightly off track, but has anyone seen the Downton abbey film? One of the tiaras looks like the one the Queen wears a lot. In the film it’s the kings daughter wearing it.

Cape Town dull?

Dobby I'm going to see it on Monday so I'll keep an eye out!

@Becles i stand corrected.
Another fun fact; after my visit to the Guinness Brewery in Dublin; Nigeria is the biggest consumer of Guinness.
But they are going to South Africa. I know little about it either.
I’m sure the Sussexes are well briefed.

It’s at the end. In Downton abbey.

This one

Lady Mary's tiara wasnt up to much I felt, having viewed some beauties on this thread

Thanks to this thread, I recognised the tiara on Princess Mary in Downton!

@BertrandRussell Their itinerary has been released - Meghan's going to be visiting various projects to do with women and girls' education/empowerment.

South Africa is pretty amazing , CT is one of the best places I’ve been to, and I’ve been to a lot.

I don’t think anyone can find it dull, so much to do/see. Actually 10 days is not enough to cover it.
Wonder if MM will go to visit township while she is there?

H&M's African itinerary

Cape Town is definitely not dull! For a start, it really is one of the most beautiful places on the planet so just hanging out is entertaining. The women and girl empowerment things she is visiting sound amazing and I would be surprised if she isn't also going to be doing embargoed or secret additional things too. Security is a challenge, particularly as there are currently serious tensions so I think there will be flexibility which means secrecy.

The weather could be odd. Not freezing but cool at night, and they are still hoping for more rain as the drought is ongoing, although not as hardcore after more rain this winter. But it could be seriously changeable at this time of year.

[full disclosure ; I am from cape town]

@queenofarles they have said they are visiting a township. But, unsurprisingly, detail is thin now (I assume because of security). There are a lot of micro businesses run by women in the townships so also wonder if she will visit any - eg cooking/b&bs etc. Will be interesting to see if she visits any of those.

I only thought dull because presumably she can’t just wander off sightseeing. Not because it’s a dull place!

I wonder whether Meghan will meet some of Harry’s SA based cousins whilst she’s in Cape Town. That’s a big chunk of time without Harry. Or maybe Doria will fly out and keep her company.

@BertrandRussell I know what you mean but suspect she will be out and about on the sly. And will have other visits planned we don't know about it.

@BlingLoving I've never been to CT but had many visits to Joburg and Durban as a child as we lived in Botswana for years.

Just found this picture of HM on the newly opened Victoria line; 50 years ago.

@QueenOfTheAndals you should visit! 😀😀

We don't see HM in furs anymore, do we? I suppose they're all in storage, along with her leopard skin coat.

Cape Town is one of my favourite places.

I love Capetown and the itinerary looks good.
I'm the (long-term) poster who didn't like the tone Meghan used about the lilac blazers. Was not expecting my comment to be mocked on here. Might use lilac blazer for my next username!