Royal style: Cambridges appear but Sussexes aren't near

[QueenOfTheAndals]

In light of the several upcoming engagements for W&K while H&M allegedly take a 6 week break!

Previous thread

Went down a rabbit hole looking at Royal orders for the female members of the family
Apparently Queen Mary had the most; which was 5.

“Harry has spent Xmas at Sandringham every year apart from one when he was in active service.”

So did William - before he was married and had children.

What is your point @bertrand

My point is once again H&M are being scrutinised for something perfectly normal other members of the RF do routinely. Where are all the comments about William choosing to spend Christmas with the Middletons, not with the Queen?

Because as far as we know, H&M aren't spending Xmas with her family (her Mum), they're just going it alone.

“ Because as far as we know, H&M aren't spending Xmas with her family (her Mum), they're just going it alone.”
Well we don’t even know that. But they are a couple pushing 40. What would Mumsnetters advise them?

In H&M defence why shouldn’t they want to spend Christmas alone. They have just had their first baby and maybe they don’t want to go to Sandringham. I always found it very strange that other people gave up their christmas morning to watch other people walk to church. After scarfgate perhaps they want to spend the day with people that won’t cold shoulder them. The same news articles were run last year and they were there so who knows what is going to happen.

H&M are treated progressively more unfavourably because, at least to the public, they appear less dutiful than the rest of the RF, while still enjoying all privileges.

@BertrandRussell there were lots of scathing comments when W&K started spending Christmas with Kate’s parents but now of course they can do no wrong in certain circles.

So anyway, tights.

I have 7 denier nude tights to wear with cocktail dresses. I'm not keen on bare legs for formal occasions. It's fine perhaps if your skin is very even toned and youthful, but good quality fine denier tights are more flattering on those of us with more mature skin (and in my case, 60 odd years' worth of freckles😁).

William did not spend 6 weeks on another continent recharging his batteries prior to spending Xmas with the Middletons.
Kate was hospitalised prior to the first Middleton Xmas and pregnant with Louis for the second.
Of course the Sussexes can do what the hell they want for Xmas.
But an argument for Archie’s first Xmas with Doria holds a bit less water given they would have spent 6 weeks including Thanksgiving with her.
And If they decide to spend Christmas alone in Frogmore, then they will be criticised.
For a couple who are trying to rehabilitate their image, they should think very carefully about how they are perceived.

On a completely different tack, do we think the younger royals are proficient on the dance floor? Looking at Kate's turnout I think she might have had a bit of ballet training somewhere along the line.

This came to mind because I was reading an interview with Johannes Radebe, one of the Strictly professionals, who is South African and a huge Meghan fan. He said he would love to dance with her, but I wonder if modern royals have that skill? Diana certainly did but she may have been the last generation to have been schooled in social dancing.

Yes, I wonder about things like that too. Etiquette whem eating and dancing etc. Friends of mine who went to the sorts of schools the RF went to are really ordinary and wouldn't know or care about the finer points of which fork to use when etc.

Maybe I've seen Pretty Woman too many times . Dreadful movie, but you know, chewing gum for the eyes.

CurlyWurlyTwirly
I hope Jennifer Aniston will know when to stop messing with her face. Right now it's perfect.
So many celebs take it too far

Six weeks recuperating from...erm... well, you know the rest.

Much-needed family time was the official line. Isn’t every day family time for Harry and Meghan? Neither has a job. They are either at home or together on an engagement. Which isn’t work either as it’s mostly dressing up, smiling, nodding and waving.

What’s keeping them from “family time”?

Why believe everything the Mail or Sun write? Wasn't it also them who broke the news about Doria being invited to Sandringham last Christmas and Pippa M not being invited to H&M's wedding because Meghan was "jealous"? Neither story turned out to be true!

“ Diana certainly did but she may have been the last generation to have been schooled in social dancing.”
I don’t think she was, was she? She was dance mad as a child- isn’t that where it came from? Kate comes from a background where most little girls do a bit of ballet.....

I imagine most members of the RF have been unable to avoid some compulsory reeling.

Doesn't Meghan have a degree in theatre? So dance training might've been a part of that. I think I saw a clip of her singing somewhere and she has a fairly decent voice.

Yeah, but that's true of all the RF to a point. They don't have jobs like most people do, but there are downsides too and I'm sure it is occasionally gruelling work.

I do think H&M's press officer (if they have one) needs to maybe tone down the "life is so hard" rhetoric though. I actually think aspects of the royal life must be very hard for them and the press have been vile towards her. But the more they appear to be complaining about it, the more riled up the public seems to get against them, well, let's be honest, against Meghan.

I would personally think "fuck 'em", but the RF is in an awkward position as they do sort of need the british public's good opinion.

It does sound tough though. I wouldn't want their job, although I would love the money. Tbh, if I was them I'd resign from royal duties and do something else. I bet they'd go down a storm in the US. Didn't fergie do similar? And they already have the in with MM being from there. Is she a US citizen? If she is and if she lived there recently enough, Archie would be one too I believe.

But meh, they aren't about to take my advice I suppose!

Why not spend thanksgiving with Doria and Xmas with the Queen? it might be her or Prince Philip’s last Xmas.
Although come to think of it, it could be stressful for everyone, if two couples are not talking.

But aren’t K&W tradition is to spend Xmas morning and church with the Queen and then back to Amner to be with DoC family?
Wish they sort it out, it’s heartbreaking watching two close brothers not talking.

Yeah, I think you've answered your own question there! If there really is a rift, then it would be so awkward for them all to have to spend Christmas together. We've all been there I think with families or in-laws at big get togethers 😬.

I have always felt it was stultifyingly dull to stay there, so can see their point. Fine for the Queen and her children, but grown grandchildren and their offspring not so much. It is good to start your own traditions and do your own thing.

We’ve all been there Beatrice true, but we do try and make it work,For the sake of everyone else, few pleasantries, then you excuse yourself with whatever reason and then it’s over.

Exactly, awkward AND dull sounds like going to my BIL's house for Christmas. Why would you ever pick sunny California over that 🤔?

True queen, but they might not be able to escape like we do. Usually you do the drink and pleasantries and then fuck off home again, but that's maybe not possible from sandringham..?