Does anyone want a thread for people who are happy for Harry and Meghan? Thread 2

[DaveCoaches]

I wimped out of the other thread title I planned as I thought it might look goady.

But please let’s keep it as the reality-and-let's-avoid-idle-speculation-and-reliance-on-dodgy-sources thread (thanks Seneca!).

Just found that! Not a good link. There has been some speculation that perhaps a small part of the reason H&M wanted to step back was to avoid a connection with PA and his exploits. Shows the importance of doing due diligence, especially with these larger firms.

Re: the Duchess of Kent. I wasn't suggesting that she was sitting around eating bonbons, I can see how it would've read that way so apologies for that.
I just spent half an hour reading about her, and reminding myself about her life. I'd forgotten how lovely she is.

Perhaps that's why he seems to have had four protection officers, Shoe. I thought they might have two, not four, if those were all security in the Mirror photo.

Yes, I thought she was too. I'm not a fan of the RF but I did the Duchess of Kent genuine.

I think there was a link with Epstein but also something has come out recently linking Meghans best friend who is staying with them at the moment and Andrew and Epstein which is, IF TRUE, very unfortunate to all.

I think Epstein was linked to half the celebrity world though so maybe not to so unexpected.

And interesting.

Yes, even Bill Gates, seemed to fraternise with him, even though I think he's downplayed it.

Markus Anderson I think

That story was floated and debunked on the other thread earlier this evening.

Would like to see the source of that rumour.

He's had a long day if he flew into London then got the train up to Edinburgh station. That's quite a slow train when I've looked to book previously.

But Harry is in an excellent position at the moment to take a longer but more environmentally friendly trip. He has the time to spare. Things will be arranged to suit him and he won't be under pressure to get back to the office. Under the circumstances I would hope he'll do everything he can to travel in this way in accordance with his public stance on the environment.

I don't think there are any credible sources for half the crap that's floating round at the moment!

Maybe sources but not ones I'd be proud to post and confidently say in anyway credible.

linking Meghans best friend who is staying with them at the moment and Andrew and Epstein

Jessica Mulroney has been linked to Epstein? Surely not?

It seems to me a huge shame that Harry has moved abroad. He had so much to offer in terms of his work with charities. Unfortunately I think with the general public some may see his move as not doing his duty and his leaving less than honourable. Hopefully he will work through his issues and come out the other side a happier person and be welcomed back in to the fold.
I find it quite peculiar that the government failed to implement any recommendations made by the Leveson report. Had they done so people wrongly maligned by the media might have been in a stronger position.
I also wonder whether there was a place for PH in PC pared down "senior royals only" royal family?

I also wonder whether there was a place for PH in PC pared down "senior royals only" royal family?

Interesting point. Maybe he saw the writing on the wall?

Markus Anderson - apparently he introduced Meghan to Jessica M. I'd never heard of him before today. The article I've just read describes him as 'debonair, charming and with an impeccable contacts list'. If Epstein was on that list, it doesn't look quite as impeccable.

@Butterymuffin no but I would have thought he would want to spend the least amount out in public as possible at the moment.

There are some nutters out there. A lot of tax payers very vocally cross. He was known to be coming into Edinburgh tonight. His profile is high and popularity very low.

But I really seem to be over invested in his journey tonight!

That's true Buttery he has the time to spare more right now. Perhaps that's why he does seem to have taken a commercial flight to London then train to Edinburgh, rather than plane up or even helicopter. Would a helicopter travel that far, even, I don't know?

I also wonder whether there was a place for PH in PC pared down "senior royals only" royal family?

Oh yes, there was. He didn't intend to cut either of his sons out. The Andrew branch of the family seem to have been the main targets.

I remember years ago PC's plans for a pared down royalty were for he and Camilla, and W and H plus wives and children. It was always PC's plan for PA and Beatrice and Eugenie to fade away more. I think PC had his finger on the pulse more about what the public might be more accepting of in terms of cost. PA, of course, didn't like his girls seemingly being sidelined. I think they lost their security as well, but I guess they have some - perhaps PA had to pay, can't remember.

Buttery has just said the same. I thought I remembered that rightly.

Do people think M was happy with the hierarchical aspects of the monarchy? Things like curtseying to Camilla and Kate, if that's what they do in private. I always wondered how she would get on with that stuff as an American and she's stated she's a feminist. It just seems at odds with feminism, in terms of equality. I couldn't do it and wouldn't so no way could I marry in to the RF just based on that

I saw someone try to curtsy to Meghan once and at the same time Meghan went in for a hug, then she laughed, so maybe she found people curtsying to her odd. She seemed quite happy doing it in public to the royals who outranked her.

I must say I think its completely ridiculous. Maybe to the Queen? She's too old to adjust, but After that no one should have to bow to another human. Its so outdated, and the rules around who curtsys to who are very complicated.

I'm all for scrapping that BS.

Annielouise I agree. I think any independent woman of 35 might struggle with the hierarchic aspects of deference and behaviour expected in the RF, but I wonder how much she understood of duty and honour and the constitutional function. The RF do seem quite self-contained for very good reasons but M is a modern woman and may have found the lack of sisterhood difficult too. I do wonder how much support is actually offered. Kate had 8 years of courtship to get used to the intrusion of the press but for Diana and Meghan it was quite a whirlwind, and understandingly both appeared to struggle.

"understandably" doh!

I have no idea whether Megan found the hierarchy difficult, but the only person that she would be expected to curtsy to in the British Royal Family is the Queen. They don't bow or curtsy to someone of the same rank. HRHs have the same rank, although they will have different orders of precedence.