A positive thread on Harry and Meghan (aka Thread 5)

[Mummy195]

A continuation for those who would like to look at the positive side of Harry and Meghan.

I find it very odd that other threads are deleted for being 'not in the spirit', but not only was the plane one allowed to run for some time, when it was deleted there was no mention of it being 'not in the spirit', only something mealy-mouthed about how they want to have a single H&M thread. I find it hard to believe the deletion would not have been more moralistic if that thread had been speculating about the same event with regard to the Sussexes.

Fully expecting this post too to be deleted.

Scobie is a Royal correspondent for ABC news. Harper’s Bazaar editor at large and is, essentially, a journalist. I guess he has sources like any other journalist. Working in the USA, the Royal reporting isn’t controlled as it is here. Jonny Dymond for the BBC has clearly articulated about how controlled it is and it’s not like real journalism. They are just fed stories from the press office. So little dutiful puppies trailing in the wake of the Royals. Scobie doesn’t have those chains and can speak to whom he wants. It remains to be seen if there is any attempt to sue him or the newspapers with the extracts. If not, we can be fairly sure it’s all true in the current litigious climate.

The Times article says totally different re TM
That isn't a Times article. It's an extract from the Finding Freedom book so not researched by The Time or subject to The Times' editorial control. It's not an impartial source.

H&M distanced themselves from the book from the time it was announced. Several times, Scobie himself tweeted that it's not an autobiography.

H&M did not sue Lady C or any of the other 6 or so writers, not sure why the news keeps on about them suing Scobie.

@meercat23

Roussette I didn't understand TM to be complaining that he was not invited but I thought he was complaining that while Doria had received a proper written invitation and a scroll on the engagement he had not received either. Depends what he meant by formal invitation but I thought he meant the kind of invitation he could prop up on the mantlepiece rather than a verbal invitation.

In the end though it has all got so muddy and messy now that who knows what any of them really mean!

As TM was going to be at the centre of the wedding party, I would not expect him to have to wait for a formal invite. Sure, when he got here, he probably would have been given one as a memento /souvenir. I imagine that the people quite close to the wedding like parents etc. get them for that purpose. I know most ppl don't post invites to their own parents.

I was also not aware that Doria and TM were close or even spoke so that he knew she had been posted an invitation.

Omg the plane thread was disgusting. The deletion explanation was unbelievable. What is more 'not in the spirit' than imaging a whole family being killed?

It is unthinkable Thomas would not have been sent an official invitation if he was invited. I think this needs to be clarified but I doubt it ever will be. So on and on the lies and misinformation go.

I didn't give my parents invitations to my wedding but my dm did ask for a couple of spares as a mementos. I understand why TM would want one.

@Mummy195

H&M distanced themselves from the book from the time it was announced. Several times, Scobie himself tweeted that it's not an autobiography.

H&M did not sue Lady C or any of the other 6 or so writers, not sure why the news keeps on about them suing Scobie.

So are you saying that the authors and all the sources close to the couple (2 per story) are all lying?

How do you think they got very personal information like what was said between two brothers, engagement actually 3 months earlier, how Harry's stomach was in knots reading comments etc. Do you think it's truth or lie?

I thought that H&M had asked for the book to be published earlier if possible
They must have been aware of the content
Some of the sayings such as ‘he said’ ‘she said’ or ‘he/she felt’ must have been from a very reliable source

I am not too sure that Scobie is lying, he has never been one to write lies about the couple. He has had his own thoughts and opinions about them in the past, that were not verified. However, I do not remember him saying a source told me when making his own opinions.

As for the sources themselves, well , I don't know who they are, so have no way of concluding if they are telling the factual truth of events or just expressing their own opinions.

I feel so sorry for HMQ and PP

I feel so sorry for HMQ and PP

Oh, I don’t know - it’s quite mild compared to tampongate, and toe-sucking and all the rest of it and they’ve ridden all that out.

@HeddaGarbled this is obviously far less embarrassing than that but the pity comes because relationships within the family are so badly damaged and HMQ and PP (especially him) don't have much time left.

I wonder if Scobie was the 'source' for all the H&M stories published in the media that overlap with the book 'revelations' eg unhappiness about their photo not being amongst the succession pics on the Queen's desk; unhappiness about not getting to walk into Church with the line of succession.
I was cringing at the Facetime in the bath the night before the wedding. What type of friend would reveal that detail?

Well, HMQ and PP should just worry themselves with PA.

Well, perhaps H&M will feel their story is now in print and this will make them feel happier? If the UK public don't respond well but the US public do, then the book will have served its purpose for them.

I hope it doesn't affect their ability to establish careers in the US and that it doesn't cause celebrities to question how much stories leak around them. I'm hoping it's like Andrew Lincoln walking away from Keira Knightley's door in Love Actually saying 'enough'. Time to move on from score settling with the RF and to make lives of purpose and happiness.

I thought this was a thread about H&M and not PA

It's clear that the stories leaking around them come from the RF itself.

Currently, H is suing Dan Wootton for stories leaked by the boyfriend of a palace comms person. I would expect this to be one of the fall outs - why does W still have this person under his employment.

The US friends do not do as much leaking by contrast. The press did not know H&M were in Canada during their 6 week break, till H was ready, by realising the baby Archie NY pic. The press also did not know that they had moved to the US. My guess is that H&M had not sent a memo to the palace about where they were - maybe they told HMQ and PC, but did not write it down. And Dan W has told us plenty of times that the palace leaked to him regarding the exit, and he has banged on about the RF leaking stories to the press over and over.

In the meantime, the likes of Kat McPhee went on British TV and pretended not to know MM, when her husband is actually best buddies with them and arranging things for them. After the People Mag friends thought they were setting the record straight and things got twisted, everyone in the US seemed to understand that they should not talk to the media. Infact, their US and Canada life has been leak proof, while the palace has been a sieve.

It's clear that their life has been leaked left, right and centre when they were part of the palace.

Maybe now that they have left the palace, ppl may ask if it's ok to mention some things, and they may not see a reason why not.

Kat McPhee went on British TV and pretended not to know MM, when her husband is actually best buddies with them and arranging things for them.
You mean that she lied?

Technically, she did not lie, it's her husband who is friends of H. She herself is not really MM's friend either. She just did not divulge more than what she was asked.

She must have known about the arrangements, but just did not volunteer the information.

This particular book is rustling feathers, because it's not a massive slag fest on H&M.

The interesting revelations being sidestepped by the media include :

• A courtier bragging about being able to put out any story with a click of his finger.

• 'Some members of staff were whispering words of alarm into the Duke of Cambridge’s ear. Meghan was totally foreign to this group of advisers, who could sometimes be even more conservative than the institution they guarded.' This reminds me of the documentary when the staff, did not know their place and supposedly used to serve Margaret her morning tea, but not her husband, and basically let them know they did not like him. Which feels like this would have been viewed as staff members not aware they are staff, not family.

• A senior member stating to an employee that 'She comes with a lot of baggage'. What baggage would that be? Sounds rather pre-concieved. So is that employee supposed to respect MM if the royals themselves are talking like this about her?

• Harry's Showgirl

Shade

@Mummy195 how interesting that you ignore the tabloids when they discuss Harry and Meghan but consider them sacred sources when you want to smear William and his staff. Perhaps you should ask MNHQ to delete your comments about Prince William. I'm sure you can be positive about H&M without criticising William.
So, to get back to the 'positivity' ... do we think that Harry and Meghan will be given some of the profits of the Finding Freedom book? Do we think the 'authors' will donate some of the profits to charity since they said they were inspired by Harry and Meghan's charity work?

HOLY MOLY!!! Have been away and just seen all these news reports on H&M.... and no not the DM... erm where’s the story? Thought this book would reveal a tonne of racism and interesting stuff (I’m not a royalist).... this is petty AF. They seriously look terrible - where’s the story? What’s supposed to be the big reveal and reason they quit? I’m glad to not have any royals or titled lot so glad they’ve said they won’t come back, two less to finance

Yes, it does all seem very mild. Hints of possible racism but no outright accusations, moans about William and Charles carefully phrased and including their side, digs at Kate but with no real substance, very respectful of the Queen herself. Someone has held back massively here.