More News on Harry and Meghan

[Viviennemary]

Two little bits of news I read today. First the bells won't ring out at Westminster Abbey for Meghans birthday next month and she'll be devastated. No I don't think she'll even expect them to ring. And I had to smile at Bogart the dog was left behind in Canada because it didn't take to Harry. What else could she do. Hardly leave Harry behind. And it would have been a worry with a baby in the house too. She did the right thing here.

TofinoSurf I completely agree. This is what I just don't understand people who support them can't see through/don't seem to mind about. It is seriously puzzling to me.

It's not acceptable for paparazzi to behave this way especially with a child involved ... But this is exactly why they need to pick their battles wisely because there have been a few of these recently (plus threats like the charity complaint) that people then just roll their eyes at 'another one' even though this time it's actually quite valid

Well put
I dont think anyone would defend papping a child, but there's such a thing as choosing your battles wisely and saving the legal threats for things which really matter

All this talk of equality and empowerment when all their power comes from their titles and being royal. Would any of these people give them the time of day if they weren't royal. Far less pay milliond to hear them speak. No.

The using of the drone to take photos is illegal in California. The Americans certainly do know who a Duke and Duchess are. It’s legitimate for the uk press to state where they live. Are we still paying for security? They are still members of the Royal Family. That gives the uk press a legitimate interest in them. They are not fully private people.

I think photographing Archie like this is wrong. But by escaping to LA, trading on your Royal connection and assuming you will be left alone unless you break cover is just ludicrous. It’s undoubtedly easier for photos to be controlled here, especially of Royal children. William manages it.

I agree. I think they need the titles to have the clout to be able to (hopefully) earn the money they need to be financially independent. Takeaway the connection to the RF and they don’t have much left. Over time, maybe they will be able to change that and have justification as Harry Wales/Mountbatten-Windsor and Meghan Markle (or Wales/Mountbatten-Windsor if she chooses to take another name).

Would anybody be lending us a multi million pound mansion or private jet. Their whole lives are built on a sham.

They lend houses and lifestyle to them because they are Royal. That’s why the press is legitimately interested. Of course we know where the Royal Family live! They have not left the RF, just the UK and their duties.

I know it's their choice which is why I'm intrigued why they keep insisting on using them at every opportunity. What are they trying to do, remind everyone of their status and importance?

When Kate & William sued the French magazine that published the topless photos of Kate, snapped with a huge telephoto lens from a couple of kilometers away, they did so as "Monsieur et Madame Mountbatten-Windsor".

Interesting new article on now on Sky News.

They lend houses and lifestyle to them because they are Royal. That’s why the press is legitimately interested. Of course we know where the Royal Family live! They have not left the RF, just the UK and their duties.

This is the crux of it. If H renounced the dukedom, which he could easily do, then their separation from the RF would be complete. Nobody would need to know where they lived because it would no longer be in the public interest.

The interest in them, at least as royals, would decline. They could then pour all their energies into their charitable interests and business ventures, instead of wasting time and money on pointless legal cases.

Apparently excerpts from Finding Freedom will be published this weekend but I don’t know where .
I imagine the RF feel a bit uneasy .

Excerpts from Finding Freedom are in The Times tomorrow

If they had any integrity at all they should stop propping their egos up by constant use of their titles to try and win favours and earn cash. Personally I hope their titles are eventually removed. They are in the USA now where titles are not in general use. Why do they need titles. Is the empowerment Meghan loves to bang on about not enough. Obviously not.

Well the Duchess of Windsor was attached to hers. Why give it up when it’s a “cash cow”? Americans love our royalty and they like this fairy tale. So they tell me when I’ve been in the USA.

It is completely unacceptable to photograph a child in his own home with a drone. It is a shame that the sussexes have so many other court cases going on that this one will not stand out as the most legitimate.
But they walked away from the opportunity to lead a relatively quiet and predictable life in the UK, like Edward and Sophie do.

It's interesting, I never think of Wallis Simpson with her title of Duchess of Windsor, just as her previously married name. I think that the press did that to 'punish' her and it stuck.
Hers was a pretty sad story of bitterness and dissatisfaction in the end, I feel quite sorry for how they both ended up really. I think he might have been a popular king, he was well liked until he abdicated and the world never forgave him, especially when unpleasant Nazi links were exposed.
I wonder how history will look back on each member of the RF and remember them? Will it be fondly as a whole, or will individual issues be remembered and not forgiven do you think?
I don't particularly like H&M now for example (I very much did at first), but some of their actions seem 'irritating' so far, rather than anything unforgiveable like PA.

Wallis Simpson for all her faults didn't go about giving speeches about empowerment and equality when royal life is the very antithesis of both.

By the way, I'm not talking about the drone issue, I think they have a right to privacy, especially for their child, but feel they could have achieved that so much better and more safely in the UK.

The name a woman has when she comes into the public eye as a royal partner tends to stick. Diana was 'Lady Di' to many even after marriage. Fergie remained Fergie. Kate Middleton is still referred to as such very often.

Sophie managed to avoid that but I suppose using your unmarried name is what millions of women do now so Royal brides are no different?! It seems a bit disrespectful to them though as they probably prefer their new titles.

I think the popularity of Edward VIII as Prince of Wales was over blown. He visited some Welsh mines but history will tell you he was the ultimate playboy and did very little of note. His parents despaired of him. So He looked glamorous, invented the Windsor knot, but led a rather worthless life. Although occasional forays to meet ordinary people gave him popular appeal as they were widely reported. He was a waste of space really. We are no doubt lucky the Queen and her Father had different views and a strong work ethic. They perhaps understood the future of the monarchy depended on it.

You're right Buttery. Some of them are less 'catchy' though and stick less! Eg: I can't remember Sophie's surname pre marriage and I always think of Autumn as Autumn Phillips!
But your examples I agree with as I'd think of those mentioned in the same way they are described!

Sophie Rhys-Jones. Now, if only I could remember stuff that mattered so easily..

She’s always Sophie Wessex though isn’t she. That’s probably because she’s a hard worker but fairly minor. A bit like Princess Alexandra used to be and the Duchess of Kent. Always around but not in the papers.

When the news broke that Harry was off to see his Grandmother to request permission to marry Meghan. I remember thinking, Oh Fuck, bet this won't go well with the Establishment. As she was an American divorcee, I couldn't see a happy ending.
But I was delighted when it became clear that not only did HMQ approve, she had given permission. I remember being totally delighted that Harry had found a life partner. I also thought that because Meghan had been in the public eye, that might serve her better than previous Royal wives with no experience of the press.
I thought the engagement video was forced, not natural, it was uncomfortable viewing, especially when Meghan said that she didn't know who Harry was........bullshit.
But I thought, again, Meghan is an actress, so she'll be playing to the camera. So ok, more give her the benefit.
Their wedding was stunning, Meghan looked fantastic. There's not much else to say about her on the day. They were both radiant and appeared to be so much in love, it was beautiful to see. When Charles took her hand and walked with her to Harry I thought it was so incredibly moving.
I completely understand why Meghan didn't want to do the photocall on the steps after giving birth.
Huge credit to her for dressing up, post partum in a white outfit and engaging with the press, that might not have been easy.
I really don't give two hoots about the hats, no tights daftness and I reckon that HMQ doesn't either.
The fuck off moment came for me was when Harry and Meghan announced that they were leaving but would still "collaborate" with HMQ.
Also when Harry gave a speech and said that he wanted to continue with a patronage but without public funding "it wasn't to be"
After those statements, my thinking is ok, off you fuck.
Still doesn't mean that they're fair game, drones over their house to get photos of their baby is appalling.
As a pp said, though. Pick your battles. If they are not careful they'll become even more irrelevant. Harry is 6th in line to the throne, he's pretty much irrelevant now.
I blame Harry much more than his wife for all this malarkey.

Daily mail link.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle felt 'cut adrift', new biography claims
mol.im/a/8558295

If this article is an accurate report on the extracts that are about to drop, then I'm really surprised. If this is meant to be the 'supportive' book then I'm not seeing it.