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.

Remind me why we fund them all?

Beats the hell out of me ...

[quote BalloonSlayer]@Mrsmathancock those shoes of Meghans are nothing like gold.

Great example of the boot being put in with no provocation whatsoever.[/quote]
Right, so she's wearing red, white and blue is she?

If the shoes are nothing like the colour of the Irish flag you must see colours differently from other people.

Well from what I've read if this book is meant to be sympathetic to H&M I'd hate to see what would be written in one that wasn't.

All I can glean is confirmation of what I've thought since their poorly handled "stepping down" announcement that the pair of them are utterly self absorbed and delusional about their importance/influence both within the RF and wider world.

The whole things been an unmitigated disaster. Granted they couldn't have predicted the pandemic but that has firmly prevented them from cleaning up financially from the speaking circuit/voice overs/acting roles/pictures with the A listers at top events etc.

Instead all the focus is on that lawsuit with AN and the ridiculous way the case is being handled plus the distancing of yet another friend in Jessica (who may or may not be relevant to the court case).

I can't see how anyone on the "A" list is going to want to touch them with a barge poll in the knowledge they are happy to use their "friends" in litigation and a with a public profile that's so damaged/controversial.

They could have done fantastic work in the commonwealth and had a very lovely lifestyle and public support/admiration. I can't fathom how quickly and glibly they've pissed away so much opportunity and goodwill.

Recently I have read 2 articles that refer to H as M’s third husband . Can anyone clarify that please ?

There an unsubstantiated rumour that M was married briefly before Trevor and it was annulled. I have no idea where that rumour originated .

@StartupRepair

I'm sad to read that Harry was always miserable and wanted out. It seemed to me that he had purpose with charities and Invictus, was close to his brother and family and had a trusted group of friends. It seems he can't get past the insult of William suggesting he took some time before rushing to marry Meghan. Time that could have been spent sorting out a relationship with Thomas Markle ( even meeting him!) And making sure Meghan understood the role and the principles of service to the Queen.

It’s possible that both H&M wanted to have children and were concerned about their ages so pushed for a marriage sooner rather than later.

I do think it’s odd that TM didn’t meet Harry and hadn’t seen Meghan in years. Prior to just before the wedding, they wasn’t supposed to be an issue between them so I’m surprised they didn’t meet.

So how come people over the centuries have schemed, intrigued, murdered, waged war, married innocent daughters off to tyrants, all to get the faintest opportunity of beoming king?

It used to be that the top royal was the richest person in the land, and opportunities open to women were few, so many sought out this route. Now, things have changed. Others are now far wealthier than many royals. We also now know that wealth only works up to a certain point, after which happiness levels remain the same however wealthy you get. It does bring many problems, though, as we can all see. I honestly have no idea why Kate or Meghan married into the royal family instead of findings a wealthy, but sensible, person to marry.

So how come people over the centuries have schemed, intrigued, murdered, waged war, married innocent daughters off to tyrants, all to get the faintest opportunity of beoming king?
That all happened when kings (and queens) had great power. They could wage wars, get inconvenient people executed, have daily feasts, etc. If their royal life had been mostly comprised of going to endless boring charity events with little actual power, I doubt that there would have been so many hankering for the job.

@DulciUke

So how come people over the centuries have schemed, intrigued, murdered, waged war, married innocent daughters off to tyrants, all to get the faintest opportunity of beoming king? That all happened when kings (and queens) had great power. They could wage wars, get inconvenient people executed, have daily feasts, etc. If their royal life had been mostly comprised of going to endless boring charity events with little actual power, I doubt that there would have been so many hankering for the job.

Yet no one in line to be the next King of England says “I’ll pass thanks, it’s no life for me or my kids” they all stick around for the top job apart from one notable exception and by all accounts he lived to regret it.

I am sure William would sell his soul not to have to be King

Do u really believe that? He could take himself and his children out of the line of succession and easily be replaced. If he hated it, why would he want that for his children? It’s just obvious PR.

He’s not especially liked as Harry was (though that’s one way in the past) so few would care except the public do not like Harry’s wife. The York girls would be a better choice honestly

so few would care except the public do not like Harry’s wife

Well... nor was Camilla. She was loathed. And look at how close she is to being to consort or Queen or whatever. 15 years on and she's probably the most loved. Time heals.

I am sure William would sell his soul not to have to be King

Fortunately for him he is ideally placed to end the farce of hereditary monarchy and can stand down when he inherits and stop the line of succession. Let's see if he is all talk shall we?

I suspect he loves the privilege and deference as much as the rest of them and just likes to indulge himself in a bit of 'poor little me' from time to time.

Well, I just can't wait to hear H&M's version of tiaragate via Omid.

Have read the extracts in the times and oh dear oh dear. But it is odd how so many of these stories were already out there.

Although I can see the book is sympathetic in tone to H&M it just reads as showing them to not be very sensible and very concerned about their status. Very odd.

Difference with Camilla and Meghan is that Camilla quietly got on with stuff in that 15 years.

@DulciUke

So how come people over the centuries have schemed, intrigued, murdered, waged war, married innocent daughters off to tyrants, all to get the faintest opportunity of beoming king? That all happened when kings (and queens) had great power. They could wage wars, get inconvenient people executed, have daily feasts, etc. If their royal life had been mostly comprised of going to endless boring charity events with little actual power, I doubt that there would have been so many hankering for the job.

I don't think it was always the prospective "King " or "Queen" that hankered after being monarch. It was their families and supporters as it was so important to how rich they became (or whether they could hang on to their wealth) and sometime literally life and death. Look at Elizabeth 1st and Mary - it was basically a row between the catholics (Mary) and Elizabeth (protestant). Not really between Elizabeth and Mary themselves. They both executed their enemies and each others loyal supporters. It was a high stakes game Same with the War of the Roses, sometimes the prospective Monarch was just a pawn in everyone elses game. They had little choice in the matter. There was always courtiers plotting throughout the ages.

It's not just monarchy though, the whole aristocracy works like that. First son inherits the title and the stately home. Subsequent sons get a few crumbs. I know someone, his elder brother inherited a beautiful estate, chunk of Devon coastline, farms, small village. He got some big pictures to sell to pay for educating his children. And a holiday home on the estate which he can never sell.

Everyone in their circles knows that's how it works.

And he once said he was glad he wasn't number one.

I wonder what changed.....

Difference with Camilla and Meghan is that Camilla quietly got on with stuff in that 15 years

We're not 15 years on from all this yet are we? Who knows.

Princess Anne didn’t give her dc titles and they were allowed to get on with their own thing. It’s been better for all of them. Princess Anne is a very hard worker and has found her niche in life. Edwards children have been protected effectively as have Andrew’s children. All through the Fergie years we didn’t hear about their children and they don’t do royal duties. Harry could have protected his child in the uk as he’s way down the succession list.

One thing that occurs to me is that the RF have quite a few divorces. Princess Margaret, Earl and Countess of Snowdon, Princess Anne, Peter Philips, Charles, Andrew and Meghan before she met Harry. Quite a list!

Well we do know Meghan isn’t going to get on quietly with duties in this country so definitely not doing what Camilla did!

Well she isn't exactly going quietly at the moment is she @Roussette

I mean up to H&M how they handle things and I very much doubt Meghan sees Camilla as a role model.

I still think Meghan would have been best to be a sort of guest star royal, rock up for weddings but just pursue her own career in LA. Harry could have gone with her and pursued his own career.

If I were William and Catherine, I would be instilling in their younger children the need to be able to earn their own livings. Follow the Princess Anne model of parenting.

And I think there are some 'still married but a marriage in name only' arrangements. Like any other families, there will be lots of stuff that others just don't know about.

Very rich families ensure second sons, daughters etc have huge trust funds. They are not all minor aristos on their uppers. DDs friend’s dad has flip flopped with his brother and now manages the estate and huge house. They both have London houses and both have talented working wives. No one is scraping around for the next roof tile! It’s a life most of us would envy!

Well she isn't exactly going quietly at the moment is she
The timescales are sooo different, they've only been together for about 4 years, if that
Charles took years before he married Camilla after Diana died... a lot of water under the bridge there.

It’s been a problem to see how the children of the direct line to the throne gets their children to work. Edward failed and Andrew was a car crash. They really need to help the “firm”. But then it becomes too big. Their dc will/do have jobs. William might have different views but if they have another child, there are three spares again and it’s too many!