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.

Pancake It is an initiative that I think is worth supporting AFAIC. I'm not sure yet how it is going to work but any project like this is worth looking at in my book. But of course, it's Harry so let's ignore it, as he's taken private jets...
Not sure what hunting holidays have to do with a sustainable eco travel initiative but let's throw the kitchen sink at it too while we're at it!
I believe he has learned and grown up since the 'hunting holidays' as he joins the war on african poachers and did three months conservation work in a country he loves.

Well I think going on holiday to hunt animals is not compatible with sustainable and eco travel! Is that not quite clear? That’s not throwing in the kitchen sink. Harry has taken private jets and continues to do so. Again I find that incompatible. Is that so strange? It really isn’t.
My issue with Travalyst is that all the companies participating in the programme are travel companies (duh) and therefore rely on people doing a lot of travel. Therefore they are limited in what they can do, it’s just a big marketing exercise to make longhaul travel and “exotic” travel more acceptable. You don’t see them promoting local holidays, do you? It’s all about luxury travel which is not accessible to most people anyway. For me, Travalyst is the new “lets go to Africa build a school”. Giving people a nice warm fuzzy feeling that they are doing something to help, whereas travel needs to be reduced, not encouraged.

Roussette If you've read the Travalyst blurb then you should know why hunting holidays are relevant. I believe there's something in the initiatives about preserving the wildlife as well as eco travel. So the pictures of Harry over his shot game are as hypocritical as his exclusive use of Tyler Perry's 120 seat aircraft taking two adults and a baby from Canada to LA in March this year.

As I said, I feel he has grown up since he was so stupid to go on hunting holidays and is making amends for that now.
As far as private jets, yes too, but it's not unlike other members of the RF, including Charles who has an even worse record for that.
I still feel it's a good initiative, so we'll have to agree to differ.

I think people / media will now be goading HandM into a hot headed response at every opportunity now, as their responses are click bait gold.

Harry. Here is a message for you. Never complain, never explain.

Roussette why did you say this then:
“Not sure what hunting holidays have to do with a sustainable eco travel initiative but let's throw the kitchen sink at it too while we're at it!“
You said hunting holidays are not related to a sustainable eco travel initiative and accused me of throwing the kitchen sink at it. Do you not agree the two topics are entirely related?

Companies and charities are challenged about their governance standards all the time. Some that are in the public eye - constantly. Have the Duke and Duchess, in their sustainability journey, come across ESG? Environment Social and Governance principles? This is a very public discussion now. Certainly, they should work up a way to respond that is more measured and doesn't take offence the same standards and scrutiny are being applied to their firms.

They are really headed for trouble if they think this is the way to manage their approach to their professional activities.

Yes of course Pancake
Glad you have corrected me. Early start, didn't think. Always happy to admit when I'm wrong. Hope that clears it up for you.

Omid Scobie

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8541177/Meghan-Markle-punchier-without-constraints-royal-life-royal-expert-reveals.html

If i'd donated money to a charity involved in the prevention of gang violence in our inner cities, then Harry decided to move my donation to a company (not charity) to help tourism get back on it's feet, I'd be a bit miffed. It's good that someone is shining a light on this.

I feel annoyed by Scobie's references to the 'constraints' of royal life. It is the royal label and 1000 year old institution that has supplied Meghan with fame and an audience. Scobie's narrative is that she was always a superstar who has now freed herself from a stultifying situation. In fact he talks about her as if she is mid 90s Diana. Whereas Meghan was a quite successful tv actor who lasted less than 2 years as a senior royal. I don't see how that makes her a global force for change.

There may be a perfectly reasonable explanation for it.

They're response is totally out of step with the currently environment. Was it an opportunistic attack in the part of the organisation in question? There may well have been an element of that at play. However, it's not like the events are historic either. Regardless, it doesn't mean the question couldn't and shouldn't have been raised.

The questions were specific and based on corporate filings. This is not a pap shoot or "sources close to" situation.

Questions like this they need to take on the chin and do better at responding.

Defamatory - oh dear, that does seem loaded. Hope Harry's planned new career is not being a serial litigant!

@ EthelMayFergus I couldn’t have put it better myself !

Genuine question for any lawyers on here . If a client hands you a letter that they want you to issue , do you do that or could you refuse ?

Constraints of royal life?? The only reason they are getting all this publicity is because they are royal. If they weren't all these a listers wouldn't be giving them the time of day.

Constraints! How long was she constrained for, FFS! It's that kind of comment that isn't helping their public image Omid - a couple of years in the life of someone in their late thirties is not going to make a big difference. Just.Stop.Whining.

I find the 'the Duke is deeply offended' comment deeply offensive Joking but honestly. It's all so 'how very dare you criticise ME'. Worrying lack of any sense of accountability over the money.

@Oldbutstillgotit

Genuine question for any lawyers on here . If a client hands you a letter that they want you to issue , do you do that or could you refuse ?

As a solicitor (but in a different field) - i would have advised he say nothing and let the charities handle it.

The problem is that this is an opportunity to suddenly appear relevant/important for Harry, who clearly has very little to do at the moment.

A solicitor certainly would not have drafted that statement. It has Harry's finger prints all over it.

The problem they have is that time is passing and people are becoming less and less interested.

Everything he has been doing is just what the Royal family have been doing, but he didn't want to be a senior royal.

He's doing the only thing he knows. But he's already given all that up.

Beatrice really did play a blinder by getting married privately. All the hype around both her father and whether H&M would turn up has just vanished.

Unfortunately for H&M, that speculation had a lot of shelf life - bringing them back into the news. That has now been lost to them

They need their connection with royalty to stay relevant. Without that they're finished IMHO.

@ Ballet1992 thanks for that . I do wonder if they listen to advice !

I wouldn't be surprised if William is just as angry about the charity complaint behind the scenes, the complaint wasn't just aimed at Harry's charity. But of course it's now all about Harry with the focus on his furious reaction. William is not getting the same focus because so far he hasn't reacted.

One thing that's become very clear this year is just how well the 'never explain, never complain - no comment' PR policy really works. This year H&M have repeatedly tried to justify/explain themselves both directly and indirectly, along with complaining and it's really not reflecting well on them at all.

One thing that's become very clear this year is just how well the 'never explain, never complain - no comment' PR policy really works. This year H&M have repeatedly tried to justify/explain themselves both directly and indirectly, along with complaining and it's really not reflecting well on them at all.

I don't think it is just about how it reflects on them, (although I don't disagree about that) When the response is so emotional and outraged it generates even more headlines and articles and negative press attention so, in my view, responding emotionally is just not as effective as a more cautious response.

If 'never complain, never explain' is not acceptable then a brief statement that they welcome the CC review as everything was above board, would have been much more effective in shutting down criticism.