It was “, 'a bit naughty' to imply Archie 'couldn't be a prince because of the possible colour of his skin' when it was due to strict rules,...”

[RickiTarr]

Hugo Vickers made me laugh with his phrasing. So British to say “a bit naughty”.

Also, seriously high lights how many people don’t understand the rules or can’t explain the rules well, and no American has a hope of grasping our quaint & complicated rules and institutions, really.

Sorry, it’s the Daily Fail, but funny.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9340545/Why-Meghan-Markle-bit-naughty-referring-Archies-skin-colour-prince-discussion.html

Biden’s spokesperson couldn’t have been more neutral if she tried.

“For anyone to come forward and speak about their own struggles with mental health and tell their own personal story, that takes courage. And that’s certainly something the president believes”

She also acknowledged they are “private citizens sharing their own story and their own struggles,” so the administration isn’t going to offer additional comment.

It’s bizarre to see some media outlets portraying that as Biden coming out with a statement in support of anything. She replied with a diplomatic reply when asked directly.

@fallfallfall

why is he so high profile? honestly he really isn't. if he and megan wanted to lead a simple life they certainly could. maybe that's why they left vancouver island no one really cared that they were there. as for security threats and neo nazi's...sure lets move to the USA...not really a bright move in all honesty.

He’s high profile because he’s been high profile all his life and his marriage emphasised that rather than dulled it

Did Biden and Clinton volunteer those comments? or, when asked, did they make the blandest remark they could without taking sides.

Like the Queen's 'very sad, much loved, will address issues privately' response, and BJ's 'have huge respect for the Queen'.

Let's face it, any half-decent comms professional would prepare those sorts of statement for release if asked - while not wanting to get imbroiled in something that is irrelevant to their own agenda. Saying 'I couldn't care less about these random individuals' wouldn't play well, after all

From the telegraph (Tory line)

President Joe Biden has praised the Duchess of Sussex's “courage” in her interview with Oprah Winfrey, as Buckingham Palace became engulfed in a racism crisis

Cross posted!

@Allington Don’t know about Clinton, but Biden’s spokesperson was asked.

I think Bono has clearly indicated he supports the queen and has said nothing about H&M.

Not surprising at all.

In US, it is a different story. And Biden could just as well have said no comment. The statement is one of support and he can give it because H&M are private citizens (as he states) so he is not meddling in UK affairs.

Trump supporters and the right wing extremist groups on the other hand...well they sound like some of the posters here

Yes, and the communications team would be scanning the media and prepping the most neutral responses for all the questions they think might come up. Biden has his own agenda, and is experienced enough to not get derailed by other matters that are irrelevant to him and his administration.

Saying 'no comment' can lead to endless further questions to generate a comment. Better to shut it down with something bland and soothing - as his spokesman did.

@Sprining

From the telegraph (Tory line)

President Joe Biden has praised the Duchess of Sussex's “courage” in her interview with Oprah Winfrey, as Buckingham Palace became engulfed in a racism crisis

Courage? That’s a bit much for a voluntary interview. She could have given a print interview, put out a statement or kept silent.

I mean, there’s right and wrong on both sides, I believe, but why are American politicians wading in with simplistic sound bites?

And from the express (nether left wing or woke)

In a move that risks opening a rift between Joe Biden's administration and the UK political establishment, the US President's press secretary has heaped praise on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Jen Psaki said the President believed in the power of individuals speaking out when asked Mr Biden's view on the bombshell sit-down chat that has thrown the Royal Family into crisis.

@Allington

Yes, and the communications team would be scanning the media and prepping the most neutral responses for all the questions they think might come up. Biden has his own agenda, and is experienced enough to not get derailed by other matters that are irrelevant to him and his administration.

It’s a truly upside down world to hear myself say this but Boris handled it better when he was asked.

You can read what you like based on your own biases, but Americans are straightforward. When he says he praises H&M, he means it. Otherwise he would have said ‘no comment’ just the way BoJo said but then went on to praise the queen (so backing the establishment then!)

I think Bono has clearly indicated he supports the queen and has said nothing about H&M.

Bono? Tell me you meant Bojo.

Typo 😃

The media are massively overplaying Biden’s spokesperson’s answer to a direct question.

Unsurprisingly.

The RF will not be remotely bothered by the comments because they’ll see it for what it was, the politest way of saying “Fuck all to do with me” in a way that didn’t sound like “Don’t give a fuck about the suicidal woman”.

For anyone to come forward and speak about their own struggles with mental health and tell their own personal story, that takes courage. And that’s certainly something the president believes

Completely generic, and uncontroversial. Doesn't say anything about these particular people and what they've said. Whether he thinks they have been badly treated or are delusional.

She also acknowledged they are “private citizens sharing their own story and their own struggles,” so the administration isn’t going to offer additional comment.

Not quite sure how this is translated into a ringing endorsement.

@Sprining

Typo 😃

Good.

The RF will not be remotely bothered by the comments because they’ll see it for what it was, the politest way of saying “Fuck all to do with me” in a way that didn’t sound like “Don’t give a fuck about the suicidal woman”.

^^ This.

You can spin it as an endorsement if you like - but if it is praise it seems more like damning with faint praise...

Not quite sure how this is translated into a ringing endorsement.

Exactly. There is no “heaped praise” anywhere in any of those comments.

@Sprining

You can read what you like based on your own biases, but Americans are straightforward. When he says he praises H&M, he means it. Otherwise he would have said ‘no comment’ just the way BoJo said but then went on to praise the queen (so backing the establishment then!)

That’s the thing. Normally I prefer dealing with the straight talkers, some of them Americans, especially at work. I find it easier and more enjoyable. Honestly I don’t have a standing anti-American bias.

Today, however, there has definitely been a knowledge gap at play, i suppose inevitably, and it’s begun to grate on me.

So I am going to go and do something else now.

Great, I am off to bed, long day. I straddle both cultures and prefer American directness too

Has it been formally announced that the right of grandchildren of the monarch will not be given the title Prince/Princess? Is Meghan and Harry just making this up?

Sleep well.

@SallyLockheart

Has it been formally announced that the right of grandchildren of the monarch will not be given the title Prince/Princess? Is Meghan and Harry just making this up?

I’m off now but my quick understanding is that there has been no announcements of a change and nobody knows how accurate/mangled/honest/confused Meghan and Harry’s comments on the subject were, so far anyway.

Hopefully it will all become clear in time.