Charles financially supported the Sussexes until summer 2020

[SnottyLottie]

news.sky.com/story/duke-and-charles-paid-substantial-sum-to-harry-and-meghan-after-megxit-but-couple-paid-back-rent-for-frogmore-cottage-12340192

Prince Harry revealed in his Oprah interview that the Sussexes stopped receiving money from the royal family in the first quarter of 2020. However, newly published accounts reveal that Prince Charles continued to financially support the Sussexes until summer 2020.

I wonder if this is going to be a case of their truth or incorrect wording on Harry’s behalf. Interesting!

Kate wouldn't send a cake on a plane because we are a very small country!

I just find this sort of criticism very unfair. I accept some of what posters say about MM but to me this is just nitpicking and mean. Anyway the WCK loved it and it's a very nice photo they put up.

No, I can't see that. Sorry. Bearing in mind it was 2,000 miles away, would you prefer she drove it there? It was just a personal touch with a charity they are involved in.

Funny that the WCK loved it, so maybe you are out of synch with all of this.

I despair. The woman can't even bake a cake without criticism.

The cake was not strapped into its own seat on a private jet 😂😂😂

BUT, I've just realised this happened in March so I've no idea why I'm wasting my time talking about it and I'm stopping immediately!

@Roussette

No, I can't see that. Sorry. Bearing in mind it was 2,000 miles away, would you prefer she drove it there? It was just a personal touch with a charity they are involved in.

Funny that the WCK loved it, so maybe you are out of synch with all of this.

I despair. The woman can't even bake a cake without criticism.

It is a bit of an odd thing to do though really - air freight a cake 2000 miles....

Of course I wouldn't expect her to drive there.

Most people would have picked up the phone and paid for a local baker to make and deliver one.

Double bonus of supporting both the charity and a local business.

If it had been a local charity it would have been a lovely gesture.

It's just another example of where H&M seem to miss the mark by doing something that should in theory be a nice gesture but in such a way that the optics just don't look great.

In contrast, I do like their collaboration with WCK very much though. It's a great organisation and I think the concept of the Relief Centres and how they will be used is an excellent initiative.

My lips are sealed. I am not discussing the 'C' word anymore 😂

The problem for a lot of people with Meghan is that everything, even her handwriting, is a performance. It doesn’t mean that she’s not sincere but it just grates especially I think to a lot of British people who have a tendency to understatement. As my US SIL is always saying ‘why don’t the British just say what they mean’ instead of hiding behind a veneer of ‘politeness’.

I want to know whether it went on a private jet...

Hmm. Maybe they could pitch 'Cakes On A Plane' to Netflix. Can't go any worse than a book about a bench.

I've just made elderflower cordial, with eldeflowers picked from the hedgerows and you need a serious amount of unwaxed lemons for it. 'Tis delicious, especially in fizz or with gin, or sparkling water even!

I have to admit when I read the cake trip to Chicago story, I instantly thought it was more a PR stunt, and there is nothing wrong with it. It has worked and people were talking about it.

@Roussette

But.... if Kate made a cake and took it or sent it somewhere, everyone would be loving it. Look when Charlotte delivered bags of homemade pasta or something, such positive press. I just think it's unfair to criticise this.

The photos of Charlotte delivering pasta to pensioners around Sandringham was one of the photos released on her birthday. That’s one of the few times where the RF let themselves be the story, rather than the organisation they are supporting.

If you think about RF visits, they tend to follow a fairly well-oiled format. Turn up, meet and greet, if female get posy from cute youngster, get escorted around, meet staff/helpers, make polite chitchat. There’s often a planned photo opportunity with the aim to get good coverage in the press and on social media. The photo ops are typically planned to make sure the image links the royal family member to the reason for the visit. E.g. Queen stands behind Iron Throne - she’s visiting the Northern Ireland film and tv production facilities. Kate and William duel with wands - they are visiting the Harry Potter production facilities. They play sports - they are visiting a youth sporting charity. Prince Charles pours a pint in a local pub - he’s demonstrating local producers etc (Prince William tried Irn Bru this week…) . They are the channel to get the organisation publicity, not centring themselves as the story.

I see there’s a difference in approach. Others obviously don’t.

Well... as H&M aren't working Royals they are bound to be doing it in a different way, aren't they?

We pay for the Royals, they have to do it that way.

Serenster. I agree. This comes back to the difference between how popular the person is and how popular the role/RF position is.
For many organisations and charities, having a Royal visit is good for their local profile and garners publicity and support. Provided it is a “respectable Royal”, who it is is not probably as important as the fact it is a member of the RF. clearly there is still always an attempt to match the organisation/charity with the interests/focus of the royal concerned.

Well.... given that there's a study out there that Royal patronages really do not bring a lot to a charity in the way of donations and that visits are sparse, I am not sure that's strictly true. There is no doubt there is a benefit on morale of staff but that's the main one.

I am not knocking the RF for this, but that's the way it is.

'
giving-evidence.com/2020/07/16/royal-findings/

Very very detailed and wide ranging with a lot of clicky links and videos within that article.

This report on the Queens’s patronage has a different perspective

www.charitytimes.com/ct/comment-research-highlights-the-benefits-of-royal-patronage-to-charities%20.php

As always it’s good to have a range of sources and perspectives

@GlencoraP

The problem for a lot of people with Meghan is that everything, even her handwriting, is a performance. It doesn’t mean that she’s not sincere but it just grates especially I think to a lot of British people who have a tendency to understatement. As my US SIL is always saying ‘why don’t the British just say what they mean’ instead of hiding behind a veneer of ‘politeness’.

Glencora The problem for a lot of people with Meghan is that everything, even her handwriting, is a performance.

I think you have a point there. I am picking up on your word "performance". When they became engaged I was talking to two people. One wasn't keen on Meghan. She said, "She's an actress. It's an act." I thought and said that being an actress isn't all that different from being a member of the RF, in effect putting on a performance in front of people, and I couldn't see why she wouldn't bridge the gap.

@GlencoraP completely agree about performance. The engagement interview made me feel as if I was being manipulated.

Totally agree.

Wait a minute, I have not read all the ridiculous contortions, but are posters moaning about a cake that was Royal Mail/UPS to another county in the US, miles away? Kind of like your nan would send your DC when she cannot see them during Covid. lol

[quote StartupRepair]@GlencoraP completely agree about performance. The engagement interview made me feel as if I was being manipulated.[/quote]

I'm not so sure about that if I'm honest.

I think in part it's both a cultural (US) difference and also a product of the media training she has probably had as an actress.

In that sense every interview/time in the spotlight is a "performance" in the sense it's an opportunity to showcase yourself.

I think if that's what you've done (and been expected to do) for years it's very hard to turn off.

I'm not sure if I'm describing myself very well and the nearest thing I can think of is like when you see Tom Cruise being interviewed I always think after watching you've still no idea what sort of person he really is. That's because what you've watched is the avatar "Tom Cruise" - a character he's created as his public image.

I think that's simply very common for actors to do in terms of how they manage their public profile.

I don't actually see it as deliberately manipulative, rather just the product of her experience.

I thought most of the posts about the cake and it’s 2000 mile journey were quite light hearted 🤣