Prince Andrew has bolted to Balmoral

[Viviennemary]

This according to guess who. The DM of course. To avoid getting papers served says the article. Maybe he's just gone for a nice break. Accompanied by Fergie.

Was it Andrew who was willing to pay 5M? Has a decision been made yet by the judge?
Was she not violated by him in 3 places (as a trafficked person) ?

But in NY state, one of the places supposedly sex took place... she was considered a minor.

The next 'conference' between lawyers is 13th October.

She came to an agreement years ago.

www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article254216878.html

@Roussette

This is an interesting article. You will either strongly disagree or think that the article really has a point.

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/prince-andrew-s-court-case-and-charles-s-donors-prove-the-royal-family-has-had-its-day/ar-AAOoy2m

Worth a read. This is the last paragraph

These people are, we are told, the nation’s face and noble identity. Mantel, who is steeped in royal history, doesn’t seem to be a fan. She foretells the demise of the institution in two generations, meaning George will not be king. That should free him and propel this country into modernity, herald a new beginning for this formidable nation. Regrettably, I will not be around for the champagne and fireworks

I agree with everything written there, especially in the brains front.

Though I have to say, I don't think things will end with William. Too many people are banking on gaining with the Windsors. Too many have control over them - technically it's not the Windsors who are in control no matter how much we are told The Queen decided this or that.

What is going to happen with all those titles (I am not referring to the RF here)? There are yet a few sons who need to inherit titles first. I am looking at one Jacob Reese-Mogg. The head of the Queen's advisory board still has no prestigious title which he needs to hand over to his son, whom he takes along to cheques etc. to make sure he learns his craft early.

I don't think the rf themselves would mind very much. They would simply disappear into the aristo circles and live a life of luxury without the spotlight on them. It's just that there are too many others who gain from having the family in the spotlight, while they call the shots behind the scenes.

@Roussette , if you have not seen it yet, this video is especially for you, as I know you like this kind of thing. A bit on some of the work behind the scenes.

How is PA paying his his celebrity lawyer? I thought he was short of funds? Where is the money coming from?

Good point Ribblechips.

I expect the RF would claim it is all from his own funds, but given the problems he has had with getting financing from dodgy characters, and the obscure way in which public and private funds are mixed when it comes to the RF I wouldn't be surprised if this is just another can of worms that will be opened in a few years.

I just keep thinking about Trump and people in the UK (including me) joking about the Queen taking charge of the US until they show some sense - and then you look at his children and her children, and there just isn't much difference.

I suspect there might be a few Royal advisors tearing their hair out and wondering how long this case against PA is going to play out. It is very bad publicity for the institution as a whole to have these matters recurring in the papers and discussed on news programmes long term. I know the Queen usually takes the long view having lived through quite a few controversies in her time but seeing as she has quite publicly thrown her lot in with Andrew, this is damaging to her as well. I think Hilary Mantel's predictions are not too far off the mark. The RF think they can always rely on public support but owing to the nature of PA's alleged misdemeanours; I am not sure they can be too confident on that front any more.

The use of a high profile lawyer linked to Bill Cosby to argue over a technicality seems like an astonishingly bad PR move, and likely to guarantee that the assumption of guilt will hang over his head for the rest of his life

Indeed, but as ever so much hinges on "how it looks", and it's clear they don't give a stuff just so long as their position's secure - and it's unlikely to be anything else at least during Andrew's lifetime

What with this kind of thing and Charles's upcoming reign I've every hope Mantel won't be far wrong with her "two generations", but I won't be here to see it

@merrymouse

I just keep thinking about Trump and people in the UK (including me) joking about the Queen taking charge of the US until they show some sense - and then you look at his children and her children, and there just isn't much difference.

No there isn't much difference.

Power, wealth and a sense of entitlement in the wrong hands is a catalyst for corruption and dodgy deals. You have to be a certain type of person to get to this level wether it be a CEO of a company, a president, a politician or in the case of the RF born with a silver spoon in your mouth. They are all cut from the same cloth character wise with little empathy and lacking in a moral compass and it's a trait that mainly affects men.

If you take the RF for example I don't think you would see the Queen or Princess Anne abusing their position in this way but the men of the family yes (and some of of them have these 'qualities' by the bucketload).

As far as Epstein goes even lawyers can spot an opportunity for corruption and deceit.

www.nytimes.com/2019/11/30/business/david-boies-pottinger-jeffrey-epstein-videos.html

A few may get their comeuppance (Andrew?) but most won't and that won't ever change.

as the saying goes Absolute power corrupts absolutely

@merrymouse

I just keep thinking about Trump and people in the UK (including me) joking about the Queen taking charge of the US until they show some sense - and then you look at his children and her children, and there just isn't much difference.

Anne and Edward seem to be OK, Charles is better than he was, basically a good man who means well.

Throughout history the Royal family have always had scandals and embarrassing relatives (like many other families). The Queen is quite upright though, as were her parents and paternal grandparents. They are the ones that really count.

These people are, we are told, the nation’s face and noble identity. Mantel, who is steeped in royal history, doesn’t seem to be a fan. She foretells the demise of the institution in two generations, meaning George will not be king. That should free him and propel this country into modernity, herald a new beginning for this formidable nation. Regrettably, I will not be around for the champagne and fireworks Mantel is a thoroughly nasty woman who makes a living writing stories about royalty and makes digs at the present royal family to publicise her books.

In a 2013 speech on media and royal women at the British Museum, Mantel commented on Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, saying in passing that the Duchess was forced to present herself publicly as a personality-free "shop window mannequin" whose sole purpose is to deliver an heir to the throne You might agree with her but what a nasty thing to say publicly. And she is Dame Hilary Mantel. Why did she accept a damehood from the very institution she hates?

@dontyouwish2

What are you trying to do to my blood pressure with that clip? Horrendous! I rate Byline Times. Everyone should watch it. Thank you. And your post was v interesting.

Queen is footing the legal bill. Which means us. From Duchy of Lancaster.

Mantel is a thoroughly nasty woman ...

FWIW I agree, but "even a stopped clock" and all that

And sorry, but I'm not sure she was far wrong about Kate. I don't support the "forced" bit - after all she didn't have to marry him - but having done so, and in the midst of so much unpleasantness, the RF's only real hope is to keep at least their image squeaky clean

Thank you, Plumtree, for treating people as individuals and not making sweeping generalisations.
By the way, does Hilary Mantel have any sort of an agenda of her own?

There have been rumours that William hasn't behaved impeccably on that front, so another area where the RF need to tread carefully if they don't want the public to draw the conclusion that they aren't any better than us and question why we are paying them so much money.
TBF to Kate, she made a deal and has kept her end up - she's conducted herself much better that the members of the family born into it. Which again comes back to what is do special about them.
Honestly, I think Ireland had the right idea - a president who costs a fraction of what it costs to keep a RF. If we must have them, then it needs to be monarch and heir only and every other bugger needs to get a proper job!

Says more about Mantel. What a pathetic hypocrite accepting a Damehood. Nigella Lawson turned down an OBE I think. Respect to her.

I think William is very very lucky to have Kate at his side. I don't disagree with Hilary Mantel's idea that it is about looking the part and providing heirs... if not this, what?

However, to give her her due, she really does it all well. He's a lucky man.

@upinaballoon

Thank you, Plumtree, for treating people as individuals and not making sweeping generalisations. By the way, does Hilary Mantel have any sort of an agenda of her own?

Sweeping generalisations no, false assumptions yes. The queen is only "upright" if your definition includes enabling her son to evade justice, lobbying the govt to change laws to conceal her private wealth, forcing Pacific Islanders out of their homes through the Privy Council, all of which has happened. And how her racist landgrabbing forebears are remotely "upright" is a mystery.

The evidence is all over the internet for those who choose to look.

TBF to Kate, she made a deal and has kept her end up - she's conducted herself much better that the members of the family born into it. Which again comes back to what is do special about them

They've got the "blood royal" don't you know?

And yes, you're right about Kate; within what she's chosen she's making a ruddy good job of it, and while I might not admire her choice I admire professionalism when I see it

I don't know about Kate making a good job. To me she seems to be getting herself embroiled in questionable rf things, that she probably would not have.

Of late, I think of her and William's budget airline stunt, her face at Westminster Abbey, the made MM cry story. Would she not have made a big fuss or left when her husband is implicated in affairs (if true ofcourse). Then there is all sorts of nonsensical PR she is in the middle of. I think there is a lot of things she would not have done if she was not with this family. But her choice, she wants the crown for herself and her children, she has decided 🤷‍♀️

Would she not have made a big fuss or left when her husband is implicated in affairs (if true ofcourse). Yes on MN you leave your DH when he uses the last of the milk and doesn't replace it.

A wife in that position, in a family ricocheting from scandal to scandal, would now have her husband by the balls if he'd cheated. I'm thinking fear of consequence would keep him on the straight and narrow in future. She'd be mad to give up that advantage - eye on the prize and all that.

Anne and Edward seem to be OK

Anne is an avid badger-gasser. Unsurprising in a family noted for its enthusiasm for blood sports but still.