The Times

[Rushingfool]

Anyone else think The Times should not be printing extracts from this new book about Royal Courtiers at this time? Incredibly stupid given that H&M are trying to mend fences? I feel really quite cross for everyone involved - William's efforts to build bridges etc, all going to be in vain now. Very naughty.

Ah yes cheers, I misremembered sorry,, thought it was said during the engagement interview by Meghan but it was Harry during a R4 show.

Where did you hear this - do you have evidence?

@MissMarpleRocks I understand - it's not a dig at anyone. I just hope I never have to make that choice for my children.

Thanks for that - I thought they would have had someone - not even their mum's sisters?

It must have been difficult for them and PC given he didn't expect Lady Diana would die suddenly.

With Charles away so much and so busy, boarding school was probably the best option. They were too old for a nanny. What other choice was there? If they had been at a day school they would have come home to an empty house or preoccupied father a lot of the time. Staff can’t be expected to parent. Did any of the RF go to day school? I don’t think so.

They were also at boarding school before Diana died, so used to it.

Didn't Edwards' children attend day school at some point? I know LL was at a girls boarding school recently. I can't imagine the parents are busy working though.

@Coucous as you’re so curious, why don’t you start a thread to discuss where the Royals went to school?

I think the courtiers want people to hear their 'truth' as Meghan says. The bullying report was buried Meghan's allowed to go on national TV and put her point across but the courtiers are expected to sit in silence. I did think the times would wait a bit before the mud slinging started again.

I think the issue is that the schedule was already set. The book is out on 6th October, which is only 1.5 weeks away. At the time of the Queen’s death I believe it would have been too late to push the release day back. It would have been fixed for months.

The author, VL, is The Times’s Royal correspondent so of course there would have been a deal to publish extracts. This again was probably fixed well in advance to provide publicity soon before the publication date. The deal will be with the publisher.

I agree it seems too soon but I suspect it was unavoidable.

The palace needs a plumber for the amount of 'leaks' it issues and always only about H&M while the Cambridges are beatified. One has to wonder about the timing.....what is really happening while the public are being distracted into a frenzy of hatred towards MM?

@pawkins did you even read the post immediately above yours?

true

One thing that is very clear from the articles in the times is that it was the Queen who said no to half in half option. So regardless of their close relationship, the outcome of Megxit for Harry was dictated by the Queen, not other members of the RF or the courtiers. It’ll be interesting to see his take on this in his book.

from that decision, again per the article, Harry walked away from the RF with freedom to be independent in North America but absolutely nothing else. No patronages, no military titles, no money from Charles, no security paid - it’s clear now why they are so aggrieved. They got what they wanted most - freedom - but at a much higher cost than they thought they would have to “pay”.

Isn’t that like any job though? You don’t get to keep the company car or health insurance once you leave?

it is, but they wanted the half in/half out scenario as that meant they kept the perks. For Harry, the military titles was personal, for them both, the security issue was the big thing. They assumed, wrongly, that they would retain that regardless of what happened - and it turned out that Canada wasn't that keen to carry on paying either.

Sometimes you have to close old doors to allow for others doors to open.

yes, that true, but why then open old doors and throw shit through them?

If they went forward with their new lives and no regrets, we would all admire them for it. Re-invent themselves, don't try and be proxy royals in America. Ditch the titles (after all, they are part of the closed doors) and live their best lives, no coy insinuations of "i've got more to tell and won't be gagged/I've got a book of my true life and my truths coming out"

I think it's good for people to be able to have a voice.

Having your silence bought by wealthy individuals or organisations via NDAs seems pretty unhealthy.

People naturally would like to hear a counterpoint to H&Ms "truths".

Imagine how frustrating it must have been as a staff member with a bullying grievance being told their claim is being buried/silenced, yet being able to read M&H's grievances all over the media.
If one is allowed, so should the other, however uncomfortable it might be for those in 'power.'

Blueridge I agree. It's particularly important for those with less power to have a voice and not be silenced.

I think that's the problem. None of this was thought through. They just assumed a lot of stuff and then unfortunately were left quite high and dry, with limited ways of making a living in the States.

It's all very sad and I hope Harry can mend fences with his family. But he needs to stop being so impetuous.

They assumed and also jumped the gun. They were told it would take time to sort out the fine details of such a move but Harry thought that meant he was being ignored so flounced.
Perhaps he might have been able to negotiate a better deal if he'd handled it better.

You open the door and throw the shit out.
It doesn't matter if he changes his name to Harry Prince of a Thieving monarchy - he will never get rid of his heritage, he will still be a prince from here
It would be nice to see him open everything up and tell us about all the scandals.
I hate to say this would probably mean the end of the RF and maybe his ties to his family but I am want to know what happens behind those walls

Well this new book telling the Coutiers story doesn't just focus on Harry and Meghan so will perhaps open a window.