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The royal family

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'Courtiers' by Valentine Low

1000 replies

RandomPenguinHouse · 27/09/2022 10:09

Extracts of this were being discussed on a previous thread ('The Times) which just finished.

I'm interested in buying this book, despite never having ever bought any other book about the Royal Family and never having watched The Crown.

I'm interested however in the archaic rituals of the Royal Court and how it works as an employer, and also how the courtiers advise.

Yes the excerpts were focused on Harry and Meghan but presumably that's just for clicks given the relevant timing, and that the book goes well beyond that.

Poignant that in the synopsis for it on The Foyles website it says:

The Queen, after a remarkable 70 years of service, is entering the final seasons of her reign without her husband Philip to guide her. Meanwhile, Charles seeks to define what his future as King will be, with his court wielding ever greater influence as he plans for his imminent accession.

www.foyles.co.uk/witem/biography/courtiers,valentine-low-9781472290908

Anyone else thinking of buying this?

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derxa · 29/09/2022 18:36

Are Kate and William a 'young couple'?

smileandjoy · 29/09/2022 18:38

RandomPenguinHouse · 29/09/2022 18:25

And I have to thank you @smileandjoy for keeping/getting the thread (back) on track. Until you mentioned that they wouldn’t care about messages or look at them, I’d forgotten about this extract from the excerpt, which I think is telling:

Even before Meghan came on the scene, Harry’s grievances with the media, especially the tabloid press, could lead to tensions with his staff. One insider recalls: “He was always messaging, making phone calls. It was nonstop. There were constant battles with the media and expecting the team to be on your side.… He was always on Twitter. You then had to be on everything too. Every minor infraction was a big deal.”

Telling because it shows Meghan didn’t ‘make’ Harry be like that, he already was.

You're welcome. I guess we'll know more about him and his life with his lovely family once his memoirs are published. I’m sure it will be a best-seller. I hope it’s released this year. I wonder what percentage of royalties they negotiated. Whatever was agreed I’m sure all parties will make a significant sum $$$😀

RandomPenguinHouse · 29/09/2022 18:39

smileandjoy · 29/09/2022 18:29

Is this what happens when you post a positive comment about M&H - you’re accused of personal attacks and being rude? I think it’s actually the other way round. Unfortunately it’s not going to stop me from giving my opinion. If you feel I’ve been rude please report my posts and see what action is taken. I’ve only spoken warmly of H&M. As this is an open discussion I have that right.

Well you were rude, yes, when calling us odd in a pejorative way. Technically, it could be categorised as age discrimination.

But as it was funny because it was so lame, I’m certainly not going to report it.

You’re welcome to post of course!

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PinkTonic · 29/09/2022 18:39

derxa · 29/09/2022 18:36

Are Kate and William a 'young couple'?

No but I think we say that their children are indeed both a credit to them and adorable. I can say that because I’ve actually seen them out in public and in photos.

RandomPenguinHouse · 29/09/2022 18:41

Typo: OLD, not ‘odd’. Although you’re welcome to call us that too.

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Ohnonevermind · 29/09/2022 18:43

Hopefully Harry gives the money he promised to charity from the proceeds of his book.

Having let sushine Sachs go, word is they’re struggling financially and can’t play with the big boys any more

Hopefully his book is better than the big fat steaming pile of turd that was the bench. Once Meghan doesn’t decide to ‘help edit the book’ it should be okay 🤞

oakleaffy · 29/09/2022 18:44

derxa · 29/09/2022 13:34

But if you’ve seen it once in life you can’t unsee it another time I know. For years on these threads I've wanted to scream at the ardent admirers, 'Can't you read body language!'
When Meghan is with Harry it is clear that she sees him as subordinate to her. When she is with a co-conspirator like Marcus Anderson she treats him as an equal

That’s very noticeable.
Harry- Subordinated, eyes down, MM sashaying ahead wiggling her tail, grinning at all and sundry, reining Harry in with a pincer - like grip if he dares get ahead, it’s so obvious she thinks she’s above him, rather than a respected equal.

Ohnonevermind · 29/09/2022 18:46

Perhaps people will be dancing on the streets in South Africa when Harry releases his book, just like they did when Mandela released long walk to freedom. I’m sure the South African cast member of the Lion King will let Meghan know

Jibbajabba1 · 29/09/2022 18:46

😂

adriftabroad · 29/09/2022 18:48

Ohnonevermind · 29/09/2022 18:43

Hopefully Harry gives the money he promised to charity from the proceeds of his book.

Having let sushine Sachs go, word is they’re struggling financially and can’t play with the big boys any more

Hopefully his book is better than the big fat steaming pile of turd that was the bench. Once Meghan doesn’t decide to ‘help edit the book’ it should be okay 🤞

That was a very funny post 😀

ajandjjmum · 29/09/2022 18:50

Ohnonevermind · 29/09/2022 18:33

Hollywood is very ageist, only the good actresses can get jobs over 40, so Meghan would have struggled to land any roles

In all fairness, she never got any Hollywood work in her younger years.

smileandjoy · 29/09/2022 18:50

RandomPenguinHouse · 29/09/2022 18:39

Well you were rude, yes, when calling us odd in a pejorative way. Technically, it could be categorised as age discrimination.

But as it was funny because it was so lame, I’m certainly not going to report it.

You’re welcome to post of course!

That did not happen. I said that I believe H&M are probably younger than most people on this thread. I’ll repeat, you are welcome to report the post to MN if you read something different
P.S. Do you have any insider knowledge on when Harry’s memoir is due to be published?

SilverLiningPlaybook · 29/09/2022 18:51

oakleaffy · 29/09/2022 18:44

That’s very noticeable.
Harry- Subordinated, eyes down, MM sashaying ahead wiggling her tail, grinning at all and sundry, reining Harry in with a pincer - like grip if he dares get ahead, it’s so obvious she thinks she’s above him, rather than a respected equal.

I think even in the engagement interview it was obvious she felt like the dominant partner who had all the ‘lines’. He was more or less nodding along, looking quite uncomfortable .

RandomPenguinHouse · 29/09/2022 18:53

“Wriggling her tail”?? Ugh.

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SilverLiningPlaybook · 29/09/2022 18:54

smileandjoy · 29/09/2022 18:50

That did not happen. I said that I believe H&M are probably younger than most people on this thread. I’ll repeat, you are welcome to report the post to MN if you read something different
P.S. Do you have any insider knowledge on when Harry’s memoir is due to be published?

I can tell you that the memoir is absolutely ground breaking. Really brilliantly written and riveting. You’re going to enjoy it.

smileandjoy · 29/09/2022 18:55

Ohnonevermind · 29/09/2022 18:43

Hopefully Harry gives the money he promised to charity from the proceeds of his book.

Having let sushine Sachs go, word is they’re struggling financially and can’t play with the big boys any more

Hopefully his book is better than the big fat steaming pile of turd that was the bench. Once Meghan doesn’t decide to ‘help edit the book’ it should be okay 🤞

If only we were all struggling like H&M 😅I'm very comfortable but I’d swap my bank balance with the Sussexes any time. I also think as adults they can make their own decisions on how to spend their money.

IcedPurple · 29/09/2022 18:57

Maybe you missed my question above, @smileandjoy?

In the interests of staying on topic, how did you feel your 'great couple' came across in the extracts from 'Courtiers'?

RandomPenguinHouse · 29/09/2022 18:57

P.S. Do you have any insider knowledge on when Harry’s memoir is due to be published?

Unlikely to be this side of Christmas.
There are ‘discussions’ happening about potential edits and whether they’re worth pushing the book back for.
Allegedly.

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smileandjoy · 29/09/2022 19:02

SilverLiningPlaybook · 29/09/2022 18:54

I can tell you that the memoir is absolutely ground breaking. Really brilliantly written and riveting. You’re going to enjoy it.

Let's hope so! 😀

Ohnonevermind · 29/09/2022 19:03

@smileandjoy

I’ve a loving family, I’d not swap that for a Netflix or book deal ❤️

MissMarpleRocks · 29/09/2022 19:03

derxa · 29/09/2022 18:36

Are Kate and William a 'young couple'?

No they are parents of young children same as H& M. Having young children does not make you young. Just makes you feel bloody old. Had mine at 34 & 38. At no point did I feel young.

smileandjoy · 29/09/2022 19:07

Ohnonevermind · 29/09/2022 19:03

@smileandjoy

I’ve a loving family, I’d not swap that for a Netflix or book deal ❤️

They luckily have the option of having all three.

RandomPenguinHouse · 29/09/2022 19:07

Grin @MissMarpleRocks

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Jibbajabba1 · 29/09/2022 19:08

@Ohnonevermind
Same! I can’t imagine selling out and losing the majority of my family, and then depriving my own kids of having those relationships.

IcedPurple · 29/09/2022 19:10

smileandjoy · 29/09/2022 19:02

Let's hope so! 😀

There's already a book out which discuses Harry and Meghan. It's called 'Courtiers'. It's the subject of this thread. Presumably that's why you clicked on it? If so, what did you think of the well sourced account of the 'attractive, happy, young couple'? You seem quite keen to have your opinion heard, so let's hear it!

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