What exactly is "the Sussex Squad"?

[Prydddan]

I don't know whether this is too controversial a topic for such a thread to be allowed to stand. But I post in good faith on a topic I believe has a lot of social and political relevance.

Does the "Sussex Squad" actually exist? If so, how do you join? If not, do people ever identify as belonging to it?

If it exists, was it hijacked by SarahData and Bouzy or was it their creation? And, if so, to what extent?

Thanks in advance.

Harry and Meghan have done wonders to make them more relatable. Most of us can relate to entitled family members having drug problems, keeping grandchildren away from grandparents, asking for money.

It is very sad but it has humanized Charles for many.

Unprofessional at the UN. What sort of feminist feels the need to clutch onto her husband's hand like this in a professional setting where they are supposedly working?

It was also a big deal when Michelle Obama hugged her, and one that played out well for both.

Basically it boiled down to the idea that you don't touch the monarch, unless she invites it - aside from her parents and DSis, the only people who we saw touching her in any way were her DH (very rarely) her DC, DGC and DGGC and some (but not all) of their spouses.

It was rare to see pix of anything else, though there are some of her dancing with (aristocratic) partners.

Even when shaking hands, it was when she extended a gloved hand to you, not the other way round. All very formal.

It's one of the reasons that Diana seemed so different, especially contact with children and patients in hospital.

So I think those customs began changing back in the 1980s. But there's always going to be an edge of formality (not least for security reasons)

That is quite excruciating to watch. He is obviously just hating it and she just isn't responding to his cues.

Well that was clearly a typo mistake and should ofnsaid popularity. I don't see why you need to quickly jump to personally attacking by saying I don't seem to grasp how the monarchy works.

There has been good discussion on here before that the RF do need to stay visible to remain relevant and continue to show what they are needed. So I don't see why it's so wrong of me to comment about relatability.

Yes of course chnages come through each new King or Queen and as a monarch supporter I can still be critical of it whilst I support them. I don't think Charles idea of a slimmed down monarchy was a good idea and recent events really expose the risks of this.

Well I'm yet to see your definition of fine is that homework for me too?

I like a bit of formality, everything is so casual and relaxed these days, I don’t want our head of state high fiving, much rather a gloved hand.

@AliceOlive - delurking - you’re absolutely right. I have a comfortable life financially - others might think I have no problems - but I can absolutely relate to all of that.
The Royal family - despite their wealth - are very much a family with multiple issues on show to the world.

I think it's fair to say lots of comments on here about what's reported in the media are from sources and it seems perfectly okay to link to those e.g. alot of H&M comments are based on news articles from sources...yet that seems to be okay to take what those unknown sources say as fact

Rarely news about w&k that says a source says...so I think it's more credible

I don't think people want royals to behave like their best mates.

People may not want a return to the old days of 'knowing your place'. But I think they still want a certain degree of distance from royals. The senior royals seem to do a pretty good job of achieving some sort of balance between 'relatability' and formality. It's not easy to do. Too aloof and they seem snooty and snobbish. Too informal and people might start to wonder, if royals are 'just like us', what's the point in having them at all!

You said this: Why am I getting the impression you don’t have a good grasp of what the monarchy actually is?

Now you do the same about saying I don't have a good grasp about what a personal attack is.

I don't respond to your comments and personally say you don't know this or that or judge you or your intelligence in anyway.

I agree there is a balance and compared to the Queen it's why I say it's nice tonse them be more relatable. Alas much as I respect the Queen for various reasons her aloofness was a bit off putting

💐 You can never look and tell what someone’s life is truly like.

It depends what you mean by relatable. DH and I most definitely don't go in for PDA - seeing people in the public eye all over each other like a rash makes me cringe a bit and doesn't make them at all relatable. I like a little bit of decorum, especially from public figures, ta ever so.

If William wants the monarchy to be more “relatable “, I suspect he doesn’t mean in terms of huggy touchy feely. I suspect he means as in more relatable to people’s lives, which is why he wants to concentrate on projects like Earthshot and the homeless. Things that affect everyday people

I agree that criticism of the Waleses for their lack of obvious and excessive PDA’s is misplaced. They know how to behave professionally and don’t feel the need to hang on to each other like teenagers. This doesn’t mean there is no affection between them

edited typo

The example of PDA that I can't stand is Meghan always clutching Harry's hand, it's as if she needs his protection and needs to cling to him, really irritates me

@Turtlerussell
Please let it go? The thread has been going so nicely. But here we are will familiar behaviour.

(Apart from anything else, it will be interesting to see what happens if you just ( metaphorically) smile and wave.)

It's all about the preserves

I absolutely agree! H&M have certainly made the RF more relatable after all, many of us have a SIL who is a right royal pain in the ass and sees everything as a competition.

And what family doesn't have at least one member that everyone rolls their eyes about behind closed doors for playing the victim!

and pawing at his arm and back.....