As Never the second release ...

[onehorserace]

Wine, apricot spread and honey. I think we've had all the suggestions for names already ?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14832085/amp/Meghan-Markle-new-products-rose-wine-apricot-spread.html

Interesting to see exclusives in the MoS this morning about Harry planning to 'extend an olive branch' by inviting K&W to Invictus 2027 and William 'no longer being angry' about 'H&M's outbursts' against the RF.

Given that these are exclusives and the way the sources are described and quoted, I am of the opinion that this is a co-ordinated PR campaign by H&M's team and the Wales's team to start to bring Harry (and Meghan??) back into the Royal fold.

I think this would reflect very well on the RF's reputation - they'll seem like the 'bigger person' ie most forgiving party.

From a career perspective it's the absolute best thing that could happen for Meghan. To deteriorate from two hours exclusively on Oprah, and British Vogue, to small, barely known, poor quality podcast guest is a truly striking professional decline (and unprecedented in terms of the speed at which it happened).

I think we're on the cusp of a new era in RF - H&M relations; it'll reflect very well on the RF, and will put H&M in an interesting position: is it ethically and morally logical to enter into a rapprochement with an organisation they've accused of being racist, colonialist, bullying, and suicidality inducing? And if they do, does that intrinsically undermine the veracity of their previous accusations? But if they don't, how will they rescue their (allegedly) perilous cash flow position and moribund reputations on the world stage?

I've heard rumours that Meghan is concerned about an apparent planned 'expose' on her alleged 'bullying' of staff whilst in the RF, in a mid market US publication. I believe that in US law - as in UK - it's possible to get around an NDA by formally adopting the position of a whistleblower, so that could be one way to do it. (NDAs are rarely watertight anyway; they're often intended to psychologically intimidate rather than actually protect the subject in law).

Quite an intriguing situation. I shall be watching with interest.

You think that H&M's team and the Wales' team are working together, @GiveMeSpanakopita ?
Extraordinary, after everything that's happened.
I do wonder how the RF could ever trust H&M again, and if they want someone as blatantly arrogant, petulant and entitled as Harry on board, but I suppose that's their call.

Oh thank you I do like to start the day with a good laugh. Harry & Meghan have no chance, zip, zero, nada of ever being in The Firm again. Their appalling behaviour has exposed them as classless grifters to the whole world.

I was thinking the same, @Tontostitis . Their behaviour has been absolutely extraordinary. So dishonest, lazy, greedy and cruel. The RF do not need people like this representing the Head of State.

I have the greatest respect for your insightful posts @GiveMeSpanakopita however I think Hell will freeze over before H and M are welcomed back into the RF .
How on earth could it work ? Meghan hates anything to do with the U.K. and the RF ( except her title). H and M have repeatedly lied and thrown accusations around like flower sprinkles . Who would trust them ?
I have read both articles in the DM but really don’t see it the way you do .

True, @Mylovelygreendress . I do think it's interesting how H&M are giving stories to the Daily Mail now.

Harry is chums with Bryony Gordon so that could be the link ?

Yes, they're obviously giving stories to her, she's being very supportive. As is Liz Jones.
Maybe in their heads they think that they should be back in the fold as working royals?
I suspect they also have plans for Archie and Lilibet in that direction.

"William 'no longer being angry' about 'H&M's outbursts' against the RF."

You forgot to mention it was the Times were this story was from not Daily Mail.

And they said he wasn't angry anymore, he is indifferent about Harry's attacks on royal family and he doesn't talk at all about Harry anymore. He moved on.

Yes, I think this is far more probable. William has had to deal with his wife having cancer, caring for and supporting 3 primary aged children in the wake of this, also dealing with the fact that his father has been seriously ill, and at any moment he could become Head of State.
I think the stupidity, greed and folly of his brother and his wife really can't be on his radar right now.

I thought a while ago there were signs that Harry might be ‘rehabilitated’ back into the fold, but not necessarily M. The question of the children would be a legal and diplomatic one, the complexity of which might be eased by the liberal disbursements of cold hard cash in the right quarters to ensure a satisfactory arrangement.

I think the British public will be utterly bemused, if not downright disapproving, of anything that is seen to exonerate H from blame for his repeated piss-poor behaviour and lies about the UK and its institutions.

I don’t see how it can be done other than H coming over for Invictus 2027 and ‘deciding to stay on for a while for his mental health and understandably to be with family especially his father’ [violins]. Which would fit in with the long game feeling I have.

Don't we get one of these planted "Harry and Meghan want to return to royal fold" stories about once a fortnight?

Yeah, but the flying a flag stuff is becoming a bit more frequent, I think. Tbf most if not all of it could be coming from Harry.

Harry has certainly indicated he wants reconciliation but I have never read anything to suggest Meghan does . Curtsy to Camilla? Walk behind Catherine ?
No chance.
But anyway I thought they were living their best lives away from the toxic RF ? Why would they want to return ??

I don't see how H&M coming back will "reflect very well on the RF" unless there is a very clear and unequivocal, public apology from H&M for all the lies and reveal all media vehicles, which the RF can graciously accept. The last thing I want is the RF looking like they are capitulating to that pair of charlatans and silently agreeing to any of their claims by letting them back in.

Personally I view indifference as worse than anger, anger at least shows emotion. Indifference is coming to terms with a situation and moving on. Siblings do not owe any unconditional love to each other, I can imagine the Harry that William loved now doesn't exist for William. He's mourned that Harry, he doesn't know the new version and doesn't want to.

I don't think they'll come back in any proper sense.

I suspect that any reunion would be limited to quiet funding of security in the US, financial guarantees for A&L, inclusion at family events such as Balmoral and Sandringham.

On the proviso that they shut their yaps and try and keep it tasteful.

Well quite. Why would they want to re-join a bunch of people they have branded racist and tormentors of mental health? Or is that a Mrs Merton question? What attracted you to aged millionaire, Paul Daniels, Debbie?

Yes, indeed. Certain advantages to being Windsor adjacent, it would seem.

Yes, that final point is never going to happen.

I don’t think they’ve ever suggested they want to return or attend Sandringham or Balmoral. I don’t think either of them ever went to Balmoral together. Harry didn’t go even before he met M. I think H wants to be on speaking terms and for all to be forgiven, thats all. I don’t think she wants reconciliation in any shape or form. She just wants the money on her terms.

Harry binned off and insulted not only one of the most prestigious and wealthy families in the world, he maligned his own family, and also the UK and its institutions.

It’s going to need a helluva PR job to sell his return from his petty, bitter exile as a positive. Thats why I think Invictus could be significant - assuming it goes ahead. I personally think it’s unaffordable for Birmingham irrespective of Johnny Mercer and the Invictus Foundation’s flannel about ‘funding delivery vehicles’.

What about the public though? I for one would be absolutely disgusted. They have gone on national tv to slag off the family and Harry has written a book . FF was clearly from the horses mouth too. How could there ever be any going back from that? Who would ever take the pair of them seriously if they appeared in public in any way?

I can see Anne, Edward and Sophie being the monarchs representatives for Invictus games. The king will do a social media post. Harry using a charity for emotional blackmail does sound about right though.

I agree that Harry is trying to get back in with his Invictus invitation. I read the article on William and I don't think he is angry, from what was said i think he has moved through anger and is now at acceptance in the process of grieving what his brother chose to do to their relationship. I'm not sure that this is coordination though. I think it's more likely that The Mail got the story from Harry and reached out to sources so they could run a story from William's side at the same time.

Now this may be a testing of the waters from the Royal side for a possible reappearance of the Sussexes at royal events in the future but I don't believe they are near reconciliation yet.

It may also be that the King has asked William to consider something around the Harry situation, as when he requested the two couples do a walkabout before the funeral. But, as then, at this stage I can't see more that something staged for the cameras rather than real healing of their relationship.

My gut feeling is that any reconciliation will be driven by Catherine on the Wales side. If she encourages William there might be some movement in the future but without her driving it I doubt William will do anything.

I hope they do reconcile at some point but I also hope that when it happens it happens because Harry has sincerely apologised and stops talking to the press, not because they feel sorry for Harry or get ground down by his whining. Andrew has never learnt to be less arrogant and entitled but maybe this is a chance for Harry to grow up, think of the effects of his words and actions on others and get a little humility