Talks about reconciliation 2

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I've never started a thread here before, but I thought some people might be interested in this take on the story by a PR podcast I listened to yesterday (started listening to this podcast as I know very little about PR!).

It would be good to know if any of the resident PR people agree.

When It Hits The Fan: A Right Royal Whodunnit

I think Harry believes that his is still a life of service and that he is still a working royal. He can't understand why he doesn't get the security he thinks is his due.

Even the BBC interview came down to don't you know who I am. It is sad and infuriating at the same time.

described exactly where the balcony photo was taken and there is no way a US based photographer just happened to be passing .
All roads lead to Meghan in my opinion

And they’ve had needed Joe 90’s x-ray eyes to recognise anyone on those balconies if they were just passing by at that exact moment.

Try this link:

https://archive.ph/vcAvZ

Nope! Yet she keeps posting on IG with products that no-one can buy. It's baffling.

Could have been leaked by someone who does not want them to reconcile? Like maybe Queen Camilla? If people talk about them won't talk about her..

Camilla is receiving excellent press, as far as I can see. She's hard working, doing great work with DV victims, and running a successful book club. I doubt she's leaking meetings to Harry's favorite Mail reporter.

My take:

1. Meredith proposed the meeting and photographer and Meghan agreed.
2. BP + 1 agreed the meeting and venue knowing it may well be leaked. William was informed and said he wanted nothing to do with it.
3. BP + 1 determined to behave immaculately but give nothing away, hence wine gift.
4. BP + 1 genuinely taken by surprise by photographer, expecting only the story of the meeting to be leaked. Point to Meredith.
5. M & H said 'leak not us' because it was Meredith.

Technically the leak could have come from anyone but I think the circumstantial evidence points clearly to the Sussex camp (US photographer, previous leak of watch this space from a Sussex friendly journo, the RF rep looking surprised at being photographed and the fact this is consistent with the Sussex M.O.).

If this was the case it was a stupid and counter productive move if the goal is reconciliation.

However that may not be the goal at all rather it’s being seen to attempt to reconcile whilst not being committed to achieving it. In this case it’s potentially quite clever as they can frame a “we tried” narrative safe in the knowledge that the way they went about it actually made it harder/impossible for the other side to agree to any proposal due to lack of trust.

IMO a lot of Sussex PR is driven by the knowledge that the RF will not clap back which leaves them to get their messaging out publicly without challenge (for the most part - recollections may vary being an obvious exception where the RF had no choice but to comment given the nature of the allegations).

I haven't followed much of this but I don't understand why either M or H would have leaked this (though I think it's far more likely it would be them). I think it just makes them look a bit desperate.

If the RF want to reconcile it's entirely up to them what they do, it must be hard for KC to be estranged from his child. So long as H and M don't come back to the UK to take on royal duties I don't give a shit. In William's position I'd tell Harry to go fuck himself but really from a family point of view it's none of my business whether or not they reconcile.

Agree on all points except informing William & his reaction may have been more neutral 'this is happening'/'OK' - I suspect there was never any suggestion he would be involved.

Going back to something mentioned a few posts ago - if I was sitting at a table, and the people I was with sat there looking as surprised and confused as those blokes did, I’d as sure as hell turn round to see why? But she didn’t - and it speaks volumes, even about her being able to remain as cool as a cucumber. I wouldn’t trust her as far I could throw her.

It seems Meredith is an operator. She and Meghan are made for each other.

I agree with Ida's interpretation. It's the only version that makes sensé to me.

Note on the podcast the snapper is identified as us bases and well established.

UK based not US.

Because you are assuming that H&M actually want to reconcile.

Just because H has said this doesn’t mean it’s true and it’s not even clear what reconciliation actually means in practice for him.

Is it spending time with his father in private or attending royal events? PR collaborations or access to £££? We simply don’t know.

We are also assuming that H&M want the same thing. Perhaps H does want a better personal relationship with his family, but M has no interest in this and actively doesn’t want her children visiting the UK?

Again we don’t know and neither who is giving their PR instructions. H&M jointly or one rather than the other?

If they were not unified in this goal then it’s possible for one person to pretend to support a process of reconciliation whilst also actively scuppering it via leaks they then deny (possible but I think unlikely if I’m honest).

Personally I think H&M are simply not very good at PR and can’t understand the ramification of their actions. Their approach is simply very blunt and short term focussed about the message they want to get out “now” without considering the longer term implications. In contrast the RF always have an eye to the longer term projection.

?????????????!

If Charles didn't tell William, I can imagine William wondering if that was what the praise was for at the state dinner. Which I did find strange at a state banquet. I can't see William standing in Charles way or giving ultimatums but can see him withdrawing to a formal relationship. I can't see a perfect ending for Charles and I would not be surprised if William does not trusts him.

Tobyn Andreae was the one who was reported at having a meltdown at the Telegraph editors for allowing the leaked info about funeral planning for King Charles to be pubished. That story that claimed that Meghan and Harry would have a central role in the funeral.

I'm convinced this meeting was about PR and messaging, not reconciliation. Unless it was a meeting to enforce the message that if they don't stop leaking and centering themselves in articles connected to the royal family then there is definitely no way back.

And if that was the case then it definitely backfired. If it was either of the Sussex PRs who suggested 'it might be nice to sit outside in this nice weather,' then Tobyn knows now he was absolutely played.

I can't see organising paparazzi and leaking meetings being Camilla's style. 😂It also wouldn't surprise me if she has more sympathy with the dogs at Battersea Dogs' Home than H. At least they haven't got themselves into their own pickle.

Camilla doesn’t give a shit. She obviously genuinely cares about the charities she supports but other than that, I bet she’d happily be living in the country with her family and her dogs. H and M could do this and no one would care but they want the limelight.

Just noticed this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14914033/meghan-markle-queen-camilla-birthday.html

There are screenshots of the so-called 'meltdown' on X. Celebitchy ie Sussex Squad is talking it up. Andreae's tone is reasonable. He points out that it is in poor taste to cover funeral planning for a person who is ill.

Harry and Charles need to get rid of these lackeys, get on the ‘phone and actually talk to each other. It’ll never be perfect but surely they can have some kind of relationship before Charles dies, even if it’s a lukewarm and cautiously polite one.

This is a private parent-child thing, not something to be hammered out by the hired help.

William can make up his own mind about Harry obviously, but he has time on his side.

I am not a royalist so don’t care about this family but I feel sad in general when broken relationships that have a sliver of hope of repair, aren’t given a chance, especially when one party is elderly and undergoing medical treatment.

According to Harry Camilla repaired her reputation off the back of Harry, so I'm not sure why she would suddenly needs to leak.

Harry and Charles need to get rid of these lackeys, get on the ‘phone and actually talk to each other..... This is a private parent-child thing,

Until Harry shares it with whichever media outlet he favours that week.