I have pre-ordered Andrew Lownie's Book (out I think 14th August) A thread for those interested in "Entitled"

[BasiliskStare]

So for those interested in this book about the Yorks. I will read it and interested to hear from others who have or to give an opinion.

No spitting , no gouging 😂

If Harry and Meghan hadn't published that ridiculous website with their half working royal, half commercial activities manifesto, they could definitely have fashioned a successful half in half out situation along the lines of Zara, Peter, Beatrice and Eugenie.

A non royal source of income (gained or at least helped) by the royal association plus the chance to bolster that royal association with the family appearances at various points during the year. Plus the occasional chance to 'help out' at garden parties etc.

All the senior staff and government powers that be clearly knew what a shitshow it had become with Andrew and his dodgy dealings while representing the Crown - no one was going to approve a situation where Harry could develop into Andrew 2.0.

If Harry and Meghan hadn't published that ridiculous website with their half working royal, half commercial activities manifesto, they could definitely have fashioned a successful half in half out situation along the lines of Zara, Peter, Beatrice and Eugenie.

I agree.

I think they got impatient and tried to force Gan-gan's hand which was never going to end well.

Seeing the cousins milking so successfully must really sting.

All the indications so far are that W intends to carry on in much the same vein as he already is but with even less work thrown in.

Royal with a small 'r' and keep stuffing the coffers please.

I also think they were very badly advised by Meghan's American PR firm at the time who didn't understand what they were experiencing with the change in Meghan's public profile.

They translated those huge crowds in the pre and post-wedding period as a personal achievement rather than the regular royal institution crowds.

I imagine on that November hiatus they took in Canada that they were being told how huge they were and how much money they were going to be able to make, and that they didn't really need the royal family structure to be successful.

I imagine on that November hiatus they took in Canada that they were being told how huge they were and how much money they were going to be able to make, and that they didn't really need the royal family structure to be successful.

I definitely think they saw a successful round of after dinner speeches cushioning their landing and simultaneously enabling lucrative networking in their short-term future.

Covid had other ideas and after a couple of years of on-off lockdowns they were old news.

I agree with you 90%. MM arrived with her agent, PR, legal team and accountants all in tow from the US.

Each of them would have their snouts in the trough - likely this would have been a career defining mega financial global opportunity for each of these firms to exploit. They were looking to strike deals left, right and centre - so no doubt whipped MM up into a frenzy with the promise of elevation to the super elite US “A list’ with $$$$.

But they didn’t understand the British monarchy system and how this wouldn’t work. I would imagine that once MM was informed that these riches were now out of reach her head would have exploded!

I do think that H&M had favourable global press behind them at the time of their wedding - I think it could have been sustainable and hugely profitable it they had played their hand differently and they could have had many more opportunities. Arguably the agents did very well with the three big deals - NF, Spotify and Spare - but H&M vexatious, brittle, deluded, grandiose yet talentless personalities squandered the lot.

If anyone should write another book about them it should be called “Squandered” everything from personal and professional relationships, to opportunities, to cash, to reputation. How they have managed to kill a brand in less than 5 years is a spectacular achievement and one which will be a classic case study in marketing, branding, reputation management and communications for decades.

I don't think it's fair to include Mike Tindall. That promotion is through his rugby career just like any other sportsperson receiving money or sponsorship deals. He may have married a granddaughter of The Queen but he didn't marry a princess.

I can see W continuing the shut down of any conversations around the financial dealings of the RF.

Tindall is a hideous drunken lech who has landed on his rather wobbly feet dining at the royal trough.

No doubt he'd be offered many things just on his sporting career background but the royal adjacency does add a little bit of extra attraction for some of the things he does. He was more of an interest on IACGMEOOH because there was the potential to spill some royal gossip.

And his rugby podcast would have been unlikely to get an episode with three senior royals without his connections.

That may be the case but he didn't get the Guinness deal through being a Royal he would have got it anyway through his rugby career and possibly for being what you say he is.

He retired from international rugby 14 years ago. Well past the sell by date for advertising deals. He is touting his royal connections.

Does this timeline apply to other sportsmen like Harry Rednapp, Lineker, Beckham etc for their brand collabs / advertising?

I don’t think Mike Tindall is comparable in any way, shape or form to David Beckham or Gary Lineker. Harry Redknapp is a tv soccer pundit.
Arguably Jonny Wilkinson was a much
more recognisable name from Tindall’s era but he’s never mentioned now in non rugby circles.

He does a weekly podcast called “The Good, The Bad and The RUGBY ” with another ex RUGBY player James Heskell - so popular with a RUGBY audience that big brands do collabs with him. Your personal assessment of his post rugby playing commercial ability is clearly factually wrong if some of the worlds biggest brands are using him to front their advertising campaigns. Also using Johnny Wilkinson in your argument is totally irrelevant - that’s up to him how he conducts his post playing career.

Would his podcast be still going if he wasn’t married to KC’s niece?

As a couple Zara and Mike are very much attached to the RF name. Zara has a lot of endorsements. They lead a very interesting life, spending a lot of time in Australia, and the attachment to the royal name is invaluable to them.
They sold pics of their firstborn to Hello for six figures after all!

Zara and Mike Tindall are up there with the Royal grifters- their fans always say it’s because of their sporting achievements. Yeah, right…..

I don’t agree that what H and M wanted is comparable to Peter Phillips and the Tindalls. They are not funded by the RF, no titles , no security ( unless at official events).
H and M said they would give up their SG money ( about 5% of their income) but clearly still expected the £2million + money from Pa hence Harry’s tantrum at being cut off financially . They also expected to keep their 24/7 security..

This is my own view, Cathy, but one where I hope to be wrong

Admittedly W&K appear to be the best of a bad bunch, but I never forget that so much of the RF's image is down to PR, and that even the best can only cover up so much if the royal decides they don't want to play

I agree.

I think in years to come we will look back on Charles's reign with some nostalgia as he is seen out and about doing duties and engagements even though he is supposedly on holiday at Balmoral.

Looking at W's activity and there is absolutely nothing since beginning July... apart from Football and Wimbledon of course. I honestly think he is setting out his stall as to what we can expect. Pretty near invisible unless he has to attend a state duty

W & K have 6 years left before the focus really switches to George when he turns 18. And then Charlotte and Louis in the 3 or 4 years after that.

Johnny Wilkinson suffers massively with anxiety and depression, he doesn't want to be in the public eye, it's no secret. Big players like Tindal, M. Johnson, Dawson, Healy, Carling, Vickery etc are huge draws for business and charities.
Edited to add, all TV presenters covering rugby matches.

Finally picked up my copy of 'Entitled' from the library today.

Very excited 😁

Enjoy. I've just finished it.