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 😂

I can't imagine when Andrew Lownie sleeps! The amount of pods and YT channels, both sides of the Atlantic, he has been on in the last few weeks is unbelievable!

You have to wonder why a billionaire, be it Epstein or some other oligarchs would have an interest in bailing out Andrew and Fergie or indulging their sexual greed. What would they have been getting in return in terms of access to the Actual Head Of State. That's the point

Well I've got me a ticket to Lownie's chat at the Festival here in November, as I feel there may be plenty more for him to talk about by then!

I went to the talk today, not a spare seat in the place. Let me know if you have any questions before my meno-brain kicks in!
What surprised me were the many channels of money which have flowed to the ex-Yorks, almost on a laundering scale. Middle-eastern and Far-eastern interests. Lownie believes he is a national security risk.

Did he have anything new to say?

A lot of it was stuff he‘s said in recent interviews. New to me was him mentioning that Blair and Mandleson were somehow implicated in some of the dodgy trade envoy dealings. Not in the book for legal reasons. He also believes Putin has compromising material on Andrew.

I’m surprised Beatrice has not been told to cut her links with the Saudis.

That wouldn't surprise me. Putin thing I mean.

What surprised me were the many channels of money which have flowed to the ex-Yorks, almost on a laundering scale. Middle-eastern and Far-eastern interests. Lownie believes he is a national security risk.

If they had so much cash flowing towards them, how come Fergie was always skint. In fact, wasn't she declared bankrupt at least once, if not more times?

They've all got links with the Saudis!

@thenightsky
She spend it as quickly as she got it.

Did he say any more on Beatrice and Eugenie?

I feel they are very implicated in all of this. Perhaps he has to be careful what he says at this stage

Be and Eu need to lie low for a good few years. Muck sticks.

They won’t though…

He didn’t hold back from mentioning them every time he mentioned Fergie, in that their connections needed to be investigated. He also questioned why they have grace and favour apartments but I personally think that’s always going to be part of the royal package and the least of our worries. I feel as though B may have been mentioned more than E today.

I have NO idea why they have grace and favour apartments when they are not working royals

Those that have them in the past have done royal duties e.g. the Gloucesters and the Kents.

Probably works out cheaper than them booking top class hotel suites when in London?

I don't know though. I wonder if these G&F apartments are full time staffed when not in use by B and Eu. Cleaners every day etc?

If they need to be in London for royal duties? If not, they can pay for themselves!

He said to lobby our MPd to keep asking questions and don’t let it fade away as Andrew disappears off to his next cottage.

Lownie believes he is a national security risk.
In what way? He's not in a position to have up-to-date information on anything.

New to me was him mentioning that Blair and Mandleson were somehow implicated in some of the dodgy trade envoy dealings.
Not really surprising. There were always going to be Cabinet-level people implicated - that was the most likely reason for papers not to be released. It was just a question of whom.

He also questioned why they have grace and favour apartments.
Did he define what he means by 'grace and favour'? Beatrice & husband have an apartment in St James' Palace. Eugenie & husband have Ivy Cottage in Kensington. Both pay rent.

You seem to know an awful lot about who from the RF pays rent and who doesn’t. Are you one of their private secretaries or is it just that you can’t take any criticism about the royals as it really seems to offend you. So the papers weren’t released to protect cabinet ministers nothing whatsoever about protecting a member of the RF?

Both pay rent.

Could you link to this?
Grace and favour means not paying market rent in royal residences

Everything I have read says they are not paying for this, whilst not performing Royal duties

He's not in a position to have up-to-date information on anything

Bear in mind he has researched for years and contacted 3,000 people. 300 replied and were quoted in his book. Each one were prefaced and named on the first half a dozen pages. They were happy to be named which says something
He IS in a position to have up to date information as more and more people have contacted him since publication

You seem to know an awful lot about who from the RF pays rent and who doesn’t.

It's public information and was discussed in detail on a different thread.

One poster had interesting information about the St James' Palace apartments - apparently when they first became available on the market for rent they were released at below what would be average price for the area - due to the restrictions caused by the security requirements.

Discussion from round about 1343 on 03/11 on this thread. There is also a link to a Times article talking about the rent they pay.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_royal_family/5433880-will-fergie-stick-around?page=6&reply=148271238

It's important because 'grace and favour' is often used to mean free accommodation (for example for staff or retired royals), hence why I asked if he defined it. I have no issue with criticism of royals when it is based on fact.

He's not in a position to have up-to-date information on anything

Andrew M-W is not in a position to have up-to-date information.

Andrew Lownie is.

Can you link to actual factual information showing that one of Andrew's daughters pays market rent for a Kensington palace apartment.
I doubt it