It’s interesting how positive headlines about Harry coming in from the cold are being used to mask negative ones about Sarah Ferguson

[Inotherwordspleasebetrue]

This is blatant speculation but I’m beginning to think that Harry was right all along and that the Buckingham Palace press machine uses stories about the lower ranking royals royals to protect the core of the monarchy.

So, on this occasion, to distract from damaging stories about Sarah Ferguson’s e-mails and back-tracking with Epstein, especially given the Yorks recent prominent appearance at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, my theory is that the Palace has given a tacit nod to a story about Harry coming back in from the cold, knowing that any story about Harry or Meghan will immediately hit the top slot and overshadow anything else?

Buckingham Palace must think people are very dim, or rely on the fact that they swallow this propaganda whole without questioning it?

Of course this time Harry will be happy because the headlines are favourable to him. And on a human level everyone loves a story about a reconciliation between father and son. But generally I think the British public are being played by all of this spin to cover up the type of story about financial murkiness that Andrew Lownie uncovered and wrote about in his latest book?

All of which leads me to wondering why the Royal Family and the men in grey suits are once again protecting Andrew and Sarah? Is it simply because Andrew is the King’s brother, and therefore close to the Crown, or is it because Andrew’s financial dealings are not much different to what most of them do in the RF, but just a bit more blatant and extreme?

Who knows what the truth is any more?

You haven't heard of it because it isn't true.

I think he could manage a European-style monarchy - opening parliament, and occasional public appearances. No state banquets, no royal tours, minimal charity work. Eventually the press will lose interest and stop hounding them.

I can’t keep up with all of the posts but there are some fascinating points here, Thank you for everyone’s input.

Tbh I am a lot more interested in how the PR and press coverage works than the individuals themselves. I don’t envy any members of the RF tbh! Agree that William has a hard road ahead of him.

So you listen to When it hits the fan podcast? I enjoy it because they don't always agree.

That’s very true about print v on-line headlines!

But I was genuinely gobsmacked to see positive news about Harry - which is gob-smacking in itself atm - eclipsing the story of SF’s e-mails to Epstein this morning! In the DM of all places! Which is what prompted this thread. I thought something else had to be behind it.

No I don’t but thank you very much for the recommendation 👍

I don’t think that the existence of an illegitimate child of his would be particularly shocking or damaging tbh.

I agree with this. There are zero constitutional implications. It doesn’t matter how many children were born ‘outside of wedlock’ to members of the royal family.

It would be great gossip and tabloid fodder for a while and an easy pay cheque for some legal talking heads, all coming to the same conclusion, but that’s it when all is said and done.

Several of the European monarchies are very high profile. A lot of engagements, charity work and far more banquets and tiara events. You only have to look at the Danish royal family to see this.

This is really interesting Delphigirl

Now you write it out as clearly as that, it makes sense that the monarch is protracted at all costs.

Totally agree about the nonsense surrounding Harry. I don’t agree with everything he has done but the vitriol aimed at him is disproportionate and excessive. He’s been a useful scapegoat.

Not sure about Prince William because I don’t think we know enough yet. Agree he isn’t showing massive enthusiasm for the role but who can blame him and his wife has been seriously ill.

Wholeheartedly agree though about the best monarchs being relative outsiders!

Yes all it would do is confirm our suspicion that very little information that we are fed about the Royal Family is true or honest.

And when people try and question their version of the truth, they are discredited or silenced,

This is what makes me laugh about their statement “recollections may vary” because the Palace are masters of spin and presenting a narrative completely different to reality!

I think the King promising the late Queen re Andrew may have a ring of truth, though my view is as speculative as much of the coverage about the Royal Family.

No state banquets? No royal tours? Don’t make me laugh, clearly you know absolutely nothing about European Royalty, The European ones are grander than ours! 😂😂😂 and don’t get me started on their latest scandals.

H&M destroyed their own reputations with no help from the Royals. They damaged their brand by what they said...it wasn't the criticism of RF but their clear entitlement and victimhood. Without the RF brand they are just mediocre influencers.

Which is why PH wants back into the RF, that's very clear and KC no doubt wants a relationship with his son and grandchildren irrespective of how damaging PH could be. I don't envy the PR people as PH is a high risk as he's unstable and unpredictable.

Fergie isn't a Royal and hasn't been for decades and whilst she has always been a free loader she seems to have some redeemable qualities..this isn't the same for Andrew who by all accounts isn't a pleasant person. However I think the RF have to strike a balance because he is family, he doesn't attend Royal events just family events and they can't stop him. I don't think there are dark secrets to be revealed..Harry would have dished the dirt had he known more as he doesn't seem capable of keeping to a script.

I personally would cut PW some slack, he does turn up at high profile events but I can see why he isn't keen to do the number that Princess Anne does, much of it is dull, boring stuff. His wife has been ill at the same time as his Dad and given he lost his mum early he would be more sensitive to loss especially as the children are still so very young.

Credit to PW he chose a good partner in Catherine..so did Prince Edward but Fergie and Meghan were dreadful partner choices for the RF.

Depends on the country! I was thinking Netherlands more than Spain.

Three royal engagements per year seems about William’s speed?

www.royal-house.nl/topics/visits#:~:text=His%20Majesty%20King%20Willem%2DAlexander%20will%20visit%20Denmark%20and%20Norway,More%20news

William may not want to be King but he sure as hell doesn't want to give up the perks. There has been no indication whatsoever that he even wants to allow his younger children to be set free of the Monarchy. It would make sense for him and Charles to work together while the children are young to come up with a plan of how the Monarchy will work going forward and issue declarations to that effect now. Otherwise you have the same issue Charles has of having to disinherit an adult child with children of his own which is far more difficult than a grandfather deciding that fictional great grandchildren will not have titles, or that a 7 year old won't have to work for the Royal Family when they are an adult, so they are free to do whatever they want.
Frankly, if he doesn't want to be King that badly he could even give the country a long run up to it and say we all have until the end of his reign (possibly 40 years) to decide who was taking over as Head of State. But clearly he doesn't want to do that. What he wants to do is very little while still being King.

FYI here are the King and Queen of the Netherlands hosting a couple of State Banquets.

Yes I wouldn’t say Buck palace would be bothered about diverting bad publicity from her!
I think it’s odd that she’s still hanging around, they’ve been divorced for many years and their daughters have kids of their own!

They go for it big time. All the European monarchies go big. They even have formal celebrations for royal birthdays, which isn't done here.
They love to bring out the bling!
Google Maxima of the Netherlands, Letizia of Spain and Mary of Denmark. Full on.

That's one weird story, isn't it? What the heck is going on there?
Whatever , H&M are good friends with the Yorks, always have been. Harry isn't likely to want to upset them.

You're so right! Hilarious 😂

And they do it much more cheaply than our do!

Read about the cost of the Spanish royals, seriously. If you imagine that all the monarchies in Europe are controversy free, you are mistaken.

Do tell?

Not sure what Meghan has done to object to except live her life outside the RF on her own terms. She and Harry seem blissfully happy.