As ever, WLM, PR disasters continued

[AtIusvue]

Online, people are pointing out that a very expensive cashmere jumper that Meg wore on suits, also made its way to her wardrobe

It’s been nothing but PR disasters of late.

What I have noticed which is curious - is that the UK tabloids are not running with P6 story about the dress. Just like they avoided talking about the NY car chase. They only reported on the media frenzy. But, we know Harry sent out some sort of memo not to publish photos etc. None of the UK press did. Now Meg has acknowledged the stolen dress story and released an official refute ….and none of the UK press are even reporting on that?

That’s weird. They will literally print any old Meg story to get clicks…..but not this one???

The articles on this issue are mainly American.

I have friends who make their own crackers and they put sweets or lip balm or batteries, or pretty much anything that will fit in the cracker.

I buy make your own crackers, then can't be bothered and but filled ones!

I’m sure Meghan thinks if the plebs on YouTube can do it, then surely Her Royal Greatness, Duchess of Dried Flowers, will be a great proficient. All very Lady Catherine De Burgh.

🤣 I’ve got 2 boxes of make your own that I have had for at least 10 years! They come out of the Christmas box and go back in, every year….

Last year I made a hand painted one at a class run by an artist who used to design them for a big supplier. Pretty, but unless you start in August, way too much to do on top of everything else!

Yes, I guess anything goes with the content of a handmade one. I just somehow don’t believe that she had hand-made ones in her short time in the UK.

Maybe the Royal family buy those extremely expensive crackers which have amazing gifts in them and she thought they were home made?

Oh no! I hope the royals buy bargain Aldi ones and have a good laugh with them, along with their crap gift giving tradition. Some things are just meant to be silly, imo. Still, I am now off to Google ridiculously expensive crackers…..

I hope so too. I can just see Camilla having her fortune for the year told with a plastic fish whilst the children adorn Catherine with cracker rings.

I think one of the articles say the RF crackers are created for them by the Tom Smith company.

Right, these ones from Fortnum & Mason are £585 for 6, but at that price, I would want more than a candle or a small tin of tea!

https://www.fortnumandmason.com/gold-brilliance-crackers

The special thanks to the Christmas tree farm at the credits, is Lane farms. This is where she happened to have to whole place to herself for pumpkin picking. So she must have some sort of deal with them because they get advertisement.

Oh @MrsLeonFarrell the little plastic fish - can you still get those crackers.

Many moons ago - probably the first year I made a Christmas cake - I made crackers. Some of mine were a damp squib - quite literally. I now buy crackers but depending on budget I try to get the ones with the mini graters in ( good for nutmeg) and the tiny screwdriver set ( good for if the arm falls off your glasses ) My late paternal grandfather used to insist on the crossed arm thing but now we just choose someone to pull with and whoever gets the contents keeps them. I don't recall sweets being traditional for crackers - but that may just be me. Oh a crap keyring always good in case you want to leave a key with a neighbour. Mini playing cards - binned with the wrapping paper - large paperclip - useful - keep - stupid interlocking puzzled toy - binned straight after dinner. And there is the Basilisk rule of crackers 😂🎉 I have spoken

Pretty sure we had the fish a couple of years ago. I try to get crackers that don't have plastic but then you are left with miscellaneous metal crap. I don't even make my Christmas cake these days, too much alcohol and dried fruit gets wasted because i don't use it for anything else.

The Guardian

With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration review – take anti-nausea pills, she’s back! https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/03/with-love-meghan-holiday-celebration-netflix-review?CMP=share_btn_url

" who should turn up but H! Or, as we used to know him, Prince Harry. Balder than ever but still charmingly at ease and blessedly calm. He hates beets, olives, fennel, pickles, anchovies and fish, which almost makes you proud to be British."

What in the single. white. female. is this? Is this the cover image?

I mean with so many PR people, did no one suggest a red sweater and holding a gift? Just to look a bit different? As ever, Meridith is AWOL.

We had wind up racing reindeer one year and instruments another! , I like to find interesting ones that appeal to the children.

The Guardian review archived:

https://archive.ph/oFpf0

I’m rather intrigued by Doria’s gumbo now. Maybe she should be the one doing a cooking show rather than Meghan (if Harry’s comments are anything to go by).

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/2025/12/03/meghan-markles-holiday-special-review-the-reek-of-forced-fun-is-ever-present-even-harry-looks-embarrassed/

Just looked those up. They are by royal appointment! Come in at around £40 for 8. Frustratingly doesn’t say anywhere what novelty is included, but they are plastic free and seem to do good work raising money for Trussel Trust.

Honestly I think it's Harry who should be embarrassed, not Meghan. She is at least trying to forge a new life, he is contributing nothing but his "life of service".

This from the Guardian article (Thank you @MrsLeonFarrell ) "He hates beets, olives, fennel, pickles, anchovies and fish, which almost makes you proud to be British"

( just to say beetroot , Olives , fennel and fish I love - but no matter - each to their own. )

This posted by Peter Norton a Yorkshire journalist ( Other versions of this are available - so may be apocryphal ) Churchill - then the prime minister was advised by one of his aides in February 1945 that a guards officer had been arrested after being caught in Hyde Park in an uncompromising situation during the early hours of the morning, Mr Churchill is said to have replied “Hyde Park in February, good God! it makes one proud to be British”.

I like all except olives - but not necessarily together

Thank you

I made a Christmas cake once - the first time and the last. My late MIL used to make us a little one when she was making hers - but too much effort here given no-one in my house really likes it. So tiny bought Christmas pudding for us ( again MIL used to make that but no longer with us ) and v small Christmas cake.

The curly fish are nostalgic for me though, but I suspect they have gone the way of reducing plastic tat. Which I agree with so a memory now merely.

I used to make my cake using the Waitrose kit, then realised it was easier and cheaper to just buy a cake there!

I’m making one this year but only because my dh loves it but I hate glacé cherries and marzipan, so he’s missed out!
but I’m cheating with a special ( and ridiculously expensive) cake mix .

but I’m cheating with a special ( and ridiculously expensive) cake mix

Have you found an As Ever one?!