PR disasters thread 22

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The ongoing saga of Sussex PR

So much for his lament about being forced into a life he didn’t want from childhood that he had to escape. He’s perfectly prepared to do the same to his children, who could be leading ordinary, civilian lives, if their parents weren’t such a pair of dick heads.

Yeah, the kids are far too young and unaccustomed to being around strangers to get 'involved in public events'. Just another attempt to use the children as emotional blackmail.

Then there's this.

Harry will return to the UK in September to support his charity WellChild

Firstly, it's not 'his' charity.

Secondly, instead of making transatlantic flights for one 'appearance' or speech or whatever, why can't Harry find a similar charity in California and support that instead? I guess he doesn't get to play pseudo royal that way.

But while he got to meet with Pa - with none of the conditions he'd previously laid down having been met, or even considered - the MIGs laid conditions on H's conduct. We can guess what they are, but an end to hostile leaks from Montecito will have been one.

But - having an ex who was a narc - I know there is narc rage coming at some point in the near future from Montecito

I don't think it was a 'friend' or 'source close to'? A brief, factual comment from the Palace. In contrast to the friends/ sources quotes trying to spin.

Secondly, instead of making transatlantic flights for one 'appearance' or speech or whatever, why can't Harry find a similar charity in California and support that instead? I guess he doesn't get to play pseudo royal that way.

@IcedPurple We know the answer, don't we...'cos charities here (I'm in the US) don't particularly want him as a patron, he's not high profile enough
He was when he first moved in 2020, but not today. He needs to do something to prove his worth to a charity.

I was referring to The Times article linked above about the meeting (which only took place yesterday), and was posted at 5.10pm today - 24 hours for the spin to start. It cited "a royal source", "a friend of the King's," "sources close to the king", "a royal aide", "those close to Charles". And on Harry's side we have his friends, who seem very well informed within such a short time frame to be giving fairly substantial commentary on Harry's mood today.

Why are either side briefing the Times about, and spinning the nature of, a supposedly private, family meeting that was to stay private? To me, it looks like both sides are already playing the inevitable, predicable game. Harry's is extravagantly squeezing all the toothpaste out of the tube, and Charles's side is trying to put it back.

I think that the palace have got this about right. Yes of course the Harrygoround circus will try and make something of the meeting, but I don’t think many people, apart from the sugars, will think it was anything other than a private family reunion. Harry was not allowed to use BP after the ANL for a valedictory / victim speech. He has not been photographed with his father and his family. Charles has squashed any suggestion that he has snubbed his son and grandchildren by generously welcoming him, and Camilla was present thus showing that. Charles will not exclude his wife in favour of his petulant son. I think there are a lot of subtle signals to Harry and Meghan that the RF know perfectly well what their game is and they will not be allowed to play it. Harry on the other hand has no idea that he has been rumbled. It s a bit like the way Trump
was comprehensively taken down by Charles without him realising and actually thinking that he was being “bigglied” up

'Flatpacks'!!🤣🤣🤣

I'm quite surprised that not one photo of the family has emerged today - it would appear that Charles really did play a masterstroke with doing this at Highgrove. Quiet rural roads, no passing paps and locals who are very protective of His and Her Majesty.

One would imagine that Meghan is quietly furious, having spent days choosing an outfit to merch and being unable to do so.

I'm quite surprised to read in the Times article above that Camilla rarely spends time at Highgrove. A strange way to live. I know she has her own home, but it doesn't sound like they spend much time together when not in the public eye.

I do hope you are right. Maybe a bit of narc rage will finally make Charles realise there's no way to manage these two. The "friend's" comments about Harry attacking the judiciary out of principle, and "scoffing" at the suggestion this creates a problem for reconciliation with Charles, surely counts as a form of "hostile leak" and should be enough to make Charles realise how unwise he is being (in my opinion)? Although, having said that, the whole Times article (which I have now read 3 times) reeks of a joint effort by both sides to roll out the peace/all is forgiven process, with the Waleses on the outside.

According to the Times article, the Sussexes are in the UK for another few days with friends, so I will be interested to see what else comes out while they are here.

What friends are they seeing? I thought they insulted all Harry's old friends by not inviting them to the full wedding.

I don't think that Charles would want to put William outside anything. William is the Heir, he is an integral part of the family and he and Charles are much closer than when he was younger by all accounts. I think too much is being read into Sussex spin.

Charles is simply behaving in line with what he said when he ascended the throne, Harry and Meghan have made their lives abroad and therefore there are no public pictures released as the palace don't comment on private family matters.

Nothing that had been said or done since then had changed Harry's position with regard to the family or monarchy and nothing had threatened William's. Charles isn't stupid, he knows which son to keep on side

Whose doorbell was he trying to ring last time? Maybe them

Incidentally I really hope Harry doesn't bring his children on a public charity visit. They are totally unprepared and have no need whatsoever to be so.

Yes it's a ridiculous idea.

Recipe for a happy marriage.

Can you explain why Charles's people are briefing the Times on a supposedly innocuous, private meeting, that BP supposedly already drew a line under with the official statement yesterday? And do you think Harry has already broken his side of the supposed bargain by having his friends briefing the Times?

Absolutely.

I think a lot of couples their age would happily spend some time apart when they have fully maintained separate luxury homes to go to. Also, Camila has her own children and grandchildren whom I'm sure she likes spending time with away from royal restrictions.

You don't know how much time they spend together. They deserve privacy when not doing duties. I don't know who has been talking to The Times?

Well at least one "friend" is briefing the Times about Harry's state of mind after the meeting yesterday, so must be in close touch if they are receiving intel and blabbing to the Times within 24 hours.

But I think they are being managed. Yes maybe a “peace has broken out” message is coming from both sides, but I still think that the palace have the upper hand for the reasons I listed previously. All the leaking from the Montecito duo is par for the course and is really like them pissing on the wind. We know they are incapable of not commenting or clapping back on every tiny thing that they feel affects them or is about them. I really don’t think that the vast majority even hear their prattle any more. The palace have said their piece about the meeting and I doubt we will hear any more from them. Which just puts in to relief the inane bollocks from the Sussexes and renders it totally meaningless. Reacting would only give weight to what they say. Charles is also probably aware that William has a far less charitable view of his brother so has not wanted to put him in the difficult position of having to make peace when he is not inclined to so do 🤷‍♀️

Maybe a bit of narc rage will finally make Charles realise there's no way to manage these two.

Don't you think the family have already been dealing with this for years, long before it ever became public in 2020?

We are seeing what is public; they have had years of dealing with what has been happening in private. It's rather presumptuous to suggest they don't already know how to deal with them.

Perhaps unfortunately, modern kings tend not to be able to use exile, execution or imprisonment.

Let's face it they're old news already.

Only one Harry the country is interested in right now...

I too would like to know why Charle's people are continuting to brief the media especially after the statement yesterday. Just proves that briefings/ leaks whatever you want to call it is happening on both sides. Both are bad as each other in that respect.