PR disasters thread 25

[BigWillyLittleTodger]

The Montecito diaries continue……..will it be Balmoral or bust?

There's no record of him ever threatening anything like this. It's M who did that. I think it's unhelpful to talk about cowardice and calling people out on suicidal feelings.

Yes I believe the Sussex PR juggernaut planted the story that M was concerned for H’s welfare and ‘reached out’ to Charles. Usual load of rubbish.

That Sussex PR lot will invent and plant anything. It’s been relentless since late 2024/early 2025 and the Maines/McGuire/Griffiths nonsense started.

Eventually everyone will be either bored with, pissed off with or owed money by them. The ANL costs hearing next Weds-Thurs will be illuminating.

I think it was M who talked about feeling suicidal , not H .

@CathyorClaire

I thought of you remembering this. 😂

H not in it .

ETA Sorry I found a rubbish version with crap subtitles

There is nothing Charles can put in place (except money) that William cannot overturn the day he inherits.

Exactly and will be a handsome sum. However, I think KC would be wiser leaving it in a trust for A and Lil

Thanks for the new thread xx

The problem for both of them is neither of them appear to have any particular interests or passions. These two are in their early 40's. They need an occupation for the next 30-40 years. How are they to fill their time, (and earn money).

Meghan's main interest seems to be herself. Imagine, the Queen gave her patronage of the National Theatre thinking she would appreciate that, as an actress. But no, not remotely interested as far as one can tell. I think she wouldn't like being surrounded by actors so vastly more talented than herself.

Harry could have so many opportunities - horses - he is happy enough to jump on a polo pony and thrash it up and down the field but is there any evidence of him being interested in horses beyond that? I've taken to watching several American horse trainers/cowboys on YouTube, some of them take on wild mustangs and work miracles. There's an incredible amount of cruelty in the horse trade over there, plus funding for some of the mustang management schemes has been cut. They have kill pens - enough said. One horse rescued from a kill pen was incredibly traumatised and anyway was quite feral, the trainer is so incredibly knowledgeable about horse psychology and has worked an absolute miracle on her over many months, though she will remain with him for life, I doubt she will ever be a safe horse for anyone without his experience and ability to forge a relationship with her. Anyway I digress, but there's plenty Harry could get involved with in the horse world over there if he was interested.

Likewise nature, the national parks. Getting involved with homeless charities or drug rehabilitation.

There's so many things he could get involved with yet he doesn't seem to have any particular interests. The Wales family are hugely sporty, both as fans and players. William started following Aston Villa in his teens and has stuck with the club over the years, developing relationships with players and managers, building knowledge of the game, as well as being President and now Royal Patron of the Football Association. Harry popping up on a podcast to opine on the World Cup just showed the wealth of his ignorance.
Catherine is Royal Patron of the AELTC (Wimbledon) - she and the family love tennis and I'm sure she is very knowledgeable. I think it's lovely that she pops up doing stuff like scanning tickets and chatting to fans as they arrive, working with the chef in the kitchen preparing strawberries, doing some ball boy training with the trainees ahead of the tournament. Meghan doesn't appear remotely sporty and Harry doesn't appear to have any deep passion for any sport - sure a bit of surfing and skiing since he's in California but no regular involvement.

They don't appear to be interested in the arts at all or great readers. Princess Diana loved ballet and was patron of the Royal Ballet School. Princess Margaret was also involved in ballet and the arts.

Most of the Royals have diverse interests and are very knowledgeable about what they love. The Queen obviously with horses but she had many other interests and deep knowledge of all sorts of things. Phillip also had wide interests and knowledge. Princess Anne and her husband love sailing, she learnt a lot from Prince Phillip but obviously Tim also has naval training. I saw an article in some Yachting magazine interviewing her about the boat she and Tim bought (yacht built for them in Falmouth, about £500 K iirc), I think she said they keep it up in Scotland to sail the Western Isles.

Rather than a holiday home in Portugal, where presumably they hide away from prying eyes in their gated complex, living the same life they do in California, why not get a yacht and get into sailing? Much cheaper than a house in Portugal (depending on the choice of yacht obv).

Honestly I don't how they occupy their time let alone what they will do with themselves for the next thirty years. I always think of Harry outside the window juggling as Meghan sat at her big desk/table, with her laptop on a pile of her Bench books. Not sure if that was planned for film footage (showing him as the court jester) or more likely he just has an annoying habit of trying to distract her by fooling around outside the window when she's "working" so she left it in the final Cut to diminish him and show him up.

Remember in South Park when Harry lifted the lid off Meghan and found it empty? The same also applies to him.

A life spent scheming, complaining, demanding attention, it all seems so pointless and unsatisfying. What a way to live.

Totally agree. It's staggering really that two such fortunate and wealthy people are only interested in their own navels.

Here's a link to Princess Anne's interview with Yachting World for anyone interested.

www.yachtingworld.com/features/exclusive-elaine-bunting-invited-aboard-princess-annes-new-royal-yacht-rustler-44-remote-harbour-scotland-60797

In any such similar situation I'd want to be sure that "reconciliation and acknowlegement" - particularly where my DCs were expected to be part of the deal - followed serious efforts on the part of the family member with the mental health issues to address their issues. And a massive apology.

@ShamedBySiri - I do agree with you , but let's take H. He is a director of Africa Parks. There is a great deal about this charity which seems to need sorting out - H is a director , he could be working on this ( he may be , but we hear nothing of it) . His involvement ( before the SC debacle ) with Sentebale seemed to drop off (scant visits) . By reports IG is short of funds - is H working long hours to get proper commercial sponsors rather than (allegedly ) tapping up EJ for funds. Now he may be, and maybe just not publicising those things , but those things alone could be a full time job.
If I'm honest, H looks like he likes being a patron and turning up, without anyone seeing evidence of really hard work behind the scenes. Now - let me be clear - he may be doing huge amounts of work behind the scenes , I would not know. Personally , I don't get that impression. If I'm wrong , tell me .

This could be why they were shoo-ed off to Canada. And why HIHO was denied them, because - as we've seen with all the disastrous faux tours, and most graphically with the Wibledon incident - as a couple they are not fit to represent the Monarchy and don't even realise it.

Yes, he was quite upset by SC's brand audit and said she shouldn't have done that. His nature is to stick his head in the sand. I'm sceptical of a new charity ever wanting him to be involved.

Anne is in S Korea atm, apparently. I didn't know when I made my prediction.

Seems like they are doing the search machine thingie - William Emmy Nomination, we'll buy an Emmy nomination too; Anne South Korea, we'll announcevsomething something S Korea too.

She also has a passion for lighthouses

Princess Anne is an avid pharologist—the term for a lighthouse lover. Her lifelong fascination began at age five when she visited McArthurs Head in Islay, and it has since grown into an ambitious quest to visit all of Scotland’s 208 major lighthouses.
Her passion goes far beyond a casual hobby. Here are a few key facts about her nautical obsession:
Official Patronage: She has served as the patron of the Northern Lighthouse Board since 1993, a role that allows her to regularly tour historic beacons in Scotland and the Isle of Man.

• Life at Sea: She frequently uses the NLB’s vessel Pharos to access remote offshore stations and islands, such as Fair Isle, to check on the beacons.
• Published Author: Princess Anne is highly respected within the international lighthouse community and has even written forewords for books dedicated to the structures, such as Scottish and Manx Lighthouses. She describes them as an "enduring symbol of man’s tenacity, ingenuity, and altruism."

That was an interesting read, thank you.

This in a nutshell. They are so, "vacant" if that's the right word. They are well matched tbf but what complete waste of a life. I really hope they prioritise education / a different way of life with their children.

Fascinating. Thank you.

Totally agree @BasiliskStare I find it amazing how he went years without visiting Sentabale, even before Covid - his supposed much loved charity.
He participated in two major polar expeditions with the military charity Walking With The Wounded. He joined a team of injured veterans for a 200-mile unsupported trek to the North Pole in 2011, and later led and competed in the South Pole Allied Challenge in 2013.

As far as I can recall he hasn't done anything comparable since, yet I'd have thought these would be exactly the sort of events he'd enjoy and be good at being part of.
Likewise as far as I am aware he hasn't pursued flying since leaving the army.
Yet Phillip, Charles and William have all be keen pilots, long after the end of their army/navy/airforce careers. Though I wonder if a. he might realise he might fail any drug testing requirements and b. he genuinely doesn't have (or didn't have pre-megxit) the opportunity to fly military aircraft in the way the others have been able to due to being lower down the pecking order, and he clearly doesn't have the cash to buy his own helicopter.

I'm gonna support @Recklessismymiddlename here. I hope this doesn't lead to a derail, though.

Here on MN we recognise threats of "I'll kill myself if you leave" as a manipulative weapon. I trust Reckless to have made a judgement call of a similar sort; and the cousin is still alive.

Honestly I don't how they occupy their time let alone what they will do with themselves for the next thirty years very much agree with your post @ShamedBySiri. Apart from having children their lifestyle does seem to be the Temu version of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, faux royal tours and all! I wonder if Meghan not only had a fascination with Diana but with Wallis too.

Exiled from the UK, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor lived as prominent international socialites in France. They resided primarily at the 14-room Villa Windsor in Paris (leased for a nominal fee) and spent weekends at their country estate, Le Moulin de la Tuilerie in Gif-sur-Yvette. They spent their time traveling, golfing, gardening, writing, and hosting lavish dinner parties for high-society celebrities.
Their life in France was defined by opulence, leisure, and the social calendar of the global elite
The Early Years (1937–1939): Following their marriage at the Château de Candé in 1937, the couple lived in France and traveled extensively across Europe. At the onset of World War II, Wallis briefly joined the French Red Cross to aid the war effort before fleeing the advancing Nazi forces.
The Post-War Era (1953–1972): After her husband's term as Governor of the Bahamas and a brief period in the United States, the couple permanently settled at their palatial Bois de Boulogne home in 1953. During this time, she devoted herself to being a perfectionist hostess, gardening, and working closely with couturiers like Mainbocher to cement her status as a global fashion icon
Writing & Memoirs: The Duke played golf, maintained a massive correspondence, and authored his memoirs, while the Duchess published her autobiography, The Heart Has Its Reasons, in 1956.

Absolutely agree! He has patronages that he took with him when he quit being a working royal, and an international profile that opens doors.

But he is ineffectual in raising funds for Invictus or in tackling the Africa Parks mismanagement. And insults John Travolta.

The Sentebale case - even before trial- indicates why. Spoiled Rich Boy syndrome.

People that vacant? Not a chance.

Harry and Meghan’s hobbies are Harry and Meghan.

Harry and Meghan’s occupations are Harry and Meghan.

Harry and Meghan’s social life is Harry and Meghan.

Harry and Meghan’s sole reason for breathing is Harry and Meghan.

The only reason they dress themselves, get in cars, watch a film, glance at a book, have a meeting or sit in the makeup chair is for their crumbling substance-free brand.

I have to say , in quite a bad analogy which I will probably regret @AnAutumnCrow 😊 H&M seem to have read the Coles notes on being global philanthropists , A list producers / media tycoons , spokespersons on international matters of importance , cultural and business bellweathers and being all round endearing members of the jet set (inter alia ) , without having read the actual bloody text.