Please or to access all these features

The royal family

Ham pr disasters 44! Will there be karma? Or will the slippery mackerel of consequences pass them by?

1000 replies

jeffgoldblum · 26/09/2026 14:49

Still not bored , still interested, if you find this thread not for you please pass us by.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
56
Cocolapew · 27/09/2026 11:42

I've seen Wallis' wardrobe in the Villa Windsor in Paris, my Dad was the live in security after Al-Fayed bought it. The size of them are teeny, I was a size 8 at the time and there was no way a jacket would have fit me.

Williaminagingerwig · 27/09/2026 11:42

AutumnCrowAdInfinitumEtUltra · 27/09/2026 11:37

Hi @jeffgoldblum and all, thanks again for wishing me well. Flowers I’m alive!! I’m home!! And just catching up on the thread(s). Please ignore typos and daft errors in posts for a while, as I’m not feeling tip-top yet.

The current discussion on Wallis Simpson reminds me that she and David (Edward VIII) were good friends in Paris exile with Oswald Mosley and Diana (Mitford) Mosley. Diana wrote a biography of her that I’ve never read - has anyone else?

By the by, it’s Mosley money (said to have originally been stolen by Nazis from holocaust victims in WW2, and handed to Oswald Mosley, and inherited by his son Max Mosley) that’s alleged to have helped fund Hacked Off investigations and legal actions, with which Harry latterly became associated.

(I hope that vaguely makes sense.)

It does make sense, and it's a good point!
Yes, the Windsors were friends with the Moseleys. I've read the book, in fact I've got quite the shelf full on Edward and Wallis as I find them quite fascinating.
Glad you're home 😊 🏡

Williaminagingerwig · 27/09/2026 11:43

Cocolapew · 27/09/2026 11:42

I've seen Wallis' wardrobe in the Villa Windsor in Paris, my Dad was the live in security after Al-Fayed bought it. The size of them are teeny, I was a size 8 at the time and there was no way a jacket would have fit me.

Edward was a very small man, but Wallis was exceptionally petite.

AutumnCrowAdInfinitumEtUltra · 27/09/2026 11:52

Cocolapew · 27/09/2026 11:42

I've seen Wallis' wardrobe in the Villa Windsor in Paris, my Dad was the live in security after Al-Fayed bought it. The size of them are teeny, I was a size 8 at the time and there was no way a jacket would have fit me.

That’s fascinating! Also it goes to show how there are so many connections between people and places in these royal narratives.

CoffeeCantata · 27/09/2026 11:53

LaMarschallin · 27/09/2026 11:42

CoffeeCantata
I'm feeling a bit 'triggered', as some like to say, about H's saying he's never read a book. I've met people like that and it's an attitude I find seriously objectionable.

I agree.
It's the same sort of people that sneer at some questions on quiz shows, saying "Before my time" or laugh deridingly the moment a subject like "Art and literature" comes up.
When asked what topic they'd like to see come up, they invariably say "Sport".
Then motor racing appears and it turns out that by "Sport" they mean "Football (preferably the team I support)".

I can see you’ve also had the pleasure of meeting people like thiis! The only thing which differentiates H from the local quiz moron is the veneer of his accent and. Royal training. But now he hasn’t got those Men in Grey Suits any more, he’ll probably start to wish he’d listened more in class and possibly opened the odd book!

HoldMyWine · 27/09/2026 11:54

Cocolapew · 27/09/2026 11:42

I've seen Wallis' wardrobe in the Villa Windsor in Paris, my Dad was the live in security after Al-Fayed bought it. The size of them are teeny, I was a size 8 at the time and there was no way a jacket would have fit me.

Wow that must have been interesting

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/09/2026 11:54

some of the masters were astounded at his arrogant refusal to engage or make any academic effort whatsoever.

Which you could interpret as 'I'm a royal prince, people are going to do stuff for me, why do I need to read?'

A stance (being royal prince, therefore I'm special and the world needs to fall in with me and not the other way around) he appears to have maintained into adulthood.

HoldMyWine · 27/09/2026 11:55

Williaminagingerwig · 27/09/2026 11:42

It does make sense, and it's a good point!
Yes, the Windsors were friends with the Moseleys. I've read the book, in fact I've got quite the shelf full on Edward and Wallis as I find them quite fascinating.
Glad you're home 😊 🏡

HaM are squaring the circle

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/09/2026 11:56

It's the same sort of people that sneer at some questions on quiz shows, saying "Before my time" or laugh deridingly the moment a subject like "Art and literature" comes up.

I can see you’ve also had the pleasure of meeting people like thiis!

I grew up with one. For a bookish nerdy kid it wasn't fun.

StartupRepair · 27/09/2026 11:57

Some of those photo pairs I think are just coincidental classic styles and colours in different eras.. shift dresses, suits.
Some are clearly deliberate.

CoffeeCantata · 27/09/2026 11:57

@AutumnCrowAdInfinitumEtUltra

Wow! Fascinating. Well, they say the camera puts 10 pounds on - especially on TV - so anyone looking as stick-thin as WS did in photos must have been skeletal. And yes, as a pp said, Edward was very slight too.

Williaminagingerwig · 27/09/2026 11:58

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/09/2026 11:56

It's the same sort of people that sneer at some questions on quiz shows, saying "Before my time" or laugh deridingly the moment a subject like "Art and literature" comes up.

I can see you’ve also had the pleasure of meeting people like thiis!

I grew up with one. For a bookish nerdy kid it wasn't fun.

Too true. My favourite "it happened before I was born" yeah, that's most of history, mate.

BunnyBunbunbun · 27/09/2026 12:01

AutumnCrowAdInfinitumEtUltra · 27/09/2026 11:52

That’s fascinating! Also it goes to show how there are so many connections between people and places in these royal narratives.

Edited

Al-Fayed was specifically looking to make royal connections. Him leasing the Villa Windsor wasn't an "organic" connection.

AlexandraCarrington · 27/09/2026 12:02

Which you could interpret as 'I'm a royal prince, people are going to do stuff for me, why do I need to read?'

Which wasn't something he learned from his father or grandfather. Biographers of Prince Philip have written about his extensive personal library, and the King thinks deeply about a variety of subjects and presumably has the books to go with his thinking.

And Camilla has talked about how the two of them enjoy quiet times together, sitting in the same room, but each with a book.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/09/2026 12:07

That is what is so astonishing about Harry. Prince Philip and Charles all have and had considerable and wide ranging intellectual interests - but apparently none of that rubbed off on Harry.

if I were royal you'd have to drag me out of the archives with wild horses.

TheTwerkingDuchessOfMonteshitshow · 27/09/2026 12:09

Williaminagingerwig · 27/09/2026 10:16

There is no credible evidence for this.

Is there credible evidence she didn’t?

smilesy · 27/09/2026 12:11

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/09/2026 11:56

It's the same sort of people that sneer at some questions on quiz shows, saying "Before my time" or laugh deridingly the moment a subject like "Art and literature" comes up.

I can see you’ve also had the pleasure of meeting people like thiis!

I grew up with one. For a bookish nerdy kid it wasn't fun.

It’s a shame really. Not everyone is or needs to be academic and there are many reasons for lack of interest in learning which are too numerous to go in to here. Unfortunately a side effect can be a lack of curiosity about the world and an unwillingness to accept that there may be many sides to a story. I would suggest that both Harry and Meghan fit into this category. I accept that both have achieved some degree of academic success, but they are just not interested in anything other than doing the bare minimum to achieve this and can’t see why they would benefit from being better informed

Starryfifty · 27/09/2026 12:14

CoffeeCantata · 27/09/2026 11:34

I'm feeling a bit 'triggered', as some like to say, about H's saying he's never read a book. I've met people like that and it's an attitude I find seriously objectionable. It speaks of an aggressive anti-intellectualism and a horrible arrogance - "You can't tell me anything I don't know".

I can honestly believe it of Harry. I realise that he was sent to Eton for complex reasons after Diana's death, and that it was understood that it wasn't the right school for him academically, but even so, some of the masters were astounded at his arrogant refusal to engage or make any academic effort whatsoever.

I think Meghan is clever, but not in the least bit intellectual. She's quick, sly, cunning and fast on the uptake - all of which has served her well until now. But there's no depth or thoughtfulness there and while I'm sure she has read a book or two in her life, I doubt very much that she's someone who takes an interest in literature or reads for pleasure.

Some will say - well, that's their choice - not everyone can be Melvyn Bragg! No, but anyone in the business of making speeches for a living or who purports to be a public figure ought to be less of a numbskull. You can't help your IQ but to have that attitude (I've never read a book, me) is so arrogant and off-putting. NO wonder he couldn't finish his speech.

Jamie Oliver has also said he has never read a book but he is talented and very clever. HAM are not smart people. His speech was a total disaster. These tech glitches all the time. He couldn't even sum up the interest to bluff his way out of it. I wonder who wrote his speech? It was very "as a father " themed which is his usual go to

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/09/2026 12:15

It’s a shame really. Not everyone is or needs to be academic and there are many reasons for lack of interest in learning which are too numerous to go in to here.

in the case of my relative I think it was a case of when she was born (1905) and her upbringing in family that valued children for what money they could bring into the household and nothing else.

KCitsweyourHammiewevecomehomenow · 27/09/2026 12:16

Jamie Oliver is severely dyslexic, so I’m not sure it’s a good comparison.

Victoria Beckham made the same claim

ShamedBySiri · 27/09/2026 12:17

jeffgoldblum · 27/09/2026 10:49

It’s working normally for me Siri , you haven’t accidentally hidden it or the board?

Yes I found it was hidden - I must have accidentally touched that instead of watch as they are close together. Thanks everyone who messaged to help.

Ham pr disasters 44! Will there be karma? Or will the slippery mackerel of consequences pass them by?
JudgeJ · 27/09/2026 12:17

Mylovelygreendress · 26/09/2026 22:05

Absolutely no way plus Mike’s Dad died very recently so I imagine he has more important matters to deal with .

When they stood at the top of the steps of, I think, St Paul's, trying to engage others in conversation, MikeT stood to one side and never looked at them, his face was a picture of forced restraint! Hasn't he been known to refer to Harry as a bellend?

Starryfifty · 27/09/2026 12:18

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/09/2026 12:07

That is what is so astonishing about Harry. Prince Philip and Charles all have and had considerable and wide ranging intellectual interests - but apparently none of that rubbed off on Harry.

if I were royal you'd have to drag me out of the archives with wild horses.

It's very odd isn't it? Apparently he's dyslexic but that shouldn't impact him. The only thing H has going for him is his title. He has zero charisma, talent, personality, wit, skills. He should be praying PW doesn't take the title when he's king

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/09/2026 12:18

TheTwerkingDuchessOfMonteshitshow · 27/09/2026 12:09

Is there credible evidence she didn’t?

How do you find credible evidence someone didn't do something?

The charge that she used opium is covered in this review

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/nov/10/her-lotus-year-by-paul-french-review-wallis-simpsons-shanghai-story

smilesy · 27/09/2026 12:19

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/09/2026 12:15

It’s a shame really. Not everyone is or needs to be academic and there are many reasons for lack of interest in learning which are too numerous to go in to here.

in the case of my relative I think it was a case of when she was born (1905) and her upbringing in family that valued children for what money they could bring into the household and nothing else.

Yes I agree that attitudes towards learning often (not always I would stress) come from parents or family

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.