H&M PR disasters 52: Roundabouts and walkabouts

[bluegreygreen]

The continuing story of the Sussexes and their PR issues.

Yes, good strategy. It's like ignoring toddlers who are having a tantrum.

I just picture the brainstorming session. “Ooh, we can say that it was leaked to help the struggling show.” Meanwhile, anything Guy Ritchie touches has a cult following immediately AND a look at Meghan’s popularity polls will show you it wouldn’t be someone to whom a person doing professional PR would want to link.

We might take a page out of the book here.

It's a real conundrum for the palace. If they do nothing, Charles is accused of being weak. If they remove titles, about the only action they can take, they look spiteful

You're not wrong, @IdaGlossop, but then to my mind there's no point in the palace doing anything because I doubt it would make any difference beyond provoking around round of whining and a few more visits to "show them they can't control us"

IMO the same goes for statements about H&Ms' status; anyone who's paid attention knows they're no longer working royals, and if some are foolish enough to go along with their pretence that they are then that's surely a matter for them

My own worry, as said so often, is Charles being the weak link, but if so time may hopefully take care of that once it's William's turn

My own worry, as said so often, is Charles being the weak link, but if so time may hopefully take care of that once it's William's turn

HM is between a rock and a hard place as DF and HoS. I fancy William has a lot more iron in him, and in that respect he's very like Diana. Quite apart from anything else the clown show gets up to, he's probably mega pissed off at Harry cosplaying as Diana's only son.

My own worry, as said so often, is Charles being the weak link

But it's not just up to Charles, is it? He could invite them to family events at Sandringham and Balmoral if he wanted to, but having them in any official role where they'd be representing King or country becomes a constitutional issue where he's obliged to act on ministerial advice.

And I doubt he'd invite them to family events if other family members were strongly against it. I think a weekend visit to Highgrove would be the absolute most they could expect. And probably not that if Camilla has any say.

I fancy William has a lot more iron in him

Guess we'd better hope so, @MrsDanversGlidesAgain, because apart from one speech in front of Trump - almost certainly written by someone else - I'm struggling to think of anything that's gone right for his father since taking over

With anyone else I'd feel sorry that he'd waited so long for the job only to develop cancer and see so much falling apart around him, but then I remember his petulant, hypocritical behaviour and enablement of too many paedophiles and manage to resist the temptation

It's quite obvious their return was not reconciliation with KC and extended family. I really don't know what their end game is tbh. That latest statement about not signing a contract with late queen is so unbelievably disrespectful and quite nasty. In their favour, I think KC has a few good years left. PW will absolutely strip them of all titles, under the guide of restructuring etc

You're spot on in theory, Alexandra, but the attitude of ministers to all this has been widely discussed on here and I honestly don't think there's much hope to be found from that quarter, nor any chance of action which might disoblige the royals

What do you mean?

Getting residency? Free security?

They have mistimed their return. If they had come over at the beginning of the Summer they would have had a free run in the press as the Royals were on Summer break. Starting now, with a pretty amateur set of visits, means they are offering a direct contrast to the Royals Autumn programme which includes a State Visit, the Ambassadors Reception, Remembrance Sunday, Together at Christmas, all big high profile events, plus tiaras. The contrast between Catherine and Camilla in massive jewels walking through Windsor Castle and the Sussexes in a car park decorated with graffiti is stark.

The monarchy need do or say nothing, pictures paint thousands of words.

I think it’s obvious that they have returned to restock their royal grifting account!
unfortunately it’s not going according to plan despite the media narrative that even the most disinterested person can spot from a mile away.

Indeed! , I will say one thing….if they attempt to overshadow the aberfan ( apologies if that’s spelt wrong, autocorrect….kept changing it to ….aberrant….Aberdeen…etc) visit….heaven help them! ….it will be ulvade on steroids!

Yet they have continued to distance themselves from the RF by trying to undermine the RF. They are so chaotic. It's incredible

A free residence?

I fully agree, on every point you make.

Just for interest, there was a thread on here back when they were working royals, and the criticisms were starting. I had contributed to the thread, which was pulled. I had an odd email from mumsnet apologies as it was some years ago I can't recall the precise wording.

It stated that the thread was being deleted/pulled due to complaints that "SHE objects to being discussed" then went on to say about "privacy concerns"
Was interested in the word SHE that was used - that was most definitely in the email, but didn't say who "she" was or to whom they were referring. Wish I had saved it! as it seemed rather odd, but to have the exact wording would have been helpful.

Could be!

Your second point is the critical one, and the one that reveals her delusion.

Perhaps it's been discussed already, but what is Meghan's immigration status? Presumably she's on a spousal visa? Or is she limping along on a tourist visa - thus she'd need to leave the UK every 3mos or so and re-enter?

My understanding is that Archie and Lilibet are UK citizens since they were born here and have a UK citizen father. Potentially they are dual US-UK citizens, if Meghan organised that?

The current Duke of Gloucester, his wife, and Sophie attended the reburial of Richard III, who had been Duke of Gloucester before becoming king. He is also the patron for the Richard III society. Richard III's new coffin was made from wood from the Duchy of Cornwall.

There is a quiet steeliness I think in both William & Catherine. I would imagine neither suffers fools gladly & rightly so.

I think we may see another letter from the palace in the near future reiterating H&M are akin to private citizens.

@tarheelbaby My understanding is that Archie and Lilibet are UK citizens since they were born here and have a UK citizen father. Potentially they are dual US-UK citizens, if Meghan organised that?

If she did, that was a tactical error as it would take them out of the line of succession.

Lili wasn’t born in the U.K. .

My understanding is that Archie and Lilibet are UK citizens since they were born here and have a UK citizen father.

I thought that Lili was born in Cali?