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Meg and Harry's documentary: The price of pity

It's been almost 24 hours since the British airing of Meghan and Harry's documentary about their trip to South Africa - or, rather, about their personal problems, set against a backdrop of their trip to South Africa.

On video, the exhausting pair revisited their standard themes: the British media is unfair to them, Meg has it particularly tough because she is (a little bit) Black, and Harry desperately misses his sainted mother, murdered by the press.

In addition, the ginger prince added in a swipe at his brother, seeming to confirm rumors of a feud between them. (William quickly responded with a quote delivered to the BBC through an aide, saying he was "worried" about his brother.)

What happens next?

Family time in California

The most common suggestion is that the pair will take their upcoming six week "family time" holiday as a chance to visit and plan a move to the US, perhaps to Los Angeles, where Meghan was raised.

The first few weeks of their California visit are easy to imagine: Meghan's mother Doria (paid to be) photographed at Thanksgiving dinner with her grandson Archificial. 

Archificial at the beach - his first view of the ocean! (God knows no one ever took him to Brighton,  Southend-on-Sea, or Bognor Regis - which is actually in Sussex).

The whole family at Disneyland! Everybody pose in the spinning teacups! Archificial looks nauseated, and so does Harry.


How will they support themselves in the US?

A longer stay in California - presumably the Sussexes will skip the Christmas festivities at Sandringham where they are "expected" and totally unwanted - raises further questions.

How would they support themselves?

Harry can't work - he has no marketable skills, no discipline to obtain them, and ongoing substance problems. I wouldn't hire him for anything.

Meghan is a minimally gifted actress pushing 40. More popular actresses, like Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Alba, have created profitable merchandise lines, but Meg just doesn't have the fan base for that.

Her talent for alienating everyone she works with won't help either.

Using donated funds for PR

Right now, the pair are reportedly now using funds donated to the Sussex Foundation - putatively a charity - to pay PR firm Sunshine Sachs to promote them, and perhaps to pay other expenses as well.

But how long can that continue? When the two have left the Royal Family, who is going to want to donate to the Sussex Foundation?

The Clinton Foundation has motored on for years because donations to it resulted in political influence and valuable connections.

Not so much for the Sussex Foundation. What is a donation to Harry and Meghan going to do for you? They can barely take care of themselves.

The price of pity

The illusion of power and influence are what Meg and Harry have really given up with this documentary.

Maybe they have some people's compassion - or pity - but they're no longer the confident "global influencers" they wanted to be.

The sad fact is they have very little left to sell.

There were rumors that Meg is planning a Thanksgiving reunion with her father - awkward, because he is a major player in her lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday, but perhaps not impossible, particularly if you believe that Thomas Markle has been on her payroll all along.

A reunion with Thomas is one of the last arrows in Meg's media quiver. If she's willing to use him now, she must be desperate.

The last media moment

The pair could, of course, could try to cash in by airing all the Royal Family's dirty laundry in an interview or book, although the Royal Family's lawyers probably have the muscle to keep it out of the hands of a a major publisher.

 (Hear much about the "Rose" rumors these days in establishment media?  I thought not.)

Ultimately, the Sussexes might be forced to sell the one story that everyone really wants to hear.

Where the hell did Artificial really come from? And is he really Harry's son?


Comments

Girl with a Hat said…
I didn't watch this but I can't help wondering if they really felt that this would work. Making people feel sorry for the most privileged people on the planet was always going to be a tough sell.
hardyboys said…
I think Nutty said this months ago that they may move to CA. @Nutty, why are you inquiring how they would survive if Harry has a trust of 30 Million pounds? That is a lot of cash and I don't think Harry said I'm going to start working for the California Post office! It is assumed that he will live off his trust last, and the cash his PaPa gives him from the Duchy things which are just fancy ways of saying that they are skimming off the treasury accounts from the tax payer. I think if they go to California, they will be able to fade into the background and live quite happily. It's actually the perfect plan for them as I took the little statements I read that MM said as "we're being driven out...we can't take it anymore.."Also @Nutty where did it say that MM was planning on making up with Papa Thomas? That's one ACE up her sleeve I'm sure she is going to use very sparingly.
NeutralObserver said…
Nutty, you're a genius.! That's exactly what we all want to know about. Who, what, when, where Archie? (We all know why, meal ticket for at least 18 years, or whatever Liz Hurley got from Steve Bing.) Harry doesn't have a fortune as large as Bing's, but Megs probably thinks the RF does, & will pony up.
Nutty Flavor said…
@Mischi

I don't think they see it that way. I think they see it as "telling their truth."

I don't blame them for being hurt by the criticism, although it's their own fault for acting like fools and then obsessively reading the media that calls them into account for acting like fools.

When I've written something controversial for my day job, I tend to avoid the comments if at all possible. I usually have a colleague look at it to make sure nobody's threatening to physically assault me, or to let me know if some important local name has turned up and needs to be responded to. Other than that, its easier to let it be.
Nutty Flavor said…
@Veena

I'm not sure Harry has access to the capital of his trust fund. I've heard it both ways - that he received access when he turned 30, or that he only has access to the interest. (Perhaps @emeraldcity can fill us in.)

Anyway, if he does have access to the full 30 million pounds, I'm confident Meg can spend that, and spend it quick. A medium-sized mansion in Malibu or Bel Air costs at least a third of that, not counting maintenance and taxes and security and interior decoration.

Meg will no doubt also have some stupid business for him to invest in.

Both of her parents filed for bankruptcy, and she's already had tax troubles herself.

Nutty Flavor said…
Thanks, @NeutralObserver!

Before the Royals pony up for Archie, they'll have to figure out if he's really Harry's.

I feel sorry for that kid, whoever he is. Who's looking out for his interests?

His parents are both a mess, and he's cut off from both extended families.
hardyboys said…
Hi Nutty thanks for your response. This is the stuff I love and live for. How will they live? I cannot imagine "H" not having access to his capital at age 30. When would he be entitled to it then? When he's 60? I agree with you a Malibu mansion is not cheap. But the Duchy's of Lancaster, Cornwall, etc etc. they have access to a lot of cash....and you have already said that Charles the Arborist can't say no...so he can give "H" cash from the Duchy's and then he's got the trust to rely on. People will get bored of "M" after 3-4 more wingefests on Ellen, Howard Stern, Oprah etc.....one thing I agree with you, they have no market...the only market is this tiny tiny microcosm of followers here who sensed a scam right away and are enquiring but this little blog has no value in the real world. So they will rent a mansion for 6 weeks while Dorito makes them dinner after finishing a 5 K run and stretching out her hamstrings with her yoga. She must be so boring to converse with
Mimi said…
If anyone is a “victim” in all this, it is that baby!!!!!!
Fairy Crocodile said…
Harry had been allowed to marry her because a) he is an adult and can marry whoever he chooses b) royals hoped she would become a symbol of unity in the increasingly multiracial UK. I have no doubt royals looked at Angela of Liechtenstein who turned out OK. And MM turned the most divisive figure ever entering the family. Do we believe they will mend their ways? Not a chance. They think they are winning. What they want is to remain royal while pushing a typical left-liberal agenda. I don't know what can be done to stop the damage. Perhaps doing nothing is the best course, because looks like Harry is balancing on the edge and will not last long. Perhaps they will sacrifice him to keep the Crown. They did sacrifice Edward VIII and won. The Queen's father was an extremely popular monarch despite his brother.
Girl with a Hat said…
about the 30 million trust fund - often inheritances are structured this way to avoid inheritance taxes. If that was the case, he possibly could never get access to the 30 million, but only to the annual stipend.
Scandi Sanskrit said…
They're looking more and more like Thor and Loki.

Except Loki is clever and intelligent.

Anyone here read Runes?

None of the Meghan YouTubers read Runes. Just cards-
Mimi said…
Harry “allowed to marry” .........I don’t think he ASKED for anybody”s permission. He announced this is who he was going to marry and that was that!!!!!!!!!!
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
Veena, Charles can't just give out Duchy of Cornwall money. There are accountants, the annual accounts are made public. Meanwhile why would Charles give him money when he has stopped funding them? HM could pay out of Lancaster but right now that's not going to happen and no way can they be paid out of the Sovereign Grant
Fairy Crocodile said…
Mimi, not exactly. Royal protocol dictates members of the royal family ask for HM consent to marriage. Another matter is the Queen didn't really have any means to stop him marrying MM even if she wanted.
Britannia said…
@Mimi
I think he presented Meghan as a fait accompli to his family. "Whatever you do or say, I am truly in love and we will marry with or without your blessing." Either that, or they'd already had a quickie wedding somewhere and she touted the pregnancy card (and why not? She's touted every other card, she must be nearing a whole deck by now).

I think she is truly astounded that people see through her, I could almost see her stamping her foot in that mockumentary. Gilded cage, eh?
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
RoyalT said…
I can’t wait to see the dynamics on Remembrance Day. If they go, where they are positioned, etc.

I truly believe Harry was thinking with little Harry and married her spur of the moment in Botswana when they were first dating. The Queen then really had no choice but to publicly endorse the relationship and marriage.

It won’t last. As soon as Harry realizes the Firm is the one reliable constant in his life he’ll use that to divorce her, pay her off and he’ll raise Archie as the super single dad prince of the people.
Mimi said…
Fairy Crocodile, yes, I know royal protocol dictates members ask HM consent to marry. When have the Duke and the Duchess ever adhered to royal protocol?
Mistake28 said…
I didn't watch, but I read about it. Horrible. UK has brexit, UK has problems with pound rate, UK has problem with EU but no, they are number one topic. It's ridiculuous...
I hope they will go to USA and stay there for long time. I'm feel sorry for their pain - it's hard situation, but they did so many mistakes, the were so arrogant and it's all their fault.
Girl with a Hat said…
I will generalise again so bear with me. Harry's ascendant is Capricorn. Capricorns love to cut off contact with people because it gives them the control over the relationship.

There are some Capricorns that are not above sacrificing friends, family, spouses, and even children to obtain that prize of success, whatever it may be. They can coldly disown and/or cut off people if they do not fit into their success plan. Success is everything to them. For without success, they consider themselves to be worthless personae non-gratae. To them, to be unsuccessful is a fate much worse than death. Being unsuccessful means being disrespected and subsequently disregarded. If a person is unsuccessful, it ultimately translates into being powerless and vulnerable. This is the ultimate weakness.
Miss_Christina said…
She's blown it. She's well and truly blown it. With the exception of her hardcore fans,who, let's face it, don't seem to be a terribly perceptive bunch, no one is buying her schtick anymore. She can sad eye, and tear up, all she wants, but it's not working. The only thing left she's trying to cling to is getting Harry to L.A., getting a house and settlement out of him, and in a few years, settling for notoriety on the Real Housewives.

And "H.....I call him H."? I knew she reminded me of Mrs. Elton!
SwanSong said…
Hollywood is a fickle town and MM and Harry are now damaged goods. Like Nutty pointed out, no one wants to buy what they are selling. The celebs lined up to defend them are not true friends, they volunteered for the Sussex Sunshine PR machine in the hopes of getting access to the RF. The further MM & H remove themselves from that access, the less valuable they will become. Oprah, Gayle, Ellen will run for the hills once they get their first Apple interviews with Harry to air, because no one wants to be around this unpopular couple who will taint their own brands. Look at the effect MM had on Amal & George and notice how they’ve been noticeably silent for several months. Best just disappear for awhile in the hopes that the public forgets the association.

It truly amazes me how much goodwill was squandered in such a short amount of time. Years from now, Public Relations & Communications courses everyone will present the Markle Debacle as a case study of “worst PR blunders ever in the history of journalism/social media”.
Bootsy said…
Flogging a dead horse here so will do it again.
PH's assets, whether they are held in Trust or not, are conservatively valued at 30 million (£s and not $s I think). I would assume most of that is in property or assets that provide an income-they are massive property owners after all.
At just a 2% yield that would give him 600k per year, 3% yield 900k per year. And he'll have some very nice tax avoidance set up as hey it's the RF and a lot of their dealings are leagally a secret.
He also gets money from the Duchy of Cornwall for official costs, while he also gets money from the taxpayer via the Queen's income of over 100 million per year to maintain residences etc. Hence the couple of million being dropped on Frogmore Cottage.
So he will be fine in the USA for 6 weeks, especially if MM is merching in secret as many people are suggesting.
Or if they are using the Sussex charity as a piggy bank to pay for 'expenses' and to have a salary.
Nelo said…
Nutty you said the documentary won't be a hit and u were right. Deadline (a US publication) just reported that the documentary wasn't the hit people thought it will be despite the hype. It brought in just 2.8m views, the with most watched. BBCs drama series drew in 4.8m. UK wasnt buying what they are selling
Nelo said…
"The documentary, which aired on ITV at 9 PM, could only muster 2.8M viewers in the hour slot, being comfortably beaten by BBC One drama World on Fire, which averaged 4.3M for its fourth episode."

"To put it into context, its lead-in, an episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? scored 3.7M viewers in the 8 PM slot, while Strictly Come Dancing averaged 9.3M viewers at 7 PM on BBC One."
HappyDays said…
Nutty: Donations to the Clinton Foundation fell off a cliff as soon as Hillary left her post as Secretary of State. They weren’t donating due to her warm and attractive personality. I doubt many movers and shakers (although there will be some who will still want to be associated with ANY royal, even a tainted pair of royals) will want to throw money at Hazz and Meg just to have cocktails or din-din with this pretentious pair, esoecially after Meghan craps all over a few big Hollywood types, which due to her profound narcissistic personality disorder, she won’t be able to resist doing.
Humor Me said…
Harry has his own income from Diana; the income from his father, The Duchy of Cornwall, is NOT a certainty of his lifetime. Nor is anything from the Public fund.
They do not have the disposable cash income to flit everywhere at a moment's notice. Yes, it would be nice to have a second home in CA.
I am not sure they can afford it IF - Big IF - the Firm cuts them off the dole, as Charles has hinted at trimming the royal family in the spring of 2019.
I was in hopes of an intervention - mental, financial, family relationships type of sit down. Six weeks to "cool your jets" might work for the average person, but not these two.
abbyh said…

Oh my?!?

Thinking about Thanksgiving and the photos around the table.

I am not certain that Doria would automatically welcome Thomas, let alone Oprah to her humble abode. Do dinner would probably be some place else which doesn't have the homey family around the table feel.

(still working on catching up on the last thread).
Amzz Naylor said…
What I have witnessed from preach and screech in the last few days has made me incrediblely uncomfortable and quite frankly livid. "we are existing... Not living" excuse my French but is she f*****g insane!! Rising use of food banks, people going homeless because they can't afford their rent even if they work 2 jobs. Terminal illness, mental illness. Grief, living hand to mouth. These are some of the reasons why people may feel Like they are merely existing. The nerve of it!! I have never been so unfortunate to witness a pair of more deluded and distasteful fools.

There were some very interesting comments on the dms piece today. People were saying how she is publicly admitting to mentally manipulating him Into thinking his own family and culture are not good enough. Saying how she tried to adopt the British stiff upper lip and when she couldn't she made harry realise that it's not a healthy way to live. Sadly she is using her own son as a card to play when she is desperate. No child should ever be a bargaining chip. Will we ever learn the truth.... I don't know I am surprised no one has leaked anything substantial yet Considering there must be a hell of a lot of people involved with keeping a secret of this magnitude. I also don't think she will meet with Thomas Markle. Her arrogance would not allow for that. I can't wait for this court case. I hope they end up on their arses
Girl with a Hat said…
@abbyh, I think you are right. Doria is very private about being in a same sex relationship and I'm not sure she wants to let the world in to inquire more about her private/financial/past life.
JL said…
How about Meghan, all cards played out, writing an OJ Simpson-style book “If I did It” about the surrogacy?

I think the Harkles actually believe they will get themselves an Obama-like prosuction deal at Netflix. The US break will really be about “taking meetings” all over LA.

As for Archie it’s true, the poor kid is screwed. We can only hope that the surrogate or whoever has raised him to be such an engaging boy so are is holding onto him for dear life.

Also I’ve been meaning to say for some time that even though everyone seems to think that Archie looks like Harry, I think he is the spit of Meghan‘s nephew. The photo of young Meghan with her baby nephew seems harder and harder to come by on the Internet, which is actually interesting since it puts the lie to the idea that the baby looks like Harry.
JenS said…
@humorme, I think six weeks apart, with at least H in rehab or some sort of inpatient treatment for mental health, and M getting a taste of freedom in the States, will cool some jets unless M announces another pregnancy.

The Foundation, along with various feel-good empowerment projects, might have worked for them as an income stream, but the documentary ruins it all. In their eagerness to play victim, race, and Diana cards, they have painted themselves as unstable, spoilt brats whose royal lives are making them mentally unhealthy. They've just made a huge case that they're unable to function on the daily, let alone do their jobs into the future; who will want to dump money into the Foundation now? If H really is losing it, M may realise he's a financial liability and boot him. He won't see it coming.
Ozmanda said…

30 million pounds isn't really a lot taking into consideration the lifestyle they would both want (especially her). I always had the theory this was all a long drama to justify a move to the US. They would use the media and "bullying" as a excuse. I think they may think they have made all these celebrity connections which they can leverage off in the US to have the status and wealth without the responsibilities.

As mentioned before if this is their thought, they will be sadly mistaken. These "friends" will leave their orbit faster then you can say "tabloid".

I also think Oprah will backtrack away from this trainwreck. Say what you will she is very media savvy and will know her brand will suffer from the markle effect.

Does anyone in Australia know how we can see the doco?
Mimi said…
I am thinking they are getting worried about baby Archie and our insistence that something is not right with that whole situation and our refusal to drop the subject. They are hoping all this.....”back up off of us.....leave us alone......you’re hounding us........you’re making things up.....lies.......you’re lying about us” ( although they never mention what LIES they are referring to) will get us to quit asking questions about him.
Mama Lawma said…
If it were me holding the purse strings, I’d calculate how much it would take them to live in decent comfort where ever it is they’re looking. Not princely comfort and not Clooney or Oprah level of comfort. But what an aristocrat who can’t/won’t work could expect. And then id tell them that every time I see them interviewed, $5,000 would be deducted. Speeches? Paid appearances? Another those would cost $5,000. If they run into a negative balance one month by being fined for merching, I’d carry the balance forward against future months. They may think they can get by here and there with daddy’s money and paid appearances, but as Nutty pointed out, they are making it clear people just aren’t buying what they’re selling.
Ozmanda said…
Mimi - I think that is exactly what is happening. Somoe of the chatter seems to indicate that the media had something pretty juicy on her(sextape) and it was about to be released and they went on this tirade to change the narrative.

They tried the racist card and that didn't work, now they are doing the "we are being bullied" routine.
Mimi said…
I sure hope the truth comes out...whatever it may be so I can get over these two and know that baby Archie will be alright.
Ann Christensen said…
It is a common Hollywood-think mistake to confuse a stiff upper lip with "squashing down" emotions. The famous British stiff upper lip is more about public behavior, carrying on and moving forward...nothing to do with your emotions or what you choose to do with them. Admirable quality...much lacking in American media, is attention to outward behavior, social responsibility. That is why the brits seem so civilized to their admirers,or cold to their detractors. It is easy to take the lazy slob view that it could damage you to "squash down" feelings. But anyone over the age of three knows there are several alternatives to the Hollywood dreaded "squash down". One can behave in a responsible contained way, always cognizant that there are other humans truly and actually suffering. One can manage their emotions in a healthy manner, seeking help if necessary. In other words the Sussexes act like 3 year olds, but Hollywood will like them in spite or because of that. Their PR team knows the intelligence level of the Sussex fans. The single tear from the left sad eye will appeal to many stupid Americans.
SwampWoman said…
Mimi, re Archie: It seems to me that a nanny could be bribed to do a cheek swab for a DNA test. She is without him often enough that I have to think it has been done.
CookieShark said…
The documentary, to me, resounded with a thud as did the Vogue edit and the SmartWorks launch. They all follow the same formula: tease tease tease, hype hype hype, drip feed info on IG and then feature MM as the main attraction. The actual tour was covered daily, so who really needs to watch the documentary? The tour itself and the documentary were sloppy, the way the Vogue edit was sloppy, and the way the SmartWorks launch was sloppy. MM didn't actually meet in person with Michelle Obama for Vogue. The SmartWorks collection was 5 items designed by other people, grouped together by MM.

In the documentary she followed the same formula as she did for the SmartWorks launch. She insulted the current state of affairs (donated purple blazers/British culture) then proceeds to explain why her way of doing things is better. She also made a very problematic comment in the documentary brought up by the Telegraph, where she (I'm paraphrasing) talks about her African-American heritage "being brought to the forefront." Now, what does she mean by this?

It is appalling to me that she and "H" are behaving so poorly when the family is already going through so much with Prince Andrew. If anything a caring and concerned spouse would NOT seek to drive a dagger in between her husband and his family. It doesn't mean be a doormat but for the sake of HM and the bigger fish that are being fried, they didn't need to do any of this nonsense.
Girl with a Hat said…
https://twitter.com/prince_scarf/status/1186409590080098305

Harry has changed his phone number and stopped returning calls from his brother, Charles and even the Queen!
Mimi said…
Swamp Woman, There are people who know who he is and where he came from but are not willing to come forward to expose the truth!!!! I am curious about WHY no one has looked into that particular mystery or even the more simpler one.......the mystery of Ribbit Ribbit Cottage.
Mimi said…
Mischi, “IF” it is true....that is worrisome!!!!!!!!
SwampWoman said…
Ann, most of us non-Hollywood types (that are not mentally ill) do not collapse into a quivering puddle of tears at the first sign of adversity. Goodness, nothing would EVER get done.

I doubt that little miss I'm SUCH a special snowflake ever asked the HRH how SHE was doing and whether bearing the burden of Meghan's special little whingefest is too onerous for her considering all the other burdens she has to bear.
JL said…
Harry knows full well what the media is and how it works. He’s been in the royal family long enough to know the deal. It’s a beast that needs to be fed daily to paraphrase Tina Brown. Because of this thirst for content there will be plenty of media opportunities for Harry and Megan once they hit the States. Watch how willingly they will promote promote promote their little projects here, completely and conveniently forgetting their media indictments in the UK.

The sheer volume of media outlets all competing for product will mean that the Harkles will be in demand for quite some time. Even fallen Royals are better than 4th-rate reality stars and child stars from the 70s. Harry won’t get how low he has sunk and Me Me won’t care.
Mimi said…
SwampWoman, got any of that rum left in the barrel? Yes? Pass me tall one please!
Maisie said…
I believe that Harry asked for permission to marry before Louis was born to make a point that he had HMTQ's permission. At that time he was #5 and did need her permission, though once Louis arrived, Harry would be demoted to #6 and would not need her approval at that lower status.
KnitWit said…
Pineapple rum? Maybe that would dull this toothache.

Looking forward to Megan's tax audit. Bet her bookeeping is as sloppy as everything else.
SwampWoman said…
Mimi, DNA tests are inexpensive and getting even more so. "Archie" will probably be able to access his own DNA from a DIY home DNA sequencing kit by the time he reaches middle school. That could prove awkward.

Indeed, he had to have bloodwork done when he was born to check for genetic diseases presumably. Somebody knows. Maybe he really is their genetic child but, with the big super secret looks like a cover up going on, I'm pretty sure there was a surrogate involved at the least.

SwampWoman said…
Y'all are going to have to help yourself to whatever is left in the barrel of rum. My excuse for my lack of hospitality and passin' the bottle is that SwampMan wanted buffalo chicken nuggets for dinner tonight. I was planning to put the pork loin in the pressure cooker with some dark beer and then make shredded pork with beer and onion gravy. He didn't want that, so I just cut up the pork loin, soaked it in Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce, dredged it in flour that was seasoned with garlic, salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper, and fried that entire loin. (I'll put some in the freezer for future lunches for SwampMan.) I have been running to the keyboard, back to the kitchen, and SwampMan has been asking what in the WORLD is wrong with me. So, if any of y'all are hungry, I have hot fried pork loin and spinach with butter. I'd offer y'all some mashed garlic potatoes but I figured we'd already had enough calories, and I'll probably finish off that bottle of wine after the dishes are done.
Hikari said…
Maisie said
>>>I believe that Harry asked for permission to marry before Louis was born to make a point that he had HMTQ's permission. At that time he was #5 and did need her permission, though once Louis arrived, Harry would be demoted to #6 and would not need her approval at that lower status.<<<

Until Louis was born, Harry was compelled to ask for the sovereign's permission to marry as the 5th in line. It's pointless to say "what if" now, but I believe the Queen's fatal error was in acquiescing to this shotgun engagement/wedding so quickly. Harry was a grown-ass man of 33 (at least on paper) and could have defied her wishes of course--he's been doing it every since. If she had required they hold off on an engagement announcement until the birth of Louis and declined to move Eugenie's nuptials, that would have necessitated they wait until October 2018 to wed with the lavish wedding show. If they wanted to elope earlier (the bride claiming pregnancy no doubt) they could have had a small civil service, no princess wedding, take it or leave it. Being compelled to wait and/or forgo her princess fantasy wedding would have encouraged Megs to bugger off and pretend to be pregnant by some unfortunate footballer instead. She was made a Windsor wife on her terms, not the Crown's terms and they are going to be paying for it forever, possibly.
Mimi said…
Swamp Woman, you are TOO funny! What would we do without you. 😅
OKay said…
What do we make of the "extended time off" the Sussexes will be taking? Has the Family ordered them to pipe down and pulled them off the roster for duty, or are they consciously walking away from all things Royal?
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mimi said…
Welcome Misty☺️
Ann Christensen said…
Swampwoman. I agree. And also...YUM!!
Royal Fan said…
Will and Hazz disagree over Diana’s legacy

https://www.ibtimes.com/prince
Royal Fan said…
Will and Hazz disagree over Diana’s legacy


https://www.ibtimes.com/prince-harry-not-great-shape-not-declaring-war-against-brother-william-2850757
Sandie said…
Mischi, re: 'Harry has changed his phone number and stopped returning calls from his brother, Charles and even the Queen!' ...

The article in the DM said that he did not inform his family immediately when he changed his phone number (i.e. that would have left them unable to contact him directly and without an explanation for a while). The article did not specify how long it took for him to pass on his new phone number to family (and the implication was that this happened more than once).


Anonymous said…
I just finished watching the documentary and I think if you are on the fence, you should watch it on YouTube.
Royal Fan said…
@Misty yes PH 100% believes the press holds sole responsibility for Diana’s death and doesn’t seem to recognize her role in the relationship or the drunk driver involved. He thinks he’s keeping his wife from suffering the same fate.
abbyh said…

Drabredcarpet: thank you for the idea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lohclWalrY8

Had no idea it was out there already, Thought I had to wait for Wednesday.

Crummy day, some bad/sad news but now I have this (joy, joy).
Fifi LaRue said…
If Harry changed his phone number so that no one in his family could contact him, that is very worrisome. That indicates that Megan has complete control of Harry, body mind and soul. Not good at all. Harry is in danger. But being stupid, that's what Harry gets.
Rainy Day said…
@SwampWoman, I just had dinner and I STILL want to come and eat at your place!
JP said…
It shouldn’t be this hard. They need to learn from Camilla and Sophie, stop talking in public and quietly work. Don’t be the star when you work, just show up and let others shine. Hope they get their act together when the next break ends

Also, I don’t agree the press killed Diana. They hounded her but the deadly decision to drive her car at that high speed was what killed her. The press didn’t have guns, there was no need for a ‘chase’.
HappyDays said…

@OKay said…
What do we make of the "extended time off" the Sussexes will be taking? Has the Family ordered them to pipe down and pulled them off the roster for duty, or are they consciously walking away from all things Royal?

OKay, this is what I think H&M will do with the next six weeks. When all else fails, get pregnant. Meghan will bang Harry’s brains out for the next six weeks to make sure she’s in the RF for a little longer. Just as Archie was used as a tool with Tutu, (which is why I think they held off any sort of true photo shoot with the three of them — they wanted to generate the most interest using Archie as a prop on the Africa tour they knew was coming long before the birth) Meghan will quickly download another baby to distract the public and media and set her hooks into Harry and the RF even deeper.

I think there’s not a feminist bone in her body. She has spent her life feeding off of men, but making negative comments about them (male, pale, and stale) which makes me think she dislikes men. Hope all her children are boys. That would be karma. Time is not on her side and they’re only having two unless they skirt around their statement about overpopulation and order up a set of IVF twins, which wouldn’t surprise me one bit.
Here's how she can spin admitting a surrogate was used: just say she was afraid of the press reaction to her not being able to carry a child. Cue tears, batting eyelashes, and quivering lip... "I was afraid of how they'd treat me and what they would say so I felt like I had to hide it." Bring up how it's hard for a woman suffering infertility, she was afraid, ashamed, etc etc.

If he has ghosted his family, man o man. She has complete control and will never let go. He'll be lost forever. Power is what she thirsts after. Power over people. Good, smart move by William to take the high road by expressing his concern. He is gaining my respect. He definitely came out on top there.

And someone put a photo of Archificial next to one of MA. It's creepy and makes one wonder.
Royal Fan said…
The real issue is PH landed himself a cluster B personality disorder wife and PH has never really been his own man and does not have a strong sense of himself. He’s lost in her histrionics and cannot see his way out.
SwampWoman said…
I tell y'all what, I'm going to have to wait for the ladies of the UK to tell me why this "documentary" isn't one of the most spectacularly stupid things ever. I consider myself quite the connoisseur of stupid as I live in the land of "Hold mah beeyur and watch this!" and Florida Man headlines. This was stupid elevated to a whole new level.
Mimi said…
ConstantGardener33, If the truth were to come out, that she used a surrogate, I can almost guarantee she would spin it exactly the way you described. The British people would probably forgive them all the other stuff they’ve said and done but I don’t think they’d let them off the hook that easy when it comes to a baby!!!!! To me, that’s on a whole different level of lunacy.
@Mimi, I hope they wouldn't let her/them off the hook for anything. They have earned everything coming at them. She laid it on way too thick for forgiveness to happen. If she had been demure, laid low for the 9 months, and not played up the bump with constant cradling and coat flicking(not to mention Eugenie's wedding and that fashion award show thing), maybe she'd have half a chance of getting a little forgiveness. But, because that's what she does, she couldn't help herself and went over the top and backed herself into a corner. Psychopathy comes to mind. I know being an armchair psychiatrist isn't good, but an awful lot of boxes on that list would get checked. Cheers!
abbyh said…

The British people would probably forgive them all the other stuff they’ve said and done but I don’t think they’d let them off the hook that easy when it comes to a baby!!!!!

I think it is more than a baby issue.

It isn't just that they could let the off the hook about the baby, it is the whole historical issues of being of the body that come into play. Being of the body isn't some obscure fact buried in old English law that only people who want to practice law learn, it is something kids grow up hearing about.

I think that once you hit that tripwire out of your history classes (year after year) why this was an issue, then all the rest that comes out of her mouth, comes into question. So, I don't know that they really would be so easy/quick to forgive her, accept her and move on.
SwishyFishy said…
@Ozmanda - I saw the docu on tumblr...Charlatan Duchess site, I think. You can also find it on youtube. I could make it all the way through. I tried. I bounced around in spots but ultimately I shut it down. I was too disgusted. I kept thinking of the South African people...I think something like 350 women are raped daily there. Domestic violence is a way of life for women and children. The murder rate is the highest in the world at present time. I thought I heard 58 people a day are killed. Add to all this rampant, back-breaking and heart-breaking poverty and violence upon violence...I just can't understand how no one mentions that these two rich, white (she is almost as pale as me, and in South Africa, you take on the race of your father, so yes, white) and extremely privileged and ungrateful morons thought it would be a good idea to whinge and moan about their "difficult" life. What do the South African people, who funded this tour, think about the Harkles using their tour as a platform to air their unjustified and mystifying misery? These two are utterly repugnant, and yet a great amount of sympathy was trending on Twitter and Instagram after the docu aired. I'm baffled how no one puts their interview within the context of the true suffering they are surrounded by in South Africa.
Anonymous said…
@swampwoman they came out of it smelling like a rose. The 4 morning shows in Britain I watched today and are incomplete agreement that they were worn out and relatable. YouTube it. Commentary is overwhelmingly supportive of them— loose women included (which was a surprise to me)
Anonymous said…
Oh and Harry visited Sentable and it was described as “thriving” so that counters the rumors that it was bankrupt.
Unknown said…
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Unknown said…
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Anonymous said…
I think everyone needs t give up the Archie thing. He looks overwhelmingly like Harry and had Meghan and her dad’s squinty eye. The queen was photographed receiving him and he is listed on the Royal Family website as 7th in line to the throne.
Anonymous said…
I never considered myself one but this documentary really hit me. I won’t lie.
.
Anonymous said…
@Trudy did you watch the documentary? Nutty has less than 75 replies on this topic. I think I’m not the only one conflicted.
Anonymous said…
Sorry, 81 comments now.
Ozmanda said…
I am going to wait until I can get my hands on my bodyweight in vodka before subjecting myself to the documentary:)

If Haz has been a drug/alcohol taker for as long as we think, this may explain some of his behavior - when a individual takes drugs their emotional development stops at that age, his behavior has always been of someone immature and a little reckless. This was considered in a more positive light while he was younger, but he hasn't really grown up. The ghosting of his family if true is a true concern - it is one of the first indicators in domestic abuse situations for the victim to be ostracized from family and friends.

Drabredcarpet seems to be looking more like one of the sugars - which I suppose is a compliment to the blog but not really that subtle.
Unknown said…
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Girl with a Hat said…
I watched it, but in small amounts. It is truly revolting. Especially when you know the scenes were staged. And, she's a horrible actress, trying to emulate Diana.
Unknown said…
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Sconesandcream said…
@ozamanda. Channel 10. 7.30pm tonight. I plan to record and see if I can stomach it later. She is already getting alot of online praise & sympathy here because of the PND angle from the preview.
Scandi Sanskrit said…
One last thing:

The Thor/Loki dynamic doesn't work when the little brother is the doofus and the big bro is the smart/sensible one.

Because that's how it's expected to be.

Eedjit.
Unknown said…
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Jdubya said…
There is no doubt in my mind that Harry is Archie's biological dad. Don't know about Megs being bio mom but presuming she is. That child has probably had at least 2 dna tests. Thinking one quietly arranged by RF. If he wasn't H's, it would've been exposed by now.
Button said…
Markle is a repugnant,odious woman, who doesn't give a toss about anyone but herself. To whinge and moan about how horrid her life is when UK and Commonwealth people are living cheque to cheque, wondering if they can afford to feed themselves or their children, wondering if they will have a job in the morning. I truly am so outraged that this herpe has attached herself to the Royal Family. They will never be free of her. Not only did she start all this docucrap whilst the Cambridges were on a truly Royal tour of Pakistan, and kicking it out of the ball park, she still insists it is all about her. Her sidekick? He is just a Cashpoint for her, and he is just as odious. Whinging on and on. Oh did everybody note she now calls him H? Just like her/his dubious birthday wish for her. Grifter, con artist, call girl, odious repugnant thing.
These two are repugnant. I can’t believe they had the nerve to complain about their supposed mistreatment in South Africa, where people struggle to survive. She’s a horrible actress. Everything about her is calculated and disingenuous. He’s a mess and comes off as pathetic. This echos Diana’s Panorama interview, which backfired for her. I hope these to lose their HRH and are forced to live a private life. She’ll leave if that happens. Harry can’t afford her on his own.
The six week break is also a good way to cusion a pregnancy announcement. There have been too many rumours and hunts swirling around to let that one go. MM herself gave some credence to the rumours when she showed up in her green dress, obviously spilling out of it, clutching her belly and overdoing the dewey fresh pregger glow look. IMO, Harry's awkward snort/cry was also indicative of some emotion around that topic (btw, I still think k he was hamming it up for the cameras and he was told to get emotional). I still think a Nice/Ibiza baby announcement could be in the cards.

PS: I also think the Daddy is going to be there for Thanksgiving rumours has been planted by her team. Operation image rehab is still ongoing.
Girl with a Hat said…
@Trudy - Andrew befriended a friend of mine a few years ago. He was such a nice guy, I was told. He makes his own bed wherever he stays.
Mimi said…
Someone posted something yesterday about a function that took place where the queen announced she was bestowing a charity or something to H and M. He was listed as Director(?) and she was next in line under him. H and M did not attend the function. Can somebody clarify this for me? “IF” this indeed did occur then I am totally confused!!!!!
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mimi, the Queen's Trust (let's call this 1) was recently closed/dissolved. In it's place The Queen's Commonwealth Trust (we'll call this 2) will take over. The function last week was to mark the closing down of 1.

PH and MM are the President and vice president of 2. Mm was announced as the VP of 2 just before her Women's Day engagement at King's College earlier this year.

It's a little strange that H&M did not attend the function last week since they are essentially expected to carry on the legacy and work started by 1. But I think it's safe to say that they did not want to attend or were asked not to. Maybe the palace anticipated some drama from their side and did not want them in the limelight at such an important event while the Cambridges we're officially touring Pak at the time.
emeraldcity said…
@Nutty

Both boys were given full access to their Trusts at age 30. Prior to that they only had access to the yearly interest generated by the Trust. Fortunately their trust money was managed and invested wisely which gave them a very nice yearly stipend in the order of $450k a year as soon as they turned 21.

I would assume that both kept most of the money in long term investment portfolios to protect the principle and generate a yearly income. However Diana’s Trust money is entirely in their own control.

Their share of the money from the Trust the Queen Mother set up for her great grandchildren is completely under their control as well. It was stated that in her will the Queen Mother left Harry and William a total of £14million out of the trust fund which covered all the Great grandchildren – but all shares were not equal.

Harry’s share was more than Williams because William would get the POW income later , some think Harry may have received as much as £10million from the QM. Beatrice and Eugenie received about £5million each. We do know the value of the QM trust but some or most of that value may be in the form of farmland or property which formed her main income and not cash.

The Queen has also set up a trust fund for all her grandchildren, they probably won’t receive anything at all from that until she dies.

Harry probably has £30-£40million, and will recieve perhaps as much again after the Queen dies. Meghan is likely working her way into managing it, if she hasn’t already done so . I Hope Harry has been smart enough to keep his money invested and in his name.
Chiland said…
@abbyh sorry you got some bad news and hope it’s nothing too long lasting!

Do you all think Harry will receive an inheritance from the Queen and or Charles to add to his net worth and will she hang around waiting for this to happen?

I personally was not affected by her crocodile tears because so much of what she is going through she brought on herself. Of course she can’t see that but then again she is an actress although not a good one. She is just so disingenuous...it is also mind blowing to me how she can be in Africa surrounded by people who have gone through so much and have so little and whine about her life.
emeraldcity said…

On the previous thread some people were wondering about Harry and Meghan and a NATO state banquet in December.

There is never a state banquet for things like this. Sate banquets always highlight/celebrate a single country.

The NATO meeting is to be held at the 5 star Grove Hotel in Herefordshire , it has large grounds and a golf course, about 30miles out of London. However there is a reception and possibly a concert at Buckingham Palace on the 3rd of December. H&M’s six week break will be a good excuse for their absence.

Will Harry and Meghan ever get to a State Banquet?......Keep in mind after she was married Kate missed nine state dinners before she was deemed ready. There are usually two banquets a year.

The general public thinks state dinners are just a swanky party with a bit of back slaping , but they have a specific agenda and purpose, usually cementing diplomatic ties and trade deals. They are very important to the Foreign Office.

Being asked to attend a state dinner depends on whether you can be expected to behave properly, say the right thing , keeping your opinions to yourself , make flattering small talk without causing a diplomatic incident and be able to report back on exactly what your neighbour said during dinner. The most senior Royals(the old hands) are seated next to important foreign officials such as a security chief, trade ministers, defence minister etc. and they are prepped with a couple of questions to insinuate into the conversation and note responses.

Apparently Anne is a master at this. The basic drill is ‘ears open, mouth shut’.

Even Harry has only been to two in the past to give him his training wheels and both times he was seated nowhere near an important foreign dignity, in fact at one dinner he sat between Rose Hanbury and a British Politician, well out of harms way and mostly looked like he was nodding off.

After this latest outburst neither the Queen nor the Government will let either of them anywhere near the diplomatic minefield of a State Dinne for years, if they last that long. No Tiaras for Megs for a long, long time.
Mimi said…
Alice Surrey James, Thank you for your clear explanation. The reason I asked is because I am curious if this was given to them before or after the announcement of the 6 week, much needed break for the duo. What I am trying to say is,....is the RF still giving them more, new assignments in the wake of their SA tour and the recent documentary? Still supporting them?
Camper said…
Didn’t watch the documentary, like many Brits the teasers alone were enough to make us squirm. What will they do now? Well, the journalists are making it clear, like Richard Kay in the DM, that H & M are being shown as ‘weak’ and William, Charles and HMTQ are the strong safe hands we’ve always known them to be. I can’t imagine many journalists would take sides with H & M and say the BRF have let H & M down. The British public will also put their weight behind William, as our future King, who has a stiff upper lip! Yes, the famous stiff upper lip, which means we get emotional privately and not publicly.

So, where does that leave H & M. Well, I can’t see them getting divorced anytime soon, Harry will take a siege mentally approach and further protect his family from anyone he perceives as a threat to their happiness. In his eyes that’s a lot of the ‘unconsciously biased’ public, members of his own family, journalists and media people, plus Meghan’s off casts. These six weeks may be to thrash out options available to them. Remember the idea they would spend a lot of time in Africa? I think that got floated, they tentatively agreed, then reneged on it, which is why the SA tour was so weird. If they, I mean Lord Geidt, floats more ideas they will nail them down far more carefully. The time has come to pick a choice and run with it. I’m intrigued what that will be. That’s where I see this going.
Nutty Flavor said…
I also enjoyed the Richard Kay piece in the Daily Mail - here's the link for anyone who may have missed it.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7597823/Diana-begged-William-Harry-look-family-worried-widening-rift.html

The last line was particularly eye-catching:

"For the Queen, 94 next birthday, this is no ordinary distraction which can be dismissed as mere gossip. Harry has seen to that by addressing it directly on camera. Indeed, it is a family drama that many close to the royals fear could unravel with further damaging revelations."

Assuming that Richard Kay is speaking for William, precisely what type of revelations is he talking about? Drugs? Something having to do with Archie? That sounds like a threat to me.
Nutty Flavor said…
@emeraldcity, thanks for your insights as always.

Both boys were given full access to their Trusts at age 30....Harry probably has £30-£40million, and will recieve perhaps as much again after the Queen dies. Meghan is likely working her way into managing it, if she hasn’t already done so. I hope Harry has been smart enough to keep his money invested and in his name.

"Smart" and "Harry" are words that don't often appear in the same sentence, and he appears to be entirely under his wife's thumb.
Britannia said…
@emeraldcity

Surely you mean Hertfordshire, not Herefordshire? I live in Herefordshire, it's on the border with Wales and is usually referred to as the arse end of nowhere. Incidentally, it's also where Charles wanted to set them up with an estate - but I'm guessing the rain, snow and general lack of motorways (meaning you can't get anywhere by road very quickly) lacks appeal for them. It IS beautiful, though.
Unknown said…
I don't think that the RF will ever reveal the truth about Archie's parentage. They might not have sanctioned the surrogacy plot, but once they failed to act upon realising what Meghan's game was, they effectively legitimized it. It's unpalatable, but the truth is that the RF has lied to the British public. I don't doubt that there reasons were to protect Harry, but a lie is a lie. Revealing their part would destroy the monarchy. The people would never forgive them. Whatever happens to the ghastly duo, the Palace will NEVER admit that Archie was born from surrogacy.

I think they will throw Harry under the bus re: substance addiction, however. I think they'll wait for the divorce, however, and spin it as 'look, it's not Harry's fault that he got mixed up with the narcissist. He's mentally fragile and self-medicates. Let's send him away to the Priory for a few weeks and then we can all just pretend that this never happened.'
Nutty Flavor said…
@Drabredcarpet

I think everyone needs t give up the Archie thing. He looks overwhelmingly like Harry and had Meghan and her dad’s squinty eye.

As humans, we're all subject to confirmation bias. I certainly am. I've also heard people say he looks "overwhelmingly like" Markus Anderson or Meghan's cousin, the one who grows marijuana.

All we really know is that he is a white baby, two to four months too big for his supposed age, with no apparent emotional connection to the people publicly named as his parents, who don't even really know how to hold him.

Something is off there.
Nutty Flavor said…
@Unknown

I don't think that the RF will ever reveal the truth about Archie's parentage. They might not have sanctioned the surrogacy plot, but once they failed to act upon realising what Meghan's game was, they effectively legitimized it. It's unpalatable, but the truth is that the RF has lied to the British public. I don't doubt that there reasons were to protect Harry, but a lie is a lie. Revealing their part would destroy the monarchy.

Meh, the monarchy has seen worse.

At some point nature will take its course and QEII will go on to her greater reward.

Then the family can say, "This was granny's decision, this is what she wanted, she was the monarch and we acceeded to her wishes. She did it to protect her grandson Harry."
Unknown said…
"All we really know is that he is a white baby, two to four months too big for his supposed age, with no apparent emotional connection to the people publicly named as his parents, who don't even really know how to hold him."

Well surmised, @Nutty. Also add to this a mother who openly and obviously wore pregnancy prosthetics, and I think occam's razor applies. I this case, as bizarre as it is, the simplest explanation is that Meghan Markle faked her pregnancy to pass a surrogate baby off as her own. Nothing else makes sense when you look at the wider picture.
Lottie said…
Hi Nutty!
A well thought out and accurate post...as always

I think one of Meghan's biggest problem is she has zero ability to 'read the room'
eg:
MM's extravagances for ill fitting clothing
MM's extravagances for the baby shower
The shameful behaviour at Wimbledon
Going to Africa when it was made clear beforehand that many didn't want them there
The African ladies being told to sit with her on the floor...ignoring local custom

How can she say she with any honesty that she is only living not thriving as a Duchess, with access to unlimited funds
We all know it is because they are being scrutinised by the public and the media is more the 'woe me problems'
Also to say this while she is on tour in Africa, a country being torn apart with internal problems and violence, daily?
Her adopted country is also the grips of Brexit and is going through political turmoil with many people unsure of the future and many struggling financially etc etc

For a person whom stated that she never reads social media or the tabloids and only reads the Economist....Pffft
From what i have seen unravelling in the last 2 years it would seem that she doesn't actually read the Economist...but merely looks at the pictures!!
What a woe state of affairs they have become
MM also has the inability to see the future, the outcome and the inevitable consequences
Sick to death of them, personally...but nevertheless i am going through the popcorn at great speed while watching this train wreck in slow motion

For anyone interested this is worth a read
https://singleman-mag.com/prince-harry-and-the-borderline/?fbclid=IwAR07yEF4kr7KHxriP0-P7ANeLfSzEM74Ca4uF128yYEtpMCYcohHKhA6YLA
Unknown said…
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JLC said…
@Nutty - Regarding the Richard Kay piece, I agree that the last sentence is really interesting. It made me wonder if William was issuing a silent threat to Harry (well, given that Harry (most likely Meg) will read the article.

If so, I wonder what information William would intend to release...Maybe it depends on her mad he is about things. Not just comments about their relations, but also trying to undermine the Pakistan Tour.
JLC said…
Apologies for the typos - Not well and I haven't yet come to this morning!
Lottie said…
And if they have that cosy Thanksgiving with the 'uniter' Ophi and Mr Markle...then must start to think that he has been in on this from the beginning....a well orchestrated plan to dupe the British public and BRF...with reasons i would be interested to know
Unknown said…
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JLC said…
@charade - Whatever it is, it had better be juicy!
There was so much rubbish spoken in the documentary that it is hard to remember all of it. However, one thing I think I remember Harry saying was something akin to Archie is starting to speak. In addition to Archie''s appreciation of Table Mountain and Cape Town''s topography, we now have a baby who has the gift of language. Surely this advanced intellect is the best indication of all that he is not Harry''s child. Apologies for the weird apostrophes in this post.
Nutty Flavor said…
Yeah, supposedly the very earliest babies begin to speak is around six months, with the basic "mama" and "dada."

Archie was in South Africa in September...six months would work well with a March birthdate (3+6 =9)

Or he could be starting to speak at around 8 months, which would work well with a January birthdate. (1+8=9).

Anyway, the baby displayed in South Africa wasn't born May 6, which would have made him only four months old - four-and-a-half months, to be precise.
Aussie girl said…
First timer here, I have read this blog for sometime and I have to say I’m addicted. I wouldn’t normally comment however that article from the single guys mag or whatever it it is, is such a mysoginistic piece of rubbish.. it has no place here. I think we are all women here and any “writer” who refers to women as whores or the root of all the woes of men is beyond abhorrent. That’s all I wanted to say.. carry on.. as you were.. xx
@Veena, ‘But the Duchy's of Lancaster, Cornwall, etc etc. they have access to a lot of cash....and you have already said that Charles the Arborist can't say no...so he can give "H" cash from the Duchy's and then he's got the trust to rely on.

Why do you assume he will receive any funding if they move abroad? If that was the case and the British public found out, there would most certainly be uproar. When Windsor Castle caught fire and the PM (at the time) John Major said the tax payers would foot the bill, there was uproar because the Queen and her family live there and could afford to pay for the repairs themselves. To generate funds (for the repair) they opened (at intermittent times) both Windsor Castle and BP to the general public.

As for The Sussex’s stay in California and possibly longer. He’s had access to his trust fund since he was 30, We have to assume its full access. His money as well as Meghan’s (where or how in earth did the DM find 6 million pounds that’s she’s earned?!) won’t last long, just look at their lifestyle over the past 18 months....can anybody see them cutting costs and budgeting?! If they want to live in a prestigious area, that will come at a price, unless it’s a 5 or 6 star hotel suite. Longer term I have no idea what they would do, Fergie made it pay by airing royal family behind the scenes stuff etc., Meghan would stoop far, far lower, especially as Harry no longer has much respect for his privileged background. As I said above, I cannot see it being permissible (by the British paying public) for them to live off the British purse if they moved abroad, there’s a lot of hostility growing towards these two self indulgent, self entitled, arrogant goons.

Where did you hear/read Meghan supposedly meeting up with her Father?! I can’t it anywhere. I can’t see it happening though, the whole nasty fiasco is a tragedy for her Father, despite his flaws and naivety.
@Nutty and Nutties, the below was meant to be addressed to those who read/heard it.

Where did you hear/read Meghan supposedly meeting up with her Father?! I can’t it anywhere. I can’t see it happening though, the whole nasty fiasco is a tragedy for her Father, despite his flaws and naivety.
Unknown said…
Agree with @swansong and @annchristensen.

Markle had the gall to do that TV production. She has pissed off the press, the BRF and the British people. Triple triumph here!!!

I predict she will piss off the government next.

Somewhere I read a comment about the deliberate confusion of dates regarding the birth, something about the surrogate not being made aware who the new parents will be, for security reasons or whatever. This makes sense.
However even if the Palace never gives out the surrogacy details ever, nothing stops the Markles from using this information for future gain.

Meghan seems to despise negative exposure of all sorts. These exposures are the only way to catch her out. I hope the press carries on with their investigative work and blogs like these continue.

The court case dates have not been mentioned yet. Wonder if the British courts close during the festive season, and also what their levels of backlog are, if any.


JLC said…
@Louise500 I haven't read about the meeting in any tabloids, like the DM, but I think I saw mention of it on The Charlatan Duchess blog. There is currently a copy of the letter Tom Markle sent Prince Harry before the wedding warning him not to marry his sister.
Sandie said…
SwishyFishy: '(she is almost as pale as me, and in South Africa, you take on the race of your father, so yes, white)

Where did that come from? It is not true at all. You take on the race of your father? Really, where did you get this from?

No, you do not 'take on the race of your father' in South Africa.

No, Meghan Markle would not be classified as white in South Africa, but neither would she be classified as black. The term 'coloured' is used in South Africa for people of mixed race, and it is not considered an insult nor un-PC. The classification of coloured includes the Khoisan (a nifty way for the majority of non-Khoisan descent blacks to deny Khoisan the status of first people and the original inhabitants of the land) and the Cape Malay (those descended from slaves from Malaysia and other countries in that region).

Meghan Markle described herself as 'a woman of colour' in South Africa. To her, the term 'coloured' is an insult so she could not use it, but she is classified as coloured in South Africa. However, her life experience, and her mother's life experience, are not the same as a coloured person in South Africa. In Cape Town, most coloureds are Muslim and speak Afrikaans as a home language. Coloureds are also excluded from the preferential treatment blacks get under government policy ... not white enough for apartheid governments and not black enough for ANC governments. Some South Africans, like the man interviewed very briefly in the documentary. are sick and tired of race classifications and just want everyone to be accepted as South Africans.
Unknown said…
@JLC has anyone got a copy of Tom Markles letter?

Strange that she did not sue her brother.
tangerine429 said…
So many irritating things about this documentary but the bashing of having a stiff upper lip says to me everything wrong about Meghan. Skippy has a post about the British stiff upper lip and it certainly is not a bad thing. It clearly shows how Meghan is a snowflake millennial, everything is about feelings, safe spaces, not allowing disagreeing opinions, public crying.
American universities are encouraging this mindset. Real bullying has been twisted.
I am so disgusted that people are falling for this, the documentary has people feeling sorry for her and she is ruthless and hard as nails.
I think we all see a daddy reunion at Doria's (with Oprah lol) coming to 'break the internet" Archie on Thomas's lap, Archie's first turkey.
It is not for Archie, he won't remember any of it, it is all PR. Poor Archie being with this couple is very sad, I see no genuine maternal connection, she handles him but does not look/smile/coo at him or he at her ( he did not even try to turn and look at her as all babies would on her lap at Tutu's). He was an accessory while she looked at the camera the whole time. I hope they do not keep firing nannies that he gets attached to.
JLC said…
@Unknown - he shared the letter with In Touch magazine. If you scroll down the below blog, they have a copy.

https://the-charlatan-duchess.tumblr.com/
Weekittylass said…
If Rachel doesn’t come up pregnant after the US visit, she will come out noticeably thinner. She will blame it on stress not the party favors she and Handbag Holder will have access to in the States. Mark my words.
Sandie said…
Louise500: 'Where did you hear/read Meghan supposedly meeting up with her Father?! I can’t it anywhere. I can’t see it happening though, the whole nasty fiasco is a tragedy for her Father, despite his flaws and naivety.'

Some people on blogs are suggesting that she will stage a reunion with her father over Thanksgiving in the USA. It would be a cynical, manipulative PR exercise to ensure her father's co-operation in the court case and present him as being used by the media to attack her.

Meghan has employed Sunshine Sachs in her self-promotion, which includes a war on the media. Her and SS will employ any and every dirty trick to win the war. I think her father will allow himself to be manipulated because he loves her desperately. The court case is going to be very messy!

@Nutty, ‘Assuming that Richard Kay is speaking for William, precisely what type of revelations is he talking about? Drugs? Something having to do with Archie? That sounds like a threat to me.’

I read it the other way...what Harry might divulge about the family etc., (a long with Meghan of course). Only because ‘how’ it was worded..Harry addressing it (about it wasn’t gossip but truth) directly to the camera bit.

’this is no ordinary distraction which can be dismissed as mere gossip. Harry has seen to that by addressing it directly on camera. Indeed, it is a family drama that many close to the royals fear could unravel with further damaging revelations.’

@Sandie, thank you for that, I knew people would have seen/heard it somewhere to quote it.
Jenx said…
@Louise500. Thomas at Thanksgiving was mentioned on a YouTube channel, DanjaZone. The reaction in my neck of the woods has been minimal and mildly negative. Not much attention paid at all. I will not watch the pity party mostly due to my disgust at the exploitation of South Africa and her people. Don't know if The Hawk on YouTube is the real deal but he is royally pissed and says they hired most of the crowds etc.
I just feel sad at this point. Sad that such morally bankrupt people can lie and squirm their way onto the world stage. People so devoid of a soul that they demand respect and adoration for just existing. Calling herself a feminist when she has used a marriage to elevate herself and has used and abused men to have her needs met. But most of all, I am sad for that baby, whatever his origin, to be flounce around like a drugged prop, a rag doll. Where are the child's guardians and who in their right mind would allow this? I am sad at all the people standing by complicit in the on-going mistreatment of this child. Shame on all of you.
If she did stage a reunion with her dad would that affect the court case?

I don't think I can tolerate another faux pregnancy. Anyway, since the two of them have more or less admitted to stress and depression, perhaps they need to consider the effects these two conditions have on fertility.
Ava C said…
There's a very satisfying hard-hitting Telegraph article that came out yesterday afternoon UK time by Benedict Spence, providing more support to the view that the African doc was H&M's Panorama moment. Remember Diana was in such sodden misery that the Queen took her up on it and wrote the very next day to require a divorce. For H&M, the Telegraph writes you're obviously mentally fragile and struggling, but of course we require the opposite from our BRF so do take care of yourselves and don't let the door hit you on your way out. There's no way back for them from that unless they expose themselves as hypocrites even more effectively than they do now. Choice excerpt:

"The image that came across was less of a well-meaning couple misunderstood and wanting to set the record straight, and more of a couple fed-up at not being appreciated, taking it out on a convenient enemy, and going off in a huff.

"It’s a shame, but the question must now be being raised — is it time for them to step away from the limelight, at least in the sense of representing the royal family?

"This is not just a wanton attack on the pair — there must be genuine concern that, actually, neither is cut out for this, nor is it fair to put them through it. Both saw fit to bring up their mental health during the documentary, after all."

The last sentence says it all. Moreover Telegraph readers are complaining as they are not allowed to comment on any of the royal articles so are using the space provided by a tangential article as a last resort. And are overwhelmingly negative.

Links below but paywall.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/21/sake-duke-duchess-sussex-need-decide-whether-cut-royalty/

Tangential article - see comments:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/know-like-brother-takes-different-path-dont-speak-20-years/
Nelo said…
Nutty what is your assessment of the RFs PR strategy in response to the documentary? I think the RF is more sleep in PR than we give them credit for. First, the BBC says William is 'concerned' about Harry and feels he's in a fragile place. That was the cover of most British dailies today. Only times and express mentioned Meghan. The focus was Will's concern for Harry, Meghan was an afterthought.
Then Richard Kay delivers a masterstroke by pointing out how the RF ahs tried to help Harry ( again, note that throughout the article, the concern is on Harry. Meghan is mentioned in passing). Now DM is reporting that William has spoken to Harry and is supporting their six weak break. The documentary was supposed to make the RF look like uncaring people but they have successfully changed the narrative to be 'We are worried and have tried to help Harry but he keeps pushing us away'. Now the adjectives used to describe them are 'fragile, troubled, unstable', not a good look for a couple that wants to be global influnecers.
Nelo said…
@emeraldcity, you have always given great insights and I usually look forward to ready your post. Do you know if your KP contact is aware that Meghan uses bloggers like Lainey and RRs like Scoobies to push out her narrative. Is it possible that Will and Kate know about how Meghan used and still uses Lainey to push the narrative that the RF is throwing them under the bus to protect Andrew?
emeraldcity said…

@Britannia ......Thank you for picking that up, yes indeed I did mean Hertfordshire.

Regarding "a family drama that many close to the royals fear could unravel with further damaging revelations."

They will have to be very careful,not to press Harry's buttons while he is in such a state he could just lash out at anyone he thinks is being 'unfair' to Meghan

He has already exposed as a lie the carefully crafted Palace line of 'no trouble here just gossip' . William also has his secrets, Harry might just become resentful enough that William and Kate are being lauded in the media and by the public, while he and his wife are being crucified for their self indulgent sob saga and speak the "Rose" word. If he has to suffer so should they.

Best for everyone to just stay quite don't poke the bear and let the dust settle , a hard task with Meghan in the mix.






Fairy Crocodile said…
@Assie girl. I can understand why you didn't warm up to the article in the Single Man magazine. If see something interesting however, I can skip things like calling women names. This article is written by somebody who has had experience of boderline personality disorder with his mother and narcissistic disorder with his girlfriend. And when he says he recognizes signs in MM my ears perk up. First, the guy explains very well why Harry fell for MM. Subconsciously he sees his mommy in her. She plays it very deliberately using Diana's mannerisms - that was commented on many times. This is one of the reason past issues he thought faded away flared up again, as he himself admitted. He lives with the woman who represents his mother's problems. Second, the writer predicted she would not be able to conform and will go for some big confrontation. Bingo. We have just seen it. Third, the writer makes it very clear Harry will continue downward spiral if he stays with her. I agree. And last, he gives very clear advice how to get rid of the narcissist. Don't pay attention and make sure they know you have really big dirt on them. It takes control from them and gives it to you. Don't you think what we begin to see shows somebody gave the RF the same advice?
JLC said…
@emeraldcity

Do you think there is truth to the Rose saga?
Miggy said…
There's a new Instagram post.

Verified

The Duchess of Sussex will attend @OneYoungWorld opening ceremony this evening to continue her support for this amazing collective of global youth ambassadors. Her Royal Highness was a counsellor for OYW in Dublin in 2014 as well as in Ottawa in 2016.

This evening she again joins world leaders and activists to celebrate the youth of today as they tackle some of the world’s greatest problems. She is proud to attend as Vice President of The Queens Commonwealth Trust and to continue her long-standing commitment to this very important summit.

Later this week The Duchess will hold a round table discussion with several of the OYW young leaders to address the issue of gender equity worldwide, and how we can all play our part to reach equality for all.

Ahead of the opening ceremony tonight, we take a look back at some photos and moments from HRH attending One Young World in the past. Stay tuned for highlights from tonight’s event! #OYW2019

JLC said…
@Miggy

That's it. She clearly has some serious dirt on the RF. I really don't understand it any more!
Miggy said…
@JLC

It was stated in the press that they both had engagements to carry out before they take their 6 week break, so I suppose this is just one of them.

I don't get it either. It's mind boggling and I wish they would disappear.

Nutty Flavor said…
Just FYI, Enty's podcast today focuses on the Meghan and Harry saga.

It's pretty weak tea, not much news to anyone who follows the story closely, and Enty spends most of the 45 minutes defending himself against any suggestion that his coverage of Meghan is racist.

He says he only covers Meghan because she's "thirsty", not unlike Tori Spelling's husband Dean McDermott. (I'm sure Meg will appreciate that comparison.)

Only two useful tidbits emerged from the podcast:

- Enty says that Will and Kate are not a real couple, but "faking it." Not sure I buy this.

- Enty says he's looking forward to catching Meg at paparazzi-friendly restaurants such as Craig's during her trip to LA, because dining at one of those places - as opposed to a quieter place with just good food - would prove to him that Meghan is "thirsty" and that the press coverage of her has been fair.

To that end, he has made 8pm reservations at several of the restaurants around Thanksgiving, when he expects Meg to be in town. "Then if she's eating at 7pm, I can catch her, and if she's eating at 9pm, I can still catch her," Enty enthuses.

I don't know if he got the memo that Meg's "family time off" will last a full six weeks. That's a lot of 8pm reservations.
Miggy said…
That was funny! :)

Thanks @Nutty
@JLC, ‘I haven't read about the meeting in any tabloids, like the DM, but I think I saw mention of it on The Charlatan Duchess blog. There is currently a copy of the letter Tom Markle sent Prince Harry before the wedding warning him not to marry his sister.’

Thank you. I wondered at first whether I missed it in the documentary.

Do you think there is truth to the Rose saga?

No, it was a rumour put to bed months ago. The British media stated neither men (William and The Marquess of Cholmondeley) would pursue legal action because they both knew it was false.

@Jenx, thanks for extra info. :o)
Piroska said…
William should take a leaf from the Suzzex playbook - announce that because of increasing worries about his brother's emotional and mental fragility he, his father and his grandmother have decided that the Sussex's in their own best interest should no longer be working royals and that all of their patronages will be taken over by other members of the family. He should add that it is hoped that at some time in the future his brothere may be fit enough to resume his position.Also adding that since the Sussex's prefer to live abroad they will no longer be allocated RPOs as the cost would be prohibitive and unsustainable by the Metropolitan Police
Typo! Argh!

would ‘not’ pursue legal action because they both knew it was false.
The William and Kate comment is interesting. A friend of mine was at an event celebrating local Scottish food and drink which they attended and made the same observation. This was a few years ago and my source was quite an enthusiastic royalist at that point. Not so much now, but then who is?
emeraldcity said…
@Nelo

They may know, they use their own friendly journalists to push their own agendas or maybe they don't care, as they are American gossip blogs.

They probably also know about SS and how easy it is to purchase twitter bots.

$45 for a block of 1,000 Russian bot farm tweets, all on seprate accounts, and those accounts would retweet the message. William may have even been told about it during his GCHQ classes. Someone at the Palace would know what is going on , they have been at this media managing for a longtime

What to do about it though, buy your own bots? It just feeds into the contest atmosphere and Meghan is determined not to be outdone.

My friend works in the Kensington Place management section not for any of the Royal families, so she just gets the general gossip filtering through the buildings rather than specifics but it is like a village so everyone has a story to tell.

Latest demi-scandal is that something of modest value went missing from the Royal Collection , one of Queen Victorias pieces, the Met nailed the culprit a few weeks later, one of the cleaning staff, they had the piece in full view on their mantlepiece at home. No legal action was taken , the the thief was simply dismissed, the RF is all about no drama, no public outrage, keep it all in house. So they must be fuming about Harry's stunt.

NeutralObserver said…
'If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen' was a famous saying of President Harry Truman. I'd say this might apply in the case of the Harkles, however Megs seems to have a strong thirst for attention, & she's certainly getting it now. Can't see her going away quietly, unfortunately for poor Harry.

Re: DNA. It would seem the logical thing that the BRF would protect itself by administering DNA tests, if there is a concern about paternity. Releasing the results of those tests to the public might be another matter. Harry's astonishing display of a weak & troubled personality make me believe that he actually might be James Hewitts's son. Hewitt's Wikipedia page is a litany of failures to pass officer exams,susbtance abuse, depression, & sleazy schemes to capitalize on his links to Diana. Sound familiar? Red hair isn't the only similarity between Harry & Hewitt. If the RF knows anything ontoward about Harry's parentage, they've managed to keep quiet about it. The Windsors seem to have pretty thick skin, Harry doesn't fit the mold.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hewitt

I shudder to think how Megs probably bullies him behind the scenes. She seems to ghost people without turning a hair, Harry comes accross a being a fairly dependent type according to the Richard Kay article. Megs seems to have isolated him from friends & family. That's a classic abuser's MO. Men can be in abusive relationships just as women can. This is not a pretty sight.
emeraldcity said…

Re Rose....(shrugs) it was dinner party gossip and Roses brother let slip a damning statement when he was half drunk at his members only club about William and Rose having dinner/dinners together when he was home alone in Norfolk.

Was William just innocently consoling Rose over her own husbands constant absence or was there more?

It was quite some time ago before Louis was born, there was some strain for a while apparently but W&K were back to their usual selves by the time Louis arrived and have certainly been a happy couple since .
Nelo said…
@emerald city, thanks again for the insight. I definitely know that SS is using boots to push Meghan's agenda. It's so easy to tell. I also believe the Cambridges will definitely know about sites like Lainey that have been doing hatchet jobs for the Sussexes. From my point of view, as I don't live in the UK, I think the RF has been able to control the 'they don't care about us, poor me' narrative from the Sussexes. Posters who live in the UK may be able to tell us what the sentiment s are from people on ground regarding the documentary and if people think the RF is winning this PR game
Fairy Crocodile said…
It is amazing how much bloggers can dig out. The latest find I saw was a picture of domain name registration. The name is Duchessofsussex and the registration date is 30.11.2016. A forward planning department was working full time looong before the marriage. The funny bit? the server. It is whois.godaddy.com

Did he propose the minute he saw her??
Sconesandcream said…
Ok. So I just watched the documentary in full. The biggest takeaway I got from it is that H & M truly believe the unfair (in their minds) criticism of MM is based entirely on racism. A large part of the documentary was focused on the fact that MM identifies a woman of colour. Then in her "interview"/scripted chat at the end she plays up to the fact that she cannot deal with the unfair criticism (it is implied but not stated that this criticism is racist based). How can these two idiots not see that the ongoing criticism of MM is based on her behaviour/actions and has zero to do with the colour of her skin. The second takeaway was PH is really really pushing the Diana card. Final takeaway is that MM absolutely loves the sound of her own voice and she is really bad at acting. That "thank you for asking, no-one ever asks" was excruciating to watch. Without the pity party it could have been a decent little puff piece about Harry's long standing passion for Southern Africa (although he made it very clear it would not be safe/appropriate for him to ever live there).
Miggy said…
Anti-Harry and Meghan hysteria driven by tabloid media and palace leaks, royal source claims

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/22/europe/prince-harry-prince-william-british-royals-source-gbr-intl/index.html
luxem said…
RE:Oprah. While it is clear that Meg has a lot to do with Harry's state of mind, we shouldn't forget that H has been producing a documentary on Mental Health with Oprah and perhaps that has also help "fester the wound". I could see Oprah trying to mother/mentor Harry with regard to both his mental health and his war on the press. Hopefully she is encouraging him to get help and realizing the press is a "necessary evil" for his position (though Meg may be working in opposition). If there is a Thanksgiving plan, it is probably at Oprah's CA home with Doria and the Harkles. Lastly, I noticed that Oprah has mostly focused on doing things with Harry (documentary, env summit) and sent her friends (Gayle, Jessica Alba, etc) to vouch for Meghan. After spending time with Doria, Oprah may be very aware of Meg's issues and being careful not to associate her brand to closely with Meg. At least for now, Harry is the Royal and more useful to her than wife number 1.
Nutty Flavor said…
The last line of the CNN piece is telling:

The source reacted to the many headlines, telling CNN that Prince Harry has never shied away from talking about his own mental health -- and the importance of mental fitness and well-being.
The source continued that Prince Harry gave a candid and honest answer to ITV reporter Tom Bradby in the course of the documentary.
They added that any sibling or person seeing that would of course be concerned, but said the tabloids and the briefings by so-called "palace insiders and friends" are classic examples of anti-Prince Harry and Meghan hysteria.
The source added that the institution around the British royal family is full of people afraid of and inexperienced at how to best help harness and deploy the value of the royal couple who, they said, have single-handedly modernized the monarchy.
Nutty Flavor said…
Anybody want to guess the identity of “the source”?
Sandie said…
Apologies for the cut and paste, but this excerpt from a long post is too good to not share:

They are public servants “in service to the people of the commonwealth”, the have a job to do, this shit is actually not about them personally and they shouldn’t be making it personal. Its about that damn monarchy period, and they making a mistake airing out hurt feelings over some shit they can’t change or control. Imagine the fckng Queen doing a interview crying, saying she being shit-talked by the people and they hurt her damn feelings or even imagine William n Kate doing that shit. Can’t nobody see how ridiculous this is or just me?

The post is number 51066 https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/meghan-markle-unpopular-opinions-thread-pt-2.2215591/page-1703
katdandevon said…
Inevitably this post has a lot of comments so apologies if already pointed out, but at one point when MM is interviewed in the garden the conversation goes like this - "Now the counter argument as you know is look, you have this incredible power, you have this privilege, you have this fame, you have this wealth and that comes with scrutiny and sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad. How do you counter that argument?". MM "If things are fair, that completely tracks for me if things are fair. If I do something wrong I'd be the first one to go, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, I would NEVER do that".

That really struck me. So if you look at it she's saying her response to being caught out doing something wrong is to deny? I'm so sorry, I would never do that! I thought that was the most telling statement in the whole documentary and was surprised mainstream media didn't point it out.
Fairy Crocodile said…
@NuttyFlavor Do we need to say it? The sentences and choices of words speak for themselves. Mme Dumbarton no doubt.
lizzie said…
@katdandevon--Wow. Quite the Freudian slip!
The use of single-handedly is very telling. We all know which single hand that would be. Did anyone in the UK actually feel that the monarchy was in need of an overhaul? A trimming down for sure, but most of us were quite happy with the status quo.
Miggy said…
@Nutty,

Could it be Sara Latham?
Miggy said…
OK, having read it again.... lol (slow today after a bad night's sleep!)
Nelo said…
Nutty, the source is definitely Sunshine Sachs. So Harry and Meghan are saying that they have single handedly mordernised the monarchy. Please can someone pinch me and wake me from sleep
@Nutty, ‘Anybody want to guess the identity of “the source”?’

Seems to be SS, I can’t think of anyone within ear shot of the royal court etc., would say either Meghan or Harry have modernised the Royal Family! The pair are extremely divisive.
JLC said…
What I love about Meg is her abundance of modesty....
Hikari said…
Neutral,

>>>Re: DNA. It would seem the logical thing that the BRF would protect itself by administering DNA tests, if there is a concern about paternity. Releasing the results of those tests to the public might be another matter. Harry's astonishing display of a weak & troubled personality make me believe that he actually might be James Hewitts's son. Hewitt's Wikipedia page is a litany of failures to pass officer exams,susbtance abuse, depression, & sleazy schemes to capitalize on his links to Diana. Sound familiar? Red hair isn't the only similarity between Harry & Hewitt. If the RF knows anything ontoward about Harry's parentage, they've managed to keep quiet about it. The Windsors seem to have pretty thick skin, Harry doesn't fit the mold.<<<

I confess, after I learned about Diana's affair with James Hewitt, I had my moments of wondering if Harry was actually his, notwithstanding Di's claim (which Hewitt eventually bolstered, after originally insinuating that they'd had carnal relations two years earlier) that they didn't start their affair until Harry was a toddler. As a child and youth he just looked so very different from the other men in his family. William is the spitting image of his Mum, but as he's gotten older, I see he's actually got the Windsor eyes. Look at Wills, then Charlotte, then the Queen--same eyes on all three. But Wills has his Mum's coloring, bone structure and teeth otherwise.

James Hewitt has dark red hair and brown eyes. Harry and he are both gingers, on the opposite end of the spectrum. And it seems fairly likely that Haz might have come out with brown eyes if he'd had a brown-eyed dad. Chances might have been 50-50, but Harry's eyes are an extremely pale blue--much lighter than either William's or Diana's. Closer to Charles's. Hewitt also does not have the extremely close-set eyes; Charles does. In side-by-side comparison photos between Haz and his grandfather, the similarities in his bone structure are startling, particularly as Harry got older. Apart from the reddish hair, JH really doesn't look like Harry. I've satisfied myself that Harry is a combination of his paternal Windsor side, with the hair compliments of his Spencer side. Charles, Earl Spencer shares some traits in common with Haz, too.

Diana may have been reckless, but I don't think reckless enough to taint the gene pool with a dalliance before she had secured her Royal spare. She describes the period when she was expectant with Harry as the happiest of her marriage, when she felt closest to Charles and he seemed to have been making an effort to focus on his family. Seems unlikely that she would have said that if she knew all along that she was carrying another man's baby. Charles's reaction to Harry was crushing to her. Also, interesting, given the speculation re. Harry's parentage that would follow. Did Charles have his suspicions, too, or was he really that disappointed over having a red-haired son over the daughter he'd wanted? Growing up with these undercurrents that he was some sort of cuckoo baby couldn't have done Harry any good whatsoever.

Hikari said…
As for Harry's disastrous character . . I believe genetics play some part, but even more strong an influence is nurture. Perhaps Harry is weak because he was spoilt and catered to and/or ignored/not mentored like William. It's interesting that he's seized upon his mother's memory as his personal 'brand', when he shares so many negative traits/perceptions of his late Mum, I really don't think it's doing him any favors to invoke her so often. If William represents the best of her, Harry is her weak side. Charles has been ridiculed for being weak his entire life, starting with his father, but he has pulled his socks up and toed the Family credo of stiff upper lip and working for the Firm. Actually when one considers that his sensitive, artistic temperament made him profoundly unsuited for Gordonstoun and the Navy, the fact that he stuck both of them out and prevailed, turning himself into quite the sportsman/outdoorsman in the process is a testament to his inner strength.

If we are subscribing to the 'Genetics are destiny' theory, then that too proves that Harry must be a Windsor--is he not acting just like his great-great Uncle David, who also threw away all the privileges and responsibilities of the Crown in order to live an 'unfettered' hedonistic life in a sadomasochistic relationship with his scheming American Duchess? Really, those similarities are profound if we are looking for them. The Queen has experienced this twice in her lifetime. What, really, where the chances? Astronomical, I would have thought.
Sandie said…
Gosh, tthis Meghan loves the sound of her own voice: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7600107/Meghan-Markle-makes-public-appearance-ITV-interview.html

She talks, and talks and talks!

Her appearance today at the One Young World Summit (without the actual royal, Harry) is going to be interesting ... all about me, me, me!
She has posted a pic of herself with Justin Trudeau at the last OYW summit. Clearly still happy to affiliate herself with him in spite of brown/black face antics. Is he not unconciously biased then, Megz???
Nelo said…
Nutty, Ive read Max Fosters report from the Sussexes and it's so funny. Obviously, the reaction to the documentary is not what the Sussexes expected. They didn't expect the 'William is concerned about the fragile' Harry to be the narrative. They wanted pity and sympathy and at the same time, they wanted people to hate the RF for not 'harnessing their potential' and not rolling out the red carpet for them. Unfortunately, the headlines of 'fragile and troubled unstable'couple doesn't suit their narrative of global influencers so they had to go crying to CNN. I wonder why that didn't give the scoop to Scoobie.
Ava C said…
The divisiveness is what's really coming to the fore now we are into crunch time for the economic and political future of the country. This is the worst we have had from H&M so far, and that's saying something, and they've chosen NOW to do it. UK comments are unforgiving. Across the board. Paid bots are easily identified and shrugged off by all. Yes she can still marshal support in the US due to cultural differences, but they are done here. We just have to factor in the usual BRF delay.

People go on about how unfair it is to William and Kate after their tour, but I would focus primarily on cost here. Not only have H&M wasted vast amounts of public money themselves. They've also rendered most of the expense of the Pakistan tour pointless. Considerable expense given the fragility of the region. Not to mention the costs for their own tour, also in risky and therefore expensive locations. All this points to their total inability to care for the interests and public coffers of the country that supports them. I bet this hasn't even crossed their minds.

All this at a time when UK people are dying or having their health irretrievably ruined due to lack of medical staff. Little children have been deprived of that brilliant scheme Sure Start that truly lived up to its name and elderly people are struggling alone and uncared for. Many without even their dignity. I have personal knowledge of all these real-life consequences of Austerity. And yet we have money to throw away on two people who don't deserve it and who show total ingratitude every time they open their mouths.

Take it all away from them. As one excellent post said earlier. They can live abroad as private citizens and will therefore no longer be eligible for protection. Let the BRF show any sympathy and care privately. The history books can record it later. The UK population just wants it to be over and I think they'll forgive a little ruthlessness to accomplish that.


Ava. So beautifully put, especially all the undeniable truths in paragraph 3. They ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
SwampWoman said…
Nelo said...
Nutty, the source is definitely Sunshine Sachs. So Harry and Meghan are saying that they have single handedly mordernised the monarchy. Please can someone pinch me and wake me from sleep


Wow, is there NOTHING that millennial Americans cannot do? Here is the monarchy, trudging along for millennia doing monarchal things, but they were all wrong and bound up in stupid history. It appears that it takes a female millennial from America (no, I can't exactly characterize the People's Republic of Hollywood as the real California or America) to show them the error of their ways except for the dratted tabloids that are hurting her feelings. She may take Harry and Archie and flee home unless the British public do something drastic to make her feel better. Unlimited adoration? Sacrificing journalists? Proclaiming her the new Woke Queen and abasing themselves before her? Unlimited funds without any work? (Oooh, I think the latter may be it.)
Longview said…
@Ava C

By far and away the best comment I have read anywhere. Succinct and to the point. Well done, it was a pleasure to read something that articulated what I feel but have been unable to put into words. Thank you.
Rut said…
Sandi: Yes I know, when she talks she talks a lot. A long time ago I saw her on youtube, a person in the audience asked from where the name "the Tig" came. I would have jusr answered; its my favourite wine! But Meghan just talked and talked and talked.And she is using her hands when she talks. And raising her eyebrows. She just LOVE to explain things to people Oh God she is so boring. I dont understand how Harry can stand being around that bla bla blaaaaaa everyday.





Artemisia19 said…
@SwampWoman. MM very much acts like a millennial, and one thing I’ve noticed is millennials have no sense of history. At least, that’s what I see in American millennials that I work with.
Lime_Smoothie said…
That statement this afternoon is probably the most stupid move they have made. Do not open warfare with The Firm, any dirt they have on MM (and they will have plenty) will be out in the open before you know it.
Artemisia19 said…
Just checked out the charlatan duchess site. Wow, there are some scathing articles in the British press. And Prince William’s response..... I hope they are OK.....LOL.
Sandie said…
'The source added that the institution around the British royal family is full of people afraid of and inexperienced at how to best help harness and deploy the value of the royal couple who, they said, have single-handedly modernized the monarchy.'
https://edition-m.cnn.com/2019/10/22/europe/prince-harry-prince-william-british-royals-source-gbr-intl/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lipstickalley.com%2Fthreads%2Fmeghan-markle-unpopular-opinions-thread-pt-2.2215591%2Fpage-1705

This comes straight from Meghan. This is a declaration of war on the monarchy. This is very deluded and arrogant thinking. This is Meghan!
SwampWoman said…
I am so sorry that I just can't seem to stay awake long enough for Emerald City when she is actively posting. Thank you! (Oh, dear, I'm assuming pronouns here and I should probably be doxxed and shunned for that.) While you qualify it as talk from various employees, I have found that employees are usually pretty astute about what is happening, particularly in their areas of expertise. Since your friend is getting stories from several different areas, I believe that friend can probably build up a pretty good picture as to what is happening (obviously nothing top secret in character).
Liver Bird said…
OK..... it's clear to me that things are finally moving on at quite a tick. Following the flop whinomentary, we are now seeing the long-awaited part 2 of the drama - The Palace Strikes Back. First the 'family time' which reads to me like the Sussexes being put on notice. And now the stories in the papers from 'sources' saying William is 'so concerned' about his brother. So the line seems to be: poor Harry isn't quite himself. He's alienating his family but we still love him and want him to be happy. If he'll only let us, we will welcome him back and give him any help he needs.

And Meghan? Who she? Not even a mention of her name. She is dead to them. THIS is how the real pros work. Take note, amateurs with your 'documentary' which was only the 5th most watched programme on tacky ITV, and with your breathtakingly moronic move of calling senior royals 'hysterical' - through the medium of an American TV channel.

There really is no contest here. It's embarrasing - and yet hilarious - to witness. The crown always wins.
Hikari said…
>>>That statement this afternoon is probably the most stupid move they have made. Do not open warfare with The Firm, any dirt they have on MM (and they will have plenty) will be out in the open before you know it.<<<

Somewhere in the bowels of BP, in the secret war room, the Kings-in-Waiting are getting ready to 'Release the Kraken!' (Lord Geidt/secret MI6 files on Megz), with Prince Philip brought in via Skype from Sandringham. If Richard, Duke of Glouchester is back from his travels, he's there too as the rumored 'family fixer'. The Family fixes stuff, just at a more glacial pace than we impatient Yanks are used to.

Did William really say "I hope they are OK?" Bless him, how perfect is that?

This mess with his certifiable little bro and little bro's malignant wife have been an unfortunate source of stress for William and his family these last two years, but one positive development is how this internal crisis from within his own ranks has propelled William into a Kingly demeanor and standing in the public mind, perhaps sooner than would have happened otherwise if things had remained genial with the Fab Four. Mettle can only be tested through fire. If Megs had been the asset to the RF that was hoped for, and Harry also being his best self, calm would have prevailed, but William also would not have gotten the practice he's had at making some really tough painful decisions. If he's going to be sovereign, he's got to get used to doing this. And the contrast between the Wales' brothers respective responses to the privileges and burdens of their Royal positions only reflects all the better on William. If a segment of the people doubted his stomach for his future role, he's answered them in vigorous terms.

I hope the goodwill engendered by the triumphant Pakistan tour has not entirely dissipated already due to the childish antics of the Suxxit duo. I think among grownups capable of tuning out adolescent whining, the tour is still considered an unqualified success.
JLC said…
@ Sandie

"This comes straight from Meghan. This is a declaration of war on the monarchy. This is very deluded and arrogant thinking. This is Meghan!"

Yes. And I really hope this is the final straw for the BRF, as they seriously need to put a plug in it pronto!
Clarissa said…
BLACKMAIL is the only reason I can think of for the Royals not appearing to do anything about Meagain. It must be huge!!
I was looking at pictures of Prince Harry out in Sentebel and he looks so happy. Perhaps he can go there for 6 week break/detox.
NeutralObserver said…
@Hikari: My comment was much more idle speculation than the result of careful comparison. I don't find Harry interesting enough to scrutinize his every physical trait. However, when I Googled Hewitt's name, comparison photos of him & Harry are what immediately popped up, without my searching for them.

Genes combine in unexpected ways in all families, & yes, the likelihood that the BRF has kept a secret like this for around 35 years is slim. I've always been struck, however, by how different William & Harry look when standing side by side. Again, that happens in many families. In Wills, Diana's genes seem to have combined with Charles' so that ,to me ,Wills is the spitting image of Prince Philip, tall narrow ectomorphic body, thinning fair hair and all. Harry is also tall, but stockier, more of a mesomorph/borderline endomorph. (He was looking fairly stocky in the lead up to his wedding, now he looks as though he's had the weight loss of a depressive.) I don't really care who Harry's father is, but he's not exhibiting 'the right stuff' for any sort leader right now.

The RF has had its weak links many times in the past. I was watching some old historical British tv series not long ago. In it, the Prince Regent was portrayed as a drooling idiot. The program took place in the Georgian era, so jibed with what we Americans have been taught about the Georges of the 18th & 19th Cs. The RF survived that era, & will likely survive this situation.
Lime_Smoothie said…
@Hikari

The Pakistan tour was viewed as a massive success, and contrasts nicely with this side show by the gruesome twosome. They don't know when to stop digging, and throwing dirt.

Even now, they could rescue this if they zipped it, and started working genuinely and without fanfare for their charities. It is painfully obvious that neither is capable of growing up and knuckling down to work.
Ava C said…
Harry more and more reminds me of Edward VIII when Prince of Wales (and I do think he's Charles' son - they look more alike every year and I've always understood the dates don't add up for Hewitt to be a possibility.)

Sarah Bradford is a highly-rated royal biographer - one of the best. In her book on George VI she wrote of Edward PoW:

"... the end of November 1928 was the final proof of an egotism having reached the point of insensibility to the demands of public responsibility or family duty. The golden-hearted charmer ‘full of fun and rags with everyone’, as one of them described the Prince, whose abundant vitality had enchanted them all in the early 1920s, was turning into a difficult, obstinate charge whose impulses they could not control and whose lapses they had to struggle to conceal."

Need we say more? Someone please get her to write an article on Harry with a longer historical perspective than usual. However, as a viscountess she'd be bound to say no.

Thank you to those who appreciated my last comment. It came from the heart.
Lime_Smoothie said…
@AvaC

Your last two comments are so spot on.

The parallels with David and Wallis become more and more stark every day.
Liver Bird said…
@Ava C

I also see a lot of great uncle David in Harry. David was handsome, charming, immensely popular with the public, but a weak, none too bright man-child who wanted all the glamour of being royal with none of the duties. Though in fairness to him, being king on the eve of war was a rather more onerous job than shaking hands and giving 5 minute speeches a few times a month.

Wallis, however, seems completely different to Meghan. Firstly, she never actually wanted or intended to marry Edward, but events got ahead of themselves.

Secondly, Wallis had style.
Lime_Smoothie said…
@LiverBird

For me the parallels with Wallis are more to do with her questionable past, which she rewrote for her book 'The Heart Has Its Reasons'.

Maybe Hallmark could buy the rights to it, and Meghan can star in it post-divorce.
JL said…
A number of my friends have partnered/married African Americans, finding their right person a little later in life after many misfires. I’ve noticed a similar pattern. Early on my white friends, even if pretty liberal to begin with, became much much more aware of racism and the black experience, in other words they became “uber-woke.” (Understandable because even today in America as couples they have unpleasant experiences at times.) They also adopted an us-against-them mentality and cocooned as a couple. Eventually all this settled down and my friends just went about their business like any couple would.

Now all this was a natural evolution. My friends did not partner with people who have a racism narrative and lecture them every day. So how much more isn’t Harry following this pattern? He’s deep in it.

IMO all his ghosting of friends and family is all about his now belief that they are all racists and that is why they don’t like MM. As we know he is incapable of seeing her as all his friends, family and we see her for the destructive, toxic person she is.

Her insistence on the racism narrative is because that is how she drove the wedge between him and everyone he knows.

We all know that the RF has been treading lightly with the spoiled brat. But the Royal Family is in some danger here because Harry is so off the chain that his next incendiary interview could easily accuse them all of being racist and cite examples.
JLC said…
@Limve_Smoothie

"Maybe Hallmark could buy the rights to it, and Meghan can star in it post-divorce." Thanks, that gave me a good chortle!!
Hikari said…
>>>I Googled Hewitt's name, comparison photos of him & Harry are what immediately popped up, without my searching for them.<<<

Yes, proponents of the 'Jimmy is Harry's dad!' theory have posted plenty of those. I have also found an equal number, or more, of comparisons with Haz to his (acknowledged) paternal grandfather. It is possible to find photos in both camps that bolster each theory, but on balance, I think the preponderance of evidence (as opposed to a few random shots) bolsters the case for Harry-as-a-Windsor.

>>>Genes combine in unexpected ways in all families, & yes, the likelihood that the BRF has kept a secret like this for around 35 years is slim.
>>>I don't really care who Harry's father is, but he's not exhibiting 'the right stuff' for any sort leader right now.<<<

That's for sure. If Haz were not one of their own, and they've known it since he was born, one would think the Family would have cut him loose a lot sooner than this. I do care who Harry's father is, because it goes not only to his own identity but to the integrity of his late mother. But the BRF's curious non-action/public acceptance (however stinting) of Archie reeks of a cover-up/collusion at the highest levels. If Haz isn't actually of Royal blood, then the Family's already had 35 years of practice at shrouding paternity. If Harry's not of the bloodline, they really have bent over backwards to accommodate that lie.

No wonder the man is so screwed up if he cannot say with certainty who his father is. Perhaps *this* and not merely being the second-born was why Harry was treated so poorly by some of the senior royals including the Queen Mum. That one was a right royal snob. Harry was embraced by Philip, though, so that argues for his authenticity. What PP thinks of Harry now is anyone's guess. At 98, he probably tries not to think on the Harkles so he can manage his blood pressure.


I thought so, too. But the BRF is doing a banging job of helping Megz and Harry keep the provenance of Archie obscure, aren't they? They also managed to keep hidden for some number of decades the depth of the Duke of Windsor's collusion with Hitler during WWII in advising Hitler to keep blitzing the snot out of London and the British would fold. Also potentially accepting Nazi monies for his 'advisor' role. The Family is really good at keeping secrets. Until Diana came along to blow the lid off. But they still manage to control the flow of information which is damaging to themselves.

>>>I've always been struck, however, by how different William & Harry look when standing side by side.<<<

It's true; the brothers Wales have completely different body types and looks. A cursory look makes it seem quite unlikely that they are brothers without a closer study, and, of course, knowing they grew up together.

Hikari said…
>>In Wills, Diana's genes seem to have combined with Charles' so that ,to me ,Wills is the spitting image of Prince Philip, tall narrow ectomorphic body, thinning fair hair and all. Harry is also tall, but stockier, more of a mesomorph/borderline endomorph. (He was looking fairly stocky in the lead up to his wedding, now he looks as though he's had the weight loss of a depressive.)<<

When I was discussing the Harkle wedding with my mom, she exclaimed 'William looks just like Philip!' With the height and the very fair, very thinning hair, there are times when Wills does channel PP. But viewing photos from his youth up through his marriage and in more recent years, we see a Will that was extremely thin and lanky as a 15 year old walking behind his Mum's cortege, but which filled out in the intervening years. He's a shade taller than Haz but particularly since his marriage has become a meaty individual. Not fat . . there seems to be no loose flesh on him anywhere. William is solid and very broad. Comparing the brothers side by side on Harry's wedding day, dressed in the black uniforms, William looked easily double the width of Harry. So I would not class William as the 'narrow, ectomorphic frame'. He is, in every sense, physically and mentally, a much bigger specimen. Haz did used to be chunkier in his soldiering days. I would have called him 'robust'. Maybe much of that was beer, I don't know, but over the last several years, since he left the service and grew the beard, and then took up with Megs, we have seen this man wasting away. At first it seemed like the weight loss was a good thing--a response to a healthier lifestyle. But if there's one thing Megs isn't, it's a healthy influence on Harry. I think the couple met via drugs, bonded via drugs and both do drugs still, whether together or separately. I doubt Haz's current stringiness is a result of eating vegan and practicing yoga and drinking green tea, though that is the line she's been pushing these last two years. Haz may have presented as more of a mesomorph in his prime, but that prime is long past and we are now seeing, quite literally, the bones underneath. Harry is a lot narrower in build than Wills, and I think any muscle he gained while in active military service was more like temporary disguise. Comparing the size of their hands tells the tale. Wills does not have ectomormphic hands--his hands are quite massive. Harry's the one with those pale, thin, characterless 'Clintonian' hands.

Wills has grown into himself as an authoritative figure while Harry is wasting away. If I didn't know anything about the chaos of his married life these last two years and just saw photos out of the blue, I'd assume that this man has a terminal illness. He does--the deadly Markle Fever, relationship-fatality rate, so far, 100%.

Off topic but mehh ... Has anyone seen the Clarence House IG post - Charles in Japan, posing in gardens, in bridges, in his fancy clothes just before the coronation. Charles in Japan looks like anyone's grandpa as a tourist in Japan. He looks so unfazed and excited to be on a walk in a lovely garden. I've long suspected Charles to be a very very subtle king of shades.

Wills is at an investiture ceremony today and seems so warm and engaging. That's kimgly demeanor if any. As opposed to MM who seems to be bleating for the umpteenth times about her past laurels. Posting her own pictures from before her marriage. And that last picture of hers, in the white dress, where she is standing ignored to the side is just so lonely and sad-feels like.

Miggy said…
Well the CNN story has hit the Daily Mail.

Wait for the comments... ;-)
Unknown said…
Slightly offtopic, but just to chip in on the commentary regarding William and Kate's marriage, can I just say that I think that it's entirely plausible that William has a mistress or mistresses? And that it's possible that their marriage has become more of a friendship rather than romance? But even thinking that those scenarios are likely, it doesn't actually bother me? I still respect both of them enormously. Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but I always think that the best royal marriages remain stable when both parties understand that they are bound by duty and legacy rather than lust. If William has had affairs, he has been very discreet about them. Kate seems happy to enjoy her position and children, and they both seem to genuinely care for one another. If this is the worst dirt that Smirkle can throw at the Cambridges, then as a Brit I can only respond with a resounding 'meh'. I don't expect my King to behave like an angel in private. I DO expect him to behave with dignity in public. William does. That's all that I ask of him.
Ava C said…
Interesting DM are moderating the Piers Morgan article they've posted this afternoon letting rip (justifiably) about the claim H&M are single-handedly modernising the monarchy and that the BRF just don't know how to 'deploy and harness their value'. I haven't seen a moderated DM article on them for days. I guess they realise people are now being pushed beyond endurance.

H&M are clearly trying to rescue themselves from their Panorama moment now. Meghan's going to be empowered tonight. She's putting the people on a mental rollercoaster again, as with Archie's birth announcement. This time "We're weak!" " We're strong!" "We can't do this!" "We can do this!" You could say this is her strategy but both this one and Archie's arrival smack of desperation. She's in total firefighting mode and Harry's going to be no use at all.
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