The next few days will be exciting for Royal watchers, as the Christmas celebrations take center stage.
The most exciting event is likely to be the Christmas walk on December 25, as the Royals walk from the Sandringham Estate to the 16th century St. Mary Magdalene church for the 11am service. Will Prince George and perhaps Princess Charlotte make their debut this year?
If so, what will they wear? Being as it's the middle of winter, I hope Prince George won't be stuck with short pants again. Isn't it time for him to wear full-length trousers year-round, anyway?
Prince Andrew will supposedly be arriving at the church by car, so as not to dampen the mood. The Queen also arrives by car, and in fact rode with Andrew last year. (Here's some info on how to see the Royals walk in person if you are so inclined.)
There's also talk of a "major announcement" by the Cambridges this year - perhaps Kate's first solo tour? Sophie and Anne regularly undertake solo tours, so why not Kate? Whatever it is will presumably promote her Early Childhood initiative.
The most exciting event is likely to be the Christmas walk on December 25, as the Royals walk from the Sandringham Estate to the 16th century St. Mary Magdalene church for the 11am service. Will Prince George and perhaps Princess Charlotte make their debut this year?
If so, what will they wear? Being as it's the middle of winter, I hope Prince George won't be stuck with short pants again. Isn't it time for him to wear full-length trousers year-round, anyway?
Prince Andrew will supposedly be arriving at the church by car, so as not to dampen the mood. The Queen also arrives by car, and in fact rode with Andrew last year. (Here's some info on how to see the Royals walk in person if you are so inclined.)
There's also talk of a "major announcement" by the Cambridges this year - perhaps Kate's first solo tour? Sophie and Anne regularly undertake solo tours, so why not Kate? Whatever it is will presumably promote her Early Childhood initiative.
Christmas card chicken
Neither the Cambridges nor the Sussexes has officially released the family Christmas card as of 1pm EET December 23, although @KensingtonRoyal Instagram did release a photo of four generations of sovereigns making a mince pie, a non-so-subtle way of saying "These are the four people who actually matter."
Perhaps the Cambridges are playing a sort of game of chicken with the Sussexes - who will officially release their holiday greeting first? Perhaps the Sussexes will not be releasing anything at all, since they are officially on break.
The Sussex publicity during the break has been all over the place, first suggesting they were in California, then in seclusion in Canada, possibly with Meghan's mother, but certainly not with Meghan's father.
Rumors have also been all over the place, with the notorious troll @torontopaper1 suggesting that Meg hadn't been allowed to enter Canada despite making calls to all of her best contacts, as well as a terrible, amateurish video of Harry in a cheapish Santa suit creating speculation that he is in rehab, or should be.
Philip's health
Overshadowing the Christmas celebrations are worries about Prince Philip's health. As of this writing, the 98-year-old family patriarch remains in the hospital, having been flown to London on Friday for what was improbably called a "planned admission" on a Friday 5 days before Christmas.
If the Christmas celebrations at Sandringham go on without Philip and his famously strong cocktails, it will be the first Christmas ever without him for most of the attendees - with the exception of the Queen.
Both Philip and the Queen seem to be feeling their ages, and it seems likely that Charles will take over even more Royal duties in 2020.
The Queen's speech
The Queen's speech to be broadcast on Christmas Day is also much anticipated.
What can she possibly say about a year that has not only included a significant general election, but an enormous amount of family drama?
Will she obliquely refer to the humiliations of Prince Andrew, the speculation surrounding the mysterious birth of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, the complaints and ultimate disappearance of the Sussexes?
And which photos will appear in the background? Royal watchers have learned that they often represent a subtle but potent form of Queen communication - and shade.
The speech has probably already been recorded, so it is unlikely to reference Philip's health challenges.
What are you looking forward to over the next few days?
Comments
I am looking forward to seeing what news comes from the Cambridge's. With everything surrounding the Sussex duo, the Cambridge's really are the only thing that can save the RF. I am reading more and more about folks in the UK calling for a Republic and that the RF isn't necessary any more. This may be a minority, but it's still there and gaining traction every time there are negative stories (Sussex idiots or Andrew). William and Kate (and their kids) are popular, so I imagine they will take on a more visible role that will hopefully shed positive light on the RF.
I hope Philip is doing well and will be home for Christmas.
I am very much enjoying the semi-radio silence from the Sussexes. I'd like them to be even quieter with zero social media presence or hints of where they are staying. If this 6-week break was their idea, it backfired badly because it shows me how totally unnecessary they are to the BRF. The BFR can scale back to Prince Charles and Camilla and the Cambridges once HMTQ has died. Princess Anne and Edward and Sophie can be used as needed; they have all proven themselves to be appropriate and "a safe pair of hands". The Sussexes can retire to where ever they want and raise their non-titled child in peace. Good luck to them!
As for Prince Philip, it's tough to bounce back from anything at 98. I work in healthcare, and in 13 years of front line experience I've seen ONE patient in his age gruop come back fully from a health crisis. Interestingly, I'm working with her now--a lady over 100 years old who broke her hip and who is back to baseline, walking around, engaging in life, and doing just great in her senior living apartment. She even wears underwear rather than pull-up briefs because she has no incontinence, which is truly astonishing at that age. For everyone else--and I work in geriatrics, so that's a lot of people--they live at reduced level of independence, comfort, and engagement in activities that are important and meaningful to them. So IF Prince Philip cannot rebound to a level that would be acceptable to him, I hope he doffs this mortal coil quickly. Please keep in mind, I am talking about the oldest of the "oldest old" population, which is defined as 80 and up, not the younger side of the oldest olds.
I am an avid reader of Hello! magazine, shipped to me weekly from the UK and I am enjoying having Kate on the cover (the most recent one I have shows William, Kate, and Mary Berry), rather than smirky $Mirks, who has been on too many of their covers this past year. The Cambridges show me how the BRF should behave. The Sussexes are simply depressing and self-centered. Having said nice things about the Cambridges, I think it's silly to hint "there's going to be a big announcement" because you set up expectations and someone is bound to be disappointed. Just stay quiet and give us the news when you're ready.
Merry Christmas to all! If you celebrate another holiday, I hope it is a joyous one. I'll be working as I do every Christmas.
Thanks, Nutty, for a fabulous blog and to all the posters. Your posters are an articulate, thoughtful, and interesting group of people. Thanks to all for fun entertainment each morning when I see what's new here.
Although Meghan will be absent from the Christmas walk (so we miss out on a superb demonstration of scarfing), she will make sure that there are at least two gushing stories about her dominating the press and may even make sure her Christmas card is leaked on that day. (I know a narc and they often say one thing but do the opposite, or accuse others of the very thing they do or say themselves, so it is to be expected that Meghan says she wants privacy but makes sure she gets a lot of media attention ... she wants control, not privacy.)
I am actually not a supporter of George walking to church with the family, although if he is going to be king, it would be very 'Meghanish' for him to not follow tradition and do what his father did. Diana guided William in taking on a public role from an early age, and I am sure William and Kate will do well in guiding their son.
There is another letter in support of Meghan and it really is appalling (this is what is important to these people in a world full of problems? ... plus it has some major errors): https://meghanpedia.com/an-open-letter-of-support-for-her-royal-highness-the-duchess-of-sussex/
All the following rant by me is relevant to royals, because Andrew is a part of it, and no-one is challenging the narrative nor addressing the real problem (older men having casual sex with teenage girls is a huge problem and should not be a part of modern society).
Andrew is probably guilty of many shady business deals and is guilty of saying he knew nothing about Epstein's sexual exploitation of teenage girls, many of whom were under the age of consent, when to claim such ignorance is just not believable in any way (and of saying the stupidist things ever in a TV interview that destroyed any credibility he might have had).
Epstein was not a convicted paedophile because he was not a paedophile and was never charged or tried for paedophilia (there are too many stupid people in the world who just do not get it, including the tabloids). Recognising this error is important. Paedophilia is real and far more prevalent than we realise, but the Western world seem to just not get it. There are men and women who are sexually attracted to pre-pubescent children and babies (look up what pre-pubescent means if you still do not get it). They rape BABIES. These people are not curable and they are depraved beyond belief.
Epstein was into teenage girls (post-puberty). Some were under the age of consent, NOT pre-pubescent, and the age of consent differs from country to country and even within countries (e.g. USA). Sexually using, exploiting and abusing teenage girls is very common but is not considered a major crime. In my opinion, we need to become informed about this issue, have honest conversations and deal with it effectively. In some places, it is illegal to have sex with a 17-year-old. Most people are not uncomfortable with an older man having sex with a 17-year-old.
Trafficking of humans, for sex or labour, is very real in the part of the world where I live, and the victims are certainly not given the 'luxury' treatment that Epstein's girls were. A horrific crime, that is much too prevalent, is being minimised, and eventually ignored, because of all this titillation over Epstein.
Prostitution (selling sex) is legal in some parts of the world. Where it is illegal, it still happens but the women find it very difficult to get protection or support and are exploited more because of that. Epstein effectively paid a lot of the girls to have sex with him, and that is considered prostitution.
I enjoy four-generation pictures. Especially in "casual" settings (although this one was obviously posed). The Queen and the future Kings of the realm. Wasn't Victoria the last four-generation monarch? Yes, they are the future. Period. As it should be. George is being taught in this picture to respect the military. So what if it is mince pies? It is the learning of the lesson that counts.
The Queen's speech: hmmmm. She has much to be thankful: her son is not indicted, her husband is alive and receiving care in hospital, she has a new grandson, her grand daughter was married. and the government has not collapsed. Now how to make this palatable....
I hope the Cambridge news is Kate's solo reps for the Queen. She has earned the right.
I hope that Harry is in rehab and responding to him treatment. I hope MM does some serious reflection and awakes up.
I hope Archie is healthy and happy whereever he is.
Merry Christmas Nutters! this reader awaits 2020 with anticccc......ipation!
Scobie's explanation in the Express article that the traditional Royal lunch goes on for hours and that the kiddos are kept away in the nursery is laughable. H&M want to spend unfettered time with Archie, so they have to go to Canada to do that?
It is classic MM. It seems like she always gives explanations while hurling insults at the same time. She wasn't worried about being apart from Archie when she threw herself into editing Vogue, "curating" for SmartWorks, attending Wimbeldon, or going to the States to watch a tennis match.
She apparently chose to cut off her own family, but how sad and selfish that she can't see fit to set aside differences and allow Harry & Archie to spend time with his.
On one of my occassional check-ins on the Dark Side - ie CB - I saw those weirdos saying that the Cambridges leaked the Harkles' whereabouts to distract from 'Shruggate', ie that split second at the end of the highly succesful Mary Berry Xmas special where Kate appears to flinch slightly from William's touch! They're also STILL going on about Kate and Will arriving at the BP function in separate cars, though they left together. Those people really are insane. Quite mad.
One interesting snippet I did pick up from CB is that the Mulrooneys usually spend Xmas in Florida, not Toronto. So that would mean it's unlikely the Harkles are staying with them. Fortunately for the Harkles, nobody much cares anymore.
I agree that the royal family aren't as clever as they are sometimes given credit for, but don't you think something is up? Not one new pic, not one single appearance from either of the Harkles for nearly 2 months, other than Harry's embarrassing Santa vid which could have been filmed months ago? We know publicity is like oxyen to Meghan, so there must surely be some reason why she has gone under for weeks. It's not her style.
It was so embarrassing that peter hunt of the BBC said the queen will be regretting letting Sir Christopher Geidt go.
@SirStinxalot I think we have to remember that the video was probably filmed on a smartphone or worse, via a laptop camera. I know probably almost everyone else here likes to judge from photographic evidence, but I tend to remain sceptical. Lighting and angles play a lot of tricks on the eyes (like the white/gold vs blue/black dress debate or even the old visual tricks like is the vertical line shorter than the horizontal line). I also go with another person's comment (Himmy?) on the last blog, that the answer is painfully simply - Harry is indeed that stupid and careless to make such a tacky video. Unlike Kate, who seems to enjoy the company of children in a nurturing way and to find out the interests and perspectives of someone else, he seems to enjoy children in that it's another opportunity to act juvenile and foolish for laughs. He lives off the attention and laughs, like the class clown.
As for Andrew's interview, that was his own initiative. He did not seek the approval of the queen or anyone else, as I'm sure they'd have told them it was a terrible idea. But he's an adult and can - and did - do what he likes. His own PR person resigned in protest, so I don't think you can blame it on BP PR.
By contrast, whoever is doing the Cambridge PR has been doing a first-class job this past year. But I think that's the sort of thing royal PR does best, quietly releasing cutesy photos and stories. They're not nearly so good with crisis management, be it Diana, Andrew or the Harkles.
It almost makes me wonder whether the Cambridges are going to be forced into announcing something due to a leak, or a threat of a leak, from Smirkle. Therefore, I cannot rule out a fourth pregnancy.
2)I think that Mischief Girl nailed the Queen's Christmas speech.
I wholeheartedly agree. All we’ve been ‘treated’ to is mostly Meghan’s
past, and the occasional unseen photos of her wedding etc. Other than that nothing new, zilch!
No Christmas card from the Sussex’s either (or did I miss that?), not entirely unexpected I might add. Overall, something is very amiss.
*********
There’s a new article in the DM titled:
‘Meghan Markle revealed her wish for her future children to be born into a world where mixed race people are no longer discriminated against, in resurfaced 2012 anti-racism video’.
I believe that staff used to stay on for long periods for reasons of loyalty and prestige, but now they just take the job to pad their CV and then move on to higher paying jobs.
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/blizzard-roll-out-the-maple-leaf-for-prince-harry-and-meghan?fb_comment_id=3965672873450197_3968209109863240&comment_id=3967725666578251&reply_comment_id=3968209109863240
That the idea of something big coming from Omid positive about PW&K&kids sounds a little odd/off/hmmm at best to me.
His positive spin is consistently MM so I'm left with the idea that actually MM will try to come out with something positive about her/her future to overpower some minor announcement about the Cambs (power play about see how small their deal really is after a build up/not very powerful are they but look at me!).
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I got the idea he is the one and only source of this big thing about be announced. I don't follow him so my knowledge of him comes more from the commentary by others. It's like if a narc starts singing the praises of someone other than themselves, you wonder why am I seeing this change in behavior all of a sudden?
https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1220351/meghan-markle-news-australia-latest-news-prince-harry-prince-archie-update
"I believe that staff used to stay on for long periods for reasons of loyalty and prestige, but now they just take the job to pad their CV and then move on to higher paying jobs."
Yes in the past they had aristocrats like Tommy Lascelles of 'The Crown' fame - these people were "plus royal que le roi" and weren't in it for the money, but out of service to the monarchy. There may be a few such types still around, but most of them are probably careerists for whom a stint with the royals would look great on their CVs.
I also wonder if the older royals consider PR a tad 'beneath' them? Why should they have to pander to the plebs sort of thing?
In this weeks article, she is promoting Harry for Governor General, but in October, she was suggesting the reason why he should not be Governor General.
https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/opinion/national-perspectives/christina-bliz
Here's what she said then:
"I’m not sure that’s [the G-G role] the best role for Harry. It would just put him back within the same royal restraints he’s bucking against. Let him run free with his passion."
Here's what she said this week:
"Let’s give him a job: Governor general would work just fine."
As I said a couple of days ago, this sounds like the Smirkle PR folks got to her.
Allegedly the news of the "announcement" was made at a Royal Reporter scrum, yet only Omid ran with it? Sounds more an more like b.s.
Yes, @abbyh! I think I said this on yesterday’s blog, but I will repeat on this thread: Omid Scobie does Meghan’s dirty work for her, so my take is that Meghan told him to scoop whatever announcement the Cambridges might make, thus creating hype over the news that there will be news. It’s a douchey move - quel surprise. When whatever announcement comes, then, expectations will have been made higher than reality. If I were the Cambridges, I would announce nothing. I do not expect a pregnancy announcement for sure.
Thinking of Prince Philip. I cannot imagine he is ready to leave his family while this nonsense and Andrew’s are unresolved. I hope he will hang around for a while longer.
I don’t think Catherine is pregnant either. She has suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum with all of her pregnancies, and they’ve had to announce them earlier than usual due to either stays in hospital or not being able to perform public duties.
I don't believe the Harkles are in Canada. Someone would have seen and I believe outed them. I don't believe they are in the US either.IDK where they are and don't really care. Such a relief not to be bombarded with her pics and nonsense over the holidays.
IMO something is up with the Harkles such as being banished for their unroyal behavior. Damage control in conjunction with the whole PA debacle and trying to improve The Firm's standing with the public? Hence those wonderful pics of 4 generations.
Hope Harry is getting the help he needs but not convinced he is. Narcs are so hard to escape for a multitude of reasons. He will need to be rid of her to become healthy and whole again, so I hope he does escape her clutches. Narcs play on
I believe that Archie is not with the Harkles but hopefully with his natural mother. The lack of any additional photos other than in SA is just bizarre.I don't think Smegs could resist having Archie on a cute Christmas card.
If she is the one who circulated the rumor about an affair and is providing Omid with false leads about stories breaking, she shouldn't be surprised at all that she's not welcome at family gatherings. They're probably tearing their hair out over her.
@CookieShark, "...Lynchburg cheese straws & Memphis rolls, swimming in sauce" will do just fine, thank you. I can be there early and stay late.
I will be looking for shade in the Queen's speech. She throws it subtly and impeccably. I love the understatement. I doubt she will address PA or the Sussexes directly.
As for the walk,
I can't wait to see what my BFF Kate wears on the Christmas walk. She has been so lovely this year! I think red and green are the best on her, and because I've a passion for tweeds that I rarely get to indulge, I hope Wills wears not only a scarf, but a nice tweedy one!
And bad news @Nutty, I checked the age at which upper crust British boys switch to long pants, and it is 8 years old. So, George may be sporting shorts still. (William didn't switch over till 8 or 9.) As much as I'd love to see Charlotte on the walk, I would like to see George do his first walk alone, but of course, he might actually feel more at ease with his sister there.
I hope Andy has a cold and stays home - that would be the decent thing to do - but he passed on decent and collected $200 a long time ago.
I am disappointed that Rach won't be doing the Christmas walk. Her need to upstage the Cambridge children would incite wildly desperate behavior! Sashaying, finger cymbals, interpretive dance, baton twirling, reenacting Archie's birth and on the church steps replete with bespoke manger -- all things I can imagine her doing. Kate & Wills & I would have had such fun dishing over my famous elf elixirs. But alas, no...
I do think that the Sussexes have been exiled and their super-duper-top-secret-we-won't-tell-and-we-demand-privacy-but-here's-the-address-of-our-undisclosed-disclosed location abroad was directed by the BRF. No photos, no occasion to dress up and flounce about, no HRHing, no merching(!), nada, zip, zilch, dim byd, rien, nothing for Rach. They have been frozen out which is far, far more meaningful than any insults that could be flung. I do not believe for a second that the woman who sold herself up and down so many greasy poles for most of her tawdry life would willingly miss Sandringham and the Christmas walk. And while she certainly deserves exile, and PH with her, Archie does not. And imagining Archie left with nannies while the indulgent adults blow snow and fornicate like drunk bunnies... well, that's just sad for Archie.
I read that Philip said that he would rather be in the hospital than at Sandringham, and I understand this, especially if he is undergoing any kind of delicate or embarrassing situations. I cannot imagine someone so dignified and stoic wanting to look frail and needing others' help or worse yet, inspiring pity! That's not how PP rolls, and it's not how I roll. I would never. So I am with Philip on this one. I get it.
It is nice to be back, and I agree with @Marie and others about the blog being restored to happiness. Nutty has built a wonderful place here, and she is gracious to share it with us. In turn, it's up to us to respect the rules and behave like Kate (or at the very worst, a shady William :)
I wish the Nutties the best and merriest and happiest of seasons, and I look forward to snarking with you all in 2020!
I will be surprised if the Queen mentions H & M or even Archie during her speech this year. As for the W & K "big announcement", I agree with what others have said - Scobie seems shady AF to me and I doubt he knows what he is talking about.
I really liked the four generations picture they did recently, it was super sweet and I personally would like to see more of that and way less Hollywood-style shenanigans.
Wishing all the Nutties a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wish you all health and happiness to you and your families. Thank you Nutty for providing such an interesting, articulate forum.
I would think if there is even an announcement coming, it is that Kate has been given some mega important or influential queen in waiting thing, post, patronage whatever.
I am interested to see if the queen mentions Archie or new babies — what year did Zara give birth to her younger daughter and/or are there any new 2019 babies aside from Archie?
To make this about the RF, I really hope PP is on the mend. Apparently all Charles said today was something like, “he is well cared for in hospital” which to be honest, doesn’t sound all that positive or promising to me. Also, what is up with all the RPO outside the private hospital? Is that the norm?
I tried to post from my phone yesterday at home, and I was foiled, twice. If anybody has tips for cutting and pasting text vs. just a web link on an iPhone, I'm all ears. My message got too long and while trying to edit it, I lost the whole d@mn thing. I really wanted to ring in, too, but in the end, I gave up and poured myself an adult beverage. It was post-prandial, so I'm not a certifiable lush. Just frustated!
Still sending all good prayers to the family patriarch for a speedy recovery. It's depressing to think of PP in decline, but he's got a will of iron, so if anybody can rebound satisfactorily from this, it's him. He will bully infirmity into submission and probably want to drive himself home from hospital. Not that he should be allowed.
I was betting on Cringe and Ginge laying low at Soho House in Toronto or secreted away at another property belonging to MA. Pehaps Sir Elton John has lent them the use of his property up north. SoHo House Toronto is their 'safe house' since it's where they conducted their clandestine transatlantic booty calls until choosing to out themselves for the publicity. Conrary to Meg's claims, I do not believe for a single moment that Haz hung out for days at her apartment in Toronto. That wouldn't have been secure enough to suit them. I really rather doubt that Meg went to L.A. to see her mother because papps would have been camped out on the route from LAX to Doria's house in the hopes of getting a shot. In the most celeb-saturated airport in the world, with the attendant photogs and hopeful fans with camera phones, nobody gets a single glimpse of her? Travelling with Harry to the United States would be even more fraught with security concerns and photog interest. Would the Queen really fund RPOs for both of them for this '6-week break'? A month and half (so far) away from their families at the holidays, for a non-essential, non-Royal jolly?
Not that it's a true jolly--I believe the Harkles were ordered to decamp the country so everyone could detox from them for a while, but if the Queen ordered them to go, she'd have to provide them with security protection, wouldn't she? One of life's great mysteries--how does a VIP couple with an infant (ha!) and a large entourage just *poof*, disappear from sight? Which lends credence to the theory that Haz and Meglodon may be completely on their own in the wilderness and if Something Should Happen to them . .oh, well. It's not like they are essential to the monarchy in any form.
I think Haz burnt his bridges with his grandfather over his taking a dump all over his duty as Captain General Royal Marines. Despite the pair's former closeness as two cheeky military veterans, I can well imagine PP telling Haz to "take your actress and don't let the door hit you on the bum on your way out." I'm sure the entire family has too many other graver concerns to give two figs about what the two Whiners in Chief are doing or where they are--not with PP potentially fighting for his life, the whole Andrew fallout, and Christmas duties.
If the Hazardous Harkles never surface again, that would be a Christmas miracle, and alas too much to hope for. Harry needs to get his $#*% together pronto. As the member of the Sussex Snafu who has known Philip for more than a couple of years, he should bear the brunt of criticism for not flying home to see his grandfather at this time. Unless he cannot because he is incarcerated somewhere on the family's orders--in which case, Philip does not want to see *him*. Incredibly sad, but this is what Harry is choosing in his own lackadaisical f*ckwit way. Refusing to resist negative choices is also a choice.
Enjoy this preview of the Queen's Alternative Christmas Speech 2019, compliments of Celt News.
Jolly funny! Who know an auto-voice could sound so much like Her Maj's distinctive diction?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rJgc9BFi7M
You probably already do this, but I write my comment in ‘notes on my iPhone, and then copy (rather then cut) and paste. So if I lose it in the comment box on the blog, I still have it. I still manage typos and such, no cure for me! Lol ;o)
Wishing fellow Nutties a very Merry Christmas and a wonderous New Year! ;o))
" I'm not a certifiable lush"...
I am working on my certification this holiday season ;) If you're interested, I can send you a link to the course lol.
Love your comments, and agree esp re the too bad, so sad and the Harkles wandering the woods together in Canada/LA/NY/wherever their undisclosed location abroad is actually located.
Agree with Tatty that "well cared for in hospital" does not sound promising.
"Would the Queen really fund RPOs for both of them for this '6-week break'"
The queen doesn't fund RPOs. We, the British taxpayers, do. And our permission is not asked.
The photos on her desk: Queen's dad George VI, Philip, Charles and Camilla, and the Cambridge family Christmas card including William, Kate, and all 3 kids. Nobody else.
That's Queen-speak for: these are the people who really matter.
Please disregard the others.
Absolutely. Combined with the 4 generations pic with George mixing the Xmas pudding, it's all part of a message - from now on, it's all about the heirs. If you, the Harkles, want to play by the rules and in fitting with your place in the hierarchy, you're welcome to return to royal life on those terms. But if not... remember that we don't actually need you. You are superfluous.
The photos on her desk: Queen's dad George VI, Philip, Charles and Camilla, and the Cambridge family Christmas card including William, Kate, and all 3 kids. Nobody else.
That's Queen-speak for: these are the people who really matter.
Please disregard the others.'
Yep, the clues add up to a re-branding of the monarchy (as is being done on the continent) to be focused on direct heirs. Harry and Megsy, you are on your own from 2020!
The Queen's speech is hilarious! I especially enjoyed HM's ditty! Thank you for sharing!
This video was part of a campaign, and Meghan's contribution was probably scripted. She was on a list of wannabe celebrities who would do anything, say anything (well, within limits!), participate in everything just to get media coverage and become famous.
I actually think it is quite sad that Megsy's PR is still trying to play the racism card, anything to make her relevant and most important and a global phenomenon.
I fervently wish that PP rides out this latest medical issue to have one last Christmas with the family members who honor and love him.
>>>Hikari: Not that I care for the Smirkles, but there have not been any reports of any member of the family visiting Philip<<<
Right. As per the Queen's wish, everyone is keeping calm and carrying on with planned Christmas activities. She knows that if there is any sort of family vigil at hospital, the nation would be thrown into panic. I have to believe that if things were to become dire, the Queen would go to his side, and the other members of the family, too. And there would have to be some sort of public statement made. It's a hopeful sign that these steps have not been taken. PP is frail and needs monitoring, but the BRF Carry On motif seems to indicate that he is stable for the moment and not in immediate danger.
If, however, things were to take a turn for the worse, the entire family apart from Meg and Harry are within summoning distance and can be with Philip in a couple of hours. A concerned and loving grandson, worried for his grandfather's delicate condition and cognizant that this may very likely be PP's last Christmas (though I sincerely hope that Philip will rally and be around to match, or better, the Queen Mum's numbers) would cut short his 'break/holiday' across the Atlantic and get home so he can be available to visit at short notice if summoned.
Harry is messed up, but it's hard to believe that even in his addled state, he'd be so callous toward the grandfather with whom he has always been depicted as close. We've got tons of snaps of PP and Haz having a laugh in better times. So . . the options are:
1. In a snit fit over PP's entertainingly characteristic shade of "One has fun with actresses; one does not marry them,' (I may be paraphrasing), Haz is 'punishing' his grandfather along with the rest of the family by staying away. Nahhh! I'd say he's sticking his tongue out toddler-style, but that's his wife's department.
Or
2. Harry would very much like to see his grandfather but he cannot at the present time, owing to being: a) incarcerated in rehab at the behest of the family, and not permitted to leave . . b) has been informed that he will not be admitted to any room in which any of the other family members are, on instructions by HM and PP himself. And Charles. That he has effectively been banned from any contact with his family and will be neither welcome nor received, whether he be with his actress or alone, and whether PP is on his deathbed or not.
I hate to be morbid, but we must entertain scenarios of the awful day(s) in which PP and HMTQ leave us. I think things may have come to such a pass between him and the rest of the family that Harry will not be welcome to pay respects at the funerals of his grandparents. He hasn't been paying them respect for a number of years now and has thrown his lot in with Meghan, so if he's that far 'out' . . it's what he's earned. Even the reviled (within the family, though David still had some support from the public) Duke of Windsor was permitted to attend the funerals of his brother and mother--sans his wife.
Meghan and her tongue are the very last sights any decent person would wish to see at the solemn occasion of a state funeral for people she sh*t on publicly while they were living. I hate to say it, but I don't want to see Harry anywhere near either, if this is the best he can do as a grandchild of theirs. Shame on him.
Or maybe the Queen thinks that by focusing on the Cornwalls and Cambridges everyone will be distracted and not question the Sussexes? Nope they are done and dusted as 'working royals'.
Just my prediction.
And let's not forget that the Queen herself left on a world tour when her own father was ill with lung cancer, ultimately dying during her tour.
I am critical in general of the Smirkles being away during the holidays, but less bothered by the fact that Harry has not hurried home, since we don't know Philip's current condition.
Jun 16, 2019
Agree totally. I have a family member in their 90s who lived through the Great Depression and WW II. Those stiff upper lips that MM disparaged are what enabled many of that generation to survive AND thrive. Harry’s made it pretty clear that he is no longer willing to honour and respect his family and their legacy, and MM obviously never was.
The queen cares about one thing and one thing only - the future of the monarchy. She will be aware that these are turbulent times in her Kingdom, and that her favourite son's antics have cast a dark shadow over the monarchy. The Harkles' nonsense isn't on the same scale, but it's still cheapened the royal 'brand' and won't be tolerated going forward. To repeat: the Harkles simply are not needed. Charles would no doubt like to have his younger son play a role in royal life going forward, but they'll get on just fine without him and his merching missus.
She did not expect to be back in Toronto, hanging out on the quiet with the same D listers she was hanging out with 3 years ago. This was not part of the plan.
>>>And let's not forget that the Queen herself left on a world tour when her own father was ill with lung cancer, ultimately dying during her tour.<<<
Well, yes . . but the situations cannot be compared, really. The then-Princess Elizabeth was sent on the African tour by her father, to stand in for him, so it was by sovereign command that she went. Also, the true extent of the King's illness was not disclosed to the family, not even the royal patient. They were encouraged in the false belief that the King would make a full recovery. "The Crown" suggests that in a private conversation with his chief physician, the King was informed that he did not have long to live, and didn't tell his family, but the suddeness of his passing (after a period of relative good energy and spirits) took everyone by surprise, including the doctors. I'm sure all concerned felt he would survive until Elizabeth and Philip returned home. She was to be gone 6 or 8 weeks, I believe.
Being away from ailing relatives while on official Royal business and sent by the same ailing parties (Charles' trip to NZ was a royal duty) isn't what the Harkles are up to. I prefer to think that Harry is getting treatment somewhere or even that he has been banned from visiting his family rather than he is petulantly refusing to return home at such a time because his Hollywood wife 'is uncomfortable' around the BRF. Her discomfort is entirely self-inflicted. If Harry can't get his priorities straight at such a time, I am pretty much done expecting him to ever amount to anything. I have spent hours in mental contortions for last year and a half, trying to give his erratic behavior the benefit of the doubt, trying to frame him as the victimized party in this relationship. I am done doing that and look at Harry as a fully complicit party to his own destruction. I realize he's most likely a drug addict and still carries the traumatized 12-year-old grieving his Mum and walking behind her cortege inside of him. As he has never wasted an opportunity to remind us of. But he's 35 years old, and (allegedly) a father, facing the certain, if not imminent demise of his grandparents. He's on track to reprise the regrets he feels over not parting from his mother properly on his last opportunity to speak to her.
Had he reached deep and grasped his cojones and behaved over these last two years with the like he gave a toss about the duties to family loyalty that come as a package deal with his royal privileges, he wouldn't be wherever he is now and would be participating in Christmas with his family. This current estrangement is all down to him in concert with Meghan--but Haz is the one who introduced this parasite into his family in the first place and who seems incapable of being his own man since. He knows what is right and expected; he just doesn't give two flying farts. I think he will have plenty of time in the future to regret the choices he has made . . but that time is not yet. If he will ever be capable of redeeming himself, I hope he gets the opportunity but I fear increasingly that he isn't and he won't.
In the meantime, I wish Prince Philip all the best and hope that his hospital admission is out of an excess of caution to get him in the best possible shape for a gentleman of his age. If he has to miss out on this Christmas in order to be with us for a year or more to come, it will be worth it.
I also hope that things will take care of themselves with the royal family. History is wise and always puts things in order in the end.
Well, remember Harry's WE Day speech. Among other things he said:
"You are the most engaged generation in history. You care about values, doing the right thing, and championing the causes that will shape your future."
"Dare to be the greatest generation of all time."
So at least in his present state, I don't think Harry thinks those who held it together and lived through and fought in WWII deserve the respect of us all much less respect when history is written.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the holiday!
You're welcome. I had to watch that again 3 or 4 more times today.
The 'Jingle Bells Meghan smells' is funny, but my favorite bit is "Archie & Edo . .two names which One will be changing to better fit in with the Royal brand". Ha!
Edo's full name is Edoardo, which is Italian for Edward . . a fine enough choice for an Italian count's son, though regrettably not British enough for the spouse of a British royal. With an 'Ed' already in the family, I suppose it will remain Edo.
Unfortunately, every time I hear 'Beatrice' I think of beets. Not Bea's fault, but of course she would have to have the red hair . . I think her name suits her, though, as Eugenie does hers. Sarah and Andy were thinking out of the box for their daughters' names.
Beatrice was nearly called 'Annabel', to which the Queen firmly put down her foot as an unequivocal 'Nopes'. 'Annabel's' being the leading 'gentleman's club' in London, and still in operation since I saw a reference to it just the other day. I think a second location has been opened.
So . . as early as 1988 we had advance warning of Andrew's proclivities, as did his Mum. Presumably all the exotic dancers at Annabel's had to provide proof they were 18 on account of the vice squad, though IDs are faked all the time. Perhaps this is where Andy first got his taste for nubile 17-year-olds. I'm not going to defend Andrew, but just observe that since he was kept at home until going to all-boys' public schools, Sandhurst and Her Majesty's Navy, it was perhaps unavoidable that he'd go apeshizz and have no concept of boundaries when he finally did have unlimited access to females. He may himself be stuck at the mental age of 17-18 and therefore sees himself as their peer. I will never be able bleach the pictures out of my mind's eye that prove how deluded he was on this point.
Andrew was cute when younger, circa 1986 when he and Fergie married. The years have not been kind to either of them . . particularly her. But Andrews's involvement with Epstein's girls took me by surprise, really, owing to that well-publicized incident early on in the Yorks' marriage, pre-kids, when Sarah came aboard his ship in port to surprise him and found her husband inflagrante delicto with another sailor in his cabin, fleeing in tears.
This was the story put about at the time. Andrew may be bisexual or was going through a period of exploration in his youth, but the fact that he has not remarried in nearly 30 years while content to cohabit with his ex in a unique domestic arrangement which may be more financial than connubial had decided me that Andy was likely gay, but he keeps Sarah around because they are genuinely good friends, have a laugh together and he was never interested in another woman, having done his biological reproductive duty with her.
Then come the Epstein girls, who while not 'women' in the legal sense, are decidedly not sailors in Her Majesty's Navy, so you can imagine I am a bit perplexed.
Is Archie with them in Canada? I'd say no, since we haven't had any pictures. A pic of the little tyke in a snowsuit would have been forthcoming otherwise, one imagines, for the non-existent Christmas card. His bio mom/the baby modeling agency which employs him wasn't releasing the child for this assignment since this particular trip abroad is not an official Royal tour.
I will not be wasting one minute of Christmas Eve or Christmas Day devoting an ounce of space in my mental attic to the Harkle Show, so I look forward to everyone's entertaining comments and YouTube footage of the Christmas walk upon my return. Also ER's speech should be one for the record books this year. I've read how much she was 'privately struggling' to write it. Running that through my 'Supreme British Understatement' translator, I imagine that it was really a daunting task this year, indeed.
Blessings of the season to all . . catch you on Boxing Day, when I will be once again in my enforced place of tedious employment.
Okay . . NOW I'm officially on Christmas break. Joyeux Noel to our Canadian friends who apparently have had the Dumbartons inflicted on them during this festive season. Hopefully they will leave before they ruin the New Year.
https://twitter.com/queenscomtrust/status/1209241848411303941
black and white with Archie in the forefront, but no backsides turned to the reader
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/meghan-markle-prince-harry-share-231500426.html
Archie is so freaking adorable.
I do agree that the photo could have been photoshopped -- would making it B&W make it easier to do? Of course, I wonder why they'd need to photoshop it, but then again, why do they need to do anything they do?
Why not just be grateful for the privileged lives and count their blessings? If they could just be normal some of the time, stop with all the BS like "Archie wouldn't be able to be at the table" stuff, then maybe people wouldn't be as suspicious, but she's lied SO MANY TIMES and been caught that now everything she/they do and say comes off as faux.
Supposedly the queen has allowed Bea to bring Edo to Sandringham
It was clever of them to do the close up of Archie.... they seem to have dangled something close to his face which is making his normal eye converge inward (as eyes normally do when we try to focus on an object near to our face). With this clever maneuver, the other eye affected by strabismus is not as noticeable, since both eyes are turning inward.
@Mischi, Thanks for catching the Harkle card so quickly. Very alert.
@Hikari, you should write a book. Have a great holiday.
@Nutty, thanks again for so much fun.
@ everyone else. Signing off now, as I'm a very old lady. Such a wealth of life & professional experience here. Makes me proud to be female.
Doesn't look much like the Archie of SA. His eye issue appears different (worse) but maybe he's trying to focus on whatever/whoever is holding his attention for the photo. His mouth looks different too. I know babies change but....except for some unexplainable size and apparent age weirdness, SA Archie in Sept looked like Christening Archie in July. But this Archie seems new. Not saying he is but he looks very different.
@Tatty: my prediction for the York card: Fergie in a bedazzled and too-tight "Keeping it Klassy" t-shirt. And now that I think of it, about the same diff as the dog's derriere, so yeah, just what I expected.
There is also a new DM article that says members of the RF are actively asking them to come back to the UK with the DofE spending a fourth night in hospital. Who is calling whose bluff with that piece, I wonder?
If it is true, then I’d say it’s a worrying development re: Prince Philip. But I take nothing at face value in this situation.
@ieschew I also wonder who is calling whose bluff here, meaning is this happening to pave a way for them to show up for the walk tomorrow? I think not, but we shall see. Or maybe cutting the 6 weeks short and coming back the 26th?
Hilari -
or option 3 He would like to come but his wife has threatened divorce or something if he goes.
When will the Queen's speech be?
(loved the comments about the subtle shade in photos (tattoo - that's funny).
The card - cute baby. I hadn't noticed how the lights are sort of on over her head - funny that they aren't all over the tree equally so hmmm.
From other people’s posts. That is not the way I remember it in the past.
Also, they really should go back to see the DofE. Harry will regret it if they don’t.
It's actually a decent, normal looking card.
It's official--this is the weirdest family EVER.
Peace (on earth) out, y'all.
100%, and it is why I distance myself from liars. Where there is one lie, there are many.
Rachel's long history of direct lies/exaggerations/lies of omission/ etc. have all come back to haunt. This is why I do not think she can ever come back from this deep hole she is in. It's not about racism or being bullied or vulnerable, etc. It's that we all, in our own time and way, have figured out that she's a liar and a player, and there's no turning that sinking ship around. I had predicted that she'd be looking hard at taking Vanna's spot on Wheel of Fortune when Vanna's next contract is up, but at this point, I think game show is out of her league. Guess she's going to have to find some other wheel to spin, and most of the uber-rich men like their women under 40 and sans so much negative PR and the spectacle of merde she drags with her.
I do wonder why they didn’t do a full body shot of Archie being held by Meg or Harry. Archie being held would highlight his height and weight and would be the strongest indicators of his age. It wouldn’t be definitive proof of course because outliers always exist.
As for the York card and the puppy bottom. I actually got a laugh out of it and find it rather cute and cheeky. I prefer it to the Sussex card because it’s got more imagination even if it’s a silly, strange choice.
So this card could have been put together this morning. Of course, they’ve been sending paper thank-you notes through the Royal Mail all year, but no matter.
https://twitter.com/RoyalReporter
People have spotted the different carpets in the photo and one of the patterns matches Soho House Toronto, apparently. Rach does love a (lame, predictable) hint, so maybe.
(Could someone roll the bananas in now, please?)
Based on his pose, Archie looks like he’s crawling, and getting ready to cruise. He’s big enough. It’s hard to be absolutely certain since he’s in such Extreme close-up in the foreground, but I would say that baby is closer to a year or 13 months old. My friends grandson is 14 months, has just started walking and he’s about the size of Archie here. I’ve always thought Megan had a bit of an Asian look to her because in some shots, she’s got the same slightly tilted and cross eyed look. It might be partially due to a heavy use of eyeliner and false eyelashes, As well as cosmetic procedures, but she does have a slightly Asian look. As far as the rest of his face, I see grandpa Tom and always have. He looks happy and inquisitive and healthy, but as to who has full-time custody and care of him, that’s still an open question
@elle, yes, we don’t know what is in her heart.
The parents look thinner and younger, as if the photo was taken a year or two ago with the baby added later.
@Tatty, or if she has one lol. I know I never could have / would have left my "old" dog.
https://twitter.com/RoyalReporter/status/1209246868724764672 Try this. If you look down, there are some valid points made, worth considering at least, re the carpet pattern and how Rach's face is so in focus and PHs is so blurry (maybe a subliminal message from the photographer lol?)
And I was wondering about that with the B&W photos. Makes sense!
https://wendyrite.tumblr.com/
Side-by-sides of Archie(s) and the carpet patterns.
Where all do you see as the photoshopped bits?
I admit, I am clueless and spent a lot of time with the christening photo blown up so I could see all the problems better.
thank you
@Elle I still think it’s the same baby but I think things that could explain the differences in face are camera lens/angles, photoshop, and weight gain. The weight is what makes me think he is so much older than 7-8 months.
Babies can have interesting weight fluctuations when switching between breast milk and formula, beginning solids, and crawling. I really wish we could see better pics of Archie. I am guessing we may see him when it won’t be so easy to discern his age.
@AbbyH, if you go to Richard Palmer's tweet, you'll see the images, but no analysis yet. I'm sure that's coming. I really don't know. I thought it was the angle lens, too, @Tatty and @AbbyH, but this visual comparison thing is hard for me. I once failed to notice a co-worker's wildly different color hair for several weeks. So IDK.
Also, I read a comment somewhere that the card was released after UK newspaper time, and no Christmas Day papers in the UK, so why was that done? IDK if any of that is true, I just read it. I'll see if I can find it again.
In her dreams! As someone else stated, the Queen is making a statement in her own inimitable, understated way. Perfect!
Why would they share or comment on a fraudulent, photoshopped Christmas card?
Also, commenting on whether these two will suffer any ramifications in the future. They already have. Getting bumped from the collection of photographs next to the Queen while she is preparing her state-of-the-realm speech? MAJOR shade. I think it will go deeper than this stealth reprimand though. I would be shocked to see them on a balcony ever again. They won't strip him of his title, but I predict they will find some backwater for Harry for some purely ceremonial role. (Canada would be out of the running, IMO. Too important). Ms. Markle will be further marginalized by increments as she has proven herself completely untrustworthy to act appropriately during any formal events. And finally, what has changed for them? Very little, which is death by a thousand cuts to these two. They thought they'd be lauded and flown all over the world to hobnob with their faux celebrity friends and wow the public by their "insight" into the world's problems. That backfired on them in a major way because their hypocrisy was truly cringe inducing.
The BRF did a major PR job papering over Harry's true personality. And now, because of his own vanity at the urging of his wife, he has been exposed as a petulant, immature man-child. To agree to this PR push that they are frolicking in the wilds of Ontario with their child is heinous given that his grandfather is the hospital and this is most likely the last Christmas PP will ever see. IMO.
This development begs a lot of questions. When and where was this pic taken? There is a Christmas tree and the Sussexes are supposedly having their Christmas celebrations in Canada. Did Janina take the pic in the UK before they left for Canada or was it taken by Janina when they were in Canada? Or was it taken in LA? I don’t believe there was any indication Janina was in the UK or Canada in the last month or so. They could have photoshopped the tree in but then if they admit to that, what else did they photoshop?
Any thoughts from fonts?
I'm wondering why they did not post the card on their instagram and chose the Queen's CT twitter instead.
IDK, maybe they now no longer have access to theirs and this is their go around the road block?
Isn't it supposed to look like H&M didn't release the card? So they couldn't use their own IG account, rather the card was posted by someone from the Commonwealth Trust as a tribute to their Pres and VP?
I don't get this sudden lack of royal card releases. Not like other years. We usually see the Queen's card too (and see it earlier in the month than when PP was hospitalized.)
I really will check out if there is a second baby. They seem incapable of caring for themselves let alone Archie and now another baby. Just no!
I’ve worked a lot with Photoshop. I’m really good at altering photos. I though as soon as I saw the picture that it looked cut and pasted. It isn’t as sloppy as the group christening photo, though. (I only saw a few stair stepper edges showing someone erasing or maybe trying to smooth edges.) New baby has much wider nose. Head proportions are different between the two babies. Sides ( top down to about ears) of new baby’s head are almost vertical. Ears are shaped differently. I can’t tell about the mouth. Bottom of face: chin area is more pointed and slightly skews to the left as you look at the photo of the new baby. In other words, looking at the chin area, the usual “U” Symmetrical shape is not present. MM is sharply in focus; PH is blurry. The rug doesn’t match if you compare one side to the other. Black and white hides a lot of “sins,” and the resolution of the photos is low. That makes it harder to detect alterations.
Of course, I could be wrong, but it looked off to me as soon as I saw it.
May I please have some wine now? —-browneyed
@Elle, that’s interesting if true about the timing of this card’s release vs the UK papers’ print deadline pre Christmas.
I say it over and over, but I just cannot believe this is all really happening. It’s the craziest damn thing. Thank you @Nutty for creating this forum so we can pull each other’s jaws off the floor.
Odd, isn't it?
and yes: I say it over and over, but I just cannot believe this is all really happening. It’s the craziest damn thing. Thank you @Nutty for creating this forum so we can pull each other’s jaws off the floor.
and yes, @WizardWench, everything you said, but esp this: And finally, what has changed for them? Very little, which is death by a thousand cuts to these two. They thought they'd be lauded and flown all over the world to hobnob with their faux celebrity friends and wow the public by their "insight" into the world's problems. That backfired on them in a major way because their hypocrisy was truly cringe inducing.
I guess Rach & PH didn't hear about the transportation theme for this year's cards, either.
Thank you Brown-Eyed.
Still thinking about the why not on their IG/T.
Yes, it is linked to them workwise but, but why this one? What other ones (IG or T) could have released it as besides Sussex? There is very little about them in the photos or commentary so without the mention that they are president and vice president, it would not an obvious link to this looks like a wonderful organization.
I'm really wondering if the global Sussex medias were shut down or is being reviewed by higher ups for ways to be monitored as part of the global social media BRF push so things don't go out without review by "others"? Not being able to post a lot of current stuff sounds rather like a curtailment.
The Christmas card is adorable, Archie is adorable, and I've never been so endeared to the Sussexes.
Must be all this Christmas cheer I've been imbibing in ;)
Archie looks like SA Arch. I thought SA Archie looked nothing like his "mother" Meghan, but Christmas Card Arch (CC Arch) really is starting to resemble his mother. He has her eyes.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3694700/Little-Prince-Cheeky-Wonderfully-tender-pictures-young-Harry-playing-William-receiving-loving-cuddle-mum.html
I wish they were mimicking the part where William and Harry were still close brothers looking out for one another.
By the way, to say that an e-card is environmentally friendly is woke virtue signalling. Electronic devices require electricity; paper is very easy to recycle yourself.
I also think the super late “release” is so that Archie looks closer to his published age in the pictures because those were taken probably before their break started.
Just my .02
Also for goodness sake release a picture in color! IG has more than one filter. /rantover
Re: the Sussex Christmas card. It's clearly another one of Meg's homemade marvels: a professional graphic artist would have not placed the "Merry Christmas" text half over a white background and half over a black one, nor put "Happy New Year" over a busy area of the photo, at least without a 60% transparent box or something to make it more readable.
The Copyright @SussexRoyal is a giveaway too, although I suppose they were able to insist that the Queen's Commonwealth Trust send it out for them. The Sussexes don't have much power any more, but I suppose they can still push the the QCT administrative people around.
My guess is that Meg saw something like this on Pinterest or Instagram from another family and imitated it.
Anyway, it's black and white as we had guessed, but at least we get to see their faces this time instead of their buttocks. A holiday miracle.
Edo's always good for a handsome photo, so I'm on board for that.
I guess he's decided not to cut and run. I saw Jack's signature was on the York Christmas Card this year, so I suppose Edo knows what's in store for him.
I also feel so bad for this little child, not once since the birth photos, has he been held properly and adored.
He seems to only be a prop for the gruesome twosome.
What could be wrong with a picture of them holding him, in a loving manner and watching his eyes light up, with the Christmas tree?
I despair with Harry, he has lost my previous good will.
Happy Holidays to all and to all a Good Night
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7824197/Prince-Philip-goes-home-Christmas.html
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Oh , I’m on GMT here, it’s 9.53 here in Britain . :o)))
Don’t stay up too late. ;oD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRX12fQRh28
Compare Meghan and Harry. Both are at the same distance, yet one is very sharply in focus and the other is blurry. Look at Meghan's hand and notice the dark line before it is hidden behind "Archie".
This photo is so poorly assembled it begs the question was this done on purpose to fuel further discussion and attention or are these two (or one) really this incompetent?
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://peopledotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/meghan-markle-31.jpg?crop%3D0px%252C76px%252C2000px%252C1051px%26resize%3D1200%252C630&imgrefurl=https://people.com/royals/meghan-markle-winter-white-sweater/&docid=uw1Yy_oRBc8dGM&tbnid=4s3mGcgNl-1aNM:&vet=1&w=1200&h=630&source=sh/x/im#h=630&imgdii=_hBdvq-UFgcbPM:&vet=1&w=1200
Because it is more forgiving when altering the image.
@holly You put into words what I was thinking. Meg’s vanity is showing when she made sure NO COPY was on her body or clothing while sparkling lights are around her head like a crown/halo. She didn’t take such initiative for the “best guys” in her life.
I am convinced Archie’s head has been heavily photoshopped. The camera angle and proportions are extremely odd. The distance between Archie and H&M is also strange and doesn’t look right. My guess is that they couldn’t get the pretty pic and had to superimpose another pic of his face to the pic of him crawling.
https://harrymarkle.wordpress.com/2019/12/24/playing-the-desperate-archie-gif/
Additionally, his head looks proportionately too large for his body. Very odd pic all around.
I’ve decided it is Meghan’s work, and she is that incompetent (the idea of Harry even opening Photoshop is funny) and just inserted herself in the conversation as Christmas begins, thinking she’d steal the show. But it won’t work because Prince Philip is back at Sandringham and it will be a proper RF Christmas, I am sure with little to nothing said about the Sussexes.
My heart breaks for Archie and whoever that innocent child is. The DM comments about him in that card are brutal and, if anything, aid Meghan’s cause. I hope he is well cared for and far from the Sussexes.
other thing that jumped out at me is they do not sit together as one unit. MM and Harry are separated by the tree, he appears to be blurred, child is pushed forward as if he is expected to be given an extra reverence as the most important bit of the photo. MM is proud at the baby and totally detached from Harry.
All in all I couldn't feel any message of unity, Christmas, well wishing, joy or anything like that. Black and white is a very odd choice for a Christmas card. All in all a bit scary.
This led to JJ launching into the theme of English racism and insisting that MM has only done exactly what all white members of the Royal family have done but she gets the criticism because she's brown... No evidence given to back up this sweeping statement.
`Megadonna and Child'
I'm usually sceptical to claims about photoshopping, but I do think Meg's face is tending to be photoshopped. The sharpness of her face is really hard to explain without photoshop or questionable editing way beyond the usual touch-ups. Archie and Harry's faces are pretty much what I would expect from that angle. She's such a perfectionist, I can't imagine she wouldn't have forced everyone to retake the photos until they were perfect. Gina, her former agent, mentioned something to that effect when it came to photography. Yet it's setting my conspiracy theory antenna!
Also, I agree with the other posters that this is such a cheap Pinterest/tacky card company knockoff but done in such poor quality. Meg just cannot shake her Martha Stewart/Goop lifestyle brand aspirations. Wish this tackiness would just stop and they just act like royals for once. I don't need them to be warm and fuzzy, they are part of a political system.
"I'm usually sceptical to claims about photoshopping, but I do think Meg's face is tending to be photoshopped."
Same on both counts. However, I don't neccessary think there's anything untoward going on. Almost all non candid photos of famous people are photoshopped to some degree and to get the weird angles they wanted for that snap extensive 'editing' would have been needed. Am more struck by the fact that they chose to release it when most people in the UK would have been tucked up in bed. Again, showing who they really care about.
Meghan's face is in focus but not the rest of her body.
The edges of little Archie's head are too sharp to be normal. And, the thing with Harry's shirt with his head.
Photoshopping a Christmas card which is supposed to be a friendly expression of the best sentiments of the Christmas season. There are no depths she won't sink to. I could understand a few little touchups, but photoshopping your baby onto your card? I don't know the words to express that.
The question is why release this obvious Photoshop? Is is because they aren't actually together? Is Meghan so delusional she thinks the public isn't going to question the authenticity of this photo? Is it to get us all talking about them (her)? Or is it to mock the BRF and public?
That's what interests me. Why this is happening. They could have chosen a reasonable family picture. Instead they used this truly bizarre picture, which perhaps by design, has caused a big stir. DM even has an article questioning whether if it's a Photoshop.
First thing I noticed about the card is that she and Archie are in focus and Harry is not. Photoshop. Also, you cannot see Archie's body, to hide age discrepancy maybe? We all knew it would be B&W, but also there is no connection. They are not side by side, or even close to each other.....very easy to photoshop an image when not a single person is touching.
Archie looks the same (to me) and he is a cutie, but this card does not convince me they are together, just a last minute dash to get headlines.