Two hundred and twenty four years after George Washington made his 1796 Farewell Address, it is still remembered as an example of great statesmanship and a noble farewell to a lifetime of service.
Harry, Duke of Sussex, made his farewell speech to the British people yesterday evening. As the Spectator UK put it, "the Captain General of the Royal Marines is resigning his post in order to spend more time on Instagram."
What do you think of Harry's farewell address? How will it be remembered?
What do you think Harry and Boris Johnson had to say to one another?
What about Harry and William?
Harry, Duke of Sussex, made his farewell speech to the British people yesterday evening. As the Spectator UK put it, "the Captain General of the Royal Marines is resigning his post in order to spend more time on Instagram."
What do you think of Harry's farewell address? How will it be remembered?
Last-minute conversations
Harry had two significant meetings before his departure to Canada.What do you think Harry and Boris Johnson had to say to one another?
What about Harry and William?
Comments
The foundation has lost nine members of staff in over the last 18 months
Latest is Natalie Campbell, who helped Meghan with her Together cookbook
They met at Hubb Kitchen, a support group for those affected by Grenfell
Comes after Meghan's PA, two nannies and bodyguard quit among others
Meghan Markle has lost a ninth member of staff as the top aide who ran the Sussex Royal foundation has quit.
Diversity campaigner and social entrepreneur Natalie Campbell has left for a new job after just five months.
Ms Campbell - who was Harry and Meghan's big hire to lead the foundation - will become the CEO of Belu, the water company, The Sun reports.
By SEBASTIAN MURPHY-BATES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 03:28 EST, 22 January 2020 | UPDATED: 04:13 EST, 22 January 2020
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7915063/Meghan-Markle-loses-NINTH-member-staff-aide-ran-Sussex-Royal-foundation-quits.html
***** This aide that quit happens to be black
I want royal events to go like clockwork and for organisations to have had the best chance possible to prepare for the visit, showcase their work and achievements and arrange for representative people to take part (staff and those they have helped where appropriate). Meghan just dropping in for a photo op as a surprise only works for Meghan.
It's so crass. So blatant. Just like her pap walk. If she has her way, she'll be in the media constantly now. If they were on stage in a tawdry theatre for failing actors, she'd be curtseying in the spotlight "Oh are these flowers for little ole ME?" while Harry blunders around at the back, trying to get offstage through the scenery.
Quite a list you compiled!
I agree PPOs could have asked M to forego "hiking" in a public park with Archie and the two dogs. The McMansion the Sussexes are squatting in appears to have plenty of scenic private lands and private beaches attached. Archie's certainly not going to give a rat's a** whether he's walked smooshed against M on the estate lands or in a park. And those poor dogs acted like they'd just as soon not have walked anywhere.
IF it's true there have been dangerous car chases on public roads when off the estate (I'm not at all sure I believe that) then why ask for more trouble? By driving (in public) to do something potentially dangerous (in public) on foot ?
I get that people shouldn't feel they don't have freedom of movement. But with NO offense meant to people from that part of Canada, that walk in the park didn't appear especially scenic. Basically tall trees and a wide graveled path accessible from a parking lot. Big whoop. But even if the PPOs asked her not to go, they couldn't stop her, I wouldn't think. And even if she didn't set up the paps (I think she did) it's pretty clear M has been an uncooperative horror for RPOs in the past when she and Harry were "working" royals. Running away to hug people in crowds, suddenly changing sides during an outdoor public meet and greet...why would she listen now if she didn't then?
If the PPOs had seen paps, they could/should have asked M to leave. But they couldn't make her leave. Obviously she was looking directly at the camera and smiling whether she set it up or not. But we don't know, for example, what was being discussed when she turned and began talking to the officers.
IF the paps were spotted and were a fair distance away using long lenses (hmmm, they were already there?), I think leaving was the only option. Having one officer go talk to the paps to tell them to cease and desist would seem problematic on many grounds.
A. Taking photos in a public park probably wasn't illegal.
B. Even if it was illegal, it's not clear the PPOs have legal authority to stop them, especially if the PPOs are from the UK.
C. One officer leaving to talk to the paps would have left M&A potentially unprotected. I've never contemplated kidnapping anyone, much less kidnapping someone who had two PPOs but if I was, I'd want to get at least one guard to move some distance away from my target. And the people serving as paps could quickly take out that guard if harm was intended.
Finally, I disagree the PPOs should have done something about M's baby carrier. They are supposed to keep their hands free and their eyes scanning. (Yeah, I know one was yammering on a cell phone. That's bad too)
Plus, if the mother of an 8-month old baby doesn't know how to put on her own baby carrier, why would we assume her male PPOs would know? Or be willing to adjust straps on her body? I admit I would have wanted to say "Excuse me mam, stop holding your baby by his neck" or at the very least "Mam it looks like you are about to drop your baby. Let's go home before you do." But I don't think the responsibility of a PPO goes that far re: protection. And I think any PPO who did say anything to M to suggest she was making a mistake would be fired if she got her way.
And of course this was a pap walk. Firstly, how did the 'paps' know she'd be on that particular path in that particular park at that particular time? If she was upset about their presence, couldn't one of the guards have approached the 'paps' and asked them to desist? And thirdly, the agency to which the pics were accredited, Splash News, is very well-known as the agency of choice for those celebrities wishing to have 'candid' snaps which they can set up and control. Kim Kardashian is a fan. Congrats Meghan, this is the company you are now keeping.
I reckon this 'legal action' - which we know will neer happen - is being done a) because dumb Haz threw a fit when he saw the pics and Meghan had to placate him, b) to promote the 'victim' narrative and c) to keep them in the news. The 'threatening legal action' thing was on all the news bulletins last night, when otherwise the pics would have been in the tabs and forgotten within a few hours.
These two are so transparent. I'm genuinely amazed there are people out there who don't see right through them. Fewer and fewer however.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7915063/Meghan-Markle-loses-NINTH-member-staff-aide-ran-Sussex-Royal-foundation-quits.html
Won't be ideal trying to run their Sussex Royal office from another country. Though I wonder where IS their office now? I get the feeling it's just Meghan tap-tapping away in her bedroom while Harry sleeps it off.
She probably banged her car driving out of the airport after picking up her pilates friend. Smashed the headlight because she was too busy peering into the lense of the pap from behind her Raybans. For insurance purposes blamed it on the imaginary car chase.
The fact is this would never have happened back in the UK - home of evil media 'hounding' the poor Duchess. It's highly unlikely the photos would have been taken in the first place - the RPOs would have made sure of that - and even if they had been, no British media outlet, no, not even the horrid tabloids, would have touched them, particularly since the baby was in the photos.
But she and Haz made the choice to cease being senior royals and to go to live in a country where they have no special status and there are no special arrangements in place with the media. They're just common and garden celebrities now, and not even A list celebrities get to dictate who can and can't take their photos in public places. Meghan, for whom no amout of attention is ever enough, will love this. Haz, not so much. But this is what he chose.
"Meghan Markle will fly back to the UK to perform royal duties with Prince Harry before they officially drop their HRH titles in the spring, it is believed."
"Given that the Sussexes have a few months left as working royals, it is expected that Meghan will return to the UK for royal engagements before then."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/meghan-markle-to-return-uk-21311302
The UK is a no-go country for her now. Almost that for Harry too. Would be far too risky for their image. I think it's just lazy journalism blithely making assumptions. Anyway, if they can go downhill so fast in just two weeks, goodness knows where they'll be in Spring.
Speaking of which, here in Cambridge we have early crocuses and snowdrops already. I declare it's officially Spring now and the Sussexes can get the hell out of the virtual BRF as well as the actual.
But the whole 'in the spring' thing seems very vague. There is no legal definition of spring but it's generally considered to last from March to the end of May - ie 3 months. That's a long time. Is there going to be another announcement from the palace to say that as of March 17th (for example) the Harkles are no longer HRH? Wouldn't the British govt and the govts of any country 'hosting' them also need to know as it may have some bearing on their diplomatic status (or lack thereof) and their eligibility for RPOs (or lack thereof)?
How much longer will the press be silent on all the dirt they have on MM?
The complaining of the dangerous press whilst she was walking in a public place is absurd. Harry and MM are continuing their futile war against the press, which she loves.
Warring with the media is never a good idea, especially for someone like MM who has a lot of skeletons.
I wonder if the press will finally start dropping more on what they really know about MM.
Anyone else think H gained 20 pounds on his flight over to Canada ? Must have been gorging on the free peanuts.
The problem was the ‘comma’ after Meghan (Meghan, Duchess of Sussex) This format usually separates and denotes a divorcee (Diana before her divorce was titled The Princess of Wales, post divorce she was titled Diana, Princess of Wales) which she isn’t. The palace said they will review how they will be titled.
I am aware of this. They also styled him as Harry, Duke of Sussex. It was an odd error and indicates a bit of chaos behind scenes. Whatever the correct styling is for him and her, Duchess Meghan is definitely incorrect, but Omid Scobie persists ...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7915183/Meghan-Markle-wears-269-Massimo-Dutti-coat-Mayhew.html
I’m sure chaos reins right now, I’d love to be a fly on the wall in any and every royal residence.
Omid is very young, I’ve seen him on the telly....snowflake age, he doesn’t know much. I think he thinks he’s being endearing. 😅 I’m hoping the Palace will finally decide to revoke style and titles, I live in lots of hope, the royal family need to heed public feeling. 😉 Spring feels a long way off. ☹️
"Spring means she can use the HRH at the Oscars!!"
Yes you're right!
I'm more and more convinced that we're going to see either or both of them at the Oscars in some capacity. It will be interesting to see the reaction. I doubt the LA glitterati would be too thrilled at having to applaud someone whose only acting achievement is a supporting role on a basic cable TV show and who is only famous because she married a dumb prince. Of course, Hollywood is hardly run on ethical grounds and is the most superficial place on earth but even so. A year ago when her reputation was relatively intact and she was still very much a member of the BRF? Maybe. But now, when she's just another tacky wannabe? I hope not. But you never know.
How is the BRF going to get this under control? Even if they took everything away from her, she could still just take a selfie at home and get it in the press. It's going to be a long haul I think. Thankfully we know Kate is in for the long haul but she looks dreadfully tired.
The BRF need to start using heavy artillery. If they are keeping some things under wraps, they need to allow them to be used. This farce can't go on as it is.
My guess is the RF know that interest will soon fizzle out. It's not even two weeks since Suss-exit so of course there's going to be a lot of interest in Megs.. for now. But she's going to run out of 'previously unseen' photos of 'secret' visits to charities and staged pap walks are going to get boring quite soon. As always, the palace plays the long game and Megs has no clue.
However, you're right that the charity stuff will get old very quickly as it's just photo ops. The Cambridges often participate in different activities, in good spirit and with no pretensions to grandeur, so there's always something actually happening to photograph. Just Meghan in a lineup of surprised/bemused charity officials falls very flat. Makes the charities look like saps. People will take their donations elsewhere.
I'm getting so I can barely look at a photo of her and I certainly won't look at that hiker baby photo ever again. Her expression.
That's why I think they'll have to unveil something of 'substance' very soon. Their reputation is sinking by the day - those who were neutral or even pro-Harkles are turning against them, leaving only the Celebitchy-type nutters on their side - so they're going to have to turn that around, and soon. And the press have only really just begun their 'gloves off' campaign against them.
If you're a celeb-watcher, Brad and Jen are so much more fun and attractive, and with Brexit and an American election coming up, nobody's going to be checking on the Harkles unless they can come up with something other than staged pap walks or 'secret' meetings with charities. But can they?
Brad and Jen are attractive and fun and that's what we want from our celebrities. The Harkles are disturbing and upsetting. There is just nothing good there.
She Has No Plan!
All very true - plus, in addition to the glamour, the sex appeal and the good old-fahioned gossip, Brad and Jen actually makes films and TV programmes that people want to see. And without feeling the need to lecture us on our carbon footprint or threatening to sue the paps every time they step outside the front door.
The Harkles, as you say, are just unpleasant. No feel-good factor, no talent, nothing to draw you in other than a tarnished royal connection. They'll be David and Walis before we know it. But at least David was an actual king, and Walis knew how to dress...
I’m actually starting to think Harry is totally absorbed in the drama, so much so he will be in denial if he even gets a clue that things aren’t right.
Even if we were to give them the benefit of doubt and say ok fine, you guys are the most adorable loved up couple ever now show us some magic, they would moan about how Kate stole their magic. How they wish their magic was as good as Diana's. How they hate magic. how they hate that we asked them for some magic. And most random moaning of all (to me, at least) .... How the toxic family killed their magic.
They are a victim of their own victim narrative. They have enteencheythemselces so deep into this story they we're trying to sell us that they now have to outdo themselves to prove their point was right. The reason they can't get out of their own way is because they don't what to do with themselves if they weren't cloaked by this protective coating of rasicm, bullying, toxic family shit.
If he were so innocent and gullible don't you think at one person in his entire extended family and huge friend circle would do something? Offer some help some guidance if he was so happens? He too has alienated everyone.
His situation is like so many people.ensnated by manipulative narcs. But he is also unique, and in many ways fortunate enough to have a huge posse of people whose very job is to protect, guide, organize his life. If he still allowed all this drama to u fold and distanced himself from everyone who had his best interests at heart, then he is accountable for this chaos.
Too bad she isn't on his side either. It's now just game of who outdoes whom in this silly game.
"
She might get security paid, and they might milk Charles the Cashpoint..."
A new tabloid nickname for The Prince of Wales: "Cashpoint Charlie."
We know he loves his son but for heaven's sake cut that kid off. He's grown, he wants to prove himself; he's yearning for financial independence, let him have it already! The best incentive for him to get his/their/her act in gear.
Having just seen the news of Kate on her 24hr initiative with young children, one thing Meghan will never achieve is looking as natural with kids as Kate does!
Wonder if she had two clocks set up, Vancouver time and London time.
Richard Palmer clarified it wasn't Kate that M was upstaging but checkbook Charles who is to give a speech.
" Their press release was so confident and authoritative. What went wrong?
Harry and Meghan made an error. They did not have the leverage they thought they did. Even if they had, though, it would have been a suicide pact, because the Palace cannot have senior working royals going rogue. Meghan and Harry wanted to step out of the chain of command and away from oversight, while maintaining their status—and that could never be if the monarchy is going to survive. No matter the pressure, the Queen (if she was still of sound mind and good judgment) could not have approved the plan. They had to choose—in or out. The earlier denial of their own court was the bellwether, but Meghan and Harry didn’t pick up on that clue.
I suspect this all has left both their heads spinning a little. I don’t think they had a contingency plan, based upon their statement and the extraordinarily detailed website they launched. They didn't have a Plan B. So, they had to make some major decisions with very little time and likely from their perseptive, few options. I doubt the idea of issuing a 180 statement telling the world “never mind, we have to stay in line” was an attractive option. Instead, it seems they have tried to cut the best deal they could, which is not a very good one, but better than nothing.
They clearly have a deal in place that sees the Crown continuing to provide benefit to them. They wanted a lot, but ultimately had to make the concessions to keep what they could. For practical purposes, they lost their HRHs (but they got away with their dignity intact on that one), they will be styled as ex-royals, they ceded their official patronages, but they kept two things—some financial security and the door left open to return to the fold. Both are critical at this turning point.
The agreement they have says the Sovereign Grant will no longer fund them, but Charles will continue to privately lend them support. I saw an estimate of between £2 million and £5 million. That’s some nice spending money there, and it is possible they will get more—we won’t know.
Harry and Meghan need money. I don’t know what Harry has privately. It doesn’t really matter. It could be £5 million it could be £30 million. Let’s say it is £30 million. Get your smelling salts—£30 million isn’t that much money. It is a lot of money, but it isn’t all that much at the level that royals live. When you live in many-multi-million-dollar homes, and travel on private jets, field polo teams, vacation in the most exclusive locales in the world, and spends hundreds of thousands of pounds on your wardrobe every year, you will blow through £30 million pretty quickly."
https://fromberkshiretobuckingham.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-queens-contract-why-sussexes-didnt.html
Kate makes a $20 skirt look good. Rach makes a $90,000 dress look tacky. Pretty much sums up the differences between the two of them. And thank you Richard Palmer for calling her out. For those who haven't seen the photos: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7915401/Kate-Middleton-arrives-Cardiff-baby-sensory-class.html
Alice, Surrey James said...
In addition to your last comment, @LiverBird , the Harkles complain too bloody much. All the time. It's exhausting.
Even if we were to give them the benefit of doubt and say ok fine, you guys are the most adorable loved up couple ever now show us some magic, they would moan about how Kate stole their magic. How they wish their magic was as good as Diana's. How they hate magic. how they hate that we asked them for some magic. And most random moaning of all (to me, at least) .... How the toxic family killed their magic.
THIS! I feel so fatigued with them, from a distance, imagine dealing with them every day in personal or business relationships.
I still think they'll crash and burn before spring.
They hate Charles now as much as the Cambridges because he refused to give them as much money as they wanted. They overplayed their cards with everyone.
Liver Bird,
B2B is always a good read and I agree - there was no plan B.
Does anyone have access to the London Times? They are running a story that M wanted to upstage K's campaign, but it is behind a paywall.
Sussex Royal now has over 11 million Instagram followers.
I'll check for that article and post it shortly.
Bluebell
"Richard Palmer clarified it wasn't Kate that M was upstaging but checkbook Charles who is to give a speech."
Richard may have done that but the DM article by Mark Duell says
"The post came at a strategic moment, after the Duchess of Cambridge launched a landmark national survey in Britain about the early years development of children."
"The timing was noted by several people commenting on the post, with Liyana Ali saying: 'Someone is so insecure that every time the Cambridges or Kate is out for an important engagement they've posted on the exact same day. Coincidence?'"
"Another, @xmaurxx, said: 'So you had these pictures for almost a month but released them during the release of Kate's project? Interesting.'"
"And a third, @p_hello123, posted: 'Hmm. The timing of this post, even though the visit has passed already, is very interesting.'"
And the article title is: Anything Kate can do! Meghan Markle posts two-week-old pictures of her visit to London dog rescue centre - on the same day Duchess of Cambridge launches landmark child welfare campaign
Do you have the headline? I don't see it yet.
Unfortunately I do see a couple of articles about how the Sussexes can be successful on Netflix.
Megs paranoia might have been justified. Her thinking was that if she took on British advisers they would leak back to the BRF. But her Los Angeles advisers gave M&H rosy predictions, thus their exit from the BRF blew up
___________
The Queen’s biggest mistake of the last decade was ...
https://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/queen/the-queens-biggest-mistake-of-the-last-decade-was...
9 days ago · The Queen’s biggest mistake of the last decade was allowing Charles & Andrew to oust Lord Geidt from the Royal Household. By Charlie Proctor.
Headline is:
Meghan in Doghouse over Campaign Clash...
There have also been articles about how Harry wants to stop production of any episodes of "The Crown" which feauture him so.... who really knows?
I agree 100%. Look how many times she has been photographed already since she returned to Canada after their big announcement!
-Boarding seaplane/airport
-2 Charity visits she set up herself
-driving car to pick up yoga friend at airport
-walking in woods with ventriloquist's dummy/muppet and 2 sad dogs
My bigger concern is that M targets Trump in an Instagram post. He is so thin skinned he will respond and amplify her message a thousand times giving her a ton of free PR.
I wonder If Meghan's social worker mother (who is apparently advising the couple) mentioned how bad Meghan's pap walk in the park photos really are. 2 people with no real jobs, no citizenship in Canada, no permanent home just freeloading off a Russian oligarch, can't carry her child, possibly exploiting her child for personal/monetary gain, looks like a lifeless drugged baby, parents with history of mental illness, drug/alcohol abuse, etc. They are practically begging for a CPS visit or the monarchy to exercise their domain over the child. They are imploding before our eyes.
Well, when you put it that way...it is hard to dispute the facts.
In the next few days, they'll also run out of throwbacks to post in their Instagram. They have clearly given up in the stupid charity of the month gig. They moved from that to suggest a charity but. Then the charity of the month non-sense. Eventually they'll just start posting pictures from meghans cellphone - selfies in bed, breakfast and Harry taking pictures of the sky.
Wow, what grandiosity! He knows he ain't gonna come across too well, I'm thinkin'.
Tool.
I have followed Harry since he was in utero. After a homely infancy period, he blossomed into the most adorable toddler and ginger imp. The photos of Diana's two little boys, Harry looking up in adoration at his older brother on his first day in his matching school uniform to William's . . That he has come to this--embittered, shiftless, worthless man. Yes, I call him worthless. He's squandered every opportunity imaginable. The Queen would have willingly allowed him freedom to work on charitable causes in Africa for half the year and represent her to the Commonwealth nations on that continent . . but Harry didn't and has never actually wanted to 'work'. He liked to get his picture taken with Sentebale kids or elephants . . but actually pitch in to dig wells for clean water or help build hospitals or schools? *That* would have been showing the face of a benevolent monarchy to her Majesty's neediest citizens. Rachel was never going to be the partner for that enterprise . .she represented the glitz and glam of being idolized and paid handsomely for just *being* and not *doing*.
Harry's *being* is not worth being around. Especially not in concert with his wife. We are watching the beginning of the end of Hazza, this seems inevitable. Indolence, self-indulgence and lack of structure and purpose which his hated, toxic family provided for him . . Sayonara, Harry. It won't be today or next week, or probably next year, but it is coming. Haz is a dead man who's still breathing and walking around--for now. That is the tragedy here.
Apparently, when you accept cookies on SR, your Insta automatically starts following them.
Quite a few people noticed they were following, when they definitely did not take any action to do so, and are now reporting them.
Apologies if this has already been posted, I couldn't sleep last night and was bouncing all over the internet. If I can recall where I read it, I'll post the link.
Regardless of what people think...Trump doesn't do too many things accidentally - even though he is presented as a loose cannon, it is much more planned than people think. The main thing is that when he takes a swing - he means it.
If it is to his (or even the Queen's) benefit...he will criticize her and it will be brutal. If not - he won't.
Part 1
Meghan in the doghouse over campaign ‘clash’ with Kate
David Brown, Tom Ball
January 22 2020, 12:00pm,
The photographs of Meghan’s visit to the Mayhew rescue centre in northwest London were “liked” by almost 150,000 viewers within two hours
The Duchess of Sussex released photographs today of a visit to an animal shelter in London two weeks ago as the Duchess of Cambridge promoted her child welfare campaign.
The image of Meghan crouching next to an injured dog helped Harry’s and her @sussexroyal Instagram account reach more than 11,032,000 followers, overtaking the Cambridges’ @kensingtonroyal account for the first time.
The simultaneous posts are the latest clash of campaigns by the Sussexes and other members of the royal family which are understood to have dismayed courtiers at Buckingham Palace who normally co-ordinate their work.
The duchess championed animal welfare before she became part of the royal family and supported several rescue centres in Los Angeles where she grew up.
Meghan visited the Mayhew shelter in northwest London during a brief return to the UK from Canada where she spent six weeks with Harry over Christmas on Vancouver Island. The couple have announced that they are stepping down as senior royals and moving to Canada.
The @sussexroyal Instagram account posted two pictures of Meghan and recorded: “The Duchess of Sussex popped in to see the amazing people at Mayhew to hear about the incredible progress made throughout the festive period.
Meghan, the post read, “long understanding the connection between animal and community welfare, applauds the people at Mayhew for the vital work that they do every day”.
The message continued: “From cats and dogs who have found new homes to animal welfare cases handled in the community — @TheMayhew believes in the power of togetherness and the special bond between humans and animals.”
At the same time the @kensingtonroyal account posted a video of the Duchess of Cambridge promoting her survey to improve the understanding of the importance of early childhood. The video was viewed more than 300,000 times within the first four hours.
It was accompanied by a message which read: “We want you to have your say in the biggest ever conversation on early childhood and help bring about positive, lasting change for generations to come.
“We recognise that everyone has a role in ensuring strong, healthy foundations for the youngest in our society that will positively affect their lifelong outcomes, so let us know what you think”.
Kate, a mother of three, has been working on the issue since her wedding almost nine years ago.
The two photographs of Meghan’s visit to the Mayhew were “liked” by almost 150,000 viewers within two hours. Some responses questioned why the Sussexes had chosen to release the photographs at the same as Kate’s campaign launch.
Harry and Meghan are expected to use their social media power to promote their commercial interests so they can become financially independent of the royal family.
Yes, I expect this to end badly as well. I believe the RF do, too, which is why they left doors open to return. I reiterate that it would suit MM very well to be a widow.
They had intended to use the “Sussex Royal” brand for commercial use but Thomas Woodcock, the Garter King of Arms and a senior adviser to the Queen, has said they should not be allowed to use the name after stepping down from official duties.
Meghan chose the Mayhew home in Kensal Green as one of her first patronages after her marriage to Harry.
The rescue centre said that despite no longer being an official member of the royal family, the duchess would carry on as patron, with the blessing of the Queen.
Caroline Yates, the chief executive of Mayhew, said: “We were delighted to see our patron recently during a private visit where we caught up about recent progress, Mayhew’s upcoming work and the year ahead.
“The Duchess of Sussex has long championed animal welfare and we are delighted that with Her Majesty the Queen’s blessing she will continue as our patron. We look forward to continuing to work together to help more animals and people.”
A dog owner herself, the Duchess of Sussex championed animal welfare before she became part of the royal family and supported several rescue centres in Los Angeles where she grew up.
She had previously visited the shelter in January last year and was introduced to Maggie, a one-year-old Jack Russell who was up for adoption on the charity’s website.
The duchess picked up Maggie when she saw her shivering, and clutched her to her chest as she chatted to Mayhew staff, who told her about the charity’s projects in India and Afghanistan.
During their engagement interview in 2017, Harry revealed that the Queen’s corgis quickly took a shine to his future wife.
He said: “The corgis took to you straight away. I’ve spent the last 33 years being barked at; this one walks in, absolutely nothing . . .”
Describing the moment, Meghan said: “Just laying on my feet during tea, it was very sweet.”
The Duke of Sussex returned to Canada on Monday to be reunited with his wife and their son, Archie.
He had given an emotional speech on Sunday night, saying he had “no other option” but to give up his official royal duties and forge a new life in Canada.
In the speech, Harry said: “What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you.
“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth and my military associations but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.”
Harry and Meghan had wanted to remain as working royals, although not prominent members, and drop their public funding so they could become financially independent - a dual role many commentators said was fraught with problems.
Critics have accused the couple of turning their backs on the monarchy to enjoy the freedom of being able to take on commercial ventures.
I agree with Hikari that even if they were planning to do the Hazza period, that Harry would probably be afraid he would not come off very well.
https://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2020/01/blind-item-4_22.html
@Animal Lover
Regardless of what people think...Trump doesn't do too many things accidentally - even though he is presented as a loose cannon, it is much more planned than people think. The main thing is that when he takes a swing - he means it.
If it is to his (or even the Queen's) benefit...he will criticize her and it will be brutal. If not - he won't.
Absolutely! Everything he does and says is carefully calculated.
Murky Meg made a video about the SR Instagram which I posted yesterday.
Here it is again, in case you missed it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QauAPc8dItc
"Brad and Jen are attractive and fun and that's what we want from our celebrities. The Harkles are disturbing and upsetting. There is just nothing good there."
@Liver Bird: In addition to being attractive and fun, Brad snd Jen both actually have talent. They have a legitimate product to sell in the marketplace. They also don’t spend all their time lecturing us from upon their pedestals of entitlement and then do the opposite.
Harry is where he is in life purely by accident of birth. Meghan, whose acting skills are mediocre at best, is where she by using men, starting with the good intentions of her father, then moving on to use and then dispose of Trevor and Cory, before manipulating an emotionally vulnerable, horny, and not-too-bright prince down the aisle of doom.
So they both have little to genuinely offer for sale in the marketplace except the status of being royals in name only who are regarded as pariahs by the REAL royal family and the citizens of the country she exploited.
When the cheap veneer of Sussex Royal wears thin, they will disappear into the junk pile of the vapid celebrity culture they both worship.
I already know how it is going to end....just don't know when!
I realize Charles has long been dedicated to environmental preservation, but given that his own finances are under scrutiny, now doesn't seem to be the best time for him to demand higher taxes on other people.
I liked William's approach to environmentalism better - offering rewards for people and companies who can come with innovative methods to address climate change. The carrot as opposed to the stick.
"Meghan has a small but loud coterie of fans on Twitter. But they’ll soon move on to their next cause. I suspect these fans are people who are like her. They’ve dumped parents, spouses, and friends for advancement.
Meghan vindicates them because, despite her past, she got a Disney princess wedding with a white dress and tiara. She makes it seem like it is okay to have ghosted your old friends, and normal to be estranged from your father. One fan tweeted on the wedding day: “All my females. If Meghan never left her first marriage she wouldn’t be a princess today or royalty. There is always better.” That tweet got 300,000 likes.
Meghan’s fans are good for the occasional Twitter mob. Maybe they’ll buy some of the “Sussex Royal” merchandise the couple have apparently trademarked. But they are way too self-absorbed to form a movement that will support her for decades to come."
Seems the gloves are indeed off these days...
Hopefully, this Lord has been consulted and is advising Her Majesty now. Looks like these sons may have taken advantage of Her in her golden years. I've given these family dynamics some serious thought. I can see the royals have the same problems as commoners do in regards to the aftermath of divorce. We all know things would have been different had Diana lived, but when she died, a cog of events were set into motion that parallel so many other families of divorce. Charles, who it would seem, was and is very immature, and was focused on his mistress and not his young sons. This is pretty much the norm in a lot of divorces I have seen, no matter the class distinction. William was older and became a parental role model of sorts for Harry, but then he was off at school and we know the rest of how fortunate he was to have found a loving intact functional family that took him under their wing. Harry had a minder in the red headed fellow, but no family to lean on so to speak and of course both princes would have had resentment towards their father for their mother's unhappiness and possibly her death as well. Charles and william got what they wanted, but Harry did not. More resentment was built up by him and by the time he met mm, he was bitter and resentful and she has played on these emotions since the beginning. These scenarios are more the norm not the exception, imho. MM is a malignant narcissist and has set these wheels in motion and I'm not sure the Monarch or Lord Geidt, nor all the other courtiers can put this family right again.
I do believe the Monarchy will survive, but will be tarnished. And as for Harry's future, I can see clearly, even without the practice of tarot reading. It doesn't seem fair, but he isn't the first prey to be snared.
That said, I disagree with the (female) author of the piece you quoted. (https://thefederalist.com/2020/01/21/in-royal-showdown-queen-elizabeth-bests-meghan-markle/)
I don't think Meg's superfans are people who have "dumped parents, spouses, and friends for advancement."
I think they're wounded birds, people whose lives haven't gone as well as they'd hoped. Bad family situations, abuse, racism. They see Meghan "clapping back" and they love it. She is their avatar.
Is this the narc establishing full control over him by separating him from his family, even if this does her harm as well?
Is this the damaged Megsy who has eliminated every relationship she had that did not serve her agenda, whatever that is, and Harry must do the same because she feels threatened by family relationships he has?
Is this the arrogant deluded Megsy who believes that they can be the most fabulously famous and rich people in the world and the BRF are an obstacle to that goal?
Catherine: There was obvious strain on her face when she arrived for her engagement, but once she was in the venue and interacting with children and parents, genuine joy shone from her. She has found her niche in the BRF. If Megsy had stayed and put in the years of apprenticeship, I wonder if she would have found hers? Or, has she abandoned the BRF (burning bridges behind her) to embrace what she really wants - to be a globally famous influencer of fashion, food and travel with a heavy dose of woke quotes and word salad speeches?
Charles needs to quit lecturing the plebs about how much more we need to pay in taxes, and worry whether or not he will get to have a crown placed on his insulated privileged pompous head. If I have to hear one more word out of these privileged arses about climate change Im gonna vomit. They have no real plan other than to take more money from the people. If he keeps this up, Im gonna wish for a Republic!
Yes, Her Majesty dropped the ball really badly when she allowed her *kids* to drive her personally appointed Private Secretary from office. I do not peg Lord Geidt for a snowflake apt to melt at the first challenge-far from it. But he probably realized that if his Boss wasn't going to back him over the Heir, it was pointless to fight it.
As I understand it, Charles demanded Lord G.'s ouster after the former convened a meeting without informing Charles's aides of the fact. Whether this was done by request of the Queen, or whether Charles would have actually attended is unclear, but Chas was p*ssed at being kept out of the loop and agitated for Mummy's gatekeeper to go.
At this point, Her Majesty should have invited both sides in for tea in her private sitting room, for a dialogue that went something like this:
HM: Lord Geidt, We appreciate that you always have Our best interests at heart, and We commend you for your service. In future, please do be certain to keep my son's staff informed of the meeting schedule because the Prince of Wales is acting like a right girl's blouse about missing the memo.
LG: Yes, Ma'am.
HM (to Charles): Now, do buck up, won't you? Mummy does not want to have to repeat a scene like this one. (to LG): Would you care for a cream horn? I'll be Mother.
and
**************
The royal family live in big palaces, drive range overs and jet around the world. They are not living by example and should stop lecturing the unwashed masses. He sounds like a hypocrite, just like Harkles.
Charles is really doing his utmost to insure that he will never ascend his mother's throne with boneheaded actions like these.
If he in fact was the party responsible for forcing Lord Geidt out of office--the only person, seems to me, within BP with BALLS now that the Duke of Edinburgh is retired, then much of this mess we have now is his own fault. He obviously is constitutionally incapable of telling his kid 'No', a trait shared by his mother . . Had he kept Lord Geidt around, he would have played the Enforcer and shut Rachel down over a year ago.
This is Charles's bed which he has made and he will continue to lie on it, it appears. Maybe the Queen has lost the thread somewhat. I know Lilibet has always been a hands-off parent, but were I her learning that Charles had driven my most trusted aide from the Palace out of a petty vendetta, those prominent ears would have been boxed hard, and Lord G. recalled. Where does Chas get off firing his mother's chief of staff? Let's see William try that when he is Prince of Wales--shoving out any of his father's hand-picked aides he doesn't care for. Bet that will go over really well.
When I saw the animal shelter photo with the dog and Meghan looking upwards, oh so concerned, I screamed in my head "What do you think this place could do with NINETY f***ing thousand £s!!!" I'll never get over that beige caftan.
Oh I miss George Michael so much. Gave millions without publicity. He helped people because he wanted to help people.
I don't really care if the BRF leans left or right, but don't shove political leanings down my throat while living an elitest lifestyle.
>>>(Kate) has found her niche in the BRF. If Megsy had stayed and put in the years of apprenticeship, I wonder if she would have found hers?<<<
It's a moot point now, but back in the early months of the marriage, I thought that if Rachel could have paired up with Uncle Edward, the documentary filmmaker in the family, she could have been featured in a series of programs following her integration into British life and culture. In the first few years, shelve the Commonwealth tours at first in favor of shorter jaunts around GB. Kate got great coverage when she pulled a pint of Guiness. Little things like that. Rach meeting townspeople, learning British slang, etc. The first English Christmas . . Yorkshire pudding, et al. Not for the glorification of Meg, but to show how she was determined to fit in and, when in Britain, be British. Edward is the family historian, so they could have toured some of the castles together and it would have been educational for all concerned. Then, in due course, expand the series into Meg's Commonwealth work. She could have worked with the Palace press office to do a series of PSAs on behalf of the Crown about various initiatives. Used her patronage of the National Theatre to create youth scholarships and programs for talented disadvantaged youth to go to drama school, etc.
Back then, of course I assumed that she wanted to learn about her new country and would be a natural camera presence. How very wrong I was!
I apologize for off the subject remark but re security in the rural areas and big windows: have you looked at security shutters and blinds? They can be fitted outside. Pain to open and close them every night but may be potentially better than other options.
We serfs can't go to Charles and demand protection 24/7 because we are internationally important people, of course.
The problem with the BRF is they don’t seem to have a centralized control over the members of the firm. The speech Charles gave should have been vetted by the firm. They just let everyone do whatever they please. Haven’t they learned anything from the Megxit debacle?
Charles venturing into talk of green tax is not a great idea.
I don’t necessarily have a problem with Sussex posting IG photos of a 2 week old dog charity visit, but then daily mail or whoever takes it and makes 3 stories out of it, which is really showing how the British media loves/hate them.
If the Sussex posted and no on reported on it, would there be an issue? Probably not. It would just be passing petty or whatever people think about it.
Thomas Markle lost me when he said it’s time to take care of daddy and something about payback. Dude, if your claim is you want one photo of you with Archie, this is not the way to go about it. He is not a sympathetic character to me and never was.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7kp59IHric/
I think what they love is the clicks and the advertising revenue the Sussexes bring. Hate clicks are clicks too.
I've dug up a November 2016 article in the UK newspaper The Independent and it shows that the racist accusations were there from the beginning.
(...)
Anyway, here's a blast from the past, just to remind us how long this has been going on ...
>>>> Meghan Markle has complained about press intrusion into her private life in a letter addressed to a British media regulator.
Representatives of the 35-year-old actress, who is the girlfriend of Prince Harry, said Markle has been subject to harassment from journalists abroad and is worried about articles being published about her in the UK media.
It comes after Prince Harry condemned the paparazzi for subjecting Markle to a “wave of abuse and harassment” via an extraordinary statement released by Kensington Palace.
The Palace attacked the “racial undertones” of media coverage of Markle, best known for her role in Suits, and said the 32-year-old Prince feared for her safety. The actress, whose father is white and mother is African American, has described herself as biracial and “half black and half white” on her website.
The statement said the Prince rarely undertook formal action over “fictional stories” but the past week had seen “a line crossed”.
“Some of this has been very public,” the statement said. “The smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.”
“Some of it has been hidden from the public - the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life.”
The statement confirmed for the first time that Markle, who lives in Toronto, and Prince Harry are in a relationship. The Palace also said Prince Harry was profoundly "disappointed" he had not been able to protect her from press intrusion.
“It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms Markle should be subjected to such a storm,” it said. <<<<<<<<
January 21, 2020 at 10:03 PM
Makes one wonder why she'd insist on leaving the BRF (and its protection/deal with the media) and the UK if she was oh so harassed by media in the USA and Canada...
Did anyone name the brand? I’d like to go look at it.
And obviously, i believe I already commented on a front carrier with a big baby while holding two dogs on leashes. I do think the dogs look well behaved. IF this was a walk, any chance this is at the end of the walk? My dogs tend to look miserable at the end of a walk.
NOT DEFENDING HER. Just wondering aloud. If she wasn’t smiling, there would be more talk of intrusive papps. But with her beaming smiles, it certainly looks staged.
Does the UK have such a low unemployment rate and bustling economy that it can throw away manufacturing jobs in the name of green brownie points and throw more people out of (higher wage) work and into service jobs? Do they have the resources to assist even more people because they will not be able to afford fuel, electricity, or food?
I think you might want to rephrase this.
In a video obtained by TMZ, Oprah said that she supported the Sussexes, '1,000 per cent' in their decision to step back from the royal family and said Prince Harry 'did what he needed to do for his family.'
She explained: 'I don't think anybody else has any right to say anything, when a person has sat and thought about what is the best decision for him and his family, and then he makes that decision...none of us have any right to say anything about that.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7917115/Oprah-launches-defence-Prince-Harry-says-did-needed-family.html
Hahahaha. Made BY might be more appropriate. ;)
Love this new DM headline to current top story - the shade at the end!
"Now Kate Middleton visits a women's PRISON in third stop on her whirlwind 24-hour post-Megxit tour of Britain (as Meghan shares photos of her visit to London dog rescue centre before she left UK)"
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7916335/Kate-Middleton-visits-womens-prison-24-hour-post-Megxit-tour-Britain.html
Dear Meg: Making the paps your enemies is a bad idea
I've just quickly browsed today's mountain of articles on the DM & it's very clear to me that the UK Press gloves are now well & truly off. There's at least two article headlines pointing out in no uncertain terms M's determination to distract & grab attention for herself especially when K&W have important engagements & need publicity to further their causes. Nothing nasty or negative said, just enough to say 'Hey luv, we know your game, we've known forever, but now you're out-on-yer-butt-pads, there's nothing to stop us publicising your jealousy & sneaky, desperate behaviour'. There's a great headline where Kate is the main event (as it should be) & M is mentioned in brackets, as a needy desperado dusting off old pics to distract attention away from Kate.
M, I do hope you're reading this, here's some UK advice: It's better not to be mentioned at all, than to only appear at the end of a headline, & in brackets!!
There's also, a very enticing article about a Canadian petition of 80,000+ (?) signatures saying that although H&M are welcome in Canada, they should fund their own lifestyle, including security costs, & the Canadian taxpayer wants no part of it. Perhaps if they hear this enough times from the many peoples of the UK & Commonwealth, maybe the message will eventually sink in?
A final thought, which I've struggled with for a while - isn't being 'royal', possessing aristocratic titles & provenance, enormous wealth & life-long experience of extreme privilege the complete antithesis of being 'woke'? Or perhaps I'm missing something, somewhere?!
I wouldn't fat-shame Oprah if she would just stop talking about her weight and her attempts to lose weight and suggesting Her Favorite Things to help other women lose weight. I have been hearing about Orcah's Weight Loss Struggle for 30 years. It got boring long ago, because whatever she preaches, she's not taking her own advice, just pocketing the paid spokesperson fees for whatever product she's touting at the moment. The woman employs an entourage of personal chefs, nutritionists, and trainers. Bob Greene, her personal trainer became famous in his own right as the person tasked with trying to turn O. into an exercise buff. Why O. can't just enjoy her enviable life and all its bounties at the size she is escapes me.
I stopped being an Oprah supporter circa 2000 when I realized what she was really about: The glorification of herself into a pop culture Diety/cottage industry. It's not really about helping struggling women empower themselves. It's the Gospel According to Oprah, with her political commentary and sucking up to A-listers. She couldn't get Herself to that Royal wedding fast enough. She and Rachel are well-matched. But Oprah is far savvier than Rach about protecting her brand. Statements on Twitter are cheap; let's just see if O. actually gives the Duchess a platform, workwise to preen and further alienate people.
If Markle goes on the Rachael Ray show we can see 'Rach Meets Rach!' and see if her Wokeness really knows a d@mn thing about roasting chicken. I'd watch that.
FOX NEWS via msn.com
Meghan Markle's fight to protect son Archie contributed to royal exit: report
Melissa Roberto 4 hrs ago
"Meghan Markle had to fight for the protection of her and Prince Harry's son, Archie, and the pushback she and Harry received contributed to their decision to step down as working royals, according to a new report.
"Markle and Prince Harry announced earlier this month their desire to 'step back' as senior royals and split their time between the United Kingdom and North America, specifically Canada, to earn their own income. Buckingham Palace and Queen Elizabeth II supported the couple's decision on Saturday and confirmed they would no longer use HRH titles once their transition is complete in the spring of 2020.
"Now, a report from TMZ claims Markle thought she had an idea of what to expect when marrying into the British royal family, but she was surprised to find herself and her baby boy under much more scrutiny than she anticipated.
"According to the gossip outlet, Markle and Prince Harry were advised by royal 'higher-ups' to be more 'forthcoming'about releasing photos of Archie. Meanwhile, the outlet claimed the couple also felt pressure from the British press to be able to publish photos of their first child similar to how Prince William and Kate Middleton share snaps of their three kids.
"Markle's final straw 'was the backlash she received for keeping Archie's christening a private event, TMZ said. Insiders claimed U.K. citizens expected to know and see more of the family's private side due to their contributions as taxpayers.
"'They think if the British public aren't contributing financially then they don't have the same right to comment on their private life,' an insider said.
"After spending the last few weeks in the U.K. to discuss the transition with his grandmother, Prince Harry returned to Canada on Monday to reunite with her and Archie."
So, now it's not about her, it's about a helpless infant.
Got that? If the British taxpayer won't support her to the manner she's become accustomed to on the Sovereign Grant monies, they don't deserve pics of Archie. No pay, no play.
Which is a neat reversal of the criticism against her for being too secretive *while* accepting public funds.
Rachel will never, ever admit that she is wrong or has ever made a poor decision.
All Royal christenings are private, Rach. Nobody was going to follow you into the church. All anybody wanted was a few snaps of your baby on his big day.
I guess she realized how "unprotected" the Cambridge children are and it scared her. Also, PH and PW were in grave danger growing up. /s
It is not a problem at the present time but, looking into the future via a foggy and cracked crystal ball and looking at trends, we think it could be. We currently have two burglar alarms; one a stray pitbull mix that I saved from imminent death and another Doberman mix that came from an animal shelter and then to us because it was too "high energy" (go figure, an energetic working dog breed isn't suited to apartment life). We do intend to install permanent hurricane shutters on the (smaller) windows when we replace the big ones.
"I used a sling made by indigenous women in Honduras"
I need to put this on a post it note to remind myself of good times ahead! 🤪
I can’t read anymore drivel about them in the media. 😒
I also tested it out by clicking accept on their site while logged into my Instagram account and I'm not followed so I think that's just a rumor. It's way more likely that she's buying followers in blocks. Tons of shady services to do that from rather easily.
Or something.
Me again will never stop trying to be in the news. I agree with everything that has been said. In the beginning PH will think life is great. Wait till the Bill's come in,Meghan wanting more and more. He is the bread winner, he has a kit to learn. Welcome to the real world.
Nutty love this site! Love reading everyone's opinion.
I missed why this alleged affair has come up again. I do not think it fair to fan the flames of infidelity while unsubstantiated. The two couples attended a known event together recently, end of. I also think PP should be off limits to smear as he is 98 and in ill health. He has also served his country and the Monarch unfailingly for the majority of his long life. Thirdly, I'm already bored of the HAMS. Shout out to Yankee I believe.