This is what happens when I take too long to write a post. My original idea - that Meghan and Harry should consider purchasing one of the "cheap old houses" popular on Instagram and fix it up as part of a reality series - seems to have been overtaken by events.
Page Six is reporting today that Meghan and Harry already have a house in Santa Barbara, near Oprah and Ellen's pads, and in fact have been living there for at least six weeks. (This is not entirely unexpected; Harry's most recent hostage video had a different background than usual.)
"This is the first home either of them has ever owned," writes the couple's PR agent via Page 6. "It has been a very special time for them as a couple and as a family - to have complete privacy for six weeks since they moved in."
They could probably still be having complete privacy if the couple's PR team wasn't leveraging their real estate news in order to promote the new book "Finding Freedom" - which the Sussexes, of course, insist they had nothing to do with.
Bad timing
Meg must be a little peeved that the timing of the house announcement conflicted with bigger news about another biracial Californian; it was announced late yesterday that Kamala Harris would be the Democratic nominee for US Vice President.
You can almost hear Meg's screams in her publicity team's hastily-concocted story headlined Meghan Markle reveals why she's voting in the 2020 election. (Spoiler: it's because she wants her "voice to be heard.")
Roughly 130 million Americans voted in the last election, so I look forward to Page Six's in-depth accounts of why the other 129,999,999 will be voting this time.
Paired with the fact that Megan Thee Stallion is rapidly becoming America's most famous Megan (with Meghan McCain probably in second place) and the news cycle just isn't being kind to the Duchess of Sussex.
Comments
Mariet456, Woodbridge, United States, 8 hours ago
She clearly got these pointers from her kartrashian friends.
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Andy, London, United Kingdom, 8 hours ago
She looks like Rapunzel
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leannemiddx, Middlesex, United Kingdom, 7 hours ago
Looks like Wednesday Addams
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Gem, Gorgeous, Canada, 7 hours ago
Those extensions come from corpses in India. Wonder if she knows that ??
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joanofarcinc, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 7 hours ago
Definitely copying Kim Kardashian with this look.
In general, I don’t have an issue with it, but in this case, it is totally unacceptable. The bracelet from Trevor is the Cartier Love Bracelet signifying everlasting love. It is locked on the wearer’s arm to signify devotion (although it can be removed with a screwdriver.)
A former boss of mine has one that was given to her by her husband. She never, ever removes it, no matter the event or circumstance. She wears it to work, black tie events, when she’s horse-back riding, swimming, etc.
IMO, the bracelet should have been returned to Trevor along with the wedding rings due to the significance and meaning behind the gift. And yes, she is trying to send a FU message to someone, most likely Trevor’s beautiful, successful, wealthy wife who is due to actually give birth in September. Yep. Trevity Trev Trev’s wife is actually PREGNANT and is going to give birth unlike our dear Megsy who faked it. Can you imagine the roar going on in MM’s head? First Corey & his lovely gf had a darling baby, and now Trevor is happily married and will be a father soon. And here our poor Megsy thought both exes would pine away for her forever. Ha! Ha! Ha!
So Meghan hates both the USA and UK
But wants their money.
@unknown:
Don’t forget Meghan also wants her royal title.
@Wullie's Bucket,
The only things I can think of that would truly shock Meghan would be losing her royal titles and having the RF pull all their funding.
I’ve been following this travesty since the Vanity Fair article, and it’s been proven multiple times through multiple sources that the ring she was wearing for the evening reception was NOT Diana’s. I’ve seen detailed side-by-side photos, and they are not at all the same ring. I
love aquamarines and own several, so this definitely caught my eye and I followed the story closely when she was seen flashing ‘the ring’ in the convertible. Just another MM lie. They are not even the same color. But if you like the knock-off, you can easily buy one on Meghan’s Mirror.
I do have to admit that she looked great in that Stella McCartney white halter dress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=R2nfMvqLir4&feature=emb_logo
Too politically incorrect for 2020! "Half Breed" gets my vote and laughs too.
While we're still om the Russian kick, in my very first teaching job, in London, I had a colleague who taught Russian. She told me that the newspaper name Pravda meant `Truth' but `Izsvestia' meant `News' - there was thus a saying that `in News, there is no truth and in Truth, there is no news'.
Going a bit OT:
One of the most surreal incidents in that school was that I once had a couple of Soviet Young Pioneers, in full uniform, in my Divinity class.
The most unnerving thing about it was that every time I looked in their direction, they jumped to their feet and stood to attention. They gave the impression that they didn't speak a word of English (The explanation is the that Russian Trade Legation (hmm...) wasn't far away. (In those days, anyone from the Eastern Bloc was automatically regarded as a spy.)
At that time, under the 1944 Education Act which aimed, among other things, to bring in a nationwide (ie England and Wales) uniform Primary & Secondary education system, the only subject which had to be taught, by law, was Religious Education. (This was to get the cooperation of the CofE/Church in Wales and the National Society for Promoting Religious Education, who had hitherto provided the majority of village elementary schools between them, not for indoctrination purposes at all.)
This meant that teachers of other subjects had to bounced into taking the classes. During my 1-year post-grad teacher training, I even attended lectures on `the Pentateuch for non-specialists'.
My Russian-teaching colleague was roped in as well,
`Only on my terms,' she said. `No God'.
She got away with it too, because one could discuss philosophy, civics and so on.
When I left, to follow my then-husband who was being posted, my leaving present was a substantial cheque drawn on Coutts. When I paid it in to my bank, the cashier was very impressed. I haven't had one since.
-----
I seem to recall we discussed whether MM could have been given the mission of getting her hands on the Vladimir tiara - another idea for the `Day of the Cockroach'?
Great comments which I could have written myself. The blog has gone a bit too tin hat for me, your comment was refreshing to say the least. ;o)
Thank you!
If that is true it is still a bit strange of Harry to buy the same bracelet as Trevor.
But maybe Meghan didn't tell him that, maybe she just wished for it.
Everything is the same, she just changed husband :)
could you please adapt the lyrics of this song in your unique way to portrsy the Harkles Thanks
Who wants to be a millionaire
Sung by Frank Sinatra you
Who Has An Itch
To Be Filthy Rich?
Who Gives A Hoot
For A Lot Of Loot?
Who Longs To Live
A Life Of Perfect Ease?
And Be Swamped By Necessary Luxuries?
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
I Don't.
Have Flashy Flunkeys Ev'rywhere?
I Don't.
Who Wants The Bother Of A Country Estate?
A Country Estate Is Something I'd Hate!
Who Wants To Wallow In Champagne?
I Don't.
Who Wants A Supersonic Plane?
I Don't.
Who Wants A Marble Swimming Pool Too?
I Don't.
And I Don't
'Cause All I Want Is You.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
I Don't.
And Have Uranium To Spare?
I Don't.
Who Wants To Journey On A Gigantic Yacht?
Do I Want A Yacht?
Oh, How I Do Not!
Who Wants A Fancy Foreign Car?
I Don't.
Who Wants To Tire Of Caviar?
I Don't.
Who Wants A Private Landing Field Too?
I Don't.
And I Don't.
'Cause All I Want Is You.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
I Don't.
And Go To Every Swell Affair?
I Don't.
Who Wants To Ride Behind A Liv'ried Chauffeur?
A Liv'ried Chauffeur
Do I Want? No Sir!
Who Wants An Opera Box, I'll Bet?
I Don't.
And Sleep Through Wagner At The Met?
I Don't.
Who Wants To Corner Cartier's Too?
I Don't.
And I Don't,
'Cause All I Want Is You.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Cole Porter
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire lyrics © Chappell & Co., Warner Chappell Music France, Inc., Chappell-co Inc, Chappell & Co., Inc
Thats when I learned she already got one, years before, from Trevor. People were writing that on tumblr or in comments...I don't rememer were I read it. I just have it back in my mind and I thought it was strange of Harry to also buy her a love bracelet and strange of her of wanting one from Harry.
Anyway.
I had not heard M got the same Cartier bracelet from Harry. If that's true, then she must have hinted/said she wanted it. I just do not believe Harry would have just happened to buy her the same bracelet. I think it's quite odd if it's true she wanted a second "inspired by the chastity belt" bracelet from a husband. But I also think it's quite odd she re-did her engagement ring from Harry to look like the one she got from Trevor. (Yeah, I've read some accounts saying redoing the ring was all Harry's idea. I'll never in a million years believe that, especially given the choice of jeweler was Lorraine Schwartz.)
@Aquagirl,
Thanks for the Diana's ring info. I knew I'd seen pictures suggesting it was a different ring and it looked different to me.
Do I believe that MM had a super secret birthday party with a gaggle of famous guests? Not for a minute. Perhaps David Foster showed up (without Katharine McPhee. Watch your husband closely, Katherine. MM's looking for a bigger fish). Maybe Rachel Ray (she'd show up to the opening of a post office). Of all of the fabulous famous chefs in LA, she could only get Rachel Ray? Of course, the crying makeup artist would literally crawl from LA to Santa Barbara to worship at MM's feet, and she robably got a freebie makeup session from him for the party.
Oprah and Gayle would show up as they are backing MM for whatever purpose. Same with David Foster, although I think he just wants to get into MM's pants. McPhee will be replaced soon. Based on Foster's long list of past marriages (six), McPhee is getting close to her "sell by" date, and MM appears to be his type. No Soho house people? Where was Marcus, and why wasn't it catered by the SoHo House, but by their direct competitor, Nobu?
No Clooneys, Elton John, etc. However, I do believe that MM would send an invitation to Jennifer Anniston, who didn't show up because she's never met Megs, and didn't even bother to RSVP. I'd love to know who else she invited who didn't show up. Interesting that Doria wasn't there.
I'm sure that the upscale local restaurants loved that she chose Nobu to cater, rather than using a local caterer. That should go over well with the locals as she's trying to fit in with a new, rather insular crowd in Santa Barbara. None of the new neighbors were there.
It sounds like a dud of a party to me, if it even happened.
I mean...she had the same christmasphoto with Harry as her "save the date"- card with Trevor. Black and white with their backs against the camera.
There is something wrong in the head with Meghan Markle
I doubt that Harry also bought her one, or she'd stack them together, as the Cartier ads are showing now. The small bracelet that she wears with it is a knock off look taken directly from a Cartier ad.
Here's the ring in Tonga..
https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a24207989/meghan-markle-princess-diana-aquamarine-ring-theia-dress-tonga-reception/
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/jewelry-and-watches/a24216489/meghan-markle-princess-diana-aquamarine-cocktail-ring-tonga/
I have no proof, but I’ve got my inner certainty that there is something hinkey about this Montecito house.
The fact that Meg was recently pictured in a zoom video against the window with the purported view from the Montecito house means nothing to me in terms of veracity. Creating a realistic zoom background from a photograph would not be difficult. Meg could broadcast from the Kasbah in Casablanca if she wanted to.
Let’s assume that in this deluge of stories about their recent property acquisition that there is a kernel of truth, And that Woke and Joke are staying there at present. Even assuming they were somehow able to get a mortgage attached to this property, That doesn’t make them the owners until they actually pay this $9 million mortgage off. Until that happens, they’re basically renting the place. Giving this couples individual and collective track record with property, what do we supposed likelihood is that they will stay in that house even a
year? During those few months they were allegedly in the Vancouver Island mansion, there were stories floated into that they were going to buy that one, oh no, they were looking at mansions in LA blah blah blah. However their stay was financed in this house...Presuming they’re actually staying there—Meg could’ve just as easily done a photo shoot for the afternoon there—Their sojourn will be brief. I give it until New Year. What we need to remember about Meg is that she never commits to doing anything for real, long-term, if she can finagle a way to fake it for the short term gratification of instant attention. Obviously, renovating/furnishing a new family home of that size would be a project consuming a lot more time and resources than they have had since their arrival in LA during a global pandemic. She wants us to believe that’s exactly what they did, but just like with Frogmore Cottage, this massive logistical project which would’ve involved in array of supply deliveries and workmen and staff etc. is accomplished apparently in the twinkling of an eye just like a Santa Claus visit with none of the neighbors, Or news media comprised of the stocking paparazzi and endlessly harassing drones haven’t caught a single image of any of these preparations.
If Meg’s mouth is moving, I just assume automatically that she’s lying, and that goes for anything she releases in print. But I can see that they may have moved in for the short term, After backhanding some deal with their Russian financiers. The mansion was likely completely furnished and so all they had to do was bring over whatever of their personal belongings they had at Tyler Perry’s...Or Soho House. As surely as the sun rises in the east, This current scheme is going to go tits up too, just like everything else they do.
This must be what harry meant all those years when he whinged about just wanting to live life like a normal bloke, free of the royal family. Yep, completely normal life he’s living now. Tosser.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8630149/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle-phoned-fan-linked-Twitter-TROLL.html
@Neutral Observer (as quoted by Wullie'sBucket 10.20) says
'I think the Markles are harmlessly amusing, & are just another unique slice of Americana,'
------------------
Amusing they may be, for a while, but harmless they are certainly not. Spewing their sh¡the doesn't help anyone and they might influence their younger sugar with their Uber some ideas. So no, I wouldn't call them harmless.
As for 'a slice of Americana’, I wouldn't like to judge America and Americans based on their twaddle.
BUSTLE
'The Gift Prince Harry Reportedly Gave To Meghan Markle On Their Wedding Night Is SUPER Luxe
WPA Pool/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
By Kali Borovic
May 23, 2018
It looks like the tiara was only the beginning of sparkly things that Duchess of Sussex is adding to must-wear list. According to Elle UK, 'Prince Harry reportedly gave Meghan Markle a $20,000 bracelet on their wedding night. You know, because a 30-minute carriage ride and a new home in the the Royal Palace isn't already enough. This bracelet might be dainty, but it's meant to be noticed'
So why didn't Me again wear this BRACELET ? MM chose to flaunt the Cartier bracelet gifted by TREVOR both with intimate personal meanings both from 2 husbands 1 former 1 present yet she chose the former husbands gift twice .Maybe as WBBM stated maybe she lost the screwdriver for the Cartier bracelet
Cressida is on her honeymoon and posted a photo of herself sitting outside a hut. She posted the photo as "happiness in a hut," a huge contrast to The Harkles mega mansion. She's happy with so little, compared to Megs always wanting more, more, more.
So it wasn't the Cartier Love Bracelet that Harry gave to her, but a Cartier tennis bracelet. That makes more sense. But Megs is sure flaunting "Trevity Trev Trev's" slave bracelet. I'm sure that Trevor is not pleased by this. He has a lovely new wife, a baby due in September, and a happy new home. Can the same be said for Harry?
AND, I'm sure that Trevor and his wife will proudly show the world their new baby, unlike The Harkles.
And what happens to The Harkles if they default on the payments to the Bank of Oligarch? Yikes! Talk about playing with fire.
I agree that we can't take anything they say as truth, so who knows if they're even living in Santa Barbara. And you're right about the press not having any photos of workmen, gardeners, moving trucks, furniture deliveries, etc. No cars going in and out? They live like shadow people, and they expect us to trust them? They could be living anywhere.
They've supposedly been living there since June, and nobody has seen them? They haven't been out of the house even once? That's highly suspect, and if true, it's the sign of paranoia.
All will be revealed eventually. We just have to wait for the press to catch up with them.
https://nypost.com/2020/08/14/why-were-sympathetic-to-princess-diana-but-not-harry-and-meghan/
Of course she would be 8-10 years dated in her thinking.
This is good news for us, as she’s on the long tailend of that economy trying to make money that way. Which means in her circumstances, near Impossible.
I found these quotes of hers very insightful. Her and Harry have many conversations about toxicity. Really?? You’ve married a prince and have a new baby, and this is what you focus on? Give me a break lol! Either they have the most ‘non-relationship’ ever, because she is soulless, or she’s making it up. Either way, sounds like something no one can relate to in healthy relationships.
The fundraiser, who the Duke and Duchess are said to have told they were 'so moved and happy' after she raised £45,000 for charities, runs another Twitter account which has posted a thread of nasty comments about the Royal Family.
Posts referred to Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, as a 'b****' and Prince William as an 'a**hole', while another called the Monarchy a 's***, messy, toxic institution'.
The woman, called Dani Trin, said she is not responsible for the vile posts, according to The Sun.
One tweet from the account henryscousin read: '#MeghanMarkle is not one of your little ugly a** british aristocratic vapid do-nothing b*****s and y'all gonna learn.'
Another said: 'Meghan after having to deal the wedding dress, tiara, venue, flowers, food, music, her father's imbecility and this b**** throws a tantrum in the middle of her bridesmaids' dress fitting over some tights.'
A third post added: 'The way that Harry and Meghan aren't part of that s***, messy, toxic institution anymore is most pleasing to me.'
The account appears to have since been deleted, but other users called Henry's Cousin have also tweeted about the Royal Family under different handles. (DM)
Nice fans and supporters.
Synopsis: California is proposing to pay for their services by seizing money from the super rich. Think you can flee immediately? Oh, no. They're planning to make it retroactive.
A proposal to raise taxes on California millionaires would result in a top tax rate of nearly 54% for federal and state taxes.
Democrats in the California state legislature this week proposed a tax hike on the state’s highest earners to help pay for schools and services hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. Legislators say the tax hike would raise more than $6 billion a year, and would redirect funding from the wealthy to those who have been hit hardest by the Covid-19 crisis.
The plan follows proposals in New York state to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for a widening budget deficit. And it adds to a growing debate over expanding inequality during the pandemic and who should pay the soaring costs to government.
Yet the California proposal would raise the highest state tax rate in the country even higher, and renew the possibility of wealthy Californians fleeing the state.
California’s top marginal tax rate is 13.3%. The new proposal would add three new surcharges on seven-figure earners. It would add a 1% surcharge to gross income of more than $1 million, 3% on income over $2 million and 3.5% on income above $5 million.
So the top tax rate would be 16.8%, on income of more than $5 million and the combined state and federal tax rate for California’s top earners would soar to 53.8%. With the deduction on state and local taxes capped at $10,000 under the Trump tax cuts, the top-earning Californians wouldn’t be able to deduct the new taxes from their federal returns.
The tax would only effect the top 0.5% of California taxpayers. But that small group of super-earners — many of them in tech — pay 40% of the state’s tax revenues, according to California’s Franchise Tax Board. The new tax rate would also apply to capital gains, which accounts for a large share of tech income, since California taxes capital gains at the same rates as ordinary income.
With many tech companies now allowing executives to work remotely for the next year, top earners could more easily leave the state and work in places with no income tax, like Nevada and Texas. If the new tax is approved in August, it would be retroactive for this year and apply to income earned since January 2020.
“The tax hikes would be the tipping point for many taxpayers,” said Robert Gutierrez, president of the California Taxpayers Association, which advocates lower taxes, “prompting them to book a one-way trip to one of the 49 states with lower taxes.”
Ya think? I particularly like the whining about how the rest of us are no longer subsidizing their state and local taxes by allowing them to be deducted from their federal taxes. They voted for it, they pay for it.
Here's another paper on it from Berkeley.edu: https://eml.berkeley.edu/~saez/CAwealthtax.pdf
The proposed bill would impose an annual tax of .4% of extreme wealth defined as wealth in
excess of $30 million per taxpayer. Wealth includes worldwide assets (but excludes real estate property). CA residents who leave the state would be liable for the tax for up to 10 years (with a decreasing fraction of their wealth taxable after leaving). New CA residents would symmetrically be liable on a progressively growing fraction of their wealth in their first 10 years of residence. We estimate that about 30,000 CA families (top .15%) would be liable for the extreme wealth tax and that the tax would raise about $7.5 billion/year. The wealth tax would help with the current fiscal crisis, reduce wealth concentration, and improve tax justice.
Inequality and tax fairness
California today has 12% of the US population but 17% of all US millionaires and 25% of
all US billionaires.1 In 2011, California had only 15.5% of all US millionaires and 21% of all US billionaires. Therefore, the California share of US millionaires and billionaires has been increasing over the last decade even though California increased its tax on millionaires in 2012.2 Income and
wealth is more concentrated in California than in the US overall and this concentration has been growing faster.3 The covid crisis further exacerbates inequality: the working class struggles with job and income loss while the rich can generally keep working from home. California billionaires’ wealth has already fully bounced back and even surpassed pre-covid levels. The collective wealth of California billionaires has surged to $924 billion on July 29, 2020. It was $706 billion in March 2019, a year before the covid crisis started and only about $300 billion in 2011.4 While the income tax is successful at taxing millionaires, it is not very effective at taxing the ultra-wealthy who do not need to realize their incomes.5 For example, Mark Zuckerberg, the richest Californian, can avoid the CA income tax as long as he does not sell his Facebook stock.
This is the main weakness of the CA tax system. The wealth tax directly remedies this injustice by taxing all wealth, whether this wealth has been realized as income or not. With the wealth tax, Zuckerberg would have to pay .4% of his $85 billion wealth, that is $340 million, even if he does not realize gains by selling stock.
1 The CA and US populations are 39.5m and 331.8m in 2019. The IRS compiles individual income tax statistics by state. In 2016 and 2017, the last 2 years available, CA millionaires were 16.8% and 16.7% of all US millionaires. As of
July 29, 2020, there were 165 CA billionaires out of 647 US billionaires (25.5%) on the Forbes billionaire list.
2 The CA share of the US population has been stable during this decade from 12.08% in 2011 to 12.04% in 2019.
3 The top 1% income share is higher in CA than US wide in recent years (e.g., 25.5% vs. 22% in 2015) but was the same in the 1980s (e.g., 9.9% vs. 10.0% in 1980). See https://www.shsu.edu/eco_mwf/inequality.html
4 See the Forbes billionaire list.
5 Saez and Zucman (2019), The Triumph of Injustice, Norton estimate that the effective tax rate on billionaires (combining all taxes at the federal, state, and local levels) relative to their true economic income is only 23% in 2018 (while it is 28% economy wide).
"Amusing they may be, for a while, but harmless they are certainly not. Spewing their sh¡the doesn't help anyone and they might influence their younger sugar with their Uber some ideas. So no, I wouldn't call them harmless.
As for 'a slice of Americana’, I wouldn't like to judge America and Americans based on their twaddle.'
I was referring to Meg's blood relatives, both the Markles & the Raglands, whom I think she's treated abominably. I don't obsessively follow their lives, or gossip about them, but both sides of her family seem fairly harmless to me, if unconventional in some ways. I'm an agnostic on the rumors of Doria's prison stint, just as I am about 'Archie.' I want incontrovertible proof before I believe anything about them. If you think the Markles & Raglands are harmful, you're certainly entitled to your opinion of them. Meg's blood family seems like a mixed bag, like anyone's family, & haven't seen any of them expressing political opinions, unlike the dubious duo.
Sorry if I misread your post, I thought you were talking abt H&M which is why I thought they were far from harmless.
My little pooch, half Chihuahua-half wire-haired terrier, has a way of lasering in on "prey" when we're walking out and about before she even sees it. Say we're in an open field -- I let her loose off the lead, no one around -- off she goes like a shot, 25, maybe 50 yards away. Stops, nose down at the ground, *grrrrrrowl!* I walk over to see what's up. She's got a mouse cornered in a small depression in the ground. The little thing makes a desperate dash for it, and off Pixy goes like a streak in hot pursuit.
This meandering intro is by way of leading into the Harkle-Russian connection. Long ago (Harkles' Vancouver era), I got the sense that their Russian "benefactor" was more than he appeared. Just a fleeting thought, which quickly passed. So much other stuff with those two coming out at a dizzying pace!
Until the news broke about the "Chateau." Another Russian involved, who hadn't sold the house since it was built. Hmmmm. There's a little mouse out there, hiding in plain sight. So, taking a cue from my Pixy, it's been nose forward, follow the trail.
Fast-forward to fellow Nutties, who have picked up the scent before me. AND others scattered around Webdom. Unable to articulate something I don't fully have a grasp on, I *share* (shamelessly copy) others' interpretations. Here is one such, not identifying name or location -- algorithms are the devil's tool! -- but the following sums it up pretty well so far:
"There are a lot of ways to do this [launder money]. Countries like Russia and China limit how their citizens can move money out of the country. To get around that, they pay inflated prices for U.S. real estate. That explains to the home country why they are moving cash overseas. Often the seller will secretly transfer most of the overpayment to an account controlled by the purchaser, so the purchaser has the real estate plus extra $$—and it’s all overseas, untraceable, away from the prying eyes of their home country."
Then there's this, from The Sun:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12406433/meghan-harry-house-linked-to-three-mysterious-businessmen-20m-scam/
Another anonymous poster: "According to this article, Dovi Frances’ investment Group 11 is a “very exclusive club” of investors. Dovi F and Sergei G and Tim P are tight tight.
According to Dovi’s statement re: the sale of the Chateau, it appears that he connected his club members. He knew one of his investors (M & H, or just MM) was wanting to buy a house, and another investor, Sergey Grishin, was looking to sell a house. Tim P was the signee on the transfer deeds of the Chateau.
Dovi Frances also sold the record breaking life insurance policy, in the amount of $201 Mil to Yuri Milner. Owner of the VI house.
And another anonymous poster:
I would guess the connection is [David] Foster as an investor in the Venture Capital fund as well as those two Russians the one in Vancouver and the one in Santa Barbara and that's how they all got together on this deal. Just a thought
This would neatly explain why the Harkles could claim they're "paying for the house themselves" with no income of any substance. (Little mouse, little mouse, run while you can ....)
Why am I reminded of the Eagles' "Dirty Laundry?" song? "Well, I coulda been an actor, but I wound up here // I just have to look good, I don't have to be clear // Come and whisper in my ear, Give us dirty laundry"
And so, if you've made it this far without scrolling in impatience, I give you the riveting end to the tale of Pixy and the mouse -- She never found it, but we've been back in that field since, and she makes a beeline to the depression in the ground, and starts sniffing in widening circles around it.
(Okay, Nyota, time for another cuppa Joe, LOL)
Speaking of the royal family, recently watched a documentary on poor Mary Tudor. Not a fan of all the burnings of Protestants at the stake, but what a life that poor woman had. Who would want to be a royal in those days? Mary was threatened with death by her own father, as well as by her stepmother. She went from being the most privileged child in England, to servant to her stepsister. Not only were rulers of the day burdened by their positions as head of both state & church, but they were under constant threat of usurpation by some relative or another, or ambitious noblemen. Poor Mary, whom I would call an incontrovertible blood royal, unlike Megs, was also a late thirties bride. She had difficulties in conceiving, her royal Spanish husband was not very interested in her, & she apparently had 2 false pregnancies. There were rumors her courtiers tried to get a baby from some other woman at one time.Sound familiar? Might be like the commoner Megs in at least one way. Who knows? I have to drag myself away from this blog &get on with real life. LOL.
Yepper. I've always wondered how they pulled off having so many Richie Rich types -- HW, Silicon Valley and *financiers* -- and yet still got away with not having to pay for anything in the state they lived in for so long.
______________________________________
Aquagirl said...
DM is now saying that Ellen & Portia’s robbery was ‘an inside job.’ Could it have been Megsy since she was supposedly already living there at the time? And maybe she needed help with her downpayment? Or was it a disgruntled employee who was sick of being abused for so many years? Or was it Ellen herself, trying to garner the sympathy vote? Hmmm.
One of the downsides to having so much staff around, thinks me -- all it takes is for one enterprising security guard or maid to slip a word to some of their less savory friends about how to fiddle the keypad to unlock the doors or windows. Disgruntled? Could be, maybe even probably. Would give the employee(s) great satisfaction to rip off the *witch.*
Hahaha, getting a kick out of the vision of Markle sneaking around, klepto-ing her Himalayan-yak hair wigged head off! (hat tip to @CatEyes)
Nice comparison re: Queen Mary and Megs, AND history lesson!
Poor Mary, whom I would call an incontrovertible blood royal, unlike Megs, was also a late thirties bride. She had difficulties in conceiving, her royal Spanish husband was not very interested in her, & she apparently had 2 false pregnancies. There were rumors her courtiers tried to get a baby from some other woman at one time.Sound familiar? Might be like the commoner Megs in at least one way. Who knows? I have to drag myself away from this blog &get on with real life. LOL.
I always thought of Mary as quite the Puritan, tho she was Catholic. Keen to give out the aura of spiritual authority, and as dogmatic as stone.
WBBM your "maybe she lost the screwdriver" wins internet 😆😆😆
I watched the snippet of Meg interviewing herself they had up on DM. She has really gone off the deep end. The over exaggerated hand motions were cringe. She really looked wired. Her face too is approaching point of no return. Look at all the work she is having done. It is like she isn't even allowing whatever that is to heal between procedures. Her doctors are not doing her any favors, it is borderline negligence
Pathetic Hapless no doubt was made very aware of the provenance of the Cartier bangle and he no doubt thought he was one-upping Trev with the tennis bracelet. Unfortunately he chose a trinket-looking style not instantly recognizable as Cartier; could be from Claire’s. Just imagine the disappointment on her face opening that gift and instead of some real bling, it’s a basic bracelet that looks like something a high school boy would give his girlfriend.
Much like the splayed out finger with no wedding rings pose she pulled on her last visit to London, she is definitely sending a message to Hapless that he is inadequate. I bet she is pissed that she didn’t get the 30 mil mansion she really wanted.
OMG some commenters in the DM said, with her new wig and fillers, she looks like OCTOMOM! I had forgotten about her, but now I totally can’t unsee it. Ahahahaha!!
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Hahaha. Nailed it! My larf for the day :)
Long ago (Harkles' Vancouver era), I got the sense that their Russian "benefactor" was more than he appeared. Just a fleeting thought, which quickly passed. So much other stuff with those two coming out at a dizzying pace!
Until the news broke about the "Chateau." Another Russian involved, who hadn't sold the house since it was built. Hmmmm. There's a little mouse out there, hiding in plain sight. So, taking a cue from my Pixy, it's been nose forward, follow the trail.
And this is why the Harkles are actually dangerous now and not just an entertaining floor show, pass the popcorn. Watching them self-destruct within the confines of the Royal Family was entertainingly painful/painfually entertaining. I gleefully toted up all the faux pas on the daily. But these two immature narcissist lazy layabout grifters where damaging mostly to themselves (and to the Cambridges' peace of mind) so long as they could be contained within the Firm. When Meg disappeared for nearly two months between the Commonwealth service and the 'birth of Archie Harrison, Blessed Infant', I was actually hopeful that Lord Geidt had managed to place her either in a psychiatric facility/rehab or else, she was on house arrest wherever they were staying that was certainly not Frogmore.
Their behavior since 'fleeing to Canada' has grown increasingly unhinged and loose cannon, though, and with a continent and an ocean between them and any oversight by BP, they are just getting more and more brazen. This latest episode, following right on the heels of the publication of Finding Freedom has me seriously scratching my head over the RF's apparent inaction at reigning in this maverick couple of tossers. Meg's bleating about 'toxicity' and getting involved in American politics is no longer just exasperating Narc fantasy if the son of the future monarch is being bankrolled by the Russian underworld If this is true, wouldn't this be another nail in the coffin of the monarchy? Meg & Harry are both stupid, indiscreet and completely blinkered by their thirst for publicity and hedonistic material things and status. They are dumb and self-centered enough to be turned into tools for nefarious ends, against Western governments. With this couple, those nefarious forces have a foothold in both the UK and the US. Harry's got the Bank of Dad & Granny, plus worldwide fame that still carries clout due to his family connection. Markle apparently has a number of leftist-leaning Hollywood types with deep pockets willing to support her and give this ridiculous, talentless braying idiot platforms to keep inflicting her woke gibberish upon the world. Both Meg and Harry have amply demonstrated that they are for sale--dangle enough cash and shiny things in front of both of them and they will work for anybody--anybody save Harry's grandmother.
Harry's family kept him incredibly sheltered all his life because he doesn't have the mental tools to manage without constant support. It was clear on the wedding day that everyone present except for Harry, perhaps, recognized that a giant mistake was in progress. I rewatched the wedding vows in slo-mo again yesterday. Doria is directly over Meg's shoulder in the shot and not even *she* can bear to look at what's happening. When not even the parents of the bridal couple watch the vows--Charles was staring down at his programme, too, and William's face said it all as well--something is very rotten in Windsor. Letting the Harkles thumb their noses at the monarchy and split for North American shores is going to be an even bigger fatal error. The pranksters who posed as Greta T. and her dad were just having a wheeze, but they did illustrate just how gullible Harry is and how very easy it is for people who do not have his best interests at heart to get access to him. He's got his Lady Megdusa whispering inducements into his thick ear. She's the mover and shaker of the pair but it's Harry who is the prime target here.
It's really worrisome. If the Queen and Charles aren't intervening behind the scenes, then this really is the death rattle of the British Crown. The dim second son of the Prince of Wales with more grievances than sense is going to take it down before he's done, and he might not even realize what's happening. Shades of Uncle David again, but the BRF is giving their maverick moron an incredibly long rope. He's going to entangle them in the process of hanging himself.
It’s the same aquamarine ring. It looks bluer on Diana, because Diana was wearing a blue dress. Meghan has worn it with white dresses.
I would guess their mansion has a built in generator.
I think Bea has a Cartier love bracelet, seen in her engagement photos IIRC.
Funny that she and DT both have hazy dealings with the Russians, innit. And both are Narcissists. They've got a lot in common, not that Meg is self-aware enough to realize this.
I know you don’t want them to own that house, but everything points to they do. They are together, in Montecito, in the extravagant house which suggests they are in for the long haul and there are rumors she is pregnant again. As someone else mentioned, this all suggest she “has won” and maybe she has.
I was amazed at some of their stuff.
They also say that W&K are jealous of the house because M&H actually BOUGHT a house themselves vs W&K were given a house to use.
And Gayle King and her son are living in Oprah's guest house and have been since July. And that yes, Gayle & Tyler were messing with everyone about Harkles living in TP's house on the interview as they both knew they had moved out already. How precious to have an inside joke & do that, huh?
Most states in the US have some sort of state income tax, though many are not that onerous. New York and California, as well as Hawaii are fairly significant. Moreover, NY and California will FIND YOU. If you have a residential property in which you spend time in either state you must be very careful not to occupy the residence more than one-half of the year, or ~182 days. Most individuals do not cut it that close and you must have proof via receipts, etc. NY is so GREEDY that they will fight you on things like square footage (is your house bigger in the Hamptons, than Palm Beach, Florida?), where is your most precious art hanging on the walls?, where is your wine collection stored?, you're vintage car collection? It is a problem for many NY's who move to Florida, claim Florida residency, yet keep a NY residence. Adding to the difficulties is that Insurance on Scheduled Fine Arts and Collections is higher in Florida owing to the potential of Windstorm damage (hurricanes.) I know of one billionaire who moves his very valuable art collection out of Palm Beach every spring and it is housed elsewhere for the hurricane season. All insurance, property (fire, theft, etc.), windstorm, auto, liability, excess liability, scheduled art and collections, private health insurance is regulated under the Insurance Commissioner of each state. Rates vary dramatically across the nation based on risk. Only Flood insurance is federal and it is actually organized and managed by the federal government. That is why people can stay in homes in flood plains and have flood damage year after year after year. No private insurer would deal with that headache.
So Florida has NO state income tax. Neither do the following states: Alaska, Washington*, Wyoming, Texas, New Hampshire (Live Free or Die is the state motto) Nevada (Vegas, Baby! Yah!), South Dakota, and by 2021, Tennessee. Now, there are some trade offs. Florida and Texas have high property taxes. State sales tax in some Texas counties is a bit high, but nothing like California. Basically, everything in California is hit with an ~>10% state sales tax. So if you are free to move about you need to do a bit of calculus to determine the greatest tax efficiencies.
A good example for someone wealthy who enjoys the west. Have a beautiful home in Jackson, Wyoming where you are a legal resident and have a beach house in Malibu and perhaps a desert spot out in Palm Desert or La Quinta, both in California. Just make sure you are not in California more than one-half the year. And, be able to prove it with paperwork. You do not even have to be in Wyoming the other half of the year. You could be on a yacht in the Med or traveling elsewhere.
Now, if you have minor children (18 and under) in secondary school, that changes the equation.
But, Florida
Funny that she and DT both have hazy dealings with the Russians, innit. And both are Narcissists. They've got a lot in common, not that Meg is self-aware enough to realize this.
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Great comment! I remember a man from my youth who used to say "we become who we hate". Wow...I never forgot that! Yikes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=66&v=ssKp0RT9gJI&feature=emb_logo
I concur - we could both be called `Cassandra'. It's certainly my very profound fear.
I can only hope that the Security services can see what may be going on - they kept a beady eye on PC in the past so I pray they're doing the same to his second son.
Sadly, even if the Disastrous Duo become engulfed in a major convulsion of the San Andreas Fault, the RF will still be held responsible for `driving' them out of the UK. It's too serious for the obvious pun.
Wonder what MA's part may be in this?
I haven’t heard a peep of anything from or about MA in over a year.
What’s the story about this?
I watched the snippet of Meg interviewing herself they had up on DM. She has really gone off the deep end. The over exaggerated hand motions were cringe. She really looked wired. Her face too is approaching point of no return. Look at all the work she is having done. It is like she isn't even allowing whatever that is to heal between procedures. Her doctors are not doing her any favors, it is borderline negligence
Yes, I said, after watching part of the interview/soliloquy, that it was a nice 70s Cher interpretation by a drag queen. Then I deleted the drag queen reference because I didn't want a drag queen to say "Girl, please, that's WAY too much drama!" and be the cause of unintentional offense to drag queens everywhere. Plus they would have been correct.
Which now makes me think maybe they never bought house to begin with. There should be public record soon, no? Would they really like to live in house like this? The need for opulence borders on tacky. This is where Jeeves serves drinks to Theodore the thirds sidechick. It is not hip no matter how many trendy couches and "Love is" placards you get delivered
We will know if she starts savagely namedropping Febreeze. Place appears super "stinky"
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a10039542/meghan-markle-wore-a-gold-ring-that-prince-harry-gave-her/
https://www.inquisitr.com/4473221/all-the-sentimental-pieces-of-jewelry-prince-harry-gave-to-meghan-markle-and-her-rumored-engagement-ring/
Bea, in her engagement pic, is wearing the Cartier Juste Un Clou bangle, same concept as the screwed on bracelet. https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/10034433/princess-beatrice-marry-edoardo-italy-queen-refuse-fly-europe/
😂😂😂
Thanks for the laugh!!!
Meg & Harry are both stupid, indiscreet and completely blinkered by their thirst for publicity and hedonistic material things and status. They are dumb and self-centered enough to be turned into tools for nefarious ends, against Western governments. With this couple, those nefarious forces have a foothold in both the UK and the US. Harry's got the Bank of Dad & Granny, plus worldwide fame that still carries clout due to his family connection. Markle apparently has a number of leftist-leaning Hollywood types with deep pockets willing to support her and give this ridiculous, talentless braying idiot platforms to keep inflicting her woke gibberish upon the world. Both Meg and Harry have amply demonstrated that they are for sale--dangle enough cash and shiny things in front of both of them and they will work for anybody--anybody save Harry's grandmother.
Good point -- the combination of eager Russian mobsters and shallow Hollywood types and "woke" journalists is a recipe for a perfect storm around the Harkles. It IS worrisome.
Then you have the UK public reaching their breaking point over Charles' failure to rein the Harkles in and forking out the cash willy-nilly. How unbearably sad it would be for that grand old monarchy to go down at the hands of those two simpering, amoral, clueless, petty and vindictive idiots.
British friends tell me it's been much worse in the past, and that the monarchy has weathered worse -- but with COVID losing people jobs and forcing them into the food-bank queues, not to mention the whole can we-can't we go on holiday without quarantine and not being able to hug one's grandmother -- information shared at the speed of light on today's internet -- the kettle is simmering. If one isn't careful, it will boil over.
OMG OCTOMOM!!
Spot on- another weirdo with crazy eyes too. Yikes!
Something I have been thinking: they may have already inked deals so they have a reasonable expectation of future income and also, perhaps they plan to get into producing and the business end of the industry. Simply by placing themselves where they did, offers of partnerships etc will come their way. That is how it works with a group of rich people.
I mean, heck, even where I live, well before we got here, a group of rich people banded together and started a freaking bank. This was like 30 years ago. I’m going to give estimated amounts: for about a 5k initial investment, when the bank bought everyone out, each person received about 100k payout.
If they hope fir the survival of the British monarchy, HMTQ and Charles need to clean house and cut off the Harkles. No titles. No money. Period. They are a cancer that needs to be removed in order for the rest of the body to survive.
If the monarchy DOES end, I hope the titles are also removed from everyone in the monarchy and the aristocracy. None of this stuff of handing down and using titles of long-deceased elites that still happens.
There are all sorts of people running around the globe from monarchies, empires, and aristocracies that no longer exist who are still using and passing on their “titles.” Look at Bea’s husband Edo. He is a count on name only, which I think is rubbish.
If Harry and Meghan are so much in favor of equality, then let them give up their titles and all public funding now. Giving up titles includes Harry’s bloodline title of prince. If these two want to be known as rule breakers, then Harry could be the ultimate rule breaker by no longer being a prince.
Of course there will never be true equality that Harry and Meghan bang on about. Inequality is part of the human condition.
Harry and Meghan’s idea of equality is a ruling class of them and a class of everybody else. They don’t want to give up their status and privilege that neither of them earned, except by being born into the right family and spreading their legs.
I lean with you on this one. The old adages and traditions of the BRF have weathered past storms, but with social media and all of the other calamities of the day, I think it would well advised for HMTQ and PC to look more action-oriented and willing to let go the numb-nut named Harry.
Funny, I was never impressed by Harry. It was easy to guess that Invictus was established and managed on his behalf to rehabilitate his image after Vegas. And one could also assume that he was well looked after in Afghanistan. When he spoke, you could tell he was immature and under-educated. I also did not like the "Boom" video with HMTQ. Oh well, that is just me.
I will share one old story I read somewhere long ago. Maybe it was from Rosa Monckton, Diana's closest friend.
So Diana was driving in London. I guess a RPO was sitting in the passenger seat and PW & PH were in the back seat. William was perhaps 9 or 10 and Harry about 7. Out of the blue, Harry starts screaming at PW about how unfair it is that he, PW, "will get everything." The screaming was accompanied with hitting and kicking. Apparently PW was so upset that he told Harry that if he wanted "everything" he could have it. Hopefully, PW, as a mature man has disavowed himself of that notion. Luckily we have George, Charlotte and Louis in the way as back up.
Yep. I wouldn't really care as much what they bought (or how they financed it) if they didn't feel free to lecture us lessers on how we should make every drop count to save the planet, whilst they waste water and energy on a huge property.
That place has to have a monstrous carbon footprint.
Perfect illustration of the reason that the adage "a fool and his money are soon parted" is still applicable over the ages.
and really, she’s past her sell by date to try to snag a fisher fish/ bbillionire.
bezos lack of taste picking his ho aren’t the norm, and they aren’t even married....yet.
and jerry hall , is in her 60’s, and got pretty lucky getting Murdoch who has got to be in his 80’s or almost 90’s. but again, thats very rare.
and MM doesn’t seem the type to me that can live without a man. she identifies herself through her ‘man’. firstly of course her dad, as daddys little girl, daughter of an emmy award winner. then her college BF she may or may not have married, then producer “ Trevity TrevTrev” who she cooked and kept a lovely house for, then when she finally got a steady paying job in Canada, moved right in with Corey the chef and started her gracious living blog, then off to London ( while still living with Cory?) to hook PH and move in with him.
She promotes herself as “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex”. Not Meghan/Rachel Markle or even Meghan Windsor.
She won’t leave PH unless she has something bigger and richer already lined up ready to go.
and PH seems like he’s in for the long haul, every gossip thing she leaks is another nail in the coffin making it more difficult for him to return to England, and she knows it.
Agree. She is aging out rapidly. And Sanchez and Hall are true outliers. Plus, Hall has real cache from having been Mick's longest running wife, albeit cheated on often.
but after PA’s recent fiasco with the Verbier Switzerland Ski House, HM picked up the tab for the late payment so PA and SF wouldn’t lose in court and spread more bad press to the BRF and PA himself.
HM and PC may be looking to avoid more future bad press? and if they did back the mortgage, then they will also end up paying the upkeep & servants when the Harkles fail.
the purchase is egregious
Yep. I wouldn't really care as much what they bought (or how they financed it) if they didn't feel free to lecture us lessers on how we should make every drop count to save the planet, whilst they waste water and energy on a huge property.
That place has to have a monstrous carbon footprint.
Mel, they don't care. They just want the spiked heel FM shoes carbon footprint placed firmly on the neck of the peasants*. If they end up being run through a woodchipper, well, I think they are both remarkably silly individuals playing games with *very* dangerous people who are not actors.
*Peasants are the working people that have to drive big old gas guzzlers because they are transporting equipment, food, etc. vital to the infrastructure which is so despised by the wokerati.
Even though we have been told that Cam. will be `Princess Consort' (equivalent to Victoria's Albert and Lizzie's Philip) and not `Queen' I bet there'll be a stink about C becoming King, especially as Diana tried to queer his pitch by saying he should step aside for William.
Sadly, I'm beginning to wonder if it might be better for him to renounce his place in the Succession after all, if the future of the Monarchy were at stake. I'd still be loyal to the Crown, were he king, but would continue to feel very anxious.
I imagine Camilla can see what's at stake and hope she'll be able to influence her husband to apply tough love to his errant offspring. The original `Camilla' was a battle-maiden - Warrior Queen of the Volsci, if I remember Virgil's `Aeneid' correctly.
Surely Duchy money goes only to the D.of Cornwall's family, so that's G,C & L? Not his brother(s) nephews or nieces. So perhaps that tap's turned off automatically as far as the H&Ms are concerned. Here's hoping.
https://uk.yahoo.com/style/prince-harry-makes-surprise-appearance-113719454.html
Couldn't face watching it.
I would love some information regarding the income streams.
One day I quickly googled around to ascertain whether or not Charles remains POW when he becomes Regent. The last precedent, I believe, was GIV in the early 19th century. I think GIV remained as POW, even during his regency on behalf of GIII.
What are Charles' sharing obligations with respect to the income from the Duchy of Cornwall? What about the Duchy of Lancaster for the Monarch? Which one is more wealthy and provides more income?
I realize all money is fungible at some point, but how does HMTQ support PA, PA & PE. My background is law and finance so I am inherently interested in the funds flow. No envy, no politics, just pure curiosity. Where can I learn more?
@hikari that is simply not true that people aren’t homeowners until they pay their mortgage in full. You aren’t renters until the house is paid off. Legally you are the owner once you sign the papers at closing.
Well, on paper, you are listed as the owner. But in actuality the bank owns your a$$ until it's got all it's money back on the 'loan' that is the mortgage. The true 'owners' of the house will assert themselves the minute Haz and Meg miss a payment, never you fear. At the rate Harry and Meg are accumulating debts, we may as well say that if anyone is going to pay for this house, it's probably Bank of Dad.
I know you don’t want them to own that house, but everything points to they do. They are together, in Montecito, in the extravagant house which suggests they are in for the long haul and there are rumors she is pregnant again. As someone else mentioned, this all suggest she “has won” and maybe she has.
It's true that I would prefer two middle-aged unemployed adults who have been nasty to everyone they've ever known and failed in their professional obligations to not profit from being tossers. I guess if Harry's dad wants to give his failure-to-launch thickheaded boy and his colorful ex-showgirl wife endless bags of money that's his affair, though Charles III may find he's got no throne to ascend to if he continues in this path. This is not a consideration that seems to trouble you.
I am not nearly as keen as you to believe everything I read in print about the Harkles, even if it is alleged real estate filings. This couple and their PR firms have paid too fast and loose with the truth for the last 3, 4 years for me to believe anything that Meg puts out.
I'm confident that if they do currently occupy that house and have assumed the legal debt to pay for it that they will not be able to hold on to it for long. Neither manages money well and more to the point, apart from Charles, I'd like to know what their source of income might be to take on such a hefty mortgage. It's too grandiose for them and all their grandiose schemes have fallen down so far.
Let's revisit this question around Christmas and see how the Harkles are faring. The 12-month review period is up 'round that time and the outcome of that may well impinge on Meg's ability to continue in such lavish luxury. If the neighbors don't band together and get them kicked out first.
Really starting to wonder if PC should be king or if the monarchy should even continue. If nothing else, The Harkles have shown what a farce most of the monarchy can be.
From the book FF, yes they were out in the bush— well out in the bush when instead of having to look for a modern toilet back at the tent or wherever, she went and peed in the trees or wherever. Harry supposedly found that special that she was unfussy and didn’t require going back to the facilities.
Good morning!
What you described above about Chinese government involvement in US property sales is spot on. I know, because it happened to me. I had a property which as not up for sale. One day, I got a call from a Chinese man who said he wanted to buy the property. I told him we would talk when we were on conference call with my attorney.
The three of us got on the call, and the Chinese man offers what both my attorney and I know is a highly inflated price for the property. Of course, both of us wonder why this guy wants the property so badly, so we wait and just let the guy talk. He gives us this song and dance about wanting to build an off-campus dorm set-up for visiting Chinese students. This doesn't sound right to my atty and me, but hey, if he wants to buy at an over-inflated price, we'll continue to listen.
Well, at the very last minute, he tells us that he has to wait to buy me out(cash deal, no mortgage) because part of the pay-off amount is going to be subsided by the Chinese government, and he needs to wait until the government sends the funds. Hmmm. That's not what he said in the beginning. He said he was going to be the sole owner. Red flags go up. I decide right then and there to drop the entire thing because I smell some sort of a money laundering thing going on, and my attorney agrees with me. I'm not going to start doing business with the Chinese government. I tell the guy that I've decided not to sell the property at this time. So, this does happen, even to little old me.
@Anya Anasova,
I was reading FF last night and Scoobie wrote about MM's pants, rather than her trousers. No self-respecting Brit would confuse pants with trousers, as pants are underwear over there. That clinched it for me that Megs wrote FF. The prose is pure overly-gushing, overly-flowery Markle drivel. The book might appeal to a 10-year old as a fairy princess story.
@ Tatty,
I mentioned Marcus because he was constantly by MM's side when she was roping in Harry. Then, he just faded away, but, later, there were rumors online that he may have been living at TP's house with Harry and MM. Also, he is another shadowy figure in this saga. Nobody seems to know how he rose to such international heights so quickly when he was just a kid from central Canada. My Spidey senses perk up when there is a shadowy past, and I think somebody should look more closely at him and the Soho House.
The house is irrelevant, IMO. It is a big fake monstrosity, perfect for Rache. Already, I am sure, they are the laughing stock of Montecito. No one will be unkind to their face, but they all know the score by now. Most HW people have some issue/s, but the older ones who made money and managed to hold on to it are not stupid. Plus they have cadres of lawyers, accountants and bankers. They are all pretty tight fisted and will steer clear of the H$rkles.
And, all of these people understand what they ARE NOT and DO NOT HAVE. They do not descend from the glory of the BRF. Anyone of them, though they would not admit it, would have loved to have born a Prince of the Realm and have a place in history. HW history is short lived and blows away each year with the Santa Anas.
I agree the monthly maintenance bills are going to be outrageous, but I could see PC loving this property and perhaps he would help them install eco friendly ways to maintain it with a lesser footprint. Perhaps a small windmill or two, some solar panels, a Tesla eco charging solar system, rain water barrels, etc. just some thoughts as I am gardening and come inside today to cool off and check this blog.
There are a lot of eco friendly, nature saving things out there that they average person doesn’t know about unless they look for them. Do the Harkles care? Possibly not. It could be a nice project for Harry to get involved in if he want to since he is apparently hanging out in the house in shorts and T-shirts,
Scoobie goes into just how religious and spiritual MM is, but that she hides it. She even would get a prayer circle going with the actors from Suits when they were having difficulties on the set. Yeah, right. He goes into great detail about her inner religious bent shining through, guiding her through everything she does. Now, Doria, is supposedly religious, too, and she just happened to go to the same church in LA as Oprah. Supposedly, Doria met Oprah first at the church and they bonded over religion. So, Doria introduces MM to Oprah and Oprah, being such a good friend of Doria, will do anything for her friend's daughter, MM.
According to Scoobie, that's why Oprah and Gayle were at the wedding, and how she and Mm became fast friends in a mentor relationship. What hogwash.
I do believe that the H$rkles annual expenses, including the mortgage payments, will prove to be a substantial and perhaps unbearable, burden on them. Of course they will run to PC, but at some point he will have to cut them off, and then we will see that the house has been listed for sale. Or, in the US, brokers have something called a "Pocket Listing." This is when the owner does not want their potential house sale put in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), but lets a particular broker know that is is indeed for sale.
@tatty
No eco-friendly projects will shave off much in the way on the annual upkeep of both the house and Meg's further wants and desires. Next it will be a house in the desert to escape the "rainy" winter. Palm Desert and La Qunita, where everyone is in a gated, golf course community, will set back someone at least another $5M (or more) and the upkeep. They will want The Madison Club or Bighorn, they would not be allowed in The Vintage Club (actually PH, sans Meg, would.) I will make that $7.5M to $10M. Further, they will need a ski chalet, say Aspen or Park City. Maybe Sun Valley. Add another $10M to $15M for something ski-in ski-out, but not in Aspen.
Thinking a lot about her jewelry. It's never what you call statement pieces which is what I would have expected based on the book that she was always stopping by "up and coming" jewelers - rather than tiny little things which are the kind of thing I think of as something a school kid would wear if they weren't supposed to have jewelry.
So, if they were burglarized, they would lose some of that "starter" jewelry but it wouldn't be a payout like Kardashian or Ellen. But, I wonder what else they would find?
Hikari - You make a good point. The longest she really did much of anything was Suits. She does tend to float in and out of projects before moving onto the next shiny.
Property tax. Texas was 7th and New York 9th. I know that there are cheap properties in NY but what we hear about is NYC, Westchester (probably the two highest areas of the state to purchase in) which are not what you call sparely populated areas of the state.
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-highest-and-lowest-property-taxes/11585/
They don't even have to do a pocket listing. I've sold property to people just through using my attorney and theirs. Nobody knows about the sale until the records become public. It's legit. In one case, my atty knew I was selling a property that a client of another attorney in the firm might be interested in. To avoid a conflict of interest, the other attorney didn't work the deal, and the buyer used an attorney not affiliated with the firm to close the deal with my attorney. This happens all of the time.
Agreed. I am in the RE Development business, both commercial and residential, since the mid 90s. We do most of our deals in private via attorneys. All of my LLCs are housed in Delaware. But, we still scour the MLS all of the time and meet with listing brokers. Some listing brokers can really provide the local scoop.
That’s not how the actual RPO Ken Wharfe heard it and relayed it in a recent documentary called Prince Harry: The troubled Prince. He said Harry said during the argument one day William will be King, I won’t, it doesn’t matter I can do what I like. Richard Kay said the comment could’ve been taken in two ways, one way would indicate envy or an element I can do as I like and please.
I'm in commercial real estate acquisitions and development, with a few residential properties on the side. For more than 35 years. It's a cutthroat business, isn't it? Yes, we do need to watch the MLS and the listing brokers, but I've found that my best deals go through somebody who knows somebody, etc. It cuts out the middle man.
also it could be a nice landing pad for family should they swing by Califorinia on a tour. it’s got enough bathrooms. if the Harkles/ MM ever decide to stop throwing bombs, I could see them inviting PE/JAck or PC/ Cam as a start to keep the $ rolling in.
but the windmill and rain barrels are probably out. windmill is an eyesore and would have to go through town/neighbor commitees for approval.some people think there are health issues living near a windmill. and the rain barrel, i think California may be one of the areas that has strict regulations on water collection. CA is full of contradictory Water rules.
Agreed. Plus many "middle men" in RE have no idea what they are doing and will just screw up a deal if you let them. Brokers can be chief among them. If you are on the deal side, you have to exercise great caution with brokers. We tend to only deal with a listing agent for info only and then deal with attorneys.
My husband left investment banking (NY & the Middle East) in the late 80's and started his own RE investment business. I was in Private Equity until about 1993 when I met him. Although, early in my career I worked for the largest, at that time, commercial real estate investors in California. We were based out of La Jolla, early 80's. Those were the days.
Ironically, starting in 2004, we were hunting in Santa Barbara, Montecito and the Santa Ynez Valley. We actually thought about purchasing Kramer's lot (Seinfeld) just west of Santa Barbara. He was selling because west Santa Barbara was too far a drive from HW. We returned to Montecito during the financial crisis years, but valuations lacked any transparency. I am glad we pulled no triggers at that time, because prices in many areas have continued to fall.
I heard something else many years ago where in the backseat PW offered up his future to his nit-wit brother. I also remember reading (not hearing, sorry) about kicking and screaming.
Maybe the backseat fits by Harry were a frequent event.
When Charles becomes along, William will become Duke of Cornwall and will be invested as Prince of Wales.
Their book came out and has been widely panned and ridiculed. I think "pee gate" was meant for her to sound relatable but it just makes her sound crass. I know people do it and it's natural, but why would you put it in a book?
Details of their house buying leaked and it already sounds like a seriously shady operation, not to mention the house looks like a depressing ski lodge from 1995 on in the inside.
She hijacked her interview with Emily Ramshaw yesterday and this has been critiqued. She wore Trevor's bracelet again and waved her arms around wildly. I am sure she wanted him/his wife to notice. It's apparently not enough to ruin every day for Kate. I think she was hoping Emily would ask her about her book.
Finally, the story of them phoning one of their most vile fans on social media has finally leaked. I have followed that one for awhile. It's disgusting and frankly laughable, given their "social media is toxic" diatribe.
The house is irrelevant, IMO. It is a big fake monstrosity, perfect for Rache. Already, I am sure, they are the laughing stock of Montecito. No one will be unkind to their face, but they all know the score by now. Most HW people have some issue/s, but the older ones who made money and managed to hold on to it are not stupid. Plus they have cadres of lawyers, accountants and bankers. They are all pretty tight fisted and will steer clear of the H$rkles.
Not sure I can dismiss this house as irrelevant. Look at the huge stink that has been made over the renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage--2.4 million pounds is an absolute drop in the bucket to what the Harkles will owe on this palatial home. Ostensibly Charles is funding them, at least in part, which has already been acknowledged. This in addition to paying for their security team as well. Wonder if he bought them the Escalade they were recently seen being chauffered around in for their 'clinic papp walk'.
It is my understanding that Harry cannot touch the principal of his trust for another 5 years, give or take. He will be 36 a month from today, and the terms are 40.5 years, I believe? Even so, I can't imagine the BRF would let him access *all* of it in one go. This is his money, though, from his mother, so perhaps there's nothing they can do legally if he's determined to drain that account. So much can happen in 4 years, so that money isn't even a factor in this current purchase. If Charles has given them so much as a sou toward the purchase of this, then he's a bigger dolt than I thought him--their obligation to Frogmore has not been repaid. If they can put $5 million down on their Sussex Court West, how come they couldn't pay off what's owing on Frogmore? According to today's rates, 5 million US$ is 3.8 million pounds.
Craig Ferguson's pad in the Hollywood Hills was completely charming, albeit a bit more bijou than this place, but it had everything the current place has, just less of it. Plenty enough for a family of three. Doria could have had her own guesthouse. And that was going for around $5mill. They could have bought that outright--maybe even negotiated down, since the seller is motivated, having ditched L.A. altogether and gone back to his hometown. Of course Meg's insatiable need for the most ostentatious, flashiest thing available wouldn't have been slaked by a charming home they actually could afford without wiping out Harry's trust fund.
Somehow I do not envision the two faux-eco warriors installing windmills and a composting center in order to be energy efficient and save money. That's not how they roll. They will be next be looking into private jets, I'm sure, now that they have the house to go with it.
If, as I suspect, the Harkles really can't afford this place, and know they can't, they will stay there as long as they can eke out payments or deals in-kind (a number of venues here, given MM's former side-gig) so they can say they 'live in a mansion in Montecito.' Status things--cars, jewelry, residences, titles--are all extremely important in Meg's Narcissistic hierarchy of needs. It's not enough to simply have nice things and enjoy them quietly--her thirst for Narc fuel makes it imperative that she *be seen/known* to have these things. When they are upside-down on their payments or tire of the place, she will arrange another 'intrusive media' lawsuit and claim the drones have driven them away from the property. Though--the latest drone pic of Archie/Doria was purported to be taken at Tyler Perry's--a month after the Harkles were already supposedly in Montecito.
Meg's a rolling stone and she ain't done rolling yet. I think their tenure in Montecito is going to end up corresponding with the length of time she thinks she's still got some iron in the fire with Oprah, her Montecito neighbor. OR--the 12 month review with the BRF, whichever comes first. I give it 4-6 months in Monte. That is the length of time their alleged other two home stays lasted.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2904085/Andrew-buys-13m-ski-lodge-Never-mind-sex-slave-scandal-Prince-Fergie-snap-snow-palace.html
Considering what the daily life of Rache and Haz must be like . . 14 bathrooms or however many they've got is so redundant. How many 'friends' do we suppose are stopping by in Montecito for house parties? Even if Doria has her own suite kept ready for her, and maybe the security guys have their own wing of the house . . that's at least 10 bathrooms going spare, even if Meg and Harry each have their own en suite.
Does Meg think that a houseful of celebrity best pals are going to materialize now simply because she's got enough rooms to put them in? Anybody that she'd want to brag on as a houseguest has their own palatial mansion (or three) with a dozen bathrooms going spare. And it's not like Harry's got any local pals to contribute to the mix.
Oh, to be a fly on the wall at Sussex Court West . . . !
Oh, last night I found an episode of Suits on my Amazon Prime and I watched a snippet. I made it all the way to the opening credits. By that time there had already been 2 or 3 scenes, and one of them was 'Rachel Zane' and her boss/fiance in bed. There's some pillow talk, with Rache over-emoting as per usual--mashing faces together . .and then he flings the covers over both their heads saying something about "doing that thing we saw on the Internet" . . . .(she) titter, titter.
My God, it was awful. How did this show last 8, 9 seasons .. and how did she retain employment for 7 years of it? Her salad-tossing skills must be legend.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8038267/Prince-Edward-Sophie-Wessex-hiring-23-000-year-cook-Bagshot-Park-home.html
Royal Lodge: meh. Very generic looking. Looks like an office building, https://www.hellomagazine.com/homes/gallery/2020080594820/prince-andrew-sarah-ferguson-house-royal-lodge-windsor-photos/1/
Gatcombe Park. Very nice https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/property/a25832937/princess-anne-gatcombe-house/
So as someone who is born and raised in the US, aside from the fact that HAMS are in the US, their new house seems in general on par with the houses of other children of the monarch. I completely get the point about the economic situation in the UK along with brexit and the pandemic....
That's not what he said in the beginning. He said he was going to be the sole owner. Red flags go up. I decide right then and there to drop the entire thing because I smell some sort of a money laundering thing going on, and my attorney agrees with me. I'm not going to start doing business with the Chinese government. I tell the guy that I've decided not to sell the property at this time. So, this does happen, even to little old me.
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Your experience is almost a carbon copy of what I think happened to the Harkles. Except Russians know how to put on that hail-fellow-well-met faux charm, and Chinese nationals don't. (You are one of the savvy ones, with long experience, regardless of the personality of the potential buyer, and rightly smelled a rat -- whereas the Harkles are babes in the woods.)
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@Hikari said...
It doesn't seem like the neighbors will have to worry about being civil to their faces, since they haven't been seen at all since they arrived
Ah, but the entire world certainly knows exactly who the neighbors are, complete with past histories and pix, both of them and their estates, courtesy of the Daily Mail. The Harkles haven't even met them! I wonder how much these privacy-loving neighbors appreciate that! And this is just the beginning!
And sooner or later, the drones will come, and the cars will be followed, regardless of how many lawsuits are filed or police are called. The paparazzi know there could be a potentially Diana-sized payout for pix of the Harkle train wreck, and they're nothing if not bold and cunning. The Harkles have thrown down a gauntlet in more ways than one, whether they intended to or not.
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As for the house -- I'm reminded of the Victorian monstrosity Rhett Butler built for Scarlett, so "everyone who's been mean to me will be pea-green with envy."
But the Harkles most certainly cannot afford it -- any "green" revisions would only be a drop in the (insect-larvae-infested rain) barrel. Charles would practically have to bankrupt himself to keep them going. And I'm sure THAT'S going to go over well.
The whole sordid mess of the Harkles' dealings with the Russians will come out sooner or later, hopefully tarnishing the couple for good. Either that, or the jovial Russians will certainly drop the mask when the dynamic duo can't pay up.
I don't see how they can enjoy 15 bedrooms and 29 bathrooms, or whatever the h*ll it is. Who's going to come and visit? Family? AAANK. Bridge burnt. (Well, maybe Charles ... maybe.) Friends? What friends, besides maybe some of the hedonistic second-tier coterie of wannabes just like them? Life will be a constant case of George Jetson-like "thumbitis" on the phone, begging for gigs, any gigs. No reputable production company, nor any other company, for that matter, wants them. They, too, read the papers. Well, maybe a bone tossed here and there, like Harry's Paralympics introduction thing.
Just suddenly got a vision of poor little Archie, climbing up and down his fancy playground, all alone.
Any way you look at it, IMO, they're screwed.
Except that Harry is not a child of the monarch--yet. If the Harkles had lived quietly and modestly and saved up for this place after Charles was King, it wouldn't feel so outrageous. They might have established themselves by then. And that status only has social/economic meaning in the United Kingdom or a Commonwealth country. Over here, he's just a pretentious unemployed coddled man-child with a famous family and no marketable skills. Worse than a Kardashian.
Megxit is 8 months old; if it's true that they've been in this house for the last 8 weeks, then Meg and Harry felt themselves entitled to a lifestyle on a par with or surpassing that of a child of the Queen--six months after renouncing themselves as Royals.
If they can make their own money and pay for that house, and make good on their debts to the Crown in the matter of Frogmore Cottage, then they will have earned the right to have whatever kind of house they want. Let's see if that's how it shakes out.
Earl and Countess of Dumba*ston
Earl and Countess of Dumbf**kton
Earl and Countess of Dumbartsimpson
(Hahaha, sorry, any Scots Nutties!)
Re. Harry's meltdown in the car
That’s not how the actual RPO Ken Wharfe heard it and relayed it in a recent documentary called Prince Harry: The troubled Prince. He said Harry said during the argument one day William will be King, I won’t, it doesn’t matter I can do what I like. Richard Kay said the comment could’ve been taken in two ways, one way would indicate envy or an element I can do as I like and please.>
I recall reading that anecdote. Mr. Wharfe described himself and Diana just looking at one another after that outburst, like 'Where did THAT come from?' Presumably Mr. Wharfe was driving the vehicle at the time, but he managed to catch Di's eye.
If this incident occurred when H. was only 7, then William has been dealing with this kind of poisonous backstabbing for most of his brother's life. Who knows what had been running through Harry's mind just prior to 'the argument'. Had he been taunted at school? It seemed so random. Apparently Diana did not nip this attitude in the bud early but continued to feed it with her 'King Harry' schtick. If she'd lived, would it have made a difference to Harry's development, or would he still have turned out an embittered, jealous prat? 23 years later, the loss of Diana looms as great a tragedy as it was then.
New military titles for her -- https://www.forces.net/news/princess-anne-70-military-titles-and-patronages
Note the lengthy list of military ranks, patronages, sponsorships and memberships she has, compared to Hazbeen. AND the troops revere her, always have.
Many happy returns of the day!
The Duke of Cambridge described how King George VI's announcement on August 15, 1945, marked the end of 'the most catastrophic conflict in mankind's history.'
.....
'We are forever grateful to all those who fought alongside us.
'It is hard for us to imagine what Victory over Japan Day must have felt like at the time; a mix of happiness, jubilation, and sheer relief, together with a deep sadness and overwhelming sense of loss for those who would never return home.
'Today we remember those who endured terrible suffering and honour all those who lost their lives.'
The duke showed his gratitude to the wartime generation, which includes his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, who fought in the Far East and was aboard HMS Whelp in Tokyo Bay as the Japanese signed the surrender on the USS Missouri.
'He remembers vividly his role in collecting released prisoners of war, a sign, as sure as any to him, that the war was finally over,' William said.
Speaking on BBC One, William said: 'As he marked the moment the world had long prayed for, King George expressed his pride in the international effort from across the Commonwealth and allied nations which secured success in the Asia-Pacific region.
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What a contrast to his brother! And he looks very statesman-like.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8631193/We-forever-grateful-Prince-William-address-Britain-TV-tribute-honouring-veterans-VJ-Day.html
Just suddenly got a vision of poor little Archie, climbing up and down his fancy playground, all alone.
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I had that same thought. I think there is an Archie and I feel he will have a sad life. Maybe he does needs a sibling. Either way poor kid with La Markle as his mother. I hope something happens where he can go home to GB to be with his Winsdor family. Royal life must be hard but not nearly as creepy as living with the Despicable Duo.
Just saw Meg's TV appearance, sorry for being behind the times.
She's clearly doing her own hair and make up. The eyeliner is super-thick, and so is her hair, which is presumably a wig (or two wigs.)
Not the usual look of someone who just spent $14 million on a house.
Also, maybe one of her sugars could tell her that a monotone hair color isn't working for her any more. Most people's hair colors naturally soften a bit by the time they reach Meg's age.
Maybe Charles can cough up for an appointment with Kamala Harris' hairstylist. Kamala's just 15 years older than Meg, but she has a professional, flattering cut with highlights and lowlights in a less harsh honeyed brown.
https://thepostmillennial.com/meghan-markle-says-returning-the-us-amid-racial-tensions-was-just-devastating
You are correct regarding PA's, PA's and PE's houses. They are children of HMTQ who has reigned for 60+ years. The H$rkles could have waited until JH was the son of a Monarch. But the Mrs. is an evil witch and solely focused on her materialistic wants and desires even if it is to the detriment of all others. As I have previously said, she could and would hurt others in the service to her desires.
Speaking on BBC One, William said: 'As he marked the moment the world had long prayed for, King George expressed his pride in the international effort from across the Commonwealth and allied nations which secured success in the Asia-Pacific region.
What a contrast to his brother! And he looks very statesman-like.
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I think William is going to make a fine King. He reminds me so of his great grandfather George. A real noble and honorable guy. The other one, a joke really with his head up his cray cray wife's arse.
It really is very reminiscent of David and George and we all now how that turned out. Although I don't feel Kate is anything like Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She was an odd bird. Kate complements William very well. They are a treasure.
Fate was cruel, to have Anne born second, and a girl, in a time which did not recognize her worth. Had events transpired differently, and Anne been born the elder in a condition under which being a girl did not rule her out as heir, then we would be gearing up to usher in the reign of Queen Anne. She appears to be in every way suited to rule where Charles is not. This has been remarked upon constantly through both their lives.
Charles has a number of gifts, but lacks the ruthlessness required of a sovereign. Where he needs to be tough, he's too soft. Although he's been dutiful, one gets the sense that he never really wanted this burden that has come to him by dint of his birth, and he might have been more contented as the Duke of York rather than as Prince of Wales. Anne seems to be a mix of the best qualities of both her parents. She's got her mother's devotion to duty and love of animals, particularly horses, with her father's toughness and plainspokenness and lack of fuss. She would be decisive. If she were in charge of the
Duchy funds, this nonsense wouldn't be going on. Of course, if Harry had had the status of a Princess Eugenie, it never would have come to this pass--he likely wouldn't have even been a working royal and wouldn't have had the profile to attract Markle or cause the amount of kerfluffle he's doing now. His status as the heir's child has insulated him from a lot of the consequences of his behavior.
I am sorry that England will not have a Queen again for at least a century, if not longer--or perhaps there won't be any more Crown by then.
@Tatty, Bageshot may be big, but I believe I've read several times that it is largely closed off because Ed and Sophie cannot afford to heat it.
@Uhura, I saw some of the images of Anne in the Telegraph. One of the things I like best about her is the way she recycles her wardrobe over decades. I see this as very British traditional upper-class. She doesn't feel the need to impress anyone with flashy new outfits.
My reading of a similar incident has Harry screaming at and kicking and hitting PW in the backseat. Diana was driving. PW offered up his future Kingdom. This might have been in the very excellent The Diana Chronicles, by Tina Brown. Well worth the read.
I think the fits from Harry happened regularly. Recently I read that as a four year old Harry, riding his tricycle inside at KP, down a long hallway, rammed his tricycle into the legs of a military man assisting Diana at the end of the hallway. Apparently Diana asked Harry to apologize but later gave him "extra hugs and kisses."
In 1935 people also thought there wouldn't be a Queen anytime soon, and perhaps not a crown very much longer either. History has a way of surprising us.
"Although I don't feel Kate is anything like Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She was an odd bird. Kate complements William very well. They are a treasure."
I agree Kate isn't much like Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, at least what (as an American) I know about EBL
But don't you feel Elizabeth complemented her husband too? He would have been a very different king without her, I think.
Toys scattered around the Sussexes' living area, for example, or strollers or car seats when we see the Sussexes emerge from vehicles.
As those of you who are moms know, small kids tend to take over your life. Meg's gigantic double-wig hairstyle doesn't seem to fit with someone who is the mother of a grasping one-year-old.
June 27
Darling, what you gonna do with the Soho baby the world has never seen? Fire the child actor?! Btw no royal blood! Wasn't it called in medieval times a "bastard"?
May 6
Darling, hired the Child Actor baby, again. You have been a steady customer of the agency since South Africa. Asked for a discount yet? Btw aren't you a bit too old for couchsurfing?
FWIW, @torontopaper1 stopped posting about the same time Jess Mulroney and her team broke with Meg.
Yes, it does certainly do that. Though for Britain to have a Queen much sooner, that would have to mean that the reigns of King William V and his heir, King George VII, would either be very brief or else not happen at all. George could certainly have a firstborn daughter. Or--heavens forbid something happen to PG Tips, his sister would ascend as Queen Charlotte, presuming that George didn't have issue.
Any surprise of this sort wouldn't be a *pleasant* surprise. Though the last time Fate intervened in the line of succession for the House of Windsor, it was the salvation of both the house and the nation. The second son of whom not much had been expected was God's true anointed King in England's darkest hour.
In her memoir The Little Princesses, Marion 'Crawfie' Crawford relates that there were in fact regular and solemn meetings in the halls of government, both in Parliament and at the Palace about the future of the Princess Elizabeth, from about the time she was three years old. It was looking increasingly likely that the playboy Prince of Wales was not inclined to settle down and marry and produce the requisite heirs. As David was already fast approaching 40, this was a legitimate concern. For at least half a dozen years before the Abdication, contingency plans were being mooted about what would happen if David did not produce children. The courtiers were pessimistic. Elizabeth was more or less the Heiress Presumptive from her birth, though there was always the chance that either her parents would produce a son or her errant Uncle would do his duty for the Crown. The Abdication only solidified this position. A male heir for the new King and Queen did not appear to be in the cards, though it might have happened, though the Queen Mum had had rough deliveries and C-sections both times.
So for better or worse, everyone knew that Elizabeth would be Queen from the time she was 10 years old. That makes it quite quizzical to me that her parents did not invest more resources into her formal education.
But don't you feel Elizabeth complemented her husband too? He would have been a very different king without her, I think
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Somewhat in that they shared some values ie: she backed him in staying in London during the blitz when she could have jetted out. She came from an aristocratic background yet came across as a bit of a Hyacinth Bucket IMO. She lacked her husband's (and her daughters TQ's) class and elegance. Kate seems much more classy than the Queen mum was in that she keeps her dignity up well and is not petty as was TQ mum.
Some of TQ mum's influences towards David and Wallis have ramifications today. This is why the RF are dealing with the likes of La Markle. Because TQ mum was such a bitch over the abdication. She didn't handle it with finesse but then it was quite a scandal. I believe Kate has the chops to do better job, and is doing a better job as future Queen Consort. JMO.
In both cases, the girl child had (or appeared to have) a stronger personality than the male child. That's also the case with Danish royalty at the moment, when poor 14-year-old Prince Christian looks miserable in the public eye while his younger sister Isabella seems fierce and ready to reign.
I believe the Norwegian princess Martha-Louise renounced her royal title, although she's certainly had a sad life since, with the suicide of her former husband and the father of her daughters.
Lots of Queens coming up in Europe in the next generations - Victoria in Sweden followed by her daughter Estelle, Ingrid in Norway, Elisabeth in Belgium, Catharina-Amalia in the Netherlands.
Off topic, but I've been following the controversy about Catharina-Amalia being called "plus-sized". She is plus-sized, and a very pretty girl as well. People who advocate for better body acceptance for all sizes could hardly find a better representative.
I think a separate post on Archie is a great idea.
Many of the rich and famous never show their kids. With the resources available to them it is possible. I do feel there is a possibility he is not with the Harkles but I do think he exists. Narcs like her will make sure a baby is popped out to up the money grab. Someone like her would not leave that box unticked IMO.
Not disputing Kate will do a good job as Queen Consort.
As I said, I'm an American so maybe my view of Elizabeth (TQM) is mostly set in wartime and the period immediately thereafter. While I know the abdication was a big deal, I don't really know why much of the difficulty that posed would be laid at the feet of Elizabeth TQM (although I have read of her views about Wallis.) I also know she was what we'd call a "character" in the south. But I'm not seeing why the difficulties with Meghan would be her fault. Can you enlighten me?
So what there’s only 3 of of them. It’s not unknown for one person to live in such a space and larger and have staff. It’s not unusual to have his and her bathrooms per bedroom along with a dressing room each and a walk in wardrobe each. Sometimes there’s even a sitting area, sometimes incorporated within the bedroom, sometimes adjoined to the bedroom. ;o) Why would anyone only have 2 or 3 bathrooms in a large home, which you’re forced to walk half way round it just to spend a penny? Lol.
In the UK at least I’ve never seen fenced off swimming pools or ponds, man-made or otherwise. Children with responsible parents/nannies are watched and not left alone around water, and at the earliest possible age taught to swim and told about the dangers of water. Why assume the Duo will act like irresponsible, uncaring parents? I can’t stand them anymore than so many here, but I don’t assume they will leave their child unattended to wander around etc.
A lot of the comments (regarding the above topic) smack of the dreaded J word, and that’s never a great trait. :o/
On another note, I saw a repeated documentary about Hampton Court Palace, the Palace building itself covers 11 acres and has 1300 rooms, unfortunately it didn’t say how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has. ;o) Perhaps not a place you’d want to get caught short in! Lol It did state however how much in today’s money it would cost to build - £32 billion pounds. Absolutely astronomical when you think about it.
I do look at TP from time to time and their adjunct/helper Drip Drop. Drip Drop has told us that we have never seen the real "Archie." Drip Drop has also indicated that "Archie" carries neither the DNA of Harry or Megs.
It is a very curious situation and I believe it is at the heart of Megs being kicked out of the BRF.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2kcqaoFm3U
@Uhura, I saw some of the images of Anne in the Telegraph. One of the things I like best about her is the way she recycles her wardrobe over decades. I see this as very British traditional upper-class. She doesn't feel the need to impress anyone with flashy new outfits.
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Indeed yes. I remember back in the day how Royal fashion writers tried to sneer at her no-nonsense style, but she couldn't be bothered. She has always appeared situation-appropriate, and I can see the pride flashing out of her eyes when she is in uniform. Now, the York daughters, on the other hand, seem to have inherited their mother's er, shall we say, naivete toward fashion -- but they, too, always seem appropriate, if a bit off-key.
Joining those who think the Princess Royal would have made a far better monarch than Charles.
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Re: Archie I'm still on the fence, but leaning toward an actual baby, most likely IVF from both of the parents' sperm and egg. He's got Markle's crossed eyes, for one thing. And Markle may not be the best at being detail oriented, but she'll have certainly planned for the possibility of a DNA test. I do lean toward a surrogate so that they could ensure the baby was well and truly carried, without Markle having to suffer the indignities of a new-mom body. I also lean toward a doll being taken out at various times. I further lean toward Archie being much older than his *given* age.
Whatever it is, they're not doing themselves any favors with all the secrecy. A picture of Archie's foot indeed.
It is a disturbing incident. Why would a child throw a fit about wanting a kingdom like it was a toy or big piece of cake? Maybe Diana thought it was funny. But it shows lack of good parenting. It was left to poor William to quiet him down by agreeing to give him the kingdom? William was a child too and probably distressed and irritated and wanted to stop the screaming which his mother was not handling. I think Harry grew up thinking if I throw a fit and scream I get what I want. Just as he must have thrown himself on the floor and shouted he wanted to marry Meggy!
William's initial reluctance to embrace his inherited role must have given Hapless hope. But marriage to a caring and responsible woman, kids and also the realisation that his brother's feeble mental, emotional and intellectual skills coupled with his substance abuse,would wreak havoc on his family's ancient position, probably made William assume the role of king-in-waiting. Thank god for that!
My heart goes out to Kate, Eugenie, and now Trevor's new wife. They should get restraining orders.
To that end, I am sure she will keep "reaching out" to people like HRC, Michelle Obama and now Kamala
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8631351/Watch-mudslides-Friendly-warning-designer-Harry-Meghans-11m-mansion.html
As I said in an earlier post, I think that H&M's new house just isn't my taste. I can't imagine having to have that much landscaping maintained for one thing, even if water wasn't expensive and a finite resource. If I were to covet any of their residences, my list would probably start with Nott Cott, followed at a distance by the Canadian house. TP's house and the Montecito McMansion just wouldn't make the list. So not jealous.
The 19 number isn't the number of toilets. It's the listed number of bathrooms. So a master bath with 2 separate toilet areas would still be one bathroom. For even slight eco-warriors, that seems excessive. As does a 15,000 or so square ft residence for a family of 3. (Think that's about what the main house is.) I'm old enough to remember when 7,000 sq ft homes were considered really huge.
I like family homes where children can wander a bit without being in danger of falling off a balcony, drowning, or getting lost in the house. Not so much 1-yr olds, but 3-4 yr olds. I just can't imagine being comfortable in a home like TP's or the Montecito one nor can I imagine a child being comfortable.
I may be wrong (getting my information from too many novels maybe) but it's my understanding huge English homes (not necessarily 15,000 sq foot huge, but huge) often had a "nursery wing" where children and their nannies/ governesses were "kept." Not just a bedroom but a wing/suite. We don't tend to have nursery wings (and this house certainly doesn't have one), so it's not clear to me where children belong in this kind of set-up.
It's true that child safety has turned into a big deal in many ways. Fences around pools, child safety car seats (a relatively recent invention, after all), anything and everything is expected to be child-safe these days. And sometimes we DO go overboard. Parents are responsible for their kids, not the rest of the world.
Ken said Diana was driving and he was in the front with her. He didn’t state how or what the initial argument was about nor their age, but yes, the you will be King bit etc., he did say come out of the blue from Harry.
I personally think his words showed early signs of resentment and that Harry has long held that against William, perhaps he was taunted at school, who knows. My Mother says Harry likes Catherine and is jealous of William because of that relationship too.
It may be correct form to put the other person first but one daren't say it in the UK for fear of being thought to echo HM. A certain way of being laughed at.
In MM's case, she may be trying to assert her `regal' credentials. Puke!
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A recap on MA:
Markus Anderson, International Man of Mystery - there was speculation a while back, based on the apparent fact that he was born in the Canadian town where Andrew was sent in his youth, where he seems to have earned the nickname of `Randy Andy', a place called Peterborough. Moreover, Markus' birth seems to coincide, within 9 months, with the time Andy was there.
This has led some people to put 2 and 2 together - whether the answer they arrived at was correct is unknown. We didn't think much of the obvious hypothesis.
His sex life seems varied - Scobie has been described as his `squeeze' but he's also said to have had it away with Megsy - rumour had it that she gave him a special present for introducing her to Harry. He's clearly not very fussy.
We've heard very little about him recently, although there were whispers of a menage a trois in Canada but as it now seems they weren't in Canada at all for part, if not all, the time we thought they were, goodness knows what the truth may be.
All smoke and mirrors.
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Royal finances are well-known for being obscure - frankly, I haven't got a clue!
This is just a synopsis based on reading I have done on TQ mum.
She made sure David was banned from his country of birth so that he could never return to live. It was done to maximize cruelty it seems. She also is suspected of maneuvering the removal of Wallis' HRH title which I can't say I blame her. It is rumored that she was in love with David herself as a young woman therefore was jealous of Wallis.
The way it has impacted the modern RF is that now they have to tip toe around that Thing Harry married so as not to come across as old fashioned and mean spirited (as did TQ mum). If she were running things three years ago, she and Phillip would have run Megan out of town lol...
Apparently she detested Phillip because she felt he was an inferior match for her daughter and that his Greek heritage was beneath them. I can understand the reservations about the Nazi ties with Phillip and David although it was recently shown to not be true about Wallis and David's Nazi sympathies says a historian who monitored the work on the Marburg Files.
Perhaps those from GB with better insight can take over. I know I never really got a good feeling off of her. She came across as a snobby bitch and rather dumpy for a Royal. I feel guilty saying that because she was the mum of someone I really admire HMTQ.
I haven't read LCCs book on her but I should try again to find it locally. I don't do Amazon.
I am aware it’s not the number of loo’s but bathrooms Nutties were commenting on. Lol I was just making fun at the spectacle of running around a large home finding the nearest loo (within a bathroom etc) if they were thin on the ground. ;o)
The Duo’s home isn’t to my taste either, but that’s neither here or there.
I can only speak from personal knowledge and experience, you can have a large family home without a nursery wing (some people have a children’s play room) and have children live and play safely. ;o) Perhaps the Duo have a similar set-up. ;o)
Re: Archie I'm still on the fence, but leaning toward an actual baby, most likely IVF from both of the parents' sperm and egg. He's got Markle's crossed eyes, for one thing. And Markle may not be the best at being detail oriented, but she'll have certainly planned for the possibility of a DNA test. I do lean toward a surrogate so that they could ensure the baby was well and truly carried, without Markle having to suffer the indignities of a new-mom body. I also lean toward a doll being taken out at various times. I further lean toward Archie being much older than his *given* age.
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I agree 100%!
Harry and Meghan may have unwittingly delivered the wake up call our conceited and complacent Royals need: Diana's ex-private secretary PATRICK JEPHSON poses a provocative question...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-8631219/PATRICK-JEPHSON-Harry-Meghan-unwittingly-delivered-wake-call-Royals-need.html
Lady C puts it right on the line about Harry's serious ongoing mental health issues, Meghan's personality issues, and their attempts to shut down the media and forums that don't agree with their goals. This is well worth watching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2kcqaoFm3U
Thank you! Watching it right now :)
What is the “dreaded J word’? Please illuminate. If it’s “Judgement” then you’re darn tootin’ I am judging them. Do you think it entirely appropriate that they should live in palatial style after creating quite nearly a constitutional crisis and taking a dump all over the Queen, And anyone who’s ever cared for them? Not to mention the British people—The hard-working taxpayers of a weary post Covid, post Brexit Britain? It is they—Along with the farmers of the Dutchie of Cornwall, who are paying the costs of that monstrous vanity project in Southern California. The proprietary right for real judgment and ire belongs To the British citizens Financing this little jolly. Not forgetting that Meg and Hapless may also be in hock to the Russian mafia for those digs. That me directly impact their own health and longevity if you get what I mean, not to mention what kind of information might knucklehead have given the Russians about Crown security? I think there’s a very real chance the Harkles May be convenient patsies for a money laundering scheme.
.
You are missing the point about the ridicule over the bathrooms. I’m sure the bedroom/living space to bathroom ratio is standard. The point is, the Harkles have more house than they can afford. Obscenely so. Not even the entire Kardashian clan put together requires 29 bathrooms. Excess is a hallmark of celebrity, Which is why Meg is so keen on it...For a couple with very few if any friends and family members they haven’t alienated permanently, How many visitors will be filling the house to utilize those bathrooms ever? That’s gonna leave at least 25 bathrooms at least sitting there, not to mention all of the empty beds. Meg has been scheming for years about how she’s going to show off to everybody after she is “made it”. But neither one of them has any mates or family left...At least, the ones which Meg would want to associate with will not associate with her. Even someone as lovably obtuse is Charles must know the optics of going there to see what his money bought would be terrible. Besides, if any family members besides Doria came over, She have to produce an Archie And that would be difficult to my thinking. Especially if their lack of an Archie is the reason they fled to England in the first place.
This whole scenario is beginning to sound like a pulpy novel by Eric van Lustbader. Meg may think she’s wicked smart, but she really does not want to run afoul of the Russian mafia.
Plenty of warnings there for her to avoid some of the mistakes of her predecessors -don't even think of trying to be an Absolutist; treat parliament with respect; be very careful of who you associate with - some royal favourites in the past were real undesirables. I could go on...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Marten_(educator)
One of my university contemporaries was governess-taught until she was 12, when she was sent away to school; it certainly didn't do her any harm but she was bright. A kind, well-qualified, governess may be a better bet than some attempts at home-schooling.
I, on the other hand, had a completely different educational history (council-school kid, from a house with only a few books) - it just shows how generalisations are unreliable.
"I am such a fraud!" - Meghan Markle
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G13v8NbRBO0
TTTHM = That Thing That Harry Married.
Ah, as usual with your excellent posts, lots to unpack in my own pea-brained, pointy head :) ... however, will do my best --
RR,
What is the “dreaded J word’? Please illuminate. If it’s “Judgement” then you’re darn tootin’ I am judging them. Do you think it entirely appropriate that they should live in palatial style after creating quite nearly a constitutional crisis and taking a dump all over the Queen, And anyone who’s ever cared for them? Not to mention the British people—The hard-working taxpayers of a weary post Covid, post Brexit Britain? It is they—Along with the farmers of the Dutchie of Cornwall, who are paying the costs of that monstrous vanity project in Southern California.The proprietary right for real judgment and ire belongs To the British citizens Financing this little jolly. Not forgetting that Meg and Hapless may also be in hock to the Russian mafia for those digs. That me directly impact their own health and longevity if you get what I mean, not to mention what kind of information might knucklehead have given the Russians about Crown security? I think there’s a very real chance the Harkles May be convenient patsies for a money laundering scheme.
.
You are missing the point about the ridicule over the bathrooms. I’m sure the bedroom/living space to bathroom ratio is standard. The point is, the Harkles have more house than they can afford. Obscenely so. Not even the entire Kardashian clan put together requires 29 bathrooms. Excess is a hallmark of celebrity, Which is why Meg is so keen on it ...
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Make NO mistake about it. This Harkle train wreck is an existential crisis, not merely a sideshow of *royals misbehaving.*
I laugh at them, mock them, deride them, slice them into every ribbon I can, and I enjoy it -- why? BECAUSE THEY DESERVE IT, and so much more. So far, it's the only weapon I have against their puerile attempt to *get Daddy for taking the T-Bird away,* if Britons and Americans remember the Beach Boys' iconic song and get the reference.
*Heaving sigh* ... Okay, @Hikari, must live to rant another day, but fear not. You are putting my thoughts into your words. :)
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Next up, the article @Raspberry Ruffle shared. Jephson has some good points to make, but his Britishness is quaint and smile-inducing, and might undercut his argument a bit, at least to this Yank, :)
Oh yes, the rumor that Markus Anderson must be the love child of Prince Andrew, owing to The latter’s birth in Peterborough within 9 months of the Royal tenure at Peterborough College.
Andrew was by most accounts very popular with the lassies back then. By that logic, he could well be the sire of every child born in the Peterborough area Within a year of his arrival. Not sure about the birth rate in the district at that time, but jeez that must be 100+ babies. Not even Randy Andy could work that prolifically. If Markus were not connected to Meg, nobody would think so. The Saxe Coburg features are quite distinctive, Particularly the teeth. Markus doesn’t look anything like Andy, plus I think he’s really short.
What I do find far more plausible: MA Being the perspective sperm donor for ‘Arch’. If Meg’s harvested eggs were sitting in Toronto, And Marcus is based in Toronto....And Harry was either unwilling or incapable of participating accords not to Meggy’s ramped up timeline...Well. I always thought it really odd that Harry would exhibit so much FB uncertainty over his own paternity if he knew the score.
Meg and Markus were always plotting together ... He was at the notorious New York baby shower, And evidently part of a ménage living at Tyler Perry’s if that Intel is reliable. Harry’s demeanor & appearance decided changed For the worse after the “pregnancy announcement” at Eugénie’s wedding. That’s what I think it all began to unravel. Now he’s embroiled in something that he cannot extricate himself from. His family would help, only he’d have to prostrate himself and beg their forgiveness first, and admit that he is an idiot and they were right. This hisego will not allow...And equally to the point, it’s in Meg’s interest to keep him isolated from his royal family. Harry is in deep merde. What’s Russian for Merde?
She wanted his brother who was not interested in her (that way) so she turned and got the second in line.
She had a very lackadaisical education so she really was more concerned about having her daughters make a good match instead of education can catapult you in ways you don't know about.
She was not very nice to PP's mother (who was deaf) but was able to read lips in like four languages (Greek, English, French and I think German? Russian?). Impressive as many just stop at one (if at all back then). She was not friendly towards the Nazis. That was a woman I would have liked to have meet.
Baby? I'm in the leaning towards surrogate (maybe even all the way from both sides - how dare you suggest otherwise?). At best, I'm thinking his DNA. It was "quite" convenient (she says with raised eyebrows).
I hadn't made the connection between TorontoPaper1 and the Jess split. hmmm, nothing burns like a woman scorned or left behind. Duh? If there is some connection, I would be worried about what they might "say" next as it was fairly consistent with the being able to needle and taunt.
Let's say, for example, that the RF really was toxic and H&M had to "escape." If this is true, then why is this strong, humanitarian feminist retaining her Royal titles and accepting $$$ from PC? Why is the tagline of their book "a modern Royal family?" (I thought they weren't supposed to use the word Royal).
We know she has had no problem cutting off her own family, whom she also deems toxic. So why not do it here? And how is it that one person is so constantly surrounded by so many other people who are all toxic? What are the chances?
She had the ruthlessness needed to consolidate power and the throne for George and Elizabeth. She may have always blamed him for Georges early death at having to take on his brother’s responsibilties, but it was a different time and mores back then. she did what needed to be done. as far as banning the Windsor’s from returning to england, she did what had to be done.
Edward was extrememly popular prior to his abdication/ Wallis marriage. you can’t have the former King & wife in his prime living, in the country they ruled, even figuritively, espicially if he was as popular as his was at one time. George/ Liz ( the true monarchs) wouldnt get the respect, attention and overall solidarity they need to be monarch. some in the press, and public would always be questioning whether Edward should have reamined and he would have split the support George/ Liz rceived. out of sight out of the publics mind for th most part. and with Edward and Wallis living as useless bon vivants, rather than duty to country only helped secure George and Liz as the true Monarchs. Queen Mum knew this.
Not to mention the Windors were meeting with Nazi’s in the 30’’s and there was some support amongst the aristocracy for the Nazi’s. It’s would have been a major percieved division of power. not good.
in todays world it seems harsh, but Queen Mum was a different generation. hers was Boxer Rebellion, WW1 - the War to end all Wars, the Ruusian Reveloution,China Reveloution, Spanish Reveloution, WW2, etc. it was a different time that we softees of today don’t understand
So Terry Cunningham has turned up. That's interesting in itself. But if you want to get a first hand view of the mudslides in 2018 here is the story from one of the Riven Rock residents who had their house almost destroyed by the wall of mud that came down the mountain.
https://www.noozhawk.com/article/frank_mcginity_a_personal_journey_through_a_sea_of_mud_riven_rock_20180218
That was up the block..
Someone earlier asked about the history of the original Riven Rock estate before it was subdivided in the late 1940's.
https://www.independent.com/2016/12/21/montecitos-riven-rock/
It was in the local news a few years ago because of a novel written by T.C. Boyle of the same name had been the subject of a documentary. There was some discussion about the novels historical accuracy and how much liberties had been taken with the McCormick story.
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-exceedingly-strange-case-of-the-mccormick-sex-machine/Content?oid=895951
The original main house on the estate fell down in the 1925 earthquake. The earthquake that was responsible for making downtown so beautiful. Mostly flattened by the earthquake and rebuilt in a unified Spanish Colonial style under the watchful eye of the Architectural Commission.
I also had a quick look at the current property listings for Montecito area and what is interesting is that there are some really spectacular yet easy to run estates in the $5M to $7M range on the market. Some are really impressive. So spending $15M in the current market for what they got was pure ostentation. Nothing else. They could have got a really nice impressive place for the down-payment with annual running cost of maybe 20% of what they will be paying for the carbuncle they actually bought.
Let's say, for example, that the RF really was toxic and H&M had to "escape." If this is true, then why is this strong, humanitarian feminist retaining her Royal titles and accepting $$$ from PC?
CookieShark, You have asked one of the ultimate questions.
The gymnastics the Harkles employ to avoid a direct answer to this question (and others) would SURELY!!! win a gold medal.
*Strong, humanitarian feminist.* Back in the day, when someone confronted me, I was encouraged, by my parents, to look straight into their eye and say, "Who SEZ?" Nine times out of 10 they'd scuttle back off into their cockroach lairs (Markle-like). The 10th time out of ten, I went home with scrapes and blood. (Dad: "You show 'em.") (I was destined never to be the *girl guys wanted*, but didn't matter a whit! Got the love of my life regardless!)
The use of Royal titles is the only hole card the Harkles have got. And it is disappearing like dust in the wind.
"Strong feminist" my manky Markle foot. Markle instantly reverts to the status her title gives her (so she thinks) amidst an avalanche of public opinion that will bury her in her own sparkles.
Everyone, and by that I mean everyone who is still sane, which is still most people, see Markle for the phoney she is. Phoneyness, seems to me, is the evil we must fight in all of the areas of our lives.
Queen Mum - i think she was great.
She had the ruthlessness needed to consolidate power and the throne for George and Elizabeth.
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@JHanoi -- Ruthlessness, we are told, is "white supremacy" or some such nonsense. In fact, ruthlessness is a quality shared by humans throughout history. The need to get things done.
Nowadays, ruthlessness means Do what needs to be done with as little collateral damage as possible.
Maybe Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother went a bit overboard with David. But the alternative was him on the throne. Some of us Americans realize what a catastrophe that would have been.
No. F. Way.
housing at least in the US is very expensive and I imagine the same in the UK. HM picks up the tab for alot of people under her wing. She’s also got a very large purse. I do wonder about those people under her wing that have given her dedicated service over the years, what happens to them when PC takes over, and then PW? Do either toss them out on the street? it would make for very bad PR if they did ....
They should be the first ones served and the last to be kicked out.
I am liking the theory of over-inflated offer being a way some shady oligarch launders his money, and the Duke and Duchess of Sucks get their tacky house. (The grounds are lovely, but the house looks cheap somehow to me.) I liked the other house being (House in the Clouds?!) better.
There have always been ungrateful, jealous rotters in the BRF, but as mentioned above, social media intensifies everything by several orders of magnitude.
Some of us Americans realize what a catastrophe that would have been.
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I agree! I'm thankful George became King and not the weak minded David. I view King George as he was very honorable man. His wife, not so honorable but she got the job done. IMO
I do not support Nazi's so with that said, I have always thought history shows that the Windsors were Nazi sympathizers. I have seen the photos and that's what it looks like to me. I saw a recent documentary where a historian stated (not me, the historian) that the final evaluation of the files showed there was no collusion with the Germans. I was surprised by that. I can't remember which doc it was but I'll try to find it.
@Tatty
I can’t imagine Charles loving the house, not to his aesthetic taste.
His dovecote has more charm.
Megs is free to pee wherever.
Reminds me of a dog marking its territory, was Harry privy to her privy.
I find it hilarious and can’t help but extract the urine.
Sorry, it’s my toilet sense of humour.
She was not very nice to PP's mother
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Interesting since Princess Alice of Battenberg (now Mountbatten) was a born Royal Princess, in Windsor Castle for F's sake, a great granddaughter of Queen Victoria. But Elizabeth Bowes Lyon was the daughter of a mere Lord. Yet she felt Price Phillip and his mother were beneath her? What was that about I wonder?
The proprietary right for real judgment and ire belongs To the British citizens Financing this little jolly.
__________________________________________
I totally agree! I highly encourage the citizens of the UK that feel like we do here on this blog (I include us lowly Yanks), to take it public. LCC said in her most current podcast the only way the Royals will put a stop to H&Ms BS is if the anger goes public and there is an outcry. I posted this sentiment here a few days ago something along the lines of showing up at the BP gates.
LCC also says that according to former Royal sources, it is possible the RF/TPTB, are allowing for the Harkles to go to the left politically now that they are in the US, because it will appease the left in the UK and they (the RF) can stay in favor with everyone!
I found that to be a very interesting comment indeed...
RR,
What is the “dreaded J word’? Please illuminate.
ROFL, thank you for asking. I was running over the possible J-words in my mind. Jackanapes? Jaundice? Jealous? Jewels? Jews? (Sorry, Grandma, you KNOW it's always the fault of the Jews!)
Regardless, put me firmly in the camp that cannot help but observe that they do not follow their own screechings about living sustainably and environmentally consciously. (I really dislike hypocrites.) They COULD have done so many things such as live in a smaller, non-ostentatious house in an area of the country that isn't so environmentally sensitive. They COULD have looked at builders that build houses that are self-sufficient out of renewable resources and even filmed a documentary of their house being built on a budget that collects its own water, produces its own food supplies via gardens, and composts its own wastes. They could have done a lot of things, but they didn't. I remember Harry all barefoot giving a speech about climate change at Camp Google's Expensive Getaway for the rich yet ignorant dilettantes. Tell me about it, Harry. What happened to climate change again?
I have to wonder whether the monies that she (allegedly) charged the African ladies for meeting with her contributed to this monument to their greatness. Don't get me wrong, I don't CARE if somebody lives in a huge house that they worked for and can afford. I just don't want them to tell ME that I have to do without electricity, or can't travel, or drive my truck because environmental reasons. Those that do can just kiss my butt.
Again, I note that she is all about being "kind" (imagine my snorting like a rhinoceros over that), while having 'fans' that call for the deaths of the Cambridges and their children, but does she say anything about this? *crickets*
@Hikari
I agree, Harry started to unravel at Eugenies wedding/pregnancy announcement.
The RR’s said that he was rude to them at the start of the Oz tour.
“Welcome, even though you weren’t invited?”
He continued to be surly, scowl at them, throughout the tour.
This has been his demeanour ever since.
I believe the word you’re looking for is der’mo.
The der’mo will certainly hit the fan if they are involved with the Russkies.
Both Megs and Harry lived the party life before they met. Harry is renowned for his drinking and partying. Megs was the party girl of the SoHo House and probably beyond. From all appearances, they haven't matured much since that time in their lives. They are still party animals at heart. Remember when they moved from the palace, and one of their neighbors at the palace (I can't remember who) said there was constant noise and partying going on at their apartment, and that they were glad that they left? ?
What if they bought the mansion as simply a party or rental (by the night) house, on the lines of a small SoHo House, where their shady friends could stay and party for days? That would take a huge house with lots of bathrooms and bedrooms. Of course, zoning could be a problem, but I think they think they could get away with it, as they think are just so much smarter than everybody else. They would love to be party animals by night and conquer the world by day, and that house was built for partying.
Of course, the neighbors will finally get tired of the noise and the comings and goings, but what can they really do except file a noise complaint?
I just found this:
"How many vacation rentals are available around Santa Barbara, CA?
Our 2020 property listings offer a large selection of 857 vacation rentals around Santa Barbara. From 464 house rentals to 66 cottage rentals, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends."
Look at this listing from Trip Advisor:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g33045-d6665275-Our_Lovely_Hillside_Oasis-Santa_Barbara_California.html
So what do you say? Does this "have legs," as MM would say? Thoughts?
all of her daughters married Nazi officiers, didn’t she leave her children to be raised by others beause of her mental issues and her husband dumped her totally broke? didnt the Greek revolution happen around then and thats why PP ended up essentially stateless? civil unrest and revolutions can be contagious and spread to other countires. Alice wasn’t altogether conventionally ‘well’.
maybe i assumed to much when i read about the partying