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Open Post: Lacey, A Statue, and Appeals

There's a lot to discuss about the World of the Sussexes. We have the new chapters in Lacey's book, ANL getting approval to appeal the Letters Case, Diana's Statue Unveiling, and more. Let's discuss...

Comments

Ava C said…
@Maneki Neko asked where I had seen the piece about pregnancy being different for women of colour.

Well it took a while but I found it. It's only Grazia but it stayed in my mind as I hadn't come across this MM defence before. See my emphasis below:

[...] it was with a strange mix of horror, distaste, sympathy and fatigue that I learned of the ‘Meghan Moonbump’ theories circulating on the internet. In particularly dank and unpleasant corners of YouTube, Reddit and the like, anonymous strangers have built videos, threads and illustrated essays expanding on the crackpot theory that Meghan Markle is, in fact, not pregnant, but wearing a strap on rubber belly, has employed a surrogate, or is otherwise ‘faking’ it. In fact, global searches for 'Meghan Markle fake pregnancy' are up 1650% in the last 90 days. and 'Meghan Markle fake bump' is up 4400%.

There are two parts to this strange phenomenon; firstly, Meghan Markle is a woman of colour, secondly she is a member of the royal family. The first part is significant. In every illustration in almost every single pregnancy and birth book, on every pregnancy test box, in all our tampon, nappy and breastpump adverts, on every online online advice column, at every NCT class and in every medical diagram, the woman and her baby we are exposed to is white. In Britain we simply are not publicly familiar with what pregnancy, birth and newborns look like for women of colour. It is a silence, created by capitalism, convention and unconscious bias.


https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/parenting/meghan-markle-fake-pregnancy-rumours/

As I said earlier, I've never seen a woman of colour with a square bump that changes size back and forth and indeed - a very clever thing this - disappears altogether, at a fairly advanced stage of pregnancy. That seemed to have something to do with whether one had booked a paparazzo or not.

I've had close colleagues who were women of colour and worked alongside them throughout their pregnancies and never noticed anything different. I'm perfectly willing to accept and indeed I'm aware of the different statistics for pregnant women of colour in terms of birth outcomes etc. We're not talking about that. We're talking about seeing a woman walking about in an apparent state of pregnancy who looks and behaves entirely differently to every other pregnant woman we've ever seen. Not to mention the irregularities with the attending clinicians, registration, location, date and time etc.

I was pleased to read that William was infuriated by it all. He understood how undermining and unsettling it all was for the country and - most importantly of course - the danger it posed and still poses to the succession. What a menace that woman is. And how much I resent that label 'unconscious bias'. Why should we be insulted because of her deliberate obfuscation and sabotage?
Whereas the consummation of a Royal marriage was once itself a matter of spectacle, with the bedchamber being crowded with onlookers, I doubt if a Home Secretary ever saw much to embarrass anybody. presumably it was just a matter of checking that no doctors or midwives going in to the labouring mother could possibly be secreting a cuckoo child about their person.

I can't imagine Queen Victoria would tolerate any politician (male of course) witnessing a child emerging from her private parts, although I'm open (if you'll excuse the term) to correction.

By the time of 20thC, our sense of delicacy was well developed, nothing like that of previous generations. For example, such matters as `the call to stool' once literally involved a piece of furniture of that name ( a `close stool', akin to a commode) being used in full view of the servants, who were also call upon to wipe the royal fundament. The change to a more modern, private, approach would have been facilitated by the provision of modern sanitation.

Signatures from 2 trusted doctors should be more than adequate.

After all, who in their right mind would attempt to introduce a usurper into the Royal Family - or what kind of paranoid 21st person would even imagine that such a thing could happen?

Welcome to the world of Rachel Meghan Markle - she's the one who inhabits dark corners.
We are constantly informed that we are all alike under the skin, whatever the colour on the outside, and that it is racist to believe otherwise.

So none of that is true?

That it's now racist to believe that we are no different?

That it's true that black women have a completely different biology?

You can't even put differences down to deprivation and hardship in TBW's case.
JerseyGirl said…
@lizzie said : And rubies are the birthstone for May. (Not that using a birthstone for the month of the wedding makes sense, but it makes as much sense as many of M's other symbols and forced connections.)

Rubies are the gemstone for July. My birthday is in July and I have received many rubies during my lifetime.

Emeralds are the gemstone for May. It's probably not birthstone related and more of the month of May issue for the Tiara she wanted to use. She shouldn't have been allowed to wear any of the family jewels, unfortunately it's all only in hindsight I can say that.
@Ava C - the give away above is that word `capitalism'.

It says everything about where this rubbish is coming from. They are incapable of seeing what is caused by economics (as Marx believed) and what is biology.

I'm tempted to ask, in terms of Hegelian dialectic, does that makes the Royal family the Thesis, Markle the Antithesis and Archie the Synthesis? I might agree with that, but certainly not in the way Marx intended!
Ava C said…
@WBBM - yes, many of the statistical differences for pregnancy complications and birth outcomes for women of colour are due to poverty and inadequate medical care but that doesn't apply here at all. Yet again M and her sugars are appropriating aspects of her ethnicity that give her an advantage or provide cover for her shenannigans. She could have the best care money could buy, just as she could have got the best mental health support in the country with one brief phone call.
LavenderLady said…
@WBBM said,
Whereas the consummation of a Royal marriage was once itself a matter of spectacle, with the bedchamber being crowded with onlookers, I doubt if a Home Secretary ever saw much to embarrass anybody. presumably it was just a matter of checking that no doctors or midwives going in to the labouring mother could possibly be secreting a cuckoo child about their person.

I can't imagine Queen Victoria would tolerate any politician (male of course) witnessing a child emerging from her private parts, although I'm open (if you'll excuse the term) to correction.

By the time of 20thC, our sense of delicacy was well developed, nothing like that of previous generations. For example, such matters as `the call to stool' once literally involved a piece of furniture of that name ( a `close stool', akin to a commode) being used in full view of the servants, who were also call upon to wipe the royal fundament. The change to a more modern, private, approach would have been facilitated by the provision of modern sanitation.

Signatures from 2 trusted doctors should be more than adequate.

After all, who in their right mind would attempt to introduce a usurper into the Royal Family - or what kind of paranoid 21st person would even imagine that such a thing could happen?

Welcome to the world of Rachel Meghan Markle - she's the one who inhabits dark corners.

____
Totally agree with this!
SirStinxAlot said…
@Lavender Lady said

I too believe there HAS to be a way to clearly define the validity of Royal births without invading the mother's privacy. DNA is perfect for such a role. The BRF have everything at their command to do such. But then, the dialogue starts all over again ad nauseam concerning the Sussex's births, and I am positive the 1000 year old BRF have a plan on how to maneuver that damning piece of info...


Except, UK law states the child must be born of the body. The rule has been challenged many times by adopted and surrogate children, not able to inherit totles.
LavenderLady said…
@WBBM said,
That it's now racist to believe that we are no different?
____

Reminds me of stories of old days, examining heads, checking for bumps on those deemed less than human-but in reverse. If that makes sense...

I do not think this is what @AvaC is getting at. But it does bring up questions of what did that mean? Women of color and their birth biology/function? Sounds like a possible stab at identity politics to me. To "spice up" the article in other words.

I can see surely how culture affects birth practices but biology is biology. As a modern day WOC, I give birth to my children in no different ways than my White friends.
LavenderLady said…
@AvaC said,
yes, many of the statistical differences for pregnancy complications and birth outcomes for women of colour are due to poverty and inadequate medical care but that doesn't apply here at all. Yet again M and her sugars are appropriating aspects of her ethnicity that give her an advantage or provide cover for her shenannigans. She could have the best care money could buy, just as she could have got the best mental health support in the country with one brief phone call.

___

Thanks @Ava. I just posted about this. Yes I can see how demographics for data purposes fits there but as you stated, not in her case. So why did the journo bring it up? Hmmmm... I'm paraphrasing here.
xxxxx said…
Fairly quiet here as we wait for July 1, 2021 and the flood from Royale Commenters in the aftermath. I predict that noone will know nothing so to speak. But they will guess and speculate it to death. Providing us with laughs + entertainment value.

Lady C will be killing it on this. Lady C the H/M gossip monger, truth monger extraordinaire. My opinion is that she has more sources than most other UK mainstream press commentators. To be sure, she puts out some duds from time to time. Her youtube views are always increasing. Getting her some £££ since she has long since monetized her channel. She has a castle to maintain! And a mongrel dog to feed the best!

What obvious placements will SS etc. make for M? More fun in NuttyVille comes finding them. Train Spotting? Here we do SS/etc. placement spotting.
More rubbish from Lacey:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9736565/Harry-ready-admit-mistakes-sheer-temper-repair-royal-rift.html

I give it as much credence as the accompanying article about the psychic who claims to have foreseen Prince Philip’s death, the emergence of Covid 19 in 2020 (the clue’s in the name) and an unspecified plane crash.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9736261/Psychic-Deborah-Davies-predicted-coronavirus-outbreak-reveals-thoughts-two-years.html

I predict that every person alive today and those yet unborn will die… It’s called `mortality’.
xxxxx said…
Your latest DM delights and zingers. Poached from -- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9736565/Harry-ready-admit-mistakes-sheer-temper-repair-royal-rift.html#comments

......................

KAG949, South Orange County CA, United States, less than a minute ago

Harry and Megs can pound sand. They're nothing but arrogant poop stirrers and opportunists looking for an angle to claim victim and a "cause" to make money off their money laundering charities.
.......................

Happy to share, England, United Kingdom, less than a minute ago

Weve all known couples where the lust has been the force... wham bam, two kids and a hot minute later one of them realises that the physical attraction masked sense, and regrets it for the rest of their life. They will love the children but be ruined by the other parent, and society picks up the mess, financially and in every other way.

........................

Iseult, North Coast NI, United Kingdom, 31 minutes ago

Harry's running scared, if he can't get people to see him as a bona fide royal how's he going to get on American tv or get these wonderful jobs that have been dreamt up for him or get anyone anywhere in the world to listen to his boring speeches? He NEEDS the royal title and the royal family as without them he's just a boring rich man of no more account than anyone and indeed of less account than anyone with an actual real job.

So, he'll coming creeping back as much as he thinks necessary to make sure he can still talk about the royal family as though he's still a 'real' royal. His type is easy to spot, not exactly brave enough to have the courage of his convictions if that means being an outsider.

Er, what was that about wanting to rescue William from the position he's in, Harry, that terrible terrible position that you wouldn't take yourself if it meant you were going to be king and your wife queen? Not half you wouldn't take it - LOL!

............................

gladyshope, salisbury, United Kingdom, 2 hours ago

William's little brother has proved that he is unable to study to any depth (eg A Levels, Army Major course) or to steadfastly honourably fulfil his duty to respect his forces comrades, and comprehend what the RF is about and passing it on to his wifey. With his recent behaviour and spouting the RF and the people here who contribute to the RF have absolutely no reason to believe or trust anything he utters.

That doesn't even touch whether his wifey is even up to his low standard in the area of trust and respect. Please let him and her go. Don't open our people and RF to more of this. He can come for funerals if he has enough dignity.
LavenderLady said…
Edit:
As a modern day WOC, I **gave** birth to my children in no different ways than my White friends.

If I can give birth today, call the Vatican...
@Lavender Lady

What I'm trying to say is that we generally accept that it is racist to believe that there are inherent, biological, differences between different groups of people. That is, skin colour and any other outward differences we perceive are superficial.

` Am I not a man and brother?' dates to the Abolitionist movement of the late 18thC.

`If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? ' Shylock's speech in the Merchant of Venice (late 16thC)

Yet now we are now being informed that in assuming that Markle's pregnancy should resemble that of a white woman we are wrong. Apparently, it's `different ' for a woman of colour: their bumps can be square; the ligaments supporting the womb are so elastic (!) the bump can drop to the knees and bounce back like a yo-yo; the bump can be an inconsistent size, disappearing when it's inconvenient; the bump has negligible mass and doesn't change a woman's centre of gravity?

I feel that it's implicit in this view that anyone who expects the pregnancy to conform to `white norms' is racist and it won't be long until they say it.
@Lavender Lady

Ditto!

Since my `op' 30 years ago, I lack the wherewithal to bear a child, a state I would have arrived at anyway, given time.

Does this mean I'm no longer a woman?
@Lavender Lady;

Should I have used 2nd person rather than 3rd person pronoun in my last post, or both? Or neither?

I hope I caused no offence.
Ava C said…
I don't know about you all, but I'm sick to the back teeth of seeing the words 'Robert Lacey'. So much coverage and he seems to be nothing special. We've already picked on at least one conspicuous inaccuracy - that William and Kate were part of the procession at the Commonwealth Service when they were actually pulled out of it to placate the Sussexes and we all saw the service on TV. Hasn't he watched it? He seems to have a very strange, convoluted agenda. Like someone putting his toe into a hot bath and pulling it out again repeatedly. He doesn't seem brave enough to have the courage of his convictions. A bit of a broken reed. One minute he's cataloguing H's mistakes and misdeeds and the next he's saying William has to give in and take a share as part of the problem. He seems totally out of touch with UK public opinion.
LavenderLady said…
@WBBM,

No worries. I Am Woman Hear Me Roar was once the feminist movement's anthem. In my opinion it stills stands!

No offence taken at all :)
lizzie said…
@JerseyGirl wrote:

"Rubies are the gemstone for July. My birthday is in July and I have received many rubies during my lifetime. Emeralds are the gemstone for May."

Thanks. That's what I meant to say but got lost in the twists and turns!

I obviously don't know but i could see M deciding she wanted to use a color for such a silly reason as the birthstone for the wedding month. (It's the birthday for us as a couple, H, don't ya know!)

I do think many of M's connections/symbols are that silly and tenuous. "The Bench book has flowers in some drawings. Doria called M "Flower." Therefore the book contains a tribute to Doria." Huh?
SwampWoman said…
How interesting to find that people are racist for not realizing that black women have completely different pregnancies than women of all other races. Have we heard about how women of oriental lineage have pregnancies that present radically differently than white women? Surely we would have heard, since they *are* the majority.

I suppose ranchers should have the need to segregate livestock of color from other, paler livestock because they do pregnancy differently than the other colors of livestock, except that they don't. I haven't noticed that skin color or hair color has *any* influence on the outcome or how the pregnancy is carried.

Older livestock have more difficulties than younger livestock. Wider-hipped livestock have easier births, as a rule, than narrower-hipped livestock. Livestock with pre-existing conditions may not survive the pregnancy, lose their progeny, or both.

Just like people.
LavenderLady said…
@WBBM,
p.s. just saw this:
I feel that it's implicit in this view that anyone who expects the pregnancy to conform to `white norms' is racist and it won't be long until they say it.

---
I agree 100%! This is a prime example of what I meant yesterday when I shared how the world we older people have known is changing at such a fast pace that it even feels traumatic to me.

All this identity politics and wokeness stuff is IMO, going to bite society in the butt big time. We are already seeing it getting the thumbs down. So, if TBW thinks the bandwagons are the ride to die on, she's full of it. I do think she's been quiet because she knows that ideology is failing...
SwampWoman said…
lizzie said:
I do think many of M's connections/symbols are that silly and tenuous. "The Bench book has flowers in some drawings. Doria called M "Flower." Therefore the book contains a tribute to Doria." Huh?


ROFL. She is trying to justify ignoring Doria after cynically using her to present her black bona fides. After doing everything possible to remove any appearance of her black heritage from her face and hair, I ain't buying it. I think she uses Doria just like she uses everybody else.
LavenderLady said…
@AvaC,

Me too... sick of the Robert Lacey promotions. He's flip flopping for some reason. Probably about money which we know makes the world go around. *Sarcasm but is quite true unfortunately.
New Lady C up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT0XIzdnb_s
Ava C said…
Catherine's looking really tired and pulled down at Wembley this evening:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9737455/Kate-Middleton-joins-Prince-William-watch-Englands-Euro-2020-clash-against-Germany-Wembley.html

George looks very grown-up and I'm pleased to see David Beckham looking visibly honoured to be shaking William's hand - after the carry on he had with M apparently thinking Victoria was leaking stories about her. Much less complicated to stick to the Cambridges in future.

I do think if the Cambridges go back to Los Angeles some time they will have 'A' listers lining up to meet them again. It would really emphasise the contrast between real and ersatz royalty. The difficulty would be - as always - dealing with the Sussexes. We're going to have this forever aren't we? Will they or won't they be on the balcony? Will they or won't they be in a carriage? Will they or won't they visit the UK together and if so, will they or won't they stay with the Queen? Will they or won't they speak to the Queen?

If I was William I'd want to stick a big poster on the internet, like Wanted posters in the Wild West, cutting off all ties with the Sussexes and all responsibilities for their actions and behaviour. They shall henceforth be personae non gratae! Otherwise, over time, the Windsors are going to be ground into the dirt.
Enbrethiliel said…
Maybe the emphasis is being put on "black" or "woc" pregnancies, because otherwise we'd zero in on the obvious and call it a geriatric pregnancy?
Christine said…
Hello,

Just a few contributions- I think Angela Kelly was the one who met with Meghan to look at tiaras. Not sure EXACTLY which Meg wanted, but it's clear it was an emerald tiara. Here's where the details are hazy. The Queen had either already told Eugenie she could use the emerald tiara she ended up wearing OR Meghan wanted a different tiara that the Queen would not lend her OR Meg wanted Eug's tiara. Whichever the case was, greatly angered Meghan to the point that Harry pitched a fit and the Queen had to issue the final word.

The Rose Incident- I believe that this story was never definitely proven to have come from Meghan, but.... it did. I personally do not believe even Harry was aware of Meg's involvement. That way if accusations came Meg's way, she can always claim unfair treatment and get Harry's balls in a bunch. Whether Wills had an affair (I hope in my heart he did not) or whether the whole story was bs and used to explain William and Kate's good friend Rose's marital issues, we'll likely never know. William will not ever divorce Kate. If he needed to get himself together and patch up his marriage, he has certainly done so. The best clue was that rose fascinator worn by Kate to the Commonwealth Day Service. That said to me.... "Meghan, I KNOW you were the source of that rumor being released".

Did you all see Prince George attending the soccer game with his parents? Oh my gosh, what a lovely boy!!! So cute and so sweet. Prince George is going to be the king and apparently his parents don't think he's too good to be seen by the public.
Girl with a Hat said…
@Christine,

yes, I did see little George, and he has me worried. He really seems very shy. I hope all of this doesn't cause him too much stress.
LavenderLady said…
@Miggy,

Watching it now.

Beginning at 13:53 she builds up to a massive burn on SS. Wait for it...at 14:50 she let's it rip. Great laugh!
In her latest video, Lady C is adamant that the Harkles have not been invited to the Jubilee for the simple reason that the guest lists won't have been drawn up yet. Furthermore the convention is that the actual invitations go out 6 weeks before the event.

In ordinary life, it's considered a bit off to invite people so early that you make it impossible for them to plead `another engagement' if they don't wish to come.

There's also another video with Lady C in an interview with someone I haven't heard of. I've not watched it yet.
Christine said…
Girl With A Hat- Well with the sound and stable parenting George has, I think he'll do well. Sports, school, friends and honestly since he's the royal heir, some of these outings will do him some good.

So interesting to see so many people around George in the stands look at him, side glances, smile at him and such. I just feel like it's so interesting to see the Boy Who Would Be King.

So has anyone found these Archie school pics yet? Or did H&M get them removed from the internet within 1 day
xxxxx said…
LavenderLady said...
I also have zero doubts that certain staff in the RF are being fed certain info to help the process along. I would do it too as I believe we all here would help the BRF rid themselves of the pox that has been upon them since Spare brought home TBW...

Lols.... you are the first to use the word "pox" here. If someone else has, I did not see it.
Mel said…
An article from RadarOnline.

If true, how extremely obnoxious of H. No wonder PW is uninterested in a reconciliation.

It starts out talking about nobody plans things better than the palace, down to the very last detail. And then goes on to say:


Prince William and the Palace are working overtime to make sure every single detail goes to plan on Thursday for Princess Diana’s memorial; however, Prince Harry is not cooperating.

...

“This is just not the way they do things. Harry won’t show them his speech and is refusing to take part in meetings or dress rehearsals. He seems to want to just wing it. To just turn up and see what happens. They don’t even know what he is planning to wear," one insider reveals.

https://radaronline.com/p/prince-harry-refuses-cooperate-palace-princess-diana-statue-unveiling/
LavenderLady said…
@xxxxx,

I was wondering which Nutty would pick up on that. Ha! Too much old TV shows over the years.

Now I know who actually reads my posts Loooooool!
Maneki Neko said…
@AvaC

Thank you so much for finding the article re TBW's extraordinary pregnancy. What a sugary, vomit inducing article! I glanced at it quickly and what attracted my attention was the same as you (which you bolded): In Britain we simply are not publicly familiar with what pregnancy, birth and newborns look like for women of colour. It is a silence, created by capitalism, convention and unconscious bias. Oh pur-lease 🙄. And to say that in every illustration of birth/pregnancy, all tampons etc ads, the woman is white! The proportion of black people in the UK is 3%. In any case, I do remember some people, although not many, said Catherine had used a surrogate but her children's births were certified by four doctors. All this could have been avoided if TBW hadn't created so much mystery and intrigue. Did she think it would create interest? It certainly did but not the sort she wanted. In fact, it backfired.
Mel quoted: They don’t even know what he is planning to wear," one insider reveals.

I've just had a mental image of him rocking up in that creepy santa suit getup lol
jessica said…
Mel, they need to disinvite the attendee and bring on the alternate, perhaps Charles and Camilla which would be INCREDIBLE. They need to very specifically state how Harry chose to not cooperate and bring out the receipts. Then have lovely tribute speeches and get on with the unveiling. ‘Our family will be having a private ceremony with Harry involved, at his choice.’

Nothing should be done in public with Harry anymore.

@Maneki Neko -yes, the black people are more than outnumbered by the brown ones.

---------------

I think I know what ought to happen, but won't, if H turns up in uniform.

I've said it before - he should be seized by at least 2 very burly guardsman and have the uniform stripped from his back by a high ranking officer, who then breaks H's sword across his knee.

Sling H out into Kensington High St in nothing but his smalls, with the bits of his sword chucked after him.

Is this why H is bringing his own cameraman? So grab him first so there's no evidence.

Meanwhile, the band plays on to drown out his protest - something mocking from G &S?

Well, I can fantasise.
At least Radar Online has no illusions.

-----

I love the idea of dragons!
jessica said…
Just looking over the pictures of Wills, Kate, and George at the match. What really stuck out (besides bringing out George) is Kates style. They have her beating Meghan at Meghan’s wannabe signature style of blazers and flowing hair. Kate looks FULL glam here in that Red jacket and beauty Queen hair (wow it’s so long now). She was meant to stand out, and does.

Also noticed their continued chats with David Beckham and his son. Good for the Beckham’s. I believe they ditched Meghan and that was the correct move.
Maneki Neko said…

Princess Eugenie has shared a collection of sweet photographs of son August visiting a herd of 100 life-sized elephant sculptures in London's Green Park.

Eugenie is the patron of the conservation charity Elephant family. The article shows photos of Eugenie and her son in the park. No trickery, subterfuge, photoshopping. It's easy (for some), isn't it?

https://tinyurl.com/e6wpryfj
hunter said…
I thought we were about to have a Spartacus moment earlier where we each admitted to secretly being Kate or William (but not Meg).

The tiara Meghan wore at her wedding was not from the royal collection per Lady C's book and there for was a replica commissioned by MM for the event.

This is in fact obvious to anyone with eyeballs who looks at Queen Mary's tiara and it's wee little crest and the shape/placement of stones vs the giant stones in her Swarovski Special.

She did not wear anything from the Queen because she said hell no.
hunter said…
I also love the idea that pregnancy somehow works magically differently for women of different skin tones. HA ha haha as if.

Death rates sure but the actual pregnancy itself? No.
xxxxx said…
Currently top of DM's UK page:
Is it coming home? Kate and Prince William hail England's 'incredible performance' as lucky royal mascot Prince George sees Germany crushed 2-0 when Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane score to set up quarter final tie against Ukraine on Saturday

**** SS/etc. cannot beat this feel good publicity that the BRF did not have to place.
Magatha Mistie said…

@WildBoar

And the band played on…
Colonel Bogey theme

Harry has only got one ball
The other’s part of Megsies haul
The bugger, from Chung Chunga
Has lost his bollocks,
and ended with f..k all!

Fifi LaRue said…
If #6 won't cooperate with the rehearsal, he/negs is planning a bombshell of a speech. I wonder how far he'll go in crying and blaming. I'm betting on a massive train wreck.
JHanoi said…

TmZ - if true sounds totally shady and like JH, per TBWs request, is up to no good and looking to somehow hijack the proceedings for more Harkle drama or video clips for their Netflix shows.
I wonder if hes told them how much time he needs for his speech, or if he needs any audio video to zoom TBW into the events?


Wimbledon - PG was so cute and ut was so cute how PW was proctective and explaning things to him. Kate let PW handle everything and show his warm daddy side. Also think beckham is more on PWs side than the Mudslide side. The sloppy singer seems team mudslide.

Lacey - is trying to sell books so will drop as many tidbits as needed for as long as possible.
Natalier said…
I wouldn't give any weight to the Radar article. How can #6 attend any dress rehearsal when he is still in quarantine?

Think it is just another SS press release to keep the Harkles in the news. Slow day.
Humor Me said…
Just my two cents on tiara gate:

What i read in the past was that TW wanted to wear the Vladimir Tiara, which is a favorite of HMTQ. Diana (PoW) and Catherine (Mrs. Heir Presumptive) have been photographed wearing the tiara sans emeralds. Past Queen consorts have been photographed wearing the tiara. The Queen said no, citing the provance of the piece, and that TW will wear what I give her to wear (in so many words).

Does anyone see a pattern in TW's apparent preference of tiaras???
Then we were told that it was the emrald tiara that Eugenie wore....
at this point, I don't care.
abbyh said…
IDK - Tiara Gate

A rambling thought that she knew what Eugenie wanted so she asked for that one (after all, she took the spring wedding slot, why not the tiara as well)?
lizzie said…
@Natalier wrote:

"How can #6 attend any dress rehearsal when he is still in quarantine?....Think it is just another SS press release to keep the Harkles in the news. Slow day."


Agree completely. I don't even see why there would be a dress rehearsal for something like this essentially private likely simple ceremony.

I get that royals might sometimes rehearse big-deal big-show things. But even before the pandemic made unnecessary contacts beteeen people from different households unwise, I'd have thought events involving multiple royals wouldn't be rehearsed days ahead just because people are busy and aren't always concentrated in the same place geographicslly. Further, I think it's exceedingly unlikely most public royal unveilings are rehearsed. Working royals frequently unveil or help to unveil community center, library, bridge, roadway plaques etc. They don't travel up to X town/county early to "practice." When they do go to X, their time there tends to be limited and public, no opportunity for super-secret rehearsals. If there is a need to block out an event, X's taped on the ground work. Any adult but Meghan (apparently) can follow that direction.

I get that SS is just charged with "name in the news" but what s dumb story IMO. Doesn't make H look good (or especially bad) just dumb.

-------

Re: Tiaragate

@HappyDays,

I can see permission to wear the Vladamir being quickly denied.

I don't think Camilla has ever been photographed in the Vladamir although there are some photoshopped photos online. I know Kate hasn't worn it. I don't believe Diana wore it either although I could be wrong about that. But I think only HM has worn it and it is quite "crown like" compared to some other tiaras.
SwampWoman said…
I think the Vladimir tiara is exquisite. OTOH, y'all should realize that my usual headwear of choice is a feed store baseball-style cap.
Elsbeth1847 said…
Andrew Morton is saying something about how Diana would have been intimidated and later mesmerized by 6w. Apparently the ability/history of her giving speeches (given that Diana took lessons to do this) would have been that pressure over PD.

I just can't buy that logic. Especially as Diana had lots of meet and greets while married, was moving out the BRF circles, feeling her way through to what she would do next so by the time she would have met 6 future wife, then she would have had a lot more worldly experience under her belt so I have doubts she would have been toting fear around.

The other way around, sounds more plausible.
Martha said…
Interesting tidbit o another site today...I think ‘you’ve been marbled’, or part of info anyway. A few days ago, I read that someone , on his/her balcony noticed someone, Smegs, alighting from a car, holding a toddler. The person walked in a certain direction, waited. Then returned. Once again walked in a certain direction. Obviously waiting for someone...in this case, the photographer who captured Archie being taken to his first day of school. Apparently, H has made a big deal out of this...no privacy, Yada yadayada.
The whole thing was a set up...the same as in Canada. Wonder if they’ll sue. Seems to be setting up for it.

Our numbers here are greatly diminished! Misssing some great posters.
Karla said…
Humor Me... Tiaragate. I think the same too.

This whole emerald tiara thing comes back to an article from Dan Wootton in The Sun from November 2018.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/7695724/royal-wedding-meghan-markle-difficult-behaviour/

( Dan Wootton was the journalist who reported on Megxit before the world knew it.)

In this article, we are told:
A well-placed royal insider said: “Meghan had her heart set on this tiara with emeralds and Prince Harry hit the roof when they were told it was impossible for her to wear it. The provenance of the tiara could not be established. There were concerns it could have come from Russia originally.
...
Now, since this editorial, many people have speculated about the identity of the tiara in question. All we know about it is that it:

a) Has emeralds
b)Was something Meghan liked and wanted to wear with a veil on her wedding day
c) Is among the Queen’s collection and could reasonably have been available to loan
d)Has unknown provenance and might have originally been from Russia.
...
Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara consists of platinum-encrusted pavé diamonds and six emeralds. (The central emerald is said to be an impressive 93.7 carats.)
The tiara was made by Boucheron for Dame Margaret Greville, who famously bequeathed her jewelry to Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) in 1942. The Royal Family attribute the tiara to the fine Parisian jewellery house of Boucheron. Historian Vincent Meylan, who published a book on Boucheron’s archives in 2011, wrote that the tiara was made for Mrs. Greville in 1921.
..
The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara.
The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara can be worn plain or with pearls or emeralds. We know exactly where this tiara came from. It has such a high profile that the description of its origin is even on Wikipedia:

The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara, sometimes the Diamond and Pearl Tiara, was bought, along with a diamond rivière, by Queen Mary from Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia, mother of the Duchess of Kent, in 1921.It seems all and sundry know exactly where this tiara came from, with a blatantly obvious Russian connection, though it was made by an undoubtedly Swedish jeweller.

In my opinion, Dan Wootton mentions emeralds and Russian tiara, so it makes me think ( based on this article and because it is of Russian origin) that MM wanted: The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara
@Magatha-

Yes! Colonel Bogey!

Will H ever turn to M, should they hear its sweet strains ever blaring forth, and say,
`Listen, Darling - they're playing our tune... '
I hope we have a quiet day today as I've got a lot of catching up to do on everyday chores and it could get busy tomorrow.

For what it's worth, could a `dress rehearsal' simply be a quick run through tomorrow morning? H presumably will be out of quarantine by then.
lizzie said…
@Karla,

Good post. Quite logical.

I think H&M did throw a fit over the tiara choice.

Unlike most here though, I'm just not 100% convinced she wanted "Russian" emeralds just because Dan W said so. He doesn't always "get it right." A source could have said that (for cover.) Or DW could have assumed "provenance" was being used in the usual sense of the word re: jewels when really something else was meant like bequest restrictions on who could wear a piece, or ownership if M was foolish enough to demand Queen Victoria's diamond and emerald tiara no longer owned by the BRF. (The only reason I entertain that last possibility-- that tiara went on exhibit in Mar 2018 at KP and both H&M seem to think TQ rules like a medieval Monarch-- off with their heads for displeasing me or my idiot grandson!)

I just don't know. But it's my understanding HM usually offers a choice of 3 or so tiaras. I'd love to know what the other two were besides Queen Mary's Bandeau but I guess we never will.
Karla said…
Lizzie Yes, I agree with you. There is a lot of information and we end up lost. But I came to believe in this version, because of Omid Scobie. Omid Scoobie and Carolyn Durand, who wrote the tell-all biography Finding Freedom (with the help of MM of course) claim: .Meghan Markle’s wedding tiara row did happen. – but she blames the Queen’s favourite dresser. " Harry felt the Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly deliberately dragged her feet in helping Meghan choose a tiara for their 2018 wedding day. Angela Kelly, 52, has worked with the Queen since 2002 and is now her personal assistant and senior dresser. She is known to have stuck by the Queen through thick and thin – and the latest claims suggest she even supported Her Majesty’s decision to pick Meghan’s wedding tiara. The Queen even reportedly warned her grandson over Meghan’s attitude in the lead-up to the big day at Windsor Castle in May. Meghan initially wanted a tiara that featured emeralds, according to royal sources. But the future Duke and Duchess of Sussex were unhappy when told her first choice was impossible, *as no one knew exactly where the tiara came from*
An insider said at the time: “There was a very heated exchange that prompted the Queen to speak to Harry. She said, ‘Meghan cannot have whatever she wants. She gets what tiara she’s given by me.’” In the end, the future royal wore Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau made in 1932.

Omid Scobie reinforce this theory that *the tiara's provenance was unknown*. So Dan Wooton seems to have been telling the truth.
Karla said…
Lizzie I am going to sleep. But I will leave two very interesting texts about the "mystery of the tiara".


29 Jul 2020.
"The Sussexes were said to be furious after Meghan was told she could not wear the emerald tiara she'd chosen, as nobody was sure where it came from".
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8573043/Queen-DID-slap-Meghan-Markle-choice-wedding-day-tiara-book-reveals.html

17 Aug 2020
"There were also reportedly issues surrounding Meghan's choice of tiara. Her first choice *is said *to have been the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, which was worn by Princess Eugenie at her wedding six months after the Sussexes' nuptials"

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8634703/Prince-Harry-exchanged-strong-words-Queen-one-key-aides.html

Omid (MM) changed their narratives about which tiara Meghan wanted. Omid who wrote the biography together with MM didn't know which tiara she wanted?
I believe it would be ridiculous for them to claim that MM wanted the Queen's tiara.

Thanks for talking about it. I would like to know your opinion. Bye
Regarding Dan Wootton and his sources, this is an interesting piece from last year:

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/royal-divorces-and-royal-leaks-to-the-press

I don't think we've ever discussed it - I came across it when trying to follow up allegations about haw Dan Wootton got accurate leaks.

I'm off to catch up on my sleep now.
jessica said…
I went looking at the Queen’s tiaras and got lost. Now I really want a Tiara! Meghan should have been grateful. I think she had a tacky replica.
lizzie said…
@Karla,

Sleep good. Talk tomorrow.

Good points in both posts. It sticks in my craw though to accept that Scobie could have presented the truth. Must have been an accident ;-)

Also though, it doesn't seem either of the emerald tiaras identified in this thread (the Vladimir or Eugenie's choice, the Greville Kokoshnik) really has what one would call an unclear provenance and certainly neither falls into the category of "no one knows where it came from." So using the reported provenance claim to support the idea M must have asked for emeralds and must have asked for one of those two tiaras falls apart for me.

Finally, the source for Scobie and the source for Dan W could be the same person. (And then other speculative press reports followed with no new sources.) Or Scobie's source could have set up someone else to tell Dan. If any of the above happened, we don't have even two independent sources for the info. At most we have one and that could be poor Meghan who was abused by mean old Angela Kelly and wasn't even allowed to choose her own wedding tiara, boo hoo.

If, in fact, there IS another emerald tiara with a truly unknown provenance in the royal collection, then how did M find out about it to ask for it? No royal watcher I know of has identified other likely emerald suspects. Obviously though Angela "she's dragging her feet" Kelly wouldn't have let H&M rummage through the royal vaults as though they were at a UK equivalent of the old Filene's Basement in Boston. While M obviously researched many things about the BRF online, other people should be able to find what she found if she did that for this mysterious tiara.

I agree it would have been ridiculous to ask to borrow the Vladimir. Not convinced M wouldn't have done it though especially since she copied the Queen's coronation gown re: the embroidered Commonwealth flowers on her veil. (Extraordinarily odd for an American to wear CW symbols as a veiled bride, I thought.)

But the Vladimir wouldn't have looked right-- at all-- with her dress. And while I'm not a wedding garb expert, the only thing that kept that ridiculous veil from being 100% a comic touch, was the simple tiara.

So I'm still puzzled.
Maneki Neko said…
@Karla mentioned the 'Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia, mother of the Duchess of Kent'. I was very surprised to read that the was the mother of the Duchess of Kent! Her mother, Joyce Brunner, was the daughter of a baronet. The Grand Duchess Elena was married to Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark and they had three daughters, princesses of Denmark.

I couldn't find this reference to the Grand Duchess in the Sun article. In any case, I'm very happy that for once it wasn't a case of what TBW wants, TBW gets.
Magatha Mistie said…

We’ll probably never know, but I’m sure
madam would have wanted the biggest,
sparkliest tiara. She’s all fluff and fandangle.

Magatha Mistie said…

Any ideas as to what the statue
looks like?
Art Deco Lady Di Lamp,
holding aloft madam in a bubble 😉
Miggy said…
@Magatha,

From an article in the DM.

No details of the statue have been revealed ahead of time, but it is understood to show Diana's youthful and playful character.

Roll on Thursday and all will be revealed. :)
Natalier said…
Quote Karla:
:The Grand Duchess Vladimdidxir Tiara, sometimes the Diamond and Pearl Tiara, was bought, along with a diamond rivière, by Queen Mary from Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia, mother of the Duchess of Kent, in 1921.It seems all and sundry know exactly where this tiara came from, with a blatantly obvious Russian connection, though it was made by an undoubtedly Swedish jeweller."

I recall reading that Queen Mary bought many amazing jewels from a Duchess who had escaped from Russia including a few tiaras. Because the Duchess was desperate for money, it was said that Queen Mary did not pay a reasonable sum for them. Apparently, eyebrows were raised as they were grossly undervalued and the sale was hush hush. Perhaps the tiara that the viper wanted is one of these.
Magatha Mistie said…

I’m betting on the Kokoshnik,
stunning, would have ‘lifted’
her plain dress, it needed it.
Surprised she didn’t have her dress
tucked in her knickers in her dash
down the aisle!!

Magatha Mistie said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
I can't resist quoting the terrible cricketing pun that Kate Worsley's father, Lord Lt of N.Riding of Yorkshire, is said to have made at a cricketing dinner shortly before his daughter married the Prince Edward, DofK in 1961:

He said he'd never expected to have his daughter `opening for Kent'.

(Kent & Yorkshire are great rivals in County Cricket - for anyone outside the Commonwealth. better not ask me about baseball!)
Magatha Mistie said…

Ahh, @Miggy

Cheers, will have to wait..
Magatha Mistie said…

Hahaha WildBoar

My mum knew Oliver Worsley,
Katherine’s brother, years ago
from Young Farmers Club.
I met him once, he had a gallery
in York. Great bloke.
Magatha Mistie said…

Bandhoe

She caused such a huge palaver
Tears running, ungluing her mascara
She screamed, and she schemed
But nothing, it seemed
Could move the Queen’s choice of Tiara




Elsbeth1847 said…
Going back to the book -

I wonder what happened to the film rights.

From what little I understand, generally the publishers get and sell the film rights to what ever book. It's just another way to get some money which may or may not go anywhere.

So, it wouldn't be a full length film but could easily be a short. And, she's the one who has more knowledge of the two to try to pitch it.

xxxxx said…
Here is a good scenario.

Harry meets up for dinner with 6 of his old buddies in a relaxing rural setting with plush gardens outside. Wives come along too, with some of their very suitable girlfriends. His buddies have taken a crash course in deprogramming.

After dinner a soft intervention begins. Harry cannot walk out in a huff when there are women in the room. Harry sees these very fine, cultured and civilized girlfriends (some are aristos) and begins to realize what he missed out on. H tears up his return ticket to Los Angeles.

Back in Montecito M begins to stew as she gets ghosted by H. In desperation she calls Doria who hangs up on her. In fact slamming the phone down, as much as a smart phone can be slammed down these days. Megs now looks at Thomas's phone number. Her index finger nervously hovers over the send icon..she does not know what to do. What whoever is willing to hear her out? Hear her sobbing and wailing? More panic and more sweating as she visualizes her meal ticket and Royal Sussex riches riding off into the sunset/

(not the end) (if a Nutty wants to continue this story be my guest)
Girl with a Hat said…
@Puds, I beg to differ.

The veil and the dress do not match. I doubt she understands the intricacies of matching styles. She wants big and flashy. Also, the wedding dress was a last minute decision because she changed her mind so often that Givenchy didn't have time to finish any other dresses that they had designed for her, and from what I've heard there were a few. That is why the cost of the wedding dress was in the hundreds of thousands of pounds. It wasn't just the cost of the dress she wore. That is from someone who worked as a seamstress and reported that Meghan slapped a Givenchy worker.
lizzie said…
Good tiaragate article from the Court Jeweller:

https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2020/08/tackling-tiaragate-meghan-harry-and.html
SwampWoman said…
Good morning, all! So, tomorrow is the Big Day for the statue unveiling. I'll check here for breaking news on any fist fights that break out. (Just kidding. I'm sure it will be conducted with all the solemn decorum that Diana was known for.)

I hope that it will be a pleasant summer day. (I've just checked the weather forecast for London. Y'all's summer weather is what Florida winter weather looks like. I'd have to wear all my cold weather gear!)

I'm still awaiting the arrival of now 5-year-old grandson. (He arrived before I could post.) Grandson once again broke into son's phone and reset the alarm. So much for Iphone security (grin). *sigh* Millennials. Son told me "But it's supposed to be secure! It requires a thumbprint to get in! He told me that he was just looking for music while I was sleeping!" As if grandson wouldn't know to stick the phone on daddy's thumb while daddy was sleeping. Why are men so naive about children's abilities?

Lucky for son that he's a mechanical genius in great demand for trouble shooting at industrial plants. If he worked for, say, Amazon, he'd be fired.

I told son "You know what's really secure? An alarm clock on a high shelf. You should look into it."
Maneki Neko said…
H is set to be the surprise guest at a charity event today. I wonder what this is about. No doubt TBW is pulling the strings all the way from SoCal and told him what to attend and what to say. As for tomorrow, I suppose 6 must be learning his lines - all written by his handler - in order to deliver his speech at the unveiling.
snarkyatherbest said…
Tiara - is it the tiara is of unknown provenance or was it the jewels. if the tiara or the jewels came out of russia the soviet union (revolutionary and post revolution) may want to make claim to it so perhaps the BRF keeps some tbings locked away as these could cause, even in this day and age, some sort of international incident.

I am with the commenter, was it lizzie? I want a tiara and revisiting the royal jewels and tiaras do make me want to see all of them and all of them worn. What gorgeous pieces.

Prince George - what a cute young man. and in a few of the pics his head is slightly lowered and he looks up with his eyes, kinda like Wills mom. It was a good "boy who would be king" training for him and for his siblings to know that somethings will include him and not them. No matter what, someone is seething in Montecito with Prince george trending on Twitter.

One more day to go but unless Harry is on a plane right after the unveiling we may have a day or two more of crap. You know the misses and the rent a babies are pap walking with a stroller while daddy is in UK.

Dress Rehearsal - seems weird since i think royals and former working royals know how to act at an unveiling. Very curious

The Cat's Meow said…
I agree with many Nutties that while dress rehearsals are needed for larger events the unveiling tomorrow doesn't qualify. HOWEVER -- it does give a plausible reason to facilitate hearing H's speech in advance. (I'm sure just saying "Hey, can we look at your speech? We don't really trust you" wouldn't go over too well).

So there may be a bit of truth in that Radar article.
snarkyatherbest said…
So 6 is off to a charity event - trying to upstage his nephew ;-) curious if its a former patronage or who it is for. very curious

Cat's meow - probably right on that. and for security reasons the guest list would need to be vetted so no surprising journalist from the montecito journal claiming to be covering events
Natalier said…
@xxxxx

I agree with you. If I were the royal family, I would get #6 old pals to arrange a honey trap. #6 had a type; blond, blue eyed with slim shapely legs. Get a few of these girls and accidentally leak a few pics. It would set the viper off and demand a divorce.
KCM1212 said…
I am not sure this link will work. If it doesnt, go to the blog and move down to the ask. You can access the article under "keep reading". Courtesy of the Cat with the Emerald Tiara Tumblr blog.

https://the-cat-with-the-emerald-tiara-1.tumblr.com/post/655365300217331712/princes-william-and-harry-to-hold-private-meeting

The Telegraph us reporting that 1.there will be a private reception after the unveiling where William and H will attend and 2. there will be no speeches due to the restricted size.

They may not want H to speak and (again) had to arrange things to accommodate his presence.
Karla said…
Puds... This is the problem with tiaragate. All thoughts have logic. So we got lost.

Girls With hart...Yes! Dress and veil don't match. I think MM wanted to highlight the tiara with that huge veil embroidered with Commonwealth flowers.

Lizzie your reply spoke all I think of the two articles I sent you. That's exactly it.
Thanks.

Today
Maneki Neko said...H is set to be the surprise guest at a charity event today. I wonder what this is about"

I hope MM didn't leave a video message.
Girl with a Hat said…
@Puds,

also, I forgot to add in my last comment that the tiara is art deco, not medieval in style.

so she had a mixture of minimalist modern dress, traditional embroidered veil and art deco tiara.
Karla said…
Thereza Longo fans...
No one is leaking it. "The Press" are grasping at straws making it up. We have the best, reliable inside sources and there are no plans to have the #Megxit duo back on the balcony.
SirStinxAlot said…
Im equally as interested in knowing more about Tiaragate 2.0. Apparently, M wanted to wear a tiara to Fiji but Charles sat her down and explained they dont wear the taiaras overseas. What tiar did she ask for on that occasion? Same emerald tiara from the wedding?Far less detail or scrutiny on that incident. What other jewelry was declined? Bet M kept track of every single demand that was rejected. It would make an interesting interview to just talk about the jewelry in the vault. Do they have it photographed and in a web link to view?
https://uk.yahoo.com/style/princes-william-harry-hold-private-145712515.html
Princes William and Harry to hold private meeting after Diana statue unveiled
Camilla Tominey
Tue, 29 June 2021, 3:57 pm

from D.Telegraph


Princes William and Harry will meet in private following the unveiling of a statue in memory of their mother in a sign of reconciliation between the royal brothers.

They will gather with immediate family after Thursday’s low-key event in Kensington Palace Gardens, when the “beautiful” and “informal” memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales will finally be revealed.

The Telegraph understands that the statue, designed by sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, whose representation of the Queen has appeared on all Commonwealth coins since 1998, will reflect the late princess’s youthful and playful nature.

“It is not in any way austere or imperious,” said a source close to the project. “Both brothers wanted to ensure that the artwork is something that really resonates with the public.
“It’s absolutely charming and such a fitting tribute.”

Royal watchers and art critics alike remain curious as to how Mr Rank-Broadley will capture the spirit of the 20th century icon, who was the most photographed woman in the world.
The design has been kept a closely guarded secret, and the statue has remained covered in the palace’s Sunken Garden since its installation last week.

Several sources have hinted that it depicts a “youthful” Diana. The princess was just 36 when she died in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997.

The statue unveiling, which is also expected to be attended by her brother Earl Spencer and sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, marks what would have been the princess’s 60th birthday.

A palace insider confirmed that William and Harry had spent months collaborating on the design - down to the very last detail, including advising the sculptor on how her nose should look.

They apparently spent “weeks” deciding where exactly it should be located in the grounds of the royal residence in west London which will always be synonymous with the princess.

Garden designer, Pip Morrison, will also be present at the ceremony, which has been scaled down due to Covid and will not involve any speeches.

On Friday, Kensington Palace confirmed the “small event” would include “close family of Diana, Princess of Wales, and members of the statue committee”. The brothers’ former private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton is expected to attend along with Julia Samuel, one of Diana’s closest friends.

On Monday, Harry, 36, who arrived in the UK on Friday and has been self-isolating prior to the engagement, paid tribute to his mother for "living by truth and service to others".

The Duke’s comments were the first he had made in public about the statue unveiling and came amid reports of tensions between him and William, 39, following the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes departure to the US and subsequent tell-all interview with chat show host Oprah Winfrey.

A well-placed source said both men would be "putting on a brave face for the event like they did at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral".

“They both know it is not about them but remembering the late princess,” they added.
Although she is not attending the unveiling, the Duchess of Cambridge, 39, is set to play the role of peacemaker behind the scenes.

Meghan, 39, will not be flying over because she only gave birth to their second child, Lilibet, less than a month ago and will remain at the family home in Montecito, Santa Barbara with their two-year-old son, Archie.


Well, we shall see…
It does sound as if Diana’s on a bench…perhaps leaving space for TBW to sit next to her.

Still pushing the idea of Catherine as `peacemaker'.
@Puds - a wonderfully incoherent set of non seqs. Thank you!
Maneki Neko said…
So 'Prince Harry surprised sick children at the WellChild Awards at Kew Gardens this afternoon after leaving self-isolation'.
...
'His attendance was kept a complete secret and it was an amazing moment when he surprised those in attendance.'

'Harry made sure he spent time talking to as many of the children and their families as possible'
-------
Well, that wouldn't have been possible with TBW. I'm not sure why this was necessary. Why sick children, is he trying to get into the BRF and/or the British people's good books? A bit late in the day.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9740765/Prince-Harry-leaves-self-isolation-five-days-quarantine-Frogmore-Cottage.html
Maneki Neko said…
@Puds

Re H's speech, here is a comment in the DM along the same lines:

Lucy Lucy, Lancashire, United Kingdom

His (and her) speeches are all too predictable and all exactly the same -- "compassion", "kindness", "authentically real", "community", "proud of you", "a force for change", "my wife and I", "my husband and I", "through an inclusive lens", - - Have I missed any? lol

Yep, the Harkles to a T 😂
Karla said…
SirStink...I didn't have this information. I went searching and found it at The Sun.
"The Duchess of Sussex went without a headpiece for the dinner in Fiji - while Kate Middleton wore a stunning headpiece for a state dinner at Buckingham Palace the same night. It was in stark contrast to Kate Middleton, who on the same night stunned in a large diamond and pearl tiara (Knot Tiara) Instead, pregnant Meghan opted to wear diamond earrings for the formal dinner in Fiji, along with a flowing blue dress"
So maybe that explains why Meghan wore those extravagant earrings to the tour’s state dinner.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8757296/meghan-markle-lavish-tiara-prince-charles-extravagant
...
Puds...I laughed a lot! Imagine Harry talking and crossing his arms over his chest with a pleading look to the blue sky.
Christine said…
Hello Nutty Friends,

Tomorrow should be interesting! I hope the statue is beautiful and that the Boys (well.... Harry) behave themselves. I don't think the Earl of Spencer will be too happy if there is any unpleasantness.

The reason why most of Harry's visits are 'surprises' especially in the UK, is partly because it lessens the chance of booing. When people are surprised and subsequently excited, they are less likely to boo. Sunshine Sachs knows this...

Prince George is really trending around the world. I think it was smart of Wills and Kate to bring him out on mulitple levels. To personally prep little George and to present him as a part of the Heir Apparent Family of Power. Sorry Meghan! Although there are many critical comments aimed towards William and Kate for having Georgie dressed in a suit and not casual sportswear (probably being spread by Meghan's pr). I personally think he looked fantastic.

Puds- Yes, I was trying to think of who George reminded me of since he is a good mix of his father, mother and Kate's father. But yes, there is something Diana-esque about that shy way he looks up. You hit the nail on the head. Very charming look

Tiaragate- Tiaragate is truly incredible and in my opinion, we can't chew it over enough. It is one of the biggest and most unbelievable instances of Meghan's abject narcissism. Can you imagine that one of us ladies is engaged to be married to Harry (yuck but anyway), and you have the utter honor of wearing one of the Queen's tiaras and you COMPLAIN, PISS AND MOAN because you don't get the one you wanted!?!? You have the audacity to preview the collection online and make YOUR decision!? I'd be grateful for anything the Queen would give me! Frankly, I wouldn't have planned my dress, flowers, bridesmaid's dresses, heck anything, until I knew the tiara I would be getting. I'd be so grateful and excited. It would be fun to meet the Queen's Dresser and look at the options. I'd probably have a glass of champagne and just enjoy the moment but nope not Meghan! Anyway I digress, but it's truly unbelievabl e.
Christine said…
Puds- Yep, that will be Harry's speech! I'm certain he'll mention Megs.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9740765/Prince-Harry-leaves-self-isolation-five-days-quarantine-Frogmore-Cottage.html#reader-comments

A report that he's attended a `Well Child' event in Kew Gardens.
Miggy said…
H in all his glory.

https://twitter.com/WellChild
Humor Me said…
@Miggy - at least he dressed nice,and he is smiling and looks interested, but a suit and tie would have been appropriate.
HappyDays said…
Who or what is TBW? I missed that one.
Catlady1649 said…
Wasn't it at the Well Child Awards in 2019 that Harry started laughing during his speech and tried to disguise it as tears
HappyDays said…
KCM1212 said…


The Telegraph us reporting that 1.there will be a private reception after the unveiling where William and H will attend

@KCM1212:

It’s probably best the meeting between Wm and Harry is AFTER the unveiling instead of just BEFORE the unveiling.

It would be even more uncomfortable than it’s already going to be if Harry showed up to the ceremony with a black eye, broken nose, bloody lip, and torn shirt.
JerseyGirl said…
I've wondered for years what afternoon tea means. Is it just a cup of tea or is a lunch meal with tea? Is it part of the 3 meals a day rule or a separate time for a snack? I ask because I'm reading H being at this charity and they are having a tea, but really I've wondered about this for years!

Thanks in advance for words of wisdom on this topic.
Hikari said…
Afternoon Tea is a meal composed of sandwiches (usually cut delicately into 'fingers'), scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and cakes. Interestingly, scones were not a common feature of early Afternoon Tea and were only introduced in the twentieth century.

Afternoon Tea was initially developed as a private social event for ladies who climbed the echelons of society. It was only when Queen Victoria engaged in the Afternoon Tea ritual that it became a formal occasion on a larger scale, known as 'tea receptions'.

These receptions could have as many as two hundred guests with an open 'at home' invitation to visit between 4pm and 7pm, during which they could come and go as they pleased; this was the genesis of the Afternoon Tea as we know it.

In Britain today Afternoon Tea is usually enjoyed as an occasional indulgence or to celebrate a special event, such as a birthday, a pre-wedding party, or baby shower with a group of friends.


from: https://afternoontea.co.uk/information/what-is-afternoon-tea/

***********

The invention of Afternoon tea is credited to the Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century as a pick-me-up in the late afternoon, since dinner was 4 hours or more off.

'High Tea' seems to consist of a more substantial meal taking place at 'Lunch'. Afternoon tea is a lighter repast, though there are 'courses' in a set order. Sandwiches first, then scones and cream, then cakes.
Maneki Neko said…
@HappyDays

There are so many acronyms it's difficult to keep up! TWB is 'that bloody woman', as Lady C called her in a recent video.
Maneki Neko said…
@HappyDays

Correction! It's not Lady C but William who referred to her as that bloody woman.

'A source told The Daily Mail on Friday, June 25, that William called Meghan “that bloody woman” to his friends at Philip’s funeral in April for how she allegedly treated his staff when she and her husband, Prince Harry, lived in Kensington Palace. “But look at the way that bloody woman treated my staff—merciless,” William said, according to The Daily Mail.'
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/prince-william-called-meghan-markle-161502293.html
Karla said…
Miggy Thank you for posting "Harry's secret event"
Miggy said…
@Karla,

You're welcome. :)

More here, plus video... in updated DM article.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9740765/Prince-Harry-leaves-self-isolation-five-days-quarantine-Frogmore-Cottage.html#comments
JerseyGirl said…
@Hikari - Thank you for the information about afternoon tea's. In terms of British tea's it appears to more of a event, which I like. I would most likely request a coffee.

American's are more coffee oriented like myself. When I'm not feeling well I will usually have some tea with lemon or if the mood strikes me which isn't often.

It sound so elegant to sip tea with scones & cream, finger sandwiches, and cakes.
NeutralObserver said…
@KCM1212, Thanks for posting the new address of https://the-cat-with-the-emerald-tiara-1.tumblr.com/. She posted a very interesting summary of the revisions in Lacey's book.
Part 1
More Tea From Lacey’s new book, Part 2
He infers Meghan wrote Finding Freedom. He also points out that certain descriptions of incidents in the book could only come from Harry.

He shows discrepancies in her statements. For example, he mentions how in the engagement interview and in claims in FF, she brags about all the help she got. Then he references the Oprah interview where she denies it.

He infers she is a liar. He does it very, very carefully so that he won’t be sued, but he definitely infers it.

Tumblr rumour confirmed: Lord Geidt WAS called in to control her. It was Lord Geidt who came up with the South Africa idea, but MM didn’t want to live there. Geidt thought it was the most peaceful way of getting rid of the troublemakers without too much drama for the monarchy.

He hates her because of his friend Jamal Khashoggi’s death and the blood earrings (another Tumblr rumour confirmed).

He gets stuff wrong, for example, claiming MM was raised by her mother after the divorce. He does point out A LOT of her lies though.

He defends the Queen against claims of racism. That is one of the new chapters, and it’s brilliant.

He points out that real royals, like Diana, etc., would want nothing to do with Oprah. He goes into detail about Diana’s disdain for her. He points out that someone who was a mere B-lister (he’s being kind) like Meghan would be thrilled to go on Oprah, but not real royals.

He says Charles got rid of Geidt because Geidt wanted everyone to rally around the Queen and to promote and support her after Philip’s retirement, and Charles felt that he, not the Queen, needed promotion and support.
She bullied more staff than we realized. There are some names I did not recognize, like Katrina McKeever. He says she bullied Samantha the Panther Cohen, and that M “governed by fear”. She would pick on someone to bully, block them from email chains, and they scream at them for not doing something mentioned in those email chains.

He slams down H’s claim that the royals were jealous of his Australian tour success. He says the fallout was because of H’s and M’s bullying of staff, not because of any tour success. He points out how they ruined their tours by either getting political, or by feeling sorry for themselves.

He says she is so unpopular that SS made her take A to South Africa to rehabilitate her image, but that she shot herself in the foot with the Bradby drama.
NeutralObserver said…
Lacey's revisions, Part 2

He says when H was going to recreate the Beatles album cover crosswalk photo with Bon Jovi that he chose to be George Harrison because he was M’s favourite Beatle, and that the rumour is that A’s middle name is “Harrison” in honour of George Harrison, not Harry.

Lacey blames Edward Young for the hard stance on H and M. He says Geidt would have handled it better. However, Young comes across as doing the right thing, IMHO.

One of M’s “friends” criticizes Harry’s cooking after he allegedly makes a 3-course meal for M’s birthday. Says H still has a lot to learn. Hmmm, who does that sound like?

He devotes an entire chapter to M being nicknamed “Tungsten”. He ends the chapter with her and H. lobbying “a calculated and angry riposte”, referring to the unfounded Rose rumours, which are what the following chapter is all about. It appears he blames M for the fake story more than he blames H although he does seem to infer he was somehow involved, too.

M wrote 3 notes in her fauxligraphy at Christmas for the Cambridge kids and had SS release the information, all the while plotting the Oprah interview.

Still got a few more chapters to go.


I copied & pasted this, if it causes any copywright issues, please delete it.
Anonymous said…
A commenter on DM called the new baby Lilibucks
Here's an example of the Afternoon Tea menu at and expensive hotel - the Ritz - presumably aimed at rich tourists, lottery winners and the like:

https://www.theritzlondon.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Palm-Court-Afternoon-Tea-Menu-2021.pdf

This is the aristocratic form of `(Afternoon) Tea'. Tea's another of those terms which is `fluid' like `dinner'. It can be tricky, depending on who you're talking to!
snarkyatherbest said…
WeelChild event - i thought he didnt have any patronages. Also 6 looked more relaxed and happy interacting with strangers in that pic than ever with the wife. since there are really no father and son pics we really dont see his expression with archie or the rent a kid. The wife may not like this since she 1) wasnt there 2) he looks more relaxed. Yeah right, London is a trigger.
This poster from US has hit the nail on head in response to the Mail update on the Well Child `do'


jjusauk, USA, United States, moments ago

Hold up- Isn't this the very type of his former "royal duties" he has made sure to express how much he despised doing, hated being there, was faking his enthusiasm, felt imprisoned by, and needed to flee from the Royal Family and Britain itself get his "freedom?"

Then it is safe to say that he is faking his smiles and interest and enthusiasm expressed in the pictures of this article, and his surprise visit is only done for some other self-serving reason. Certainly not for the children.

Shame on Harry and the British people to allow him to come back onto your soil and so blatantly, and without a conscious or remorse, use these children, this cause, and his royal birth to fake his way into redemption.


All I can say is that we had no say in the matter.
snarkyatherbest said…
Dang you all - I visited London a few times well before meeting hubby stayed near sloane square. The family i would visit would often go for tea at Claridges or sometimes on weekdays at General Trading company (for the full Princess Diana tour!) Now I wanna go back!!!
Miggy said…
@NeutralObserver,

Thanks for bringing the Lacey summary over here to us. Very interesting indeed!
SwampWoman said…
"Surprise visit" screams TBW.
snarkyatherbest said…
And what is this private meeting between the brothers. is this SS for 6's wife trying to stir the pot so when they dont meet, look william doesnt want to reconcile, he's made our lives miserable?
SwampWoman said…
snarkyatherbest said...
And what is this private meeting between the brothers. is this SS for 6's wife trying to stir the pot so when they dont meet, look william doesnt want to reconcile, he's made our lives miserable?


ROFL, I'm waiting for "sources" to report that it was impossible for the brothers to meet; Harry had a dinner date.
NeutralObserver said…
@Miggy, you're very welcome. Lacey has seemed so supportive of the #6s that his reporting of things we've all surmised for some time seems like confirmation of them.

Found this today when perusing The Spectator. A glance at the photos of glamorous Diana show why TBW will never be another Princess Diana. Diana was born to be photographed in beautiful clothes. Her height & long legs made everything look better on her. I know fashion is featuring different types of figures these days, but there's a reason tall, slim models have been favored for so long. Catherine also has a physique that's great for showing off clothes, but she's much shyer & doesn't have Diana's charisma. Few people do.

Along with making the mistake of wanting to be another Diana, #6w also completely misread her role in the RF. She compares herself & her erstwhile spouse with William & Catherine, while the #6s are much more comparable to Andrew & Fergie, except that #6 is the grandson of a monarch, not the son. She seems to have ignored the reality of the BRF, while focusing on the glamorous ephemera, like wearing tiaras at fairy tale weddings, & being curtseyed to.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/princess-diana-and-the-art-of-diplomatic-dressing
JerseyGirl said…
@Puds

I think there's lots to be said about youth mental health. I can't help but believe we have an entire generation that only knows the internet, cellphone, and video technology.

These kids didn't grow up on cartoons and shows depicting talking cars. They've grown up on tablets, laptops, desktops, and really dangerous video games.

They've grown up living on all these devices and have no idea what it means to go outside their homes to play with other kids, ride bikes, go to the park, and on and on.

In this newest generation have no concept of normalcy and use social media to make money. They are in my opinion addicted to all these new ways of living. Anti socials who have barely any clue about social signals.

Take away the technology and yes they will become depressed and will look for ways to find those devices that make them feel alive.

Real mental health crisis' left undiagnosed in children/young adults is a real mental health issue.

I feel sorry for today's youth because they can't live on computers to sustain them through out their lives.

MM & H didn't grow up in the technology boom but both clearly need help. H more than MM because Harry is really suffering and needs real help, not OW kind of health. MM will always be the narc that she is and there is no fixing that ever. MM will be around to destroy H completely once all the money she's spending runs out. I hope he gets out with his children in tact before but likely not before the money is all gone.
LavenderLady said…
@Nuetral Observer quoted,
"He says when H was going to recreate the Beatles album cover crosswalk photo with Bon Jovi that he chose to be George Harrison because he was M’s favourite Beatle, and that the rumour is that A’s middle name is “Harrison” in honour of George Harrison, not Harry."
----
Eeee gads that makes me physically sick to read. George Harrison is MY Beatle that f'ing ghastly, bloody Thing that Harry Married...

I can't even. UGH!!! Puking emoji here. She ruins everything. Sigh...
Maneki Neko said…
@Puds

Thank you for the article on depression. It is absolutely right. Not only saying you depressed when you're just down in the dumps trivialises dépression, but if it 'cool' to have depression (!) then you won't make any effort to change or resolve a situation because your 'depression' absolves you of any responsibility. The Harkles are the last ones who should talk about mental health: they are not a good example of well balanced individuals. H always looks glum and morose, TBW is unhinged.

°°°°°
@KCM1212 and @NeutralObserber

Great revisions in Lacey's book. I looked up Katrina McKeever. The name sounded familiar but I couldn't remember who she was.

The DM states that 'Deputy communications secretary Katrina McKeever quietly departed the Kensington Palace press office in September 2018.' Here is a brief outline of her skills:
'Katrina is a communications professional skilled at creative campaign delivery, managing high stakes news events, and reputation management. Originally a journalist, Katrina has been a senior media advisor to Kensington Palace and to the Metropolitan Police Service and has exceptional, experience of working with multiple stakeholders across government, charities, and public bodies to provide media advice and deliver sensitive projects.' (crestadvisory.com)

The DM has an interesting list of what they call an A-team’ of high-achieving women all wanting to promote their boss’s world vision. Would these women be the same ones TBW described as 'incompetent'?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8560281/The-team-high-achieving-women-wanting-promote-bosss-world-vision.html
NeutralObserver said…
@Puds, There are real victims, & people with real problems, but alleged 'disadvantages' have become 'get out of jail free' cards. We wind up with people like the 6s, who want to be winners by claiming to be victims. The 6s' spurious claims of victimhood make it harder for people who have truly suffered to be heard & believed.
LavenderLady said…
@Puds,
Lady C reads parts of 6s speech and yes it's full of the same bile you mention. Not sure where she got it but she alludes that TBW wrote it and calls her a Manure Machine.
Maneki Neko said…
@LavenderLady

"Eeee gads that makes me physically sick to read." I know! George Harrison always reminds me of a former boyfriend (a looong time ago). And now he was her favourite Beatles (not sure I believe that, was she into their music?). Here are your emojis 🤢🤮
Maneki Neko said…
Last post before turn in.
I've just looked at the pix of Harry at the WellChild awards: he looks alive and happy. It's extraordinary how his demeanor is so much more positive when he's not with the poisonous viper. I don't think his smiles are fake, he seems happy enough. And he was sporting new shoes!
DesignDoctor said…
@Maneki @Puds

LOL on Lucy Lucy, Lancashire, United Kingdom comment on the word salad content of the 6s speeches.


His (and her) speeches are all too predictable and all exactly the same -- "compassion", "kindness", "authentically real", "community", "proud of you", "a force for change", "my wife and I", "my husband and I", "through an inclusive lens", - - Have I missed any? lol

One word I noticed missing is "impactful."
LavenderLady said…
@Maneki,
Thanks for the emojis. I feel a wee bit better.
Mel said…
Saw this on Tumblr. If true, how sad.
Maybe he didn't have a picture to share cuz he has no baby yet?

------------

Anonymous

 asked:

I have to send this in as I am extremely P*SSED off today. I am the mother of one of the children Harry met today at the WellChild awards. My child was so excited to meet Harry, and during their chat (which I thought was so lovely of him at first) they asked if he could show them a photo of Lilibet. You would think he'd been asked to throw her under a bus! His face turned to thunder and he moved straight on to the next child. Livid doesn't begin to describe me now - who TF does he think he is??

LavenderLady said…
@Puds,
Agreed. I think he doesn't even know what he's spewing these days. Just saying what TBW directs him to say. Sad really. No will of his own apparently.
Teasmade said…
@Mel -- I just read this on Twitter too.

It seems like something he'd/she'd do, and I don't want to seem like I'm defending him (UGH) but would an ordinary mum post it on a Tumblr AND Twitter? Or did someone read it on the Tumblr and post it to Twitter? Or is it some counter-PR?

On another topic, I can't wait till this statue business is concluded. Yes, I know I can scroll by.
JerseyGirl said…

@Wild Boar Battle-maid

Thank you for that afternoon tea link. Makes me want to break out my good china and have a nice cup of tea.

It's all very decadent. I know it's expensive since it doesn't even have prices on the menu. Yummy....



KCM1212 said…
@Neutral Observer

Thanks for the Lacey additions. I'm so confused by the. hot/cold tones he employs. I have begun to suspect an evil twin situation. I was especially glad to see Lord Geit made an appearance. PC and PA were total fools to oust him. He should be directing the anti-6s strategy now.

You know, I dont see many mentions of Edward Lane Fox. He is the Harry reconstruction czar. The RF could use his help too. Didnt he leave rather suddenly after 6w came on the scene?

I wonder what happened there.

@Puds
Awesome article by Dr. Pemberton. He has really gotten to tge heart of the current zeitgiest I have 12year old nieces who are walking through an absolute nightmare trying to avoid anything that could be called bullying or racist or homophobic while girls around them are cutting or starving themselves.
And they really can't differentiate between the blues and depression. The real world is just an abstraction for them.

And you could speech write for the Harkles!

And everybody knows George is the one. 6w was a Monkees fan.

And @Mel

Fascinating tea on Hs fieldtrip. I hope everyone who saw it just slams SM. He must be exposed for using charities, children and vets to look good, show a connection to the RF and ultimately cash in.

Fortunately, more and more are twigging to his con.
DesignDoctor said…
@KCM1212
I read the Edward Lane Fox quit due to 6w’s deceptive behavior during the planning of the wedding. Obfuscating the truth. Saying one thing doing another, etc. He had enough of her disengenuous behavior
Maneki Neko said…
@JerseyGirl

Re the afternoon tea link, it does show the price! It's £55 if you have tea but of course is more expensive if you want Champagne instead. Many finer establishments offer afternoon tea and it has enjoyed a revival. It's now rather trendy to take your family to afternoon tea for a special occasion. :-)
Wild Boar Battle-maid said… Here's an example of the Afternoon Tea menu at and expensive hotel - the Ritz - presumably aimed at rich tourists, lottery winners and the like

Ooh I'm more than happy to be associated with that list of people! lol

A friend and I planned a trip to London to hit the galleries/museums and take in a play for my birthday back in the early 2000s, my decree absolute had recently been granted so we thought why not push the boat out and *really* celebrate and book afternoon tea at the Ritz. It was such a fabulous experience, the food was divine (I even enjoyed the cucumber sandwiches and I've never been a fan), the coffee was delicious, the champagne cocktails were definitely moreish and the atmosphere was something else. It was well worth all the budgeting my friend and I had to do to afford it on top of the rest of the trip.

One thing that I'll never forget: there was a short wait for our table and one of the staff was politely making light conversation with us (asking what had brought us to London that day etc) and my friend mentioned it was my birthday. We thought no more of it, then halfway through our tea the pianist started playing Happy Birthday and it wasn't until the waiter brought a small chocolate cake with a candle on it and presented it to me with a flourish that we realised they were actually playing for me! If I never do anything else in my life, I'll always remember that I was once "serenaded" by the Ritz pianist while the entire restaurant looked on as if I was someone famous.

PS, the toilets were pretty amazing too. All gilded mirrors, flowers and posh chairs; it was more like a small sitting room than a bathroom.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
Blogger Lurking With Spoon said...
Wild Boar Battle-maid said… Here's an example of the Afternoon Tea menu at and expensive hotel - the Ritz - presumably aimed at rich tourists, lottery winners and the like

Ooh I'm more than happy to be associated with that list of people! lol

A friend and I planned a trip to London to hit the galleries/museums and take in a play for my birthday back in the early 2000s, my decree absolute had recently been granted so we thought why not push the boat out and *really* celebrate and book afternoon tea at the Ritz. It was such a fabulous experience, the food was divine (I even enjoyed the cucumber sandwiches and I've never been a fan), the coffee was delicious, the champagne cocktails were definitely moreish and the atmosphere was something else. It was well worth all the budgeting my friend and I had to do to afford it on top of the rest of the trip.

_____

Similar (but different) experience!

I lived in Blighty for 3 years, during which time friends would come over from the States to visit. (I lived near Windsor Castle, so it became a familiar haunt)

One girlfriend wanted to have high tea, so we went to the Savoy. We planned the whole thing meticulously. I was tagged as a Yank everywhere I went, somehow, so we both became determined that this would NOT happen during our outing. We carefully observed British women's clothes, and dressed similarly. We purposely kept our conversation very low-toned, both on the Tube and in the street. Tho it was the 80s, our hairstyles were very conservative. Shoes likewise. We were quite pleased with our "deception."

We approached the maitre d'hotel's lectern at the Savoy restaurant. Before we even opened our mouths, he said, "Ah, so nice of you American ladies to join us! We hope your stay in London is a happy one! Please follow me." Girlfriend and I exchange astonished looks. As he seated us, I asked, quietly (!) "How did you know we are American?" "Oh," he said tolerantly, "it's my job to be able to tell."

Needless to say, my girlfriend and I shared a somewhat rueful laugh, but enjoyed the tea goodies immensely. The Earl Grey (my favorite) was like nothing one buys in a store. The atmosphere was light, convivial, and we enjoyed "people watching" of patrons from all over the world.

After all these years, still scratching my head how Britons always seemed to know I was a Yank before I ever said a word ...

Back on topic, M shrieks "Yank" on purpose, it seems to me. All part of her "rebellious" schtick, I guess. And H seems to be morphing into one himself, little by little, for the same reason. Got news for them: As far as royals go, we don't want "American." Yet another reason why they're circling the drain.

P.S. Add me to the list of people who will be RELIEVED!!! when the statue is finally revealed, and H hightails it back to M's loving arms (haha) after (probably) embarrassing himself once again.
SirStinxAlot said…
@Design doctor...I bet he has some great tea to spill about the duo. The palace did say the investigators were speaking to current and former employees. If nothing else, ELF speaks to their character. Something serious usually happens to cause a person to quit a high profile job they have been loyal to for years.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
"If this is true, not nice, Haz." @HarrysGreySuit

https://twitter.com/hrrysgreysuit/status/1410397393896435713

Sadly, even if not true, it could easily be.
abbyh said…
Lt. N. Uhura,

Telling an American.

I don't know but ... a friend was transferred by her company to France for year? more?

She talked about it isn't just the clothes but the shoes. I suspect also the walk. French women were not wearing the casual sneakers and the like to walk the streets of Paris. No, they are wearing european shoes. Maybe the purse? The eyebrows, the makeup can be different. But I would put money on the walk.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
@abbyH,

Ah, I hadn't thought of the walk aspect of it! Americans tend not to *amble* along wherever they go -- they stride purposefully, for the most part, even when just window-shopping at stores. (Trying to remember how Britons walk ... not aimlessly, or unduly slowly, perhaps, but rather as if they wish to blend in, if that makes sense.) Maybe that's it ... thanks, you've eased a decades-long conundrum quite a bit :)
JerseyGirl said…
@Lt. Nyota Uhura

Good morning - Loved your afternoon tea story at the Savoy. There is nowhere in the world I could go with my New Jersey accent and be mistaken as anything but American,lol.

Although I have been told I sound like a educated New Jerseyan. lol
JerseyGirl said…
@Lurking With Spoon - Good morning - Your afternoon tea sounds wonderful and special. It's sort of how I thought a afternoon was. More like a event than a simple cup of tea.

It's more like a experience.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
Blogger JerseyGirl said...
@Lt. Nyota Uhura

Good morning - Loved your afternoon tea story at the Savoy. There is nowhere in the world I could go with my New Jersey accent and be mistaken as anything but American,lol.

Although I have been told I sound like a educated New Jerseyan. lol
_____

Sorry didn't answer sooner, once a new post goes up I tend to forget there are previous threads people go to --

Hahaha, I love NJ accents, heck, all accents :) Thing is tho, Britons could tell I was American without my even opening my mouth!! Psychic, they are :)
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