What kind of hijinks can we expect from the Sussexes at Diana's Statue unveiling? Let's see...
Not much appears to be going on. Living Legends came and went without fanfare ... what's the next event? Super Bowl - Sunday February 11th? Oscar's - March 10th? In the mean time, some things are still rolling along in various starts and stops like Samantha's law suit. Or tax season is about to begin in the US. The IRS just never goes away. Nor do bills (utility, cable, mortgage, food, cars, security, landscape people, cleaning people, koi person and so on). There's always another one. Elsewhere others just continue to glide forward without a real hint of being disrupted by some news out of California. That would be the new King and Queen or the Prince/Princess of Wales. Yes there are health risks which seemed to come out of nowhere. But. The difference is that these people are calmly living their lives with minimal drama.
Comments
Left you a post about 6s speech on the last thread.
What time is the unveiling?
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/princess-diana-statue-kensington-palace-b1874616.html
At the socially-distanced garden party and afternoon tea, Sheeran was overheard congratulating Prince Harry on the birth of his daughter Lilibet Diana earlier this month.
The singer, whose wife Cherry Seaborn gave birth to their first child Lyra Antarctica last year, said: 'Congratulations, a girl right? We just had a little girl ten months ago now. You're still in the trenches now. How do you manage with two?'
The Duke of Sussex replied: 'Two is definitely a juggle.'
Speaking to award winners later, Harry described Lilibet as 'very chilled', saying she 'seems happy to just sit there while Archie is running around like crazy', Hello Magazine reports.
So, Harry describes lili, a newborn, as ‘very chilled, and seems happy to sit there.’ A newborn. Chilling. And sitting there.
Right. I have a bridge to sell everyone too.
I saw this on Tumblr. If true, so sad.
A kid asking an innocent question and he has to respond like that? So much for all the kindness and compassion that he spews about all the time.
------------
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??
So, no pictures. Maybe baby looks like Bill Gates.
Di-lemma
Revealing my unconscious bias
I question Haz, on Di’s dais
Displaying his ma on a plinth
Fuels his desire to spin, repeat, rinse
By unveiling this drama
He’s exhibiting his need, for Diarama
"Speaking to award winners later, Harry described Lilibet as 'very chilled', saying she 'seems happy to just sit there while Archie is running around like crazy', Hello Magazine reports."
Yeah, well I believe Archie was supposed to be that way soon after birth too. At least he was reported to be the perfect calm "Zen" baby (in contrast to fussy, crying, reportedly colicky George, I guess.) Then too it seems Harry starts to have "issues" when kids can move around on their own. And talk. Have their own "narrative" instead of only an assigned one?
After all, as a Diana groupie who has mimicked Diana for years, which helped her land Harry, if she had any advance knowledge of what the statue looks like, it would have been difficult for her to resist using the bench theme for her book to try make it seem like she and Diana have some sort of cosmic connection, which steered her and Harry together.
SwampWoman: Where is the publication or web page source quote from by the parent of the child Harry met at the WellChild event?
Mel found it on tumbler. Teasmade found it on twitter. I haven't been sufficiently curious to track it down. *yawn* See y'all in the morning unless it isn't raining.
I saw that too. Who in the world describes a newborn baby as "happy to just sit there"?
God help that baby if they really have her. Based on his response I honestly (again) can't imagine that they have a baby with them.
SO WEIRD!
@HappyDays
A bench and, a bunch of forget me nots..
PaulaP, San Francisco, United States, 8 minutes ago
There is a Mother on Twitter now who said she was there. Her kids asked H if they could see a picture of Lilibet and he cut them dead. So much for compassionate Harry.
LOL!!!
Your remark about the baby resembling Bill Gates - that is the funniest thing I've read so far this year.
What a brilliant comment.
Anyhow, 6’s wife gets herself papped with “Archie” every time #6 is out of town, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she comes out with a bundle while he’s away this time too. She’ll be staring and smirking into the camera, and all that will be visible of “Lili” is a little fist. Archie probably won’t be with her.
That’s my prediction, for the record.
The answer to all of the above is to hide the children away until they are entirely screwed up and cannot cope with who they are: actual members of one of the most famous families on the planet.
This is a shit show rolling towards edge of the tracks and I have my popcorn ready. (If lili and Archie are real and read this one day, know we are all rooting for you two, and we are desperately sorry that they are your parents).
A comment in the DM:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9742897/Englands-win-Germany-helps-thaw-icy-relations-William-Harry.html#reader-comments
pixellouise, Surf Coast, Australia, moments ago
When one of the children asked if they could see a photo of his daughter, he went beetroot red, scowled, and moved on to the next person without another word. Real nice, Harry.
@Puds
Love your Haz list of WoWo
(woke words)
I especially loved
“My mother and wife born of the
same cloth of Dior and Chanel”
Hahaha, perfect 🥰
@KCM @DesignDoctor
I read, since disappeared??
ELF left due to being frustrated by
madams constant reassurance her
dad’s wedding travel plans were in hand.
They weren’t. That was the final topping
on her multi tiered cake!!
What’s the weather like over there?
Haven’t quite finished Wills scarf,
a few dropped ‘aitches’ 😉
In all things he thinks his life is a one-way street. Millions for doing little or nothing for organisations and companies who take him on. Millions expected from British taxpayers to keep him safe in California - and the family we're not good enough to see. Interest, care and empathy expected from the British public he has labelled racists. He obviously thinks we're stupid as well, as he and his grasping wife don't even bother to get their stories straight first. Stories full of immediately ascertainable lies and exaggerations. We're just fodder to him. Swallow our lies, do what you're told and give us your money.
I so understand @Anonymous'A feelings about yesterday. I'd be boiling with anger, resentment and frustration. When will someone properly tell him where to get off? Then and there? Seems as if it's only William doing that. Jenni Murray in the DM wants to bang the brothers' heads together. Thankfully DM readers know William is not to blame.
We are on moderate at the moment.
@Ava C
I know, it’s bloody frustrating.
Sodchops flies in, grabs a photo op
on the backs of sick children and
the press promote it.
Said press are fully aware of the truth,
but choose to ignore it, for now.
All we can do is wait…
Have you noticed Haz has (mouthful)
adopted madams sickening rictus grin,
along with beady, soulless eyes.
Sinergy!!
We all laugh at DM
But, it’s always been the voice
of middle England.
Wide Legged and Clueless
How low can they go
For Haz, and his Ho
Very, very low
They’ve hit the royal ceiling
Through megs, and her ‘up heeling’
There’s nowhere left to go…
Per Nutty Flavor's question/headline, what hijinks can we expect from H at the statue unveiling --
H will say:
1) The family is out to get me
2) The press is out to get me
3) (If the statue is poorly received) It was all William's fault
4) (If the statue is well received) It was all my doing
Then he will merch the authographed photos with Meghan's book!
Thanks!
@Lt. Nyota
Thank you, very much appreciated.
@Lt. Nyota
Thank you, very much appreciated.
_____
You're quite welcome :) Your talent and razor-sharp insight and humor combined are to be found nowhere else on the internet -- which, along with so many other keen-eyed and talented wordsmiths, makes this site a refuge and a joy to visit!
Back on topic, a photo of H in a car leaving the WellChild thing, using his phone to film *something* is generating buzz. Filming paps, to *prove* he is as *chased* as his mother was? Fodder for some upcoming *documentary*? Whatever it is, he's up to no good, IMO.
(via LSA) https://www.lipstickalley.com/attachments/1625099578313-jpeg.2673726/
It makes more logical sense that HM, POW and heir and spare would like to avoid any memorial to that time.
I am prepared to be wrong because nothing concerning TBW surprises me. That she chose a bench to concoct a book... I refuse to use "write" a book because on my worst day, my grocery list is more profound.
I can see it more depicting Diana holding a baby or small child who was a mine field victim or some other commemoration of her humanitarian work. That would be much more definitive of her life and work as a Royal.
I actually loved Diana. I was not a fan of any type of "Royalty". When she died, I cried for a couple of days. As a young woman I watched her and Charles' wedding. She had her faults as we all do but she deserves to be remembered for the genuine good works she did.
I am appalled at TBW hijacking Diana's persona to trap one of her beloved sons. History will not be kind to that one. I would love to design the statue for that one. Mobs will pull it down and destroy it.
I hope Diana's statue is as beautiful as she was.
This is the link to MM's Uncle Michael.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9744545/Meghan-Markles-proud-ex-diplomat-uncle-Mike-dies-aged-82.html
One thing he wrote was spot on. 'Meghan has climbed socially and left us behind — that's how I feel,' said Mike. 'I think that's what happens when you're 'underclass' and trying to rise above the reality of your situation.'
----
Couldn't have said it better myself and this coming from a family member.
Thursday, Jul 1st 2021 12PM
Harry heads for reunion with William: Prince departs Frogmore Cottage for Diana statue unveiling as warring brothers put their feelings aside to pay tribute to their mother
• The Diana statue has been in situ for more than a week after being lifted into a crate in middle of the night
•
• After barely speaking in the past 18 months, the princes have exchanged words about England's Euros victory
•
• Prince William, as president of the Football Association, attended the match with son George and wife Kate
•
• Three Lions secured historic achievement by knocking Germany out of the Euros on Tuesday with a 2-0 win
•
• The exchange comes ahead of unveiling of statue in memory of their late mother Diana at Kensington Palace
•
• Diana's siblings Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes will be there for the event
By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER and JAMES FIELDING FOR MAILONLINE
Prince William looked serious today as he was spotted driving in London as a friend of Prince Harry said the brothers will show 'professionalism and nothing else' when they are reunited later. Omid Scobie, the Sussexes' preferred royal reporter, has played down the idea of a public reconciliation when the brothers unveil a statue of Princess Diana at 2pm this afternoon.
The siblings are marking their mother's Diana's 60th birthday by unveiling a sculpture created in her honour by Ian Rank-Broadley and placed in the remodelled gardens of Kensington Palace packed with 4,000 of her favourite plants and flowers. Harry and William have been working together on the project since 2017 - but Mr Scobie has said they both vehemently believe today is about their mother - and not their own troubled relationship.
He said: 'What we will see is two brothers being professional in a moment that is not about them. This is going to be a moment we see them put everything to one side. We will just see professionalism and nothing else'. The brothers are said to have barely spoken and have an 'incredibly strained' relationship after two years of rows over Harry's wife and her alleged treatment of staff, the couple's decision to emigrate to America and the tonnes of 'truth bombs' the Sussexes have dropped in TV interviews.
Harry and Meghan believe they were abandoned by the Royal Family, even accusing them of racism towards Archie and ignoring their cries for help when the Duchess of Sussex felt lonely and suicidal while pregnant in London. But sources close to their uncle Earl Spencer, who will also attend today's statue unveiling, have said that there is a hope that the celebration will bring them together again.
And as if beating Germany wasn't amazing enough, the England football team appears to have achieved the near unthinkable. For it seems the stunning 2-0 victory has helped bring about a thaw in the icy relations.
Daily Mail, of course.
Cheers@Lt. Nyota 😘
You wrote "I refuse to use "write" a book because on my worst day, my grocery list is more profound."
Great comparison!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9744611/William-breaks-cover-ahead-Diana-statue-unveiling-Harry-today.html
The Spencer family have also arrived. (video)
Thank you for your kind words.
Thanks with a cherry on top ;)
My prediction: H acts like a wanker and sez: "The press and you nosey public killed my mummy! That's why me and MM left-you'd kill them too."
And what a jerk for treating that little kid how he did. His true self has been uncovered and people are finally seeing it. He really is worse than useless. Maybe he just turned that kid and his mother into republicans. Maybe that little kid called him out unintentionally-there's no baby, thus no pictures, and that's why he turned red and got upset. The little kid nailed their scam. ha!
I hope all you Nutties are doing well! Have been reading from time to time but buried IRL so not much time to participate. Thank you for all of your posts, and @SW you have me laughing with your grandkid updates. Am very grateful.
Here is what Piers Morgan said of Diana in a tribute tweet:
“She was a charismatic, smart, beautiful, contrary, sensitive, funny, unforgiving & mischievous lady with a massive generous heart.
“Biggest star in the world but I think all her demons were driven by one thing: she just wanted to be loved.”
I salute you. Thanks for the link.
I hope Diana's statue is as beautiful as she was.
I hope so too. She was a complicated spirit but that's what made her so fascinating. She reminds me of the duality Hitchcock was obsessed with portraying in his leading ladies.
Reading Scob's words and started thinking of the part where 6&6w had some feelings about abandonment and that people not responding to requests for help.
I know that the different couples sort of had the silo (I think I have it right) thinking where they were in their own little group and were not all that connected to the others. Physical complications of several palaces where one can be and not come near others between the schedules and geography.
I think also about personalities - being able to ask means not just asking but asking the person when they can listen. Just as asking for a loan when the person has gotten off the phone and is still angry from the conversation will not likely be well received.
What and how the phrasing is a complete unknown. We know nothing about these people in private. I do know that given the history of seeking help within the family, suggestions even to 6, would mean that the topic has come up (as opposed to never been raised or any examples of seeking help making it harder to be the first one).
That should have made things easier to ask ... unless it was what I call half or dotted line asking/talking where it is not a direct question: Can you help me/us? but: Hey, sometime, I was hoping that you might be able to fit in/make some suggestions about something.
Or it was a variation of Chicken Little where there is always some crisis which needs help or great drama revolving around something they are doing which may not need helping but certainly one might want to stay out of the path so that the request for help isn't obvious that it is more than the usual circus.
The other thing we don't know is how deep the cuts that PC was thinking of trimming down the family people for helping. Where 6/6w fit in is hard to say other than a comment in FF about how 6 had about needed to get out there to do something (make a mark?) before PW's kids were moving up. 6 did not grow up as an only (as his w kind of did) but when you are one person/couple within a large multi-family - in some ways as the BRF is a large somewhat unified group - you can feel not quite part of whole group (especially as you are working out your own relationship as a couple) or how to stand out from the rest of the group.
So, was there something about feelings of not being needed/not wanted short/long term driving a need for attention or recognition? Who knows?
But I have done work at a suicide line and we would get calls from people whose ex was threatening suicide unless they returned to being a couple. Very power/controlling move - bullying.
I am saying that there were a lot of moving parts to what happened or didn't happen. And any one or combination could have lead to the outcome.
Amen.
I'm headed over to Kensington Gardens for a spell thanks to @Lt. Uhura.
Hugs.
I'll be the contrarian now and say that the only implausible part of that description is the word "sit." Newborns definitely can't sit. Perhaps Prince Harry was recalling the nanny holding a fairly calm baby.
One of my friends, after four finicky children, finally had an "easy baby" (her words) and she would definitely describe her youngest as "chill" and "happy to just [lie] there." She only cries when she's hungry or wet, and settles down immediately as soon as she gets what she wants. When she got old enough to toddle around, she remained the chillest child of them all; she didn't chase after her siblings, but was content to play with any toys put before her -- or with any sibling who came over to keep her company.
Now I wonder if the parent who shared her story on Tumblr will also comment to the press.
I'm more or less listening while doing other stuff. Def don't want to miss anything good that might slip in 😉
Blogger JerseyGirl said...
Good morning all -
This is the link to MM's Uncle Michael.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9744545/Meghan-Markles-proud-ex-diplomat-uncle-Mike-dies-aged-82.html
One thing he wrote was spot on. 'Meghan has climbed socially and left us behind — that's how I feel,' said Mike. 'I think that's what happens when you're 'underclass' and trying to rise above the reality of your situation.'
She has no empathy for those with disabilities. Aging brings disabilities of one kind or another to us all. She turns 40 (allegedly) in a month. I suppose she thinks that servants of one kind or another will be caring for her as she ages. I doubt that she will be able to censor her rages as she gets older; they will probably increase.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9745599/Harry-arrives-reunion-William-Diana-statue-unveiling.html
I'm more or less listening while doing other stuff. Def don't want to miss anything good that might slip in ��
___
Same!
If the Independent is right that the unveiling won't be televised live, then that was a great move on KP's part.
The feuding brothers are said to have been "at each others throats" behind the scenes at Prince Philip's funeral, having barely spoke to one another since Harry and Meghan fled to the US to live a supposedly "private" life.
Now royal expert Hugo Vickers has said their is no chance of the brothers ending the feud while Meghan is around because her husband is simply too "under the thumb" to realise the damage he's done to his brother.
'I don't know what they can do under the present circumstances... Harry has got to wake up to what's going on. It's a very unpleasant situation," he told The Express.
'Harry is so under the thumb of Meghan it is not really possible until he emerges from that," he added, hinting that ending his relationship with the Duchess might be the only way to fix relations with his brother."
https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/3180921/diana-statue-unveiling-princess-time-prince-harry-william-live
6 and the story of getting frustrated over a request for a photo of Lilibet$. the story will morph into the kid wanting to see if she is black. public service charity events and london triggers. he will be flapping his hands all the way back to the US
So the child works for a tabloid, does he/she? The child probably had a hidden recording device and camera, too.
Seriously, if this did *not* happen, he better refute it PDQ because that rumor is spreading fast.
'Harry is so under the thumb of Meghan it is not really possible until he emerges from that," he added, hinting that ending his relationship with the Duchess might be the only way to fix relations with his brother."
So Harry has no mind or volition of his own? Got it. Trying to put the blame for Harry's bad behavior all on his wife won't help mend his reputation with the public, IMO.
the story will morph into the kid wanting to see if she is black.
I almost want the incident to morph into a racist story. Then the child's mother will tell the truth to the press and the UK will be reminded anew that it's not just their Royal Family, but also everyone in the whole kingdom who is being smeared as racist by Harry and his wife.
Underwhelming maybe? But it makes sense I suppose that they have a boy and girl instead of her sons to keep in line that she impacted all of the UK.
I hate to ask but does the boy appear to be a POC?
--- The official ones that are in the UK media, we await their musings and wisdom on H vs? W and the Diana statue. Lady C and YouTube common-'taters too.
At a glance the D statue looks good
It is a beautiful memorial to her in a beautiful setting.
That Bloody #$%@ is upstaging William. Purposely trying to stay in front of the statue for the $ shot. William steps to the side to remove H from the shots and H moves with him.
I hate to ask but does the boy appear to be a POC?
___
Yes. Touché. William called it when he said, "We are very much not a racist family".
Well played! Inclusive and thoughtful.
Meghan is probably ticked off that the news of her Uncle Mike’s death surfaced on the day of the statue unveiling.
The unveiling is too big of an event for her to not insert herself into in one manner or another. She will find a way and does not want to be overshadowed by the passing of a family member who pulled strings at the State Department where he was employed for her to get an internship at the US embassy in Brazil, which she reportedly did not even bother to complete.
Her Uncle Mike was right about her social climbing and leaving people who essentially did not measure up to her standards of what dge termed “Brand Meghan” behind.
I thought Diana statue looks very masculine too. Even on a close up it’s not a flattering statue. 😳
I'm usually horrified by statues of famous people that get their facial expressions wrong. This one is okay, I guess. I'm mostly bothered by the outfit. What an awful belt!
I also think the real Diana would be interacting more intimately at the children; they'd be looking at her and she'd be looking at them. Having said that, I really love the little girl statue and the way she and the Diana statue are holding hands.
It would be wonderful if this statue increased the popularity of sculpture as an art form. And if Catherine got to be patroness of whatever organization supported teaching young people the necessary skills! (After a decade or so, she could pass it on to Princess Charlotte.)
I thought the upper part looked too big and heavy for the bottom section. Diana had beautiful long and slim legs but he managed to make her look frumpy with a thick waist and short, rather stumpy legs.
The head is fine though - the best I have seen so far. It does resemble Diana.
Harry, he's so embarrassing. Trying to stay close to William and William always moving off to the side away from him, lol. He has totally lost the royal posture and style - he just looked sloppy with his jacket unbuttoned, hands deep in his pants pockets and at one point. he was actually tugging at his pants.
I think the birds nest painting in Monteshito was inspired by #6 hair. It looked wiry and uncontrollable.
I'm out for now so longtime Nuttie's can share all the wonderful analysis this blog is known for. I look forward to the many wonderful thoughts.
Great day everyone :)
I don't think the sculptor got the face right, either, but I find the hair excellent. The outfit, however, is pretty bad -- especially from the waist down.
now we await 6s wife’s response. was half expecting her to jump out from the bushes
"That is a **** picture of Di at 60. I think she would look better than that. Looks like one the trolls would pick out."
"It certainly wasn't what I expected. She looks like someone from a Victorian workhouse."
"I hope this statue is better than the one her boyfriend Dodi's father put of them in harrods"
"...still Harree will be pleased he has got his way with his demands..... knowing that at least one of the kids standing besides Diana is b....k"
"Whinge is going to harm Ginge severely when she sees that picture of Diana's statue and her two sons standing in front of it. Prince William is standing under a boy child and Ginge is standing under the other one. Interpret as you see fit!"
However the Sun reports that...
"The bronze statue of Diana, is surrounded by three children to represent the "universality and generational impact" of her work.
Her short cropped hair, style of dress and portrait are based on the final period of her life - following her split from the Prince of Wales."
***Poor little 3rd child is in back*** That is the disenfranchised I guess (Meghan's contribution).
https://www.poblesdecatalunya.cat/element.php?e=6266
It's strong and fearless. Like Diana was at the end, when she had defeated her eating disorder and started revelling in her body instead. She had many flaws but I was proud of her for that. She stopped trying to look shorter and stood tall and proud instead.
https://skippyv20.tumblr.com
There are a bunch of old pre-wedding blog posts from 2018 from an anon called London Scoop who is spilling a lot of tea regarding 6ws entry into the family, Marcus, why they let her in, and backers. Oh, and racism.
Its a lot to wade through, and the anon is trying so hard to both reveal her bona fides and conceal her sources that it gets confusing.
But there are some pearls and its really interesting to see how some of this info are things we are still talking about, and what has emerged as factual.
I wish I could copy and paste just the interesting bits but Tumblr doesnt allow that.
One bit I remember is that the UK press was trolling her almost from the beginning regarding her clothes. They would deliberately reprint some "fashion icon of the world" story
while printing a photo of her as a hot mess.
Lots of pre-wedding stuff about postponement (to be later cancelled) with some "gift" to 6w that she mulled over for a long time which is why the wedding appeared so ad hoc.
I like the statue because of what it lacks - it has been 24? years. It is the intent - a young woman, classic in her styling, a caring mother, who looked out for all.
Three kids. You can't seen the third one (so far) from say the DM but look at the hands of the little girl and you will one coming out from behind her and then you notice the rest of what you cannot see.
the statue. i wish she had a serene smile or any smile. that part seems flat. what i am drawn to more is the girl to her left with a bit of a hugging on the arm. i think that is powerful. someone on twitter said the sugars will say the two kids are archie and lilabet (ugh) but there is a third child peaking from behind which is odd since the statue has a gate behind it so it’s not like you will look at it from all angles.
now we await 6s wife’s response. was half expecting her to jump out from the bushes
This depiction is the only one that both Harry and William agreed upon.
Perhaps her sons did not want to memorialize her beauty or fashion sense. The statue is for the memory of Diana into the future, with her love of children regardless of their race or status. When living memory of her beauty fades, people will see the statue of her surrounded with children and remember her love for children and children's love for her.
meh
But 6 is funny
Portraits and statues of people we know in real life or have seen hundreds of times through photos and videos will always disappoint, I think. But some are more disappointing than others. I may be in the minority here, but I think the Diana statue at least tried to capture her ineffable, non-physical qualities. We who "knew" her are understandably let down and critical. But I think future generations (everyone born after 1997, as WBBM once put it) will read her story, see the statue, and think it's very nice.
So it’s supposed to be in bronze? Looks more like lead or spelter to me ( that’s a zinc-lead alloy , said to cast flawlessly but needs patination. )
The height of the children is weird – doesn’t fit their apparent age, only very young ones would be that small. The 3rd one is strange too, from what we’ve been able to see of it – looks as if the girl has a third arm. What’s the ethnicity of no 3? Chinese or from the great subcontinent?
The whole thing strikes me as inexpressive and lacking warmth.
H can't seem to find his black shoes, fiddling with his wedding ring, standing there like he's a construction worker at the job site, estimating the cost of demolition.
I’m not particularly picky about children’s height. 😁 Diana was 5’10 so she was above average female height. You get both shorter and taller then average children too. My nephew is 6’4 and was a tall toddler and he continued to be a taller than average child growing up. 😋
The more I look at the statue the more I dislike it. 😳
I see today's unveiling as the closing of a chapter. Diana was lovely in many ways and deeply flawed in others; but now she belongs to the past. She's as much a historical figure as the Queen Mother is. For me, the message is that we should finally let her rest in peace.
Ma rk le will burst out of the statue, like a stripper out of a cake
Scroll down.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9745965/Diana-statue-unveiled-mixed-reaction-public.html#comments
Looks as if those of us who smelled a very large and pungent rat from the word go may not have been so far from the truth.
I am just underwhelmed by it. Maybe it looks better in person. I'm slightly disappointed.....
@valentinelow's article about this Lacey extract in The Times is now prefaced with "This article is the subject of a legal complaint by The Duchess of Sussex."
Did we really dress like that in 1993? Oh god, I'm sorry for that fashion disaster...
The statue is underwhelming. I think it should have been of her alone, and not the random kids. At first, looking at it through my phone, I thought it was supposed to be Wills and Harry but then I thought...well one of the boys has a skirt on LOL. (Harry's new Woke narrative?!)
Diana's hair is beautifully done but her face isn't quite right. But then, very hard to capture the nuanced beauty of Diana.
Nice to say the Earl Spencer and the Ladies Sarah and Jane. Doesn't Sarah remind you of Diana?
As for Harry, he looks like an absolute dork. He's literally giddy with glee being back near his brother, which is nice in a way. William looks kingly and Harry looks like a fruitloop. Funny though, he NEVER acts like this around Meghan. He'd probably get an elbow in the ribs.
Body language is telling though. It seems to me that Harry has a sense of relief and some joy in him being around his brother. Things are probably not very rosy for him under the thumb of Meghan Markle. All around, very nice. I do hope some progress toward good is made here! By good I mean, the beginnings of an intervention.
Thanks for sharing the link to the photo of the third child statue!
@Karla
If you tell people that the boy and girl in front represent Prince George and Princess Charlotte, now you can also point out that there's a representative for Prince Louis, too!
(I guess the surrogate in California will have to gear up for another baby.)
*****
Initially, I didn't like that the children were looking away from Diana. I had felt that they ought to be looking up at her and depicted as enjoying interacting with her -- just like all the children she met in her life as a royal. But I think the fact that they're looking away, though still being guided by her, really underlines the idea that she is someone to leave in the past while we journey on to the future. We may feel our ancestors' hands on our shoulders for the rest of our lives, but ultimately, we will go where they cannot and achieve things they never dreamed of.
Is the background thought `Diana as Mary, the Mother of Mercy' - spreading her mantle over all the tiny poor people of the world? So M can appeal to that image as she goes about, executing he Divine Purpose?
The outfit is from her 1993 Christmas card with her posing with her sons. Her first card since her separation from Charles.
Oh, well spotted! And it makes sense that the boys would approve a statue of her in that outfit.
Before this, someone on Tumblr thought it was an outfit Diana had worn to a date with Dr. Khan! That didn't make any sense at all!
Link: https://helenaaurellia.tumblr.com/post/655519549056221185/fascinating-that-the-sculptor-seems-to-have
Robert Lacey's book (Please, Does anyone here have this information?)
@valentinelow's article about this Lacey extract in The Times is now prefaced with "This article is the subject of a legal complaint by The Duchess of Sussex."
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If this is true (I haven't seen article) then a complaint by MM at this point is a joke and not to be taken seriously.
First off what would even mean at this point if there is a inaccuracy? Does she really have that much money lying around in Montecito to battle another news outlet? Will she have unlimited funds to battle the whole world of media? She has proven herself to be so unimportant that it doesn't matter anymore what she says or what she does now.
It's just a joke. I wish she would sue me, I'd let her spend a million dollars on her legal costs to sue me...it would be my pleasure. I hope though it doesn't lead to another job loss or as they say another canceling of a humanbeing from their livilhood. Ruin someone else's life. I hope all her inner ugliness ages her profoundly as she hits the big 4 0!
Doesn't sound much of a case to me.
Of course I would have been very happy had she been wearing one of her gowns with her Tiara on her head.
I know what you mean, but I think it would have been out of place in a garden. I imagine it would look like Cinderella running away from the prince . . . which would be an interesting impression to give, now that I mention it!
And I really can't shake the sense that the message of the statue is that we all have to move on now. Why are we still talking about a woman who did her most influential work thirty years ago? A distinctively royal look, with gown and tiara, reminds me of the young Prince William promising that he would give his mother the HRH back after he became king. * And now the statue's "business casual" appearance seems to reflect an adult Prince William's more complex view of his late mother. We're all disappointed because we don't see "our" Diana in the statue. But perhaps we're looking at Princes William and Harry's Diana.
* I'd add: Knowing how William feels about privacy, he was probably upset and disappointed when his mother leaked what he had told her in private about the HRH. And had she lived, he might not have restored it after all.
And I confess that the statue unveiling has awakened my interest in the art of sculpture. I hope there will be a revival.
I think that it's hard to capture someone in a statue. You are challenged by the lack of colour and shadow and the material to render something lifelike let alone a resemblance. He did a pretty good job but it's a statue.
I would have liked to see something high tech like a hologram
So do I, but we seem to be in the minority!
I suppose everyone's a critic!
I'm still marvelling at the different between William the King and Harry the Stupid Court Jester. I am sure Megsy wishes she'd snared the other brother.
People are trying to verify that this information is true. If true, they believe that after The Times over a news report summarizing Lacey's book, presumably they're going after Lacey too then. Given that he's the one making the allegations they're objecting to.
I read all of the comments before I went to look at the pictures, so I was prepared not to like it. It doesn't remind me of Diana physically, but is good as a representation of what she symbolized.
Regarding JH -- it is obvious how uncomfortable/nervous he must have been due to the sheer output of energy. He obviously went with something to prove and was determined to do so. Everything he did was to show he was in "control" -- from having fun, being overtly friendly, arriving with little time to spare and departing in a specific time frame. It reminds me of a comment at Nutty made about narcs; how they would throw something out there to suddenly cause chaos among everyone....and then be the only one left happy since they weren't affected by the negativity. Reminds me of Meghan during her last grasshopper appearance...everyone being professional while she was acting "oh so sweet and happy." Barf.
So glad that's done and over with...now we can finally move on!
@JerseyGirl
The outfit is from her 1993 Christmas card with her posing with her sons. Her first card since her separation from Charles.
Oh, well spotted! And it makes sense that the boys would approve a statue of her in that outfit.
Before this, someone on Tumblr thought it was an outfit Diana had worn to a date with Dr. Khan! That didn't make any sense at all!
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I can't take credit for finding the picture. It was in the DM article amongst a hundred other pictures.... I just happen to find it. Wish the DM could break down their articles so it doesn't take a hour to through it all.
I suppose the Prince's had to go through more than 100 pictures to find one suitable for this statue. I just have to imagine how horrible the fashion of 1993, which I myself was a slave to at the time also.
Only the black child has footwear, the others are barefoot. Why?????
Is the background thought `Diana as Mary, the Mother of Mercy' - spreading her mantle over all the tiny poor people of the world? So M can appeal to that image as she goes about, executing he Divine Purpose?
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I wondered about that too, very odd...
It appears to me as if the sculptor was hoping to capture the strength and power of the classical Roman statues of the Goddess Diana. Rather than the Goddess the hunter, with the symbolic use of stag and arrows, the artist chose what represents Diana Spencer, and that was children, with no preference for their color of skin nor station in life. The few lines of the poem engraved at the food of the statue says as much. That the sculptor chose to have two of the children with bare feet, the same...
Art History students from generations on will be studying the statue as I did other works during my college days.
I also think we are so accustomed to the many PR pics of Diana and especially now as our cultural eyes are trained to see only what the current cult of celebrity counts as "beauty" "sexiness" and "hotness"-as one DM commenter stated, the statue isn't HOT...dear gawd (!)
I think it's a very classical but contemporary way in which to depict William and 6's mother whom they loved; and to commemorate a Royal member of their family for generations to come.
It is growing on me the more I contemplate it's meaning and the artist's interpretation.
Yes, I think that you are right. We're looking at their mummy, not the glamorous creature that *we* expect. I like the moving on aspect as well. Great comment!
The Sugars are attacking the statue because they believe Diana is standing with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
...
But thank God they put that green dress (MM)to good use to cover the statue.
I'm leaving, I'm talking too much. Bye!
@40:27 Lady C shares a comment about "authentic life" that deserves lattes for a year...
DIANA remembered; Harry, William & Queen APART; NO VISIT by HMTQ; SACKED by Netflix; LIES as truth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-DfshPOI-8
Diana is dressed in the outfit from her Christmas card with William and Harry, but striding purposefully forward with three random, politically correct children. It looks like a propaganda piece to me. Yes, Diana viewed herself/was viewed as a humanitarian who cared deeply for disadvantaged children, but the fact remains that she spent 99% of her life living in the lap of luxury surrounded by her social peers. I think it would have been far more effective and moving had likenesses of W and H been by her side—there in her favorite garden/oasis at the palace where she lived with her sons. After all, she had always made clear that her most important role was that of mother. IMO it was also her most successful role in life.
I don’t mean to sound harsh. The memorial could have been much worse. And, yes, it reflects the wishes of W and H, which were obviously paramount in designing the sculpture. My personal reaction is a big “MEH….”
But thank God they put that green dress (MM)to good use to cover the statue.
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LOL. The DM commenter that said this also gets lattes for a year. The comments are pure gold right now.
I think the statue was designed to stand up over time in it's symbolism. Diana is now part of history. She should not be depicted as a fashion icon or sex symbol in her sculpted presence on Royal grounds, especially for public viewing, IMO.
This is a great point! I wish the outfit (which is the part of the statue I dislike the most) reflected it more. The children are dressed in very classic outfits; they could be from any decade and aren't specifically the children of the 80s or 90s. But Diana's outfit will date the statue faster than anything else will. Then again, maybe that's the point. And well, every time I criticize the statue, I remember that her sons chose the final design (which I do respect) and are not artists themselves.
I would have liked to see something high tech like a hologram
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TBW will do it now...she reads here right? Ha!
@Mel,
Your description of 6 standing like a construction worker looking to do a bid on a demolition just cracked me the hell up. So on target!
@Puds said,
Harry looks fat and bloated and he is smirking, he keeps trying to do a manly hands on waist as his PR probably want him to but it just makes him look arrogant and corrupted.
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Ditto. He made such a jackass of himself. He's taken on the obnoxious demeaner that folks from other countries use to make jokes out of us Americans. It's embarrassing how un-Princely he's trying to be. He just looks like a braying ass though I hate to insult the ass.
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That said, I apologize for what I'm *about to say. It has to be all kinds of wrong for an old lady to fangirl a future King but William is Alpha Handsome, regal and dignified.
Too bad the Sun link didn't have rewind or I would have. When he comes out with a swag on him and is standing with his back to the camera. He slowly shifts from one leg to the other...Oh Lawd, he looked fine. Tall and straight posture with that finely cut suit on him.
Sigh...Hair or no hair he is still one handsome man. Catherine is a lucky woman...
It looks like a propaganda piece to me. Yes, Diana viewed herself/was viewed as a humanitarian who cared deeply for disadvantaged children, but the fact remains that she spent 99% of her life living in the lap of luxury surrounded by her social peers. I think it would have been far more effective and moving had likenesses of W and H been by her side—there in her favorite garden/oasis at the palace where she lived with her sons.
I think it is a propaganda piece, too, though I don't mean that in a negative way. This is her sons' final statement (well, one son's final statement) about how they would like their mother to be remembered. And it seems they want us to see her as more than just their mother.
Also, I imagine they weren't too eager to have their young selves depicted in statue form. They're also more than just her sons. But this is mostly personal conjecture. Would any of us regular Joes and Janes, if we had a really famous parent, be happy to have a statue of ourselves as a supporting actor to him or her for many years to come?
@Wild Boar Battle-maid
Is the background thought `Diana as Mary, the Mother of Mercy' - spreading her mantle over all the tiny poor people of the world?
I think every statue of a motherly woman with children is going to be compared to Mary. I think the artist did a decent job offsetting any ethereal Marian elements with a more modern edge.
As for what Prince William's sister-in-law may do in response . . . Well, we've already seen her do a slew of Marian poses. I guess she's going to copy the outfit (atrocious belt buckle included) in a future appearance. If she has more impulse control and can wait a few years, I also see her oh-so-casually recreating the pose with the actors she will cast as Archie and Lili.
Thank you!
Would have looked better in marble but maybe that isn't allowed now.
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/649785052463360054/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9746721/PIERS-MORGAN-Diana-want-60th-birthday-William-Harry-bury-hatchet.html
I'm not all that impressed but I didn't expect to be. As others have said, statues of people we "know" often seem off.
But yeah otherwise he appears to be laughing at a joke that's only in his head the whole time.
And isn't that exactly what his wife does? I recall an old discussion thread in which we pointed our how many times she has done this in old photos -- grinned widely from ear to ear or even burst out laughing, while everyone else around her had perfectly neutral looks on their faces. The consensus was that narcissists don't feel true happiness, but they do try to ape it.
Perhaps Harry himself doesn't feel much happiness any longer, though he apparently can take direction from his wife about how to act in front of the cameras. It's just too bad (for them) that she's a worse director than she is an actress.
If they were hoping that people would look at the contrast between the brothers and see Harry as the happy one and Prince William as the dour, sour one, well, they really missed the mark. One of them looks like a dignified future king -- and no, I don't mean the Marquess of Montecito.
It looks like a propaganda piece to me. Yes, Diana viewed herself/was viewed as a humanitarian who cared deeply for disadvantaged children, but the fact remains that she spent 99% of her life living in the lap of luxury surrounded by her social peers. I think it would have been far more effective and moving had likenesses of W and H been by her side—there in her favorite garden/oasis at the palace where she lived with her sons.
I think it is a propaganda piece, too, though I don't mean that in a negative way. This is her sons' final statement (well, one son's final statement) about how they would like their mother to be remembered. And it seems they want us to see her as more than just their mother.
Also, I imagine they weren't too eager to have their young selves depicted in statue form. They're also more than just her sons. But this is mostly personal conjecture. Would any of us regular Joes and Janes, if we had a really famous parent, be happy to have a statue of ourselves as a supporting actor to him or her for many years to come?
@Wild Boar Battle-maid
Is the background thought `Diana as Mary, the Mother of Mercy' - spreading her mantle over all the tiny poor people of the world?
I think every statue of a motherly woman with children is going to be compared to Mary. I think the artist did a decent job offsetting any ethereal Marian elements with a more modern edge.
My very first thought on seeing what I must call a travesty is, "It looks exactly like a piece of Soviet propaganda." This is my opinion, which must not reflect William and Harry's as presumably they have been shown the work in progress over the last four years and were solicited for their ideas/wishes at the design stage . . But--
Are they REALLY happy with this? Does this reflect their wish and memory of their mother?
I hate it. Diana looks glowering and very masculine, blocky, thick. Her friends that expressed doubt that she could be effectively rendered in such a hard, unyielding medium were correct. I can recognize her hairstyle and her outfit, which have more clear detail than any of her face. Including a nod to her charity causes by including the children was well-intentioned, but I do not feel the setting was appropriate. In a public park, sure.
This is a private family garden where William and his family live. The statue will be a good launchpad to tell the Cambridge children more about the grandmother they never got to meet, but imagine trying to walk, meditate or otherwise enjoy the sunken garden and pond with that gargoyle looming over one and its eyes booring into you. The gaze is very direct, right atcha, but without any softer elements to give it warmth, it feels so unsettling to me. Cold and off-putting. It may represent the subject, but it does not embody her. More care was given to the figures of the children in my eyes. Why are 2 of the 2 barefoot? Such a distant, random collection of figures, three of them 'fictional' though I suppose real child models were used is a very bizarre choice for a family garden.
I never thought a statue was the best memorial idea for Diana. Imagine instead how nice a small inscribed monument/stone with one or two of the boys' favorite pictures of her inlaid, or an engraved plaque with her face and dates. And, yes, a bench next to it for sitting in remembrance as the viewer looked out over the pool.
I predict that William's children might be afraid of this thing, and that it's going to end up repelling people from lingering long at that end of the garden--surely the opposite of the intent.
I think the artist did a decent job offsetting any ethereal Marian elements with a more modern edge.
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Thank you for your kind words!
This! Just what I was trying to say. The classical representation of the Goddess (including Mary) with a bit of an edge. Classical in spirit but not so much in fashion trends.
I like how the sculptor chose to use clothing from Diana's era. What would an artist's rendering of Queen Victoria be without her fashion choice of the day, is the question I would ask him if I could. It's these types of details that create dialogue and make art interesting.
I love the way we inspire and bounce ideas off one another. It makes the blog fun!
Glad it's not just me. I'm crushing lol...
At least the Village Idiot walked a few paces behind his brother when they went down the steps. But yeah otherwise he appears to be laughing at a joke that's only in his head the whole time.
Another trick he's picked up from The Wife.
How different this occasion might have been, had Harry never encountered that creature.
It was a long way to come for not much, because I'm pretty sure William would have said, "Well, that's done and dusted, finally. Do have a nice trip back to the airport. Don't call us; we'll call you."
As for what Prince William's sister-in-law may do in response . . . Well, we've already seen her do a slew of Marian poses. I guess she's going to copy the outfit (atrocious belt buckle included) in a future appearance. If she has more impulse control and can wait a few years, I also see her oh-so-casually recreating the pose with the actors she will cast as Archie and Lili.
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So true. That candle pose with her arms crossing her chest. She's a joke.
In Lady C's latest she says quite emphatically, "They're PATHETIC"! I couldn't agree more.
Diana, white suit, wide belt, 1994
I like that one a lot more than the 1993 Christmas card outfit! (Her facial expression is also wonderful.) The lapels of the top crossing over (I hope I'm using the fashion terms correctly!) is a stronger look than the button-down top with the pleats. Yes, it will remain a dated fashion choice, but again, perhaps that was the point. Honor her, but let her rest in the past.
Switching back and forth between that new picture and the photo of the statue does highlight for me one flaw that others have been pointing out: The legs. Diana's legs gave her her famous statuesque (oh, how ironic!) look -- but the statue's legs look pretty dumpy. But as @LavenderLady has pointed out, it would be ridiculous for the statue of loving mother and great humanitarian to be HAWT.
I don't know about anyone else, but the statue is making me reflect on a lot of things! It has me thinking of the impressions we leave on others and how they will remember us. Diana liked to control her image in the press -- and for the most part, she succeeded in appearing both glamorous and compassionate. But she had no control over what her sons have chosen for her "final" image -- which I believe that at least one son (the kingly one) will propagate going forward. We may not like it, but we also have to remember that the images we measure it against were as curated as this one was. Diana had a great moment in the sun with the famous "revenge dress," but as the saying goes, "You can't take it with you." And I see that we who have survived her won't be taking it with us, either. Her sons have spoken. The case is closed.
barefoot child and hidden.
This took me straight to Africa and Diana's fight against landmines. Barefoot children, innocent victims and little heard by society.