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Warm Up for the Games

 Let the Games Begin - with Netflix in tow.

I'm trying to think of how or what exactly can be shot and shown to the world?  

When people sent in their applications, was the photography release for Netflix included? I can image there was something of a release - because the organization wants/needs publicity spread far and wide so they expect photos printed in papers and hopefully some scenes in the home country tv broadcasts.  But did it extend to Netflix level access? Will there be signs about a release as the audience walks into any event (turn back if you don't want to accept the release).  That may put some families in a bind - they would want to support their family member but maybe they also don't want to be part of the whole Netflix possibility for some personal reason like they don't have Netflix and wouldn't be able to see if they were included?  Or they don't want to be photographed?

I don't know.  Maybe the planners already thought of it so it's done and dusted but no media has thought about asking.  Or, may be not?  

What I do know is that BLG made an interesting point about how pairing the good deed/action as a Royal with an opportunity to publicize it via some monetization "... a conflict of interest."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qucYKM2HkY  (start at about 5:08 for the lead up to specific point).  

So H and M might/might not still be considered Royal Royal but Royal with some limitations but if he still is pushing for needed to be classified as a person who still needs the protection offered to the British Royal Family and he wins, then ... he still would be Royal enough for the monetization to be a conflict of interest for this.  And for everything they have been building up to create an empire money-making machine so far.  "It's all about the optics." (especially if you are aiming for a UN position or a political run or local humanitarian).

Not a clue about the surprise and not holding my breath waiting for it either.

Which leads up to the: is he safer in the Netherlands than in the UK.  

I was planning on that as the next post but the DM beat me to it.  But let me add some other thoughts.

This will be a concentrated gathering of people who did a lot of the same things as H did in the countries he was in.  So, I agree with Ken that it could have the potential for increased risks.  Or not because everyone is looking/paying attention because they don't want something to happen.

Not just numbers of others who could be hurt as well but budgets.  It would certainly be a cheaper cost (ticket to the Netherlands from the UK or maybe they are already living in the Netherlands/EU), easier to enter country from nearby, where there is great public transportation, easy access to bikes/mopeds,  hostels compared to fly to the USA, pass customs, rent a car and hang around in a very expensive city waiting for an opportunity without being obviously not a resident of the city.  

But if "something" happens (like the alleged event after the Diana statue dedication or worse), does that mean he is really a full blown target for the rest of his life?  


But what about the vaunted private security that he would have in tow?  Well, according to google, they won't be allowed to carry guns in the Netherlands in the same way they are not allowed to carry guns in the UK.  

To me, that's a kind of problem in logic about how to think about safe/unsafe places to visit.  But I am not their travel advisor. 

But I don't think I'm wrong about what happens if he does get the protected person status - just so he has the potential to feel safe about visiting his grandmother.  My impression is that it can be immediately applied universally to all other countries.  So he can ask for it and would get it in the USA even if he never returns to the UK for the rest of his life.  

Let the games begin.  Invictus.  Legal. Netflix.  Surprises.  Should be interesting.  Popcorn anyone?


Comments

abbyh said…
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OCGal said…
I am literally sick to my stomach over the continuing hijinks of the despicable duo from Montecito. As blog poster Newport Monarchist commented on a DailyMail article on the upcoming Invictus games being infiltrated by Netflix crew and #666:

“Wont be watching their Netflix show making money for themselves off injured and disabled vets, shameful!”

This one comment has 19,000 upvotes in far less than 24 hours.

The Su$$exes seem impervious to criticism. It seems nothing can stop them. Oh, how I wish somehow someone, or something, somewhere could free us from their iron grip.
OCGal said…
Reading my own comment I realize it could be taken in a scarily harsh manner that I didn’t intend.

Need I mention that I am not hoping for apocalyptic eradication of the two rats, I just wish they would shut up, go away, and live the private lives that they claim to want.
lizzie said…
I admit I've not really followed Harry's case about security. But it wasn't my impression a win would mean the US has to give him free security forever.

Here is the definition of Internationally protected person from US law ; 18 USC § 1116(b)(4)

Internationally protected person

(4) “Internationally protected person” means—

(A) a Chief of State or the political equivalent, head of government, or Foreign Minister whenever such person is in a country other than his own and any member of his family accompanying him; or

(B) any other representative, officer, employee, or agent of the United States Government, a foreign government, or international organization who at the time and place concerned is entitled pursuant to international law to special protection against attack upon his person, freedom, or dignity, and any member of his family then forming part of his household.
Source
18 USC § 1116(b)(4)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=18-USC-216574708-1528478296&term_occur=999&term_src=#:~:text=(4)%20%E2%80%9CInternationally%20protected%20person,agent%20of%20the%20United%20States

How does a decision in the UK have the force of international law? I'm a bit confused.
They are just exploiting any situation they can (for their own gain) and to create content for Netflix. 😒 The upcoming Invictus Games has zero meaning to them both, other than something to exploit. 🤔🤨

The security issue is solely about status, nothing else.

I go out of my way not to click on any article about them if I can (I mostly just scan the headline). I listen to Lady C, but that’s just about my fill these days. 😒🤨
OCGal said…
Another perspicacious pointed comment, this tweeted by Gamma7 minutes ago in reference to Netflix’ cameras and staff and #666 forcibly squeezing themselves into the upcoming Invictus Games scene:

“Rather than an exemplary foundation to support wounded warriors, Invictus has become a Hollywood production”

So true. Lamentable.
Elsbeth1847 said…
OCGal -

No one here wishes apocalyptic eradication on them either. That's one of the reasons I stay - people who post are the kind of people who have similar values of how you may not like them but spewing evil of what you wish would happen to them is not ever how people talk about them in response to their latest fling at attention.

It's like the idea of the kids. I just kind of hope they do have actors slipping in and out because the idea that kids would be really living in a place where they can't be seen/heard even by people who enter the doors and stay to work for some amount of hours is a really sad thought.

But wishing they would actually take up the mantle of privacy they so claim they want. All for that and please don't let the door slam.
Mel said…
Yeah, I think H wants it set up like he's a rock star.

Remember how he was so taken with being a rock star at one of the vaccination concerts?
Rebecca said…
Off topic, apologies, but Tina Brown’s latest book titled The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor--the Truth and the Turmoil comes out April 26, 2022. Brown says Harry hates Camilla and does not want her to be Queen, and predicts his memoir will target her, Charles and William but likely spare Kate (and the Queen, of course).

I won’t read it but I hope a Nutty might be interested enough to do so and report back.
abbyh said…
Here's how I suspect it works:

"... (B) any other representative, ... a foreign government, ... who at the time and place concerned is entitled pursuant to international law to special protection against attack upon his person, freedom, or dignity, and any member of his family then forming part of his household."

If he wins in the UK, it applies internationally. To him. To her. To the kids.

I'm not a lawyer but that's how it was explained to me.

hence if they win in the UK the he and she can have it until they pass on to the next life without ever having to return to the UK or, I guess it is possible for the case to come up again for review like when William is King?

That's a lot of ifs between here and when the judge rules.
Rebecca said…
From the Mirror:

Becks and Posh had invited Kate and William to the star-studded £3 million wedding in Florida.

But the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – whose guests at THEIR wedding in 2011 included the Beckhams – declined the request.

Meanwhile Prince Harry and Meghan, who also had David and Victoria as wedding guests in 2018, were not even invited to Brooklyn’s bash to see him get hitched to billionaire heiress Nicola Peltz, 27.

The Beckhams were reported to have agonised over which royal couple to choose because of the alleged rift between William and Harry, who now lives in California with actress Meghan.

In the end they plumped for William and Kate because of their long history of friendship.
Hikari said…
I will be watching closely to see how Invictus handles the impending “Big Surprise”.

There is no plausible reason to include Harry’s wife in this event. Unless Invictus is also in Netflix’s pocket too.

They do not answer to the Prince of Montecito. He is not their director. He has never been more than a figurehead as patron. Turned up for photo ops and dinners in his honor, but was never boots on the ground working on the organizational side. When he was affiliated with the royal family, the relationship was beneficial to both sides. Harry did no work, allegedly was quite inappropriate with some of the veterans as far as inappropriate touches and language, but while he was still a popular Royal, the organization benefited. Three years on from Hazza’s cycle through the tulips whilst his ball and chain was back in London allegedly “in labor with Archie“, the worm has turned. No there once shiny royal patron is almost universally reviled amongst his countrymen and most of the service Corps. He is now a massive liability to the organization, and if they allow at the horse and pony show with Netflix camera crews and word salad spewed forth by dimwit and his handler, well, shame on them. I commented in the last thread that it was time for Invictus to cut Harry loose. He’s done side all for them for the last three years, apart from the group humiliation exercise that was the agent orange ego stroke commercial disaster. Invictus is no longer getting anything positive front it’s association with H. If they allow her to come as well, that will just tear the biscuit. A normal wife might come to watch in the stands and applaud the veterans, but we know that will not be how she rolls. Let’s just see if her attendance at the upcoming Games happens just like her centerpiece role at the Oscars did, shall we? Somebody has got to put a stop to this incessant nonsense.
The Cat's Meow said…
Can anyone explain the "alleged incident after the Diana statue unveiling" which is referenced in the original post? I am guessing this is one of the reasons for JH's lawsuit about security? If so is there any proof of an incident or is it just something that exists as hearsay?
The Cat's Meow said…
One observation....

Ever since HMTQ officially pulled out of the Maundy Thursday observance there has been no more discussion of Andrew escorting her to Aintree which is happening this weekend. I am sure solving the Andrew Problem was not the main reason for her change in schedule....but it has certainly helped evade this issue till next time.
lizzie said…
Thank you @abbyh.

I guess what I don't get is why it's automatically the case that a yes decision to provide security in the UK (IF that happens) would automatically mean H must therefore be an internationally protected person (IPP) I get that if he is an IPP one place, he is other places under some sort of international law or treaty. (Maybe the Geneva Convention?)

As I said I haven't paid that much attention to H's case except to read about the scathing treatment her lawyer got (& apparently deserved) from the judge. But in some quick skimming that initial connection to being an IPP still eludes me (unless it's the case that protection by the Metro Police is only given to IPPs.)

----------

Invictus Games

I agree M shouldn't be a part of the games. But honestly, why wouldn't she be? She was in Australia so it seems to me the organization has already accepted H&M as a two-fer.
abbyh said…
H was in town for the unveiling of the Diana visit so July 2021. After a visit to WellChild charity, allegedly he was in a car which was chased by a (one) car which he said contained pap(s). There is video supposed to be of this chase event but it is short as in less than 30 seconds.

It is unclear how long this chase lasted (like started at X, ended when we turned at Y and lost them).

It is unclear who shot this video, how they fit into the chase event or if anyone was in the car with him to, you know, help calm his nerves, drive the car or something.

No video from the alleged pap(s) seems to have ever surfaced of this chase nor has anyone ever appeared to have claimed to be present or shown proof of participating in this (solitary car) chase at what looks like people were following the posted speed limits.

It's all very vague so although there are claims that this is the proof of danger to him. But is it?


https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/935216-video-proves-prince-harrys-claim-his-car-was-chased-in-london
The Cat’s Meow asked…. Can anyone explain the "alleged incident after the Diana statue unveiling" which is referenced in the original post? I am guessing this is one of the reasons for JH's lawsuit about security? If so is there any proof of an incident or is it just something that exists as hearsay?

It’s a non existent scenario. Mole fabricated it. Lady C spoke about the whole incident a while back. Mole wasn’t followed as he alleged, seems he was clueless there was overhead helicopters filming their arrival and departure. 🥴
HappyDays said…
My guess that the “surprise” is the story the DM is running that Meghan is coming along to the games. After all, the Netflix cameras will be there and Meghan can probably sniff out a camera crew from a mile away so she can put her plastic face right in front of it.

If there is another “surprise,” it might be they are bringing the kids for one photo op.

I think their penchant for “surprises” is a grandiose. They are treating the public as if the public are a group of five-year olds hoping grandma will pull a bunch of lollipops out her pocketbook for them if they are good boys and girls.



Fifi LaRue said…
That was a no brainer for the Beckhams to invite the Cambridges, and not the Dollars. It's doubtful the Beckhams agonized over their decision. Why? Because the Royal Family, i.e., The Queen, Charles, when he's King, and William when he's King, can confer knighthoods, and OBE upon worthy citizens. Only the short-sighted, and not-so-bright UK citizens will align themselves with the Dollars.
snarkyatherbest said…
abbyH are we sure it wasn’t the wife chasing him to make sure he wasn’t going off with his friends?

problem is most people are polite. invictus prob got a request from harry to bring his wife it’s where we met blah blah blah and it’s hard for them to say no. once she is there she will push her way in further and no one is going to say no and she knows it. remember at the prince of wales reception at buckingham palace. she tried they were sick of her and made sure she didn’t but they were putting up with her for a year by then. invictus won’t have that impatience. so expect everything but hope for nothing 😉
The Cat's Meow said…
Thank you @abbyh and @Rasperry Ruffle for the explanation. If only we could get drone footage or something...and prove that the whole security issue was a total nothingburger.
re politeness - good point Snarky.

Con artists rely on people being polite in response to their overtures - this puts the victim into a vulnerable position so they can be reeled in. When dealing with such people, I do not allow myself to be inhibited by politeness.

(Especially when dealing with those from many miles to the east who telephone to say they are from my ISP or Microsoft and have detected a problem on my computer. As if my ISP or Microsoft cares that much about little me!)
Maneki Neko said…
Yesterday's Telegraph magazine had an article on Tina Brown, editor of Tatler, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker about her new book on the Palace (she's also written a biography of Diana). She's spoken to 120 people intimately involved with senior royals. Nothing new but it confirms what we know. I only have the paper version of the article so am copying the salient points.

• 'Harry can't stand Camilla, he doesn't want C to be queen, he's very angry it's happening. He has not made us peace with it and he probably never will.'
• Relations between the two brothers are 'very bad' and 'there's absolutely nothing going on at the moment '.
• 'He was incredibly hot-headed in negotiating their exit' . . . 'He just alienated everybody'.
• [re lawsuits] Tina Brown reckons that 'stirring up this hornet's nest is the way he can express his anger.' Harry decided to absolutely not capitulate to any dialogue with the press who he believes killed his mother, ruined his life and ruined Meghan 's life.' . . . unfortunately, Meghan is as combative about it as he is. . . . In the Sussex marriage, they wind each other up and it's Us Against the World, and that's a disaster '.
• She believes the Sussexes are 'addicted to drama. H believes he can save M in a way he couldn't save his mother, which is poignant but also hugely destructive.'
• The truth about H is that he 'is so emotionally needy that he's been completely and utterly taken over by M and his personality has changed. . . . M seems to answer some huge need in H and it seems like they are in a powerful co-dependency.'


That said she was rather sympathetic to * but like us believes she could have changed things had she stuck around.
Sandie said…
Oscars and now Beckham wedding (have I forgotten others?): plethora of media stating that not only were they invited to the Oscars, but were going to be presenters; not only were they invited to the Beckham wedding, but their private plane had been delayed and they were en route.

Obviously they were not invited to either event.

Why do organisers not set things straight and issue a denial?

Who starts these rumours?

Note that Neil Sean was adamant that both storues were true? Is there a Sussex mole in the Palace feeding this nonsense to Neil?
Sandie said…
Tina Brown claims to have many sources close to senior royals. How realistic is this claim?

That the marriage is not a blissfully happy one has been clear to many from early in their relationship. That he has been manipulated to give up everything for her and stubbornly sticks to her and that is connected to his mother is not difficult to deduce.

I think that it is incredibly sad that he was on the right track before he met her and then it all blew up very quickly. They should have married him off to a suitable woman while he was still in his twenties. Loneliness and too much spare time led him to hang out with a lot of celebrities and made him easy prey for a malignant toxic narcissist to manipulate and use to achieve her own grandiose ambitions.

I used to think that somehow he would be saved, but now I doubt it.

What is interesting about the Tina Brown narrative is that this seems to have become the accepted one now. It is one that people on social media sites like this cottoned on to a long time ago.

I don't think they will ever recover from this, her especially, but they will always have media coverage. But, like the Beckhams and a bizarre women called Katie Price, they will achieve nothing worthwhile and even struggle to maintain their expensive lifestyle.

He is doing his best to destroy the monarchy and his family. That suits her, although realistically his family is the only financial safety net they have, but they come across as remarkably stupid to me, despite the pompous word salad and grandiose stunts.
Sandie said…
PS @Maneki Neko

Thanks for posting that summary from the Tina Brown book. (I did not mean to target you, and forgot to thank you for the great share.) I think she is 'bigging up' sources or even making them up, but she has put her pulse on what is going on and the climate is one in which she can put out a book like this. She probably has spoken to some people who have had some contact with one or both of the duo.

If I was him, I would not want to publish my whinge fest memoirs in this climate! But, it will get them a lot of media coverage, which will feed both their egos.
snarkyatherbest said…
well there is certainly a mole setting the record straight on the Beckman wedding. they live in London they were never going to pick Montecito over the crown. although if montecito did go i would have loved to see what mama peltz would have done. she is rumored to be as “controlling” of her kids as mama kardashian.😉

actually by getting it out there via tina brown maybe the palace is setting the ground work for the palace defense when the book gets out. they prob had wind of it when the palace dropped the camilla will be queen statement at the start of the jubilee. tested the water the water seemed fine. so if harry comes out blazing i bet it will come across petty and vindictive and bolster support for Camila. if we see a william/camilla joint appearance before the book comes out then we know the tina brown speculation is true. Brown is still very well connected in the publishing world and in London.
HappyDays said…
Maneki Neko said:

From Tina Brown’s book:
“ • [re lawsuits] Tina Brown reckons that 'stirring up this hornet's nest is the way he can express his anger.' Harry decided to absolutely not capitulate to any dialogue with the press who he believes killed his mother, ruined his life and ruined Meghan 's life.' . . . unfortunately, Meghan is as combative about it as he is. . . . In the Sussex marriage, they wind each other up and it's Us Against the World, and that's a disaster '.
• She believes the Sussexes are 'addicted to drama. H believes he can save M in a way he couldn't save his mother, which is poignant but also hugely destructive.'
• The truth about H is that he 'is so emotionally needy that he's been completely and utterly taken over by M and his personality has changed. . . . M seems to answer some huge need in H and it seems like they are in a powerful co-dependency.'”

@ Maneki Neko: Thank you for publishing this summary of bullet points from Ms. Brown’s book. I am hoping people who read her book will become more fully aware of the multi-faceted danger that controls Harry and uses him as her proxy to inflict as much damage as possible on the UK, the monarchy, and any individual associated with either who Meghan sees as getting in her way.

The three bullet points about Tina Brown’s information about the Harkles are classic indicators/behaviors of a person caught up in a relationship (in this case, a marriage) with a narcissist.

But as what passes for a marriage has limped along, I have concluded Meghan is most likely worse than just a run-of-the-mill narcissist. I believe there’s a good chance she what is known as a “dark triad” personality, which compounds her narcissistic personality disorder by adding the behaviors of psychopathy and machiavellianism.

In addition to the damage she has caused and will continue to attempt to inflict upon institutions and individuals outside her marriage, I fear for Harry and those two children. Because Harry is weak and not very intelligent, their marriage could continue for decades. The titles and affiliation with the monarchy are THAT valuable to her. I don’t think Harry has the intelligence to realize he’s trapped or has the will to leave if he ever wakes up. Because he is so totally under her control, it could be for a lifetime. A wasted lifetime.

I also pity and fear for the psychological damage that she will inflict on those children. Unless there is some sort of intervention that removes them from her direct sphere of influence, these kids will always carry the burden and damage of having these two as their dysfunctional parents, bus especially the damage of the misfortune of having her as their mother.

For an excellent read about Harry being ensnared by a probable dark triad personality type, read this post by a Scottish blogger named Rod Fleming. I would love to know what other nutties think of Mr. Fleming’s take on her. He’s apparently not a mental health professional, but he has Meghan fully sussed. This is one of the best short reads explaining how Meghan operates and what makes her tick.

https://www.rodfleming.com/dark-triad-meghan-markle/
gfbcpa said…
Rebecca:

I pre-ordered Tina Brown's book on Amazon and will receive it (hopefully) on the release date. I read fast so I will try and post some highlights here.
Mel said…
HappyDays...I hadn't seen that Rod Fleming article. He definitely has Mm figured out.

Some quotes from the article:

They are desperate to be liked and will go to extravagant lengths to gain popularity.

As an aside, beware anyone who talks about ‘their truth’. 

A Dark Triad will always play the victim, the long-suffering abused. 

Whatever he does now, he has broken the most important promise, the one he did not make but Markle assumed: to make her the glittering fairytale princess.


This one was in the comments. It rings true. Kinda like H didn't know he was trapped until Mm told him he was.

I think H's reticence also came from the fact that MM blindsided him with bringing that topic up to Oprah. He wasn't expecting that to be part of the interview, IMO.

He clearly didn't want to out and out lie by regurgitating whatever story they had agreed to, but didn't dare contradict her that it didn't happen, either. He almost did contradict her, but couldn't quite bring himself to do it. And so hedged on what he said.

You could see in his body language, the way he moved his position, the look on his face, that he was extremely uncomfortable with that topic. And why was he uncomfortable? Because it didn't happen, and he knew it. But now he was stuck...he had to go along with the lie or publicly contradict his wife.

And Harry’s sheepish reticence to give details regarding this is evident he didn’t know he was having a racist conversation until he relayed it to Markle.
snarkyatherbest said…
there are a lot of rumors about the state of the marriage but i don’t see anything happening until she has secured number four. perhaps she is following him to the netherlands because she is concerned it’s just a quick hop to england for which i believe she has been told not to return. i go back and forth between harry is bad or just a victim of her narcissism. i’m hoping i’m right about no kids because then it would be better than the alternative.
snarkyatherbest said…
and H it’s so easy to call her bluff. announce your are going into rehab send out a heartfelt statement that he has let her and his entire family down and for the sake of the children he will not contest custody and let her have them. if there are kids she won’t want them and will have to find away to off load them. if they are props and fakes no problem she has to keep the illusion going forever. he’s rid of all of it comes out of rehab after 6 months gives an exclusive to tina brown or similar that explains some of it or all of it (taking the cue from his beloved brother that sometimes you have to explain) and then he retires to the countryside not to be heard from for 2-3 years.
Sandie said…
@HappyDays

I have never believed she is a dark triad personality, but Rod Fleming is very persuasive.

The three do overlap in some areas, but here are some good summaries of the three:

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-recognize-a-malignant-narcissist-4164528

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communication-success/201810/7-characteristics-the-modern-psychopath

https://www.google.com/search?q=machivillian+traits&oq=machivillian+traits&aqs=chrome..69i57.15892j0j9&client=ms-android-lenovo-rev2&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=iid0uW96-B9o-M

It is disturbing how many traits from all three that she has displayed!

I agree with Rod Fleming that he is trapped for life and she will hold onto the children as a source of power. Ironically, the children derive their only relevance (but no power or wealth) from being in the line of succession, for a monarchy that she is trying to destroy!
Maneki Neko said…
I've just seen an article in the DM about Tina Brown's book - it wasn't there this morning, this would have saved me copying excerpts from the Telegraph magazine... I forgot to specify that I only copied the bits regarding the odious duo, the article covered much more

I forgot that publication of the book was announced last September. Town & Country said then that "The book is set to cover the passings of Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother, and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall's relationship, Kate Middleton's entry in to the family, and the allegations surrounding Prince Andrew's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Of course, the book also follows Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from their official royal roles."

As think Tina Brown is thorough and the Telegraph mentioned she had spoken to 120 people 'intimately involved with senior royals and their households', so 'the truth is out there'.
snarkyatherbest said…

can you tell i’m procrastinating on my chores.

new theory. harry is all about disinformation. perhaps the palace is putting out stupid things like meghan and harry maybe invited to the beckham peltz wedding knowing full well they weren’t invited. maybe some of the petty groveling pr is actually disinformation to make them irrelevant and hated. he does seem convinced things are getting out that are wrong but then again maybe he should check with the wife first. she’s whip smart
Yep, we nodded sagely a long way back when the Dark Triad was first mooted.
DesignDoctor said…
@HappyDays

Thank you for posting Rod Fleming's article. It's a good one.

@ Mel

I agree with your comments.

Hope he can manage to extract himself from the situation at some point and there are not any children involved. Narcs are so destructive to the ones in their sphere of influence.

@WBBM and @Snarky

Totally agree that narcs depend upon people's politeness and not wanting "to make a scene." Yet they get so much pleasure in ruffling feathers and doing what they know people do not want them to do.

Have not decided if Trotter is just going to Netherlands for the publicity and photo op or to prevent Twit from taking a short flight to England.

Of course the Beckhams would invite Will and Catherine to the wedding instead of the 6s. They want to be associated with a)real royalty vs. faux and b)would be able to count on W & C not making the appearance all about them and upstaging the nuptials.


DesignDoctor said…
@Snarky

Love your scenario of how Twit can call her bluff...
Girl with a Hat said…
https://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2022/04/blind-item-4_9.html#disqus_thread

here is a CDAN item about Tina Brown's book. At the bottom, people are speculating that Harry will say he was abused by Saville.
Hikari said…
@Wild Boar,

All of the Dark Triad traits certainly seem to fit *, but as a longtime hobbyist of aberrant psychology, I find the Duchess of Montecito has to be the dumbest example of the type ever to come down the pike. Her climb has been aided inestimably by two factors that were beyond her limited scope to plan for—1. That her high profile target is SOO malleable and biddable…Snagging H was truly like shooting fish in a barrel, and second, being able to exploit the racial victimology card. Do we imagine for one moment if Rachel did not have a black parent, or had targeted a man with more brain cells than Harry has got to rub together—Who wasn’t already his own colossal mess walking around like an open wound—that she wouldn’t have had to be a whole lot smarter about her moves? She’s got no highly developed game plan in place. Her talent for strategizing was exhausted after she bagged H. She displayed a sort of craftiness by bulldozing her way into his social circles and stalking him until he agreed/was coerced into marrying her. She is a succubus, but a higher quality dark triad mind would have snagged a higher quality victim. H was no challenge—It was only a handful of months before she ran away from anyone in the royal family or Britain who did challenge her.

Look at what small potatoes she was and remained until deep into her 30s—Only elevated to prominence once she had secured her big lunk of a Royal ginger. If Rachel had been a top quality Machiavellian character, she’d have bagged some tech billionaire or won public office and or major acting awards 10 years ago. Even as a psychopath she can’t excel and remains basic and cut rate. Strictly low hanging fruit for our bargain basement psycho Duchess.
Mel said…
Hikari....yep. Just dumb luck that these two managed to find each other, and that each had viable cards to play in today's environment.
Maneki Neko said…
@HappyDays

I do believe that * is a dark triad personality. When I first came across the dark triad and read about it, I immediately thought of *. This has been discussed on this blog. Harry is screwed whether he stays or goes.
Maneki Neko said…
@Hikari

Very good analysis. 'Her climb has been aided inestimably by two factors' - definitely, and I'll add a third one: the fact that she isn't British. She knew - and knows - nothing of Britain and the British, 'whip smart' though she is (!) and so, naively, thought she'd eclipse the Queen and Kate. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work out like that. There is a hierarchy, which she isn't familiar with.
Maneki Neko said…
@Hikari

Very good analysis. 'Her climb has been aided inestimably by two factors' - definitely, and I'll add a third one: the fact that she isn't British. She knew - and knows - nothing of Britain and the British, 'whip smart' though she is (!) and so, naively, thought she'd eclipse the Queen and Kate. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work out like that. There is a hierarchy, which she isn't familiar with.
DesignDoctor said…
@Maneki
Yep. He is screwed whether he stays or goes. He was complicit in burning all the bridges back to safety.
HappyDays said…
Sandie said…
Oscars and now Beckham wedding (have I forgotten others?

@Sandie: I can think of two other fake events that never happened

1) After the engagement when it was announced that that the Quern had taken the unprecedented step of in inviting Meghan, who was not yet Harry’s wife, to join the royal family to celebrate Christmas 2017. In a likely move to try to welcome Harry’s fiancee to the family the Queen bypassed the previous spouses only rule at their Christmas celebrations. The Queen went out of her way to be gracious and make a special exception for Meghan, most likely because she al through the quickie courtship with Harry she was pushing the race card heavily with a tacit threat of accusing them of being racists. But being given the special exception of being the first non-spouse to be invited to celebrate Christmas with the royal family was apparently not enough. The rumor began to circulate that if Meghan was celebrating Christmas in the UK, her poor mother Doria would be all alone in Cali for Christmas. The rumor began to circulate that Doria had also been invited to the RF Christmas celebrations.

2) The other rumor that was floating around is that HMTQ was planning to throw a birthday party for Meghan, who has an early August birthday at the Quern’s summer home in Scotland. I believe this circulated in summer 2018, which is the year the Sussexes said Archie was too young to travel. They then proceeded to travel to a posh private resort in Spain and then for a visit to Elton John’s holiday home on his private jet. Archie was with them for both trips, but alas, there was no birthday party thrown by the Queen in Scotland.

SwampWoman said…
I don't think that Ginger Nuts will be released from The Claw. She has probably attempted to jump most of the millionaires/billionaires in California (and New York), married or not. Since she's still with Ginger Nuts, that (for me) is a pretty telling indicator of lack of success (unless anybody thinks that she married him for love, bless your heart). There are lots of beautiful amoral women out there whose primary focus is separating men from their money. The competition is fierce.

If Ginger Nuts wanted to flee, he would need the help/resources/shelter of his family, and he royally screwed that up with his book if it is as bad as reported. I doubt he has a lot of his Mommy Money left. I would be extremely surprised if The Claw wasn't handling (squandering) his finances.

I can also see where certain Russian bad guys might find it amusing to squeeze Ginger Nuts for the money he owes.

Hikari said…
@Mel

Harry was/is susceptible to Maggot because cage creates a similar emotionally turbulent environment around him as his late mother did. It goes beyond wearing Diana’s perfume and copying her clothes. Whatever the dynamic is with Sméagol, it feels familiar and so must be perversely comforting even though it is not good for him. Diana’s mental instability was far more deep seated than depression over Charles’s affair. That was the most convenient and straightforward explanation. I have come round to the opinion that even had Charles been faithful and devoted to her, she would have found reasons to create drama—because It wasn’t enough to be loved by Charles as she claimed… She wanted to eclipse him, and call the shots as to how she was going to do Royal life.

That sounds exactly like someone else we know, actually to someone elses. Despite his claims of wanting privacy, Harry is addicted to turbulence…And that was learned in childhood. That’s why the loyal posh girls from his social set were dispensable—he found them boring. For their parts, I’m glad for his former girlfriends That they got shot of him because he treated them terribly and would have only continue to do so if he’d married them. Unlike his other relationships, he’s now in enmeshed in one where he does not have the upper hand. * does not defer to him or consider his feelings, ever. She has infantilized him and on some level he wants/likes it. Abdicating all responsibility for his own behavior is his lifelong MO.

Diana certainly made good optics with her motherhood but I think she always loved herself a bit more regardless of what she said. The whole family and her staff had to cater to Diana’s capricious moods. And that Has to feel familiar to Harry most of all.
Hikari said…
@Happy Day

To add insult to injury for poor ER, Smegnut’s birthday was also the Queen Morher’s, August 4th. Part of why I don’t believe she made up her birthday is if she had, she’d have picked Diana’s, July 1st, to further convince HazNowt of the kismet of their union.

If Harry fled back to England and issued a public apology to his family and a repudiation of the Oprah interview and the as yet unpublished memoir, he might be less screwed than he is by staying with her. If he went straight into a mental health/rehab facility where he could clean up and get deprogrammed…Aunt if his treatment professionals issued statements to the fact that he was undergoing recovery from narcissistic abuse or however they want it to phrase it—Madam would be in a tough spot. The only way for this to work is for hairy to be proactive in getting his side of the story out in the public domain before she sues him for divorce for spousal abuse or similar. The longer he stays the less likely it is that he’s getting out of this alive, and I’m not just saying that for dramatic affect. The risk of his untimely death by suicide or Suspicious misadventure is very high and will only climb the longer he stays with her.

If H goes, the only trump cards she’s got left are the alleged heirs to the Crown. And if she is going to try on the persona of “poor abandoned single mother”, attention around those children will only increase. Without H To back up the ruse—Keeping that up on her own it’s going to be really tough. If she sues H in a bitter custody battle—Flesh and blood children will have to be produced, if only for the judge. She can’t want this, and therefore H must never be allowed to leave her. That knobhead doesn’t seem to realize the danger he’s in. Or maybe he does.

Girl with a Hat said…
@Swampwoman,

I just saw a map that showed that there were 867 billionaires in the USA alone, and 64 in Canada. She's got her work cut out for her.

https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/where-super-rich-reside
Enbrethiliel said…
@Hikari
Will Smith was in denial about his marriage for decades (and probably still is) -- and he's a lot more intelligent than Harry is. I don't think he'll ever leave her. He'll just find other people to blame for her problems . . . or just stick to the usual suspects: His family, her family, the paps (when she's not calling them), an ephemeral sense of racism, etc.
Enbrethiliel said…
@DesignDoctor
Have not decided if Trotter is just going to Netherlands for the publicity and photo op or to prevent Twit from taking a short flight to England.

My money is on the second. The Dutch have their own monarchy and have probably breathed a collective sigh of relief that she didn't target one of their Royals. She has got to know that she won't be well-received in Europe -- and I wouldn't put it past her to rope the unsuspecting Dutch into her "Europeans are racist" narrative, out of revenge. But all this is secondary. The pressure on Harry to go home and to see his grandmother has been extra high since his first visit to the Netherlands, and I'm sure preventing that is foremost on her mind.
SwampWoman said…
Girl with a Hat said...
@Swampwoman,

I just saw a map that showed that there were 867 billionaires in the USA alone, and 64 in Canada. She's got her work cut out for her.


I'm assuming that there are places in which she will not ho in search of the elusive replacement daddy that is supposed to provide for all her material needs while simultaneously worshipping her. If he takes her to the societal parties that she apparently craves, will she impress anybody with her gowns and jewels and babbling bullsh*t in, say, Indiana or Alabama or Missouri? She and 6 *could* have settled in a lower-cost state than California, but noooo. They could have lived a quiet, low-key life based on family, church, friends, and growing organic vegetables, but where's the drama (and paps) in that? They could have done that in England!

Do you think she could be happy in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska or the Dakotas? The only place other than California that her PR has hinted about is New York City. I suppose the rest of us are too provincial for her, and I'm okay with that.
Sandie said…
Do you think the story about her appearing at the IG is more disinformation to keep her in the media, or do you think she really will appear and make the event all about her? Both scenarios seem plausible for her.

@HappyDays
Thanks for your further two examples of misinformation around her. It started early and it is difficult to find a reason to not connect her with these stories. They are all unbelievable and bizarre, yet the media grabs onto them and seems completely unaware how crazy they are. I doubt the Queen would know where the kitchens are, never mind baking a cake. (And, since they were living in Nottingham Cottage at the time, I doubt the Queen would have even asked for a cake to be made to deliver to her.) There is no reason why Doria would have been invited for Christmas at all (even after marriage, you do not see in laws at Sandringham for Christmas). They have no relevance that would have justified an invite to the Oscars or never mind being presenters (although I am sure SS did her bidding and tried). They are not personal friends of the Beckhams and other than Serena, I doubt that they know anyone at the wedding, never mind having any kind of connection (but I still wonder why the heck Serena Williams was there).

As for IG, her and the brainwashed husband have pursued separate public activities for a while, but it would be typical of her to barge her way into an event where she does not belong. That would be most entertaining for us so I hope she does turn up and put on her best show as a badly dressed crazy woman! Body Language experts will rub their hands in Glee at all the new material they have to analyse.

@Hikari
I think you have described the marriage (why, how, results and probable future) brilliantly. I agree with you that he is never getting out of it, but perhaps we underestimate the love and power of his family, or perhaps fate will deliver an unexpected turn of events that will wrench him from her grasp, and save the children. (I believe the children do exist, but they are trapped in a toxic situation and the future looks dim for them. As a typical narc, she will choose one as the golden child and live vicariously through it.)
HappyDays said…
SwampWoman said:

They could have lived a quiet, low-key life based on family, church, friends, and growing organic vegetables, but where's the drama (and paps) in that? They could have done that in England!

@SwampWoman:

I recall that sometime not long after the 2018 wedding, Harry and Meghan were offered a royal country estate of their own. I believe it was offered by Prince Charles, but the Su$$exes turned it down.

They could have lived the quiet, low-key life you wrote about, but they rejected it. I do not recall the name of the property, but perhaps someone here knows the name of it. As I recall, it was very much out in the English countryside and sounded like a nice, low-key place for a family.

By the time they got married, it is likely that Meghan had already been working on Harry to get him to leave the UK.

Meghan never intended to reside in the UK after getting Harry down the aisle, so there was no need for them to have an estate in the country, so when it was offered to them, it’s no wonder they said “no thanks.”

That’s the last type of place Meghan would want to live.

It’s hard to keep yourself in the spotlight and wear fancy designer clothes to parade by the paps when you’re out at a home in the British countryside.
Fifi LaRue said…
The Dollars looking for an apartment in New York. IMO Trotter exhausted all options in loose billionaires in Cali, and is now looking in NY. Men from old money want a respectable spouse, one they can take to social functions, and who will be an asset. Trotter is not an asset to anyone in any way, shape, or form. New money men want someone who is fun, intelligent, witty, charming, beautiful, and has some accomplishments of her own. Even Lauren Sanchez had a high-profile job on television before meeting Bezos. Trotter has nothing. No one in NY wants to rub shoulders with her, only the politicians who are fooled at first (because politicians are always looking for donors.) There might be initial interest in Haznoballs until people figure out he's a first rate whiner with the intelligence of a box of rocks.

Watch as Trotter takes over Twit's speech in the Netherlands, and knocks him out of her way.
Girl with a Hat said…
did anyone notice that the president of Archewell media was at the Brooklyn Beckham wedding but the 6's didn't seem to be invited?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10707225/President-couples-Archewell-foundation-joins-stars-Brooklyn-Beckhams-wedding-Florida.html
snarkyatherbest said…
Girl With The Hat. also the Archwell woman had those stupid tendrils had to do a double take. 😉

Mel said…
I doubt that they know anyone at the wedding, 
------

They would have known one person. Mandana Dayani, the president of Archewell went to the wedding. She's married to Peter Traugott who apparently has a ton of connections. Dayani used to be a vp for Rachel Zoe.

She started as COO of Archewell and was recently promoted to president.

I'm suspecting that the Harkles recruited the woman to work for Archewell not only to use her connections but also so that they could capitalize on her husband's connections. He is president of Keshet Productions.

One might think that Rebecca Mostow would have also been invited to the wedding. She is a former Beckham aide (2007-2012) who the Harkles hired to help with their day-to-day lives back in back in May 2020. Hard to say if she still works for them.

There's also another connection that I don't remember right now. Someone connected with the Beckhams who the Harkles also hired.

Starting to feel like the Harkles initially were trying to be Beckham wannabes, eh?






Mel said…
I'd forgotten about the Harkles hiring high end staff, aka poaching.

Seems like Mm was trying to buy her way into the A-list thru hiring their staff.
Once again, pretending to be someone she's not.
Enbrethiliel said…
@Girl with a Hat
did anyone notice that the president of Archewell media was at the Brooklyn Beckham wedding but the 6's didn't seem to be invited?

Ooooh, what a burn that must have been!

Do you suppose she kept her invitation a secret for weeks beforehand, knowing that her bosses would be insufferably demanding that she finagle an invitation for them, too? But now that the cat is out of the bag, is Mandana Deyani's job in jeopardy?

@Mel
Seems like Mm was trying to buy her way into the A-list thru hiring their staff.

This is just my take on it, but if I were a social climber, I'd be nervous hiring staff who've experienced working for a-listers. I imagine they'd notice immediately which pretentions of mine were as gauche as could be! No man is a hero to his valet, and all that.
Sandie said…
https://youtu.be/24acb2UcvEs

A quick update on the hapless prince from the Body Language Guy.

I am in a 'feeling sorry for the prince' slump, but there is a remedy ... the razor sharp comments posted here!

@Mel
Very interesting posts on the connections between the staff she hired (of course he has nothing to do with it) and the Beckhams. She is a wannabee copy cat who also happens to be stuck in the 1990s.
Museumstop said…
Charles and Camila are coming to Canada in May. The comments - at least those that I came across -to the news are so very disappointing. It feels like the wife's troll army is ready with its weapons. One person posted the picture of William and Kate taking the ceremonial salute on the Land Rover in Jamaica but photoshopped onto a painting depicting slaves working in fields - just horrible.
But maybe it's not only them anymore. People with no sense of history, who have grown up on online shows of outrage, activism, whose sense of purpose comes from mob morality, mob justice of 'cancelling', and changing display pictures to whatever is the latest heartache have been galvanised. How can the monarchy ever forgive these two.
snarkyatherbest said…
MuseumStop. well the family can do the complain and explain thing and try to wipe the slate clean by revealing all they have covered up in the past for trotter and the mr saying we arred as loving family members to keep their problems off the front page but we fear we have enable continued bad behavior (and add a few behind the scenes things from recently like trying to push with cameras on i to the UN secretary generals office) please forgive us. we did this out of love and compassion but realize after consulting mental health experts we did the wrong thing. parents and grandparents everywhere will empathize 😉. i’m thinking i should pivot away from my current job to pr management. perhaps the palace could hire me. ha!!

sadly it’s the people with agendas that are posting and creating havoc while the silent majority is more polite. hope charles and camilla have big audiences. personally i’m liking her more everyday i would show up to see her for sure (if i lived in Canada)
Maneki Neko said…
The DM states that * will attend the Invictus 'for the first few days', although it doesn't say in what capacity (meddler in chief?). It also states that 'It comes as earlier today, Team UK competitors said they would like to see Meghan, and the couple's children, two-year-old Archie and nine-month-old Lili, at the Games.' More PR/wishful thinking.

So now they would like to see *? Really? As for seeing the children, they'd have more chance of seeing a dodo.
The Cat's Meow said…
That's hilarious. I really don't think veterans who are focused on competing at IG are really thinking about who they will be rubbing shoulders with (referring to MM and kiddos PR). They are probably fixated on winning and doing their best...!!!
Fifi LaRue said…
It's highly doubtful that anyone has lasted longer than six months in the employment of the Dollars.
Hikari said…
The Invictus Games are launching Easter weekend, which is interesting. Are we to conclude then that none of the participants are religious and don’t observe this holiday? Or the spectators, either? They have had to postpone for 2 full years already…would opening one weekend later made that much difference?

Despite all the media clamoring that “* WILL join Harry!” shrieked a particularly strident assurance from the Sun…I’m taking a wait and see attitude. Because all of the same newspapers assured us equally emphatically just a couple of weeks ago that the Harkles were definitely presenting the Best Picture Oscar. We haven’t forgotten that gaslighting so soon.

Well. If the Invictus organizers are OK with this, they’re stupid. Any organization or company still affiliated with the toxic toerags are only hurting themselves. The optics are so bad with the poisonous twosome, there can only be splashback on anyone in proximity.
Mel said…
I can't fathom that the athletes care one way or the other about the Harkle kiddies. Probably of no interest whatsoever.
Mel said…
if I were a social climber, I'd be nervous hiring staff who've experienced working for a-listers. 
-----

Yeah. Tells you how full of herself MM is.

That one lady worked for Prince for a number of years. She's surely gonna notice that the Harkles are pretenders.
Mel said…
Can you fathom being a high school graduate (H) with no talent in anything and trying to big yourself up to Rebecca Mostow?

Or being a nothing cable actress who was written out of her show, again with no talent in anything, and trying to present yourself to these people as the equal of the Queen?

Tells you that neither of them have any sense of shame whatsoever.
Fifi LaRue said…
@Mel: And textbook Delusional.
HappyDays said…
Mel said…
That one lady worked for Prince for a number of years. She's surely gonna notice that the Harkles are pretenders.

@Mel: Do you mean the musician Prince? Which lady? If she worked for Prince Rogers Nelson, it would depend on when she worked for him.



Once upon a time, people who were convinced they were/had the status of Napoleon or Christ were locked up for good, or at least until they accepted that they were plain Joe or Josephine Bloggs from Nowheresville.

So much for Community Care.

Craig Brown in todays Mail - trying to fins some humour:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-10709655/CRAIG-BROWN-duchess-tries-trademark-archetypes-Meghan-set-sights-archery-too.html#newcomment
Sandie said…
The Duchess is predictable in her behaviour.

Easter weekend was chosen because the Cambridges' usually have a gathering of friends in Norfolk for Catherine's birthday, and the walk to church on Easter Sunday always generates media interest. Trying to overshadow the Cambridges' is an unreasonable obsession of hers.

The royal family is religious. Religion means nothing to the Duchess. To Catholics and Anglicans (Church of England), Easter weekend is a hugely significant religious time when we remember the suffering of Jesus as a sacrifice to save us sinners, to put it simply (not eating meat on the Friday, fasting, church ... Easter is not simply about Easter eggs). It is not so much that she is counting on the media and most people in the world to be unaware and uninterested, it is more that the religious significance of Easter weekend is just not on her radar.

The media PR has just begun. First we have the whispers and the speculation. Then the 'official confirmation'. Then the feverish anticipation. Then the major reveal.

I can't find the DM article, but I guess that the person from IG who waxed lyrical about the Duchess and the children is one of the people they use for their 'unofficial' PR. I don't remember his name, but he has been used by them in the past.

A couple of folk on social media have made Bingo cards, and it is great fun. What would you put on the card?

* Ill-fitting, inappropriate, expensive attire.
* Lots of 'meaningful' jewellery.
* Word salad speech (shoving husband out of the way or giving him something to hold).
* Death grip on husband's hand.
* Adoring stares at husband.
...?
My apologies if this BLG video has already been posted as I may have missed it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl7u2N8apYI

BLG excels himself in `helping' Meghan with her attempts a trademarking Archewell. He the `more brandable term `Arsewypes, as in `I'm Meghan Markle and this is Arsewypes, the podcast about what to do with people when you no longer need them'.

..and Oh my goodness, the look Theresa May gives her is priceless!
Sandie said…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-10709655/CRAIG-BROWN-duchess-tries-trademark-archetypes-Meghan-set-sights-archery-too.html

Hilarious!
Ralph L said…
Swamp Woman said:
I'm assuming that there are places in which she will not ho

This might be a typo of "go", but I love it.
Sandie said…
I came across this, posted by an Anon:

"My godson is a realtor in the Netherlands & works on shows like International Properties. He is in a pretty wealthy gay property group & fairly well-connected. Allegedly, some of their wealthier local friends got feelers awhile ago for parties/events/ meet& greets for charities/ & Ukraine Fund Raising from a rep within AW/ IG organizers for invites where both "H's "(M&H!) would speak. Speeches re: length/topics, Social Engaging per hour, dinners/no dinners/private dinners & General Fee structure"

Seems believable.

Hikari said…
@Sandie

Slutchess Bingo…love it!

Do we think That the ersatz Invictus patron and his wife get to set the entire agenda as far as when the games happen exclusively for their PR? I think she’d like to think that, but with so many moving parts to put these games on, with the organizers really has cater to Harry 100% about when they were happening? It’s possible, But it would seem to be behind even their purview. They’ve got grandiose delusions of being all powerful, but as we see more powerful institutions than day, like the Oscars or the Beckhams Shut their nonsense right down.

It should make for an interesting weekend for sure.

lizzie said…
@Sandie,

Re: the timing of the Games...

Kate's birthday is in January so I don't think the Games schedule has anything to do with that. I agree it's odd timing but it may have to do with the venue. I could be wrong but I really doubt the scheduling is Meghan's doing because she's jealous of Kate. (I do think she's jealous but I don't think everything that happens relates to that.)

The royals go to church in Windsor at Easter, not Norfolk. Of course, the past few years (2020, 2021) gatherings haven't happened because of COVID anyway. But Will and Kate often don't attend Easter services anyway. One year Will was in Kenya for Jecca Craig's wedding Easter weekend when Charlotte was a baby-- 2016. They also appeared missing in 2012, 2013, 2014, & 2015 and arrived late in 2018.

https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2016032869035/prince-william-ex-jecca-craig-wedding-royals-spend-easter-queen-elizabeth/

I thought getting married on the Saturday before Easter as Jecca did was very odd unless she and her partner aren't Christian. Still I expect many of the guests were. That was extremely odd to me. At any rate, Kate, George, & Charlotte reportedly spent that weekend with her parents. And in the 10 Easters that have passed since W&K married in late April 2011, it looks with COVID there have been 8 Easter services at Windsor with the royals. Will and Kate have attended 3 of the 8. So if Meghan did schedule the Games to interfere with Kate's doings, that seems extra-foolish!
Sandie said…
"Prince Harry and Meghan will not get an audience with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima during the Invictus Games. Nor will they stay at one of the palaces in The Hague, says spokesperson of the King."
https://mobile.twitter.com/home

Ouch!
SwampWoman said…
Ralph L said: Blogger Ralph L said...
Swamp Woman said:
I'm assuming that there are places in which she will not ho

This might be a typo of "go", but I love it.


Not a typo!
SwampWoman said…
Sandie said: Allegedly, some of their wealthier local friends got feelers awhile ago for parties/events/ meet& greets for charities/ & Ukraine Fund Raising from a rep within AW/ IG organizers for invites where both "H's "(M&H!) would speak. Speeches re: length/topics, Social Engaging per hour, dinners/no dinners/private dinners & General Fee structure"

Hmmm. My advice would be no dinner and 15 minutes max for both. Projectile vomiting is never welcome at gatherings.
Hikari said…
WBBM,

Once upon a time, people who were convinced they were/had the status of Napoleon or Christ were locked up for good, or at least until they accepted that they were plain Joe or Josephine Bloggs from Nowheresville.

So much for Community Care.


If we could get into a time machine . . . this whole disaster might have been averted if the Royal family had faced the hard truths about Harry when he was a tot and put mitigating measures in place. In hindsight, there was ample anecdotal evidence that Harry was a severely mentally disturbed child with learning difficulties for at least a decade before the loss of his mum.

It doesn't really matter *why* Haz is like he is . .the causes, I mean. Certainly there have to be some congenital factors in play here, not just an unhappy environment or less-than-winning personality, marinated in substance abuse. Harry was exhibiting disturbing tendencies towards animal cruelty and cruelty to people/emotional volatility as a very small child before he ever got offered his first drink/spliff/whatever.

If the RF had been able to swallow their pride over having a 'defective' kid and gotten him the help he so desperately needed at a younger age, instead of gaslighting us for decades about a Hero Harry that never existed, everyone concerned would be better off now and Markle would not be on our radar. She'd likely be making some schlub's life miserable who was *not* a high-profile member of a royal family.

Harry needed to be sent to a residential school for troubled kids and never groomed for a public life. If he'd been given a shot at a life outside the Royal fishbowl, he might have developed into a halfway decent human being, who could have thrived in a lower-pressure setting tailored to his abilities. He's not as badly off as was Prince John, whose brief life was spent in seclusion . . Harry could have contributed something, if his family had been willing to intervene and not force him along the proscribed path for 'what we've always done.' The way he is now is their chickens coming home to roost.
Girl with a Hat said…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24acb2UcvEs

BLG about Harry unlisted from Invictus UK zoom call
lizzie said…
I know there are differences of opinion but I do not think that Harry was severely mentally disturbed as a child as @Hikari has suggested. The animal cruelty I know of involved hunting and and an incident with a pony. I'm not excusing the pony incident and while hunting is something I don't do, lots of normal people do. But that's not what severe mental illness looks like IMO.

He did act out as a small boy. So did Will. In nursery school, Will was known as Billy the Basher because of the way he treated his classmates when he didn't get his way. But I don't think either child was showing severe mental illness. Maybe they were spoiled though.

I don't know what the stats were when Harry was young. But this current study suggests in the UK one in ten 17-year olds have tried "hard" drugs, 1/3 have smoked pot, and 1/2 binge drink. I'm not saying that's good but "ordinary" substance abuse isn't considered severe mental illness either.
https://www.bbc.com/news/education-56001234

Harry definitely has issues. Insecurity, jealousy, learning problems that went untreated, and possible anger control problems keep him from being as happy and fulfilled as he could be. I agree he would have benefited from a different approach in childhood. Helping him find his strengths and talents vs making everyone treat him like they treated Will would have helped alot. And likely had that been done he would not have ended up with Meghan-- I agree with that point. But he hardly needed to be sent to an institution. Testing for learning disorders and going to a school Will hadn't gone to would have been helpful to both Harry and Will.

Being a selfish jerk isn't necessarily a mental illness at least not the way we currently define it. I don't think H hears voices or sees things that aren't there. He doesn't seem to experience mania. He is likely oriented to time, person, and place (most of the time!) He doesn't seem to engage in rituals like counting or hand-washing. He is able to communicate. I personally don't think he's delusional-- I think he has an inflated sense of the value he and Meghan have but that doesn't reach the level of a delusion to me. And if it does, more than one reporter seems to share that delusion.
Sandie said…
@lizzie
Thanks for the correction. I was lazy with research.

I doubt that the Duchess would want to stay at the palace in the Netherlands (historic palaces are not her taste), nor would she want to meet or get a photo op with Dutch royals (no actual interest in royalty other than her royal self).

I just find it sad that she is making these long-awaited IG all about her and her husband (her source of wealth and ticket to global platforms, and the media attention that she, of course, hates).

I have noticed a plethora of rubbish articles, each highlighting how the Beckham wedding copied our dear Duchess. The Beckhams cannot be pleased!

Sandie said…
https://theresalongofanpagerome.blogspot.com/2022/04/confronting-misinformation.html

Theresa Longo Fans bloggers confronting the Sussex attack team, with threats to reveal more!
@ Hikari: Whatever might have been done with Harry at an early age to turn him into even half-decent human being would have drawn criticism I think
.
Thanks for mentioning Prince John. Looking at his Wikipedia entry, it seems he was actually treated quite well by comparison with his siblings - and at the time medicine couldn't offer very much. Nor could if for a long time afterwards - barbiturates were, for years, just about the only medication offered for epilepsy (I'm thinking of my cousin - they turned him into a grotesque form of himself; he died after breaking his neck falling downstairs - his crash helmet couldn't save him.

I also wonder how many of the critics have themselves had relatives with mental impairment and realised just how difficult it can be to cope with, so easy to criticise.

Oprah gets in on the act:

https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a34576867/queen-elizabeth-hidden-cousins-nerissa-katherine-bowes-lyon/
Hikari said…
@lizzie

My suggestion for Harry was a residential school for children with emotional and learning difficulties, not an “institution” in the way you mean. We can agree that his learning issues were not addressed. I would venture, not only improperly treated but not treated at all. Sending him in William’s footsteps to the elite prep school in the country only exacerbated the inadequacies he already felt. Any child can be a brat and go through phases—Harry’s bratty phase has lasted for 35 years and shows no signs of abating. The cosseted privilege and consequence-free lifestyle he has lived has ruined him for any sort of meaningful, functional life outside of the gilded box.

If he had been trained to a different set of expectations when he was younger and given some practical skills..I’m thinking of his own stated desire to become a guide in Africa, he might have been able to carve out a happy life out of the glare of Royal attention. That will never happen now, all because he was never told No about anything when he was a kid.

Any incidence of animal cruelty is too much..even once points to sociopathy, and I’d wager that he hurt many more ponies than just the one that got publicized.
Hikari said…
WBBM

It is the RF’s reticence to draw any criticism which has led directly to the mess they are in with the Harkles. They bent over backwards to appease * on account of her mixed heritage. Any 100% white girlfriend of Harry’s with her Chequered past would have been packed off tout suite. Remember Koo Stark? They wanted to avoid the big “R” bogeyman and guess what—she lobbed it anyway after collected millions in lavish wedding, wardrobe, holidays, jewelry, cottage et al. They have their power away by making her a Duchess. If they had braved being called racists while she was still only H’s lay Du jour we might have forgotten all about her by now.

It was in Harry’s best interests to have different schooling than William, and possibly intensive therapeutic help. His problems were swept under the carpet when they were more manageable and now they have gotten out for the world to see all too well. Time enough for regrets all around, I imagine.

Girl with a Hat said…
so I think that the zoom call with Harry and the UK participants for Invictus went so badly that it was delisted. That means you can't find out anything about it, or read the comments. I think that's what the BLG is alluding to.
Enbrethiliel said…
@Sandie
I have noticed a plethora of rubbish articles, each highlighting how the Beckham wedding copied our dear Duchess. The Beckhams cannot be pleased!

Copied her . . . how? Nicola's dress was surprisingly ugly. Is that the similarity * wants to push?

(I realize I could get the answer to my own question by searching for the articles. But as I was lucky enough to avoid them in the first place, I thank everyone who is taking one for Team Nutty by reading them!)
Enbrethiliel said…
@Sandie
I doubt that the Duchess would want to stay at the palace in the Netherlands (historic palaces are not her taste), nor would she want to meet or get a photo op with Dutch royals (no actual interest in royalty other than her royal self).

At first I thought another royal snub infuriated Her Entitledness . . . but then I realized you were right. I'm also still betting on her roping the unsuspecting Dutch people into a wider "Europeans are racist" narrative.

As for things that are more her speed . . . Are there any Dutch celebrities she'd love to be papped with? Dutch Politicians or UN delegates she could toss more of her word salad at? Dutch designers she could merch for? A recent victim of crime whose memorial she could "secretly" upstage with a photographer?
lizzie said…
Wow, this article makes me feel tired. To start, Anne and her husband flew commercial to Australia. First class, I'm sure but still. She has one staff member with her, does her own hair and makeup, her flight touched down in Sydney at 5am Sat and she was at her first engagement by 9:30am. And apparently unlike MM she doesn't think she needs to be given entire buildings for her lodging. Some nights she's stayed in hotels costing less than £200 a night.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10711287/Staff-lost-admiration-Princess-Anne-packed-20-engagements-Australia.html
Magatha Mistie said…

Maasdam Dutchmess

Willem and Maxima’s entreaty
To Clog and Cheese
on their next sortie
Dank u wel, you’re not welkom here
Take your wife for a spliff and a beer
Plenty of windows on canal row
Otherwise get a room
in Amsterdam Soho…

Magatha Mistie said…

@lizzie

Yes, Princess Anne certainly packed
it in, she was a huge success.
Photos of her carrying her
bags off the plane,
will the baggage follow suit,
I doubt it, too royal for the Royals!
Enbrethiliel said…
I was also very impressed by Princess Anne. I wonder if the Australian media have been pointing out explicit contrasts between this visit and the last royal tour. (In any case, the Australian people would definitely be doing it!)
@Hikari - I certainly didn't mean to imply `institution' in quite the negative way it might have appeared.

It's just that to get the sort of care he apparently needed, he'd have probably had to have have been at a residential establishment like these:

https://www.childhoodfirst.org.uk/refer-a-child/therapeutic-residential/

No matter how humane his treatment, it would probably have been twisted by the Press into the worst situation imaginable. Even being kept `at home' ie at Wood Farm with the best, kindest, therapeutic staff resources available, he would have been represented as `the mad boy in the attic'.

I suppose C & D thought the best way ahead was to treat him the same as his brother...


BTW, Both my parents succumbed to Alzheimer's or similar, to the extent that they had to be in long-term NHS care. Even so, I was criticised in some quarters for not being able to continue to care for them myself.
Magatha Mistie said…

I did make a quip a while ago
re- madams messiah complex,
the size of her feet she could
walk on water!
But, she’s now chosen Easter to arise!



@Hikari - I should have said that while such therapeutic provision may exist now, it may not have done when H was young.
Magatha Mistie said…

Awristocat

The Inflictus Games
Showcasing her aims
Just more spiel from Neverland
Her n haz will be towing
A Netflix team showing
She’s a veteran of the right hand…

Girl with a Hat said…
if the zoom call with the UK vets and Hairy went so badly that it couldn't be posted, will there be demonstrations of hostility towards the odious couple in the Netherlands during the Invictus Games?
Este said…
While I'm sure the Dastardly Duo will play it off as nothing, the optics of not being hosted/feted by Dutch royalty says it all. These 2 are being subtly frozen out of the most elite circles, who take a dim view of airing dirty family laundry and playing the millionaire victims. Regardless of whether they'd want to stay at the palace or hang out with Dutch royals, the optics here are bad and they know that better than anyone else.

They made no friends in Montecito and will fade into anonymity quite will in New York, a city where the well heeled are fleeing like rats on a sinking ship.
snarkyatherbest said…
i love princess anne! and love the dutch royal family. nipped that in the bud before the rumors even came out about them having a joint appearance. that’s the way to do it instead of the drip of oscar pr beckman pr. and it does probably set them off and especially mrs trotter. what will she do to retaliate. it’s like they are setting up the mrs for failure and i love it

the whole better up thing with invictus. what these athletes lived through to get to the games is amazing. they have a lot to teacher better up and the Trotters about resiliency in fact those butter up “coaches” would be have to retreat to their safe spaces when they hear athlete stories of how they were injured and what it took to get to where they are. those coaches will be “but but marsha was mean to me” (brady bunch reference)
OKay said…
OT @WBBM - I hope you didn't cave in to guilt about what other people thought you should do for your parents. My own mother took in her mother when my grandfather died, and it was a disaster. She tried for a year (we all did, really), and then medical professionals served her far better than we ever could. For this very reason, both my mother and I are very firm about going into a "home" or similar when we can no longer fend for ourselves. Leave the care to the professionals, so that the family can all enjoy each other for as long as possible.
Mel said…
I can't fathom what BetterUp coaches would have to offer Invictus participants.

Their coaches are independent contractors, with unknown or no qualifications to treat anybody. I can't imagine that anyone with real qualifications would be working a low end job at BetterUp.

They're just everyday people off the street offering their idea of "coaching". Not any more qualified to offer advice than you or me. In fact, some of you here are probably better qualified.
Mel said…
nipped that in the bud before the rumors even came out about them having a joint appearance. 
----

All groups should do that. Nothing snarky. Just short and matter of fact.
Stop it before it starts.

The way it is now any event of significance, whether related to the Harkles or not, will have to do it. Pathetic the way the Harkles try to get their names associated with *anything* of public interest.
@OKay - No I didn't feel guilty about not caring for her until the end. Both I and my husband tried our best with Mum but even with excellent support from social services, including regular regular spells of her going to into hospital to give us a break, we couldn't manage it. It was the sleepless nights with her screaming for no obvious reason that nearly did for us and our marriage.

She got no joy from being with us - she didn't know who I was but daily at 4.30pm would kept fretting that I hadn't come home from school yet (I'd left school 30 years earlier but couldn't reassure her) . Other times she thought I was her mother. The old people's hospital was so much better for her. The staff were wonderful but they could go off duty and hand over to someone else.

I do feel a bit guilty that when she died ( aged 91, almost 20 years after it became apparent that there was something wrong) I felt nothing but relief, for her and us.

Even so, I was criticised for not keeping her at home.
Enbrethiliel said…
It has belatedly occurred to me that * may not have cared a flip about the snub from the Dutch Royals, but Harry might have been stung quite deeply.

* knows deep down that she will never be royal or respected by real Royals, so she automatically devalues anything coming from them.

But Harry was born a prince and knew nothing else until very recently. (He probably didn't even know military life, as he was protected all the way through it and came out of it with absolutely no friends.)

He is a fish out of water in California and knows that the celebs and politicians his wife kisses up to will never really be "his" people. But King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are "his" people -- and their refusal to treat him as one of them must have really hurt.
Hikari said…
@Embre

Mr. Trotter is still trying to have his cake and eat it. He walked away from Royal duty, he said, with its institutional racism and genetic pain…but it was only the “work and expectations for deportment” that he and the wife walked away from. All the perks: titles, money, grand houses, deference, free security, private jets, the lot…they expected to remain. They really expected that everyone would come to pay homage at their Sussex Court West and worship them with galas and bags of money.

Such delusions have ceased to amuse and are both profoundly disturbing and annoying. These two have got no collective grasp on reality, and do not exhibit the adult judgment to be making the kinds of legal contracts they are making. Britney Spears comes to mind. They need to be allowed to fail in the most public way possible. No propping them up with cash, attention or “deals”.

Reflecting on the seemingly laissez faire attitude of the RF to Harry’s failures when he was a child and teen—back then, before William had children, the possibility was stronger that Harry might have to rule, if the worst happened. So they had to keep him within the public view and not provide an alternative education. But the RF historically has done a crap job of preparing their Spares for a meaningful role that doesn’t entail the Crown heir dying childless. Harry, Andrew, Margaret—all cases in point.
snarkyatherbest said…
why do i have a feeling we will be hearing twitter rumors of queen maxima and rose 😉 after the snub. ha. i still expect her or him to do something (mostly her) i secretly can’t wait for the show. she will be smug, looking at the cameras, wearing something out of season and ill fitting. pushing in front of people. and then the podcast. there are rumors she is gonna set the record straight which means settling scores. they are the gift that keeps on giving. we await all of this and of course Prince Louis pics!!!!
Enbrethiliel said…
@HIkari
Mr. Trotter is still trying to have his cake and eat it. He walked away from Royal duty, he said, with its institutional racism and genetic pain…but it was only the “work and expectations for deportment” that he and the wife walked away from. All the perks: titles, money, grand houses, deference, free security, private jets, the lot…they expected to remain.

He definitely didn't think it through. Which may be the understatement of the decade. I don't know whether to lay this at the feet of poor intellectual abilities or sheer entitlement. Was he genuinely the only person in the world to be gobsmacked by the consequences of his actions . . . or did he also foresee a worst-case scenario but believe his special boi status would be the only buffer he needed against them? What a rude awakening that must have been.

And how awful every day in America must be. I'm sure all the Americans he meets are perfectly decent to him, but if they treat him the way they treat everyone else, that can't be good enough.

@snarkyatherbest
why do i have a feeling we will be hearing twitter rumors of queen maxima and rose

Luckily for Queen Maxima, I don't think * cares much about her or about bringing the Dutch Royal Family down. Plus, they didn't make the huge error the BRF did, which was letting a narc inside their intimate circle. Narcissist minds are like magnets for our vulnerabilities and shames, and I'm certain that * picked up on just enough from the Cambridges and their social circles to figure out that Rose's would be the most devastating name to drop. But she has nothing on the DRF, and I'm certain they're going to keep it that way.

I'm expecting another atrocious wardrobe a la New York and attempts to photobomb minority communities in the Netherlands. Maybe some children will be instructed to hug her. And then, in the next six months, if Queen Maxima or Princess Amalia wear an outfit that has even the tiniest detail in common with anything * merched or have an engagement with a group even marginally associated with whichever cause * decided to hijack, we'll get articles about how * inspired them with her presence. Just as she inspired all of Catherine's new pantsuits, doncha know?
Sandie said…
@WBBM
Apologies if I am straying into the personal, but no matter how caring or loving or devoted one is, people with dementia cannot be provided the best care at home. For their own safety and to give them the best quality of life possible, they need to put in a place where there is the expertise and facilities to meet their very specific needs. Very very few people are able to replicate that at home.
---------
The Mirror has an article stating that the duo have been given the precious VVIP status and the Netherlands will be pulling out all the stops to provude them with protection.
Hikari said…
Apologies if someone has posted this already . . .

I am gratified to read that the Queen has given unprecedented Royal permission to her dresser, Angela Kelly, to publish an updated edition of her 2019 book, "Behind the Coin", to include chapters on how HM coped with lockdown in 'HMS Bubble' and the aftermath of the loss of her spouse of 73 years. Presumably, HM might also share some recollections that may vary about the exit of her grandson and his hoity baggage. The book will be released 12 May in advance of Jubilee celebrations and will handily pip Haznowt's whinge rag to the post, seeing as that mess isn't due out until 'some time in the fall.'

https://www.tatler.com/article/new-book-by-angela-kelly-will-reveal-how-the-queen-dealt-with-both-lockdown-and-prince-philips-death

Ms. Kelly, who has served the Queen as her most trusted and intimate courtier for 30 years, lives in a grace-and-favor residence at Windsor, which the Queen 'nips into for tea' on a regular basis. Somehow this has the ring of more versimilitude to it than when Baggage talks about her special Queenie-hosted birthday parties.

HM: 1 Sussex Numbnutz: 0
Mel said…
Think she's only staying a few days because they couldn't con a charity into paying for a week or so of hotel stay, etc.?
DeerAngels said…
Wonder if the sixes will have matching outfits. Like haz wearing that orange outfit and her in formal orange gown.
snarkyatherbest said…
oh maybe she will wear her chains dress again and slip and call someone king leopold because you know Dutch are colonial racists. sadly i do think they will be courting the Ukrainians athletes we hope they won’t be markled
Ralph L said…
But the RF historically has done a crap job of preparing their Spares for a meaningful role that doesn’t entail the Crown heir dying childless.

Then there are the Spares who did better than those higher would have or did, perhaps because they weren't (as) spoiled: Elizabeth I, George V, George VI.
Teasmade said…
@Hikari: Your comment "the RF historically has done a crap job of preparing their Spares for a meaningful role." So true, couldn't agree more BUT these spares weren't helpless. Did they not, with all their resources and no impediments (like, lack of connections or needing a loan for graduate school) -- could they not ON THEIR OWN come up with something to do with their lives?

Let's leave Margaret out of my criticism. Neither girl was educated as a matter of taste/policy; marriage was all they had to look forward to. Life as a party girl was about all M was capable of (and honestly, postwar London looked like a lot of fun for those who could afford it.)

But these boys? There was nothing to stop them. We never hear of interests, hobbies, affinities, or skills for any of them, save for something involving horses. Did nothing catch their imagination? The arts? Business? Sports management? Geology?

The preparation the family should have given was in character building. I guess when you're filthy rich and never face any repercussions, you can get away from needing any.
Hikari said…
@Teasmade

Agree wholeheartedly. Legend has it that Margo was very intelligent, more so than her stolid and dutiful older sister, but she did not even get the rudimentary education that Elizabeth received. Still, she did not marry, and that quite disastrously, until she was in her late 20s. with all the resources at her disposal, one would think she could have traveled, and engaged private tutors as an adult to teach her and anything, any subject, to make up for the deficiencies of her girlhood education. I always think if the Royals don’t get stuck into a cause they care about And
Make their role more than prancing around in top fashion, cutting ribbons And regurgitating prepared speeches, that’s on them. I guess I would say that great privilege is somewhat antithetical to the development of great character, because character develops through trials, failures and hard work. The Royals are rarely exposed to those.
Elsbeth1847 said…
Perhaps what was driving the lack of education in a more traditional sense was by the QM who was a generation where woman really weren't encouraged to get educated. In the bio I read (some time ago) I got the impression that she didn't like schooling, flittered here and there to schools but mainly got by on tudors. So there wasn't a sense of greater education as practical/useful because really her generation was more about being married (to the right social standing guy) than being highly educated and with a career.

But more importantly, QE chose not to go that route with her kids.

Hikari said…
One of the standout episodes of The Crown S1 shows the young Princess Elizabeth’s education at Windsor Castle with her French tutor and her weekly visits to the provost of Eton College to study the British constitution. It then imagines a conversation between the new Queen & her mum. ER, feeling in way over her head in her new role castigates QM for not giving her better preparation for her future than “needlework and reciting poems with Crawfie.”

She’s muddled along all right, but even by the standards of her class at the time, she and Margaret were very lightly educated. At least they taught ER the constitution.
Enbrethiliel said…
Reading now about how little the young Elizabeth was educated, I better appreciate River's comment that the Queen has a true instinct for her role.
Enbrethiliel said…
@Hikari
Presumably, HM might also share some recollections that may vary about the exit of her grandson and his hoity baggage. The book will be released 12 May in advance of Jubilee celebrations and will handily pip Haznowt's whinge rag to the post, seeing as that mess isn't due out until 'some time in the fall.'

This should be interesting! Even if the book doesn't mention Harry and * at all, the very possibility that it will must make them (and the publishers) very nervous.

The best part is that this move seems (and probably is!) organic and well planned out in advance, rather than a tactical reaction to the news of Harry's memoirs. I hate the way narcissists put the huge burden of wargaming every possible outcome onto the shoulders of their victims; one is always on the defensive and jumping to the narcissist's whistle (or just in anticipation of it). But this doesn't seem to be the case with the BRF any longer. There will always be residual annoyance and trauma, of course, but now we're all being reminded that this institution has existed for hundreds of years before * and will (God willing!) continue to exist for hundreds of years after she is a footnote in the annals of 21st century fashion failures.
Enbrethiliel said…
@Hikari

The Body Language Guy picked up on the same thing about Angela Kelly's upcoming book!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGr02krp1mg

The video includes additional thoughts about Harry's conflict of interest with Invictus and BetterUp.
Sandie said…
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/harry-meghan-given-vvip-status-26706413

Can anyone decode what this article is actually saying? My take is that they are getting what they would get in the UK.

Who is Russell Myers? The article reads like a PR release from the dastardly duo.

For interest:

"Sometimes, the term very very important person (VVIP or V.V.I.P.) is also used,[6] especially with reference to VIPs with very high rank or spending power.[7] It is used especially when anyone can buy VIP treatment, to distinguish people with especially high requirements.[8]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Very_important_person#:~:text=A%20very%20important%20person%20or,social%20status%2C%20influence%20or%20importance.
Snarkyatherbest said `wearing something out of season and ill fitting.'

a) I caught mention of a joke name for a Norman baron on the radio yesterday:`FitzBadleigh'...

b) Attitudes to educating girls: a real sore point for me. I was first in my extended family to get to university. The response it elicited from aunts and neighbours of the generation born 1895 -1915 was damning, on the boundaries of lower/middle class:

eg `I don't hold with girls being educated above their station in life'

`I don't believe in girls being over-educated'

`X (my cousin) didn't get into university and she's brilliant - (this one's) father must have pulled strings'.

X was brilliant at her subject but unfortunately failed to meet the basic requirements to be considered for university, as then imposed by the the Ministry of Education.
Maneki Neko said…
@Hikari

I wonder if Angela Kelly will include a chapter on 'tiaragate' in her book. It would be interesting to read her truth - remember, 'Harry saw it as a 'huge snub' that Ms Kelly did not organise for Meghan and her American hairdresser Serge Normant to get access to the glittering Queen Mary bandeau headpiece when they wished.' (DM). Apparently, H and * rocked up at the Palace and demanded an appointment with Angela Kelly who said 'that's not how it works'.

-----
While checking details of tiaragate to make sure they were correct, I Sawa photo of Scooby-Doo's Finding Freedom. I was struck this time by the subtitle: 'H & * and the making of a modern royal family.' A modern royal family? H & *? Permit me a hollow laugh. * Wanted to modernise the BRF. She couldn't and it wasn't up to her in any case but does she think she has a modern royal family? I think editors usually chose do book titles but in the FF subtitle, the use of 'royal' shouldn't be allowed.
The Crown series isn’t something one should be using or quoting for a facts check. It’s riddled with untruths and err lies. 😳

I see The BLG has a new video….I’ve not watched it yet…PLUS it appears (according to The Mirror with the DM quoting their source 😐) Maggot and Mole has been given VVIP security status for the Invictus Games in The Netherlands. The true illuminating thing though, is they won’t be given an audience with the Dutch royals, this is the real and true reality of their status IMHO. 🤔

I’ve not seen Miggy for a while, I do hope she’s okay. 🥴
Sandie said…
The update to the Angela Kelly book covers two topics:

The death of the Duke of Edinburgh
The Queen in her lockdown bubble

I doubt that it will even mention the dastardly duo.

A repeat of questions asked above:

The article in the Mirror, now being covered in the Daily Mail, about VVIP status for the duo during the Invictus Games:

Is this not actually the exact same status they have in the UK, but now with a pompous acronym attached? (In fact, in the UK, they are VIP because they are royal, but in the Netherlands, they are VVIPs because he is the founder and patron of IG?)

Are these articles not the familiar Sussex spin, coming from two very self-important people?

Please note the explanation of what VIP and VVIP means:

"A very important person or personage (VIP or V.I.P.) is a person who is accorded special privileges due to their high social status, influence or importance. The term was not common until sometime after World War 2 by RAF pilots.

Examples include celebrities, heads of state or heads of government, other politicians, major employers, high rollers, high-level corporate officers, bankers, economists, clergy, military personnel, wealthy individuals, or any other socially notable person who receives special treatment for any reason. The special treatment usually involves separation from common people, and a higher level of comfort or service.

In some cases, such as with tickets, VIP may be used as a title in a similar way to premium or exclusive. Usually, VIP tickets can be purchased by anyone, but still meaning separation from other customers, own security checks etc.

Sometimes, the term very very important person (VVIP or V.V.I.P.) is also used, especially with reference to VIPs with very high rank or spending power. It is used especially when anyone can buy VIP treatment, to distinguish people with especially high requirements."
Sandie said…
@RR
Thanks for the alert that the BLG has a new video posted. Worth watching!

Re. Angela Kelly's update to her book: he points out that it covers the death of the Duke of Edinburgh and it was during this time that the dastardly duo did the Oprah misinformation interview and then put out the worst PR to justify their timing. Angela will not have to say anything about them at all (at most, give a date when family were informed to prepare themselves, if they were) - social and mainstream media can join the dots and compare dates.

Elsbeth1847 said…
Tiaragate in the Kelly book

Doubt it for all the reasons above but also because it would be a delicious non-comment about them in the same vein as recollection vary.

Reminds me of a conversation I once overheard:

said in a calm voice: "You are not worth my getting mad about."
snarkyatherbest said…
Sandie. i agree i doubt the book would deal with the trotters. ghosting the grifters at their own game. talk about other details at times about family in london but act as if they don’t exist are so unimportant to mention will likely egg the trotters on to have a tantrum which in turn will make the trotters look bad rising above is usually what the brf does. although personally i would love the dirt 😉

do we know for sure they are vvvvvips or is that or she put out. and will she try to set in motion some event/incident that helps with the UK case and embarrasses the Dutch royal family since they already released a statement about no meeting. narcs don’t like people scoring points at their own game.
OKay said…
@Sandie The Mirror is a tabloid; its articles are irrelevant. Their sources are either made up or Harry's wife herself has been feeding them headlines. Nothing they claim ever actually happens.
Hikari said…
@Raspberry

In my sharing of the Crown anecdote, I did include “imagined”. Though I am American, I am aware that the show is a dramatized soap opera, not a documentary. It’s a fine-looking soap opera with top-notch acting all around. Peter Morgan may not let facts get in the way of telling a good story, but just as his film The Queen did, it’s ultimately sympathetic to its subject(s). Morgan should have quit while he was ahead and stopped after this last season—watching the death of Diana re-enacted again and traipsing into events of the very recent past .. William and Harry as young adults—is going to be hard to watch. But I would not use the show for fact checking purposes any more than I’d use Shakespeare to prepare for a history exam. Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford, ER’s governess who stayed with her until her marriage describes the Princesses’ educational programme at home. Neither of the Duke or Duchess of York were in the least academically inclined and thought too much book study was harmful to young girls. A typical day was a couple hits in the schoolroom before lunch and maybe an hour after. There were also music lessons and an emphasis on sport and fresh air. One can hardly argue the benefits seeing as HM has achieved 96 years with such vigor.

Charles was the first Crown heir in history to attain a university degree, so ER’s home education was hardly out of the norm for a Royal. If she’s been a boy, more academic rigor would’ve been expected. Presumably it was only after the Abdication when it became a certainty that she would become second in line after her father that the Constitutional lessons began. She has learned by experience, which is the better teacher, but HM was renowned for being conversationally limited to stud breeding and other horsey topics. I think Anne would have liked to have had a crack at uni like her brothers got, and I consider it a shame that she didn’t get to try university, seeing as she’s the brightest of the lot. She’d make a fabulous Queen after her mother.
@Hikari,

Specifically, it was the bit about Elizabeth going to Eton on a weekly basis. Whilst she had Oxbridge scholars to educate her, I’ve never read about visits to Eton (which I’m sure you’re aware is a residential boy’s school). 😃 This part was above where you state it then imagines which is why I questioned it. 🥴

I’d rather the crown series be eradicated and obliterated because far too many now see it as a factual drama, and thus becomes a basis of historical facts. 😟 The fact Mole has a financial deal with Netflix gives the idea the series has credibility. 😟
Hikari said…
Just came upon this interesting article about the Norland Nannies.

Applicants need 3 A-levels for admission and graduate with the equivalent of a B.A. in Early Childhood education, along with skills in self-defense and security.

I just wish the uniforms weren’t so ugly. Navy blue is universally flattering but that shade of baby poop brown flatters no one. The men fare better in their Edwardian suits. The Norland trains “mannies” as well.

The Cambridges’ nanny, Maria Borallo, is believed to be the staff member who was abused by Harry’s fiancee, prompting Catherine to have to step in and put Madam in her place. This was only the first salvo in *’s war.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10716567/Norland-College-principal-reveals-list-nanny.html
QueenWhitby said…
Verrrry interesting - the Russian connection confirmed. I wonder if this is the Palace, (softly, softly, leave no fingerprints), trickling the cat out of the bag? I am hoping the chess pieces are being set up for a post Jubilee checkmate...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-island-mansion-harry-meghan-yuri-milner-pandora-1.6419328

Twitter is all over the VVIP status, apparently there is no such thing. Those in the know are stating Farkles will be covered by Dutch security while attending Invictus functions, and will use their own security otherwise.

I just want them to be roundly booed.
Mel said…
No step too low for the exiled royals?

---
Harry and Meghan (and a Netflix crew) will have 'private meeting' with Ukraine's Invictus team as part of $100m deal

https://t.co/sPCN1YjnlT
Sandie said…
@Okay
Thanks for that info on the Mirror. Not all tabloids are wrong all the time, but I am not familiar with the Mirror and have no idea how to evaluate their articles. Unfortunately, all other tabloids are now repeating the story without questioning.

My evaluation is that in reality the protection they will get as VVIPs is exactly what they would get when visiting the UK, except in the UK they do have the benefit of being royal so if they are at Frogmore Cottage or visiting a working royal they automatically fall under royal protection (same for Sandringham or Balmoral, or even Highgrove).

I wonder if he has realized that his wife is not as smart as she professes to be. She thought being a royal would give her platinum card VIP access to everything (major celebrity events, high-profile ambassador roles ...), and she values that above the historic role of being a working royal.
Sandie said…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10718531/Invictus-Games-Netflix-film-Prince-Harry-Meghans-meeting-Ukraine-team.html

Oh for heaven's sake - talk about trashy ambulance chasers!

I don't know why I am getting so annoyed when I foresaw and warned everyone that their PR would ramp up and reach a level of absurdity.
Hikari said…
RR,

The outing of Princess Elizabeth, accompanied by Crawfie to the office of the provost at Eton, was no doubt a dramatic interpretation on the part of the series. It’s a charming scene though admittedly impractical, when it was so much easier and more proper to have the provost come to Windsor Castle, which is undoubtedly how it was handled. Whether or not Sir Henry Marten kept a pet Raven in his rooms, or whether Elizabeth ever paid a visit to the Eton campus, he was Elizabeth’s constitutional tutor beginning in 1938. The regularity is not firmly established, but it would have been needlessly convoluted to send the Princess to him rather than the other way round for however long they had regular lessons.

I’ve gone off Netflix since its collaboration with the Skuzzits, but I suppose the real issue-taking with the Crown needs to be with the mind behind it all, Peter Morgan, who has written or co-written every episode. He is the 21st century Shakespeare in terms of turning the reigning British monarchy into dramatized fodder for the public entertainment…and for money. We may abhor the results, but as public figures, everyone concerned is fair game for either reverence or parody somewhere in between. Showtime made an even bigger hash of the Tudor dynasty and that got boffo ratings too. This current show is more controversial since most of the principal players are still living. When one’s subjects are dead, it’s a lot easier to make stuff up and get away with it. I imagine if Richard Plantagenet had been around to raise objections to his characterization in Mr. Shakespeare’s play, he’d have had grounds for a juicy libel lawsuit against a Tudor propagandist. Last I heard, the Palace was seeking to have episodes of the Crown come with a warning label that the show is fictitious. Maybe the kernels of truth it contains are hitting the mark. If this does occur, it will be a 21st century version of Puck’s epilogue in the Dream: “If we shadows have offended/Think but this and all is mended: that you have but slumbered here/while we shadows did appear.”

That shouldn’t be necessary but I would prefer that to having the show obliterated. Artistic censorship is always the first step of a totalitarian regime. The Royal family could instead counter misinformation about themselves by abandoning their institutional code of omertà to the common folk and being more transparent about their operations and their decision making.
Hikari said…
@Maneki

Considering the horror that Megnut looked on her wedding day, the idea that she’d imported a beauty entourage is laughable. This Serge was supposedly one of the top hairstylists in New York. She literally looked like she rolled out of bed after a night of reefer and jammed the tiara on her head herself. Ditto the alleged efforts of weepy Daniel Martin, whose waterworks may have been professional shame at being attached to that ghastly result.

If Serge actually was in Windsor prior to the wedding, I think he split after Tiaragate. The Harkes Do nothing but damage to the professional reputation of any person or organization affiliated with them. They are just not worth the hassle.
SwampWoman said…
Hikari said: I just wish the uniforms weren’t so ugly. Navy blue is universally flattering but that shade of baby poop brown flatters no one. The men fare better in their Edwardian suits. The Norland trains “mannies” as well.

I looked amazing in OD green (Army) and a total ghostly washout in Navy blue. Go Army!

Maybe the ugly-colored uniforms are a protective colorant to save the ladies from unwanted advances.
SwampWoman said…
Wild Boar Battle-maid said...
Snarkyatherbest said `wearing something out of season and ill fitting.'

a) I caught mention of a joke name for a Norman baron on the radio yesterday:`FitzBadleigh'...

b) Attitudes to educating girls: a real sore point for me. I was first in my extended family to get to university. The response it elicited from aunts and neighbours of the generation born 1895 -1915 was damning, on the boundaries of lower/middle class:

eg `I don't hold with girls being educated above their station in life'

`I don't believe in girls being over-educated'

`X (my cousin) didn't get into university and she's brilliant - (this one's) father must have pulled strings'.

X was brilliant at her subject but unfortunately failed to meet the basic requirements to be considered for university, as then imposed by the the Ministry of Education.


EXACTLY! That was still the mindset decades later when I went to the university then decided to join the Army for the GI bill. "Why do you want to waste time and money when you'll just get married and have babies?"?
SwampWoman said…
Hikari said: She has learned by experience, which is the better teacher, but HM was renowned for being conversationally limited to stud breeding and other horsey topics. I think Anne would have liked to have had a crack at uni like her brothers got, and I consider it a shame that she didn’t get to try university, seeing as she’s the brightest of the lot. She’d make a fabulous Queen after her mother.

I would respectfully put in a contrary point of view that perhaps QE II's perceived limited conversational topics was to avoid anything that could possibly be seen as offensive to her guests. I would be a bad head of state because I would be a babbling fount of curiosity, asking guests everything about camel races, oil, and diversification of their economies to how they rig elections.
@Hikari & @Raspberry Ruffle :

...the bit about Elizabeth going to Eton on a weekly basis. Whilst she had Oxbridge scholars to educate her, I’ve never read about visits to Eton (which I’m sure you’re aware is a residential boy’s school).

No, I've never heard of the young Elizabeth `going to Eton'. That's because I always understood that the Provost came to her (presumably when they were at Windsor). A much more likely scenario then sending a princess out to him, as if she were an ordinary youngster going to a music teacher. Perhaps it was in `The Little Princesses' by Crawfie which I read in instalments published in Enid Blyton's `Sunny Stories' -

Charles employed Rory Stewart ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory_Stewart) as a holiday tutor for Wills and Harry, when he was still an undergraduate. I bet only one boy benefitted from this. Rory is an amazing man, intellectual and brave adventurer.

PS HM won't be going to church on Easter Day, clearly not up to it. I expect Communion will be brought to her. It has just been announced that Charles & Camilla won't be going either - that gives me pause for thought - I do hope it's not an indication the HM is more poorly than they are letting on.
Hikari said…
The news that the Queen won’t attend Easter service is deeply concerning. I wonder if she is unwell or if she just doesn’t want to be seen in a wheelchair. I hope she is conserving her strength for the summer. God save Her Majesty.
lizzie said…
Not sure what all that about church means @WBBM

TQ obviously is having difficulties but it's hard to know what it means and how serious it is--her age, COVID, losing Philip...

Some articles say C&C "pulled out" of attending church at Windsor but others say they'll be in Scotland as they always are for Easter. So it's unclear.
Maneki Neko said…
Hot from the press!

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make secret visit to the Queen in Windsor: Couple extend ‘olive branch’ to her and Charles after snubbing Philip’s memorial on security grounds

Just two lines:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle flew into the UK yesterday for a secret face-to-face meeting with the Queen.

More follows.


So security was not a problem, I take it. The children must be at home since H & * are then off to the Netherlands for Invictus.
snarkyatherbest said…
royal rota are reporting the trotters were seen leaving windsor castle by some church goers. my take

suddenly the queen charles and camila want to meet with them. unlikely

so far the family has not confirmed the rumor

did they go? did they send faux harry? did they plant someone to tell the story? was there a netflix crew there? we’re they refused entry? does seem the scoobie do did not have the scoop but again a sugar could have planted the story. make it look they have all suddenly made up so the trotters dont look so bad. showing up when crowds would be there.we’re they trying to crash the service? i’m still betting it didn’t happen until the palace says that it did

prob a pick on black grid with some intense photoshopping for us with the queen dancing a hug with Harry while lilabuck$ and mrs trotter clap in time. Archie of course is playing the fiddle

this does gin up interest in the invictus appearance


probably “leaked” what ever the truth was
Rebecca said…
They have visited the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla at Windsor together. Did they succeed at conning them into believing they are worthy of being welcomed back into the royal fold? Somehow I doubt the British public would accept them back, ever. But perhaps William is the only one in the family that understands how venal the pair really are.

What do you all think??

Is the blog on moderation indefinitely? Wouldn’t that be a victory for whomever the spoilsport(s) is/are??
SwampWoman said…
Wild Boar Battle-maid said: PS HM won't be going to church on Easter Day, clearly not up to it. I expect Communion will be brought to her. It has just been announced that Charles & Camilla won't be going either - that gives me pause for thought - I do hope it's not an indication the HM is more poorly than they are letting on.

Oh, dear. That does sound ominous.
Maneki Neko said…
The article on H&*'s visit to the Queen says a bit more but not much. Apparently, 'They arrived incognito on Wednesday' but 'The couple are understood to have left Windsor yesterday afternoon' (i.e. Wednesday). So the visit can't have been very long. But it also states that 'They arrived incognito on Wednesday and are believed to have stayed 'at Frogmore Cottage, the home they have kept on despite quitting the UK where Princess Eugenie and her family currently stay, overnight.'

When did they arrive and leave? It's not clear. They're also believed to have visited Charles. I wonder what prompted the visit/s. Money? (both) Shame? (H) Regrets? (not on*'s part).
snarkyatherbest said…
Maneki it also states they were seen leaving windsor castle by a bus of church goers just before the Maundy service which would be thursday.

they love this crap lots of tidbits but none of them add up. chaos and the mrs just smiles smugly. I did that

if they were summoned (which i doubt) they would want to spin it ahead of any other leaks. (like megxit). if they tried to crash, they could have been turned away and again they drop hints through their spokes person ahead of what the palace says. or they weren’t there at all. daring the palace to contradict them. perhaps they leak a photoshopped photo and then what does the palace do? it’s holy week, the queen would not be focusing on these two. several are pointing out how can they just walk in and see the queen. especially after traveling so far because of covid. i just can’t imagine the brf wanting to see the both of them unless it was for a royal telling off.

chaos

oh and there is no word of lilibuck$ or archie visiting too so that rumor has been shot down

I’m erring on the side of caution and I think it’s a PR piece that Maggot and Mole have visited Windsor. I’ve become more cynical and rarely believe a thing about them in the media now. 😕
Longview said…

I may be alone in thinking this, but I don't believe the visit happened. Supposedly a bus load of tourists saw them, waved to the toxic duo, and the toxic due waved back. Where are the photos, don't tell me no one on the bus took a photo.
Does it also imply the toxic duo were walking across the estate, an act which would single handedly undo the spare's legal action that he is at risk in Britain.
How many times before have we seen claims something happened involving the toxic duo, to later find out it simply did not happen.

If it is true, then the toxic duo chose Maundy Thursday, so Her Majesty would have to receive them, because of her deep Christian faith in forgiveness.

The only reason for such a visit (again I am not convinced) is that Her Majesty is ill, and the toxic duo want to get a visit in to break down any future bariers to attendance at Her Majesty's funeral. A case of Her Majesty forgave us while she was alive, you have to allow us to attend the funeral. The toxic duo must be seen at the funeral to boost their fading royal credentials, and boost their marketability (in their eyes).

I hate talking about the inevitable change to Charles as King, I personally hope Her Majesty continues and gets her strength back to exceed her mother's long life and more, but that end of reign scenario is how the toxic duo will be thinking.
Elsbeth1847 said…
Well they did manage to get over their fears of something happening to them being in the UK.

Which brings up the question: Were the security guys also spotted with them walking around too?

Because they are supposed to be at risk, right?

Mel said…
Kinda suspicious that the 2 exiled royals make a visit to the Queen when PW and Princess Anne are not there to run interference?
Longview said…

Until I read the words "Buckingham Palace has confirmed" or "a spokesman for Her Majesty has confirmed" or see a statement from the office of Her Majesty confirming the visit, I don't believe it.

A close reading shows the information cam from a spokesman for the toxic duo. Who would believe anything that comes out of their camp.
Museumstop said…
Well, it seems like it did happen.

Oh snarkyatherbest sign up soon for that PR job, the palace needs it. This news about the wife and accomplice is discomforting to say the least. Argh!

On the top of my head - the constant bad polling surrounding their public disrespect of Prince Philip's passing, Dutch Royal Family being straightforward about the terms of their hospitality, the hypocrisy surrounding the security court case, high society snubs - I feel the wife threw a huge tantrum, insisted on optics of a UK visit together (maybe they know they can corner the elderly with others out of the house, might have been an ambush).'Secret' has been their to-go to seem exclusive and as having priority and instant access. I find it strange that they literally ran in and ran out - there's something ulterior about it.

Anything well-meaning goes against the motivations that drive the Harkles. So was this to deliver threats/blackmail or negotiate a deal in person. Did the wife want to show the family how much she has H in her control or that if she wants it no one can stop her?

For now the buzz will be about their meeting HMTQ, C&C, and what it was about. If they were going to be met with indifference in the Hague - the duo have managed to turn that around with this sudden move.

We know the wife needs to clap back. Look at how she isn't giving up on the Ukraine optics - she wants to wrench that mention from Zelensky one way or the other.
Mel said…
So...they're trying to say that the Harkles popped off the plane, didn't quarantine, and ran right over to breathe on the head of state?
Sandie said…
I find it distasteful the way he is monetizing IG for his own benefit:

Netflix documentary
ButterUp sales
Supposedly a hefty appearance fee (surely this cannot be true, but how much is the IG foundation paying of his travel and accommodation, and is that why they did not use any private jets?)

I am still astounded that she strolled into Windsor Castle and met with the Queen. No shame, no remorse, smug and triumphant. (Their PR always focuses on the Queen, when he was much closer to his father, brother and then his sister-in-law.)
Elsbeth1847 said…
People are starting to post that they don't believe it happened at the DM. So, we aren't the only ones wondering if it could have really happened.



Sandie said…
https://www.spectator.co.uk/writer/dominic-green

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/how-prince-harry-became-celebrity-frontman-for-a-very-questionable-industry

An informative article about the dodgy ButterUp.
DesignDoctor said…
@Mel
I don't believe it for a nanosecond. Like others will have to hear about the visit from the Palace.
Sandie said…
Someone pointed out that if you check a map of Windsor, the PR story about people on the bus on the way to church is not true. They would be coming from different directions on different roads.

https://www.google.com/search?q=windsor+estate+map&oq=windsor+estate+map&aqs=chrome..69i57.8202j0j4&client=ms-android-lenovo-rev2&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=xx0Ltllz6W59tM

The Public entrance and St George's Chapel are in the lower ward; the Queen's apartments are in the upper ward. Different parts of a huge castle; different entrances; different roads.

And the Sussexes walked all that way, there and back, unprotected by armed bodyguards?
Fifi LaRue said…
The photo I saw of the Dollars was the one where Trotter is wearing that too tight, too short white dress she wore in NYC. Not buying the story at all that they popped in to visit The Queen. More PR BS.
Sandie said…
'Couple were spotted walking by a coach of excited churchgoers arriving for the Royal Maundy service.'

So, not a tourist bus. This makes no sense!
The Telegraph has reported it.
DeerAngels said…
In the past they have mentioned how they thought about dropping in to HM. Complaining they had to make appointment to see HM. I just can't believe this is a "sure drop in when you're in the hood". Not when this global treasure is saving her energy for the most important days of the jubilee. Funny how Prince William wasn't at this meeting.
When I was a child, and Dad had the day off for Good Friday, we twice went to Windsor for a bus ride as the public had access to the ramparts. Am not sure if King & Queen were there at the time or whether they went to Sandringham for Easter in those days.

I'll check whether the public has access at the moment - if so they could easily have sent 2 lookalikes to cause consternation.

The DT mentions them being seen by tourists but no source is mentioned otherwise.

Of course, they may be expecting HM to be on her deathbed very soon - was the idea to see her while she is still capable of altering her will in their favour? I wouldn't put it past them.
I suppose HM could have invited them if she feels she may not have much time, as an act of Christian forgiveness - appropriate for Easter. After all, Victoria died in the arms of the Kaiser.
DeerAngels said…
In the past they have thought about dropping in for a visit. They also complained about having to schedule time for HM to visit or calls. And when she is saving her energy and strength for the upcoming jubilee events. I doubt they were scribbled in at last minute. I find it blaring red that Prince William wasn't at this meeting. If he was there at megix I would think he would also be attending this meeting. I guess this is all they could come up with for the big secret.
https://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/windsor-castle-p43983

Yes, the Castle would have been open.

So why hasn't there been a Grand Announcement trumpeting it?

Just think, is she's trying to upstage the Crucifixion? How tasteless.

--------

Still no mention of sources but the Sun is claiming an exclusive - presumably for the speculative interview with Ingrid Seward
Maneki Neko said…
@Mel

You do not need to complete a UK passenger locator form before you travel, take any COVID-19 tests or quarantine when you arrive in England. (www.gov.
Maneki Neko said…
@Longview

Until I read the words "Buckingham Palace has confirmed" or "a spokesman for Her Majesty has confirmed" or see a statement from the office of Her Majesty confirming the visit, I don't believe it.
------
Quite. If, however,this is a private family visit of a private individual to his grandmother then I doubt the Palace would confirm anything.
From Reuters UK:

LONDON, April 14 (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, had a face-to-face meeting with Queen Elizabeth on Thursday, his spokesperson said after The Sun newspaper reported the visit.

NB `His spokesman' - OS or A.N.Other?
Magatha Mistie said…

Friday Singalong 🎤
Apologies: David Bowie
Rebel Rebel

Peddle Meddle

You’ve got a face that makes us hurl
We’re not sure if you’re a boy or a girl
Hey meh, you’re not too bright
Ah meh, teeth out at night
You and haz know eff all
You’d sell your granny for a line
Both of you should be disbarred
Haven’t realised you’re now outcast
You’ve worn him down
his head ain’t strong
Your flaky con
you got it wrong

Feral peril you failed to impress
Devil devil your face is a mess
Peddle petal we all know
Thot tramp, we loathe you so…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhgOwRj6K2Q

Dickie Arbiter confirms that nobody at the Palace knew about them dropping in.
I realise that absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence - but I still small a rat.
Magatha Mistie said…

The Road to Maundylay

The prince and the showgirl
And his accomodating cousin
More of her stories?
a dime a dozen
I’m rather surprised
when the bus had arrived
The peeps onboard had
no photos televised…

Magatha Mistie said…

Was this pop in to see the Queen
in retaliation to being snubbed
by the Dutch Royals?

DM stated they will be interviewing
(targeting) the Ukrainian team.
They sicken me, merching from war
veterans/war, doesn’t get much lower.




Magatha Mistie said…

Hazlost as opposed to Glastnost

How can hazza
the second hand son
Approach the Ukraine
who’re in a war not yet won
He’s there for a bit of fun
Whilst the rest of the world
pray it’s over and done
Magatha Mistie said…

Bow Wow

Tom Bower has the power
To rain on megsies shower
Especially to reveal her own produce
I hope he gets it right
Exposes all her shite
And stops meh adding more
to her traduce…


Maneki Neko said…
*' makeup artist has arrived in The Hague. * has to be looking her best (?) for Netflix.
The only winners with the so called visit, is Maggot and Mole! If BP deny it, the story is still out there for the Netflix footage, if they confirm it, the duo get the bonafide family connection they need for their Netflix content. Stalemate. 😳🤨
Agree with Nutties who say….until BP confirm the visit….I’m still highly sceptical. 😁
lizzie said…
@Cat's Slave,
I wouldn't necessarily have expected William to be present IF TQ agreed to receive H&M for a visit. She doesn't need Will as a "minder." And while H may have tried to push his agenda, it doesn't sound like it was a "business" meeting like the Sandringham summit. Plus, the Cambridges have been out of the country on a ski vacation all week.
Sandie said…
Remember round the time of Megxit they returned to UK from a tour and wanted to drive straight to see the Queen, but, when they phoned, they were told she would not see them without an appointment? The duo just do not accept not getting what they want, so this time they ambushed her and seemed to have turned up on foot, without security, and ambushed a Queen who is vulnerable because of her health, bereavement, prolonged isolation because of the virus, and on the most significant religious weekend for her (especially on the Christian day of forgiveness, when she had to miss the religious ceremony because of her frailty). Despicable duo!

Have a look at the map. It is not believable that a bus load of people going to or from St George's Chapel saw them, noted how relaxed they were, and exchanged waves. Completely different parts of the castle, completely different entrances, completely different route. And, as many have pointed out here, Windsor Park is open to visitors so the likelihood of no one seeing them and taking a photo with their phone is just not believable. It is a long walk from Frogmore Cottage to the castle, and back again.

They have no interest or respect for or need for the Queen ... they were holding a grudge because they were denied the attempt to ambush her in the past, and they want to grab headlines and front pages in the very media they condemn.

If weeping Daniel the make-up artist is in Amsterdam, she has planned to make this appearance a major one. It is going to be a spectacle!
Elsbeth1847 said…
I know (the snarky side slipped in)

The great reveal is that she's pregnant again, another boy, and will name him after Philip.
Sandie said…
What else did they want in their manifesto that was denied them?

* Use of HRH and the word royal.
* Keeping their SussexRotal IG account (who the heck gets to keep their company social media account after leaving the company?).
* Part-time royalling, i.e. doing full-on royal appearances when and where and for what they choose (think United Nations and White House and you get the picture).
* IPP status and full royal security 24/7, wherever they are, for each if them and the children, paid for by British taxpayers.

Have I missed anything?
snarkyatherbest said…
agree sandie. she is pulling out all stops. i wonder if she went along because she was afraid harry would cave. i’m not sure they were there because little to no evidence. if they did it was show up at the door unannounced and try to barge there way in. we’re told to leave. and they leave with film cameras somewhere to show them going in. that’s all they need.

well she did say surprise and she did. but trotter you don’t have public appearances with the queen or the royal family and won’t going forward so really what did you “win”.
abbyh said…
By now you all have probably seen the video speculating that this "could be" them.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10721557/Was-Harry-Meghans-incognito-visit-Queen.html

Thinking about Sandie's good point about problems with the map, can anyone recognize that corner?

There are some interesting thoughts to add to the mix:

Netflix is also in the business of making movies (Netflix Original) so they could have set this up and conveniently had someone there with camera at the right time to just happen to catch this. Same feel as the pap(s) chasing H when he was over for the Diana unveil.

It's not a Range Rover. Not that he or his team might care.

If they could and did just barge in, what does this say about the security and protection of HM?


the island, multiple voices, has spoken (with lots of good points) moderation is going off

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