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A Quiet Before a Storm?

 Well, the actual Jubilee is still some days off and things seem kind of quiet in some ways.

Yeah sure there are the usual something connected to moms announcements and the Travelist push (although I thought that was sort of dead in the water but ok, whatever).  Basically the announcement stuff which doesn't seem to have a whiff of connection to anything prior in some coordinated pattern.  Announcements and connections just seem to come and go so quickly here (paraphrasing Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz).

But there are some interesting announcements from the other side of the pond which have come out recently like the only current working family on the balcony or that the staff will create some sort of ring of protection.  Or that the Tom Bower book is on the horizon.  Does it feel like the wind has shifted? 

In the run up for the Jubilee, expect a flurry of articles about what might or might not happen behind the castle walls by assorted Royal Reporters, tie back articles to the Oprah interview, constant reviewing of the assorted perceived slights and/or the bad feelings between this and that person and generally more negative stories rehashed.  And rehashed again. And again.

I hope there are at least as many articles with details of the long history of the Queen's reign.  That is, after all, the real reason for the event and not the private family squabble.

So, for now, the secret fly over, the games are over, the polo photos seem to have blipped off the spin cycle and the next big event should be the Jubilee.  A sense of quiet.  

Personally, this kind of stillness makes me think apex predator about to pounce.  


Comments

Rebecca said…
@OKay
@OKay
@Rebecca As I have noted previously, The Mirror is a tabloid rag. Feel entirely free to disbelieve everything that you read from there.

@WBBM
BTW, The Daily Mirror has a history of supporting Labour so it's no surprise it's pro-Twit & Twat
____________________________
I didn’t realize the Mirror was left-leaning. For some reason I thought it was more credible than the Sun or the Express. Maybe because the headlines are not as ridiculous.

The Daily Mail has the story about Twit and William WhatsApping back and forth, too. But the source of the info isn’t named—
Scobie via Twat? The comments echo what you said, OKay, that the story is a Sussex PR plant with no credibility. I hope that’s the case. Sometimes I wonder if the Queen might be urging William to repair the breech between him and Hazbeen for her sake.
Sandie said…
@Henrietta
Just because you have not seen it, does not mean it does not exist! She was filmed from when she got out of the car right to when she got back in.

She only laid the flowers once, then crouched for a few seconds, but she must have visited the memorial twice.

She left her car, walked to the memorial with her entourage, and stopped briefly, all the time with her arms crossed. She then returned to the car and got back in. Neither her nor anyone in her small entourage was holding any flowers. She must have then returned to lay the flowers and crouch for that brief time.

See below. She clearly does not lay the bunch of flowers.

https://youtu.be/yHB7LJ4a73I
DesignDoctor said…
@Henrietta

I think the video has been cleaned up in the past couple of days. The video I saw that afternoon had her placing the flowers twice and conferring with photogs. It was different than the video I just saw online.

In one of the videos I just watched online she gets into a black SUV with the woman who put her arm around her as she was walking away from the memorial.
Sandie said…
Maybe they wanted to check out the site to see how many people were there and how many flowers were there (I expressed a concern in a previous posts that mountains of flowers would obscure the crosses and names).

Did she buy the bunch of flowers locally or did she bring them from California? She made a point of adding to original reports with the specifics of the type of flower and its significance. But maybe she checked the site out, went to buy flowers, and then returned to lay the tribute.

I notice in photos taken from another angle that there were a couple of crosses with a bunch of flowers, and in later photos (long after she left) each cross has two or three bunches. I assume she got there not long after that memorial was built, and that friends and families are at home grieving and arranging funerals.
Maneki Neko said…
Let's not forget Maleficent & H laid a wreath on Remembrance Sunday 2020 at an LA cemetery so she has form.
-------

@Rebecca

Some parents at George and Charlotte 's school complained about their security detail parked outside the school. There was an article in the DM.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10864351/EMILY-PRESCOTT-Row-Prince-Georges-school-royal-bodyguards-blocking-pavements.html
Henrietta said…
DesignDoctor said:

In one of the videos I just watched online she gets into a black SUV with the woman who put her arm around her as she was walking away from the memorial.


Yes, I found this one. The woman she's with has been identified (by others) as Mandana Dayani, the COO of Archewell. And there was a second bodyguard. I know that particular clip is being used by some to claim they brought a Netflix crew, and that's just not what I see when I look at the clip. But it had the logo of NBC on it, and it had clearly been edited. So you're right about that, DesignDoctor.

I wish we could upload media on Blogger; it would be so much easier to discuss these things.

I don't disagree that she did all this for Netflix as I really don't think Archewell has the money for a private jet. It's simply all the additional allegations people were making about the trip that just didn't seem supported by the available videotape.

DesignDoctor said…
@Henrietta

I wish we hold upload images on Blogger. I also wish we could like comments/posts.
I saw on another site probably Reddit that a reader/poster looked the flight up on Flight Aware and said there was a private jet that flew in from Cali to Uvalde at the correct time and that it left an hour earlier than the flight plan. So maybe she did not get the reception she hoped for? Or curtailed her visit?
DesignDoctor said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Museumstop said…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9fQHQ2DEkg

Elizabeth the unseen queen.

The challenge is not to cry.

Also, I'm fully expecting the woman to make silent nods to some scenes in it.

Agree with the body coaching, nothing comes naturally.
Museumstop said…
@Mel

I had another look. The third row windows are extra blacked out, after all her holy gaze must not be sought unknowingly :P
Mel said…
Tin Hat....
I wonder if Mm was trying to piggy back with Beto...trying to do a joint engagement with him, and was told no.
Thus,the leaving early. And the snarky remark about Beto from the blood bank lady.

As the blood bank lady, I would not be making snarky remarks about a state senator. I thought that was a little risky. Fast way to lose your job I would think. Slanderous?

Something tells me that Mm was trying to horn in on something and was rejected.

Interesting that the WCK kitchens, with whom Archewell is supposedly a partner, and who publicized that they are in Ulveda, publicized nothing about Mm having dropped in on them, or making a donation to them.

This, after the chef said in the Harkle Time100 write-up that they run towards trouble.

Maybe she was trying to do some publicity with the chef, and he said, nope, too busy. Here's some actual work you can do. And she nopes her way outta there.

Notice that she said absolutely nothing about WCK. Makes no sense if they're partners. Would have been a great opportunity to shine a light on WCK, eh?
DesignDoctor said…
@Mel

Totally agree TBW was trying to piggy back on something and was rejected or told no for whatever reason.
Also agree that WCK, as a partner, should have been highlighted. Missed opportunity!
snarkyatherbest said…
Mel. Beto is unemployed and i think the blood bank woman may be a volunteer. not sure beto has much sway maybe he will if he beats gov abbott in the general election.

must be bad when even pr hound beto didn’t want to be seen with her.

tomorrow is another day. what will pr meg do next and when do they have to hop a plane to london assuming they are going?
For crying out loud - he horse is on a loose rein and is relaxed. Yet another story planted by anti-monarchists who don't know what they're talking about.
Thanks for the link to the BBC film, Museumstop. I missed the programme and was kicking myself because my BBC sign-on has failed to work.
New Harry Markle up - worth reading for the evidence of how the ghoul's stunt went down in Texas.
Re The horses,

it’s a non story. Just look at the other horses, they have the same pose. Agree with WBBM there’s a mixture of anti-monarchist fodder and Maggot and Mole PR spin. There’s a lot of both around right now…particularly with the run up to the Jubilee. Stories such as we’re seeing right now, need to be taken with a sackful off salt…. 😕😟
@WBBM, The Queen Unseen is available on catch-up. It was on ITV3. I’m downloading it now. ☺️
@WBBM, The other one called Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen is the BBC 1, and that’s too is available on catchup. The other one is also about her body language etc ☺️
Sandie said…
@DesignDoctor
I copied and posted three posts giving all the details about her flights, posted elsewhere by an Anon and researched through Flight Aware. If you scroll through the posts on this thread, you will find those posts. She did indeed leave an hour or more earlier than scheduled. The details make very interesting reading, but one piece of information missing is the name of the owner of the plane. Borrowed or leased and paid for by her? An expensive PR jaunt!

The lack of acknowledgement of WCK is interesting, but not unexpected. She uses causes and organizations for PR but does not form long-standing deep relationships, which requires a lot of hard work behind the scenes. WCK helped get her the Times PR ... they were used, not supported. Ironically, being a working royal was a great opportunity to acknowledge and fix deep flaws in her character as working royals do form life-long relationships with patronages and causes and most of the work they do is behind the scenes and unseen (like the private dinners with the wealthiest attendees to keep the donations flowing, the reading and writing of letters that will not be published, the endless polite and friendly phone calls, the meetings ...).
@RR- Thank you - small wonder I was confused by the titles!

------

Ode for the Queen's Birthday Parade*:

There are marching Guards at Buckingham Palace,
Harry the Retard comes down with Malice.
Malice is trying terribly hard -
`Archie is ours! He's not a B'Stard!!!'
Screams Malice.


*Trooping the Colour
I note the latest piece in the Mail, saying where the Dastardlies will be staying etc., is entirely unattributed. No prize for guessing where the `news' came from. The real latest is that the Queen will be at Epsom for the Derby at the time the Sussexes had inked in for her to meet them...

Husband has just guessed that HM will be `snowbound' at Balmoral; I added `or else kidnapped by a very capable, trusted, ghillie who is not revealing her whereabouts at all while the Harkles are in the UK'.

At least Welby has Covid so he won't be available to baptise the latest bairn Lily Diana. The Thanksgiving at St P's will be led by the Archbishop of York.
Henrietta said…
DesignDoctor said:

@Henrietta

I wish we hold upload images on Blogger. I also wish we could like comments/posts.
I saw on another site probably Reddit that a reader/poster looked the flight up on Flight Aware and said there was a private jet that flew in from Cali to Uvalde at the correct time and that it left an hour earlier than the flight plan. So maybe she did not get the reception she hoped for? Or curtailed her visit?


Yes, sounds plausible. Or she thought there would be more places to "tour," but everything is shut down because of the massacre. Flight Aware is really incredible.

xxxxx said…
Good DM comment >>>>>

Retford67, Retford, United Kingdom, 6 hours ago

Let's be clear - their move to the US has been a disaster. Americans couldn't care less about them, they're not fawning all over them, and the cost of living in CA is beyond their means. We are being softened up for a move back to the UK - hence the messaging that they've renewed the lease, Eugenie has moved out (why has she moved out of a 5 bedroom house when they're just popping back for the weekend?), the brothers are now speaking and Markle has reached out to her dad. If the BRF allow them to come back here then they better accept we're in the last days of royalty. She didn't just speak ill of her family and her in-laws, she dissed the entire country. We haven't forgotten how horribly she treated the Canadians who, like us, were used and tossed aside. The Netflix deal was never handing over $100 million. It was a contract worth up to $100 million payable on delivery. There's been no delivery. Other clues they want to come back - the biography being put back. Stay away.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10867285/Meghan-NOT-reached-Thomas-Markle-Duchess-half-sister-Samantha-claims.html
Shimmerclaw said…
Eugenie and her husband have moved to Portugal,Jack has a new job. They will split their time between the two countries .
abbyh said…
xxxxx

I saw that comment too.

I think: maybe, has some really good points but not exactly certain.

At this point, I begin with a state of disbelief with just any story from an unnamed source, sources say and so on. I just keep thinking most of it just sounds like wishful thinking of If it gets printed, people might realize this is a good idea and do/give (the original source of it) what they want.

The birthday cake and so on - seems to be a lot of It would nice if X, Y, Z would happen.

Like some people really want William to do all the work of forgiving while JH does none and moving on to have them reunite and walk off singing of Happy Families. Does not make sense. William has been groomed to think about thinking 20 feet ahead of himself to make good risk evaluations of the various potential choices. JH -eh, not like his brother.

And then I think to the apparent original source of a lot of the discord: would it be in their toolbox to send word out they might do this/that or not do this/that to keep on people on edge or all upset? Yeah.

So a set up of we might be thinking of coming back could be some sort of power play for just try to stop us or give us something and we won't or something in between? There could be power in the dangle of potential.

Eugenie -

moving out, doesn't make sense. You have all your stuff there, they have nothing supposedly of theirs ... unless all 5 bedrooms were needed so there would be none to spare for Eugenie. Just how many bedrooms or people are they expecting to bring with them? Wouldn't there be some guest rooms some place which might be easier on everyone (unless Netflix people are being hidden in the numbers)? So maybe not the castle but some other place - why wouldn't his family assist him in finding a couple of beds? Eugenie does seem to give the appearance of jumping when asked.



DesignDoctor said…
@Sandie
Thank you for posting the info about the flights. Very interesting
As has been said many times before, I always think their sources put out a lot of info which is wishful thinking.
Does anyone here think they are moving back to the UK on a full time basis?
Somehow I doubt it.
Are they trying to force their half in/half out monarchy model on the royal family that they proposed before Megxit?
Henrietta said…
Off-topic warning

To the CofE and Episcopal members of the board, do make the sign of the cross when you start to pray or on other grave occasions?


I just saw some old footage of Diana's funeral cortege and Earl Spencer blessed himself when her coffin passed by him.

Henrietta said…
From SecondhadCoke this afternoon:

This is what I said a couple of weeks ago, yes, and that is still what I'm being told today. The rumor in Hollywood is that the Sussexes are ultimately NOT going to the Jubilee because Meghan's whole purpose is to get a shot with Archie and the Lilibets to sell. That shot isn't going to happen -- at least not in such a way that gives the Sussexes or Netflix the copyright. Without that, and given how intensely Meghan knows she will either be booed or have backs turned to them, they are predicted not to be going at all. We'll have to see if my source is right about their not going, but what there is no question about is that Netflix will not be allowed to tail them through the streets or behind any closed doors other than the doors of Frogmore Cottage. The Royal Family has shut that down. I'm pretty intrigued to see whether they go or not.

Observant One said…

Every ridiculous stunt she pulls only highlights the striking difference between her proletarian upbringing and the patrician status of the BRF. If she hasn’t seen the differences by now, she never will. There are many examples, but one of the starkest reminders occurred at the wedding of one of Harry’s cousins on Diana’s side. TBW wore the lovely blue and white silk Oscar de la Renta dress that was 4 sizes too big with a fascinator that looked like it had seen better days. Her hair looked like an updo she had slept in for 2 nights. She had to hold the dress up so she wouldn’t step on it while she stumbled and tottered in 5 inch heels on a quaint church pathway. Even Harry noticed the major fail, because he appeared completely flummoxed and very embarrassed. Fast forward to the get-up she wore to Uvalde and you realize nothing has changed with her. Something is seriously amiss in that brain and it has been hard-wired in.

One more point: If she would listen, someone should tell her that global humanitarians don’t fly to disaster sites on a private jet to deliver wilted roses and snacks. They send lots of money or pay for funerals.
@Henrietta (OT)

re crossing oneself etc.

It depends where one locates oneself within the CofE.

Evangelicals don't - I'm sure some would rather be burnt at the stake than cross themselves. Welby I'm sure only makes the sign when it is specifically required - in a benediction or in baptism. Not sure what he does when he reads the Gospel.

Those of us in the Catholic wing do - if you're traditional Anglo Catholic you do it all the time, including when Jesus name is mentioned, in the Gloria and in the Creed, at mention of the Resurrection of the dead - and so on. Also genuflecting to the Host and bowing to the altar. May also recite the Angelus at the end of Mass. I see it as active involvement in the preceedings.

I now attend a `modern Catholic' church so I still do cross myself and genuflect as I leave the pew to go up for Communion. Only a few others do this. I do miss not having holy water in the stoup at the door as one enters -that's Covid for you.

This does not mean that we follow the Pope though! He has no authority over us, as it says in the 39 Articles. I once had to reassure a Roman Catholic colleague in a CofE school that he was not going to lose his job over tacking the Hail Mary onto the prayers when he took assembly, despite, it seems, the Headmaster giving him one heck of a b*llocking. Only a few days before, I'd been at an open-air mass presided over by the then Arch-Bp of Canterbury, Robert Runcie - who had led the Angelus.

You pays your money and takes your choice, as they say.
Girl with a Hat said…
I read a tweet by Richard Eden that said that the twat was on the way to the UK with her entourage. I tried to find an article about it, then went back to twitter and can no longer find the tweet.

A lot of replies to the tweet to the effect that no one believed that to be true.
DesignDoctor said…
Observant One
I would agree with and add to your comment about the actions of global humanitarians. If global humanitarians do go to disaster areas they don't clear people away and set up photo shots. Instead, they roll up their sleeves and get to work--cooking and serving meals, helping with blood donors, etc. They donate more than a wilted bunch of flowers, water, and chips (crisps). I am sure many of those families need financial assistance during his awful time.
Mel said…
Remember how I was speculating that Mm was trying to attach herself to Beto?

Saw this on Tumblr. Exlains the snarky remark by the blood bank lady.
We all know that Mm lets no slight go unpunished.

Mm was told no about Beto before she ever got as far as the blood bank and she vented to the blood bank lady. Poor little young mother me, no one ever cooperates with me. I know it's because I'm black. See my tan arm?

Totally smells of Mm. This is just like when Mm whined that Catherine wouldn't take her shopping.


Sorry folks, talking to Texas Rangers around the school. No one is allowed to enter for a Security sweep unless they are officials with credentials like a Senator, Governor etc. Alberto Alvarez does not fill that bill with the other yahoos they employ for runs to the Deli when not defending the Olive Alamo. Plus she high tailed it out of there after being rebuffed by Beto's people. She made a feeble attempt to engage but they were having none of it. Totally blew her off and off she went!
Rebecca said…
@Observant One

The photo taken by Nacho’s wife of them at the picnic in Montecito has made it into the DM. Guess it wasn’t deleted quite fast enough from Instagram. Twat is wearing an Emilia Wickstead dress with a sailing ship motif. Many commenters have remarked about her clueless dress style—wearing a $1,000 frock to a backyard picnic (Twit was in cargo shorts and a tee shirt) and jeans and a tee to the memorial site of victims of a massacre.

The picnic outfit is a miss, as usual. Someone wrote in the comments that it looks like she has boobs on her back, which you can see if you zoom in on the image. She looks to have a very wide beam, too:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10867609/Meghan-Markle-donned-Kate-Middletons-favourite-designer-Emilia-Wickstead.html
Rebecca said…
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Rebecca said…
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Rebecca said…
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Rebecca said…
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Rebecca said…
I think I left out a section of the article so I am reposting. I will delete the original.

From the Times

Look who’s back! Inside Harry and Meghan’s big trip
The Sussexes are flying in for the jubilee, as is the duchess’s make-up artist and baby Lilibet. What else can we expect this time, asks Hilary Rose


And so, as we enter the final furlong before the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen is said to be pacing herself at Balmoral. In London the Duke of Cambridge has successfully rehearsed Trooping the Colour. The Duchess of Cambridge is no doubt wondering if a four-year-old Louis can sit still for long enough to go to the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s on Friday.

And over in California Harry is dusting off his medals, Meghan is dusting off a hat, and Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, are getting ready for their close-up. The Harry and Meghan show is packing up and coming to town, all together and on parade in the UK for the first time in two years.

The order from the very top is said to be “no dramas”. This week must be all about the Queen and nothing, not even the rebel royals, must overshadow her. Whether Netflix got the memo remains to be seen.

Exactly where the Sussexes will pop up and when is as yet unclear, and said to be a source of frustration to jubilee organisers. The fact that they’re coming at all is something of a miracle, given that it’s little more than a year since Meghan told Oprah her life in England made her suicidal and only a matter of months since Harry was suing the British government over his security arrangements.

During that case, Robert Palmer QC, for the Home Office, said that the Royal and VIP Executive Committee had previously accorded the duke “a form of exceptional status”, which meant that he would be considered for personal protection by the police “with the precise arrangements being dependent on the reason for his presence in Great Britain and by reference to the functions he carries out when present”. So it seems likely that while they’re attending royal events, they are always going to get the high-level publicly funded security provided by the Metropolitan Police that they enjoyed before Megxit. If they spend the weekend privately with friends at Soho Farmhouse, they don’t. They can bring their US security guards, but unlike officers from the Met, these are not allowed to carry weapons in the UK and would not be privy to intelligence from the security services.

A burly member of Team Sussex who once worked for Michael Jackson was photographed last week standing behind Meghan when she visited the site of the school massacre in Texas. She was there, her spokesman told People magazine, “in a personal capacity”, prompting some to wonder: “As opposed to what?”

Sussex HQ when they fly in this week will be Frogmore Cottage, which is a convenient ten-minute stroll from the Queen’s apartments at Windsor Castle and raises the possibility that they will join the Queen’s convoy when it heads into London.
Rebecca said…
Princess Eugenie, who recently visited Harry in California, has been living at Frogmore with her husband and baby son. One of the few members of his family with whom Harry is thought to be in regular, friendly contact, she is now reported to have moved out of Frogmore and the Sussexes have just renewed their lease for another 12 months.

It was renovated at a cost to the taxpayer of £2.4 million, since repaid, and amid a blizzard of headlines, claims and denials about vegan paint, sprung floors for Meghan’s yoga sessions and whether the marital bathroom featured a handmade giant copper bath costing £5,000.

They lived there for six months. The royal author Tina Brown has speculated that within a few years they will return to the fold as working royals. In the meantime, the Palace recently confirmed once again that Frogmore remains the Sussexes’ base when in the UK. Princess Eugenie is thought to be in Portugal, and the sordid saga that engulfed her father, the Duke of York, is said to be largely ignored by Harry in his forthcoming autobiography, out of affection for Eugenie.

This week, it’s likely the Sussexes will be ushered to the VIP section to watch Trooping the Colour. As non-working royals they are excluded from any formal proceedings and banned, along with Prince Andrew, from appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace afterwards.

This may not be as much of a blow to the couple personally as some commentators have speculated, although their Neflix paymasters may beg to differ. The last time Meghan was photographed on the palace balcony, before Megxit, she was somewhere at the back, behind the Cambridges, as protocol demands. She did not look happy. As Brown pointed out in her new book, The Palace Papers, she never rose higher than sixth on the call sheet for Suits and married a man who was sixth in line to the throne. Protocol rankled.
Rebecca said…
On Friday protocol will permeate every aspect of the service of thanksgiving for the Queen’s reign at St Paul’s. It’s thought to be unsuitable for young children, although the optics for the Sussexes of taking theirs may prove irresistible.

Netflix, for whom the couple are filming a docu-series, will not be given any privileged access to royal events, but there is nothing to stop their cameras lining up with other broadcasters, or Harry and Meghan being wired for sound. The visual appeal of them walking hand in hand up the steps of St Paul’s, with or without Lilibet and Archie, will not be lost on anyone — least of all a streaming giant paying the Sussexes a rumoured $100 million for access. Just this week, Daniel Martin, who did Meghan’s wedding make-up, arrived in London joining her UK hairdresser, George Northwood.

On Saturday the Queen will not attend the Epsom Derby, due to the “episodic mobility” issues that last week had her driven around the Chelsea Flower Show in a specially adapted golf buggy swiftly dubbed “the Maj-mobile”. Instead, she will watch the race on TV and is expected to make time in her schedule to meet baby Lilibet for the first time, at her first birthday party.

Younger members of the royal family, possibly including the Sussexes as well as the Cambridges, will attend Saturday night’s Platinum Party at the Palace, while the Queen watches on television at home in Windsor. On Sunday, the last day of the celebrations, 16,000 street parties will take place across the country and hundreds more around the Commonwealth.

The Duchess of Sussex had all the flowers of the Commonwealth countries embroidered onto her wedding veil in a nod to her proposed work with the association. Whether she makes an appearance at a jubilee lunch or the afternoon’s pageant around the streets of London, or turns up to listen to Ed Sheeran singing the national anthem at the culmination of proceedings has yet to be confirmed.

An unnamed source has said that the couple will attend “at least” one other public engagement as well as the service at St Paul’s, while also warning that the public “should not expect them at every event’’. What seems clear is that wherever and whenever the Sussexes do turn up, their presence will cause drama and fascination in equal measure.

Nobody could blame the royals for giving them the cold shoulder, after the mud that has been flung at them from Montecito. Equally, none of them wants to do anything that might cause a scene or overshadow the Queen. Whether the Sussexes agree, only time will tell.
Rebecca said…
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Rebecca said…
And here is one from the Telegraph

Sussex bomb’ about to land on Platinum Jubilee could cause a right royal headache
Buckingham Palace sources try to play down anxieties that media circus around Prince Harry and Meghan could upstage the Queen

By Camilla Tominey


It was arguably one of the most awkward moments in modern royal memory - a strained engagement at Westminster Abbey that came to symbolise a family divided.

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex carried out their final duty as senior royals by attending the Commonwealth Day Service in March 2020, the tension between the couple and the Cambridges could not have been more marked.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were even forced to back out of the traditional royal procession at the last minute, after 2,000 orders of service were printed without any mention of LA-bound Sussexes at all.

As the cameras panned in on the so-called “fab four” shifting uncomfortably in the pews, it appeared to signal the end of an era.

Little wonder, then, that nerves behind palace walls are once again being rattled as the House of Windsor prepares to welcome the erstwhile royals back into the fold.

Amid fears that another “Sussex bomb” is about to be dropped on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, after their controversial Oprah Winfrey interview and news of the Duke’s forthcoming, warts-and-all autobiography, courtiers have been doing everything in their power to diffuse any potential flashpoints.

It has already been announced that the couple will not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony if they attend Trooping the Colour on Thursday because, along with the Duke of York, they are no longer “working” royals.

Yet while the palace remains in control of the “official” engagements the couple plan to attend - they are on the guest list for Friday’s Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, although presumably not in the royal procession - the powers that be appear to have little knowledge of any of their “unofficial” plans.

Their habit of making unpublicised appearances, such as the Duchess’ recent visit to the memorial for murdered primary school children in Uvalde, Texas, has naturally led to concerns of a “circus” following their every move during the four-day extended bank holiday weekend.
Rebecca said…
The prospect of a Netflix film crew also making an appearance is said to be causing consternation, although the streaming giant has not applied for accreditation to film the public jubilee events.

The couple’s team have previously denied a reality television show is in the works, but this month Page Six, the US celebrity gossip page, reported Netflix is now filming an “at home with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex-style docuseries”.

With Archie, three, and Lilibet, who turns one on Saturday, also in tow, there is no guarantee against the Sussexes “freelancing” - not only in terms of their charitable endeavours, but also in regards to their personal relationship with the 96-year-old monarch. Their whistlestop visit to see Her Majesty at Windsor Castle en route to last month’s Invictus Games at The Hague appeared to take some of the Queen’s nearest and dearest by surprise.

The couple retain patronages in a handful of UK charities, including Wellchild and Smartworks. The Duchess is thought to have stayed in touch with the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen at Grenfell Tower. It is not known whether they plan to attend any events planned by these organisations while they are here.

So is the Duke and Duchess’ presence likely to be explosive as feared - or more of a damp squib?

The Montecito-based couple’s people have been busily playing down any suggestion that they will upstage the Queen as she marks 70 years on the throne.

As a source told The Telegraph last week, they will stick to the script by “avoiding visits elsewhere”.

The palace also appears to be unaware of any potential competing engagements, with one insider revealing: “I don’t think they’re doing much. I wouldn’t be surprised if they just do Trooping and the service and that’s it.”

Talk of the couple seeking to christen Lilibet while she is in Britain and meeting her great-grandmother and namesake for the first time appear wide of the mark. As one source put it: “It’s already an incredibly busy weekend for the Queen, I don’t think anyone would also want to wish a Christening on her.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, testing positive with Covid also appears to have put paid to that rumour.

Intriguingly, it appears the couple will not be accompanied to the UK by any of their own public relations representatives after Toya Holness, their former spokesman, left Archewell earlier this month.

Liaison between the Sussexes and the Palace is being handled by Herlihy Loughran, an “advisory partnership” comprised of Clara Loughran and Beth Herlihy, former palace aides. The duo handled the communications for the Invictus Games and are said to be the Duke’s “eyes and ears” back in Britain.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph understands that conversations have taken place to establish what the Cambridge children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - are attending, in a bid to match them up with their American cousins.

As such, none are expected at the thanksgiving service - with the jury still out on their presence at Trooping the Colour, the Party at the Palace on Saturday night or the Pageant in the Mall on Sunday afternoon.

Security remains a key concern for the Duke of Sussex, who is suing the Home Office over its decision to strip his family of their Metropolitan Police bodyguards. It is thought the Sussexes will be enveloped into the policing provision for all the royals while they are here.

For one weekend only, then, it is hoped the Sussexes will not just take one for the team - but be the team players The Firm once loved, and lost.
snarkyatherbest said…
Rebecca. what makes me think they start crashing some of the parties trying to be the people’s prince and princess. we do t red formal event we will show up with film crew in tow. they should pull them aside at immigration and not release them til next monday 😉. i am gonna bet those “kids” will not be with them.
Henrietta said…
Mel shared:

Plus she high tailed it out of there after being rebuffed by Beto's people. She made a feeble attempt to engage but they were having none of it. Totally blew her off and off she went!

I believe this. The civic center director said MM made a couple of stops in town, and I just don't think that many places were open to tour. (Everyone at home crying their eyes out.) MM and Beto probably crossed paths before the blood drive.

Blue Dragon said…
Henrietta
My mother always referred to churches in the C of E as being High Church or Low Church. High Church leans towards the Roman Catholic tradition and has incense and crossing oneself. Low Church is more Protestant with less rituals. We would come back from a friend's funeral and comment on the service being a bit High Church if there was incense and the bible paraded above a clergyman's head. Then there are folks who never really went to church much but have seen TV/movies and think crossing oneself if the thing to do. Many of the old aristocratic families/gentry were Roman Catholic before the English Reformation so I am not surprised that a Spencer would be High Church.

OKay thank you for explaining about the request for emails.

WBBM The Express was sold to the owners of the Mirror a few months ago which is why it is moving to the left.
Blue Dragon said…
Things are getting a bit more Jubilee like in my bit of Blighty. Lots of Union Jack bunting about and an encouraging weather forecast. My money is on HM attending the Derby on Saturday. Suspect the horse racing was not on the US spinners radar. Runners and riders here https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/horseracing/18457002/epsom-derby-date-time-live-stream-tv-channel-tips-runners-odds/
Este said…
If secondhandcoke's intel is legit about them not showing, my bet is somebody tests positive for COVID at last minute.
Fifi LaRue said…
Thank you posters for the repostings, and @Rebecca for the reposting.

I for one do not believe for one minute that Twit and Twat want to return to the UK, and the RF.

This up-in-the-air of will they or won't they show for the Jubilee reeks of the Oscars. Same stunt, same result: Those two will be No Shows.

Twat knows she will be booed, and possibly be egged or bombed by rotten vegetables. Twit, too. Those two lack respect of the common people, and have even aggravated many with their awful behavior and statements. I don't think anyone in the RF will protect them from verbal assaults by riding in the same carriage with them as was done at the last TOTC where they made an appearance.

No, Twit and Twat will find an excuse to not attend any events.

Twit has a hairdresser??? Really? George Northwood should be ashamed of himself, because Twit has had a perennially bad haircut, and awful styling.

As for Daniel Martin and George Northwood being together in the UK, let's just say that they are on holiday together.
Observant One said…
@Rebecca

I saw the picture of Twat’s backside in the DM. She is consistently overdressed or underdressed, and tries so hard to trick the eye into believing she has a waist. I believe the little boy with dark, curly hair is one of the Archies. I think he’s the one who carried a balloon across a lawn on the alleged second birthday.


My goodness they’ve been busy with a big PR push to capitalize on the Jubilee - handing out trophies, flying to Texas, polo club picnics, renewing the lease on frog castle, “hoping to repair her relationship with her father” and more to come, no doubt. I feel like they are testing the water for a possible return to Royal duties. They must be spending their Diana fund hand over fist, and their plans to earn their own money have failed spectacularly. It’s definitely their style to announce their triumphant return the UK during the Queen’s celebration.

We have an exciting week ahead, with a possible verdict in the Depp - Heard case and the drama around the Twit and Twat decision to travel to London. I will be surprised if they go. It’s a big gamble to take two toddlers to widely televised and crowded events. Of course, they might elect to keep them secluded. We’re about to find out! Hang on Nutties!


snarkyatherbest said…
i hope they don’t show and Este we still have a day or two for that positive test. 😉. i am thinking they are sucking up and the pr articles about harry not fitting in (despite he constant use of US cargo shorts) is them threatening to come home. $$$ is gone and they need papas ££££ to keep things going.

ok i’m here in the US and i’m getting excited about the jubilee. gonna have me a Pimms Cup this week and i’m dying for some scones !
Rebecca said…
I was very surprised to learn from Hilary Rose’s piece that audio recordings are permitted at Royal events. That explains the rectangular bulge under the back of Me-gain’s hideous bright green dress at the Commonwealth service in 2020.
Hikari said…
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/princess-eugenie-husband-jack-move-132002434.html

It’s our old friend, Camilla Tominey for the Telegraph with all the latest on the revolving living arrangements for the family Brooksbank.

I have a funny feeling that we are being gaslit again. Why is it so freaking hard to ascertain something so basic and verifiable, when would think, as where a Princess of the United Kingdom lives with her family?

Jack has taken a new job at a resort in Portugal that has its own on-site accommodation, and the couple will split their time between Lisbon and London. Uncle George Clooney is a co-owner in this resort so Jack has nearly made a lateral move from Casamigos to another one of the Clooney holdings. So far, not outlandish. Though I don’t suppose granny Sarah will be happy to not see her grandson for half the year, but it’s all quite new. In the lead up to the favorite speculation about Methane and HazNoBalls flying over for the Jubilee, Cam here says that Harry’s reupped his lease on FrogCott and that Euge and Jack have been essentially kicked out and booted back to bijou Ivy Cottage at KP for their UK residence. Ivy Cott was where E. and J. were living prior to the birth of August. Now, after Just a bit over a year, having got settled in after allegedly having all of the Sussexes’ belongings shipped to America, now they’re out on their ears again? Why should it matter If they aren’t going to be there full-time? The Harkles only lived in FC for six months officially. Frankly I personally never believed they even spent a night there.

The ground seems to be being laid to encourage speculation that a Harkle return to Windsor for good is imminent. Are these living arrangements what was being discussed at that dinner in Santa Barbara?

I think it’s all horse puckey but what is everyone else thinking about it? Once again Eugenie seems like the Harkles’ puppet, but I have never been satisfied that we’ve had sufficient proof that she and Jack even lived at FC. That whole arrangement seemed just a bit too convenient for TBW and her handbag— For over a year it has been made to see him in the press that E. Is dancing to the Harkles tune. If a Netflix crew is going to be camped out in FC and filming, E J and the baby would have to clear off— But all the way to Lisbon feels extreme.

I miss the days When I could believe what I read in the newspapers.
O/T

I hadn't picked up about the change of ownership for the Express, so thank you Blue Dragon.

Yes, `High Church' v. `Low Church' is another way of expressing the difference between the 2 `wings' of the CofE. `High' is in the sense of taking a `High' view /stressing the importance of the Eucharist (frequent celebration) and other sacraments (not just Baptism)also church authority when it comes to biblical interpretation - not just Sola Scriptura. Strong emphasis on tradition, which explains the aristocratic link altho' it was the Anglo Catholics who took the church to the slums of Victorian London and other places.

CofE is a `Broad Church' in that it contains both approaches, sometimes in an uncomfortable relationship with each other.
Observant One said…
@Hikari

I agree that we are being gaslit on multiple fronts. The Queen’s Jubilee is such a major event for Great Britain and the history of the Monarchy, it’s a shame that it has been effectively sidelined with all of the stories being released. The media business is so competitive that there is a mad scramble to “make hay while the sun shines.” The Monarchy itself needs to garner good will from this event because it has been tarnished over recent years.

The Harkles must be feeling major financial pressure, so * is throwing out everything she can think of this week. She has used and abused the Monarchy over the past 5 years, but the recent attention grab is pathological. She will use the Jubilee in every way she can think of and will try to save her dream of wealth and fame. That dream has fallen out of her reach and she is desperate.

I truly hope the savvy courtiers and the Senior Royals are united in blocking her access to cameras and attention (if they even go to London), because this weekend should belong to the Queen.

CatEyes said…
British journalist Richard Eden, Daily Mail Diary editor, weighed in on Markle's public sightings. According to him, it's an indicator that something is off in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex [relationship].

He noted the cancelation of Markle's animated series Pearl on Netflix and how she devoted "a lot of time and effort" to the project. Also, he felt that the royal couple has "over-extended themselves" with their financial commitments. The pair signed a multi-million and multi-year deal with Netflix and Spotify.

"I do sense there's a bit of trouble there really," Eden said, Express reported. "It's very curious all these photos of Meghan getting involved with all these polo events."

He continued, "I remember writing about the polo back in Britain years ago that Meghan wasn’t very keen for Harry to play in polo matches unless it could be guaranteed that it would raise £1million for charity each time."

According to Eden, Markle reportedly felt it was "kind of beneath" for Prince Harry to play matches, making only a few thousand pounds when he could go for big-ticket matches. However, there seemed to be a change in the trend.

Advertisement
"But here he is, playing polo every week, and we’ve got Meghan turning up at all these events, handing over trophies, the same way she turned up at the Invictus Games," the royal expert added. "To me, that’s an indication that all’s not well."
Sandie said…
@Henrietta
Thanks for keeping us updated with info from secondhand coke.

I can't see her wanting to go to any events that are not about her and where she is not the centre of attention and where she will be faced with dozens of people with whom she is on bad terms and rituals and protocol about which she is clueless. (That is the reality and she must know this, perhaps only unconsciously.) Unless she is deluded enough to think she will gain something, she wants and perhaps even needs, but what could it be?

If she does turn up, along with filling the tabloids with her usual nonsense, with that arrogant tilt to her head, a fixed smile and some inappropriate outfit (the tabloids will be fed the narrative that she is a global style goddess), with a firm grip on the hapless Prince, then she is more attention hungry and tone deaf stupid than I have imagined. Or maybe, in her ignorance, she will do anything to be a major beneficiary in the will when the Queen dies, not accepting that the heir gets it all and anything her or her husband gets will be a token.
---------------------------

Samantha and Thomas have confirmed:
* Thomas Snr has not changed his phone number and can read and write texts.
* She has not made any attempt to contact her father in any way.
* Thomas Snr is not going to disown or exclude in any way the two children that have stood by him.
* Thomas Jnr is with his father in Mexico, Samantha is making plans (including getting a smaller wheelchair suitable for Thomas Snr's home) to join them. They are both trying to find funds and arrange for the speech therapy and any other assistance that Thomas Snr needs.

The Queen is all about family, duty service and acquiring wisdom. The documentary about her makes that clear. The dastardly duo are like a very loud discordant note that no one wants.
Sandie said…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10871075/Harry-Meghans-popularity-sinks-time-low.html

LOL!
M certainly has quite an arse on her. Reminds me of what one sees at agricultural shows - like double-muscled beef bulls such as Dou-dou here:

https://www.uklivestock.co.uk/news/archive/334/doudou-new-imported-double-muscled-limousin-bull/
lizzie said…
I'm not convinced Eugenie and Jack ever lived in Froggy Cott. Lots of Eugenie's posts seemed to suggest they were spending an awful lot of time in London. So I do wonder if they ever really gave up Ivy Cottage, supposedly where they'll now to stay when in the UK. Not that they couldn't commute from Windsor to London as the Cambridges supposedly are considering doing. It looks like it's about 1 1/4 hours one way to central London depending on traffic. But I'm pretty sure the Cambridges won't commute daily and I expect they'll still use helicopters some of the time and have drivers all of the time, & I doubt the Brooksbanks have had those things. So if either Eugenie or Jack needed to be in London for work, I'm not sure how useful it was to live at Frog Cott.

I looked up flights between Lisbon and London-- pretty fast and cheap...right now specials for $37 one way. I'm sure that's not first class but still. I expect if Sarah wants to see August it won't be a problem.

Eugenie did live in NYC for 2 years when she worked for Paddle8. So she's shown some independence in the past.
xxxxx said…
Today's Scooby vomit>>>

Thomas Markle turned on his own daughter - Meghan owes him nothing
Omid Scobie·Royal Executive Editor
Tue, May 31, 2022, 8:21 AM

https://news.yahoo.com/thomas-meghan-markle-relationship-omid-scobie-122155519.html
snarkyatherbest said…
oh i forgot. spotify. weren’t we suppose to have a podcast from trotter. did that fall apart too.

i’m confused about the frogmore things too. are they doing it to troll the cambridges who are thought to be moving to windsor. hi kate let’s do a play date with the netflix cameras. oh i was just walking likibuck$ every day 5x per day in front of your house. i’m not stalking you. it would be easy enough to know if anyone is there. all the cameras on the long walk ahead of archie’s “birth” and no one saw them ever or even after? aren’t there any good snoops anywhere with a camera? heck a friend and i in there early 90s had tea at General Trading Company in Chelsea everyday for a week because we heard a princess Di would pop in i need to go to england and bring a picnic basket for windsor 😉

i’m confused about the eugenie thing. are they not going to be around for the jubilee? what about her job? and i am still scratching my head about her and the harkles and frogmore.

frogmore. is that code for something else. i feel like it’s not about what it’s about but i’m not a good code breaker just feels like it’s a we know about all of that and we are going to keep talking about FC even though no one is known to be there

Sandie said…
By the same logic, Omid Scobie, the #Royal Family owes #Meghan nothing

https://mobile.twitter.com/home

Richard Eden responding to a despicable article by Scobie about Thomas. The link to the article is posted above by @xxxxx

Thomas is no Saint, but the cruelty of such an attack by her mouthpiece is quite astonishing. And the accusations hurled at Thomas in the article are just not true, but perfectly describe the Duchess and her husband.

She may not owe her father anything,but her cruelty is not justified in any way.
Maneki Neko said…
@Sandie

...'she will do anything to be a major beneficiary in the will when the Queen dies, not accepting that the heir gets it all and anything her or her husband gets will be a token.'
------
This lead me to a horrifying thought: maybe Maleficent is only hanging on in there until the Queen passes away and Harry gets his share. After that, who knows...


@Wild Boar

That photo of the bull! Ouch!
snarkyatherbest said…
Maybe the renewing FC lease and other Harry misses the UK is a veiled threat that they are returning unless of course daddy (his not hers) can cough up some $ or bitcoin to stay in california
snarkyatherbest said…
someone asked why the Cambridges are going to cardiff for a practice of a concert. Evidently word is its Lilibuck$ bday i think they want an excuse not to be around and Cardiff does sound all future prince of Wales like.
Hikari said…
@lizzie,

I'm not convinced Eugenie and Jack ever lived in Froggy Cott.

Me, neither. I'd be willing to bet my pension that the Harkles never condescended to live there, either. I'm sure Madam turned up her surgically-altered nose and absolutely refused, once it was made clear that she was not going to get a wing of Windsor Castle, or become doyenne of Frogmore House. I've heard on the grapevine that the entire time they were meant to be in Windsor, including the lead up to the 'Birth of Archie' that they were staying in various hotels in London. Probably Soho House primarily. Hence the reason *no one* captured a single image of them ever coming or going from Frogmore Cott including the 'day of the birth'.

When Eugenie was expecting August, they stayed in Royal Lodge to make a bubble with her parents and get out of London. At least, this is what we were told. Where the couple went after the baby was born is anybody's guess, but I don't think it was FroggyCott.

Lots of Eugenie's posts seemed to suggest they were spending an awful lot of time in London. So I do wonder if they ever really gave up Ivy Cottage, supposedly where they'll now to stay when in the UK.

I suppose Ivy Cott hasn't been taken over by anyone else since this alleged move to Windsor. That begs the question--what of Haz's former bachelor digs at NottCott? No word on who, if anyone, is there right now. Maybe it was where Harry stayed when quarantining.


I looked up flights between Lisbon and London-- pretty fast and cheap...right now specials for $37 one way. I'm sure that's not first class but still. I expect if Sarah wants to see August it won't be a problem.

Lord, that's cheaper than cab fare. Not bad at all.

Eugenie did live in NYC for 2 years when she worked for Paddle8. So she's shown some independence in the past.

Oh, agreed. She is extremely well-traveled in international circles, which is why I find it so hilarious that TBW's PR is relentlessly churning out the narrative that Eugenie awaits her every command about living in *'s cast-off housing and when E and her family may or may not stay on the premises according to the Harkle's whims . . or that she is obligated to pay rent to H as her landlord. It's all tripe to inflate the Harkles' importance and just another attempt by * to control the narrative. What would really not be tolerable to a Narcissist is thinking that nobody in the RF gives her a thought from day-to-day or remotely cares what she's doing or what she thinks about them. If E and Jack are living somewhere other than a Crown property, they are hardly likely to advertise it for privacy reasons.

I guess E's affiliation with the art gallery in London is loose enough to be on a PT basis. The only thing that makes me question whether it's a permanent move vs. something more seasonal/short-term is that moving to a resort with a toddler seems like a bit of upheaval for the young lad. He'll have a nanny for sure, but I'm not sure to what extent E would want to live there for months at a time with no occupation when she's got a baby and supposedly a job in London. The rich are not like you and me, and living half the year at a top resort in sunny Portugal wouldn't be a hardship. I suppose E. wants to keep an eye on the hubs given his recent photo fracas . . but hanging around a party resort all day whilst one's husband 'works', away from the job and social set of London might get old after a while.

We can bet TBW is eating her liver over this new life stage for E. If it's even true. I'm forced to doubt everything I read these days, including 'a', 'an' and 'the.'
Any confirmed news of the ghastly pair heading for the airport? If so, what is their ETA at Heathrow, given it looks as if they're coming commercial?

Amy genuine sightings? At either end?
Hikari said…
@snarky

i’m confused about the eugenie thing. are they not going to be around for the jubilee? what about her job? and i am still scratching my head about her and the harkles and frogmore.

frogmore. is that code for something else. i feel like it’s not about what it’s about but i’m not a good code breaker just feels like it’s a we know about all of that and we are going to keep talking about FC even though no one is known to be there.


I'm in the confusion club with you. Maybe E has decided to stop working since having August? I'm sure the gallery would be flexible with its Princess on staff since they benefit from the cachet of its association with her. Not sure how onerous the hours ever were for her there. It might be more like a patronage when she 'drops in' when it's convenient.

I just find the timing of this announcement rather odd. Jack's been happy at Casamigos for yonks as 'global amabassador.' The new job sounds great--for a single man without dependents, but then, his previous job did too. Is this simply a great opportunity that the couple is taking while their son is very young, before they need to start thinking about schools and etc.? They aren't severing ties with the UK completely, so little August can still have face time with his various cousins, including Beatrice's baby. But amidst rumors of a rift between her and Bea over the Harkles . . and the Harkles allegedly imminently returning to London for an unspecified amount of time--is there a good reason why Jack's new job is being positioned as a family move? Does E want well out of London/Windsor at the mo, and if so, why? Presumably, the couple will still be attending Jubilee events and the move to Lisbon will be after that.

I would not think this rather sudden move to a foreign country would be weird except for all the past history with the Harkles. Is it possible that E and J are being 'sent' away for colluding with the traitors? If the pressure was too great, a couple of phone calls to Uncle George would have sorted out a new job title for his pet and his pet's Royal wife. Would E. really be keen to be away from her sister, her parents and her London-based set/job for extended periods? The whole Andrew fracas isn't helping either. E. is caught in the middle between two unsavory influences.

Well, within days we will know if the Harkles are showing up in England and if any of the family, including E. will have anything whatsoever to do with them. Incidentally (not so incidentally), Lili's first birthday just happens to be smack in the middle of the Epsom Derby/Party at the Palace festivities. Like that wasn't prearranged at all when a date for 'lili's birth' was chosen last year.

And you are so right about 'Frogmore Cottage' being code for something we plebs can only guess at. Like I said . . .gaslighting majeure has been going on ever since Haz brought that dirty **** into the bosom of his family and will continue. At least until the Queen is dead. Then we will see what we see.
Henrietta said…
WBBM and Blue Dragon,

Thank you for the descriptions of "high" and "low" church. I really didn't know "high-church" Anglicans made the sign of the cross, genuflected or prayed the Hail Mary. The majority of my friends have all been "low-church." It's been a very long time since I've said the Angelus.



Sandie said…
https://www.google.com/search?q=costaterra+golf+and+ocean+club&client=ms-android-samsung-gj-rev1&prmd=minv&sxsrf=ALiCzsby9erBfqwXi-uN83zS4e52EhxBTw:1654021094171&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiak5PerIr4AhWTNcAKHTxzBSQQ_AUoAnoECAIQAg&biw=360&bih=612&dpr=2

The exclusive members-only resort in Portugal looks like a large housing development. Supposedly about 70 units have been sold (not necessarily built), but there are a lot more to sell. I wonder if Jack is going there as a salesman with a fancy title? They supposedly have horseriding there, as well as golf and lots of water activities, so maybe Eugenie can enjoy horse rides on the beach and baby August can enjoy lots of outdoor stuff.

Does anyone think the family from California will visit, considering that it will be shielded from photographers and it does not look like the kind of luxury the Duchess seems to think appropriate for her?
Observant One said…
@Sandie
Thanks for the link to the poll numbers for the Royal Family. I would love to see the little squirrel, Scobie try to spin this.

@WBBM
Impressive hindquarters on Dou-Dou! Lots of rump roasts there. The livestock show season has started in the US, at least here in southwestern Illinois. My sister sent out some pictures of her grandkids showing their sheep, at one of the county fairs. When they get older, they will switch to Shorthorn cattle or Herefords.

@snarkyatherbest
Apparently Spotify has hired their own producers to help Archewell Audio create content for a podcast series. Archewell hired multiple people for their audio business, but they have not succeeded in creating deliverable content. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10457151/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle-NOT-cut-ties-Spotify.html

It sounds as if Thomas Markle is next in the firing line:

`Omid Scobie
@scobie

7h
When a toxic parent has a long history of causing stress, anxiety and pain through abusive behaviour and manipulative games, cutting them out is often the only answer. Meghan doesn’t owe Thomas Markle a damn thing.'

Perhaps they'll go public with those lurid allegations Lady C mentioned a while back.
Ian's Girl said…
I can see the Harkles being unable to resist the hoopla of the Jubilee, and I can also see their egos not allowing them to entertain the possibility of them being booed, or worse.

I also think they're at ropes' end financially, and are definitely trying to weasel their way back to Britain, which sends shivers down my spine. Catherine will bear the brunt of it, and one can only hope William isn't driven to the edge of insanity by the situation.

Come on, Elon... take one for the team; trick her in to leaving her lapdog prince, and then dump her like the trash she is. It's the only way we will ever be rid of her. Someone has got to make her show her arse so completely that there is no coming back from it.
SwampWoman said…
I don't see why Moaning Megsy, who was in the royal family for about 5 minutes before stomping her giant feet out to find fame and huge fortune in California, should expect anything from the Queen. If the Queen leaves anything to Harry, I expect it will be tied up such that The Claw (tm) won't be able to get her greedy acquisitive fingerprints on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7RbNvSY5ao&t=3s

This from Lady C today - I'm heading for bed & have only watched a little of it but she lifts the lid on the Mirror, Karl Larsen and leaks. She is hopping mad (`mad' as in American usage).

SwampWoman said…
I imagine it is getting mighty uncomfortable dodging creditors in California. I don't know that it would be any more comfortable dodging rotten eggs in the UK, though.
Sandie said…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10870759/Prince-Harry-tactile-display-Nacho-Figueras-recent-polo-season.html

Someone on another site made the witty comment: The DM is going there!

I am still astounded by that attack on Thomas by Scobie. Personally I find Thomas annoying. Like his daughter, he seems to seek media coverage, but the attack on him is scarily over the top, and he attacks Thomas for the very behaviour his goddess displays far beyond anything Thomas has done.
Rebecca said…
Personally, I think Jack Brooksbank simply got an offer he couldn’t refuse. The new, very exclusive coastal resort he will work at (presumably in a sales or managerial capacity?) looks like a moneymaker for Clooney’s business partner. I’ve been researching countries outside the US that are most popular for ex-pats and Portugal is at the top of many lists. With all the turmoil in the world I should think the country is very much an in-demand destination as a safe and welcoming place to spend time and invest in property.

I believe 100% that the Harkles will be in London for the Jubilee. They thrive on chaos, drama, and sucking up to those who can benefit them the most (the Queen and Prince Charles)—how could they resist?
Sandie said…
@Hikari
I think Clooney and Gerber sold Casamigos. They seem to have invested hugely in this Portuguese development. When the glorified sales job at Casamigos came to an end, Jack was supposedly going to manage some kind of family business or family business interests, but that seems not to have happened. Clooney and Gerber are nice guys and are perhaps helping him out by getting him a job.

'Jack will supposedly be working with Mike Meldrum, who is friends with George Clooney. Mike works in sales, marketing and promotion for CostaTerra Gold and Ocean Club, where the royal couple will live.'

There was a rumour that Jack greatly annoyed some family member by getting them to invest in a new venture and I think the issue was that it did not work out well. That rumour was some while ago but seems to fit in with this recent story. When I researched this exclusive resort, I found the reality does not live up to the sales pitch. It is nice enough and would be great for a holiday if they do offer all the amenities and activities they advertise, but it is only exclusive because you have to be a member of the resort and own one of the units to go there. They are building at least 246 units, but another source says 300, and another says 400!
DesignDoctor said…
For your entertainment from a commenter on Reddit:
A Woman in Love- a video--enjoy!

https://www.reddit.com/r/SaintMeghanMarkle/comments/v1pq5d/a_woman_in_love_knycmtf/
Sandie said…
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/prince-harry-cast-iron-assurances-27116562

British people will be funding special full-on security for the duo in the UK. The government caved, without even waiting for the judge to give his ruling!

Note that the article states that special police forces in the UK have been liaising for weeks with the duo, so I can imagine that they are controlling and demanding, and in the past have also used security as go-to staff (fetch takeaways, carry shopping ...), so expect their security to cost an arm and a leg. How many security police will they require per child?
Henrietta said…
WBBM said:

Any confirmed news of the ghastly pair heading for the airport? If so, what is their ETA at Heathrow, given it looks as if they're coming commercial?

Amy genuine sightings? At either end?


Guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like the only nonstop flights between LA and London are overnight ones ("red-eyes"). And the Sussexes taking one on Wednesday would mean their flying in the morning of Trooping the Color on Thursday. Realistically I can't imagine how they could make it in time for the special buses and seating at the TTC.

They're either on their way now (Tuesday night) to take a red-eye to London or they must be using a private jet on Wednesday during the day.

Have I calculated that right? Definitely by noon EST tomorrow, we should have some answers as to whether they're really going. And maybe before that.

Petunia said…
Contrast what she did in Uvalde with what Matthew McConaughey said and did, and the person who is anonymously paying for all of the funerals, and the casket-maker in Georgia who has worked for days to make customized caskets for almost all of the victims.
Magatha Mistie said…

Flight of the Bungle B’s

Flying over
to chase Charles and Cam
One babe in arms
T’other in a pram
Donkey Derby
for these two clowns
Epic fall at Epsom Downs
Meh riding hard
astride hacks back
Blinkered, oblivious
wrong side of the track
Hack pulls up short
to graze on the grass
As meh does her fly past
and lands on her ass…

Sandie said…
The DM is reporting that they are on their way. I doubt they are flying commercial with two kids and their entourage. Maybe Papa or Granny helped out and paid for a private jet for them?
Sandie said…
An Italian news outlet is reporting that they left the kids at home. Interesting!
Magatha Mistie said…

Paws for thought…

Leaving the kids home alone
Nothing new
from dog and her bone
Hidden away
watching Paw Patrol
Parental lock via remote control…



Magatha Mistie said…

Quickie 🎤
Apologies: The Animals 😉
& Frank Sinatra’s Strangers…

🎵 Dou-dou Dou-dou Dou 🎵

They live a life
beyond their means
In the house of Rising Scum
It’s been the ruin
of haz it seems
And his wife’s pneumatic bum…

Thanks @ WildBoar for the “Dou-dou”
Plastic Fantastics new name
Scoobie Dou-dou Do 😳



Henrietta said…
The DM is reporting that they are on their way. I doubt they are flying commercial with two kids and their entourage.

The window of time during which they left would have allowed them to fly commercial.

Henrietta said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Magatha Mistie said…

High De Ho

What will she wear
Misdressed mucky mare
A smart dress-coat
a la our Kate
Nah, something brash and
ill-fitting’s her trait
I’ll wager red
with a large purple hat
A scratty ‘up do’
resembling dead rat
Whatever she does
Wherever she goes
Can’t hide the fact
she’s a ho, and it shows…




@Observant One - Yes, bovine grotesquery! Apparently the meat is very tender but lacks the flavour of British beef breeds but continental customers seem to like it. Our local breed, the North Devon, aka Devon Rubies, takes some beating. The South Devon is a heavy weight, aka `Orange Elephants', but they carry their bulk with style

@Henrietta: thanks for the flight info - I got confused with time differences. Our airports are closed overnight, opening about 6am. Then there's jet-jag to be considered.

@Magatha - So many double entendres in the Flight of the Bungle Bees - wonderful!

Thanks Sandie for the conflicting reports of children left behind:

Can we take it then that either the children don't exist at all or if they have been toting kids around in US they are not authentic so they daren't bring them? Never mind the Queen being disappointed.
HM's arrival at Northolt was not without snags:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10872779/Queen-mid-air-drama-thunderstorm-forces-private-jet-bringing-home-ABANDON-landing.html

Might the Treacherous Horrors land at Northolt? After all, that was where Di arrived on her very last flight - in a coffin?

Supposedly they're travelling with relatively few staff...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10870439/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle-simple-Queens-Platinum-Jubilee-celebrations.html

Dashed decent of them, what! How frightfully considerate!
Sandie said…
I am not sure if the media is overblowing the situation, but there seems to be chaos at Heathrow and Gatwick. Could they have taken a commercial flight and then demand special VVIP treatment when they land? I think she would want to be on a private jet and they will snuck in without the media to record the lack of a full royal protection detail to escort them to Frogmore. (But everyone has cellphones so someone will sneak a photo or two.) If the children are with them, we will hear all about them and the Queen and all sorts of claims giving them favourite status.
Have just seen some old footage of HM shaking hands with a former IRA commander to help with reconciliation in Ireland (ie the island).

Rapprochement with TBW is very small beer really, compared with that.

Fifi LaRue said…
@Ian's Girl: Wouldn't that be great, re: Elon. Fingers crossed.
Elsbeth1847 said…
If they did bring the kids, the kids would need their own official passport to enter the UK full stop. Well, in theory, there s/b a UK one for A but is there one for L or does she just have a US one?

And probably a real parent would want to be there with their kid during the visit. That could also be a passport paper trail even if there was some hanky panky with the kid's passports.

Another reason the kids might stay home might be the increased stress about having to control the kids (the accidental kid comment when the BRF/BRF staff might be around which could be embarrassing like the repeating some negative comment overheard about the situation ... or flat out blow the these are our kids story). William's kids have had a fair amount of practice at being in public but A&L have not had any taste of how to behave when people are looking.

I happen to be in the no kids camp so not bringing the kids this time would be one of those murky clues of there are no kids.

Interesting that they could wear a wire. I remember that it was suspected in that green dress (or that it had a bullet proof vest under it).

You would think that there would be some sort of loophole regarding being withing the Palace, in the presence of the BRF/HM not allowing this after all those legal issues of phone hacking. The laws do state it is possible but what they can and cannot do with the information is a limiting factor.
https://recordinglaw.com/recording-laws-uk/

Personally I would begin with the idea that they are wired at all times and that they are attempting to document claims by trying to set up the intended by trying to get them "explaining something/anything" for future editing. Pro-active defense.
PS to my previous comment:

After all, Lord Mountbatten, royal cousin & Philip's uncle , was assassinated by the IRA - at least Markle hasn't actually murdered any royals yet, as far we know, although we suspect she may contemplate it/wish death upon Duchess C, as demonstrated by that gift of a knife.
Sandie said…
There is a hilarious story doing the rounds that the Duchess of Montecito has been given her own bodyguard in Madame Tussauds as visitors kept walking up to her and slapping her! I have seen one social media post where someone posed doing exactly that.
Opus said…
Please tell me it is not true: 6 and wife are flying in to upstage the celebrations.
Maneki Neko said…

So they've left LA airport and are on there way, or probably already on UK soil by now. I like this comment in the DM:

usher2512, London, United Kingdom, 27 minutes ago

Heathrow air traffic control have got the binoculars out, scanning the sky for the first sight of the broomstick. Royal protection officers have resolved to stick to their normal duties and not run errands for the witch. Me-Again is trying to decide which outfit to wear for landing, and Haz is getting triggered at the thought of London. Lilli is asleep and Archie keeps asking "are we nearly there yet?"
😂

I wonder if we'll be allowed a glimpse of the sprogs. I too, like another Nutty, thought they might have been left at home. We'll see.
Henrietta said…
SecondhandCoke:

The Sussexes and Netflix have tightened up on everyone who can leak gossip and not much is leaking out lately. They've tightened up their behavior around staff, have ferreted out staff who leak, and have threatened people within an inch of their lives over leaks. My source said the gossip floodgates had opened a few weeks ago, but nothing has gotten out lately. Of course, people are also distracted by the Depp trial.
Maneki Neko said…
@Wild Boar

They'd land at Northolt if they're on a private jet although I believe a few private jets can also land at Heathrow. They wouldn't be someone deaf as to fly private? (Yes, they would be). I suppose the flights have been organised via Travalyst?


@Magatha

Another fabulous poem, Flight of the Bungle B’s, "Meh riding hard" etc. 🤣🤣. It's good to laugh, thank you 😁
Maneki Neko said…
Ouch! Typo! They're on their way (7.19 pm)
Sorry Opus, it looks as if it may be true, despite their protestations to the contrary.
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/20220601141847/prince-harry-meghan-markle-arrive-uk-archie-lilibet/

Supposedly they have arrived - pic possibly of their arrival - no indication of A &L

Of course, they could behave perfectly to get into royal good books....
Hikari said…
Wild Boar,

Can we take it then that either the children don't exist at all or if they have been toting kids around in US they are not authentic so they daren't bring them? Never mind the Queen being disappointed.

Despite Haz's self-delusion to the contrary, he isn't the Queen's favorite grandchild. Charles was not the first to have grandkids. It's well-known that if HM has a favorite grandson, it's Peter Phillips, the first Royal grandchild, and she's probably partial to Zara as well since Z. is a world-class equestrienne like her mother. Her Majesty now has so many great-grands that "Archie" and "Lili" are completely lost in the shuffle, especially since she's not even met them. I remain unconvinced as to the authenticity of *any* photos, with Royal family members or not, which purport to show the Sussex children.
So I'm confident that this venerable lady can manage any vague and extremely momentary twinge of disappointment to once again 'not' meet her Sussex great-grandchildren.

It was sporting of Archbishop Welby to contract Covid just before the Sussex visit allegedly to show off their elusive children. Would it be terrible of me to question the veracity of this diagnosis? It conveniently removes JW from having to deal with the Sussexes in any capacity and potentially compromise his (alleged) Christian faith by performing a spurious baptism or even having MM claim a 'secret' baptism in the garden or any such nonsense . . .it's been publicly proclaimed that Welby has Covid so that cut off one avenue of her 'reasons' for 'bringing the baby'.

For bald-faced lying in the face of verifiable reality, she really has no peer.
Sandie said…
DM reporting that they have landed, but they have been overshadowed by a verdict in the Johnny Depp trial, to be delivered within hours.

I am looking forward to the body language as they become spectators to working royals on parade, in carriage processions and on the balcony. No amount of the expected deluge of nonsense PR is going to make them centre of attention, and misbehaviour will just make things worse for them.

Do you think people will hold up placards saying 'phone your father Meghan', or worse?
abbyh said…
Got the message. I had been planning on it soon.
Mel said…
Rumor now saying that the harkels will remain hold up and frog more for the duration.

We called it. Great way to hide that there are no children.
abbyh said…
The day(s) of celebration for the Queen are about to begin.

And we begin with a new post up.

Moderation still on.
abbyh said…
Unknown/Anonymous

Please complete your profile so we can post your comments.

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