The British Royal Family - news, views, clothes & shoes! #10

[gregjrichards]

I believe Harry has a large trust from his great-grandmother and other inherited money. There was a post recently about that.

Harry and William were left £70 million in a trust fund from The Queen Mother plus £17 million from Princess Diana. Prince Charles also gives them £4 million a year and I doubt he would cut Harry off financially so they can do more or less whatever they want.

I personally find the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s complaints about life annoying yes they have problems but we all do. I have more sympathy for people who have serious health problems like a terminal illness or chronic health issues who are struggling to get through each day, people who are homeless and people who have lost their jobs and cannot afford food to eat. It is difficult to relate to a couple with vast wealth who live in palaces but complain about the press treating them unfairly. The press haven’t treated them fairly but they have not helped matters with some of their actions.

 

[Simply Southern]

BBM : I'm hesitant to post this as I don't particularly want to invite drama and H and M seem to be a bit of a divisive topic. But I'm going to throw caution to the wind and say how I feel, I'm sure some will agree with me and some won't.

As a British taxpayer there is a lot of commentary on SM and even on this thread that I find mildly offensive. As I've said before, the Royal Family do things in a very particular way in order to ensure the continuity and the stability of the Monarchy. At a time when our country is deeply divided, when we haven't had a stable government for a number of years, we need a stable Monarchy more than ever. The Royal Family are bigger than any one person, it is a centuries old establishment. Harry and Meghan are minor members of this family, whether they like it or not, they are in no position to be changing or "modernizing" anything, this is simply far above their station. The Queen is our Head of State ably assisted by Charles, William and their wives, that is the way it is and the way it will remain.

British taxpayers are compelled by law, to give money to the Royal Family and in return we expect a certain standard of behaviour. If Harry and Meghan are unable or unwilling to adhere to that, they can renounce their titles and remove themselves. If they want to be working royals then they need to toe the line, they can't have it both ways.

We all watched Harry at his mother's funeral, we cried with him and for him. And also for his brother, William who as a lot of people appear to forget, also lost his mother. Diana had two sons. We were delighted when he met Meghan and when they got engaged we welcomed her with open arms and we lined the streets to wish them well on their wedding day.

Meghan has NOT been treated any more unfairly by the press than any other incoming member of the Royal Family. Catherine had her private life dissected, she was called names like social climber, peasant, commoner. Her family were judged, her mother was accused of being pushy, of having sent Catherine to St. Andrew's to "snare" Prince William. She was called desperate, Waity Katie. She's been called lazy and work-shy. She had hundreds of paparazzi following her around every time she left the house. She has had embarrassing family members in the press (Uncle Gary anyone?) Beatrice and Eugenie have had their lives scrutinised, every fashion or make up choice they have ever made has been pored over, they have been known and referred to for years as the ugly step-sisters.

I resent that anyone who doesn't connect with Meghan is automatically labelled as a bully, or worse a racist. Great Britain is a diverse society, we have all cultures and faiths here and it is one of our greatest strengths. Instead of celebrating this, Harry as someone who supposed to be a representative of our country, would rather perpetuate the myth that we are a country of racist bullies. This could not be further from the truth.

Harry and Meghan are NOT hounded by the press. The only time Harry and Meghan are ever seen in public is when Harry and Meghan want to be seen in public. Have a look on you tube at the videos of Catherine being followed by paparazzi. Nothing like this has happened to Meghan.

HM The Queen lived a personal tragedy at a young age, but she dealt with it, and everything that followed, with the utmost grace and dignity.

Commenting on Meghan's bridal make up is not bullying. When her makeup artist is appearing on any daytime tv show that will have him to discuss that exact thing, people are obviously going to comment on it. Some will like it, some will not. If Meghan is unhappy with this, perhaps she should ask her friends to be a little more discreet.

I've never been a fan of Harry, his behaviour has been disgraceful at times when he was plenty old enough to know better. I won't go into it but the pictures are easy to find if you wish.

It is my opinion that our Royal Family is far too big, with too many hangers on who feel they are entitled to special treatment and tax payers money. They are public servants, we do not bow down to them. I resent the view that we are supposed to view Meghan as some kind of hero doing so many great things for us lowly peasants. I've seen people from overseas commenting on how much she has improved our lives, although I've seen no tangible evidence of this.

Of course, this is all IMO. I do not presume to think that I speak for all Brits.

Well said and I totally agree!!!

 

[Simply Southern]

MOO, I see this as well staged. Setting the stage for the Harry and Oprah special on mental health.

Six week sabbatical, trip to California for Thanksgiving, and turning the trip to Africa into a documentary about the woes of being a royal.

Yeah, here comes Oprah to the rescue.

I'm quite upset that she is representing the US and reflects badly on our country.

 

[Alethea]

I think Harry may also be realizing he has no set path ahead of him. He’s responsible for carving out what he does with his life. William will become the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, where each role comes with specific responsibilities he will be in charge of long before he becomes King. Just overseeing the Duchy of Cornwall is enough to keep the average person busy. Charles has held the roles for so long it may not seem like much but once you dig into the projects you see how much there is there - not to mention the funds from the estate. Harry does not have a similar role to look forward to. There’s not much expected of him.

If William has had an easier time (and I say IF because we have no idea), it may be because he has had this structure outlining what his life will look like. I know the tabloid press gave Kate a very hard time about her being workshy etc but I think most fair people realize she has a lifetime of work ahead of her functioning as a diplomatic spouse, mother to the future King, and eventually Queen.

Anyway, it’s interesting to see how this will play out. I assumed Harry would stay in the armed forces like his grandfather always wanted to and build a career there.

 

[rosemadderlake]

Someone over here is going to come up with, “Therapy Sessions with Oprah.” A new series on mental health.

I like Oprah. She’s got a lot of experience and is fundamentally a very wise woman. And a fair interviewer and reporter.

Oprah and Harry interview might be interesting? I don't know. Not really. But I am older and more cynical. I have no patience.

Oprah is a good producer too who won’t turn mental health into a bad format show for American TV...

 

[Herat]

Someone over here is going to come up with, “Therapy Sessions with Oprah.” A new series on mental health.

I like Oprah. She’s got a lot of experience and is fundamentally a very wise woman. And a fair interviewer and reporter.

Oprah and Harry interview might be interesting? I don't know. Not really. But I am older and more cynical. I have no patience.

Oprah is a good producer too who won’t turn mental health into a bad format show for American TV...

I've just lost a lot of interest in Oprah. Her magazine with the very heavily photoshopped cover. The $$$ cost of items in it (like the Christmas list). Even though she's backed off for a while, now she's back on TV advertising frozen food and trying to get me to believe adding a floret of cauliflower to a frozen pizza is going to make it dreamy.

I wasn't really interested in Oprah and Harry together but after this tabloid mess and melt-down, I seriously believe Harry should not be at all in the media but instead should be seeking some very serious counseling and retreat from all media activities. As should Markle. Harry seemed to do well in the military and it makes me think he really needs a proper job to keep his mental balance. I have no idea what is best for Markle other than to stop oversharing and avoid any personal comments about her, Harry, Archie, or anyone in the royal family.

As someone above sagely observed, their relationship seems to hinge on their mutual psychological pathologies, and the fact that we can notice this is very telling about their lack of personal discretion.

 

[Lilibet]

I'm quite upset that she is representing the US and reflects badly on our country.

For me, Meghan is not in England to represent the U.S. in any substantive or official capacity. She is a private citizen married to Prince Harry. Some might wish that Meghan “reflecting badly” on the U.S. is the biggest reason to be upset right now. JMO

 

[mickey2942]

I think Harry may also be realizing he has no set path ahead of him. He’s responsible for carving out what he does with his life. William will become the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, where each role comes with specific responsibilities he will be in charge of long before he becomes King. Just overseeing the Duchy of Cornwall is enough to keep the average person busy. Charles has held the roles for so long it may not seem like much but once you dig into the projects you see how much there is there - not to mention the funds from the estate. Harry does not have a similar role to look forward to. There’s not much expected of him.

If William has had an easier time (and I say IF because we have no idea), it may be because he has had this structure outlining what his life will look like. I know the tabloid press gave Kate a very hard time about her being workshy etc but I think most fair people realize she has a lifetime of work ahead of her functioning as a diplomatic spouse, mother to the future King, and eventually Queen.

Anyway, it’s interesting to see how this will play out. I assumed Harry would stay in the armed forces like his grandfather always wanted to and build a career there.

Harry has a "model" to follow, Prince Andrew. I see that he will probably end up following his uncle very closely, including a divorce with two children. Meghan should probably warm up to Fergie.

 

[gregjrichards]

I think Harry may also be realizing he has no set path ahead of him. He’s responsible for carving out what he does with his life. William will become the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, where each role comes with specific responsibilities he will be in charge of long before he becomes King. Just overseeing the Duchy of Cornwall is enough to keep the average person busy. Charles has held the roles for so long it may not seem like much but once you dig into the projects you see how much there is there - not to mention the funds from the estate. Harry does not have a similar role to look forward to. There’s not much expected of him.

If William has had an easier time (and I say IF because we have no idea), it may be because he has had this structure outlining what his life will look like. I know the tabloid press gave Kate a very hard time about her being workshy etc but I think most fair people realize she has a lifetime of work ahead of her functioning as a diplomatic spouse, mother to the future King, and eventually Queen.

Anyway, it’s interesting to see how this will play out. I assumed Harry would stay in the armed forces like his grandfather always wanted to and build a career there.

The Duke of Sussex seems lost since he left the armed forces it seemed like that gave him purpose in life.

I genuinely wish the Duke and Duchess of Sussex nothing but happiness. If they can’t handle the pressure of the press then they need to do whatever is necessary to step back from it. If that means having a home abroad they can go to for more privacy then they should do it.

 

[gregjrichards]

For me, Meghan is not in England to represent the U.S. in any substantive or official capacity. She is a private citizen married to Prince Harry. Some might wish that Meghan “reflecting badly” on the U.S. is the biggest reason to be upset right now. JMO

I agree with you I don’t think of the Duchess of Sussex as an ambassador for the United States and don’t understand why anyone would think that she is.

 

[Amonet]

I think you’re onto something regarding SM and over sharing, @rosemadderlake. Meghan had her blog “The Tig” and was able to express herself on a variety of topics important to her...food, exercise, etc. Having had her “voice” silenced in service to the BRF perhaps turned out to be much harder than she expected. And then having a very personal letter to her father (which she was foolish for writing, given his history) being sold to the highest bidder without even being notified would be devastating.

Marrying into the Royal Family is something that requires a lot of deep, serious thought and personal insight. It’s not just about falling in love with someone. It’s a major, life-changing choice. Kate had years to think about it, and an understanding of the culture. I expect that Meghan figured it would all work out and that “love conquers all.” Sadly, that’s not true.

This comment by @firebird may well be very true and seems to be playing out as a “you and me against the world” dynamic, exacerbated by the press and SM.



I also wonder if Meghan has post-partum depression. Her “thank you for asking if I’m OK” comment was a bit much (even for me) and almost seems like a cry for help. I really hope she and Harry can retreat and regroup and re-examine whatever issues are tormenting them. I think Meghan is a basically decent, well-meaning person (despite her issues—we all have something!) who bit off more than she can chew (at the moment), and Harry is ill-equipped to help.

I wish them both well as they navigate this difficult time, hopefully in private.

I also had a sense of possible post-partum depression. I don't think that's something that only affects women earning less than £50k a year.

I'm also disgusted how there's even a big name politician saying that Harry used to be 'fun' ... back when he was doing drugs and going to fancy dress parties dressed inappropriately, yes...

But now Harry has settled down, married a woman he seems to love very much, become a father, now Harry is 'boring'. I would have thought you'd give the guy creds for going through a problem period, going into the military, then settling down to be a husband and a father. It seems like a positive transition to me.

But it's not really about that, is it? It's about how the media are once again treating royals as celebrity superstars, with intrusion and fake news. It's dislike from certain sectors that Harry and Meghan seem to want to speak up for the environment -- and look at the hate Harry's dad has had for years for speaking up for the environment. Harry and Meghan are talking about mental health, and omg we don't want these mannequins talking about things like that! Why can't Meghan just be a clothes horse like Diana was before the divorce stuff went public?

It was said that Harry and Meghan were demanding their child be a Prince, and then they refused any title for their child. Harry's recent words explain that perfectly, he's not really happy with what he was born into, he saw his mother attacked, dying while being chased by paparazzi and the huge change and hole that left in his life and his soul. So all that stuff about the demanding prince and his wife demanding a title for their child who was going to suck on the public you know what...it was a fake news thing, but does anyone go back and apologise? Do the public think back and say "ohh, maybe the celebrity reporter writing click bait stories was wrong?" No, mud sticks, especially for people who want to believe in that mud and revel at throwing it.

 

[Amonet]

Going down royal rabbit holes all over the world tonight. Here is a list of Prince Charles' first cousins. Note - only two from his mum's side, the rest are from Philip's siblings. Crazy!!

1. Lady Sarah Chatto
2. David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon
3. Princess Johanna of Hesse and by Rhine
4. Prince Georg of Hanover
5. Princess Margarita of Baden
6. Princess Christina Margarethe of Hesse
7. Prince Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine
8. Prince Welf Ernst of Hanover
9. Maximilian, Margrave of Baden
10. Princess Friederike of Hanover
11. Kraft, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
12. Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine
13. Rupprecht of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
14. Albrecht Wolfgang Christoph of Hohen-Langenburg
15. Prince Rainer of Hesse
16. Princess Dorothea of Hesse
17. Princess Beatrix Alice Marie Melita of Hohen-Langenburg
18. Princess Clarissa of Hesse
19. Georg Andreas Heinrich of Hohen-Langenburg
20. Ludwig von Baden
21. Prince Karl of Hesse

I love this stuff about royal family lineages! I've been reading Philippa Gregory's novels about the Plantagenets and Tudors, and it fascinates me to see the intermarriages and where the descendants are today. Despite Henry VIII having grandchildren to continue the royal line, there are so many other lineages that come from Edward III, Henry VIII's sister Margaret, Kate being descended from Anne Boleyn's sister! I love this stuff!

 

[mickey2942]

I love this stuff about royal family lineages! I've been reading Philippa Gregory's novels about the Plantagenets and Tudors, and it fascinates me to see the intermarriages and where the descendants are today. Despite Henry VIII having grandchildren to continue the royal line, there are so many other lineages that come from Edward III, Henry VIII's sister Margaret, Kate being descended from Anne Boleyn's sister! I love this stuff!

I have read the entire series as well. Recently finished "The Virgin's Lover". I didn't particularly like how Queen Elizabeth was portrayed in this book. I have always viewed her as a feminist, who was very much like Margaret Thatcher or Eleanor Roosevelt.

 

[Amonet]

I have read the entire series as well. Recently finished "The Virgin's Lover". I didn't particularly like how Queen Elizabeth was portrayed in this book. I have always viewed her as a feminist, who was very much like Margaret Thatcher or Eleanor Roosevelt.

I know what you mean. But I think it's probably a valid way of seeing Elizabeth I as a fuller human being rather than the 2-dimensional image. I think it's good to have our assumptions challenged in this way at least.

And this is a nice way to segue into my next thought. About the question of modernising the monarchy.

Dysfunctional royal families didn't start with the divorces of our Queen's children. Any that haven't been dysfunctional are really the exception. But we have this history's eye to look through and perceive Elizabeth I as a Margaret Thatcher or as a Boudicca .... does that really do justice to Elizabeth as a rounded human being? Probably not. And maybe the moral of The Virgin's Lover is that one can have personal anxieties and failings but still be great, and remembered for the positive things (is that spin? I don't know).

Look what Elizabeth I grew up with? Having Henry VIII as a father, one minute she's the princess, first in line to the throne, then she's delegated to third in line to the throne intermixed with not being in line due to her father saying that she's illegitimate.

Consider how we revere Queen Victoria and yet look at the political disaster she was for some time. She and Albert were modernisers of the Royal Family in their era. They also gave access to the Royal Family and photos of the perfect parents and the perfect children...it wasn't really the full story though.

Then go through the monarchs of the 20th century and several of them are known to have been attempting to modernise the monarchy in their own ways, until we get to the current Queen. Modernising the monarchy isn't a new thing, it's something almost every monarch has tried to do, whether that was back when they were outright monarchs, or as their monarchial powers diminished in favour of Lords and Commons making laws and deciding on taxation, or in the more recent Constitutional Monarchy era where it's hard to see what the monarch and extended Royal Family's place really is in our society and what can they really 'bring' to the table other than being rich people living in great houses/palaces/castles, cutting a few ribbons, and being a 'tourist attraction'.

When a Royal baby is born today, look at all the things they're expected to be and compare that to the hopes and dreams that non-Royal people have for their newborn babies. They're expected to be all things to all men (which is, of course, impossible). The males are expected to be action men who grow up to marry a size 8 clothes horse. The females are expected to be photogenic and produce babies. They're critiqued for anything and everything. And only one of them will become monarch, and at this time it's something they have to wait until their 70s until they reach the 'real' job part of their life!

Elizabeth I's purported lover was alleged in their time of throwing his wife down the stairs to murder her so that he could marry Elizabeth. In our era we had a Princess of Wales who allegedly threw herself down the stairs out of pain for the wreck of a marriage she was in, and despite that pain she still had to be the clothes horse, perfect clothing, hair, and makeup, and a smile on her face.

What are we putting on those royal babies the moment the pregnancy is announced? And they're never supposed to have feelings or talk about those feelings because, you know, they live in a palace and have servants.

 

[Mrs Marple]

Harry and William were left £70 million in a trust fund from The Queen Mother plus £17 million from Princess Diana. Prince Charles also gives them £4 million a year and I doubt he would cut Harry off financially so they can do more or less whatever they want.

I personally find the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s complaints about life annoying yes they have problems but we all do. I have more sympathy for people who have serious health problems like a terminal illness or chronic health issues who are struggling to get through each day, people who are homeless and people who have lost their jobs and cannot afford food to eat. It is difficult to relate to a couple with vast wealth who live in palaces but complain about the press treating them unfairly. The press haven’t treated them fairly but they have not helped matters with some of their actions.

BBM this. It's very difficult to have sympathy for people living such a privileged life. A fee years back Harry had a moan to the press about how awful it is to be born in a guilded cage. Well he has the means to walk away and live a life in secret if he wants to. He really can go off and build himself a house in Africa and never court the press again if that's what he really wants. But l suspect what he actually wants is to do what he wants and say what he wants when he wants, for no one to ever say anything remotely unpleasant about him and M and to court the press on their own terms only. And that kind of smacks of spoiled entitled brat.

Can someone please give me examples, apart from the letter, of where PH and MM have been treated unfairly in MSM? (The letter is not unfair imho. Maybe they shouldn't have published it, but unless they obtained it without either of their permission, l fail to see the unfairness of it).

 

[abstr]

I've just lost a lot of interest in Oprah. Her magazine with the very heavily photoshopped cover. The $$$ cost of items in it (like the Christmas list). Even though she's backed off for a while, now she's back on TV advertising frozen food and trying to get me to believe adding a floret of cauliflower to a frozen pizza is going to make it dreamy.

I wasn't really interested in Oprah and Harry together but after this tabloid mess and melt-down, I seriously believe Harry should not be at all in the media but instead should be seeking some very serious counseling and retreat from all media activities. As should Markle. Harry seemed to do well in the military and it makes me think he really needs a proper job to keep his mental balance. I have no idea what is best for Markle other than to stop oversharing and avoid any personal comments about her, Harry, Archie, or anyone in the royal family.

As someone above sagely observed, their relationship seems to hinge on their mutual psychological pathologies, and the fact that we can notice this is very telling about their lack of personal discretion.

I agree about the Oprah thing......Her magazine features 500 plus clothing....Good for anyone who can/will afford it but I will not spend 500 bucks on a sweater ever....I have a good income but I also live a real life

 

[maggieg]

Playing Devils advocate lets say for example H&M move to SA or Botswana or somewhere else in Africa, what benefit do they have to the local community beyond being normal volunteers?
The benefit they provide is the press and the attention, without that they have a well followed instagram account which I'm sure leads to some increase in donations but the sparkle may wear off quickly if it doesn't come with the glitz and glam of royal life in London and royal events abroad.

I think Harry is struggling with things very very very few people can relate to, his life so far has been full of unearned wealth and adoration. I think most people and the media have still been thinking of him as a child and treating him as such until he took a symbolic step into adulthood by getting engaged. Hes had generally positive press coverage all his life despite his behaviour. Now that he's being scrutinised as an adult, I don't think he can cope with the loss of adoration. Harry's shelf life is coming to an end, the big event of his life where he is centre stage (wedding) is over while William still has a ton of big events, investiture as POW, coronation as King and then will be front and centre at every event.

There are several others in the RF who would genuinely enjoy Harry's role, Eugenie for example seems to love shaking hands and meeting people.

I'm disappointed in Harry's apparent lack of loyalty by essentially confirming the feud, it just invites speculation and even more scrutiny. If both couples are at Christmas services at Sandringham every move they make will be scrutinised even more than it usually is, whenever they are together now it will be dissected. Harry's isolation is really concerning to me, we know he ditched most of his friends and now we know hes not close with his brother.

I watched the documentary and I felt for Meghan, she seems lost. This quote to me was very interesting, I reread it in the guardians coverage of the documentary

"Asked if the counter-argument was that incredible power, privilege, fame and wealth came with scrutiny, she said: “That completely tracks for me if things are fair.” But, she said, “when people are saying things that are just untrue, and are being told they are untrue but they’re still allowed to say them, I don’t know anybody in the world that would feel that’s OK.“And that’s different to scrutiny … it’s a really different beast. I think the grass is always greener – you have no idea – it’s really hard to understand what it’s like. I know what it seems like it should be. It’s a very different thing. That’s OK. The good thing is I have my baby, and my husband, and they’re the best.”

Meghan: I was warned British tabloids would destroy my life

I mean even if you don't have experience of the British tabloids, everyone knows what tabloids are like, how many times did the American tabloids have Jennifer Aniston pregnant? The British tabloids usually have some sort evidence (maybe not obtained by legal means) of what they print whereas the American ones more than often seem to make it up IMHO.
Given that H&M are launching war on the press, am I wrong to think that if they were reporting a ton of untrue things that they would also be suing them for defamation? Why did Harry fight back against the private jet scrutiny, how was that untrue? That was pefectly legitimate scrutiny IMHO.

I think they're struggling with what they can do but they may not like yes you can spend 56k on an dress for an engagement photo shoot but its unseemly when its multiples of the yearly salary of the majority of your subjects, yes you can fly in private jets but its hypocritical, etc.

Stiff upper lip is tough but I think the opposite is worse, the press know they're getting to H&M, they know they're reading whats being written.

 

[AllyBeeUK]

Yet another discussion about this on breakfast tv this morning. An American guest articulated my exact feelings " we speak the same language, but that's it." There is a huge cultural chasm between Britain and the United States. That's not a bad thing at all, it just is what it is. I don't think Meghan fully appreciates or understands that we do things the way we do and that we like it like it like that. I wouldn't dream of going off to the States and pontificating about the 2nd amendment, I wouldn't even do that here because it's disrespectful.

Again, a lot of talk about Harry walking behind his mother's coffin. It doesn't need saying again that losing a mother at a young age is a terrible tragedy but I would like if just once, someone acknowledged that there were two boys there that day. The inference that William has somehow had it easier, or wasn't as affected by her death as Harry is desperately unfair. So unfair that William would probably have every right to publicly complain about it, but he doesn't. I'm sure that there have been countless days that William would love to have had a very public meltdown, but he simply cannot afford himself that luxury. He, like his grandmother, has a clear understanding of what is expected of him and he meets those expectations with dignity and good grace. Harry once publicly said "nobody wants the job" that would include William, but the job is his whether he wants it or not and he is holding his head high, doing everything he is expected to do and I respect the heck out of him for that!

Now I've had a chance to watch the "stiff upper lip" comments in full, I really feel as though Meghan is once again showing her privilege. We would all love to "thrive" but the reality for most people is that the best we can hope for each day is just to survive. To say these things to a nation that has nurses queuing outside food banks is incredibly ill-judged. To add insult to injury, she made these comments on tour, in a country where she had been speaking with mothers living in extreme poverty who are living with HIV and AIDS. And no, this doesn't mean that Meghan is not allowed to struggle or that rich mothers can't have post natal depression, I had it myself so I sympathise with that. Life is hard, for everybody.

Harry and Meghan are in a position where they can go wherever they want and do anything they like. There is absolutely no obligation for them to remain in the UK or as working Royals. They are absolutely in a position where they can walk away and start again. God knows there are days I wish I could do that, but that's not really what they want. They want to do what they want to do and have everyone feel obliged to applaud them for it. When I was very little my grandmother taught me the most important lesson I have ever learned; you can't like everyone and you can't be liked by everyone and you just have to learn to be okay with that.

As someone else has said, if they had not continually fuelled this fire it would have died down by now. Catherine dealt with the same, she rose above it as did Camilla. I think Meghan would have done well to accept some guidance from those that have gone before her.

In many ways developing a stiff upper lip is healthy. Eleven years ago, when I was 24 I had the most spectacular nervous breakdown. I would say I was suicidal but in all honesty I didn't even have the energy for that, I just went to sleep every night hoping I wouldn't wake up. I've had deep-rooted anxiety that started around the age of 3-4 and I had developed a lifetime habit of being over emotional about every little thing. Over the years, I have worked so hard on developing my mental resilience or a "stiff upper lip" if you like and I am a much happier person because of it! I no longer cry over the slightest thing, I don't absorb every word that someone says and carry it around with me forever. Of course if you are genuinely struggling there is no shame in talking about it or reaching out for help and everybody will cope differently but recovery is possible. I wouldn't say that I don't have anxiety now, but anxiety doesn't have me.

Life is hard and then you die. The trick is learning to really appreciate those moments of happiness with the people you love. I would implore Harry and Meghan to rise above the drama and really be thankful for what they have; each other and baby Archie.

 

[they'll get you]

I've just lost a lot of interest in Oprah. Her magazine with the very heavily photoshopped cover. The $$$ cost of items in it (like the Christmas list). Even though she's backed off for a while, now she's back on TV advertising frozen food and trying to get me to believe adding a floret of cauliflower to a frozen pizza is going to make it dreamy.

I wasn't really interested in Oprah and Harry together but after this tabloid mess and melt-down, I seriously believe Harry should not be at all in the media but instead should be seeking some very serious counseling and retreat from all media activities. As should Markle. Harry seemed to do well in the military and it makes me think he really needs a proper job to keep his mental balance. I have no idea what is best for Markle other than to stop oversharing and avoid any personal comments about her, Harry, Archie, or anyone in the royal family.

As someone above sagely observed, their relationship seems to hinge on their mutual psychological pathologies, and the fact that we can notice this is very telling about their lack of personal discretion.

I was concerned for Harry in the last interview I saw of him. He looked sad.

 

[Simply Southern]

For me, Meghan is not in England to represent the U.S. in any substantive or official capacity. She is a private citizen married to Prince Harry. Some might wish that Meghan “reflecting badly” on the U.S. is the biggest reason to be upset right now. JMO

Well said....that is what I meant to say, but chose the wrong wording. She is in no means is a representative of the US and I do Iapologize for my misstatement.

I am very disappointed with "stiff upper lip statement". It shows a total lack of decorum.