The British Royal Family - news, views, clothes & shoes! #11

[AllyBeeUK]

I don't care to look up silly online rumours normally, no. There are a lot of silly things said on Twitter, in comments on news boards etc. Some of them I find harmful (like things with racist undertones) others I just think are stupid and hope no one actually believes it.

How would I know if I could trust a 'rumour said to have originated from someone who's allegedly a friend of Meghan"? To me it's all a layer of silly season stuff that I'm not so interested in, but if it creates a lot of fallout...then I'm interested in how and why it's created that fallout.

I think in that whole world there are a small number of people who will go silly in defending someone they've taken a shine to (some celebrity or whatever) by their perceived 'competition' or 'enemies'.

I do personally feel that some of the tabloid stories have a little something in them to make Meghan sound worse than she is, and then a small number of vocal people in the comments sections who have racist feelings will then associate Meghan's awful behaviour with her racial heritage, and only a very small number of them will comment in absolute and clear racist tones, though I find any that do use that language to be horrific. But a larger number of the posts that I associate with an undertone of racism, they're not so blatant about it...it's an almost more insidious thing.

I do not believe either of those are representative of the UK public as a whole. And those people with those views are still going to exist even without negative, false, twisted, or exaggerated stories in the press. But I don't believe they represent all of us.

I don't 'love' the Royals like some people seem to love celebrities (and I find this celebrity thing has changed a lot in the past 20 years with the internet and celebrity news and tv series). I don't hate Royalty either. I never used to much 'like' a few individuals in the Royal family (like Andrew and Sarah) and then I saw some negative celebrity stories about Royals like Bea or Eugenie, and I felt I was 'primed' for those stories to further my dislike. Then I just though "no, I'm not going to go along with this, I'm going to consider them not 'bad' people unless I find out otherwise with strong evidence" So I'm trying to keep that attitude for each individual in the Royals, and extend it to anyone else. For me it's more a case of "stuff I'll roll my eyes at" when I see it, but I don't want to get worked up over it...but it does bother me when it takes on a life of its own and creates wider fallout.

I am interested in how all these stories, and their spin (whether that's from an insider or an outsider) affect peoples views on a person or issue...in this case, the Royal Family as a whole, or individuals in the Royal Family.

BBM : yes, that's my point. This is very unbecoming for the Royals and completely inappropriate. They are not celebrities but some of the younger ones seem to think they are and that is what is fuelling this behaviour IMO.

You don't have to believe anything. I know the tweet is there because I have seen it. I can't confirm whether the person is close friends with M as I am not in their inner circle so I couldn't possibly say. It is somebody relatively well known in the UK, somebody I admire actually, and who I follow on twitter which is how I saw it. I don't go seeking out rumours!

I don't like or dislike M, I just don't connect with her. She is not somebody I particularly admire but any view I have of her is certainly not from anything I have read in the newspapers. I've never liked Harry.

Yes, some of the headlines are written to grab attention but that's true of any royal, or celebrity. There's always nasty comments about public figures online under any article and there always will be. This is not exclusive to M and H. I remember reading a story in mainstream media about the Cambridge wedding, depicting Beatrice and Eugenie as the ugly sisters to Kate's Cinderella. That was one of the nastiest things I have ever read. There are comments a few days back on this thread discussing Beatrice's looks which is completely unacceptable IMO. There are constant comments all over the internet about Kate's weight, accusing her of having eating disorders and calling her lazy. These comments appear under every royal story and every post by Royal reporters on social media.

It appears to me that people commenting on Meghan are held to a much higher standard than those commenting on any other royal or celebrity. I don't think it ever acceptable to comment on a person's looks or heritage and it's perfectly possible to dislike someone without being nasty.

H has repeatedly claimed that the press are treating her differently because they are racist, he is not referring to comments under the articles, he is accusing the press as a whole, yet there is no evidence of it. This is causing wider issues IMO because he is creating an image of Britain and the British people as racists, which as we both know is not true. THAT is what concerns me. There is some content previously on this thread regarding Britain and our culture that I think is more than a little off colour.

I do not believe they are being treated any differently to anybody else, quite the opposite in fact. I don't remember any public figures or politicians speaking out for Kate when she was on the receiving end of it.

IMO of course

Edited : typo

 

[Amonet]

Was that "ugly sisters" thing even in the papers? That's awful!

I don't like the way Kate was harassed by press prior to her wedding. Fergie got a lot of negative press, too, for instance there were articles about what she ate for dinner at a 'banquet' when she was working for/advertising WeightWatchers.

The celebrity media is even worse with their stories about Royals or celebrities or relatives of people in the news. I don't like it at all.

I don't want higher standards just for stories about Meghan, I want it across the board with regard to 'proper' msm.

I recently watched The Diana Tapes on YouTube, and I was shocked, and yet a lot of it made sense. I don't want that story repeated with other royals, and I am concerned if Harry might be feeling some of those things that Diana talked about in the tapes, or if Kate has felt that, or any of the others. William and Kate seem to have done a good job of telling the media that there are lines but that they will try and give them something in return. I hope Harry and Meghan can do the same thing, but I worry when Harry says that even the cameras at official shoots bother him as well.

I guess I think that even though there have been some agreements made with msm media about privacy for some Royals or in some situations like the children at school and uni, that over time the media are driven by what they feel is demand for more photos, more stories, any stories, shocking stories, even more shocking stories, even if some of these have to be got by chasing a person around or embellishing things. And I think sometimes they need to be nudged back in line. I see this case Meghan's brought as being about that more than about the individual examples that are going to court.

PS As for individuals commenting on stories in the media....you can't eradicate the horrible and mean comments, and I think the individuals making them should take responsibility for their own words. I don't like it but you can't legislate against it or anything like that.

If an article is written to elicit a certain negative response, and I know some 'independent' media outlets or blogs do that and I think there's not a lot that can be done about that but avoid those outlets. But with the tabloids here that are trying to be newpapers and say they're carrying 'news stories' about the Royals...I think they need to do better. I know some stories are always going to get a negative response, for instance the current ones about Prince Andrew....but that's a totally different category from the sort of thing I'm talking about.

 

[AllyBeeUK]

Was that "ugly sisters" thing even in the papers? That's awful!

I don't like the way Kate was harassed by press prior to her wedding. Fergie got a lot of negative press, too, for instance there were articles about what she ate for dinner at a 'banquet' when she was working for/advertising WeightWatchers.

The celebrity media is even worse with their stories about Royals or celebrities or relatives of people in the news. I don't like it at all.

I don't want higher standards just for stories about Meghan, I want it across the board with regard to 'proper' msm.

I recently watched The Diana Tapes on YouTube, and I was shocked, and yet a lot of it made sense. I don't want that story repeated with other royals, and I am concerned if Harry might be feeling some of those things that Diana talked about in the tapes, or if Kate has felt that, or any of the others. William and Kate seem to have done a good job of telling the media that there are lines but that they will try and give them something in return. I hope Harry and Meghan can do the same thing, but I worry when Harry says that even the cameras at official shoots bother him as well.

I guess I think that even though there have been some agreements made with msm media about privacy for some Royals or in some situations like the children at school and uni, that over time the media are driven by what they feel is demand for more photos, more stories, any stories, shocking stories, even more shocking stories, even if some of these have to be got by chasing a person around or embellishing things. And I think sometimes they need to be nudged back in line. I see this case Meghan's brought as being about that more than about the individual examples that are going to court.

I seem to remember the "ugly sisters" thing was alluded to in a story claiming to be reporting on social media reactions to the wedding, it was so breathtakingly nasty that there was really no reason for it to have been repeated in a "news" story.

People are nasty about public figures across the board. I'm not a fan of her but Victoria Beckham has been on the receiving end of abuse for years about her looks and not being good enough for her husband. It's one of the evils of social media and online forums; people feel emboldened to say things they wouldn't say to someone's face. A lot of it is probably symptomatic of people being insecure in their own lives and envious of those they perceive to have more. That's never going to change, it's one of the more unfortunate aspects of human nature.

Gossip rags are always going to exist while there is demand for them and there has to be a fine line between taking action on bullying and stifling the free press. IMO commenting on a person's looks is unacceptable but that is completely different from having an opinion on a person's words or actions. Public figures are not beyond reproach, particularly those who are funded by tax payers.

William and Catherine seem to have found the right balance between rising above pettiness and taking appropriate action in a dignified manner when the press really have overstepped the mark. It's very sad that H has become so distant from his brother, he could offer him a lot of helpful advice and he is the only other person on the planet who knows exactly what Harry has been through. I do hope they can find their way back to each other.

If H had approached this issue in an "across the board" way I would have supported that but I do think he has a tendency to go overboard and that doesn't help him. He seems to be someone who takes things extremely personally. That is not a criticism, I can be the same way. It is a symptom of my own anxiety which I don't doubt he likely also suffers from. It's something that has to be overcome because it makes normal life extremely difficult, not to mention life in the public eye where you absolutely have to be able to rise above certain things.

I feel as though Harry is a person who would benefit from staying away from the spotlight, whereas Meghan seems to thrive on it. That is not meant as a criticism, it's who she is and good for her. Meghan seems to like to take the lead in public and she is confident enough to do so but sometimes the public don't like that. Harry is the blood royal and people don't always like to see her "pushing ahead" as it may sometimes seem and ia viewed as a breach of protocol. I think H really admires M because she is everything he feels he can't be and that's probably why he fell for her.

I do feel as though they may be better off living overseas, working on the projects of their own choice, in a place where Meghan can take the lead and be the one in the spotlight without it causing issues. They can just see their family at Christmas and special occasions as many people do. If they do wish to remain active members of the royal family, they will need to address the way they do certain things whether it sits well with them or not.

Again, as always this is only my opinion.

Edit: typo

 

[gregjrichards]

It was sad to read that the Queen and Prince Phillip spent their recent wedding anniversary apart. It's their 72nd. I cannot imagine being married to the same person that long!

It got me wondering when the last public sighting of him was and according to the Express it was way back in May. I was floored. Certainly he's been seen carriage driving or something since then right? He's currently at Wood Farm on Sandringham.

Info from Express Prince Philip news, updates, health, age and pictures | Express.co.uk

Prince Philip health fears as Queen celebrates couple's 72nd wedding anniversary alone

The Duke of Edinburgh, 98, has been resting at house on Sandringham estate after apparently feeling unwell, where he suffered a 'wobble,' according to Royal watchers

Prince Philip health fears as Queen celebrates couple's 72nd anniversary alone

This is very sad indeed but not unexpected given the Duke of Edinburgh is 98.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

“The Duke of Edinburgh, 98, has been resting at house on Sandringham estate after apparently feeling unwell, where he suffered a 'wobble,' according to Royal watchers.”


Okay Greg, I’ll bite. What is a “wobble”?

 

[Bravo]

I'm just guessing but a wobble may mean a dizzy spell.

 

[gregjrichards]

I'm just guessing but a wobble may mean a dizzy spell.

Yes most likely the Duke of Edinburgh felt dizzy or unsteady on his feet. Her Majesty must worry about him a great deal.

 

[gregjrichards]

The royal rift continues: 'No one' in the royal family 'is checking in, texting or speaking' to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, source claims to People magazine

No one in the royal family 'is checking in, texting or speaking' to Harry and Meghan | Daily Mail Online

 

[gregjrichards]

Prince Charles 'advised Queen she must sack Prince Andrew to save monarchy'

“The Prince of Wales advised the Queen that she must effectively sack Prince Andrew to safeguard the long-term future of the monarchy, the Evening Standard has learned.

Prince Charles moved decisively to end his brother’s career in public life because of the damage being caused by the Duke of York’s “ill-judged” friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

“This is not about personalities, this is about protecting the institution of the monarchy itself,” a senior figure said.”

Prince Charles 'advised Queen she must sack Andrew to save monarchy'

Prince Andrew scandal ‘biggest royal crisis since death of Diana’

The Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal which has engulfed Prince Andrew is the biggest crisis the royal family has faced since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, a public relations expert has said.

The Duke of York has said in a statement he will step back from public duties for the “foreseeable future”.

Mark Borkowski, a PR and crisis consultant, said the issue was like a “tractor beam” sucking the Royal Family into Andrew’s “black hole” but whoever had taken the decision to issue the statement had saved the monarchy.

Prince Andrew scandal 'biggest royal crisis since death of Diana'

I disagree with these articles I don’t think things are so bad that the Monarchy needs saving. Most people have a lot of respect for Her Majesty, The Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and to a lesser extent Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Andrew is not a very senior royal or an immediate heir to the throne.

I think the PR scandal was worse for the royal family when Princess Diana died it is the first time I can ever remember real public anger towards her Majesty. The scandal of the Union Standard flag at Buckingham Palace not being lowered and the royal family not immediately returning to London seemed worse to me.

 

[Trino]

BBM : yes, that's my point. This is very unbecoming for the Royals and completely inappropriate. They are not celebrities but some of the younger ones seem to think they are and that is what is fuelling this behaviour IMO.

You don't have to believe anything. I know the tweet is there because I have seen it. I can't confirm whether the person is close friends with M as I am not in their inner circle so I couldn't possibly say. It is somebody relatively well known in the UK, somebody I admire actually, and who I follow on twitter which is how I saw it. I don't go seeking out rumours!

I don't like or dislike M, I just don't connect with her. She is not somebody I particularly admire but any view I have of her is certainly not from anything I have read in the newspapers. I've never liked Harry.

Yes, some of the headlines are written to grab attention but that's true of any royal, or celebrity. There's always nasty comments about public figures online under any article and there always will be. This is not exclusive to M and H. I remember reading a story in mainstream media about the Cambridge wedding, depicting Beatrice and Eugenie as the ugly sisters to Kate's Cinderella. That was one of the nastiest things I have ever read. There are comments a few days back on this thread discussing Beatrice's looks which is completely unacceptable IMO. There are constant comments all over the internet about Kate's weight, accusing her of having eating disorders and calling her lazy. These comments appear under every royal story and every post by Royal reporters on social media.

It appears to me that people commenting on Meghan are held to a much higher standard than those commenting on any other royal or celebrity. I don't think it ever acceptable to comment on a person's looks or heritage and it's perfectly possible to dislike someone without being nasty.

H has repeatedly claimed that the press are treating her differently because they are racist, he is not referring to comments under the articles, he is accusing the press as a whole, yet there is no evidence of it. This is causing wider issues IMO because he is creating an image of Britain and the British people as racists, which as we both know is not true. THAT is what concerns me. There is some content previously on this thread regarding Britain and our culture that I think is more than a little off colour.

I do not believe they are being treated any differently to anybody else, quite the opposite in fact. I don't remember any public figures or politicians speaking out for Kate when she was on the receiving end of it.

IMO of course

Edited : typo

It's difficult being a non-royal US raised middle class to assess royalty, but here's my "take."

I feel Charles, W & K are representing royalty well, doing what they're "paid" to do. H & M IMO are also being "paid," but are taking for granted they are owed the right to do whatever they like, be it royal or unroyal. Guess my "take" is don't accept the money if you aren't going to do what's required.

As to Andrew, definitely a different story but glad he's stepped away from royalty. I can't imagine, as a friend of JE, that he had no idea what was going on, especially since many young girls were around. Difficult to believe he didn't participate.

Philip appears to be on the downside of life - always liked him. Sad to see this. Wishing him more years. However, a funeral would bring it all together again.

 

[maggieg]

Does anyone else think that if Andrew had stayed quiet and not given this interview things would have blown over eventually? He shone a spotlight on it and made it major international news again.

Theres a real hubris when people think they are saavy enough to manipulate the public via the media, it rarely works.

Never complain, never explain is tough but it seems to work.

 

[rosemadderlake]

Does anyone else think that if Andrew had stayed quiet and not given this interview things would have blown over eventually? He shone a spotlight on it and made it major international news again.

Theres a real hubris when people think they are saavy enough to manipulate the public via the media, it rarely works.

Never complain, never explain is tough but it seems to work.

Yes, absolutely. It’s like he unearthed a trove of the worst damaging information.

And, frankly, I was surprised he took this tack.

One of Princess Di’s biggest regrets was her TMI interview back in ‘96.

I’m surprised PA went ahead with the interview considering how Meghan and Harry’s film was received with a barrage of negative press.

Meghan is a lightweight playing a role she’s obviously illequiped for. Harry, always has been somewhat of a loose canon but we feel for him, and want his happiness.

While I think it’s all well and good to support mental health awareness, a really important cause, H&M’s misstep is like me going out and representing an important company (in their case, the Firm) and going on a rambling dialog about my own personal grievances and troubles... I’d be fired tomorrow.

PA nailed his own coffin with his despicable association with a malicious predator in which he was trying to pass himself off as “too honorable”, for keeping up the friendship / associations... what horrible judgement on his part.

And Meghan and Harry aren’t really representing the BRF.

So, I do think PC has some difficult things to think about. He really is Her Majesty’s right arm. And she shouldn’t have to field these crises all alone. Imo.

 

[Bravo]

I get the Queen is aging but she comes from a staunch era and has lived it most of her adult life. I think she is fully equipped to deal with crisis/scandal. She has dealt with it many, many other times. IMO

 

[AllyBeeUK]

It's difficult being a non-royal US raised middle class to assess royalty, but here's my "take."

I feel Charles, W & K are representing royalty well, doing what they're "paid" to do. H & M IMO are also being "paid," but are taking for granted they are owed the right to do whatever they like, be it royal or unroyal. Guess my "take" is don't accept the money if you aren't going to do what's required.

As to Andrew, definitely a different story but glad he's stepped away from royalty. I can't imagine, as a friend of JE, that he had no idea what was going on, especially since many young girls were around. Difficult to believe he didn't participate.

Philip appears to be on the downside of life - always liked him. Sad to see this. Wishing him more years. However, a funeral would bring it all together again.

I can't disagree with any of that, to be honest.

I'm not a Harry fan but I must admit I am concerned for him as a fellow human being.

 

[Herat]

Prince Charles 'advised Queen she must sack Prince Andrew to save monarchy'

Prince Andrew scandal ‘biggest royal crisis since death of Diana’

I disagree with these articles I don’t think things are so bad that the Monarchy needs saving. Most people have a lot of respect for Her Majesty, The Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and to a lesser extent Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Andrew is not a very senior royal or an immediate heir to the throne.

It's entirely probable that The Queen asked Prince Charles for advice on this matter and he gave the opinion to have Prince Andrew withdraw from official duties. She would realize Charles will have to deal with Andrew's future. And IMHO, it's very likely that Prince Charles will trim the royal succession by removing Prince Andrew, Eugenie, and Beatrice from it. And likely Harry, too. All of that seems like a good thing to be lining up with this mess.

What confuses me is why Prince Andrew was persuaded to have an open interview with the media without having made sure he had been cleared legally by the FBI or other US investigating agency. It seems as though he was interviewed by an agency of the UK, with the Crown's consent, but that was not the agency who was investigating all the alleged crimes of Epstein. As a long-time personal friend of Ghislane, first, then Epstein, Prince Andrew would have been a necessary witness to interview for the US criminal proceedings.

He would have had more credibility if he had been able to declare with validity that he had cooperated with all agencies. He also seems to hide behind a "courtly" dismissive manner of speaking when he is openly confronted about the ugly facts. Maybe it would have worked in the courts of 1700, but is pompous and arrogant in the contemporary setting of the BBC interview. Emily Maitlis was precise and uncompromising in her questioning and he answered like an 0ld potentate of ages ago, hiding behind his royal privilege, without frankness or honesty.

 

[DonnaFan]

There was that blind item that said this celebrity had convinced her husband he is just a wounded child whose family never supported him and she has done some mild(?) brainwashing to drive a wedge between him and his brother, who were very close. People guessed either Meghan or Olivia Munn, then it was revealed it was Meghan and she spoke at some event saying we are all wounded, using that same language as the blind item. When I look at how Harry was so close to his family, he was so close to Kate he called her a sister and pinched her bottom at an event to make her and the others around her laugh, and now he won't spend the holidays with his elderly family members he was always close with, it makes me think Meghan has manipulated him to become completely dependent upon her. She's isolating him from his family and gaslighting him and now has a baby to include in the us vs. the unfair world who's so mean to them. I never had an opinion on her until recently and there's red flags all over.

 

[AllyBeeUK]

Well, would you look at that! Right on cue, he must have heard us...

Prince Charles is now pulling the strings of the monarchy | Coffee House

 

[Herat]

There was that blind item that said this celebrity had convinced her husband he is just a wounded child whose family never supported him and she has done some mild(?) brainwashing to drive a wedge between him and his brother, who were very close. People guessed either Meghan or Olivia Munn, then it was revealed it was Meghan and she spoke at some event saying we are all wounded, using that same language as the blind item. When I look at how Harry was so close to his family, he was so close to Kate he called her a sister and pinched her bottom at an event to make her and the others around her laugh, and now he won't spend the holidays with his elderly family members he was always close with, it makes me think Meghan has manipulated him to become completely dependent upon her. She's isolating him from his family and gaslighting him and now has a baby to include in the us vs. the unfair world who's so mean to them. I never had an opinion on her until recently and there's red flags all over.

That kind of behavior is very classic for a narcissist: Isolation of the victim, gaslighting, love bombing.

I think Harry is very damaged, far more so than we knew and a good empath. That makes the ideal target for a narcissist

 

[Herat]

I remember that Beatrice was wearing that awful awful hat for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton because her mother, Sarah Ferguson, was not invited by intent.

I find it quite plausible, but the shame falls more on Beatrice than her mother for the stunt

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Daily Mash report (aka fake but funny!!) about Prince Andrew

59-year-old grounded by his mum