The British Royal Family - news, views, clothes & shoes! #9

[Kensie]

I agree, let Princess Diana rest in peace. I never liked Elton John and will never like him. He did not need to put this in his book. He could have left it at that he and Princess Diana were friends. I wish everyone would just leave Princess Diana alone and let her rest in peace. I truly admired Princess Diana.

 

[gregjrichards]

Prince Harry launches legal action against Mirror and Sun over alleged phone-hacking​

The Duke of Sussex has launched two separate legal proceedings against the owners of the Daily Mirror and The Sun newspapers over alleged phone-hacking in the latest round of litigation against the UK press, it has been reported.

The precise subject of the legal action is currently unknown, with the palace reportedly confirming claims have been filed with the High Court "regarding the illegal interception of voicemail messages".

It is unclear when the alleged activity took place, and whether they relate to the phone hacking scandal of the early 2000's in which it was found journalists had accessed the private voicemail accounts of celebrities and members of the public at large to find and support stories

Surely any legal action should've been taken long before now? Is this still an 'open case'?
Isn't there a deadline for these things?
There was 4000+ hacking victims, can any of them just willy-nilly keep filing legal action even after the conclusion of the investigations, inquiries etc?
I find it hard to believe The Sun or the Mirror would be that stupid this could be fresh claims of hacking in recent years
Then again maybe not

This is getting ridiculous.
The Independent

“In particular, time is frequently ‘of the essence’ in defamation and other publication claims; the limitation period is (uniquely) only 1 year in defamation and malicious falsehood cases, and often, a Claimant will be seeking an immediate correction and/or apology as part of the process of restoring his/her reputation.”

Pre-action Protocol for Media and Communications Claims - Civil Procedure Rules

According to this legal document dated 1st October 2019 you only have a year to raise a defamation or malicious falsehood case against the media. I know this phone hacking case is not directly linked to these kind of cases but there must be a limitation period.

It would not surprise me if some media outlets were still hacking phones even after the scandal they are so desperate they will resort to pretty much anything for a story. Perhaps the Palace discovered damaging information was going to be released from recent phone hacking involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and they wanted to put a stop to it happening before it was printed. I think this may involve voicemails to and from Thomas Markle and The Duchess of Sussex. It is going to be interesting to see what happens with the court cases and if the information about this claim will remain confidential it should in my opinion.

 

[Kensie]

I always thought that the Royals would have phones that have encrypted conversations, kind of like the President of the USA.
The Royals phone conversations should and need to be protected.

 

[AllyBeeUK]

And other children to whom death has happened are constantly under the microscope. They are expected to buck up .

Oh, never mind.

Harry talks about mental health help he has had. I imagine he has been taught that he is not a door mat. No one owns him.

Where do people get off thinking that they control what he wants to do with his life?

Like William? Harry is not Diana's only son. He is a minor royal, 6th in line to the throne, if he is unhappy he can step back from royal duties. H and M do not represent themselves, they represent the Royal Family and more importantly the people of the United Kingdom. He cannot do what he wants, when he wants. Harry is under no obligation, he could give up his title and move abroad with his family where they can do their own charity work representing only themselves, nobody would blame him. But until then the British taxpayers will expect a certain standard of behaviour. The Royal Family work to represent us as a nation, something we have no choice in. We are not their lowly subjects permanently bent at the knee.

I guess the press might was well get enraged themselves instead of worrying about Brexit and all of that.

Harry and Meghan are so much easier upon which to focus

The press are focusing on Brexit 24/7 we hear about almost nothing else. It's possible to report on more than one story at one time.

 

[Elley Mae]

Revealed: Prince Harry has launched High Court action against Sun and the Mirror over claims his voicemail messages were hacked, as war on press escalates

Prince Harry launches legal action against the Sun and the Mirror | Daily Mail Online

....

Voicemail messages.

Years ago I was seeing this guy, while I was out and about and he was at his place I stopped by my place and my phone rang, I couldn’t get it in time and then I could here tones, it was him calling my phone and retrieving/listening to my messages. Iirc you used a three digit code to listening to your messages from another phone. Sounds like that could be what happened.

 

[Elley Mae]

In 2014, the Old Bailey heard that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were hacked almost every day by the News of the World.

Prince William was hacked 35 times while Kate's phone messages were intercepted 155 times in the space of a few months between 2005 and 2006 - including on Christmas Day and Valentine's Day.

How the young royals have fallen victim to the press

 

[gregjrichards]

“Queen wants to pay someone £22K to live at Buckingham Palace and look after horses

The Palace is looking for someone with a passion for horses and experience of working in a yard for the full-time position - and you get to live there.”

Queen to wants pay horse-lover £22K to live at Buckingham Palace

 

[human]

“Queen wants to pay someone £22K to live at Buckingham Palace and look after horses

The Palace is looking for someone with a passion for horses and experience of working in a yard for the full-time position - and you get to live there.”

Queen to wants pay horse-lover £22K to live at Buckingham Palace

View attachment 207786

Do you think it is very much? Does not seem like it . Even if you include room and board

 

[human]

In 2014, the Old Bailey heard that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were hacked almost every day by the News of the World.

Prince William was hacked 35 times while Kate's phone messages were intercepted 155 times in the space of a few months between 2005 and 2006 - including on Christmas Day and Valentine's Day.

How the young royals have fallen victim to the press

Some good quotes

In a statement read to a Paris court by a lawyer, Prince William said the case was "all the more painful" because of the way the paparazzi hounded his mother before her death in the French capital 20 years ago.

Re Harry and Meghan

It went on to say: "It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms Markle should be subjected to such a storm. He knows commentators will say this is 'the price she has to pay' and that 'this is all part of the game'. He strongly disagrees. This is not a game - it is her life and his.

"He has asked for this statement to be issued in the hope that those in the press who have been driving this story can pause and reflect before any further damage is done."

However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's legal action proves the problem didn't go away.

Much more re Prince George in the article——

In 2015, a letter from Kensington Palace was published warning paparazzi photographers about going to "extreme lengths to observe and monitor" the children - in particular Prince George.

 

[Keine Engel]

I guess the press might was well get enraged themselves instead of worrying about Brexit and all of that.

Harry and Meghan are so much easier upon which to focus

The Press themselves ARE the biggest NEWS story in the U.K. Right Now

Harry & Meghan choose to make this decision themselves, knowing full well this would make headline news for the whole of the British media.

Do you really think the Brexit (never ending) saga is a more worthy 'breaking news headline' than 'The Statement' released publically by a British Prince (the future King(s) of England son & only brother no less ) which is basically declaring war on the entire British media, in general, is of higher concern in the interests of the British population?

He knew exactly what was gonna happen the minute he posted that 'Statement' on the public, official 'HRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex' account

Hmmm...
'The official account of HRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex'
'Privacy'?

Oh, the irony.

You honestly don't see how Harry & Meghan have themselves, knowingly & deliberately, brought the focus of the whole British press onto them? They were fully aware this would make them the headlines news story.

I think @AllyBeeUK explains in detail, including the 'irony' here

... He is a minor royal...
they represent the Royal Family and more importantly the people of the United Kingdom. He cannot do what he wants, when he wants. Harry is under no obligation, he could give up his title and move abroad with his family where they can do their own charity work representing only themselves, nobody would blame him. But until then the British taxpayers will expect a certain standard of behaviour. The Royal Family work to represent us as a nation, something we have no choice in. We are not their lowly subjects permanently bent at the knee.

The press are focusing on Brexit 24/7 we hear about almost nothing else. It's possible to report on more than one story at one time.

And it's already starting to implode on them...

Prince Harry’s ‘pent-up rage’ could backfire on him, say commentators
​

The Duke of Sussex’s unprecedented statement unleashing pent-up fury against the British tabloid press over its treatment of his wife may prove counter-productive, royal commentators have claimed.

The statement, which Harry is understood to have personally penned, was released on the couple’s official website as it was announced on Tuesday that the Duchess of Sussex is suing the Mail on Sunday...
Statement by His Royal Highness
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

..Roy Greenslade told Radio 4’s Today programme: “Is [Harry] taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut here? I think he may well find that this is counter-productive.”

Stephen Bates, author of Royalty Inc . “I think the coverage has been pretty snippy about Meghan, sometimes with reasonable cause, private jets and all that. But she is in no way comparable to Diana, because she has been much better shielded, and she’s in a much less vulnerable position, and a much less vulnerable person.”

The Guardian < older article - used as 'Statement' linked

 

[Keine Engel]

I agree, let Princess Diana rest in peace. I never liked Elton John and will never like him...
I wish everyone would just leave Princess Diana alone and let her rest in peace. I truly admired Princess Diana

Yeah, like Harry.

Note: I haven't got to reading the linked article yet so 'no comment'

 

[gregjrichards]

Do you think it is very much? Does not seem like it . Even if you include room and board

It’s not a lot particularly for living in London. Jobs with the royal family do not pay well but it is worth it if you don’t need the money. Having work experience working with the royal family is great to put on your CV and can provide great opportunities in the future for your career.

 

[human]

The Press themselves ARE the biggest NEWS story in the U.K. Right Now

Harry & Meghan choose to make this decision themselves, knowing full well this would make headline news for the whole of the British media.

Do you really think the Brexit (never ending) saga is a more worthy 'breaking news headline' than 'The Statement' released publically by a British Prince (the future King(s) of England son & only brother no less ) which is basically declaring war on the entire British media, in general, is of higher concern in the interests of the British population?

He knew exactly what was gonna happen the minute he posted that 'Statement' on the public, official 'HRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex' account

Hmmm...
'The official account of HRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex'
'Privacy'?

Oh, the irony.

You honestly don't see how Harry & Meghan have themselves, knowingly & deliberately, brought the focus of the whole British press onto them? They were fully aware this would make them the headlines news story.

I think @AllyBeeUK explains in detail, including the 'irony' here


And it's already starting to implode on them...

Prince Harry’s ‘pent-up rage’ could backfire on him, say commentators
​

The Duke of Sussex’s unprecedented statement unleashing pent-up fury against the British tabloid press over its treatment of his wife may prove counter-productive, royal commentators have claimed.

The statement, which Harry is understood to have personally penned, was released on the couple’s official website as it was announced on Tuesday that the Duchess of Sussex is suing the Mail on Sunday...
Statement by His Royal Highness
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

..Roy Greenslade told Radio 4’s Today programme: “Is [Harry] taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut here? I think he may well find that this is counter-productive.”

Stephen Bates, author of Royalty Inc . “I think the coverage has been pretty snippy about Meghan, sometimes with reasonable cause, private jets and all that. But she is in no way comparable to Diana, because she has been much better shielded, and she’s in a much less vulnerable position, and a much less vulnerable person.”

The Guardian < older article - used as 'Statement' linked

Looking at it from outside the UK Harry and Meghan are of interest in a celebrity sort of way.

The Brexit issue will affect the Uk and the world. That is real not Meghan and Harry fluff.

 

[Keine Engel]

...It would not surprise me if some media outlets were still hacking phones even after the scandal...
Perhaps the Palace discovered damaging information was going to be released from recent phone hacking involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and they wanted to put a stop to it happening before it was printed. I think this may involve voicemails to and from Thomas Markle and The Duchess of Sussex. It is going to be interesting to see what happens with the court cases and if the information about this claim will remain confidential it should in my opinion.

Sorry for the barrage of posts, I'm catching-up.

Quite honestly at this point I wouldn't be surprised by anything.

All I can say is, if this hacking was recently, I don't know who's the more stupid? The media thinking it would be a 'good idea' they could get away with it?! Or Harry (& Meg) NOT encrypting EVERYTHING

Good grief, they have SAS (Terrorism) Security advisers who work for the Palace for this exact kind of thing.

 

[Keine Engel]

“Queen wants to pay someone £22K to live at Buckingham Palace and look after horses

The Palace is looking for someone with a passion for horses and experience of working in a yard for the full-time position - and you get to live there.”

Queen to wants pay horse-lover £22K to live at Buckingham Palace

View attachment 207786

Now this I could be tempted by...

Do you think it is very much? Does not seem like it . Even if you include room and board

Well if you take into consideration the cost of living & eating in London that would probably equate to more than triple the salary

 

[Keine Engel]

Looking at it from outside the UK Harry and Meghan are of interest in a celebrity sort of way.

The Brexit issue will affect the Uk and the world. That is real not Meghan and Harry fluff.

But WHY release that 'Statement' (this is the big issue, not the suing or privicy complaints-that's not a big deal) publicly on 'HRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex'?

It's that which has brought on the onslaught of media attention (Harry KNEW that would happen)
By doing that he has made it officially an act by his (& Megs) 'HRH Working Royal' positions.
Who we (the British Taxpayers) pay to fund, the lifestyle of, so we DO have a say in how that money is spent & the 'Working PAID Royals' DO have a duty to the expectations of the British public.

Brexit has been dragging on for 4(?) years now & frankly at this point it's out of our (Brits in general) hands what happens.
I think the majority of us are sick of the whole mess & just want it to end.
Whatever happens is gonna happen one way or another, we'll just have to deal with it when it does.

 

[AllyBeeUK]

Looking at it from outside the UK Harry and Meghan are of interest in a celebrity sort of way.

The Brexit issue will affect the Uk and the world. That is real not Meghan and Harry fluff.

You have highlighted the exact problem. Harry and Meghan can be working Royals or they can be celebrities, they cannot be both. If Harry wants to live the celebrity lifestyle more power to him but he can do it on his own shilling.

Harry could have taken action against the press without the accompanying temper tantrum. The Royals need the press as much, probably more than the press need them. As the late Queen Mother used to say "never complain, never explain."

I'm not sure what you mean about Brexit? The press are reporting on Brexit on an hourly basis. It's not their job to sort it out, that's for parliament to do.

The Kardashians are "fluff" the British Monarchy are a thousands of years old institution which we all contribute to whether we like it or not.

I've never understood why everyone thinks Harry is some caped crusader when he's just an overly pampered prince.

 

[AllyBeeUK]

But WHY release that 'Statement' (this is the big issue, not the suing or privicy complaints-that's not a big deal) publicly on 'HRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex'?

It's that which has brought on the onslaught of media attention (Harry KNEW that would happen)
By doing that he has made it officially an act by his (& Megs) 'HRH Working Royal' positions.
Who we (the British Taxpayers) pay to fund, the lifestyle of, so we DO have a say in how that money is spent & the 'Working PAID Royals' DO have a duty to the expectations of the British public.

Brexit has been dragging on for 4(?) years now & frankly at this point it's out of our (Brits in general) hands what happens.
I think the majority of us are sick of the whole mess & just want it to end.
Whatever happens is gonna happen one way or another, we'll just have to deal with it when it does.

I couldn't agree more. The Royal Family are our heritage and God-willing the Monarchy will still be standing long after H and M have gone. We don't just turn our backs on thousands of years of culture and tradition because they decide they want to "do things differently."

 

[mickey2942]

I couldn't agree more. The Royal Family are our heritage and God-willing the Monarchy will still be standing long after H and M have gone. We don't just turn our backs on thousands of years of culture and tradition because they decide they want to "do things differently."

The increasing diversity in UK, especially England, and the older generation that remains to remember World War II is shrinking. My personal belief is that unless people view the Monarchy as "important", their popularity is going to shrink.

The best plan for the Monarchy, would be to skip Prince Charles, INMO, and embrace Prince William, with his normal and adorable family.

Prince Harry would probably be better off if he just stopped his tantrums. Where would the royals be without the constant spotlight? Do they want coverage? It doesn't go just when you want it. If he wants out of the spotlight, bow out, and get a job.

 

[gregjrichards]

I couldn't agree more. The Royal Family are our heritage and God-willing the Monarchy will still be standing long after H and M have gone. We don't just turn our backs on thousands of years of culture and tradition because they decide they want to "do things differently."

I hope this is the case I don’t think the Monarchy will be under threat in my lifetime (I’m 35). My concern is that there won’t be the same level of enthusiasm and respect for the royal family when Her Majesty is very sadly no longer with us.