Royalty Thread #8.....A Pregnant Pause

[MsZem]

Charles and Letizia, appreciating some art. As always I am appreciative of Letizia's sartorial choices.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...rous-joins-Prince-Wales-National-Gallery.html

 

[skatesindreams]

New offices for Harry and Meghan; with the Queen's approval:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/14/uk/british-royals-duke-duchess-sussex-intl-gbr/index.html

 

[kittyjake5]

What is up with Charles’ ill fitting suits lately. He needs a new tailor pronto.

 

[Lorac]

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive to honour Irish Guards on St. Patrick's Day

Kate as always looking elegant in green - the article says emerald but I'm not in agreement - and the Duke is in full military attire as befits his rank as Colonel of the Irish Guards. Love the pictures of Kate with Domhnall, a seven-year-old Irish wolfhound and mascot of the Irish Guards as she presents the traditional sprigs of shamrock.

 

[clairecloutier]

^^ I would call that color forest green. It's too dark to be emerald.

So we must be getting close to Meghan’s due date, right? I'm looking forward to pictures of the baby.

 

[Winnipeg]

I don't know what shade of green that is but agree too dark for emerald. No matter, I like the outfit!

She does not look to happy though.

Megan's due date soon. It will be great to see what the baby looks like.

 

[Lorac]

I don't know what shade of green that is but agree too dark for emerald. No matter, I like the outfit!

She does not look to happy though.

Megan's due date soon. It will be great to see what the baby looks like.

Not sure which pictures you are looking at but Kate is positively beaming in those pictures. The one where she is serious is where the salute is being taken.

Well Meghan has apparently started her maternity leave so I would say the due date is within the next few weeks.

 

[Winnipeg]

Glad to hear it, I think it was the video clip but she certainly looked fantastic in that outfit

 

[aftershocks]

I like the early look on Meghan, except for the hat. Her late day look though, the shoes!

I thought the green coat with black embroidered accents would have worked better for Commonwealth Day Service, and the white outfit Meghan could have worn earlier in the day to Canada House, without that hat! Ah but, as has been pointed out in some quarters, Kate was wearing red to the church service, so Meghan in green and black might have clashed. I think Kate's hat was rather small, and the red coat dress sported way too many buttons, but she looked good overall.

In any case, I really didn't get the white outfit Meghan wore to the Commonwealth Day Service. The coat and dress (by Victoria Beckham) might have been okay without Meghan wearing what looked like a white nurse's hat rather than a Jackie Kennedy/ Audrey Hepburn vibe pillbox hat. It probably didn't help that my first view of this outfit on Meghan was via Gary Janetti's mean-George meme Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu4MLpvnQPm/

What was up with the chain-link pattern on Meghan's dress, and the textured fabric of the white coat, plus the coat being shorter than the dress? The all-over white in this style somehow washed her out, although that's not always the case for other white outfits she's worn. OTOH, Meghan is so gorgeous, she can pretty much carry off anything, but the only thing I liked was the color of her shoes, even though I'm still stumped how she's able to continue wearing such high heels in the advanced stages of pregnancy. Ouch!

Oh no. Janetti is moving into other European royalty territory...
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvC4ccSHBWx/

I'm not exactly sure if this one is really all that funny, considering, but Janetti is relentless in his observations: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvAvxaxnko8/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu7Ee7FgYnu/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu4wJ17Hhea/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu4H55xlscJ/ Supportive bond captured between Charles & Meghan

 

[aftershocks]

So we must be getting close to Meghan’s due date, right? I'm looking forward to pictures of the baby.

Meghan certainly looks ready to give birth already. Supposedly, it should be sometime in mid-April. But no one aside from those directly involved have exact knowledge of the due date. According to what Meghan mentioned on a walkabout in January, she may give birth mid-to-late April. Surely she and Harry are enjoying these last precious weeks of this first pregnancy.

Gary Janetti just can't help himself! And the comments of some people posting only reveal who they are, as opposed to those who are simply laughing because it's parody and meant to be funny! https://www.instagram.com/p/BvKJDelHNJZ/ I like the rejoinders: "Bet she's asking herself the same question" and "I guarantee she feels the same way"

It will be interesting to see what the baby looks like at birth. Some babies of African heritage and/ or Native American heritage have heads full of hair at birth. And Meghan herself has naturally thick curly hair.
Meghan at age 3 or 4: https://peopledotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/meghan-markle-13.jpg
Meghan as a toddler; age 7 as a flower girl; age 14 middle school graduation photo with straightened hair: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pQ71hiju1U4/maxresdefault.jpg

Hmmm, interesting observation even if coming from dedicated Meghan ubers:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvLO5qGlRo8/

 

[mag]

Harry is a god father to Lena Tindall

https://www.elle.com/culture/celebr...age-dior-coat-dress-lena-tindall-christening/

 

[aftershocks]

What is up with Charles’ ill fitting suits lately. He needs a new tailor pronto.

Oh, I think Prince Charles has a good tailor. He's just older and not as svelte as he once was. Actually, his body shape was never very lean and svelte, but he carried less weight in his younger years. He's seemingly fit for his age, and he certainly stays very busy, as detailed in the recent documentary, Prince Charles: Son & Heir.

New offices for Harry and Meghan; with the Queen's approval:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/14/uk/british-royals-duke-duchess-sussex-intl-gbr/index.html

Yes, an arrangement that has apparently been in the works for some time:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celeb...arry-splitting-prince-william-kate-middleton/
Royal journalist Omid Scobie is usually on point and fair, and he has some insider sources. He had once interviewed Meghan for a U.S. publication well before she began dating Prince Harry.

In recent days, there are as usual negative slants abounding to counter anything straightforward and positive released about Meghan. E.g., stories claiming that M&H wished to set up their own independent court/household, but the request was nixed by the Queen & Prince Charles. Even if that's true in essence, the way it's being framed by some media accounts is typically OTT negative. It could simply be that the major royals were in discussion regarding how to manage the Wales brothers splitting their households. M&H may have made their preferences known, and then the Queen and Prince Charles ultimately offered this alternative. Or else, they are all viciously bickering and at war NOT. Whatever the case may be, Meghan is very savvy, intelligent, hardworking and nobody's doormat.

What I am fascinated to learn is the fact that an American, Sara Latham (a former Hillary Clinton senior advisor), has been selected as the Duke & Duchess of Sussex's new Head of Communications, reporting to QE-II's Communications Secretary, Donal McCabe:
https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertai...-markle-head-communications-sara-latham.html/

Here's an old interview with Sara Latham, when she was working in Healthcare P.R.:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1vU7IaT5R8

I wonder how Latham got hooked up with the Sussexes? Latham also previously worked for President Obama, so there's another connection (in addition to the above article's revelations that Latham has professional ties to Tony Blair and to Bill Clinton's 1990s re-election campaign)! She definitely has solid credentials.

Meghan admires and supported Hillary Clinton for President, but I'm not sure she's ever met Hillary in person. Hillary was surely one of Meghan's role models growing up. At the age of 11, Meghan wrote to First Lady Hillary Clinton and Gloria Allred re concerns about the sexist scripting of the famous dish soap commercial (which as a result was later reworded). There's a Nickelodeon video on Youtube that documents this episode in young Meghan's life.

ETA:
Okay, the article on Latham suggests that George Clooney possibly introduced Latham to the Sussexes, who were impressed by her credentials, and by her 'firm but fair' approach. Although the connection could just as easily been via the Obamas, or someone in the U.K. government (as Latham has previous professional ties to the U.K. government).

George Clooney on Good Morning Britain, charmingly discusses his and Amal's recent attendance at BP, celebrating a Prince Charles charity. Clooney is such a cool dude: smart, engaging, witty, and a high-achiever too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXcGiSyQcRM

 

[Jenny]

I can't imagine what it's like to have to come up with gorgeous new outfits so often this late in pregnancy. Kate often recycles her clothes, but what are they supposed to do with all those huge dresses? And there have to be days when Meghan would rather throw on a pair of sweats and call it a day

 

[taf2002]

@aftershocks, Gary Janetti comes off to me as mean & attention-getting, not funny.

 

[Jenny]

I think Gary Janetti is hilarious

 

[Habs]

I can't imagine what it's like to have to come up with gorgeous new outfits so often this late in pregnancy. Kate often recycles her clothes, but what are they supposed to do with all those huge dresses? And there have to be days when Meghan would rather throw on a pair of sweats and call it a day

Late in pregnancy, I was wearing t-shirt dresses or maxi skirts and t-shirts with flip-flops. These women amaze me.

 

[ballettmaus]

I can't imagine what it's like to have to come up with gorgeous new outfits so often this late in pregnancy. Kate often recycles her clothes, but what are they supposed to do with all those huge dresses?

Keep them for future pregnancies and then hand them to other members of the family, maybe? Or maybe they can be made smaller?

 

[skatesindreams]

The Sussexes visit New Zealand House to offer their condolences:
https://people.com/royals/meghan-markle-prince-harry-honor-new-zealand-shooting-victims/

 

[Japanfan]

Late in pregnancy, I was wearing t-shirt dresses or maxi skirts and t-shirts with flip-flops. These women amaze me.

They gain privilege, luxury and wealth, in exchange for giving up their privacy to a large degree, being in the public spotlight and having to meet certain obligations, such as looking/dressing the right away. Costs and benefits.

It's not an exchange I would ever willingly agree to, but Kate knew the deal she was signing up for.

 

[aftershocks]

@aftershocks, Gary Janetti comes off to me as mean & attention-getting, not funny.

Yes, most of Janetti's comments are absolutely harsh, and he gets a lot of traffic from royalty despisers, and above all from repulsive Meghan-hating trolls. Plus, the whole idea of using images of young Prince George does cross the line on any number of occasions. The one-liners are definitely mean for the most part. Some of it is funny taken at parody value. The last several posts though are just piling on Meghan, a pregnant woman after all, who will soon be giving birth. So I send positive thoughts and well wishes to the Sussexes!

The Sussexes visit New Zealand House to offer their condolences:
https://people.com/royals/meghan-markle-prince-harry-honor-new-zealand-shooting-victims/

Despite the somber occasion, that is an absolutely gorgeous coat Meghan is wearing (probably one of her last appearances before giving birth). It's dreadful what happened though in New Zealand. I find myself in public spaces, keeping in mind how bad stuff can absolutely happen anywhere at any time these days.


Here's a brief feature on one of Diana PofW's Spencer nieces:
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainme...l-wedding-created-unexpected-attention-on-her

 

[mag]

Kate out in the park with U.K. Scouting:

https://whatkatewore.com

Love the photo of Kate in the den. I am also coveting her boots!

 

[mag]

Queen Elizabeth has apparently voluntarily agreed not to drive on public roads.

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/s...queen-elizabeth-to-stop-driving-public-roads/

 

[kittyjake5]

No baby news yet. Should be soon.

I remember my 9th month of pregnancy all I wanted to do was lay
on the couch and complain. My usual sunny personality went on hiatus.

 

[Kruss]

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@SussexRoyal) now have their own Instagram!

 

[aftershocks]

Princess Eugenie welcomes her cousins to Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvw33E2lFzv/

The new account with first post indicating this is the official Sussex account since there are so many Sussex fan Instagram accounts floating out there:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvw33E2lFzv/

This is nice to hear, as Meghan had a lovely well-curated Instagram prior to her marriage. Also, Prince Harry has been instrumental in advocating, well before he met Meghan, for the royals to update their profile by utilizing social media, and thereby reaching a wider audience.

As well @KensingtonRoyal (KP's Twitter) is now slated for exclusive coverage of the Cambridges:
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/meghan-markle-prince-harry-just-144200094.html

No baby news yet. Should be soon.

Probably the Sussexes will use their Instagram to share photos of the baby after it's born. It's not clear where Meghan will be giving birth. Some reports suggest it's more likely Meghan will give birth at a hospital close to Windsor, since they are expected to move into their new home at Frogmore Cottage in the next week or so. It's a tight window, since the baby is expected anywhere from the third week of April forward. If that's the case, the new little Sussex will be born close to the Queen's and to Prince Louis' birthdates.

ETA:
It'd be cool if the Sussexes decided to share some photos of Guy and the new dog. Meghan has been a huge advocate of #adoptdontshop on behalf of shelter dogs. Thus she posted so many photos of Guy and Bogart on her former Instagram. Additional good news to share is that a group of Sussex fans started a #GlobalSussexBabyShower campaign for fans to give donations to Sussex charities and patronages in honor of baby Sussex's impending birth. The charities have been overwhelmed by and deeply grateful for the huge response. Side note: The campaign was launched on March 31, which is when Mother's Day is celebrated in England!

In connection with dogs, I'm feeling sad about my sister and her (now adult) kids having lost one of their dogs recently. He was 15 and he had a good life. But it grabs at the heart so much. When you care for an animal, they become so much a part of everything. It's a huge loss, but it's comforting to know their wonderful boy is at peace.

 

[Japanfan]

In connection with dogs, I'm feeling sad about my sister and her (now adult) kids having lost one of their dogs recently. He was 15 and he had a good life. But it grabs at the heart so much. When you care for an animal, they become so much a part of everything. It's a huge loss, but it's comforting to know their wonderful boy is at peace.

I'm sorry, aftershocks. 15 is a good old age for a dog, especially a bigger one. But the loss of a pet always leaves a hole in one's heart.

 

[aftershocks]

I'm sorry, aftershocks. 15 is a good old age for a dog, especially a bigger one. But the loss of a pet always leaves a hole in one's heart.

Thank you. Yes, 15 is definitely a good, long age for a dog, and the loss of a pet definitely always hurts whenever it happens. He was a Chow-Collie mix -- the sweetest, the best, as everyone says who has a pet they love. He belonged to my younger sister and her kids. She got him and his sister as pups for her kids a few years after her husband died from a sudden rare illness during his military service. I love animals, and so I loved him and I love his sister the same as them being my neice and nephew.

Actually, both he and his sister (both Chow-Collie mixes) have been quite healthy and active all their lives for dogs of their size and breed, because they were/are so well taken care of. The boy was beginning to slow down a bit over the past couple of years. But it's always hard to accept, and sometimes even difficult to fully recognize the signs. Anyway, as all dear pets are, he was a good, sweet animal and a blessing for those who loved him. Now, it's about finding acceptance, moving forward, and making sure the one still alive continues to have a happy life for the rest of her days. She seems a bit stronger, and she's always had a feisty, independent personality, whereas the boy dog was more sensitive, laid-back and obedient. My sister was just telling me how some years ago the boy dog actually saved the girl dog from expiring of heat exhaustion by loudly barking and warning my sister that something was wrong. These particular dogs rarely bark unless they have a reason to, and you can tell a normal bark from a frantic one.

Because I had a beagle growing up, I immediately adored seeing pics of Meghan's sweet Guy. It's such a lovely, amazing story that she rescued Guy from a Kentucky kill shelter and brought him to Toronto to be a companion and brother to her Bogart (a shepherd-lab mix). And then one day, beagle Guy not only goes from a doomed, abandoned dog to beloved, cherished, and well cared for, he also suddenly finds himself riding in a limo with the Queen of England. The natural order of things I suppose, since Meghan has always treated Guy & Bogart royally.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lzmU0WOrVoQ/hqdefault.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/paXd63scz3I/maxresdefault.jpg
http://www.hvmag.com/Meghan-Markle-Dog-The-Duchess-and-Guy/
ETA: There are two additional books written about Guy -- His Royal Dogness: Guy the Beagle, by Camille March; and Guy the Regal Beagle (from lost to found), by Laurie Del-Pino, et al.

Meghan once told the story on Instagram how she ended up adopting Bogart at a Los Angeles shelter because she ran into Ellen DeGeneres there who told her she should adopt him. It had to be hard for Meghan leaving Bogart behind with friends because he was not in optimum condition to travel overseas. I hope Bogart is doing well.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlRmjbb2...eMnmBvrJ67epkGDwM0hTiXRgCLcBGAs/s1600/111.jpg
http://interactive.nydailynews.com/meghan-markle-profile/img/meghan-markle-dogs.jpg
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/07/14/3A26CB3900000578-3913252-image-m-22_1478530655674.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/8e/81/9d8e81e92211f87a975faa504564eaa3.jpg

 

[taf2002]

I love this part:

Because I had a beagle growing up, I immediately adored seeing pics of Meghan's sweet Guy. It's such a lovely, amazing story that she rescued Guy from a Kentucky kill shelter and brought him to Toronto to be a companion and brother to her Bogart (a shepherd-lab mix). And then one day, beagle Guy not only goes from a doomed, abandoned dog to beloved, cherished, and well cared for, he also suddenly finds himself riding in a limo with the Queen of England. The natural order of things I suppose, since Meghan has always treated Guy & Bogart royally.

That picture of the dog & Queen was priceless!

 

[mag]

I love this part:


That picture of the dog & Queen was priceless!

The Queen is such a dog person! It must be so difficult for her now that all her beloved Corgis are gone. Having some great grand dogs must help some.

@aftershocks, I am sorry to hear about your dog. They really are part of the family; you must miss her terribly.

 

[mag]

https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrit...on-the-steps-photo-with-royal-baby-like-kate/

Interesting article. First, not giving birth at the Lido Wing is actually MORE in keeping with royal tradition. I believe Princess Anne was the first to give birth in a hospital and pretty much everyone before that was born in a palace. Heck, I believe King George had surgery at Buckingham Palace! I also think Diana was the first to come outside with the baby and I am not sure that was totally planned with William. More just a response to the large crowd. She came out in the same dress she went in wearing. Kate has taken that part to a new level, but given her significantly more prominent role than Meghan it is not surprising and Meghan, IMHO, should not feel obliged. Again though, the press can simply state that she will not be doing a photo op rather than making a comment about how it doesn’t fit with her feminist ideals. I am fairly sure Kate would have preferred not to do the photo op, but she has responsibilities that Meghan does not have.

Second, I highly doubt she will have the baby at a “birthing centre.” While the baby may not have a royal title, her or his father is a prince. It will probably be born at a hospital closer to Windsor, or in keeping with royal tradition, at home.

I do wish the press would stop with all the “breaking traditions” BS. The problem is it is usually said as a compliment but then is trotted out later as an example of how mean the press are being. The reality is that every new member of the family since Diana has been splashed across the front pages as the next one to modernize the monarchy. Diana, Sarah, Kate, and Meghan have all brought their own style to their job, and Diana certainly had a huge impact as she did break some new ground, but the other three have really not shaken things up much nor are they likely too. The British Royal Family is hundreds of years old and steeped in traditions. Are they slowly changing? Yes. Is Meghan going to suddenly make substantive changes to those traditions? Nope. She is the equivalent of a tablespoon of water in a swimming pool in the same way Sarah was a teaspoon, Kate is a cup, and Diana was 4 cups, the Queen is 12 cups.

None of that is a negative reflection on any of them. It is a reflection of the roles they play, the positions they hold, and how huge the history is. And before anyone gets their knickers in a knot, Diana only get more credit for change than Kate and Meghan because she was the first, she married and divorced the heir, and died tragically. None of which I would wish on the others.