The Heir, The Spare and the “Baby Brain” -The Prince Harry and Meghan show rumbles on…

[clairecloutier]

.... It's an incredibly bad look for the Crown Estates and the BRF in general, for the Sussexes to be allowed to have that home they're rarely in when so many everyday, regular British citizens are struggling with housing and energy costs. It's an unnecessary excess.

And the rest of the royal palaces/lifestyle etc. are, I guess, necessary excesses??

 

[Karen-W]

Everyone is ignoring the fact that Frogmore Cottage was a wedding gift to H&M from QE2 not to mention they paid over 2 million pounds for the renovation. No one here seems to have a problem with PRlady for having apartments in 2 countries that stay empty 1/2 the time but for some reason they are outraged that H&M don't use Frogmore often. I don't know the British people who are hurting financially or how the housing shortage will be improved by Andrew having rights to Frogmore instead of Harry. Charles could move Andrew into one of the existing suites at any number of castles.

How often H&M uses Frogmore is no one's business. And it's absolutely saying "we invited you to the coronation but we really don't want you to come." Charles is treating his brother (whom he has been furious with for the sex thing) much better than his own son because Harry didn't toe the company line. I would not be surprised to find that this is Camilla's idea. Just more of her manipulations.

Maybe get your facts right - FC wasn't a "wedding gift". They were given the opportunity to lease a property owned by the Crown Estates, but they didn't even settle on FC until several months after the wedding, and they looked at several properties in the Windsor area.

They didn't pay for the renovations either - that was paid from the Sovereign Grant. They/the Duchy of Cornwall had to repay the Sovereign Grant for some of the custom work they wanted done, but there has never been confirmation of where the money came from - and it's known that the Duchy of Cornwall gave the Sussexes a pretty big chunk of dough after they had relocated to Montecito but before the Sovereign Grant was paid back. That's out there in the financial reports of both.

Again, the speculation about Andrew moving into FC is just that - speculation. If and when he does move from Royal Lodge to FC then people can criticize if they so choose, but until then, maybe leave him out of this conversation.

And, really, don't you think Camilla has better things to do with her time than "manipulate" Charles or the Crown Estate managers into any sort of retaliation against Harry for what he wrote about her in his memoir? If you believe that this is retribution for the book, then clearly you recognize that what he wrote was problematic and could result in hurt feelings. Should there be no consequences for his own actions? Or are the consequences for actions only a one-way street where Harry can do and say as he pleases because he is the most injured/aggrieved party?

 

[clairecloutier]

Here's a story in NYT that Harry/Meghan repaid the taxpayer money spent on renovating Frogmore:

Harry and Meghan Repay $3.2 Million for Home Renovations (Published 2020)

The couple had pledged to refund taxpayers for work on Frogmore Cottage after giving up royal duties in January.

www.nytimes.com

I'm amused by the argument that Camilla couldn't be involved in this controversy because she has better things to do with her time than stir up trouble over Frogmore. I mean, we all have better things to do, but IME that doesn't stop anyone from stirring up trouble.

 

[Karen-W]

I'm amused by the argument that Camilla couldn't be involved in this controversy because she has better things to do with her time than stir up trouble over Frogmore. I mean, we all have better things to do, but IME that doesn't stop anyone from stirring up trouble.

I'm amused at the complete hypocrisy of so many Sussex supporters who take umbrage any time Meghan is accused of meddling and interfering in Harry's familial relationships or engineering Megxit, but are perfectly fine with accusing Camilla of equally nefarious actions, deeds and manipulations.

 

[taf2002]

I'm amused at the complete hypocrisy of so many Sussex supporters who take umbrage any time Meghan is accused of meddling and interfering in Harry's familial relationships or engineering Megxit, but are perfectly fine with accusing Camilla of equally nefarious actions, deeds and manipulations.

I'm not sure it's hypocrisy. At least Meghan didn't have an affair for years while both parties were married to other people. The only criticism Harry made about Camilla in his book (the part I read) was about her scheming & manipulation. And now she's gotten everything she wanted except the respect & popularity from the British people.

 

[Wyliefan]

Andrew needs to live somewhere

How about under a bridge?

 

[skategal]

How about under a bridge?

I was thinking a box, but that works too.

 

[Spikefan]

How about under a bridge?

Behind bars.

 

[Rainbow]

I don’t care whether it’s a downgrade for Andrew or not.

What I was referring to is the fact that the BRF prefers to give this residence to someone credibly accused in court of sexually assaulting a minor rather than let it be used by Harry, whose sin is telling some unpleasant tales of family relationships. (And who also, I believe, personally paid for major renovation of the place by fully refunding all money spent on it.)

Don`t you think they would have been allowed to keep renting the mansion, if they had been using it? Noone cried about the Staff renting the appartements in the building before Harry and Meghan, when it was given to them despite already having a perfectly fine appartement.

Also the timing of the termination of the lease doesn`t add up as to beeing revenge for the Whaaa. If H+M got it a couple days after the release of the book, the decision by Charles would likely have been made at the end of 2022.

Charles has the difficult task of somehow getting Andrew out of the even bigger mansion while still somewhat honour what his mother the Queen`s wishes very likely would have been with handling her favorite little disgrace of a son.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Maybe get your facts right - FC wasn't a "wedding gift". They were given the opportunity to lease a property owned by the Crown Estates, but they didn't even settle on FC until several months after the wedding, and they looked at several properties in the Windsor area.

If people believe it was an outright, ie, an irrevocable gift, that is because in many press reports, the property was reported as a gift from Queen Elizabeth. If they felt it was a morally irrevocable gift, because QE II had made it, that's not an unreasonable assumption, especially when she died so recently.

The daily fail was more clear: "Frogmore Cottage, a grace and favour home on the Frogmore Estate in Windsor gifted to The Duke and Duchess by the late Queen in 2018 for their wedding, is the pair's only remaining residence in the UK." (From the link above.)

Here's a link to the Wikipedia article on grace and favour:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_and_favour

QEII could have revoked it while she was still alive, and Charles III has to power to do so, and he could, rightly or wrongly, claim that he did, because his mother is rolling in her grave over the publication of Spare. If he felt inclined to explain, which he has no obligation to do.

 

[once_upon]

Behind bars.

This would have been my recommendations to BRF, but we all know how much influence anyone from the US has with BRF.

So I argue on FSU where in a remote far away galaxy I might have some influence.

 

[becca]

They are downgrading Andrew.

His house may be used for someone else. There is absolutely no reason that house should be sitting there when there are family members that could actually use it. And maybe one of Andrew’s daughters will use the lodge.

Harry and Meghan have a home and right now there are people who are homeless.

Leaving his brother homeless may just cause Andrew to write his own spare

 

[MacMadame]

Did they plan to live there? Or better let no one live there?

The original plan was for them to live there 6 months out of the year. In the meantime, they have loaned it out to other BRF members such as:

Weren't Eugenie and her husband renting Frogmore?

Yes, for a while. Well, staying there.

Also, the news reports that H&M are renting the "cottage." If they are paying rent, then it's no one's business as to how often they use the place IMO. OTOH, it's well within the rights of the "landlord" to terminate their lease.

If you believe that this is retribution for the book, then clearly you recognize that what he wrote was problematic and could result in hurt feelings.

The one does not logically follow from the other. Someone can write something about me that is completely true and not remotely problematic but it would still invoke strong feelings in me such as anger or hurt.

Though, in this case, we don't really know if Camila is feeling anything or was involved in this at all. Now that H&M aren't spending 1/2 of the year in the UK, it makes sense to reallocate their residence. Though, if I was King Charles, I would probably wait until after the coronation and after publicity about the book died down and do it quietly. If possible, I would also help them purchase another home in the UK so it could be billed as H&M switching residences.

I also think someone owes them 3 million dollars.

I'm not sure it's hypocrisy. At least Meghan didn't have an affair for years while both parties were married to other people. The only criticism Harry made about Camilla in his book (the part I read) was about her scheming & manipulation. And now she's gotten everything she wanted except the respect & popularity from the British people.

Eh, she's gotten some of that too and may get more as time passes now that she's the Queen Consort.

 

[Mugs]

I don't really see what the big deal is about this story. H&M live in the US and besides the once in a lifetime events of Prince Philip's funeral, the Queen's Jubilee and then the Queen's funeral, they have essentially spent zero time in the UK. So who cares if they were asked to vacate the residence. Who knows; maybe H&M were tired of paying upkeep and maintenance on a home they hardly ever use and were happy to unload Frogmore?

The optics of the timing are terrible though, and I don't understand how BP couldn't have understood that and adjusted the request timeline earlier or later. Are they really that dim? That is, unless KC did fly off the handle about "Spare" and made a rash decision to take the home away.

My understanding, based on news reports, is that H&M paid for the furniture, etc. and that the British taxpayers originally paid for the structural renovations. But also that H&M re-paid that money after their move to California. If all of this is accurate, then H&M should be reimbursed the money they re-paid for the structural renovations and given appropriate time to have all personal items carefully packed and shipped to the US.

 

[Rainbow]

I don't really see what the big deal is about this story. H&M live in the US and besides the once in a lifetime events of Prince Philip's funeral, the Queen's Jubilee and then the Queen's funeral, they have essentially spent zero time in the UK. So who cares if they were asked to vacate the residence. Who knows; maybe H&M were tired of paying upkeep and maintenance on a home they hardly ever use and were happy to unload Frogmore?

The optics of the timing are terrible though, and I don't understand how BP couldn't have understood that and adjusted the request timeline earlier or later. Are they really that dim? That is, unless KC did fly off the handle about "Spare" and made a rash decision to take the home away.

My understanding, based on news reports, is that H&M paid for the furniture, etc. and that the British taxpayers originally paid for the structural renovations. But also that H&M re-paid that money after their move to California. If all of this is accurate, then H&M should be reimbursed the money they re-paid for the structural renovations and given appropriate time to have all personal items carefully packed and shipped to the US.

The lease was up in march. So it was either renew it or have it expire now. If the money to repay for the renovations came from Charles one way or the other, there would be no need to reimbursement either.

 

[Andora]

They are downgrading Andrew.

His house may be used for someone else. There is absolutely no reason that house should be sitting there when there are family members that could actually use it. And maybe one of Andrew’s daughters will use the lodge.

Harry and Meghan have a home and right now there are people who are homeless.

Leaving his brother homeless may just cause Andrew to write his own spare

I know most people here are generally sympathetic to the Sussexes, but it's an incredibly bad look for the Crown Estates and the BRF in general, for the Sussexes to be allowed to have that home they're rarely in when so many everyday, regular British citizens are struggling with housing and energy costs. It's an unnecessary excess. If the Sussexes wish to retain some sort of domicile in the UK, it would be a lot easier to set them up in a smaller apartment at Windsor Castle than for them to keep Frogmore Cottage.

I would love for Andrew to go rogue. I'm sure it would be a mess of half-truths and obvious lies, because he's not a reliable narrator. (no sweat glands?) But it would cause a SCENE AND A HALF.

Rumour is Prince William and Princess Catherine want to take over Royal Lodge, so they can be closer to her parents.

If that ends up happening, then everyone can save it with this "can't leave an open home in this affordability crisis!" bullshit. Actually, you can save that period, as the Prince & Princess of Wales have at least 3-4 properties. This article is half ridiculous,
but struck an obsequious enough tone that shouldn't piss off their fans. Two properties are 'potential'/rumoured, but the point stands.

Now include how many properties Charles actually has are kept ready and at his disposal, which is his right as king.

And the rest of the royal palaces/lifestyle etc. are, I guess, necessary excesses??

EXACTLY.

Andrew is repulsive but he never trashed his family the way Harry & Meghan has. I don't care who gets the cottage, but my understanding is it is super close to the heirs (#1-#4) so security is a huge concern.

Oh my god, are you really suggesting Harry's book is as WORSE than Andrew associating with (and benefiting from) Jeffrey Epstein & Ghislane Maxwell? Let alone the egregious accusation he paid off? Do you want to try again, maybe?

The optics of the timing are terrible though, and I don't understand how BP couldn't have understood that and adjusted the request timeline earlier or later. Are they really that dim? That is, unless KC did fly off the handle about "Spare" and made a rash decision to take the home away.

My understanding, based on news reports, is that H&M paid for the furniture, etc. and that the British taxpayers originally paid for the structural renovations. But also that H&M re-paid that money after their move to California. If all of this is accurate, then H&M should be reimbursed the money they re-paid for the structural renovations and given appropriate time to have all personal items carefully packed and shipped to the US.

This is what gets me - how can no one in charge of messaging understand how this looks bad for Charles? It's been established that working for the Royal Family is considered cache enough so the pay is low, comparatively, but I don't think they'd hire typewriting monkeys, and even the monkeys would eventually learn something about optics!

To it shows their entire mindset is even more privileged, entitled and tone-deaf, that they simply aren't capable of considering downsides to their own decisions. Or they're secretly nefarious narcissists who enjoy this mess, which I doubt. (For now)

A Laineygossip FB group I'm on suggests it's an "open secret" that H&M did NOT pay back the reno costs, but Charles did in their name. Not sure if it's true, but I'd be shady to not acknowledge that...

 

[becca]

I don't really see what the big deal is about this story. H&M live in the US and besides the once in a lifetime events of Prince Philip's funeral, the Queen's Jubilee and then the Queen's funeral, they have essentially spent zero time in the UK. So who cares if they were asked to vacate the residence. Who knows; maybe H&M were tired of paying upkeep and maintenance on a home they hardly ever use and were happy to unload Frogmore?

The optics of the timing are terrible though, and I don't understand how BP couldn't have understood that and adjusted the request timeline earlier or later. Are they really that dim? That is, unless KC did fly off the handle about "Spare" and made a rash decision to take the home away.

My understanding, based on news reports, is that H&M paid for the furniture, etc. and that the British taxpayers originally paid for the structural renovations. But also that H&M re-paid that money after their move to California. If all of this is accurate, then H&M should be reimbursed the money they re-paid for the structural renovations and given appropriate time to have all personal items carefully packed and shipped to the US.

My understanding is the lease is that the person living there is responsible for the up keep so since they were living there at time of renovations they would be responsible for that.

The queen was giving Andrew a huge allowance that covered the Lodge’s up keep and Charles doesn’t want to give him that any more.

 

[Lemonade20]

I'm not saying Andrew is worse, but he doesn't blame the family for the way he is.

 

[Sparks]

He won't even admit what he is. He's trash

 

[Lemonade20]

He won't even admit what he is. He's trash

That is so true. I thought it was a one time thing but apparently it happened multiple times. Amazing he's not behind bars.

 

[Sparks]

You need to keep up before you say another ridiculous thing

 

[Lemonade20]

You need to keep up before you say another ridiculous thing

Wow, no need to be so rude.

 

[once_upon]

You do need to think about it.

I give some small age difference a pass IF the man or woman is emotionally connected. But when a piece of s!!t like Andrew continues to rape young women, hung around a bigger piece of sh!t like Epstein and gets a pass because he is part of BRF, it is not a one time thing.

He belongs in prison, not a royal castle.

 

[taf2002]

I don't really care who has Frogmore Cottage but since it was a wedding gift & is used by Eugenie whenever she's in London I think it's a bad look for Charles to offer it to Andrew. Isn't there an attic or basement in any of the castle where he could live? On another speculation it is rumored that Eugenie & Jack are going to buy a 2nd home near H&M. I guess that will make her persona non grata too.

 

[MacMadame]

I don't really care who has Frogmore Cottage but since it was a wedding gift & is used by Eugenie whenever she's in London I think it's a bad look for Charles to offer it to Andrew. Isn't there an attic or basement in any of the castle where he could live? On another speculation it is rumored that Eugenie & Jack are going to buy a 2nd home near H&M. I guess that will make her persona non grata too.

If Eugenia uses it whenever she is in London, maybe they are going to make it hers officially.

 

[Rainbow]

I don't really care who has Frogmore Cottage but since it was a wedding gift & is used by Eugenie whenever she's in London I think it's a bad look for Charles to offer it to Andrew. Isn't there an attic or basement in any of the castle where he could live? On another speculation it is rumored that Eugenie & Jack are going to buy a 2nd home near H&M. I guess that will make her persona non grata too.

It was not a wedding gift. After they gave up their roles as working royals they were given the option to rent the "cottage". Think of 10 Downing Street, probably the most famous "grace and favour home" for the prime minister. When they stop serving as prime minister, they lose the priviledge of the house.

His mother has left Charles to deal with the Andrew problem and she has made it extra difficult. The lease on Royal Lodge is 75 years. Should Andrew die within the duration of the lease, the lease apparently can even be transferred to his daughters.

I would be very curious which "camp" is behind the leakes. Because it surely is not Buckingham Palace.

 

[taf2002]

Every article I've read about this bruhaha says QEII gave the use of Frogmore as a wedding gift long before they stepped back. As I've said I don't really care who has it next (except why give it to a pediphile?) but fact deniers give me a royal pain. Besides I'm sure it's not grand enough for mucho entitled Andrew.

 

[Husky]

I'm getting interested in Charles' personality.

Why does he give it to Andrew, supposedly one day after Harry's book was published? And even more give it to the much despised Andrew?

Is he out for revenge? Is he such a person?
Or is he under Camilla's influence?

I wonder how King Charles will run the country. Will he be a gentle king who prefers to not draw much attention, directing discretely from the sideline? Or will he be a tough man who changes the RF severely.

 

[marbri]

I'm getting interested in Charles' personality.

Why does he give it to Andrew, supposedly one day after Harry's book was published? And even more give it to the much despised Andrew?

Is he out for revenge? Is he such a person?
Or is he under Camilla's influence?

I wonder how King Charles will run the country. Will he be a gentle king who prefers to not draw much attention, directing discretely from the sideline? Or will he be a tough man who changes the RF severely.

Andrew doesn't want it. He is currently in a 30 room mansion where he has one wing and he lets Fergie live in the other wing. They have to put Andrew somewhere so I imagine FC came up as an option as it isn't being used.

I think Andrew's side leaked it (and I imagine Eugenie filled in H/M when she was in California late February). I think Andrew's side knows that leaking "Harry and Meghan are being evicted so Andrew can move in" would get precisely the reaction it is getting. Which is a very creative way to describe what is happening.

It's reported he is doing everything he can not to move out of his current abode.

 

[Husky]

I don't know. If I was Andrew I wouldn't risk to piss off the King by leaking things that put Charles in a bad light. He depends on him. Sounds suicidale.