Royalty Thread#12 Tiaras, Palaces & Gilded Cages

[aftershocks]

I wonder if there was some concern that people would be checking out the pictures of them standing next to each other as they waited for the Queen like last year and reading all sorts of rubbish into the body language

Ha ha. I'm quite sure the reason there wasn't a livestream camera this year inside the church was to avoid a lot of scrutiny. Last year's service occurred at the height of the Royal Foundation split, the rumors of William's affair, the ongoing media barrage against Meghan, and the preparations for M&H to leave KP to set up their own household staff at BP, and to move to Frogmore prior to Meghan giving birth.

There was definite tension between the couples last year that was visible in public and behind-the-scenes, and not just at the 2019 Commonwealth Service. One thing that visibly happened at last year's Commonwealth Service, is that William stepped forward away from Harry in an attempt to monopolize Charles while they were all waiting for the Queen's arrival. It was interesting how Charles looked away, looked down at his watch and then looked back toward Harry, so as not to exclude him like William was attempting to do. After Charles' not-so-subtle reaction, William abruptly stepped back into his spot beside Harry as Charles began moving back toward the Sussexes and eventually ended up standing beside Meghan and engaging in light conversation with her that included some laughter. At least at that point, Charles was still being supportive of the Sussexes in opposition to William's petty antics.

 

[aftershocks]

I love the green lining in Prince Harry's suit. (Plus the tie: I'm a sucker for all greens, but especially that soft green, at least what's coming up on my monitor.)

Yep, I noticed the green lining in Harry's suit jacket, which matches Meghan's outfit. They always do tend to coordinate their outfits well. I wish them as much success in coordinating their new lives together, and carving out success up against some of the vile opposition being thrown at them.

It's hard to know, but possibly there is a modicum of support from the Queen and Prince Charles behind-the-scenes for the Sussexes, in part to stay on a semblance of easy terms with Harry.

Make no mistake though, the whole one-year review being put in place surrounding the Sussexes' stepping back, simply allows the British press the opportunity to continue over-scrutinizing this couple and targeting them as the 'rebellious villains,' who have 'disappointed the Queen.'

 

[canbelto]

So apparently, neither couple walked in the procession down the aisle. Normally, there's a camera inside the service. But I haven't seen anything posted on Youtube yet.

This People article obviously is attempting to put a smoothed-over 'status quo' face on the proceedings, which is expected for U.S.-based reporters who want to continue being in the royal family's good graces. The article still spouts the same old narrative that tries to position the Sussexes as this vulnerable, 'bruised' couple 'feeling isolated' from the royal family due to their own audacity in wanting to have things their own way. This is the ongoing narrative that paints M&H as both victims and villains.

The principal senior royals are probably fuming about the largely positive coverage the Sussexes' final public events in London received around the world. The positive coverage is due to the fact that there's nothing negative about the union of Meghan & Harry or about their genuine charisma and ability to connect with people, as well as their passionate devotion to doing good things in the world. M&H have never tried to 'steal' anyone's spotlight. It's hugely sad that it's insecurity and ruffled feelings behind all the pushing back against M&H and their efforts to serve as productive senior members of the family.

The straw dog about a 'rift' between the brothers happening solely because William 'cautioned Harry about moving too fast with Meghan,' is William's laughable narrative that gets constantly repeated. Why should anyone believe that William was looking out for Harry's welfare in telling a grown 30-something young man to not 'move too fast' with his soul mate, an equally grown 30-something young woman, when they both happen to be deeply in love and know their own minds?

The truth is that the brothers have long been sibling rivals and have had occasional arguments throughout their growing up years, which is normal. William apparently became increasingly jealous of Harry's military career, which is one of the reasons why Harry was eventually forced to resign. The Royal Foundation was started largely because of the charitable work Harry was doing with Sentebale and the need for him to raise funds to support that project. Later, Harry's Invictus Games became a big anchor of the work of the Royal Foundation. William has in general piggybacked on a lot of Harry's projects, including the mental health initiatives. Harry has always been the convenient spare, and depicted as the jolly old cut-up. It apparently has been too much for William and ultimately for Charles and the ancient old institution of monarchy for Harry to have matured, and to have come fully into his own as a successful leader, with a strong woman by his side.

There's a lot to all that has been happening here. The union of Meghan and Harry has led to a lot of masks being pulled off. What's been revealed can continue to be ignored and incompetently covered up. But frankly, a number of royal observers and a number of people in the Commonwealth and around the world are too smart for all the usual platitudes and self-serving narratives of the British monarchy and the British press. These are two powers deeply intent upon trying to either neutralize the Sussexes, or bring them to their knees. Stay tuned.

Omg. Lol.

 

[kittyjake5]

My gosh AS you really are going overboard with the conspiracy theories of the RF against M&H.

Personally I really don't care why M&H left the firm. It is a done deal they are
no longer members of the Firm by choice. I tend to accept the reasons Harry gave and
leave it at that. Meghan sure looks happy and so does Harry.

 

[canbelto]

I change my mind. @aftershocks secretly writes the script for 007 movies.

 

[aftershocks]

Omg. Lol.

Are you also laughing at this vicious Commonwealth service voice-over narrative from Angela Levin on Sky News?

Levin: "It's easier for Meghan to leave because she's not been steeped in the sense of duty... Some of her manners have not been appropriate... She wants to do what she wants to do..."

Levin on Kate: "Kate is a real trooper actually and she will do anything to keep her husband happy and to keep the Queen happy too..."

Levin on Archie: "I think a child of ten months is easy to bring over on a flight and should have been done..."

And that's only a sampling of the disgusting bile and ongoing negative palace leaks, chiefly and relentlessly still being leveled at Meghan in the British media.

 

[mella]

I have always liked the Cambridges & enjoyed all the pix of them & their adorable kids. They seemed to be adored by the British public. But I'm puzzled by all the PDA pix lately coming out of the blue of William & Kate. For the last 10 yrs they have been very circumspect about that. I find it strange that after a strong rumor of infidelity they have changed their public persona. Are they trying to convince the public that there are no problems in their marriage?

I don't know about the extent to which it is related to the rumours of an affair. Although they wouldn't be the first high profile couple to use the technique.

I actually think this is one of the cases where they have seen something in the manner in which H&M did things and have adopted it (ftr in most other things I think it's far less likely that changes made are a reaction to H&M because the royal calendars and campaigns are planned so far in advance). Sort of - the world didn't end because H&M had some PDAs and some people even liked it, maybe this isn't such a taboo afterall! I think it's great that they are showing a willingness to be more open in their public interactions with each other. I think it adds warmth to their public personas to see their affection with each other as well as with total strangers!

I find it cloying however how parts of the press are fawning over how "supportive" the PDAs from Kate to William were in Ireland when a year ago they were lambasting Meghan for breaking protocol, being clingy, taking the lead in putting her hand in Harry's back when the MAN should be doing that (something I saw brought up again in reference to one of their engagements over the last few days). The double standards are nauseating.

 

[canbelto]

Are you also laughing at this vicious Commonwealth service voice-over narrative from Angela Levin on Sky News?

Levin: "It's easier for Meghan to leave because she's not been steeped in the sense of duty... Some of her manners have not been appropriate... She wants to do what she wants to do..."

Levin on Kate: "Kate is a real trooper actually and she will do anything to keep her husband happy and to keep the Queen happy too..."

Levin on Archie: "I think a child of ten months is easy to bring over on a flight and should have been done..."

And that's only a sampling of the disgusting bile and ongoing negative palace leaks, chiefly and relentlessly still being leveled at Meghan in the British media.

This might come as a shock to you but I don't watch the Commonwealth services bc I have this thing called work.

 

[aftershocks]

My gosh AS you really are going overboard with the conspiracy theories of the RF against M&H.

It's not a conspiracy theory. There's huge dislike for Meghan because of her background and because she's a strong woman who the-powers-that-be within the media and the monarchy, are continuing to depict as having 'stolen' Harry away. You guys can continue to ignore the all-out war against Meghan that's still going on. It's passive-aggressive too. Listen to all of Angela Levin's invective.

Take a listen to this disgusting depiction of the Sussexes' events at the Endeavour Awards and the Royal Albert Hall concert. They can't stand how wonderful Harry and Meghan look together, so they are trying to change how we view what we can actually see with our own eyes. And this coverage is just the tip of the iceberg:

How Happy Are Harry and Meghan During Their Last Weekend as Royals? | This Morning

Subscribe now for more! http://bit.ly/1JM41yFMegxit has been the biggest blow to the Royal Family in years and last night, Harry and Meghan returned to the U...

www.youtube.com

I know the next thing that will be said is to ignore this coverage. It can't be ignored, because it's dripping behind every line of coverage of the Sussexes, and many aspects of this negative narrative trickle into the U.S. coverage as well.

 

[kittyjake5]

Most rational folks do not believe the sicko and disgusting comments on social media and yes
I have read some of them, but you can't lump together what these sickos are saying with the presumed
discourse in the RF.

 

[overedge]

How is it demeaning or insulting to say "The Queen has left the door open for them to return in a year"? That's exactly what the Queen has done. Whether H&M want to return or whether they'll feel like returning then is a completely separate issue.

 

[Judy]

My gosh AS you really are going overboard with the conspiracy theories of the RF against M&H.

Personally I really don't care why M&H left the firm. It is a done deal they are
no longer members of the Firm by choice. I tend to accept the reasons Harry gave and
leave it at that. Meghan sure looks happy and so does Harry.

For sure.

 

[Judy]

Most rational folks do not believe the sicko and disgusting comments on social media and yes
I have read some of them, but you can't lump together what these sickos are saying with the presumed
discourse in the RF.

Oh social media in general is something I don’t waste my time on.

 

[Judy]

How is it demeaning or insulting to say "The Queen has left the door open for them to return in a year"? That's exactly what the Queen has done. Whether H&M want to return or whether they'll feel like returning then is a completely separate issue.

Of course it isn’t insulting. I didn’t read the original post but no it is not insulting lol.

 

[aftershocks]

Most rational folks do not believe the sicko and disgusting comments on social media and yes
I have read some of them, but you can't lump together what these sickos are saying with the presumed
discourse in the RF.

The invective against Meghan does not exist solely on social media, but that's the easy excuse for the British media and sources within the monarchy to hide behind. In my previous post, I linked a video of a British morning show with RR Camilla Tominey and a so-called 'body language' expert who both proceeded to try and tear down Meghan and to cast aspersions on the Sussexes' relationship. (Note that Tominey is the same reporter who initially broke the story that M&H were dating in 2016; Tominey is also the reporter who claimed that Meghan's 2018 visit to the mosque where the Hubb Community Kitchen is located, helped support terrorism).

Dan Wootton's invective, Richard Palmer's sly negativity, et al, are fully aided and abetted by KP (and possibly BP) sources. Otherwise, some of this disparaging of Meghan in the British media would stop. But no, the media was given the go ahead to slam Meghan during her pregnancy in order to 'put her in her place,' and to try and dim her sparkle. The royal family expected Meghan & Harry to fade into the background after their wedding, while continuing to be used and abused. Meghan was expected to simply accept the few benign royal gestures and the royal perks, and to be thankful that they allowed her to marry into the family. What members of the royal family didn't bargain on was Harry deciding to leave with his wife and son in order to protect his family and his own happiness.

As I've said before, see and believe what you're capable of seeing and believing. Life is never as simple as the narratives put forward to help us cope with or ignore gritty realities.

Angela Levin's comments that I posted earlier were made on Sky News as part of today's Commonwealth Service coverage. But fine, be happy in your choice to continue ignoring what's really happening.

 

[aftershocks]

How is it demeaning or insulting to say "The Queen has left the door open for them to return in a year"?

That's not what Levin said. How easy it is for you to misread and ignore the fact that Levin specifically said:

"The Queen has left room for one or both to return after a year."

Once again, this directive also allows the British media to continue interfering and negatively depicting anything and everything the Sussexes do going forward! FYI: 'one or both' specifically means that Levin and her ilk don't give a shit whether Meghan returns or not. They just can't stand that in their view, Meghan is 'stealing' Harry from them, which means the British media can no longer glom onto Harry, nor most importantly make money off of him and his family.

Understand that M&H were most concerned about keeping their son, Archie, out of the clutches of this toxic mix of tabloid media and the more destructive vicissitudes of the monarchy. None of this means that Harry and Meghan are unwilling to serve crown and country. Ultimately, they were forced out. And since they prize their freedom and their mental well-being, they did their utmost to effect their release as gracefully as possible, with as much liberty as possible.

Why all the worry about M&H supposedly 'cashing in' on being royal, while other members of the family including Peter & Zara Phillips, Prince & Princess Michael of Kent, and the notorious Yorks, routinely monetarily benefit from their royal associations?

The Sussexes actually wish to be financially independent in order to cease the incessant tabloid narrative that they are the 'reprehensible royals' living off British taxpayers' dimes. And nope @mella, already having wealthy investments has nothing to do with the Sussexes' desire to live by the sweat of their own brows and to maintain privacy over their private lives. Moreover, the Sussexes wish to do meaningful and beneficial work in a broad spectrum of areas that can impact communities around the world in positive ways. They were being constricted in what they could do within the confines of the royal gilded cage. I certainly would wish to independently make my own money off my own star power and singular platform, without being in the vise grip of trollish media and tyrannical in-laws who do all the cashing-in off of my valuable worth instead!

None of this should be so difficult to understand and accept.

 

[Coco]

Yes, it was the "one or both" part of that statement that was disturbing. It's as though they are rooting for a divorce.

 

[attyfan]

Yes, it was the "one or both" part of that statement that was disturbing. It's as though they are rooting for a divorce.

I thought it reflected the possibility of another pregnancy.

 

[Jenny]

The invective against Meghan does not exist solely on social media, but that's the easy excuse for the British media and sources within the monarchy to hide behind.

Ugh, just deleted an entire response to this about how I think you are actually furthering this campaign against your beloved Meghan by continually bringing attention to it and sharing links to these negative stories (which you do realize feeds the fire because the more clicks and reactions that kind of media gets, the more they will keep doing it?) but instead I give up. Visiting this thread used to be a happy little break for me in an otherwise busy and stressful workday, and more and more, well whatever, there's really no point.

 

[aftershocks]

So apparently, neither couple walked in the procession down the aisle.

Apparently, neither couple were prevented from walking in the procession. It is now being reported that the Sussexes declined to walk in the traditional procession, and then the Cambridges followed suit and also decided not to walk in the procession. That way neither couple had to wait in the foyer area for the Queen to arrive like last year. I still have not found any videos of the actual ceremony inside the church. The ceremony was live-streamed in real time last year.

Yes, it was the "one or both" part of that statement that was disturbing. It's as though they are rooting for a divorce.

Of course that's what is wanted in the 'fantasy-land' minds of the worst royal reporters and the nasty British tabloids. Such a scenario would be delicious fodder for them to continue making money off the Sussexes and the royal family. Yet, William's extramarital escapades are so far, off-limits. Apparently, that's largely because William continues to accommodate the media with leaks intended to feed the negative narrative against the Sussexes, which at the moment suits the Brit tabs just fine.

I thought it reflected the possibility of another pregnancy.

How on earth do you extract that from what Angela Levin said?! Levin was specifically referring to M&H stepping down as senior royals, not to Archie or to an unborn, non-conceived second child!

Levin at one point does reference Archie with the same ridiculous whining about M&H 'keeping Archie from seeing his great-grandparents.' How on earth does anyone fall for this straw-dog sob story? The Queen has plenty of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to see in England! How often does she actually see any of them anyway? That we do not know. How often did any of Harry's family members see Archie when the Sussexes were living at Frogmore? What about the Queen simply spending more time with young Louis if she's so in need of the companionship of young toddlers!

Let's remember that the apparently 'prized' and 'missed' child in question is still only ten months old! He's not even a year-old yet. Why don't the media focus their attentions on the three young Cambridge kids? What is this obsession with Archie in the first place!? Once again, it boils down to making money off of Harry and his family. Good old spare Harry who's life's milestones were recorded by the media from the day he was born. He's the popular, sentimental chap Harry who was so young when he lost his mother, and then lost his way during his wild teens and twenties. None of the British snobs and racists who are now being revealed ever expected Harry to find love and happiness with someone like Meghan. Much less to marry her! They want to hold onto the old idea of youthful cut-up bachelor Harry that's fixated in their minds. But Harry has grown up and he's managed to survive and thrive in partnership with a strong, beautiful smart, unexpected woman.

Harry does not want his son to be adversely impacted by the intrusive, overbearing things he experienced growing up. The media and the worst forces of the monarchy WILL NOT have the opportunity to get their clutches on M&H's son, Archie, nor on any other child they have. Probably a second Sussex baby will not even be born in the U.K. Thus, hold onto your seats for the negative narratives that will be flying in the British media at that juncture!

 

[aftershocks]

Ugh, just deleted an entire response to this about how I think you are actually furthering this campaign against your beloved Meghan by continually bringing attention to it and sharing links to these negative stories (which you do realize feeds the fire because the more clicks and reactions that kind of media gets, the more they will keep doing it?) but instead I give up. Visiting this thread used to be a happy little break for me in an otherwise busy and stressful workday, and more and more, well whatever, there's really no point.

Fine. It really is so much better to keep our heads firmly planted in the sand. That's what so many in the figure skating community prefer doing in any case. But yep, real life keeps happening and hitting us in the face.

This vile shizz continually being thrown at Meghan and the battle to try and control the Sussexes, will continue whether or not anyone in this particular corner of the universe believes it's happening or not.

In any case, the passive-aggressiveness against Meghan has existed all along in both subtle and blatant ways even in these royalty threads. But whoever wishes, can continue denying that truth too.

 

[MacMadame]

A figment of your own very active and overwrought imagination. I certainly don't need to come here to 'try out' anything. I only share what I've learned and what I think. If you have a hard time with that, so be it. Making fun apparently is your best option. Continue having at it.

Haha, this response actually fits completely with my theory.

 

[Jenny]

Arggh I swear this is the last time. THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID. I didn't say the campaign against her or whatever you want to call it doesn't exist, nor did I say it doesn't matter. I said that you are fuelling the fire by continually bringing it forward, expanding on it, repeating the lies and misinformation, and sharing the links, even going so far as insisting people watch the videos and read the stories to make your point. That is exactly what that kind of media wants, and you are playing right into their hands.

 

[canbelto]

Arggh I swear this is the last time. THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID. I didn't say the campaign against her or whatever you want to call it doesn't exist, nor did I say it doesn't matter. I said that you are fuelling the fire by continually bringing it forward, expanding on it, repeating the lies and misinformation, and sharing the links, even going so far as insisting people watch the videos and read the stories to make your point. That is exactly what that kind of media wants, and you are playing right into their hands.

It makes my head spin how much the Daily Mail has monetized @aftershocks eyeballs/mouse clicks.

The only way for the DM to stop printing this nonsense is for ppl to stop reading it. By now we already know who the trusted sources are and who the trolls are. Royal fashion blogs have gotten very good at disabling comments that are vile. The IG accounts are also very on top of this issue. Yet @aftershocks wants to relive it every second of every day. I just dont get it.

 

[aftershocks]

I said that you are fuelling the fire by continually bringing it forward, expanding on it, repeating the lies and misinformation, and sharing the links, even going so far as insisting people watch the videos and read the stories to make your point. That is exactly what that kind of media wants, and you are playing right into their hands.

You are missing the fact that not everyone recognizes that the guff being perpetuated and perpetrated on the British morning shows, in the tabloids and in documentaries are lies and misinformation. By continually saturating the media with these negative narratives, quite a few neutral people who don't actively follow the royals actually believe a lot of what is being said about Meghan. Therefore, many aspects of the negative narratives against Meghan and the Sussexes as a whole, seep into otherwise so-called 'neutral' coverage in the U.S. Sure, you can't see that if you aren't really following the royals and the coverage that closely.

Even the professional, factual and unbiased journalists like Omid Scobie must tread a fine line, because he's a royal journalist who can't afford to burn any bridges. Even entertainment personalities like Bon Jovi must be sure to praise the institution of the monarchy, while at the same time having generously reached out to Harry in support of the Invictus Games. Maybe many people don't realize that no one else was appointed to Harry's honorary military assignments because Harry's colleagues and old chums in the military have balked at seeing him stripped of his military appointments. They personally know Harry's heart, courage, patriotism, and his loyalty to Queen and country.

The monarchy is also very happy to support and promote Harry's popular initiatives, such as the Invictus Games, which he founded. Still, they would be just as willing to strip everything from Harry, ostensibly to forcibly shake him into accepting that he needs the monarchy, instead of the other way around. None of them probably care much what happens to Meghan, unless she's willing to conform and stay largely in the background.

A double war is going on here! The British monarchy is so far in bed with the British media, that it is seen as dangerous for Harry and Meghan to have gone to battle with the media. The fact is: the British media has nothing on Harry because everything he did in his wild old days was fully reported on, and he's finally matured and moved on and made something of his life. As Harry said in the South Africa documentary, "I won't be bullied into playing a game that killed my mother."

The stand Harry and Meghan have taken requires a tremendous amount of courage and chutzpah, as well as public support and high-powered friends. Money, power-plays, and the British media's (Royal Rota's) fight for access to the Sussexes, are at the heart of this ongoing battle. Believe it or not.

 

[ilovepaydays]

Um, is Piers Morgan assuming too much here?

 

[aftershocks]

It makes my head spin how much the Daily Mail has monetized @aftershocks eyeballs/mouse clicks.

Nope, it's you giving the Daily Mail all those clicks @canbelto. I stopped clicking on the Daily Mail a long time ago. I refuse to give their fictions a second thought. The fact is the gist of negative narratives depicting the Sussexes as villains and/ or rebels, have made their way far into the mainstream and tabloid media in the U.S. and elsewhere for that matter. It's on all the U.S. talk shows as well, to the point where it's hard for casual observers to distinguish what's true and what's false.

And you are being very selective and dismissive of the major points I am making. But that's okay, it's par for the course around here. As I've said, believe what you wish. Nothing I'm saying and nothing you prefer to believe is going to change what's actually happening.

 

[kittyjake5]

Maybe AS you can start a separate thread just for Harry and Meghan.
Your knowledge about their life is remarkable and deserves its own thread.

 

[Lorac]

Kate looking lovely as always as she hosts a celebration of the children's charity Place2Be's 25th anniversary on Monday night:

Duchess of Cambridge hosts reception at Buckingham Palace for one of her Patronages

 

[Lorac]

Um, is Piers Morgan assuming too much here?

Yes - having watched the service none of the royals were shaking hands with others - including each other. It was decided not to shake hands as per Coronavirus precautions.