Royalty Thread#12 Tiaras, Palaces & Gilded Cages

[mella]

Agreed - both ladies wore striking colours that suited them. My only issue with Meghan's is the side cape thingy - it would be irritating me no end and the neck of the dress would feel as if I were being choked - I never like anything on the neck like that. However that is just a personal preference - Meghan carried it off with aplomb.

I really liked Meghan's dress. I thought it was really unusual but suited her well. I'm not sure if it's really unusual... or if I just don't go in the sections of shops where you find things like that

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.

Seriously? I think we did this one to death last week and you @-ing me on this point just proves you'd rather dwell on the instances people disagree with you than acknowledge any common ground.

Um, is Piers Morgan assuming too much here?

Piers Morgan is being his usual disgusting self. He exists to "bait" on almost every topic that comes up but he has been particularly vicious where Meghan (now extended to Harry) are concerned.

 

[aftershocks]

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..."

For those who don't realize, Angela Levin is a journalist, I believe from academia, who reached out to Harry's people a few years before he met Meghan, in order to write a biography. Harry responded favorably and Levin interviewed Harry and followed him around for a period before finishing her book. I guess that's why she seems to think she has ownership over Harry.

On a serious news show panel discussion that took place in January post-Sussexit announcement, Levin had to gall to claim that Harry is 'scared of Meghan.' The host and the panelists raised their eyebrows and politely challenged her. Levin eventually backed off her claim with the slight modification that, "Yes Harry loves Meghan, but he's afraid of losing her." That has nothing to do with Levin's ridiculous claim that Harry is 'scared of Meghan.'

What Levin said today positions Meghan as a 'rebellious trollop with no sense of duty and no manners.' Levin's words are equally patronizing toward Kate, positioning her as a 'meek, pliant royal wife, eager to bend over backward for William and the Queen.'

What Levin has to say about Archie is way whack. I guess she thinks she owns Archie too.

The reality is that as I've said before, there's a lot of popular interest in the Sussexes. They are young, charming, royal and good-looking. But the most important thing is that they truly care about helping other people and making a difference in the world. That's why I find them interesting. Their genuine charisma and engaging way of communicating with real people is a large part of why many people are interested in them. But those who wish to make money off of them are only interested in the commodity aspect of their appeal, and so they want access to them and to information about them, by any means necessary.

A lot of the podcasts and royal news shows that sprung up in the aftermath of the Sussexes' wedding are being faced with how to continue forward absent much Sussex news. One of the shows recently resorted to showing old footage of the Diana/Charles visit to Australia with toddler William, in the 1980s.

The below ABC documentary includes some of the negative narratives set against the Sussexes, along with some neutral takes, and an all-over-the-board entertainment-style approach to throwing a bunch of viewpoints and scenarios out there to see what sticks:

Meghan Markle - Royal Divide: Harry, Meghan and the Crown 2020

Meghan Markle - Royal Divide: Harry, Meghan and the Crown 29th of January 2020. An ABC documentary examining what led to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decis...

www.youtube.com

 

[starrynight]

Piers Morgan is being his usual disgusting self. He exists to "bait" on almost every topic that comes up but he has been particularly vicious where Meghan (now extended to Harry) are concerned.

Yes he’s just a shock jock. His job is to pick a controversial stance on something and work it just for attention and hype for his tv show.

For example he’s jumped on the Alun Wyn Jones/Joe Marler bandwagon too.

His ego will be massive if he thinks he was actually able to remove royalty from the country.

 

[aftershocks]

Seriously? I think we did this one to death last week and you @-ing me on this point just proves you'd rather dwell on the instances people disagree with you than acknowledge any common ground.

It's cool and I'm glad if we have common ground. Actually, I never responded to the entirety of your long response to me last week. I only responded in my post #371 to one sentence in your post #329.

There were several things in your post #329 that I differed with, but I didn't have time to address. One of which was your equating M&H's desire for financial independence with their current wealth.

I have no idea why you find the idea of financial independence equating to meeting their own security cost so offensive... You keep telling us how they are both wealthy in their own right... My saying so wasn't any more a "dig" than you saying so. It's a statement fact regardless of who said it... I'm perturbed by the use of the phrase "become financially independent" because (per my original post) Harry already is (or at least has the means to be so as a result of inheritance etc) and so is Meghan.

I'm not offended by the idea of their desire for 'financial independence,' nor am I against the Sussexes meeting a portion of their own security costs. The fact is that no statements have been made in detail about exactly how their security costs will be met. We only know that their security is necessary, and so there is the possibility that they may cover part of the costs themselves. Since we don't know, however, suggesting that they should because they have their own money is useless criticism.

Where I also disagree with you is equating the Sussexes' current wealth with their desire for financial independence. Yes, their current wealth is what gives them the leverage and the immediate financial resources to be able to 'step back' as senior royals. But they cannot forge and maintain a new 'financially independent' life outside the royal fold with only their current wealth and investments.

When Harry & Meghan speak of desiring 'financial independence,' they are specifically speaking of their desire to make an income outside of the royal fold so that they can have control over their own life and decisions. Moreover, they want to stop perpetuation of the narrative that they (as the 'very special objects' of the media's attention) are living off British taxpayers' dimes.

So yes, sure, they are both wealthy in their own right, and there's nothing wrong with anyone acknowledging that fact. But this is what you said in your original post:

...I'm increasingly perturbed by this "financially independent" commentary. Harry reportedly inherited £30m. He is already financially independent. Even if they spent £10m on a house... he's earning more in interest at rock bottom rates than I'll likely earn in a life time! Being "financially independent" means living within your means. Enough already. Time for Harry to take responsibility for his "financial independence" and Meghan (with her own wealth) to do her part - so the rest of us aren't footing their bills...

You seem a bit resentful of Harry earning interest on his wealth, at the same time you say you're supportive of them leaving the royal family to strike out on their own.

Whatever wealth M&H have, I do not resent, nor would I resent a small portion of my tax dollars going toward ensuring their security. It's fine if not everyone feels the same way. When Meghan was in New York last year for the baby shower, New York City police, as well as officials from the U.S. state department, as a matter of course, were instrumental in providing for her security protection over a few days.

Obviously, you have the right to question where your tax dollars are going, but at the same time you should realize that Meghan & Harry have decided to live a good deal of their time outside of Great Britain in part because of the negative and largely false assumption that the British public is "footing their bills." Meghan & Harry have already departed the confines of their royal gilded cage. They are also in the process of extricating their lives and as much as they can of their security costs from being either the British taxpayers' or the British media's responsibility to continually and needlessly harp on.

 

[overedge]

Piers Morgan has enough ego that he put faked photos on the front page of the newspaper he edited, and then lied about the photos being fake.

He also should be in jail for his part in the phone hacking scandal.

And IIRC several celebrities mentioned in his "my glamorous life" books/columns have said his descriptions of meeting them are not what happened at all.

He's despicable and has done many things much worse than dissing Meghan.

 

[canbelto]

Piers Morgan is still waiting for that phone call fir the Job No One Wants (Trump’s Chief of Staff).

 

[MacMadame]

People need to ignore him. Not only will it drive him crazy but it will impact his livelihood in a way that he'll have less of a voice.

 

[starrynight]

People need to ignore him. Not only will it drive him crazy but it will impact his livelihood in a way that he'll have less of a voice.

People like him get off on power. The Australian equivalent is probably Alan Jones - they are all about power. Influencing current affairs and politics. I don’t know if they even care about what viewpoint they are taking.

I’m sure that giving Piers the credit for removing the 6th in line for the throne would be playing into his hands massively.

 

[aftershocks]

His ego will be massive if he thinks he was actually able to remove royalty from the country.

I'm sure Piers Morgan's ego is already oversize enough to believe he's the main reason the Sussexes departed Great Britain. In fact, Piers stated in a 2018 video interview that he believes he sent Meghan on her way to her first date with Prince Harry in 2016. However, it may or may not have been the night of Meghan's first date with Harry, thus Piers' belief is unconfirmed:

Piers Morgan talks Meghan, Harry and the whole Royal Family

Web exclusive: Piers Morgan full interview about Meghan, Harry and the whole family -------------------------------------------------------------------------...

www.youtube.com

Piers struck up a casual professional acquaintance with Meghan via Twitter when Meghan noticed that Piers was interested in Suits. Meghan only knew of Piers via his talk show in the U.S. She was unaware of Piers' skanky tabloid rep in the U.K. In addition, Suits' producers continually encouraged their cast to promote the show on social media, etc. That's one of the reasons Meghan initially started her former Instagram account.

It's interesting that in the above video around 3:16, Piers admits Meghan later (after her return to Canada in July 2016) included his name in a Tweet thanking her "London friends" for the time she'd enjoyed with them. So, even if Meghan never contacted Piers again, at least she's kind enough to have had the courtesy to include him in her thanks. Therefore, it's questionable exactly when Meghan might have learned from Harry that Piers could not be trusted. In general, Meghan would surely have pulled back from casual contact with all random media 'friends' once she and Harry committed to pursuing their relationship quietly, under-the-radar.

Piers appears chiefly annoyed that Meghan probably found out he's not worthy of her friendship, and that she cut off all contact with him to the point of his no longer receiving advance videos of Suits episodes. He's apparently also extremely annoyed that he came so close to possibly knowing something about the early courtship of M&H, but he's too disreputable and objectionable to be part of their inner circle and invited to their wedding.

So all of this is at the crux of Piers' delusional and obsessive need to hate on Meghan.
__________________________________________________________________________

On the lighter side, regarding the Sussexes' recent events in London, it's a fun observation that Meghan wore monochrome red, white and blue outfits, and then the monochrome emerald green at her final public event as a royal yesterday. So much color, when previously Meghan tended toward muting her color palette with a lot of black and navy. The individual red, white and blue outfits are certainly not a coincidence! Seemingly, wearing these colors symbolizes M&H's liberty and her country of origin.

In other news, Kate was unusually captured by paps leaving a bookstore the day after her return from Ireland, wearing a matching bright blue coat and turtleneck top over jeans:

Kate Middleton Was Seen Shopping at a London Waterstones Bookstore

The weekend is the perfect time to pick up some books.

www.elle.com

https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/1236330249820012545/9nFpwApE?format=jpg&name=600x314

 

[mella]

moving on.

I thought this was an interesting start to this State visit.

BREAKING: Dutch monarch offers apology for past ‘excessive violence’ - World - The Jakarta Post

Dutch King Willem-Alexander has offered an apology over "excessive violence" suffered by Indonesians during the early years of Indonesian independence, acknowledging the period as a "painful separation".

www.thejakartapost.com

Dutch King apologizes for colonial past in Indonesia

While on a State visit to Indinesia, Dutch King Willem-Alexander made surprise apologies for excessive violence used during the Netherlands' colonial past in the country.

nltimes.nl

It doesn't seem as he went as far as the Post hoped he would in terms of acknowledging 1945 as the year Indonesia became independent but nevertheless an important moment.

No hand shaking for Dutch Royals on Indonesia visit; Maxima to push economic inclusion agenda

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will, with a few possible exceptions, not shake anyone's hands during their State visit to Indonesia this week. This is to reduce the chance of catching the coronavirus Covid-19, was reported during the briefing ahead of the state visit on Monday, AD reports.

nltimes.nl

Queen Maxima looks elegant in Oscar de la Renta dress for arrival in Indonesia

Royal fans will recognise the frock

www.hellomagazine.com

Not found much other media re the actual visit. Well there are a couple of DailyFail ones but I refuse to click on those.

 

[Winnipeg]

People still listen to Piers MOrgan?

 

[attyfan]

Dutch top tiaras:

Queen Máxima’s nine finest State Banquet sparklers

As King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima begin their State Visit to Indonesia today we’re looking back at some of Queen Máxima’s finest tiaras worn to state banquets all over the world. Here are n…

royalcentral.co.uk

 

[JJH]

My favorite is the Dutch Diamond Bandeau because it is the simplest.

 

[aftershocks]

Speaking of jewelry, Meghan wore a cool pair of emerald & diamond earrings to her & Harry's Windsor church outing with the Queen on Sunday:

V by Laura Vann ‘Daphne’ Earrings

Meghan wore these art-deco feel earrings to attend church with the Queen in March 2020.

www.meghansmirror.com

Earlier in the week, M&H had attended a gathering at BP with a group of young Commonwealth leaders who are members of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust. Videos and pictures have been released, and as usual, there are stirring and eloquent messages being delivered by both M&H and the young participants:

QCT in conversation with our President and Vice President, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, President and Vice-President of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT), hosted a conversation with young leaders from the QCT n...

www.youtube.com

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4rPZ-DqZrA/XmgNARiW48I/AAAAAAABmco/wII0nFF_L24EIrmdZUBqJrs6M91YBD5LgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/qri55.jpg

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkKOEBCorqc/XmgHq7x3V7I/AAAAAAABmcM/v_U4FcgRoEUORz6ZaT3wUAl0kDYAyIPhACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/szbnn.jpg

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I found it hilarious that the song, Ain't No Mountain High Enough was chosen to be sung for part of the Commonwealth Service entertainment yesterday. Prince Charles was smiling a bit sheepishly as it was being sung, so maybe it was an intentional message to Harry from Charles. Meanwhile, Harry's expression seemed as if he was less than impressed by the lyrics. Probably these sentiments in particular came off sounding a bit lame:
...
If you need me, call me
No matter where you are
No matter how far
Just call my name
I'll be there in a hurry
You don't have to worry
Cause baby there

Ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you, babe

Remember the day
I set you free
I told you you could always count on me, darling
From that day on, I made a vow
I'll be there when you want me
Some way, some how
Cause... you are my goal

If you're ever in trouble
I'll be there on the double
Just send for me …

My love is alive
Way down in my heart
Although we are miles apart

If you ever need a helping hand
I'll be there ...
Just as fast as I can ...

 

[aftershocks]

It doesn't seem as he went as far as the Post hoped he would in terms of acknowledging 1945 as the year Indonesia became independent but nevertheless an important moment.

Apologies are empty words unless backed up by more substantial, meaningful actions to make reparations for colonial plunder, violence, hegemony...


In a similar vein, the emphasis by QE-II and organizers on inviting so many speakers and musical entertainers of color to the Commonwealth Service this year, while generally pleasant and uplifting in terms of their participation, I also found it a bit heavy-handed in symbolism. There is obvious feeling in many quarters that Harry's WOC wife was driven out of Great Britain by the slandering media and the blatant lack of full acceptance and support of her by the Windsors. Thus, in the aftermath of Sussexit, the Queen and organizers appeared to be trying to promote the idea that 'No, no, we are not racist, see. We fully support people of color in Britain and around the Commonwealth.' (Left unsaid: 'But just not in our own family, especially if their light is too bright, and they are too ambitious.') In my view, the monarchy is extremely nervous about what might happen regarding countries desiring to remain part of the Commonwealth once the Queen dies.

I suppose though that the British monarchy has always been nervous about its survival:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=biR2pJD1Ek8 British monarchy: brief sketches of reigns from ancient to modern times

 

[aftershocks]

OMG, now this is kinda hard to swallow, but it seems real. Two Russian hacker/ spammers are said to have fake telephoned Prince Harry in Vancouver, posing as Greta Thunberg and her Dad. I got so many questions behind this! How did they get his phone #, and is this really Harry's voice? His voice could be faked just as well, I'm guessing.

YouTube

www.youtube.com

Prince Harry reveals agony over Megxit in call to hoaxers posing as Greta Thunberg

PRINCE Harry spoke openly of his agony over Megxit in a call from hoaxers posing as activist Greta Thunberg. He also claimed that President Donald Trump had “blood on his hands” in the chat with Ru…

www.thesun.co.uk

Also, for those who think it's only me or only so-called 'Sussex-stans' who recognize what's going on inside the Windsor clan:

Vinay Menon: Harry and Meghan’s frigid farewell from royals proves them right to run

Prince William could’ve feigned congeniality; his wife could’ve waved back at Meghan. Instead they showed how little room there is for Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan in the royal family.

www.thestar.com

How Meghan Markle Dressed For Revenge

Last week, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry returned to the U.K. from Canada to fulfill their final obligations as official members of the British Royal Family. On 8th January, the couple announced that they had decided to 'step back as...

www.pajiba.com

Twitter

Twitter

The above second tweet references Camilla Tominey's silly commentary that the royal family somehow had something to do with setting up the staging for the iconic photo of M&H taken by Samir Hussein

Harry and Meghan's Royal Final Farewell | This Morning

Subscribe now for more! http://bit.ly/1JM41yF Just eight weeks after announcing their decision to 'step back' as senior royals - today, Harry and Meghan will...

www.youtube.com

Meanwhile the photographer, Hussein, reveals the skill, decision-making, luck, magic, and the personages in the photo that were all necessary for the shot to happen:

That Iconic Photo of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Rain Was No Accident

"It's a one in a million when all the elements come together—perfect timing, great lighting, strong symbolism and amazing subjects," photographer Samir Hussein tells Town & Country.

www.townandcountrymag.com

The b&w version of the photo looks good too. At least, in the This Morning video I linked, the hosts attempt to question Tominey's ridiculous 'BRF staging/ royal imagery' claim. The royal firm had zip to do with that wow photo. I agree with the TM female host that the falling rain in the photo looks like diamonds sparkling around M&H, or else 'stardust' is another descriptor I've heard.

 

[ballettmaus]

Also, for those who think it's only me or only so-called 'Sussex-stans' who recognize what's going on inside the Windsor clan:

I'm sure you realize that if one wants to, one can find op-eds and Twitter opinions that say that there's nothing going on inside the Windsor clan. So, all you've proven is that there are others out there who share your opinion which isn't all that surprising.

 

[aftershocks]

I'm sure you realize that if one wants to, one can find op-eds and Twitter opinions that say that there's nothing going on inside the Windsor clan. So, all you've proven is that there are others out there who share your opinion which isn't all that surprising.

Uh, I beg to differ that you're going to find any op-eds or opinion pieces claiming 'nothing is going on inside the Windsor clan.' OTOH, you will find a bunch of lies and spin-twisty guff worthy of the Trump circus, plus racist trolling and negative narratives targeting the Sussexes, and well-meaning half-truths juxtaposed by kool-aid think blindness, all over the place.

 

[Lorac]

I'm sure you realize that if one wants to, one can find op-eds and Twitter opinions that say that there's nothing going on inside the Windsor clan. So, all you've proven is that there are others out there who share your opinion which isn't all that surprising.

I would'nt waste your breath if I were you as according to them everything they post is 'truth' but anyone linking articles where their 'truth is disputed is ridiculed as is the person posting it. When someone is so deluded there really is no point trying to reason with them.

 

[aftershocks]

I would'nt waste your breath if I were you as according to them everything they post is 'truth' but anyone linking articles where their 'truth is disputed is ridiculed as is the person posting it. When someone is so deluded there really is no point trying to reason with them.

Link away with your truth, Lorac.


More info on the Russian prank call hoaxers:

Happy to Be a Weapon: Russian Prank-Callers Target Kremlin Opponents

The two young men are clearly enjoying their moment. “It's BBC calling, Vova, answer it,” says Alexei Stolyarov, aka “Lexus.” He passes his cell phone to Vladimir Kuznetsov, aka “Vovan,” who takes the call with a smile on his face — “Yes, how about we prank someone from Europe next?

www.themoscowtimes.com

ETA:
An article that provides a complete transcript of Harry's alleged comments during the hoax call:

Full transcript of Prince Harry's bizarre call with Russian pranksters - I Know All News

‘Marrying a Prince or Princess is not all it’s made out to be!’: Read the full transcript of Prince Harry’s bizarre call with Russians pretending to be Greta Thunberg Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov pranked the Prince in two phone calls Transcript...

iknowallnews.com

There's a lot of interesting comments in this transcript. The Youtube audio was only an excerpt. Of course, there's still been no confirmation either way. It could be an actor who has Harry's voice down pat. It certainly sounds like him in a lot of places, but the veracity is uncertain. Some observers say the call would have been screened by staffers at BP prior to being put through to Harry in Vancouver. Allegedly, there were two separate calls.

Prince Harry duped by Russian prank callers posing as Greta Thunberg

Nothing Prince Harry says in recorded phone call with Russian pranksters pretending to be Greta Thunberg is incriminating but the timing is weird and he calls bullsh-t on royal family's message of embracing diversity and inclusivity

www.laineygossip.com

 

[taf2002]

How Meghan Markle Dressed For Revenge

Last week, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry returned to the U.K. from Canada to fulfill their final obligations as official members of the British Royal Family. On 8th January, the couple announced that they had decided to 'step back as...

www.pajiba.com

I didn't pay attention to who wrote this but it could have been taken verbatim from this thread. It's not that I don't think Meghan has been vilified, I do think she has been treated unfairly for doing some of the same things that Kate has been praised for. But the hyperbole is a little too much. I certainly don't think she "dressed for revenge" in bright colors. If that were true what was Kate trying to get revenge for?

 

[aftershocks]

I certainly don't think she "dressed for revenge" in bright colors. If that were true what was Kate trying to get revenge for?

The commentator who wrote the opinion piece is stating a point of view that quite a number of people around the world also believe, to varying degrees, regardless of gender or ethnicity. The word 'revenge' is this particular writer's choice of verbiage. It may or may not specifically mean 'revenge' against the royal family. It more likely means 'revenge' against all the racists, the trollish haters, and the viciously sandbagging, negative spin slamming, insufferable royal reporters. The opinion piece does not equate to Meghan holding the same view or described intention.
FYI: the person who wrote the piece is Kayleigh Donaldson, a young pop culture writer and critic. Here's more about Donaldson:

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP._oyazexWUG-zl3Tr4vRvRAHaFj&pid=Api&P=0&w=235&h=177

Kayleigh Donaldson – Pop Culture Writer and Critic

Everyone who supports the Sussexes do not all hold exactly the same opinions in lockstep. The Sussex Squad on Twitter is more a movement than it is an organized group. They don't all agree with each other, but they have certainly all come together on a number of occasions to positively support Harry, Meghan & Archie, and to monetarily impact a number of Sussex charities. They are made up of people across the global spectrum who are young, old, all genders and various backgrounds, including homemakers, academics, journalists, corporate professionals, lawyers, fashionistas, etc. I'm sure their combined worldwide support will continue as the Sussexes build a new nonprofit and expand their charitable, results-oriented reach. Of course, the negative naysayer downside is bound to continue too, sadly.

Regarding Donaldson's beat-back about 'color revenge,' I think that viewpoint is more related to Meghan's supporters admiring and appreciating how she's carried herself in her return trip to a place where she was relentlessly maligned while no one in her husband's family stood up for her publicly against the vicious, unfair onslaught. In advance of the Sussexes' return trip, many of the scathing, petty and pitiless royal reporters were setting up narratives designed to continue picking Meghan and Harry apart during their last royal engagements. The RR crew clearly hoped to see some awkwardness and perhaps 'beaten down' nerves from the Sussexes. While of course, Meghan and Harry aren't perfect, they certainly were joyful and prepared, as they put their best foot forward.

 

[aftershocks]

Meghan's final engagement at BP, bidding farewell to staff and greeting ACU scholarship recipients. Balanced and fair RR Omid Scobie, sums up his emotions:

Inside Duchess Meghan’s Emotional Farewell to Royal Life at a Private Engagement

The end of a royal golden era: Royal Editor-at-Large Omid Scobie joins the Duchess of Sussex for an emotional—and final—day at Buckingham Palace.

www.harpersbazaar.com

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OXYDOKSrek/XmmCPVTGQXI/AAAAAAABmdc/wJEiGlAvzTUYCUDroyMxjA5wkusIDbdBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sjkmm.jpg

From a report:
"The event was held in the 1844 room at Buckingham Palace... It was named in honor of the visit of Russian Tsar Nicholas I to BP. Today the [historic] room provides the backdrop for receptions, welcoming dignitaries or world leaders. The Queen's Christmas broadcast is recorded there..."

Byrony Gordon, another reporter who was invited to the event, recalls how it came to a close:

"... as [Meghan] prepares to make her way to Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth service and then onward to Canada for her new life, it is time to say goodbye. Tears glisten in those bright friendly eyes that have charmed and endeared so many during recent days. But behind the scenes the Duchess of Sussex is not as buoyant as she has appeared to be in public. In fact, she appears to be quietly devastated.

I had been invited along to the Palace to sit in on the meeting with young scholars ..., but now it is over [Meghan] comes in for a hug that lasts a little longer than normal, a hold, really, before moving on for a final embrace with two of her staff, both of whom also have something in their eyes. Then she is gone – for how long, nobody knows."

 

[mag]

Prince William has a new patronage.

Prince William announces exciting new patronage and it's close to his heart

The Duke of Cambridge previously worked as an air ambulance pilot

ca.hellomagazine.com

 

[mag]

So I wonder when the British media will realize that Vancouver Island is not Vancouver?

Meghan Markle spotted on her daily walk with baby Archie

MEGHAN MARKLE has been pictured out in Vancouver with baby Archie as she embraces her new "independent" lifestyle.

www.express.co.uk

I am glad Meghan came straight back to be with Archie. It had to be stressful leaving him with all the uncertainty around this virus. Obviously better to leave him than take him half way around the world, but still stressful.

 

[Winnipeg]

Can Harry get his title back if Megan leaves him and he wants to go back to the UK?

 

[Lorac]

Can Harry get his title back if Megan leaves him and he wants to go back to the UK?

Harry hasn't lost his title. He is still the Duke of Sussex. He has just agreed not to use the HRH designation once he and Meghan step back from royal duties on 31st March.

 

[aftershocks]

On the latest episode of the HeirPod podcast, reporter Omid Scobie, confirms in conversation with ABC's Maggie Rulli, that the two prank calls to Harry at his current Vancouver Island home did take place. Scobie goes on to mention that Harry is not concerned about what he said during the calls, but he is upset about the personal violation perpetrated by the hoaxers, which they benefited from monetarily.

The recent podcast also covers measures the royals are taking in light of concerns surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic.

ETA:
At this rate, the Queen's summer garden parties, and the Invictus Games in early May are likely to be impacted, i.e., cancelled or rescheduled. The Queen has already put on hold in-country engagements, and Prince Charles & the Duchess of Cornwall have had to cancel an upcoming overseas tour.

Interesting articles:

Harry and Meghan’s new Victorian life: How Vancouver Islanders are getting along with their royal neighbours

Since the Sussexes came, British Columbians have been bemused by the added attention, irritated by the visiting paparazzi and generally inclined to leave the family alone

www.theglobeandmail.com

"One of [the Sussexes'] neighbours has formed a Facebook group, where members can identify locations of paparazzi, when they spot them, to help the couple’s security team. Others are delighting in toying with visiting British press. When reporters stopped the royals’ 83-year-old neighbour to ask if he had seen 'them,' he stonewalled: 'Who?' He then stared blankly back at the journalists. 'Oh, right, them – yeah, Archie’s been keeping us up all night with his wailing.'"

The Case Of Gary Janetti - Users, Abusers & Clout Chasers

Case Of Gary Janetti. If one was ever in doubt of what a hypocritical opportunist looks like, look no further than Janetti.

meghanpedia.com

 

[mag]

Fascinating read:

Meghan and Harry Overplayed Their Hand — The Atlantic

Megxit is the most complicated, self-involved, grandiose, shortsighted, letter of partial, fingers-crossed resignation in history.

apple.news

 

[mag]

Kate out shopping with the kids

Kate Middleton shops for children's clothes in Sainsbury's with 'very well behaved' George, Charlotte and Louis

The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted in Sainsbury's, King's Lynn, in March

ca.hellomagazine.com