British Royal Family Gossip: Part 28

Here is the previous thread Part 27.

What the Meghan stan wishes they could do to the rest of us.

New musical "Call Me Diana" coming in the fall.... apologies if already posted.

Someone wrongly posted in the last thread that MM wanted to wear the emerald tiara that Yuge wore for her wedding. MM wanted to wear the Grand Duchess Vladimir tiara owned by Queen Elizabeth II, which she inherited from her grandmother Queen Mary. It's the one that I thought would look best for MM but now I realize it would have been too big and overpowering. (See below).

This is the emerald tiara that Eugenie wore at her wedding.

For what it's worth, Meghan's outfits today totalled a staggering £18,000 - whilst Kate, as the DM was quick to point out, recycled an "old Catherine Walker coat".

"Meghan wore £9K Victoria Beckham coat, dress, shoes and bag

Her earlier bespoke Erdem outfit is thought to have also cost £9K"

Can you credit it?! £18,000 for that silly green coat and that awful chain-pattern dress and accessories?

Why don't that creature's shoes ever fit? Is she actually cloven hoofed?

Eguenie's wedding ceremony seemed more like a funeral to me, but she did look gorgoeus -- the best she has ever looked. Her wedding dress was perfect for her and fit like a glove (unlike MM's stiff, wrinkled, ill-fitting , boxy dress).

i think jack wearing his glasses to see Yuge come down the aisle was perhaps the sweetest part of the whole wedding. He was such a nervous wreck.

I still like MM's veil, the fighting goddaughter sisters and the toothless twin's reaction of "wow!"

I didn't like MM's makeup, hair or dress. She needs to ditch her makeup artist and stylist (if she has one-Jessica M?) and hire the ones from Suits. Her makeup artist said they didn't do a practice run of the wedding makeup. Umm... it showed.

R6 I don't know what looked worse -- the chain dress or the nurse's hat. There are so many talented Commonwealth fashion designers (many who are still in college). Why keep wearing Beckham and the horrid Givenchy designs?

R4 - No one knows what tiara Meghan wanted, so far as I know, which one was entirely speculation. Only the fact that she wanted one with emeralds was stated flatly by Jobson in his book. If she had even breathed the word "Vladimir" in her dreams, then it shows how out of touch she was with reality. Even if the Queen didn't still wear it, which would have eliminated it immediately, the idea that it would have been thought suitable for the second marriage of a 36 year old American actress to the sixth in line was ludicrous on its face.

If it is true that Meghan mentioned the Vladimir, her contact with reality is even more tenuous than I thought.

Here are some of the roral engagement rings.

I wouldn't want to wear Diana's sapphire --- very bad mojo.

I think the part that would have annoyed HM most is the presumption to look up tiaras and ask for a specific one - the form is normally to choose from what’s offered. Meghantoinette just seems to have no social graces, no basic good manners. I suppose though if the Mulroney scarecrow is your social yardstick you’re screwed.

R10 Johnson's book shouldn't be looked at as the only source. It was reported many places (yes, speculation) that MM wanted to wear the Vladimir Tiara. Not only was she not supposed to ask the Queen or make her desire known, it was Russian and had been bought.

I seriously wonder if she googled "British Royal family tiaras" or "Queen Elizabeth's grandest tiaras" and picked out the Vladimir (or whatever) that way? Maybe that's why her gown was so plain, she was looking to blow everybody out of the water with jewels.

I didn't care for Kate's outfit. Stupid buttons and a glaring shade of red. She can do better.

R5 - The Greville is gorgeous, a real Art Deco treasure, and that center emerald is hardly small. What probably happened is that the Greville was the only emerald piece suitable, the Vladimir would NEVER have been on offer, and when Meghan realised that the Queen's granddaughter already had dibs on the only appropriate emerald piece available, she threw her now legendary hissy fit. The bit about the problem of "provenance" was probably floated to lessen the look of woman pissed off because another woman got the piece of jewellery she wanted.

There just aren't that many emerald tiaras in the Queen's collection. I think three that matter, two of which Meghan would only have gotten her hands on in her dreams.

Scroll down to see Diana in a green maternity dress. That color is hard to wear. At least MM looks better than Pippa 's wretched green maternity dress at Eugenie's wedding. Pippa is rumored to have worn a Moonbump. The bikini shots include the Moonbump.

Kate's red Catherine Walker coat was so flattering on her, and looked sensational next to Camilla and the Queen's purple outfits. And then there was nurse Megs in her starchy white getup, oh dear.

R15 - Luckily for Kate today, Meghan's silly and totally unflattering white outfit made Kate's look better. It's a habit Meghan has that she can't seem to break.

Kate looked nice, as usual she looked incredibly trim and small-waisted in her coatdress, and the hat and upswept hair looked very pretty - whilst Meghan's outfit could have come straight out of Debenham's.

Kate has looked nicer in other ensembles, but the contrast with Meghan's ridiculous outfit upgraded Kate's Here I Am With the Buttons Again look.

And Kate doesn't even have to try - she can depend on Meghan to fuck it up completely and make her look more polished, economical, and royal.

It's still hard to understand what the hell happened to the MM in this photo in just 2 short years. Yes, it's probably PhotoShopped but still. Can our DL doctors/nurses explain again, what are the shots she gets to make her jutting jaws go down into a diamond or oval-shaped face? It's like Mueller's jawline.

R17 - At this point, is there anyone about who isn't suspected of wearing a moonbump?

Here's the investirue anniversary footage again. I gasped at how deathly thin kate looks after she walks by the exhibit. She looks like a side view of an ironing board.

Harry has a right to be pissed off. Charles wanted H&M to go in. It was the bungling of the courtiers. I don't think it would have toppled the monarchy if Harry and Mm followed Kate + Wm to look at the exhiit. Harry is Charle's son, too. Start watching at 1:50.

I don't know R20. she has aged 15 years in the past 6 months. Not sure about the shots, but a lot of them have the fat removed from inside their cheeks to sculpt the face. She has had full thick veneers installed so she looks like a shark when she smiles.

Awe Harry pissed off? Go to Soho House and drown yr sorrows, you'll feel better tomorrow little man.

R14 I did. lol. MM must have too. I found it very relaxing looking at the blogs that show all of the royal tiaras (not just the Queen of England's) and jewels. They are beautiful to see and you learn a lot about the history of the tiaras and the royal families.

I was really disappointed in what MM chose for her dress when there were so many other beautiful dresses out there.

I toured Windor Castle after the fire so parts were closed. It was strange. Due to having worked in Hollywood for so long, nothing seemed real. It seemed like walking through a prop house --- the gold, the armory, etc just seemed fake. My favorite part was Queen Mary's doll house.

I did see the Crown Jewels at the Tower. Those registered as being real. But the heavy sadness and darkness of the Tower was papable.

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Is prince Charles' red face from alcoholism? Redheads have the problem of a redface. Harry has it. It will only get worse, I'm afraid. I think Harry is doing well, all things considering. His speeches are good. I especially liked the one he gave in Ireland.

I'd find it a grind to do all of those meet-and-greet, openings, awards and ceremonies.

i thought the Morrocan trip was very well-planned. I liked the horse therapy place. Also, two little sisters wore red dresses to greet H&M, so whoever said that MM wearing red was a faux pas, wasn't right.

What's with all of the lies? MM did, indeed, wear Diana's butterfly earrings.

Butterfly earrings...

Little girls can wear red. Grown women can too, if they are whores.

The diamonds in MM's engagement ring just don't look brilliant to me, especially the large Botswana one in the middle.

I love Diana's aquamarine ring, though. MM is lucky to get that one.

A big part of MM looking awful since the wedding is that orange bronzer and brown rough on her cheeks, especially when her face looks oily. Well, that and the synthetic, wiggy-looking hair.

lol. rouge not rough (although she does look rough). ^^^

Considering the depth or lack thereof of Harry's abysmally stunted mental faculties, it wouldn't have taken much to fool the idiot into thinking he was buying a quality Botswana diamond for glass.

MEghan gurl... you may want to have your ring appraised.

R6 it's all hype. Beckham is hyping the worth of her clothing and Meghan paid nothing - they are borrowed and she has to give them back, or they're freebies - pieces that probably she can't get rid of. But it's fun watching people tally the claims and think PC is shelling out for it all, or even more absurdly - Harry.

Women in their early thirties go through a second bloom of beauty, I’ve always thought (probably caused by their ovaries telling them to get a move on) & Meghan did.

But it’s downhill all the way from about 36 - she’s losing the bloom rapidly which is why she looks far better in her IG/Suits pics than she does now.

She’s obviously filling her face with silicone and botox but it’s starting to make her look plastic.

If Harry married her for her looks, he’s probably only got another year or so to enjoy them.

R35 Do you realise that it’s far, far worse for her to be “borrowing” clothes than it would be for PC to be buying them?

That’s far more exploitative and would cause a much bigger scandal,

R37 yes it is more exploitative but that's what she's doing. And obviously it's not causing a scandal. As with everything else, the idea that if someone does "this" there will be a hue and cry because it's against the rules proves to be as bogus in the U.K. as in the U.S. People just won't admit that's what's going on, and it proceeds. Of course the bitch is getting free clothes for publicity and barely spending anything on her clothes, and of course the label is pretending the clothes are worth tens of thousands. It's like when that idiot Claire Wright Keller said the wedding dress for Meghan cost (or was WORTH) a hundred thousand because it was a royal wedding dress. Which is exactly backwards. That attitude presupposes she could have worn a Primark frock or whatever and it would automatically be worth a fortune because it was worn by a royal. That or - well, I charged her tens of thousands cause she's a princess! Idiots. All idiots. They're all doing it. I'd love to take a look at the books of some of these labels throwing this crap towards Meghan.

R31 - MM's central diamond looks like a modified square or emerald cut - the fewer facets would mean less brilliance. It's probably much more impressive in person if it's a high clarity grade.

I think that diamond looks pretty lifeless too, although Meghan critics elsewhere claim she has about twelve versions of the ring.

R40 - It would in photos. Flat surfaces, like the tables of square and emerald cuts, don't show well in photos. It's why clarity grade becomes so much more important in those cuts than in modern rounds, where the light glancing off the facets can hide more clarity issues.

I don't like the ring because I think it's neither particularly imaginative nor a good classic design. I think the squares and rounds look a bit awkward, although I get that Harry wanted a couple of diamonds from his mother's jewellery in the ring, as Kate has Diana's actual engagement ring.

Frankly, the royal engagement rings I liked most in recent years were Eugenie's unusual parparaschas sapphire, Camilla's emerald cut, and Mary of Denmark's beautiful emerald cut diamond flanked by two emerald cut rubies (red and white the colours of Denmark's flag).

MM's ring has that "costly but common" look, and Diana's was too close to a cocktail ring.

I have a feeling MM will have a bad time losing the ton of baby weight she has packed on.

I find it so bizarre that MM is still constantly dining out on that stupid dishwasher detergent story. She is so pompous and strident and humourless. She was eleven for Christ's sake: move on.

R20, Meghan used Botox to slim her chipmunk masculine jawline to a more oval shaped, slimmer jawline. Botox is used on the masseter muscles to weaken it so that it atrophies. It's popular even used by Olivia Munn whose jawline really changed to oval from round/ squarish to oval. Meghan's results are less drastic but still noticeable. Obviously Meghan hasn't kept up with it since being pregnant, so her jawline is reverting back to a more masculine shape. That coupled with pregnancy weight gain is making her look much more like her mother Doria.

I don't think she borrows the clothes but she's probably not paying full price either. I bet she discreetly uses coupons.

[quote]I find it so bizarre that MM is still constantly dining out on that stupid dishwasher detergent story. She is so pompous and strident and humourless. She was eleven for Christ's sake: move on.

Precocious is no substitute for talent. Obviously an uninvolved mother.

R 43 here, my opinion as former RN who dabbled in injectables and have friends who are in plastics/ dermatology. Also there are articles online that show before/ after photos of Meghan and other celebs who had this done. Botox to jawline is very popular in Korea, where they value a small, oval shaped face. Problem is Koreans are known for having decidedly round or squarish large face, so before Botox was used this way they were having to have bone-shaving surgery (quite involved/ painful). Now it's 50 units of Botox every 6 months to keep masseter muscles from going back to regular size.

If Meghan doesn't decide to get Botox to her jawline after baby is born, her jawline will start to become even wider than it is now.

Diana's engagement ring IS too much like a cocktail ring, and the band is very plain. That works with some stones, but not with this setting.

When I see Camilla's rock on the Queen Mother in old photos, that, too, looks a bit like a cocktail ring, maybe because the Queen Mother was fairly petite. On Camilla it just looks like a massive art deco rock / engagement stone flanked by healthy baguettes. Evokes in size and impression the ring Prince Rainier gave Princess Grace after he realized he had to upsize from the eternity band he gave her originally (Hollywood culture demanded it).

Looking over it, of the big guns, or the most publicized rings, I think the Queen's comes off best, from Phillip, with Camilla a close second. I just looked at Anne's (her first one) and Sophie's, and Autumn's, and they're all very nice, but the queen's manages to be substantial/significant without being gauche. Charlene of Monaco's engagement ring has the glamour you'd expect but could probably go into QE's vault and not look out of place.

R42 she'll lose the baby weight by downsizing her fat suits or moon bump suits until she's back to where she was.

I posted earlier that I think she's both pregnant and padding. Well, she's going to have to produce a baby from somewhere, and despite the fervent predictions of those who want her gone yesterday, I think she knows exactly how she's going to do it. She's got one under there, or there's a surrogate somewhere. Now, it's also been said that no way, no how can they pull off a surrogate but I simply don't believe it. If they want to pull it off, people will simply pretend that she gave birth, end of. Look the other way. And look at how the media always operates. You think 99% of the media don't know Amal and George Clooney had a surrogate, and they still pump out stories like how often did you have to try before it took, and was the pregnancy challenging in any way, and what made you fall in love with each other. Knowing it's crap.

Meghan’s chain dress would have looked great if she’d pulled out the grey in the dress by wearing a grey coat/hat/shoes.

The all white was too much and very retro nurse looking.

R38 It’s not causing a scandal - yet. The DM really doesn’t like her & is already dropping hints by saying things like “She used to get freebies but isn’t allowed to now”. All they need is actual evidence and I reckon they’ll run it - or start producing questioning pieces forcing KP to respond.

I agree she’s either getting freebies or heavy, heavy discounts. No way is she presenting bills of £90k to PC for a single dress. And I don’t buy the “She’s a millionaire in her own right” either. How come she wasn’t swanning around in Dior & Givenchy before, then? The woman didn’t even own her own home or car.

Meghan is doing everything wrong...too expensive clothes, stupid, incoherent & pretentious speeches, emasculating her previously popular husband & alienating the press. Her humiliation is going to come and couldn’t possibly be more deserved.

If she emerges from a British hospital carrying a baby then people will just have to accept she really was pregnant and really did give birth. I don’t believe for one second that doctors and nurses would be willing to lie about something like that.

And the royal family would be committing criminal fraud by lying on the birth certificate that will be produced within a week or so. I think that’s quite unlikely, to say the least. Harry & Meghan could actually go to prison for that - they are not protected from prosecution like HM is (as she is, literally, the law itself so can’t prosecute herself).

FFS - Charles couldn’t keep Harry smoking a bit of dope secret and yet people really believe there’s a conspiracy of silence whenever the RF break the law? There isn’t.

And where’s the actual evidence that the Clooney’s used a surrogate? All there is gossip but people seem to be accepting it as fact. Why?

r51 google all the pics of Amal during her pregnancy (so-called). She never looked pregnant, except for a few public appearances. She'd show up in a gown with a bump one day then be papped at a distance in an airport with NO bump at all. She was really all over the place with that. If anyone is a prime candidate for secret celeb surrogacy it's the Clooneys.

I don't see the problem though. So what if she used a private surrogate and wore a moonbump in public a few times, to keep their privacy. Its their right, none of anyone's business. No one cares if they used a carrier.

I don't think MM looks a damn thing like her mother Doria, who herself resembles Eartha Kitt. MM looks like her sister, Samantha. Look past the difference in weight and age (and Doria's genetics) and it's the same face, same expressions, same look in the eye. Absent a young, unbearded photo of Thomas Markle (even in his wedding to Doria pics he's scruffy) it's hard to tell if they have his stamp 100%, but the sisterly resemblance at least is remarkable.

Harry smoked more than a bit of dope. He used cocaine. Do you see the BRF admitting that? That wasn't a secret. The whole "Harry uses dope so we took him to a scared straight session." was spin. They CHOSE to address it. Yet everyone knows he uses coke and the BRF doesn't admit it.

It's not about what people KNOW. It's not about what is SECRET. It's what people will publicly acknowledge. Every fucking MM sugar in the media knows she's full of shit but they sing her praises for the clicks, because that's the hill they decided to die on. It's not about what's known or not known. It's about what is publicly (meaning officially and nothing else) acknowledged or not.

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There is no way on this planet that in her own right MM is a millionaire. Her first real contract job was on basic cable where you can be sure she pulled in at max 12k for a sixteen episode season. So, she had no debt? Paid no taxes? No agency or management or PR fees? No insurance?

She has no money, had no money. Not from acting, not from yachting. On Suits, she earned a living, like anybody privileged with a low six figure job but big taxes and expenses. That's it. The End.

R39 I was a bit surprised by the closeup of MM's engagement ring that I posted. Rather than being a high grade of clarity, it looks like there is a flaw on the camera right side.

Maybe it's the thought and effort that Harry put into it that's more important anyway. I wasn't so crazy about Eugenie's ring but now after seeing the photo again, I appreciate its color and the sentimentality behind it.

I still like Victoria's ring that Diana's brother gave her. The crowned ruby and diamond.

R22, Harry, sixth in line, was told to wait there behind the real royals. There is no fucking way Charles would have wanted Harry and Meghan to come in behind him, and ahead of the Cambridges. Despite Meghan's best efforts. The courtiers were doing what they were told to do, since the Sussexes are clearly not trusted.

R55 Why do Harry and William clutch their waist?

For R56.

R58 Charles motions for Harry to go in before him.

Since Eugenie and Jack had to postpone their own wedding for Meghan and Harry's farce, it is likely Eugenie ha a tiara reserved already, and it would be classic Meghan to demand that she get that one.

R62, I have eyes. No, he does not.

R62 MM didn't want the tiara that Eugenie wore. She wanted the Vladimir Tiara.

R62 Your eyes need examination. Charles definitely is expecting Harry and Meghan to follow him in. Harry is motioning "After you" and Charles is lingering.

“Harry was doing more than dope. He was using cocaine. Everyone knows it”. Your evidence? Actual, presentable, verifiable evidence?

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You have none.

I think he probably uses coke - but I don’t understand the certainty you people reach. You know nothing. Nothing at all. You see about 1% of these people’s lives and carry on as if you’re experts in everything about them.

Same goes for the Clooneys. “Look at photos of her when she was pregnant”. THAT’S your evidence? FFS.

Gossip is great but you look so fucking foolish when you start asserting things as facts that you can’t possibly know.

It’s a shame that these threads owe more to fucking Tumblr and those cretinous royal forums these days than they used to.

R65 He doesn’t motion them in, and he’s not lingering .... he’s talking to Harry as he walks, he’s not waiting for them to catch up.

I understand the money, travel, etc. but the actual day to day function of being a working royal looks horrible. It reminds me of being a kid and being forcibly dragged to 3.5 hours of church every Sunday — except it’s every single day. The further down the line ones really do have the sweetest deal. The money and privilege but only putting in the “holidays and funerals” level of attendance.

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John? No, no. "John" is not about o happen within this century Long story.

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I agree, R71. Her legs are spectacular. I loved her look when she was a bit more filled out and muscular, but, either way, she earned that calf and thigh shape through years of athletic discipline.

A pillbox hat needs a strong or interesting classic face, not a sweaty, fat, badly made-up face.

She's a disaster.

Yes, R69, those earrings would have to be clip ons, otherwise her earlobes would be in her soup plate.

The Duchess Of Cambridge has arrived to the Henry Fawcett Children’s Centre. Don't like the trousers at all, I'm afraid, but she looks radiant, today.

*Arrived at* not to, damn c&p wihout checking.

I like her outfit&hair today.I hated yesterday's huge buttoned look.

Oh, I think she looks fantastic. Radiant is the right word. And I adore this outfit; very 70's. She looks like the super popular girls I went to high school with in the 70's, in fact. The ones you just knew would end up "doing something" with their lives.

Kate must feel like she was born in the wrong decade. I'm not sure which decade she ought to have been born in, but her love of retro fashion is obvious and delightful. She interprets the styles of different eras in a unique way. And obviously she has the body to wear whatever the fuck she feels like.

She seems like she's starting to branch out, sartorially speaking, and take chances, and I really enjoy watching her evolve.

Love Kate's look today - perfect for meeting school-age kids, which is the only point that matters. The look is feminine and sweet, the purple colour looks great on her, and she hasn't cluttered it up with the wrong bottom. In fact, she looks very much like an upgraded primary school teacher, a look that is a savvy choice by her. And yes, she does look very happy.

Doesn't she have an engagement together with HM later today?

I can't any longer get into the surrogacy fake baby. The magnitude of the fraud dwarfs Meghan's alleged merching/freebies and those who think the BRF and whatever hospital and staff involved in the event would collude in it whilst the taxpayers renovate the fraudsters' home are deluded. End of.

Re Meghan's ring - you can't judge flaws in a diamond by shadows and reflections in a casual news photo - a flaw that visible would render the diamond in the I (incusions visible to the naked eye) clarity grade and I really doubt Harry had advise that bad. The ring cost about 200,000 - it's very likely the center diamond is high quality in clarity and colour, especially given its cut, which is unforgiving of inclusions. News photos are worthless in making a judgement.

Kate looks gorgeous, as usual.

"I can't any longer get into the surrogacy fake baby."

This x one billion.

This ho has been pregnant for what, about fifteen months?

The black trousers are a great choice as pics in the DM show her on the floor with parents and their babies and toddlers. Gucci blouse and Jigsaw trousers, today. She looks fabulous.

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I, too, love the retro look. Everything has looked the same since the 90s anyway, might as well go back.

Funny how every story about Kate or Meghan now includes price tags for their clothes. I love Kate but don't see why her blouse today has to cost over $1k. And god, she's thin.

She can really pull off that high-waisted sailor pants look. She looks as good in trousers as she does in dresses, in fact.

She should wear trousers like this more often.We already know that her legs are stunning.It's time for something different.She looks perfect today.

[quote]so I thought it would be fun for a baby name poll

Boy were you wrong.

Another style the couple could choose is a nature/word baby name like Violet, Rose, Iris, Felicity, Verity etc...

Yes, that would be very suitable r90.

Violet,Iris and Felicity are beautiful names. Alice Violet,Felicity Rose,Iris Mary etc sound good.

"Lady Hyacinth Mountbatten-Windsor" would be sublime!

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I think Kate looks fantastic. But she's getting so thin that she's absolutely swamped in those trousers. Perhaps next time she should opt for a slightly less wide leg. Otherwise 5 stars all around.

On a side note, her article was up alongside Angelina Jolie's film premiere appearance and I was shocked to see that Kate looks even thinner than Jolie and makes AJ look positively shapely. Eek. Sandwich time, lady.

Does this kid want his mother or is he ready to slap Kate's face? LOL.

She's a hands on Duchess.

[quote]Can anyone spot the future gymnast in the room?

She’s adorable. “Duchess, Smuchess, I’ve got to practice my routine!”

I’m not loving Kate’s look at all. It’s very drab and marmish. She doesn’t have to look chic, but at least not like she’s 70 years old. The clothes today are truly terrible—big pants and a shirt that is right out of Target.

She looks happy.

"Why is this bitch always peering over my shoulder?"

r99 = Meghan Markle

William has a public appearance scheduled on St Patrick's Day.

No r99, just someone who thinks clothes should have a little warmth and style.

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^ meant r102...

R103 - Kate will accompany him. This is what she wore on a St Paddy's appearance in the past.

"accompanied by" makes her sound surplus to requirements. A simple "and" would have been more egalitarian. Bitch has been dressing up and dragging her ass to events for more than a decade and they still make her sound like a +1.

Kate and Will should bring George and Charlotte to the St Paddy's parade but I doubt they will. Most children love parades.

Prince Andrew will become Patron of Outward Bound UK taking over from his father Philip.

R110 That looks rather dangerous, what he’s doing on the shard

R95 I totally agree. Don’t like to focus too much on her weight, but it’s getting a bit startling. “Worryingly thin” As the tabloids like to say.

R107, I love that coat on her.

R110 looks like a scene from SNL. Who thought this was a good idea?

Oh my days.

I believe she is pregnant but i dont get how she is not really swelling up considering the size of her bump and her age. I am wondering if in reality she is really not gaining much weight and has a small bump, like Jolie, but is wearing a moonbump for attention now and for attention after the baby is born and she "miraculously" is back to her normal weight in two weeks like other Hollywood celebrities. Think of the attention! And she can say it is healthy living and yoga.

Charles is definitely telling them to stay where they are and letting them know to wait until he and the others have come in.

R115, exactly. And, IMO, obviously. She's probably squared off, given her torso, just thick and boxy. Not the "great with child" "Royal Madonna" look she wants. A thick and boxy look doesn't produce photos as good as a "heavy with child" look.

AND when PC looks behind him it's to make sure they are staying put. The courtiers are doing their job, as Meghan has a habit of accidentally or unknowingly or casually breaking protocol.

They should finally be put in their place. She is getting away with all these shenanigans because she's pregnant. Harry knows better as he grew up in the monarchy. He needs to inform the grifter.

Do we have an explanation for why the Harkles had to hang back & not look at the stuff on the table?

I would love it if it was because HM couldn’t stand to be near the bint, but I doubt that’s the case.

Kate is a perfect weight for her very small ribcage. Seethe fatties.

R120 I would have thought that they should have been ahead and in the room where everyone was seated. But MM was aware that the press were ready to take pics of HM at the display table, and wanted that camera to include her. Other members of the RF were ahead and already seated in the " concert room". I think the press pic s for the display table were really meant to be of HM, and the future Kings and their consorts. Also William will one day be Prince of Wales ( relevant as the investiture "props" were on display. ) Just my opinion/take on it. But basically, Harry and the Grifter should have been in that room and seated already.

She walks in everywhere like she has done something. SMDH

I agree with r122, they were supposed to be seated already but Bean wasn't having it and thought her charm would sway PC.

I agree with R123 and R124 - I think at this point the BRF, as the Commonwealth service showed, is trying to put the best possible unified family face on things in public, especially Charles, who is in a far more awkward position as Harry is his own son. Meghan will keep trying by pushing the etiquette envelope to keep up the public illusion that she and Harry matter as much as William and Kate, when they don't and never will, and will matter less and less as time goes on. The BRF by now has Meghan's number, but her pregnancy and the personal relationship between Charles and his son make discretion necessary.

My ex-BF gets E-mails from me, celebrating different royals. I sent him a photo of Katherine, in purple, and I'm awaiting his response. It's usually a pretty steely, "What"; Okay, he responded. "Wow". This makes me so happy. The Duchess of Cambridge became a real person to my ex-BF.

Is r126 for real?

R126 , You are so happy with 3-4 word responses. I hope you and your ex-BF are both happy for each other as you move on to other relationships. It is a tender moment that you shared. Thank you.

I think MM would like Charles for herself. Camilla looks like she would cut a bitch if anything like that would happen.

There was no reason for the two to stand by the entrance waiting for the others. If they were supposed to be part of the group they would have been behind W and K . Instead they are standing at the front waiting and Harry gestures Charles to go ahead and Meg starts talking to Charles to walk with him. So I agree the two were trying to be part of the group and were treated that way because they knew they should have been seated. It also shows again that Harry, like Meg, does not like that he is not as important as W and will do this type of shit to be included. Maybe Charles was surprised to even see them standing there.

Yes, I noticed at the investiture commemoration when the top tier were looking at the display table Camilla was doing her damndest chummying up to first Catherine and then to Wills. Not a single glance toward the wayward Sussexes. Since the garden party celebrating Charles' birthday, I've not seen Camilla show a single inkling at her wanting much to do with the fuckups. But who can blame her?

It does make you wonder, doesn't it, why Andrew was trailing ginge and his cringey minge up the aisle at Westminster during the Commonwealth Day service. Why was he in the procession and not Anne and Edward, too? Did he volunteer as enforcer to ensure HazBean stay in their lane and not try to sneak past the Cambridges like petty gate crashers?

With their first anniversary coming up, I think it's safe to say that Harry and Meghan (especially Harry) don't radiate happiness but rather the aura of a couple doing their damndest to radiate happiness. So far, Harry's wife has generated bad PR, made really bad public optic choices (the baby shower debacle comes to mind, never mind the Tobacco Road family squabbles, the failure to support British fashion whilst wearing clothes valued at astronomical prices), has demonstrated a bottomless appetite for the limelight, and opened a rift not just between Harry and his older brother, who will one day be holding the purse-strings of the Duchy of Cornwall and then the Duchy of Lancaster, but Harry and most of the rest of his family.

Camilla will dutifully support Charles's efforts to go on seeming welcoming and affectionate to Meghan (as will William and Kate), but she didn't land Charles eventually by being a fool where other women are concerned; the Cambridges clearly loathe Meghan; the banishment from London and the second-rate Frogmore Cottage "gift" and the failure to be seen up at Balmoral last summer are some indication of how the Queen feels (those four little patronages and the VP title of the Commonwealth thing are easy tidbits to hand out).

I don't think we'll see real fallout until the baby is at least a year old - but if you compare Meghan's first year as a royal wife, and Kate's, the difference is blindingly clear.

I'd wonder if Meghan will ever accept the message that she's not the centre of the BRF, but given that short dress and her crossed bare legs last week in a most unseemly pose for a royal wife, I doubt it. She craves attention and she doesn't care how she gets it.

I wonder how long it will take Harry to get tired of all the energy it takes to go on sticking it to his family and appeasing the domineering narcissist he married.

I saw her appointment of VP to Harry's President as the BRF isolating the Sussexes whilst publicly appearing to lavish favor, no?

I'd love to be privy to the conversations between Kate and Pippa about HazBean. I just know Kate has a burner phone just for her calls to Pippa on this subject. I imagine that although Wills clearly loathes the Duchess of Frogmore, Kate probably still has to tread lightly when discussing his brother.

R134 - I don't think it's isolating - Harry was given the Commonwealth gig, he had to be given something and he clearly prefers "abroad" to Britain (sometimes I think Harry doesn't even feel British, although he may rediscover that he's more British than he thought eventually), so it was a good fit and of course they'd shoehorn his wife in.

They have to be seen to "working" for all those perks. Meghan has only four patronages in the UK, and only one of those is a "prestige" patronage and she's made only one low-key appearance there, and there was some disgusted backlash from NT subscribers at a third-rate TV actress being fobbed off on them as some sort of "natural fit".

No HRHs for the kids, the second-rate (by royal standards) place in Windsor, no gift of a grand London home base, and keeping them in their places in other small ways will be the name of the game for awhile.

I'd forgotten about Prince Charles' garden party for his birthday R131, you are right, very little association ( publicly) between Cammy and Sparkle since then. The videos and pictures suggested that Hairy and Sparkle were asked to leave, after twenty minutes, and she swung her hips like a supermodel ( although the effect was more of Bambi in too-big shoes ) , working that exit. Only to be pictured FURIOUS in the car that took them away.

Given her propensity for making it appear that people are talking to her who aren't and that she is involved in conversations she isn't, I question any interaction she appears to have as to whether it is real.

Not liking Kate's trouser get-up and I bet if MM were wearing it, you'd all be shredding her, including the £1000 price tag of the blouse.

What was the backlash from the NT? I imagined it would be bad, but I never read anything about it. If Harry doesn't feel British what does he feel. I hope he doesn't feel African. That would be such white elitism.

R139 yes we would be shredding short boxy Meg if she wore those pants, she would look ridiculous- like she did at Wimbledon last year.

You seem to be laboring under the misapprehension that Meg is Kate’s equal - she isn’t. Not by any stretch. Kate is the wife of the direct heir to the Prince of Wales, a future king. Meg is wife of the sixth in line and slipping farther in importance each day.

Not a matter of importance - I just think it's an ugly outfit. I hate palazzo pants and pussycat bows.

R137 - I'd forgotten about that - her sashaying hips as she left the garden party last year were literally and figuratively shameless and also somewhat comical.

R139, that K-mart blouse was $1,000??

You mentioned £1000 blouse r142, although I think you meant dollars because it was reported as £780 approx., that’s where the difference in status comes in. Kate is going to be queen, her wardrobe is expected to be a cut above that of the wife of the sixth in line.

R145, no argument about that, but that outfit Kate wore (pussy blouse and pants) was so homely and blah that I can’t believe anyone would compliment it, let alone rationalize the price.

R146 - No one seems to get that homely and blah are Kate's calling cards - she's not there to be edgy: she's there to be reassuringly traditional and send a message of stability and suitability for carrying on the traditions of the monarchy and becoming Princess of Wales and then Queen Consort.

She can leave edgy and cutting edge and hot to her sister in law. In my opinion, Kate took a good long look at what happened to Diana the Fashion Icon, and what is happening to Look At Me Ain't I Hot! Meghan, and isn't seeing anything encouraging.

Kate knows her place and dresses, most of the time (events like the BAFTAS are an exception, where glamour is expected of her) accordingly.

Meghan doesn't know her place and dresses accordingly.

Kate dresses like old money and nothing to prove, Meghan dresses like new money and look at me, look at me, I have money now!

R148 - "Kate dresses like old money and nothing to prove, Meghan dresses like new money and look at me, look at me, I have money now!"

That's a pretty good way of looking at it, although I hadn't thought of it in those terms before.

Part of it is probably Kate's long relationship with William before they got engaged, including living together, and being English and middle- to upper-middle class. Meghan for all her SJW twaddle really understands little about Britain - no one who had any understanding of Britain would have had an anonymous friend drop the Archbishop of Canterbury's name in a PEOPLE Magazine article as part of evidence of her close relationship with God and deep spirituality. Meghan gets the Clooneys and Jessica Mulroney much better than she gets Britain, and it shows.

Unfortunately, it's British taxpayers who are supporting her.

R140 - Apparently a group of NT subscribers cancelled their memberships in disgust at Meghan being made patron of the NT. I don't know how large the group was and it was mostly ignored.

I think Harry has massive unresolved issues around his mother and the BRF and feels more comfortable outside Britain and in places completely different to the environment he grew up in. I'm speculating, of course, but in cases like this the person has rejected part of his own identity as some sort of act of defiance, and only finds out later that that part of him was stronger than he thought. Marrying a partner who represents that defiant part of himself and goes against the other part of his identity isn't unknown. The problems come later on when he gets tired of appeasing the split-off part and remembers who he is.

When are we getting the "Royal Baby Arrives Early" articles in DM followed by "Meghan's Health Scare: Royally Ill Following The Early Delivery of Her First Child" in true narc fashion?

R151 - Well, it's mid-March so it wouldn't be much of a story at this point. They said early spring, late March or early April. That bird has flown . . .

R151, very likely the day the Duchess of Cambridge announces she's expecting another child or the day Prince Philip bites the dust.

Just an example of what the shameless narc grifter would do to get herself some attention.

[QUOTE] Do we have an explanation for why the Harkles had to hang back & not look at the stuff on the table?

Because it’s all gold and HM was afraid the Compton Grifter would steal it.

R132 It looked like Andrew was babysitting the Grifter, sitting quietly next to her watching every move. She was a wreck, chewing her lip, blinking, and looking longingly at Wills.

There have been some reports of contractions and dashes to hospital in the UK press, but I think that's just her PR to keep her relevant each day. Look at today, Kate has two engagements and Bean's PR is pushing out " Meghan will reunite with her family/father after the baby is born blah blah blah ".

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^ and r154 is why these threads descend into disgustedness and racism. Is there any reason to drop “Compton” into your thinly veiled racist post? Is MM even from Compton? Oh yeah, every black person in LA is from Compton.

R157 What has Victoria Beckham come as???

Kate looks quite lovely this evening at the National Portrait Gallery. I like the reworked McQueen.

R159 - La Beckham looks ridiculous.

Between the BREXIT news and Kate at the NPG, Meghan's "reconciliation" article lost nearly as badly as the PM's deal did today.

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R161 - This is another "a source close to the Duchess said" story. And since it includes mention of extending an olive branch even to Psycho Sister Samantha Markle, I would treat it with extreme caution.

Kensington Palace refused to comment on the story, which is probably a leak from Meghan's PR just to keep her on the front pages - it also allowed the DM to regurgitate gleefully everything disgusting about Meghan's family history and mention Meghan's and Harry's respective ages ("her 34 year old husband . . . .")

A lot more A-listers and even at least one other royal, Princess Beatrice, showing up to join Catherine at The National Portrait Gallery fundraiser. What was that National Theatre shindig MEgan attended again, where nobody recognized any of the names?

R163 - Bea looked awful, IMO. She's too chubby for that look with the clunky shoes.

But I think Alexa Chung might just take tonight's Silly Gala Outfit Prize.

R156 - If you think that that "reconciliation" story was leaked on a day Kate had two engagements, one of them an evening gala, think again.

Unfortunately miscalculation for Meghan's PR people: the BREXIT vote, the NPG Gala, and Kate's Day of the Purple Pussy-Bow all pushed her reconciliation story down the page, so to speak.

A couple of comments btl on the reconciliation piece suggested that if true, this is an attempt by Meghan to bribe Samantha not to publish her book.

What do we think?

Dammit - I meant to say, "If you think that that "reconciliation" story was leaked on a day Kate had two engagements, one of them an evening gala, coincidentally, think again.

If you count Princess Margaret's son a royal, Lord Snowden aka David Linley is also at the gala.

I wonder how all of the Duchess of Frogmore's machinations are brought to the attention of the BRF? Do they have Assistants who present them with a file folder of newspaper photos and articles each day or weekly or do they verbally brief them? If it's verbal I imagine they have to be very delicate as to how they phrase it... Does Kate scan DM on her phone or ipad while having her morning coffee/tea? Does William lose his temper when debriefed?

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R168 - That's Earl Snowden to you. He is an aristocrat, not a royal. You get your rank from your father, not your mother, and Linley inherited his commoner father's title, Earl of Snowden, on his father's death. His mother was a royal; David and his sister are not. technically, anyone not royal, including aristocrats, are commoners.

You know, the royals are said to have an understanding that dictates that when one has a major engagement calendared, others try not to deflect attention by scheduling theirs on different days. It's easier on the media to cover engagements, and it allows for a more generous spread of "official duties".

I haven't the slightest doubt that Meghan couldn't stand the thought of not being visible on a day when Kate had two engagements, one with kids and one an evening gala with Big Names - and leaked the reconciliation story to shoehorn herself into the news on the same day.

I wonder if the Palace gets it?

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Well, the Buck House dinner for the Prince's Trust on the same night as the NPG Gala rather puts paid to my theory about scheduling, doesn't it (he said humourously)?

R170

Amal Clooney looks like a drag queen. And Charles in the photo with her looks as if he's got a bad case of senior rosacea. Jesus - look at his NOSE!

The same dress looks better this year than it did two years ago. The straps seemed to be pulling on her upper arms in 2017.

Have we ever seen Meghan and Amal in the same photo? I think it would be quite a photo shot what with both of them so camera seeking thirsty.

Not that the Daily Mail is the standard R170 but it is a British media outlet and that is how they chose to identify him:

[quote]Princess Margaret’s son Lord Snowdon, David Linley, also attended the event while other star guests included One Direction pop star Liam Payne, fashion designer Oswald Boateng and legendary British photojournalist and war photographer, Sir Don McCullin CBE, who was accompanied by his wife Catherine Fairweather.

We know perfectly well David Linley doesn't hold an HRH; however, for purposes of dishing about the British Royal Family, he could idiomatically be thought of as "royal" in a loose sense--not officially nor formally.

R171 - I actually can't see what the rocks are. They seem to be reddish-purple, a sort of grape colour, which could mean anything.

The rocks she was wearing the first time round, with the off the shoulder version of the dress, were far more spectacular.

Kate's arms look like she works out.

Get a load of the BIG multi-colored shawl Camilla is wearing in these photos. She took it off and it was just a fuschia dress. Does she have a new hairdo or was she just having a bad hair day? What's Charles doing looking at his drink? Does he need another one? LOL.

Nutmeg can't resist holding her stomach even when she's with Prince Charles.

R171 - With R177's photo I see the earrings better - I do believe we may be looking a high grade pink topaz, which should not be confused with the Dime Store Topaz - blue. Deep-coloured pink topaz is amongst the most valuable of the semi-precious gems. I believe Maxima of The Netherlands has some serious pink topaz.

As you may see from my comments on Meghan's ring earlier, and on the Queen Mum's Mysteriously Vanished Kashmir Sapphire Engagement Ring, I have some interest in gemology.

I wonder why HazBean weren't invited to the Prince's Trust bash, given Meghan's "close friendship" with the Clooneys.

r179, in the next shot she grabs his dick.

Isn't it curious that Sparkle didn't insert herself into that Prince's Trust dinner at Buckingham Palace? Or is she there but no one has spotted her as yet? I can't imagine she would miss this glittering affair unless she was forced to not attend.

Thank you for commenting R180. Please continue as opportunity presents. I did not know about pink topaz nor it's higher value. Interesting.

I think it was the wise sartorial decision to wear flashier, blingy-er wow-factor earringa when pairing with an off-the-shoulder gown. Adding sleeves requires a more muted selection (if you can call those jewels on her ears tonight toned down).

R171 - Well, I've looked up pink topaz and the BRF and Camilla apparently has a massive pink topaz choker set on three strands of pearls and matching earrings in a diamond frame. Queen Silvia of Sweden has a fantastic pink topaz and diamond parure - holy Jesus, it's stunning.

However, I did turn up what I think the earrings may be, which is morganite - Kate has a pair of Kiki McDonough morganite and diamond earrings. Morganite comes in shades from pale pink to deeper pink. It was named, I am sorry to say, to honor financier J.P. Morgan by its discoverer, legendary gemologist George Kunz (after whom kunzite is named - kunzite is also pink).

And there you are.

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R186 - Good God, Bea paid £5,660 for that???!!!!

And oh dear, her arm candy is prettier than she is. Always unfortunate, I think. Poor Bea.

R181 - Wouldn't be the first time she's done it to get ahead.

R184 - Completely agree with your view on the earrings. Right call by Kate both times.

Man the Clooneys are so fucking transparent. Are they seriously hoping to have some role in the brf. Did amal think she was next in line to the throne. I wish will and Kate were they so they could've snubbed them and humiliate them.

R190 - My guess is that they are there because they've contributed hugely to the Prince's Trust. Do you remember in "Wall Street" when Michael Douglas tells Sheen that he just joined the Board of the Museum of Natural History - "It cost me a cool million."

That's what these people do to get "in". It's prestige: Big Donors get invited to Big Galas.

George can buy and sell Harry 1,000 times.

Bea's boyfriend is so shady you have to feel sorry for Bea, such an idiot hooking up with him.

I can't wait til Kate is Princess of Wales. That'll be fun. Not wishing anything to befall our gracious Queen, of course, just want to see Kate with the title. PRINCESS! It will frost Meg's balls, bwahaha.

Bea looks quite lovely. And the beau is smug af, beaming with excitement, thinking to himself, "I'm going to be part of the Royal Family!" It must be heady stuff.

If he marries in, will Meghan will look down on him and snub him as an arriviste?

R193 - Technically, Kate already is a princess, as is Meghan: a royal duchess title comes with an HRH, and the HRH gives the rank of princess, even if the title isn't used. The difference is, Meghan isn't yet a UK citizens, so her HRH is a courtesy; Kate's is set in stone as long as she is married to William.

However, the optics of Princess of Wales undoubtedly eclipse Duchess of Cambridge (and certainly Duchess of Sussex), despite the fact that both carry an HRH. Because behind that "my official title is now Princess" shift is the next one: Queen.

And yes, it will frost Meghan's competitive narcissistic balls.

R194 - I'm sorry - I'm rather fond of Bea but she looks dreadful: fat and middle-aged compared to the beau, and the clunky shoes make it worse. She also looks asexual and the grinning mountebank lapping up the royal aura next to her doesn't help.

Meghan is looking at him and thinking, Christ, why didn't I go for someone like that, with all that money, so I wouldn't have to walk behind boney-ass Kate all the time?

What do David and Victoria know or care about art? The toadying of the likes of them and the Clooneys to Royalty makes me sick. Anyone remember Beckham's leaked emails where he when on a tirade about not being a Sir?

Can I bring the discussion back to how close to a stroke Charles looks in the photo with the Clooneys?! The shiny, glowing red nose? The swollen fingers? The glassy-eyed look?!

R197 - D&V wouldn't know a Rembrandt from a Van Gogh if it fell on them from a great height.

But they know social status encyclopediacally.

Bea is really quite pretty. She just needs a competent stylist.

"Technically, Kate already is a princess, as is Meghan: a royal duchess title comes with an HRH, and the HRH gives the rank of princess, even if the title isn't used."

Yes, true, but as you say, "Princess of Wales" packs a wallop. People are only just now barely calling her "Duchess of Cambridge" or even "Catherine." She's been "Kate Middleton" forever. Wales is a whole nother level though. And it feels like it's been plenty long enough since Diana.

Hmm, who was Princess of Wales before Diana? Was there one? Sorry, don't know my history.

I hold a genuine affection for the Queen so I, too, do not wish her ill. I hold no such tenderness toward Charles, however, as I think he is a spoiled, pampered weakling. If HM must be raptured, let it be to the reign of King William and his consort, Queen Catherine.

Edoardo is rich? Also, if he marries Bea, does he get a title? What sort?

I hope he does marry in, the more colorful climbers the merrier!

R201 King George V's wife Queen Mary would have been Mary Princess of Wales before his accession.

R12, Why wouldn't I be real? My ex-BF is my very closest friend. After 35 years, he knows the score. He normally calls me, once a week and starts out with, "What's the latest royal dish?" I don't think he actually listens when I ramble on about all the things we've been chatting about here. That's why I have DL. No one else cares about this shit.

^^Sorry, that was intended for R127

R126

Edward

Edoardo is trash, worst type of Eurotrash. Has a baby with girlfriend, didn't even marry her, then dumps her for royal gravy train. Does he need a title that badly? How rich is he really? It's not like Bea is more attractive or accomplished than his ex/ baby mama.

How is Nigel even posh? It's the name of every other guy in Belfast.

What is amal and George's game plan?

Because, R 196, it takes a Harry to fall for someone like Meghan. OR, more like, agree to a presumably mutually beneficial alliance with someone as basic as Meghan. That oily Eurotrash dude would have laughed in Meghan's face. She's not smart enough or fun enough, and she doesn't bring enough to the table (no money, no status). It's one of the ironies of the situation that just as Meghan turned out to be almost the best Harry could get after he kept climbing down the social ladder, scrounging for someone who'd agree, Harry was about the best Meghan could get. It sounds crazy, of course, because he's a prince, but he's a stupid one with serious problems. Spoiled, entitled, thinks he's hard done by, bears a grudge, huge hypocrite. They're not actually hanging from every tree. Fortunately for Meghan this one was hanging in the Windsor's yard or whatever.

R210, I do not know, but I personally am guessing that for a long time they got credit for being smarter and "cooler" than they actually are. George's series of contractual girlfriends were silly, but I guess most people just thought what people do with their personal lives is their business (IOW, if that was what he wanted on his arm, fine, if they were beards, also fine.) and that they didn't reflect his judgment about anything else. His movies were mostly A list, he seemed well-connected, etc. Then he marries Amal, which, IMO was a dumb ass move especially since she stopped working the humanitarian stuff or even trying and went full on clothes horse and fame whore. The public relations worked overtime selling them as the greatest A list couple ever (morning TV shows especially) but I honestly think that marriage made a dent in his image. Then the royal wedding was so phony that even if people don't think Markle and Harry were phony, something about George and Amal certainly looked it with that pouncy parade into the church. It showed their insecure ass. Apparently others in Hwood who got the invite were all, "I don't know them." and didn't go, but George put on a suit and Amal put on a dress, and they showed that even though they were A list they still thought like climbers. So then they started getting treated like that.

Actually, I think it was George insisting on including Amal in the group photo on the steps for the film at Cannes that was a turning point. With the wife's dress blowing around and completely steeling the focus from people who actually worked on the film.

Most people can recognize a fame whore when they see one.

And Clooney's wife is a fame whore.

Plus, Clooney in that WTF are they doing here stunt at Harry's wedding, looked like Nathan Detroit. While the wife couldn't not look for the cameras.

R201 - the last Princess of Wales was Queen Mary (Mary of Teck) who married the younger son of Edward VII after the older son, Edward Duke of Clarence, died young. She became Princess of Wales and then Queen Consort when her husband ascended the throne in 1910.

The one before that was her mother-in-law, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who married Edward Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria's heir. Then she became Queen Alexandra when Victoria died in 1901.

Thank you, DL royal historians, for the Princess of Wales info. In our time, of course, Diana brought incredible glamour to the title. Fair to say it’s even more stellar in the public perception now?

R215 - In her day, Queen Alexandra was the great glamourous beauty - her daughter in law, Mary, suffered by comparison even though the young Mary was quite striking, tall with beautiful posture, right blue eyes, and beautiful skin. But Alexamdra held on to her beauty well into her sixties, and even after her husband died and Mary became Queen Consort, she was still condescending to Mary and bullied her a bit. Mary had been born only a Serene Highness, and Alexandra and her daughters never let Mary forget it.

^bright blue eyes

George Clooney looks like he is terminally ill.

In the real world, Bea would die a spinster.

I

According to Bazaar: "People describes Mozzi as a "multi-millionaire property tycoon" who has been married before, and has a two-year-old son."

I can just see HM and Prince Andrew banging their heads against their tea tables contemplating another divorced grifter marrying in.

Well, at least the British taxpayer won't be paying for her clothes or the renovation of their home.

R218 - Maybe the Eurotrash BF is Bea's way of saving face after the younger sister got to the altar with the love of her life first. Maybe Bea has no intention of marrying him. I hope so. She's a nice girl, basically, and she should look instead for a nice squirearchical type amongst the aristocracy and retire to the country and the Earl of Whatever's estate and have babies.

Looked up this pink topaz business mentioned up thread. Queen Silvia of Sweden owns The Russian Pink Topaz Suite. They are amazing. However it would look far better on Dreamboat Andy, alas I am bias on that view.

Queen Mary was the last Princess of Wales prior to Diana.

Amal seems to have sucked the life force out of George. Haha.

I’m not one for jewels, but the Vladimir tiara is gorgeous.

R218– in the real world Bea would have long been divorced from a Epstein like character

So Kevin Pearson on This Is Us is referring to Meghan Markle, twice. She's gonna love that.

That pink topaz parure of Queen Silvia's is quite something. She has one of the most impressive jewelry collections in Europe and I believe some of them were taken in a robbery. Don't know if they were ever retrieved. Some of the stuff in Sweden and Denmark comes down from the Empress Josephine - I know Pss. Mary of Denmark has some stuff that her husband's grandmother, Princess Ingrid of Sweden as she was, brought with her when she married his grandfather. I think the ruby and diamond parure Mary wears might have come in with Ingrid from Sweden.

R220 Why would the Earl of whatever marry Bea when she has access to a dozen Pippa Middletons or Autumn Kellys? Bea doesn't come with wealth, wit or beauty. The most interesting thing about her is her connection to the monarchy and if he's an earl he's already an aristocrat with all the connections that affords. The Spencer girls are passably pretty. Celia McCorquodale looks like a wall flower now but her uni pictures show she's riotously and irreverently funny. Bea has none of that. R218 has it right.

[quote] In the real world, Bea would die a spinster.

>>>Can I bring the discussion back to how close to a stroke Charles looks in the photo with the Clooneys?! The shiny, glowing red nose? The swollen fingers? The glassy-eyed look?!

Can you please explain this?

R150, Harry has said that Africa is the only place he can truly be himself.

Can"t help thinking those tiered flounces from Kate's 2016 McQueen look very dated. But I notice Bea's Alaia velvet, presumably this season, has them too. Silly look on grown women.

R227 I disagree, Beatrice is a famous Royal. If I were a fake-hungry, title-seeking scoundrel, I’d pursue her. Why not?

^fame-hungry. And also fake.

These threads have never descended into disgustingness and racism. "Just" the random asshole racist that is going to haunt every thread. To claim these threads are racist overall is a lie and also an excuse.

Well R231 because you wouldn’t be getting a title for marrying her, for a start.

R231 Beatrice has no title to give. If he is already an Earl, he has a title.

R227 - Well, I call that churlish. She's a nice girl, a princess of the blood and obviously she has money of her own. The Earl of Whatever I have in mind is old-fashioned and not interested in the Pippa Middletons. And, in fact, Pips herself failed to catch the big aristo and Old Money boys she dated: she had to settle down for a geeky millionaire. She wasn't good enough for Alex Loudon (his Mum made sure of that) let alone Percy, the Northumberland heir.

R229 - Yes, I know - that's the split-off self I meant. Unfortunately, Harry isn't African: he's English and everything he has came from his place in the English monarchy. You can't reject one part of yourself and not pay for it somewhere down the line. He wants to have the perks of his royal English heritage, but play at being African with his mixed race wife. I don't think it will balance out in the long run. I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

“I am bias”, R221?

Oh fucking dear.

R228 - DId you see the photo of him with the Clooneys at the Princes Turst bash this evening? Either he's become a functional alcoholic or he has some other disease, or rosacea or something.

Some of Queen Elizabeth's jewels were wrongly accepted in years past from commonwealth heads or non-western countries that sought to impress and show "standing" in front of THE great monarchy of the western world. The moral thing to do would have been to announce a policy of not accepting such gifts, so the countries could hold onto what was theirs, what belonged to them and not to Britain, and still save whatever face they thought they needed to save.

Edoardo is an earl? No matter, title or not, I’d still want to be in the BRF.

R231 - They are correct upthread: Bea cannot pass her title on, only her pedigree and her connections. And whilst the Queen might confer a title on the husband of someone closer to the throne, as she did her sister's husband, she won't for someone as far down the line as Bea.

R236, I wonder if vacationing with Meghan in Africa sealed the deal for Harry. I bet she fully and knowingly presented herself in cultural context, and he was a goner.

Charles has always had rosacea, the curse of Celtic skin. Years ago, I read he sent an aid to buy some makeup to cover it up. Don't know why he doesn't get IPL; it works brilliantly on rosacea and broken veins. But the swollen sausage fingers definitely are a bad sign. Do they indicate an impending stroke?

R230 - Did you see Alexa Chung's dress? It made Kate's and Bea's look sleek by comparison.

I always thought Charles led a fairly healthy lifestyle. Organic food, exercise, homeopathy, that sort of thing.

R242 - He took all his GFs to Botswana.

R243 - He's always had ruddy cheeks, but this evening it looked much worse, his nose looked like a shiny beet. And the fingers are now reddened as well.

I didn’t care for Kate’s recycle at this event. At least she pulled the shoulder sleeves up, that was an improvement. Still, she did not look particularly relaxed in this dress for someone me reason. And thin and tired, it had been a long day. Beautiful hair. Although I do wish she would cut a few inches off.

^”for some reason,” jfc dictation

R236 I'm sorry. I didn't realise you were one of those crazy fanfic types imagining nonsensical people with illogical motivations like prioritizing a homely "princess of the blood" over an insanely wealthy or at least quite pretty young woman, if she doesn't have cash behind her name.

Carry on with those reveries

And btw, it was Pippa who dropped the much less wealthy future duke for the billionaire who has current access to his wealth. Her dating pattern shows an upward financial trajectory. Carole set those priorities right.

R246, Were any of his girlfriends of African descent? Chelsy doesn’t count.

I can certainly see why someone would want a “princess of the blood.“ Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter? Niece and cousin of future kings? That’s a pretty good score.

R252 For Brits? Or Americans? For an earl, ie already an existing aristocrat? Or a person with a lot of money who wants to buy into the club?

R253 Any of the above, why not?

Bea isn’t homely, she just picks some odd clothing.

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What kind of surgery could Bea get? A lap band? Cosmetic dentistry or orthodontia would help. Not much she can do about her bulging eyes.

Her sister could use a breast reduction for sure.

Edoardo Mozzi is a piece of work. He dumped his fiancée, with whom he has a 2 year old child, for Bea. Said fiancée, Dara Huang, is a gorgeous Harvard-educated architect from a distinguished family.

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I think Bea is very pretty, and seems like a nice person.

Bea is the Chelsea Clinton of the Royal family.

Oh, for Christ's sake, she's ugly. UGLY.

Well, somebody had to man up and say it.

R261 If Chelsea were even less attractive and worth 1/3 of her current net worth and had to split that money with a sister.

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Bea should just shack up with some hot, and hung Dominican papi. He would over look her facial faults, for her ass and money.

I like Bea, I guess as much as you can like someone you've never met.

Does Bea have to curtsy to Her Royal Highness Meghan?

I like Bea. If she would have me, I'd be the perfect gay husband, I would be very sweet and responsive. That's actually how I'm built: it's natural for me. I've seen lots of clips of her on Youtube, and she's a very engaging young lady.

R233, I thank you for that. We're sort of a motley crew, here, but I don't mind being corrected. I have learned a lot over these years.

R268 the new rules (based on what HR set in place after Kate married Will) is that to Meg & Kate curtsy to Bea if they aren’t with their husbands, since Bea is a princess of the blood. Though I’m not sure if Bea has to curtsy to Meg or Kate if they are with their husbands ... & this will change in regard to Kate once she becomes Princess of Wales.

I'm a man, and men don't curtsey. But the rules, as r270 shares, seem pretty dauntmg. I'm afraid, if I went to the UK and met a senior Royal, I just might curtsey. My old BF would do it, to humor me. But he's a sweet lad, and doesn't have any reason to know but. I should know better, thought I but me in the right lane. Men only bow, right? I feel stupid, but I'm now feeling confused, and I can remember when I wasn't confused.

R271, Slightly drunk. My apologies,

I doubt we will see much curtsying to Catherine as Princess of Wales by family members. Do any of them even curtsy/bow to Prince Charles or Camilla?

But when she becomes Queen Catherine the footage will be an exquisite swathe of endless bobbing in her presence. MEghan's in particular, if the bitch is even still around then,

If Meg and Harry stay married past five years, I’d be shocked. Probably more like two years, to be realistic.

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So many connections to Australia. Had not realized his wedding took place in Oz.

I thought men couldn't curtsy because their balls get twisted if they do?

R270 continues the BRF thread's tradition of well-intentioned misinformation.

[quote] the new rules (based on what HR set in place after Kate married Will) is that to Meg & Kate curtsy to Bea if they aren’t with their husbands, since Bea is a princess of the blood. Though I’m not sure if Bea has to curtsy to Meg or Kate if they are with their husbands ... & this will change in regard to Kate once she becomes Princess of Wales.

The "new" rules are 15 year old. They were created after Camilla married Charles in 2005.

Now here goes

Anne, Bea, Eugenie, Charlotte, and Alexandra should curtsey to Camilla if Charles is present and she curtseys to them if he is not present. The same applies to Kate and Meghan. Kate curtseys to Camilla if Charles is present or absent and if William is absent. Camilla curtseys to Kate if Charles is absent but William is present. Camilla and Kate curtsey to Meghan if Harry is present but Charles and William are absent. Meghan curtseys to all the princesses, blood or married, if Harry is absent. Everyone curtseys to the queen.

I think I got all the permutations of the non blood princesses. Tell me if I missed any.

^^^ almost 15 years old

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I can't believe I have lived my whole life in such ignorance of tiaras and curtsey protocol.

I wonder what future surprises are instore from our Lady Macbeth?

In non-BRF news, I never realised how much Victoria of Sweden resembles her mother until I saw the photo of Silvia with the pink topaz necklace (2003 photo) at the link in r221. Scrolling down, there's a photo of Silvia looking up, same eyes, almost the same chin. I guess I never noticed it because Silvia has dark hair and eyebrows so her dark eyes blend in.

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R250 - I'm sure Pippa put it out that she dropped George Percy. It's the done thing; but my estimation of Ma Middleton and Pippa's social ambitions, especially with a sister who snagged the future King, is that she would have held onto the next Duke of Northumberland by her fingernails if it hadn't become clear that she couldn't. So she can't have been all that desirable. She isn't even that pretty. Nor that rich. She and Kate were both reasonsbly attractive girls with a modest amount of nouveau money behind them.

And I didn't suggest a billionaire would prefer one of the modestly attractive modestly well off Middleton girls to the homely Pss. Beatrice - I suggested a nice old fashioned Earl who preferred the country over the city and probably the 19th century over the 20th would have and Bea was a fool not to look for someone like that instead of trying to compete in an arena in which she lacks all the tools to do so except her title.

And James Matthews waited years for Pippa. He'd been in love with her for a very long time but had to wait whilst she exhausted all the possibilities of attaching a higher grade of catch - which both Loudon (whose Mum's careful pharesology of Pippa not being "quite wife material" are a matter of public record) and most certainly George Percy, future Duke of Northumberland and Alnwick Castle, represented. When she started pushing into her thirties and it became clear that she couldn't lose any more time, she finally gave in to Matthews - who is certainly wealthy and decently places socially - but in UK terms, socially, he's no George Percy.

If George Percy had so much as breathed the word "marriage" in his sleep, Pippa would have shown up in white at the door of Alnwick Castle the next morning.

R262 - like many of the Windsor women, Bea is probably more attractive in person than in photographs - she has pretty colouring and has inherited the beautiful skin shared by all the descendants of Queen Mary and the Queen Mum, who each contributed extraordinary complexions to the family DNA. She needs to keep her weight down and dress better. Her sister is prettier, having gotten the Celtic colouring of their gran, the Queen Mum, and lacking the bug eyes and big teeth, but both of them need a stylist who will tell them the truth about how they should dress and why.

The Queen Mother as a young girl was considered a beauty - she got marriage proposals from five of the most eligible young men in her "set" by the time she was twenty, and turned down the son of the reigning monarch twice before she finally gave in. She was dainty, with dark hair, large striking blue eyes, and the legendary complexion.

But by our standards today, the focus would have been on her thick ankles, crooked teeth, and toothbrush eyebrows, which to her credit, she refused to pluck, and that became part of her look frames for her beautiful eyes.

Bea should be able to play up her hair, colouring, and pretty skin, and if she'd just lose a stone or so and dress better, she might not turn into a great beauty, but she wouldn't so often be the butt of jokes and pity.

R284 That explains why the cuffs looked so strange with the buttons oddly placed.

Just looked up pix of George Percy. He's sort of cute. Looks very confident. And why wouldn't he be? Pippa looks very Lee Radziwill here.

Same, R269. I'd love to be a minor member of the Royal Family. I'd be very modest and dutiful, in public anyway.

R265 I disliked this portrait at first, but now I find it rather enigmatic.

[quote] Oh, for Christ's sake, she's ugly. UGLY.

The mental gymnastics people go through to make the Windsor women pretty are exhausting.

I find it interesting that Amal and George were invited and given so much time with Prince Charles at that party, so that photos of the two together are splashed all over. Could this be Charles' attempt to confer approval or respectability on Amal - or at least calm things down - after the baby shower debacle?

R286 I think that The Queen Mother received so many proposals because she was a daughter of the very wealthy Earl of Strathmore. This was back in the days when a Dowry was still paid so you can see their attraction.

Charles has seemed slow and doddering the past year. He's probably always been a functioning alcoholic like much of the BRF. I wonder if it has spiraled a bit the past year or so. He shows up at events either seeming frail and disinterested or little too happy for the circumstances.

Oh the poppy eyes of Beatrice and Edoardo...please think of the children.

I think Bea should find some nice Aussie and move to Oz.

Another patronage for Prince Andrew.

A young Princess Anne in an unusual green and white dress.

R293 - Please. Her charm was legendary - Chips Channon said it was "overwhelming" - and she ran with a set of people just like her. They didn't her money and whilst certainly a good catch socially, if you think that's all those five proposals were based on just that (and dowry my arse, she was the 8th of 9 children and her older brothers were going to get everything) you're in denial. Her royal father in law was half in love with her.

Who wore it better?

"Geez, there she is again, looking over my shoulder. Give it a rest, girl".

The whole shape of her face has changed.

No, this is not Chaz' attempt to confer respectability on the fauxmanitarian Clooney. Only Smugs' crap PR would believe that.

R292 - It has nothing to do with anything but large donations to the Prince's Trust. This is the way nonprofits work: Big Donors get Big Publicity.

She missed her botox in the jaw appointment R302. Oh the sacrifices one must make for one's children!

Elizabeth Bowles-Lyon , later the Queen Mother, was most often described as "sweet" and or "smiling"

Her father was loaded and she had impeccable lineage traceable to medieval times. It was considered a step down for her to have married a Windsor. Attractive in her young, but no great beauty. The fact that she was loaded and connected contributed to how many suitors may have wanted to marry her.

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That white hat on Megs screams out for “hello sailor” across the front.

R3080 - You forgot to add, "Got the time?"

R302 - Not really, it's just fuller and that's from the pregnancy. However, she does look much better in the earlier photo, partly because her brows are better shaped and, of course, she's on the sunny side of 35 there; the slightly fluffier hair up top helps too, instead of the way it is severely pulled back in the later photo. She looks pretty bad right now - her hair looks coarse and you can see she's going gray - she needs a good layered cut much shorter and some fullness around the face (fullness, not tendrils) - her skin doesn't look good, and her appalling clothes sense doesn't help.

R284 Fashion forward! Who wants the pussy bow in the back?

R306 - "She" wasn't loaded: her father was. You keep forgetting that with nine children and the title and estates going to the oldest son, the lady herself, whilst hardly poor, wasn't worth millions of pounds in income. You don't seem to understand how the inheritance scheme works in the landed aristocracy - in fact, still does. No nice marriage settlement, which is what they were called, especially with four sons and five daughters, would have amounted to what you think it would have, and the idea that she would have married a poor nobody whose only aim was to "save my castle" is ludicrous. And her charm was as legendary as her complexion. Chips Channon wasn't the only one who recorded it.

"Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne is a title in the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was first created as Earl of Kinghorne in Peerage of Scotland in 1606 for Patrick Lyon. In 1677, the designation of the earldom changed to "Strathmore and Kinghorne"."

The 17th century isn't "medieval times", either. If she had a couple of ties to Robert Bruce, she would hardly be the only person in Scotland to have done so.

R298 - I think Anne is wearing the Greek Key tiara in that photo, one she wore often.

R312 Only 2 of her Brothers were still alive by the time she came of age, Fergus died at The Battle of Loos in 1915 and Alexander died of a brain tumour in 1911. Her sister Violet died of diphtheria 1n 1893 before she was born.

The family was not as large as you would think from her biography.

MEghan's fat face has some double chin action going on in R301.

Has DL discussed Chips Channon before? He sounds like he should be our patron saint. I'm fascinated by the idea that his diaries about the aristocracy of his day have not been published in full form. Per his instruction, the unredacted version of his diaries are not be published until 60 years after his death. That was last year

[quote]I am far too susceptible to flattery; I hate and am uninterested in all the things most men like such as sports, business, statistics, debates, speeches, war, and the weather; but I am riveted by lust, furniture, glamour and society and jewels. I am an excellent organiser and have a will of iron; I can only be appealed to through my vanity.

[quote]The necessity for expurgation is illustrated by the reaction of an Oxford contemporary who, when told that no diaries from that period existed, said, "Thank God!"[17] Rhodes James said he saw well-connected people go white when they heard that Channon had kept a journal.[6]

She's still ugly inside and out. They should play that video of her being nasty to the interviewer next to the video the other day with her new affected accent telling that hapless guy "It's been sweet" and "We're almost there".

The Queen held audiences today at Buckingham Palace.

R302’s photo should shut the conspiracy theorists up. She’s pregnant. Although I’ll entertain the thought of her passing, she’s definitely carrying a baby in there.

I think she’s pretty. Not gorgeous or beautiful, but pretty. Her figure is tricky and her fashion sense is atrocious, but I think her face is pretty.

“It was considered a step down for her to have married a Windsor”.

What utter shite.

I do love the way so many people try to suggest that marrying royalty is a “step down” for some people. Presumably it’s Americans who, as ever, think they’re world class experts in everything.

In what universe is marrying someone with a title superior to marrying into the family that confers them? The family with the only titles that actually mean anything anymore?

And, while we’re at it, the aristocratic ladies of the UK didn’t “run a mile” from Harry as is fondly imagined by the the Royal Gossip cunts who use DL so their obsessive posting isn’t too noticeable.

Harry has always been as shallow as shit & actively wanted some painted tart that other men (he hoped) would lust after. If he’s wanted a Lady Snooty he could have had one in a heartbeat.

That off white ensemble and terrible hat make her look like a Muslim cleric.

R316 - Well, I've brought him up a couple of times but no one bit. He should, indeed, by canonised here on DL. He was the pre-eminent diarist of the era, with ins to the circles of the landed gentry and the royals. He mentioned the Queen Mum several times in his diary, once notably before she was married but rumours were already circulating about her possibility as a royal bride, only they kept mentioning the Prince of Wales rather his younger brother, Prince Albert. Albert was reputed to have gone into a rage at these, as he hadn't yet secured her, and is said to have shouted, "If they are going to print their damnable lies, they might at least go after the right man!"

Channon reported in his diaries of a house party at which the young Elizabeth was present as the guest of the minor aristo called Lord Gage, "Poor Gage is desperately fond of her, in vain, as he is far too heavy, too Tudor and squirearchical for so rare and patrician a creature as Elizabeth."

Among her other suitors were Prince Paul of Serbia and Bruce Ogilvie, son of Lord and Lady Airlie. Prince Paul was alleged to have mentioned her prettiness, her "shining eyes and beautiful smile".

Yes, they were all after her money. Quite.

R320, I think the English are bigger snobs than Americans. Plus there’s that lack of proper personal hygiene thing. Like, you know, how the British stink and have bad teeth.

Agreed, R319. I can’t stand her, but she has exceptionally lovely eyes which makes her very striking.

I would describe her as strikingly pretty rather than beautiful.

R320 Maybe so....and? It’s our royal family so we’re obviously going to have far more deeply engrained ideas about how it all works.

And the “bad teeth, stinks” is as true as all American’s are deluded Bibletards who weigh 50 stone and eat burgers for breakfast.

R320 - Chelsy Davy had a terrifically sexy figure, and Cressida Bonas was very pretty, it not in the overtly sexual manner of both Chelsy and Meghan. I agree with your assessment - Harry is shallow and immature and easily taken in by what he thinks of as "glamour" - the painted tart as you so aptly put it.

The sight of Meghan sashaying away from the camera as she and Harry were booted out of that first garden party with Charles after the wedding is comical. You had to be blind not to see her begging the camera to follow her via a gait like a streetwalker's.

Meghan was pretty before she got with Harry. Mainly because the Suits stylists knew how to dress her and her Instagram pics were highly edited. It's clear she doesn't know how to competently dress or groom herself. She has no inner self, so has no sense of style. She's also on the wrong side of 35, so her natural qualities are fading. On top of all that, she's shown herself to be a desperate attention seeker which is ugly on anyone.

I think Megan is pretty too. I’ve said this on earlier threads and people disagree, but there is this indefinable fetching quality or expression that you see sometimes, that reminds me of Diana. If I’m picking up on it, you can be sure Harry did.

R320 I have always thought Chelsy had a wanton look. She was probably a lot of fun and easy for Harry to be with. Cressida would have made for a lovely princess type and on a superficial visual level I would have enjoyed a blonde contrast to Kate’s brunette.

R319 - I think she was reasonably pretty, although hardly a great beauty, and her eyes are nice. But she had to do a lot of work to get that look going, and frankly, I think what she had is fading rapidly.

R320 I totally agree, harry could’ve had an aristocrat if he wanted one. I’m reminded of the novel “The Two Mrs. Grenvilles” in which the hapless aristocratic heir chooses a showgirl in a flight of passion and rebellion, much to his patrician family’s chagrin, though they made the best of it. Of course she becomes very grand and starts putting on airs, they both have affairs, and at one point he miserably tells her, “you’ve changed. If I had wanted the real thing I would’ve married it” or something like that.

Chelsy had a studied trashy look about her. The rolled out of bed hair seemed to be her signature.

R329 Chelsey's nose is short, stout and ugly, but then again, MM's nose is ugly too.

Some people think that a title gives someone moral superiority over the rest of us, when in most cases, it’s the opposite. Rich people who commit sins are called libertines, sophisticated, worldly. Poor people are called criminals and perverts.

In r11 s photo, The Queen Mother looks a bit like Bob Hoskins.

R331 - Applaud literary reference - and totally agree.

R334 - Actually, I haven't heard the word "libertine" outside of costume drama and no one thinks that Prince Andrew, e.g., is sophisticated and worldly. Just lucky.

Just pissed myself R335

Libertine would be a more apt description for the late Duke of Kent, a bisexual addict who had numerous affairs and led a dissolute life internationally until WWII. IIRC, a relative, I can't recall who, stepped in and extricated him from an affair with American socialite and addict Kiki Preston (the girl with the silver syringe) and helped him kick the habit. Or the portly King Edward VII who was a frequent visitor to Parisian bordellos and required the assistance of a "love chair" so as not to squash his partners.

Andrew is just an oversexed oaf.

R338 - " . . . a relative, I can't recall who, stepped in and extricated him from an affair with American socialite and addict Kiki Preston (the girl with the silver syringe) and helped him kick the habit."

The relative was the Prince of Wales, later the Duke of Windsor, one of the few acts of selflessness in his life.

R328 - I think the poster upthread who mentioned that Meghan is starting to look more like her mother isn't far off. The added fullness from pregnancy, and I think possibly the aging of the last couple of years, have given her more resemblance to Doria than Meghan used to have - even her nose looks wider, and probably having had to stop the brutal hair straightening has given her a more "natural" look that more recalls her mother.

One would think Harry & Megs would beware of the Duke of York, who is conspicuously chummy with mummy, even getting a leg up over a horse when she goes out riding herself. Although the queen has always been a wonderful horsewoman, at 93 I think she's on a pony now and it's more about keeping company and bonding. Perhaps they think she's 93 and it doesn't matter, so they should do all their focusing on Prince Charles. However, Camilla doesn't seem to be a fan, and one would suspect she'd have influence. You can feel the chill from here between Will and Harry and at the same time I keep reading Will is having Duchy of Cornwall meetings, so he's not a good person to try and upstage either. While once upon a time Harry maybe have gotten leniency from Will because Will was the stable big brother, it's not going to happen now that Will's a dad and puts his own family first. Maybe Harry fails to see that.

You really wonder if the monarchy would have lasted until this century if it were not Lilibet on the throne. Was reading about what an asshole the Duke of Windsor was when he was Prince of Wales. Had a charming man of the people accessible manner because he loved the stardom and attention, but was entitled, imperious, and worse, IMO, CALLOUS, in private. The most recent thing I read quoted someone who thought his abdication was the best thing that ever happened to the country. His character reminds me of the Ginge, another who believes his own positive press and his fans, and overestimates his charm by a large amount. If I see him waggle his finger in another kid's face!! It's his only move. And they both get too close, and see kids as foils for themselves, rather than showing really respect to them.

Now supposed Duke of Windsor had remained king but not procreated. Liz would still have become queen, but at a much later age. A few decades of a guy like the Duke of Windsor on the throne and the British people may have decided it was time to get rid of the whole thing. Liz is great, and perfect for the role, but, blood relation wise, to the right and left of her and all around are people who got mighty close and would have been disastrous. Such as her own sister. So it's just luck, really.

It's weird, R333, that both Chelsy and Meghan resemble Harry but don't resemble each other.

I never thought Chelsy's look was "Studiously" trashy. She always looked as if she just pulled her clothes off a pile on the floor. Suited her completely, down to the hair that was always flying around. I kind of miss that Chelsy compared to today's Chelsy who is (a bit) more polished in a more predictably trendy way.

R328 if you pick it up, we can be sure Harry did too? Sure it's not just you? Because I don't see how one follows the other.

There is not need to pick up on anything since Meghan spent a whole lot of time copying one familiar move of Diana's from Diana's earler days, which was rocking back on her heels so her torso swayed backwards, and then smiling or laughing. She deployed it in her typical OTT, can't every just let a moment BE manner.

R345 - Good catch - she did it at the engagement photocall if I remember.

Wow, the sbs comparison of Smeg's face. The bizarre thing though is her ankles aren't swollen, and despite one reporter's assumption that her engagement ring was too tight for her swollen fingers, her fingers are clearly not swollen and she was wearing other rings. The engagement ring was never sized properly and often swam around on her finger anyway.

Pregnancy doesn't swell your lips, particularly to the point where you can see the demarcation at the edges.

My theory is she did IVF, but wanted to rush to the "Here I am, pregnant with THE PRINCE'S BABY" status which she did overnight, the second she announced. So she's been gilding the lily, so to speak.

She'll do the soap opera thing, as that is her aesthetic. She'll make a couple of appearances in some sort of wafty top to suggest, in a flattering way, that, "yes, I have just had a child." The following month it will be as if she never gave birth. Although I will be impressed if she keeps her bras padded.

I feel sorry for this (presumably) soon-to-be-born bebe. Any luck he or she will turn out to be as nice and kind as Sarah Chatto, who is the daughter of two world class narcs.

One thing I am betting on, the name will be INSUFFERABLE. I'm betting on either a "so understated, because this child is of royal blood and no more needs to be said." type name like "John" with Meghan dropping blinds that her child didn't need any implication of royalty in its name (like George named after so many King George's, or Charlotte named after so many historical Charlotte's, or Louis which is the George of the French monarchy) because Meghan is more secure than Kate.

Or else she'll do her more on trend than thou thing and choose a name that reaches for impact but falls short because Meghan didn't know what the fuck she was doing. The way she mangles words like "rigmarole" and "usurious." Rest assured she will name it, and if she wants the name to be Arabella or Anabelle (a name refused Fergie and Andy) she will fucking well name it that. Don't think HM or the rest much care at this point anyway.

According to the DM, MM is now officially on maternity leave. According to the Palace, she has no more public engagements scheduled but will be taking some "private meetings".

I know we'll be champing at the bit awaiting news and her return in sartorial splendour.

So, we've done the names to death, do we want to guess at the Arrival Date? I'm thinking 14-15 April.

Hmmmm, Her Majesty will have to approve of the name, won't she?

R351 - Her permission is not required. It's considered courteous to inform her by senior royals, but whilst she does have ultimate power over titles, her permission is not required for a name.

So Meghan can name the baby Annabelle Doriana Amal Jessica Rachel if she likes without informing the Queen, or she can name the baby Diana Elizabeth Victoria without informing the Queen, or, she can inform the Queen of either one and then ignore the Queen's response.

When Pss. Margaret was born in 1930, the then-Duke and Duchess of York wanted to name her "Anne". However, when presented with the name, King George V wasn't impressed, and although they didn't have to do so, the Yorks changed it to "Margaret Rose" - this time NOT submitting the name for vetting. "Anne" got held over for the next generation.

I haven't a doubt the Cambridges submitted all three children's names to the Queen; as next in line, they're watching their Ps and Qs and are careful to obey protocols. I wouldn't be surprised if Harry and Meghan didn't - or if they did.

It just doesn't matter either way for the Sussexes.

Btw, the Express had an article up today (if you can find it in the BREXIT press debris) about an expert saying it was clear that Meghan was a difficult person who had been a "princess type" well before becoming a real one, and he imagined that Harry had had some difficult moment.

Who'd a thunk it?

The baby will follow the course of Suri Cruise and the Clooney's and not be seen for 44 days. Watch Meghan carry out a doll, that she gazes at like Bradley Cooper.

I think it will be a girl called Alexandra, known by the diminutive of Sasha.

Just my guess.

Here are excerpts from the Express piece:

"Meghan Markle, 37, is a "pretty difficult character to deal with" and “not all that easy to work for”, the royal commentator said after the fourth member of the Duchess of Sussex’s team resigned this month after joining only last year. Speaking to Sky News Australia, Mr Marrow said: “I think it is a particularly tough gig for a princess like Meghan Markle who is in fact actually fairly notorious – something of a princess in a non-royal sense of the word. Her politics are very left wing. She is always on about this cause or the other.

“You know what? Every time Harry is with her he always just looks very glum and miserable. However, every time you see a picture of them off with the lads and doing something else it is all smiles and laughter.

“So, I think she is a pretty difficult character to deal with and I think that yes sure it is hard working for the royals but it would be hard working for a government ministry or working in any sort of roles. . . . the things that we have seen about Meghan Markle where she took that private jet to fly to a baby shower in New York at great expense while she is preaching about climate change and so on.

“I think a lot of people are going to say ‘you know, I think this woman is a bit of a hypocrite here’ and she is probably on the balance of probabilities and not all that easy to work for."

How unfortunate that the last images of Meghan we have before the baby is born is that hideous Nurse hat and her Sharon Stone moment in the Reiss dress at the IWD panel.

Queen Letizia is in town and went to an art exhibition with Charles. She has way too long false eyelashes on, but I must say, Charles looks dreadful. His 93 year old Mum looks better.

How very odd to give birth to a child and then live long enough so that both of you are Old People together.

I don’t think Charles looks unwell at all. A red face isn’t usually a sign of anything worrying (like high blood pressure) and he’s always had fat fingers.

Someone upthread declared that he’s a “functioning alcoholic”. Based on what, exactly? Another “if we say it often enough it become fact” thing by royal obsessives?

I don’t like the pattern on Letizias dress, but the material looks sumptuous!

R358 - Well, I'm not a doctor, so . . . but to me he looks somewhat different lately to what he's looked like for years, as if he'd crossed some border or other. We aren't far off in age, so perhaps that's what makes it alarming to me. I don't know anything about his alcoholism - I'd always heard he was careful of his diet, eating all that organic stuff produced by the Duchy of Cornwall and in the gardens of Balmoral and Sandringham.

But contrary to modern views, you really can take quite good care of yourself and still become ill and die sooner than expected, there are no guarantees.

Or, as the old gypsy woman put it in the iconic film put it:

"Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night

May become a wolf when the wolf-bane blooms

And the moon is full and bright."

R358 - I'm not the poster upthread who said he's a functioning alcoholic, but a little while back when the DM was serializing that new biography of Charles, a courtier described his daily diet noting that it was on the spartan side (e.g. "seeds" for breakfast). His imbibing habits were also described. Wine with meals, pre-dinner martini and a post dinner martini. The aides said he often fell asleep after dinner reading papers and correspondence. This was attributed the "spartan" diet. Wine with dinner sandwiched by a couple of stiff martinis would be enough to put me round the bend.

Being an alcoholic means considerably more than just drinking more than the average person does.

My mother was an alcoholic. I wish she’d stuck to 3/4 drinks a day.

R360 I agree. I think it’s not at all outside the realms of possibility that Charles could drop before his mother. The Windsors do seem to have the longevity gene, but that only takes you so far.

Bet William & Kate are keeping every thing crossed that he makes it to 97 like his father.

But, to me, Charles looks like a standard man of about 70. His rosacea (if that’s what it is) seems to be getting worse. Harry has it too.

R362 - What I think is more to the point, is that it is the Windsor women who seem to live so long, not the Windsor men. The Queen Mother lived to 101, her husband, Charles's grandfather, died at 57. His great-grandmother outlived her husband and her son, King George VI. Queen Alexandra outlived Edward VII.

Philip isn't a Windsor, although naturally Charles has some of his DNA, as well. But given the history, no, it wouldn't be that surprising if Charles died before the Queen. It's the Windsor women who seem to be so long-lived.

Not a fan of Sparkles but I would happily hand her major props if she went more natural and let loose some her features from her mother.

And to R324 one man's fetching eyes is another's cold, calculating, almost sinister glare. I will give she does have that popular sorority girl slash social influencer sort of look; so yes, pretty is a good descriptor.

George VI died of a smoking related illness. Edward VII was also a lifelong smoker on top of being morbidly obese

The ones who have died prematurely do seem to have hastened their deaths by being extremely fat or smoking.

I wonder how long HM’s dad & sister would have lasted if they’d never smoked.

Also...if Charles doesn’t eat that much, that may not be a bad thing. Some studies show that sensible calorie restriction help you live longer. The 5:2 diet is all the rage in the UK.

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Queen Mary smoked as much as any of the men and lived until she was 85.

It would break my heart if Charles died before becoming KIng. I like him very much and what more does he have to do to earn it

Could you imagine HM giggling like Charles does in r368's picture? He's acted like this frequently as of late, particularly as the day progresses. It's unbefitting to his role.

I have it on good authority that Charles' colouring is the result of excessive viagra usage... Apparently he takes it daily and at odd hours. It's become a problem but no one has yet been able to reason with him.

Ewww

372 - If you aren't having us on, it would make sense. Camilla is meant to know her way around a bed and I dare say her "down to earth" appearance suggests "up in age sensuality" . The description of Camilla is not me being shady or pointy fingered at all. Good on her, I say. But I would have thought that a seventy year old man , lifelong rich, not fat wouldn't need viagra. I know too many broke arsed old men who have too much evidence of not needing viagra in their lives. The Creator loves having a laugh at our expense, it seems.

R354 I think the name is going to verge on insufferable, a little twee and self-conscious but trying to be understated. Part of me thinks well maybe they won't. Maybe it will be unadorned and unpretentious, like Richard (if a boy, of course). Then I think nope, they're naming this kid Toby. Or even better, "Robin." I checked on Jessica Mulroney's kids names to see if there were hints there, but nothing. The twins are Brian and John, and the girl is Isobel. Probably the only tasteful thing about her.

I looked up conventional aristocratic names and while the list had miles for boys, there wasn't much for girls. I can see one being pulled from there. Babette if Smeggy wants to be adorable and she also wants her bebe to be a little sexy and instagramy (cause she would). Bianca. Celia. Or, a wild card, Frances, which was Diana's mother's name.

Kathy Griffin told a story about how when Joan Rivers introduced her to Charles he leaned into her and said "If it weren't for the journalists and comedians, who would keep us honest?"

Joan was good friends with Chuck and Cam and Kathy says Charles was giggly and adored Joan.

The story about Joan taking Kathy with her as her +1 to visit Chuck and Cam at BP and Windsor Castle starts at 21:20.

R349 Sarah Chatto has the best-looking husband.

R169 George Clooney looks like his face is receding into his dentures. He has aged a lot in the past few years.

R351 As with all things Meghan, she'll do whatever the fuck she wants. If her PR puts out that the kids name is Daisy and her Majesty doesn't like it, what the fuck is she going to do? Truth is, HM has no means of enforcing her authority on a matter like this - none that she has ever shown the desire to exercise. All of her authority in the family is more what she can give and not give, not so much that she can compel anything. It all rests on whether the family member buys into the whole thing and respects her enough. Meghan respects nothing. Surely BP would not say, "The child's name is NOT Daisy." if it came directly from Meghan (who didn't bother to ask HM first). Harry would do nothing - it's beyond obvious that he has, as others have said, weaponized this chick against his family. The kid will get whatever name its mother decides, Meghan will leak that she named the child after something something important to Prince Charles who was very touched and now he likes Meghan even more bestest. Really the only thing they could possibly do to control these two is make them non-working royals and for Charles to cut off his supplement, and hell will freeze over before either one of those things occur (Have to wait until William is king and at that point I wouldn't put it past him).

R378 George Clooney looks like a prat. While I never thought he had the Cary Grant charm some people pretended, especially as an actor, I thought he played George Clooney very well on and especially off camera, and seemed like the perfect movie star (if you take the being a decent actor part away). Just the right amount of substance, a good amount of self-awareness and common sense about the business. Now he's just coming across cheesy and grandstanding and self-important.

I used to love George Clooney. Fell in love in the ER years and thought he always came over as funny, intelligent and self-effacing in interviews. (Remember him talking about a ridiculous pilot he filmed as a cop by day/rockstar by night).

Then he married Amal in that utterly OTT Venice wedding, complete with posing for Hello and ostentatiously holding hands ALL THE FUCKING TIME. Not the George I thought he was. (Are they ever?).

PS: No, I wasn’t jealous of Amal, just thought George had morphed into a prat.

R250 When the global markets crash (which will be soon), Pippa could find herself saddled with a husband with a shrunken head and father-in-law who is behind bars for rape.

R382 - LOL. And both hubby and father in law with far less assets.

Now, one thing no global crash can do away with is being Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland.

Interesting tweet from Richard Palmer: Meghan Markle’s Twitter bot network: attacking journalists who cover the royals. Richard Palmer ‏ @RoyalReporter :Tip of the hat to @CamillaTominey for doing the research and reporting that supports what we’d all suspected. This is a beautifully written piece by @PatriciaTreble.

Wait, did MM flash the crowd on International Women’s Day?

[quote] Wait, did MM flash the crowd on International Women’s Day?

You can tell she was wearing a thong.

R386 - Close to it.

So no then R387

R388 - That close was too close for a woman representing the BRF.

Camilla feels that Meghan is too "flirty" with Prince Charles. That's responsible for a lot of the bad blood and awkwardness when they are all together. Meghan tends to laugh at Charles' jokes. Apparently the two share a bawdy sense of humor.

R369 Maybe, but that wasn't the question.

oops that should be 389 in the comment at R390

That's it. I'm too knackered for the forum. Bitches, I'm out.

Where did you hear that, R390?

Yeah, that's made-up PR BS R390. Font would have us believe that when MeMe is not having fuzzy gossip sessions with the Queen, she is bumming around with Chaz. Suuuuuure.

It's similar to the other PR fantasy that Wills is secretly in love with Megs. Oh! My sides!

[quote] [R334] - Actually, I haven't heard the word "libertine" outside of costume drama and no one thinks that Prince Andrew, e.g., is sophisticated and worldly. Just lucky.

Libertine men and scarlet women! And ragtime!

Shameless music that will grab your son and your daughter in the arms of a jungle animal instinct!

MASSTERIA!

Friends, the idle brain is the Devil's playground.!

Oh, we got Trouble, Trouble right here in River City.

This is funny. Normally I would crack up at this quote as so hyperbolic and over-stuffed with metaphors, but I'm afraid it's not that hyperbolic.

[quote]“I have witnessed what amounts to be roving Twitter gangs that find a tweet/blog post about Meghan and kind of rally the troops and stoke up the fires and suddenly you have a hail storm of abuse flowing at you,” explains Jane Barr, who runs the From Berkshire to Buckingham fashion site, which focuses on Kate. “For me, it is very frustrating to write a nuanced analysis and have people just take a black-and-white interpretation and run wild with it.”

R361 it's R360 - yes, marrying Amal was what tore it. He had dated all of these C-list starlets - Stacey Keibler is the one I remember, but prior to her was a skinny Eastern European? Italian? model who was on Dancing with the Stars afterward, and on and on. But these women never took center stage. They were there because he was a movie star and needed them to complete the picture for one reason or another (I presume because he's gay). In terms of having a public girlfriend the whole thing seemed fairly unpretentious both in his choices of girlfriend and his habitual habit of not really discussing it. Show, don't tell, etc. IOW, it was working. I think he seemed secure because he'd said he'd never re-marry and never have kids, those who joked he would some day seemed as if they'd lost their friendly bets with him, and this was as far as he was willing to go to cover his real situation. No huge Beyonce' level circus.

But then. He marries Amal and everyone's like - oh look at THIS one, such an education, so substantive, what a powerhouse AND a humanitarian - makes the others look like airheads. AND he's almost immediately engaged and pretending it's this fabulous love story when every fucking person on the planet knows immediately what is really going on. Still, the estimation of her as a "real person" not a Hwood person, with a "real, important career" continued thanks to massive amounts of PR, but that PR couldn't overcome the prancing and preening obscenity of the Venice wedding, and how she treated it like a fashion runway. Remember that fucking SPRIGGED dress with the flowers, too short for her height and her age? It's been downhill ever since. He's dropped the mask and showed himself a fame whore - AFTER he's already famous - practically a famous emiritus! Makes no sense to me. And those freaking twins, "Oh, it happened naturally! We didn't have to try!" Ok George. Ladeling it on to make up for lost time. "I'd given up on love, and then..." Jesus.

I don't know when she does her big time global/international lawyering but I have my doubts she's rolling up her sleeves.

So now the Daily Mail is saying that the rewear of Kate's latest McQueen with the new sleeves is not simply a slightly modified rewear but either a rebuild from the waist up or an entirely new dress because the exact pattern on the bodices don't match.

. . . and I received an awesome Yoga studio and a life of never wanting for 'more,' ever -

Yeah, no R390. The only relationship she and PC share is the one she invents for her PR sent to friendly media. When he greets her and makes polite chit chat she contorts her face, nods, leans in, smiles, chuckles, glances at Hazza, completely regardless of what Charles is saying - simply creating a one-sided image for the media built off her cozy reactions to his bland impersonal words (and you KNOW they are bland) Not dissimilar to her grinning like a madwoman at Kate and touching her fingers to Kate's back to create pictures at Xmas when anyone who looked at the full thing knows its cold as ice between them.

Furthermore, having seen the coat flicking montage where she pulls her coat back to show her bump, we can see she knows exactly how to use half a second to create the image she wants. This is why Camilla enveloped Charlotte in that one photo where Meghan is "laughing" (I don't think she ever actually laughs) and bent a bit forward at the waist. One "accidental" flicker of Charlotte's shoulder or "unconscious" touch of her shoulder, or even near Charlotte's shoulder, by a "completely unconscious of it" Meghan and here come reams of copy about how Meghan and Charlotte share a close auntie bond - look at Megs affectionately pat her "Neice's" shoulder as they share a laugh! Camilla body blocked that one. She ain't worried about Charles, but it's clear Meghan to her is like an alien. Not from being American, but I don't think Camilla has ever encountered her like in her life.

Oh, Camilla's been around and knows exactly who and what she's dealing with. And how to do it. She's made it obvious, the darling girl.

Is MM is merely a one-time incubator ?

MM appears to be a walking, talking pussy. A woman who has decided she will just fuck and suck her way through life. Which is fine, except she ckains to be a feminist.

She’s the nastiest skank I’ve seen in a while. Maybe because she’s so trashy... yet so unattractive. I don’t need to see that! If you’re going to flash your pussy, you’re required to look like Sharon Stone.

Claims

I bought that load of shiite re: Amal when she first came on board with George. Now seeing how chummy she is with MEghan (of course ONLY after MEgs had firmly landed Harry) and MEghan copying her style and flounce, seeking her recommendation for designers, contractors, nannies, I realize they are two sides of the same damn coin. As nauseatingly fake and pretentious and self-absorbed ME is, so likely must be Amal. Did you notice in the video where George and Amal are walking toward the church for Harry's wedding and a middle aged blond woman whom George seemed to casually know kept chatting with them while walking alongside? George was making every effort to be subtle but he was trying to push the woman away. He probably saw her as this photo bomber marring with a perfect camera shot.

You're right though, George Clooney is a prat. And what's the point of having a private jet if Amal won't do something about her teeth?

My favorite George and Amal scene from the wedding occurred while the guests were mingling in the church prior to the ceremony. George was speaking to someone while Amal stood by his side minimally engaged in the conversation and clearly aware of the surroundings. Suddenly, her attention was diverted by a passing woman passing in the foreground whom she gave a look up and down and back up again. For someone so camera conscious, she got caught out looking bad. But she couldn't help herself. I wish I could find the clip.

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[quote] Yeah, that's made-up PR BS [R390].

No it's not. I made it up myself, without any PR firm helping me out.

@402 totally agreee that Camilla knows the type and can see straight through MM, as indeed can most of us who have encountered the type before. It's almost like playing bingo

R401, Camilla encountered Diana. You do not get to upstage your Prince at every turn and catapult yourself into the position of Most Famous Woman in the World by chance.

Certainly Diana was a higher-class version, but Camilla knows the type REALLY well.

But in this case she was probably protecting Meghan from Charlotte, not the other way round.

I enjoyed the scene as they entered the church at this last service, as Camilla kind of brushed Markle's cheek and then blew by to get as far away from her as she could. Someone here talked about Me's miscalculation in alienating all the women and it's so true -- the pretend feminist greatly underestimates them.

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I think the assessment that Camilla is aware of Meghan playing up to Charles is correct; Camilla's a shrewd hand in sexual intrigue, even if sex isn't directly involved. Having alienated William, Kate, the Yorks, and earned at a minimum the Queen's distaste through Meghan's self-serving PR (I can just imagine HM's reaction at seeing one of MM's anonyous friends mentioning MM's "closeness" to the Archbishop of Canterbury in PEOPLE Magazine), Charles through his feeling for his son is Meghan's last semi-ally amongst the people who really matter in the family. And, he holds the purse-strings of that extra income supplement for the Sussex household.

So Meghan's m.o. being what it is, I don't doubt she's been seductively sweet with Charles in a proper daughter in law-ish way, and it wasn't lost on Camilla or anyone else.

Should the unthinkable occur and Charles either pop off before HM, or much earlier into his reign than expected, Meghan will find out what it's like to be on the outs with the people who really matter, and she'll have no one to blame but herself.

R408 - That story was a leak on (surprise!) the very day that Kate had not one but two high-profile engagements, one a huge celebrity gala at the National Portrait Gallery. Unfortunately, the move backfired, as it was also the day of the BREXIT vote that defeated the PM's Withdrawal Agreement bill for the second time by a large margin. Among Kate's two engagements, the BREXIT vote, and the Prince's Trust bash that evening, the leak got squeezed into near oblivion.

That story came direct from Meghan's PR machine, in an attempt to draw some attention away from Kate to herself on a day Kate had two public engagements.

I very much doubt that either the PR officers at Clarence House or Buck House missed it.

[quote] Should the unthinkable occur and Charles either pop off before HM, or much earlier into his reign than expected, Meghan will find out what it's like to be on the outs with the people who really matter, and she'll have no one to blame but herself.

Both Charles' parents are hale and hearty. He eats well, gets moderate exercise and has the best healthcare money can buy. So in 20+ years Meghan might be on the outs? 🤣

If she's a grifter as many of the BRF regulars seem to believe then making friends with the man who has money from the Duchy of Cornwall now and will have the Duchy of Lancaster as king makes very good sense. It was unlikely she have been included by Will and Kate even if she had acted like the most appropriate little Stepford wife. The Middletons are social climbers who seek friendships with those who have money, power or both. At best, Meghan does not serve their purposes and at worst she represents competition for Kate. Meghan's best play is to butter up Charles. It's the most politically astute thing she's done so far.

But there are reports that Charles can be petty and vicious if he thinks someone is trying to outshine him. At the moment she makes him look welcoming. He saved her from embarrassment and has shepherded her into the flock. If the narrative changes into something that doesn't make him look good, he could strike as he seems to have done in the past with William and Diana.

R416 - Trying to shift the blame onto William and Kate for Meghan's shameless self-aggrandisement is ridiculous. The Middletons don't have to social climb any longer, and they had nothing to do with Meghan trying to grab headlines with her pregnancy at the Queen's granddaughtrer's televised wedding, her abusiveness toward staff, her hissy fit about which tiara she got from the Queen to wear at her wedding, her terrible but very expensive clothes, and her naked hunger for the limelight. It wasn't the Middletons who arranged that horrible PEOPLE Magazine article that backfired so spectacularly, nor did the Middletons arrange that conspicuous consumption $500,000 baby shower in New York City in a $75,000 a night penthouse after which the climate change champion took a private planet back to the UK - the same week 3,500 autoworkers in Swindon found out that their jobs were going to disappear next year.

Meghan owns those decisions whether you like it or not. I suggest you take a look at the video of her departure from Charles's garden party last May, where she invited the camera to focus on her swinging backside looking like nothing so much as a streetwalker trying to attract attention.

She's a grifter and a famewhore and she's making a fool of the BRF. She alienated them, not the other way around. And she will pay heavily for it once William and Kate are Prince and Princess of Wales and then King and Queen.

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R416 - I know at least one woman who ate moderately, got exercise, didn't smoke, and died of breast cancer at 63 - with no family history. I have two long-time friends who eat moderately, exercise, don't smoke, only drink socially, and both of them have had to undergo valve replacement in the last two years.

There are no guarantees. Let's say the Queen lasts another five years: that means Charles takes the throne at 75, and gets 15 years on the throne - everyone will see it as a "bridge reign" and be looking past him toward William and Kate as Prince and Princess of Wales and their growing family beginning to appear more frequently in public, bumped up in status and wealth, and increasingly more important than the doddering old man on the throne.

Don't think for a moment that as Charles turns into the impotent monarch the Queen is now, the power base will increasingly be located with the Cambridges. Meghan was extremely foolish to alienate them so quickly with her petty leaks and limelight seeking games.

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Most importantly even a flicker of a touch that could be isolated to an image marketed that Meghan and Charlotte are familiar could earn Smegs a fortune if she were able to pull it off. Which is why Camilla made sure she couldn't.

R414 Meghan's even pseudo closeness with Charles is pure PR fiction. He's not an ally. He's Harry's dad, and he has to treat his son well in public, although when he booted them out of the garden party last year he didn't even glance at Meghan before walking away, although he kissed his son good'by. Camilla was left to do the polite thing, although it was very touch-me-not where their fingertips collided. Charles also can't be seen to be dissing the pregnant lady. You can be sure he is MARRIED to Camilla and Camilla has no truck with Meghan and Charles is not blind to who she is. She's not exactly loaded with charms to win him over. She is a walking WTF in everything she says and how she speaks. "Kick ass heel!" "Embryonic feminism!" and Charles is actually educated even though he can sound fatuous. She's not his physical type either, which has been the exact same type all of Charles' life. I think another, overlooked component to all of this is she married Harry, and the entire family knew anyone who married Harry who wasn't a freshly hatched teen milkmaid from some sheltered countryside had to be up to no good. We know perfectly well that what is known and even rumored about feckless, arrogant Harry is only the tip of the iceberg.

Sophie Countess of Wessex spoke at the United Nations. I was thinking: how long will it take Nutmeg to weasal her way into this high profile gig?

Letizia and Charles are both lost in space.

The classic "Shy Di" look.

I can see Charles jealously guarding his limelight; hence, why no William nor Harry (and consequently Smegma) at the Prince's Trust gala at Buckingham Palace the other night. It was to be his glittering night alone for the attention.

R408 - I'll believe this story about Meghan burying the hatchet with her father and half-sister when one of the following occurs:

(1) If SohoBébé is a boy, she names it Thomas and if it's a girl, it will be Lady Samantha (yeah right)

(2) Her family are actually invited to the christening (a slight chance for Papa Markle so he can actually meet his son-in-law but Sam is doubtful)

(3) There is a reunion photograph of her and the other two (where? Probably California).

Doria just arrived at Heathrow-- she will be staying in the UK indefinitely.

One of my favorite members of The Royal Family is the Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra of Kent.

Sophie gave a speech to the United Nations on the plight of women in the world! You know who thinks that's her territory!

Now that she's benched on maternity leave, you just know she has too much free time and therefore is following this R431 and trying to come up with some scheme to muscle in and push Sophie out from this platform. This profile is like catnip to our narcissist.

R431 please see R424. Do try and keep up by reading the posts.

So Doria is In the UK . How long before she leaves ? I don’t think Doria is the maternal type . When Sohobebe is born it will not be long before she is going back to LA . And how long can anybody be at MM her side . She is not know for her how can I put it her lovely manners and friendly behaviour If you aren’t Amal Clooney . I don’t think even PH lives with her.

LOL R434 I can't wait until they self-destruct.

Eugenie always wanted to be a princess bride. LOL.

It's US TWO against the world - Elizabeth & Margaret (deceased), Charles & Anne and William & Harry. One deceased

Meghan won't like that picture of Harry. She hates short pants on little boys.

Sparkle fancies herself as a feminist/ activist, so here are some other SohoBébé name options with a feminist/activist bent (the ones I can remember at the top of my head):

Eleanor (Eleanor Roosevelt)

Emmeline, Christabel or Sylvia (the Pankhurst suffragettes)

Gloria (Steinem)

Margaret (Sanger)

Simone (de Beauvoir)

Germaine (Greer)

Mary (Shelley & Wollstonecraft)

Sojourner (Truth)

Andrea (Dworkin)

Susan (Anthony, Brownmiller, Faludi)

Rosa (Parks)

Bella (Abzug)

Betty (Friedan)

Elizabeth (Cady Stanton)

Amelia (Bloomer)

Naomi (Klein, Wolf)

Camille (Paglia)

The only male I remember is John Stuart Mill.

I fondly like to imagine the courtship of Princess Bea and the bold Edoardo as a version of 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'

I love Emmeline . That’s a name you don’t hear much

I would vote for Sojourner as a name which is gender neutral, righteous and inclusive.

Harriet was mentioned above. I know it's not really under consideration but I think it's a name that deserves to be revived.

R443 - both Harriet and Henrietta are female forms of Harry's real name Henry.

Really, R443? No one could ever have guessed that!

Sorry, meant R444.

Harriet is more popular in England than in the US.

R326, got a clip of said sashaying?

R429, Link please.

Richard Palmer is commending on the new PR offices and strategies.

PR for the Sussex duo are under control of the PR of Her Majesty.

I'm the poster who has mentioned Meg can have a certain fleeting "Diana" look at times, in least in some photos, that may have touched Harry on an unconscious level - especially in the earliest stages of their long-distance courtship, when he was probably google-imaging to swoon over his new lady love. I've been trying to find the perfect example, and haven't yet, but this one comes close. The one I'm really looking for is non-smiling, I'd describe it as "plaintive."

Yeah. I'm staying skeptical. The above pic was taken years ago, so if Haz saw Di he was either daydreaming with his eyes closed or watching old episodes. Bih is over 40 and cannot move whole swaths of her face.

She looks as if she's sniffing her finger

I wonder what happened to her hair. I've never seen it look as good as in the pic at R451.

To be honest, though, Markle has been photographed a great many times so it would be close to impossible not to find a pic or two where she’s got a similar expression to Diana or is wearing the same colours.

I don’t think she reminded Harry of his mother at all. I think it was no more complicated than that he wanted to fuck her and was then “impressed” with her (apparent) strength of character and willingness to withstand press scrutiny.

His big mistake was to confuse ability to “cope” with press scrutiny with active desire for it, and narcissitic, arrogant demands with strength.

^^^ Yep he confused narcissism with strength. Charles was astute in his "tungsten" observation and it wasn't meant as a compliment but as a caution.

R448, here’s a link (scroll to the end.)

How do we know Charles asked them to leave the garden party? That’s what it looks like, but do we have any more gossip?

Why would he ask them to leave?

The announcement of the appointment of Sarah Latham as the new Sussex PR Chief, and that HM has given "permission" for the Sussexx "household" to be based at Buck House (household means their official staff) is interesting. It doesn't take much to locate the fine print here: the Sussex PR team will "report" to the Queen's PR staff that is also based at BP - which says that BP has put its foot down about the Sussexes handling their own line on PR and now insists on supervision; the recent "new PR Chief" with whom Megsy was papped having lunch just a few f months ago has already been replaced and her recent PR fuckups laid at his feet (PEOPLE Magazine and the disastrous optics of the baby shower in NY come to mind); the Cambridges are being left with PR autonomy, and once the Sussexes move to Frogmmore Cottage, they won't even have to run into the Sussexes on the grounds of KP.

As for Latham: her role as Hillary Clinton's advisor in the 2016 campaign doesn't exactly raise hopeful flags, but then, perhaps Ms Latham has learnt some bitter lessons she can apply to the Sussex PR problems - of course, she work for Blair in Labour's successful third victory in 2005.

I for one will be fascinated to see if Meghan can bend to someone else's instructions and turn over a new leaf. Blair, for what it's worth, I always thought hugely narcissistic and ditto Bill Clinton, so perhaps Latham really does have the experience to deal with Meghan.

This also

Of course they weren’t asked to leave the garden party. Why would they be? Harry gave a speech, for goodness sake.

This is all along the same lines as Markle being ejected from polo/Wimbledon blah blah. Didn’t happen.

R457 - the link finished before the best part: Sparkle's hip action going up the steps. You don't get the full impact until then.

R462 - Yes, and if you watch the video with unbiased eyes, it's quite clear that AFTER Harry made his speech, shortly after they went down to mix with the guests, an aide draws Harry over to his father, who clearly tells Harry it's time for him to leave.

R451 - She looks so much better there! WTF happened to her in the last two years?!

I suspect they had an appointed time to leave once they made their appearance and were simply reminded of it. The party was to celebrate Charles' 70th birthday and the two had been married only two days prior. The focus wasn't to be on them, but on Charles.

R463 - She no longer has access to the professional stylists and makeup artists from Suits or her numerous photo shoots. As she had her friends boast to People, she's mostly DIY. And it shows. She did take a hairdresser with her to Oz.

The guy in the top hat seemed to have taken directions from Charles, he approached them with Charles and Camilla obviously not far behind. I do believe they were asked to leave. Even Sparkle couldn't come out with any bullshit PR the next day to change the optic, she had only just got her foot in the palace, after all.

It is just as likely, if not more so, that Charles just said, "Hey, thanks for coming, especially as newlyweds. You've done your part. Why don't you go home and relax?"

What was the occasion when MeAgain turned her back to Her Majesty to speak to someone else? I've forgotten but I think it was outside.

Did none of you watch the prince charles at 70 documentary? They show clips of the garden party and they were not asked to leave. Harry said something like "we're headed off" and charles replied and they kissed, charlie kissed both harry and meghan goodbye, as did camilla. They all looked chummy and there were no tension.

Much ado about nothing as usual and lesson learned to not believe small edited clips or videos that show very little. Same with the scarf situation with william. Later on the church steps he was seen talking to meg and harry. No hostility.

r459 Christian Jones is still there, he has now become Cambriges communications secretary and Knauf has moved to an adviser role. But I agree with the rest of your Post. They're selling it as if Cringe and Ginge have got a new house when in reality they have more supervision. I wonder if Cringe realises what has happened.

Doria plans to return to California one more time before the baby is born. The Clooneys have paid for her travel so far, but it sounds like Oprah will spring for this next round trip. Meghan has been experiencing some unusual cravings and Doria is helping her with that.

As I predicted, the tunnels have enabled the Sussexes to transition to the cottage in comfort and privacy. Doria has been staying at Frogmore Palace and will continue to do so as it is more comfortable for her than Frogmore Cottage.

R467 That was at Royal Ascot, There is an hilarious video of Anne circling the scene, watching what was going on. Furious. I do love Anne.

The pictures of Harry and Markle in the car, leaving the garden party , speak volumes.

r472, are the photos in the youtube clip or do you have a static link? Thank you

R472 No, they don’t.

Aren’t you embarrassed by your absurd conspiracy theory nonsense? That moron Skippy really has brainwashed you.

Whether we like it or we don’t, the BRF have welcomed Markle as best they could. No way would they be slung out of a garden party in front of cameras...a garden party that Harry’s been invited to give a speech at.

r470 Are you ok? Have you forgotten to take your medication? That is some very interesting fan fiction you're posting.

R470– which asylum have you escaped from?

I also don’t think the Sussexes have been sidelined in the way people desperately want to believe.

What is far more likely is that they are being treated as the 6th in line and his wife....iow, not very important at official functions.

Yes, I expect Markle detests having to sit & walk behind the Cambridges, and yes, she does regard herself as the star if the family - but them being treated as they should be is not them actually being sidelined.

Same goes for Frogmore. They get a house in the country, but no massive London pad because they are not gong to be King & Queen one day.

R474 - The liklihood that the newly minted Duchess wanted to leave a garden party with royals with cameras trained on her every move and people curtsying to her left and right is absurd. You can see by the way she left the party that she wanted to make sure she milked every last moment of it. The aide tapped Harry on the shoulder, brought him over to his father, who made it clear it was time for the Sussexes to leave - and leave the airspace to Charles.

R469 - thanks for the update. The DM headline is part of the problem they have: 'Meghan Gets Her Own New Powerhouse Press Chief . . . "

It's Harry's new press chief, too. It's as if he doesn't exist. It's all about her all the time. That's the problem.

The DM makes it all about her. They specifically create these headlines that center meghan to trigger idiots like r479. And it works. Every. Single. Time.

R480 - Sweetheart, the problem isn't mine: it's Harry's.

Brainwashed by that mad old fool Skippy? Are you having a laugh? Yes, I've chanced upon her site, so know of her. I'm actually British, so can see what a mad old munter she is.

Skippy is a woman?!

Who's Skippy?

Skippy is a 'special' Tumblr that some Meghan fan brings up to discount anyone who criticizes Meghan. That Skippy is a looney does not negate the fact that Meghan is a grifting, no account fame whore.

I realize that r470 was an attempt at satire but I'll still mention that Frogmore Palace will never again be used as a residence, at least for the foreseeable future. It's nearing the end of an extensive multi-million dollar renovation to turn it into a sort of combination museum/conference center/reception space. No one will live there, even as a guest.

You know R404, when you put it that way .... you're right. Distil her down to her essence, that is her. She wants to be "elegant" and "graceful" and "appropriate" but that old bromide of "still be sexy" in her case means my crotch is right here and if you've got five seconds I can blow you off in the men's john - look at these lips. She dresses like a sex doll version of a royal, basically.

Oh, Skippy. Skippy has near religious views on the royal family, one of those circular mindsets that if it's the royal family, it is by definition right and proper. Certainly where all things HM are concerned. HM is wiser than God, and at 93 has a "long game" to get rid of Meghan. There are things we don't know! Hidden reasons!

Currently, Skippy has decided Meghan is carrying a pillow, the royal family will never EVER sanction a surrogate baby into the family, Harry never touches her and nobody will sanction IVF either, so the day is coming when Meghan is supposed to produce an infant and doesn't, and she will go to jail or be publicly shamed. People have asked Skippy, won't this implicate Harry, who surely knows there's only a pillow under there? and Skippy doubles down on the word salad and exclamation points.

What will happen is Meghan/Harry in due course will produce a child or twins, probably from a similar factory to where the Clooneys got theirs. The child(ren) will be named. Soon enough PC and HM will appear in the same place as le petite Sohobebe without calling it out as Satan's child. Ergo, that means PC and HM are covering up for Meghan (impossible!!!!), sanctioning her fraud (impossible!!!) or it is Harry's real baby (also - impossible!!!). So I look forward to this. Skippy will not just be painted into a corner, she'll be so plastered into the corner she'll turn into trompe l'oeil. There will be a beat, and then she will re-set. HM has her ways and her wisdom, Meghan is still on her way out any second now, it is not for us to know the deal with the baby but we can be sure HM has it handled.

Jesus. It's tiring. I think half the people who follow Skippy's blog are just waiting for the fucking baby hoping she will finally throw in the towel and I'm here to tell them that will never ever happen. In her world, no matter what happens, it is all part of HM's wise plan to get rid of Meghan. Harry is innocent. He is putting on a show, "Doing what he has to do." He and William are as close as ever. Everybody in the BRF loves Harry as much as ever. He is an honored member of the family, well thought of. Once a long time ago he made a couple of mistakes which meant he ended up being "coerced" into marrying Meghan and putting on this 2 years running charade, but haven't we all made mistakes?

This woman (Skippy) spins herself into oblivion. But she DOES have cute animal pics and recipes.

And Meghan DOES suck. But Harry sucks more. It's so clear now what HE's doing. Her, you could see from space from Day 1. But after a year it's clear, she's the club he's beating his family with, and also his bid to steal the spotlight. He approves of everything she's doing.

We all have eyes but nice try at gaslighting. Charles did not kiss Meghan good'by.

Meghan and Harry were chatting to a circle of people. An aid approached and signaled Harry. Harry looked up, alert, and here comes Charles. He speaks a few words to Harry and ignores Meghan. He leaves. Camilla wafts up and kisses Harry, and then there's an awkward finger waggling air kiss with Meghan. Then an aid leads Harry and Meghan across the lawn and she sashays up the stairs, trailing her hand down Harry's back as they reach the top of the stairs and go through the far door. Then their car. That is IT.

This is the fucking royal family, it's not a freaking bbq. It was an event. Charles does not turn to sonny boy and the new daughter-in-law and say, "You've done enough - go home and fucking chill." Good God.These scenarios are out of some "Royals are just like us." fantasy. They were kicked out. And there is no chance in hell Meghan wanted to go with hot and cold running cameras everywhere and her Wolford stockings on her legs and the rest of her attire to pose in so she does her part of the quid pro quo. Furthermore, people who were there said Meghan and Harry were there and gone.

I can't believe people who, despite the fact that the full evidence is on film, make shit up, claim THAT's on film when it's not, and I guess count on nobody going back to check.

Oh shut up, R489. You are engaging in extreme confirmation bias, seeing exactly what you want to see. It’s so fucking tedious. Can’t you fuck off back to that awful Royal Gossip place?

I see none of that whatsoever. Probably they were told their car was waiting...maybe they had a plane to catch. Who knows? But that they’d get thrown out of a party a few minutes after Harry made a speech is beyond ridiculous. For what? Pissing in the rhododendrons?

Stop infecting an otherwise interesting thread with your pathetic and desperate crap. “Gaslighting”? Jesus. Grow a brain cell, please.

And, by the way....it’s entirely possible to despise that cretin Skippy

...and dislike Markle at the same time.

“Oooh, you’re a secret stan just pretending to hate her”. Isn’t that how it goes. Are you even old enough to be on DL?

“Skippy will not just be painted into a corner, she'll be so plastered into the corner she'll turn into trompe l'oeil. There will be a beat, and then she will re-set.”

Ha!

You can watch the prince charles at 70 documentary on BBC. They deleted it on youtube otherwise I would copy paste it here. Charles absolutely does kiss them both goodbye. Camilla does as well. He did not ask them to leave or even imply it. It's so stupid to even comment on just watch it yourself. It's a longer version of the events at the garden party and it is up close and you hear everything. They were all chummy and close.

[quote] This is why Camilla enveloped Charlotte in that one photo where Meghan is "laughing" (I don't think she ever actually laughs) and bent a bit forward at the waist.

Off-topic, but I can just imagine how Diana would feel if she saw that photo of Camilla hugging her granddaughter on the front of several British newspapers. Ouch.

With his scams and his association with some distasteful people, Andrew should have long ago been sent to a far away commonwealth island or a Paris tunnel. But because he's supposedly HM's favorite, he's awarded patronages and silly titles and such. Harry is clearly his successor. What says the DL? Will Charles be as doting to Harry as HM is to Andrew?

I agree with the poster up-thread who says that Meghan is the stick with which Harry is beating his family. She will eventually leave once the family sidelines the two of them so much that she doesn't get the publicity she so craves. Will Charles help him rehabilitate his image or stick in a veritable minor-royal Siberia?

R492 Thank you. There are some seriously deranged people projecting onto MM. I keep blocking them but more sprout up.

Whomever it was on one of these threads who said that Harry and Meghan would be housed with the other minor royals under Buck Palace was right. This latest news says that their communications manager will report to the head of communications at BP? Does this mean the Sussexes are funded via BP, too, i.e., no more funding from Charles (as KP is funded)?

[quote] Oh, Skippy. Skippy has near religious views on the royal family, one of those circular mindsets that if it's the royal family, it is by definition right and proper.

Why don't you all start an anti-Skippy Tumblr? Or have you been banned from that too?

Who the hell is Skippy?

Speaking for myself, R498, I’ve never been banned from anywhere.

R497 - As PR is part of the "official" work of senior royals, my guess is that all their PR staff are partly supported by the Sovereign Grant, and partly by their "own" incomes, in Harry's and William's case, by the revenue from their respective trusts + Papa's annual supplement to that revenue to cover "nonofficial" household expenses. It's probably a combination of sources of support.

It's not as if they're going to be charged for office space at BP. The only real signal worth noting in this is that the Sussex PR team will no longer be autonomous, but have to clear things through BP's communications head, whilst the Cambridge PR operation remains at KP and has ongoing autonomy. Rumours that the coveted Apt. 1 is now earmarked for reception rooms and staff offices for the Cambridges when the Gloucesters leave seem to me a bit more valid now.

The spin is that this is "independence" for Harry and Meghan, but it's not: they have to answer upwards and their PR and official staff are located a half hour's drive away from their home - a fair inconvenience, whilst the Cambridges have it all under one extensive, elegant roof in central London, PLUS the large country home in Norfolk.

R488 Has a perfect explanation for who Skippy is.

All those stupid conspiracy theories that end up here were born there.

She and her readers are currently waiting for Markle to be arrested for high treason. (Not kidding).

R502 - They're tiresome (the Skippy types), because they deflect from the perfectly viable materiel the royals give us without the Magical Thinking.

What is the difference between a Skippy-type conspiracy theory and looking at a photo and imagining all the feelings, motives and relationships of the people therein?

R498 Skippy isn't interesting enough to warrant a post on urban dictionary much less an entire blog.

Hating or fangirling a royal is pathetic. There are no appropriately negative words for a person who is obsessively hating a royal hater. 😱

[quote] There are no appropriately negative words for a person who is obsessively hating a royal hater. 😱

lol well said r505!

The difference is that Harry and Meghan are already being sidelined less than a year after their wedding. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, William and Harry are on different trajectories, etc. However, had Meghan not behaved so poorly this last year and was actually popular with the public, they would've drug out that 'Fab Four' nonsense at least another year or two. With this latest move, the gloves are off. I hope they stay sloppy. I desperately want to see them send Harry and Meghan to cut the ribbon at a Tesco opening. (Who am I kidding? Meghan would call in sick.)

So what happened that Christian Jones ended up staying with the Cambridges, and not moving over to Haz & Megs as was expected? Remember the big pap stroll in London a few weeks ago with him and Sparks. Theories please.

Who chose this elder lady publicist for H&M? Do we think they chose her themselves? She is American, from what I gather.

The intriguing news that Christopher Jones has moved over to the Cambridges' PR team after being papped at lunch with MM in mid-January - that's just eight weeks ago - as Sparkle's new Communications Secretary seems to have slid by everyone.

Doesn't it strike anyone that there's something significant here? Such as, for example, another valuable staffer exasperated by Meghan in a very short time and bailing? And being offered a more prestigious place with the higher up royals? Whilst the Sussexes get slotted some offices in BP where other less important royals have their "households", too? And their handling of their staff and communications strategies will be watched closedly by the Queen's own officers?

I wonder if Sparkle gnashed her veneers when it came out that Jones was heading for KP in the reshuffle.

It's quite obvious that there's a sense that something has to be done about the incredibly disappointing first year Meghan's had with the press, and that she and Harry can't be trusted to fix the mess on their own.

I'm rather surprised the DM hasn't latched onto this and played it up.

R508 - Oh, you JUST beat me to it!!!!!

R509

The theory is he was very good at not keeping confidences pr-wise, hence the promotion.

R511 - Given William's well-known suspicion of the press and paranoia about it, that theory won't hold up. And it's not a promotion: it's the same title, only the people he's working for represent more prestige. William would never allow a press officer on his staff who couldn't his mouth shut.

Ah, a bit of research turns up better info: Christian Jones was assigned as Deputy Coummunications Secretary to the Cambridges AND the Sussexes in January. His job was to "liaise with British and international media and to discuss strategy with the four and prepare them for any public events with the press". Of course, he was only papped with Meghan.

And as he worked as the Chief Press Officer to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for several years, I would say he's probably quite good at keeping his mouth shut.

Hmmm. I wonder if what really happened is that when the teams separated, the Cambridges got first dibs on him and Meghan and Harry had to find a new one, or if Jones bailed eagerly to work for the more prestigious royals?

R505 It’s not about Skippy (who is easily avoided by simply not reading her blog). It’s about the endless claptrap her many followers spew out into the world and which inevitably lands on DL.

So much of the shit she and her readers have invented seems to have become “fact”. It’s annoying. People are allowed to be annoyed. No one is “obsessively hating” a Tumblr blogger.

Sara Latham seems to have a good resume and is fit to work for the royals, but is she someone that Meghan would want repping her in this key area? (press/comms). She is a much older, conservative-seeming type who's worked for Blair and the Clintons - not exactly hipsters. Megs is used to the likes of Mulroney and Markus Anderson in her corner. I wonder how she'll work with this.

The difference between Andrew and Harry is Andrew really put in the work being HM's favorite. He never seemed to take it for granted. Look at him even still - out riding with her all winter.

I don't know if Harry is Charles' favorite. And for all Andrew's shadiness, I don't know that he was an alcoholic, a drug user, a rageaholic, entitled as fuck while acting like a victim. I think most people will agree that Andrew has been a good father to his daughters. He was 28 when Beatrice was born. Is there anyone on this planet who thinks Harry will be half as good a father to Sohobebe at age 35 or however old he is now, let alone when he was 28?

I think KATE is a favorite with both Charles and Camilla. She defines low maintenance, is trustworthy and reliable, good-tempered, and a true team player. Never any issues there. Both of them well remember Diana and I think Kate being the opposite just makes them all the more appreciative and grateful. In fact I'd bet Charles has a less complicated relationship with Kate than he has with his sons. But OTOH, I'd bet he respects William and I wonder if that can be said of Harry.

Pull the stick out of your ass, R505.

Good point, r516. In that latest biography of Charles (that was apparently sanctioned by him, as well) he had some not-so-great things to say about William and Harry, but nothing but praise for Kate.

I hope these changes mean that the BRF will have better control of Harry and Meghan by the time the baby is born. It's fascinating to watch Meghan's machinations and fun to bitch about her attention-whoring ways. But I don't want to see her constantly bringing the baby out in public to garner attention. Somehow, I think she won't as she doesn't appear to like sharing the limelight, even if it's her own child.

R495 No I don't think Charles will be as doting to Harry as HM is to Andrew.

I've spent almost my entire life in the commonwealth and I'm really fond of HM but the Andrew thing comes close to souring the whole BRF for me. HM genuinely seems blind to how awful Andrew is and probably doesn't even believe that he was really involved with those underage girls despite their testimony. According to rumours when they see each other he really plays up the doting son bit and seems to have her completely fooled.

I don't think Charles sees Harry through rose tinted glasses and we know he allowed his PR team to throw Harry under the bus once with the 'look how well Charles handled his son's drug use story'. So if it's between Charles looking good and Harry looking good Charles will probably always act his in own self interest. I think at most he might excuse white collar crime but not to the extent that HM has. One rumour is that when Charles says that he wants to slim down the BRF what he means is that he wants to cut out Andrew. I hope that's true, Charles views himself as grand and righteous so it's important to him that he leaves a good legacy as king so he might be tougher than HM is.

I believe that RF would have been happy to have Sparkle fit right into "The Firm". Of course, there would be some hiccups, but there can no longer be any doubt that the RF provided plenty of help and guidance as to how to go on which Sparkle has just ignored.

Not favoring British designers, inappropriate clothes (the slit up the ha-ha on the Down Under tour), etc. and the PR barrage.

They have therefore closed ranks against someone who has no intention of joining them, but seems intent on a individual path to her own celebrity which causes much trouble for the institution that they have spent their lives honoring.

They clearly protected the Cambridge kids from any pictures with Sparkle and I remain convinced that the "mistake" in not having any wedding video of the classic bow & curtsy (except from above) was done deliberately.

Too bad really, but look how much upheaval Sparkle has created in less than a year!

When Harry and Meghan first got married, I was hoping Meghan would have a smooth transition. I think the Queen did her best to make Meghan feel comfortable and supported, as did Charles. Meghan is the person who doesn't seem to be able to read the temperature in the room. I didn't start out being too critical of Meghan: I figured she needed time to adapt. But I've become increasingly critical of her, with time. That tacky baby shower in NYC was a huge slap in the face to the Royals who have been supportive of her.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Dang. That sign-off should have been, "Waddle Away, Bea!"

When Charles refused Andrew's request to give Bea and Euge royal jobs, he said it was because the public would not be accepting of this and there would be backlash against the RF. PC is looking after number 1, and anyone who threatens this is out. The RF needs willing hands to replace the members that are ageing out, but they have to be competent and intelligent, like Sophie Wessex. I think they were hoping that whoever Harry married would indeed become part of the Fab Four, because Harry was the most popular royal at the time. But MM is clearly not a team player. Not only is she not contributing to the glory and stability of the RF, she has pulled an important member, Harry, down with her. They can't fire her. So all they can do is sideline them both and try to contain any future damage.

Kate is certainly dedicated to her role as future consort, and she is genuinely family-oriented. She is a beautiful woman with a number of natural assets - hair, height, slimness, dimples, smile. But maybe because of her extreme slimness or being a (possibly former) smoker, occasionally she looks very haggard. And the serene mask slips and she looks exhausted and resentful, as if she is hanging on by her fingernails. On the other hand, I can't recall any photos where MM's mask has slipped and she has looked angry. There are a few where she looks pensive or possibly hurt, eg the balcony at Remembrance Day, but nearly always her Hollywood smile is on display. The fillers and Botox she uses do help as well.

You'd look haggard and resentful too if you had to deal with that grasping, catastrophic sister-in-law and the scruffy question mark she's married to.

There are a number of photos of Kate looking pissed off before MM came on the scene. I don't blame her. If it were my choice, I'd far rather have Pippa's life than Kate's. I think she'd have been much happier had she married some rich aristo or aristo-adjacent guy who didn't make her wait 10 long years before he finally deigned to marry her, living in the countryside, having her children, spending time with her friends and family, spending money and living her life without scrutiny or judgement.

Kate is human, R528. When she's having a fucked up day sometimes it shows, but I'd bet there are far more days when it doesn't.

No question, R529. But some botox, fillers and 5 more kg would do wonders.

Obviously she doesn't feel it's necessary, R530, and it's refreshing to see a famous, beautiful woman who's comfortable with her *gasp!* wrinkles. Let Smegz pump all that plastic into her face. Kate clearly is the Anti-Smegz, and she's workin' that angle!

Kate-stans are just as boring as the Meg-stans. I take a more balanced view. Kate has better hair, more height, a better figure, and better fashion sense. Meghan has a softer, prettier face and lovely eyes.

Meghan is a rapacious cunt, which makes her ugly. She could have Sharon Tate's face, but it wouldn't matter because inside she's such a nasty, fucked-up kookoo bird with the eyes of a psychopath.

Uh huh. And despite her admirable qualities which I enumerated above, Kate is a woman who never earned her living and spent her 20s waiting for her prince to marry her. Both she and MM certainly wanted to upgrade their status by marrying into the BRF. It is obvious that MM wouldn't have given Hapless Harry a second glance had he not had HRH before his name. It isn't clear if Kate would have married William if he were not the future king of the UK.

“The eyes of a psychopath”.

Good grief.

There’s a fine line between a healthy disregard for a public figure we’re all supposed to adore, and ranting hysterical nonsense like this.

Do you get out much, R533?

Get the fuck out, R535. You are pro-Meghan, and therefore you do NOT BELONG HERE. Go back to Frau.com.

Kate has a face that is angular yet blocky at the same time. Here features are pronounced. Sometimes she just photographs really badly. But at least she knows how to do her job.

I personally do not think Kate's life is a picnic. She doesn't seek the spotlight and in the past, she had panic attacks before a speaking engagement. Although William undoubtedly has many fine qualities, the fact that he waited so long to marry her tells you a lot about him and how he sees her. Some of the negative things said about him are "grand", "holds a grudge", "imperious", "suspicious", all of which might be quite understandable, but pretty much a no-fun zone. To me, it looks like her main sources of joy are her children and her own family, as well as school friends. Apparently she spends a lot of time shopping online, and in fact, one year spent either $1M or £1M, I forget which.

R512 why do you assume I meant leaking to the press? I didn't.

R539 - I think as phrased it was a natural assumption, but feel free to clarify - I'd be interested in what you did mean.

R512

To the poster upthread who said he hoped this shift meant that the BRF would be taking more control of the Sussex PR after the baby is born, my guess, and of course it's only that, is that this is exactly what the shift indicates.

R538 - do give us a link to proof that Kate spent one or two million shopping some year - and where did this appear? The Duchy of Cornwall's annual report? The Sovereign Grant report? As her husband's annual gross personal income is about $350,000 before taxes, where did she get one-two million to spend?

Meanwhile, back at Meghan's Place, George Clooney is shooting his mouth off again about how nice his friend Meghan is. Unfortunately, his concern, coming as it does as the media are covering the horrific massacre in the NZ mosques making him and Meghan look, if possible, more shallow and narcissistic than they already do.

What a bunch of BS r536. This is a thread about the British royal family. It’s YOU who doesn’t belong here. Get the hell out with your mad rantings with not an iota of wit. As soon as someone calls you out for your obvious insanity, you attack them. Do yourself a favor and check yourself into the enarest mental hospital. Life is too short.

I remember the "sashay" up the stairs, it was like a cartoon va-va-voom walk, very funny.

Here you go, R540. Likely fake news.

R542 - Ah, OKMagazine and "palace insiders". Makes sense.

If OK told me it was raining outside, I wouldn't pull the umbrella out of the closet till I'd opened the front door and checked for myself. They make the DM look like The Economist.

The plot thickens: Amal Clooney has just been names a "figurehead" for one of the Prince's Trust's initiatives. Speak of deteremined social networking. Much as I hate to give Kaiser on Celebitchy credit for anything but pandering, she had this to say on the announcement:

". . . George and Amal attended Prince Charles’ fundraising dinner for the Prince’s Trust this week. The dinner was in Buckingham Palace, and it felt like yet another “connection” for George and Amal. As much as “sources” want to convince us that Amal has always been in the orbit of the royal family and the Duchess of Sussex, I suspect that is not the case. I suspect the Clooneys only got invited to Meghan and Harry’s wedding because of some low-key sponsorship, pay-to-play (pay-to-invite) deal. I also believe that the Clooneys probably made a similar arrangement for this new thing . . . "

So it's obvious even to Kaiser that part of the Clooneys' job here is to help Charles, whose PR office I am convinced has a direct line to the Telegraph (relentlessly pro-Meghan including her worst sartorial faux pas), offset Meghan's bad press.

In return, Amal, famewhore par excellence, gets another leg up in the upper tiers of society.

R536 It’s you who doesn’t belong here. Even if I were “pro-Meghan” I would have every right to post on a thread about THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY.

Your mouth-frothing hatred should be kept in your dank basement where it belongs.

"Not a team player" is very accurate description of Bean.

Doria isn't in the U.K. But it's a common way to set up a lie, as the poster upthread just did. "So, Doria is in the U.K." Phrased that way, it is assumed the poster read it somewhere or saw it in the news. She's not in the U.K. They drag poor Doria out whenever they want to domesticate Meghan and show that she does too have family she loves, plus Doria is black so if you attack Meghan you're racist.

While CB is correct in calling out the Clooneys as probably pay to play, her tying Meghan in with the BRF as if Meghan moves in exclusive circles is ridiculous. "As much as “sources” want to convince us that Amal has always been in the orbit of the royal family and the Duchess of Sussex". Please. A couple of years ago Meghan couldn't get into the orbit of celebrities many rungs down on the list from the Clooneys.

Of course the Clooneys had to pay up to get invited to Charles' shindig. But we can be sure they got an invite to the Smeggle wedding because Meghan thinks they are A list and desperately wanted them there. In that case, the Clooneys probably set THEIR conditions. I.e., George gets to pitch his tequila. Which he did, at the reception.

Charles is an ass. He's suppose to be politically neutal and yet he's hobnobbing with the VERY LIBERAL Clooneys. Socializing with them is bad optics.

Gay actor Luke Evans has been an Ambassador For The Princes Trust for years and has attended numerous events with Charles accompanied by various boyfriends. Luke is Welsh which is a plus for the Prince of Wales' trust but as far as I know, he has never discussed his political affiliation (although he was a Remainer in the Brexit question). I would suspect he would be liberal or Labour but I don't recall him ever saying who he voted for in any election. Clooney has had Democrats at his house for fundraisers so Charles associating too much with him may cause more controversy.

I don’t think Smeg is any closer to Doria than she is to Thomas, to be honest.

Remember the pap shots of them walking through Toronto at Christmas? I bet that’s the first time in years they’ve spent Christmas together.

R549 - I agree. And what's interesting about all this is the light it sheds on recent developments in the BRF, to wit, that it's increasingly about the Sussex's press and press strategies, and not about their actual work. Which makes the case for Kate's shrewd continuation of her studiously understated, demure, standard issue proper royal consort behaviour strategy. No one really cares what Kate THINKS, which Kate knows and is as it should be - Meghan's mistake is to assume people care what she thinks about feminism and any other political issue, as she jets around hob-nobbing with the Clooneys and not paying for a damned thing on her own.

I think Charles is trying to shield his son from the malign influence and press Meghan has brought with her as she tries to milk her marriage for celebrity, and he's willing to sell visibility and patronage to people like the Clooneys to do it.

And I agree with 548 - remember how everyone was convinced that Doria had been invited by the Queen to come for Christmas and actually stay at the Big House, and OMG this is so much more than the Middletons ever got . . . !!!! And it all turned out to be a hoax.

And I agree with R551 - Meghan is no closer to her mother than anyone else in the world, because everyone in the world is a reflection of her self-image, and either they're convenient to that or they aren't. Doria is just as much about optics for MM as Givenchy and the Clooneys are. In and of herself, I doubt Doria has any real emotional meaning to MM.

And lastly, I agree wholeheartedly with R550 on Charles. He's already had his hands slapped over the spider memos. He's getting way too close to kingship to keep indulging his political views through others. He will be King of everyone: Labour, Tory, rich, poor, working-class, conservative, liberal, white, black, Christian, Jewish, Muslim. If he's seen to prefer one group over another he undermines the foundation of modern monarchy.

The Queen is probably not so much afraid of death these days as afraid of dying and having Charles destroy what she's worked for 70 years to safeguard. No wonder she's hanging on by her fingernails.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Some of the ill will dates back to this. Apparently the Queen gifted Meghan and Harry a pony that was sired by the same stud as Her Highness' favorite pony (see photo). The thinking was that it would be a pony for Meghan to learn to ride on. Meghan however did not like the color (black) and asked for a white pony instead. In her defense, she didn't know that the pony was one of the queen's favorites when she asked. But that, along with tiaragate, really turned the tide against her.

To my knowledge, she hasn't received a replacement white pony.

Those old photos shown at the link at R554 are a spot on look for those Agatha Christie stories (Joan Hickson version only).

As for R555, I agree strongly. It's also why I think the Queen was more than happy to allow William and Kate to have so much time at the early times of their marriage to have time together and time with their small children. Building a close relationship between the Cambridge children and their parents. It's seems to have worked.

New solo engagement for Harry has been announced.

So, R556, Sparkle actually looked a gift horse in the mouth.

Wow, R556. Amazing gossip. Where did you hear that? Got any more?

Photos of Diana's dishy nephew, Louis Spencer.

Why can't Clooney shut up about Meghan?

Charles doesn't look well.

Ok. remind me again which one is 90ish and which is 70ish??? WTF?

Princess Anne and Camilla's ex Andrew Parker Bowles. I've never found this cad particularly attractive but he looks quite fetching in the second photo.

Omg Charles' fingers in the photo at R563.

The pony story is so stupid. Where did you pull that? And of course no link, just a pic of the horse meghan supposedly rejected lol

This is pure speculation on my part but looking at the timeline of events this is what I think may have happened. Smegs was trying to assert an authority over Christian Jones with the solo off site luncheon (that happened to be conveniently papped). He was new to staff-impressionable and not yet ingrained with the established standard operating procedure-and she intended to abscond him early and mold him into what she wanted. Professional that he is he went along to get along, that is until he got wind of her baby shower and plans for a further jaunt to L.A. for the Academy Awards. He then opted to show where his higher loyalty lay by informing the Cambridges of her plans. They couldn't entirely shut Bean down for whatever reason but they did thwart her plans with the last minute official visit to Morocco--coincidentally timed.

William is said to be highly cautious about whom he can trust and to have chosen to retain Mr. Jones I think is no small detail.

It’s the various governments that organise foreign tours, not the Cambridges.

Those foreign governments, however, do not unilaterally decide the dates. It is done in collaboration with whichever court is assigned. Morocco has been requesting a visit for some time, years in fact. Easily KP in this case could have offered up a last minute date that was then immediately accepted by Morocco.

And yes the foreign office is also a participant, but again not the unilateral decider in matters. They authorize and oversee the tour and they approve schedules but it is not necessarily without input from other parties.

The Queen wouldn't give any member of the family a horse or pony.

Where would Meghan & Harry even keep one? in the kitchen? It'd be like an episode of the Simpsons.

All of the horses in HM's various private stables (as opposed to her racing stables) are available for the family to ride (and more importantly paid for by The Queen). What a ridiculous story.

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Here is Part 29. Please fill up this thread before using. Thanks.

A request could simply have been made by KP to schedule an official visit, subject to approval of course. And approved it was as we saw, but it all was very harried. Hell, they didn't even know where HazBean would be staying until almost the day of. First they wouldn't say, then they said the ambassador's residence. Then just a couple days before Charles writes a personal request to the King of Morocco to have his son and dil stay in one of the royal residences for guests. There was a rushed quality to how things were organized. Details kept changing which was very strange for an office used to managing decades of official royal visits.

There are stables at Windsor R572. Also at Buckingham Palace, One thing the BRF do not lack is space for horses.

Everyone else - a royal tour is not decided on the cuff, and the date is most certainly not selected by the Cambridges.

An invitation is extended from one government to another. The Foreign Office signs off on the idea before putting in a request to the BRF. The date will be mainly decided by the foreign government.

Sorry but...”Hey, Kate...you know FuckFace is planning to go to LA for the Oscars? Isn’t there an invitation from the Morrocans somewhere around we can shove her on”....does not happen.

But it wasn’t that long ago you were all sneering at CelebItchy for her claims that Markle & Harry chose to go to Morocco - rightly pointing out that it was a governmental request not their choice.

Now, when it suits you, you want to pretend the Cambridges fixed it up.

Confirmation bias, much?

R574 You’ve just made all that up. You have no idea what was going on behind the scenes.

Thank you R568. That's my speculation too. Mr. Jones didn't just move over from the Sussexes, he was promoted. Good work, lad. We were wondering about you becoming Markle's bitch, with that awful pappy lunch display. You must have some awfully juicy gossip tidbits from your time with the Duchess of Smug, and I do hope we get to hear them some year.

R577 - after that lunch meeting with Nutmeg, I'm sure Mr. Jones had a lot of info for the Cambridges.

[quote]Although William undoubtedly has many fine qualities, the fact that he waited so long to marry her tells you a lot about him and how he sees her

You want to flesh that out, great oracle, are we just to hang the implication of your every word?

R579, they mean William should have married her when he was 20. If he really loved her, he WOULD have. He wouldn't have waited til he finished school finished the army, started his emergency rescue job, you know, waited to see how important life events (not to mention further development of the frontal lobe which in men is often not fully mature until after age 24) changed them both. And not to mention his parents had a famous debacle of a marriage and he did not intend to repeat it. He was in a shakier position than she, who came from a secure family background. As well, it's one thing to put up with media around a royal romance for a short period of time, it's another to do it and do it well years on end. As he said in the engagement interview (in so many words) that having not become engaged until now meant she was fully prepared and it also meant that their relationship was very easy at that point. Growing pains they may have gone through if they'd married straight out of their teens were in the past before they were even engaged. But go ahead. Put forth the premise that if you meet someone you love at age 20, before your education is complete and before you yourself are a fully realized person, you should marry them or you don't really love them.

It's the Harry/Meghan sort of relationship that is true love. Meet someone you barely know, conduct and on and off relationship for about a year, then put a ring on it. Clearly that's the better way.

[quote] The pony story is so stupid. Where did you pull that? And of course no link, just a pic of the horse meghan supposedly rejected lol

No that is a picture of the Queen's pony. Here is a picture of the rejected pony. Meghan felt like the white mane and black body was a jab at her mixed race heritage. She wanted a royal white pony.

I was reading elsewhere that the separation of the households has been long in the planning as by the time the Queen does pass on everything should be in place for William to move into the POW job. That would not be the time to begin hastily separating offices and giving William his own operation. So I don't believe the separation is down to Meghan's bad behavior. The pretense that the Sussexes will have their own court instead of simply being set up at BP along the same model as Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, etc. is just typical Hazbean hype, as if the also rans can set up their own power base. The BRF is a pyramid, it ain't whatever the opposite of a pyramid is (separate but equal).

I do think getting them out of London is down to their behavior, but the separation was always going to happen. Hazbean is playing on the ignorance of the public. Harry knows perfectly well this was always in store.

R575 The stables at Windsor and Buckingham Palace are The Queen's stables as are the one's at Balmoral and Sandringham. My point was that as the family have free access to any equine they choose why would they need to be 'given' a horse or pony. I'm fairly sure that, Andrew, Edward and Sophie all just use horses from the Royal stables.

Princess Anne has her own stables at Gatcombe Park, but she and her daughter were both Olympic Medal winning eventers and she still hosts The Festival of British Eventing/Gatcombe Horse Trials. I also think that Prince Charles used to own Polo Ponies but they were stabled privately near Highgrove.

R581, if that pony was actually given to Meghan, she's an ignorant dimwit for rejecting it! With the sun shining on his coat, you can see he is a dapple, with an extraordinary color pattern. Beautiful creature who wouldn't have been appreciated by the know-nothing DOS, who doesn't realize how far a gracious thank you might take her (and otherwise shutting up, listening and trying to learn).

If this actually happened...

Perhaps "speculation" is too many letters in a word for R576 to grasp? It was clearly the first thing stated.

And whoever is dismissing the theory out of hand, you're well within your rights but you clearly show very little understanding of the diplomatic world in your statement [quote]An invitation is extended from one government to another. The Foreign Office signs off on the idea before putting in a request to the BRF. The date will be mainly decided by the foreign government.

I will reiterate explicitly I do NOT know this it how it was done in the HazBean affair to Morocco; however, another lifetime ago I worked very closely with the State dept though we were an agency autonomous from State, which in a roundabout way is my way of saying I do know there are always more than one channel on how things are conducted. Situations will always demand flexibility, dire or no allowances are made for a massage of the rules or fast tracking an item from normal channels, etc.--you just have to have the right person sign off where needed (which isn't necessarily a written assent). I have seen for example firsthand the British FCO do things alternatively from what R575 asserts is the only way things are done. Just because you may have read a little from the DM and acquired a very basic knowledge of the office does not mean that is how things realistically operate on that level.

(And cue the peevish queen who takes it upon herself to cast the "tumblr" and "tin hat" invectives as if they stand as some barometer of black and white thinking. But go on with your little dance if it makes your feel "smart")

R581 Again, no link. Where did you hear/read this bizarre story. It's laughable and I find it very hard to believe. Sounds straight from tumblr tbh.

The horse story is ridiculous. Or maybe the pony was actually given to Doria, who is in the U.S., and she's become quite the horsewoman using the steed as her preferred conveyance in her back and forth from her quarters at Frogmore Palace to the gorgeously renovated Frogmore Cottage.

Part 1: What went down at Charles' investiture anniversary. I don't like Meghan, but the spin that this was all down to her and Harry bears no real responsibility other than association is absurd.

R587 that's not true. Doria has the pony in Los Angeles, to carry her washing to the laundromat, a place we know she really frequents because she was papped there the day of her daughter's NYC "shower."

My thinking is that a man who is truly in love does not wait 10 years to marry his gf. When William broke up with Kate, there were reports that he was drunkenly jumping on a table at a nightclub shouting I'm free! I'm free! Shortly after, he began dating Isabella Calthorpe and it was said he proposed and she turned him down. But William takes his role and responsibilities seriously and Kate was ready, willing and able to do the job. They are a team, a working partnership, and share 3 children. But it wouldn't surprise me if he sought excitement elsewhere.

R590 - based on their personalities, I would be more inclined to believe that Harry would stray more than William.

Haz better be very careful to even consider straying, Bean will be boiling bunnies behind the scenes and crying to Oprah in front of the camera if he even dares. Diana's 3 people in the marriage interview will be child's play compared to what this one will do.

R590 - my version is different. William and Catherine were too young to get married when they met in college. They dated for ages so they got to know each other's good and bad traits. Catherine got a taste of what her future life would be like with all of the press and public scrutiny. The length of familiarity probably increased the likelihood that the relationship got in a bit of a "rut" as do most relationships of any duration. They decided to separate but it didn't take William long to realize how much he missed Catherine and how suitable she was for him and her future role. I think he missed the stable Middleton family as well. I don't think he regrets his choice.

Doria was not given a pony, Meghan was, but she sent it back. I thought I was clear?

Lady Gabriella Windsor, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, will be marrying this handsome man called Thomas Kingston on May 19 at St.George's Chapel, Windsor. I wonder if any of the senior royals will show up. I guess they'll have to send someone (Queen, Charles, the Cambridges???).

Some more casual photos of Gabriella and Thomas.

Lady Gabby can sure wear a hat!

Gabriella looks more like her father Prince Michael and her brother Freddie resembles his mother.

Gabriella is tall and elegant like her mother, Princess Pushy.

Lady Ella reminds me of Ivanka Trump. I know I'll say it: off to the tower!

R562 - Clooney is being "paid" to keep talking about Meghan - it's part of currying favour with Charles, Meghan's only real ally left in the BRF. But I don't think it's working out well for Meghan, as it keeps making her look like she's more tied in to the narcissistic celebrity world than like realy royalty.