Calling the British tabloids “non fawning press” is quite the understatement. The reporter who called Harry’s publicist claimed to have a photo of Harry doing cocaine at the party in question. He offered to refrain from publishing it if Harry would agree to an interview about it. Harry refused, and the story died because the reporter did not in fact have a photo.
I don’t want to leave the impression that Harry defended lying on that occasion. My recollection was that he wasn’t at all proud of himself…
I listened to this book on my walks and in the car, so from time to time certain details might get by me that normally wouldn’t if I were reading it as a book.
They are attention seekers. Who shares the news that they are pregnant at a wedding? Couldn’t they have saved the news for the next day? And to share the news on a wedding day of one of their closest family was quite disrespectful. Why didn’t he share in the book why they couldn’t hold off to share the news and had to spill the news at Eugenie’s wedding?
They were heading off to their royal tour the day after the Eugenie’s wedding so wanted to tell everyone while they were all together at the wedding. They couldn’t possibly announce it later and trust the press to get it right, that in the next 7 months family members would be able to learn about the news and send congratulations. Nope, had to be that night of E’s wedding.
No it didn’t. They could have called the family the next day. Or done it after the festivities were over later that evening. Or announced it week before the wedding. Just imagine a more popular family member announcing such a critical news on your wedding day or your child’s wedding day how you would feel.
H and M did not make a big announcement in front of all the attendees of M’s pregnancy at Eugenia’s wedding. It seems they talked to their close family members privately at different points during the wedding day at Windsor castle. They told King Charles while he was in his study before the reception, and told his brother and Kate after the reception. H doesn’t say that Eugenie even knew that they shared important news to their closest family members on the wedding day. To think that would have even cared or become upset about it is preposterous. I’m sure she was focused on other things that day. Also Eugenie and Meghan are supposedly very good friends and she has visited them in LA.
The public announcement was made by Kensington palace three days after the wedding.
Its hard to understand why pregnancy announcement is even an issue. They were probably excited to share their news and everyone was there. Not a big deal, may be bride and groom already knew and gave their approval.
My D just got married. It would have been the height of pettiness to resent someone for sharing this kind of good news at my D’s wedding. As long as they didn’t stand up during the ceremony and shout it out, I can’t imagine begruding anyone from telling loved ones such news. At a wedding where everyone is supposedly celebrating love, the more the merrier I say!
I don’t think it matters how I would react-the only reaction of importance was the bride’s, for it was her big day. I am surprised someone would do or say anything other than focus attention on the bride and groom that day.
Of course not. But I certainly wouldnt say or do anything to draw attention away from the main event-the reason for the gathering was the wedding. So no, I wouldnt bring up my job change, new house, move to another city, my kid’s college news,or my pregnancy at someone’s wedding. No reason to risk upstaging anyone, the news can wait-and even if I wouldnt be upset if I were the bride, other brides might be so why risk it? It really isnt time sensitive
I disagree completely that it’s possible to upstage a bride with private conversations about job changes, new houses, moves to another city, or pregnancy. Taking over the microphone during the toasts to announce an engagement or pregnancy? That would be poor form.
I mean really, what do we all suppose guests at a wedding are talking about at their tables or at cocktail hour or what have you? They are only talking about the bride and groom or the wedding??? No, they are catching up on each others’ lives, and none of that conversation has the power to “upstage” anyone.
It’s considered bad etiquette, more so in formal British families but then again, the way those two handle things with their families, its unlikely anybody expects good etiquette or thoughtful considerations from them. Their families doesn’t come across as considerate types either. It looks like everyone is looking out for themselves.
We may be missing the point about the pregnancy announcement by relating it to our experiences. The suggestion that perhaps the announcement was ill-timed is because it took over the news cycles and the wedding was relegated to background noise. Harry and Meghan were a big deal and Eugenia less so. No way was Eugenia’s wedding going to take precedence over Meghan’s pregnancy. It was Eugenia’s day to shine and not have the news media focused on Meghan and Harry. (If public knowledge aka announcement happened after the wedding then less of a problem. In other words, I have no idea who knew what when; neither do I take all Harry’s words in Spare etc as gospel truth. Really who knows.)
In my family, let’s just say it wouldn’t have been a problem.
On a different note, TIME (magazine)'s cover this week: “Zip It! The Power of Saying Less.” The article: “On Mute: Overtalkers are everywhere but saying less will get you more.”
I briefly wondered if it is a coincidence considering Meghan and Harry’s need to share but nope. Harry is mentioned twice. Once in the article and once in the “How To Stop Overtalking” advice section:
When Possible Say Nothing
Pretend words are money and spend them wisely. Be Dirty Harry, not Prince Harry.