But the cultural “minutiae” literarcy can only come with being assimilated for awhile and may take years to learn.
1 Like
Catherine’s brother, James Middleton, went through a tough time. His two sisters attended his therapy sessions. So it is possible! 
<<<“My sisters came to some of my therapy sessions. They’ve always been there during difficult times and they were at my side during the hardest of times as well,” he added of Kate and Pippa.>>>
1 Like
I’m not sure we have any South Park viewers here, but last night’s episode (Episode 2 of the new season) just rips Harry & Meghan. Very funny!
2 Likes
I haven’t watched for years, but I think I need to check out this episode
2 Likes
I broke down and watch the H&M Netflix docuseries.
And it made me like them better again - it has been a rollercoaster for me. 
I really liked them in “the beginning” but then got tired of them (if you want to leave, just leave. And airing your dirty laundry is not the best way to reconcile with your family).
In one of the early episodes H said he was worried about the safety of his family. He complained about the paparazzi being around when they were in Canada. (Don’t get me wrong, I agree it is a horrible invasion of privacy.)
H said didn’t want what happened to his mother to happen to his family; he didn’t want what happened to him (losing a parent) to happen to his children. But yet, he continues to stay in the limelight…so I am not sure how he thinks he can tell his story, do and promote a docuseries, do talk shows, etc. but not recognize there is going to be paparazzi.
I do feel like the royal family totally missed out on treating and preparing Megan better - with H&M and W&K the family could have been immensely popular. There is plenty of room for all of them to shine!
1 Like
I’m not sure there ever was going to be “plenty of room”. Most royal family public appearances are not big spectacular overseas tours, but opening local hospitals and other deeply tedious events in gloomy, cold parts of the UK. Not exactly attractive to someone who thinks of themselves as a Hollywood star.
The royal family is now busy cutting costs, latest reports in the UK papers are that Andrew may no longer be able to afford to pay for the upkeep of his house. What would H&M have done then if they had stayed within the family and were constrained by an inability to exploit their royal connections?
And in the long term, it’s inevitable that you have to marginalize those who aren’t in the direct line of succession, to focus on the next King. Was Meghan prepared to fade into the background like Sophie (Prince Edward’s wife)? Just like George is ultimately going to get a lot more attention than his siblings.
4 Likes
The South Park episode was great, but watching the reviews of the show by those who don’t really like H&M are hysterical. Most are by talk show hosts or vlog posters who are pro-Royals and anti-H&M. They point out all the small details like that the magazine covers posted on Kyle’s house are all mockups of real covers of Meghan (except one of Catherine). They are priceless.
Matt and Trey are geniuses. Go CU. Run Ralphie Run. (and they are re-opening Casa Bonita soon).
3 Likes
I’ve obviously missed the interview where Meghan said that she thinks of herself as a Hollywood star. Can you provide a link?
Personally, I can’t see the relatively unglamorous duties as a problem. The bigger problem seemed to be that the press covered every appearance by H and M as if it was a huge event. That was probably an issue for more senior royals who seem to be very sensitive any time a more junior royal attracts more attention than they do (ie anything Diana ever did). You’d think they’re happy to have the whole enterprise benefit from positive attention to any family member but apparently the principal royals don’t like anyone getting better coverage than they do.
Of course, since the firm is very cozy with the tabloids, they have ways of tearing down any new, fresh faces who happen to be far more charismatic than those who were born royal. It seems very shortsighted to me.
8 Likes
This. Times 100X. This was the real problem.
5 Likes
So what do you think, @joblue, the solution is? Where do they go from here? Harry says he wants his family back but how does that happen now that he’s aired all his grievances? What does he want his brother and father to do and what is he willing to do?
I just don’t see it being resolved. William is pissed and I don’t see him giving in. I really think the only way to mend family relationships is for Harry to load up his family and go to England/Scotland when invited. No expectations, no demands. Just go to the event, enjoy the cake, and then go back to life in California.
2 Likes
How could any family member ever trust either of them again, knowing that anything they say or do might be exposed to the media for profit in a way that may be exaggerated and make them look bad? I could never trust those two for the rest of my life. Just polite niceties, nothing sincere or real that they could expose to the world, in a way that makes them look like the sad, abused victims.
10 Likes
Agreed. I recently read an article (I can’t find it now) that said Harry is Leary of returning for the coronation for fear the royal family will reveal his private conversations or some of his secrets. What? The Royal family hasn’t said boo. The only one who has revealed private conversations and family secrets and published them is Harry.
How can anyone trust these two!
6 Likes
But isn’t that exactly what H & M claim that Camilla Cruella and company were doing to them? There is at least some evidence to support the argument that that’s true. So, if Charles, Camilla, William and Kate want to reconcile, the least they can do is stop lunching with the likes of Piers Morgan or publicly saying how upset they are he was forced off the air (briefly)
A gazillion “royal insiders” or royal staff are reportedly talking to the press about how W & K or Charles are horribly hurt by what H and M have done.The very least they all could do is to say that they won’t comment publicly, they are not behind these stories, and any staff found to have communicated with the press in connection with these stories will be sacked. Then do it.
6 Likes
What’s wrong with saying W & K and Charles are horribly hurt? That’s not exactly expressing any sort of extremely insider information. It’s one of those things that I’d expect anyone to feel considering. If that’s the extent of what “royal Insiders” are reporting to the press is that so bad? It’s not like they’re commenting on anything egregiously negative about Harry or Meghan etc.
5 Likes
Here are some examples of stories that were leaked to the press by royal staffers that are considerably more hurtful and damaging: inside details on H&M’s original proposal about stepping back from royal life, M’s alleged bullying of her staff, M’s allegedly making K cry at the wedding, etc. etc.
3 Likes
Then it would seem all concerned are better off staying in their own camps. H&M should stay away, all the rest can keep doing what they do.
W&K, C&C haven’t said they were hurt, others have commented that they were hurt, so W&K and the rest have nothing to comment on. Their public position has always been that they do not comment on stories, especially unattributed stories.
1 Like
The royal family’s public position is that they do not officially comment on stories, except when they do - please note who they are leaping to defend, versus who they are not.
4 Likes
Meghan Markle told Oprah that the palace was “willing to lie” to protect other royals.
Were those press releases lies? Can Meghan prove Kate did have botox and the Palace lied about it?
But Meghan will never be happy. According to that article, the palace killed the story about Meghan being abusive to Kate’s staff, and Meghan doesn’t like that? She doesn’t want the palace to tell what they think is the truth about her, so they are better off saying nothing. About anyone.
THere is no way to fix this to make anyone happy. M&H think they were right, the other royals think they are right to carry on without M&H.
I think sometimes people have to admit they aren’t the favorites. In my family, I wasn’t the favorite (by a long shot - not even the Spare but much farther down the list). I could have kept fighting it or accept it. I accepted it with my own conditions and controlled what I could (which included always driving myself so I could escape if I needed to). H&M removed themselves, but now have to accept that.
4 Likes
You know what? With the other stuff going on in the world right now, Harry being grumpy about stuff just doesn’t seem all that important.
8 Likes
I’m sure you all saw Catherine’s little love pat (or was it a scolding pat for not taking her hand).
They do seem to be more PDA since Meghan came on the scene, and even more so since the interview and book. I think it seems forced now, after 12 years of marriage. I’m sure they are affectionate in private, and if that is who they are in public…don’t change. DH and I are not a PDA couple and don’t let those who do, sway us to be who we are not. I mean come on W/K, or your PR People…the public isn’t stupid and sees right thru it.