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Post by intoanewlife on Jan 20, 2020 16:47:27 GMT
I think the Royal family is an odd one these days. Hands up the people who think that the royals are inherently better than us and ACTUALLY should be ruling over us? Literally in charge, what they say goes no questions asked? Ok, so no-one then. If it would stop the endless political bickering then I wouldn't mind an absolute monarchy! It's very easy not getting caught up in political bickering, especially once you reach a certain age. I may indulge in it occasionally on the internet, but in real life I always pull out the old 'back in my day it was rude to discuss religion or politics in the company of others' which usually ends the conversation in its tracks lol
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 20, 2020 17:30:23 GMT
If it would stop the endless political bickering then I wouldn't mind an absolute monarchy! It's very easy not getting caught up in political bickering, especially once you reach a certain age. I may indulge in it occasionally on the internet, but in real life I always pull out the old 'back in my day it was rude to discuss religion or politics in the company of others' which usually ends the conversation in its tracks lol I don't get involved in political bickering myself but it's difficult to avoid overhearing/overseeing others doing it. Ever since the Brexit vote Twitter has been awful. I have so many words muted but some stuff still gets through. I also cannot entirely avoid political news & arguing on the TV & radio as my mother watches/listens to it a lot & I can't always leave the room instantly!
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Post by londonpostie on Jan 20, 2020 17:58:32 GMT
I'd love to see the data on tv license uptake at the beginning and end of Tony Hall's leadership of the BBC. If he hasn't killed the golden goose entirely he's overseen the destruction of any sense of impartiality, and therefore trustworthiness.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jan 20, 2020 18:01:33 GMT
I’ll spare you all my 40,000 word dissertation on how the the usurpation of Richard II by Bolingbroke undermined the concept of the divine right of kings and set in motion 620 years of slow rot for the English monarchy. (And frankly Henry VII taking the throne on the weakest of all claims should have destroyed the idea of dynastic rule completely.) PM me a copy, very interested. Ta in advance
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Post by lynette on Jan 20, 2020 19:11:55 GMT
I’ll spare you all my 40,000 word dissertation on how the the usurpation of Richard II by Bolingbroke undermined the concept of the divine right of kings and set in motion 620 years of slow rot for the English monarchy. (And frankly Henry VII taking the throne on the weakest of all claims should have destroyed the idea of dynastic rule completely.) PM me a copy, very interested. Ta in advance Gosh what a great thesis. Get it published. Then I’ll buy it and read it.
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Post by sparky5000 on Jan 21, 2020 16:35:54 GMT
It's very easy not getting caught up in political bickering, especially once you reach a certain age. I may indulge in it occasionally on the internet, but in real life I always pull out the old 'back in my day it was rude to discuss religion or politics in the company of others' which usually ends the conversation in its tracks lol I don't get involved in political bickering myself but it's difficult to avoid overhearing/overseeing others doing it. Ever since the Brexit vote Twitter has been awful. I have so many words muted but some stuff still gets through. I also cannot entirely avoid political news & arguing on the TV & radio as my mother watches/listens to it a lot & I can't always leave the room instantly! Twitter has become unbearable since Brexit. This whole “you’re either with us or you need to be cancelled” attitude is bizarre, and not reflective of real life at all, when people and families can have opposing views of but still get on perfectly well with each other!
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 21, 2020 17:48:47 GMT
sparky5000 Exactly. The vitriol is ridiculous. Just because people have different political opinions - or indeed different opinions on almost anything else - doesn't mean they're evil monsters who have to be relentlessly slagged off using deeply unpleasant language.
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Post by intoanewlife on Jan 21, 2020 21:07:40 GMT
Twitter should be closed x
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Post by theatreian on Feb 26, 2021 11:22:30 GMT
Just watched Harry with James Cordon. Quite entertaining!
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 26, 2021 11:56:16 GMT
Just watched Harry with James Cordon. Quite entertaining! Got a great personality, Harry not James Corden, obviously
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Post by theatreian on Feb 26, 2021 12:01:44 GMT
The bit where the trolley fell was very funny!
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Post by kathryn on Feb 26, 2021 14:17:52 GMT
I enjoyed that!
And boo to all the people saying ‘I thought they wanted privacy?!’ - privacy is about getting to choose what you reveal about yourself, not about disappearing and never showing your face in public again.
Of course the newspapers will be throwing another hissy fit about this.
I was so pleased when Meghan won her case - which could not have been more open and shut and it boggles my mind that anyone bought the press line that it was otherwise.
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Post by sph on Feb 26, 2021 19:54:49 GMT
I rather like Harry and Meghan. Yes he was born into royalty, but he should also be free to choose his own path in life. And no that doesn't mean he has to go into some sort of exile or live as a total recluse. He can do things on his own terms now and not be restricted by an institution that didn't suit him.
There are still many active members of the royal family here to keep traditions going.
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Post by kathryn on Feb 26, 2021 20:38:23 GMT
Yes, and plenty of non-‘working royals’ earning a living in the commercial and business worlds without anyone batting an eyelid (or suggesting they shouldn’t live in grace-and-favour properties or be patrons or give up their titles). Beatrice works for a software company, Eugenie for an art gallery, Peter Phillips for a sports management company and was recently seen in a Chinese milk advert.
Quite frankly the Royals are far too keen on having large families for them all to be part of the dog-and-pony show forever.
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 27, 2021 5:19:21 GMT
At least the Queen has offered a olive branch for them both to heal the divide and suggest for them both going on a nice romantic weekend break to Paris.
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Post by kathryn on Feb 27, 2021 7:45:41 GMT
That video of him speaking to the Disney CEO on the red carpet, where he literally tells the guy Meghan is available for work, is just one huge embarrassment. You really think that was a serious attempt to get Meghan work? Not, you know, a joking reference to something that was already on the cards (along the lines of ‘available for Bah Mitzvah’s’) that went over said CEO’s head? Snatches of other people’s out of context overheard conversations (which is what that was) are not typically the best way to get a proper understanding of what’s really happening. Of course if you want to put the worst possible spin on everything (‘he’s pimping out his wife!’) then they’re great. As for there not being enough ‘working Royals’ - you do know that the Queen has 4 children and 8 grandchildren, right? They consciously slimmed down the pack that did Royal duties because having too many of them was diluting the brand and making it easy for the press to find ammo on them and bitch about how many of them were scrounging. It used to be the case that all of them expected to get money from the Civil List (as it was back then) and did a token amount of engagements to justify the money. They could easily add Sophie and Edward Wessex to the rotation instead of the Sussexes if it’s really about the amount of work. Beatrice and Eugenie could also do more. Of course it’s not about that at all - it’s about who the press are interested in.
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Post by kathryn on Feb 27, 2021 11:29:20 GMT
I’ve seen it and my interpretation of those exact words are that he was referring to the Disney Elephant documentary Meghan did the voice over for which was not yet announced, in a jokey way. Which is why he expected the Disney CEO to get the joke and why no-one else at the time knew what he was talking about. I don’t know why people are so determined to make him out to be awful over something so trivial.
As for the lack of working Royals in 30 years’ time... William and Kate have 3 children already. Future Prince of Wales and Duke of wherever, plus a Princess, and they are trying for another child apparently.
Honestly this is just grasping at straws. Most other countries don’t even have a Royal family and they do just fine without them!
I mean, this is one of the most dynastically secure Royal Families in history - the succession is set for the next 3 generations! The idea that they are lacking in warm bodies to do the (purely constitutionally ceremonial!!) work of monarchy is hilarious.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Feb 27, 2021 11:49:06 GMT
It is so hard not to draw some parallels with Edward and Mrs Simpson. Not the whole divorce issue. But marrying an American and leaving the family does feel rather familiar.
I am reminded of the episode of The Crown showing the Windsors promoting soap and other products. Yes, that is a drama but it was based on what they actually did. And I know that various of the minor royals have done similar things but they weren't well received.
Everyone is allowed to live the life they want to leave. And bring in the royal spotlight isn't easy at all.
There is a difference to seeking employment and getting on with life as a semi-private citizen and setting out on a career as an international media figure. It is hard to feel that was the right move for someone who walked away to protect their privacy.
It is all very sad but Harry and Meghan have handled this in the worst possible way.
I must admit that I don't see their marriage is one that will last forever. Maybe if it does break down, it will be easier for Harry to return to the firm. But for now, there is no way back.
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Post by kathryn on Feb 27, 2021 12:16:29 GMT
You see, that it the end goal for a lot of people.
They want them to get divorced.
That is why they are purposely making their married life difficult.
There’s no constitutional reason why they can’t have the same half-in half-out arrangement as Beatrice and Eugenie other than the fact that people don’t approve of Meghan being married to Harry.
But then, at one point it was considered impossible for Camilla and Charles to marry, for Camilla to be Princess of Wales, for the Prince of Wales to have a morganatic marriage where his wife isn’t Princess of Wales, for Camilla to be accepted as a working Royal by the British public. And well, that has worked out well enough in the long run. After a while everyone just got tired of the fuss and decided to let them get on with it.
Oh and to be clear, ‘international Media figures’ are still entitled to privacy. And they never said they were retreating from the public eye, only from public funding.
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Post by kathryn on Feb 27, 2021 12:34:12 GMT
I’m rolling my eyes here - I already told you I’ve seen it and have a different interpretation. I think the attempt at a joke fell flat and turned into one of those slightly socially awkward conversations where you sorta carry on like you meant it afterwards because the other person missed the cue.
I also think it’s ridiculous that we’re even talking about it.
It’s also ridiculous to be talking about the history of royal siblings as ‘support to monarchs’ if you know anything about history. Honestly, do people not remember Margaret?!
As Royal ‘scandals’ go, Harry and Meghan are honestly tame. All they’ve done is decide to move to America and make some podcast and documentaries on ‘worthy’ subjects! They’ll probably be dull and preachy - but who cares, Netflix have paid them already more than enough to maintain their lifestyle. There will be the odd fluffy interview appearance or skit like this one with James Corden. If you don’t like it, ignore it, and they’ll gradually fade from view.
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Post by lynette on Feb 27, 2021 13:10:19 GMT
Am confused, Kevin, as to why William would not have support when he becomes king. He has a wife and kids and quite pleasant relatives. Chances are Camilla will be alive. No king or Queen has older sibling alive, that’s the nature of the job.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Feb 27, 2021 13:13:54 GMT
I have to admit it amuses me that Harry and Meghan landed a huge Netflix deal when William’s attempts to pitch to Netflix were unsuccessful. You see, that it the end goal for a lot of people. They want them to get divorced. That is why they are purposely making their married life difficult. I don’t think that’s true at all. There was overwhelming support for Harry and Meghan from the moment they announced their engagement. I accept the press have been tough on them after the initial wave of excitement passed, but that is part of public life - and let’s be honest, Meghan’s family is the gift that keeps on giving. Come on, of course that’s not true. Meghan was bullied and smeared and subjected to racial abuse from the very first second their relationship became public. The racism was so bad Harry had to make a statement about it. One of my relatives used to work at Mumsnet and the extreme hate against Meghan in the run up to the wedding was so bad, they had people monitoring it 24/7. Posters using the N word, sockpuppeting, telling the most insane lies about Meghan, getting banned and creating new accounts, starting literally dozens of threads. Just to promote hate for some woman who’d had the audacity to get engaged to a white prince.
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Post by lynette on Feb 27, 2021 13:22:02 GMT
I am horrified at the racial persecution of this woman. Obviously we don't know the half of it. But it wasn’t most people, most of us who had seen him grow up and even people who considered him very special, ‘our boy’ for whom no woman would be good enough. No, most people were either quite jolly about it or indifferent. I think the press should have had a good look at themselves, been more proactively ‘for’ her. They have done themselves out of a lifetime of stories and crowd pleasing photographs.
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Post by theatreian on Feb 27, 2021 15:39:03 GMT
I guess the bottom line is most find it sad that what was so promising for the future ( The Fab Four) will not now be happening. I have nothing against the decision Harry made, but it is the way he has gone about it and the lack of respect for the Monarchy where all his success and monetary reward will come from( not directly but the reason his projects will happen). The Queen and others have shown what real Duty is and how to act graciously. I do wish Harry well though and hope he doesn't live to regret what he has done.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 27, 2021 16:47:31 GMT
The whole thing is so sad. It felt so refreshing having Meghan as a member of the Royal Family. I hate the pile on that they seem to inspire , but I can’t help feeling at this point, that all they want is money and they have embarrassed the royal family.
Sad to say but I think Meghan represents the very worst things about modern American celebrity - self obsession, hypocritical ‘wokeness’ and greed. I particularly loved them lecturing us on flying and global warming, as they fly private jets everywhere.
I have a horrible feeling Harry is going to severely regret the whole thing.
Good riddance.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Feb 27, 2021 16:58:38 GMT
If William’s so desperate for Harry’s “support” he shouldn’t have used Harry as a whipping boy. Doing things like publicly snubbing/blanking Meghan, staging cheesy pap stunts like the budget airline one to hypocritically score points and make Harry look bad, and almost certainly leaking info to the press about Harry (even if William wasn’t personally involved in the leaks, which is unlikely, he didn’t act when the leakers on his team were exposed as taking tabloid payments), none of these things are the actions of a loving brother.
It’s shameful the way none of the family lifted a finger to defend Meghan or protect her from the press racism and lies, considering how aggressively the defend Kate from even stupid stories about hair, how Sophie and Andrew were publicly supported when their actions were far worse, not to mention how efficiently the Rose Hanbury story has been suppressed.
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Post by sph on Feb 27, 2021 17:22:25 GMT
Saying that William won't have enough familial support or that there aren't enough working members of the family is making a drama out of nothing really. He'll have his wife and children and the various many other relatives. The Royals are largely ceremonial, they can cover everything with what they've got. They always have. And they have a ton of senior staff and secretaries and advisors making sure the whole thing runs like a well-oiled machined. It'll be fine. The Queen only had one sibling and she was rather fond of the high society lifestyle, although she never stepped away from the family. Then the Queen's children came along and there was a whole new generation of working Royals, as will happen with William's children.
All a lot of fuss and pearl-clutching over nothing.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 27, 2021 17:29:13 GMT
“We want to get away from the press and the media spotlight. Where should we move to?” “LA!” 🙄
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Post by poster J on Feb 27, 2021 20:45:27 GMT
The whole thing is so sad. It felt so refreshing having Meghan as a member of the Royal Family. I hate the pile on that they seem to inspire , but I can’t help feeling at this point, that all they want is money and they have embarrassed the royal family. Sad to say but I think Meghan represents the very worst things about modern American celebrity - self obsession, hypocritical ‘wokeness’ and greed. I particularly loved them lecturing us on flying and global warming, as they fly private jets everywhere. I have a horrible feeling Harry is going to severely regret the whole thing. Good riddance. I'm afraid this is my view as well. I thought Meghan was a breath of fresh air when their relationship first became knowledge, and the amount of vitriol she received and the racist abuse aimed at her was disgusting. But I find the way they have gone about leaving the Royal Family to be hypocritical to say the least - they did leave for privacy, that was the reason they gave. Yet now they are sharing more than ever and making millions from it, and seem increasingly desperate to stay relevant. Frankly I find their behaviour embarrassing, in the same way I find the likes of the Kardashians embarrassing. It's nothing to do with their connections to the Royal Family, which for me is a hopelessly outdated and out of touch institution that William & Kate are doing their best to save, along with Anne and Sophie Wessex, but simply to do with what comes across to me as a very calculated and concerted attempt to be the biggest celebrities they can be, which is at odds from their supposed longing for privacy and normality.
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Post by sph on Feb 27, 2021 21:13:27 GMT
Saying that William won't have enough familial support or that there aren't enough working members of the family is making a drama out of nothing really. He'll have his wife and children and the various many other relatives. The Royals are largely ceremonial, they can cover everything with what they've got. They always have. And they have a ton of senior staff and secretaries and advisors making sure the whole thing runs like a well-oiled machined. It'll be fine. The Queen only had one sibling and she was rather fond of the high society lifestyle, although she never stepped away from the family. Then the Queen's children came along and there was a whole new generation of working Royals, as will happen with William's children. All a lot of fuss and pearl-clutching over nothing. I don’t clutch pearls - I’m more into crown jewels. I don't mean you specifically, I just mean it's a silly thing for so many people to worry about when it really won't affect anything that much. Plus, the Royal family has always had its scandals from one century to the next. It's all part of the overall tapestry. As people remember Edward VIII's abdication as history, a few generations from now there will be a drama series or film about "Harry - The Celebrity Prince who married an actress and ran away from it all".
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