The hole left by the Sussexes has just been mercilessly exposed

The departure of the Sussexes has left a hole which has now been mercilessly exposed.

As ever, the Princess Royal said it best. The “slimmed-down” monarchy, she ruled, “doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing”.

“I think that ‘slimmed down’ was said in a day when there were a few more people to make that seem like a justifiable comment,” she has said, of her brother’s one-time policy for his reign.

“I’m not quite sure what else we can do.”

For Ingrid Seward, whose new book about the late Queen and King Charles, My Mother and I, is out next month, this week has highlighted the “vulnerability of those in the top job”.

“This is not a constitutional crisis, far from it,” said Seward, who is editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine. “But it does leave the underbelly of the Royal family somewhat exposed.

“Before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex relinquished their royal duties, they could have stepped up providing the youth and glamour the Prince and Princess of Wales have lent to royal engagements.

“In a world obsessed with youth and beauty, the Royal family have relied on William and Catherine to lend a bit of royal stardust to events.

“Without the Sussexes — regardless of their unpopularity — it exposes the vulnerability of those in the top job.”

Phil Dampier, veteran royal reporter, points out that another pair of hands in the Firm would take the pressure off the King and Prince of Wales, who have much work behind the scenes as each gets to grips with new roles including the running of the Duchy of Cornwall.

“The late Queen was very much hoping Harry and Meghan would be her biggest ambassador in the Commonwealth, that they would be able to take up a lot of the overseas visits,” he said. “They would have gone down a storm everywhere from Canada to New Zealand and the Caribbean countries.

“They would have done a fantastic job and it would have taken a lot of pressure off William and Kate, who wouldn’t have to do all the heavy lifting, and Charles and Camilla who are still having to take these long haul flights at the ages of 75 and 76.

“Harry and Meghan could have taken up a lot of that slack, and now that’s gone.”

The past week, he said, has “highlighted how thin on the ground” the Royal family now are.

“I don’t understand why the Sussexes would have felt they were second best [to the Waleses],” he added. “There was plenty of opportunity for all of the ‘Fab Four’ to have starring roles, they didn’t need to be competing.”

For the palace, things remain under control. The King will carry on working, his heir will be back to the day job once the Princess is safely home and healing.

They fervently hope to be out of the rolling news cycle.

“They just want to get on with the job,” palace sources have repeated.

Flying, Prince Harry told his Hollywood aviation friends, helped him to “feel free”. There is a world in which he could hop on a plane to see his father and sister-in-law in a time of need.

No-one is holding their breath.

Told you so.

And this article is coming from a UK news outlet.

Even they think there's a problem.

But William, as stubborn as he is, will never welcome Harry back into the fold.

He's such an asshole.

May all of us common riff-raff, knock-on-wood we never need to, have the privilege of being able to have procedures allowing us to recover for up to 2 weeks or so in a (albeit private) hospital, as if it were still the 1950s, like the Sussexes can. :o

^ Oops, sorry, meant the Waleses...but, hey, I'm sure Megs and Harry could and would wrangle the same care options, too. Bully for them, I guess.

They didn't want the job. They couldn't do the job (HER, especially). They've trashed the institution and the family at every turn, while using their titles to make a buck. Why on earth would they be wanted back?

[quote] Palace Makes Under-the-Radar Move to Ensure Prince Andrew and Prince Harry Are Barred from Ever Standing In for King Charles

King Charles is not expected to need to rely on his Counsellors of State as he undergoes a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate this week, but the news on January 17 that the King would be hospitalized for the treatment actually uncovered something interesting that everybody heretofore had missed.

Charles’ younger brother, Prince Andrew, and youngest son, Prince Harry, were quietly removed as Counsellors of State on November 21, 2022, when it was revealed in the House of Lords that the Royal Household confirmed that, in practice, only “working members of the royal family will be called on to act of Counsellors of State.” The specific bill (Counsellors of State Bill 2022-23) became law in December 2022 and added Charles’ other two siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, as Counsellors of State instead—an appointment that is for life, even if Charles dies before them and the Crown passes to Prince William. “The ‘working members’ stipulation largely flew under the radar—until now,” People reports.

It was an unusual week when it comes to the health of senior royals—in addition to Charles’ health issue, the Princess of Wales has also been hospitalized since January 16 for a “planned abdominal surgery,” and will be off royal duties until at least April. William will also be taking time off to care for his wife, leaving Queen Camilla as the only one of the four most senior working royals that will still be undertaking public duties for the foreseeable future.

It made those interested in the royal family look closer at the Counsellors of State—a position normally afforded to the spouse of the monarch (Camilla) and the first four people in the line of succession over the age of 21; Counsellors of State can be called on to help manage the monarchy in a time of need, be it because of a temporary incapacity or the monarch’s absence from the U.K.

Technically, Charles’ Counsellors of State are William, Harry, Andrew, and Beatrice, but Beatrice too was removed from consideration as she is also not a working royal. Because three of those four individuals are now nullified from serving in this capacity, Anne and Edward—both working royals—were added.

The BBC reported that the Counsellors of State bill was “fast-tracked” through Parliament to avoid a potential “awkward constitutional problem” for the King. The royal family’s website outlines that two or more Counsellors of State would be required to come together to act on the King’s behalf and could pursue duties like attending Privy Council meetings, signing documents, and receiving credentials of new ambassadors to the U.K. As it was, William was the only one that fit the requirements of Counselor of State, but that problem was solved when Anne and Edward were added.

Harry stepped back voluntarily as a senior working royal in January 2020 and relocated to the U.S.; Andrew was forced to resign in January 2022 after Queen Elizabeth stripped him of his military titles and patronages because of his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Beatrice was never a full-time working royal. The Times initially discovered, in the wake of this week’s events, that Harry and Andrew’s Counsellor of State eligibility was quietly nullified just two months after Charles took the throne.

“Two of those Counsellors of State are needed,” constitutional law expert Dr. Craig Prescott, whose particular field of expertise includes the British monarchy, told The Mirror. “Ordinarily, you might expect Prince William to be one of those people, with someone else. Now we know that Prince William isn’t around. We know that Prince Harry is in America. Prince Andrew doesn’t do public duties, neither does Princess Beatrice, which is why they added Princess Anne and Prince Edward last year. And so, if Counsellors of State were needed, Princess Anne and Prince Edward would be able to act.”

For example, when Queen Elizabeth underwent knee surgery in 2003, Counsellors of State stepped in, Prescott said. That said, the King is expected to be fully capable of fulfilling his constitutional requirements and duties even amidst his health issue, and the Counsellors of State are not expected to be called upon.

“[Charles] is healthy—he will be able to read the contents of the Red Boxes from his bed, talk to others, as well as the Prime Minister,” royal biographer Marlene Koenig told The Daily Express. “He can meet with the PM virtually—Zoom or a telephone call.”

It calls into question Charles’ desire for a slimmed-down monarchy, where there are fewer working royals than in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. “It shows you don’t want a ‘slimmed-down’ monarchy,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Us Weekly. “Only four [people] are under 70 as it is.”

How many "working royals" does the Royal family require?

A "working royal" does what exactly again? Sit in the front row of the audience politely applauding various cultural performances, cut the ribbon every time a new Tesco is inagurated, travel by train to Wickinghamshire for photo-ops, cut the cake at charity galas, pose for photographs with the sick and ill, accept flowers from schoolchildren following monthly post-church walk abouts.

A kid with down syndrome could do all this easily.

What’s “exposed” is how totally unnecessary TRF really are.

Georgie can be broken in pulling curtain cords for memorial plaque reveals. Gan-gan was notoriously good at this.

r2 Told who what? The moment Harry suggested "yeah I want to be a roaming royal in North America fully funded by the British taxpayer" it was out of Williams hands even if he'd been the most devoted brother ever. There is genuinely no way Harry can be paid to be a royal while he's spending 90% of his life at random award shows in LA that no one has ever heard of, it'd be like Americans paying for Hunter Biden to attend the BAFTAS.

The Duchess missed it?

Trouble in paradise? Or maybe she couldn't get a sitter.

[quote] But William, as stubborn as he is, will never welcome Harry back into the fold.

How could he after the interview, documentary and book?

Harry and Meghan can never return to their previous roles. They have behaved like spoiled idiots and have destroyed the initial good will they had. The right wing press have created a climate of bile and hatred towards them that would make their security and safety uncertain.

Royalty is tawdry.

R14, the Harkles have created a climate of bile and hatred towards them(selves) that would make their security and safety uncertain.

r16, welcoming them back to the firm with open arms, and calling off the firm's cooperation with the Tabs, would go a long way to making them Permanent Part-time gig workers and healing the ill-will towards the Sussexes.

How old is PRINCE Archie now?

So the Harkles can harvest more material for books and TV shows? Or just continually leak stuff to Scobie, Celebitchy and Lainey?

All the ill will toward Harold and his Harridan is entirely self-generated

I'm going to make a prediction: I predict that Charles will insist and will orchestrate a reconciliation between the two brothers. They will never be BFFs but they will get along. Once Charles achievs that we will see Harry doing one off things for Dad. In the UK. Nothing formal. Just being present at events. Not all of them but from time to time. Then we will see Meghan and the kids visiting informally. Maybe for a summer visit at Balmoral. It may take a while but it is definitely going to happen. Charles wants it to happen and HArry wants it to happen. Harry needs the money. Charles doesn't want to be seen as unkind. He is king. He has to rise above it. Oh. Harry is going to apologize to Camilla. It won't beh eart felt, but it will be enough. I view all of this as sort of this miniseries reality show WTF ever. Not fiction but close. It's like watching Succession but Royals.

Harry can get to do all the things that The Duke of Windsor did, in exile. Like Governor of the Bahamas or some such.

"On the other, the freedom-seeking Sussexes seemingly living their best lives. ...The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have gone with no wish to come back. "

What kind of bullshit is this? The Sussexes have mocked everywhere and exposed as broke-ass grifters desperate to get into the royal money.

[quote] What kind of bullshit is this? The Sussexes have mocked everywhere and exposed as broke-ass grifters desperate to get into the royal money.

When you've lost The Telegraph as your mouthpiece, then you've lost the war.

Clearly, William has lost the war against Harry.

It seems ironic that for years, the British press bitched about too many royals on the payroll. Now there aren't enough. But whatever the case, the Sussex ship has sailed - Haz was never going to be a Supporting Player to his brother & his choice of wife (a woman with Main Character syndrome in spades) reinforced that. They'd be better off to call up someone like Bea & hubby, someone consistently loyal, genuine royal credentials and knows her place in the pecking order (always below Kate), I mean, what else does she have to do?

Time to promote Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to senior working royals. They would be great. And the royal family needs them.

Andrew has screwed up his daughters' chances.

Beatrice and Eugenie couldn't be working royals. There would be too many opportunities for conflicts of interest and they/their husbands have private incomes. That ship has sailed. There's already been enough eyebrow-raising over them being HRHs and their father pushing for it. It would be too similar to the "half in, half out" that was denied to the Sussexes.

William always looks like he is so miserable.

Please. Two or three weeks of limited royal engagement in what is the most quiet time of the year anyway is hardly a crisis. They'll all be back by the middle of February, when things start picking up again.

[quote] A kid with down syndrome could do all this easily.

A person with DS would make for a great working royal, actually. They’re usually highly sociable, charmingly sweet and they love to visit others and make new friends.

This can all be very simply amended by having Arthur Chatto present hole on OnlyFans.

*easily amended

I don't much care for Zara's husband the rugby player. He loves the spotlight and has done reality shows, etc. I bet he would LOVE to "help" share responsibilities along with Zara. I believe she truly has no desire to be a working Royal, but her husband might want it.

I just get a kick out of the fact that with Kate out of commission, Charles going to the hospital to have his dick surgery, and William being Mr. Mom, it is Camilla,QUEEN Camilla hold the fort, and averting disaster for the Royals.

Wanted to add that the only other Royal besides Anne, is Sophie, another commoner. The Kents and Gloucesters must be shitting themselves. Oh, the irony!

The only thing this exposes is the sad, sober reality that Britain can survive just fine without this family of grifters to cut ribbons and whack celebrities on the shoulder with a dull sword.

R35 I'd agree except that with Charles whom I admire, he is doing a lot of diplomatic work, work of substance that the current PM is really not capable of. He's a total asshole. Charles is going to meetings hosting receptions and doing all the right things to improve the UK's economic position which was impacted heavily by Brexit and continues to have a negative impact on the economy. Meeting with business leaders and decision makers and greasing things so that better negotiations will result in improved economic conditions is what Charles has been up to since Brexit. Too many people do not look beyond the surface. Yes the Kents and the Gloucesters cut a lot of ribbons and eat a lot of cheese, but Camilla and Charles and Catherine and William and Sophie are doing things with substance. Not sure WTF Edward does.

Edward? Looking through his kiddie pron that they didn’t find.

Edward or Andrew, R37?

I think you have them confused.

I assume Harry and Meghan won't be dismissing that Telegraph article as more abusive tripe from the press. Of course not, because it fits their narrative. They are and always were important and needed by the BRF. Their departure was a huge and permanent loss. Well, all the could have beens are cancelled by their subsequent conduct and speech. If Harry's receiving a totally phony Aviation Icon awards is their claim to continued relevance, they are in big and permanent n trouble.

Anne is the only one who really puts the work in. The rest are very good at pretending they have a full time job.

They can never bring them back into the fold as a married couple. Even statistically that's unlikely given they're both children of divorce - and that's before you get to their fascinating personalities.

If Harry had income from the family, the issue of his propensity to monetize everybody's privacy would probably be settled - once she's signed something that resolves her claim on income. But then you come up against William forgiving him. Hard to imagine.

Charles, in fairness, made a reasonable calculation if you back the concept of a much reduced royal family. He thought he had two sons, their wives, his wife and sister (I always thought it looked like he intended to exclude the Wessexes and Andrew as much as possible.) So is it a Sussex sized hole or just a two person hole? They really weren't irreplaceable. Harry had some charm before he showed the world what an asshole he is at heart. She made it clear what she's about. They just need a few more warm bodies.

Somebody suggested Sarah Armstrong-Jones. I thought that was a genius idea. She's said to be very nice. Agree the York girls have the hassle of their husbands' work and the press guns for the Yorks in particular. Though the outfits would be fun.

I'm trying figure out how Edo's and Jack Brooksbank's careers could present conflicts of interest. They sell real estate, don't they? And they're not big operators. Regardless of whether their wives are working royals or not, they still benefit from being thisclose to royalty as do the Tindalls. Their father no longer has influence and Beatrice and Eugenie hardly have King Charles ear.

Yeah, real estate, never any scandals there.

Don't really think "conflicts of interest" generally apply to the RF. They are most concerned with appearances and of course, so they try to avoid blatant criminal behavior like trafficking, or bank robberies, or murder. And even then, there is room for interpretation. If you're discreet,(which Andrew and Fergie would have no idea of) you can accept "gifts" from wealthy business people for your "charities." and other purposes. Hell, a wealthy sheik might even underwrite the cost of a state dinner. And all those jubilees don't come free, don't ya know. But such things aren't really discussed are they?

[quote] Hell, a wealthy sheik might even underwrite the cost of a state dinner

For example, by having a Qatari politician hand delivering €3 million in cash in bags, to (then) Prince Charles.

SUSSEX IS GAPING

[quote] The hole left by the Sussexes

That's code for Kate's PROLAPSE.

No wonder she had to be hospitalised.

William the Pegger, likes his toys too much.

r41, your opinions are breathtakingly wrong.

R41 wears a fascinator made from aluminum foil that allows them to hone in on what the members of the BRF are thinking and planning.

R48, it's charming you think you're in any position to know. Do go on.

r50, it is my opinion. As are yours.

r47 has to be a juvenile. That can be the only explanation for their sophomoric observations.

Anal stimulation is enjoyed by millions of adults of all genders, but to the likes of r47, it's grist for ridicule and an attempted put-down.

What's sub-text here, r47? What is it about sexual activity among adults that brings out your stupidity??

It's a tough enough job to ty to defend the Sussexes, made only more so by the juvenile output set forth in r47.

Grow up or go outside and play. The adults are talking.

[quote] “Without the Sussexes — regardless of their unpopularity — it exposes the vulnerability of those in the top job.”

They have never been "unpopular." They are about as unpopular as Princess Diana after the divorce.

r33 and Princess Anne

Meanwhile, the paying public gets less and less of their beloved royals at events.

The BRF was so stupid to alienate Harry and his wife.

R55. I know. How did the family manage to do that? Harry and Meghan are usually so easygoing.

R33, dick surgery?

Wills would more likely be in need of anal rejuvenation or some such repair. It’s documented he’s into pegging.

^^ oh I’m sorry… it’s Charles getting the tune up. I don’t know what his bag is. (Well, aside from old bag Camilla.)

[quote] it’s Charles getting the tune up. I don’t know what his bag is.

Let's not forget that Charles used to get buggered by his Butler, as well.

I guess both William and Charles are into ASS PLAY.

Since Charles' ass is older, he needed more of a tune up.

Got it. That makes sense. Thank you.

Would is be feasible for Harry go back without Meghan with the assumption that he won’t re-marry? Or at least won’t remarry for several years and won’t have any more kids? He could drum up a lot of interest by dating a string of women for the next 5-10 years and then marrying someone age appropriate, maybe with her own kids. In 10 years George and Charlotte will be entering adulthood.

Is he cowed enough to stay on a tight leash or is he too unpredictable?

Is HG Tudor playing dumb to appeal to the fraus who still love Harry? It's obvious Dimbo is a narcissist as well, yet Tudor only targets Markle.

R52. Harry has lost whatever appeal he had (which wasn’t much). People will be just as interested in following his dating life as they would Brendan Fraser’s.

It's hard to imagine him dating what we'll call nice women.

I would bet you anything there are plans right now, internally with the RF to orchestrate the re-entry of the Sussexes back into the fold. They'll do it slowly, in stages, and there will be rules, etc. but it is going to happen.

I will add that about two years after that re entry, Meghan will divorce HArry, because there's just too much racism and she is being affected by it and she is doing it for HArry! Yes, she is leaving him because she loves him SO MUCH and wants him to be happy. He was too homesick and he should be home.

They'll never trust either one of them again. They'd have to divorce first, that way a control agreement can be negotiated. He can be managed in the long term. Probably shipped off to Africa to count giraffes or something.

[...]

Will Sophie and Edward attend the BAFTAS this year? Dressed so elegantly and Edward will be pissing himself to be among so many people who do what he wanted to do back in the day.

If you think Harry WANTS to go back, you have seriously misjudged him and MM.

Oh I think he WANTS to be rich and not have to work. I think you’ve seriously misjudged both of them.

R72, R71, Daddy is sitting on a pile of $$$$. He decides who gets what. He gives Andrew his housing and his allowance in spite of Andrew posturing like a petulant child he is happy to get it. Edward and Sophie, Anne, all of them except William, depend on Charles to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. So Harry, IMO wants to come back. He wants the financial security. And Charles will impose conditions.Betcha.

I don't go along with the belief that, financially, Andrew has to totally depend on King Charles.

I adored that old war horse Q E II, but, she had her weaknesses. One of them was Andrew, inexplicable as that seems.

I believe the reports that it broke her heart to have to oust Andrew from Royal duties and strip him of his military patronages.

I think she knew better than anybody that, after her death, without her around to shield him, she couldn't leave him vulnerable to Charles who is reported to dislike Andrew from long ago, and finds his presence an annoyance.

As such, there is a high probability that Q E II left Andrew a boat load of dough-ray-mee, probably in the multi-millions, so he wouldn't have to be at the mercy of Charles after she's dead.

Andrew's presence is more than an annoyance. It's grotesque. At least Charles gets that. And if Liz left enough for him to fuck off and disappear, even better.

[QUOTE]there is a high probability that Q E II left Andrew a boat load of dough-ray-mee, probably in the multi-millions, so he wouldn't have to be at the mercy of Charles after she's dead.

I've thought this, as well. I'm sure she was generous with Edward and Anne, too. (because they deserve it) My question is whether she's left anything to the grandchildren in separate bequests or if it's expected that the monies left to the parents are supposed to cover them.

Thinking of Harry and how he churns through cash. Maybe she left him a decent sum to live on with restrictions so he wouldn't become a perpetual gnat strafing Charles and William's monarchies. Take the money, shut up, and keep your thoughts to yourself.

I like this finances gossip.

I think KC is truly fed up with Harry, BUT, I don't think he can bring himself to totally cut Harry out of cash upon his death.

As Q E II knew that she couldn't leave Andrew at the mercy of KC, so it is I think he knows better than anybody that Harry, after his death, can't be at the mercy of William, who, of course, would have Harry living in a van down by the river if Harry ever had to move back to the UK.

And this is where it all gets interesting and tricky when it comes to the maneuverings of the Sussexes.

Harry knows his father isn't immortal, but his money is. The King is Dead, Long Live his Cash

If you're Harry, of course you want a rapprochement with Dad, all in the interest of fatherly love, of course.

If you're Meghan and you want out of your marriage to Harry, do you try to stick it out until KC dies, believing that Harry will come in for money? Not sure if a spouse has to share an inheritance with a spouse, but it's the children, and herself, that Markle will be thinking about.

And I can't believe KC has any interest in seeing Markle benefit from his death.

Yup, a Sussex divorce could become very interesting....

Sorry, we're busy!

[quote]My question is whether she's left anything to the grandchildren in separate bequests or if it's expected that the monies left to the parents are supposed to cover them.

Presumably long done. UK law provides that bequests made seven years or more before death escape the 40% death duties (tax on estates.) So as a matter of tax planning money was probably put in trust some time ago.

[QUOTE]but it's the children, and herself, that Markle will be thinking about.

And not in that order.

I think that King Charles has a bad case of metastatic prostate cancer and is in palliative care.

Why the hell else would he be at Sandringham BEFORE his "operation".

Convalescence, yes, before, why?

He is a goner, and he has known it for a while. Didn't think it would go this fast. Crowned, Queen Camilla and done.

If Charlie and Billy die who becomes king? Who takes care of Billy's children while Georgette becomes of age?

The California clowns are not wanted back. I'm sure there are all kinds of arcane rules and protocols that would allow some of the other grandchildren, nieces, or nephews to become working royals. But we will never see Harry and Megan back in any role like that. Only if they divorce and Harry comes crawling back on his knees with that happen.

If Travolta and Cruise are aviation icons, then so is Jolie.

R81, not sure I understand. Why would he not be at Sandringham? Isn’t that one of his homes?

r82, If both Chuck and Wills buy their farms, I think that the Duke of Edinburgh would be named Regent. He has successfully raised children out of the sight of the tabs.

Or Great Aunt Anne, but she may be active but a little long in the tooth.

r85, Mind you it is only my determination, but one would think that he would be close to a major medical facility prior to even a minor surgery.

George V died at Sandringam. George VI died at Sandringam. HM QE2 died at Balmoral.

It seems that British Monarchs like to die out of town.

Just saying.

What are they doing in Jamaica? I thought one of the kids was sick.

Pardon me, but did I hear correctly... Shusshexesh?

Edward keeping up the tradition started by his grandparents.

R81 It may well be that Charles is isolating prior to his hospitalization so he doesn't expose himself to COVID or whatever.

As for finances, as I recall, the Queen's substantial estate was left entirely to Charles to distribute. The way it was set up, She indicated in her will, how much each beneficiary would get, and King Charles was to see to it that they received it. As I read it, it had something to do with taxes? The bequests would be gifts of the sovereign. I have no idea. But I also read in some article that Andrew was pissed off at Charles because he was entirely too slow in distributing the "gifts." Now it's possible that the queen personally gave Andrew money while she lived. She may also have put stipulations in her will about certain things. We'll never know. But I wish it could be made public.

r73 Wrong. Princess Anne OWNS Gatcombe Park her home.It was privately gifted to her by the Queen years even decades ago.It is not part of the Crown estate.

r79 The Monarch is exempt from inheritance tax.Princess Margarets estate was subject to inheritance tax but she wasnt the monarch.

It's hard to give a shit about the royal family now that insufferable Charles is king.

R92 yes, Gatcombe Park was gifted to Anne. But it requires maintenance and upkeep and staffing. Anne also needs an income to support herself. Anne also travels on behalf of the Crown and has ongoing Royal duties, etc. There are costs involved to everything and Charles foots the bill. He even paid for wardrobe expenses for Catherine at one point. They all have income from Charles. Now whether it's public money or its from the wealth and holdings I have no idea. But an is not independent of Charles, neither were any of them independent of The Queen.

“Mercilessly exposed hole” mmmm

R84, hell throw in Lauren Sanchez! I'm sure the foundation would like a bump in donations from Jeff.

Wouldn't the Firm have a solid pre-nup for Haz? I can't remember if they privately got married in California, if so, he's screwed.

Are you referring to Omid's hole? You could fill it with concrete and almost no one would care.

[quote]r94 It's hard to give a shit about the royal family now that insufferable Charles is king.

That man has terrified more pens than any person in HISTORY.

I don’t support that.

I just can’t with his sausage fingers…gross.

Sophie took part in a menstrual health workshop at a girls' school in London the other day.

The surrounding 730-acre grounds are home to a working farm which includes livestock like cattle and breeding horses. Speaking to Countryfile, The Princess Royal spoke candidly about the farming at her home: "It's really nice to come back and just be yourself in an area like this. Being able to take on a place like this – for me, I’ve got to make it work. This is not something that comes free, this has got to pay its way, otherwise I can’t stay here."

As well as the revenue obtained by the farm, the estate also plays host to events throughout the year, including the annual Festival of British Eventing.

Scobie tweeted: A different vibe to the last time we saw PM Andrew Holness with members of the Royal Family…

Yes, I don't recall anyone in fancy dress being taken to a half empty movie mall theatre at a mall.

Poor R103.

So butt hurt that Omid just keeps STICKING IT to the British Royal Turds.

And they can't do a goddamned thing about it!

R104. Yes, the rest of the royal family must be dying of envy.

Lol, R104. Look at the sales. They don't need to do anything. He's one step beneath Celebitchy now.

Apparently Markle really admires and tries to emulate the style of the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.

Carolyn would be in hysterics at Markle's outfits, pap walks and Dlist status.

Poor jealous hater at R107.

r107, she actually aped Vanky's outfits too:

More:

Love the not-so-subtle racism, R109.

And you wonder why people call you assholes Klan Grannies.

The BRF could really use Harry and Meghan right about now.

Too bad stubborn asshole William will never allow it.

Oh, well. His loss.

Not even the York sisters are willing to be working Royals.

No one wants to work for William.

Use them for what? They willingly stepped back from royal duties. And judging by how things have worked out, the RF dodged a bullet.

R112. What is the loss? The loss of two people who don’t want to do any work, who want to censor the press, who what to lobby for their favoured public policies, who want to profiteer off their titles , and who want to hold public positons but not live in the UK for most of the year! What kind of servile 15th monarchist are you that you would long to have two such people in public life?

She isn't a monarchist, R114, she's a brainless Megtard.

r112 You must have missed Harry and Meghan leaving in a freedom flight and Harry moaning about royal duties in his book. Your narrative is contradictory. The Harkles demands are very indicative of a teenager or people with arrested development.

I don't think "the York sisters" are the ones saying no. I thought that was Charles cutting back, and honestly maybe he went too far with all that. Maybe have 10 or so people on deck, ready to step in if needed.

In fact more and more this whole "problem" just seems ridiculous. Yes, Harry and Meghan dropped out. Well fuck it, pick a couple of replacement "working royals" and everyone get on with this shit. Seriously, I do wish Princess Anne ran this whole damn thing sometimes, because I suspect she has a sense of not making silly decisions and then being all pissed when they don't work out.

R116, don't forget that before throwing their plonkers, they wanted half in and half out to retain their rank for maximum merching.

The quoted Tig posts about Ivanka on the links posted upthread are truly tragic.

r119 Their supporters especially the fanatical ones on social media don't like it being mentioned they originally asked for half in half out because they have bmno good explanation how to explain that whilst maintaining the new evolved narrative of it being a fairytale were the Harkles heroically fled the horrors and cruelty of royal life. I mean who asks for half in half out arrangements with a family they claimed were so awful, heartless, cruel and abusive to them?? It doesn't add up.

There is no problem, r118. You don't actually have to believe every stupid article published in the press.

When the Queen ascended to the throne at the age of 25 after her father died there were even fewer "working royals". There was the Queen herself, her mother, Philip and a 22-year-old Margaret. There were also her Aunt Mary and her grandmother Mary, as well as her Uncle Henry and sometimes her aunt by marriage (and Philip's first cousin) Marina, widow of her Uncle George. It's not that different from today and they managed fine, in an era of greater pomp and ceremony.

Honestly, the York sisters most vocal contingent of support seems to be on DL. Depending on the day, in UK they're seen as pointless, idle vacation scroungers or benignly tolerated daughters of beloved Prince Andrew and Labrador Retriever of a whatever Fergie is.

William has three kids. We only need to get through the next few years and soon George will be ready to start taking over a sports or nature patronage or two, with Charlotte and Louis soon following.

As for the official state stuff, there is still Charles, as well as William, Anne and Edward.

Would that hole resemble that of the exit of the human digestive system, OP?

The Brits don’t like Harry and Meghan. They are like the appendix; not needed.

I definitely rely on DL's Meghan and Harry haters to tell me what the Brits think of them.

We don't like them, r127.

For R127:

Those poor kids are going to get Meghan’s baseball bat legs.

R14 Is that why they traveled to Jamaica (Jamaica travel advisory - Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime and medical services. Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts) to enhance their safety?

R81 They have clearly stated that it’s not prostrate cancer.

He’s prostrate with prostate cancer.

[quote] King Charles' Wife Queen Camilla Taking a Break From Royal Duties

Queen Camilla is taking some time off.

After stepping in for King Charles III amid his cancer diagnosis, the queen has no royal duties scheduled for over a week, according to her schedule viewed by The Times.

The 76-year-old will resume her public appearances at Westminster Abbey on March 11 for Commonwealth Day, which celebrates 56 member states across Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe on the second Monday of March each year. Camilla is expected to represent the crown at the annual celebration, per the outlet.

In the meantime, the online royal diary notes that Charles' siblings Princess Anne and Prince Edward will represent the British family at most upcoming events in the next week, including visits to the Right Stuff Amateur Boxing Club, Freewheelers Theatre, Rising Brook Community Church, Savoy Chapel, National Equine Forum and more outings.

The king has been taking time out of the public eye since he shared his cancer diagnosis on Feb. 5.

"During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted," read a statement from Buckingham Palace at the time. "Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties."

As Charles continues to focus on his health, the 75-year-old has offered the occasional update, including a public message on Feb. 10 to show his gratitude.

"I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received," he wrote in a letter posted to Instagram. "As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement."

In his absence, Camilla has kept a busy schedule, meeting with Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska at Clarence House on Feb. 29, attending a reception for the BBC's 500 Words Finalists at Buckingham Palace on Feb. 28 and stepping out for a memorial service for Greek King Constantine II on Feb. 27.

However, the next in line for the throne, Prince William has been noticeably absent from some events in recent weeks as his wife Kate Middleton recovers from a scheduled abdominal surgery.

Lazy bitch.

Jesus Christ, the gaslighting going on in that article astounds.

The British gutter press pointed a fire hose of diarrhea at Meghan from the start, never turned it off, sneered when she eventually fled, and now they blame her for fleeing.

I’m glad it’s not just the USA that’s ensnared in a bizarre fantasy of its own creation — the Brits have done the same thing to themselves.

Queen Elizabeth - whatever you thought of her - was a historic icon - someone who had passed through some of the great travails of modern history and who had met almost everyone of significance it was possible to meet.

She is gone.

So is that vital living link to the pre-war past that gave the Monarchy its only (tenuous) actual value.

Who cares about this remaining flock of bleating taste-free incompetents? The Princess Royal, Camilla and (maybe) Kate and Meghan are the only ones with a brain. And none of them are particularly likable, although I have some respect for Anne and Camilla seems like she'd be a fun drunk.

R137, clearly Camilla is over it.

From R134 it's obvious that she feels if Charles, William, and Kate aren't going to do shit (as far as making royal appearances), then she's not going to either.

Camilla probably went to her old home, kicked up her heels and poured herself a stiff drink.

This Family has become just a Disney tourist attraction with British accents.

They're gonna saddle that little gay boy with so many royal duties once he grows up, it will surely end in tears.

As he’s the heir to the heir, that’s how it works, R140. Except for ending in tears, hopefully. It’s his destiny.

[quote] They're gonna saddle that little gay boy with so many royal duties once he grows up, it will surely end in tears.

All of England's Kings have been WEAK and DUMB.

Elizabeth I, Victoria, and Elizabeth II all got the job done well.

Jokes aside, Princess Anne and Princess Charlotte would make much better Queens than their brothers.

It's all gone to shit since the Old Faithful croaked. The whole thing needs scrapping, or at the very least reforming to make it leaner – make them be like the other European royal families.

Meghan was warmly welcomed by the British tabloids and the public when she first appeared on the scene, r136. Then we got to know what an unpleasant fraud she is.

R143, how are the European monarchies leaner? What does lean look like?

Conclusive proof that the UK could never function as a republic if they go nuts when Kate is not in the public eye.

I'm happy to let Catherine convalesce or let Meghan disappear for three weeks in Costa Rica to have plastic surgery. None of my business.

Sheryl Crow isn't British, r146.

My hole is really fine

Back when ER 2 was 25 and Queen, there were newsreels at the cinema, and the occasional photo spread in the newspapers, but there was no 24 hr news cycle or social media or streaming platforms. So the demands for Royals' appearances has increased. I get it that Camilla is going to take a break. But we have William, Sophie, Edward, Anne, the Gloucesters and the Kents. So we'll be fine. Camilla handling the Commonwealth stuff is sticky. I will not be surprised if all of them step up to help with that. It is a very big deal and very sensitive.

Little Georgie will be mostly spared royal duties until he's a full teenager, and then he'll only perform very light public appearance duties with his parents (like William did at that age). Also like his father, and grandfather, he will be expected to go to university and then join the British armed forces for a stint. After that he'll be asked to do serious tasks, but he'll be 25 by then at least.

Catherine is expected to be back on duty after Easter. I see no reason why we should expect anything different.

Fuck off, Klan Granny R151.

Stop lying for William and Kate.

They don't need your help.

r144 Please. Murdoch was kind in the beginning until he could attack. And that he did and it hasn't stopped.

Welcome to the capitalism of media. Sucks but you can't sell what people won't buy.

R153, are you one of those Americans who think that Rupert Murdoch owns the Daily Mail?

R154, are you one of those Americans who's never actually read a British tabloid and thinks every page is filled with stories about the royals?

R156, no. Are you one of those no hopers blindly devoted to Saint Meghan Markle despite the facts because life hasn't turned out the way you wanted?

The British media are furious because no one will tell them what’s happening with Catherine. They’re trying to provoke the RF into saying or doing SOMETHING.

Part of me thinks you're right, R158, part of me thinks everybody knows, it's not that big of a deal, so they're keeping quiet because [italic]they]/italic] know and the reward of breaking the story is not worth the price paid having broken it.

R152 Harry is never going to fuck you. He hates your shriveled faggot ass.

William is not as stupid as his father. There is no point in any reconciliation with that creep. Charles fundamentally is an idiot and if he feels any warmth towards Harry after all that spoiled dimwit has done to him it is only because he is brain damaged. In a more sane royal age a king would send his son to the Tower for treason. Meghan would have enough smarts to stay away from England forever. She'll dump those kids in some boarding school, she already spends enough time away from them, and go on one of her phony feminist crusades where the only woman who matters is herself.

r146 The public aren't going nuts. The clamour is coming from sections of the British media and a tiny number of loud but unrepresentative idiots on social media.

As King, Charles has to be seen to be open to reconciliation. Period. He may have even promised his mother. IMO he may definitely want things to improve with his younger son, but the main sticking point, IMO, is that Harry, as far as we know, has been unapologetic about his comments regarding THE QUEEN, Camilla. And Charles will not abide that. But we definitely do not know what's really going on with that family and everything, including the leaks is gossip and speculation. I suspect it will be Anne who builds the bridge for the brothers and the father and son to patch things up. I doubt it will ever be idea, but I think it will be better than it was. The other thing to keep in mind, is that this is the Royal Family of the UK. And there are stakeholders who may believe they will personally benefit from undermining efforts to patch things up between the brothers. Some cousins have definitely taken sides in this, and have in effect turned their backs on Harry.

I think R163 is right - Charles has a public position and a private position, supported safe to assume by his wife, his son and his staff. The fundamental problem for the Sussexes is they can't be trusted, and that's not unfair, that's a consequence of their choices.

I still think Meghan Markle doesn't get it. Perhaps she doesn't see monarchy as anything to do with patriotism or service, just as a vehicle to show off and be sucked up to. Whatever her mistaken understanding, her polar opposite is the working royal family, who whatever outsiders think, see purpose and obligation in their position. So if you believe in what you're doing, you don't invite someone in who makes money damaging it.

I’ve known some merciless holes.

After he insults his brother's wife and his father's wife and doing this in front of the entire world while his grandparents were dying any kind of reconciliation is bizarre. Harry is very nasty and disturbed and his wife is a psychopath exploiting his slash and burn paranoia.

Maybe William shot Kate too.

[quote] The Effects of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Exit Are Now Being Felt by the Royal Family

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exited the royal family, the palace thought it would be easy to carry on without the telegenic couple. For a time, it worked because there was a pandemic, and the royal appearances were limited by the nature of a global crisis. In the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in 2022, it’s become clear that the Sussexes’ absence left a glaring hole in the senior royals’ roster.

With King Charles III and Kate Middleton both on a royal hiatus due to their medical situations, Queen Camilla on vacation, and Prince William focusing on his three children, it’s up to a select few to carry on — and it’s a huge burden to bear. “This is a slimmed-down monarchy in the ways the King could never have anticipated. This puts into much sharper focus what a terrible mistake it was for Harry to leave,” royal author Sally Bedell Smith explained to People.

Prince Harry detailed their exit in the Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, and revealed that at the now-infamous Sandringham Summit the decision was basically made for them. While the couple preferred a part-time option, it was obvious that they would either have to be “all-in” or “all-out.” Harry noted, “It became very clear very quickly that that goal was not up for discussion or debate,” he said in the series. “It was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me, and my father say things that simply weren’t true, and my grandmother quietly sit there and sort of take it all in.”

The royal family was probably shocked that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted to permanently leave their positions, but that gives you a hint at how bad things were for the couple behind palace walls. It’s what Bedell Smith believes now to be a missed opportunity for the royal family. “If he and Meghan had stayed in Britain and stuck with their jobs, they could be very vital players right now,” she said. The royal biographer isn’t the only one who agrees with this assessment.

“They desperately need [Prince Harry], and nobody could have foreseen the set of circumstances that would expose that so dramatically,” Catherine Mayer, the author of Charles: The Heart of a King, also told People. There are now major cracks in the royal family foundation, and this weakness gives anti-monarchists to further their case even more. King Charles has had a rough go in his first year on the throne, and now, the only thing people are thinking about is what could have been if the royal family had reached a compromise with Harry and Meghan to keep them in the palace fold.

What a pile of crock, r168. How would an American who writes for something called "She Knows" and has no clue about British life have any idea about what the effects of Harry and Meghan's exit is? For most Brits, we are relieved they have gone and don't want them back. The royal family is fine without them, because the role of the royal family was never about putting on a public circus show, which is all Harry seems to be capable of.

R159. Correct. The author announced her article is worthless in her first sentence: “the telegenic couple”.

No kidding. She alternates between looking smug, deranged or annoyed. He most often looks like a slovenly mess with an orange brillo pad on his head.

Poor, jealous haters.

Meghan is living her best life, while Waity Katie..... is completely miserable.

Maybe she should apologize for being a racist cunt.

Then her life might improve.

I doubt they are missed by the RF, everyone is probably still licking their wounds and wondering if it all really happened. All these two deeply troubled people every bring is chaos, destruction, unhappiness and darkness everywhere they go.

Hun, Meghan just had to buy her way onto a panel at SXSW—using donor money to Archewell, no less. You and she may think that's a "best life," but the rest of us will continue to mock her clueless self-absorption.

[quote] All these two deeply troubled people every bring is chaos, destruction, unhappiness and darkness everywhere they go.

Meghan and Harry live 5500 miles away from the UK

All of this "chaos, destruction, unhappiness and darkness" you speak of, is completely of William, Kate, Charles, and Camilla's own doing.

Idiot.

R175, look up "everywhere," a term an 8 year old understands. You seem angry and very limited. These usually go hand in hand.

Markle is an unlikable phony baloney, and worse, is not very good at it.

What r174 said.

I've pointed out that Markle tried, during the Oprah interview, to cloak her deliberate referring to Kate as "Waity Katie" in some seemingly benign, sympathetic-to-Kate context.

Here's the phony part. If the self-described feminist Markle truly was sympathetic, those words never would have crossed her lips, knowing their sexist social brutality, created by the tabloids, aimed at another woman.

Gee, couldn't an enlightened, smart woman have made the same point without resurrecting a slur that had faded by then?

I think so. But that's not what Markle did.

In pure, competing, mean-girl style - the very antithesis of being a feminist- Markle said those two words because she wanted to say them, knowing their power to hurt another woman.

So, if I'm not buying what Markle is selling when it comes to her being a self-described feminist, Markle herself she created reason not to.

And, let me be clear.

The wealthy, white, Catherine, Princess of Wales doesn't need my defending, nor, by my words here, do I offer them as such.

As a Native American woman, I've got my own path to follow.

But I immediately saw through Markle during that Oprah interview. And no amount of her Red Herring attempts to depict herself otherwise works with me.

Oh, forgot to add:

mic drop

[quote] And, let me be clear.

[quote] The wealthy, white, Catherine, Princess of Wales doesn't need my defending, nor, by my words here, do I offer them as such.

The Grand Dragon Klan Granny has spoken!

[quote]what a terrible mistake it was for Harry to leave,

A mistake for whom? Not for Harry. He didn't want to be part of the firm anymore.

Bedell Smith is wrong. It was never going to work. Aside from the current animosities, and books, and interviews, etc. It could never work out. Charles knows this.. I remember, watching the Crown, and the issue was Princess Margaret in the fictionalized series. But there were some truths packed inside that fiction. Margaret had just returned from a very successful trip including dinner at the White House with LBJ, where she drank and danced and exchanged dirty limericks with the President and his guests. And she won him over, and Great Britain got the funding it needed very desperately at the time..

Margaret loved being part of something substantial, and loved knowing she mattered, and had accomplished something significant for the Crown and country. She asked Elizabeth if she would give her more opportunities. Elizabeth shared Margaret's interest in more work, with Prince Phillip who cautioned against it. He said in every generation there was that one person who was just too much. The person who commanded attention, and often the wrong kind of attention and in the long run it didn't work out because it was injurious to Elizabeth's position or to any monarch.

So the Duke of Windsor had to go (well, he was also a traitor.) and Margaret could not be given more, or to be placed in a competing role with Elizabeth. The Crown thrived because her father, George VI was so low key and steady, because Elizabeth was low key and steady. And now we have Charles who had to squash Andrew (not without cause) and is our version of steady...and semi low key. But in William, we will once again have that colorless, boring, low key, steady hand, and Harry and William cannot co-exist inside a working Royal family. It is like oil and water. Harry and Meghan are celebrities. It's who they have always been individually and together. Very different to the role required by the monarchy.

We're all glad Harry has gone too, r180, and we hope he never comes back!

r180 He did. For the thousandth time they asked for half in half out. The fleeing unhappy victim narrative came later.

I wish the Sussexes would leave a hole in the US. Unfortunately, they're trying to bounce back from the negative Spotify publicity of last year with an unrelenting PR campaign. They were last seen singing "Happy Birthday" to a Hispanic family that lost a relative in the Uvalde massacre. You want them, you can have them.

The girls of that family in Uvalde have the right idea.

[quote]The departure of the Sussexes has left a hole which has now been mercilessly exposed.

Exhausting.

You can't have it both ways. Either the public accepts that there are fewer royals to do stuff or they accept more royals doing stuff at a higher public expense.

Suggesting there is a hole due to the Harkles depature at the same time that the public insisted on a slimmed down number of royals is absurd.

There is no hole, r186, and it's absolutely fantastic that they've gone. The media likes to try to create some drama but no one misses Harry in the UK.

Have you taken a poll r187 or is this just your opinion? Any stats to back it up?

Speak for yourself, Klan Granny R187.

You dumb cunt.

Everyone I know in the UK, r188. The general feeling in the country is that we are better off without him. You will not find much evidence of a desire to have him back.

Are you a Brit, r189?

R189 is the unhinged American KGT whose otherwise only insult is “cunt”.

[quote]And you wonder why people call you assholes Klan Grannies.

You seem to think calling people names accomplishes something. Maybe in the kind of place you live it does. Here it's nothing. So, you're wrong again, as you no doubt always are. What we wonder about is why your life is so empty you've invested everything in defending Markle like you know her. We're just having a laugh taking the piss out of a nasty wannabe who keeps making a fool of herself.

Kate needs to be walked through the streets so The People can see she’s okay.

The recent photo could have easily been photoshopped.

[quote] Kate needs to be walked through the streets so The People can see she’s okay.

Absolutely!

[quote]Kate needs to be walked through the streets so The People can see she’s okay.

My first thought...

“Hey! Hey! Prostate Kate! Show yourself, before it’s too late!”