There's so much publicity about Harry and Meghan in the
media lately. It all began with their resignation from
Royal duties, their move to the US, now there's the
NetFlix series. Harry's book is due to be published in
mid-January, and the media spotlight has been on the
Royal family like never before.

What's all the fuss about? And what's the point of it all?
The media must be happy to have something that sells - and
of course they will milk it for what it's worth. The Royals
are unhappy with the unflattering pictures being painted of them.
And as for Harry and Meghan? Most of us assumed that they
would leave the Royal "Firm" as they said they were going to,
and live a quiet life in the US.

Yet here we have interview, after interview - while the earlier
impression had been for them to leave and lead a quiet peaceful
family life. So what happened?

Most of us have grown up with the Royal family being a part of
our lives. It's difficult to understand what's currently
happening. Saying one thing - doing another. While giving
everything a bad name. Why? To what end?

Anyone got any thoughts? And should we be concerned about what
happens next - seeing as we're still linked to the Royal Family?
King Charles in our Head of State afterall.

Foxy,

This couple started with all the world's best wishes but managed to keep in the headlines with the drama of the Kardashians and the credibility of Trump (or Paul).

How they managed to bilk Netflix of $150m for a few hours of drudgery and mendacity is beyond me.

shadowminister,

I know. We all wished them the very best in life.
I still remember the tragic moment of those two
young boys walking behind their mother's coffin.
Such a heart-wrenching sight. I don't know the
financial details of this NetFlix business, but
I'm sure that NetFlix will do well out of the deal.
People love watching anything to do with the Royals
and especially if there's a bit of scandal involved.

My personal feelings are that I wish Harry would
return to his Royal family - especially now that he
has a family of his own. I just don't understand
why he would want to put them through all this fuss.

They all seem like a bunch of weirdos to me.

Foxy,

The pair are still burning bridges for money whenever they can. The path back to the family will involve eating a lot of crow. Something I don't see either doing anytime.

He's fifth in line, and therefore a mere ornament, to the throne of a once great but now relatively minor country off the coast of Eire.

Really, who cares what he thinks, or more precisely, emotes, about any issue?

Only bored housewives take any notice of this crap. The Ginger and the Whinger are rubbish; of no consequence to anyone or anything. Ginger is not a genuine royal, anyway.

The Palace needs to remove any titles they hold and cut them free of any contact with Royalty. The King represents the Constitution of England and their contact with Royalty undermines the Kings role.

It's up to an Act of Parliament to remove any titles. Not
King Charles.

Lets face it - TV shows like "The Crown" shows the interest
people have in the Royals - who have managed to maintain
an air of mystery and celebrity that allows them to endure
and is so appealing.

Most of us have grown
up with them infiltrating our collective consciousness for
decades. We've lived through every detail - which by the
way has been covered by the media from the marriages,
the birth of their children, coronations, Jubilees, and
funerals. The pomp and the ceremonies all add to the appeal.

All this is understandable. As the world has changed over the
years - the Royals have provided stability and safety. Something
that re-assured us. We all have dreams of wealth and fame
and happiness and style and social influence and so on. Which
starts at an early age with fairy tales and the way we are
raised.

Royals and other people like even Hollywood figures for some,
and sporting figures for others - keep the dream alive.
Today we live in a media-saturated time and in a sense there
is no escape. It's no wonder that some people become
interested in all the details. There's nothing wrong with that
or poring over pictures of a royal wedding, or a royal baby, as
long as we keep our perspective.

The interest in Harry and Meghan will continue. The media will
see to that. The livelihoods of newspapers, magazines, TV networks,
journalists, photographers, royal biographers all depend on it.
And we'll continue to devour it all with relish.

A lot of people love this stuff, whether or not they
care to admit it. They love the drama, love to take
it personally, love to get angry about it. Love to
act as if they know the Royal family and so it goes.
People need to face up to themselves - a disapproving
and enraged market - is still a market.

Meghan spent her whole life attempting to be a Star. "Suits" was one step up, but it was going nowhere after a few years.

But now that Megs is the Duchess of Sussex, by way of Dim Harry's Royal Meal Ticket, Megs is now a MegaStar.

They are both sponging on their Royal Family Titles.

Otherwise Netflix would be a total sucker for forwarding all that cash to MegaStar and Dim Harry.

Hi Maverick,

I think we'll never know full story of what happened
between these two young people and the Royal family.
It's going to be mired in controversy and heresay.

What is clear is that something went wrong and not
only for the Royal Family but I think it's the country's
loss as well. The nation has missed out on the insights
that these two young people could have provided and they
could have helped connect and have relevance for the
next generation.

All in all it is the nation's loss.

Perhaps King Charles can fix it?

The media is currently whipping up a frenzy in the UK over
the coming episodes on NetFlix of Harry and
Meghan. Why don't they just wait and see rather than making
predictions ahead of time. But I guess - it's more
important to sell their material - especially when there's such
a big market for it. And blaming Harry and Meghan is so easy to do.

HARRY THE SPARE

Hi Foxy

Here's the issue of Spares and royal economics.

Much of the problem with Harry stemmed/stems from him being a "royal Spare".

Its important having a Spare (Harry) around until the firstborn next in line to the throne (William who was 2nd in line, after Charles, in 2021) has William's first child (George).

Once William had George, then Charlotte, then Louis, Harry's utility as the Spare (in 2021) dropped from 3rd to 6th in line.

This left Harry with a diminishing point in life and even his royal income steadily dropped as he was shunted out of the rights to cash earning royal estates.

++++++++++++

Princess Margaret earlier suffered from the Spare System pitfall in life as her sister Elizabeth II had kids/next in lines.

See http://micky.com.au/princess-margaret-suffered-as-queen-elizabeths-spare/

"The struggles a spare faces

In the same book, Morton noted that the royal princess suffered from everything a spare can face.

“The challenge is to find a relevant and meaningful role in life,” he said. “That way, you are not seen as someone standing in the shadow of somebody else, someone who is going to be king or queen,” the author added.

Morton noted that as Princess Margaret went down the line of succession, she became less relevant to the monarchy."

Mavs

Hi Mavs,

Thanks for that.

The whole things is hard to understand for us plebs,
And yet we're fascinated with what goes on
behind closed doors. The Royals have a history of some
trying to change the system - like the uncle of
King Charles who wanted to marry Mrs Simpson. And of
course Princess Margaret had to give up the love of her life.
So who knows what the future holds for Harry and Meghan?

The NetFlix series - is their way of trying to explain the
situation from their point of view - and this is not a first
for members of the Royal family. Princess Diana did the same
with Morton's book - and her Panorama interview.

On a more positive side - we are learning from the series that
King Charles did play a big role in Harry and Meghan's wedding.
From helping to pick the orchestra that performed as Meghan
walked down the aisle to agreeing to walk Meghan down the aisle
when she asked him to. He also agreed to the Gospel Choir
that famously sang - "Stand by Me" - a wonderful moment.

We're learning all this from the NetFlix series - so it's not
all bad. And there's more.

Hopefully, things will eventually sort themselves out - and
they can come together as a family. No family is perfect
and they need to cut each other some slack.

Queen Camilla was once the most hated woman not only in England -
but around the world. And look at her today? She's finally
getting the respect King Charles has always wanted for her.

So there's hope for Harry and Meghan.

Ohhhh Foxy!!

I'm not watching the Netflix series, which I suggest is unworthy as a sole(?) focus of a thread.

Instead my reality is reading books on the UK Royals, as part of my close study of UK history and economics. Also helped living in the UK and having intimates who've frequently talked to the royals.

Hence my post on "Spares and royal economics" above.

I hope you can appreciate such non-Netfix concepts ;)

Cheers Mavs

Hi Maverick,

All I do is follow the media - and try to read between
the lines. I'm not an expert on the Royals - but I am
familiar with their history having also read a great
deal from Edward and Mrs Simpson, onwards. I appreciate
your postings.

Understood Foxy

But I pray you realise by now, that I am as Infallible as a Cardinal in all things... ;)

In that regard I've set you the following Xmas reading on Prince for a Price, Harry the Dim, and Meg-o-Star.

Your reading being:

Tina Brown's "The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor, the Truth and the Turmoil Paperback" published May 2022, only A$22 from amazon.com.au

Specifically Chapters:

19. ...Meghan Markle's World - page 355 on

20. ...Harry confronts his Demons - page 384 on

21. Smitten: The Stars Align for Harry and Meghan - 397 on

22. Magic Kingdom: A Wedding Transforms the House of Windsor - 412 unto 427

Once you've done the reading, come back and we'll natter.

Cheers

Your Umble Servant and Moral Guide in All Things

Mavs

Hi Maverick,

Thanks for recommending Tina Brown's latest
royal potboiler. I'm sure that the worst
will bring out the best in Tina Brown and that
it will be addictively readable. She's the perfect
tour-guide to the Royals. Witty, opinionated,
gossipy and entertaining.
Maybe someone will give it to me for Christmas?

I'll let you know.

Hi Foxy

Tina Brown's "The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor, the Truth and the Turmoil Paperback"

is more than a "potboiler".

It is actually a true work of scholarship - especially on semi-literate Harry the Lad and Megs - who saw him as a royal stepping stone to her righteous "Poor little Me" C-grade Starlet bottom scooping.

++++++++++++++++

I also recommend:

Binoy Kampmark's excellent "Narcissism Inc: the Harry and Meghan production"

of December 19, 2022

Its on Online Opinion at http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=22278

It shows that Binoy, a long term scholar in the UK, has an understanding of Monarchy and starlet pschology that transcends the sheer brainlessness of Harry's & Meg's Orrible Netflix cash suck.

I wish you a sober Christmas and a Voice to Parliament New Year ;-)

Cheers Mavs

Dear Maverick,

Thank you for your further recommendations.
I admit that I just don't quite understand
this entire business. I wish it would just
stop.

Thank you for your Christmas wishes.

I wish you joy all through the holidays
I wish you success that forever stays
I wish you the love of family and friends
And finally I wish you happy days that never end.

Have a Merry Christmas
And a Safe, Healthy,
And an Incredible New Year!

Merry and Bright.

I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me

I made it some pyjamas
And a pillow for its head
Then last night it ran away
But first - it wet the bed!

The Guardian tells us that it's been reported that the
Duke and Duchess of Sussex will have a place at the
King's coronation should they wish to attend despite
the continued fallout from their Netflix documentary.

We're told that Harry and Meghan will be invited to the
King's coronation ceremony on 6 May, with all family members
expected to feature on a guest list still to be drawn up,
A source told The Daily Telegraph "all members of the family
will be welcome."

King Charles III is said to be hurt by Harry and Meghan's
criticism of the family but has not given up hope of
reconciliation and does not want to strip the pair of their
titles. The Daily Express has reported "He loves both his sons,"
said a source of the king.

Lets hop that all this will have a happy ending.

Watch Prince Harry's interview tonight at 7.30 pm on
Chanel 7. It should be interesting. I believe that
book comes out on the 11th January. Be warned though.
it is very expensive so it may be worth your while to
reserve a copy at your local library if you're interested
in reading it. I imagine many people will be interested,
to find out what all the fuss is about. And try to see
just what is disturbing this young Royal - and why.

No comments from the palace, as yet.

I would guess that anything from the ginger whinger will be taken as fiction.

Apparently people are reacting and so far it's caused
quite a stir. I'm hoping that King Charles will step in
and like the father that he is, he will reach out to his very
troubled son who's obviously still carrying the heavy burden
of his mother's death. I think from memory King Charles
stated that both Harry and Meghan will always be welcomed in
the royal family. It's all this media hype that the family
can do without. And unfortunately Prince Harry is pandering to
the hype.

Meghan should be concerned about her husband's
mental well-being. She should be trying to build
bridges with the royal family into which she married.
Perhaps she is. We don't really know. Hopefully all
this full will soon come to an end and King Charles
will be able to finally enjoy the remaining years of
his life.

I watched Harry's interview with Tom Bradby last night
on Chanel 7. And I ended up wishing I hadn't watched.
It was very one-sided and self-indulgent. I've decided not
to read his book. The whole thing appeared to me as an
unnecessary and demeaning episode and totally unworthy of
Harry. A shame that he's decided to do any of this. It won't
win him much respect worldwide.

Today I watched a movie about Meghan's introduction
to Royalty. It was very revealing and casts an
entirely different aspect on their story.

In any case - I dare say that we haven't seen the end
of this saga. It will probably continue for some time
yet.

I wish them well.