Is Harry setting up a rival court?

Yep. I second that as well. Better the devil you know and all that …

But aren’t public speakers generally representative of a charity, enterprise or business venture? It will be interesting to see exactly what these public engagements are. They have to earn a living doing something to fund their lifestyle, school fees, pay tax, run a car, clothe the kids just like the rest of us.

Doubtless they'll be recruiting their good pal Oprah Winfrey to handle the PR.

And importing a few B-list Hollywood celebrities to bulk out their coterie of sycophants.

An excellent post Dickens. A balanced evaluation. Get rid of one dynastic institution, there's a likelihood another will replace it, more often than not in such scenarios nepotism and corruption will be present not to mention some very nasty individuals. A very slimmed down European style monarchy is my preference aware of the public mood. Certainly preferable to ex political leaders who covertly use their "foundations" to continue their influence or meddling depending on one's individual pov. Far more sinister than a benign royal family.

MawsRosie I'll be there if any home made pâtes or terrines are involved.

TerriBull

An excellent post Dickens. A balanced evaluation. Get rid of one dynastic institution, there's a likelihood another will replace it, more often than not in such scenarios nepotism and corruption will be present not to mention some very nasty individuals. A very slimmed down European style monarchy is my preference aware of the public mood. Certainly preferable to ex political leaders who covertly use their "foundations" to continue their influence or meddling depending on one's individual pov. Far more sinister than a benign royal family.

Thanks Dickens and TerriBull, for summarising views I share more eloquently than I would.

Harry has walked into the role of scapegoat and it seems many welcome the focus on him, his mental health, his marriage, ‘his truth’, thus turning the rest of his family into the good guys.

A "rival court" - this is total nonsense.

I am with Iam64 and others who feel that this couple should be left to get on with their lives - and yes, that will involve some public appearances because that is what they will be asked to do as the son of the king and a well-known American actress - it goes with the territory. It does not indicate some personal pathology.

Ladyleftfieldlover

I recently read ‘Spare’ and if even half of Harry’s complaints about the press are true, then I quite understand his behaviour. The ‘never explain, never complain’ attitude of the RF is ridiculous. Kate put up with ten years of ‘waity Katie’ nonsense. The Palace should have put their foot down properly then.

Personally I think the never explain never complain is what keeps the Royal Family.

Imagine if they complained about everything.
It is hardly going well for Prince Harry doing that, is it.

If the RF whinge, there soon wouldnt be any Royal Family.

MawsRosie

Cossy

They can still have public engagements. They both need paid work at some point.

Can any private individual have a public engagement?
Could I?

Would anybody be interested in attending my Grand Opening of my Fridge?

😂😂😂
That made me choke on my coffee!

ferry23

MawsRosie - looks like your official fridge opening is gaining some momentum. Along with the cream cakes already suggested, chuck in a couple of bottles of sauv blanc and I'll show up.

If there are Prosecco and some fresh cream eclairs I'll be there.

Is?

TerriBull

An excellent post Dickens. A balanced evaluation. Get rid of one dynastic institution, there's a likelihood another will replace it, more often than not in such scenarios nepotism and corruption will be present not to mention some very nasty individuals. A very slimmed down European style monarchy is my preference aware of the public mood. Certainly preferable to ex political leaders who covertly use their "foundations" to continue their influence or meddling depending on one's individual pov. Far more sinister than a benign royal family.

Yes, I agree with Dickens's excellent post and very well put Terribull.

George Orwell's allegorical Animal Farm is so apt.

I have fulfilled public engagements and no-one here has a clue who I am!

Now we're all curious! Are you a famous celeb?

It used to be said of an American actress, I think her name was Teri Hatcher , that she would turn up to the opening of an envelope, just to be seen.

I have read that the two children, Archie & Lilibet are NOT MARKLE´s PHYSICALLY BORN CHILDREN.

I have read that these 2 children have surrogate mothers.

Has anyone else read this ?

Their DNA was checked as well by Prince William and Princess Catherine.

The people of Piddington, a village in Oxfordshire, are holding a referendum to vote to become independent from the UK. This is as a protest against an asylum centre being set up nearby to house 1,250 single men. They hope to become a principality like Monaco or Liechtenstein and will be looking for a Prince. Well Harry’s at a loose end!

Excellent post, Dickens. Where did you read that story, Frenchgalinspain?

Frenchgalinspain

I have read that the two children, Archie & Lilibet are NOT MARKLE´s PHYSICALLY BORN CHILDREN.

I have read that these 2 children have surrogate mothers.

Has anyone else read this ?

Their DNA was checked as well by Prince William and Princess Catherine.

Their DNA was checked as well by Prince William and Princess Catherine.

... did they, personally, take the swabs do you think?

And then, of course, they immediately made Facebook and other social media sites privy to the results of the DNA tests... those DNA tests that were "checked by William and Catherine" - or did they just happen to have the test results lying around somewhere...

"I have read" (in all-caps too!) - straight from - to borrow a current phrase - the Trust-Me-Bro' University of Facebook.

I might be a reluctant monarchist, but this kind of gossip and rumour is just nasty and spiteful. Particularly as it will not be too long before those children will be old enough to access social media.

Luckygirl3

A "rival court" - this is total nonsense.

I am with Iam64 and others who feel that this couple should be left to get on with their lives - and yes, that will involve some public appearances because that is what they will be asked to do as the son of the king and a well-known American actress - it goes with the territory. It does not indicate some personal pathology.

...it goes with the territory. It does not indicate some personal pathology.

So well-said - I could not have expressed that sentiment better.

JenniRen

Now we're all curious! Are you a famous celeb?

... yes JenniRen I think we might be a tad curious now

Luckygirl. And so have I,

Surely some of you can see that Frenchgalinspain post is going too far, even on these threads.

Ilovecheese

Surely some of you can see that Frenchgalinspain post is going too far, even on these threads.

I agree Ilovecheese and does nothing for the image of GN.