Prince Harry’s engagement

Anniebach I wonder if all the touching is a way to reassure each other. She may be used to public attention being an actress but this "walkabout" would be something totally different.

I'm not a great Royalist and I see it gradually dying out, but I still think Harry and Meghan make a lovely couple, it is heartwarming to see people so obviously in love, so happy. I have a vague memory of loving someone like that - and just wanting to touch them - not in a sexual way. (It didn't work out he turned out to be married!)
My only reservation is that they look too happy, I fear for them to love so much, it seems almost too good to be true. . I also think it's great that they will be doing charitable stuff together, mainly with young people and drawing attention to the needs of children in other countries - someone who can make a difference needs to care about these children, but will it be enough for Meghan in the long term? The girl has given up a lot - a successful and enjoyable career, lots of friends, a home, a warmer climate! etc and she was answerable to no one. She's already had to sacrifice one dog because it was too old to travel.
I think she's lovely and although it's not a competion, she puts Kate in the shade. I hope they can be friends and all enjoy each other's company.

How does she put Kate in the shade ?

Oldwoman, I doubt .harry has ever needed reassurance but you may be right ,

Wouldn't most young people be happy dressing up and attending events (doing charitable stuff) in return for huge wealth, exotic holidays, no worries, fancy properties, cars, the best health care ..... and everything else .

I hope the younger generation eventually see through the royals and get rid .

MM has landed the best part in a very long running soap .

Anniebach I think Meghan looks more natural, and is being herself, whereas Kate seems to try too hard sometimes. Meghan seems to glow (being in love or good make up? but it is there in older pictures too) and has a dignified air about her - even in the pictures of her at 11or 12 when she complained about the sexist advert. I think she has been brought up well, with old fashioned values.
But I am probably being unfair on Kate, she has a great responsibility and has had to live with all eyes on her in a way that only Diana did before. Perhaps it will be better now that there are two of them, (or worse, if they are compared with each other all the time).
I think Kate sometimes lacks style, when she gets it right she looks great, but more often than not she doesn't. When they were in Canada for example Mrs Trudeau looked smart and dignified in simple clothes and Kate looked overdone and uncomfortable in comparison. Also I think she should never wear her skirt above the knee - just on or below suits her legs so much better, she looks really elegant on the few occasions when she does that. But this is being picky, who am I to judge! Poor girl. She has a great sense of humour and I think it has been great for Wills and Harry to have that lightheartedness in their lives.

starbird, I think if Megan had suffered a fraction of the criticism kate did before she and William were engaged Megan would be back in America. Big difference in marrying 7th in line to the throne to 2nd in line, Megan and Harry will have all the privileges but not the responsibility of William and Kate. Marrying a future king and being mother to a future king ? Big difference to the life ahead of Megan.

I imagine this period of engagment/marriage and eventually new parent may be peak Meghan. Prince Harry will fall further down the line of succession and a new generation will take over in 15 or 20 years.

They'll become like the Wessexes, the Duke of York and Princess Anne, of whom you hear little nowadays - unless I'm not reading the right papers, of course!

starbird I agree that skirts on or below the knee look so much more elegant, especially with high heels.

You hear little of Princess Anne but she is [or certainly was] the hardest working of the Royals. Harry and Meghan met because of her involvement in good causes [need to check out what they are though] and I think they will continue to champion good causes.

Anniebach I think you're right.

starbird do you think this is often true in all families - the older/oldest sibling (where there is more than one child in the family) is more serious, a greater sense of responsibility and more is expected of the first child, especially in the Royal Family, whereas the younger/youngest is more carefree and has less of a sense of responsibility?

Many may disagree with me, but it is something I have noticed in a lot of families. This would be especially true of the RF where the older child and his wife have their life pre-determined for them.

lives, not life

Think Andrew and Sarah .

Kate was mocked because they didn't get engaged soon after they became an item, waity katie , her mother was accused of plotting to get Kate into St Andrew's so she could get her hooks into William, Kate's parents were mocked for making their money from a business they own, Mrs Middleton mocked because she use to be bad air hostess.

Megan? Not a squeak, about her parents work, if Kate's mother had been a yoga teacher the press would have had a great time . I think Kate has something Megan doesn't have, dignity , the very thing the queen is praised for.

Jalima1108 yes I think that is often true. It is true of my older sister.

Kate has had some very undignified mishaps relating to dress. Hopefully she has learnt now, but it took time.

I have noticed it so often starbird - the 'sensible' older sibling and the carefree younger one!!

Kate couldn't get it right - either too staid or too short!

And so it will be from this day on.

Only if you lot continue to criticise.

Sorry Jen, so easy to forget you dislike any criticising

you lot

and which lot would that be?

The lot who criticise women for how they look, the clothes they wear, etc., and how they compare to other women.
I thought equality meant we didn't have to do that any more.

You mean like you did about May and her summer dress and her leather trousers?

No, equality doesn't mean that, dj. Equality doesn't mean that we all accept everything and everyone as equally elegant and stylish. It means we give everyone the opportunity to be as elegant/stylish (or whatever; and we accept that giving everyone equal opportunities is not an easy ambition) as they like. Note the 'they'; it means others might disagree. Others are also free to say they disagree, which is what has happened here.

Equality of outcome is probably impossible as well as undesirable; equality of opportunity is something to aim for.

I think all this surmising, comparisons and critism is unfair why cant we just accept Kate and Meghan as two seemingly nice smart different young women who have met the man they love. (lucky them) and will hopefully lead a productive life which is all we wish for anyone isn’t it Bitching about whose best, and whose marriage will last longest is pointless and counter productive

I'm with maryeliza here. Which homeless family living hand-to-mouth, relying on food banks, possibly in emergency accomodation in one damp room, is going to be feeling, 'Hey, well, things could be worse: there's another royal wedding next year!' Don't kid yourselves. I couldn't 'distract' myself from hunger or cold. Only those comfortably off are able to do that.