Prince Harry’s engagement

It's nice to have some nice news but we're never going to hear the end of this now.

Interesting they want to be involved in countries of the commonwealth, lots of travel and plus strengthening the links between the commonwealth and the British throne

With respect paddyann I don't suppose you know them either. We all form opinions based on different things, some from media coverage others from the existing political views, some from a mixture of both. Those who support a monarchy are not cap doffing, curtseying peasants - many are well educated and well read people who just happen to hold a differing opinion than your own

Mary Eliza, you are spot on. It never fails to amaze how folk are taken in by this whole charade.
I heard a snippet of an interview with Meghan, where she talked about her deep commitment to, and desire to continue working for issues around equality. Yet she's marrying into the most archaic unequal institution of monarchy, whose very existence is prefaced on the notion that their blood is blue and therefore different to the rest of us. It's beyond parody.

Of course a lot of children lose their mothers at a young age, but not many have to cope in the full glare of the whole WORLD hanging onto and reporting every move you make, the clothes you wear, the smile on your face, however you are feeling, every mistake, every triumph, no matter what it is even if it's not accurate, it's there for public consumption to be chewed over by all and sundry the world over whether you like it or not for the rest of your life. For all the privileges, I wouldn't want to be a royal!

Exactly suttonj it is a charade. If they were any other young couple they would move in together for a couple of years and then get married if they felt it was working. Instead we have to have the whole engagement announcement and then the wedding hype. Can't help thinking it's being done as part of the Firm's publicity campaign.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Royal wedding tea towels, mugs and tea cosies on sale. Closely followed by the ones for the new royal baby.

Chewbacca you wouldn't be stirring again would you Mentioning such items could send some GNs into an apoplectic fury

So am I Chewbacca!! I need a teacosy, so a royal one it is!!

Well, it's jolly nice when two people find each other and are in love and I wish them all the best BUT I find it hard to celebrate as I can't help thinking about poor Diana. She was like a lamb to the slaughter.
Although she was well-loved and was a great ambassador for the 'firm' she was hounded to death by the paparazzi .
However I do hope that things are better for this couple.

Is there any room for any more mugs, tea cosies or tea towels? I shall be making red, white and blue bunting (with a few stars and stripes thrown in for good measure.

I am definitely a monarchist, so I love this! I shall enjoy all the hoo-ha leading up to the wedding of lovely Harry and his beautiful bride-to-be. That doesn't mean that I am unaware of all the dreadful things going on in our country and the world. It just means I am glad to have something joyful to look forward to. A light amongst all the gloom.
And William and Kate's new baby too. Yay!

Most of us like a wedding. Good looking happy pair. Wishing them every happiness. Sucks to the moaners.

A complete non event for me. I can't pretend to be excited about the royal family at all.

Yes nigglynellie I agree and I made that exact point, Prince Harry lost his mother when he was a child, as other children have, but not with the eyes of the world on them. As for the Divine Right of Kings' it might have been the raison d'etre of Charles the 1st but we know where that lead. The media has a lot to answer for as far as the over exposure the RF receive, that isn't their fault, it doesn't make me hate them. I don't regard the RF as the worst proponents of nepotism by any means.

How ever is the Fail going to cope? mm doesn’t tick zany of their boxes!

Any

We all better work some overtime to pay for it then.

I too shall put some bunting up for the wedding day Jalima and it will be an excuse for some Fizz and a nice meal.

Love your photo, but get ready for someone to make a negative comment.

My great friend is a Republican (who does admire the Queen) and I am a Royalist. We just agree not to discuss the R.F.

Jalima! How did you get hold of that photo of my living room? All the neighbours are having a meeting on Friday afternoon to start making preparations for the street party to celebrate the wedding. Might need some of your bunting NanKate.

Oldwoman70! How could you think such a thing!

Exactly TerriBull, not only the eyes of the world on you as a child, but for the rest of your life!!! Constant comparisons to your deceased mother, what she might have thought, and in Prince Harry's case scurrilous question marks world wide about your paternity! Who else has to put up with that with a cheery grin? Even down to criticism about wearing a beard on Remembrance Sunday, despite the fact that he is no longer a serving soldier! It's relentless, sooner him than me!

I think a public holiday would be perfect. After all we were given one when Wills and Kate married. What do other Gransnetters feel?

In fairness Harry keeps bringing his mother into many interviews, his choice but the media will report it.

What irritates me is the media comparing Diana with younger royals , I could be so wrong but I doubt poor Diana would have been thrilled having two attractive daughter in laws hogging the camera, that was her speciality

Public holidays for many workers are taken out of their annual holidays so they don't gain a thing. Fine for those working in the public sector I suppose but not fair

I've just watched the interview. I didn't think it was particularly gushing. My own DIL is also from Los Angeles and Ms Markies speaks and acts in a very similar fashion to her. It's the Californian way, if you like, and quite odd to see her using the same gestures as my DIL does!