“Recollections may vary”. Harry and Meghan (again - I know!)

Campaign group Republic has called on the Queen to issue a full apology for the Royal Household's failures on race over the past seven decades.

The call follows revelations in today's Guardian that the household used to ban black and Asian immigrants from staff appointments. The palace also successfully lobbied to be exempted from race laws that ban discrimination in the workplace.

Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said today:

"These revelations are absolutely appalling. So much for the royal family promoting race relations and strong links across the Commonwealth."

"To hear the Queen actively discriminated against black and Asian employees, and still has the freedom to do so, is shocking."

"The royal family has a long history of questionable attitudes on race, whether Prince Philip's numerous comments while on official engagement's, or accusations being levelled at Prince Andrew, Prince Charles and the Queen Mother."

"These documents show the Queen had specifically lobbied for an exemption and was willing to withhold consent for the law to pass if it wasn't granted."*

"The Queen owes the country a full apology for this and all the Royal Household's failings on race. And the law needs to be changed as soon as possible, to give palace staff the same protections as everyone else."

Galaxy

To be fair a lot of professions seem unsuited to the royal family or marrying into it anyway.

that is true galaxy

the real non-actress megan was most evident when she was with the grenfell ladies cooking and at the banana writing event though i cant remember what for

she seemed in her element and very genuine
so how could that have been channelled into good works throughout her royal life

Galaxy

I can shed tears on demand and am not an actress.

That's a real skill, Galaxy.

Notoriously difficult to do.

I can shed tears on demand and am not an actress.

To be fair a lot of professions seem unsuited to the royal family or marrying into it anyway.

Who is the real megan?

I know who Meghan is, but megan? Is it the football player? She plays on a football field.

I think we should be told.

Galaxy

To be fair anything to do with the royal family ends in tears as far as I can see.

yep real tears galaxy for one or other of the couple
harry in this case is my guess

there is some truth in bigberthals comment about being an actress rendered megan far from ideal

actresses can smile for the camera but they can also shed crocodile tears effectively on demand

we just dont know who the real megan is and maybe she plays on that

To be fair anything to do with the royal family ends in tears as far as I can see.

I don't think having been an actress made the Duchess an ideal candidate to be a royal. The Lady seems intent on having her own way in all things. I think it's a very sad thing that having been given life n a platter here courtesy of the Queen that they are both giving her anxiety and sadness. As for these flowery statements of love and humanity they don't seem to be including Harry's family in their scheme. My mother would have said it will all end in tears.

I understand that the authors were assisted by friends very close to H&M and that it is commonly understood that while this biography is officially unofficial, the friends were well briefed by friends so close to the couple it was almost impossible to tell them apart. A bit like the last chapter of Animal Farm.

No Dickens they haven’t made mistakes, it was all well planned.
Making a mistake is something quite different.

... this is all from an UNAUTHORISED biography with information coming from "sources close to the couple" and various other unnamed individuals.

I think my scorn is for the author(s) of this unauthorised biography who are milking the current broohaha and stirring the anti M&H pot.

I've no particular regard for the couple, and they've certainly made mistakes, but let's be honest here... the media are exploiting this for all it's worth and I find it a bit distasteful that it's becoming more and more acceptable to verbally 'mob' someone to the point where it almost becomes a campaign.

I'm not interested in what he said/she said... I'm not a Royalist anyway, though I do have some respect and admiration for the Queen... but I wish everyone would just leave the family alone to sort out their grievances. Maybe if M&H were not continually attacked from every quarter, they would also quieten down and not keep giving statements and interviews. It's a vicious circle and it feeds on itself. And, truth be told, do we REALLY know what went on, or what was said, or not said, within the family?

This is my only comment on the subject and I'll not make any more because I don't want to be part of the 'witch hunt' against M&H - or indeed (from the opposing side) - against the Queen.

I think Omid Scabie is a more appropriate name.

TBH Ladyleftfieldlover there's no need for anyone to twist or misinterpret what H & M say, their false and unsubstantiated allegations speak for themselves.

Racism had nothing to do with their 'excile' but I suppose as long as there are some who'll believe what they say, they'll keep on saying it.

M&H could have been brilliant.
I think most of us thought that.

But we've realised with hindsight that it was never the long-term plan.

Am I the only one who thinks Omid Scobie looks like Nick in The Handmaid’s Tale?

I always want to boo and hiss when I see either of them.

Ladyleftfieldlover

Sorry folks but I still believe Meghan and Harry were hounded out of this country by the tabloid press and those who support said red tops. M&H could have been brilliant. Far enough from the throne to be more outspoken than William and Kate but close enough to make an impact. Don’t you think it is significant that those newspapers who profess to despise them and reckon too much is written about them - write the most stories!? It is all such a shame the way that whatever H&M say is twisted and misinterpreted. I also still believe that racism had a lot to do with their exile.

Oh well, all entitled to their own point of view.

Lucca

Good heavens ice cream too ? Pistachio ? Cherry? Vanilla ?

Vanilla - well Cornish clotted cream icecream, please.

I'm here in the back row with my feet up.

I just wonder what they will do next in their attention seeking quest.
How low can they go?

It's enough to turn me to drink I will just go and pour another glass! Can't take much more of M & H.

Floriel

I find it very hard to understand their game plan. They could have moved to California, lived in a beautiful house, kept on good terms with the RF and made a living, perhaps making benign documentaries about their famous friends, and relatives, or travelling to their beloved Africa and doing good. But the self-obsessed entitled pair go around looking for slights and trouble, endlessly complaining about their lives and taking potshots at one of the most respected women in the world. What do they hope to achieve? It makes me think Meghan isn't as bright as she was billed. And as for angry-looking Harry, I reckon he's completely lost the plot. I suspect the loyal RF is quietly waiting to pick up the pieces in a few months.

I think you’ve cracked it there.??

Oh I never thought he was handsome but I cant imagine that worried him too much.

Good heavens ice cream too ? Pistachio ? Cherry? Vanilla ?

Ali G even took the mickey out of his voice when they appeared on his programme.

He's a good sport

lemongrove

Yes, such a handsome man with a strange little sparrow voice.

But yes, so handsome. And a bit less boring now he’s older ?

Callistemon

Lucca

Callistemon. ? no worries

If you're making popcorn, Lucca, I like a mix of sweet and salty please ?

Yes, and could you bring ice cream??????