Keeping Royal Secrets

www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Royals-Spying-Crown-Victoria/dp/1786499126/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&keywords=royal+secrets&srpt=ABIS_EBOOKS&qsid=259-5095300-8469842&sres=1786499126%2C0008325561%2C1841656879%2CB09KXCQTCX%2CB08TVWK9DB%2C136765324X%2C1982115068%2C039454403X%2C0752487264%2C0263282619%2CB093N5VMSS%2C1538721376%2C1408340380%2C195002055X%2C3833419938%2CB08BWBZTZ2&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1637495906&sr=1-1

There is a book I keep meaning to read called "Royal Secrets" which, I believe, is about Royal intervention or protection by the Secret Service in the past.
The case of Antony Blunt is an example. Although a spy, he retained his job near to the throne because he "neutralised" certain embarrassing letters for the Monarchy.

They provide the Head of State who can influence the government and the way the country is run with no input or scrutiny from the people.

That's how they impact on your life.

As for whether the other tittle tattle is of interest, there must be something there that would be important to see as the Cabinet Office et al have decided we can't see it because it would affect how the Queen is perceived.

The diaries were sold by the family so they had no concern of the contents being made public. No consideration for the Queen's privacy from them.

Whitewavemark2

Mountbatten was Viceroy of India, he is part of our history. His diaries are part of our historical records. It isn’t about tittle tattle but about using primary resource.

Regarding his India years I agree, but I do not see why any other tittle tattle as you called it should be of interest?

Alegrias1

^Most families have skeletons in the cupboard, I think that’s where they should stay.^

Fair comment GG13, but if those skeletons impacted on the way that the country was being run, wouldn't you want to know?

It’s a fine line agreed Alegrias1 in all honesty I do not think that the Crown has much impact on how the U.K. is run and I doubt it has any impact at all on my day-to-day life.

They have money from us for their everyday expenses (like a wage and expenses for cutting a ribbon and heading up charities). I suspect that their own private handed down wealth is invested wherever the best returns are and least tax paid. Is that so different to us buying ISA’s, speculative investment in Premium Bonds, or even purchasing items of jewellery which will never be itemised on a will?

Mountbatten was Viceroy of India, he is part of our history. His diaries are part of our historical records. It isn’t about tittle tattle but about using primary resource.

Alegrias1

lemsip

Alegrias1

is your own life boring?

Are you for real?

Guess I should just stick to comments about, oh, I don't know ....moisturisers?

I purchased a Liz Earle moisturiser on Friday that I am very pleased with (other makes are available) ??

Most families have skeletons in the cupboard, I think that’s where they should stay.

Fair comment GG13, but if those skeletons impacted on the way that the country was being run, wouldn't you want to know?

lemsip

Alegrias1

is your own life boring?

Are you for real?

Guess I should just stick to comments about, oh, I don't know ....moisturisers?

Someone’s diary entries are events/conversations etc. observed from their perspective in this case Louis Mountbatten. Not necessarily an all round unbiased account.

Most families have skeletons in the cupboard, I think that’s where they should stay.

(Prince Andrew’s case is different inasmuch as he is being asked by a court of law to give his side of the story in part of a criminal case)

Alegrias1

is your own life boring?

This is not about whether anyone is interested in their secrets.

To paraphrase what the Cabinet Office official said:

There are things in this diary, a diary which belongs to the University of Southampton and was sold to them by Louis Mountbatten, that the RF would rather you didn't know because if you did know you might think that they are not suitable for the job they do.

In other words, we're going to keep you in the dark and feed you... well, you know.

www.theweek.co.uk/news/uk-news/954856/what-is-inside-buried-mountbatten-diaries

Their day to day privacy is really of no interest to most people, except those in GN??? where it is explored in minute detail, whether based on fact or not.

But there are some things that are necessary to know because it is a constitutional monarchy that rules by consent of the people. Law is passed and carried out in the sovereigns name/consent. By-passing/doing a deal against current legislation is not particularly constitutional, but it seems to be the way the U.K. is going these days.

Same here eazybee and Rekarie.

I don't think this is about their day to day private lives as I for one am not interested.

Oldwoman70

Why would anyone be interested in what is in the Duke of Edinburgh's Will?

I wasn’t. Until I learned that it’s to be kept secret for 90 years!

Oldwoman70

Why would anyone be interested in what is in the Duke of Edinburgh's Will?

Well that isn’t the point. The law says that everyone’s will is public property EXCEPT the Sovereigns.

They should be upholders if the law as it is all done in the Sovereigns name.

eazybee

I am perfectly content with their public image and role and have little interest in their private lives. I don't idolise them.

That applies to my view of most people in the public eye, royal or not.

Ditto

The thought of them all doing a Diana, a Fergie or a Harry , yuck

I am perfectly content with their public image and role and have little interest in their private lives. I don't idolise them.

That applies to my view of most people in the public eye, royal or not.

I'm not much interested in the RF, perhaps with the exception of PA, who I believe should have to face the consequences of his past "private life". But for truly private matters; I suspect that most of us wouldn't want our family's private matters to be known by the world and his dog either; veryone has the right to some privacy. And why on earth are you interested in knowing the contents of someone's will? Did you think you'd have been a beneficiary and want to check?

But what secrets ?

I believe there's a lot that is kept hidden about the Royal Family and maybe some things should be open to scrutiny.
I have never had an idealised view of them.

Alegrias1

This is not about them having secrets, as such. Its about them keeping things hidden and using the government and courts to do it, when us knowing those things might make us question whether they are up to the job.

Yes, absolutely.