Forum Topic

Harry & Megan

Welcome back, and enjoy

Clifford Cowell ● 71d41 Comments

Mr Cowell'Welcome back, and enjoy'Oh I do, I do !The sun is out; Andy Burnham is making a round Britain tour to spread the good news of the country's future under Labour (anyone heard when he is arriving in Putney ?) and now our favourite couple have come back to spread sweetness, light and kindness among the hoi polloi.Makes one's heart swell 💓🤮

John Hawkes ● 71d

I see they're going to be "non-working" royals. I hope they're not returning just to claim benefits :-)

Michael Ixer ● 71d

Is she bringing her overpriced jam with her.

Andy Pike ● 71d

Ha ha ha, Michael!!  That is very funny indeed!What I cannot understand is why this news has hit the headlines as it has.  They are free to come and go as they please.But all the speculation about how their arrival is going to impact on William and Kate is beyond ridiculous!

Ivonne Holliday ● 71d

Ms Holliday'But all the speculation about how their arrival is going to impact on William and Kate is beyond ridiculous!'Not at all.Megan is a publicity driven grifter as described by a Spotify executive who she was trying to influence.An American minor celebrity of no particular talent She will do anything to benefit her rather feeble money making schemes and get into the public eye.You can bet your life that each time William and Kate are featured in the press or social media on official Royal business or otherwise, then she will do something to try to upstage them.Nasty piece of work, an opinion held by a vast majority of UK public.https://www.dailymail.com/news/royals/article-16066137/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle-return-William-apoplectic.html'A YouGov poll found last month that just 22 per cent of Britons see Meghan in a positive light, compared with 65 per cent who hold an unfavourable opinion of the former actress, with 33 per cent seeing Harry positively and 58 per cent negatively'.

John Hawkes ● 71d

Mr CowellI note that Harry and Megan are looking for a house in the Cotswolds ?Anyone know of a small 3-bed going cheap ?That will make them neighbours of David and Victoria.That other publicity shy couple so keen to protect their family privacy !How long before on Instagram a photo of Harry and David 'doing a kick about' appears whilst adoring spouses look on ?Or will billionaires David and Victoria take umbrage at being upstaged by minor royalty ?!

John Hawkes ● 71d

Coming back to cause more angst within the RF, particularly to William and Kate. Hapless Haz and his Z lister actress have realised the American dream is over and Megs would never become the global superstar that she envisioned.  So, are they slinking back to the UK to try and revitalise the remnants of their ‘fame’?🤷🏻‍♀️  Apparently they are still hanging onto their Montecito mansion and a villa in Portugal and have now purchased a property outside of London.  Their children have already been enrolled in UK schools so this move was not arranged in the last week as reported.  Personally I wish they hadn’t botheredThe subject of their personal security has surfaced again.  Who is going to pay for their 24/7 protection, plus the kids protection while at school?  Burnham will not answer that question because he says it is a private matter.  If it’s going to be tax-payer funded we have the right to know!

Sue Hammond ● 71d

We had a laugh at the BBC News tonight because the sign for The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield was shown as part the news item on Harry and Meghan.  It’s our home town and we thought for a moment they were moving to the West Midlands.  The BBC were asking local residents what they thought about the couple moving back to the U.K.  Tbh, I am sure they would find a suitable home on the fabulous Four Oaks estate.  It’s like Cheshire and Surrey. Anyway my opinion is they are moving back because of the King’s health.

Martine Guy ● 71d

Well let’s hope they don’t cause him even more angst.

Sue Hammond ● 71d

Has anyone said if this is a permanent move? re: where Harry and Meghan will live, there is speculation about the Cotswolds.  Should they decide to live outside London, then maybe it will be Northamptonshire, near Althorp and the Spencer family.  

Martine Guy ● 71d

Martine. Joking aside I think you're right: Was also thinking: the King is still being treated for cancer. It would seem natural that Harry would want to spend time with his possibly ailing father and Charles may wish to spend time with his son and grandchildren. One would hope for the sake of their father Harry and William could come to some accommodation. If they can't, they just prove the Royal Family is no better than any other family - so time for an elected Head of State?

Michael Ixer ● 71d

Hello Michael,You and Martine may be right about Harry wanting to come back to be closer to his father.However, and there always is one, Harry and Meghan "resigning" to their royal duties was one thing, but writing the book "Spare" was not altogether a friendly thing to do.  I think William will be a great king and, unlike you, I do not wish to see an elected Head of State.  Having a Trump-like character or Farage or now Burnham?  No, thank you! I think the Royal family have been incredible over the years and I do like a Head of State that is above politics.

Ivonne Holliday ● 71d

I agree with you, Ivonne.

Steven Rose ● 71d

From my AOL newsfeed:“The King and entire Royal Family has been blindsided by Prince Harry and Meghan’s bombshell plans to move back to the UK - with Charles only told about them three days ago, royal sources have said.The Sussexes are returning to the UK later this month – making their home in a non-royal residence outside of London – and have already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools. It is understood Harry and Meghan's plans would have been months in the making, however the King, who has had a rocky relationship with his younger son, was only made aware of the move on Sunday.He was not told about it when he met H arry, Meghan and their children at Highgrove on their trip to the UK last month with it coming just a year after the Duke of Sussex said his security arrangements in the UK made it 'impossible' for his family to visit. It is understood there are no plans to change the family's security arrangements when they return to Britain.”

Sue Hammond ● 71d

I happen to know someone with an inside perspective.They told me a few weeks ago that the £100m we blew on the coronation 3 years ago might not have been a good long term investment....If you take my meaning.

Michael Brigo ● 71d

Mr Brigo'I happen to know someone with an inside perspective.They told me a few weeks ago that the £100m we blew on the coronation 3 years ago might not have been a good long term investment....If you take my meaning.'Very intriguing.What is your meaning ?And this perspective is from the inside of what ?Do you have contacts at the Palace or The Spotted Horse in PHS ?And why might the £100M spent on the Coronation not be a good long term investment ?Again do you have a mole in the King's medical team willing to break the Hippocratic oath regarding the revelation of his state of health, or will the West Putney Republicans by then have enacted a revolution and overthrown the institution of monarchy and perhaps replaced Charles with yourself as Head of State ?"I think we should be told" !

John Hawkes ● 71d

The Americans must be weeping for their loss of these two.  The disrespect they showed our late Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in their final years was appalling with interviews and books.  Whatever the issues they should have been adult and sorted it out privately.I truly feel for his family as these two are loose cannons in PR terms as they can’t help themselves.

Robert Wheeler ● 71d

"And why might the £100M spent on the Coronation not be a good long term investment ?"£100m isn't a great investment John if four years after you spent it you have to cough up another £100m to plonk the worlds most expensive hat on a different member of one of the worlds richest families.

Michael Brigo ● 71d

Ivonne.  Yes, a President Farage is a worrying thought but I would see a Head of State elected by PR that was a figurehead (similar in powers to the current monarch's) with executive powers remaining with the PM. That might not appeal to those with a bid ego wanting power?We'd get rid of the baggage of the Royals - it seems the former Prince Andrew was protected by his mother, the late Queen which hasn't been  good for anyone. I've not read Prince Harry's book but is it possible he wrote it because of a genuine grievance and some of it's true? Perhaps the position of "spare" is a difficult one which leads to a problematic attitude whether it's Charles brother, Andrew, or William's brother, Harry? An elected Head of State would eliminate the necessity for a "spare" and the problems associated with such a position. Yes, Charles has some good points in terms of his environmental works but some architects have a very negative view of his lack of vision ...

Michael Ixer ● 71d

Mr Ixer' I would see a Head of State elected by PR that was a figurehead (similar in powers to the current monarch's) with executive powers remaining with the PM. That might not appeal to those with a bid ego wanting power?'Any job of this type would appeal to those with a big ego.Are you yourself not tempted to gain a position where rather than just tell us on the Forum what to think and do you could actually make us do it ?And we know you have a Presidential family waiting in the wings - caring and cultured.What would be the role and responsibilities of this person ?What would he/she do ?They would certainly be a decisive figure as they are unlikely to have been elected by the majority of the populace.What influence would he have over the PM ?And would they be any cheaper ?Doubtless he would have to have a residence in both the the north and south of the country.Apart from the legitimate beliefs of republicans, I would hazard a guess most people are happy with Charles, and certainly will be with William and Kate, playing a symbolic and apolitical role of representing the country and its people as a whole.Both on the world stage and in charitable activities.You seem to want us to be like the US and have a Trump figurehead.I thought you despised him ?

John Hawkes ● 70d

Mr Brigo'£100m isn't a great investment John if four years after you spent it you have to cough up another £100m to plonk the worlds most expensive hat on a different member of one of the worlds richest families.'I have no doubt that the Coronation generated far more than £100M for the UK economy from the sale of media rights to baubles, bangles and beads.And unlike an old sourpuss like you most people enjoyed it.What do they do in Italy as regards the appointment of a Head of State ?

John Hawkes ● 70d

"I have no doubt that the Coronation generated far more than £100M for the UK economy from the sale of media rights to baubles, bangles and beads."Got any evidence to back that up?

Michael Brigo ● 70d

Mr Hawkes It seems a waste of time debating with you as you obviously don't read or perhaps fail to understand what I've written."You seem to want us to be like the US and have a Trump figurehead."Doesn't my post, which you've quoted, make it clear that I wouldn't want a Head of State with executive power? I think that's what I wrote! (I was thinking of a role more analogous to the Presidents of Germany or Italy but the UK might then require a written constitution.)Whereas the US constitution allows what President Trump does: dictate by executive orders, occasionally overturned by the Federal courts or delayed by Congress, although not frequently enough according to some of my US friends. I wouldn't say I despise him, he's obviously been successful in using his father's wealth over time to promote himself and bully others to achieve a position of power and do things many people - in the US and elsewhere, including me, disagree with. Still, that's democracy, isn't it?Sorry, I've better things to do than write a full jobspec for a UK Head of State as, being a pragmatist I realise that's not going to happen in my lifetime.Nah, why would I want to be President? I'm enjoying retired life: travelling, meeting friends for (vegan) meals, drinks or coffee, taking photos, exercising at the gym, and going to museums, art galleries, concerts, tech expos, theatre and opera - and, when I have time, sharing comments on social media ... must be something about the Putney Forum members, but I get more positive responses on Facebook and LinkedIn :-)Have a nice day, as they say across the pond :-)

Michael Ixer ● 70d

I don't know why people waste their time even talking about them. It's on every news channel, now they want Security How about somebody worrying about our Security. Just more money going to them.

Barbara Stevens ● 70d

Mr Brigo'"I have no doubt that the Coronation generated far more than £100M for the UK economy from the sale of media rights to baubles, bangles and beads."Got any evidence to back that up?'The evidence of my own eyes and my common sense.Our GDP is currently £2.8 trillion. I have no doubt that the £100 million cost of the Coronation was easily absorbed in this and in fact added to it.Surely even an old sourpuss like you bought a small Union Jack even though that is not the national flag of your homeland.Most true Brits probably bought some trinket or another.And you forget the revenue that must have been generated within our tourist and hospitality industries which account for 5% and 8% respectively of our GDP. Furthermore you have not answered my question.How do you Italians choose your Head of State and does it have any influence over your Parliament ?Perhaps not much as you have a history of changing it about every fortnight, though to be fair we are doing similar as regards or PM !

John Hawkes ● 70d

I’m finding it hard to contain my indifference about this couple, who moved to another country and then came back.I also find the hostility towards her very unpleasant and some of it not entirely unconnected with her family background. She may be a high maintenance diva but so what?

Jonathan Callaway ● 70d

As you cannot provide any evidence other than 'the feeling in your bones' I went and found some"the government's own 2022 impact assessment estimated a typical additional bank holiday costs the UK economy about £2.4 billion in lost output (closed offices, factories, etc.), even after accounting for the boost to leisure spending. PwC's more coronation-specific estimate put the net hit at around £877 million once the extra consumer spending was netted off"So we lost money and we will have to do the whole thing again in a year or so once Charles pops off.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-06/king-charles-coronation-how-much-will-it-cost-and-will-uk-economy-be-affected

Michael Brigo ● 70d

'Doesn't my post, which you've quoted, make it clear that I wouldn't want a Head of State with executive power? I think that's what I wrote! (I was thinking of a role more analogous to the Presidents of Germany or Italy but the UK might then require a written constitution.)'Then what would he do to warrant the expense of him and his office ?50% would take the view that "I didn't elect him. He doesn't represent me".He is likely to be a political hack and jobsworth, unable to hide his political allegiance and cause friction at assumed politically neutral occasions or events.And also potentially an embarrassment of the international scene.Re Angela Raynor regarding all these scenarios.He/she would not come cheap.Neither you might claim does the monarchy but at least the King, his sister and one of his sons and his family are politically neutral, perform deeds and actions that gain general approval and give pleasure.Unlike Harry and his US harridan grifter of a wife who it looks as if we are going to see gracing our shores. If he/she is a Labour appointee he will probably be infected by the Burnham north/south divide virus and want two homes and two staffs etc.But anyway, it is good to read the story of your homelife.Makes me feel quite inadequate.BTW what are Facebook and LinkedIn for and why do you publish the details of your private life on them ?Do you find people are interested ?At least with the Forum it is ideas and views on current affairs and politics that are generally written about and not the wonder or inadequacy of one's private life.

John Hawkes ● 69d

Mr Brigothe government's own 2022 impact assessment estimated a typical additional bank holiday costs the UK economy about £2.4 billion in lost output (closed offices, factories, etc.), even after accounting for the boost to leisure spending. PwC's more coronation-specific estimate put the net hit at around £877 million once the extra consumer spending was netted off"The UK GDP is £2.8 TRILLION so UK citizens awarding themselves a Bank Holiday in order to celebrate a British tradition is hardly likely to bankrupt us.You presumable kept the Well Woman Clinic open ?And are you calling for all Bank Holidays to be cancelled ?'So we lost money and we will have to do the whole thing again in a year or so once Charles pops off'.What a tasteful comment about a man suffering from cancer.I thought you Italians were simpatico.And as I asked earlier, how do you Italians select the Head of State ?

John Hawkes ● 69d

Firstly, Mr Hawkes, yes, it might be a "she" rather than a "he", which you seemed to grasp part way throughyou post! Secondly, a 100% of people didn’t vote for our monarch, although granted many don't care. Thirdly, I would think an elected head of state should be cheaper than supporting a Royal Family if it'sproperly managed? Former Prince Andrew's, Harry & Megan's, and, not forgetting, Charles. & Diana's public displays seem to be significant embarrassments, plus I seem to recall some of Prince Philip's comments caused some raised eyebrows. At least an elected HoS could be for a limited period. To be honest, I don’t expect anything to happen as the status quo may well be a more pragmatic solution at present given the division in the UK's political views. I wonder if an independent Scotland would keep the monarch or become a republic when it almost certainly rejoined the EU?Facebook and LinkedIn are a great way to keep in touch with friends and ex-colleagues around the world, and many seem to be interested in what's going on in the UK, and even what I'm up to, as I'm interested in what others are doing. :-)

Michael Ixer ● 69d

Mr Ixer'I wonder if an independent Scotland would keep the monarch or become a republic when it almost certainly rejoined the EU?'I doubt very much that there would be an overwhelming vote for Scotland to leave the UK.The SNP which advocates independence won 9 seats and lost 39 at the last election.And would the canny old Scots welcome the cessation of payment based upon the Barnett formula ?This is used by the UK Treasury to calculate changes to the funding provided to the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive, which takes the form of an annual  ‘block grant’. It therefore determines the overall funding available for public services such as healthcare and education in the devolved nations.  In 2024/25, the Barnett block grant amounted to £45bn in Scotland even though the Scottish Parliament could increase the taxes it imposes to make allowance for refusing to accept it and to stand on its own two feet.And what are the advantages to Scotland of closer alignment with the EU ?And what makes you think the Scots want it ?

John Hawkes ● 69d

Prince Harry has contacted the Home Secretary to ask whether or not he is getting security for his family, which could cost the taxpayer at least £5million a year.Original estimates of £5million-plus for armed police protection for the family when they were in the UK could therefore skyrocket if the Home Office agrees to fund his security and he remains in Britain with his family full-time.Harry, who is said to feel 'numbed' by his struggle to have the security provided for his family, has been told the review is now completed but he has not been given the result despite pushing for it, according to today's Telegraph.He has now gone direct to the Home Secretary again, this time to 'plead for answers', they report.Harry has repeatedly argued that the taxpayer should fund the cost for his family's security as they are potentially high-profile targets and he is said to believe it is just a drop in the ocean of Ravec's overall budget for royal protection.Ravec, which makes the decisions on royal security, includes representatives from the Royal Household, the Metropolitan Police, the Home Office, the Cabinet Office and the Foreign Office.Meanwhile fellow non-working royals such as his cousins, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie do not receive police protection.The sense of entitlement of this couple of chancers makes me sick.  They’ve had to pay for their personal protection whilst living abroad so they can do it here.  If he pleads poverty (as if) 🙄 Daddy can always pay.There are at least 2 online petitions against tax-payer funding for them.  Quite right too!

Sue Hammond ● 69d

Has Meghan Markle's return to acting been cancelled?  Duchess of Sussex has offer to star in Guy Ritchie's Netflix series The Gentlemen 'withdrawn due to backlash'Meghan Markle’s return to acting has reportedly been ‘cancelled’ amid critism over plans to cast her in the third season of The Gentlemen.Royal author Tina Brown claimed last night that an offer for the Duchess of Sussex to appear in Guy Ritchie’s hit Netflix show had been withdrawn after the reaction in Britain became too ‘intense’.Ms Brown said: ‘I learned that the casting of Meghan Markle has been withdrawn. The backlash was so intense it became untenable to go forward.’Just four years ago, Meghan insisted she had no plans to return to acting. In 2022, she told Variety magazine: ‘I’m done. I guess never say never but my intention is to absolutely not.’Now, however, her return to the screen has been touted by sources ‘close to the duchess’ as one of the reasons she and Prince Harry are returning to Britain.Oh dear … what a shame.🤣

Sue Hammond ● 69d

Ms Hammond'Has Meghan Markle's return to acting been cancelled?'If it has what a relief for Dame Judi Dench.Less competition for a Bafta award.

John Hawkes ● 68d

Out of curiosity I once watched an episode of Suits and in one scene Markle was leaning against a door and it was a toss-up which was more wooden …

Sue Hammond ● 68d

Doreen Lawrence, Megan Markle and the late Jason Arday have all been the subject of obtrusive press attention and they and their supporters have all claimed that the coverage was racially motivated. This last claim is questionable.Doreen Lawrence was obviously right to pursue justice for her son. It is clear that the police, whether through prejudice or negligence failed to investigate Stephen Lawrence's murder properly. The problem is that despite significant changes in the Metropolitan Police following the Macpherson Report, she continues to argue that the Met is 'rotten to its core', which I think is unfair. The antipathy to Meghan markle is not based on her heritage but on the fact that she is an annoying person who has exerted a baleful influence on Prince Harry, causing a public rift in the Royal Family. I don't know whether there is any substance to her claim that she experienced discrimination at the Palace, but was it really necessary to go on the Oprah Winfrey Show and tell millions of Americans that the Royal Family is racist, causing incalculable damage to Britain's reputation abroad?Following the tragic death of Jason Arday, his supporters have claimed that his suicide was the result of his being hounded by reporters in a racist campaign to which a white academic would never have been subjected. This is not quite fair. Professor Arday was not criticised because he was black. The issue is that the university authorities had overlooked the fact that he had plagiarised large parts of his doctoral thesis from the work of another student, claimed authorship of a book he had not written and made up a number of fantastical stories about his extra-mural activities simply because they wanted to appoint a black professor.

Steven Rose ● 68d

Steven'Doreen Lawrence, Megan Markle and the late Jason Arday have all been the subject of obtrusive press attention and they and their supporters have all claimed that the coverage was racially motivated. This last claim is questionable.'To many if not most, Lawrence has gained fame, influence and doubtless some income because of the murder of her son by white yobbos.Ironically, of one of the papers she sued along with the Duke of Sussex and other high-profile figures including Sir Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley over allegations of unlawful information-gathering was the Daily Mail. The publisher strongly denied the claims, which were heard at an 11-week trial in London earlier this year, with judge Mr Justice Nicklin dismissing all the cases in a judgment.Ironically it was the Daily Mail that supported her and pursued the original case against her son's killers.A fact she conveniently forgot.As regards Meghan Markle she is nothing but a grifter who will do or say anything if paid to do so by the media.The Oprah Winfrey interview is a classic case in point where she publicly attacked the Royal Family without producing any evidence and in circumstances in which she knew they could not respond without demeaning themselves. And Arday was legitimately revealed as being a fantasist and liar in his private life as well has having his credentials for and the nature of his appointment to one of the highest academic posts in the country properly investigated.Is the fact that none of these people would be classified as 'white British' a relevant factor in the attention the press and others have brought to them ?

John Hawkes ● 68d

"To many if not most, Lawrence has gained fame, influence and doubtless some income because of the murder of her son by white yobbos."This is such an awful thing to say, I don't really know how you live with yourself.It's no wonder that fewer and fewer people write on this forum with comments like this being made.

Michael Brigo ● 68d

@Mr Rose & Mr HawkesAs I see it:Jason Arday was a Walter Mitty type fantasist (aka liar) and couldn’t cope when his lies were exposed, sad but true.  Cambridge admitted no moral responsibility for his disastrous appointment and subsequent demise and it has since tried to divert blame onto Nathan Cofnas, who had outed Arday.  Cofnas said he was under investigation by Ghent University "for discriminating against Arday".  As a result Cofnas was suspended from his post at Ghent University in Belgium on Thursday. Trump’s US ambassador to Belgium has now called on the University to reinstate Cofnas in the name of free speech.Doreen Lawrence has relentlessly banged the racist drum which brought her fame and a Damehood.  Since she was appointed to the HoL in 2013 she has taken part in 70 debates which at £371 a pop has been a very nice little earner.👍There is no info online that I can find regarding Lawrence’s daily attendance figures when she did not take part in a debate but she only had/has to pop in briefly to have a meal in the highly subsidised 5* restaurant or a cup of tea in the elegant tea rooms in order to cop another £371 daily allowance.  Plus travelling expenses if applicable.  All tax-free of course. With a hefty claim from the Mail due to be paid I expect she’ll be popping in to the second chamber every day when recess ends!

Sue Hammond ● 68d

Jason Arday was not the first academic and won't be the last to plagiarise another's work. What is concerning about his case is what appears to be the inverted racism of university authorities who failed to exercise due diligence, dismissing legitimate criticism of Arday as racist. Liverpool John Moores University cleared him of plagiarism even when they were informed that around 180 passages in his thesis were identical or near identical to the work of another student. And Cambridge University, when they appointed him to a professorship, failed to take references from the universities where he claimed to have worked as an associate professor or attempted to read the book which he claimed to have published or asked to see the certificate for the Master's degree which he said he had obtained at Birkbeck or investigated some of his more fantastical claims such as having run a marathon every day for a month for charity. I have no doubt that he was hounded by reporters, but there would never have been a press campaign if the university authorities, having been informed of the facts, had dealt promptly and quietly with his case.

Steven Rose ● 68d

Mr Brigo'"To many if not most, Lawrence has gained fame, influence and doubtless some income because of the murder of her son by white yobbos."This is such an awful thing to say, I don't really know how you live with yourself'.Don't get so prissy.Not only did she attack the Mail, the paper that lead the campaign that got the killers of her son convicted, Baroness Doreen Lawrence has criticised the police response to the killing of Henry Nowak, saying officers "should be at fault" over the handling of the teenager's final moments.The mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence made the remarks in the House of Lords as the fallout continued from the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry in Southampton.No condemnation of Nowak's killer who of course like her is of non-white heritage.How can she live with herself ?She seems to have social and racial beliefs that are inconsistent, assuming the police, the media when it suits her and probably the rest of us are institutionally racist and that non-white critics of our institutions are always to be believed.Every incident viewed through a racial prism.And so back to Jason Arday.

John Hawkes ● 68d