“..he has the right to speak his mind and tell his own story…”
Erm, yes – but when doing so, he needs to get his facts straight and at no point in the past two years since he started “speaking his truth” has he actually achieved that with the result that no one in their right minds believes him anymore.
I want to know who was doing his PR in Buckingham Palace before Megxit. This person has magic powers and should be sought out and employed by the White House IMMEDIATELY.
My goodness, if they can conjure a “loveable, cheeky chappy” out of a bitter, twisted, delusional and pretty stupid middle-aged manchild, then they will surely be able to convince the world that Biden is mentally sound and up to the job of POTUS.
“if they can conjure a “loveable, cheeky chappy” out of a bitter, twisted, delusional and pretty stupid middle-aged manchild”
Or maybe married to that woman did change him as a person.
Lord knows. Even though I find her vile in her own right, I’m not willing to blame her entirely for this.
A good partner should bring out the best in you: they seem to bring out the very worst in one another.
Why blame her at all? One does not have to like her, but it was Harry who chose her – presumably because he wanted to become the person she ‘brings out in him’, as you say.
Rasmus, this is one of your odder comments. Questioning why she should shoulder any blame for anything that’s happened because “Harry chose” her indicates a view of her as a passive object which was “chosen” which worries me.
Women, Meghan included, aren’t commodities that are picked off a shelf to sit around looking pretty as a wife or girlfriend. We choose our partners just as much as they choose us and also take joint responsibility with them in certain cases. Or at least that’s what we do if we behave like grown adults, which I cannot say of the Sussexes.
In this day and age the “poor little ignorant woman/wife” excuse shouldn’t wash and self-respecting women shouldn’t brandish it (see Amber Heard for how that one can go wrong).
I do not doubt that she has a lot of responsibility for the outcome, just that I do not see why we should get upset about it. After all, she owes nothing to Britain or the Windsors – it may not be nice if she wants to maximise her benefit at the expense of her in-laws, but why should we be shocked?
As someone noted, Edward, Duke of Windsor, did not abdicate because he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson. He wanted to marry Wallis Simpson because then he would have to abdicate. If marrying Meghan is what led Harry to the life he has now, then that is a major reason why he chose Meghan in the first place. The Duke of Sussex is a mature adult, and there is no doubt he knows what he is doing. If he chooses a wife and a life that causes great damage to his family and his country, it is he, not his wife, who is responsible for the consequences.
In a similar vein, nobody gets mad at the KGB for recruiting traitors – that is their business after all. All the blame goes to Kim Philby, Aldrich Ames, and their like.
She owes plenty to Britain and the Windsors! She owes us big time. We paid for her wedding and welcomed her into our Nation. She repaid us with insults and disrespect. She wanted fame. So too, it appears, did Harry.
Except he is not behaving like a mature adult. He and his wife are behaving like 2 year olds who have thrown all their toys from the pram and expect others to pick them up… NOW! Not a good look in a 2 year old. Absolutely ridiculous in adults. If he wants a reconciliation with family he needs to behave like a mature adult. Probably impossible and I really wish the pair of them would shut up. My TV finger is getting sore changing channels so I don’t have to watch this rubbish.
Good for you. …. I wish them to disappear. Sadly …. I have the feeling their marriage will dissolve in 7-10 years and we will be treated to another chapter against our wills.
Not sure about ‘against our wills.’ I have a horrible feeling that the thousands and thousands of people who have purchased this utter whining, self-pitying drivel will fork out again for the next chapter.
Not sure about ‘against our wills.’ I have a horrible feeling that the thousands and thousands of people who have purchased this utter whining, self-pitying drivel will fork out again for the next chapter.
Good for you. …. I wish them to disappear. Sadly …. I have the feeling their marriage will dissolve in 7-10 years and we will be treated to another chapter against our wills.
“There is no doubt that he knows what he is doing”.
Well, excuse me but I very much beg to differ. In my opinion, the evidence to suggest that he has absolutely no idea what he is doing is more than a little compelling! Frankly, if he did know what he was doing, he wouldn’t be doing this!
You can say she owes nothing to Britain or the Windsors but what about her husband and her children ? Frankly I don’t think either of them want privacy or dignity or they wouldn’t be in the situation they are in. They will keep digging in – rest assured. Everyone should look away and not oblige them.
She owes plenty to Britain and the Windsors! She owes us big time. We paid for her wedding and welcomed her into our Nation. She repaid us with insults and disrespect. She wanted fame. So too, it appears, did Harry.
Except he is not behaving like a mature adult. He and his wife are behaving like 2 year olds who have thrown all their toys from the pram and expect others to pick them up… NOW! Not a good look in a 2 year old. Absolutely ridiculous in adults. If he wants a reconciliation with family he needs to behave like a mature adult. Probably impossible and I really wish the pair of them would shut up. My TV finger is getting sore changing channels so I don’t have to watch this rubbish.
“There is no doubt that he knows what he is doing”.
Well, excuse me but I very much beg to differ. In my opinion, the evidence to suggest that he has absolutely no idea what he is doing is more than a little compelling! Frankly, if he did know what he was doing, he wouldn’t be doing this!
You can say she owes nothing to Britain or the Windsors but what about her husband and her children ? Frankly I don’t think either of them want privacy or dignity or they wouldn’t be in the situation they are in. They will keep digging in – rest assured. Everyone should look away and not oblige them.
Not only this …. in conventional circles it’s typically thought that it is the woman who does the choosing.But that would make Harry too much of a victim.
So OKAY … he’s said his piece and we have listened. Now it’s simply time for all of us to look away. IMHO
I do not doubt that she has a lot of responsibility for the outcome, just that I do not see why we should get upset about it. After all, she owes nothing to Britain or the Windsors – it may not be nice if she wants to maximise her benefit at the expense of her in-laws, but why should we be shocked?
As someone noted, Edward, Duke of Windsor, did not abdicate because he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson. He wanted to marry Wallis Simpson because then he would have to abdicate. If marrying Meghan is what led Harry to the life he has now, then that is a major reason why he chose Meghan in the first place. The Duke of Sussex is a mature adult, and there is no doubt he knows what he is doing. If he chooses a wife and a life that causes great damage to his family and his country, it is he, not his wife, who is responsible for the consequences.
In a similar vein, nobody gets mad at the KGB for recruiting traitors – that is their business after all. All the blame goes to Kim Philby, Aldrich Ames, and their like.
Not only this …. in conventional circles it’s typically thought that it is the woman who does the choosing.But that would make Harry too much of a victim.
So OKAY … he’s said his piece and we have listened. Now it’s simply time for all of us to look away. IMHO
Women choose the man mostly, not the other way around; it’s a biological imperative and in Meghan’s case her insecurity and needs were addressed by a man socially higher up and wealthier but also very needy indeed as well; A neediness that was ripe for the plucking.
I think that you have hit the nail on the head. Meghan gets a lot of the blame, and she may be a reprehensible character, but ultimately Harry chose her. It’s hard to believe that it was some sort of “master plan” rather a series of avoidable scenarios but the word avoidable must mean that he chose to persue them
Rasmus, this is one of your odder comments. Questioning why she should shoulder any blame for anything that’s happened because “Harry chose” her indicates a view of her as a passive object which was “chosen” which worries me.
Women, Meghan included, aren’t commodities that are picked off a shelf to sit around looking pretty as a wife or girlfriend. We choose our partners just as much as they choose us and also take joint responsibility with them in certain cases. Or at least that’s what we do if we behave like grown adults, which I cannot say of the Sussexes.
In this day and age the “poor little ignorant woman/wife” excuse shouldn’t wash and self-respecting women shouldn’t brandish it (see Amber Heard for how that one can go wrong).
Women choose the man mostly, not the other way around; it’s a biological imperative and in Meghan’s case her insecurity and needs were addressed by a man socially higher up and wealthier but also very needy indeed as well; A neediness that was ripe for the plucking.
I think that you have hit the nail on the head. Meghan gets a lot of the blame, and she may be a reprehensible character, but ultimately Harry chose her. It’s hard to believe that it was some sort of “master plan” rather a series of avoidable scenarios but the word avoidable must mean that he chose to persue them
“They certainly seem to have brought out the worst in each other.”
Well they have certainly brought out something pretty nasty in you, Katherine. They seem to be ‘triggering’ you quite violently- maybe you should stop looking, if it all makes you quite so angry.
Who wouldn’ t be angry at the venom and vindictive jealousy, plus illiterate stupidity, being dumped on a helpless RF? Plus libelling an entire country.
Who wouldn’ t be angry at the venom and vindictive jealousy, plus illiterate stupidity, being dumped on a helpless RF? Plus libelling an entire country.
Why blame her at all? One does not have to like her, but it was Harry who chose her – presumably because he wanted to become the person she ‘brings out in him’, as you say.
“They certainly seem to have brought out the worst in each other.”
Well they have certainly brought out something pretty nasty in you, Katherine. They seem to be ‘triggering’ you quite violently- maybe you should stop looking, if it all makes you quite so angry.
Nice. So who are more vile- women or the lower classes, would you say, Cathy? You seem to have the misfortune of being a mere woman, so at least I assume you don’t bare the horror of being working class.
Nice. So who are more vile- women or the lower classes, would you say, Cathy? You seem to have the misfortune of being a mere woman, so at least I assume you don’t bare the horror of being working class.
Lord knows. Even though I find her vile in her own right, I’m not willing to blame her entirely for this.
A good partner should bring out the best in you: they seem to bring out the very worst in one another.
The bottom line problem is that Meghan set out to change the Royal Family and was not willing to accept the way things were done. They didn’t follow her direction, so she made them wrong.
Off to set herself up as a Champion Democrat, standing up for woke antiracism and setting up foundations to get rich off her faux charity.
Then Harold (if he pinched Lilibet without real authorization, then let him feel how hurtful it is, to have your private, intimate name used by everyone) took on the lying. He now says his family isn’t racist, when he just took a fake prize from others of the Faux Foundation Charity class, for fighting the so called racism in the Royal Family.
These people personify the Woke/Narcissistic Zeitgeist. They just s*ck.
When I received a promotion, my parents commented that I was getting ‘out-of-my-Class’. My reply was that ‘It is not where I started that counts, but where I finish.” I waspishly added: “I’ll tell you when I have reached my class …”
In Harry Markle’s case the only way is down, but in MM’s case, as she has no class, even greeting people at WalMart is up.
Re: lower class Meghan – it’s just a fact. Read her text messages that Harry published to observe her use of words and expressions. She’s ‘flip’ and even rude. The fact that she made no effort to spruce up her appearance before meeting William for the first time (she appeared in ripped jeans and barefoot). That she hugged William rather than offering a respectful handshake before she got to know him. Her over-confidence and presumption was badly played. And most grossly – and so low class not to mention unhygienic- she asked Kate to borrow her lipstick- yuck! – no one does that – at least no one with manners. You never ask to borrow anyone’s personal cosmetics. Kate was too kind and lent her the stick when she should have politely said no and explained why. Everything about Meghan and the way she acts is presumptuous and audacious. I would be offended by her behavior so I am not surprised that the royals were aghast as well. Meghan didn’t take the time or have the emotional intelligence to read the crowd and it’s totally unacceptable for Harry to make excuses for her and in turn blame his family for Meghan’s tone deafness. Ms. Markle is hardly a class act.
Agree but it’s odd in someone who went to an expensive private school and a good collegrme. I think she was acting a part, hoping it was the right part. Americans are usually more polite.
Agree but it’s odd in someone who went to an expensive private school and a good collegrme. I think she was acting a part, hoping it was the right part. Americans are usually more polite.
Re: lower class Meghan – it’s just a fact. Read her text messages that Harry published to observe her use of words and expressions. She’s ‘flip’ and even rude. The fact that she made no effort to spruce up her appearance before meeting William for the first time (she appeared in ripped jeans and barefoot). That she hugged William rather than offering a respectful handshake before she got to know him. Her over-confidence and presumption was badly played. And most grossly – and so low class not to mention unhygienic- she asked Kate to borrow her lipstick- yuck! – no one does that – at least no one with manners. You never ask to borrow anyone’s personal cosmetics. Kate was too kind and lent her the stick when she should have politely said no and explained why. Everything about Meghan and the way she acts is presumptuous and audacious. I would be offended by her behavior so I am not surprised that the royals were aghast as well. Meghan didn’t take the time or have the emotional intelligence to read the crowd and it’s totally unacceptable for Harry to make excuses for her and in turn blame his family for Meghan’s tone deafness. Ms. Markle is hardly a class act.
“if they can conjure a “loveable, cheeky chappy” out of a bitter, twisted, delusional and pretty stupid middle-aged manchild”
Or maybe married to that woman did change him as a person.
The bottom line problem is that Meghan set out to change the Royal Family and was not willing to accept the way things were done. They didn’t follow her direction, so she made them wrong.
Off to set herself up as a Champion Democrat, standing up for woke antiracism and setting up foundations to get rich off her faux charity.
Then Harold (if he pinched Lilibet without real authorization, then let him feel how hurtful it is, to have your private, intimate name used by everyone) took on the lying. He now says his family isn’t racist, when he just took a fake prize from others of the Faux Foundation Charity class, for fighting the so called racism in the Royal Family.
These people personify the Woke/Narcissistic Zeitgeist. They just s*ck.
When I received a promotion, my parents commented that I was getting ‘out-of-my-Class’. My reply was that ‘It is not where I started that counts, but where I finish.” I waspishly added: “I’ll tell you when I have reached my class …”
In Harry Markle’s case the only way is down, but in MM’s case, as she has no class, even greeting people at WalMart is up.
Last edited 1 year ago by alistair pope
Katharine Eyre
1 year ago
“..he has the right to speak his mind and tell his own story…”
Erm, yes – but when doing so, he needs to get his facts straight and at no point in the past two years since he started “speaking his truth” has he actually achieved that with the result that no one in their right minds believes him anymore.
I want to know who was doing his PR in Buckingham Palace before Megxit. This person has magic powers and should be sought out and employed by the White House IMMEDIATELY.
My goodness, if they can conjure a “loveable, cheeky chappy” out of a bitter, twisted, delusional and pretty stupid middle-aged manchild, then they will surely be able to convince the world that Biden is mentally sound and up to the job of POTUS.
ben arnulfssen
1 year ago
Sorry, but this is all his own doing. If he had chosen too step gracefully aside after the birth of his nephew, on the grounds that the succession was secure, he had done his constitutional duty and would now like to live privately away from the press which had so tormented him in his younger days, who would have denied him?
He complains that his position as a Prince prevented him from developing any career beyond opening buildings and speechifying on behalf of charities – but it seems, rather, to have been his own lack of talent and application that sealed his fate. Other princes from his own family and others across Europe, have found a useful role in life. Had Harry been so motivated, there was every opportunity for him to do so. Yet he chose to remain dependent on ‘Pa’ until the moment he decided to cash in on his Royal status while ditching the responsibilities, and wanted the family firm – and the country – to pay to keep him in the style to which his wife thought a prince should have been accustomed. While shutting the Press up with threats whenever any negative comment should appear.
He complains that his position as a Prince prevented him from developing any career beyond opening buildings and speechifying on behalf of charities – but it seems, rather, to have been his own lack of talent and application that sealed his fate. Other princes from his own family and others across Europe, have found a useful role in life. Had Harry been so motivated, there was every opportunity for him to do so. Yet he chose to remain dependent on ‘Pa’ until the moment he decided to cash in on his Royal status while ditching the responsibilities, and wanted the family firm – and the country – to pay to keep him in the style to which his wife thought a prince should have been accustomed. While shutting the Press up with threats whenever any negative comment should appear.
ben arnulfssen
1 year ago
Sorry, but this is all his own doing. If he had chosen too step gracefully aside after the birth of his nephew, on the grounds that the succession was secure, he had done his constitutional duty and would now like to live privately away from the press which had so tormented him in his younger days, who would have denied him?
But that’s not what he did.
Bob Smalser
1 year ago
My God, Harry isn’t some kid but is 38 years old. I was an infantry battalion commander at that age, responsible for the well-being of around a thousand soldiers. It will be a sad day when this juvenile finally gets dumped and wants his old job back. Betrayals have life-long consequences.
My God, Harry isn’t some kid but is 38 years old. I was an infantry battalion commander at that age, responsible for the well-being of around a thousand soldiers. It will be a sad day when this juvenile finally gets dumped and wants his old job back. Betrayals have life-long consequences.
Stephen Walsh
1 year ago
One of the least attractive elements of the Royal setup is the way children are born into a life in the public gaze without any choice in the matter, with their births and early milestones used by their family to bolster the profile of the Institution. Yet Harry and Meghan have chosen to perpetuate this on stilts for their own children, monetising their names and young lives, without in their case even the semblance of a public service justification.
True up to a point. But the eminently sensible Princess Royal refused to have titles for her children and they have lived comparatively normal lives. If Harry had renounced his titles and become Mr Windsor then his fleeing to the USA would have been applauded. He seems incapable of differentiating between the institution of monarchy and his family. It is possible to escape the former without trashing the latter.
He wants the best of both worlds and while hating the media, using them for his own gratification. Its his wife operating the strings,which will push him further down the ladder of depression.
Fair enough, but then also, Anne was never the spare; she would have been in line for the throne only if her three brothers had died without issue.
As for whether it would have been easy for Harry to fade into obscurity – I’m not so sure about that. After all, as the piece highlights, celebrity is only partly a function of personal choice; media interest and hence a prurient public play an essential part.
There are literally millions upon millions of places in the world where Harry could live in obscurity. The media has no interest in traveling to Africa or Asia for a story.
There are literally millions upon millions of places in the world where Harry could live in obscurity. The media has no interest in traveling to Africa or Asia for a story.
He wants the best of both worlds and while hating the media, using them for his own gratification. Its his wife operating the strings,which will push him further down the ladder of depression.
Fair enough, but then also, Anne was never the spare; she would have been in line for the throne only if her three brothers had died without issue.
As for whether it would have been easy for Harry to fade into obscurity – I’m not so sure about that. After all, as the piece highlights, celebrity is only partly a function of personal choice; media interest and hence a prurient public play an essential part.
We are all born into circumstance – all of us. Some are born into the shackles of royalty. Some are born into the shackles of slavery and poverty, like children in the Congo. I find it hard to shed a tear for the royals.
”One of the least attractive elements of the Royal setup is the way children are born into a life in the public gaze without any choice in the matter,”
What a silly statement… ‘Poor little rich boy’…..
It is just their thing. Want to feel this kind of feel legitimately? – well check out South Sudan starving, children’s cancer ward, the ghetto child…..
Because Royals are not to be pitied, it is their lot as it is of the ones truly born to suffer – and in really, the Royal gig is a pretty good one. As the quote in the vein of the conceit of this article says:
”“Some are born to sweet delight, Some are born to endless night.””
We are all born into “an institution” of one kind or another – poverty, middle class mediocrity, violence, starvation, lack of opportunity, etc etc. No child has any choice in the matter. Harry might not, as you say, signed the Faustian contract but his wife certainly did.
True up to a point. But the eminently sensible Princess Royal refused to have titles for her children and they have lived comparatively normal lives. If Harry had renounced his titles and become Mr Windsor then his fleeing to the USA would have been applauded. He seems incapable of differentiating between the institution of monarchy and his family. It is possible to escape the former without trashing the latter.
We are all born into circumstance – all of us. Some are born into the shackles of royalty. Some are born into the shackles of slavery and poverty, like children in the Congo. I find it hard to shed a tear for the royals.
”One of the least attractive elements of the Royal setup is the way children are born into a life in the public gaze without any choice in the matter,”
What a silly statement… ‘Poor little rich boy’…..
It is just their thing. Want to feel this kind of feel legitimately? – well check out South Sudan starving, children’s cancer ward, the ghetto child…..
Because Royals are not to be pitied, it is their lot as it is of the ones truly born to suffer – and in really, the Royal gig is a pretty good one. As the quote in the vein of the conceit of this article says:
”“Some are born to sweet delight, Some are born to endless night.””
We are all born into “an institution” of one kind or another – poverty, middle class mediocrity, violence, starvation, lack of opportunity, etc etc. No child has any choice in the matter. Harry might not, as you say, signed the Faustian contract but his wife certainly did.
Stephen Walsh
1 year ago
One of the least attractive elements of the Royal setup is the way children are born into a life in the public gaze without any choice in the matter, with their births and early milestones used by their family to bolster the profile of the Institution. Yet Harry and Meghan have chosen to perpetuate this on stilts for their own children, monetising their names and young lives, without in their case even the semblance of a public service justification.
Ian Stewart
1 year ago
The man child seems to be reacting viscerally, with no counsel in his familial interests except for those seeking to make money – his wife has abandoned her family and seems comfortable with him abandoning his family too.
One wonders where they will be in 10 years time repeating the same stories again and again.
She divorces him by then. This grievance gig will get tiring for the rest of the world, they will become irrelevant and she will move onto the next grift.
She divorces him by then. This grievance gig will get tiring for the rest of the world, they will become irrelevant and she will move onto the next grift.
The same stories but tweaked and polished and adjusted to try to attract attention yet again
Ian Stewart
1 year ago
The man child seems to be reacting viscerally, with no counsel in his familial interests except for those seeking to make money – his wife has abandoned her family and seems comfortable with him abandoning his family too.
One wonders where they will be in 10 years time repeating the same stories again and again.
Jim Veenbaas
1 year ago
Prince Harry symbolizes the weakness and delusion that is rotting out the west. He is just another grifter from the grievance dujour industry, whining about his oppression and hardship, while living in opulence. He’s no different than the privileged university student complaining about safe spaces and oppression, completely oblivious to the challenges and suffering of the other 99% of the population.
Not only the other 99% of the population, but the inhabitants of the majority of countries in the world, from Ukraine to North Korea.
Jim Veenbaas
1 year ago
Prince Harry symbolizes the weakness and delusion that is rotting out the west. He is just another grifter from the grievance dujour industry, whining about his oppression and hardship, while living in opulence. He’s no different than the privileged university student complaining about safe spaces and oppression, completely oblivious to the challenges and suffering of the other 99% of the population.
William Cameron
1 year ago
He was not “shunned” . He received a huge bequest from his mother £30m plus. He has been sent to Eton. He has been indulged in the forces . His conduct as a young man has been a world of shoots, parties, polo, travel – none of which he has had to work for. He has been endlessly going on about his mothers death. Killed by being in another country with Mr Fayed whose driver was extremely drunk. But he never mentions that bit.
If he had been a lad from, say, Scunthorpe rather than a prince, what are the chances that he would ever have met Megan Markle, or that she would have married him?
If he had been a lad from, say, Scunthorpe rather than a prince, what are the chances that he would ever have met Megan Markle, or that she would have married him?
William Cameron
1 year ago
He was not “shunned” . He received a huge bequest from his mother £30m plus. He has been sent to Eton. He has been indulged in the forces . His conduct as a young man has been a world of shoots, parties, polo, travel – none of which he has had to work for. He has been endlessly going on about his mothers death. Killed by being in another country with Mr Fayed whose driver was extremely drunk. But he never mentions that bit.
JR Stoker
1 year ago
“There are two sides to every story”. Well, no, there aren’t. There’s the truth, and then there is how the story teller may spin the story to get fame or sympathy or whatever. In other words, it’s another version of that foul expression “my truth”. Which is usually a pack of lies and distortions.
I agree. There is the truth and opinions. Woke is based on opinions which are pushed as the truth, and that’s why Woke doesn’t make much sense imo. The same with Harold and his wife – they talk in woke riddles, which work to support their narrative of being wronged by their respective families, whilst simultaneously seeking entry into the world of celebrity, which as we all know, is where safety, privacy and truth are to be found.
It’s the hypocrisy and downright self-serving dishonesty of it all which I find most annoying.
I agree. There is the truth and opinions. Woke is based on opinions which are pushed as the truth, and that’s why Woke doesn’t make much sense imo. The same with Harold and his wife – they talk in woke riddles, which work to support their narrative of being wronged by their respective families, whilst simultaneously seeking entry into the world of celebrity, which as we all know, is where safety, privacy and truth are to be found.
It’s the hypocrisy and downright self-serving dishonesty of it all which I find most annoying.
JR Stoker
1 year ago
“There are two sides to every story”. Well, no, there aren’t. There’s the truth, and then there is how the story teller may spin the story to get fame or sympathy or whatever. In other words, it’s another version of that foul expression “my truth”. Which is usually a pack of lies and distortions.
rob drummond
1 year ago
I feel dismayed that commentators often refer to these “two” as having said whatever it is and then whatever it was said – its taken as “the” truth (as opposed to THEIR truth).
I think the pair of them have to exaggerate and embellish “their story” for marketing and sales (therefore profit) purposes – in the certain knowledge the Royal Household will not stoop so low as to rebut. If they did they would be dragged into an undignified turf war. Therefore athe Sussex’ know they are safe.
Strip them of their Titles I say. They say they dont want to be part of his family – so lets do it properly.
rob drummond
1 year ago
I feel dismayed that commentators often refer to these “two” as having said whatever it is and then whatever it was said – its taken as “the” truth (as opposed to THEIR truth).
I think the pair of them have to exaggerate and embellish “their story” for marketing and sales (therefore profit) purposes – in the certain knowledge the Royal Household will not stoop so low as to rebut. If they did they would be dragged into an undignified turf war. Therefore athe Sussex’ know they are safe.
Strip them of their Titles I say. They say they dont want to be part of his family – so lets do it properly.
CHARLES STANHOPE
1 year ago
No doubt in 50 years Harry will face a vexatious prosecution for killing those 25 Taliban, just as today Soldier F is being prosecuted for killing a mere 2 of the 13 killed on so called ‘Bloody Sunday’ nearly 51 years ago.
If the propagandists for the next terrorist atrocity inflicted on us by Muslim extremists make a reference to the removal of western ‘chess pieces’, I wonder how people will react to that?
Such atrocities will inevitably happen anyway, but that’s a very prominent flag he’s just hoisted which may come back to bite him hard.
Indeed. Because, according to the Harry formerly known as ‘Prince’, HIS words weren’t dangerous: it was the ‘spin’ put on them by the nasty-wasty British Press that created the danger. Danger to him and his Montecito family, that is, and he’s VERY angry about their recklessness.In fact (?) by now he’s probably concluded that his awful family, led by the Queen Consort, was behind it, ‘feeding’ that angle to the press. No credence, then, should be given to the concerns expressed by the military, and by those responsible for the security of the injured service personnel (from many countries) due to take part in the Invictus Games? Everybody’s wrong but Harry – oh, and his ‘perfect’ Meghan.
Indeed. Because, according to the Harry formerly known as ‘Prince’, HIS words weren’t dangerous: it was the ‘spin’ put on them by the nasty-wasty British Press that created the danger. Danger to him and his Montecito family, that is, and he’s VERY angry about their recklessness.In fact (?) by now he’s probably concluded that his awful family, led by the Queen Consort, was behind it, ‘feeding’ that angle to the press. No credence, then, should be given to the concerns expressed by the military, and by those responsible for the security of the injured service personnel (from many countries) due to take part in the Invictus Games? Everybody’s wrong but Harry – oh, and his ‘perfect’ Meghan.
Difficult to tell really, but it’s not the sort of talk one might expect from the Officer’s Mess.
Either way the killing is rather ‘detached ‘ these days. Just a few blobs on a TV screen disintegrating, rather like a video game such a “Grand Theft Auto”*.
Nothing like beating a man to death with the butt of an SLR ** in Leeson St, for example.
No, from Somerset and he was a ” Galloping Grocer” aka Life Guard… Was going to be a gunner or chipper, but just joined the right interview queue at New College, as quite of few similar did when Life Guards were ‘ short’!!!
No, from Somerset and he was a ” Galloping Grocer” aka Life Guard… Was going to be a gunner or chipper, but just joined the right interview queue at New College, as quite of few similar did when Life Guards were ‘ short’!!!
What do you mean “killing is rather ‘detached ‘ these days”?
My father fought in France on the retreat to Dunkirk, and from 6th June 1944 from Gold Beach to the Netherlands, and ‘the enemy’ was usually invisible, except when surrendered or dead. He was infantry, so it would be even more remote if artillery or air force, which were much used.
Thank you.
If I may ask, how many people did your late father bayonet, bludgeon to death or shoot at very close range?
Additionally sitting in an Apache helicopter is to be rather ‘detached’, don’t you think?
You seem to be getting a bit over-excited by all this delightful talk of bludgeoning people to death, Charles.
Have you been spending too long playing video games again?
You seem to be getting a bit over-excited by all this delightful talk of bludgeoning people to death, Charles.
Have you been spending too long playing video games again?
Thank you.
If I may ask, how many people did your late father bayonet, bludgeon to death or shoot at very close range?
Additionally sitting in an Apache helicopter is to be rather ‘detached’, don’t you think?
What do you mean “killing is rather ‘detached ‘ these days”?
My father fought in France on the retreat to Dunkirk, and from 6th June 1944 from Gold Beach to the Netherlands, and ‘the enemy’ was usually invisible, except when surrendered or dead. He was infantry, so it would be even more remote if artillery or air force, which were much used.
Difficult to tell really, but it’s not the sort of talk one might expect from the Officer’s Mess.
Either way the killing is rather ‘detached ‘ these days. Just a few blobs on a TV screen disintegrating, rather like a video game such a “Grand Theft Auto”*.
Nothing like beating a man to death with the butt of an SLR ** in Leeson St, for example.
Harry didn’t kill 25 Taliban. He captured them, whinged about his life for a few hours and they shot themselves.
Wish that was mine, but sadly, stolen from the DT.
These bons mots are worthy of full attribution ! Is the “DT” the Daily Tribune? Any idea how to locate the name of the columnist-wag who came up with this?
These bons mots are worthy of full attribution ! Is the “DT” the Daily Tribune? Any idea how to locate the name of the columnist-wag who came up with this?
Generally, there is limited sympathy for combatants, i.e., people who choose to get involved in violence. Issue re that incident was that the dead were ordinary civilians. If 2 of your relatives on a civil rights march – and NI was a rotten borough at that time, as you know – had been killed Charles, one suspects the word “mere” would not have been used. In a democracy, nobody on any side should have amnesties for killing civilians and then lying about it afterwards, surely?
If the propagandists for the next terrorist atrocity inflicted on us by Muslim extremists make a reference to the removal of western ‘chess pieces’, I wonder how people will react to that?
Such atrocities will inevitably happen anyway, but that’s a very prominent flag he’s just hoisted which may come back to bite him hard.
Harry didn’t kill 25 Taliban. He captured them, whinged about his life for a few hours and they shot themselves.
Wish that was mine, but sadly, stolen from the DT.
Generally, there is limited sympathy for combatants, i.e., people who choose to get involved in violence. Issue re that incident was that the dead were ordinary civilians. If 2 of your relatives on a civil rights march – and NI was a rotten borough at that time, as you know – had been killed Charles, one suspects the word “mere” would not have been used. In a democracy, nobody on any side should have amnesties for killing civilians and then lying about it afterwards, surely?
CHARLES STANHOPE
1 year ago
No doubt in 50 years Harry will face a vexatious prosecution for killing those 25 Taliban, just as today Soldier F is being prosecuted for killing a mere 2 of the 13 killed on so called ‘Bloody Sunday’ nearly 51 years ago.
Jim Davis
1 year ago
” As a child I was taught that “actions speak louder than words.” In my (not so) humble opinion, Harry’s actions, even before handing control of his very being to Miss Markle, were never manly, and he is still a lost boy. Sadly, he turned out not to be a worthy spare, but only a flat tyre.
Last edited 1 year ago by Jim Davis
Jim Davis
1 year ago
” As a child I was taught that “actions speak louder than words.” In my (not so) humble opinion, Harry’s actions, even before handing control of his very being to Miss Markle, were never manly, and he is still a lost boy. Sadly, he turned out not to be a worthy spare, but only a flat tyre.
Last edited 1 year ago by Jim Davis
James Kirk
1 year ago
What must burn is the quiet realisation that he could have kept quiet and enjoyed life with his young family, cut a few ribbons, opened a few fetes, donned a ceremonial uniform now and again and stayed popular. This angry pressure must turn eventually on the cause of it all, his wife. Then what?
James Kirk
1 year ago
What must burn is the quiet realisation that he could have kept quiet and enjoyed life with his young family, cut a few ribbons, opened a few fetes, donned a ceremonial uniform now and again and stayed popular. This angry pressure must turn eventually on the cause of it all, his wife. Then what?
Douglas McNeish
1 year ago
Harry’s talents were put on display, as well as his much discussed weaknesses and faults. He is the most articulate of the Royals; the King speaks in a manner which immediately sets him apart from the public, an almost embarrassingly refined diction; and Prince Andrew reveals a lack of judgement and thought reflected immediately in halting speech. But Harry was never at a loss for words to express his emotions, his truth. He inherited the gift of his mother’s which enables him to present himself as someone relatable and in touch with his emotions.
But the content was toxic, and reflected a narcissism worthy of the worst of 21st century instant celebrities. He came across as a Shakespearean rival to kingly power, jealous of his elder brother’s role at the same time as he presented himself as the more worthy of the two because of his “honesty,” his “virtue,” his “truth.” His transformation from popular young prince to toxic rival has much to do with his monstrously narcissistic wife, but the jealously and resentment of family is his. All his.
Douglas McNeish
1 year ago
Harry’s talents were put on display, as well as his much discussed weaknesses and faults. He is the most articulate of the Royals; the King speaks in a manner which immediately sets him apart from the public, an almost embarrassingly refined diction; and Prince Andrew reveals a lack of judgement and thought reflected immediately in halting speech. But Harry was never at a loss for words to express his emotions, his truth. He inherited the gift of his mother’s which enables him to present himself as someone relatable and in touch with his emotions.
But the content was toxic, and reflected a narcissism worthy of the worst of 21st century instant celebrities. He came across as a Shakespearean rival to kingly power, jealous of his elder brother’s role at the same time as he presented himself as the more worthy of the two because of his “honesty,” his “virtue,” his “truth.” His transformation from popular young prince to toxic rival has much to do with his monstrously narcissistic wife, but the jealously and resentment of family is his. All his.
polidori redux
1 year ago
“Has he sold his soul to the devil — or to us?”I would have some respect for either choice. He has sold his soul to the media – toytown demons who will move on in due course. Neither the devil, nor us, ever move on.
polidori redux
1 year ago
“Has he sold his soul to the devil — or to us?”I would have some respect for either choice. He has sold his soul to the media – toytown demons who will move on in due course. Neither the devil, nor us, ever move on.
Simon South
1 year ago
I find this whole experience so sad and yet reflective of the feeding frenzy of modern society to wallow in grief whether your own or someone elses. The first point of hypocrisy is Harry’s moral crusade to build on the trauma caused to his mother by the press intrusion into her life ( whether invited or invaded ??). And the way he seeks to progress this cause, is inviting the press into his complete life (selling himself down to the last fart) to anyone with a cheque. What happened to “we want to make our own way” ? Oh but we won’t give up our titles and we will hang our family out to dry “to make our own way in life”. When is he/they going to be proclaiming frustration at having no private life themselves? Can’t be long after popular opinion is firmly switched off and they can’t even get a spot on a late night cable chat show, we will hear him/them screaming to be left alone .
The societal hypocrisy must surely be summed up by the media’s willingness to encourage an individual, who clearly has mental health/ grief issues, to lay themselves open to the world – not out of the “public interest” but for monetary return through column inches. The media using someone’s grief and vulnerabilities, for their own financial gain is sinful and evil.
Harry had a choice as to whether or not he exploited interest in his family, including his mother, but it’s too much to expect ‘the media’ not to report on it all; that’s their business, and it’s about time he realised it, as other members of his ex-family have. One hopes newspapers, and Netflix, for that matter, act with some ethics, but be realistic; if they don’t sell, they go out of business.
The media is a bit like vampires or demons, in that they have to be invited in in order to do their evil stuff. People used to know that you don’t invite evil into your house because once inside it is uncontrollable.
I am probably guilty of victim blaming here, but I was raised with the idea that we were all responsible for our own actions – hence if I invited the devil in, it would be my fault and I would have to deal and live with the consequences.
Harry had a choice as to whether or not he exploited interest in his family, including his mother, but it’s too much to expect ‘the media’ not to report on it all; that’s their business, and it’s about time he realised it, as other members of his ex-family have. One hopes newspapers, and Netflix, for that matter, act with some ethics, but be realistic; if they don’t sell, they go out of business.
The media is a bit like vampires or demons, in that they have to be invited in in order to do their evil stuff. People used to know that you don’t invite evil into your house because once inside it is uncontrollable.
I am probably guilty of victim blaming here, but I was raised with the idea that we were all responsible for our own actions – hence if I invited the devil in, it would be my fault and I would have to deal and live with the consequences.
Simon South
1 year ago
I find this whole experience so sad and yet reflective of the feeding frenzy of modern society to wallow in grief whether your own or someone elses. The first point of hypocrisy is Harry’s moral crusade to build on the trauma caused to his mother by the press intrusion into her life ( whether invited or invaded ??). And the way he seeks to progress this cause, is inviting the press into his complete life (selling himself down to the last fart) to anyone with a cheque. What happened to “we want to make our own way” ? Oh but we won’t give up our titles and we will hang our family out to dry “to make our own way in life”. When is he/they going to be proclaiming frustration at having no private life themselves? Can’t be long after popular opinion is firmly switched off and they can’t even get a spot on a late night cable chat show, we will hear him/them screaming to be left alone .
The societal hypocrisy must surely be summed up by the media’s willingness to encourage an individual, who clearly has mental health/ grief issues, to lay themselves open to the world – not out of the “public interest” but for monetary return through column inches. The media using someone’s grief and vulnerabilities, for their own financial gain is sinful and evil.
Mike Doyle
1 year ago
It has happened to them according to the true proverb,
‘The dog turns back to its own vomit’,
and,
‘The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.’
2 Peter 2:22 (NRSV)
Mike Doyle
1 year ago
It has happened to them according to the true proverb,
‘The dog turns back to its own vomit’,
and,
‘The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.’
2 Peter 2:22 (NRSV)
Dougie Undersub
1 year ago
Harry could have stepped away from The Firm and quietly made a living from his talents – if any – like Viscount Linley, or even Beatrice and Eugenie. Instead he is trading on the accident of birth that he simultaneously rails against.
If he had simply published an autobiography to get things off his chest, before sliding off into obscurity, people would probably have been more sympathetic but he has allowed Meghan to parlay his lineage into huge amounts of cash. Strange how this advocate for strong women is content to make her millions by marrying someone famous.
It will all end in tears and probably quite soon.
No one with class, dignity, restraint, or intelligence would find Meghan a role model. She is a very average chick, with some pretty awful traits – narcissism, manipulation, immaturity & rudeness.
No one with class, dignity, restraint, or intelligence would find Meghan a role model. She is a very average chick, with some pretty awful traits – narcissism, manipulation, immaturity & rudeness.
No really strong woman in her right mind would see Meghan as a role model.
Dougie Undersub
1 year ago
Harry could have stepped away from The Firm and quietly made a living from his talents – if any – like Viscount Linley, or even Beatrice and Eugenie. Instead he is trading on the accident of birth that he simultaneously rails against.
If he had simply published an autobiography to get things off his chest, before sliding off into obscurity, people would probably have been more sympathetic but he has allowed Meghan to parlay his lineage into huge amounts of cash. Strange how this advocate for strong women is content to make her millions by marrying someone famous.
It will all end in tears and probably quite soon.
Nicky Samengo-Turner
1 year ago
The truth is that the media and most people have no first hand evidence as Harry’s pre Markle mates do not speak to the media, so the only real evidence is that prior to meeting her he was a standard issue Old Etonian none too bright Blues officer, nice guy, fun, etc…. Then he suddenly turned into a completely different being, as if bitten by some strange species of neo vampire.
I found his praise of William in 2017 about the latter’s help and support with Harry’s therapy quite revealing. 5 years later…what happened?
Nicky Samengo-Turner
1 year ago
The truth is that the media and most people have no first hand evidence as Harry’s pre Markle mates do not speak to the media, so the only real evidence is that prior to meeting her he was a standard issue Old Etonian none too bright Blues officer, nice guy, fun, etc…. Then he suddenly turned into a completely different being, as if bitten by some strange species of neo vampire.
Lindsay S
1 year ago
“relationship between, certain members of the family and the tabloid press, those certain members have decided to get in the bed with the devil.” Says the man who ran to more news networks than his mother did and wonders why the family want nothing to do with him. Why would they? When every conversation is sold to the press! He appears to have zero self awareness!
Quite so. “You know, silence only allows the abuser to abuse.” Says Harry. Now, who’s silent? Not him. In the world where Russia is trying to bend the international treaties, UN is powerless, US has barely got the Speaker, China is gripped by Covid again, Brazil’s got unrest, there are floods… where was it this time? – and we’ve supposed to well up because Meghan was terribly wronged when Kate was too slow giving her the lip balm and bearing an expression H didn’t like.
But the interesting thing is, who were the ‘inner circle’ behind the great idea in general and including the Taliban kills specifically. Isn’t it interesting even his mantra of ‘protecting my family’ has become the opposite.
It’s easy to besmirch people who famously never complain nor explain however he is forgetting the old adage of giving someone enough rope to hang themself. Once, he was one of the most popular Royals amongst the common folk and now they think him a treacherous idiot or simply an idiot. He is a poor advertisement for Eton.
It’s easy to besmirch people who famously never complain nor explain however he is forgetting the old adage of giving someone enough rope to hang themself. Once, he was one of the most popular Royals amongst the common folk and now they think him a treacherous idiot or simply an idiot. He is a poor advertisement for Eton.
Quite so. “You know, silence only allows the abuser to abuse.” Says Harry. Now, who’s silent? Not him. In the world where Russia is trying to bend the international treaties, UN is powerless, US has barely got the Speaker, China is gripped by Covid again, Brazil’s got unrest, there are floods… where was it this time? – and we’ve supposed to well up because Meghan was terribly wronged when Kate was too slow giving her the lip balm and bearing an expression H didn’t like.
But the interesting thing is, who were the ‘inner circle’ behind the great idea in general and including the Taliban kills specifically. Isn’t it interesting even his mantra of ‘protecting my family’ has become the opposite.
Lindsay S
1 year ago
“relationship between, certain members of the family and the tabloid press, those certain members have decided to get in the bed with the devil.” Says the man who ran to more news networks than his mother did and wonders why the family want nothing to do with him. Why would they? When every conversation is sold to the press! He appears to have zero self awareness!
Peter B
1 year ago
It is not “his book”. He didn’t write it. Someone else did.
The author carelessly implies that those who dislike the Sussexes are “vindictive, racist and sexist” whilst a silent majority are sympathetic to Harry’s situation.
What utter nonsense. I’m pretty certain that the vast majority of the British public dislike the Sussexes and that the vast majority of those do so for perfectly rational reasons and are vastly outnumber the sympathisers.
Peter B
1 year ago
It is not “his book”. He didn’t write it. Someone else did.
The author carelessly implies that those who dislike the Sussexes are “vindictive, racist and sexist” whilst a silent majority are sympathetic to Harry’s situation.
What utter nonsense. I’m pretty certain that the vast majority of the British public dislike the Sussexes and that the vast majority of those do so for perfectly rational reasons and are vastly outnumber the sympathisers.
Margaret Donaldson
1 year ago
The last sentence in this article is telling. The safest thing to do is not to watch, not to listen, not to read, just mind one’s own business. That way, one is not complicit with the media or Harry as they go about setting up his self destruction, just as happened with his mother.
Margaret Donaldson
1 year ago
The last sentence in this article is telling. The safest thing to do is not to watch, not to listen, not to read, just mind one’s own business. That way, one is not complicit with the media or Harry as they go about setting up his self destruction, just as happened with his mother.
Phillip Arundel
1 year ago
I get an almost visceral feel of repulsion reading of this wretch and his wife. Likely because I look through the Daily Mail, which has such an excessive coverage of these two that it neglects covering the world, news, economics, or all that a newspaper is about.
But as far as this article, which is why I write – this man understands nothing of the Faustian Pact; he uses it to excuse yet another pointless story on ‘Harry and Megan’.
‘‘In the traditional Faustian transaction, the would-be genius or celebrity sells their soul, knowing that the cost is damnation and believing that the gains will be worth it.”
They Never Believe it will be worth it, but still do it for the lust of power – that is the point of this pact in our mythology. Like Robert Johnson who sold his soul to the Devil at a Delta Crossroads at Midnight to become the greatest Bluesman of all time – the whole point is how not worth it we, and they, knew it is, yet how the allure of power of adulation compels us to make this ultimate bad deal. It is a tale of the frailty of mankind.
The Pact is about how this is the worst pact possible of all deals conceivable, in all the universe, and all time; no one ever believes it worth it – and Harry never did a Faustian bargain. He is just a hapless guy caught up in the evils of the celebrity world and has been dragged around in it as he is so hapless.
But – I have seen enough of the world to believe in Good and Evil.
”‘The Devil’s cleverest wile is to make men believe that he does not exist.’’
But he does. I have long felt the few top power men in the world have done this pact though. Gates, Zuckerberg, Bezos, Dorsey, et al – I feel they went to the crossroads at midnight, on some lonely Mississippi Delta road, and did this deal. The power they have consolidated – the way they wield it, the depth of creepiness one feels looking into their eyes…..
But not Harry, he radiates none of that, more a Candidian sort of naivety sucked up into the most extreme madness of that the modern world can provide, that and him being in a world of predators of the most extreme kinds, wile not having the cleverness to swim with them as William has.
Ah we have something in common Phillip! I trawl through the DM too, partly to get the zeitgeist from mainstream media and from the reader comments – though amazingly there are sometimes very informative history and science articles which are a real treat; and the DM seems to get the drop on breaking news before anyone else too.
My reading of Harry is the same as yours – too dim witted to realise he’s taken up with the wrong people, and the wrong woman.
Ah we have something in common Phillip! I trawl through the DM too, partly to get the zeitgeist from mainstream media and from the reader comments – though amazingly there are sometimes very informative history and science articles which are a real treat; and the DM seems to get the drop on breaking news before anyone else too.
My reading of Harry is the same as yours – too dim witted to realise he’s taken up with the wrong people, and the wrong woman.
Last edited 1 year ago by Ian Stewart
Phillip Arundel
1 year ago
I get an almost visceral feel of repulsion reading of this wretch and his wife. Likely because I look through the Daily Mail, which has such an excessive coverage of these two that it neglects covering the world, news, economics, or all that a newspaper is about.
But as far as this article, which is why I write – this man understands nothing of the Faustian Pact; he uses it to excuse yet another pointless story on ‘Harry and Megan’.
‘‘In the traditional Faustian transaction, the would-be genius or celebrity sells their soul, knowing that the cost is damnation and believing that the gains will be worth it.”
They Never Believe it will be worth it, but still do it for the lust of power – that is the point of this pact in our mythology. Like Robert Johnson who sold his soul to the Devil at a Delta Crossroads at Midnight to become the greatest Bluesman of all time – the whole point is how not worth it we, and they, knew it is, yet how the allure of power of adulation compels us to make this ultimate bad deal. It is a tale of the frailty of mankind.
The Pact is about how this is the worst pact possible of all deals conceivable, in all the universe, and all time; no one ever believes it worth it – and Harry never did a Faustian bargain. He is just a hapless guy caught up in the evils of the celebrity world and has been dragged around in it as he is so hapless.
But – I have seen enough of the world to believe in Good and Evil.
”‘The Devil’s cleverest wile is to make men believe that he does not exist.’’
But he does. I have long felt the few top power men in the world have done this pact though. Gates, Zuckerberg, Bezos, Dorsey, et al – I feel they went to the crossroads at midnight, on some lonely Mississippi Delta road, and did this deal. The power they have consolidated – the way they wield it, the depth of creepiness one feels looking into their eyes…..
But not Harry, he radiates none of that, more a Candidian sort of naivety sucked up into the most extreme madness of that the modern world can provide, that and him being in a world of predators of the most extreme kinds, wile not having the cleverness to swim with them as William has.
Nicky Samengo-Turner
1 year ago
Harry is living testament to the old Foot Guards joke about Household Cavalry Officers…” Man goes to surgeon for brain transplant, and has to choose donor….. he is offered Oxford academics brain, a KCs brain, a Rich entrepreneurs brain, or a Household Cavalry officers brain… he chooses the Household Cavalry Officer option… ” It must be the cheapest, surely”….. His surgeon replies ” Oh no, its the most expensive, as its never ever been used”…..
or the great 11th Hussars Cherrypicker quote ” The Cavalry add a touch of class and panache to what would otherwise be a mere brawl”… and 2 of the last 4 Commanding Officers at Hereford have been Cherrypickers…
or the great 11th Hussars Cherrypicker quote ” The Cavalry add a touch of class and panache to what would otherwise be a mere brawl”… and 2 of the last 4 Commanding Officers at Hereford have been Cherrypickers…
Cavalry = An Army unit where the ridden has more brains than the rider.
Nicky Samengo-Turner
1 year ago
Harry is living testament to the old Foot Guards joke about Household Cavalry Officers…” Man goes to surgeon for brain transplant, and has to choose donor….. he is offered Oxford academics brain, a KCs brain, a Rich entrepreneurs brain, or a Household Cavalry officers brain… he chooses the Household Cavalry Officer option… ” It must be the cheapest, surely”….. His surgeon replies ” Oh no, its the most expensive, as its never ever been used”…..
Richard Parker
1 year ago
I don’t disagree too much with what you’re saying here, and yet, it must be noted that the Sussexes court the press at every opportunity.
Had they tried their hand at honest work after breaking with the house of Windsor, I’d have had more sympathy for them (though perhaps still not very much, to be honest).
Richard Parker
1 year ago
I don’t disagree too much with what you’re saying here, and yet, it must be noted that the Sussexes court the press at every opportunity.
Had they tried their hand at honest work after breaking with the house of Windsor, I’d have had more sympathy for them (though perhaps still not very much, to be honest).
Lucille Dunn
1 year ago
The timeline is of the essence. The book was at the printer’s, the film was in the can, when Harry came over for the obsequies of his grandmother, our late Queen. Stepping out of the phantasy world of Montecito and into reality, he suddenly realised what he had done, and frantically tried to get the book back to rewrite bits of it and to edit the film. They told him nothing doing. Now he is rowing back, hence all the contradictions.
The book was at the printer’s, the film was in the can, when Harry came over …- came over, knowing fully well what he’s going to pour on them, still wishing to get some more ‘stardust’ before that?
The book was at the printer’s, the film was in the can, when Harry came over …- came over, knowing fully well what he’s going to pour on them, still wishing to get some more ‘stardust’ before that?
Lucille Dunn
1 year ago
The timeline is of the essence. The book was at the printer’s, the film was in the can, when Harry came over for the obsequies of his grandmother, our late Queen. Stepping out of the phantasy world of Montecito and into reality, he suddenly realised what he had done, and frantically tried to get the book back to rewrite bits of it and to edit the film. They told him nothing doing. Now he is rowing back, hence all the contradictions.
jules Ritchie
1 year ago
‘You are expected to think something’ – no I’m not. I haven’t followed a word of theirs until this Unherd article. Now I know not to bother reading anything about them ever. Even if it’s appearing in a favourite media site.
jules Ritchie
1 year ago
‘You are expected to think something’ – no I’m not. I haven’t followed a word of theirs until this Unherd article. Now I know not to bother reading anything about them ever. Even if it’s appearing in a favourite media site.
E. L. Herndon
1 year ago
Prince Harry’s wokeness is off-putting rather than winning. Calls to mind a scene where Dr. Zhivago encounters an old friend who has been sent to Siberia, survived and has now returned. Zhivago muses, “It was sad, hearing him tell how he’d been re-educated. It was like hearing a circus horse tell how it had taught itself to dance.”
Prince Harry’s wokeness is off-putting rather than winning. Calls to mind a scene where Dr. Zhivago encounters an old friend who has been sent to Siberia, survived and has now returned. Zhivago muses, “It was sad, hearing him tell how he’d been re-educated. It was like hearing a circus horse tell how it had taught itself to dance.”
Gill Holway
1 year ago
Dear Harry
I lost my mother at a young age also. You may be surprised to hear that many of us do. My mother went to a long, lingering and embarrassing death from an illness which left her with no self respect and very nearly finished my relationship with my father. However, we did survive it even if it took many years to recreate family relationhips. Which we kept to ourselves.
We managed it despite the fact that things were never the same again. We managed it without writing books, sounding off to anyone, let alone the press as I felt that it was no-ones business but mine own. I dont know who or what caused this book to be written although I can make a damn good guess. You will not gain solace from it, only money and much good may that do you in the long night hours when you miss your mother and weep despite reaching adulthood. I can guarantee you that if nothing else..
Another surprise for you is that the vast majority of us miss our mothers but dont make any sort of income from it. You will find that dealing with your loss is difficult enough without letting the rest of the world in to share it with you and bitching about the other members of the family in the process.
My advice to you is to draw a line under the sounding off and get on with the grieving.
Gill Holway
1 year ago
Dear Harry
I lost my mother at a young age also. You may be surprised to hear that many of us do. My mother went to a long, lingering and embarrassing death from an illness which left her with no self respect and very nearly finished my relationship with my father. However, we did survive it even if it took many years to recreate family relationhips. Which we kept to ourselves.
We managed it despite the fact that things were never the same again. We managed it without writing books, sounding off to anyone, let alone the press as I felt that it was no-ones business but mine own. I dont know who or what caused this book to be written although I can make a damn good guess. You will not gain solace from it, only money and much good may that do you in the long night hours when you miss your mother and weep despite reaching adulthood. I can guarantee you that if nothing else..
Another surprise for you is that the vast majority of us miss our mothers but dont make any sort of income from it. You will find that dealing with your loss is difficult enough without letting the rest of the world in to share it with you and bitching about the other members of the family in the process.
My advice to you is to draw a line under the sounding off and get on with the grieving.
Anna Bramwell
1 year ago
Either vindictive or sympathetic. Hum. Funny none if this erupted till he met up with the poor girl with no family and no friends.
Anna Bramwell
1 year ago
Either vindictive or sympathetic. Hum. Funny none if this erupted till he met up with the poor girl with no family and no friends.
Iris C
1 year ago
What Harry wrote about Camilla in his book highlighted the fact that he had no idea about Charles’ relationship with her when (1) he was single; (2) during his first marriage (when infidelity took place on both sides) and (3) in the years after the divorce. She has never at any time forged a relationship with the press or leaked any intimate family matters.
His words are purely malicious and will not be forgiven by his father..
On one level anything that draws back the curtain and exposes Monarchy as a nonsense probably isn’t unhelpful IMO. He’s right about the media game that takes place for all our delectation. However then you pause and also think this isn’t a healthy environment for them or their kids and quite honesty why do we persist in requiring a family does this for us? One would not be surprised at all if Wills and Kate are now prompted to ponder whether their kids interest or the Monarchy’s interest should be their primary interest. What a desperate choice.
As regards Harry – one does wonder what would have happened had his family’s security been funded by the Palace. (They’ve carried on funding Andrew’s and he isn’t now working for it so a clear inconsistency, and which could have still made a positive contribution?). How much of the need to make this Faustian bargain is thus because H&M now need a lifetime of security which will run into $millions? And I don’t buy that his comments on killing Taliban created this risk. They’d already got a huge target on their back for any Islamist terrorist or other nutter. Thus IMO the Palace played a game of blackmail using security as a lever and lost. Fair play to him for telling them to ‘stick it’ and covering his costs another way.
Specifically regards the killing – the article probably removes the context in which he disclosed that and perhaps we should read the whole before fully judging? As understand it he explains how an army trains a solider to think and to dehumanise because it has to and this is his example. So there is a sympathy and a context to how he includes this, whether wise or not. There may be an ‘Omerta’ about discussing this publicly but be in no doubt soldiers talk like this sort of thing amongst themselves. The odd TV General po-faced complaining about this looking probably to make some money is fairly cringeworthy too. Is not transparency important? We know exactly how many British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. We do not know how many Afghans were killed, although we occasionally pick up it was many more and not insignificant number probably innocent. How many did we kill unnecessarily or where we could have operated with more care? What lessons have been learned as we are in the drone-strike era? How much impact does the understandable dehumanising of an enemy to allow a soldier to fight result in broader damage and risk perpetuating the conflict? Every conflict results in some innocent loss of life, but do we do ourselves and our soldiers a disservice to not be open about this and what may be the consequences. Credit to H for raising this if it prompts more thought.
I fully expect soldiers have certain ways of thinking about the people they have killed in battle to help them cope…but the point is, they either keep this to themselves, or only talk about it to select other people such as other ex-soldiers or perhaps a therapist. They do not broadcast it or make millions off publishing it. That is the difference between propriety, professionalism and honour on the one hand and crass commercialisation and betrayal on the other.
One of Harry’s big mistakes (for there are many) is his failure to understand what should be kept quiet & private and what is off limits in terms of commercialisation.
Understand the point KE, and this is the ‘Omerta’ that is often expected. What I’m challenging is whether this is always right? The views of soldiers not universal on this and some have quite welcomed his openness.
Why do you think it should be hidden/unspoken? I appreciate what he flags is not comfortable and perhaps many of us would prefer to remain blissfully ignorant but is that ignorance in our collective interest?
There are plenty of soldier memoirs that inevitably cover similar. Every war we’ve been involved in has generated this genre. And it’s true often they are criticised for the same. Point being though he’s hardly alone, he’s just more high profile.
I am with you on this one. I am actually sick to the bone of such a lot of H&M slagging. It is unrelenting & unbridled & unbearable. Such a lot of hate is being generated and I was so glad that unheard had not caught caught up with any of this …., then this article.
I see H as really good person who had a very sad upbringing. I see him as speaking just as he felt it. If it was killing a number of Taliban, it is neither good nor bad. It just IS. To view it in more complex terms, it is the listener’s choice.
I have only heard them speak at the Opera interview, they are just normal. They are neither slanderous, nor accusatory . It came across to me as they are just saying so.
The way people are judging him only reverberates to what they read into it and don’t like about themselves. He is showing them their own portrait which is ugly. Hence the unbridled hatred.
Personally, I have almost no interest in H&M, nor in fact in the rest of the Royal family, and I find the rather obsessive, full-time preoccupation of their haters quite wierd.
As you say, it only really makes any sense if there’s something else going on with these people, something that might explain why two narcissistic but objectively pretty harmless people (in relation to the many murderous lunatics in the world who attract no comparable ire) make some people almost incandescent with bilious rage. What EXACTLY have either of them done that makes them so much worse than the average serial killer?
I suppose it keeps these people entertained, if not exactly happy.
‘Personally, I have almost no interest in H&M, nor in fact in the rest of the Royal family, and I find the rather obsessive, full-time preoccupation of their haters quite wierd.’
But you clicked the article and proceeded to, I assume, read both the article and the comments. Then comment yourself. I suppose its keeping you entertained……
Well yes, true. I read nearly all of the articles on this site, and get much amusement scrolling through the viscerally hateful and splenetic comments that invariably follow- whilst wondering why such an almost uniformly right-of-Attila-the-Hun bunch are attracted to such a varied and intelligent selection of writers. I suppose if they read stuff they liked, they wouldn’t feel the joy of being relentlessly furious.
But I have little opinion of the supposedly evil H&M one way or the other, so I find the sheer spleen invoked by them quite curious. But yes, it keeps me entertained.
Ah the joy of being relentlessly furious….. I only to come here to vent really saves the ears of the people at home. If you have little opinion, then how can you argue with others that do? If you have little interest in the subject as you said, then how do you know the ‘splenetic comments’ are unjustified? No one has said they are evil. They have made a right ridiculous show of themselves, Harry talking about ‘chess pieces’ was absolutely downright stupid.
Firstly, anyone who gets into a lather either way about the doings of the Royal family needs to get a sense of perspective. It’s like getting really, really angry (or excited) about crisps.
Secondly, while no-one has used the word ‘evil’ here- yet- they have called her “vile” (and, shock, “lower class”- yikes!), and him a “bitter twisted stupid and delusional manchild”. Such frothing bile vented over such people is more a sign of someone lacking a life than a meaningful opinion.
The British people, whom half the post here insist (in that way that ranters always claim to know the collective opinions of ‘normal people’) have no interest in the daft couple beyond a sensibly profound dislike, have nevertheless just made Harry’s book the fastest-ever selling non-fiction book in Britain. Which makes me wonder how many of these frothers here were at the front of the book shop queue.
Fair enough 🙂 I was just drawing you out cos I could really…. I actually thought some of your comments were pretty entertaining.
Well there’s actually a fair few Americans comment here, brits seem to be in the minority sometimes tbh.
You should read George Katkov’s book about the venomous libellous campaign against the last Tsarina that helped to bring down the Russian monarchy. The same has been said about the malicious focus on Marie Antoinette.
Fair enough 🙂 I was just drawing you out cos I could really…. I actually thought some of your comments were pretty entertaining.
Well there’s actually a fair few Americans comment here, brits seem to be in the minority sometimes tbh.
You should read George Katkov’s book about the venomous libellous campaign against the last Tsarina that helped to bring down the Russian monarchy. The same has been said about the malicious focus on Marie Antoinette.
Firstly, anyone who gets into a lather either way about the doings of the Royal family needs to get a sense of perspective. It’s like getting really, really angry (or excited) about crisps.
Secondly, while no-one has used the word ‘evil’ here- yet- they have called her “vile” (and, shock, “lower class”- yikes!), and him a “bitter twisted stupid and delusional manchild”. Such frothing bile vented over such people is more a sign of someone lacking a life than a meaningful opinion.
The British people, whom half the post here insist (in that way that ranters always claim to know the collective opinions of ‘normal people’) have no interest in the daft couple beyond a sensibly profound dislike, have nevertheless just made Harry’s book the fastest-ever selling non-fiction book in Britain. Which makes me wonder how many of these frothers here were at the front of the book shop queue.
Ah the joy of being relentlessly furious….. I only to come here to vent really saves the ears of the people at home. If you have little opinion, then how can you argue with others that do? If you have little interest in the subject as you said, then how do you know the ‘splenetic comments’ are unjustified? No one has said they are evil. They have made a right ridiculous show of themselves, Harry talking about ‘chess pieces’ was absolutely downright stupid.
Well yes, true. I read nearly all of the articles on this site, and get much amusement scrolling through the viscerally hateful and splenetic comments that invariably follow- whilst wondering why such an almost uniformly right-of-Attila-the-Hun bunch are attracted to such a varied and intelligent selection of writers. I suppose if they read stuff they liked, they wouldn’t feel the joy of being relentlessly furious.
But I have little opinion of the supposedly evil H&M one way or the other, so I find the sheer spleen invoked by them quite curious. But yes, it keeps me entertained.
‘Personally, I have almost no interest in H&M, nor in fact in the rest of the Royal family, and I find the rather obsessive, full-time preoccupation of their haters quite wierd.’
But you clicked the article and proceeded to, I assume, read both the article and the comments. Then comment yourself. I suppose its keeping you entertained……
William had exactly the same loss and tragedy snd worked as an air ambulance pilot and found an alternative family with the Middletons. As well as trying to help his drug addled really stupid brother.
Personally, I have almost no interest in H&M, nor in fact in the rest of the Royal family, and I find the rather obsessive, full-time preoccupation of their haters quite wierd.
As you say, it only really makes any sense if there’s something else going on with these people, something that might explain why two narcissistic but objectively pretty harmless people (in relation to the many murderous lunatics in the world who attract no comparable ire) make some people almost incandescent with bilious rage. What EXACTLY have either of them done that makes them so much worse than the average serial killer?
I suppose it keeps these people entertained, if not exactly happy.
William had exactly the same loss and tragedy snd worked as an air ambulance pilot and found an alternative family with the Middletons. As well as trying to help his drug addled really stupid brother.
I am with you on this one. I am actually sick to the bone of such a lot of H&M slagging. It is unrelenting & unbridled & unbearable. Such a lot of hate is being generated and I was so glad that unheard had not caught caught up with any of this …., then this article.
I see H as really good person who had a very sad upbringing. I see him as speaking just as he felt it. If it was killing a number of Taliban, it is neither good nor bad. It just IS. To view it in more complex terms, it is the listener’s choice.
I have only heard them speak at the Opera interview, they are just normal. They are neither slanderous, nor accusatory . It came across to me as they are just saying so.
The way people are judging him only reverberates to what they read into it and don’t like about themselves. He is showing them their own portrait which is ugly. Hence the unbridled hatred.
Understand the point KE, and this is the ‘Omerta’ that is often expected. What I’m challenging is whether this is always right? The views of soldiers not universal on this and some have quite welcomed his openness.
Why do you think it should be hidden/unspoken? I appreciate what he flags is not comfortable and perhaps many of us would prefer to remain blissfully ignorant but is that ignorance in our collective interest?
There are plenty of soldier memoirs that inevitably cover similar. Every war we’ve been involved in has generated this genre. And it’s true often they are criticised for the same. Point being though he’s hardly alone, he’s just more high profile.
The normal kill rate is about 10-20 to I, for good versus evil.
Thus in Vietnam circa 58,000 US dead for about 1 million Vietnamese dead.
Israel sometimes produces even better figures.
The “Palace” doesn’t fund royal security. It’s out of the Public Purse and administered by committee into which a member of palace staff has an input. Talking to an ex Police Motorcyclist it would appear that MM wanted a full entourage with outriders wherever she went on a “look-at-me – I’m-important/famous” basis. I think they would still have done the same things to make money.
Sorry DP, on this point if Palace had pushed for it I’m sure it’d been covered and they could have come to some deal on some duties too. How are they covering Andrew’s? Jeez he’s been involved in a sex abuse case and no longer a working Royal. We’re paying for him.
As regards the Police Motorcyclist insight – that is not far away from ‘the bloke down the pub said it so it must be true…’. Sorry but it’s almost comical that we’d think such a role would have the inside track. I daresay rumours all over the place and he/she may have been at the end of a v long chain of supposition/distortion. Unless of course the key decision maker thought ‘err actually I better tell that police motorcyclist’ the full story too’.
Well, as part of any deal H+M would have had to agree on what duties to be responsible for, and to a number of limits on what they could do and how they could do it. Where, how, and how much they could go with their security escort, for a start. And, without calling anybody vile, surely the dynamic duo has shown that they are quite reluctant to accept that kind of constraints?
Well, as part of any deal H+M would have had to agree on what duties to be responsible for, and to a number of limits on what they could do and how they could do it. Where, how, and how much they could go with their security escort, for a start. And, without calling anybody vile, surely the dynamic duo has shown that they are quite reluctant to accept that kind of constraints?
Sorry DP, on this point if Palace had pushed for it I’m sure it’d been covered and they could have come to some deal on some duties too. How are they covering Andrew’s? Jeez he’s been involved in a sex abuse case and no longer a working Royal. We’re paying for him.
As regards the Police Motorcyclist insight – that is not far away from ‘the bloke down the pub said it so it must be true…’. Sorry but it’s almost comical that we’d think such a role would have the inside track. I daresay rumours all over the place and he/she may have been at the end of a v long chain of supposition/distortion. Unless of course the key decision maker thought ‘err actually I better tell that police motorcyclist’ the full story too’.
I fully expect soldiers have certain ways of thinking about the people they have killed in battle to help them cope…but the point is, they either keep this to themselves, or only talk about it to select other people such as other ex-soldiers or perhaps a therapist. They do not broadcast it or make millions off publishing it. That is the difference between propriety, professionalism and honour on the one hand and crass commercialisation and betrayal on the other.
One of Harry’s big mistakes (for there are many) is his failure to understand what should be kept quiet & private and what is off limits in terms of commercialisation.
The normal kill rate is about 10-20 to I, for good versus evil.
Thus in Vietnam circa 58,000 US dead for about 1 million Vietnamese dead.
Israel sometimes produces even better figures.
The “Palace” doesn’t fund royal security. It’s out of the Public Purse and administered by committee into which a member of palace staff has an input. Talking to an ex Police Motorcyclist it would appear that MM wanted a full entourage with outriders wherever she went on a “look-at-me – I’m-important/famous” basis. I think they would still have done the same things to make money.
j watson
1 year ago
On one level anything that draws back the curtain and exposes Monarchy as a nonsense probably isn’t unhelpful IMO. He’s right about the media game that takes place for all our delectation. However then you pause and also think this isn’t a healthy environment for them or their kids and quite honesty why do we persist in requiring a family does this for us? One would not be surprised at all if Wills and Kate are now prompted to ponder whether their kids interest or the Monarchy’s interest should be their primary interest. What a desperate choice.
As regards Harry – one does wonder what would have happened had his family’s security been funded by the Palace. (They’ve carried on funding Andrew’s and he isn’t now working for it so a clear inconsistency, and which could have still made a positive contribution?). How much of the need to make this Faustian bargain is thus because H&M now need a lifetime of security which will run into $millions? And I don’t buy that his comments on killing Taliban created this risk. They’d already got a huge target on their back for any Islamist terrorist or other nutter. Thus IMO the Palace played a game of blackmail using security as a lever and lost. Fair play to him for telling them to ‘stick it’ and covering his costs another way.
Specifically regards the killing – the article probably removes the context in which he disclosed that and perhaps we should read the whole before fully judging? As understand it he explains how an army trains a solider to think and to dehumanise because it has to and this is his example. So there is a sympathy and a context to how he includes this, whether wise or not. There may be an ‘Omerta’ about discussing this publicly but be in no doubt soldiers talk like this sort of thing amongst themselves. The odd TV General po-faced complaining about this looking probably to make some money is fairly cringeworthy too. Is not transparency important? We know exactly how many British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. We do not know how many Afghans were killed, although we occasionally pick up it was many more and not insignificant number probably innocent. How many did we kill unnecessarily or where we could have operated with more care? What lessons have been learned as we are in the drone-strike era? How much impact does the understandable dehumanising of an enemy to allow a soldier to fight result in broader damage and risk perpetuating the conflict? Every conflict results in some innocent loss of life, but do we do ourselves and our soldiers a disservice to not be open about this and what may be the consequences. Credit to H for raising this if it prompts more thought.
Last edited 1 year ago by j watson
Jürg Gassmann
1 year ago
You are right to emphasise that Harry had no choice in the Faustian Bargain, but you are wrong to say that he voluntarily returned to the table to sign it. Celebrity was never going to leave Harry, and he has arguably – as with the Invictus Games – put it to good use. Apart from killing, it is the only skill he was taught.
An essential element of the Faustian Bargain is that it is secret. Harry is whistleblowing its terms.
I have not read either the book or followed the matter closely, but just the facts of his situation set up its toxicity. His only role in life was to be the spare, and after William and Kate had children, even that role fell away.
It is the inevitable toxicity of the situation that killed his mother. It seems she gained enough self-awareness before her death to instil in Harry an ambition to avoid the fates of Harry’s immediate predecessors in the role: Princess Margaret, Prince Andrew.
So long as a monarchy is retained, so long we accept the human sacrifice involved.
Come on. Diana was killed by a drunk chauffeur speeding to get free of the press and unwilling to tell his employer that he was in no condition to drive. Unless you believe in supernatural forces of fate this has nothing to do with the ‘inevitable toxicity’ of anything.
And if I had been in her situation, I would have put on a safety belt, which is automatic for me and for most people, now. The only person in the car who did so survived.
Not that I want to get conspiratorial, but the driver did not look drunk in his last photo. He has an appropriate expression on his face as the paparazzi took the photo.
Then there are the witnesses’ testimony of the swarm of paparazzi and a light reflected in the car window.
You are making the mistake of injecting facts into the discussion. That is wholly inappropriate. In this thread, you manifest your wokeness and true faith, not facts or doubt.
Let us walk through this, then. They died because their Mercedes drove into a concrete pillar at high speed (much above the speed limit) and they were not wearing seat belts. There were photographers at the scene immediately to prove that. No one but the driver (who was not wearing a seat belt, and died in the crash) could have controlled the speed or trajectory of the car. Any fancy operation to cause the crash deliberately would have been a failure if the car had been driving at normal speed, so there was no point in even trying. This was not the normal driver or car, and the change had been decided at the last minute, so not much scope for long-term planning. The relevant decisions were taken at the Hotel Ritz, Al Fayeed’s turf and under his control, and Al Fayeed had every motive to keep them both alive. A murder plan would have required several miracles to come off – and even trying would mean a large government level operation, multiple personnel, safe houses in Paris etc. Which would require operating covertly in the French capital, risking discovery and scandal, or buying off the French state, at great risk and cost. Why would the Blair government do that – to save Prince Charles from embarrassment?? Even if they had wanted to – does anyone believe that the Royal Family would be able to command that kind of operation without the government finding out? For the purpose of killing a popular young woman with no security problem involved? With hordes of photographers swarming at all times? At the immense risk of some participant or French cop blowing the whistle either before or afterwards?
Some accidents – like a helicopter crash – could be arranged simply, but this one could not, for at least three cast-iron reasons. It might be just possible that there could have been some contribution from a Paparazzo that got ahead of the pack, or some third-party car (a white Fiat??) getting in the way. But none of that would change the fact that this was a genuine accident.
I’d also add, that Diana also courted the media knowing full well that the Royals don’t complain or explain. The pap chase was an “own dumb fault” situation which Harry, with his towering intellect, feels compelled to copy because when it comes to making wise decisions on safety, he looks to his mother.
Not enough children grow up with the phrase “own dumb fault”. That’s the real tragedy here.
I’d also add, that Diana also courted the media knowing full well that the Royals don’t complain or explain. The pap chase was an “own dumb fault” situation which Harry, with his towering intellect, feels compelled to copy because when it comes to making wise decisions on safety, he looks to his mother.
Not enough children grow up with the phrase “own dumb fault”. That’s the real tragedy here.
You are making the mistake of injecting facts into the discussion. That is wholly inappropriate. In this thread, you manifest your wokeness and true faith, not facts or doubt.
Let us walk through this, then. They died because their Mercedes drove into a concrete pillar at high speed (much above the speed limit) and they were not wearing seat belts. There were photographers at the scene immediately to prove that. No one but the driver (who was not wearing a seat belt, and died in the crash) could have controlled the speed or trajectory of the car. Any fancy operation to cause the crash deliberately would have been a failure if the car had been driving at normal speed, so there was no point in even trying. This was not the normal driver or car, and the change had been decided at the last minute, so not much scope for long-term planning. The relevant decisions were taken at the Hotel Ritz, Al Fayeed’s turf and under his control, and Al Fayeed had every motive to keep them both alive. A murder plan would have required several miracles to come off – and even trying would mean a large government level operation, multiple personnel, safe houses in Paris etc. Which would require operating covertly in the French capital, risking discovery and scandal, or buying off the French state, at great risk and cost. Why would the Blair government do that – to save Prince Charles from embarrassment?? Even if they had wanted to – does anyone believe that the Royal Family would be able to command that kind of operation without the government finding out? For the purpose of killing a popular young woman with no security problem involved? With hordes of photographers swarming at all times? At the immense risk of some participant or French cop blowing the whistle either before or afterwards?
Some accidents – like a helicopter crash – could be arranged simply, but this one could not, for at least three cast-iron reasons. It might be just possible that there could have been some contribution from a Paparazzo that got ahead of the pack, or some third-party car (a white Fiat??) getting in the way. But none of that would change the fact that this was a genuine accident.
And if I had been in her situation, I would have put on a safety belt, which is automatic for me and for most people, now. The only person in the car who did so survived.
Not that I want to get conspiratorial, but the driver did not look drunk in his last photo. He has an appropriate expression on his face as the paparazzi took the photo.
Then there are the witnesses’ testimony of the swarm of paparazzi and a light reflected in the car window.
The media has stirred up a lot of hate in the population in England. Hate is such a base emotion and as we can tell it’s being drawn out of the public in copious quantities. What bad karma people bring with their negative thoughts about one human who is just as flawed as themselves . It is not he who will pay the price, they all will.
I thought the psyche of the population was more evolved & mature than this venom being spewed both by the author & most of the readers. . I am not a Christian but I would say , take the plank out of your eyes before you ask the splinter in his eye to be removed.
I didn’t think the author spewed much “venom’- it seems a reasonable piece to me. It’s quite harsh in some ways, but they are both wealthy, privileged adults who are doing financially very well out of the situation, and far less thoughtful stuff is written about them on an hourly basis.
BTL is a different story..
I didn’t think the author spewed much “venom’- it seems a reasonable piece to me. It’s quite harsh in some ways, but they are both wealthy, privileged adults who are doing financially very well out of the situation, and far less thoughtful stuff is written about them on an hourly basis.
BTL is a different story..
V much agree JG, albeit I do think Diana’s death was just a tragic accident and no conspiracy. That said if you are chased everywhere it probably does increase the chances of a road traffic accident.
Come on. Diana was killed by a drunk chauffeur speeding to get free of the press and unwilling to tell his employer that he was in no condition to drive. Unless you believe in supernatural forces of fate this has nothing to do with the ‘inevitable toxicity’ of anything.
The media has stirred up a lot of hate in the population in England. Hate is such a base emotion and as we can tell it’s being drawn out of the public in copious quantities. What bad karma people bring with their negative thoughts about one human who is just as flawed as themselves . It is not he who will pay the price, they all will.
I thought the psyche of the population was more evolved & mature than this venom being spewed both by the author & most of the readers. . I am not a Christian but I would say , take the plank out of your eyes before you ask the splinter in his eye to be removed.
V much agree JG, albeit I do think Diana’s death was just a tragic accident and no conspiracy. That said if you are chased everywhere it probably does increase the chances of a road traffic accident.
Jürg Gassmann
1 year ago
You are right to emphasise that Harry had no choice in the Faustian Bargain, but you are wrong to say that he voluntarily returned to the table to sign it. Celebrity was never going to leave Harry, and he has arguably – as with the Invictus Games – put it to good use. Apart from killing, it is the only skill he was taught.
An essential element of the Faustian Bargain is that it is secret. Harry is whistleblowing its terms.
I have not read either the book or followed the matter closely, but just the facts of his situation set up its toxicity. His only role in life was to be the spare, and after William and Kate had children, even that role fell away.
It is the inevitable toxicity of the situation that killed his mother. It seems she gained enough self-awareness before her death to instil in Harry an ambition to avoid the fates of Harry’s immediate predecessors in the role: Princess Margaret, Prince Andrew.
So long as a monarchy is retained, so long we accept the human sacrifice involved.
Main Edition
US
FR
“..he has the right to speak his mind and tell his own story…”
Erm, yes – but when doing so, he needs to get his facts straight and at no point in the past two years since he started “speaking his truth” has he actually achieved that with the result that no one in their right minds believes him anymore.
I want to know who was doing his PR in Buckingham Palace before Megxit. This person has magic powers and should be sought out and employed by the White House IMMEDIATELY.
My goodness, if they can conjure a “loveable, cheeky chappy” out of a bitter, twisted, delusional and pretty stupid middle-aged manchild, then they will surely be able to convince the world that Biden is mentally sound and up to the job of POTUS.
“if they can conjure a “loveable, cheeky chappy” out of a bitter, twisted, delusional and pretty stupid middle-aged manchild”
Or maybe married to that woman did change him as a person.
Lord knows. Even though I find her vile in her own right, I’m not willing to blame her entirely for this.
A good partner should bring out the best in you: they seem to bring out the very worst in one another.
Indeed – a narcissistic folie-a-deux.
Why blame her at all? One does not have to like her, but it was Harry who chose her – presumably because he wanted to become the person she ‘brings out in him’, as you say.
Rasmus, this is one of your odder comments. Questioning why she should shoulder any blame for anything that’s happened because “Harry chose” her indicates a view of her as a passive object which was “chosen” which worries me.
Women, Meghan included, aren’t commodities that are picked off a shelf to sit around looking pretty as a wife or girlfriend. We choose our partners just as much as they choose us and also take joint responsibility with them in certain cases. Or at least that’s what we do if we behave like grown adults, which I cannot say of the Sussexes.
In this day and age the “poor little ignorant woman/wife” excuse shouldn’t wash and self-respecting women shouldn’t brandish it (see Amber Heard for how that one can go wrong).
I do not doubt that she has a lot of responsibility for the outcome, just that I do not see why we should get upset about it. After all, she owes nothing to Britain or the Windsors – it may not be nice if she wants to maximise her benefit at the expense of her in-laws, but why should we be shocked?
As someone noted, Edward, Duke of Windsor, did not abdicate because he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson. He wanted to marry Wallis Simpson because then he would have to abdicate. If marrying Meghan is what led Harry to the life he has now, then that is a major reason why he chose Meghan in the first place. The Duke of Sussex is a mature adult, and there is no doubt he knows what he is doing. If he chooses a wife and a life that causes great damage to his family and his country, it is he, not his wife, who is responsible for the consequences.
In a similar vein, nobody gets mad at the KGB for recruiting traitors – that is their business after all. All the blame goes to Kim Philby, Aldrich Ames, and their like.
She owes plenty to Britain and the Windsors! She owes us big time. We paid for her wedding and welcomed her into our Nation. She repaid us with insults and disrespect. She wanted fame. So too, it appears, did Harry.
Except he is not behaving like a mature adult. He and his wife are behaving like 2 year olds who have thrown all their toys from the pram and expect others to pick them up… NOW! Not a good look in a 2 year old. Absolutely ridiculous in adults. If he wants a reconciliation with family he needs to behave like a mature adult. Probably impossible and I really wish the pair of them would shut up. My TV finger is getting sore changing channels so I don’t have to watch this rubbish.
I agree.
Good for you. …. I wish them to disappear. Sadly …. I have the feeling their marriage will dissolve in 7-10 years and we will be treated to another chapter against our wills.
Not sure about ‘against our wills.’ I have a horrible feeling that the thousands and thousands of people who have purchased this utter whining, self-pitying drivel will fork out again for the next chapter.
Not sure about ‘against our wills.’ I have a horrible feeling that the thousands and thousands of people who have purchased this utter whining, self-pitying drivel will fork out again for the next chapter.
I agree.
Good for you. …. I wish them to disappear. Sadly …. I have the feeling their marriage will dissolve in 7-10 years and we will be treated to another chapter against our wills.
I don’t think ‘mature’ means what you think it means, Rasmus.
He is a middle aged white male, as he described the Palace ‘suits’, meaning it critically, one gathers.
He is a middle aged white male, as he described the Palace ‘suits’, meaning it critically, one gathers.
“There is no doubt that he knows what he is doing”.
Well, excuse me but I very much beg to differ. In my opinion, the evidence to suggest that he has absolutely no idea what he is doing is more than a little compelling! Frankly, if he did know what he was doing, he wouldn’t be doing this!
You can say she owes nothing to Britain or the Windsors but what about her husband and her children ? Frankly I don’t think either of them want privacy or dignity or they wouldn’t be in the situation they are in. They will keep digging in – rest assured. Everyone should look away and not oblige them.
She owes plenty to Britain and the Windsors! She owes us big time. We paid for her wedding and welcomed her into our Nation. She repaid us with insults and disrespect. She wanted fame. So too, it appears, did Harry.
Except he is not behaving like a mature adult. He and his wife are behaving like 2 year olds who have thrown all their toys from the pram and expect others to pick them up… NOW! Not a good look in a 2 year old. Absolutely ridiculous in adults. If he wants a reconciliation with family he needs to behave like a mature adult. Probably impossible and I really wish the pair of them would shut up. My TV finger is getting sore changing channels so I don’t have to watch this rubbish.
I don’t think ‘mature’ means what you think it means, Rasmus.
“There is no doubt that he knows what he is doing”.
Well, excuse me but I very much beg to differ. In my opinion, the evidence to suggest that he has absolutely no idea what he is doing is more than a little compelling! Frankly, if he did know what he was doing, he wouldn’t be doing this!
You can say she owes nothing to Britain or the Windsors but what about her husband and her children ? Frankly I don’t think either of them want privacy or dignity or they wouldn’t be in the situation they are in. They will keep digging in – rest assured. Everyone should look away and not oblige them.
From what I’ve seen on these pages, he’s set himself a pretty high bar!
Not only this …. in conventional circles it’s typically thought that it is the woman who does the choosing.But that would make Harry too much of a victim.
So OKAY … he’s said his piece and we have listened. Now it’s simply time for all of us to look away. IMHO
I do not doubt that she has a lot of responsibility for the outcome, just that I do not see why we should get upset about it. After all, she owes nothing to Britain or the Windsors – it may not be nice if she wants to maximise her benefit at the expense of her in-laws, but why should we be shocked?
As someone noted, Edward, Duke of Windsor, did not abdicate because he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson. He wanted to marry Wallis Simpson because then he would have to abdicate. If marrying Meghan is what led Harry to the life he has now, then that is a major reason why he chose Meghan in the first place. The Duke of Sussex is a mature adult, and there is no doubt he knows what he is doing. If he chooses a wife and a life that causes great damage to his family and his country, it is he, not his wife, who is responsible for the consequences.
In a similar vein, nobody gets mad at the KGB for recruiting traitors – that is their business after all. All the blame goes to Kim Philby, Aldrich Ames, and their like.
From what I’ve seen on these pages, he’s set himself a pretty high bar!
Not only this …. in conventional circles it’s typically thought that it is the woman who does the choosing.But that would make Harry too much of a victim.
So OKAY … he’s said his piece and we have listened. Now it’s simply time for all of us to look away. IMHO
Women choose the man mostly, not the other way around; it’s a biological imperative and in Meghan’s case her insecurity and needs were addressed by a man socially higher up and wealthier but also very needy indeed as well; A neediness that was ripe for the plucking.
spot on! all boxes ticked there
spot on! all boxes ticked there
I think that you have hit the nail on the head. Meghan gets a lot of the blame, and she may be a reprehensible character, but ultimately Harry chose her. It’s hard to believe that it was some sort of “master plan” rather a series of avoidable scenarios but the word avoidable must mean that he chose to persue them
Rasmus, this is one of your odder comments. Questioning why she should shoulder any blame for anything that’s happened because “Harry chose” her indicates a view of her as a passive object which was “chosen” which worries me.
Women, Meghan included, aren’t commodities that are picked off a shelf to sit around looking pretty as a wife or girlfriend. We choose our partners just as much as they choose us and also take joint responsibility with them in certain cases. Or at least that’s what we do if we behave like grown adults, which I cannot say of the Sussexes.
In this day and age the “poor little ignorant woman/wife” excuse shouldn’t wash and self-respecting women shouldn’t brandish it (see Amber Heard for how that one can go wrong).
Women choose the man mostly, not the other way around; it’s a biological imperative and in Meghan’s case her insecurity and needs were addressed by a man socially higher up and wealthier but also very needy indeed as well; A neediness that was ripe for the plucking.
I think that you have hit the nail on the head. Meghan gets a lot of the blame, and she may be a reprehensible character, but ultimately Harry chose her. It’s hard to believe that it was some sort of “master plan” rather a series of avoidable scenarios but the word avoidable must mean that he chose to persue them
“They certainly seem to have brought out the worst in each other.”
Well they have certainly brought out something pretty nasty in you, Katherine. They seem to be ‘triggering’ you quite violently- maybe you should stop looking, if it all makes you quite so angry.
Who wouldn’ t be angry at the venom and vindictive jealousy, plus illiterate stupidity, being dumped on a helpless RF? Plus libelling an entire country.
Rubbish. Katharine is spot on. Nasty is a silly word to describe what she says.
Who wouldn’ t be angry at the venom and vindictive jealousy, plus illiterate stupidity, being dumped on a helpless RF? Plus libelling an entire country.
Rubbish. Katharine is spot on. Nasty is a silly word to describe what she says.
Indeed – a narcissistic folie-a-deux.
Why blame her at all? One does not have to like her, but it was Harry who chose her – presumably because he wanted to become the person she ‘brings out in him’, as you say.
“They certainly seem to have brought out the worst in each other.”
Well they have certainly brought out something pretty nasty in you, Katherine. They seem to be ‘triggering’ you quite violently- maybe you should stop looking, if it all makes you quite so angry.
Harry succumbed to ‘woke’ Meghan and the lower class (and associated impulses) from which she herself was raised…
Nice. So who are more vile- women or the lower classes, would you say, Cathy? You seem to have the misfortune of being a mere woman, so at least I assume you don’t bare the horror of being working class.
“BARE the horror “.
Bear surely?
You’re absolutely right- I stand corrected. My “lower class impulses” showing….
Stop bluffing!
Of course I was joking. I’m not “lower class”- what a bloody thought!
Of course I was joking. I’m not “lower class”- what a bloody thought!
keep them under wraps in future!
Stop bluffing!
keep them under wraps in future!
You’re absolutely right- I stand corrected. My “lower class impulses” showing….
Wow. Right up yourself.
bear. bare means naked.
“BARE the horror “.
Bear surely?
Wow. Right up yourself.
bear. bare means naked.
Nice. So who are more vile- women or the lower classes, would you say, Cathy? You seem to have the misfortune of being a mere woman, so at least I assume you don’t bare the horror of being working class.
Lord knows. Even though I find her vile in her own right, I’m not willing to blame her entirely for this.
A good partner should bring out the best in you: they seem to bring out the very worst in one another.
Harry succumbed to ‘woke’ Meghan and the lower class (and associated impulses) from which she herself was raised…
The bottom line problem is that Meghan set out to change the Royal Family and was not willing to accept the way things were done. They didn’t follow her direction, so she made them wrong.
Off to set herself up as a Champion Democrat, standing up for woke antiracism and setting up foundations to get rich off her faux charity.
Then Harold (if he pinched Lilibet without real authorization, then let him feel how hurtful it is, to have your private, intimate name used by everyone) took on the lying. He now says his family isn’t racist, when he just took a fake prize from others of the Faux Foundation Charity class, for fighting the so called racism in the Royal Family.
These people personify the Woke/Narcissistic Zeitgeist. They just s*ck.
When I received a promotion, my parents commented that I was getting ‘out-of-my-Class’. My reply was that ‘It is not where I started that counts, but where I finish.” I waspishly added: “I’ll tell you when I have reached my class …”
In Harry Markle’s case the only way is down, but in MM’s case, as she has no class, even greeting people at WalMart is up.
Re: lower class Meghan – it’s just a fact. Read her text messages that Harry published to observe her use of words and expressions. She’s ‘flip’ and even rude. The fact that she made no effort to spruce up her appearance before meeting William for the first time (she appeared in ripped jeans and barefoot). That she hugged William rather than offering a respectful handshake before she got to know him. Her over-confidence and presumption was badly played. And most grossly – and so low class not to mention unhygienic- she asked Kate to borrow her lipstick- yuck! – no one does that – at least no one with manners. You never ask to borrow anyone’s personal cosmetics. Kate was too kind and lent her the stick when she should have politely said no and explained why. Everything about Meghan and the way she acts is presumptuous and audacious. I would be offended by her behavior so I am not surprised that the royals were aghast as well. Meghan didn’t take the time or have the emotional intelligence to read the crowd and it’s totally unacceptable for Harry to make excuses for her and in turn blame his family for Meghan’s tone deafness. Ms. Markle is hardly a class act.
Agree but it’s odd in someone who went to an expensive private school and a good collegrme. I think she was acting a part, hoping it was the right part. Americans are usually more polite.
Agree but it’s odd in someone who went to an expensive private school and a good collegrme. I think she was acting a part, hoping it was the right part. Americans are usually more polite.
Re: lower class Meghan – it’s just a fact. Read her text messages that Harry published to observe her use of words and expressions. She’s ‘flip’ and even rude. The fact that she made no effort to spruce up her appearance before meeting William for the first time (she appeared in ripped jeans and barefoot). That she hugged William rather than offering a respectful handshake before she got to know him. Her over-confidence and presumption was badly played. And most grossly – and so low class not to mention unhygienic- she asked Kate to borrow her lipstick- yuck! – no one does that – at least no one with manners. You never ask to borrow anyone’s personal cosmetics. Kate was too kind and lent her the stick when she should have politely said no and explained why. Everything about Meghan and the way she acts is presumptuous and audacious. I would be offended by her behavior so I am not surprised that the royals were aghast as well. Meghan didn’t take the time or have the emotional intelligence to read the crowd and it’s totally unacceptable for Harry to make excuses for her and in turn blame his family for Meghan’s tone deafness. Ms. Markle is hardly a class act.
“if they can conjure a “loveable, cheeky chappy” out of a bitter, twisted, delusional and pretty stupid middle-aged manchild”
Or maybe married to that woman did change him as a person.
The bottom line problem is that Meghan set out to change the Royal Family and was not willing to accept the way things were done. They didn’t follow her direction, so she made them wrong.
Off to set herself up as a Champion Democrat, standing up for woke antiracism and setting up foundations to get rich off her faux charity.
Then Harold (if he pinched Lilibet without real authorization, then let him feel how hurtful it is, to have your private, intimate name used by everyone) took on the lying. He now says his family isn’t racist, when he just took a fake prize from others of the Faux Foundation Charity class, for fighting the so called racism in the Royal Family.
These people personify the Woke/Narcissistic Zeitgeist. They just s*ck.
When I received a promotion, my parents commented that I was getting ‘out-of-my-Class’. My reply was that ‘It is not where I started that counts, but where I finish.” I waspishly added: “I’ll tell you when I have reached my class …”
In Harry Markle’s case the only way is down, but in MM’s case, as she has no class, even greeting people at WalMart is up.
“..he has the right to speak his mind and tell his own story…”
Erm, yes – but when doing so, he needs to get his facts straight and at no point in the past two years since he started “speaking his truth” has he actually achieved that with the result that no one in their right minds believes him anymore.
I want to know who was doing his PR in Buckingham Palace before Megxit. This person has magic powers and should be sought out and employed by the White House IMMEDIATELY.
My goodness, if they can conjure a “loveable, cheeky chappy” out of a bitter, twisted, delusional and pretty stupid middle-aged manchild, then they will surely be able to convince the world that Biden is mentally sound and up to the job of POTUS.
Sorry, but this is all his own doing. If he had chosen too step gracefully aside after the birth of his nephew, on the grounds that the succession was secure, he had done his constitutional duty and would now like to live privately away from the press which had so tormented him in his younger days, who would have denied him?
But that’s not what he did.
He complains that his position as a Prince prevented him from developing any career beyond opening buildings and speechifying on behalf of charities – but it seems, rather, to have been his own lack of talent and application that sealed his fate. Other princes from his own family and others across Europe, have found a useful role in life. Had Harry been so motivated, there was every opportunity for him to do so. Yet he chose to remain dependent on ‘Pa’ until the moment he decided to cash in on his Royal status while ditching the responsibilities, and wanted the family firm – and the country – to pay to keep him in the style to which his wife thought a prince should have been accustomed. While shutting the Press up with threats whenever any negative comment should appear.
He complains that his position as a Prince prevented him from developing any career beyond opening buildings and speechifying on behalf of charities – but it seems, rather, to have been his own lack of talent and application that sealed his fate. Other princes from his own family and others across Europe, have found a useful role in life. Had Harry been so motivated, there was every opportunity for him to do so. Yet he chose to remain dependent on ‘Pa’ until the moment he decided to cash in on his Royal status while ditching the responsibilities, and wanted the family firm – and the country – to pay to keep him in the style to which his wife thought a prince should have been accustomed. While shutting the Press up with threats whenever any negative comment should appear.
Sorry, but this is all his own doing. If he had chosen too step gracefully aside after the birth of his nephew, on the grounds that the succession was secure, he had done his constitutional duty and would now like to live privately away from the press which had so tormented him in his younger days, who would have denied him?
But that’s not what he did.
My God, Harry isn’t some kid but is 38 years old. I was an infantry battalion commander at that age, responsible for the well-being of around a thousand soldiers. It will be a sad day when this juvenile finally gets dumped and wants his old job back. Betrayals have life-long consequences.
US Infantry?
US Infantry?
My God, Harry isn’t some kid but is 38 years old. I was an infantry battalion commander at that age, responsible for the well-being of around a thousand soldiers. It will be a sad day when this juvenile finally gets dumped and wants his old job back. Betrayals have life-long consequences.
One of the least attractive elements of the Royal setup is the way children are born into a life in the public gaze without any choice in the matter, with their births and early milestones used by their family to bolster the profile of the Institution. Yet Harry and Meghan have chosen to perpetuate this on stilts for their own children, monetising their names and young lives, without in their case even the semblance of a public service justification.
True up to a point. But the eminently sensible Princess Royal refused to have titles for her children and they have lived comparatively normal lives. If Harry had renounced his titles and become Mr Windsor then his fleeing to the USA would have been applauded. He seems incapable of differentiating between the institution of monarchy and his family. It is possible to escape the former without trashing the latter.
He wants the best of both worlds and while hating the media, using them for his own gratification. Its his wife operating the strings,which will push him further down the ladder of depression.
Add Meghan’s agents advisers
Add Meghan’s agents advisers
Fair enough, but then also, Anne was never the spare; she would have been in line for the throne only if her three brothers had died without issue.
As for whether it would have been easy for Harry to fade into obscurity – I’m not so sure about that. After all, as the piece highlights, celebrity is only partly a function of personal choice; media interest and hence a prurient public play an essential part.
There are literally millions upon millions of places in the world where Harry could live in obscurity. The media has no interest in traveling to Africa or Asia for a story.
There are literally millions upon millions of places in the world where Harry could live in obscurity. The media has no interest in traveling to Africa or Asia for a story.
He wants the best of both worlds and while hating the media, using them for his own gratification. Its his wife operating the strings,which will push him further down the ladder of depression.
Fair enough, but then also, Anne was never the spare; she would have been in line for the throne only if her three brothers had died without issue.
As for whether it would have been easy for Harry to fade into obscurity – I’m not so sure about that. After all, as the piece highlights, celebrity is only partly a function of personal choice; media interest and hence a prurient public play an essential part.
We are all born into circumstance – all of us. Some are born into the shackles of royalty. Some are born into the shackles of slavery and poverty, like children in the Congo. I find it hard to shed a tear for the royals.
”One of the least attractive elements of the Royal setup is the way children are born into a life in the public gaze without any choice in the matter,”
What a silly statement… ‘Poor little rich boy’…..
It is just their thing. Want to feel this kind of feel legitimately? – well check out South Sudan starving, children’s cancer ward, the ghetto child…..
Because Royals are not to be pitied, it is their lot as it is of the ones truly born to suffer – and in really, the Royal gig is a pretty good one. As the quote in the vein of the conceit of this article says:
”“Some are born to sweet delight, Some are born to endless night.””
We are all born into “an institution” of one kind or another – poverty, middle class mediocrity, violence, starvation, lack of opportunity, etc etc. No child has any choice in the matter. Harry might not, as you say, signed the Faustian contract but his wife certainly did.
True up to a point. But the eminently sensible Princess Royal refused to have titles for her children and they have lived comparatively normal lives. If Harry had renounced his titles and become Mr Windsor then his fleeing to the USA would have been applauded. He seems incapable of differentiating between the institution of monarchy and his family. It is possible to escape the former without trashing the latter.
We are all born into circumstance – all of us. Some are born into the shackles of royalty. Some are born into the shackles of slavery and poverty, like children in the Congo. I find it hard to shed a tear for the royals.
”One of the least attractive elements of the Royal setup is the way children are born into a life in the public gaze without any choice in the matter,”
What a silly statement… ‘Poor little rich boy’…..
It is just their thing. Want to feel this kind of feel legitimately? – well check out South Sudan starving, children’s cancer ward, the ghetto child…..
Because Royals are not to be pitied, it is their lot as it is of the ones truly born to suffer – and in really, the Royal gig is a pretty good one. As the quote in the vein of the conceit of this article says:
”“Some are born to sweet delight, Some are born to endless night.””
We are all born into “an institution” of one kind or another – poverty, middle class mediocrity, violence, starvation, lack of opportunity, etc etc. No child has any choice in the matter. Harry might not, as you say, signed the Faustian contract but his wife certainly did.
One of the least attractive elements of the Royal setup is the way children are born into a life in the public gaze without any choice in the matter, with their births and early milestones used by their family to bolster the profile of the Institution. Yet Harry and Meghan have chosen to perpetuate this on stilts for their own children, monetising their names and young lives, without in their case even the semblance of a public service justification.
The man child seems to be reacting viscerally, with no counsel in his familial interests except for those seeking to make money – his wife has abandoned her family and seems comfortable with him abandoning his family too.
One wonders where they will be in 10 years time repeating the same stories again and again.
She divorces him by then. This grievance gig will get tiring for the rest of the world, they will become irrelevant and she will move onto the next grift.
I think you’re correct. But then he’ll want to come back here – do we really want that?
I think you’re correct. But then he’ll want to come back here – do we really want that?
The same stories but tweaked and polished and adjusted to try to attract attention yet again
She divorces him by then. This grievance gig will get tiring for the rest of the world, they will become irrelevant and she will move onto the next grift.
The same stories but tweaked and polished and adjusted to try to attract attention yet again
The man child seems to be reacting viscerally, with no counsel in his familial interests except for those seeking to make money – his wife has abandoned her family and seems comfortable with him abandoning his family too.
One wonders where they will be in 10 years time repeating the same stories again and again.
Prince Harry symbolizes the weakness and delusion that is rotting out the west. He is just another grifter from the grievance dujour industry, whining about his oppression and hardship, while living in opulence. He’s no different than the privileged university student complaining about safe spaces and oppression, completely oblivious to the challenges and suffering of the other 99% of the population.
Not only the other 99% of the population, but the inhabitants of the majority of countries in the world, from Ukraine to North Korea.
Not only the other 99% of the population, but the inhabitants of the majority of countries in the world, from Ukraine to North Korea.
Prince Harry symbolizes the weakness and delusion that is rotting out the west. He is just another grifter from the grievance dujour industry, whining about his oppression and hardship, while living in opulence. He’s no different than the privileged university student complaining about safe spaces and oppression, completely oblivious to the challenges and suffering of the other 99% of the population.
He was not “shunned” . He received a huge bequest from his mother £30m plus. He has been sent to Eton. He has been indulged in the forces . His conduct as a young man has been a world of shoots, parties, polo, travel – none of which he has had to work for. He has been endlessly going on about his mothers death. Killed by being in another country with Mr Fayed whose driver was extremely drunk. But he never mentions that bit.
If he had been a lad from, say, Scunthorpe rather than a prince, what are the chances that he would ever have met Megan Markle, or that she would have married him?
If he had been a lad from, say, Scunthorpe rather than a prince, what are the chances that he would ever have met Megan Markle, or that she would have married him?
He was not “shunned” . He received a huge bequest from his mother £30m plus. He has been sent to Eton. He has been indulged in the forces . His conduct as a young man has been a world of shoots, parties, polo, travel – none of which he has had to work for. He has been endlessly going on about his mothers death. Killed by being in another country with Mr Fayed whose driver was extremely drunk. But he never mentions that bit.
“There are two sides to every story”. Well, no, there aren’t. There’s the truth, and then there is how the story teller may spin the story to get fame or sympathy or whatever. In other words, it’s another version of that foul expression “my truth”. Which is usually a pack of lies and distortions.
I agree. There is the truth and opinions. Woke is based on opinions which are pushed as the truth, and that’s why Woke doesn’t make much sense imo. The same with Harold and his wife – they talk in woke riddles, which work to support their narrative of being wronged by their respective families, whilst simultaneously seeking entry into the world of celebrity, which as we all know, is where safety, privacy and truth are to be found.
It’s the hypocrisy and downright self-serving dishonesty of it all which I find most annoying.
I agree. There is the truth and opinions. Woke is based on opinions which are pushed as the truth, and that’s why Woke doesn’t make much sense imo. The same with Harold and his wife – they talk in woke riddles, which work to support their narrative of being wronged by their respective families, whilst simultaneously seeking entry into the world of celebrity, which as we all know, is where safety, privacy and truth are to be found.
It’s the hypocrisy and downright self-serving dishonesty of it all which I find most annoying.
“There are two sides to every story”. Well, no, there aren’t. There’s the truth, and then there is how the story teller may spin the story to get fame or sympathy or whatever. In other words, it’s another version of that foul expression “my truth”. Which is usually a pack of lies and distortions.
I feel dismayed that commentators often refer to these “two” as having said whatever it is and then whatever it was said – its taken as “the” truth (as opposed to THEIR truth).
I think the pair of them have to exaggerate and embellish “their story” for marketing and sales (therefore profit) purposes – in the certain knowledge the Royal Household will not stoop so low as to rebut. If they did they would be dragged into an undignified turf war. Therefore athe Sussex’ know they are safe.
Strip them of their Titles I say. They say they dont want to be part of his family – so lets do it properly.
I feel dismayed that commentators often refer to these “two” as having said whatever it is and then whatever it was said – its taken as “the” truth (as opposed to THEIR truth).
I think the pair of them have to exaggerate and embellish “their story” for marketing and sales (therefore profit) purposes – in the certain knowledge the Royal Household will not stoop so low as to rebut. If they did they would be dragged into an undignified turf war. Therefore athe Sussex’ know they are safe.
Strip them of their Titles I say. They say they dont want to be part of his family – so lets do it properly.
No doubt in 50 years Harry will face a vexatious prosecution for killing those 25 Taliban, just as today Soldier F is being prosecuted for killing a mere 2 of the 13 killed on so called ‘Bloody Sunday’ nearly 51 years ago.
If the propagandists for the next terrorist atrocity inflicted on us by Muslim extremists make a reference to the removal of western ‘chess pieces’, I wonder how people will react to that?
Such atrocities will inevitably happen anyway, but that’s a very prominent flag he’s just hoisted which may come back to bite him hard.
Good point.
Perhaps it’s a ploy to get ‘us’ to pay for his Security?
Indeed. Because, according to the Harry formerly known as ‘Prince’, HIS words weren’t dangerous: it was the ‘spin’ put on them by the nasty-wasty British Press that created the danger. Danger to him and his Montecito family, that is, and he’s VERY angry about their recklessness.In fact (?) by now he’s probably concluded that his awful family, led by the Queen Consort, was behind it, ‘feeding’ that angle to the press. No credence, then, should be given to the concerns expressed by the military, and by those responsible for the security of the injured service personnel (from many countries) due to take part in the Invictus Games? Everybody’s wrong but Harry – oh, and his ‘perfect’ Meghan.
Indeed. Because, according to the Harry formerly known as ‘Prince’, HIS words weren’t dangerous: it was the ‘spin’ put on them by the nasty-wasty British Press that created the danger. Danger to him and his Montecito family, that is, and he’s VERY angry about their recklessness.In fact (?) by now he’s probably concluded that his awful family, led by the Queen Consort, was behind it, ‘feeding’ that angle to the press. No credence, then, should be given to the concerns expressed by the military, and by those responsible for the security of the injured service personnel (from many countries) due to take part in the Invictus Games? Everybody’s wrong but Harry – oh, and his ‘perfect’ Meghan.
Good point.
Perhaps it’s a ploy to get ‘us’ to pay for his Security?
Ah but did he? I think not. Mind you the taliban calling the kettle black with the all they do.
Difficult to tell really, but it’s not the sort of talk one might expect from the Officer’s Mess.
Either way the killing is rather ‘detached ‘ these days. Just a few blobs on a TV screen disintegrating, rather like a video game such a “Grand Theft Auto”*.
Nothing like beating a man to death with the butt of an SLR ** in Leeson St, for example.
(* Source..a grandchild.)
(** Self Loading Rifle.)
Harry should have joined The Welsh Guards…
Why?
Was James Hewitt Welsh?
No, from Somerset and he was a ” Galloping Grocer” aka Life Guard… Was going to be a gunner or chipper, but just joined the right interview queue at New College, as quite of few similar did when Life Guards were ‘ short’!!!
So why the Welsh Guards then?
So why the Welsh Guards then?
No, from Somerset and he was a ” Galloping Grocer” aka Life Guard… Was going to be a gunner or chipper, but just joined the right interview queue at New College, as quite of few similar did when Life Guards were ‘ short’!!!
Why?
Was James Hewitt Welsh?
What do you mean “killing is rather ‘detached ‘ these days”?
My father fought in France on the retreat to Dunkirk, and from 6th June 1944 from Gold Beach to the Netherlands, and ‘the enemy’ was usually invisible, except when surrendered or dead. He was infantry, so it would be even more remote if artillery or air force, which were much used.
Thank you.
If I may ask, how many people did your late father bayonet, bludgeon to death or shoot at very close range?
Additionally sitting in an Apache helicopter is to be rather ‘detached’, don’t you think?
You seem to be getting a bit over-excited by all this delightful talk of bludgeoning people to death, Charles.
Have you been spending too long playing video games again?
I think it maybe you who is getting excited, but I cannot think why.
As for video games, best left to the grandchildren, their expertise is simply unbeatable!
I think it maybe you who is getting excited, but I cannot think why.
As for video games, best left to the grandchildren, their expertise is simply unbeatable!
You seem to be getting a bit over-excited by all this delightful talk of bludgeoning people to death, Charles.
Have you been spending too long playing video games again?
Thank you.
If I may ask, how many people did your late father bayonet, bludgeon to death or shoot at very close range?
Additionally sitting in an Apache helicopter is to be rather ‘detached’, don’t you think?
Harry should have joined The Welsh Guards…
What do you mean “killing is rather ‘detached ‘ these days”?
My father fought in France on the retreat to Dunkirk, and from 6th June 1944 from Gold Beach to the Netherlands, and ‘the enemy’ was usually invisible, except when surrendered or dead. He was infantry, so it would be even more remote if artillery or air force, which were much used.
Difficult to tell really, but it’s not the sort of talk one might expect from the Officer’s Mess.
Either way the killing is rather ‘detached ‘ these days. Just a few blobs on a TV screen disintegrating, rather like a video game such a “Grand Theft Auto”*.
Nothing like beating a man to death with the butt of an SLR ** in Leeson St, for example.
(* Source..a grandchild.)
(** Self Loading Rifle.)
Harry didn’t kill 25 Taliban. He captured them, whinged about his life for a few hours and they shot themselves.
Wish that was mine, but sadly, stolen from the DT.
“Who can blame them”!
Full marks for the DT.
These bons mots are worthy of full attribution ! Is the “DT” the Daily Tribune? Any idea how to locate the name of the columnist-wag who came up with this?
“Who can blame them”!
Full marks for the DT.
These bons mots are worthy of full attribution ! Is the “DT” the Daily Tribune? Any idea how to locate the name of the columnist-wag who came up with this?
Generally, there is limited sympathy for combatants, i.e., people who choose to get involved in violence. Issue re that incident was that the dead were ordinary civilians. If 2 of your relatives on a civil rights march – and NI was a rotten borough at that time, as you know – had been killed Charles, one suspects the word “mere” would not have been used. In a democracy, nobody on any side should have amnesties for killing civilians and then lying about it afterwards, surely?
If the propagandists for the next terrorist atrocity inflicted on us by Muslim extremists make a reference to the removal of western ‘chess pieces’, I wonder how people will react to that?
Such atrocities will inevitably happen anyway, but that’s a very prominent flag he’s just hoisted which may come back to bite him hard.
Ah but did he? I think not. Mind you the taliban calling the kettle black with the all they do.
Harry didn’t kill 25 Taliban. He captured them, whinged about his life for a few hours and they shot themselves.
Wish that was mine, but sadly, stolen from the DT.
Generally, there is limited sympathy for combatants, i.e., people who choose to get involved in violence. Issue re that incident was that the dead were ordinary civilians. If 2 of your relatives on a civil rights march – and NI was a rotten borough at that time, as you know – had been killed Charles, one suspects the word “mere” would not have been used. In a democracy, nobody on any side should have amnesties for killing civilians and then lying about it afterwards, surely?
No doubt in 50 years Harry will face a vexatious prosecution for killing those 25 Taliban, just as today Soldier F is being prosecuted for killing a mere 2 of the 13 killed on so called ‘Bloody Sunday’ nearly 51 years ago.
” As a child I was taught that “actions speak louder than words.” In my (not so) humble opinion, Harry’s actions, even before handing control of his very being to Miss Markle, were never manly, and he is still a lost boy. Sadly, he turned out not to be a worthy spare, but only a flat tyre.
” As a child I was taught that “actions speak louder than words.” In my (not so) humble opinion, Harry’s actions, even before handing control of his very being to Miss Markle, were never manly, and he is still a lost boy. Sadly, he turned out not to be a worthy spare, but only a flat tyre.
What must burn is the quiet realisation that he could have kept quiet and enjoyed life with his young family, cut a few ribbons, opened a few fetes, donned a ceremonial uniform now and again and stayed popular. This angry pressure must turn eventually on the cause of it all, his wife. Then what?
What must burn is the quiet realisation that he could have kept quiet and enjoyed life with his young family, cut a few ribbons, opened a few fetes, donned a ceremonial uniform now and again and stayed popular. This angry pressure must turn eventually on the cause of it all, his wife. Then what?
Harry’s talents were put on display, as well as his much discussed weaknesses and faults. He is the most articulate of the Royals; the King speaks in a manner which immediately sets him apart from the public, an almost embarrassingly refined diction; and Prince Andrew reveals a lack of judgement and thought reflected immediately in halting speech. But Harry was never at a loss for words to express his emotions, his truth. He inherited the gift of his mother’s which enables him to present himself as someone relatable and in touch with his emotions.
But the content was toxic, and reflected a narcissism worthy of the worst of 21st century instant celebrities. He came across as a Shakespearean rival to kingly power, jealous of his elder brother’s role at the same time as he presented himself as the more worthy of the two because of his “honesty,” his “virtue,” his “truth.” His transformation from popular young prince to toxic rival has much to do with his monstrously narcissistic wife, but the jealously and resentment of family is his. All his.
Harry’s talents were put on display, as well as his much discussed weaknesses and faults. He is the most articulate of the Royals; the King speaks in a manner which immediately sets him apart from the public, an almost embarrassingly refined diction; and Prince Andrew reveals a lack of judgement and thought reflected immediately in halting speech. But Harry was never at a loss for words to express his emotions, his truth. He inherited the gift of his mother’s which enables him to present himself as someone relatable and in touch with his emotions.
But the content was toxic, and reflected a narcissism worthy of the worst of 21st century instant celebrities. He came across as a Shakespearean rival to kingly power, jealous of his elder brother’s role at the same time as he presented himself as the more worthy of the two because of his “honesty,” his “virtue,” his “truth.” His transformation from popular young prince to toxic rival has much to do with his monstrously narcissistic wife, but the jealously and resentment of family is his. All his.
“Has he sold his soul to the devil — or to us?”I would have some respect for either choice. He has sold his soul to the media – toytown demons who will move on in due course. Neither the devil, nor us, ever move on.
“Has he sold his soul to the devil — or to us?”I would have some respect for either choice. He has sold his soul to the media – toytown demons who will move on in due course. Neither the devil, nor us, ever move on.
I find this whole experience so sad and yet reflective of the feeding frenzy of modern society to wallow in grief whether your own or someone elses. The first point of hypocrisy is Harry’s moral crusade to build on the trauma caused to his mother by the press intrusion into her life ( whether invited or invaded ??). And the way he seeks to progress this cause, is inviting the press into his complete life (selling himself down to the last fart) to anyone with a cheque. What happened to “we want to make our own way” ? Oh but we won’t give up our titles and we will hang our family out to dry “to make our own way in life”. When is he/they going to be proclaiming frustration at having no private life themselves? Can’t be long after popular opinion is firmly switched off and they can’t even get a spot on a late night cable chat show, we will hear him/them screaming to be left alone .
The societal hypocrisy must surely be summed up by the media’s willingness to encourage an individual, who clearly has mental health/ grief issues, to lay themselves open to the world – not out of the “public interest” but for monetary return through column inches. The media using someone’s grief and vulnerabilities, for their own financial gain is sinful and evil.
It seems that Harry believes the old adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity!
Harry had a choice as to whether or not he exploited interest in his family, including his mother, but it’s too much to expect ‘the media’ not to report on it all; that’s their business, and it’s about time he realised it, as other members of his ex-family have. One hopes newspapers, and Netflix, for that matter, act with some ethics, but be realistic; if they don’t sell, they go out of business.
deleted
The media is a bit like vampires or demons, in that they have to be invited in in order to do their evil stuff. People used to know that you don’t invite evil into your house because once inside it is uncontrollable.
I am probably guilty of victim blaming here, but I was raised with the idea that we were all responsible for our own actions – hence if I invited the devil in, it would be my fault and I would have to deal and live with the consequences.
It seems that Harry believes the old adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity!
Harry had a choice as to whether or not he exploited interest in his family, including his mother, but it’s too much to expect ‘the media’ not to report on it all; that’s their business, and it’s about time he realised it, as other members of his ex-family have. One hopes newspapers, and Netflix, for that matter, act with some ethics, but be realistic; if they don’t sell, they go out of business.
deleted
The media is a bit like vampires or demons, in that they have to be invited in in order to do their evil stuff. People used to know that you don’t invite evil into your house because once inside it is uncontrollable.
I am probably guilty of victim blaming here, but I was raised with the idea that we were all responsible for our own actions – hence if I invited the devil in, it would be my fault and I would have to deal and live with the consequences.
I find this whole experience so sad and yet reflective of the feeding frenzy of modern society to wallow in grief whether your own or someone elses. The first point of hypocrisy is Harry’s moral crusade to build on the trauma caused to his mother by the press intrusion into her life ( whether invited or invaded ??). And the way he seeks to progress this cause, is inviting the press into his complete life (selling himself down to the last fart) to anyone with a cheque. What happened to “we want to make our own way” ? Oh but we won’t give up our titles and we will hang our family out to dry “to make our own way in life”. When is he/they going to be proclaiming frustration at having no private life themselves? Can’t be long after popular opinion is firmly switched off and they can’t even get a spot on a late night cable chat show, we will hear him/them screaming to be left alone .
The societal hypocrisy must surely be summed up by the media’s willingness to encourage an individual, who clearly has mental health/ grief issues, to lay themselves open to the world – not out of the “public interest” but for monetary return through column inches. The media using someone’s grief and vulnerabilities, for their own financial gain is sinful and evil.
It has happened to them according to the true proverb,
‘The dog turns back to its own vomit’,
and,
‘The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.’
2 Peter 2:22 (NRSV)
It has happened to them according to the true proverb,
‘The dog turns back to its own vomit’,
and,
‘The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.’
2 Peter 2:22 (NRSV)
Harry could have stepped away from The Firm and quietly made a living from his talents – if any – like Viscount Linley, or even Beatrice and Eugenie. Instead he is trading on the accident of birth that he simultaneously rails against.
If he had simply published an autobiography to get things off his chest, before sliding off into obscurity, people would probably have been more sympathetic but he has allowed Meghan to parlay his lineage into huge amounts of cash. Strange how this advocate for strong women is content to make her millions by marrying someone famous.
It will all end in tears and probably quite soon.
No really strong woman in her right mind would see Meghan as a role model.
but definitely a prole model
Nice bit of cheap snobbery there, mate.
Nice bit of cheap snobbery there, mate.
No one with class, dignity, restraint, or intelligence would find Meghan a role model. She is a very average chick, with some pretty awful traits – narcissism, manipulation, immaturity & rudeness.
but definitely a prole model
No one with class, dignity, restraint, or intelligence would find Meghan a role model. She is a very average chick, with some pretty awful traits – narcissism, manipulation, immaturity & rudeness.
No really strong woman in her right mind would see Meghan as a role model.
Harry could have stepped away from The Firm and quietly made a living from his talents – if any – like Viscount Linley, or even Beatrice and Eugenie. Instead he is trading on the accident of birth that he simultaneously rails against.
If he had simply published an autobiography to get things off his chest, before sliding off into obscurity, people would probably have been more sympathetic but he has allowed Meghan to parlay his lineage into huge amounts of cash. Strange how this advocate for strong women is content to make her millions by marrying someone famous.
It will all end in tears and probably quite soon.
The truth is that the media and most people have no first hand evidence as Harry’s pre Markle mates do not speak to the media, so the only real evidence is that prior to meeting her he was a standard issue Old Etonian none too bright Blues officer, nice guy, fun, etc…. Then he suddenly turned into a completely different being, as if bitten by some strange species of neo vampire.
I found his praise of William in 2017 about the latter’s help and support with Harry’s therapy quite revealing. 5 years later…what happened?
I found his praise of William in 2017 about the latter’s help and support with Harry’s therapy quite revealing. 5 years later…what happened?
The truth is that the media and most people have no first hand evidence as Harry’s pre Markle mates do not speak to the media, so the only real evidence is that prior to meeting her he was a standard issue Old Etonian none too bright Blues officer, nice guy, fun, etc…. Then he suddenly turned into a completely different being, as if bitten by some strange species of neo vampire.
“relationship between, certain members of the family and the tabloid press, those certain members have decided to get in the bed with the devil.” Says the man who ran to more news networks than his mother did and wonders why the family want nothing to do with him. Why would they? When every conversation is sold to the press! He appears to have zero self awareness!
Quite so. “You know, silence only allows the abuser to abuse.” Says Harry. Now, who’s silent? Not him. In the world where Russia is trying to bend the international treaties, UN is powerless, US has barely got the Speaker, China is gripped by Covid again, Brazil’s got unrest, there are floods… where was it this time? – and we’ve supposed to well up because Meghan was terribly wronged when Kate was too slow giving her the lip balm and bearing an expression H didn’t like.
But the interesting thing is, who were the ‘inner circle’ behind the great idea in general and including the Taliban kills specifically. Isn’t it interesting even his mantra of ‘protecting my family’ has become the opposite.
It’s easy to besmirch people who famously never complain nor explain however he is forgetting the old adage of giving someone enough rope to hang themself. Once, he was one of the most popular Royals amongst the common folk and now they think him a treacherous idiot or simply an idiot. He is a poor advertisement for Eton.
It’s easy to besmirch people who famously never complain nor explain however he is forgetting the old adage of giving someone enough rope to hang themself. Once, he was one of the most popular Royals amongst the common folk and now they think him a treacherous idiot or simply an idiot. He is a poor advertisement for Eton.
Quite so. “You know, silence only allows the abuser to abuse.” Says Harry. Now, who’s silent? Not him. In the world where Russia is trying to bend the international treaties, UN is powerless, US has barely got the Speaker, China is gripped by Covid again, Brazil’s got unrest, there are floods… where was it this time? – and we’ve supposed to well up because Meghan was terribly wronged when Kate was too slow giving her the lip balm and bearing an expression H didn’t like.
But the interesting thing is, who were the ‘inner circle’ behind the great idea in general and including the Taliban kills specifically. Isn’t it interesting even his mantra of ‘protecting my family’ has become the opposite.
“relationship between, certain members of the family and the tabloid press, those certain members have decided to get in the bed with the devil.” Says the man who ran to more news networks than his mother did and wonders why the family want nothing to do with him. Why would they? When every conversation is sold to the press! He appears to have zero self awareness!
It is not “his book”. He didn’t write it. Someone else did.
The author carelessly implies that those who dislike the Sussexes are “vindictive, racist and sexist” whilst a silent majority are sympathetic to Harry’s situation.
What utter nonsense. I’m pretty certain that the vast majority of the British public dislike the Sussexes and that the vast majority of those do so for perfectly rational reasons and are vastly outnumber the sympathisers.
It is not “his book”. He didn’t write it. Someone else did.
The author carelessly implies that those who dislike the Sussexes are “vindictive, racist and sexist” whilst a silent majority are sympathetic to Harry’s situation.
What utter nonsense. I’m pretty certain that the vast majority of the British public dislike the Sussexes and that the vast majority of those do so for perfectly rational reasons and are vastly outnumber the sympathisers.
The last sentence in this article is telling. The safest thing to do is not to watch, not to listen, not to read, just mind one’s own business. That way, one is not complicit with the media or Harry as they go about setting up his self destruction, just as happened with his mother.
The last sentence in this article is telling. The safest thing to do is not to watch, not to listen, not to read, just mind one’s own business. That way, one is not complicit with the media or Harry as they go about setting up his self destruction, just as happened with his mother.
I get an almost visceral feel of repulsion reading of this wretch and his wife. Likely because I look through the Daily Mail, which has such an excessive coverage of these two that it neglects covering the world, news, economics, or all that a newspaper is about.
But as far as this article, which is why I write – this man understands nothing of the Faustian Pact; he uses it to excuse yet another pointless story on ‘Harry and Megan’.
‘‘In the traditional Faustian transaction, the would-be genius or celebrity sells their soul, knowing that the cost is damnation and believing that the gains will be worth it.”
They Never Believe it will be worth it, but still do it for the lust of power – that is the point of this pact in our mythology. Like Robert Johnson who sold his soul to the Devil at a Delta Crossroads at Midnight to become the greatest Bluesman of all time – the whole point is how not worth it we, and they, knew it is, yet how the allure of power of adulation compels us to make this ultimate bad deal. It is a tale of the frailty of mankind.
The Pact is about how this is the worst pact possible of all deals conceivable, in all the universe, and all time; no one ever believes it worth it – and Harry never did a Faustian bargain. He is just a hapless guy caught up in the evils of the celebrity world and has been dragged around in it as he is so hapless.
But – I have seen enough of the world to believe in Good and Evil.
”‘The Devil’s cleverest wile is to make men believe that he does not exist.’’
But he does. I have long felt the few top power men in the world have done this pact though. Gates, Zuckerberg, Bezos, Dorsey, et al – I feel they went to the crossroads at midnight, on some lonely Mississippi Delta road, and did this deal. The power they have consolidated – the way they wield it, the depth of creepiness one feels looking into their eyes…..
But not Harry, he radiates none of that, more a Candidian sort of naivety sucked up into the most extreme madness of that the modern world can provide, that and him being in a world of predators of the most extreme kinds, wile not having the cleverness to swim with them as William has.
Ah we have something in common Phillip! I trawl through the DM too, partly to get the zeitgeist from mainstream media and from the reader comments – though amazingly there are sometimes very informative history and science articles which are a real treat; and the DM seems to get the drop on breaking news before anyone else too.
My reading of Harry is the same as yours – too dim witted to realise he’s taken up with the wrong people, and the wrong woman.
Ah we have something in common Phillip! I trawl through the DM too, partly to get the zeitgeist from mainstream media and from the reader comments – though amazingly there are sometimes very informative history and science articles which are a real treat; and the DM seems to get the drop on breaking news before anyone else too.
My reading of Harry is the same as yours – too dim witted to realise he’s taken up with the wrong people, and the wrong woman.
I get an almost visceral feel of repulsion reading of this wretch and his wife. Likely because I look through the Daily Mail, which has such an excessive coverage of these two that it neglects covering the world, news, economics, or all that a newspaper is about.
But as far as this article, which is why I write – this man understands nothing of the Faustian Pact; he uses it to excuse yet another pointless story on ‘Harry and Megan’.
‘‘In the traditional Faustian transaction, the would-be genius or celebrity sells their soul, knowing that the cost is damnation and believing that the gains will be worth it.”
They Never Believe it will be worth it, but still do it for the lust of power – that is the point of this pact in our mythology. Like Robert Johnson who sold his soul to the Devil at a Delta Crossroads at Midnight to become the greatest Bluesman of all time – the whole point is how not worth it we, and they, knew it is, yet how the allure of power of adulation compels us to make this ultimate bad deal. It is a tale of the frailty of mankind.
The Pact is about how this is the worst pact possible of all deals conceivable, in all the universe, and all time; no one ever believes it worth it – and Harry never did a Faustian bargain. He is just a hapless guy caught up in the evils of the celebrity world and has been dragged around in it as he is so hapless.
But – I have seen enough of the world to believe in Good and Evil.
”‘The Devil’s cleverest wile is to make men believe that he does not exist.’’
But he does. I have long felt the few top power men in the world have done this pact though. Gates, Zuckerberg, Bezos, Dorsey, et al – I feel they went to the crossroads at midnight, on some lonely Mississippi Delta road, and did this deal. The power they have consolidated – the way they wield it, the depth of creepiness one feels looking into their eyes…..
But not Harry, he radiates none of that, more a Candidian sort of naivety sucked up into the most extreme madness of that the modern world can provide, that and him being in a world of predators of the most extreme kinds, wile not having the cleverness to swim with them as William has.
Harry is living testament to the old Foot Guards joke about Household Cavalry Officers…” Man goes to surgeon for brain transplant, and has to choose donor….. he is offered Oxford academics brain, a KCs brain, a Rich entrepreneurs brain, or a Household Cavalry officers brain… he chooses the Household Cavalry Officer option… ” It must be the cheapest, surely”….. His surgeon replies ” Oh no, its the most expensive, as its never ever been used”…..
Cavalry = An Army unit where the ridden has more brains than the rider.
“Into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred………….”
or the great 11th Hussars Cherrypicker quote ” The Cavalry add a touch of class and panache to what would otherwise be a mere brawl”… and 2 of the last 4 Commanding Officers at Hereford have been Cherrypickers…
Yes that last fact is unusual to say the very least!
There is another version of that quip, which I happen to prefer, that says “vulgar brawl .“.
Yes that last fact is unusual to say the very least!
There is another version of that quip, which I happen to prefer, that says “vulgar brawl .“.
or the great 11th Hussars Cherrypicker quote ” The Cavalry add a touch of class and panache to what would otherwise be a mere brawl”… and 2 of the last 4 Commanding Officers at Hereford have been Cherrypickers…
not Capt M. A. P. Phillips QDG ADC (P) , my useless sometime Camberley Comprehensive platoon commander?!!!!
“Into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred………….”
not Capt M. A. P. Phillips QDG ADC (P) , my useless sometime Camberley Comprehensive platoon commander?!!!!
Cavalry = An Army unit where the ridden has more brains than the rider.
Harry is living testament to the old Foot Guards joke about Household Cavalry Officers…” Man goes to surgeon for brain transplant, and has to choose donor….. he is offered Oxford academics brain, a KCs brain, a Rich entrepreneurs brain, or a Household Cavalry officers brain… he chooses the Household Cavalry Officer option… ” It must be the cheapest, surely”….. His surgeon replies ” Oh no, its the most expensive, as its never ever been used”…..
I don’t disagree too much with what you’re saying here, and yet, it must be noted that the Sussexes court the press at every opportunity.
Had they tried their hand at honest work after breaking with the house of Windsor, I’d have had more sympathy for them (though perhaps still not very much, to be honest).
I don’t disagree too much with what you’re saying here, and yet, it must be noted that the Sussexes court the press at every opportunity.
Had they tried their hand at honest work after breaking with the house of Windsor, I’d have had more sympathy for them (though perhaps still not very much, to be honest).
The timeline is of the essence. The book was at the printer’s, the film was in the can, when Harry came over for the obsequies of his grandmother, our late Queen. Stepping out of the phantasy world of Montecito and into reality, he suddenly realised what he had done, and frantically tried to get the book back to rewrite bits of it and to edit the film. They told him nothing doing. Now he is rowing back, hence all the contradictions.
The book was at the printer’s, the film was in the can, when Harry came over …- came over, knowing fully well what he’s going to pour on them, still wishing to get some more ‘stardust’ before that?
The book was at the printer’s, the film was in the can, when Harry came over …- came over, knowing fully well what he’s going to pour on them, still wishing to get some more ‘stardust’ before that?
The timeline is of the essence. The book was at the printer’s, the film was in the can, when Harry came over for the obsequies of his grandmother, our late Queen. Stepping out of the phantasy world of Montecito and into reality, he suddenly realised what he had done, and frantically tried to get the book back to rewrite bits of it and to edit the film. They told him nothing doing. Now he is rowing back, hence all the contradictions.
‘You are expected to think something’ – no I’m not. I haven’t followed a word of theirs until this Unherd article. Now I know not to bother reading anything about them ever. Even if it’s appearing in a favourite media site.
‘You are expected to think something’ – no I’m not. I haven’t followed a word of theirs until this Unherd article. Now I know not to bother reading anything about them ever. Even if it’s appearing in a favourite media site.
Prince Harry’s wokeness is off-putting rather than winning. Calls to mind a scene where Dr. Zhivago encounters an old friend who has been sent to Siberia, survived and has now returned. Zhivago muses, “It was sad, hearing him tell how he’d been re-educated. It was like hearing a circus horse tell how it had taught itself to dance.”
Very good.
Very good.
Prince Harry’s wokeness is off-putting rather than winning. Calls to mind a scene where Dr. Zhivago encounters an old friend who has been sent to Siberia, survived and has now returned. Zhivago muses, “It was sad, hearing him tell how he’d been re-educated. It was like hearing a circus horse tell how it had taught itself to dance.”
Dear Harry
I lost my mother at a young age also. You may be surprised to hear that many of us do. My mother went to a long, lingering and embarrassing death from an illness which left her with no self respect and very nearly finished my relationship with my father. However, we did survive it even if it took many years to recreate family relationhips. Which we kept to ourselves.
We managed it despite the fact that things were never the same again. We managed it without writing books, sounding off to anyone, let alone the press as I felt that it was no-ones business but mine own. I dont know who or what caused this book to be written although I can make a damn good guess. You will not gain solace from it, only money and much good may that do you in the long night hours when you miss your mother and weep despite reaching adulthood. I can guarantee you that if nothing else..
Another surprise for you is that the vast majority of us miss our mothers but dont make any sort of income from it. You will find that dealing with your loss is difficult enough without letting the rest of the world in to share it with you and bitching about the other members of the family in the process.
My advice to you is to draw a line under the sounding off and get on with the grieving.
Dear Harry
I lost my mother at a young age also. You may be surprised to hear that many of us do. My mother went to a long, lingering and embarrassing death from an illness which left her with no self respect and very nearly finished my relationship with my father. However, we did survive it even if it took many years to recreate family relationhips. Which we kept to ourselves.
We managed it despite the fact that things were never the same again. We managed it without writing books, sounding off to anyone, let alone the press as I felt that it was no-ones business but mine own. I dont know who or what caused this book to be written although I can make a damn good guess. You will not gain solace from it, only money and much good may that do you in the long night hours when you miss your mother and weep despite reaching adulthood. I can guarantee you that if nothing else..
Another surprise for you is that the vast majority of us miss our mothers but dont make any sort of income from it. You will find that dealing with your loss is difficult enough without letting the rest of the world in to share it with you and bitching about the other members of the family in the process.
My advice to you is to draw a line under the sounding off and get on with the grieving.
Either vindictive or sympathetic. Hum. Funny none if this erupted till he met up with the poor girl with no family and no friends.
Either vindictive or sympathetic. Hum. Funny none if this erupted till he met up with the poor girl with no family and no friends.
What Harry wrote about Camilla in his book highlighted the fact that he had no idea about Charles’ relationship with her when (1) he was single; (2) during his first marriage (when infidelity took place on both sides) and (3) in the years after the divorce. She has never at any time forged a relationship with the press or leaked any intimate family matters.
His words are purely malicious and will not be forgiven by his father..
God save the Prince!
God indeed, for no one else shall!
God indeed, for no one else shall!
God save the Prince!
On one level anything that draws back the curtain and exposes Monarchy as a nonsense probably isn’t unhelpful IMO. He’s right about the media game that takes place for all our delectation. However then you pause and also think this isn’t a healthy environment for them or their kids and quite honesty why do we persist in requiring a family does this for us? One would not be surprised at all if Wills and Kate are now prompted to ponder whether their kids interest or the Monarchy’s interest should be their primary interest. What a desperate choice.
As regards Harry – one does wonder what would have happened had his family’s security been funded by the Palace. (They’ve carried on funding Andrew’s and he isn’t now working for it so a clear inconsistency, and which could have still made a positive contribution?). How much of the need to make this Faustian bargain is thus because H&M now need a lifetime of security which will run into $millions? And I don’t buy that his comments on killing Taliban created this risk. They’d already got a huge target on their back for any Islamist terrorist or other nutter. Thus IMO the Palace played a game of blackmail using security as a lever and lost. Fair play to him for telling them to ‘stick it’ and covering his costs another way.
Specifically regards the killing – the article probably removes the context in which he disclosed that and perhaps we should read the whole before fully judging? As understand it he explains how an army trains a solider to think and to dehumanise because it has to and this is his example. So there is a sympathy and a context to how he includes this, whether wise or not. There may be an ‘Omerta’ about discussing this publicly but be in no doubt soldiers talk like this sort of thing amongst themselves. The odd TV General po-faced complaining about this looking probably to make some money is fairly cringeworthy too. Is not transparency important? We know exactly how many British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. We do not know how many Afghans were killed, although we occasionally pick up it was many more and not insignificant number probably innocent. How many did we kill unnecessarily or where we could have operated with more care? What lessons have been learned as we are in the drone-strike era? How much impact does the understandable dehumanising of an enemy to allow a soldier to fight result in broader damage and risk perpetuating the conflict? Every conflict results in some innocent loss of life, but do we do ourselves and our soldiers a disservice to not be open about this and what may be the consequences. Credit to H for raising this if it prompts more thought.
I fully expect soldiers have certain ways of thinking about the people they have killed in battle to help them cope…but the point is, they either keep this to themselves, or only talk about it to select other people such as other ex-soldiers or perhaps a therapist. They do not broadcast it or make millions off publishing it. That is the difference between propriety, professionalism and honour on the one hand and crass commercialisation and betrayal on the other.
One of Harry’s big mistakes (for there are many) is his failure to understand what should be kept quiet & private and what is off limits in terms of commercialisation.
Understand the point KE, and this is the ‘Omerta’ that is often expected. What I’m challenging is whether this is always right? The views of soldiers not universal on this and some have quite welcomed his openness.
Why do you think it should be hidden/unspoken? I appreciate what he flags is not comfortable and perhaps many of us would prefer to remain blissfully ignorant but is that ignorance in our collective interest?
There are plenty of soldier memoirs that inevitably cover similar. Every war we’ve been involved in has generated this genre. And it’s true often they are criticised for the same. Point being though he’s hardly alone, he’s just more high profile.
I am with you on this one. I am actually sick to the bone of such a lot of H&M slagging. It is unrelenting & unbridled & unbearable. Such a lot of hate is being generated and I was so glad that unheard had not caught caught up with any of this …., then this article.
I see H as really good person who had a very sad upbringing. I see him as speaking just as he felt it. If it was killing a number of Taliban, it is neither good nor bad. It just IS. To view it in more complex terms, it is the listener’s choice.
I have only heard them speak at the Opera interview, they are just normal. They are neither slanderous, nor accusatory . It came across to me as they are just saying so.
The way people are judging him only reverberates to what they read into it and don’t like about themselves. He is showing them their own portrait which is ugly. Hence the unbridled hatred.
Personally, I have almost no interest in H&M, nor in fact in the rest of the Royal family, and I find the rather obsessive, full-time preoccupation of their haters quite wierd.
As you say, it only really makes any sense if there’s something else going on with these people, something that might explain why two narcissistic but objectively pretty harmless people (in relation to the many murderous lunatics in the world who attract no comparable ire) make some people almost incandescent with bilious rage. What EXACTLY have either of them done that makes them so much worse than the average serial killer?
I suppose it keeps these people entertained, if not exactly happy.
‘Personally, I have almost no interest in H&M, nor in fact in the rest of the Royal family, and I find the rather obsessive, full-time preoccupation of their haters quite wierd.’
But you clicked the article and proceeded to, I assume, read both the article and the comments. Then comment yourself. I suppose its keeping you entertained……
Well yes, true. I read nearly all of the articles on this site, and get much amusement scrolling through the viscerally hateful and splenetic comments that invariably follow- whilst wondering why such an almost uniformly right-of-Attila-the-Hun bunch are attracted to such a varied and intelligent selection of writers. I suppose if they read stuff they liked, they wouldn’t feel the joy of being relentlessly furious.
But I have little opinion of the supposedly evil H&M one way or the other, so I find the sheer spleen invoked by them quite curious. But yes, it keeps me entertained.
Ah the joy of being relentlessly furious….. I only to come here to vent really saves the ears of the people at home. If you have little opinion, then how can you argue with others that do? If you have little interest in the subject as you said, then how do you know the ‘splenetic comments’ are unjustified? No one has said they are evil. They have made a right ridiculous show of themselves, Harry talking about ‘chess pieces’ was absolutely downright stupid.
Firstly, anyone who gets into a lather either way about the doings of the Royal family needs to get a sense of perspective. It’s like getting really, really angry (or excited) about crisps.
Secondly, while no-one has used the word ‘evil’ here- yet- they have called her “vile” (and, shock, “lower class”- yikes!), and him a “bitter twisted stupid and delusional manchild”. Such frothing bile vented over such people is more a sign of someone lacking a life than a meaningful opinion.
The British people, whom half the post here insist (in that way that ranters always claim to know the collective opinions of ‘normal people’) have no interest in the daft couple beyond a sensibly profound dislike, have nevertheless just made Harry’s book the fastest-ever selling non-fiction book in Britain. Which makes me wonder how many of these frothers here were at the front of the book shop queue.
Fair enough 🙂 I was just drawing you out cos I could really…. I actually thought some of your comments were pretty entertaining.
Well there’s actually a fair few Americans comment here, brits seem to be in the minority sometimes tbh.
You should read George Katkov’s book about the venomous libellous campaign against the last Tsarina that helped to bring down the Russian monarchy. The same has been said about the malicious focus on Marie Antoinette.
Fair enough 🙂 I was just drawing you out cos I could really…. I actually thought some of your comments were pretty entertaining.
Well there’s actually a fair few Americans comment here, brits seem to be in the minority sometimes tbh.
You should read George Katkov’s book about the venomous libellous campaign against the last Tsarina that helped to bring down the Russian monarchy. The same has been said about the malicious focus on Marie Antoinette.
Firstly, anyone who gets into a lather either way about the doings of the Royal family needs to get a sense of perspective. It’s like getting really, really angry (or excited) about crisps.
Secondly, while no-one has used the word ‘evil’ here- yet- they have called her “vile” (and, shock, “lower class”- yikes!), and him a “bitter twisted stupid and delusional manchild”. Such frothing bile vented over such people is more a sign of someone lacking a life than a meaningful opinion.
The British people, whom half the post here insist (in that way that ranters always claim to know the collective opinions of ‘normal people’) have no interest in the daft couple beyond a sensibly profound dislike, have nevertheless just made Harry’s book the fastest-ever selling non-fiction book in Britain. Which makes me wonder how many of these frothers here were at the front of the book shop queue.
Ah the joy of being relentlessly furious….. I only to come here to vent really saves the ears of the people at home. If you have little opinion, then how can you argue with others that do? If you have little interest in the subject as you said, then how do you know the ‘splenetic comments’ are unjustified? No one has said they are evil. They have made a right ridiculous show of themselves, Harry talking about ‘chess pieces’ was absolutely downright stupid.
Well yes, true. I read nearly all of the articles on this site, and get much amusement scrolling through the viscerally hateful and splenetic comments that invariably follow- whilst wondering why such an almost uniformly right-of-Attila-the-Hun bunch are attracted to such a varied and intelligent selection of writers. I suppose if they read stuff they liked, they wouldn’t feel the joy of being relentlessly furious.
But I have little opinion of the supposedly evil H&M one way or the other, so I find the sheer spleen invoked by them quite curious. But yes, it keeps me entertained.
‘Personally, I have almost no interest in H&M, nor in fact in the rest of the Royal family, and I find the rather obsessive, full-time preoccupation of their haters quite wierd.’
But you clicked the article and proceeded to, I assume, read both the article and the comments. Then comment yourself. I suppose its keeping you entertained……
William had exactly the same loss and tragedy snd worked as an air ambulance pilot and found an alternative family with the Middletons. As well as trying to help his drug addled really stupid brother.
Personally, I have almost no interest in H&M, nor in fact in the rest of the Royal family, and I find the rather obsessive, full-time preoccupation of their haters quite wierd.
As you say, it only really makes any sense if there’s something else going on with these people, something that might explain why two narcissistic but objectively pretty harmless people (in relation to the many murderous lunatics in the world who attract no comparable ire) make some people almost incandescent with bilious rage. What EXACTLY have either of them done that makes them so much worse than the average serial killer?
I suppose it keeps these people entertained, if not exactly happy.
William had exactly the same loss and tragedy snd worked as an air ambulance pilot and found an alternative family with the Middletons. As well as trying to help his drug addled really stupid brother.
I am with you on this one. I am actually sick to the bone of such a lot of H&M slagging. It is unrelenting & unbridled & unbearable. Such a lot of hate is being generated and I was so glad that unheard had not caught caught up with any of this …., then this article.
I see H as really good person who had a very sad upbringing. I see him as speaking just as he felt it. If it was killing a number of Taliban, it is neither good nor bad. It just IS. To view it in more complex terms, it is the listener’s choice.
I have only heard them speak at the Opera interview, they are just normal. They are neither slanderous, nor accusatory . It came across to me as they are just saying so.
The way people are judging him only reverberates to what they read into it and don’t like about themselves. He is showing them their own portrait which is ugly. Hence the unbridled hatred.
Understand the point KE, and this is the ‘Omerta’ that is often expected. What I’m challenging is whether this is always right? The views of soldiers not universal on this and some have quite welcomed his openness.
Why do you think it should be hidden/unspoken? I appreciate what he flags is not comfortable and perhaps many of us would prefer to remain blissfully ignorant but is that ignorance in our collective interest?
There are plenty of soldier memoirs that inevitably cover similar. Every war we’ve been involved in has generated this genre. And it’s true often they are criticised for the same. Point being though he’s hardly alone, he’s just more high profile.
The normal kill rate is about 10-20 to I, for good versus evil.
Thus in Vietnam circa 58,000 US dead for about 1 million Vietnamese dead.
Israel sometimes produces even better figures.
Thrilling!!! I think I might just have had an accident, Charlie, if you know what I mean!
You’ve ‘wet’ yourself?
I think so, sadly.
I think so, sadly.
You’ve ‘wet’ yourself?
Thrilling!!! I think I might just have had an accident, Charlie, if you know what I mean!
The “Palace” doesn’t fund royal security. It’s out of the Public Purse and administered by committee into which a member of palace staff has an input. Talking to an ex Police Motorcyclist it would appear that MM wanted a full entourage with outriders wherever she went on a “look-at-me – I’m-important/famous” basis. I think they would still have done the same things to make money.
Sorry DP, on this point if Palace had pushed for it I’m sure it’d been covered and they could have come to some deal on some duties too. How are they covering Andrew’s? Jeez he’s been involved in a sex abuse case and no longer a working Royal. We’re paying for him.
As regards the Police Motorcyclist insight – that is not far away from ‘the bloke down the pub said it so it must be true…’. Sorry but it’s almost comical that we’d think such a role would have the inside track. I daresay rumours all over the place and he/she may have been at the end of a v long chain of supposition/distortion. Unless of course the key decision maker thought ‘err actually I better tell that police motorcyclist’ the full story too’.
Well, as part of any deal H+M would have had to agree on what duties to be responsible for, and to a number of limits on what they could do and how they could do it. Where, how, and how much they could go with their security escort, for a start. And, without calling anybody vile, surely the dynamic duo has shown that they are quite reluctant to accept that kind of constraints?
Sex abuse? Jeez , he slept with a 17 year old who had been on the gane fir three tears, so not a helpless virgin.
Well, as part of any deal H+M would have had to agree on what duties to be responsible for, and to a number of limits on what they could do and how they could do it. Where, how, and how much they could go with their security escort, for a start. And, without calling anybody vile, surely the dynamic duo has shown that they are quite reluctant to accept that kind of constraints?
Sex abuse? Jeez , he slept with a 17 year old who had been on the gane fir three tears, so not a helpless virgin.
Sorry DP, on this point if Palace had pushed for it I’m sure it’d been covered and they could have come to some deal on some duties too. How are they covering Andrew’s? Jeez he’s been involved in a sex abuse case and no longer a working Royal. We’re paying for him.
As regards the Police Motorcyclist insight – that is not far away from ‘the bloke down the pub said it so it must be true…’. Sorry but it’s almost comical that we’d think such a role would have the inside track. I daresay rumours all over the place and he/she may have been at the end of a v long chain of supposition/distortion. Unless of course the key decision maker thought ‘err actually I better tell that police motorcyclist’ the full story too’.
I fully expect soldiers have certain ways of thinking about the people they have killed in battle to help them cope…but the point is, they either keep this to themselves, or only talk about it to select other people such as other ex-soldiers or perhaps a therapist. They do not broadcast it or make millions off publishing it. That is the difference between propriety, professionalism and honour on the one hand and crass commercialisation and betrayal on the other.
One of Harry’s big mistakes (for there are many) is his failure to understand what should be kept quiet & private and what is off limits in terms of commercialisation.
The normal kill rate is about 10-20 to I, for good versus evil.
Thus in Vietnam circa 58,000 US dead for about 1 million Vietnamese dead.
Israel sometimes produces even better figures.
The “Palace” doesn’t fund royal security. It’s out of the Public Purse and administered by committee into which a member of palace staff has an input. Talking to an ex Police Motorcyclist it would appear that MM wanted a full entourage with outriders wherever she went on a “look-at-me – I’m-important/famous” basis. I think they would still have done the same things to make money.
On one level anything that draws back the curtain and exposes Monarchy as a nonsense probably isn’t unhelpful IMO. He’s right about the media game that takes place for all our delectation. However then you pause and also think this isn’t a healthy environment for them or their kids and quite honesty why do we persist in requiring a family does this for us? One would not be surprised at all if Wills and Kate are now prompted to ponder whether their kids interest or the Monarchy’s interest should be their primary interest. What a desperate choice.
As regards Harry – one does wonder what would have happened had his family’s security been funded by the Palace. (They’ve carried on funding Andrew’s and he isn’t now working for it so a clear inconsistency, and which could have still made a positive contribution?). How much of the need to make this Faustian bargain is thus because H&M now need a lifetime of security which will run into $millions? And I don’t buy that his comments on killing Taliban created this risk. They’d already got a huge target on their back for any Islamist terrorist or other nutter. Thus IMO the Palace played a game of blackmail using security as a lever and lost. Fair play to him for telling them to ‘stick it’ and covering his costs another way.
Specifically regards the killing – the article probably removes the context in which he disclosed that and perhaps we should read the whole before fully judging? As understand it he explains how an army trains a solider to think and to dehumanise because it has to and this is his example. So there is a sympathy and a context to how he includes this, whether wise or not. There may be an ‘Omerta’ about discussing this publicly but be in no doubt soldiers talk like this sort of thing amongst themselves. The odd TV General po-faced complaining about this looking probably to make some money is fairly cringeworthy too. Is not transparency important? We know exactly how many British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. We do not know how many Afghans were killed, although we occasionally pick up it was many more and not insignificant number probably innocent. How many did we kill unnecessarily or where we could have operated with more care? What lessons have been learned as we are in the drone-strike era? How much impact does the understandable dehumanising of an enemy to allow a soldier to fight result in broader damage and risk perpetuating the conflict? Every conflict results in some innocent loss of life, but do we do ourselves and our soldiers a disservice to not be open about this and what may be the consequences. Credit to H for raising this if it prompts more thought.
You are right to emphasise that Harry had no choice in the Faustian Bargain, but you are wrong to say that he voluntarily returned to the table to sign it. Celebrity was never going to leave Harry, and he has arguably – as with the Invictus Games – put it to good use. Apart from killing, it is the only skill he was taught.
An essential element of the Faustian Bargain is that it is secret. Harry is whistleblowing its terms.
I have not read either the book or followed the matter closely, but just the facts of his situation set up its toxicity. His only role in life was to be the spare, and after William and Kate had children, even that role fell away.
It is the inevitable toxicity of the situation that killed his mother. It seems she gained enough self-awareness before her death to instil in Harry an ambition to avoid the fates of Harry’s immediate predecessors in the role: Princess Margaret, Prince Andrew.
So long as a monarchy is retained, so long we accept the human sacrifice involved.
Come on. Diana was killed by a drunk chauffeur speeding to get free of the press and unwilling to tell his employer that he was in no condition to drive. Unless you believe in supernatural forces of fate this has nothing to do with the ‘inevitable toxicity’ of anything.
And if I had been in her situation, I would have put on a safety belt, which is automatic for me and for most people, now. The only person in the car who did so survived.
Not that I want to get conspiratorial, but the driver did not look drunk in his last photo. He has an appropriate expression on his face as the paparazzi took the photo.
Then there are the witnesses’ testimony of the swarm of paparazzi and a light reflected in the car window.
You are making the mistake of injecting facts into the discussion. That is wholly inappropriate. In this thread, you manifest your wokeness and true faith, not facts or doubt.
Let us walk through this, then. They died because their Mercedes drove into a concrete pillar at high speed (much above the speed limit) and they were not wearing seat belts. There were photographers at the scene immediately to prove that. No one but the driver (who was not wearing a seat belt, and died in the crash) could have controlled the speed or trajectory of the car. Any fancy operation to cause the crash deliberately would have been a failure if the car had been driving at normal speed, so there was no point in even trying. This was not the normal driver or car, and the change had been decided at the last minute, so not much scope for long-term planning. The relevant decisions were taken at the Hotel Ritz, Al Fayeed’s turf and under his control, and Al Fayeed had every motive to keep them both alive. A murder plan would have required several miracles to come off – and even trying would mean a large government level operation, multiple personnel, safe houses in Paris etc. Which would require operating covertly in the French capital, risking discovery and scandal, or buying off the French state, at great risk and cost. Why would the Blair government do that – to save Prince Charles from embarrassment?? Even if they had wanted to – does anyone believe that the Royal Family would be able to command that kind of operation without the government finding out? For the purpose of killing a popular young woman with no security problem involved? With hordes of photographers swarming at all times? At the immense risk of some participant or French cop blowing the whistle either before or afterwards?
Some accidents – like a helicopter crash – could be arranged simply, but this one could not, for at least three cast-iron reasons. It might be just possible that there could have been some contribution from a Paparazzo that got ahead of the pack, or some third-party car (a white Fiat??) getting in the way. But none of that would change the fact that this was a genuine accident.
I’d also add, that Diana also courted the media knowing full well that the Royals don’t complain or explain. The pap chase was an “own dumb fault” situation which Harry, with his towering intellect, feels compelled to copy because when it comes to making wise decisions on safety, he looks to his mother.
Not enough children grow up with the phrase “own dumb fault”. That’s the real tragedy here.
I’d also add, that Diana also courted the media knowing full well that the Royals don’t complain or explain. The pap chase was an “own dumb fault” situation which Harry, with his towering intellect, feels compelled to copy because when it comes to making wise decisions on safety, he looks to his mother.
Not enough children grow up with the phrase “own dumb fault”. That’s the real tragedy here.
You are making the mistake of injecting facts into the discussion. That is wholly inappropriate. In this thread, you manifest your wokeness and true faith, not facts or doubt.
Let us walk through this, then. They died because their Mercedes drove into a concrete pillar at high speed (much above the speed limit) and they were not wearing seat belts. There were photographers at the scene immediately to prove that. No one but the driver (who was not wearing a seat belt, and died in the crash) could have controlled the speed or trajectory of the car. Any fancy operation to cause the crash deliberately would have been a failure if the car had been driving at normal speed, so there was no point in even trying. This was not the normal driver or car, and the change had been decided at the last minute, so not much scope for long-term planning. The relevant decisions were taken at the Hotel Ritz, Al Fayeed’s turf and under his control, and Al Fayeed had every motive to keep them both alive. A murder plan would have required several miracles to come off – and even trying would mean a large government level operation, multiple personnel, safe houses in Paris etc. Which would require operating covertly in the French capital, risking discovery and scandal, or buying off the French state, at great risk and cost. Why would the Blair government do that – to save Prince Charles from embarrassment?? Even if they had wanted to – does anyone believe that the Royal Family would be able to command that kind of operation without the government finding out? For the purpose of killing a popular young woman with no security problem involved? With hordes of photographers swarming at all times? At the immense risk of some participant or French cop blowing the whistle either before or afterwards?
Some accidents – like a helicopter crash – could be arranged simply, but this one could not, for at least three cast-iron reasons. It might be just possible that there could have been some contribution from a Paparazzo that got ahead of the pack, or some third-party car (a white Fiat??) getting in the way. But none of that would change the fact that this was a genuine accident.
And if I had been in her situation, I would have put on a safety belt, which is automatic for me and for most people, now. The only person in the car who did so survived.
Not that I want to get conspiratorial, but the driver did not look drunk in his last photo. He has an appropriate expression on his face as the paparazzi took the photo.
Then there are the witnesses’ testimony of the swarm of paparazzi and a light reflected in the car window.
The media has stirred up a lot of hate in the population in England. Hate is such a base emotion and as we can tell it’s being drawn out of the public in copious quantities. What bad karma people bring with their negative thoughts about one human who is just as flawed as themselves . It is not he who will pay the price, they all will.
I thought the psyche of the population was more evolved & mature than this venom being spewed both by the author & most of the readers. . I am not a Christian but I would say , take the plank out of your eyes before you ask the splinter in his eye to be removed.
I didn’t think the author spewed much “venom’- it seems a reasonable piece to me. It’s quite harsh in some ways, but they are both wealthy, privileged adults who are doing financially very well out of the situation, and far less thoughtful stuff is written about them on an hourly basis.
BTL is a different story..
I didn’t think the author spewed much “venom’- it seems a reasonable piece to me. It’s quite harsh in some ways, but they are both wealthy, privileged adults who are doing financially very well out of the situation, and far less thoughtful stuff is written about them on an hourly basis.
BTL is a different story..
V much agree JG, albeit I do think Diana’s death was just a tragic accident and no conspiracy. That said if you are chased everywhere it probably does increase the chances of a road traffic accident.
Come on. Diana was killed by a drunk chauffeur speeding to get free of the press and unwilling to tell his employer that he was in no condition to drive. Unless you believe in supernatural forces of fate this has nothing to do with the ‘inevitable toxicity’ of anything.
The media has stirred up a lot of hate in the population in England. Hate is such a base emotion and as we can tell it’s being drawn out of the public in copious quantities. What bad karma people bring with their negative thoughts about one human who is just as flawed as themselves . It is not he who will pay the price, they all will.
I thought the psyche of the population was more evolved & mature than this venom being spewed both by the author & most of the readers. . I am not a Christian but I would say , take the plank out of your eyes before you ask the splinter in his eye to be removed.
V much agree JG, albeit I do think Diana’s death was just a tragic accident and no conspiracy. That said if you are chased everywhere it probably does increase the chances of a road traffic accident.
You are right to emphasise that Harry had no choice in the Faustian Bargain, but you are wrong to say that he voluntarily returned to the table to sign it. Celebrity was never going to leave Harry, and he has arguably – as with the Invictus Games – put it to good use. Apart from killing, it is the only skill he was taught.
An essential element of the Faustian Bargain is that it is secret. Harry is whistleblowing its terms.
I have not read either the book or followed the matter closely, but just the facts of his situation set up its toxicity. His only role in life was to be the spare, and after William and Kate had children, even that role fell away.
It is the inevitable toxicity of the situation that killed his mother. It seems she gained enough self-awareness before her death to instil in Harry an ambition to avoid the fates of Harry’s immediate predecessors in the role: Princess Margaret, Prince Andrew.
So long as a monarchy is retained, so long we accept the human sacrifice involved.