This is off topic, but I remember when Harry was dating Cressida people who had followed Harry for years agreed that he and Sam hadnt been seen that much together for years. Holly is years older, and there was talk that William had removed himself from Branson influence years ago. I agree that the Yorks are friends with the Bransons.
Then it's not a quid pro quo. The Duke of Westminster didn't gain anything from lending his plane. He already had prestige and money. Viscount Linley is William's cousin does he sell more furniture because his cousin stated at his house? Probably not.
Kate doesn't get a dress from Alexander McQueen or other designers for free.
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No, though Viscount Linley probably sells more furniture overall because he's the Queen's nephew. However, that's another issue.
The debate is a bit wider than quid pro quo, though, isn't it? I look on it all with a fairly cynical eye because, as I posted before, celebrities, royals and the super-rich all over the world get special deals and perks all the time.
I especially excepted the Duke of Westminster from my post because it's quite clear that he was obviously great friends of the Royal family for years and was a generous man. We don't know about the media mogul's relationship with the Cambridges or what, if anything, he's getting out of it, or will get out of it in the future.
With royals (and not just the BRF) it is a matter of prestige (or the snobbery factor). If a fashion house is known to dress a prominent Royal (or sell them handbags) then that brings other customers in and can add hundreds of thousands a year in profit.
It's known that designers/retail outlets give special deals to well known clients, for the above reason, and it has been so since the days when Paris ruled the fashion world.
