"The Firm" - Penny Junor - Page 3

iowabelle · #41 08-13-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiaraprin

I am reading the book at and the end of the chapter when she speaks about Robert Fellowes, who did not support Charles in keeping Camilla and that it was causing problems, she actually agreed--this coming from a woman who always supported Charles!! Let's see if she slants back to Charles' direction!!

I was floored by at least one comment she made about Charles (since she has IMO always sucked up to Charles and the royals), that he was weak. Yes, she said it.

And I agree, Burrell had to have been obsessed. But I feel rather sorry for him now, since he's been reduced to a reality show to pick an "American princess." I wish he had had more dignity/strength of spirit like her chef (who belongs/belonged to this forum, Darren), who talks about his work and recipes (and the Princess's taste in food, etc.) but who hasn't exploited her with "revelations". (I feel guilty, I have bought tell-all books, but not the latest by Simmons.)

tiaraprin · #42 08-13-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iowabelle

I was floored by at least one comment she made about Charles (since she has IMO always sucked up to Charles and the royals), that he was weak. Yes, she said it.

And I agree, Burrell had to have been obsessed. But I feel rather sorry for him now, since he's been reduced to a reality show to pick an "American princess." I wish he had had more dignity/strength of spirit like her chef (who belongs/belonged to this forum, Darren), who talks about his work and recipes (and the Princess's taste in food, etc.) but who hasn't exploited her with "revelations". (I feel guilty, I have bought tell-all books, but not the latest by Simmons.)

OH MY GOD!! Darren was Diana's Chef???? (passed out over chair)

iowabelle · #43 08-13-2005, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiaraprin

OH MY GOD!! Darren was Diana's Chef???? (passed out over chair)

Yes, have you talked to him?

He even has a website.

Idriel · #44 08-13-2005, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiaraprin

OH MY GOD!! Darren was Diana's Chef????

Sorry but on the member list, no-one is registered as Darren. Do you know if he changed his name, and if yes what's the new one? Thanks.

tiaraprin · #45 08-13-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iowabelle

Yes, have you talked to him?

He even has a website.

I have never spoken to Darren, I have spoken to Warren though:p Warren is in Australia.

iowabelle · #46 08-13-2005, 06:06 PM

I really didn't mean to offend Warren. I should know better, people are sensitive these days. Big frowny face -- to me, not Warren.

Emily · #47 08-13-2005, 06:11 PM

Has anyone read The Housekeeper's Diary by Wendy Berry? I'm pretty sure it was banned in Great Britain -- but boy does she dish the dirt on C & D, especially at Highgrove. There were some details of what she wrote that were collaborated in other sources I had read so I think it must be fairly accurate. Just curious if others have read it and what they thought. Now I'm off to buy The Firm!

iowabelle · #48 08-13-2005, 06:14 PM

Yes, I've read it. How did you like the part about James Hewitt staying over with Diana and the boys while Charles was gone?

You know, I got mine while Princess Diana was still alive. I'll have to re-read it and see what a role Burrell had, I don't really remember him too much in that book.

**Warren** · #49 08-13-2005, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iowabelle

I really didn't mean to offend Warren. I should know better, people are sensitive these days. Big frowny face -- to me, not Warren.

Wrong thread?

tiaraprin · #50 08-13-2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily

Has anyone read The Housekeeper's Diary by Wendy Berry? I'm pretty sure it was banned in Great Britain -- but boy does she dish the dirt on C & D, especially at Highgrove. There were some details of what she wrote that were collaborated in other sources I had read so I think it must be fairly accurate. Just curious if others have read it and what they thought. Now I'm off to buy The Firm!

I have a copy of the book you speak of. It is quite interesting and was banned in Great Britain. She lets it all out, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly if she has accurately recorded things. She talks about Charles' impatience and temper, Diana's emotional tears on the back steps of the kitchen, Harry vomiting in the car on the way to Highgrove, and her eventual disillusionment with the Wales and royalty.

iowabelle · #51 08-13-2005, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiaraprin

I have a copy of the book you speak of. It is quite interesting and was banned in Great Britain. She lets it all out, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly if she has accurately recorded things. She talks about Charles' impatience and temper, Diana's emotional tears on the back steps of the kitchen, Harry vomiting in the car on the way to Highgrove, and her eventual disillusionment with the Wales and royalty.

Wasn't there a scene when she had set up a nice dinner on a card table for Charles and Diana, and she heard screaming and glass being broken, and when she went in, the table was overturned and Diana had run away? (Maybe that was Burrell.)

Incas · #52 08-21-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iowabelle

Wasn't there a scene when she had set up a nice dinner on a card table for Charles and Diana, and she heard screaming and glass being broken, and when she went in, the table was overturned and Diana had run away? (Maybe that was Burrell.)

Yes, that was in Wendy's book. I think she wrote she saw Charles picking up the broken cups when she entered the room.

Emily · #53 08-21-2005, 02:19 PM

I've finished The Firm and really enjoyed it. Like tiaraprin, I was surprised Junor was so "realistic" about PC since she always has been supportive of her. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and thought it quite a balanced account all the way around.

Emily · #54 08-21-2005, 02:20 PM

....sorry mistake I made in typing...should read "since [Junor] has always been so supportive of [Charles].

iowabelle · #55 08-22-2005, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idriel

Sorry but on the member list, no-one is registered as Darren. Do you know if he changed his name, and if yes what's the new one? Thanks.

Look under theroyalchef. That's the name he has used here.

kelly9480 · #56 08-22-2005, 07:05 PM

To be fair to Charles, Dale "Kanga" Tryon had some sort of mental health problem in her final years. Her husband divorced her and she was apparently sectioned under the Mental Health Act. When Charles tried to cut the strings, she would follow him to polo matches and generally make a nuisance of herself. I'm not saying Charles was right to drop her, but her own husband and children did the same thing.

iowabelle · #57 08-22-2005, 07:23 PM

I thought Kanga had some awful condition like MS or something that eventually killed her. I never knew she had a mental health issue.

Emily · #58 08-22-2005, 11:31 PM

I thought I read that she ultimately died from injuries following a suicide attempt - "falling" out a window - at a mental health facility where she was being treated. Did anyone else read this? As I recall, after the fall she was confined to a wheelchair and then ultimately died. Can anyone comment on this?

tiaraprin · #59 08-23-2005, 01:28 AM

What did you think of Penny Junor meeting the Duke of Edinburgh at The Gold Medals Awards for his trust?? Ms. Junor was asked to give out some awards and when Prince Philip was introduced to her, he was rude, cold, and stomped away from her!! He may not like her, but hey show some class Philip (what am I saying, he has never really shown that!) His people invited her, so get mad at them!!