Birth of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor: May 6, 2019

[muriel]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

But it wasn’t really factually incorrect. And I would guess they were still calling people, letting them know the good news, so not ready to announce yet.

You are right, whilst it was not factually incorrect, however it was completely misleading. If timing was the issue, there was no reason whatsoever to put that announcement out, they could have waited to put out the birth announcement when they were ready.

To me this ineptitude, perhaps from inexperience, needs to be addressed swiftly. This is the second bungled communication from the fledgling Sussex team, after the confusing messages previously set out in relation to arrangements around the time and location of birth and the operational notes for the media. It is made particularly bad as it appears that the entire BP machinery is inept, whilst in practice it is just the Sussex Comms team that needs to get its act together.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by muriel

You are right, whilst it was not factually incorrect, however it was completely misleading. If timing was the issue, there was no reason whatsoever to put that announcement out, they could have waited to put out the birth announcement when they were ready.

To me this ineptitude, perhaps from inexperience, needs to be addressed swiftly. This is the second bungled communication from the fledgling Sussex team, after the confusing messages previously set out in relation to arrangements around the time and location of birth and the operational notes for the media. It is made particularly bad as it appears that the entire BP machinery is inept, whilst in practice it is just the Sussex Comms team that needs to get its act together.

You seem to be missing the fact that they can't give them a heads up without announcing. The media will not wait to speculate on this with any hint unless they know it's just a normal process of birth. It was hardly misleading as most of them guessed that she had given birth when they read the announcement.

This isn't ineptitude. They made a good decision when the timing made it impossible to give a good heads up while she was still in labor. The email situation clearly isn't a Sussex office specific problem. Nor is it their people handling it unless they use exclusive IT people.

But anything to criticize the Sussexes.

[tommy100]

Late to the party but happy the baby has been delivered safely and all are well. Harry's interview was nice and a nice touch.

I hope the Queen doesn't create LPs making the baby HRH as I think, looking back at others its better to go without if possible when so far down the line of succession.

I'm sure it was mainly due to the late night/early morning birth but I don't think the e-mail error helped the Sussex's ongoing rough ride with some of the "traditional" media. I don't see why they couldn't have simply announced the birth rather than saying she had gone into labour (technically not a lie at all) when she had already given birth. I don't think it was a big think but for those with chips already on their shoulder its more ammunition and could have been avoided.

Poor Charles just starting a trip overseas so having to wait to see his new grandson. I wonder if Philip was at Windsor for the Order of Merit service in part because it would allow him to see his new great grandson, especially when its reported widely Meghan was overdue.

[ACO]

There have been complaints for years over the communications teams. KP has especially been harshly criticized many times over. The royal reporters have already admitted this is not the first time they failed to get information from the various press offices on time. The server error or whatever it was happened. It sucks for the press they felt rushed but the world still spinning and they still got their papers out on time.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by ACO

There have been complaints for years over the communications teams. KP has especially been harshly criticized many times over. The royal reporters have already admitted this is not the first time they failed to get information from the various press offices on time. The server error or whatever it was happened. It sucks for the press they felt rushed but the world still spinning and they still got their papers out on time.

The Sussex Comms team is making the KP operation look like a well oiled machine at the moment.

[wyevale]

I've a question for those more knowledgeable than I. i've been battling [elsewhere] with someone who insists this baby boy is a 'Prince of Denmark and Greece' through his male line descent from the DoE !

I'm pretty certain that when the DoE became a British subject, he ceased to be a Prince of Greece and Denmark and thus his descendants had no claim to that title either, despite being [technically] 'Oldenburgs' ?

Perhaps others might confirm that ? Thank you.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by jacqui24

You seem to be missing the fact that they can't give them a heads up without announcing. The media will not wait to speculate on this with any hint unless they know it's just a normal process of birth. It was hardly misleading as most of them guessed that she had given birth when they read the announcement.

But what did they need to alert the media for? Its not like there was a specific hospital they could go to? Once the announcement came out, the Press could all go to the Long Walk, not that they would see anything there. Also, they are not communicating through the media, they are using Instagram.

Originally Posted by jacqui24

This isn't ineptitude. They made a good decision when the timing made it impossible to give a good heads up while she was still in labor. The email situation clearly isn't a Sussex office specific problem. Nor is it their people handling it unless they use exclusive IT people.

But anything to criticize the Sussexes.

So the carefully laid out plan made no allowance for an early morning birth? If that is not amateurish handling of the communications, what is?

Originally Posted by jacqui24

But anything to criticize the Sussexes.

I am not criticising H&M, but their Comms team's poor handling of the matter, not once but twice.

Originally Posted by wyevale

I've a question for those more knowledgeable than I. i've been battling [elsewhere] with someone who insists this baby boy is a 'Prince of Denmark and Greece' through his male line descent from the DoE !

I'm pretty certain that when the DoE became a British subject, he ceased to be a Prince of Greece and Denmark and thus his descendants had no claim to that title either, despite being [technically] 'Oldenburgs' ?

Perhaps others might confirm that ? Thank you.

I think you are right. The DoE did indeed give up his former titles when he became a British suject. And I think you are correct in that whilst the baby is indeed descended from the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg line.

[Hallo girl]

Originally Posted by muriel

But what did they need to alert the media for? Its not like there was a specific hospital they could go to? Once the announcement came out, the Press could all go to the Long Walk, not that they would see anything there. Also, they are not communicating through the media, they are using Instagram.



So the carefully laid out plan made no allowance for an early morning birth? If that is not amateurish handling of the communications, what is?



I am not criticising H&M, but their Comms team's poor handling of the matter, not once but twice.

Something has crossed my mind and I am interested on all your views. If there had been a glitch sending out the e mail, allegedly at 1 o clock , why did nobody in the press offices of any of the palaces not notice that nobody was reporting on it. I don't understand why it had taken an hour to notice it had not gone out properly. You would have thought the press office would have the 24 hours news programmes on in their offices to monitor the coverage. Just asking....

With regards the time between birth and announcement could that be to ensure they were back at Frogmore before the press descended on Windsor. If they had announced sooner it risked them being spotted by the press on heightened baby watch. A number of new mums go home with 6 to 8 hours after birth.

[Curryong]

Originally Posted by wyevale

I've a question for those more knowledgeable than I. i've been battling [elsewhere] with someone who insists this baby boy is a 'Prince of Denmark and Greece' through his male line descent from the DoE !

I'm pretty certain that when the DoE became a British subject, he ceased to be a Prince of Greece and Denmark and thus his descendants had no claim to that title either, despite being [technically] 'Oldenburgs' ?

Perhaps others might confirm that ? Thank you.

Prince Philip gave up his title as a Prince of Greece and Denmark in 1947 shortly before he married Princess Elizabeth. For a brief time before being given the title of Duke of Edinburgh by King George he was simply Naval Lt Philip Mountbatten.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal...e-real-surname

[loonytick]

Originally Posted by tommy100

I don't see why they couldn't have simply announced the birth rather than saying she had gone into labour (technically not a lie at all) when she had already given birth. I don't think it was a big think but for those with chips already on their shoulder its more ammunition and could have been avoided.

It wouldn’t have made a big difference for print reporters, but announcing without giving a chance to set up in the press pen first would have been a disadvantage to the broadcast folks who need to have a place to do their stand ups. It would have been seen as playing favorites. Richard Palmer, who was in a particularly whiny mood that day, would have been appeased, but all the TV people would have been pissed off.

If hasn’t been clear from some of my past comments, I’m a former reporter. Folks in the press corps get FIERCE about parity for each medium/outlet when it’s a dinky little story that’s bound to get cut to make room for something else. I can only imagine the fur that would fly if they didn’t give broadcast a fighting chance to be ready for a big story like this.

[Jacknch]

It's time to move on now concerning the timing of the labour/birth announcement - it's happened, the baby had been born and most people have now had their say on the matter and we wish to avoid going round in circles. Thank you.

[PtahHotep]

Interesting that apparently Meghan gave birth at Portland Hospital, where Fergie's kids were born at, and also where Victoria Beckham gave birth to her first two kids at. :):)

[Dman]

I love the fact that the family are allowing Harry and Meghan to have some family time with the baby and let Meghan rest before they go pouring into Frogmore Cottage for a visit.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by PtahHotep

Interesting that apparently Meghan gave birth at Portland Hospital, where Fergie's kids were born at, and also where Victoria Beckham gave birth to her first two kids at. :):)

Where did you get that information from?

[Rudolph]

According to the DM, Meghan has insisted on American broadcaster CBS getting in on the action tomorrow when the pics are released

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...photocall.html

[PtahHotep]

Originally Posted by MARG

Where did you get that information from?

It's been all over the news. Yahoo had a story on it. Nothing definite has been confirmed---------notice I said "apparently"---but IF it is true, it is still interesting.

Originally Posted by Rudolph

According to the DM, Meghan has insisted on American broadcaster CBS getting in on the action tomorrow when the pics are released

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...photocall.html

CBS stands to make ratings and a lot of money............

[kathia_sophia]

The name will be announced with the pictures tomorrow? Or we'll know it at a later date?

[Pranter]

We don't know...hopefully tomorrow when they do the photo call.


LaRae

[Rudolph]

"Some have questioned why, as ambassadors for the Commonwealth, Harry and Meghan appear so preoccupied with US outlets that they have taken this unprecedented step - when the palace press operation is funded by British, not American taxpayers"

Via Telegraph newspaper

[Pranter]

Seriously...you don't even know if this is accurate.


LaRae