The Duke & Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 4: April-June 2021

[RandyDrx]

Pre-orders have taken Meghan’s book The Bench to the top of Amazon’s list of books for Children and young readers. That’s within 24 hours of the news breaking about the book’s June release.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/meghan-markles-childrens-book-bench-24041792

Meghan can thank the Sussex Squad for that, some of them on Twitter actually admitted that they plan to bulk buy her book.

 

[An Ard Ri]

The Queen has sent a birthday message to great grandson Archie wishing him a Happy second Birthday.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-queen-sends-birthday-message-24048777

William and Kate at KP and Charles and Camilla’s Clarence House account also sent birthday wishes.

Very public birthday wishes from his great grandmother, grandfather and Uncle /aunt in law.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57006672

 

[Osipi]

Meghan can thank the Sussex Squad for that, some of them on Twitter actually admitted that they plan to bulk buy her book.

Know what that says to me? A fool and his money are soon parted. I can see being a fan and supporting the Sussexes but bulk buying a book? Hope these people know a lot of kids.

 

[Denville]

I dbout if they're buying the book because they think its great...

 

[Nico]

Meghan can thank the Sussex Squad for that, some of them on Twitter actually admitted that they plan to bulk buy her book.

Sometimes i think the humanity is just simply doomed ...

 

[Betsypaige]

Personally I hope all parties will be able to patch up the situation. Even Meghan and her family. Heard the same about Edward saying that he was grateful that his children are able to spend time with their grandfathers, as his were nothing more then pictures to him.

I really hope that they are able to resolve this - especially for the children. I was recently reminded that parents who breaks their own paternal bonds unusually see their children break theirs.

I think we all want to see that...but, I don’t want that to happen (nor do I think it could) unless Harry frankly deals with the issues he clearly has with his father. There’s nothing Charles can do, IMO - he’s loved and supported his son all along. Until H resolves his feelings, I don’t see him ever making overtures to C. Even if the wounds are repaired, I’m not sure things will ever be the same; Harry said things that can’t ever be unsaid.

I would love to see Meghan and her father reconcile, too....but I’m not optimistic.

 

[Betsypaige]

Today is Archie's second birthday. Both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and both The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall congratulated the little boy on twitter in public. They could have congratulated him in private. For me this is a message that Archie will always be their grandchild and nephew and that they want to have contact with him.

Well of course they love Archie and would love to see him...who thought that wasn’t the case ? Why would they send birthday wishes in private when they always do so publicly?

 

[Claire]

Sad part about Amazon sales and stats is that it records the sale but not the return & refusal. And since Amazon has such a generous return policy. Well.

I was in the main return depot in the UK last year and the amount of Finding Freedom were like a mountain. People brought them to register the sale and then returned them on delivery. They even buy in bulk so buy over 200 books and then return them. Most still are in the plastic. Unfortunately these books go straight to pulping. Such a waste. I hope that these aren't the same people doing this, but I expect they are.

 

[Curryong]

I haven’t seen any fan of the Sussexes on Twitter planning to bulk-buy Meghan’s book. I have however seen discussions online between a poster from Bluebird Books and other people about maybe buying two and donating one in Meghan’s name to libraries and to charities who see parents of small children who can’t buy books. Several people thought that was a good idea.

 

[Lee-Z]

Very public birthday wishes from his great grandmother, grandfather and Uncle /aunt in law.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57006672

Prince of Wales *and* Duchess of Cornwall if you read these threads you'd think P.Charles was single ?

Happy birthday to Archie, maybe he's already looking forward a bit to having a little sister soon

 

[Osipi]

Sad part about Amazon sales and stats is that it records the sale but not the return & refusal. And since Amazon has such a generous return policy. Well.

I was in the main return depot in the UK last year and the amount of Finding Freedom were like a mountain. People brought them to register the sale and then returned them on delivery. They even buy in bulk so buy over 200 books and then return them. Most still are in the plastic. Unfortunately these books go straight to pulping. Such a waste. I hope that these aren't the same people doing this, but I expect they are.

Initial sales could go through the roof but IMO, the success of a book lies in how many printings it goes into. The kind of books that if you have a first edition in hardback, you hold onto it.

 

[Curryong]

Finding Freedom is going into a paperback edition this June and has already been translated into 14 different languages.

 

[Alison H]

Of course they're wishing Archie a happy birthday. Whatever wrongs anyone else has done, none of it is Archie's fault. He's just a little kid.

 

[Betsypaige]

I’ve even seen an article or two state that Charles snubbed Meghan by choosing a photo she’s not in....???

It’s sad that Charles had - everyone else, also - to use a very old photo of Archie.

 

[Denville]

Of course they're wishing Archie a happy birthday. Whatever wrongs anyone else has done, none of it is Archie's fault. He's just a little kid.

They dont wnat an open breach so they've sent the congrats publicly....

Sad part about Amazon sales and stats is that it records the sale but not the return & refusal. And since Amazon has such a generous return policy. Well.

I was in the main return depot in the UK last year and the amount of Finding Freedom were like a mountain. People brought them to register the sale and then returned them on delivery. They even buy in bulk so buy over 200 books and then return them. Most still are in the plastic. Unfortunately these books go straight to pulping. Such a waste. I hope that these aren't the same people doing this, but I expect they are.

why do poeple go to such trouble? why would anyone buy a book and then return it?

 

[Mirabel]

The book.

Do any of you remember the books you liked as a young child? I liked Amelia Bedelia and Dr. Seuss's "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins".

I loved the Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, had the entire series.

Also the Bobbsey Twins, The Secret Garden and A Little Princess.

 

[Alisa]

Oh no. No new photo of Archie for his birthday?

 

[Fem]

why do poeple go to such trouble? why would anyone buy a book and then return it?

Because it's still a registered sale. So then someone can write a tweet that the book is number 1 on Amazon, but a big amount of the books will be then returned - and depending on the policy, reused in some way or simply destroyed. It gives people the impression that the book is successful, even when it's not the case.

Today is Archie's second birthday. Both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and both The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall congratulated the little boy on twitter in public. They could have congratulated him in private. For me this is a message that Archie will always be their grandchild and nephew and that they want to have contact with him.

I think it's kind of sad that the only photos of Archie they could use are *almost* two years old.

Obviously they had to make a public post to not fuel the "rift" rumours. I believe the Sussexes wedding anniversary will be given the same treatment. And before someone says anything - that is NOT me saying that they don't want to wish a happy birthday to Archie, but come on, Twitter is not the best way to wish a two year old a happy birthday Maybe there will be a zoom call or at least presents and cards sent beforehand.

 

[Erin9]

Finding Freedom is going into a paperback edition this June and has already been translated into 14 different languages.

I haven’t read the book, nor do I plan to put time or money into doing so (Thanks to all who did!), but isn’t the book full of “sources say”......? Isn’t that the majority of what this book is based off?

 

[Erin9]

The Duke & Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 4: April 2021 -

Initial sales could go through the roof but IMO, the success of a book lies in how many printings it goes into. The kind of books that if you have a first edition in hardback, you hold onto it. [emoji3]

The success to me is also if it is actually a classic. It was billed as an extraordinary debut, an instant classic...very, very gushing. Like a lot of things with the Sussexes, it sounded over the top. (Though I fully get the why of it.)

If it becomes the next Anne of Green Gables or The Secret Garden- (which takes time) then I’ll agree with the glowing assessment of this book in children’s literature.

But really- people are buying on name recognition.

 

[AC21091968]

I haven’t read the book, nor do I plan to put time or money into doing so (Thanks to all who did!), but isn’t the book full of “sources say”......? Isn’t that the majority of what this book is based off?

There was a massive discussion on The Royal Forum about Finding Freedom with 112 pages on that thread when the book was released last year. To summarise the general forum perspective, the high level and amount of details in Finding Freedom indicated that the sources must have come from those people who are very close to the Sussexes or even Harry & Meghan themselves. This is evident in the Buckingham Palace's Tiara vault. Some posters have also pointed out that the book is almost like a hagiography rather than a balanced biography. However, the overtly positive spin/perspective of the Sussexes made Harry & Meghan appeared self-centred.

I did not read Finding Freedom and was not intended to purchase the book. I personally find the forum discussion very interesting and comprehensive just by reading every post. (You could just skim through thread pages if you don't have that much time by just getting the gist of it )

 

[Erin9]

There was a massive discussion on The Royal Forum about Finding Freedom with 112 pages on that thread when the book was released last year. To summarise the general forum perspective, the high level and amount of details in Finding Freedom indicated that the sources must have come from those people who are very close to the Sussexes or even Harry & Meghan themselves. This is evident in the Buckingham Palace's Tiara vault. Some posters have also pointed out that the book is almost like a hagiography rather than a balanced biography. However, the overtly positive spin/perspective of the Sussexes made Harry & Meghan appeared self-centred.



I did not read Finding Freedom and was not intended to purchase the book. I personally find the forum discussion very interesting and comprehensive just by reading every post. (You could just skim through thread pages if you don't have that much time by just getting the gist of it )

Thanks! I’ll take a look. I have some recollection of that now! I do remember hearing that it came across to many as over the top flattering (kinda like a recent interview!) and that the information seemed to have had to come from them or someone close to them.

I was also thinking about the book from the POV that I’ve never been that interested in reading books that can’t cite actual sources. It’s the history/business major in me. Lol

 

[TLLK]

Sad part about Amazon sales and stats is that it records the sale but not the return & refusal. And since Amazon has such a generous return policy. Well.

I was in the main return depot in the UK last year and the amount of Finding Freedom were like a mountain. People brought them to register the sale and then returned them on delivery. They even buy in bulk so buy over 200 books and then return them. Most still are in the plastic. Unfortunately these books go straight to pulping. Such a waste. I hope that these aren't the same people doing this, but I expect they are.

What a terrible waste of resources to spend that amount of money to drive sales. Sadly I expect that this might happen again with The Bench.

 

[Sandy345]

Sure, but that's not the point at all. Nobody expects everybody to rest in the village one was born

I wrote IF they are and keep estrained plus pandemic plus videocalls do not the same for a relationship as meeting somebody especially for toddlers.

And you, too, have not further knowledge about Meghan's folks we may not know, what was my question.
So, sorry i don't see the point in your post except blind defense.

Well, with the pandemic it had to be the way of meeting someone. Or looking in a window at a grandparent and not being able to go into the home. I agree. I have no further knowledge. I don't agree it is "blind defense" just my opinion on the topic. no more and no less

 

[Erin9]

Sad part about Amazon sales and stats is that it records the sale but not the return & refusal. And since Amazon has such a generous return policy. Well.

I was in the main return depot in the UK last year and the amount of Finding Freedom were like a mountain. People brought them to register the sale and then returned them on delivery. They even buy in bulk so buy over 200 books and then return them. Most still are in the plastic. Unfortunately these books go straight to pulping. Such a waste. I hope that these aren't the same people doing this, but I expect they are.

Really? Wow. That just seems so ridiculous to me. Why would anyone actually care that much about how well a book does.

 

[Sandy345]

I always thought Amazon put up used copies for sale. I did not know they threw them out. Book dealers also are on Amazon with used copies. I think donating the books to charity is also a good idea.

 

[ACO]

I don't know why anyone is surprised they wished Archie well wishes on his birthday. He is still their great-grandson, grandson, and nephew. They wish many members of the family the same. Why should he be different? Isn't that one of the main issues at play anyways?

As for the book. I am already seeing petty Hold Still vs Bench arguments on social media. I wish people would just grow up. Buy whatever book you want. Both will be successful regardless of how you feel about either woman.

 

[Denville]

Thanks! I’ll take a look. I have some recollection of that now! I do remember hearing that it came across to many as over the top flattering (kinda like a recent interview!) and that the information seemed to have had to come from them or someone close to them.

I was also thinking about the book from the POV that I’ve never been that interested in reading books that can’t cite actual sources. It’s the history/business major in me. Lol

Generally boosk about royals wont have that many sources.. because people in the royal staff or circle, dont wnat to be quoted/are not supposed to talk to the press.

 

[Alison H]

People do buy on name recognition. As I've said before, this is why ex-footballers, TV presenters, former politicians etc etc get their books published, whilst people who've been trying for years, and produce work which is probably of far higher quality, struggle to get publishers for theirs. It's not fair, but it's the way it goes - publishers are running businesses, and are going to choose something that sells.


Do Amazon really pulp books that are returned? If so, that's ridiculous. Why don't they donate them to public libraries? It'd be good publicity for them.

 

[Denville]

People do buy on name recognition. As I've said before, this is why ex-footballers, TV presenters, former politicians etc etc get their books published, whilst people who've been trying for years, and produce work which is probably of far higher quality, struggle to get publishers for theirs. It's not fair, but it's the way it goes - publishers are running businesses, and are going to choose something that sells.


Do Amazon really pulp books that are returned? If so, that's ridiculous. Why don't they donate them to public libraries? It'd be good publicity for them.

if they go back to the individual sellers, i suppose they can do what they like with them.. but possibly they do pulp returns. If the books dont sell that well, a library probably isn't going to want them al that much. They have space problems nowadays.