The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family 11: 7 May - 31 Dec 2025

[hereditarytitles]

Then he complained about the size of the cottage and the furniture, yet he knew all single royals, as well as newly wed couples use these as starter homes that joe bloggs would be delighted with, but not good enough for them.

If I remember correctly, Harry was quite happy living in this cottage before he met Meghan. I had the impression that it was only when Meghan complained about the size and furnishings that he adopted her opinion. She was the one who was surprised that he, as the son of the future king, was living in a cottage, even though I personally think 115 square meters is big enough for a single person.

 

[BriarRose]

"And actually I find it quite sad that when Meghan is being interviewed she emphasises the love and support Harry gives to her but very very rarely does she state how much she loves and supports him. And I do think and hope she loves him."

That's exactly what irritated me; it sounds very selfish.

This has rubbed me the wrong way for a while. I think back to my own "love story" and I can't recall ever just telling friends, "Oh, he loves me!" It was always me saying, "I love him so much, I'm so lucky to have him in my life." When I look at my children, I don't think "They love me!" I gush to them about how much I love them.

It did not escape my notice that a certain Norwegian Netflix documentary had an identical situation- a person gushing to the cameras about how his royal fiancée loves him so much, and said I love you first.

As for being announced to the interveiwer at a scheduled appointment:
1. That reeks of something Andrew would have done in the not-so-distant past,
2. In etiquette, if anyone is announced entering a room, isn't it the person arriving, not the host?
3. In the alternative, doesn't etiquette prescribe introducing the more junior person to the more senior person?

 

[muriel]

Meghan is on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar’s November issue, and in an interview discusses her relationship with her husband, her children, and some of the food to be seen on the Xmas special such as her sage honey.

Meghan Markle Drops Rare Confession About Marriage to Prince Harry: 'He Loves Me So Boldly, Fully'

Meghan Markle gets candid about Prince Harry in a new interview for Harper's Bazaar's Art Issue

people.com

Amazing what all you can buy these days!

 

[TLLK]

Then he complained about the size of the cottage and the furniture, yet he knew all single royals, as well as newly wed couples use these as starter homes that joe bloggs would be delighted with, but not good enough for them.

I thought his complaints about NC in "Spare" to be interesting when you consider that not only his brother and sister-in-law lived there but his Aunt Jane and her family had as well. Prior to "Spare" the only concerns that I've read about NC were the low ceilings. His current home is definitely much larger than what most of the BRF live in now
The once cost conscious Harry seems to have disappeared to be replaced by a person who is now happiest only dwelling in a faux Mediterranean "McMansion." For anyone unfamiliar with the term, a "McMansion" is home that is considered to be large, ostentatious and lacking in architectural integrity.
In October 2023, the couple's decision to use a six vehicle convoy to go one and a half blocks in NYC appears to fit in with a lifestyle that is definitely "large and ostentatious."

I'm getting visions of footmen in powdered wigs announcing their Royal Highnesses arrival as they come down to dinner in the Palace of Montecito.

That's very interesting as my own visions included a trumpeter and someone flinging rose petals as Meghan enters the room.

 

[Kronprinz]

That's very interesting as my own visions included a trumpeter and someone flinging rose petals as Meghan enters the room.

Oh better not start, as I also picture a Scottish piper going around the table as they have the first course.

 

[TLLK]

After the most recent and IMHO unflattering revelations in the "Harper's Bazaar" interview, will Meghan try to book another to help repair her image again. IMHO the 2022, "The Cut" interview was not complimentary towards Meghan, so shortly afterwards there was an interview in "Variety" complete with a photo shoot at the San Ysidro ranch resort.
Are Sussex PR staff busily trying to book another interview/photo shoot? Meghan has her holiday special airing on December 3, 2025.

 

[hereditarytitles]

I rarely participate in this thread. But there's one thing I have to say.

Somehow, it all doesn't add up for me, especially when I think of that scene that stuck with me, where Meghan makes fun of the tradition of curtsying. I found that really shabby. Even if you find this tradition old-fashioned and/or ridiculous, you should keep it to yourself. If only out of respect for the late Queen.
Many members here have already written about these conflicting views: on the one hand, making fun of or criticizing everything traditional about the royal family, and on the other hand, insisting on traditional royal etiquette. And she didn't even understand that properly, as you can see from the latest article

 

[Hallo girl]

I rarely participate in this thread. But there's one thing I have to say.

Somehow, it all doesn't add up for me, especially when I think of that scene that stuck with me, where Meghan makes fun of the tradition of curtsying. I found that really shabby. Even if you find this tradition old-fashioned and/or ridiculous, you should keep it to yourself. If only out of respect for the late Queen.
Many members here have already written about these conflicting views: on the one hand, making fun of or criticizing everything traditional about the royal family, and on the other hand, insisting on traditional royal etiquette. And she didn't even understand that properly, as you can see from the latest article

I think you have hit the nail on the head, a lack of understanding of the system, etiquette or any of it. IMO she had an image in her mind, then reality didn’t match.
I will not recap history but I believe what we are seeing now is her image, announcing her , luxurious accommodation, signing gifts to friends with her HRH and title.

 

[Prinsara]

The once cost conscious Harry seems to have disappeared to be replaced by a person who is now happiest only dwelling in a faux Mediterranean "McMansion."

It’s not a McMansion. It’s not cost-conscious, it’s meant to be a palace of their own and it’s clearly more than they needed according to British (not aspiring A-list) terms, but wasn’t the estate built decades ago?

I always think something has to be cheaply built and finished (in addition to oversized, gaudy, and out of place) to truly qualify as McM.

 

[Maryrose]

I rarely participate in this thread. But there's one thing I have to say.

Somehow, it all doesn't add up for me, especially when I think of that scene that stuck with me, where Meghan makes fun of the tradition of curtsying. I found that really shabby. Even if you find this tradition old-fashioned and/or ridiculous, you should keep it to yourself. If only out of respect for the late Queen.
Many members here have already written about these conflicting views: on the one hand, making fun of or criticizing everything traditional about the royal family, and on the other hand, insisting on traditional royal etiquette. And she didn't even understand that properly, as you can see from the latest article

My understanding of the curtseying was not so much that she was against it but that when it was informal family time that one wouldn't have to be so formal. There's the family business time and regular family time.

 

[HRHHermione]

My understanding of the curtseying was not so much that she was against it but that when it was informal family time that one wouldn't have to be so formal. There's the family business time and regular family time.

Which is so at odds with having herself formally announced by name and title by staff to the one other person coming to visit, who she had already met previously.

Often, it seems like Meghan loves formalities when they reinforce her own importance and dislikes them when she must perform them to reinforce the importance of others.

 

[Kronprinz]

Which is so at odds with having herself formally announced by name and title by staff to the one other person coming to visit, who she had already met previously.

Often, it seems like Meghan loves formalities when they reinforce her own importance and dislikes them when she must perform them to reinforce the importance of others.

Exactly. I doubt she would have any issue with people curtseying to her.

But within the BRF she would be so far down the pecking order one day that it would always be the other way around.

 

[hereditarytitles]

My understanding of the curtseying was not so much that she was against it but that when it was informal family time that one wouldn't have to be so formal. There's the family business time and regular family time.

I had not previously been under the impression that there was a difference between “official” and “private occasions” where one had to curtsey. Perhaps I missed that in the interview at the time or misunderstood it.
Is it really the case that curtseying or bowing is customary even at private family gatherings? Does anyone know? Is that the etiquette? Have there ever been any photos of this? I would be really interested to know.
At official events, even the own children of the Queen or now the King showed their respect by curtsying or bowing. It's not about the person, but about the office that person holds.
I imagine a private family gathering at Christmas in Sandringham. Will everyone who belongs to the family curtsy before King Charles?

 

[Hallo girl]

I had not previously been under the impression that there was a difference between “official” and “private occasions” where one had to curtsey. Perhaps I missed that in the interview at the time or misunderstood it.
Is it really the case that curtseying or bowing is customary even at private family gatherings? Does anyone know? Is that the etiquette? Have there ever been any photos of this? I would be really interested to know.
At official events, even the own children of the Queen or now the King showed their respect by curtsying or bowing. It's not about the person, but about the office that person holds.
I imagine a private family gathering at Christmas in Sandringham. Will everyone who belongs to the family curtsy before King Charles?

As far as I know they curtsy or bow to the monarch on the first meeting of the day.

 

[BriarRose]

Zara Phillips stated once that she always curtsies to her Grandmother (this was when QEII was still alive) everytime she sees her. Here's an excerpt: Meeting the Royals: The Art of a Proper Curtsy

What I think is being misrepresented is that Meghan did not have to curtsy to the Queen the first time she met her. Harry and (allegedly Fergie) assumed (wrongly, I guess) that Meghan would want to make a good impression by following the etiquette of curtsying. If Meghan had not curtsied, she would not have been in trouble or anything. Which is why mocking the help she was given to make a good impression was both rude to the people who were trying to help her, and to the Queen.

 

[hereditarytitles]

Zara Phillips stated once that she always curtsies to her Grandmother (this was when QEII was still alive) everytime she sees her. Here's an excerpt: Meeting the Royals: The Art of a Proper Curtsy

What I think is being misrepresented is that Meghan did not have to curtsy to the Queen the first time she met her. Harry and (allegedly Fergie) assumed (wrongly, I guess) that Meghan would want to make a good impression by following the etiquette of curtsying. If Meghan had not curtsied, she would not have been in trouble or anything. Which is why mocking the help she was given to make a good impression was both rude to the people who were trying to help her, and to the Queen.

Thank you @briar rose for that article, I have learned a lot again. I couldn't watch the video (no access in my country, as often is the case).

 

[pieve]

My understanding of the curtseying was not so much that she was against it but that when it was informal family time that one wouldn't have to be so formal. There's the family business time and regular family time.

Curtsying to the Queen at family gatherings is one thing, but mimicking Meghan's exaggerated and disrespectful curtsy in the Netflix series is quite another.

It was a blatant lack of respect for the Crown.

She could have simply said she was surprised to have to curtsy to the Queen at family gatherings, rather than engaging in such a grotesque parody.

 

[Lee-Z]

Zara Phillips stated once that she always curtsies to her Grandmother (this was when QEII was still alive) everytime she sees her. Here's an excerpt: Meeting the Royals: The Art of a Proper Curtsy

What I think is being misrepresented is that Meghan did not have to curtsy to the Queen the first time she met her. Harry and (allegedly Fergie) assumed (wrongly, I guess) that Meghan would want to make a good impression by following the etiquette of curtsying. If Meghan had not curtsied, she would not have been in trouble or anything. Which is why mocking the help she was given to make a good impression was both rude to the people who were trying to help her, and to the Queen.

OT but iirc when Zara was on the Olympic team for GB, and the team got to meet the team, she quickly showed the others how to curtsy while they were waiting in line, i always loved that (must have been on the BBC, the only GB channel i could watch at the time)

 

[pieve]

Of course she is wearing makeup for the Harper photoshoot. It is a “no makeup” look, not truly no makeup. Just look at her eyebrows, eyelids, lips, and probably a light base with a bit of shading. And honestly, that pseudo bare or nude style really suits this photoshoot. With Harper’s or any similar fashion magazine, it is hard to go wrong with the styling.

The article says she wore very little or no makeup during the interview (not the photoshoot), so I will give her the benefit of the doubt on that part.

After carefully examining the photos of Meghan in Harper's Bazaar, and especially her face, I concluded that if she doesn't appear to be wearing makeup, it's because she isn't wearing false eyelashes.

Yet she wears them almost all the time.

 

[Queen Claude]

Exactly. I doubt she would have any issue with people curtseying to her.

But within the BRF she would be so far down the pecking order one day that it would always be the other way around.

Maybe I am misunderstanding the bolded statement, but as an HRH, Meghan and any other HRH, only curtsy to the monarch and his consort as they are Majesties.

 

[Hallo girl]

Maybe I am misunderstanding the bolded statement, but as an HRH, Meghan and any other HRH, only curtsy to the monarch and his consort as they are Majesties.

No it doesn't work like that, it can be quite complicated actually.

 

[TLLK]

It’s not a McMansion. It’s not cost-conscious, it’s meant to be a palace of their own and it’s clearly more than they needed according to British (not aspiring A-list) terms, but wasn’t the estate built decades ago?

I always think something has to be cheaply built and finished (in addition to oversized, gaudy, and out of place) to truly qualify as McM.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[Curryong]

I believe that Americans, Australians and some others do consider many British homes to be quite small and rather pokey. That might account for people like Oprah Winfrey considering FC as being incredibly small.

Otherwise I think that people’s taste in homes are very subjective. Some might like large homes, some small and cosy. Some love old homes (like me) others not.

The Sussexes’ Montecito home was built, in the Tuscan/California style of architecture, between 2003 and 2006, so it’s around twenty years old. They both fell in love with it and the grounds around the house at first sight and have said so. They used their money and a mortgage to buy the property, so really, others’ opinion of it is irrelevant. It’s fine in size for a family of four (five with Doria) plus staff imo.

 

[taogg]

I believe that Americans, Australians and some others do consider many British homes to be quite small and rather pokey. That might account for people like Oprah Winfrey considering FC as being incredibly small.

Otherwise I think that people’s taste in homes are very subjective. Some might like large homes, some small and cosy. Some love old homes (like me) others not.

The Sussexes’ Montecito home was built, in the Tuscan/California style of architecture, between 2003 and 2006, so it’s around twenty years old. They both fell in love with it and the grounds around the house at first sight and have said so. They used their money and a mortgage to buy the property, so really, others’ opinion of it is irrelevant. It’s fine in size for a family of four (five with Doria) plus staff imo.

People didn’t criticise Meghan or Harry because they thought the cottage was big or small. It was because Harry said he felt embarrassed about buying second hand and Ikea furniture, and he used that to take a swipe at his brother for having “magnificent” furniture.
I just hope he has an Amex card now.

 

[taogg]

My understanding of the curtseying was not so much that she was against it but that when it was informal family time that one wouldn't have to be so formal. There's the family business time and regular family time.

Well, recollections vary. Meghan openly mocked the curtsy in the Netflix show by doing an exaggerated, theatrical bow. Harry sat there watching with a stony expression, and to me that suggested he didn’t exactly approve of her making fun of it.
Princess Mary of Denmark also didn’t know how to curtsy before meeting Queen Margrethe for the first time, but Mary never recounted that moment in a mocking way. That’s what I’d call manner.

 

[Curryong]

I was really discussing different nationalities view of space in homes. And some visitors like Oprah found it small. Maybe Meghan did as well.

We dont know whether Harry and Meghan were offered anything like the furniture, art etc from the royal collections/warehouses for their first marital home (Nott Cott) in the way the then Cambridges were for their new KP apartment.

If they were intended to move next door at KP (as was rumoured) in about 2020, in the apartment the Gloucestors then occupied, perhaps they would then have been given a bit of choice of furnishings etc, from the Royal Collections etc, perhaps not. As it was, they moved to the US and bought their own furniture.

We dont know what their home in Montecito is like inside as their are few recent photos and they have undertaken renovations. It is now supposedly valued at about 29 million according to a recent article I read.

 

[Ghost]

Is there any media source about renovations in Montecito? I’ve never heard before.
Also, for the similarity, we don’t know if the then Cambridges had any choice from the Royal Collections during the time they lived in Nott Cott. What we know, because Catherine said so when they visited Sweden, is that they had Ikea furniture in the children’s bedrooms at KP.

 

[Curryong]

And the reception rooms and art etc displayed at the KP apartment were IKEA too, lol? Of course mentioning IKEA was a nice compliment to the Swedish royal couple.

Meghan told Harper’s Bazaar in a recent interview that the couple had undertaken renovations around their home.

Why Harry & Meghan's real $21m mansion isn't in 'With Love, Meghan'

Meghan Markle has explained why her and Harry's real Montecito mansion doesn't appear in her Netflix series 'With Love, Meghan'.

harpersbazaar.com.au

‘When the couple purchased the property, the bedrooms and main living spaces were adorned with classic wooden beams and featured large windows to allow the Californian sun to flow through the space.’

I believe they are still present.

However, Meghan told the publication she and Harry have undertaken renovations on the house and it is unclear how much of the home’s original features have been retained.‘

 

[Kenya]

We dont know whether Harry and Meghan were offered anything like the furniture, art etc from the royal collections/warehouses for their first marital home (Nott Cott) in the way the then Cambridges were for their new KP apartment.

I don't think it's a fair comparison to ask if Harry and Meghan were offered the furniture from the Royal collection for Nott Cott the way William and Kate were for their KP apartment. It's much more fair to ask what furniture William and Kate were offered while they were living in Nott Cott. Hearing Harry and Meghan complain about how small Nott Cott was (as if it was some kind of slight to them) would have rubbed me the wrong way in any event. But it especially rubbed me the wrong way because they failed to acknowledge that it was William and Kate's starter home too, and that they lived there with a newborn/infant. But I guess we'll never know if William and Kate were aggrieved by those living arrangements since they haven't ever seen fit to publicly complain about it. Considering William is a few inches taller than his brother, I assume his head must have been scraping the ceiling!

 

[Curryong]

I don't think it's a fair comparison to ask if Harry and Meghan were offered the furniture from the Royal collection for Nott Cott the way William and Kate were for their KP apartment. It's much more fair to ask what furniture William and Kate were offered while they were living in Nott Cott. Hearing Harry and Meghan complain about how small Nott Cott was (as if it was some kind of slight to them) would have rubbed me the wrong way in any event. But it especially rubbed me the wrong way because they failed to acknowledge that it was William and Kate's starter home too, and that they lived there with a newborn/infant. But I guess we'll never know if William and Kate were aggrieved by those living arrangements since they haven't ever seen fit to publicly complain about it. Considering William is a few inches taller than his brother, I assume his head must have been scraping the ceiling!

Nott Cott was the then Cambridges’ London base. They mostly lived in Wales, so they didn’t live there fulltime. And George was very young when they moved into the apartment.

If there was anything offered to the then Cambridges from the Royal Collections etc while they were at Nott Cott were we ever likely to know anything about it from KP? Think not! However the KP apartment was certainly done up in great style.