The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 10: August 2024 -

[Lady Daly]

[…]
I took a closer look at the group photo, no one was smiling except the police officer and he seemed to have a pleasant welcoming look on his face. I think the group photo was a way to support each other, have a moment of comradery to decompress and unwind. People who volunteer and work around disaster zones can end up with PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder.

What the people of LA County and their neighbors are experiencing is unimaginable. The devastation is unreal and it's not over.

 

[Hallo girl]

YouTube aired a video by the local Fox station interviewing Pasadena Mayor Gordo at the Pasadena Convention Center. He mentioned he had seen Harry and Meghan at the Rose Bowl earlier in the day helping deliver food to wildfire victims and firefighters. The news clip also showed Harry and Meghan chatting with Chef José Andrés head of the World Central Kitchen and Mayor Gordo in the background.

A portion of this video I believe is already posted on TRF, but this is ~ 10" with continuity. It gives a positive spin on the Sussexes and sounds like they spent most of the day between the Pasadena Rose Bowl and the Pasadena Convention Center.

Perhaps Netflix will use some of the footage of Prince Harry and Meghan in Pasadena in their March 4 opening show with a focus on the wildfires. Just a thought.

I would love to know the backstory that prompted the Sussexes to climb in the limo and head to Pasadena. Were they invited, did they call around soliciting their help or did they just show up. I wonder how many homeless friends from the fire they have living in their home? Did Archewell donate $$ to the Red Cross, or WCK? Lots of questions, still.

I really hope they do not go down that road of using this footage on the cookery show,

 

[hereditarytitles]

If I could give Harry and Meghan one piece of advice, it would be to “withdraw from the public eye for a while”, then you won't be constantly criticized. Don't you realize that everything you do is largely viewed negatively and critically?
Harry emphasized at the time that he wanted to lead a quiet and withdrawn life, which is quite understandable after everything he has experienced and suffered. Why doesn't he stick to his principle, perhaps it would do him and his family good. Instead, they just carry on and are greedy for publicity. I don't understand it.

 

[Ghost]

I’ve seen a clip of the group photograph somewhere. Meghan, in true Meghan fashion, was arranging everyone so she could be in the center of the photo, as she did sometime ago with some official from sentebale.

 

[Hallo girl]

If I could give Harry and Meghan one piece of advice, it would be to “withdraw from the public eye for a while”, then you won't be constantly criticized. Don't you realize that everything you do is largely viewed negatively and critically?
Harry emphasized at the time that he wanted to lead a quiet and withdrawn life, which is quite understandable after everything he has experienced and suffered. Why doesn't he stick to his principle, perhaps it would do him and his family good. Instead, they just carry on and are greedy for publicity. I don't understand it.

I put a post on a few days ago where I said my cynical head goes on every time I see or hear them, I appreciate that does not appear to be fair, the problem is their behaviour has caused my reaction.
I am not going to recap all that happened, as it has all been well documented. It does make me sad because I did believe at one time, that they had something to offer.

 

[Hallo girl]

I’ve seen a clip of the group photograph somewhere, Meghan, in true Meghan fashion, was arranging everyone so she could be in the center of the photo, as she did sometime ago with some official from sentebale.

Did she not push the Sentebale person out to the edge of the group.

 

[HRHHermione]

Posts containing a link to a story from
The Daily Mail about tweets made about the Sussex couple have been deleted because of thread rules, namely:

3. Opinion articles, columns and videos can not be posted at all.

Since the article focuses on the opinions shared on Twitter, we consider it an opinion piece.

Please adhere to this guideline going forward.

 

[TLLK]

The Duchess of Sussex was seen volunteering at a donation center in Alhambra today. Alhambra is a city that is south east of the fire zone and is not under evacuation orders.
She was distributing care packages for girls with clothing, beauty and hair products.

The couple donated to the cause, which was launched by 14-year-old Avery Colvert to support teenage girls in her community to 'regain their sense of self and confidence' after the fires, through their Archewell Foundation.

The organization focuses on gathering clothing and personal items as well as beauty and hair care products.

I honestly wish that this had been their first volunteer effort related to the fires. I'm glad to see that she seems to have realized the error in appearing in the fire disaster zone.

Meghan Markle spotted at LA fire relief effort despite backlash

Meghan Markle has been spotted visiting a new Los Angeles wildfire relief effort, despite the backlash she's faced for being a 'disaster tourist' from critics.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[HenRach Dominion]

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are truly showing how service is universal.

 

[victor1319]

I have got a lot of flak here for saying: The Sussexes are the best next thing to Royalty, California has...

OK! But to try to explain: I think the average Joe or Joelyn in America, if they hear the Emperor of Japan or Prince Harry, they think - An important VIP from abroad....

And right they are!

 

[Mirabel]

Harry emphasized at the time that he wanted to lead a quiet and withdrawn life, which is quite understandable after everything he has experienced and suffered. Why doesn't he stick to his principle, perhaps it would do him and his family good. Instead, they just carry on and are greedy for publicity. I don't understand it.

That might be what Harry believed, but is it what Meghan wants?
I don't think so!

There's also the fact that a quiet, private life won't generate the income they desire.

 

[TLLK]

That might be what Harry believed, but is it what Meghan wants?
I don't think so!

There's also the fact that a quiet, private life won't generate the income they desire.

I believe that a quiet and private life is what Harry truly desired based upon his own remarks and what has been revealed by former staff members. Personally, I don't believe that Harry really understood how much income they would need to maintain their lifestyle.

 

[Prinsara]

But to try to explain: I think the average Joe or Joelyn in America, if they hear the Emperor of Japan or Prince Harry, they think - An important VIP from abroad....

The average American, thanks to the Sussexes’ own widely-viewed actions publicized in every medium of celebrity culture, knows that Harry has fallen out with his family and does nothing for them anymore and that’s partly why they live in California.

Not sure how “important”, “VIP”, or “abroad” applies.

Maybe give the average American credit for knowing Harry is not a glamorous working part of the BRF anymore, and many Americans can spot a con or pretensions — like trading on a birthright you trash.

Now most Americans probably don’t even know Japan has an emperor, so you’ll have to try for another analogy.

 

[SiameseLover]

I must admit it does look like a photo op, 17 minutes in the food area is not helping out, it is posing for photographs. Helping out is a couple of hours in one place achieving something. It could be serving food, organising donations or cleaning but 17 minutes is nothing once you have had the introductions.

And hugs!

 

[Hallo girl]

The Duchess of Sussex was seen volunteering at a donation center in Alhambra today. Alhambra is a city that is south east of the fire zone and is not under evacuation orders.
She was distributing care packages for girls with clothing, beauty and hair products.


I honestly wish that this had been their first volunteer effort related to the fires. I'm glad to see that she seems to have realized the error in appearing in the fire disaster zone.

Meghan Markle spotted at LA fire relief effort despite backlash

Meghan Markle has been spotted visiting a new Los Angeles wildfire relief effort, despite the backlash she's faced for being a 'disaster tourist' from critics.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I noticed that and it appeared to be somebody catching it on a mobile phone, because lets be honest you can never be totally under the radar these days.

 

[TLLK]

Prince Harry has reportedly declined an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace ahead of his upcoming trial against News Group Newspapers.

Prince Harry Reportedly Declined to Stay at Buckingham Palace for Upcoming UK Trip

The Duke of Sussex's trial against News Group Newspapers begins next week.

www.townandcountrymag.com

 

[hereditarytitles]

Prince Harry has reportedly declined an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace ahead of his upcoming trial against News Group Newspapers.

Prince Harry Reportedly Declined to Stay at Buckingham Palace for Upcoming UK Trip

The Duke of Sussex's trial against News Group Newspapers begins next week.

www.townandcountrymag.com

It doesn't surprise me at all. He is still full of frustration and anger against his family and the protection issue in GB. This case of protection paid by the government or privately has become very confusing to me. Is he right or not in his claims. Maybe some of the British members could explain.

 

[Ghost]

It doesn't surprise me at all. He is still full of frustration and anger against his family and the protection issue in GB. This case of protection paid by the government or privately has become very confusing to me. Is he right or not in his claims. Maybe some of the British members could explain.

Some would say he is and some would say he isn’t. The judge will decide if RAVEC has to revise its decision.

 

[taogg]

It doesn't surprise me at all. He is still full of frustration and anger against his family and the protection issue in GB. This case of protection paid by the government or privately has become very confusing to me. Is he right or not in his claims. Maybe some of the British members could explain.

I share your confusion as well. Considering his deep concerns about security, staying at Buckingham Palace seems like the most secure option compared to a luxury hotel

 

[hereditarytitles]

I share your confusion as well. Considering his deep concerns about security, staying at Buckingham Palace seems like the most secure option compared to a luxury hotel

Of course he could stay at Buckingham Palace, there are certainly enough bedrooms. But he probably wouldn't want to, as it would be back to the family he still resents. It may also be defiance. I think he's got himself into something and can't see it calmly at the moment. I just hope that his wife doesn't continue to influence him negatively in this relationship.
I hope that they can both make peace at some point, he with his family and she with hers.

 

[Somebody]

It doesn't surprise me at all. He is still full of frustration and anger against his family and the protection issue in GB. This case of protection paid by the government or privately has become very confusing to me. Is he right or not in his claims. Maybe some of the British members could explain.

I'm not a British member but a decision on this case was already been reached by a judge and I studied his decision. So, you may want to check my posts from March 28, 2024 (starting here) trying to dissect the judgment.

Some would say he is and some would say he isn’t. The judge will decide if RAVEC has to revise its decision.

A High Court judge already decided last year. The arguments have been weighed: according to the judge RAVEC was right and Harry was not (see link above for the slightly more nuanced version).

The court case that is bringing him to the UK in the upcoming weeks is a different one.

 

[Alison H]

It's not RAVEC this time, although Harry has so many court cases going on that it's hard to keep up with which one's when! This is back to the issue of phone hacking by the News of the World newspaper and alleged phone hacking by the Sun newspaper.

 

[Hallo girl]

He has more than one case going on. He appealed the RAVEC decision, so that is due to come up again. There is also a case still ongoing against the media.
RAVECs decision was that each visit would be decided on its merits. They required 28 days notice of a visit.
I am not clear what Harry wants, his argument is that RAVEC did not follow their rules by offering individual assessments. The judge agreed but pointed out it was to Harry’s advantage so rejected his claim.
I suspect he wants security provided on a permanent basis regardless of where he lives .

 

[Ghost]

My mistake, I thought that he was granted the right to appeal that decision. Yes, now he’s having his never ending case against the newspapers group. I believe he was granted limited police protection for this time.

 

[HRHHermione]

There is a new Vanity Fair cover story out about the couple. I would love to share but it is behind a paywall that isn’t archiving. I ended up paying for subscription access for the month out of curiosity.

It is very focused on the difficulties the couple have had in establishing themselves successfully in the U.S. and I would recommend it as an interesting and balanced piece to anyone who can access it.

Here is one quote from the piece that closely mirrors experiences we have previously heard about with Meghan’s UK staff:

“The source who worked in media projects says Meghan’s own relationships with employees tended to follow a familiar pattern. She would be warm and effusive at the beginning, engendering an atmosphere of professional camaraderie. When something went poorly, often due to Meghan and Harry’s own demands—such as a teaser for Archetypes being released five months before the show premiered and before there was any tape to promote—Meghan would become cold and withholding toward the person she perceived to be responsible. The source says it was “really, really, really awful. Very painful. Because she’s constantly playing checkers—I’m not even going to say chess—but she’s just very aware of where everybody is on her board. And when you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.”

 

[Hallo girl]

My mistake, I thought that he was granted the right to appeal that decision. Yes, now he’s having his never ending case against the newspapers group. I believe he was granted limited police protection for this time.

I possibly confused the issue, Harry is appealing the RAVEC decision. The judge originally rejected his claim but he was then given the right to appeal.
There have been that many cases and appeals , they all merge into a muddle.

 

[hereditarytitles]

I'm not a British member but a decision on this case was already been reached by a judge and I studied his decision. So, you may want to check my posts from March 28, 2024 (starting here) trying to dissect the judgment.


A High Court judge already decided last year. The arguments have been weighed: according to the judge RAVEC was right and Harry was not (see link above for the slightly more nuanced version).

The court case that is bringing him to the UK in the upcoming weeks is a different one.

So much work you did, thanks for that. Not being a lawyer and English not being my native language, I gave up reading and understanding all of it. What a complicated mess! How do other celebrities get protection I wonder? Bodyguards I guess which they have to pay for. It boils down to who Harry is, a no longer working royal or celebrity.
By the way does anybody know if King Edward and Wallis Simpson got protection while living in France

I'm not a British member but a decision on this case was already been reached by a judge and I studied his decision. So, you may want to check my posts from March 28, 2024 (starting here) trying to dissect the judgment.


A High Court judge already decided last year. The arguments have been weighed: according to the judge RAVEC was right and Harry was not (see link above for the slightly more nuanced version).

The court case that is bringing him to the UK in the upcoming weeks is a different one.

 

[TLLK]

There is a new Vanity Fair cover story out about the couple. I would love to share but it is behind a paywall that isn’t archiving. I ended up paying for subscription access for the month out of curiosity.

It is very focused on the difficulties the couple have had in establishing themselves successfully in the U.S. and I would recommend it as an interesting and balanced piece to anyone who can access it.

Here is one quote from the piece that closely mirrors experiences we have previously heard about with Meghan’s UK staff:

“The source who worked in media projects says Meghan’s own relationships with employees tended to follow a familiar pattern. She would be warm and effusive at the beginning, engendering an atmosphere of professional camaraderie. When something went poorly, often due to Meghan and Harry’s own demands—such as a teaser for Archetypes being released five months before the show premiered and before there was any tape to promote—Meghan would become cold and withholding toward the person she perceived to be responsible. The source says it was “really, really, really awful. Very painful. Because she’s constantly playing checkers—I’m not even going to say chess—but she’s just very aware of where everybody is on her board. And when you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.”

This description seems to fit the ones in Valentine Low's "Courtiers" and The Hollywood Reporter article from 3024.

 

[HRHHermione]

This description seems to fit the ones in Valentine Low's "Courtiers" and The Hollywood Reporter article from 3024.

That’s what I thought as well.

It was an interesting piece. I think many here will be happy to see that the author believes based on interviews that Harry and Meghan’s relationship remains strong and loving. It also notes that this contributes to their problems working with others- that they believe so strongly in the power of their story and relationship that it interferes in their pragmatic decision making skills with regard to their careers.

There were also parts that made me feel genuinely sorry for Harry, namely that he truly doesn’t understand monarchy and his family’s history out of a combination of disinterest on his part and what the author’s source believes is emotional neglect after he turned eight years old. It speculates that this contributes to his real inability to understand the gravity of his book and his show in relation to his family and he continues to feel hurt they won’t reach out to him.

I don’t want to give too much of my own interpretation. It’s a complex article that is worth a read.

 

[Ghost]

That’s what I thought as well.

It was an interesting piece. (…)

There were also parts that made me feel genuinely sorry for Harry, namely that he truly doesn’t understand monarchy and his family’s history out of a combination of disinterest on his part and what the author’s source believes is emotional neglect after he turned eight years old. It speculates that this contributes to his real inability to understand the gravity of his book and his show in relation to his family and he continues to feel hurt they won’t reach out to him.

I don’t want to give too much of my own interpretation. It’s a complex article that is worth a read.

I don’t agree with this idea of emotional neglect and, in my opinion, it gives away the fact that the sources are pro Sussexes biased.
I remember very well when a set of photos of Diana and the boys were published. Harry was five at the time. (It’s a set shoot by Patrick Demarchelier where all three are in white shirts and blue jeans and the shooting took place in the garden at KP, I think.)
The caption of one of the photos said that Harry requested to be picked up despite his age. And he was still sucking his thumb.
I think Harry had and has unusually high needs of emotional demonstrations. Not that he was neglected.