Well well well. Looks like Prince William and Duchess Kate aren’t the only ones who like to jet off for romantic holidays for no real reason. Prince Harry has scooped up his official girlfriend Cressida Bonas and taken her away from the trauma of a 9-to-5 job so that they could have a nice little ski holiday in… Kazakhstan? Seriously.
Prince Harry took girlfriend Cressida Bonas on a skiing trip in Kazakhstan. Our favourite royal was after treating his gal to a romantic break, but instead of opting for tropical Aruba or sightseeing in Paris, he took her to the home of Borat AKA Kazakhstan.
According to The Sun, the couple flew to the former Soviet republic, where they stayed at a chalet in a billionaire’s resort. While there’s no news from the Palace on the pair’s romantic holiday, Harry and Cressy – who are thought to be expert skiers – flew out to Kazakhstan on a swanky private jet and landed in the Shymbulak resort by helicopter.
The Daily Mail reports the couple may have chosen their skiing destination with help from Prince Andrew – who sold his home in Ascot to a tycoon from Kazakhstan and is a frequent guest of the country’s president Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The holiday comes after Harry invited Cressida to co-host a formal dinner at St James’ Palace to honour war heroes. Harry is the patron of the Walking With The Wounded charity, and met many of the upcoming dinner guests during his 208-mile trek to the South Pole before Christmas.
A source told The Mail on Sunday: “Harry has told Cressida she is welcome to come along. Harry and his mates went through thick and thin together, so the dinner party will be a really relaxed and jovial affair. But there is no doubt that it will be a Royal banquet, albeit a private one.”
Does anyone else get the feeling that Prince Andrew is extremely shady? I would not go anywhere Andrew recommended. Anyway, I was trying to think back to figure out when Harry was last on vacation… and I can’t remember. Maybe last summer? He was in the South Pole just before Christmas, but that was NOT a vacation, it was an event for Walking with the Wounded. So, will Harry and Cressy get a pass for this vacation? Or does this prove that they are just like William and Kate? I’ll tell you what I want to know: did Cressy get this time off from work? Does she have some sort of “I’m dating a prince and I need time off for a vacation every other month” situation with her employer, like Kate had when she tried to work a real job for a few months back in 2006?
Photos courtesy of Getty, Pacific Coast News.
Is that her posing for a pap pic at a bath and bedding store?
Also, I hate how the West classifies Kazakhstan as the “Home of Borat”. Very condescending.
That was a pic taken before Harry — it’s been floating around for some time now. It was an event of some kind.
This. Kazakstan has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age. It’s the place where we as humans first domesticated the horse. There’s far more to learn about a place than just attribute it to Tom Green’s successor -_- /history rage
Where do you read ‘Home of Borat’? Is this a general misconception you’ve run into? Or am I not reading this article correctly?
I ask because I’m genuinely curious as I’ve never seen Borat (intentionally) so it’s not something I would associate with Kazakhstan.
It’s in the Sun article.
It’s in the grey shaded quote box: “he took her to the home of Borat AKA Kazakhstan”
Sorry, I did miss that! 🙁
Oh and Tanna announced this article on his Twitter yesterday.
Snark indeed!
I’m with you on deliberately not watching Borat, LadySlippers. My brains just won’t allow me.
Very ignorant, right?
It’s like describing US “the home of Kardashians”.
That’s actually true. 🙂
The upside for Kazakhstan is that Borat is not real, whereas the Kardashians are. Think the US loses that comparison. 🙂
Eh, I like Borat, but I wouldn’t have made that association. I have many other associations with Kazakstan, and I barely even recall that Borat was associated with it. But WOW is Cressie lovely in that multi-colored dress. I don’t even like the dress but she’s just glowing in that picture.
Seriously? Glowing? She looks worse tha usual in that picture.
Apparently the Kardashians are America’s version of the royals. That’s why, as a US citizen, I put the maple leaf on all my travel gear.
YES to Andrew being uber shady. I swear I wouldn’t even get in a taxi he flagged down for me.
I think Harry is more adventurous and into seeing the world, but I also think he is trying to show Cressida how vagabond-bohemian-cool he can be? Switzerland? Nah. Kazakhstan, darling and you can wear that yak knit outfit you have with your sparkly blue Camilla Parker Bowling jacket to dinner! (Seriously. this particular photo always gives me a direct Camilla hit, yow.)
And — I know she is at a wedding, but I like the flower crown w that black coat. Now I want to walk around everywhere in my lightweight packable down jacket with a lovely neutral flower crown.
Madame,
I like her floral headware as well.
Although tbh, I would have loved to hear Ella’s snark on about it on her old blog Mad Hattery. That blog was so awesome.
*sigh*
And Andrew is kinda skeevy. He’s got that ‘used car salesman’ vibe coming from him sometimes.
Actually, Cressida’s got almost as good a connection to Andrew as Harry. She isn’t related (yet), but she’s best pals with his daughters. So it might have been Cressida being the impetus for the location,not Harry.
Interesting. And quite possible.
Her mother has been long-time friends with Fergie before the divorce from Andrew.
Very point Bluhare. She’s a known quantity to them as the families have been intertwined for decades.
+1 everything you said you Liberty, lol
Liberté,
This isn’t the first exotic placed he’s gone to. You don’t remember the drunk and very wet Harry in the bar pics? That was in Croatia I do believe.
**ETA**
Croatia indeed:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2031219/Prince-Harry-plunges-swimming-pool-nightclub-Hvar-Croatia.html
I’ve never heard anyone describe my country as exotic. What is so exotic about us (I’m genuinely asking)? 🙂
I’m not sure about Kazakhstan, but Croatia is a pretty popular tourist destination, Hvar especially.
Croatia is a lovely country. No need to shade it.
I don’t think it was shade. Was it?
And thank you LAK!
I’m definitely not shading any country! (Not sure who that was directed at btw)
Exotic in the US really depends on where you are from. And almost any place outside Canada or the US can be considered ‘exotic’.
In fact, my neighbour vacationed in Australia and would NOT eat except at McDonald’s. She was terrified of Australian food (no joke) — it was too exotic and strange for her. I’m guessing she’d feel that even if she went to the UK.
However, I was commenting on the fact that Harry has gone to other less known places before. No shade there either.
LadySlippers, yes, as I said I think he is more adventurous and into seeing the world. Thanks for sharing those pix. So I don’t think he had to depend on skeevy Andy for vacation tips.
But how about a scenario in which a Middlebucks hands Andy a cash prize if he can convince Harry to cart the blonde game spoiler to a distant location with fewer paps, while someone regroups with her two worried daughters over what can be done to blow the sparkly Alice-type back to Bohemiaville, such as Uncle Gary offering a producer something to hire her on a one-year tv contract in Oz or LA….
When I lived in England everyone started their jobs with 4 weeks vacation time a year.
In theory if you usually only go for mini breaks you could take alot of vacations in a year. I’m not saying that’s what happened here, but it’s a possibility.
Yeah, I take a lot of vacations because I prefer mini-breaks over long getaways. If you use all the long weekends on the American calendar, you can really eke out a lot of time away- without being a Kate.
It’s a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid holiday a year now (including public holidays – 8 single days).
Sixer,
Is it necessary to make it SUPER clear that we Americans have nothing that even resembles that? Heck, a ton of places are now open for federal/bank holidays so most Americans start out with 10-14 vacation days that you earn per month (something like 1.2 days per month). And now work about 6-8 federal holidays whereas before that was off as well.
Gee thanks doll.
lol
Sorry!
Some people have to work the public holidays, though. That’s partly why they upped it from 4 weeks to 5.6 weeks – so employers couldn’t count the public holidays as part of your paid annual leave entitlement. It’s basically intended to be 4 weeks plus public holidays, all paid.
It’s quite common for paid leave to be incremental or more generous, too. When I was last employed rather than self-employed, I got 6 weeks paid holiday a year, plus public holidays.
Good Lord!
I’m moving!
When I get there, Sixer will you have some piping hot Yorkies waiting for me???? It’s my favourite food in the world and almost no one in the US even knows what they are…
Dinner tonight is particularly British, I think: sausages, mashed potato, onion gravy (plus veg). I can always substitute a giant Yorkshire for the spuds?
But be warned: trad Brit dinners aren’t that common chez moi.
What?!?
I won’t get fat from eating Yorkshires 24/7? What kind of crap advertising is that?!??
Oh well, I suppose I’ll make do with vacations up the wazoo. The sacrifices I’ll make…
*starts packing*
*and realises I’ll still miss tonight’s dinner with the time difference AND flight*
*keeps packing*
Bangers and mash is my nephew’s favorite dish of all time, Sixer. Followed closely by shepherd’s pie, followed closely by apple pie (with Bramley apples) and custard. Well, actually, the last one is mine. And I’d gladly give up the main course for it!
@ LS – sadly, no to blobbiness. Tomorrow is vegetable curry!
@ bluhare – apple crumble is the favourite in these ‘ere parts. I am one of the few Britons who can’t stand custard. Cream all the way. And I am in the land of clotted cream!
My mother totally agrees with you re cream, Sixer. Clotted cream especially. Me, I’ve got my dad’s plebian tastebuds. Throw custard on it, and I’ll eat it!!
I have 45 days a year of paid vacation without counting the festivities. And we have a lot here as we have 4 official religions and other stuff soooooo. I love my vacations, now if i had some more money to enjoy them more…that would be great.
Haha vacation days from work. What are those???
And most of us in the US get a week after 6 months.
OMG Sixer…apple crumble with cream!!! drool.
I lived for several years in Dorset, the cakes, puddings and cream teas anywhere else just don’t measure up. Ditto on the cream. I’m on a 20yr quest to find a baked alaska outside dorset/somerset that can compare.
I’ve been known to visit relatives more than I should for a chance at a visit to a tea shop.
I have to say I was a bit disappointed in apple crumble when I was over there. Now, I grant you I may not have had a good one (only had one as I wasn’t crazy about it). Over here we do apple crisp with brown sugar and oats and I’ve got a taste for that now.
But one thing we don’t have is Bramley apples. Or really good clotted cream. Or Cornish ice cream.
What do those apples taste like?!?
DO TELL!!!
Ohmygawd, LS, I have to get a Bramley apple tree. Apparently, they’re quite large (although I only saw them in apple pies so can’t comment personally; that’s what my mom says), and the flavor. Tart/sweet . . . just incredible. I had the best apple pies of my life last year. Can’t duplicate them at all over here. If anyone can tell me a good substitute for a Bramley apple, I’m all ears!
Warm fruit or previously cooked fruit has always been gross to me. No matter how much cream you drown it in!
Yuck to you all!
@bluhare. I’d recommend 2/3 granny smith and 1/3 fuji for pie or crumble. Or check with these folks:
http://www.jamieoliver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=74647
Apples in my crumbles come from the tree in my garden. No idea what variety, since the tree was there long before I bought the house. Cookers AND eaters but they don’t store, hence the large amount of stewed apples in my freezer!
Hey! Do you guys know what an allotment is? I share one of those with my parents, so the vegetables chez moi are always nice and fresh – and seasonal.
PS: the secret to a good crumble is a nice sprinkling of demarera sugar on the top.
PPS: LAK – I’m on the Devon/Somerset borders.
You have yummy apples in your yard, make veg curry, and Yorkshure pudding??? I’m SO there!
*looks at villages near Devon/Somerset to find Sixer*
Lol
LS, I warn you. You get decent food at my house. And a great many books and a lot of technology. Other than that, it’s perennially untidy, it hasn’t been decorated in years, it’s often inhabited by children who aren’t mine, and the animals boss the humans.
Just so’s you know!
Ummmm….
Doesn’t sound much different than my house.
And books are awesome, the more the better! My ex hated moving my ‘Library of Congress’ as he not-so-affectionately referred to my collection.
Tuppence, thanks for the apple recommendation. I’ll try it.
@ Sixer,
I once had an old apple tree with yellowish-green apples, called ‘yellow transparent’. They were great for cooking and eating but didn’t stay fresh for long. I had bushels of them frozen.
@hmmm – these ones have slightly pinkish flesh. I’ve tried to identify them on the interwebz but no luck. The tree is a heavy cropper most years too, so it’s all hands on deck for peeling, cooking and freezing.
Wow the BRF is in full swing with a steady supply of stories for W&K and H&C. I like it! In regards to the vacation, I believe Harry went on that controversial shooting trip with William. Prior to that, I’m not sure. This particular vacation sounds like the same deal with W&K with the free helicopter ride, a “gift” from a friend. Private Jet, expensive resort, and…. Kazakhstan. (???) Sounds like a gift/freebie to me. And I’m assuming if Cressida got her job through her connections then it was understood who she was dating and the schedule needed.
Naw, the Palace’s press office doesn’t put stuff out like this. Some nosy reporting went digging (or has a good source inside) as this is possibly embarrassing to the BRF.
I didn’t mean to imply it was necessarily coming from the Palace. Wrong wording. I like the stories no matter who they’re coming from. It’s just fun!
I’m super curious if there was a moratorium on publishing about them…
We had almost the same story circulating about them for a year (actually more) and suddenly the flood gates have opened…
I know, which is why I thought this relationship wasn’t going the distance. It seemed like the press was just dragging out and rewording the same story. Cressida was hesitant, Harry wanted marriage, but never any pictures. And if there were pictures, they were in a group and never spotted together.
@HH,
Sorry took so long to reply, I tend to reflect on things.
I don’t wonder if there was some kind of moratorium on them in the beginning. The press was unusually quiet and then suddenly — not.
I wonder if that’s partly to the new PR person that My2Pence posted info on. I’m still stewing on this…
@LadySlippers – No apologies needed, but your manners are impeccable. I didn’t hear about this new PR person. Very interesting.
I know she is suppose to be some bohemian chic but clearly her dress sense will have to change if she joins the royal family.
Yes this. Very, very unfortunate.
No, She’s planning on wearing overalls, headbands, and scrunchies to official events. Of course it will change. And the photos here are not current. Maybe the black coat is the only 1 i’m unsure on the date.
Dying for when she meets the Queen in tie dye and flowers in her hair!!
Me too Bluhare!
For a more formal gathering AND to meet the Queen… I’ll judge her style for that.
It’ll be good, FLORC. Hose and a hat! HAAHAHAHA!!
Step away from the hair accessories. Slowly, and no one will get hurt.
Harry says Cressy is welcome to come along? I don’t understand what this means.
Sounds like he was saying she’s free to come along to the dinner he’s hosting for the warriors he met during his Trek. AKA be his date for the dinner if she wants. Not co-host. lol
Someone sure is trying hard with her. And them. At this point, I think it’s got to be the media or someone close to her but not sanctioned by her. I feel like if it was her, with the glowing articles about her every day in the papers at this point, it’d get back to Harry and he’d be pissed about a significant other leaking info to the press about their relationship and activities.
Didn’t he dump another post-Chelsy girlfriend because she and her friends were always “sources” in articles about their relationship?
It means she’s not formally invited. She his plus one — like Chelsy.
And FYI William did have Kate come as his plus one to non-official events. For example, at the Concert for Diana, Kate was back with William and attended. She also attended a few military events as well. Chelsy too attended non-Royal events but Harry has always been more open with allowing his SO to attend things with him than William.
So romantic.
Isn’t it just????
*hears romantic piano and world goes into soft focus*
😉
But he is romantic. Well, I think he is. Anyone who gets drunk and shouts endearments down the phone is a romantic in these jaded eyes.
Hahaha Bluehare can’t get over Harry screaming endearments when drunk!
I know, Angelic. I don’t know why, but it just makes me “awwwwww” at him!
How in the heck does this get turned into co-hosting? So the next time my husband takes me to the theater I’m going to tell my friends I am one of the producers. Pffft.
Take Artistic Director, Snarky. You get to wave your arms around more and be snooty.
Shoot. Why stop there?
Can I have a clipboard? And hand out the scrunchies?
Of course, Snarky. A clipboard, scrunchie handing-out, and waving your arms while describing your artistic vision. Way better than a producer on a cell phone all the time!
Andrew is very shady – his nickname for ages was Air Miles Andy because all he did was swan around the world supposedly promoting doing business with the UK but was really on a never-ending party circuit with lots of shady billionaires and dictators. Also, he’s BFFs with that pimp Jeffrey Epstein who did jail time for soliciting underage prostitutes (photos of Andrew are around showing him at a party with his arm around one.) Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of the late, disgraced Robert Maxwell, was a good friend of Epstein’s and did a lot of the recruiting of young women to act as “hostesses”, then graduating to “masseuses”, then of course the demands became more and more sexual.
So yes, Andy is very shady and I think the palace has pulled his leash pretty tight these days.
You forgot he his besties with some oil tycoons that aren’t that friendly w/ the UK (he claimed it was to strengthen ties).
Right – forgot that one…are there any slimeballs left in the world he hasn’t cozied up to?!
Hopefully he decided that terrorists don’t make the best of friends.
But who knows?
Wrong spot.
Sheesh….
Andy makes Uncle Gary look like …well, Uncle Gary. But you get my point lol.
*clears throat and whispers*
Shush Snark. Everyone has that person in the family that is best left in the dark!
*go back to innocently reading*
*crosses arms defiantly*
Nobody puts Babe in a corner.
Oh Snark.
Are you saying you don’t have a black sheep in the family but have a black *pig* instead?
My my my. The things we have rattling in our cupboard. Or barns.
*turns up nose*
*pretends both cupboard and barn are pristine*
Lady
You just turned my favorite line from Dirty Dancing upside down! Yet I can’t help but like your take a bit better. As for black sheep in the family, there may or may not be some sketch, faint bleeting sounds coming from the attic.
*smoothes chignon*
I thought DD at first but you wrote Babe instead of Baby! Hehe.
Bleating? What bleating? I can’t hear a thing.
My what a lovely ensemble you’re in today!
*pats down newly covered grave that may or may not have some yucky ‘flowers’ hastily thrown in*
Lady
Lol!
And I may have a half brother in Vietnam, true story. No one really wants to talk about it 🙁
How’s that for skeletons!
Snark.
You and me both. You and me both.
And my uncle was killed in a very odd way (while serving in the navy) that everyone hushes up about when it’s mentioned. Otherwise, that uncle is a ‘saint’.
**ETA**
That’s not even including my mom’s side (there’s more in my dad’s side too).
My Uncle Bob was born Barbara not Robert.
Try and top THAT. lol
(But he’s the one that taught me to eat ‘English style’ *eye roll* and introduced me to Yorkshire Pudding. Yorkshire Pudding makes everything way okay in my book)
Lady
You so rock!
My aunt won’t talk about her son’s father. She is a big deal with the EPA and has murmured that to do so would have Washington come calling. Wha??
Lol nobility wouldn’t be nobility without a hint of family scandal, you know.
What is in Yorkshire pudding?
Yorkshire Pudding is kinda like a popover but baked in with beef au jus rather than just in a tin. We didn’t make ours ‘muffin style’ but in a cake pan (which is still not correct).
Food of the Gods. Or Goddesses 😉
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/feb/16/how-make-perfect-yorkshire-puddings
Oh and getting back to ‘skeletons’ my mother (who is a bit touched in the head) thinks we are descended from the Danish Royal Family. No one but her believes this!
Oh families. There are such fun. !
Air miles Andy actually refers to his habit of using air travel as his mode of transport for every little thing. It was fashioned after he was photographed once too often taking a helicopter to his golf game when the club was literally 20mins by car from his home.
Get out. A 20 minute drive and he took a helicopter? He’s so full of hot air, you’d think he could get there on his own!
Is it true that Andrew is the queen’s favorite child? And that he gets away with bad behavior because of it? Does Philip have a favorite kid?
From a lot of sources, yes the Queen favours Andrew.
And Philip is reportedly close to his no nonsense daughter Anne.
HM favors Andy -poo and Phil favors Anne. Alas, Charles was the favorite of the late, douchey Uncle Louis.
Louis was an opportunistic cad. That’s why he liked Charles.
Blech!
Lady
Oh but wasn’t he?! Shame the way he died, though. You know what’s ironic? Diana’s little teen heart was moved for Charles’ very real grief in much the way I think Kate’s little teen heart was for William when he lost his mother. I think it all helped play into Kate’s worship/blind adoration of her prince. I think it also partially explains why Carole threw so many roast beef dinners at the ‘poor boy’
Harry actually have a job with military and carried out more royal engagements then both William and Kate, plus reports says it was a weekend getaway and they are already back home. So yeah he gets a pass from me since he at least put a pretence of work.
Since it’s a weekend thing,I don’t think Creasida will need some special arrangement for this, this is her 1st vacation this year as far as far as I know.
I’m with you Aangelic 21
This really was a quick weekend trip and Harry isn’t vacationing at every moment. He works hard.
And wasn’t Harry’s last vacation the hunting trip with William and Jecca? I know that was also a quick trip.
I suppose I mean to ask when was the last time Harry went on a week long vacation for no reason? And Vegas doesn’t really count imo. Lots of service men make it a ritual to have a great time before going back to a war.
I’m inclined to agree, while acknowledging that Harry is probably associating with shady types (see other remarks about Andrew) at times, spending silly money on rich boy toys and games that I probably wouldn’t much approve of either, and other such people-of-privilege pastimes.
The point he seems to have grasped is this: as a Royal, if you are SEEN to be doing good and seen to be ENJOYING doing good and if you cultivate a scintilla of the common touch, you can be as much of a playboy as you like. You won’t incite a riot of fury from the peasants.
It really isn’t hard to grasp, is it? Baldtop must really be thick, even for a Windsor.
Much as his mother did.
Agree Sixer. You too, Suze.
Agree. Harry has that spark his mother had AND seems to really enjoy being involved with his charities. The trek with the wounded vets is something he could have just promoted and didn’t have to actually participate, but he did. That’s the kind of stuff that generates goodwill for ages.
@FLORC and all
I shake my head at the overall fawning over Harry.
I certainly don’t think that Harry did the wounded warriors trek for any reason other than that he enjoys this kind of physical stuff coupled with his passion for wounded warriors. He chose to do it because he likes it, so why would he just promote it? I don’t think it was much of a sacrifice for him and surely it’s better than sitting at a desk or whatever he was supposed to be doing at the time.
@hmmm ……Start by watching Harry’s documentary about Sentebale…..research his friendly, on-the-spot way with charities, note his planning and sleeves rolled up effort for the Chelsea Flower Show charity planting, to hauling sandbags at floods, and the way he actually connects with people and follows through, and you’ll start to understand our fondness. Throw in Ginger charm, a ready natural laugh and ability to put anyone at ease, the fact he pulls his weight, and our madness may seem less unusual or questionable.
Very much agree as well. As many others have stated before, I wouldn’t be so snarky about W&K’s vacationing if they were actually working hard otherwise. Harry works hard (for a royal), so does he get a pass for a couple of weekend ‘vacations’? Um… YES. As for Cressida, she is not even part of the RF (yet), so she most definitely gets a pass. They are dating… of course he’s going to wine and dine her, he’s a freaking prince!
Harry has already proven (to me… which doesn’t mean squat, I know) that he pulls his weight… and deserves the downtime he takes. I guess I will judge Cressida on this issue IF and WHEN she marries Harry.
Me too Belle. Ditto everyone in this thread.
Yes, Belle and LAK.
Ok I’m just a hick. Can someone please tell me how to pronounce her name?
I had to wait for the first Harry Potter to come to figure out how to say Hermoine. Ha ha.
Cress-id (rhymes with kid) – a (rhymes with uh)
Kress-eh-dah?
Or is it Kress-ih-dah? How I say it out loud sounds like an eh and ih to me.
Cress ih dah
Emphasis on the Cress.
So CRESS-ih-dah.
Just remember: Toyota Cressida…
I think this is the cutest funniest thread ever 🙂
Why, Seh lest?
The image of hundreds (thousands?) of celebitches all across north america, the UK, europe…leaning into our screens, whispering…’cress-a-da……CRESS-i-duh….” I don’t know, just strikes me as kind of adorable.
* Bloo-hair… Bloo-harr-ay…* (sotto voce)
She exudes an air of independence and doesn’t seem to be desperate to become part of the Royal Family. That’s a good thing. She’s very cute, very tomboy-ish. She seems like a good match for him. And I’d love to go skiing in Kazakhstan, shady host or not 🙂
What a bizarre pace to go skiing… there must be some random reason for it.
Not really. Skiing isn’t so widely associated with it as say the Alps or Aspen, but it’s more private than those other venues and is incredibly rich in culture and history.
Because it was free. Royals love a freebie!
TRUTH
Who paid for it? How many RPO went along with him?
Kazakhstan has a dreadful human rights record and the resort owner is tight with the government. Harry should never have been there. It’s not just another p.r. blunder but a moral one too
Was it this guy ^^ who bought Andrew’s house? I remember reading something about how he sold his house for more than the asking price (in the economic downturn) to a shady billionaire type. (He did; I just looked it up.) I t hink he owns a place at this resort too.
That might explain the destination, and I’ll bet it was through Beatrice and Cressida.
I read that this billionaire bought Andrew’s house, which had been languishing on the market, for 3million above ask. Extremely shady – I’m really curious about how much of this vacation was free. Really disappointed in Prince Harry.
Andrew is about as shady as a Kazhakstan billionaire. Run, harry!
Who on earth is in charge of the palace press office these days? Who did Charles hire? Endless stories about the younger royals decorating, traveling and partying are hitting the media. Helicopters? Staying at billionaire’s homes? It just gives the impression (and who knows, it might be true) that the BRF is all about enjoying themselves at other’s expense.
My radar is on high alert, Suze. I think something’s up.
Me too Bluhare. It’ll be apparent soon enough, but I say high alert!!
It’s not the palace though. This isn’t ‘official’. This was a leak.
It’s someone reporting on Harry and the paper or reporter has an inside scoop. This has the potential to be very embarrassing and they’d never sanction this *unless* William has done something worse and needs a buffer.
True – but the press office must be asleep at the wheel not to be countering with dozens of press releases on –
– the young Cambridge family at home ( I know those two don’t “allow” George photos, but a couple of them released right now might be a good distraction)
– William’s continuing training (LOL LOL LOL I know – but a good PR person could spin something)
– Harry’s championing of wounded vets (there is something there at least)
The press office seems to be sitting on their hands and just letting the media run rampant with these reports. Of course, it could be a good thing in the long run, letting their subjects in on the truth.
Or Charles has been playing the long game and this is his first volley in ending the monarchy! Forever! (Cue evil laughter).
Suze, I’m liking the way you think. And that Sun “Duchexcess of Cambridge” article doesn’t seem to be getting the publicity (maybe because the Sun charges to read its site?) was breathtaking. And not a word of rebuttal from TPTB??? W while ago they’d have been all over it.
@bluhare – I’m not a Sun subscriber – is the article worth a read? Anything new?
Actually, the different offices used to employ different techniques. But often you’d get no response from them at all.
I think perhaps that either Charles is:
1) Going to completely ignore these ‘crappy’ leaks altogether
2) If they aren’t trying to cook up a new PR strategy altogether (doubtful but that’s my opinion)
3) The ‘move’ has let all three offices fall into a jumble and there’s in-fighting so essentially nothing is getting done (quite possible)
4) Charles is an idiot (okay not really an ‘option’ but inserted it for a chuckle)
I’m trying to discern a pattern from the merged offices and am not seeing one. I think they need to hire a PR firm. Or Sophie. But that makes entirely too much sense so we all know that won’t happen.
@LS. Charles did hire Sally Osman from BBC last year. Not sure that was a good or bad move:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/apr/18/prince-charles-new-spin-doctor-sally-osman
@bluhare. That could be it. If it wasn’t behind a pay wall, maybe there would be a lot more chatter about the DuchExcess of Cambridge article. As it stands, I’ve only seen a bit of it on the forums, but no discussion wider afield.
Then again, this Harry skiing article is also behind the Sun paywall and is getting plenty of play. DM, Telegraph, BBC, others are picking it up while they ignored the DuchExcess one. Again, big outlets choosing to ignore a negative article about William and Kate, but taking the opportunity to go after Harry. Perhaps the newness factor of H&C, plus the connection to the questionable billionaire is more interesting fodder?
It will be interesting to see who got the photo exclusive for this weekend skiing trip. There is one photo on a forum (must be from someone who has a paid subscription to Sun), but no attribution.
Suze, I don’t subscribe either but I saw it. It was actually pretty breathtaking. A before/after type thing, talking about how she used to live in Wales, decorate her house with regular stuff, and now she’s all designer and spending lots and lots of money. And the hugely expensive holidays. Interestingly, William’s name wasn’t mentioned at all. It was the biggest hatchet job I’ve seen on her yet.
I make no judgment on the fairness of it. But my jaw dropped when I read it.
@My2Pence,
Surely you jest. Charles hired a PR person and *this* is their response?!?????
Oh Lord.
*bangs head on desk*
@everyone,
I think the attacks on Kate and Cressida (as well as numerous other women) stinks of misogyny. The whole Kate is the new Marie Antoinette especially.
This is a big reason I tend to give the women a touch more latitude because the Royal men often have more power in the relationship but the women are the ones that get crucified for his mistakes alone or their joint mistakes. It’s not fair.
(Again not saying their behaviour isn’t comment or critic worthy but the men get off virtually scot free and that’s what I find objectionable. William almost lost his wings and very little came of it. And for SO many reasons he should have been thoroughly called out for that serious offence)
Interesting point re misogyny, LS.
Tuppence/LAK,
Sally Osman’s been on the job for a year, so why now with the bad PR? If she’s as good as the article paints her, then it’s quite puzzling. And maybe for us tinfoil hat wearers, very interesting indeed. Why the bad articles now? Why at all? Why no rebuttal even if the articles were unauthorized leaks? Don’t know. Does anyone versed in PR know? I really need a good royal conspiracy theory to get my arms around. There haven’t been any in a while!
So she’s post Las Vegas and post nude pics. Hmmmmmmmm….
I agree Bluhare, why haven’t things improved for the entire Wales’ clan? Could it be that it’s too much for one person? And what I mean by that is, that the press is too out of control to be ‘managed’ when it comes to Royals? The press uses the Royals like sharks use prey, they circle and go for blood and rarely give ground, except for the heir(ess).
You’d think that within months of her hiring we’d have seen a pretty big change and I haven’t seen anything that that’s different.
For tinfoil theories — it could be The Grey Men. Even the Queen is reportedly scared of them.
LadySlippers
Regarding Mysogyny.
Kate gets the brunt of it because she’s the one pushed out and written about. Be the articles good or bad she’s the name heard and picture seen. So, I completely agree with you and it isn’t fair. William safely tucked away doing nothing except hiding from his responsibilities while he wife is a sacrifical lamb.
And if their mistakes are joint or not Kate takes the brunt. Knowing this I would give Kate more slack, but she is only hurting her situation with her own actions.
All this really proves to me how weak William really is.
Spot on FLORC.
Florc,
I don’t think anyone is ‘pushed out’. I think the press has known for a very long time who to keep completely hands off about. There is a clear hierarchy — heirs/heiress and spouses but if it comes down to it, throw the spouse under the bus and save the heir/heiress at all costs.
I think the press is gearing up to go after Kate with a vengeance not seen since Sarah or Wallis. And it’s all because Harry seems almost untouchable (à la Diana) in public opinion and they need a scapegoat and *fast*.
William is clearly a saint *eye roll* and fell under Kate’s spell and thus we need to crucify her rather than Saint William the Bald & Lazy (see several other married Royal women for reference: Isabella of France, Elizabeth Woodville, Anne Boleyn, Wallis Warfield Simpson as merely a few other English scapegoat).
In this regard, I feel immensely sorry for Kate. No one deserves to be crucified for something they honestly didn’t do except show interest in a male Royal. (Run Kate now!!!)
LadySlippers
I didn’t mean to claim William is knowingly pushing Kate out to the wolves. Only that she’s the easiest to blame. Especially since Harry is no pushover.
And the press likely are sitting on a gold mine of dirt on the Middletons and Kate. We’ve barely scratched the surface with PP, finances, Gary,, etc…
This can all be used should Kate need to be cut loose or William messes up so badly only a huge scandal will divert attention.
And as far as being crucified… Maybe it was just unfortunate Kate fell in love with a prince and future King. How she’s acted since with the excess luxury and working barely at all. It’s gasoline on the fire to roast her.
As sad as it is Sara and Wallis are forever remembered to rewrite history Kate’s greatest offence (imo) is her apathy to the struggle of others. Not just that she’s a role model for girls who now aspire to be a kept wife, attend college for their MRS, or stay with a partner who mistreats you.
@Florc,
I didn’t think you meant William at all. I think it’s not the BRF themselves either as most are very competitive but not that nasty (most not all).
I think it’s the very feared Grey Men though that pull a lot of crap in an effort to save the monarchy.
I must be in a goofy mood today because it occurs to me that Cressy is American Girl Kirsten and Kate is American Girl Samantha. I need more coffee.
Haha!
I love the dolls!
I had Addy with the full furniture set (and doll sized working ice cream maker!). And back when there were only 5 dolls. Felicity, Kristen, Addy, Molly, and Samantha.
Would that be like Barbie and Midge for us old timers?
Hmmmmmmm
You might be right. No more coffee needed!
Nah Cressy is Julie not Kirsten. lol
I used to work there. The kids were usually awesome, the parents however…
*grabs FLORC by the hand, ignores her shocked look*
You’re my new bestie!!
*tosses hair, Taylor Swift style*
Reece
Julie! That’s it! Chicka-maw-maw!
Blu
American Girl is an insanely expensive doll line with several niche categories – historical, girl of the year, my AG bespoke, bitty baby and Angelina Ballerina. The dolls, clothes and accessories are extremely well-crafted and imaginative (although much more so before Mattel purchased the company).
I love AG and am a collector. I have Samantha’s complete line and am now working on Kit. Don’t get me started lol!
One of my ex coworkers was seriously into American Girl for her two daughters she said. I did wonder if she liked them more than her daughters a time or two!
When we lived in the greater Chicago area, we could have gone to the AG store but my daughter was a tad too young. When we were transferred overseas, it was WAY too expensive to visit. But my friend’s daughter was into them a lot more. My daughter loved the stories around the dolls but didn’t get into the dolls themselves that much (or any doll for that matter).
Molly is/was my favorite. Although, Samantha always had the best clothes imo. The Regency Era fangirl in me likes Caroline too.
Yes, Kate is TOTALLY Samantha especially with the sausage curls. HAHA!
Blu
Oh yeah, total arrested development here 🙂 You would be gobsmacked to know what adults spend for retired AG items on ebay. Samantha’s blue bicycle with a little flower basket attached goes for $180 alone. When I finished my collection in February I was a little sad. I love the hunt, I guess. Mr. snark, however, was thrilled.
Lady
Your daughter let you off easy lol.
Yes she did!
She actually loves to write so instead of dolls I had and still have notebooks & journals EVERYWHERE. Lol. And reports from teachers ‘Do you *know* how much your daughter writes???????’ The answer is always, why yes I do! 😀
No, Kate is Molly. The most-colorless of all.
Lol! But Kate wouldn’t be caught dead in those eyeglasses. Now that I think about it Cressida is a cross between Julie and Isabella, the blonde ballerina 🙂
I am just glad the press has stopped fudging her professional life. First we got “former dance student”, then we got Cressida “the marketing employee”, and now they have given all that up and just refer to her as Cressida. At least they realize it isn’t doing her any favors to refer to her pretend job. Now if they would just stop with the “Cressy isn’t ready to marry”, and Cressy isn’t pushy”, etc. Cressy has a plan and it is to marry Prince Harry, whether for love or title, I know not.
How does a weekend away makes her job fake or pretend? Chelsea the lawyer also used to go on vacations. Working people go on vacations and weekend away all the time, this is her 1st weekend away so far this year,I don’t see how that makes her job fake..
I’m with you, Angelic21. It is stated that it was a weekend getaway. Doesn’t mean she isn’t working during the Work Week.
Agreed Angelic.
And other Brits up thread have stated that the British get a significant amount of holiday or vacation time as compared to Americans.
I wasn’t referring directly to her taking a vacation, I was referring more to the introduction Cressy always gets in the media, such as “former dance student” and then they decided to go with “marketing employee” and they finally dropped all the pretense of her actually working and just calling her Cressy. I do not believe she actually works. So, in that respect I stand by my comments. Of course they aren’t based on anything but what I read. I don’t live in England and don’t really know but I just don’t believe she puts in 40 hours a week anywhere and neither did Kate , though the press tried to pretend that she actually worked too.
I agree with both of you, Angelic and TG. I do think this job stuff was trotted out to make her look more substantial before the articles started rolling out, and I also agree that a long weekend does not a dilettante make (yet).
Agreed Angelic21. The press also went to great length to paint chelsy as a party girl drunk mess and didn’t point out that she was studying to be a lawyer which came as a big surprise once she started practising and now we have the romanticised Chelsy who was the bees knees.
My2pence: what did we say yesterday about sabotage? You really should change your name to Cassandra (Greek mythology)
Again not trying to sound like a broken record how can anyone know whether she is working full time or not when we have no idea or reports on what she does all day long. Her job is marketing for a theater which is very much in line with her collage degree from 1 of of the top collages in England Leeds and yes connections would have also been on play with the job but that’s not any indication as to whether she works hard or not, we don’t see her going on 12 vacations a year or have any evidence that she doesn’t work a regular job something we did have with Kate. Maybe it’s just me but until I see actual proof of her doing nothing but take 12 vacations a year or any evidence of how she spends her day, I’ll give her my benefit of doubt because I can’t possibly know what she does all day long.
@LAK. What will turn out to be even more interesting is:
If it turns out that while the news of 1) the H&C skiing trip and 2) C being at the Walking With the Wounded dinner is dominating the tabloids and online discussion, William and Kate Middleton are off somewhere skiing and nobody’s looking.
Clearly I’m still convinced they’ll fit in their annual Middleton skiing holiday before NZ/AU and take another holiday to “celebrate their anniversary” after the tour. William doesn’t have another engagement until March 31st.
@My2Pence,
You know, I don’t wonder if someone set the whole trip up to *appear* shady (it could be completely innocent or just as shady as it’s implied) in order to divert attention from Wills.
Lord, if that’s the case. It’s the classic and underhanded Palace PR we know and love.
So where are the Cambridge’s now or going? Any guesses? Obviously taking their 5 or 10th romantic holiday/ honeymoon (cuz they are SOOO in love. Like super duper in love. The kind us peasants just dream about).
You ladies are correct but so is TG. If Harry decided to stay for an extra day or two does anyone actually believe Cressy would get fired or even reprimanded? If she and Harry stay up all night talking or laughing or licking tusks or whatever it is they do no one will bat an eyelash if Cressy breezes into the office an hour or so late.
That’s a huge prejudicial assumption without foundation.
Might as well say anyone who uses connections, and we all do even the plumber’s children as an example, doesn’t take their job seriously and are in a pretend job.
LAK
I know right! I still can’t get over how overwhelmingly people are negative about her without any info or pictuers or reports on how she spends her day or even having any clue to exactly which place she works. It reminds me so much of how badly Chelsy was treated when she was with Harry, somehow any woman Harry dates is slated for no good reason.
LAK and Angelic
It is an assumption but far from a huge one. On what planet would a marketing firm reprimand or fire the privileged, celebrity-status, socialite, prince-dating daughter of close family friends? Totally not gonna happen. And I am far from a Cressida detractor if you’ve followed even a few of my remarks. My comment had more to do with the stark reality of connections and an exclusive/unique job situation for this girl, which will never be like yours or mine. I don’t know what her work ethic is. I think it must have been high while she was getting her education. Now? Who knows.
And yes, I think she likes her job and I also think her job is posh and semi-bespoke/made up so she can see where this Harry thing will go.
Her job is in marketing for a theater which is very much in line with her degree in theater from Leeds. In UK you don’t need a specific degree in marketing, which is in itself a very vast field with many different routes, so 1 doesn’t need a specif degree in marketing to get a job in marketing here. Her job which marketing for a theater group is very much in line with her interests, qualification and of course very possibly on her posh connections. Just because she might have used her connections as a plus point doesn’t mean she is not working for her job like York princess who also got her job at New York on her qualifications plus connections seems to doing well. I have not seen 1 shred of evidence that her job is like Kate’s, until and unless I see her going on vacations 12 times a year and roam around England with Harry, I’m not going make any assumptions on whether she really works or not. So far she has shown she doesn’t like sitting idle, she has followed her interests in theater and dancing and has gotten a job few months after graduating from collage, nothing similar to Kate IMO.
Angelic
All good points but I never mentioned Kate. And Cressy’s job might very well be legitimate and well suited to her background but I believe there is probably quite a lot about her duties and schedule that is highly tailored to her unique situation. I venture no guess about how hard she works at it.
Dame, what Angelic 21 said.
It’s not about whether you like Cressida or not. It’s YOUR particular prejudice that anyone who uses their connections is in a pretend job and due to the afore mentioned connections can do what they like and not take that job seriously.
We have ample evidence that is what Kate did. Kate is not Cressida, and we know zilch about her working life. And until we do, it remains a prejudicial assumption on your part and based on nothing.
Kate being branded a layabout happened because we could track her working life because someone else always received the credit for whatever job Kate was allegedly assigned within the company.
EDIT: how can you say you don’t venture how hard she works at it when in the comment above it you venture that due to her connections she’s in a pretend job that she doesn’t take seriously and which she can come and go according to her own timetable rather than her contacted hours due to said connections? That right there is a guess and a judgement as to how hard she works at her job!
LAK
Absolutely not. You are adding more weight and shade to my statements than my words very simply convey. I in no way imply that girls who get their jobs through connections do not work hard. Nor did I ever say Cressy doesn’t work hard. I was very clear that in no way is Cressy’s position like any other working girl’s, connections or not. It is too unique. I never said she is lazy. I said she is in no danger whatsoever of losing her job IF her involvement with Harry conflicted with a regular job description or work hours.it would absolutely never happen.
And I made it equally clear that it was my own opinion that her job is bespoke, although in line with her interests and background. I don’t know why Kate’s laziness is relevant here. cressida’s work ethic will stand on its own merit. And don’t overlook the fact that I agreed with TG and Angelic. The two points are not mutually exclusive.
Dame, i’m not shading you at all. I’m saying it in black and white. You are making a prejudicial assumption based on nothing.
You have said in 3 separate comments a variation of Cressida’s connections ensure that she can do whatever she likes because no one dare reprimand/fire her due to said connections. You’ve said in another comment that you believe her job to be bespoke due to her connections. You make a generalisation about people with connections along the same lines as if it is true of every single person who’se ever used connections to land a job.
As for her position of being a working royal girlfriend, she’s not unique. Sophie dated Edward for 6 straight years in the days when Edward still mattered. That ground has already been broken.
Again, in black and white, you’re wrong. The conversation was about Cressida and I kept it to Cressida. You repeatedly attempt to broaden my comnents to supposedly encompass everyone with a job due to connections. Please reference any quote where I did that. You won’t be able to. And yes, I believe Cressida is comfortably ensconced in society, Harry’s esteem, the media’s favor, family connections and her job position enough to guarantee she will never be shown the door like anyone else would. I would be incredulous if anyone believed otherwise. Again, it is useless to try to meld this opinion into a sweeping indictment on my part of other well-connected employees or Cressida’s work ethic.
and I didn’t say you were shading me. I said you were adding shade to my comments. There is a world of difference. Your interpretation of my comments is as individualistic as each and every comment on this thread. So, in my opinion, I am wasting my time explaining away an idea entirely of your own construction. I say this because your own words were that I “might as well say” that connected people do not take their jobs seriously, etc etc. “Might as well say” is not the same as me actually saying it. You seemed to say it for me.
I’m going to weigh in here and say that I think you’re both right. I think you have a point, Snark, and I also think LAK has a point as well. LAK’s correct in that we’ve got no clue what type of environment Cressida has, and I think you have a point when you speculate that Cressida will not be subject to the same restraints as most of us working stiffs. But you can only speculate, as we don’t know what Cressida’s job entails. LAK has the facts on her side on this one, as there aren’t any other than Cressida’s got a job. However, I tend to think her workplace is probably on the lenient side as well.
My work here is done. Off to solve the Syrian crisis . . . .
Blu
What facts are LAK referring to that I have had an issue with? You say the facts are on her side because Cressy is the only one with a job. That’s my whole point. I only speculated about Cressida’s job and hers alone. lAK repeatedly insisted that I was lumping all people with jobs through connections together and making “prejudiced assumptions”. This claim can not be backed up by any of my comments so I think the accusation is baseless. Just the opposite – I said I think Cressy’s work situation is unique, and compared to thousands of people with similar to hers, it most certainly is. Sure, it is speculation that Cressy’s job would not be n jeopardy if dating a prince threw her off her normal work schedule. But it is an almost obvious assumption/opinion. This removes my comments far from the neighborhood of “prejudiced assumptions”. I hate to be a stickler but it is uncomfortable to have opinions/thoughts/inferences attributed to you that are not your own.
So now, Blu, if Baldtop abandons his foreign office “stint” after a week or two, you actually would make a more worthy candidate, lol.
@Dame Snark
There is NO question in my mind that if Cressida was Harry’s serious girlfriend that her place of work would bend over backwards to accommodate her schedule. Given the tugging of forelocks in the long past there is NO question!
The fact is that she has a job. That’s the only thing known for sure. That’s what LAK was saying, or at least that’s what I read. The rest is speculation on all our parts. That was what I was trying to say.
Done with Syria, on to find the plane.
Hmmm
I know right, lol. And why not because if Harry proposes she will have to resign anyway.
Blu
Agreed and agreed 🙂 You’re awesome.
Thank you, Snarky. The other part, and I think it’s important, is when we say stuff like it’s all for show etc. (and I’m totally guilty of this) we pigeonhole her into the Waity Katy box and maybe she doesn’t deserve to be there. I think that’s a very valid point. So I’m going to try not to put her in there. I mean look at Kate. She’s still called Waity (although not so much) even now!
@TG,
How is what the press writes seen as credible in the first place? What if it’s because they are being cost conscious (or even lazy) and have to keep the word count down which actually could explain the more concise description? Before, when the public had less information, they repeated stories, almost verbatim. And we might have needed more descriptors because so many new people were picking up the story for the first time.
Again, I’m not saying anyone is right or wrong. I’m honestly trying to be a devil’s advocate here. BUT there could be a variety of different reasons that the *press* is describing her differently and nothing to actually do with the subject they are writing about.
I started following Tanna on twitter yesterday. He said there would be a big Harry/Cressy story today. I guess this is it.
All talk of boho chic scrunchies aside, I really worry that Harry will stop partying and boozing it up in order to keep this special little snowflake in his life. I think if that decision doesn’t come from within it doesn’t stick. If and when they marry he will confidently go back to his bachelor ways, imo.
Assuming the reports of her “taming” him are true, I think you’re right. When someone changes their habits for another person, it never lasts. I choose to give Harry more credit than that though. I believe his decision to curb the partying is his and his alone. He’s older now, more mature. Maybe that lifestyle doesn’t have the same appeal it did when he was younger. He probably still enjoys his drink, but not on a binge level, every other night. We all know with age, it becomes more difficult to bounce back from the constant hangovers.
I don’t agree that if a partner changes you, it’s not permanent or that it never lasts. I think a great partner is supposed to change you in some ways you know, a good partner is supposed to bring out the best in you. So if it’s true she is influencing him to drink less or party less, I think it’s a very good sign re the health of their relationship and not the other way around. I always feel a good relationship or a great love changes you for the better, at least mine did.
Awww, Angelic. You’re getting me all mushy. Mr. bluhare’s looking nervous.
Memme, actually that isn’t always true. When I met Mr Tessy, he used to frequent a watering hole with his mates. I told him I wasn’t interested in going so he said fine and stopped going himself. He still checks in every few months on his own and we have no problem with that. I think he was kind of relieved to get away from the scene, it sometimes become a habit that you just want to change after awhile.
Angelic,
I think the type of relationship you are describing is the ideal, whether romantic or friendship. When two people can bring out the best in each other in a relationship, they can only thrive, it adds to the growth. My thing is , if you are not changing for *yourself* first and foremost, it won’t matter.
Doing it only because someone else wants you to is not genuine, it won’t stick.
From my point of view the press is saying Cressida is calling all the shots, as if Harry can’t think for himself. His good behavior is based on her approval. If that is the case, they are not at all compatible, imo. I think the reality is he’s been growing up the last few years. His maturing happened to coincide with their relationship. It may be her lifestyle is a positive influence that is making the transition smoother for him. I just don’t buy he’s changing *because* of her. I think that was in motion before her.
Meme is right. At the risk of sounding like a Jedi, change only comes from within. A loving partner can be a catalyst for personal development and give us support while we grow. But unless the desire is already in us we don’t change in a permanent way, only a reactionary one. Otherwise love would conquer all and starting a loving relationship would be the end of all of our bad/unhealthy habits. Rather, when a person decides enough is enough a commited partner can cheer us on and provide emotional support to make changes, imo.
Tessy,
I think what I said to Angelic can apply to you too. From what you’re saying it sounds like Mr Tessy *wanted* the change in lifestyle, but was maybe feeling stuck? The want/need for the change was already inside him. You gave him a way out, a good reason to take action. He didn’t do it simply to please you.
Thank you Dame, for saying much more poetically, what I tried to say. 🙂
Memme
YW – you gave us some good points about Harry to think about 🙂
But one thing that I think the press is doing without anyone realising it.
By praising Cressida and stating that Cress is in control rather than Harry, it sets the stage in the future to blame HER rather than Harry. Because they’ll go back to the ‘woman is in control’ stories and throw up their hands in helplessness when the press turns.
I don’t think for a minute that Harry just signed over complete control. I do think he was ready to change and Cressida is part of the change, not the sole reason for it.
Meme: here is a thought. A guess.
We know for a fact that Harry’s been partying less and less. Every time he is papped out with friends, he looks sober as opposed to the early years. He isn’t clubbing like he used to, and as of last December (or possibly sooner) he quit cigarettes for the trek to the south pole.
Now for years, he was reported on as the party prince. With accompanying pics showing him inebriated or picked out to show him at his worst. Vegas was manna from heaven for fleet street.
Unfortunately for Fleet Street, Harry has grown up and is no longer doing the things that went so well with his press narrative. However, they can’t do a U-turn without a redemption story, so Cressida provides them with their angle. The love of a good woman cause Harry to change his bad habits to good ones.
In a few years, once the good Harry image is firmly established, they’ll be able to write good Harry stories without a blush whatever happens with Cressida.
On the plus side, IF Cressida ends up on that Balcony, it’s good PR for her too. Win win everyone.
@Memme
Perhaps Harry is growing up. I’m guessing not. He’s surrounded by people who encourage his stupidity by divine right. He’s an upper class twit, IMO. I don’t see him as very different from William so far. He’s just way more charming and has a way more amiable public image.
Just imagine if the blogs, forums, twitter, and tumblr had been around earlier? It could have gone something like this:
Lives with flatmates in an apartment bought by her family – spoiled, will obviously never work hard for the family firm!
Lousy school results, never went to University – she must be dumb. Everybody *knows* that if you don’t graduate from University you’ll never be any good.
Is a stuffy old aristocrat – why can’t he love a commoner, EVERY commoner MUST be better than EVERY aristocrat ever, because we cannot judge individuals as individuals.
Comes from a broken home – everybody knows that only people’s whose parents are still married are Good People so we’ll bash anybody who has divorced parents.
Worked as a part-time “cleaner” – is that really a job?
Did some baby-sitting for a foreign family – again is this a real job?
Works at a nursery school – this isn’t a good enough job for a royal girlfriend. She’s clearly a job-jumper who cannot decide what she wants to be when she grows up. I’ll bet if she takes a long weekend her bosses would never dare complain because of who her boyfriend is!
Posed for paps to get them off her back at work – she’s fame hungry!
Members of her family defend her & talk about her in the press while she’s dating this prince – they’re all fame hungry and must have a PR firm!
Likes to ski in expensive places like Switzerland – spoiled!
Photos of her wearing just a towel, holding her bra, and laughing it up with friends at a ski resort – OMG she’s so trashy!
Conclusion: She’ll be a terrible royal, tear her down as fast as you can NOW to convince him not to marry her. For goodness sake, don’t wait until she’s a member of the Family Firm and judge her work as a royal based on her POST-MARRIAGE WORK ETHIC.
As someone pointed out the other day, Diana didn’t look like much coming in but proved a lot of people wrong when it came to her royal role. Kate Middleton looked good (to some) coming in, but has proven to be shockingly entitled, lazy, spendthrift, and work-sky. For three years, KM has shown us her lousy post-marriage work ethic and I do not expect this to improve significantly.
Diana, Kate, and Cressida were/are all supported (in some way) by wealthy parents. They all grew up privileged, with access to exclusive schools and costly vacations. They all mingled in wealthy, aristocratic, and royal circles. One proved to be a great royal, one is proving to be a lousy royal, and one is NOT a royal (yet if ever) so is NOT require to prove anything to any of us at this point.
IF Harry and Cressida get married, THEN we’d have a chance to see what type of royal Cressida might be. Until then, the speculation is taking a ridiculously-bashing tone.
Awesome post. People so convincingly forgetting how much break, good press Kate got during her dating years yet everyone is writing Cressida off even though we know absolutely nothing about what she does all day long. Reminds me so much of how Chelsy was treated before they finally broke up.
My2Pence,
You forgot:
Flouts Royal Protocol in black dress and dresses provocatively!!! Please Charles, spare us, your people from this horrible woman! Run now before it’s legal!!!
And you didn’t even include that Sarah is more like Cressida, in that’s she’s an untitled aristo that was also supported by family or boyfriends while she was unmarried.
Great post. Absolutely spot on (but as my frustration showed yesterday, nobody cares. They’ve made up their minds and facts be damned).
Two thumps up, Tuppence! This one’s actually worth four pence!
You are correct, My2Pence, the internet makes all the difference. I think people start from the notion of aristocratic privilege and how in this day and age it almost invariably means the lazy and feckless. Bottom line is that Cressida nor any of them can stem the tide of questioning of divine birth right, which is more compelling , IMO, than any truly spurious bashing.
Love this post!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2588528/Harry-Cressida-hit-slopes-Kazakh-ski-resort-Couple-enjoy-private-holiday-luxury-chalet.html
Interesting last sentence:
But sources close to the prince said the trip had been organised by a friend and he and Cressida had ‘tagged along’.
Yeah, sure. How is he different from William, and how is his PR different from William’s?
@hmmm,
There is honestly a difference between William & Harry’s press. The palace routinely throws the Spare (or any of the ‘extra’ royal children) under the bus while downplaying the heir’s/heiress’ similar traits. So the press knows they can go after the Spare in a way that’s not typically ‘allowed’ to go at the heir/heiress. I suspect My2Pence is correct that this story is meant to hide or soften the blow for a (known to the press) transgression by William.
A really good example of the difference is summer of 2012. William was in serious danger of losing his wings. This is almost unheard of and in no way shape or form, can be explained away easily. The in air flight requirement is a measly 15 hours a month and (for whatever reason) William was unable to do this for several months running. This should have been a HUGE story.
YET, we hear about Harry’s pre-deployment party trip. Of which the press knew exactly where he was and why. Most also probably know that it’s fairly typical for military members to have (albeit on a smaller scale).
A lot of people think Harry’s story was fuelled by a desire to help divert people’s attention from William’s work debacle. Obviously it can’t be proven, but there is that pattern in place, and it’s been going on for decades if not longer.
I thought the sentence was off because I the facts don’t add up. So I’m kinda shading whoever wrote it or whoever leaked it. It just doesn’t make sense. At least to me.
I just clicked the dm article and over 300 comments already. the public is not taking to this girl. harry was dumb to go there right now with everything happening with the Russians because it makes him look shady like Andrew. wow harry is turning into Andrew isn’t he. im wondering if the press has taken off the gloves now about these two and will and kate. remember how will and harry were jerks when they were doing the sandbagging and when will had a fit about kate being pictured pregnant in mustique. I also read a link on Tannas twitter feed that cressidas lawyers had sent a warning to tabloids about pap harrassment
She kind of reminds me of my niece who shops for her clothes in the thrift stores and dresses however she feels like, in stuff that doesn’t quite fit. Now we just need some photos of Cressy dancing around a campfire holding a beer, or checking out a bug on her hand or posing with a lizard on her cheek. I suspect Harry would be all over that too.
Prince Andrew seems very shady to me and has ever since I read this article a few years ago. http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/08/prince-andrew-201108
Yup.
Notice that Andrew *knew and approved* about Sarah’s meeting with the sheikh yet Sarah alone was crucified for it.
Andrew has questionable ethics to say the least.
Andrew is a pompous windbag and an a$$hole of the first order. Can’t stand him. And this is my opinion of him while I’m in a charitable mood.
Dayum! Blu!
Shall we go apple hunting together?
Despite her issues I’ve always thought the York girls got their sunny smiles and, I believe, sweet personalities from their mother.
I plan to get a tree, LS. Here’s Wikipedia’s info on Bramleys, followed by Jamie Oliver’s forum discussion about substitutes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bramley_(apple)
http://www.jamieoliver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=74647
PS I think you’re probably right about B&E, Snarky.
I love northern spy apples!
@Dame Snarkweek,
What makes you think that Sarah is sweet? I find her opportunistic and manipulative, and she certainly has used her title to great financial effect.
Hmmm
I felt so sorry for how the press treated her during the Diana years and how she was ignored by Andy and shredded during the divorce. That plus her infamous Oprah interview made her seem like a deer in the headlights. I know, I know but it is my personal weakness. 🙂
No ones talking about cressies half sister, the beautiful isabella, now married to sam branson. It was reported at the time of kate and williams split that he was besotted with her and was the reason he split with kate..apparently she knocked him back. Kate and mum carol must be seething that harrys relationship with cressie will bring her sister back into williams orbit…especially if she does become a member of the RF. I can see sparks flying in th not too distant future..
Ruh-roh, here we go…
Amnesty spokesman Allan Hogarth, said: ‘There’s no law against Harry going skiing in Kazakhstan, but he might want to spare a thought for the people who aren’t going to be sharing the slopes with him. These include jailed dissidents and tortured oil workers. Forget Borat, Kazakhstan is a repressive country where torture is rife and political opposition is crushed.’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2589427/Harry-faces-human-rights-row-Kazakh-ski-jaunt-Campaigners-attack-Prince-choosing-country-repressive-regime.html