Yeah, we’re still talking about how the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge threw the Duke and Duchess of Sussex right under the bus this week. All the British papers made the photos of the Cambridges’ budget flight their front page, it looks like. Such a normal, middle-class family, William the doting dad herding Charlotte and George in front, with Kate holding Louis and Nanny Maria beside her. But where’s Carole Middleton? The eyewitnesses told the Daily Mail that Carole joined them on the budget flight? Maybe Carole was the one photographing this merry middle class family! And in case you need the point repeatedly underlined, just know that Kensington Palace must have sent out talking points to all of the royal reporters, because they’re all parroting the same fundamental lie: that the Cambridges are always looking for cost-cutting measures and they’re ALWAYS taking budget flights. Tom Sykes at the the Daily Beast even quoted a “source” about it:
After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took four private jets in less than two weeks, Kate Middleton and Prince William flew to Scotland on a budget airline on Thursday, in what was, whether they intended it or not, a crushing and highly symbolic rebuke to the other couple’s extravagance.
“William and Kate always fly budget whenever possible when they are flying on personal and private trips,” a source told The Daily Beast on Thursday. “The basic reason for that is very simple: It’s because they have to pay for their own flights if it’s a private trip and they don’t like wasting money.”
However, it’s not just an issue of flaunting wealth or saving cash. As the scathing reaction that has greeted Harry and Meghan’s multiple private airplane rides this summer shows, air travel has never been more politicized. Flying private opens you up to criticism, and if you happen to be simultaneously campaigning against climate change, all too accurate accusations of hypocrisy.
On the other hand, flying budget (especially into Aberdeen airport, where an agency snapper is parked on retainer for the summer capturing images of the royals coming and going to the Queen’s summer house, Balmoral, for their holidays) is great PR.
First of all, the alleged “agency snapper” has only gotten photos of the Cambridges and MAYBE Prince Andrew… as Andrew jetted off on his private plane. Let’s not pretend that we have tons of photos of the royal family coming and going from this airport. We do not. These photos were a complete set-up, and without question they were set up by William and the Kensington Palace communication office. Notice that no one from the palace had any issue with the Cambridge kids being photographed candidly. That’s the tell. Second of all, “William and Kate always fly budget whenever possible when they are flying on personal and private trips.” Horsesh-t. They fly on private planes and private helicopters whenever possible. The Queen even BOUGHT them a new helicopter. And they’re so budget-conscious that they “borrow” the Duke of Westminster’s private plane for their holidays too. This revisionism to Embiggen the Cambridges is really something, huh.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red and WENN.
The thumbnail is so appropriate – lol !
Yep lol!
I also wonder why they use the term ‘budget flights’ all time as in the part of England I live we always say ‘low cost flights’. I never heard anyone saying that. Other UK commenters might chime in if I am wrong
I call them budget flights because they are on budget airlines. A lot of people I know call them that as well.
@Chunkyla
Thanks. We also call the companies ‘low cost’ lol
Don’t know why I live here but everyone I know says low cost. FlyBe do propeller no thanks. I guess depends on who you talk to.
they always fly budget…when they can order in an extra plane just for them. So BUSTED!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7388877/Flybe-bosses-flew-aircraft-123-miles-pick-Prince-William-Kate.html
They didn’t order a new plane. The airline said they made the choice.
They didn’t request it, FlyBe supposedly did. It’s funny that their attempt to one-up the Sussexes has backfired a bit though. When your PR machinations are that obvious, the tabloids will be searching for something to come at you with, even when you are the ones they supposedly like.
@Montréalaise Harry and Wills were 12 and 15 when Diana died. They all manipulate the media when they need to, but dragging her into this is reaching a bit I think..
As for smearing Charles, there wasnt much need of her to do that since he admitted cheating and openly carried on with Camilla.
This is disgusting. Poor Harry who has a brother like William.
Agreed! At least we know terrible siblings is another thing that Harry and Meghan can relate to each other about!
After they pulled that stunt I think any chance of a relationship is over.
Whether or not this was directly organized by the Cambridges (and it was organized by SOMEBODY)…..the British media is really doing the most to destroy any chance of those brothers reconciling. Shame.
Both brothers use the media as their own propaganda train. Harry trashes William, William trashes Harry. Neither of them are poor victims of the other. They both need to grow the Eff up and do their jobs, serve the UK and stop using the media to sling their rubbish against each other.
@Resse, says – they probably learned this from their mother. In the lae 80s andf early 90s, Diana used the media to great advantage to throw mud at Charles as often as possible.
What has Harry specifically done to trash William? Are we talking about the vague two kids comment? Because that’s an off hand comment that relates to his own decisions. What else? The media has talked about this dispute but has yet to provide real concrete examples…. frankly until William did this budget plane on film thing, most of the things were vague and unprovable. It’s really hard to interpret this action by William as anything other than throwing his brother under the bus.
Agreed completely nic919. I don’t see Harry playing this evil game because he already is the popular one. William suffers from the green eyed monster big time.
Reese
As much as the royal reporters dislike Harry now, none of them have ever said that he leaked anything to the media about his brother. What they do admit is that William lashes out at Harry a lot and is very controlling and not above using the media for his own good.
Thank you, @Nic919, for calling out the bogus “both brothers” argument.
Some folks stay both sides-ing and all lives matter-ing situations when it is Wills in the hot seat.
@nic lol. Same old same old with you?
Vague comment in Vogue? Surely wasn’t a shot fired at his brother. Oh no, innocent Harry, never uses mainstream media or social media to throw punches. Innocent little ginger. They are both spoiled, privileged, twats that need to stop playing image games and get on with doing the jobs they are provided nicely for.
@reese I was with you until you threw in the ginger bit. Not sure why his hair colour is relevant here. I can’t speak to your intentions but in this case it comes across as an insult, particularly since it is a colour that is often discriminated against in the UK. That nonsense needs to stop just as much as the media games and immature behaviour that you referenced.
So let me get this straight, after Jane Goodall said not too many kids and Harry replied with “two, maximum” in Vogue – one for which Meghan and even Harry were already getting trashed in the media for, he decided to add even more fuel to the fire as a way to get “even” with his brother by staging lowbudgetplane gate. Not to mention, after the vogue article came out, there was an article in response to this specific aspect with Jane Goodall where the author said that because they could not afford a family planner they decided to have this discussion with a primatologist. If that wasn’t enough comeuppance for WIlliam, then idk what to say. It’s bad enough that she’s getting racist coverage, but for his own pettiness against his brother he decided to get even by further fueling this coverage. Wow.
@mycousinvinny
Growing in in Belafast I’m up to date on my insults…which was my intent. To insult Harry in case you missed my point with insulting both brothers for behaving like spoiled rich little twats living off taxpayers while acting like twats using the media to further themselves and their personal narratives. Get on with their bloody jobs. Harry is just as guilty as William and vice versa. They are both equally at fault for playing out their rubbish in the media.
@reese, no I didn’t miss any of your points, I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt just in case it was warranted. Like I said, I was with you until you attacked his hair colour. They don’t call it the last acceptable form of discrimination for nothing – that sort of comment is discriminatory, offensive and most of all, unnecessary. We can and should do better than that.
It’s really stretching to take that comment to Jane Goodall as an attack on William having more than two kids, but then again people who make xenophobic comments shouldn’t be taken seriously anyway.
2 kids max?
Dumb statement, to be frank. It is not Europe which produces more people than it can support. Generally the birth rate in the UK is 1,8 and sinking which means their population is slowly decreasing.
Ever tell an African that two kids was the maxium and you be called a racist.
#PippaTips
#HarrySmartThoughts
“Ever tell an African that two kids was the maxium and you be called a racist.”
@Alexandra. There are 54 countries in the continent of Africa. Which country does your question apply to?
The British media are making me feel sick. William and Kate use the royal helicopter like a bus, they have even planted very tall trees so that people can’t see them hopping on and off the helicopter. But no let’s forget about them and just concentrate on evil brother Harry flying around the world in a golden private jet.
DM in its latest headline has the audacity to talk about the Queen’s troubled week and equate the non story of H&M travelling on a private jet with Andrew and Epstein, this is nothing but disgusting dirty tricks and it is all escalating and becoming deeper and more serious.
There is a plot to get rid of Meghan, Harry must be furious. Sussexsquad say that the black community in Britain are not making enough noise, and l tend to agree. I wrote four letters of complaint to the Daily Mail about its daily harrasment of a first time mother to be.
The media were wholly to blame for manipulating the toxic Markle family. I am now seriously worried about what is going to happen next. People in the Palace are definitely in cahoots with the media.
The whole world is watching how the House of Windsor is handling this mess!
Yeah no,both brothers do not use the media to shade each other,only one is having this one sided fight using the media and its William.
And if Harry saying he wants “two kids max” is a shade to William,then i guess he was also shading his and Meghans friends,some of who have more than 2 kids eg Nacho,Jess. Wonder why those friends weren’t offended by Harry’s “insensitive” comment
@princessK I’m not sure I follow.
As black women we are supposed to be doing more for Meghan? I believe your comment about how I should be doing MORE for Meghan because I’m a U.K. citizen and implying that as black women we are not doing enough for her are off base. That’s straight up insulting.
Meghan is treated egregiously, it’s disturbing, disgusting and blatant racism at its best.
What is new here? BC I’m struggling to see that? Prince Charles has shown he’s a straight up racist twat time and time again. It’s shocking to see that members of the royal family and the aristocracy don’t like people of colour? What am I missing here?
I live and work in England. This is not shocking that racism is alive and well. Every, I mean every person of colour has felt this. Forgive me if I’m not fighting enough on a daily basis for Meghan’s right to live in her castle.
I will not tolerate her being treated like shat for the colour of her skin, and when the opportunity to defend her from racists arises I am her biggest supporter. I will not however, be so blinded in my devotion as not see cracks in her hypocrisy. She is not a visible minority walking around in a normal life dealing with all the bullshit that a everyday black or person of colour in the UK has to deal with. So forgive us Black UK women if we are spending more time empowering our own daughters, sons and communities and not devoting all our time fighting the noble fight for Meghan. BC guess what? Our lives are filled with racist shat too. I fear for my the lives of black nephews on a daily basis more than I fear for her. Somehow (sarcasm) I believe she will come out of this just fine.
@Reese…I am just saying what some of our black sisters in the US are saying, who have come out showing strong solidarity. They feel that we are rather silent in comparison. I am doing everything I can, writing letters, using social media and subjecting myself to attacks on DM for being a minority view. In fact DM seem to block a lot of my counter arguments. I am just wondering if we can do more?
I totally disagree that Meghan’s life is so much better than ordinary black women in the UK, so we should sit on our hands? She is a symbol of diversity in a society which is presently kicking against it. Brexiteers do not want to see black people moving into the upper echelons of society, outshining English Roses. Do you really think money and posh property equates with happiness, I would never want to swap my life with her and endure what she has suffered for three years for having the audacity to marry into Britains most prestigious institution and wanting to work hard.
@princessk
I hear you, I really do and you are the last person I want to go after on here.
I cannot stand by however and have some black sisters from across the pond tell me what my community and sisters are doing in the UK. It’s fcking insulting. Am I sitting over here and blaming them for having a racist president? We fight our fight every bloody day, day in and day out for our mothers, sisters, aunties, mums, nans, cousins for ALL women. All people of colour. Regardless of where they fall in the British class system.
I’m not saying we don’t stand up for Meghan, that she’s all good in her rich ‘hood. What I am staying that there are more important inequalities in these systems for many of us women and we prioritise our own local communities bc nobody else give a shat about them. Nobody. Black bitches. Who cares? They living in council? How many kids they have? Stereotypes, racism, discrimination. Black, brown any women of colour in the UK is the lowest of the low. Meghan will never have to face this. She will never have to deal with the daily struggle of a women of colour.
What she gets is a ton of racism thrown her way. She also has millions of pounds and resources to help her cope and deal with it. She has support. Lots of it. It doesn’t make the racism she is subjected too more tolerable, but it gives her an advantage that 99.9 percent of black women in the UK don’t have. Normal black women don’t have endless access to mental health resources, doctors, vacations allowing mental health breaks from our troubles. We have none of these tools to help us cope, on top of limited educational and employment opportunities. Her privilege, support, money and status gives her so much more ability to fight the intolerances against her. I’m not saying she has it all so lets not help her. I’m just saying she doesn’t have the same aftermath as the rest of black women have to deal with on the daily. So forgive us UK black women if are not marching on the streets of Windsor for her, cause like said before I’m not worried about her life. She will be ok. I’m more worried about the lives of those immediately around me and the daily struggle we all face.
We don’t need to be defending our choices of looking after our own communities from other women of colour. It’s absurd.
Too much is being made of this. They flew budget. So what. Celebitchy August 2 2011 post was about them taking a budget flight after Zara’s wedding. I’m sure that wasn’t about showing up the Tyndall’s. Like all siblings they have issues. It’s always prickly when new people come on the scene be it wives, children etc. Unlike Kate who was around for a long time before marriage Meghan was not. I think William asked Harry if he was sure or something like that & Harry got upset. The press has been quite awful to Meghan but I am sure most of this is being made up to sell papers & be click bait.
I think they all get along as well as people with young families & new priorities can considering different positions. William & Harry are at the end of the day
brothers who have a special bond. I don’t think all this noise will make a dent in the long run.
This ENTIRE family (Meghan included) know how to work the media. Poor Little Rich people. They live a life a EXTREME privilege & with that comes the obligation to serve. That is what they should do. Shut up, stop whining & do the job you are paid obscenely to do.
@Reese, wow that escalated into something different rather quickly, didn’t it? I really sympathize with every person of color wherever they are, we really have never had it easy and I haven’t read any post here that disputes that. I also have no read any post that says POC shouldn’t look out for those most dear to them or their communities but rather focus on looking out for Meghan and marching the streets to protest treatment subjected to her, so I think we are all in agreement here that its not easy for us people of color. I believe for the most part, posters were countering your claims that “both brothers use the media to trash each other” a claim that really can’t be backed up with any evidence in regards to Harry. The BRF and William have been throwing the spare under the bus all his life just to make the heir look good, and there is evidence of that as previous courtiers are on record stating those facts. But we have no reports that support the claim that Harry throws William under the bus to make himself look good at all. I believe some people in the BRF (mostly the courtiers) and the British media are upset that, despite their efforts, William never grew up and turned into someone they always envisioned the heir to be but rather, Harry is the one that became the person they would have wanted William to be. I believe this is where the problem lies. I think there is an effort to whip Harry into submission, have him give up on himself and his family and get back to the status quo, ie, party prince etc. I don’t see this happen though, Harry has tasted both worlds and I think he loves this mature Harry world and he intends to keep it that way. Him and his wife will be tested, the abuse and racism toward them and Archie is gonna get even worse that it is, but like Reese, I believe they will come out on top, they just have to persevere.
Unpopular opinion, but I think prince Charles is very supportive of his younger son and his little new family. I believe because him and Diana already played this media smear campaign of each other, he’s like been there done that, do not say anything denial or affirmation, just do not feed the beast aka British media. Coming out and defending Meghan is not going to change a thing, matter of fact it will just fuel this already massive inferno. Can you imagine the headlines: Prince Charles is attempting to silence the media blah blah blah? I think Charles AND Harry already know from experience, issuing statements or giving interviews to explain anything only makes things worse, so they’re just gonna be quiet and let the British media scream themselves into silence.
@ Montrealaise : Charles used the media to trash Diana as well but IMO he didn’t have Diana’s PR skills and/or he was just so out of touch that she almost had an unfair advantage in appearing down to earth. I’m not anti-Charles but he did seem to have a sharper learning curve on what the media and their readers wanted to hear. But his PR work after Diana’s death to rehabilitate Camilla was top notch. He played the long game and was quite successful there.
Astute observation: the future king of the U.K. didn’t have the entire monarchy at his disposal, the ENTIRE arsenal of BP and the Queen and all the staff to clap back at Diana? You’ve got to be kidding right?!? He didn’t possess the proper training and skills. Poor poor Charles. Jesus, Mary and Joseph let’s all pray for the poor misunderstood lad.
Surely he wasn’t an arrogant piece of shat that thought he knew better than everybody then and still does?!? Nope. He didn’t have the proper tools at his disposal.
Hey, this is a modern monarchy. William is never going to have Harry locked in the Tower of London, and Harry won’t ever try to have William poisoned. #twentyfirstcenturyroyals
Poor William who has a brother like Harry. And plz use Google before you embarras yourself they always flew budget on vacation and private on tours. And they didn’t preach about carbon footprints before that they go on private jets
Please use Google to find the articles showing the private jet owned by the Duke of Westminster to go on ski trips and the helicopter use to London and Norfolk at 5k a pop.
And please use google to read the speech William gave while in Africa about overpopulation as his wife was pregnant with child number three, as well as his speech at the climate change conference in Davos this past January where he attended using a private jet.
@nic please use google to find out the meaning of white privilege, while you’re at it, take a look at the meaning of xenophobia. Last time I checked Northern Ireland is part of the U.K.? It’s not my bias that’s at work here mate.
What’s with all the PERSONAL attacks on @nic919? I’m beginning to sense an orchestrated campaign and that’s not a good look.
Interesting fact: only those who dare critique Harry or William are accused of conspiracy. You can call either of them twats, shats, lazy, arseholes, privileged, spoiled, jealous, childish, make up entire scenarios, I mean make believe scenarios of William being a conspiring green eyed monster prick but insulting one of them with the term ginger is crossing the line? After all the fan fiction made up about them on here? Harry does no wrong and is just a poor victim of his brother? But insulting someone using Ginger, is absolutely apprehensible.
Here’s another google term: hypocrisy
@nic919……thank you for bringing up the speech that William gave about overpopulation in Africa. No outrage at that comment.
The Cambridge’s probably use more resources than ten African villages put together!
I’m not fan of William, and there is a touch of hypocrisy when a father of 3 decries overpopulation, but let’s be realistic. There is a huge difference between choosing to have multiple children with the knowledge that you can well afford to do so, and being denied birth control and family planning services. Sex is as strong a human desire as hunger and thirst, but for most women across the globe that point is irrelevant. Sex is a condition of marriage, and marriage is a requirement for financial support, and sex leads to children. William is not to blame for the numerous global entities preaching against birth control, condemning female sexuality, and denying funds – even in the world’s richest nation – to medical services that treat female reproductive health. Again, not defending William, but he’s hardly to blame for the myriad of global political and religious entities subjugating women to sexual servitude and forced birth.
@reese, as I am the only one that pulled you up on the ginger comment I assume you are directing your comment at me.
You can go ahead and call someone lazy, entitled, spoilt all day long if you like and you won’t hear me having a go at you. I have at no point indulged in fan fiction or implied that anyone was an aggressor or victim. You are entitled to your opinion and free speech but you made it very clear you intended to insult Harry by calling him a “ginger”. What does that say to everyone else who has ginger hair? When you throw that out as an insult you are effectively insulting everyone who shares that characteristic. Young people have killed themselves over so-called gingerism so please don’t treat this flippantly.
I don’t think it’s ever acceptable to demean or attempt to insult someone on the basis of their hair or skin colour, or frankly anything to do with their physical appearance.
You and I are in agreement on some things here, these folks have it a lot easier than most of us and there’s a lot we can critique about them – being born with red hair is not one of them.
I really don’t get this whole story. they chose to fly with this plane and not that plane and that makes them evil people? how is them spending less money on a trip against harry or meghan? they wanted to look good and make people like them, okay, but I don’t understand why that would be anti-harry?
Not all the papers have this on the cover – just the tabloids I think. The Boris/Macron meeting is on the cover of the more reputable newspapers. Andrew’s foot massage did make the cover of the Guardian, though.
In the online content, I had to scroll waaaaay down to find the Pedo Andy story. BP is really trying to bury it. In EVERY way.
“William and Kate always fly budget whenever possible” LMAOOOO
Their helicopter says hello!
maybe the helicopter is named “budget”
🤣🤣
Took me a moment but 😂
😂
Castletoz…Lol! You made my morning.
They took inspiration from Fergie’s children’s books called ‘Budgie the Helicopter’!
“Whenever the Duke of Westminster has travel plans of his own.”
Right I don’t get the ‘palace quote’ in the Sykes piece saying if they fly private they have to pay for it themselves. Um, I really don’t think the young Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster is invoicing KP for flights the Cambridges take on his private plane.
I cynically think part of the reason he was made godfather to Prince George, despite being much younger than Will and Kate (he was only 22 and the youngest godparent), was to assure access to his plane (and hunting estate in Germany etc etc).
A perk of having rich pals is the private jet hookup and all the BRF royals do it including Charles, The Yorks, the Wessexes…
I don’t think Elton John is sending a bill for airfare and lodging, either.
Hugh’s father and Charles were very close friends. Hugh was made godfather in recognition of the long relationship between the two families.
And I wish I had a friend with a private plane. Economy Plus isn’t really all that.
@Megan yes exactly Elton gifts the Sussexes rides on his plane and Westminster gifts the Cambridges rides on his and some other rich dude gifts the Wessexes rides on his…….
I was referring to the Daily Beast article source saying why the Cambridges fly budget : “because they have to pay for their own flights if it’s a private trip and they don’t like wasting money.” Ignoring that they can and do fly private at times for free just like the Sussexes
@ Tourmaline
*Grin*
Do you think what I think?
Do you think that by saying they were flying “budget” they meant that somebody else paid for it? 😉
Royal flying budget
=> Royal not paying for flight
===> Rich friend gifting free flight to Royal (and expecting a return on investment?)
They flew budget because willie doesn’t like waisting money …. more likely it’s because willie is CHEAP. He only flys private when he can bludge off a friend.
“spits coffee at this and at “budget”
Pictures of the Cambridge children on private trips are never released without the permission of their parents. Will and Kate admonished the paps and tabloids several times for photographing the kids at festivals, parks, etc. These photos are too convenient.
Also, Harry and Meghan have taken the train and economy flights several times, but the British press and trolls like to pretend that all they do is fly on luxury private jets.
I agree, the video has been approved by the Cambridges, they have sued in the past when pap shots have been published, no way the press would run with this story and the kids without KP’s say so.
Similar to when they allowed the pictures of Kate taking George on his first Mustique holiday without William. He was papped hunting in Spain with Jecca and Harry the same weekend. The Midds know how to bring William to heel publicly when they want. A week later, W&K left their son with the new nanny and took the 10 day kid-free beach vacation in The Maldives.
Exactly the Cambridges could have stopped those pictures being used because the photos were taken during private time, but they did not stop them being published and plastered all over the front pages.
The long lens pictures at Balmoral of them coming and going are also being allowed to go through, to depict the Queen playing happy families and upholding age old traditions.
I actually said: REALLY??? Out loud when I read that. Wow.
We see you Wills and Kate for what you really are. Smear propaganda is what you’re working on and not your charities.
I have to agree. They knew exactly how it would look. Very low blow to disgrace your brother so publicly. H&M need to do something spectacular, like their upcoming tour, but also something subtle and underhanded against W (and I’m usually such a kind person….).
To be honest, up until yesterday I had no interest to even know what they were up to, they have always seemed so bland and boring to me.
Now this… which is clearly a smear to his brother and sister-in-law. They used commercial planes before but it is the timing of all the pictures and articles that is highly suspicious.. no reporters and paparazzi interested in them flying commercial in nearly a decade?
I feel like the insult, ‘ew, you’re just like your daddy’ really applies here.
I would say stop throwing stones when you live in a glass house, but Im sure they’re too lazy to pick them up to begin with. So whoever they are allowing to run with these narratives, I hope has a serious slip up and exposes them all
Urmmmm, no they do not. And that’s all I have left in me to say about this lol.
@ Taryn. Same. The toxic BS is EXHAUSTING!
Were also Harry & Meghan’s pics near their private jet a setup?
To my opinion, any members of the royal family who would travel by private jet at the moment would be crucified by the Biritish public. It was smart for William & Kate to choose a low cost airline.
They’ve travelled this way before and true they love luxury trips like all of them but why add more fuel to the fire?
@Amandine,
Totally agree
“Were also Harry & Meghan’s pics near their private jet a setup?”
If people so adamantly believe those blurry-ass iphone resolution quality photos of the Cambridge’s were a set up then then those pictures of M+H were also a set up.
The British public at large has bigger fish to fry at the moment, namely an idiotic PM having the entire country jumping down a cliff because of a stupid referendum.
The British tabloid-reading people might be interested in this summer charade.
As far as I am concerned any of my money given to the BRF is a waste anyway.
But they had to have known that they’d be compared to H&M. If I had been they, I would have driven or taken a train.
Is there a train that goes from Norfolk to Aberdeen though. I looked yesterday and couldn’t find anything.
What site did you use? You should use Trainline because you get the changes between the different companies. And yes there is a train journey available from Norwich to Aberdeen.
There was a royal train line available from Aberdeen to Balmoral castle too (called the Deeside Railway) but it should not be in use anymore.
They could have walked there too…
@Amandine lol that’s a long trek!
Exactly, that’s why we invented planes
@Amandine
There are also electric cars and trains, you know… they pollute less, no need to hop on a plane to get to Balmoral 😉
Those looked like photos that were taken secretly, as opposed to the photographer being ground level and ten feet away from the people he was photographing. Little George was too naive to understand that he was supposed to pretend not to notice what was happening.
Or the photographer was Carole? It would be one explanation for why he turned and looked right into the camera.
@LadyD. My thoughts exactly. George May have been looking back at grandma Carol taking the photos.
or maybe the kid is looking at his mom.
My question for you Amandine is: do people really believe they jumped on a low cost airline like normal plebs?
Sorry but I see this constantly repeated since yesterday and it makes me scratch my head.
Regardless of expenses, I find terribly naive that people think Royals are allowed to jump on any plane without security vetting the rest of the passengers and crew. And if they had to spend money in extra checks/security etc. ..that would offset any saving benefit from flying on a low cost flight.
@StarGreek
Well, William has been pictured a few times sitting in economy class for personal and work trips before. FYI William was pictured in economy class going from NYC to DC during the Cambridge’s tour of the US in 2014. Kate was pictured in economy class while flying to her solo work trip to The Netherlands in 2016 and their were many reports that George flew commercial with Kate and the Middleton’s to the Caribbean when he was under a year old. So yeah it’s true.
@StarGreek: I never mentioned cost and to be honest I don’t care, I’m French and not a UK tax payer. We were smart enough to get rid of our royal family in 1789. I still find this concept insane.
However, if they want to pretend to be environment conscious & not behaving like Hollywood celebrities, flying commercial more often is a good start.
Plus in response to Harry & Meghan’s celebriy friends saying royals could not fly commercial, there we have the Cambridges & family flying low cost.
StarGreek, anyone using their eyes can see a difference between the grainy long range photos from Nice and the actual video from Aberdeen. The video isn’t grainy unless people need reading glasses. It’s not a both sides thing here but the Cambridge stans will never ever believe that their precious normal family with a nanny would ever work in coordination with the media. Even though there is documented history of William forcing a media blackout on personal issues as well as preventing his kids from having their photos published during private time, there will be non stop excuses. The DM knows to check with KP before they publish any photos or film of the kids. And so every single photo of George, Charlotte and Louis in UK papers has been sanctioned by KP. You can find other photos of the kids in tabloids based in Italy or France that you don’t see in UK papers, because they don’t bother getting approval.
@Nic919
You need you’re eyes checkin’ because the Cambridge photo’s are also grainy and long range mostly likely taken by on an iphone and then sold to DM along with a little eye witness account.
Its very odd how EVERY blurry, long range candid of the Cambridge’s is branded staged – be it of them at the airport, park or anywhere really – but if its H&M it’s absolutely 100% not staged LMAO.
Honestly I support @StartGreek in that these photos were almost certainly set up. I agree also that there is an annoying extra element of security for royals flying on public flights, however I do think this element has been inflated. I can’t support the Cambridges at all over the fact that they have not only set up photos but also directly added fuel to the fire of the Sussex’s bad press. They have flown this way many times before. Their use of private jets and helicopters has been inflated on here. That’s not saying they don’t use them and thats also not saying we shouldn’t be criticising them like crazy for such an obvious and hurtful move towards the Sussex’s.
@Amandine
Well I am a UK taxpayer so if you don’t mind I chime in anyway… flying commercial makes sense in intercontinental flights.
But if you think that booking off an entire domestic flight is less costly than refuelling a private jet, well I have a bridge to sell you.
Instead the green option would have been the train which is electric…. all planes use tons of fuel anyway.
The issue about Harry and Meghan is likely death threats rather than they refuse to fly commercial.
The hatred against them has become insane against them.
@Chunkyla
I don’t doubt you are right but the optics this time are far worse as they have been ‘caught’ at an airport where no paparazzi usually hang out.
Anyone who doesn’t think this is a set-up needs to buy a bridge from me, car boot sale is open now lol
Yup long lens pictures were totally organized by the Sussexes to get trashed by the media.
@Kittycat…lol. Exactly. Harry & Meghan, who have gone to extraordinary lengths to fly under the radar before and during their marriage, would partner with a pap agency to have secretive photos taken of them and their young son to fuel more vitriol about them. Yep, that’s exactly what they would do.
@Amandine: I said the same on yesterday’s thread.
This hatchet smear job is so disgusting. They were on a private plane borrowed from a friend just last month. Why are they acting like Harry and Meghan have not been photographed flying budget before?This is so abusive and unnecessary. I guess they wwnt to smear them before the trip to Africa since it may go well.
What a family of arseholes.
Like most British people I’ve never really cared much about the royals, they’re just THERE, it’s an anachronism which will never change but every so often one of them will get married and we might get a public holiday.
The level of sheet nastiness and spite shown towards Meghan Markle has been extraordinary and so cruel and disgusting. Is it really too much to expect a formal announcement from the queen (or Prince Charles as he’s such a fan) decrying all the nasty tabloid crap she’s been subjected to since she got married? As a show of support?
This latest crap about the flights taken by William etc just sums them up as a family really. Enmity, unpleasantness, rivalry and spite. There’s a sensible debate to be had about taking private flights yes, but it’s so wrapped up in the racism shown towards her, and now exacerbated by this rotten bit of publicity.
I hope to god Harry is worth it and she’s happy in her marriage to have to put up with all this nastiness. I expect he’s just as spoilt and entitled as the rest of his over privileged family.
What with all this hideous stuff about Prince Andrew and the support he has from the queen, I’m heartily sick of them and the ridiculousness of a royal family as a head of state.
X1000
Don’t be so fooled with Charles being ‘such a fan’. He and Camillia backed a high profile Daily Mail campaign in December last year at the height of the paper’s anti-Meghan stories, which coincidently happened to be the same time those stories about Charles being the peacemaker between the two couples came out. He also backed another Daily Mail campaign earlier this year as well. He’s a ‘fan’ of Meghan because he has someone else to throw under the bus now, after years of throwing his son’s and other members of his under the bus.
I always though that Charles was behind the majority of negative stories so he could position himself as the good guy that swooped in and saved the day.
I think the royals tolerate Meghan on behalf of Harry. They knew if they didn’t accept Meghan then they would have to deal with the possibility of Harry leaving the family. Prince Charles may be fond of Meghan, but he cares more about securing good press coverage. This is the most popular Charles has been in years.
@M.
I actually don’t think he is fond of her at all. He would have stopped the negative stories if he was, but its better for his image if he leaks to the press that he is fond and welcoming of his new, bi-racial daughter-in-law.
In the Tatler article takedown from May it was reported that Charles admired Meghan but also that had told someone (before the engagement) he hoped Harry would not marry her
https://www.tatler.com/article/meghan-markle-mania
@ Tourmaline,
I remember that article. Quire a few members of the family are not supportive of this marriage. The “degree wife” and “five years tops” predictions came from royal family members. Meghan was never going to fit in with the monarchy unless she gave up her entire identity.
Charles and the Queen knew that the optics of welcoming Meghan with open arms was better than the optics of forbidding the marriage and being labeled as racists. They released fury on her as soon as the wedding PR was over with.
@chunkyla: I agree that both Charles and the Queen are at least OK with the smear campaign against Meghan as otherwise they would have intervened a long time ago.
@Tourmaline, Great article in Tatler. Thanks for the link.
Tatler with the editor who was a college chum of Katie Keen’s? I’ll pass on believing that one.
Let’s not forget how the paps went out of their way to get a pic of their nanny, and make SURE we all know that she’s the THIRD NANNY, and a BLACK woman as well! Did you hear everyone??? SHE’S A BLACK WOMAN!! Need I shout louder?? SMH, I’ve seen that repeated ad nauseam.
How many times have the paps gone out of their way to photograph Nanny Maria when she’s travelled with W&K?? I don’t recall ever seeing her in the money shot. The only time we really see Nanny Maria is when she’s alone with the kids, or at Louis’ christening, in her brown outfit. Oh, I forgot, we got a glimpse of her in the back seat of the car with the kids on the way to Christmas lunch w/TQ. This shot on the tarmac is the only time we’ve really seen her with the family.
Is it possible that the black woman is actually a friend and not hired help?
+1,000
You nailed it in every aspect.
Meghan’s too good for them.
Now all we need is a pic with granny – grinning all the way to church
What a disgusting family!
Is it wise for William to travel with all of his children, considering their line of succession? You think he’d want to make EXTRA sure that his brother didn’t have a chance to be king.
policy is, they don’t travel together when the child is 12
So at 6 years they’re not heirs, but at 12 their life is more precious.
@Peg, yeah. That’s my question. What makes 12 so special.
I don’t know what the reason is but I would think he is still a very young child, needs stability and travel with his parents
I think that policy has been waived since Harry and William were kids. There are a lot of holiday trips with Charles when they were teens that would point to that.
@Nic919 thanks I remember reading that Charles and Diana put an end to that policy when their kids were young they felt it was outdated/ not in step with modern air travel which is much safer of course than in the olden days when the policy was devised
Ah. more royal horseshit to start my morning.
Except for the helicopter rides and private jets to Mustique.
William and Kate are the future face of the British people…let that sink in for a moment
They’re perfect for the racist and xenophobic UK. Disgusting.
Unfortunately you are right. A stain on us Brits who are not that vile.
Yes, you are depressingly right. 50% of the population are xenophobes (brexit voters) whipped up into a frenzy by our disgusting and incompetent prime minister.
All the better reason to phase out this out-of-touch, outdated institution. It would have happened decades ago had not George VI been so steady and strong during the war, and had not Elizabeth done a great job for all these decades. And for all their complaining about her, Diana was an asset for the family when she was still part of it. Imagine if Edward VIII had not abdicated. I think it would be a republic by now (or a very slimmed down monarchy).
What a nest of vipers. I think Harry is a much simpler person than William, and this latest stunt was quite cruel. And screw Cathy Cambridge. I’m beginning to think she was selected as the bride because he knew she would never put up any objection to this kind of stuff.
Phase out? Naahhh no transition time, once QEII is dead all the rest should be written off from the political structure of this country.
And given what caused Brexit, its not a pretty look. They are the face of the white, middle class entitled middle Englander who still think we are an Empire = most of the Leave voters.
Ugh. I thought Will & Harry had a better relationship vs. the knives are out for each other.
The BRF live the most pampered lives, why all this drama all the time?
W & H are each now grown, married, with their own children…get along for FFS!
Princess Anne has a daughter, Tara and her Hubby Mike the footie player, who seem the most down to earth, regular (still wealthy) people.
If the BRF can not do any real work..at minimum get along.
Bunch of over paid drama queens all of them. Phooey.
I don’t follow the feud closely to know the ins and outs, but my opinion was that it was just made up tabloid drama. Well, this has changed my mind.
I needed this laugh, thank you LOL!
So 99% it’s just not possible and they HAVE to use their helicopter? Ok then. Uh huh. Sure thing.
As a citizen of an Island that is a member of the Commonwealth I want the UK and the royal family to know this. The next time that there is talk of becoming a republic I will give it my full support.
I have always been on the fence about this but no more. The newspaper articles, the comments, the lack of overt support and the actions of Prince William are disgusting. I say the actions of Prince William because the Sunday Times article was never denied…not like the baby botox claim.
The royal family is no different from the Markles….except in terms of power and money.
I wish Harry and Meghan well. They are not perfect and have made some mistakes but I can see that whatever they do…the narrative will be negative.
That however, should not prevent them from reflecting carefully on their actions.
“That however, should not prevent them from reflecting carefully on their actions”
@Islandgirl, I also think the Sussexes need to think more carefully about all things going forward in order to adequately fight this forest fire of a smear campaign and resulting bad press with the proper tools.
I would love to know which member of the BRF is really driving this smear campaign
@BTB. What would you advise the Sussexes to do or not do? They get vilified for doing the exact same things other royals do. It seems no matter what they do it’s wrong or blown out of proportion. I saw a headline saying how the Sussexes are damaging the monarchy….but yet there’s Pedo Andy whose relationship with a known convicted sex offender is okay and is in no way damaging? In what universe does this make sense?
@Hermione, I cannot advise the Sussexes on what to do because I do not know the whole truth (like who is driving this this smear campaign) of what is going on. I only know what I read in the tabloids which is rarely the whole truth.
I do not believe that anyone feels that Pedo Andy relationship with a known convicted sex offender is okay.
As someone who lives in England I wouldn’t mind to be rid of these drama queens as well, they are only are scrounging off our money
@StarGreek, IYPO, Which member of the BRF do you think is driving the smear campaign against Meghan & Harry or is it purely tabloid driven?
@BayTampaBay
Charles (I’ve already explained my theory in another post above) and Andrew for obvious reasons.
@Bay Many? I don’t think we are looking at just a guilty party in this case. I have never followed the royal gossip much but the fact it has invaded more reputable media outlets (like BBC news, the Guardian and others) makes me think there are concerted efforts to maintain the negative focus on Harry and Meghan.
I admit I didn’t pay attention until the past 2 weeks but last weekend I had a look at magazines and papers while I was at the counter to pay for my food shopping… and wow it’s a constant stream of negative slander against the Sussexes.
there were negative headlines ever since Harry and Meghan started dating but it got worse after Charles published his biography. IMO he authorised his biographer to leak some stuff (that made him look good) and after that everyone started leaking left and right. And Charles and the Queen did nothing to stop it because they benefitted (see mummy’s dearest right now).
I think Harry and Meghan need to reflect on whether they want the unnecessary hardship of raising a multiracial family in such a toxic environment. It’s obvious they have very little support within the Royal Family, and the British press have sided with his brother. Harry and Meghan are modern and progressive, but the system they are a part of is antiquated and extremely conservative. Those two worlds don’t mix well together.
“I think Harry and Meghan need to reflect on whether they want the unnecessary hardship of raising a multiracial family in such a toxic environment.”
@M., I think this is exactly what the tabloids (or chairperson of the smear campaign) wants to do. I think the “smear forces” want to drive the Sussexes out of the country and/or cause then to separate and divorce.
Also, this is something specifically having to do with Meghan personally as the aristocratic Viscount & Viscountess Weymouth (heir to the Marquis of Bath) are not having the same degree of hardship raising a multiracial family in such a toxic environment.
What I am trying to say is that attitudes of race & racism are 60% of the problem but I am also interested in the other 40%. IMHO, I believe there is more than just racism here.
@Bay I don’t think that comparisons of the Sussexes to the Weymouths apply. The Viscount/ess Weymouth are def NOT global celebrities. Many of us here know who they are but the general public? Nah
@Tourmaline, I thought most of the racial harassment of Meghan was coming from the UK. I do not see much in the USA as the majority of people (except Royal Watchers and soccer moms who read People Magazine in the grocery store checkout line or hair salon) in the USA care nothing about the Duchess of Sussex.
I’m clueless to all the ins and outs of the Royal family, but you make a good point. I feel like they have enough money and enough star power to absolutely leave Britain and the viciousness behind; become private citizens and work their celebrity status in America which would yield them plenty of money to continue to live in a lifestyle they (Harry in particular) are obviously are accustomed to. Why would anyone want to stick around for this?
But would the Royal Family let Harry leave? I agree that H&M would be better off away from all the drama. Question is what would be the “optics” of Harry cashing it in and telling them all sayonara. Seems they just want Meghan and baby Archie gone so Harry can the come back into the aristocratic fold and marry a nice English Rose and continue to carry on.
So what’s the spin the next time Bill & Cathy are photographed on a private plane? “No cheap flights were available?”
Probably the same spin we saw here justifying Harry and Meghan. Security/privacy concerns, it was gifted from a friend, they offset their carbon footprint, all royals do it, they didn’t actually preach to anyone about climate change (even if they did) etc. etc.
I wish they’d put as much energy into working as they are into making H&M look bad.
What an awful family.
Maybe they should just fly to Mustique and stay there. No need for royals like them anyway.
That’s what blows me about all of this. If they would just WORK they wouldn’t have to be reactionary like this to get press coverage. And parading the kids around after aggressively protecting their privacy when off duty is :/
Having cake and eating it too? Using one’s children for one’s own good. Double standards, Hypocrisies? The BRF has been doing all this for hundreds of years.
Pretty hard to deny the Cambridge shenanigans now eh? Pretty hard to deny that the smear campaign against Meghan has it’s origins with Carole and KP.
As if these two assholes would refuse an offer from Elton John to use his jet and vacation home. Not on your life.
These creeps are beyond the pale. How on earth are Harry and Meghan going to function with these toxic people continually attacking and undermining them?
It’s also pretty hard to deny that this smear campaign may be backed by Charles and the Queen because just one word from them to the UK press and they will leave Meghan and Harry alone.
I highly doubt that Charles and the Queen told William to throw his brother under the bus like this. Charles in particular doesn’t have a great relationship with William and the Queen generally plays ostrich except for pedo Andy. Charles and the Queen are both passive in this smear campaign, and until yesterday, Willam seemed to be doing the same. Not actively doing anything but making no efforts to stop it either. That’s what so unfortunate about this because it’s really hard to pretend that William permitted his family to be filmed like this as an accident.
It’s not a good look for either three though. This is petty nonsense while a pedo is being protected.
HM and Charles enabled the mid-year move of the Sussex household to BP and away from William’s control. Yes they need to do a hell of a lot more, but they recognized getting Harry and Meghan out of William’s control for the immediate future was important.
This was so obviously staged, lol. Now reporters are backtracking because everyone was calling it out. It’s sad honestly that now when anyone pays attention to William and Kate, it’s to either get digs in at Harry and Meghan or they have to bring their kids out to get press coverage. The press should be worried about Charles, William and their wives instead of Harry and Meghan.
Meghan, Harry and baby Archie need to stay away from those two snakes.
The most disgusting thing in all of this is that William must be aware of his privilege.
Situations like this remind me of the times white colleagues have done things they know I would never get away with and gloat in the process. Or worse still draw attention to a mistake I have made knowing it will affect me far more severely than them.
I cannot look at William in the same light anymore. Rivalries aside this is disgusting, there are other ways that he can undermine them without resorting to this level of cowardice. Having Meg in the family is actually an asset to him as he could secure non-stop celebrity backing for his projects though her. Instead he chooses to make an enemy of her and publicly humiliate her by first using her family and then wage a war of attrition via right wing media.
To say that I am disgusted is an understatement. His actions are deeply disturbing and point to deepening instability. I hope the monarchy is abolished by the time he is even within sniffing distance of the throne.
Okay I admit I’ve been critical of the Sussexes use of private planes, but this is beyond ridiculous and frankly, embarrassing. And if there are members of the public taken in by this nonsense I’m simultaneously disgusted and embarrassed for them.
I’d like to comment on the papers coverage of this story in the UK. And my intention is not to deny that the media is running with this ridiculous story, just want to give a fuller picture. Today’s papers: the Guardian, Telegram and Express have Brexit on the cover, the Sun, the Mirror and the Daily Mail have this stupid story on the cover, the Times has a report on the GCSE results and the FT has the Amazon fire. So this is a general picture. Reading the Guardian today, there is an opinion piece about how it’s counterproductive to jump on the hypocricies of climate advocates, briefly referencing the Sussexes (so it’s a positive one for them). I hope this is helpful to people.
Thank you for sharing. It provides a more balanced view of UK media coverage for those of us not in the UK.
@IlsaLund, you’re very welcome. And for future, if you look at the Guardian’s daily briefing, right at the bottom they do a little section on what the major papers are carrying on their covers that day.
@Nishi, Thank you for the UK media overview!
Sadly, there are people on this board taken in by this garbage. The default position is to hold up the Cambridges regardless.
Interesting. So mostly the Fail is obsessed with all things Sussex.
Yes, obsession is the word. The Sussexes make so much money for them. So if nothing is happening they have to make stories up and embellish with nasty lies.
Cambridge stories without the Sussexes inserted in get far fewer clicks.
Et tu, Brutus? This hypocritical back-stabbing family is a real piece of work. Shame on them all for fanning the destructive flames of racism, rivalry, favoritism and petty jealousy. The House of Windsor needs a good kick in the a$$ to shake them out of their complacency, privilege and arrogance. They’re really an embarrassment now. Times have changed and it’s not ye medieval times anymore, the internet sees all. Hopefully their transparent actions will kickstart a reformative process once the Queen is gone, though l don’t set my sights too high with Charles. They’re all out for themselves and scrambling for their own image. Harry and Megan need to stay far, far away from such toxicity.
Obvious PR is obvious. The pictures were bad enough. Now, we have an article and talking points. Harry has always supported William. He supported Kate and befriended her family, and these ungrateful people can’t even give Harry and his wife the same support. Harry is the second son. He knows what his role in the monarchy is, but that’s not good enough for William. He’s got to make Harry and his wife miserable to prop himself up.
That’s what makes me feel so bad for Harry. He seemed to always be happily willing to work with them both on their various charities. He seemed to get along really well with Kate for years and years. Now it’s like none of that support or relationship matters to the Cambridge’s because they feel threatened by Meghan and instead of just getting off their arses and working they are trying to keep the same lifestyle and expectations by crushing her and Harry every chance they get. Harry always supported them in everything and they can’t even lift a finger to try and show some support for him, his wife and new son. It makes me really sad for him because I have known what it’s like for family members you thought were in your corner totally abandon you. If only he would’ve married a British blonde virgin that wanted nothing more then to dress up and attend movie premieres or polo games, they would all still be bffs! Shame on you Harry!
I think Diana had it right — Charles won’t be King. Between Brexit, Epstein and all of this, I just think the monarchy will end with QEII.
Sue…my thoughts also. Just hope we are right. That situation seems untenable for long term stability.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
The Cambs’ PR is so obvious. They take private jets and helicopters alot. They must think we are morons with short memories
They often take commercial/budget flights for the first part of the private journey and usually when they have to pay for it. William is well known as being tight with money and if he is having to pay for private travel out of his own pocket he ain’t paying for first class.
I don’t know if William and Kate always fly budget whenever possible but I have seen pictures online of William sitting in economy class before so that much is true. And remember when Kate was secretly pregnant with Charlotte and everyone got in to a fit about William not carrying Kate’s weekend bag?…they were pictured on a train platform in London coming from Norfolk (i think). Kate has been pictured a few times getting on a train as well so there’s proof they’re not flying by private jet/helicopter all the time but it’s unlikely they are *always* choosing a budget option for personal trips.
The “budget train trip” was in the midst of the outcry about Anmer Hall. They had just spent 7 million in taxpayer money on the KP space, but were now running off to a massive country house. That train trip was pure PR.
They were using the helo for private trips so much, reporters were tracking it, so the funding was changed to make taxpayers cover all of their private trips in the helo. Put under one general line item so it cannot be broken down by trip. Reporters started watching the comings and goings from KP, viewable from public space, and reported how often they used the helo for private trips.
W&K responded by demanding a hedge be planted at KP so no one can track how often she takes the helicopter to go shopping at Bicester with her mummy. Or how often William flies off by himself when he has no engagements on the calendar.
Oh the train ride. Funny she hasn’t developed the severe morning sickness by then. When does that develop if you actually have it?
The Cambridges’ PR is so awful. Even their usual go-to reporters are calling this a stunt to “troll” Harry and Meghan. No one sees this as an honest reflection of their modesty and frugality.
Throwing his brother and SIL under the bus is despicable enough but to do it in such a ham fisted and transparent way makes me cringe in embarrassment for him. Is he really that unintelligent and crass? With this stunt right here he absolutely overplayed his hand. Never again will I be able to regard him with anything but disdain. How could W not realize that he is putting his brother’s family in danger? It boggles the mind that the sense of protectiveness he must have towards his own children does not appear to extend to his newborn nephew. And how do you expect anyone to believe you care one whit about mental health when you are subjecting your own brother to trauma??
Well said. William is a hypocrite. He supports anti-bullying except when it comes to his biracial sister in law. Then, it’s fine because it embiggens him and his wife. We see you, William.
THIS ^^^ was my first thought. It shows that he feels ZERO sense of paternalism and connection to Archie and that is heartbreaking. Archie is his flesh and blood regardless of how he feels about his brother and even Meghan.
That child is blameless and it’s frightening that William wants to put him in harms way like this. Now we know why Harry and Meg moved away and are keen to protect Archie so much.
The media are also behaving very irresponsibly with these stories, almost as if trying to get the Sussex’s into a public situation where Meg and Archie would be harmed,
@Hermione this is exactly what I’ve been saying. I saw that headline and it’s foul to compare hypocrisy over private jet use row to the issues around Andrew continuing friendship with Epstein after his conviction& there being claims against Andrew himself but this is where we are with coverage for the Sussexes and especially Meghan. No behaviour adjustment will assuage reporters/commentators that are that unhinged.
Jameela Jamil had a great thread on twitter yesterday which showed the press bias eg when they were saying Meghan had broken protocol by crossing their legs and in the same picture Anne had legs crossed as well but of course that was ignored.
The press may only back off slightly if the Sussexes give the press the cosy access they want but that would be awarding abusers& they would probably turn around and trash them anyway. Providing access for press exclusives etc never stopped them from trashing Diana or other royals. I’m just reading that Sussex Royal had to turn off comments from their Instagram post highlighting a bakery that is featured in Vogue as apparently there were death threats to Meghan in the wake of jet v budget flight stories yesterday, yet today royal reporters were laughing on twitter about what they perceived to be William shading the Sussexes.
That’s awful, doesn’t he support an anti-bullying campaign? How hypocritical
@ Rouge, Where are you reading “Sussex Royal had to turn off comments from their Instagram post highlighting a bakery that is featured in Vogue as apparently there were death threats to Meghan”. I want to read it myself. Can you post the link? Thanks!
They’re not off. All you have to do is visit the post. comments are open
Wonder is William and Catherine will be happy for George to treat Charlotte and Louis like this one day? I doubt it! You don’t have to have your brother’s back, but you certainly shouldn’t publicly throw him under the bus!
I guess I’m just not sure why everyone is convinced there was even a proper photographer when it seems pretty clear what photos they have are screenshots of the original short video? It seems like, just from the angle of the video and knowing they’re getting off the plane (heading left off it with the terminal to their right), the person who filmed it from behind them would have had to have been standing close to the plane—either on it as a passenger, or just to the left of it as ground crew. My guess is passenger sitting in front of the wing based on 1) the relative quiet of the video, save for some clicking which could be overhead bins opening and closing 2) the fact that they waited until the family was outside when they were less likely to get busted by the RPOs who were likely watching for it while they were flying and 3) it’s a small 44 seat plane which would explain the slightly raised angle.
So, no, I don’t think it was a professional photographer but I do think it’s interesting that Will/KP didn’t complain and stop the video from being published. KP could want them out there, but KP might not have had a leg to stand on because they’re in a public space without the expectation of privacy. It seems unlikely the DM would have blindsided them with it, but I do wonder if there’s some legal wriggle room in these types of candid shots when they come from the public and not a photo agency/pap.
Good question
My question is if it assumed that every photo published of the Cambridge kids is vetted by the palace what about every pic of the Sussexes off duty —namely the recent pics of Meghan holding Archie while they boarded a plane?
I do wonder what the rules (official or unofficial) of this are, because there have certainly been photos of Kate and George out and about (shopping, at the museum, her taking him to school, etc) that were published in European papers and magazines, but not in the UK.
I meant to add in my original post that I also don’t see any conspiracy in the video being uncredited. It could be because the DM purchased it outright to own the copyright (so everyone else has to pay them to use it?), a passenger afraid of hearing from palace lawyers, or an airport staff member afraid of losing their job.
Don’t try to insert logic into these comments, they simply aren’t welcome! Apparently PW forced PH speak about environmental footprints, then tricked him into taking private jets in an elaborate scheme to get professional photographers to snap PW’s family flying commercial. Where is Elton John to sort this all out?
@Cathrine, , you hit the nail on the head😂😂
The pictures including the kids would not have been published if W&K did not agree, whether they were taken by a pro or a passenger. That is one thing they have fought tooth and nail for from the start. If you see pics of the kids, they are okay with it.
Ok, so it would follow that the Sussexes should do the same right– they should get their royal lawyers right on it. Then the pic of Meghan getting on a jet holding the baby could not have been published.
@Tourmaline: I think that as there wasn’t a clear shot of Archie, there might be some legal leeway – we didn’t see his face etc… As for the Aberdeen video, its a different case as its clear shots of the kids so you know it them which is a more clear cut violation of privacy. The Cambridges could have had the video pulled as its a clear invasion of the children’s privacy. They didn’t and that says everything.
Hope that made sense.
Also, I don’t buy it was a pro I think it was another passenger who saw an opportunity to make some money by selling the footage to the Fail who pay for things like this.
@Digital thanks I am just trying to understand the logistics of the no-pix-of-kids thing
If I were in the place of Harry and Meghan I would never, ever leave Archie close to these two vile creatures. I’m so disgusted.
Okay hear me out… why don’t you all just stop covering the Cambridge’s? Just cover if/when they have babies and the name and then just cover the Sussexes? I don’t see the point in making a bunch of people angry when you could just make a bunch or people happy. Idk my two cents.
@NICO, Agreed, it’s insane all this venom!
For that matter, just quit covering the Queen and Prince Charles. There’s really no reason for it
Celebitchy member of 53 Commonwealth countries think differently, thanks.
This is a gossip sites reporting.. the gossip.
It is not CB’s fault if the British press is racist.
In terms of royal family stopping the smears not sure why people think Charles has much influence as he has been mocked by press for years& Diana generally won the press wars. Plus I do think that Meghan provides cover for rest of the family. Since Meghan has been on the scene there haven’t been as many negative articles on the rest of the family& think most are benefitting from comparatively positive press. Remember in 2017 they were calling William& Kate Throne Idle and Duchess Dolittle. In 2019 Richard Kay said Kate hadn’t put a foot wrong so quite a turn around. Handy for Charles too to distance himself as he probably looks a more stable figure as prepares to be king if sons are feuding plus he who will want to ensure Camilla is Queen and she hasn’t had better press. Stories around Meghan get more clicks and comments as we see from this site so also handy for Prince Andrew& the Epstein situation. He had fairly sympathetic headlines when he was flying off to Malaga with Fergie.
The family may have tolerated the match& may be happy for Harry’s happiness but perhaps aren’t bothered enough about Meghan to provide more symbolic support which is a shame.
@Rogue, Your comment makes a tonne of sense.
I agree with your analysis. The family loves Harry so they tolerate Meghan. Unfortunately, Meghan is going to have to “fall in line” like the other royal spouses if she wants to get good press.
I don’t think Charles is that powerless, but even if he is, the Queen could have done sth. (and I’m sure she is doing everything for Andrew)
You know what would have been really commendable?
Not using a domestic flight but one of them good old-fashioned trains. Because trains really *ARE* environmentally sustainable.
I don’t care if budget or not, but using a plane for that kind of distance is just plain wrong.
I agree 100%, plus children generally Love trains. I can imagine little Louis totally loving looking out the window. And William has a degree in Geography doesn’t he??? Well, travel by train is a great education for the Cambridge children about all the regions of the kingdom. Why not travel by royal train in N. Ireland too?
That is what I said since yesterday! 👏👏👏👏
I totally agree but I can’t see 3 young kids managing almost 8 hours on a train. Plus its not direct, you have to change at Edinburgh Waverly.
They could have gone to Edinburgh and driven 2.5 hours to Balmoral but Aberdeen is the closest main transport hub.
@BTB saw on twitter that comments were switched off on the Sussex Luminary Bakery Instagram post yesterday. By time I looked today comments were back on but a few people were saying they saw death threats yesterday and they may be moderating more.
Thanks, for update. I Goggled for for a good 20 minutes and could find nothing referencing death threats. However, I do believe it may have happened.
Nic919… it’s easier for people to use that “false equivalency” schtick than to admit the truth. Harry appeared to worship his brother and later SIL until he realized his choice of a wife did not sit well with them. I give him all the credit for removing his wife and unborn baby from that toxic environment. And no, he is not petty, juvenile and entitled like the older brother.
LOL if we didn’t already know who was smearing Meghan and Harry it’s now abundantly clear.
I have two theories- one is that Will and Kate allowed this for the good press. The second more tin foil one is that the Palace set it up (with their knowledge) to fuel the feud rumors to distract from the Pedo Andrew situation.
They are certainly benefitting from it. It’s discouraging to me how riled up people are getting about private air travel as opposed to Andrew’s actions. Show how much influence the media can have.
So who, besides me, is god awfully tired of the parasites sucking the life out of the UK, and their “colonies”, and the rest of the world?? Is it time to put those slimeballs out to pasture, and STOP letting them suck the resources out of a country that has long since passed the time of their usefulness and “necessity”?
Sure Jan.
Does anyone know how the senior royals arrived back in London just prior to Diana’s funeral? I know Charles and the boys traveled by train for Diana’s burial at Althorp.
Yes, HM should now insist on using/lending the royal train and construction of additional royal trains and railroads (think of the job creation) for the majority of regional travel in UK for all senior royals on duty. No more helicopters or private jets for UK travel unless a very urgent situation.
If Charles, in particular, doesn’t support this, then we know, in terms of the environment, he’s one of the biggest hypocrites too.
I am not sure about Diana’s funeral. I do remember though there were lots of pics in the 1980s of Diana with kids disembarking “the Queen’s Flight’ at Aberdeen airport when going up to Balmoral from London. I am not sure how the Queen’s Flight worked or if it was phased out, I think it was maybe part of the RAF.
William carrying 4 pieces of luggage is a little too much…I mean really. It would’ve been more realistic if he was just walking holding the kids hands but carrying luggage! It’s sad to see a country take pride in a pedophile Prince and cheer on abuse of a woman…just sad
That’s what it boils down to. This might be a beef between the brothers as far as William and Harry are concerned but William has no problem using the media campaign against his sister-in-law to score points against his brother. What kind of a man does that? How you loving your future king, Great Britain? William is the gift to anti-monarchists that just keeps giving and giving and giving.
Can’t decide who I am more disgusted by, the prince or the press.
Really vile. Kind of hate the whole damn system.
The overt racism is shocking, but these million pin pricks are what is going to kill the royal family.
I know there are a lot of racists who don’t believe they are racist that allow this to go on.
But the royals are garbage.
Do they go without their nannies? This is why I think the pic is beyond staged. In real life the nannies would be holding the kids and the bags. Plus they don’t go anywhere without their own security right? Where are they? This pic makes us believe that the 5 of them are off on holiday alone.
I think the woman walking next to Kate in the airport video is Nanny Maria
Oh OK I didn’t see the video. Thanks.
Lawd, the drah-ma. Kinda liking Kate’s airplane stairs blazer outfit, tho?
Sure bill, just as believable that I am the heir to the British throne. Geeez.
Seriously…what happened between the Cambridges and the Sussexes that is creating all of this bullshit? I feel at this point that it’s so telling that William hasn’t publicly defended Harry and his family, and is instead using his time and resources to set up photo ops like this and plant “we fly commercial” stories in the press. It’s taken such a gross turn. Why is William throwing his brother under the bus?
I mean, by that same logic, why hasn’t Charles defended his son? The press pile-on last autumn was kicked off by the royal reporter who was writing Charles’ biography with full access to Clarence House staff, who seemed all too happy to talk about Meghan, when then spiraled into KP and BP staff talking and spinning more stories about her.
Totally agree, Lexa. Wondering where Charles is as well. By all accounts he was/is very fond of his daughter-in-law. This is all so weird.
I think this whole nasty mess between the Cambridges & Sussexes is just plain weird as both households are being damaged. There is not a logical explanation which fits all the pieces of the puzzle supplied by the tabloids so there must be something going on or something went on that we, the public, simply do not know about.
@BayTampaBay – I think you’re right, was starting to think the same thing.
The current negative Meghan news cycle started when the office split was announced when Harry and Meghan were on the Australasia tour in October so before Charles bio came out.
I think majority of smears is largely fan fiction and recycled pieces. E.g. with tiara gate Harry quote “what Meghan wants, Meghan gets”, someone on twitter found that that exact phrase was used in articles on Prince William’s wedding preparation and Kate’s prep before George was born. Last Sunday the Fail had piece that Doria is behind decisions to fire certain Sussex staff which seemed a repeat of stories around Carol Middleton managing the Cambridges household. Meghan making Harry drop his friends is re-run of stories about Diana doing the same to Charles. I read Fergie and Diana had run ins with staff in early years of marriage and there was 2015 Fail article describing Kate as the Prickly Duchess – similar to Duchess Difficult stories with Meghan. The Daily Express even had headline this year about how marriage to Meghan was making Harry lose his hair which mirrored a headline about Diana and Charles back in the day.
I think genuine internal briefing against Meghan was to bring her (and Harry) in line but then leaks mutated out of control because of press going for the racist, xenophobic and misogynistic bottom of the barrel. One reporter has mentioned Meghan and Harry not listening to advice and there was that Vanity Fair article of how the BP wanted to handle Thomas Markle situation but Meghan and Harry preferred to manage it directly. I remember ‘royal experts’ repeatedly saying that the Markles should have been brought inside the fold and Thomas Markle given a stipend to spare royal family embarrassment of his rants. Think this was maybe the courtiers view and is example of advice Harry and Meghan ignored. Guessing courtiers have tried to get the Sussexes to engage with the press to get press onside as well as capitalise on moments that have become feel good events for the royal family such as hospital steps photos but the Sussexes have pushed back at this.
Out of the family who may have briefed against Meghan I think Andrew is prime suspect. He’s a massive snob& never seen him engage with her despite their being in close proximity at at events. Bet degree wife comment was his. And tiaragate too much of a coincidence that came out after Eugenie was seen with a green tiara for her wedding and was probably highlighted to show the blood princess’ importance. Andrew couldn’t hide the shade with his comment about ‘the other wedding’ and think he thought Eugenie’s wedding should have equal importance etc as Harry and Meghan’s. Plus their pregnancy announcement ended Eugenie and Jack’s 3 day press cycle so he could have been bitter about that.
Re family helping out with press, didn’t the Queen bring editors in over harassment of Diana during her pregnancy with William? But doesn’t sound like that changed anything. She’s aware of her symbolic support though so could do more. But that’s assuming she has a problem with the press. She might think this is just standard hazing of a new royal wife and could blow over (Ive seen a few reporters say all wives have had press like Meghan) or as I said, provides distraction to other shenanigans that could genuinely threaten the monarchy (like Andrew).
Not even considering Andrew, not seen so much negative press for the BRF including in mainstream press, for ages, so think they will regret squandering wedding goodwill and not presenting a united front. I also think its messy BTS because of a courtier power struggle. Remember Christopher Geidt resigning or allegedly being forced out by Charles and Andrew and there was a BP communications head who resigned last summer. Guessing it’s been a while since there’s been a monarch and two adult heirs waiting their turn and some courtiers are jockeying for position. If there is a streamlined monarchy then some will lose positions. Plus Clarence House seems quite well run so may be Charles keeps existing staff when he becomes king& so BP staff are trying to get in with William.
Finally in response to some comments above I get that Meghan willing chose to enter this family and elitist institution but I disagree being in a privileged position makes dealing with prejudice any easier. That’s like those who say sports stars should suck it up when they face racist abuse from fans because they drive nice cars and live in mansions. She’s a person with feelings and if having money was enough to address problems, we wouldn’t have rich people committing suicide. The racism, dogwhistling, misogynistic articles that we see targeted at Meghan permeates other areas of society (e.g. reports this week talked about rise in racism and xenophobia after Brexit) so should always be challenged.
Royals. What do they even do anyway?
I mean all of them. I think the Queen is a fantastic human being but when the royalty is seemingly all about getting papped and trying to one up each other in petty popularity contests then why does it even exist?
Seriously, what do these people even do anyway that an elected public servant couldn’t do better and cheaper?
As a Canadian it angers me our tax dollars also go to the royal family. Those millions could be spent elsewhere ! Every time one of them comes to visit Canada, WE have to pay the bill. It’s so stupid ! They come here just to show their faces and then leave. They literally do NOTHING.
I’m Canadian too and totally agree with you!
“The Queen is a fantastic human being”. She is protecting her pedophile son. She is pretty awful and I’m sure her popularity has plumetted.
and she has done nothing to stop the smear campaign against Meghan. Why people – also on this site – are not calling her out for it and are fan-girling her is beyond me.
I guess we are supposed to congratulate them on flying budget to a CASTLE! Or private island. Although, I doubt they flew commercial to Mustique, otherwise we would have seen a cell phone photo of them somewhere.
@mycousinvinny
Surely you don’t believe your own rubbish?
I can assure you that as a black women growing up in Northern Ireland you are full of Shat. That is an offensive comment which I meant it to be. Don’t try and thrown down and put it on the same scale as racist shat. Don’t put in the same league. You do better and step off the box. I could of used way worse than ginger (which half of my fackn family on my mums side is and refer to themselves as) for facks sake. Save your lecture for somebody who needs it.
You do better and step off the box, too.
I agree with Reese. Why is hair colour a problem all of a sudden? We make fun of William’s balding head, how is calling Harry “Ginger” crossing the line?
As they say, two wrongs don’t make a right. Its wrong to shade Harry due to color of his hair, its wrong to shade William due to his baldness, it is wrong to shade Meg for her “skinny calves, short torso” etc and whatever else they throw at her, its wrong all around.
In the UK, bullying of redheads happens more than for other hair shades. One of those “acceptable bullying” things that is often not addressed.
This is a pr war and as flying is nowadays a big no-no with the Greta Gang … those who fly budget win the pr war.
It seems odd that the media-savy Sussex haven’t gotten the memo yet.
“William, dear, we just have to fly budget for a few times to get some positive pr.”
“Kate, my love, please just make fly budget on short trips. Long trips in a budget tourist airplane are just a pain in the …”
Meanwhile, ” It’s because they have to pay for their own flights if it’s a private trip and they don’t like wasting money.”??? So, they are totally fine with wasting taxpayer money, but when it’s their own, we’re gonna scrimp and save where they can? That’s so rude and I can’t believe someone said that out loud.
I understand your outrage but what was said out loud is true.
excellent point
Trash both couples for their over-expensive taxpayer-funded fun carbon fuelled holiday habits.
What is wrong with holidaying in Britain?
Yes!
As far as I’m concerned, this is the best thing that could have ever happened for the Sussex family. Not it’s all out in the open. Not even the biggest Cambridge fan can deny the malice behind this, even though I’m sure they will. Not to mention the pre-planning that had to go into arranging ‘budget’ flights for Normal Bill, Keen Katie and the kiddies. Its all out in the open now.
A wise woman once said, ‘when a person shows you who they are, BELIEVE THEM. William and Kate have shown us who they REALLY are. For a brother to deliberately try and hurt his own brother, shows what a lowlife piece of crap William is and his wife is right there with him. And for what? What is William going to get out of this? He’s the hero of the readers of the British tabloids? Gee that’s a prize! And all he had to do was betray his own brother. Congratulations, Bill.
I’ll bet even Rose is disgusted by this. The toffs prize loyalty above all things.
Where are all the other people getting on the plane? Did they already board and then have to wait for these sh!ts to arrive?
They’re getting off the plane. Typically big celebs and VIPs board first or dead last and are often the first ones off the flight, as is likely the case here.
See Rebecca English for DM latest story–FlyBe or whatever it is called flew an empty plane to Norwixh to ensure royals were photographed next to a plane with their main brand logo instead of a subsidiary–royals had no knowledge of it per story.
And apparently the booking was only made on Wednesday, not months ahead as some tried to argue. Well, well, well.
@Sid I’m not actually sure that’s what the company employee was saying—I think the tickets were booked well in advance by staff, possibly under different names as a placeholder, and the airline was only *informed* on Wednesday as a security measure for the family (to prevent news from leaking out about their movement/travel plans or someone being able to plan an attack, etc).
I have to laugh hahahaha! The knots every one is tying themselves into to explain this debacle is glorious! Carbon foot prints and preaching! Truly a masterpiece of failure! The DaVinci of bungling smear campaigns
@Yami
I could see your point if William and Kate specifically demanded a different aircraft be flown to Norwich to take them to Aberdeen but they didn’t. The airline has said they made the choice therefore any carbon emissions arguments should be directed at the airline.
Why did the airline make this choice? Why did the Airline expect to be photographed an in the press? Who told them?
They expected to be photographed and therefore had two planes flying empty.
Don’t tell me, William did not know this.
The Scotsman had the story first and Rebecca English was tipped off so her spun story got out first.
https://twitter.com/TheScotsman/status/1165021665732046848?s=19
She’s famous for that, taking leads from other reputable sources and claiming the scoop.
“She is not a visible minority walking around in a normal life dealing with all the bullshit that a everyday black or person of colour in the UK has to deal with.”
Which is why it’s been observed by black Americans that many black Brits are not standing up for Meghan…this feeling that Meghan isn’t really black, she’s white passing so she can fight her own battles, it has nothing to do with them.
Black Americans know it doesn’t matter how much money Meghan has, how hard or little she works or how white she is, she is still “black” and will be treated as such (and Archie, too). The same BS Michelle Obama went through as First Lady, Meghan is going through now. But Michelle persevered and Meghan will, too.
William is a dumb ass because he could’ve co-opted Harry & Meghan’s popularity to boost his own popularity. Dimming somebody else’s light doesn’t make yours shine any brighter, it just makes the room darker.
@Tourmaline I just saw that Flybe had sent empty plane to pick up that Cambridges but Rebecca English says they didn’t know. Even though Emily Andrews and Chris Ship said on Twitter today the budget flights were booked ages ago (and therefore no intentional shade following private jet gate) the Scottish Sun suggests the flights were booked on Wednesday night and when Flybe heard who had booked, decided to switch the aircraft-maybe wanted one with better branding.
Only briefly saw photos but if people think family pics were by a pap I wonder if the airline had something to do with it- maybe ambush marketing type thing.
@Rogue I said this to someone above, but I think the flights were actually booked in advance by staff and the employee meant that the airline was only informed they were the ticketed passengers last minute on Wednesday as a security measure to keep their travel/movements quiet.
The Cambridge’s got played. That flight cost a LOT more than we think. It’s becoming a hot carbon mess.
The real part of the updated story that turns my stomach is Will and Kate booked this flight Wed night and made sure these photos got published to get their cheap PR points against Meghan and Harry.
We all know if Will didn’t want these out, they would not have been seen. We’ve seen nothing from their Mustique flight or previous flights to Balmoral in recent years. If the flight was booked ahead like some have said, because of security reasons like it should be, the airline would have had the planes they wanted seen already in place, so no need for the shuffling of planes.
That’s the story.
I agree it’s a low blow but it’s not all Kate & William’s fault. The palace wanted it. So the palace is behind this too, maybe even suggested. They shouldn’t have done this, no excuses but the palace is awful. Protecting Andrew yet throwing a good couple under the bus.
The responsibility falls squarely on them. They probably scrapped their initial travel plans to score points against the Sussex’s. It was a cheap shot and it backfired spectacularly. If they didn’t know the whole story, then they look like fools who were manipulated. Being pitied or scorned, either way, that’s not the result they want. Now they’ve exposed their family for nothing. This is not how a future head of state should behave. And they still look lazy and phoning it in on their charities.
Karma! The optics are TERRIBLE for the Cambridges. Their attempt to gain the public favor has only exposed them as petty and jealous. If there was any doubt in anyone’s mind about the levels William would go to “take down” his own brother, this is it. I’m certain the British media/people, will do like Fox News/MAGA rabid supporters of Trump, and pretend it never happened or spend it into stupidity.
Honestly, the PR moved turned out to be a disaster. Palace is laughably bad Andrew excluded.
William to Harry: “Little brother, you are younger than me. But your wife is older than me.”
Lol!
@kate What’s your point besides being sexist? They’re only three years apart. I have friends 5 and 12 years older than their husbands. How many examples are there of men being way older than their female partners. Kate is older than William. I don’t get it.