I’ve actually been surprised by how few stories we’re getting this week about the stupid “statue unveiling” on July 1st. That date marks Princess Diana’s 60th birthday, and Prince Harry and Prince William are scheduled to unveil a statue of Diana in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace. For months, there’s been so much energy around “will Harry show up” and “Harry better show up, so William can rage at him” and “but will Meghan be there.” I tend to think that as the date draws closer, people on Salty White Folk Isle are actually in the dark about whether Harry will actually come. He must not be answering their emails, lol. He’s on parental leave! Anyway, everyone’s favorite royal commentator Camilla Tominey has many thoughts about many things involving the statue unveiling and how the courtiers will treat Harry from now on. Some highlights:
Duchess Kate might skip the unveiling: Royal expert Camilla Tominey said: “We’ve never really been told that family is going to be included in this thing, we know this is the reunion for the brothers on what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday on July 1. Never any suggestions that the Cambridges would attend along with Prince William and equally, that Meghan and the children would attend with Harry. So I think we may just see them cut solo figures without their families around them. All eyes will be on the brothers of course, because everyone’s hoping there may be some kind of reconciliation at what is going to be a hugely poignant and significant moment for them, remembering their late mother.”
The Sussexes “revealed” their conversations with the Queen? The Sussexes have continued to speak out via spokespeople and friends about their ongoing conversations with the Queen and the wider Royal Family, a move which has frustrated Palace aides, one royal expert has claimed. Addressing the rift in the Telegraph royal newsletter, expert and editor Camilla Tominey wrote: “While there is no doubt that Buckingham Palace is growing increasingly frustrated by Harry and Meghan repeatedly revealing their private conversations with the 95-year-old monarch, it is unlikely we will suddenly see the press office reacting to each and every royal story rather than continuing with their tried and tested ‘rise above’ approach.”
The palace won’t abandon “never complain, never explain”: Ms Tominey shot down speculation the Queen may abandon her traditional “never complain, never explain” approach to public relations in order to counter some of the Sussexes briefings to the press. She added: “And HM, who has never given a full interview, is no closer to doing ‘an Oprah’, either. Yet there are limits to the great-grandmother’s patience, not least when the Sussexes’ spokespeople – both official and unofficial – continue to seek to speak on her behalf from across the pond (and on Twitter).”
The Queen’s aides are frustrated: Ms Tominey argued aides’ frustration with Meghan and Harry lies in the fact those speaking out on their and the Queen’s behalf “have no real idea what the Queen is thinking. Not only do these people have no real idea what the Queen is thinking on any given day, they are also in no position to guess, largely being thousands of miles away across the Atlantic with little knowledge of the inner workings of the royal household.”
Tominey is basically trying to emphasize two things. One, contrary to Mail on Sunday reporting, Buckingham Palace isn’t going to get drawn into a briefing war against the Sussexes and BP will not abandon their highly selective “never complain, never explain” strategy. Which I don’t believe. Two, that the Queen’s aides are really, really mad when the Queen does something that they don’t know about, like talk to her grandson. Palace aides want to emphasize that there is no “Harry chatting with his grandmother.” There is only the Queen, and all conversations with the Queen are with the Queen, not a grandmother. So much of what Harry has said this year leads me to believe that he separates his grandmother from the monarchy though, and I don’t think he’s going to stop.
As for whether Kate will attend the statue unveiling… I just don’t see how she could avoid it, or why she would want to avoid it. She made Prince Philip’s funeral all about herself and how she was the keenest peacemaker linchpin ever. Don’t you think she wants to do that again? Is that why she’s not coming? Is William like “you should stay home, I don’t want to read fifty million stories about how you saved the monarchy”? I think that’s what it is – William doesn’t want Kate to steal his thunder anymore.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, WENN.
This story is appearing after she claimed Harry texted her thus creating close friends pictures. She has to show up and play up relationship like in the pre-Megan days.
She will probably show up in Diana’s wedding dress for maximum impact. If Harry doesn’t attend I predict a photo of Kate placing her hand on William’s back to console him as he bows his head, perfect for the Daily Fail headlines about Harry “abandoning” his family yet again in their grief.
I laughed so hard at Diana’s wedding dress now I have coffee everywhere.
😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 my tummy aches for laughing so hard
OMG “Diana’s wedding dress” lmao……that would be the ultimately cosplaying from CopyKate
Hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa @ showing up in Diana’s wedding dress. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the belly laughs!
I just snorted my drink up my nose hahahaa ongoing hahahahahha she totally would show up in Diana’s wedding dress if she could get it out of the palace
That would be the most hilarious thing ever, especially if she was caught trying to pull off a Mission Impossible style heist to get it out of the display.
I just saw Keenie dressed as Cat Woman coming down a rope from the ceiling😂😂😂😂😂
Seeing the funeral pics again she just looks like she’s a character in a costume drama. It’s all for show with nothing behind it.
Unless William locks her in the house of course she’ll be there. Why would she pass up this PR opportunity??
You make a good point – she will absolutely be there unless prevented from going. So if she isn’t there the question will be did someone (whether William or Charles) finally put their foot down about the linchpin/peacemaker/rock of the Royal Family nonsense and stop her from pulling another stunt outing like Philip’s funeral?
It will, from an intrigue point of view, be more boring if she IS there. I keep waiting for someone in the RF to shut the Kate the Great PR arm down….
My first thought reading this was maybe she’s trying to set the stage to reduce expectations that she will attend all family events – similar to tbat St. Patrick’s event that she missed all those years ago.
I think it highly unlikely that she won’t be there but tominey is a middleton proxy. So its weird that she is the one addressing this.
It is weird that Tominey is reporting her not being there. Does Kate have any upcoming events between now and the unveiling? The G7 was difficult so maybe it’s time for a break. Can also see William saying no this day is for me. If Harry does go, William might not want Kate peacemaking/fawning over Harry. Otherwise, this event seems like one Kate would love, esp. if Meghan isn’t there. But maybe they’re worried the press will ask her a question again.
@jais. I don’t see why kate would get asked questions about baby lili when harry is right there. Is the press even going to be there or is it a private event?
No if she isn’t going maybe its because harry has explicitly told people that he won’t go if she attends the statue unveiling.
Yeah, If Camilla is saying this then she might not go. She had the story of Kate playing a peacemaker at the funeral before it happened and that’s what Kate tried (and failed) to do. I also heard that this statue unveiling was always just going to be the brothers.
@jais wouldn’t she have upcoming events for her biggest keenest most photocopied early years project ever which will surely come out….tomorrow?
@cecilia- lol yeah she will prob not get any more questions, esp. if Harry is there. Imagine her team is still careful bout that though but don’t think that outweighs not going.
@gruey- that’s true but it could be something pretaped? Maybe another photocopy with new words added. Like each week, a few more landmark words will be revealed through the photocopier.
@ginger- for some reason, feel like I read it would just be the brothers too somewhere but cannot remember where
I think they are just talking about whether or not she’ll be there because no one is talking about her at all. All the talk is about if H and/or M will attend, and no one is paying her any attention at all. And that has stuck in her craw. W&K haven’t even made an appearance at the big horse show/races event that all the other senior royals are attending this past week. And news of her 50 million dollar kidshot prize nonsense fizzled pretty fast. Even DM commentors think the $$ will be used to buy her more clothes.
Her photos are so obviously posed at the funeral and she has clear shots without anyone else in the way whereas everyone else is only seen in action shots. It is really disgraceful how she treated Philip’s funeral as her personal fashion show.
Remember how she tried to walk with the brothers but then was sent back and she had to walk with Sophie? There was speculation that she had been yelled at by William or that she was wiping a tear? I wonder if either William is pissed about her preening around as the great peacemaker/Harry’s BFF so he’s banning her from further public interactions with Harry, or if Harry is mad at her for using him for PR that day and the entire week leading up to it and for several weeks after it and trying to hang around him like she’s his secret lover so he’s the one who said he’s not interested in including Kate in things that are meant to be about the brothers. Kate forces interaction and PR photos and then sells this whole storyline that seems to imply that Harry likes Kate so much better than Meghan and finds comfort in her, but only when he’s able to escape Meghan because otherwise Meghan doesn’t let him interact with Kate. It’s gross.
Or maybe this is some serious evidence of the rocky Will and Kate marriage and impending divorce. This statue unveiling is a big deal for him, it commemorates his mother and her memory, and the pictures will be around and used for awhile. Maybe he doesn’t want the woman he’s going to be divorced from shortly in all the pictures of what’s going to be a rather intimidate and meaningful day. Like this isn’t the place to pretend for the cameras. But then again, Will just gaslit his mother on international TV and tried to make her sound like a paranoid crazy person who didn’t know what she was doing with the Bashir interview.
AmyToo, I think it’s the rocky marriage bit. I posted earlier and it looks like it’s gone now, but I just can’t see her missing the perfect cosplay opportunity at an event that’s been in the works for years.
I don’t know what could’ve happened since the G7 last week, but I think this might be them starting to do separate only appearances, if she really doesn’t go. That’s the only thing I can see, barring then suddenly wanting Harry to be there enough to keep her out at his request?
I dunno. I think the only people really capable of changing themselves left the family.
This is such a strange story. I assumed that Kate would be there with the kids, considering how much they’ve pushed the “Granny Diana” stuff this year with the Cambridge children. I just thought William would want them there for something like this, especially on Diana’s birthday, and in the photos, especially because of what AmyToo mentioned about the significance of the pictures from this event? And if Kate is busy making sure the kids are behaving, she can’t be fawning all over Harry. Now this article is making me wonder which other members of the BRF will be there, if any?
I definitely agree that William has probably had it up to here with the “Kate is the savior of the monarchy” and her nonsense at Philip’s funeral. Plus the added embarrassment of the G7. But I didn’t think he’d put his foot down at a Diana-centric event. It’s…interesting.
I remember watching that part of the funeral and thought it was odd that Kate suddenly went back and then wiped away a tear. It could have been William but it might have been Harry. Harry could just be sick of her. Someone said she stared at Harry a lot during the funeral. She made Meghan cry and then refused to have to the story corrected. And we all know how protective Harry is of Meghan.
But you bring up a good point of William not wanting Kate there become of their marriage imploding. I definitely see that as well. If Camilla T said Kate might not be there, I would believe it. She is the Middleton mouthpiece.
Yes, “Look at me in my mask and the queen’s diamonds and pearls.” The necklace was so out of place, inappropriate for the occasion, evening jewelry and with the neckline of yet another coat dress obscuring it. It was meant for an off-the-shoulder dress to show it off, not to be worn at a funeral. The bow on the dress and the earrings should have sufficed. It was a funeral; less is more. Way overdone.
And what are the odds that the three grandchildren will be brought too for bonus sympathy points?
@The Recluse and they will probably leave cards and/or bouquets for “Granny Diana”, at least photos of which will be leaked to the press.
WORD.
stop this.
oh no. Whelp. Moving on.
What I REALLY want to know is what outfit and jewelry Kate will use for her cosplay. Any guesses?
Also, I don’t really know how botox and fillers work. Is she going to flounce off soon to get her face refreshed?
The urge to go full Diana cosplay at the unveiling must be building up inside her even now.
I don’t believe for a second she’s not going to be there and make sure the cameras capture her longingly gazing at Harry and making sure he talks to her. But if she doesn’t show up, it’ll be because of William. Not her. I think she goes though.
I can actually see that its harry who told her not to be there. Because he knows it would unleash a new swath of abuse on his wife. This is pure speculation of course
That was my thinking as well Cecilia that he doesn’t want this to be a huge spectacle. Im curious at how much press or the public will be there especially now with the Delta variant and lockdown extended. If it could just be the brothers with some of the people involved in commissioning the project with a couple photographers that would be ideal.
Then again, I feel like if Harry requested Kate not be there, that would SURELY leak and all hell would break loose. Pass up an opportunity to excoriate Harry and make him look like the big meanie who is shunning Kate the Great Peacemaker? Nah….if there’s any truth to this, my gut tells me that WILLIAM is the one who doesn’t want Kate there.
I agree. It could be Harry that doesn’t want her there.
Kate: What’s Meghan doing? Staying home? Kate. Imma stay home too.
every time meg stays home is an opportunity for kate to skip work. i cannot believe how lazy she is.
I really hadn’t paid any attention to that family until Meghan entered the picture and didn’t realize what a lazy git she is. She and that husband of hers are quite a pair. It’s staggering really.
God these people are driving me insane. Harry and Meghan aren’t “repeatedly revealing their private conversations with the 95-year-old monarch, ” they’ve revealed (twice) that they HAVE private conversations with the monarch. Which they are perfectly entitled to do as members of her bloody family.
And, to that point, oh the irony of those who are NOT related to the Queen and NOT having those private conversations complaining “aides’ frustration with Meghan and Harry lies in the fact those speaking out on their and the Queen’s behalf “have no real idea what the Queen is thinking. Not only do these people have no real idea what the Queen is thinking on any given day, they are also in no position to guess”. Yep. Exactly.
I find it funny that they seem to have an issue with this because the times harry spoke about his convo’s with the queen he actually humanized her.
this is true, they never said anything like deep conversations they had with the queen ,its just simple every day things, like she send them a gift, Meghan said she spoke to the queen after Phillip death. as most common people will do when they can’t attend the funeral , in this case it is her grand daughter in law.. Harry spoke warmly about his grandfather, mentioning he doesn’t sign out of zoom when they finish talking he just close the laptop. no huge secrets was revealed. i think its not about that, the courtiers/Charles, don’t want them to tell the world they talk to the queen, they want the public to think the queen dislike Harry/Meghan. so,any talk with the queen should be private . so the courtiers and charles can leave that door open to spread fake stories to the press about Harry/Meghan…
Tominy is just a bad writer. At first I thought she was saying that the royal aides doesn’t know what the Queen is thinking – but she’s actually saying that Harry and Meghan don’t know what the Queen is thinking because they live in America, neatly ignoring that they actually speak with the lady in question.
Exactly ArtHistorian – hence the irony. Tominey is saying (very badly as you point out) that the aides are saying that H&M can’t possibly know what the Queen is thinking because they are so far away in America whilst simultaneously complaining about H&M talking about talking to the Queen. You know via that 21st century media stuff that allows people to see and talk across the world these days.
Meanwhile the courtiers in the next room to the Queen are actually revealing themselves to not know what the Queen is thinking or to know that she is talking to H&M.
I mean…you couldn’t make this up. What ARE they doing over there in BP??
I was really confused by that part of the article and wondered if I missed something. It’s the “via spokespersons and friends” part. What is Camilla referring to? I thought the Sussexes were fairly transparent these days in speaking for themselves or through Archewell
yeah … lots of logical leaps here.
•h&m wouldn’t have needed to ‘reveal’ their conversations with the queen had the palace source not decided to run to the BBC with disinformation about lili’s name; besides, there’s actually nothing at all unusual about a grandmother speaking to her grandson without her handlers around, especially if it’s about something as personal as a new baby! god, these ‘experts’ are much ado about nothing
•h&m are no longer working royals, so yes, it’s perfectly okay for them to view the queen as family first rather than monarch/boss; these commentators insist on strictly defining the queen in terms of the monarchy as if thats a good look, the institution is a bloody mess these days.
•it’s ridiculous to argue that the sussexes in cali don’t know anything about palace business because a) they never said they did nor would they want to, otherwise they’d still be there! and b) by that same ‘logic’, how is it, then, that these aides can claim to know what the queens knows and doesn’t know, and what she talks about with her grandson *in private*
•’never complain’ is not some high road that the palace takes – it’s actually when they either don’t have a decent response or don’t know anything that they choose to be silent. if the palace aides are quiet, it means they don’t know jack
•camila is clearly so bored with kate lately. i guess constantly propping a do-nothing gets tired after a while. all this commentary on the sussexes on whom she literally has no sources whatsoever seems to me like her desperate plot to stay relevant. anything to keep talking about harry and meghan, i guess
why is this statue unveiling happening anyway?! i’m honestly so uncomfortable at the thought of harry going back there, and also the inevitable non-stop talks of ‘reconciliation’ coming from the carnival. it was super forced last time at the funeral, i fear they will be even more insufferable this time around.
btw, diana hated living at the palace, why put a statue of her there???
the statue is to bring inn more tourist ,plus they might also sell mini statues of Diana, they making money this way , guess they will have mini statues and other things Diana to sell to the tourist ,many will gladly visit to take pics standing next to Diana statue.
What would be really amusing would be if Harry told Will that he will only show up if Kate isn’t there. I suppose CT knows what the Queen is thinking because she is in the same country with her? And the Queen doesn’t get tired of royal “sources” constantly commenting, just those who take up for H&M?
That would be amusing and could imagine that Harry would love to say Kate needs to stay home because she weirdly stalks me at events. But if he did say that, it would get leaked right away and be used against him. He can’t publicly insult the crown jewel!
I don’t know if that would get leaked since it would actually draw attention to the fact of Kates creepy stalking behavior and put lie to the notion that they’re secretly best friends who text each other behind Meghan’s back all the time. Maybe if they twisted it like “Harry demands Kate stays home since Meghan can’t be there!” Or “Meghan’s Jealous Rage: Demands Kate not attend the statue unveiling bc she can’t!”
Those twisted headlines you created were exactly what I was imagining, AmyToo.
It would be great if William shows up with only the kids, but not Kate. I know this won’t happen but I’d enjoy it!
Harry will never do that .anything Harry tells these people will be used against him. William is the future king, Harry will never order William to do anything. Just think if Harry did such a thing by text, there will be headline for weeks how nasty Harry is to deny Catherine to be there , when if Harry could ,he would have love his wife to be there with him for emotional support.
I agree. Unless William and/or the courtiers tell her to stay at home, I think she’ll be there
LOL, at this rate, nobody will be showing up. The last paragraph puzzles me – she’s saying that Harry and Meghan are speaking for TQ and that they don’t know what she’s thinking. But I haven’t seen any statement from H&M that claims they know what TQ is thinking, just what H&M have done – they let TQ know the baby was born. And there’s no real confusion about what TQ is thinking – she announced she was delighted to hear about the birth of Lilibet Diana.
Yeah, there’s no way Kate won’t attend – and in full cosplay.
will there be anybody at Diana’s unveiling? Feels very disrespectful to be announcing who will not be at the event. Diana’s is loved and this deserves this even in the most special way. It starting to feel very tacky to announce who will or will not be there. Lack of Klass.
I kinda think Diana wouldn’t want a statue of herself. Harry is honouring her through his work. That’s more important.
The BRF didn’t like Diana, she hated the courtiers, the feeling was mutual and those closest to her stole her sh!t after she died. When Wills and CTominey aren’t calling Diana unstable and manipulative, they certainly aren’t praising her.
Harry was denied permission to lay a wreath for fallen British soldiers but was granted permission to throw a statue party for her, as long as he behaved himself. I don’t think anyone is going to go to this thing.
I didn’t know Diana, but all of the ppl I just mentioned did. I agree with you though: I don’t think she’d care for a statue of herself. She was too self-conscious.
“While there is no doubt that Buckingham Palace is growing increasingly frustrated by Harry and Meghan repeatedly revealing their private conversations with the 95-year-old monarch, it is unlikely we will suddenly see the press office reacting to each and every royal story rather than continuing with their tried and tested ‘rise above’ approach.“
In other words, the palace comms team can’t do anything about what the couple is saying because they know the couple is speaking the truth
As for kate not going, if she isn’t going to show i assume it will under threat from harry.
As in kate better not be there or im not coming. Seems unlikely tho.
So true Cecilia. After that story all about how ‘the Queen’ was going to be coming out swinging now at any false narrative from H&M’s camp I can imagine a very short conversation.
Sir Edward Young: Right now, what have we got that’s false from H&M that we can refute in HM’s name?
Courtiers: Er. Nothing.
EY: What? Nothing?
Courtiers: Nope. And worse, they have aaalll the receipts to back up their side of the conversation and Schillings keep sending us scary letters that they are going to make us look like total prats if we keep lying. (starts sobbing)
EY: Riiiggghhht. OK – quick, best get out a story that we’re uninstating uninstating never complain/never explain and the new approach is ‘rising above’.
Kate looks so much like Wallis Simpson at her husband’s funeral. It’s UNCANNY.
I’ll guess the whole Cambridge family will be in attendance. The most poignant plan would be to just have her sons at the ceremony, but it would be so Middleton to put the kids on show, and Kate trying to carry off a Diana-style ensemble.
Not to mention dressing the boys in Will and Harry childhood clothes for extra brownie points. Charlotte will wear a dress made from one of Diana’s favorite cardigans.
This.
Everything about their marriage is Diana cosplay ‘only we’re happier.’ From the engagement ring, to Keen G constantly dressing up like her dead mother-in-law, to dressing her kids up in clothes that are famous because her dead mother-in-law dressed her husband up in them, to pretending like they live a half-way middle class life because Diana broke protocol by trying to expose her kids to the real world (see, we’re normal just like Diana wanted her family to be!).
There is no way she will not be at the unveiling. The cambridge marriage is way to vested in that weird Diana cosplay to ignore such a significant commemoration of the woman whose legacy they’re using to drive their public image.
Isn’t this stupid unveiling supposed to be the most absolute perfect opportunity for 110 per cent Diana cosplay again?!
Remember when they unveiled the garden a few years back (2017?) and Kate cosplayed Diana’s wedding rehearsal outfit? Even the rat rota have referred to as one of the 51 (defo more at this point) times Kate cosplayed Diana (which is definitely not creepy at all!)
Spot on Kaiser. I’ll just say that if Kate was there for the KP garden unveiling she’s definitely going to be there for the statue and she’s going to be making goo goo eyes at Harry if he comes.
I think so too. The only reason this story is put out in my opinion is to create a bit of a buzz about her. Will she or Won’t she? Opportunities for a new story every day. Just like Meghan. And for these stories she doesn’t have to do anything. Perfect.
When you put it like that, William has been quite invisible since the funeral. It’s been mostly Kate and the Wessexes out there, even Charles and Camilla. Tbf, I don’t pay much attention to their comings and goings since the main stars left.
With exception of the scotland tour and his disastrous statement on the dyson report about the panorama interview, he hasn’t been seen or heard of. Which is odd for a future king.
I forgot about that tour, mostly because it was quite forgettable, except for his little scandal at the end.
whats weird is that William just went to the dinner.i don’t think there are any pics of William talking to any of the heads of states or their wives at that dinner. but they used Catherine to make headlines by letting her have a meeting with Jill before the dinner . William was set aside .lol. in most events its all about Catherine,and what she is wearing. William made negative headlines when he was on tour in Scotland .
Is this a test balloon to see how the public would react to the absence of FFQC? I just don’t see her missing the opportunity to remind everybody she’s Diana’s daughter in law in her cosplay tribute outfit and Diana’s jewels. How else is Kate going to prove she’s the peacemaker of the family? Able to wrangle a smile out of her dear brother, Harry?
I don’t see Kate skipping the statue unveiling unless she is specifically told she cannot attend. There is no way she is going to miss this opportunity to cosplay her mother in law, especially when Meghan will not be in attendance.
@theoriginalmia- A test balloon to see how the public would react to the absence of Kate? That’s an interesting idea.
I agree. If Kate isn’t there, it’s because she was told to stay home. If she does stay home, then why was she benched? Kate would absolutely love to be there in her Diana cosplay, fawning all over Harry. I personally think it would be good for the firm to make Kate sit this one out, as her number one instinct is to pull focus. Her behavior at the funeral was ridiculous and I could see William being annoyed with that. He can barely stand next to her giving a speech, lynchpining at the unveiling would send him over the edge. Allowing just Will and Harry would actually lend credence to all of the “healing the rift stories”. And a test to see how the public reacts without her is a good theory, as I really don’t think he actually needs her, he just thinks he does. With the right PR, he could stand on his own.
Days before Prince Phillips funeral, there were ‘Kate the peacemaker’ stories courtesy of cam T. So that narrative was clearly thought out well in advance, and on the day itself kate made sure she played her part. I think keen will have something else planned to make sure she’s embiggened to the heavens. So ifs she’s told to stay the f*ck away, it’s cos Willie doesn’t want her there upstaging the entire event that’s suppose to be about his mother. I know kate loves to exploit dead people for her own advantage.
If harry attends, kate will be there. Botox, wiglets, and all. She will also be all over harry. The girl can’t help herself.
Haters have said if meghan attends she will be booed. I wrote oh goody, go on show your hate and racist on the world stage, and be forever known as the most uncivilized, and racist country on the face of the earth. They will never call Americans uncivilized and uncouth again, they will hold that title forever.
I think the whole thing is interesting. It’s been noted that Kate’s PR is contradictory to Williams more often lately. I think she desperately wants to make peace with Harry for no other reason than she feels he’d be a good ally if William decides he wants a divorce. So, maybe she really is threatening not to go. William probably doesn’t want to play nice with Harry and she’s desperate for the PR.
Kate’s going unless they tell her to sit at home. I’d be REALLY interesting if they make her sit at home though. Why would they tell her to stay home? Will William really want it to be just him and Harry there?
She’ll be there. No way in hell is Kate going to miss this.
She’ll miss it if she is told to. Kate has her own power within the monarchy, but let’s not fool ourselves, she can be benched if the powers that be say so and she couldn’t do a damn thing about it. As long as Harry attends, they really won’t need Kate to come anyway. Harry will bring all of the press attention and more than what Buttons could get if it were just her and William.
It wasn’t even a question in my mind until now. No way would she miss being the only woman between the 2 princes again. I’m sure she wishes she could re-live those days. I’m really side eyeing why this was even thrown out there.
The only way kate is missing this is if Willie tells her to stay the f*ck away. He might if he feels like he can’t get through another keen Diana cosplay. If harry does go, she’ll probably be told to stay home, just to stop her embarrassing herself by making eyes at him, and to block ‘Kate the great peacemaker’ stories.
After the funeral i think Willie told kate to walk off away from them, so he’s blocking her own embiggen pr.
But other than that, she’ll definitely be there.
@Feb This is where I’m at. The fact that Camilla of Crygate is even saying that Kate not coming is a possibility, means that Kate’s presence is up in the air. Kate would love to be there, but William? Maybe not.
@jt I think William has told kate she ain’t going, and she’s probably p*ssed off and gone running to Tominey to cry about it. Kate never missed an opportunity to cosplay Diana.
@Feb Yeah, I think William has put her on notice regarding attending the unveiling. It does seem like this is her own counter PR, perhaps to set the stage for her absence. Maybe she is trying to generate some outrage or interest from the public so she can say, “see you need me to attend, everyone will be upset.” Because again, she isn’t needed if Harry comes. I think as the unveiling gets closer, we can see what’s happening around Kate staying home or not. It the press around it gets more unhinged, then she was probably told to sit down.
*Now that I’m thinking about it, maybe she is trying to recreate the “will she or won’t she” that Meghan gets whenever a potential UK visit might happen. People speculating about Meghan’s appearance actually means that she is a big f*cking deal. I could see Kate trying to drum up the same energy.
Does anyone else feel like the BRF has lost its spark since Harry and Meghan left and they are trying desperately to appeal globally esp in the US?
Up until about five years ago, the BRF honestly believed that they could sit back in their palaces among their jewels complacently while the world loved, adored and respected them. They have apparently decided to atrophy rather than move into the 21st century.
Just a thought, I wonder how much of Charles and William’s disdain for Harry is because he actually has a relationship with the “Gran” (and Grandpa) instead of the Queen where they only have a relationship with the Queen. If she does have a soft spot for Harry as her grandson instead of the heir (much like the York Princesses) there would be some jealousy and resentment at play, right? Charles always had issues of not being popular enough (or one could say loved enough) and William seems to have the same issues, but maybe the root of it is within the family instead of the public.
@Vivica: Especially from Charles given he didn’t have close relationship with her growing up.
Good points. Besides Charles’ well known issues with the Queen, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen much stories highlighting how close William is to his grandmother. Yes, there have been anecdotes of him frequently visiting her in his youth, but that seemed to be more rooted in the context of her (and the Queen Mother) shaping him for his future role. Maybe it’s just me, but I haven’t seen “the Queen adores William and he’s her favorite grandchild” types of stories the way I have for Harry and several other grandchildren. It makes me wonder about how close he is to her as a grandson versus as the 2nd in line to her throne.
I’m looking at this from a slightly different angle. Could this possibly be Tominey’s–and by proxy Kate/Carole’s–pathetic attempt to create some sort of Meghan’esque mystique for Kate? There’s been all the drama circulating around will Meghan come? Won’t she come? Are they perhaps trying to manufacture some “Will Kate come?” anticipation for themselves? I wonder this simply because we all know Kate likes to imagine she has as much intrigue as Meghan does, and the fact that Kate rarely misses a chance these days to cosplay anything relating to Meg.
I think you might have a point because this thought also crossed my mind. Trying to built up the kate buzz. “Is she going to be there, is she not”. And then proclaim “pleasant surprise” when she does show.
Ok this actually makes sense. Otherwise why on earth would a pro-Middleton source be writing this? I mean she copies literally everything else Meghan does so why not try this.
I said the same up thread. I should’ve scrolled down. Lol.
Makes sense especially after the stories yesterday about Meghan not coming since she just had a baby. Bad thing is though, no one really cares if Kate is there, including her husband.
I was thinking about these courtiers and the role they play. Remember season 1 of the crown when Princess Margaret was doing engagements and nailing it with her personality. She then got into trouble for showing individuality. Anyway the bottom line was that the monarchy isn’t about the royals themselves, it’s about something else. Well what is it, if it isn’t about the actual members of the royal family?
Given how the courtiers have no problem driving out or suppressing the super stars of that family (Margaret, Diana, harry, Meghan), they don’t view the actual royals as assets to the monarchy. I believe that these courtiers believe they are the embodiment of the monarchy, and the royals are just the face they roll out. They seem hell bent on protecting themselves and not the actual royals. If that’s the case, then what do they get in exchange for their roles and how much power do they really have?
I was thinking about how Britney is controlled by her dad and management. Her life isn’t her own, she is literally owned, because the people behind her are the true beneficiaries of her success, whilst she is exploited.
There’s a saying for courtiers that fits the British grey men perfectly: “plus royale que le roi”
Those morons run the institution, and the family members are mere chess pieces to be played at will. The royal family members don’t bring much to the table beyond the accident of their birth, so they rely on these kingmakers to manage the institution.
But rmbr in the episode of the Crown on Diana’s first visit to Balmoral when she was upset at Charles behavior and was in her room deciding not to go down to dinner. Phillip visits her and makes a speech abt how the entire purpose of the life of each and everyone of them is solely to serve betty……to make sure that she looks good and that her bidding is done all the time.
It was very chilling to hear. All i could think as i watched, was that everyone in the BRF is in prison. Thats exactly what H told us in both the Oprah intvw and TheMeYouCantSee. The sense of freedom H is enjoying now is palpable. Especially to the grey-men and, of course, the RotaRats. And theyre livid that he got away. Theyre still refusing to believe it.
Good point. I would amend it a little to say their life’s purpose is to serve whoever happens to be the monarch at the time. So, there’s no particular allegiance to Elizabeth as a person, they’d have to bow and scrape to Andrew, if he were next in line.
After seeing how this ‘lilibet’ drama has played out, I can see that the queens own henchmen are actually not interested in protecting her as much as they say. This would have been a great opportunity to clear the queen from the mess that happened to harry and Meghan, but her own men didn’t want that. They would rather she looked like a cold, cruel, racist grandmother instead.
It’s not just a job to these courtiers, they are way more personally invested in this, but how?
Why *wouldn’t* she be there, it’s a golden chance for her to emphasize the connection of herself and her children to “granny Diana” and sneak in between W and H, getting a photo of the old “trio” back together again.
It’s possible William has asked her not to be there – maybe he’s tired of a certain lynchpin taking attention away from himself? Or (my theory) she knows or suspects Harry isn’t coming and doesn’t want to have to do an event with William, do she’s leaking this now in an attempt to get out of it.
CarolE obviously hasn’t gotten her invitation for the Diana Statue Unveiling it seems. So now the story is that it was never going to be a whole family affair.
Maybe what Harry said to princess Buttons at the funeral was to buzz off. Now she is scared he will not look her way, especially after she won’t call off uncle coke bottle Gary and her bulldog mother
Camel toe is an idiot. Harry and Megs aren’t speaking for the queen or anyone in the palace. Harry is simply saying he talks to his gran.and if the queen own grandchildren don’t know how she feels about somethings, then who the heck does?
Very interesting. Kate is “loved” because she doesn’t show up her pathetic husband. But with all these fluff pieces lately, that’s exactly what is happening. And the irnoy is that it’s her fans, the very ones who extol her diminished capacity, giving her the shine!
By their hands indeed.
Where are these stories in which the Sussexes or their spokepeople claim they know what the Queen is thinking or brief on her behalf? Nowhere. Can someone please toss all of the stupid courtiers into the moat because they haven’t got a clue. We can SEE their idiocy and uselessness. The Sussexes tell their own story and if other parties are part of those stories they may reference them, as needed. Are all these non relatives going to tell Major Wales that he DIDN’t speak to his grandmother after he did? And are they all forgetting the Sussexes speak in response to lies and smears to correct the record. So stop lying and they’ll stop responding.
Kate not going just sends my mind into more speculation about the Cambridge marriage. Did Will ban her? Is she just so over it that she can’t be bothered? Something is fishy.
There will never be a Cambridge divorce. They need each other because they are using each other to further their own individual goals. Bad marriage? Sure. No divorce.
Kate would never want a divorce.
There will be a divorce if that’s what Will wants. And if he does it will happen before he has POW title bestowed on him.
If William wants to dump Kate, he will do it, and the palace will back him to the end. The Middletons have zero power.
Hmm. I still doubt her being a no-show, but since this is coming from Tominey it might be a real possibility. I think it’s like Kaiser said; I don’t think it would be due to marriage issues so much as William being annoyed at Kate gleefully soaking up the spotlight lately. The meeting with Jill Biden was a complete disaster, but besides that, she was basking in the attention during the Scotland tour. Earlier there was the shameless glamour display at Philip’s funeral. And of course, the endless stream of PR coming out of Middleton Manor since March.
If, IF Kate indeed doesn’t attend the statue unveiling, then I think it might be William trying to assert control over the clashing optics and PR.
Beach Dreams, I wonder if it’s actually someone higher up the food chain than Baldimort. As I was reading the comments here, it struck me that duchess Keen Cannot made sure she was the focus at the funeral. I didn’t watch the entire thing, and only paid attention when they started leaving the church. So, isn’t it interesting that the press was about Keen Cannot? Shouldn’t the focus have been on TQ? And, Phillip’s children? So, it seems that she wanted a spot front and center, when she’s just . . . well Baldimort’s wife. Do we think that the rest of the brf knew she would do this? The palaces communications offices need to be reeled in and they need to be amplifying one message. I have no idea if she’ll be at the statue unveiling or not, but I know that mummy dearest is enjoying everyone talking about Keen Cannot because of the article above. I wonder what the rest of the brf think about this, and not just what Baldimort thinks.
I know Harry is a gentleman and I know it would probably go against his beliefs, but if she’s there? He should cut her dead. Just pretend she doesn’t even exist. If the rrs want a narrative, there it is.
@Saucy&Sassy I often wondered what Philip’s children thought about Kate’s antics and camera-hogging at their father’s funeral. I would think they thought it a tad disrespectful. I would not be surprised if this had been somehow communicated to William — a “watch your wife, she’s out of control” type message. We all can sense that any loyalty Will shows to Kate seems faked, so if he’s getting a message from the Firm to control Kate then I don’t know that he’d be necessarily fighting back. But wouldn’t it be interesting if this was The Firm’s way of reminding Kate that she’s not all that? I wonder when they told Keen the bad news.
She will be at Wimbledon watching the tennis. She even invited Roger Federer to her home to play tennis.
It was only recently that there was any suggestion that she would be going. When this was announced it was as an event for William and Harry only. I think it has only come up recently because they are trying to push the Kate as peacemaker narrative. Also, it was suggested she might attend with William if Harry couldn’t attend. I think it was the RR’s who made up that she could be there because as usual they would use her presence as a weapon against Meghan. What stands out is she admits that they don’t really know about the specific plans which IMO means that specific plans haven’t been finalized because you know William would have leaked by now. That’s why we are getting these incessant stories. They know the statue will be installed on the 1st but they don’t know anything beyond that. Also, I would totally understand why Harry would not want Kate to attend given how she has been weaponized by the BM. This is about Diana and should not be an opportunity to prop up Katie Keen the way the funeral was used.
I have a fantasy that at the funeral Harry said to Katie keen my wife thinks you are a good person. Unfortunately I disagree. Then Kate stepped back.
There is NO WAY ON GODS GREEN EARTH she will miss out on this, no way. I’m calling that the kids are there as well and I would NOT be surprised if the entire Middleton clan showed up for a pap stroll.
If Harry attends he will be outnumbered by the Keens and the hangers on. Kate will TOTALLY cosplay the sh!t out of Diana.
That’s what I think. This is one of those moments that Kate lives for–an opportunity to wear all the sapphires, polkadots, and anything else Diana-like that she can. This is like Oscar night for her.
Even if they locked her in the attic. Check the footage for Kate banging on the glass in an upstairs window, or climbing down the ivy in a coatdress.
Twenty bucks says that Cain, the Incandescent and the courtiers are furious with Keen’s performance during the G7.
If she doesn’t go, this is punishment.
Camel Toe is the Middleton spin machine trying to get ahead of the story or trying to get “the public” to want Keen there.
Yup, IF she doesn’t go it’ll either be due to that humiliating display with Jill, or due to her and her family’s constant attention-seeking these past few months. Yes, she’s the only “young and glamorous” active female member of the BRF now, but I doubt Will and the palace want her to get too comfortable chasing the spotlight.
It would have been nice to see the two families together, with all Diana’s grandchildren. She would have deserved that.
It’s a pandemic and she just gave birth. I’m sure she would understand.
Geez, I hadn’t heard about the pandemic.
Blame Willnot and KKKate for that.
Right? Those two are the main reason that “wish” will remain a total fantasy.
Makes me smile to think Meghan and children will show up and the lamebridges will be scrambling last minute to explain that indeed keen and kids always planned to attend. LOL.
Too bad the racist royal family nearly drove Meghan to suicide.
Have they banned all cameras? If so then I’ll believe Keen won’t be there.
Oh that B!tch will be there, with bells, ummm.. I mean buttons on!
This little nugget of (mis)information may very well lead back to Kate leaking with her dreadful parvenu of a mother. This article has the dirty Middleton fingerprints all over it and they probably thought it would generate a wave of sympathy for poor Kate, that of course she MUST attend in order to oversee her reunification of the brothers Cambridge and Sussex. What a load of malarkey…
PreXactly! LMAO
Here’s another theory: what if instead of Will banning her or holding her attendance at this event over her head for whatever reason, what is Kate is the one who is trying to use her attendance or lack of attendance at this event as a way to get something out of Will or the family? Like the RF and courtiers want her there in her Diana cosplay with all the kids dressed in old clothing that was originally worn by “the boys” when they were kids, or maybe they just really want the kids there but know that the kids don’t go anywhere without Kate, so Kate is pretending to not know if she really will attend in order to get…something: new clothes? Jewels? Royal orders? Another ten years on her marriage contract? Another baby? A lovey dovey couples vacation with Will? Money for her parents’ failing business? She’s done stuff like this before. Just refused to show up for things, or go gone dark for a few weeks, or started yanking on Will’s chain in the press (the icing out Rose article) in order to get something that she wants. It would be a pretty big gamble and game of chicken for her though, considering she probably actually desperately wants to be at this event and has her Diana cosplay outfit already picked out and ready.
Calling it: this story is groundwork for a new Meghan controversy or new embiggening story.
Step 1: float that Kate might not appear, whether she was ever scheduled to or not.
Step 2: chose your poison based on events (with the assumption post partum Meg isn’t coming)
A. If Harry attends and Kate does too, Kate is written as once again the peacemaker.
B. If Harry does not attend and Kate does, Kate is written as Wills’ rock in his abandonment by Harry.
C. If Harry attends, but Kate doesn’t, then Meg is blamed for banning Kate since she couldn’t come and Meg is the baddie keeping Haz from his “sister”
D. If Harry doesn’t attend, and Kate doesn’t either, then Meg is blamed for both of them not showing. She kept Haz home like a shrew, and made Kate cry at the painful rift, which is why she couldn’t muster the strength to be there for Will.
Any scenario will be spun in favor of Kate and the Cambridge, even if Harry shows.
Wow. I buy it.
You called it.
*chef’s kiss* Perfection.
Dang Rapunzel spot on. Lets take a bet on which headline will be it for weeks to come. I will pick C.
Topaz- I’d guess Kate wants scenario A, Wills wants scenario C, Harry would probably prefer scenario B (unless it includes bashing Meg for his absence), and scenario D is likely what will actually happen.
With CT reporting this, I’m thinking Kate was never actually gonna go, that the plan was just the brothers. Kate wants the cosplay and is using the rift to try and step in and get herself added in Harry’s place. But Will ain’t having it. So Kate is using CT to try and garner public outcry for her to attend. We’ll see.
Again with the “hugely poignant and significant”. They all have the same writing style. It’s very schoolgirl-ish.
Ok, guys, question for you all. I wasn’t really paying attention back in 2017 pre h and m engagement. Can anyone explain why Meghan wasn’t at the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death event in KP? I recently saw pictures of H, and the Keens at this event, holding umbrellas in the rain. Was it the fact that H and M were not engaged officially? Iirc, she was living in London already, and presumably, she was right there in their old cottage. Appreciate any insight.
The word is that William and Kate did not want Meghan there, as she was “only” a girlfriend and would pull focus, and wouldn’t let Harry bring her. I’m sure others will chime in but I have heard that said numerous times.
There we’re actually two events that Meghan was reportedly “barred” from attending. The public Kensington Garden event and a private event at Althorp. And yes, the reason supposedly was that they not only weren’t married but hadn’t announced their engagement yet. Kate attended the Diana concert but she didn’t arrive or depart with William. Nor were they pictured. I don’t think Kate was supposed to be at the garden event. She was absolutely cringeworthy. Go look at some YouTube videos of the event. She walked around with that open mouth grin. Looking like she was at a garden party instead of a memorial garden.
Kate attended the Diana concert only a row away from William and they weren’t even publicly back together yet at that point. But there are pics of her staring at him during it.
Thanks Swirl and Catherine. I just looked up the 2007 concert. Also news to me!
Anyway, the “barring” from Diana memorial events smells a lot like Meghan not attending Pippa’s church wedding. Iirc that was spun two different ways- first, as the Mids blocking her because she would (again) “pull focus” and later, as Meghan’s own decision because of some smutty tabloid story the previous day or week. We won’t know what exactly went down here, but it just adds to the miasma of KP intrigue. My final thought is, at this time, right around their engagement, H and M probably didn’t want to ruffle feathers or put a foot wrong, (if I may borrow a Middleton talking point) and went along with every restriction.
They believed they would be protected. 😔
Thanks Maria. Very interesting!
I too think that will-Kate-or-won’t-Kate-show-up news is evidence of Keen and PwBT’s failing marriage, but I don’t think a decision will be made on her appearance until Harry’s appearance is definitely confirmed or denied. If he shows, PwBT may well command her to stay home so that all the attention is focused on him and Harry. But if Harry decides not to go, PwBT will require that Keen be there with children in tow, so that they can all put on a show about how much the kiddies love Granny Diana and how the Cambridges are the true heirs of Diana’s legacy, not the Montecito court.
It really doesn’t matter what Keen does. Show or not show, the press focus will be on Harry, and if Meghan shows (and why would she, for crying out loud?), no one will look at the Cambridges at all unless they’re looking for reaction shots. The only way PwBT keeps the press focus on him and his family is if Harry doesn’t show at all, which is why I’m quite certain that moves are being made behind the scenes to keep Harry away. What the RRs want is insignificant in this case. PwBT must have his way.
Why are they so irritating over there? The palace would really like to believe that they and the royal households are all the Sussexes talk about.As if. They take one mention related to a personal family matter and project it into “ Not only do these people have no real idea what the Queen is thinking on any given day, they are also in no position to guess“. It’s not that deep. As for Kate showing up, she’ll be there, probably blinged out in Diana’s jewelry. I just hope this statue isn’t some type of cringey, Stalinist piece.
Gotta admit, what the statue looks like is the main thing holding my interest about this story. Will it be representational — a photocopy of Diana, or as close as the sculptor can make it? Will it be vaguely abstract, sort of suggesting Diana’s form but allowing multiple interpretations? Or will it be full-out weird? The will-Harry-show-up question is getting a bit stale, but I’m dying to see the statue …
If William is behind the design, I don’t think it will be anything but representational.
Ian Rank-Broadley ——- is the artist chosen by both brothers. His sculpture work is magnificent. The first sculptor chosen presented a model that neither brother liked, so they backed out of that and went with the current sculptor. [I think the first sculptor’s timeline was supposedly lined up to unveil sculpture on Diana’s 50th birthday.] However, in deciding on another sculptor and working within the timeline for the sculpture to be created and ready meant they decided to delay unveiling until Diana’s 60th birthday. At least that’s my understanding in reading various “art” articles. I highly recommend looking sculptor up and checking out his website; absolutely amazing work!
I’m curious and apprehensive about this too. I can’t for the life of me imagine it in any way which is flattering. I really want to see it- but I don’t have a lot of hope for it.
Kate and her family are going to push the narrative that she isn’t going, so as not to intrude (how respectful and regal!) right up to the minute of the event. Then Kate will be there, in Diana cosplay wearing as much “Diana” jewelry as she can layer on (imagine if she could score a hat that Diana actually wore!) to support her obviously distraught husband because she’s a rock and is vital to the stability of the monarchy plus any fill in the blank reason relating to Meghan.
Since this project is monitered by willie.
There must be wrong with the statue, maybe it didnt finish on time or in total clusterfxxk.
This is the way the courtiers trying to distract from the truth.
All of us know that project that willie touch are going to bust.
Zapp brannigan, you killed me with your comment about Kate showing up in Diana’s wedding dress. Yes, Kate is that trifling bitch. Like her husband, lightweight Willy, she wants everything yet has nothing to give, except her disastrous Disney villainess mystique (unveiled at Philip’s funeral).
On a related note, I read yesterday that Melania didn’t show up for her former guy’s 75th birthday party. Hah!
Her photo op at the funeral was in such bad taste.
it was. everyone could see that she dressed up for Harry. because of that Funeral pic, i actually searched for pics with Harry and Catherine, and William and Catherine and Harry. she always looked at Harry with soft eyes even with William there. the only time she had this hard eyes look with Harry ,was at the commonwealth. in that pic one could see Catherine anger of losing Harry, cause he was leaving with his wife and son . Catherine was mad as hell. Harry is a friendly warm man. i am guessing she wanted him to stay with her and William cause Harry being with them kinda balance her life with William. William is not a a warm friendly person. William is about himself. give william some alcohol and he is is in his element. he is not a people person.
Personally (and without any insider knowledge of course!), I think this marriage is O-V-E-R. I anticipate an announcement within 2 years. William cannot even be bothered with her, of course he wouldnt want her at the unveiling.
Ian Rank-Broadley Is the artist chosen by both brothers and his sculpture is magnificent. Check out his website.
Ok, i didnt know who the artist was, and I will check his work, thank you for that. The pressure of doing a memorial for such a deeply loved person must be intense.
Wow, you’re right. His work is amazing. Now I want to see it even more!
i think some tourist will be there, the Diana statue is a tourist attraction.fans of Diana will be there. can you imagine when the queen dies how many statues will appear all over the uk and the commonwealth .? Diana was the ex daughter in law, and she is getting a statue at KP. the queen might end up having thousands of statues to honor her in all her favorite places,.
In my opinion, placing a statue in Kensington Palace , of Princess Diana, the divorced wife of Prince Charles , the future King, is tone deaf and does not take into account Prince Charles feelings.
The rightful place should be in a public park.
Oh I think William and Harry knew exactly how Charles would feel about this statue at KP, lol. At any rate, he won’t be living there so I’m sure he will do his level best to avoid the place.
Kate in the car looks like the villain Cruela deVill. Scary .