Forum Topic

Harry the Filum star

Now we have a Hollywood pic of handsome Prince Harry as the latest Heart Throb gazing down adoringly at his very LEADING lady under the blossoming Hollywood studio trees!   A step up or down?   I and many of us here, love and miss him as lively, warm & essential part of our Royal family and wish him well with his family in his new stardom living the high life as a glamorous celeb in far away western USA.   I hope when Covid permits, he will come back to see us in the UK - he had a starring role here.    

Jennifer Selig ● 2080d53 Comments

Agree with you, Jennifer. But I think  he's been pussy-whipped.

Roger Talbot ● 2080d

Or alternatively why can't he take the rest of the Royal Family with him and we can turn Buckingham Palace into Social Housing.

Guy Smith ● 2080d

From what I hear Buckingham Palace is rather run down and drafty and wouldn’t pass health and safety inspections so it wouldn’t be any good for social housing unless the Council is prepared to pay out millions in compo when the inhabitants start complaining!! Best to allow the Royal Family to continue to slum it.

Steve Taylor ● 2080d

More Harry the Embarrassment I would say.No one from The Firm twisted his arm to go.He has made his bed and can lie in it.

Keith Iddon ● 2080d

Guy what a mean spirited reply .

Jennifer Selig ● 2080d

Not at all, Jennifer.I didn't see how any adult can have it both ways.He chose to leave and good luck in his new life, but being part of the royal family is not exactly something he can duck in and out of as he pleases.With all the rights,luxuries and privileges come responsibility,service and duty.Let him get by on his own merits as he has chosen to do.

Keith Iddon ● 2080d

Apologies, thought your reply was to me, didn't read it properly.

Keith Iddon ● 2080d

Harry has disappointed many of us, but let's not forgwt he has a generous and brave heart; when you fly over Afghanistan in an Army helicopter you put your life on the line, and I don't suppose the suppport he has given to the Invictus Games is unappreciated by limbless girls and boys of many nations who fought alongside him.

Roger Talbot ● 2080d

Indeed so, he is an ex serviceman who saw active service and deserves respect for that as does he for his work with Invictus. He must have thought about all that when he decided to do what he did,which may have had unforeseen consequences for him.I wish him luck in his new life, not that it would mean anything to him,but he is not here and not serving the nation now as far as I know.He can't have it both ways.

Keith Iddon ● 2080d

Atleast we know its only 2 children? Saving the planet

Julian Pavey ● 2080d

I thought the photo was like the last scene of Notting Hill.  Never liked Suits....far preferred The Good Wife :-)Hard not to be happy for them and I'm glad he got out!

Ed Saper ● 2080d

Its all well plotted out for max exposure and money First the pic and baby news,followed straight away by the news of the oprah interview. The first has to come but the interview is metioned straight away for that max exposure Either royals,California celebs or influencers. Royals dont go with the other two.

Julian Pavey ● 2080d

Up the republic!

John Connelly ● 2080d

'Harry has disappointed many of us'I don't think we have any right to be disappointed in him. None of us chooses the family we're born into and sometimes it just doesn't suit. I frankly feel sorry for the Windsors and the lack of choice they have in life. I mean, maybe young George would like to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or a hairdresser, but his career is laid out for him immutably.

Susan Kelly ● 2080d

Jennifer, Guy is my oldest son - so you can imagine the discussions in this house as I am a Monarchist and both sons are all for a republic!As regards Harry and Meghan, seems to me they want their cake and to eat it too, either they want to have privacy or they want to have a celebrity lifestyle, what they can't have is both. I just feel for the Queen who I am sure doesn't need this nonsense. If H&M really want to breakaway then they should give up all their royal titles and see how far that gets them.

Vanessa Smith ● 2080d

‘Guy is my oldest son’So, welcome Guy and I’d like to come out as a fan of the Smiths whatever their varying views on the monarchy.  The Queen is Dead!

Alastair Banton ● 2080d

It will be interesting to see what Meghan divulges about the Royal Family on the  Oprah show.

Steve Taylor ● 2079d

Wasn't it her own family that cause all the problems, apart from her Mum a dignified lady.

Janice Evans ● 2079d

I agree with Roger that it's not hard to see who wears the trousers in that family. I suspect that was a large part of the problem since, to the royal family, she was just an appendage of Harry -- the 'prince of the blood'. They probably don't even realise that they're doing it.

Susan Kelly ● 2079d

It will be only something that puts that social climber starlet par excellence in a good light and everyone in the Palace as beyond belief awful.  She may try to ingratiate herself with the Queen with a few condescending placatory comments.  Just hope Mr Harry Windsor is and will continue to enjoy his life in USA and feel the enormous sacfifice he has made to be well worth it.  One thing for sure they cannot continue to be known as the DUKE & DUCHESS because they ain't!

Jennifer Selig ● 2079d

Vanessa can't believe your sons - do they not see that The Queen and the Royal family are the single firm, steady unwavering heart of our country.  Paid for politicians rant rave, dither, dodge have no sense of undying duty, is that really what they want?  The Queen IS NOT DEAD Alistair.  LONG LIVE THE QUEEN, keep battling away at your sons Vanessa.

Jennifer Selig ● 2079d

It seems to me they both come from a troubled family background and it no surprise they both feel confused about who they are, what their role is and the need for attention.I wish them well and hope that as the years roll on they can find inner happiness but it won't surprise me if a divorce is down the road. I hope not.

Adrian Irving ● 2079d

My thoughts also, think he see something of his mother in Meghan maybe her strong will, was sorry they left and agree with Jennifer's comments regarding the Royals.

Janice Evans ● 2079d

I have never understood how so many people who post on this forum complaining about lack of democracy locally or nationally suddenly revert to knee bending before their so-called "betters" in the Battenberg family.Old Lizzie and her consort Phil have lorded it over the many mugs in this country who claim that they live in an equal society even though we have an electoral system in which the government of the day does not require a majority to run the country, the second chamber (House of Crooks, Ex-Cons, Party Donors and other nonentities) is unelected, and the head of state (Lizzie herself) has the power to block laws that might affect her personal wealthSee: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/07/revealed-queen-lobbied-for-change-in-law-to-hide-her-private-wealthModern countries that do not have elected political heads of state have systems that allow ANY citizen to be elected head of state for a period of time. Instead, we have the same family that provided the Kaiser and the Russian Czar (Greece, Bulgaria as well, I believe) with unelected heads of state.The Russians were brutal in eliminating their branch of the family. The Kaiser had a kinder fate. Personally I would settle for the Battenbergs getting real jobs and earning their living like the rest of us. AND Lizzie and Phil should get the same old age pension and anyone else in their age group.

John Connelly ● 2079d

Tommy rot Mr Connolley - we Brits are not forced to "knee bend to our betters".  We choose to show our love and reverence for our Queen and the Royal Family.  They exert no power over us just steadfast duty and great majesty.    Paid politicians can never take the place of that!  Died in the wool republicans cannot understand - go away and live in another country as you obviously don't like or understand we Royalists and Gt Britain.

Jennifer Selig ● 2079d

Be careful using ‘we’.

Vivienne Cox ● 2079d

We got rid of them once upon a time and brought them back a few years later(are we unique in that?).What does that tell you?

Keith Iddon ● 2079d

The Spanish restored their monarchy. Napoleon was not that different from a monarch - his offspring inherited, and maybe Cromwell was just a bit too much to take.

Vivienne Cox ● 2079d

Plus the French then brought their royal family back post-Napoleon, before getting rid of them again.

Susan Kelly ● 2079d

That was a nasty post, Mr. Ó Conghalaigh.

Richard Greenhough ● 2079d

I'm not a Royalist as such but do see the benefits.

Janice Evans ● 2079d

Touched a nerve did it, Richard?

Alastair Banton ● 2079d

In some 200 years the French disposed of their monarchy, tried a republic, installed an emperor, brought back their monarchy, ditched it for another branch of the family, threw it out again in favour of a republic, installed another emperor, overthrew him (with help from the Prussians), tried a third republic until that was overthrown by the Germans, then had a short-lived fourth and (currently) fifth republic. Britain overthrew its monarchy in both England and Scotland, tried a republic, didn't like it and brought back the monarchy, which has provided stability for over 350 years.

Richard Greenhough ● 2079d

I don’t get it, Richard. Do you have a problem with people from an Irish background or do you find their opinions less valid?

Kerry Chandler ● 2079d

Kerry, Mr Connelly felt it appropriate to use an old form of the royal family's name (changed over a century ago), so I thought it appropriate to use an old form of his. Do you think he has problems with people from a German background?

Richard Greenhough ● 2079d

Sorry Richard, I didn’t make the connection. I apologise!

Kerry Chandler ● 2079d

"Stability for over 350 years". Written by a person who has never studied history. What about Stewarts v William of Orange 321 years ago? The '15 and the '45 in the 18th Century? 1798 and the United Irishmen? 1916 and the subsequent partition of Ireland, creating a Loyalist enclave in the 6 counties? The Troubles in the latter part of the 20th Century? Problems over Loyalism and their opposition to the Brexit deal? The threat of Scottish independence?If that is a record of stability I wouldn't like to see Dick's definition of instability.I have no problems with Germans. Modern day Germany has a constitution allowing for all citizens to be able to be head of state, not a state with a ruler and subjects.

John Connelly ● 2079d

"Written by a person who has never studied history."Your previous post suggests you fall into that category.The British constitution with a monarch and an Upper and Lower house of parliament has provided stability, while evolving over the centuries. No-one in 1688, 1715 or 1745 proposed to change that set-up - they were disputes regarding which branch of the ruling dynasty should be head of state. None of the Irish troubles changed the government set-up in Westminster, although sadly it did change things on the island of Ireland.

Richard Greenhough ● 2079d

Dick, why don't you stop digging? The Scottish Parliament was forced to give up its autonomy in 1707 following the usage by the English of the Navigation Acts to viciously suppress its trade. Linked to the English Kingdom, the Irish Parliament operated separately from England from 1297 to 1800 before being forcibly merged with Westminster following the defeat of the United Irishmen uprising of 1798.

John Connelly ● 2079d

Jennifer - we have some lively differences of opinion on this subject as you can imagine. What fills me with dread is that we could easily land up with a Head of State like the orange buffoon, Trump, things are bad enough on that front as it is. The Royal family at least is a constant, and The Queen has led by example for so long, and left to politicians we could so easily become a laughing stock, plus they are a massive asset to the tourist industry and we are envied around the world for what we have. The fuss for H&M is an example of the fascination that other countries have with them, it's just a pity that they don't show some diginity and follow the Queen's example.

Vanessa Smith ● 2078d

Let's not forget that Bozza's wish was to 'be King of the World' God help us!

Vanessa Smith ● 2078d

God forbid - Long live the Queen!  Also Prince Philip hope he doesn't have to remain in hospital for too long and can come home to celebrate his 100th Birthday, he's been a loyal support to our Queen.

Jennifer Selig ● 2078d

I always enjoy these traditional monarchy versus republic debates - it makes makes me feel entitled and so English.As I tell my American friends "you live in a monarchy with an elected head of state and I live in a republic with an hereditary head of state".Long live the People's Republic of Albion (just don't tell anyone except Americans)I have recently stumbled across this tract that purports to be a conversation between Oliver Cromwell and his cousin John Hampden (hero of both the Battle of Brentford and the Battle of Turnham Green). John robustly defends the importance of retaining the King and Parliament form of Government. https://archive.org/details/tractentitledtru00londrich/page/n1/mode/2up

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2078d

Just to crystallise the absurdity of a monarchy. We are in the 21st Century where technology is analysing whether there is life in other planets in our solar system. And yet those who are benefitting from the current feudal system champion the continuation of a societal structure that stemmed from bloodthirsty psychopaths defeating other psychopaths. Where was the philanthropy in any of this. If the monarchy is abolished in my lifetime I will party like it's 1999.

David Roberts ● 2078d

Totally agree with you, David, along with abolishing that anachronism, the House of Lords.  As for Harry being handsome as Jennifer said - all I can say is it's a good thing we all have different tastes.  I find him exactly the opposite.  I suppose Princedom has its attractions for some.

Claire Moran ● 2078d

The House of Lords has to go but before we consign it to the dustbin of history can we please have some broad agreement on what to replace it with. Ripping stuff down is easy but building a new Jerusalem that is fit for purpose and has broad support is another matter entirely.Feudalism ? For goodness sake grow up. The Black Death in the fourteenth century put the skids under that and rampant capitalism dealt the coup de grace.All nations have heads of state many of them corrupt, venal, stupid, authoritarian and unpleasant. From North Korea, Mainland China through Russia and Dubai to the USA and everything in between. Take your pick. All heads of state place a burden of cost on the nations that they supposedly serve. At least under our system the people in the streets waving flags at passing motorcades are doing so of their own free will and are not bused in by the secret police from the provinces or paid to do it by the ruling party.  Proof of the pudding is surely that people are desperately trying to get into this country fleeing despotic republics (and Nicola Sturgeon) ..... those who wish to leave know where the door is when the lockdown is lifted.Hand on heart and repeat after meAnd there's another country, I've heard of long ago,Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2078d

OK, wrap yourself in the flag and sing the praises of urbs dei, if you must, but there is no need to insinuate that republicans might "wish to leave" when the lockdown is ended, and certainly no excuse for Jennifer's exhortation to John Connelly to "go away and live in another country". That is the language of intolerance.

Robert Fish ● 2078d

Sam is right, abolishing the monarchy overnight so to speak is a miskake.What do they say? You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone.As a boy, when my father took me to the cinema the National Anthem would crackle over the speakers at the end of the show. Most people would stand and only leave when it had finished.I mention this to illustrate how attitudes have evolved over a relatively short space of time. Let them continue to evolve and who knows, maybe in twenty, fifty, how ever many years the monarchy will be very a different entity.

Adrian Irving ● 2078d

The monarchy generate hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue for the UK each year and and last time I checked I believe it costs us c.60 pence per person each year. In addition, they create, support and promote many charities especially for the disadvantaged.Also, they run the Crown Estates both efficiently and profitably and provide employment - could any other 'Firm' do that ?As for the publicity seeking Harry and Meghan duo who, interestingly trade off their Royal titles, the USA is welcome to them.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2078d

Alistair B.  Thanks for the DM?PM? just received.  What a dreary old f..t I am.  Not normally lacking a sense of humour and I'm sure most got your excellent joke - sorry I wasn't up to speed with pop music - will try harder next time.  Keep 'em coming, we all need to find reasons to laugh.  Thanks J

Jennifer Selig ● 2077d

This a repeat message for Alistair B  in case he didn't scroll back up the page:-"Alistair B.  Thanks for the DM?PM? just received.  What a dreary old f..t I am.  Not normally lacking a sense of humour and I'm sure most got your excellent joke - sorry I wasn't up to speed with pop music - will try harder next time.  Keep 'em coming, we all need to find reasons to laugh.  Thanks J"

Jennifer Selig ● 2077d

Not sure Morrissey would be happy with his music being put into the "pop music" Genre Just saying

Julian Pavey ● 2077d

No worries, Jennifer, I’m sure you weren’t alone in not getting the reference.As for Morrissey, the man not the music, grrr, splutter, seethe ..

Alastair Banton ● 2077d