In Endgame, Omid Scobie details how many times Prince Harry has simply tried to organize a sit-down with his father. Harry even tried to organize a post-Spare sitdown with Prince William too, but it went nowhere because William is obviously too incandescent. But the fact that Harry knows Charles is such a dogsh-t father and yet Harry still makes all of these efforts to at least try to get Charles to hear him… it’s sad. The whole thing reminds me of Harry’s Spare, where he was so achingly grateful for any acknowledgement from his father. According to Scobie, throughout 2022, several people within the family encouraged Charles to simply talk things out with Harry and even acknowledge Harry’s pain. After Harry called Charles around Christmas 2022 and their conversation was brief and icy, Princess Anne apparently gave her brother a different piece of advice: evict the Sussexes from Frogmore Cottage.

The Princess Royal persuaded the King to evict the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from Frogmore Cottage, according to a new book. Author Omid Scobie claims Princess Anne, 73, was the chief architect of the decision to evict Harry and Meghan from their Windsor home.

In the book, Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival, to be released next week, Princess Anne is described as being “at the forefront of the supporters of the firm approach” taken with the Sussexes.

She “is said to have persuaded Charles to withdraw the use of Frogmore Cottage” from the couple, Scobie claims.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward, 59, is described as the only member of the family who felt “uneasy” about his nephew and was concerned about his mental health.

The Sussexes’ team received a letter from Sir Michael John Stevens, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, who stated that because the Duke and Duchess were no longer working members of the Royal family and lived abroad, they should return the keys to Frogmore Cottage, the use of which was a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth II. Harry is said to have asked his father: “You don’t want to see your grandchildren any more?”

Meanwhile, Scobie describes the ultimately unsuccessful plan to offer the property to the scandal-hit Duke of York, “the true pariah of the clan,” as “incomprehensible”.

[From The Telegraph]

In Endgame, there are more details about the Frogmore eviction and just how bad it looked generally, beyond the rabid, right-wing media machine in the UK. It was not a carefully considered move by Charles – it was done out of spite, it was a king’s temper tantrum more than anything else. The Telegraph’s coverage of Princess Anne “persuading” Charles is interesting, but Scobie basically said that Anne wanted it to be a package deal, that Charles should evict Andrew and the Sussexes at the same time. But we know what happened there – Andrew is still in Royal Lodge, and we still don’t know who’s living in Frogmore now.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

While we know that the Princess of Wales is famously work-shy, it’s bonkers that Kensington Palace would telegraph that fact by allowing Kate to languish for more than a year without her own private secretary. Hannah Cockburn-Logie was Kate’s last private secretary, and Hannah quit that bitch in the fall of 2022, right around QEII’s passing. Kate then tried to hire Alison Corfield, only Corfield took one look at that wig-wearing palace gopher and said “nope” before she even started work. Now Kate has a big new keen plan to hire a veteran. He hasn’t said yes though, which makes this Telegraph article read like a pressure campaign.

The Princess of Wales is set to hire a war hero who served as Elizabeth II’s equerry as her new private secretary. The Princess, who has been without her own private secretary for more than a year, has invited Lt Col Tom White to join her at a public engagement to see what the job entails at close quarters.

The choice of the late Queen’s former equerry would be a radical departure from the previous person tipped to take the role, Alison Corfield, who was described as a “straight-talking” brand management expert who would “shake up” the palace. Lt Col White, in contrast, has already worked at the centre of the institution, at the late Queen’s side until her death in September last year. Before that, the Royal Marines officer served in Afghanistan in 2009 as a member of 42 Commando.

As a 22-year-old lieutenant serving as 7 Troop’s commander, he helped avert tragedy in Helmand after the Taliban placed a booby trap bomb in a school. However, wires under the school room door were spotted before detonation.

The rumoured choice of Lt Col White as the Princess’s private secretary would see something of a return to tradition for the household, reflecting the Royal family’s close ties to the military and a link with her late grandmother-in-law. It is understood that no appointment has yet been made but a source said that Lt Col White was “likely” to be offered the job.

The 36-year-old father would be the first man in the position, in a restructured Kensington Palace office overseen by a yet-to-be-appointed chief executive. A Kensington Palace spokesman said that they did not comment on staffing matters.

[From The Telegraph]

Kensington Palace is only eager to comment on staffing matters when it comes to how Meghan “bullied” staffers by existing. As for this guy… I will feel so sorry for Lt. Col. White if he does end up as Kate’s private secretary. Imagine trying to bring that military sense of preparedness, loyalty and duty to Kate’s jazz hands, budget wigs and busywork. It’s also funny to hear that after all of the “we’re going to hire a fancy new CEO” keenery, no one has actually been hired yet. I would imagine that most seasoned professionals want no part of the Kensington Clownshow.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

From CB: Cyber Monday is here, and there are so many things I’m interested in! I missed a few items I meant to buy Friday so I’m not going to make that mistake again. I need a nail dremel for my dog and this one by Bonve is on sale for around $15. People say it’s quiet, that their dog tolerates it and that it gets the job done. I also really want these ramekins. $12 for a set of six is such a great deal! Here are some sales and some more things Rosie and I are looking at on Amazon.

Fashion and accessories
Up to 40% off Coach Handbags and Shoes
Up to 41% off Dickies Men’s, Women’s, and Kids’ Apparel
Up to 49% off Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna Apparel and Footwear
Up to 62% off GAP Apparel for the Entire Family
Up to 32% off men’s wallets rings and backpacks from The Ridge
Up to 55% off watches from Anne Klein, Nine West, Invicta and more
Up to 53% off adidas Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories
Up to 35% off Timberland PRO Boots and Apparel
Up to 52% off BALEAF Fleece Lined Leggings, Sports Apparel
Up to 39% off Ekouaer Pajama Sets and Nightgowns

Beauty
Up to 40% off Premium Beauty from Bioderma, Olaplex, and more
Up to 50% off Oral Care from Crest and Oral-B
Up to 50% off Waterpik Oral Care
Up to 40% off Premium Beauty from Azzaro, Moroccanoil, and more
Up to 40% off Premium Beauty products from Revision, Billie Eilish, and more
Up to 35% off Panasonic Trimmers, Shavers, and Personal Care Products
Up to 34% off Wahl Trimmers, Shavers, and Personal Care
Up to 50% off COSRX Skincare
Up to 51% off skincare from Neutrogena, Aveeno, and more
Up to 42% off Maybelline Cosmetics

Home and Accessories
Up to 50% off Shark Vacuums, Air Purifiers and more
Up to 50% off Seasonal Home Decor: Christmas Trees, Ornaments, Garlands, Wreaths
Up to 30% off Nespresso Coffee and Espresso Machines
Up to 30% off KitchenAid Stand Mixers, Blenders, Toasters and more
Up to 30% off Household Essentials from Energizer, Glad, Cottonelle and more
Up to 42% off Bissell Little Greens, Hydrosteams, and Additional Floorcare
Up to 52% off Hoover and Dirt Devil Carpet Cleaners and Floorcare
Up to 47% off OXO Brew, Grinders and more
Up to 40% off Nuwave Air Fryer Ovens, Induction Cooktops, and more
Up to 49% off Lodge Enameled Dutch Ovens

Electronics
Up to 43% off Tablets from Samsung, Google, and more
Up to 40% off Gaming Laptops powered by NVIDIA GeForce
Up to 40% off Sony Headphones, Speakers and Home Theater
Up to 50% off Fire TV Streaming Devices and Alexa Voice Remote Pro
Up to 35% off Samsung The Frame TVs and Projectors
Up to 28% off Kindle E-readers
Up to 38% off PCs and Monitors from HP, Samsung, Acer, and more
Up to 28% off Samsung Galaxy Unlocked Phones
Up to 51% off Beats Headphones and Earbuds
Up to 50% off Ring Doorbells, Cameras and Bundles

The best reading glasses are $4 off

From CB: Once I bought Peepers glasses I don’t want to wear any of the cheaper reading glasses I have. They’re now on sale for $4 off and this is the model I have, The Showbiz. Other models Stardust, That’s a Wrap and Take a Bow are also on sale. They come in so many cute colors and I get compliments on mine often.

Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds are on sale

From CB: Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds would make great gifts this season and both are on sale. The 2nd Generation Apple Airpods are $49 off the list price and the noise canceling versions are $59 off. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 with HiFi Sound are $71 off and the Ambient Sound versions are $50 off. If you’d like a more affordable alternative, the Tozo Wireless earbuds are pretty good, I’ve bought them twice (they still worked, I just lost one) and they’re on sale for just $19! That’s 53% off the list price.

Up to 43% off a Lodge pre-seasoned cast iron skillet

From CB: If you’re like me and have been too chicken to try cooking on a cast iron skillet, now is the time to pick one up from trusted brand Lodge. Their cast iron skillets are on sale for up to 43% off, with their 9 inch skillet now priced at under $19. What a great gift this would make. These have over 107,000 ratings, 4.7 stars and the same score on ReviewMeta. People say they cook food well once you get used to them and that the cleanup is a breeze. “No stick. No cleanup. Just a quick hot water rinse with a brush in case something got left on the pan.” ” I love cooking with cast iron and this pan appears strong, long-lasting, and very practical. As is typical of cast iron, it will be easy to cook on, serve, clean and store.”

25% off Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

From CB: Laneiege Lip Sleeping Mask is a fan favorite for good reason and you can get it now in the berry, gummy bear and mango versions for $6 off. This would make a great gift for just about anyone. I’ve had the berry version for a long time and I love how soft it makes my lips feel. This listing has over 3,600 ratings, 4.7 stars and a B on Fakespot. Reviewers say it’s the best lip mask and gloss and that it helps hydrate and repair chapped lips. “I love Laneige lip masks! They’re my all time favorite! Haven’t found one I like better yet. & I’m a lip mask junkie! I have tried them ALL!” “My lips have been so dry now that the heat is on at home. They’ve been peeling and splitting and it doesn’t help that I pick at them. I’ve tried so many lip balms that have helped so I was reluctant to try this but I bought vanilla because I was afraid the other flavors would be too sweet. I love this. My lips are better and softer even though I’ve only been using it for less than a week.”

$15 off Crest Whitening Strips

From Rosie: I’m a huge fan of the Crest Whitening Strips because I’ve seen really good results after using them. They’re so expensive, though, so I always try to pick them up when there’s a coupon or they’re on sale. They have a 4.6 star rating, almost 2,500 reviews, and a B on Fakespot. People who use them also love their results. “Out of all the whitening strips I’ve tried, these are hands down the best, nothing else comes close.” “These teeth whitening strips have been a game-changer for my teen. I highly recommend giving them a try if you’re looking to enhance your teeth’s appearance.” “I am one hundred percent satisfied with my purchase. Noticeable change in color from first use.”

40% off rechargeable walkie talkies for kids

From Rosie: My son was given this set as a birthday gift a few years ago and they get so much use, whether he’s using them with his brother, cousins, or neighborhood friends. They’re currently on sale for 40% off. There are eight different color options. They have a 4.5 star rating, more than 4,800 reviews and an A on Fakespot. Users have found they work great for all different types of activities. “We got these for camping and our other travels. When we split up we can still talk to each other without using up our phone batteries. These are great even when our phones are out of service!” “The best gift ever, our boys, ages 7 & 5, love them. It’s great that they are rechargeable & that they come with lanyards so you can carry them hands free.” “We took our grown kids on a cruise this March and these crazy things that we’re supposed to be a joke ended up being very very useful and our kids loved them!”

$6 off a multi-functional popcorn maker

From Rosie: Our family was given a popcorn maker earlier this year and we’ve really gotten into making popcorn with it. I even bought sampler packs of different flavor toppings so everyone can personalize their bowl. This particular one looks so cool! It makes a ton of popcorn, has a built-in butter melting tray and can be nested for easy storage. It comes in three different colors and two different sizes (only the smaller one is on sale). It has a 4.5 star rating, more than 3,000 reviews, and an A on Fakespot. People love how easy it is to use and make delicious popcorn. “Absolutely Fantastic. Great Value and easy to use for freshly made popcorn. Really brilliant and thoughtful design for popcorn lovers.” “This is great. I love popcorn and this is an awesome way to have movie theater popcorn at your home whenever you like! The best part is putting butter on the top to melt down into the popcorn while it pops. Once it’s finished, just flip it and you have your popcorn in a bowl ready to go!”

50% off a two-pack of micellar water for sensitive skin

From Rosie: CB and I have both recommended the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water before and I stand by my love of it. As luck would have it, a two-pack is currently on sale for 50% for Cyber Monday! It has almost 37,000 reviews and 4.5 stars on ReviewMeta. Users rave about how effective it is at removing their makeup while also leaving their skin feeling good. “I love how gentle and effective this micellar water is in removing makeup, dirt, and impurities from my skin. It effortlessly wipes away even the most stubborn waterproof makeup, leaving my skin feeling clean and refreshed without any residue. Unlike some other makeup removers, it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin or leave it feeling dry.” “It works great. Really gentle but takes off all my makeup in a few quick rubs.” “My daughter will only use this on her skin to remove makeup. It’s the only thing that doesn’t cause her to break out as she has sensitive skin.”

Thanks for reading and commenting on our affiliate post! If you make any purchases through these links we get a small percentage and appreciate it.

Piers Morgan has been obsessed with the Duchess of Sussex for years. Morgan is a rancid bigot and a deranged stalker, and for years he used his platform as co-host of Good Morning Britain to smear and disrespect Meghan. Everything came to a head in March 2021, following the Sussexes’ Oprah interview. Piers lost his everloving mind on air, and when he was called out on air, Piers stormed off in a huffy tantrum. He lost his job at GMB, but for a while, he still had a Daily Mail column, one which he used to denigrate and attack Meghan. Piers also bragged (around the same time) about members of the royal family “thanking” him for what he said about Meghan. Now Omid Scobie has revealed the royal who thanked him.

Queen Camilla reached out to Piers Morgan to thank him for calling Meghan Markle a “Pinocchio Princess,” a royal expert has alleged. Author Omid Scobie claims in his new book, “Endgame,” that Camilla appreciated the former “Good Morning Britain” host questioning whether Markle, 42, really experienced suicidal thoughts before she and Prince Harry stepped down from the royal family in 2020.

Back in March 2021, Morgan, 58, tweeted that he “wouldn’t believe [Meghan] if she read me a weather report.”

Morgan left “GMB” that same month after viewers — including Markle herself — complained over the coverage.

Morgan then referred to Markle as “Princess Pinocchio” in a column for the Daily Mail.

According to Scobie, Camilla approved of Markle’s nickname and sent a message to Morgan to thank him for “defending the Firm.”

Scobie claims a royal palace aide then told him that Camilla would never publicly address the matter or “speak ill of others,” but said there was was “gratitude” that “somebody was standing up” to Markle’s claims.

[From The NY Post]

This is really disgusting. I remember this era of Piers’ rants and they were indefensible, just the most bigoted, nasty, misogynistic bloviating ever. He was so disgusting, his post-Oprah-interview comments received some of the highest number of complaints in ITV history. The fact that Camilla was like “no, he’s a bold truth-teller, not an unhinged bigot” speaks volumes about her character and world-view.

Also, as the Telegraph reported, Scobie also included details about how close-minded Camilla is about food. A former aide told Scobie: “Even gluten-free or dairy-free options on a restaurant menu irk her.” Like… does Camilla not realize that those are just options? She doesn’t have to eat gluten-free?

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

Omid Scobie’s Endgame has extensive reporting on several incidents of Prince William directly or indirectly briefing against the Sussexes. It’s 2023 and we’re basically in Year Seven of this story, because the dividing line of when this all began was when Prince Harry met then-Meghan Markle in 2016. As soon as Harry scored such a beautiful, glamorous, accomplished woman, William’s brain broke and he’s been seething with rage and jealousy ever since. My point is that long-time Sussex watchers know that William has briefed against Harry and organized specific stunts to “one-up” the Sussexes, but Scobie’s got extensive receipts and even some new information about who organized what and when (and why). Well, the Kensington Palace Clownshow decided to organize a huffy piece in the Daily Mail about how they have NEVER briefed against Harry, thank you very much.

Friends of the Prince of Wales last night blasted ‘outrageous’ suggestions that he briefed against his own brother after the latest round of claims by the writer dubbed ‘Meghan’s mouthpiece’. Supporters leapt to the defence of the future king, expressing their anger and frustration that Omid Scobie was ‘peddling’ what they described as conspiracy theories ‘dressed up as fact’ ahead of the publication of his new book tomorrow.

In extracts from Endgame, his second book attacking the Royal Family – as well as interviews to publicise it – Scobie has suggested that William ‘prioritised his loyalty to the monarchy’ over his brother and actively leaked information about Harry and Meghan to undermine them. Kensington Palace has remained silent on the furore, but the frustration of those loyal to William was clear. One told the Mail that Scobie’s depiction of the heir to the throne was the ‘very opposite’ of William’s personal mantra.

‘He has always been very tight-lipped when it comes to his family and made clear to anyone within his orbit that he would not do ‘deals’ with the media,’ they said. ‘Like Harry, he is scarred by his childhood experiences, seeing his mother and father engaged in what was dubbed ‘the war of the Waleses’. He never wanted history to repeat itself. That was something that he and Harry were meant to be united on.’

Another added: ‘It’s one thing writing a critique of the Royal Family. That’s freedom of expression. But it’s another thing to peddle conspiracy theories dressed up as fact. The suggestion that [royal aides] were briefing negative stories [about Harry and Meghan] is totally fabricated. It just didn’t happen. The truth is that everyone was walking on eggshells practically from the engagement trying to keep them happy.’

In his latest interview, with The Sunday Times, Scobie breathlessly describes William as a hot-headed, power-hungry man who has become increasingly willing to allow the Palace to deploy dirty tricks. Aside from the prince occasionally being prone to the famous Windsor temper, those who know him well say it would be anathma to him.

The author also paints the Princess of Wales as an under-achiever, who is too scared of putting a foot wrong to stick her head above the parapet.

‘That will really wind William up,’ said another source. ‘He’s immensely proud of what his wife has achieved. The princess has been the driving force behind a great deal of their work, particularly when it comes to bettering mental health.’

[From The Daily Mail]

“The princess has been the driving force behind a great deal of their work, particularly when it comes to bettering mental health.” As we’ve noted here at this blog, Heads Together basically died the moment Harry moved away. William and Kate still do vague projects under the banner of “mental health,” but the cause is definitely MIA at the Kensington clownshow. As for William’s “friends” crying about how William would never, ever brief against Harry… as I said, Scobie provides several richly detailed stories about how that’s completely false. Having read an embargoed copy of Endgame, it’s fascinating that William is mostly concerned (at the moment) with this part of the book. There are much worse parts for Peg.

Photos courtesy of Instar, Backgrid, Avalon Red.

Omid Scobie’s Endgame will be released tomorrow, but some outlets have gotten their hands on sanctioned excerpts or given special advanced access. I was lucky enough to read a copy over the holiday weekend, but I can’t use it as a source yet, which is why I’m going with reporting from other outlets. My “no spoiler” adherence to the NDA means that I’m going to try to give some context for this stuff, like the whole “Meghan named two racist individuals” story and “Meghan wants no part of the soap opera” story. Here are the secondary-source stories:

Meghan’s letters to Charles: Journalist Omid Scobie writes in “Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival” that the Duchess of Sussex wrote private letters to King Charles III, in which she named the two people who took part in those “conversations,” per an advance copy obtained by Page Six.

Prince Harry knows he’s not getting an apology: Scobie quotes the Duke as saying: “I’m ready to forget. Get an apology or explanation? At this point, who cares, right?” But Scobie claims that conversely, the Duchess of Sussex had moved on and would not be extending such olive branches. Meghan, 42, “refuses ‘to dive back into the soap opera’,” he writes in extracts published in Paris Match magazine.

Prince William took down Prince Andrew: He says it was Prince William, 41, who orchestrated the downfall of his uncle, the Duke of York, at the height of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, and who was able to convince his grandmother, Elizabeth II, of punishing her “favourite son”. Meanwhile, the King could not bring himself to hurt his brother. “[He] was in tears because he was afraid for Andrew’s mental health,” Scobie writes. “Charles leads with his head and his heart. William is colder. He wants the job done and he has no problem with casualties along the way.”

[From The Telegraph & Page Six]

What’s crazy about reading the “leaks” and excerpts, having read the book, is how much of this stuff was cherrypicked and left context-free because the British media is still so focused on all things Sussex. The story about Meghan and Charles writing letters to each other after the Oprah interview was a story revealed this year, just weeks before the coronation. What was fascinating is the context for Scobie’s big reveal that Meghan “named” two people – the context being, that Charles’s operation leaks like a sieve and some leaks are designed to punish Charles, not the Sussexes (or the Sussexes are merely collateral damage). But news at seven, Meghan knows exactly who said what and she had no qualms about naming the individuals privately.

As for the stuff about Harry understanding that he won’t get an apology versus Meghan not wanting to be drawn into the soap opera… those are two sides of the same coin. Harry is resigned to the fact that his father cannot and will not navigate tricky interpersonal relationships, and Meghan simply doesn’t want to engage with her in-laws’ nonsense anymore.

The William sections of the book are fascinating though. That’s all I’ll say for now!

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Cover Images.

On Friday, the Princess of Wales stepped out in Barnet. She visited the baby bank called Sebby’s Corner. Sebby’s Corner provides diapers, baby essentials and birthday/Christmas gifts for children in need. Kate helped them set up their “Christmas grotto,” and her appearance there was also supposed to encourage people to donate funds, products or gently used items ahead of the holidays. Kate is also taking credit for creating Baby Bank Alliance, which seems to be a network for baby banks across the UK. Will and Kate love nothing more than bringing the gift of bureaucracy to smaller charities. You can see the Sebby’s Corner website here, it already seems well-run.

Shockingly, Kate did not show up empty-handed to the baby bank. That’s her thing, that’s her princess signature, showing up empty-handed to refugee centers, baby banks and food banks. This time, she brought fifty copies of her favorite children’s book, The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark. Which is nice, although I’m sure diapers, bottles and strollers probably would have been more welcome. Still, she didn’t come empty-handed so maybe this overgrown toddler is learning.

As for her outfit… the Meghan cosplay is off the charts, and what’s even worse is that Kate looks so much better when she does wear one of her “Meghan outfits.” Remember how the British press despised the fact that Meghan wore brown so often? Well, they’re full of praise for Kate’s “autumnal look.”

Meanwhile, Kate and William will be the royals in attendance at this year’s Royal Variety Show on November 30. They will be joined by Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, possibly because Swedish pop star Zara Larsson will perform at this year’s Royal Variety. The awkwardness will be off the charts, I have no doubt.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images.

Omid Scobie gave an excellent interview to the Sunday Times this weekend, just ahead of the publication of Endgame on Tuesday. Scobie is absolutely trying to clarify some of the poorly-translated book excerpts which came from Paris Match, but he’s not on his back heel. Everything in Endgame is said with his whole chest, and as he writes in Endgame, he knows he’s burning a lot of bridges and he’s fine with that. It needed to be done. This Times piece is an interview, but it also summarizes some of the selected highlights from Endgame. Having read an embargoed copy of Endgame, I find it fascinating to watch which sections have been cherrypicked as super-controversial, meanwhile Scobie wrote about even bigger controversies which have (thus far) been ignored. You can read an archived copy of this Times piece here. Some highlights:

Did Meghan contribute to his book at all? “No, and I’m not her friend,” he says firmly. “I didn’t interview her for this book.” Nevertheless his perceived connection to Meghan has brought him racist abuse, social media pile-ons and death threats. “I’m very aware that I’m quite disliked in Britain. The way anything about me is said is as if I’m just the absolute worst person. I have mutual friends with [Meghan], and that definitely helps with getting information and breaking details,” he says, but, no, he’s not on the Sussex payroll. No, he’s not sleeping on the sofa at their mansion in Montecito.

The Sussexes are “in a good place”. “We have to remember that this is a couple that — this is just my own opinion — seem to have bonded over their shared traumas, experiences and battles that they’ve faced together against others. That kind of bond is much tougher to break than anything else.”

William’s machinations: William is a “hot-headed” company man who is “increasingly comfortable with the Palace’s dirty tricks and the courtiers who dream them up”. Scobie claims it is William who, through his loyal aides and press relationships, has painted his younger brother as mentally fragile. “The side of it that a lot of people don’t know, or within our industry have known but chosen not to report, is just how involved William has been in many of the things that have gone out about his own brother,” Scobie claims.

Kate is infantilized: Kate is portrayed as a woman terrified to do anything more than grinning photo ops. She reportedly had to be gently coaxed into appearing on Blue Peter in 2019. “In the coverage of Kate we infantilise her massively so the bar is always lower. The small achievements that we’ve seen from the Princess of Wales wouldn’t perhaps be noticed if it was from another member of the royal family, but with Kate it’s like ‘wow!’” Part of the Waleses’ strategy now, Scobie says, is to take Harry and Meghan on at their own game and focus on winning over the US. More trips, more press.

Crisis moment for the Windsors: “We are at this pivotal moment in time where the future of the royal family as we know it is in a crisis. That crisis being a lack of interest from young people, an apathy, a growing republican movement, questions over whether the family still uphold the morals and values of the crown that the Queen did such a great job of. But when you look at the cast of characters … it has been questionable.”

Royal jingoism: “To stay relevant, the system, in an almost Trumpian twist, leans on patriotism — even jingoism — to shore up its purpose,” he writes. It’s punchy stuff. “Rather than ever facing or confronting challenges of modern times, whether that is diversity or other social issues, the institution of the monarchy regularly turns away from that, and relies on support for things of the past as opposed to widening the following of the royal family,” he says.

William & Charles are out of sync, he says. “It would have been nice to see them come together on certain projects perhaps in the early years, to put on that united front, but they’re all working in silos.”

QEII’s people didn’t think Charles had what it takes: Before Queen Elizabeth II died, palace aides reportedly suggested that Charles didn’t have, in Scobie’s words, “the moxie or the vision for the family’s next chapter”.

Meghan’s next steps: One source in the book says she is working on “something more accessible … something rooted in her love of details, curating, hosting, life’s simple pleasures, and family”. A friend of Meghan’s told Scobie that the former actress is “busy working on creating something safe and timeless”. “I still don’t quite understand what that business project will be because, as I spoke to people while writing the book, it changed about five times. So we’ll see,” Scobie says. Her priority is apparently “business and philanthropy”, but since Netflix added Suits to its catalogue, the show that launched Meghan’s career has been a hit all over again. Scobie imagines there could be a cameo role for her in the coming spin-off, if she’d ever bite.

Whether Harry is sleeping in Montecito hotels: “I know a lot of people that know them, that are in their world, or their space, and I’ve just never come across anything of the sort,” he says, pointing out that the couple have a “massive guesthouse” at their disposal. “If you wanted to spend a night away, you don’t have to go as far as some janky hotel in Montecito town centre.” Harry’s British posho social circle back in Britain shrank when Meghan appeared and, Scobie says, “it only continues to get smaller as some of those friends, who were also friends with Prince William, have picked their sides”. He reportedly has a small group of pals in America. “The narrative that this is some friendless loser that now … is all alone and only has his wife to boss him around — it’s make-believe cartoon at this point.”

Could William be our final king? “It would take a lot to dismantle the British royal family. But could William be the last king as we know it? Absolutely.” He believes that the Windsors reduced to tourist attraction is a genuine danger, but that such a fate can be avoided if they kick into gear. “The book isn’t hammering the final nail in the coffin. It’s just a reality check.”

[From The Times]

Yeah, my takeaway from the book wasn’t that the monarchy will be done and dusted in the next decade, but that the left-behind Windsors can’t manage their way out of a paper bag, and they’re too busy tripping over their d-cks to notice that their relevancy, popularity and national/global standing diminishes with each year. There won’t be one atomic bomb which ends the British monarchy, it will be death by a thousand paper cuts. The “infantilized Kate” thing is correct, but I actually do think Scobie pulled his punches a little about Kate. He called her lazy, childish and hypocritical, for sure. But she’s a lot worse than that.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by People Magazine (@people)

We have a champion! NBC aired the 22nd National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day (after the Parade). This year the short-in-stature but mighty-in-spirit Sealyham terrier won Best in Show, thanks to an outstanding performance by three-year-old Stache. I had never heard of the Sealyham breed of terrier, but the American Kennel Club tells me they were bred by a Welsh landowner in the 1800s who wanted the perfect terrier to drive off otters from the waters of his estate, named Sealy Ham. What a quintessentially British story. Anyway, Stache likely took this victory in stride, as it marks his 49th Best in Show win across many competitions. Damn, Stache is one helluva catch.

Stache, a Sealyham terrier, has won Best in Show at this year’s National Dog Show.

The cream colored male, with long hair sweeping down from his broad forehead, beat out six other finalists at the annual canine competition, hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and broadcast by NBC on Thanksgiving Day.

Stache, who is barely as tall as the judge’s knees, had to crane his neck to look at the silver platter he had just won. His handler, Margery Good, smiled broadly when accepting the award.

“He just gave a wonderful performance,” she said. “He stretched his little short legs and hands and flew around this ring.”

Stache defeated a group that included a German shepherd, a Great Dane, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, a Shih Tzu and an Azawakh, a hound originating from West Africa. A Dalmatian named Pumpkin won second place, known as Reserve Best in Show. Up to 2,000 dogs from across more than 200 breeds and varieties competed in this year’s event. There were only 165 breeds shown at the first National Dog Show in 2001.

Stache’s registered name is GCHP Goodspice Efbe Money Stache. He lives in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, not far from where he picked up today’s prestigious award. Ahead of this win, Stache was the No. 2-ranked Terrier and No. 12-ranked All-Breed show dog in America. He has won 49 Best in Show prizes.

The American Kennel Club describes the Sealyham terrier as “brave and spirited, but not as spiky as small terriers.” It says they are sturdy and outgoing companions with a sly sense of humor.

It’s estimated that over 20 million animal lovers watched this year’s National Dog Show, according to Purina, which presented the show.

[From NPR]

I need more information on how this “sly sense of humor” manifests in Sealyham terriers. What, do they tie your shoelaces together under the table, throw a wink to the fourth wall and walk away? You can’t just drop in a descriptor like that and not give me examples! And for those who are wondering (like I did): no, Stache isn’t suffering from bangs trauma, the hair is supposed to be brushed down the forehead for competing Sealyham terriers. Congratulations to Stache and all the other finalists. Reserve Best in Show winner Pumpkin the Dalmatian really is a stunner with those rich spots and soulful face. Yaro the Azawakh is giving me real supermodel vibes, and seemed to trot along with an attitude of “I will SLAY next year.” And Comet the Shih Tzu, well, she just looks like a f—ing diva. And I mean that as a compliment.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marlo Thomas (@marlothomas)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nala & Yaro Yates (@showdog_nala)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Variety (@variety)

Before then-Meghan Markle met Prince Harry, she was a successful working actress on a popular cable drama. She was happy, moderately famous, making good money and well-respected in her industry and beyond. She got free clothes, she ran in elite circles, she traveled by private plane, she could afford to give herself an eat, pray, love summer. After two years of living in the UK, the Duchess of Sussex was likely clinically depressed and lived some of the darkest moments of her life, including contemplating suicide after being targeted by a palace-authorized smear campaign. She left that country, painstakingly built a new life for herself, and has spent the past four years healing and thriving. But, according to Richard Eden, Meghan is nothing more than a Hollywood wannabe because the Windsors are “24 carat celebrities.”

Meghan Markle now looks more like a Hollywood ‘wannabe’ than a member of the Royal Family, says Richard Eden. Writing in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter, Eden suggests that, in moving away from Britain, the Duchess of Sussex has turned her back on a life of genuine celebrity. And that success no longer lies within her own hands.

‘While the Princess of Wales stole the show in a striking scarlet cape coat as she greeted South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol at the start of his state visit to Britain, Meghan was courting the cameras on a red carpet in Los Angeles,’ he writes. ‘The contrast was striking. Members of the Royal Family walk down a red carpet when the other guests at a film premiere or theatrical first night have already taken their seats. But here was Meghan, who would have joined Catherine at the opulent state banquet at Buckingham Palace, instead walking down the carpet at the Power Of Women event.’

Unaccompanied by Prince Harry, writes Eden, Meghan ‘couldn’t have looked less regal… just another celebrity waiting to be interviewed by a reporter for Variety magazine. She posed for photographers like the wannabe starlet she once was, before being rushed along impatiently by another guest. Her interview emphasised that success is no longer in her own hands. She talked about the unnamed “exciting” new projects that her television company, Archewell Productions, “can’t wait to announce”. But if and when she does announce them will depend entirely on their paymasters at Netflix.’

It is all rather different from her brief time as a working royal, he writes – a time when the stars would line up to meet her, not the other way round.

‘Has there been any week in which it was demonstrated more vividly what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex threw away when they quit royal duties in 2020 to “find freedom” and find a fortune?’

[From The Daily Mail]

Eden is just loud and wrong, but one quick fact-check – while Little Red Flashing Hood was making a horse’s ass out of herself in a cartoonish red cape, Meghan and Harry were actually in Canada, checking in the upcoming Invictus Games, watching a hockey game and visiting local charities. Meghan did the Variety event on November 16th, well before Kate flashed the visiting Korean delegation.

As for the rest of it… the Windsors are so utterly desperate to BE celebrities and to have what Meghan already had before she even met Harry – a name, a career, celebrity friends, legitimacy and purpose. King Charles and Camilla literally did a stupid appearance on American Idol during coronation weekend. The Windsors were desperately trying to attach themselves to Meghan when she went to Beyonce’s birthday concert. They’re terrified of the fact that Harry and Meghan are already global celebrities on their own, and that they’re tight with famous and powerful people like Oprah, Tyler Perry, etc.

The part which offended me the most was “Meghan, who would have joined Catherine at the opulent state banquet at Buckingham Palace…” The Windsors were so racist and so scared of Meghan, they didn’t invite her to any state dinners, and at the few state functions she was invited to, they almost always shoved her in the back. In Eden’s delulu vision of “how things would have been if the Sussexes would have stayed,” I can guarantee that Charles, Camilla, William and Kate would have all thrown huge, public tantrums about the very idea of Meghan attending a state dinner. It’s also funny because Kate was far from the star of the Korean tour – after making an ass out of herself during the day, she was pushed off behind a gaudy candelabra at the state dinner. Meghan could have had all of this…

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images and Variety’s IG.