More than a year after Hurricane Katrina decimated the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Brad Pitt co-founded an organization called Make It Right NOLA. The idea was that he would bring in cutting-edge environmentally-friendly architects and green technology to make new affordable home in New Orleans, and people could get mortgages on those homes. It took years, but MIR NOLA made dozens of homes. People got mortgages and moved into those homes. Then the problems began: toxic mold, shoddy construction, leaks, shoddy material, inhabitable conditions. The MIR homeowners got a lawyer and started a years-long effort to sue Brad Pitt and MIR. Pitt spent years pretending that he had nothing to do with any of it, even though he literally spent years taking credit and all of the glory for the scheme.

Last year, as it appeared that the MIR homeowners would likely be able to finally hold Pitt accountable, a settlement was reached. It was extremely strange at the time – Pitt partnered with Global Green and (it was said) that Global Green was putting up $20.5 million to settle with MIR homeowners. The judge signed off on it and then… things quickly fell apart. Global Green was supposed to do an auction with Pitt soon after the settlement, but it got canceled. There was no evidence that Global Green actually paid the $20.5 million. Now the Hollywood Reporter reports that it was all one big scam, pulled by Global Green chasing for celebrity clout and Brad Pitt trying to escape responsibility for his f–kups. Global Green never had the money.

For the impacted homeowners of New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, the August 2022 announcement that they were one step closer to being made whole — with relief coming in the form of a $20.5 million settlement — was long past due. In the summer of 2022, Global Green USA — another charity with Hollywood connections and a track record of helping rebuild in the region — had announced it would step up to pay and administer the $20.5 million, imminently disbursing the funds. “Hopefully this agreement will allow everyone to look ahead to other opportunities to continue to strengthen this proud community in the future,” Pitt told TMZ, as media outlets spread the welcome news.

But The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the deal has since imploded amid recrimination. History has repeated in the Lower Ninth Ward — and yet another well-intentioned and highly publicized plan for these residents has resulted in failure.

According to previously unreported case files, soon after the pact was announced, Global Green attempted to renege, revealing that despite signing on to the court-approved agreement that stipulated all funding would be provided within 10 days, it never had the money to cover its commitment. Furthermore, the nonprofit, which wasn’t required to show the court it was financially sound, asserted it could not effectively fundraise because Pitt’s ex-wife Angelina Jolie had, in unrelated court proceedings, then recently accused the actor of abusing her and their children.

“I’ve never seen a situation like this, where there was a settlement that fell through because it was an insolvent party that proposed it,” marvels Louisiana State University law professor William R. Corbett, an expert in civil procedure.

Pitt’s team rejects any notion that the actor or his reputation are at all to blame for what’s transpired, contending that Global Green is solely responsible for making a promise it didn’t keep. “Brad had supported Global Green many years ago, so when they approached his team stating ‘$20.5M in funding’ had been secured by their ‘generous donors,’ there was interest in considering their proposal,” a Pitt spokesperson at Hiltzik Strategies responded to THR in a written statement. “Global Green represented themselves as having already obtained these funds and planned to use them toward resolving all claims in the ongoing lawsuit for the benefit of the homeowners.”

The representative added, “It was incredibly surprising for the plaintiffs, the defendants and their counsel to learn that the funds Global Green claimed multiple times were secured had not in fact been committed or raised. It was equally disappointing to discover payment was not made, though the settlement agreement was specifically negotiated to ensure that litigation would continue without prejudice to any parties if the settlement were to fail.”

For his part, Global Green CEO Bill Bridge, who agreed to reply to THR‘s inquiries by email, portrayed his nonprofit as a pure-of-heart entity having been brought into “the snake pit” by a high-stakes, even higher-pressure settlement process that’s left it with mounting legal fees, under a contempt order and scrambling to obtain a court-ordered surety bond to cover the $20.5 million. (A surety is a guarantee of one party’s debt by another.) “Global Green was willing to make every effort to raise the funds, but when it wasn’t fast enough or to the level those parties required, Global Green became the scapegoat for what essentially has been the failure of the parties to resolve the matter,” he explained.

[From THR]

This is just a portion of what THR uncovered – you should absolutely read the full piece if you’re interested in a lot of back-and-forth documentation from lawyers. It sounds like two things were happening at once: Pitt and his team manipulated Global Green into signing all of the documentation to “cover” the $20.5 million settlement cost AND it sounds like Global Green is extremely shady and they consistently overpromise and clout-chase. What I still don’t get – what I’ve never understood – is that Pitt HAS the money. He spends tens of millions on weird f–king design projects in France, he’s sold off his estate in LA, he has sponsorships and side-deals. He has the money, and he needs to pay the people he screwed over in New Orleans. This is obscene.

Oh, and Global Green is leaning in HEAVILY to the narrative that Pitt got them on the hook for the $20.5 million before the FBI report came out last summer – you know, the FBI report on Brad Pitt’s abusive rampage on a private plane in 2016, which left his wife battered and bruised and his children traumatized.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Avalon Red. Cover courtesy of Architectural Digest.

Prince William’s “friends” have been briefing The Daily Beast’s Royalist column for months/years about how much William despises Prince Harry and Meghan. In recent months, those same friends have briefed Royalist that William would prefer that the Sussexes not come to King Charles’s coronation, and that if this was William’s coronation, Harry would not be invited. Recently, those friends also briefed Royalist that William was “baffled” by Harry’s reticence to confirm his attendance. So here we are – Harry is coming to the Chubbly and Meghan is not. What say those sources now? From the latest Royalist column:

The Windsors are relieved: The friend told The Daily Beast: “Charles will be thrilled that Harry will be there. He has always made it very clear that he loves both his sons.” Asked if Charles would be relieved that Meghan was not attending, the friend refused to be drawn, but said, “It’s a reasonable solution. I think everyone will just be relieved that this distraction is now settled.”

Cooler feelings for the Black woman: Harry’s attendance will likely not be without controversy but across the wider family in general, there is still strong affection for Harry, in contrast to the generally cooler feelings towards Meghan. Even Sarah Ferguson, for example, recently told an interviewer that she “does not really know” Meghan. Similarly, although his popularity has plummeted in recent months, there is still significantly greater sympathy and approval for Harry among the British general public than there is for Meghan. Her absence, therefore, massively reduces the possibility of an outbreak of boos among the crowd gathered at Westminster Abbey next month.

William is still incandescent: On Harry’s last visit to the U.K., to attend the opening sessions of a court case he is bringing against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Charles’ side briefed he was “too busy” to meet Harry. It seems hard to imagine, therefore, he will be able to find the time for a chat on the weekend of 6 May. As for a meeting with his brother, forget it: a friend of William’s told The Daily Beast: “Relations are so bad between the brothers that it would be a miracle if they look each other in the eye at Westminster Abbey. No-one thinks they will be meeting up for a quiet pint.”

Betrayed Peg: Sources have told The Daily Beast that Prince William considers his brother betrayed him by the series of revelations and attacks he made on him and Kate in the Netflix series Harry & Meghan and his book, Spare.

No apologies & no contact: The royals insist they have nothing to apologize for and it is understood there has been no direct contact between Harry and his brother or father since he published his book.

[From The Daily Beast]

While Harry made it clear that he wanted his family to apologize for how they treated Meghan, he also made it clear that he wasn’t expecting them to do so. He understands that his family is trash, just as he understands that it’s his “duty” to at least show up for his father in some way. It’s clear (to me) that Harry is doing this to honor his (dogsh-t) father and be the bigger man and Harry’s decision was entirely about Charles and not Camilla or William or Kate. So read this as William’s desperation to be included in Harry’s narrative. William is in the corner, screaming “I won’t have a drink with you, don’t even ask, I AM BIG MAD.” And Harry was like “I don’t even think about you.”

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

The last time the Princess of Wales saw the Duchess of Sussex, Kate went out of her way to stare coldly at Meghan and physically menace Meghan. The entire week-long spectacle of QEII’s funeral blitz meant that Meghan and Kate were in the same general area several times, across several days and events. They barely spoke to each other and Kate mostly looked pissed off or like Chuckles the Clown, grinning hysterically at the thought of all of the jewelry she would now get to wear. To hear Kate tell it though, walking a few yards away from Meghan in Windsor was “one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do.” Wiglet Jesus wept.

Well, now that it’s been confirmed that Meghan will not fly in for King Charles’s Coronation Chaos, how has dear Buttons reacted? With relief, apparently. The poor sausage just couldn’t even handle another run-in with a Black woman. Kate wouldn’t even have a chainlink fence to separate them!

It’s no secret that sister-in-law Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton do not share a warm relationship, and today’s news that the Duchess of Sussex won’t attend King Charles’ Coronation may well be a welcome relief to the Princess of Wales. Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Harry will attend his father’s big day alone, while Meghan remains behind in California with the couple’s two children Archie and Lili.

And while there will certainly still be tension in the air, Meghan’s absence will reportedly make things a little easier for senior royals.

A royal observer noted: ‘Charles will be pleased. The rest of the family will be relieved that Meghan won’t be there – it would have been particularly uncomfortable for Kate.’

It comes amid reports that Kate found her Windsor walkabout with Harry and Meghan after the Queen’s death ‘one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do’, according to a sensational new royal book.

[From The Daily Mail]

Ah, yes, won’t someone think of poor Kate’s discomfort around Black people? Kate truly believes this is a position which strengthens her image. Black people are props and nothing else, they certainly aren’t members of one’s family.

I acknowledge that a lot of Sussex Squaders are, like, mad that Meghan isn’t going to the coronation because they think Meghan’s absence is exactly what the Windsors wanted? I mean, it’s been clear this whole time that Charles only wanted Harry there and not Meghan or Archie or Lilibet. Charles really put out a sign saying “Whites Only.” As for the rest of the family, they didn’t want Meghan OR Harry there. Instead of parroting those Daily Mail talking points, take a minute and analyze the reality of the optics for a second – Meghan isn’t going because she respects herself too much, because she knows Harry’s family sucks, and because she knows she was not welcome. Think about that – these terrible people (mostly Kate, William and Charles) and their press allies made sure that the entire world knew that they all wanted an all-white coronation. KKKate strikes again.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images, Avalon Red, Buckingham Palace.

From CB: I ordered this really cute dog tag in size medium. It came fast and is just as nice in person. I also got this adjustable webcam stand. You need a webcam with a screw hole at the bottom to mount it. It works great and I no longer have to mess with my webcam before meetings. Here are some more things Hecate and I are looking at on Amazon.

A car phone holder you won’t have to fuss with

From CB: I had a phone holder that fit into my CD player and it was always falling down. I ordered this phone holder and I love it! It was so easy to install, it keeps my phone steady and it’s exactly where I want it. I keep it on my dashboard but it can go on your windshield too. This phone holder is compatible with so many models. It comes with both a suction holder and an adhesive disk. It has over 2,600 ratings, 4.4 stars and a B on Fakespot. Most reviewers like it as much as I do. “I’ve gone through a bunch of dash mounts– either they fall off, don’t leave the phone at a good angle, or the break within months. But this one has the perfect design– you can turn the phone in any direction, the suction is strong, and the mount is solid.” “It is very sturdy and holds heavy phones up well (in our case an iPhone 11 with a case) without much wobble. With the quick-release button on the back it is also super-easy to remove the phone. So it is very convenient for taking in and out of the car.”

A laundry sanitizer without bleach for cleaner, fresher-smelling clothes

From CB: This bestselling laundry sanitizer by Lysol has a whopping 84,000 reviews and 4.8 stars. You add it to the fabric softener compartment so it’s released during the rinse cycle. People rave about how nice their clothes and linens smell after using it. Healthcare workers say it gives peace of mind that their scrubs are disinfected. “This product makes me confident that I’m getting any germs left from traditional washing out of my scrubs. I can’t use bleach on my colored scrubs. I add this to my wash and it takes care of germs and odors. My son works as a cabinet builder and his clothes smell so much better with this product.” “Must have, especially if you have kids or pets, work outdoors, etc. Really helps clean laundry.”

Light Compression socks for better circulation and reduced swelling

From CB: I looked through so many listings for compression socks and most had very low Fakespot ratings. These women’s mild compression knee socks by Dr. Scholl’s have over 9,400 ratings, 4.4 stars and a B on Fakespot. They range in price from $7 to $11 and come in two size ranges and in different colors and stripes. Reviewers say they’re more comfortable than other brands and many have bought multiple pairs. These are said to be easy to put on and to reduce swelling and pain. “These socks really help with swelling from pregnancy (37 weeks currently). These socks don’t cut into your skin or feel too tight. The material is also lightweight and feels cooling. Comfortable enough to wear to sleep all night.” “Not too tight, just right for long days on my feet. I only bought one pair-don’t make my mistake-buy 2 or 3 at a time it’s worth it your legs will thank you!”

Three Venus sensitive skin disposable razors for just $7

From CB: Razors are expensive and can cause razor burn and irritation. This set of three triple-blade disposable razors for sensitive skin by trusted brand Gillette Venus is just $7. These have over 20,000 ratings and 4.6 stars. People say they give a smooth shave and don’t irritate or cut their skin like other razors. “These are my favorite disposable razors. They work and my legs feel like silk after my shower (and after I apply lotion). Close shave every time.” “I like that it was easy to handle it didn’t give me razor bumps like most razors usually do this one is a keeper.”

Popular low-heeled shoes that are both comfortable and stylish

From Hecate: I’ve seen this plastic braided shoe everywhere and I think they’re cute for springy and summery clothes. While I like them in neutrals, I really like them in pastels. I love the square nose of this version too. I got them in lavender and love how they look under my white linen slacks. But they come in 28 different colors so you should be able to find something you like. This one has a 3” heel and costs $40. They have 4.3 stars from over 2,500 reviews. Customers like them because the fat heel makes them comfortable, “The straps are puffy and comfortable, the heel is sturdy and a great height that is still comfortable.” A lot of people with wide feet said these were really comfortable for them, “I was a little skeptical since these have the bands and I have wide feet, but I decided to give these a try. They fit like a dream!”

A flexible styling cream for better hair days

From Hecate: I am a recent convert to styling creams, gels and mousses. I should clarify, I was heavily into all the above in the ‘80s, it was practically required by law. Since I hacked all my hair off, I’ve been trying everything to make it look like something I can live with. I like this Rusk wired gel because it’s flexible, so your hair won’t feel lacquered. It can also be used with or without blow drying. It is for a more pliable set, so if you need a stiff gel, this might not be your product. But for everyday ‘dos that won’t dry your hair out, this is a nice gel. And it’s only $17 a tube. It has 4.5 stars from over 3,000 reviews and a B on Fakespot. A lot of customers love how well it works on frizz, “Scent & light texture helps tame my Frizzys!” Many people commented on the scent, which is quite light. And it’s apparently great for thickening as well, “I have thin fine hair, and this product is great for thickening.”

An anti-aging hand cream with sunscreen

From Hecate: As my mother warned me, the hands are the first to go. And mine are starting to look like my mothers. So now I’m trying to do whatever I can to stop the damage, which may be putting too much pressure on this Gold Bond Age Anew hand cream. Gold Bond puts out good lotions so I have faith in it. Plus it has sunscreen, which was a real game changer for my face cream. And it’s only $8 and on sale for $6 this week. It has almost 1,000 reviews, 4.5 stars and a B on Fakespot. Many of those leaving reviews had very dry hands, so I’ve found my people, “ I love it because it works well for my dry hands. Buy it. Easy to carry in your purse or put in your car.” Just a bit of a warning, it’s more of an outside cream, and not when you’re doing computer stuff, “The product is good but the formulation is dense, ideal if you are going outside.”

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In 2018, then-Prince Charles walked his daughter-in-law down the aisle at her wedding. Charles wanted to do it, and he openly briefed the media about his desire for then-Meghan Markle to ask him to fill that role after her father faked a heart attack. In the years since that moment, Charles stayed silent as Meghan was racially abused by his press allies. He and Camilla also briefed/lied to friendly media outlets about Meghan’s behavior and Harry’s behavior. Charles pulled the Sussexes’ security in 2020, knowing the dangerous threats against them. He evicted them from the home they paid for. He banned Meghan from Balmoral on the day QEII passed away. He also didn’t invite Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to his coronation, and he made it clear (through briefs and leaks) that he didn’t even want Meghan there. The man hung up a “Whites Only” sign outside of Westminster Abbey, but his media allies still think that Meghan is “snubbing” Charles by not coming to the coronation.

Meghan Markle has turned down an invite to the Coronation. Prince Harry will attend but she will stay in the US, despite Charles stepping in to walk her down the aisle at her wedding in 2018. A source said: “It’s sad but the King understands the situation.”

King Charles is understood to be “happy” Harry is attending the Coronation but has “some disappointment” he will not see Meghan or two of his grandchildren.

Five years ago, Charles stepped in at the last minute to walk Meghan down the aisle when her dad Thomas had a heart attack and pulled out of her wedding at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. A source told The Sun: “The King is happy that Harry, his son, who he calls his ‘darling boy’ will be at the Abbey. He wanted him there. It is sad, he is very disappointed that he won’t see Meghan or his grandchildren but understands the situation.”

Harry is expected to stay at Frogmore Cottage for the last time before he moves out. He will not have a formal role in the Coronation. It is not thought he will be in either of the processions between the Palace and Abbey, or appear with the King and Queen on the balcony. And it is understood he will not attend the concert at Windsor Castle, nor Sunday’s Big Lunch.

Yesterday’s announcement ends months of speculation and means organisers can finalise arrangements. The Sun understands the seating plan was at an advanced stage and can now be signed off. Three of Camilla’s grandchildren and her great nephew will appear as pages as will Prince George. US TV networks are expected to broadcast from the Abbey meaning Meghan could still watch.

Rob Jobson, author of upcoming book Our King: The Man and the Monarch Revealed, said it was now unlikely Meg will attend another official Palace event. He said: “It is good news that Harry has accepted the invite and will be there to support his father. It is the most pragmatic move in a difficult situation and Harry has got it right. He would deeply regret it if he didn’t attend the biggest day of his father’s life. But the fact his wife is not attending means it is now highly unlikely we will ever see her attend an official or Palace event again — apart from maybe the King’s funeral.”

Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine, said: “It is a double insult to her father-in-law because he walked her down the aisle in her hour of need and to not attend his Coronation would be considered as rude. I don’t think Meghan wanted to risk being sat in the hinterland at the Abbey. Turning the invite down is rude and unnecessary. If she had any courage she would have attended with head held high.”

[From The Sun]

Again, it’s still especially crazy to me that these are the talking points after Charles made a point of scheduling this fakakta coronation on Archie’s birthday AND made a point of not inviting his mixed-race grandchildren? Meghan isn’t snubbing sh-t – she’s correctly assessing that she is not welcome and she would be in danger if she came. Her dogsh-t father-in-law has never cared about her or protected her. He’s actually gone out of his way to malign her and put her in danger.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, WENN, cover courtesy of The Sun.

As you can imagine – and perhaps experienced yourself – people had a lot of feelings about yesterday’s announcement re: Prince Harry attending the coronation. Sussex-friendly people were disappointed that Harry would go to London solo and royalists were mad that Meghan is “snubbing” (lmao) King Charles. Very few outlets actually tried to explain why Harry and Meghan made this particular decision, so here are two pieces which tried to be reasonable about it. The Telegraph made it sound like Harry is choosing to come because he knew he would regret it if he didn’t, and Meghan simply knew that her presence would overshadow her dogsh-t father-in-law.

But despite a turbulent few months that have also seen the Sussexes evicted from their UK base, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, the Duke wanted to be by his father’s side when he is crowned. He is acutely aware that the historic occasion will be “pretty much the most important day” of the King’s life. In his book, he wrote warmly of his relationship with his “Pa” and later told ITV he would “always love” his father.

Sources suggested that the Duke knew he would always regret it if he turned down the opportunity to be at the Coronation.

While the Duchess has also spoken in glowing terms about her father-in-law, who walked her down the aisle on her wedding day, she is not bound by such ties to the Royal family or to the UK.

Meghan, 41, considers her future to be in the US, and that is very much where she is focused, one friend said.

Her appearance at the Coronation after all that has been said risked overshadowing the celebratory occasion. The Sussexes are also understood to have been concerned about how their attendance might be received by the British public. There is also no love lost between Meghan and the Prince and Princess of Wales. In Spare, the Duke revealed the extent of the froideur between his wife and his sister-in-law.

[From The Telegraph]

“In Spare, the Duke revealed the extent of the froideur between his wife and his sister-in-law” – that was what they got from Spare? That Harry was describing Meghan’s “froideur” with William and Kate? What I got out of Spare was that Harry is really f–king pissed off at William, and William is an emotionally, verbally and physically abusive psycho. But sure. I also believe that Meghan is not “bound” by ties to the Windsors, and that following QEII’s passing, Meghan simply doesn’t give a f–k about these trash people. Speaking of, Page Six also a weirdly pro-Sussex piece:

It would be “inauthentic” for Meghan Markle to go to King Charles’ coronation after all that has happened between her and the royal family — but the Duchess of Sussex fully supports Prince Harry’s decision to attend the ceremony, sources tell Page Six.

“They had to make a decision that felt genuine and authentic, especially after everything that has been said and all the things that have gone down,” an insider familiar with the family says. “The words that Harry and Meghan have said about the importance of their family are lining up with their actions. They care about their family, so Meghan is going to stay [in California] and Harry is going to support his dad.”

Harry’s decision to attend the coronation was a lengthy process that spanned weeks, the insider explains. “It’s a decision they made together as a family.”

Amid reports of Markle’s controlling nature, the insider adds: “If she was super controlling, then she could have made sure that Harry didn’t go. She’s all good, she supports Harry — they both have nothing more to prove.”

We’re told that Harry — who has said that he wanted an apology from his father to himself and Markle — will only make a quick trip to London for the coronation on May 6, which falls on the same day as son Prince Archie’s 4th birthday. Another source who knows the Sussexes tells us: “There is not one right answer. Prince Harry is going to support his dad … and then he’ll be coming home as soon as possible to be with his son. For all the people who say they want to be half in and half out of the royal family, this proves just the opposite.”

The Sussexes, who are now in talks about next projects with Netflix and a host of other work, are said to have moved on from their tumultuous relationship with the working royals.

“They have a comfort in California and an optimism in their future,” the source says. “They’re building a future that is in peace with their family in the UK.”

[From Page Six]

I like the emphasis in both pieces that the Sussexes know their future is in California. It’s not like Harry is going to return for his father’s coronation and suddenly think “I’m going to stay here.” Please, anyone who’s read Spare knows that as soon as that man touches down in England, he immediately misses Meghan and the kids and can’t wait to get back to Montecito. As for the “super-controlling Meghan” narrative – are the racists still doing that? Once again, go to Spare – Meghan follows Harry’s lead, especially when it comes to dealing with the Windsors. My guess is that Harry didn’t want Meghan and the kids anywhere near his family and Meghan was happy to stay home.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images.

All of the royal commentators and royal reporters were waiting for any kind of confirmation from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex regarding their attendance or non-attendance for the coronation. I would guess that most of these pieces had already been pre-written, and the talking points had already been settled long ago. If Meghan came to the Chubbly, the argument would have “how dare she, she’s such a famewhore, no one wants her there, this is disgusting.” If Meghan decided to skip, the argument was always going to be “how dare she, she’s missing such an important day, she’s making it all about her absence!” OH WELL! Please allow the most “Karen” of all the reporters analyze Meghan’s absence- Camilla Tominey has rage-barfed another column in the Telegraph and it’s just as unhinged as you would imagine.

An open secret!!! For the truth is, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have known for months that this was the way they were going to broach the May 6 ceremony. Among their Montecito set, it has been an open secret that Harry was planning to attend without Meghan since Spare hit the bookshelves in January – possibly even earlier. The signs were all there, from the Duchess being almost entirely absent from her husband’s book tour to rumours of disgruntlement at Archie and Lilibet’s apparent exclusion from the Coronation procession.

Egg-throwers? If Meghan wasn’t willing to help Harry to promote his tell-all book about the Firm, then why on earth would she be minded to run the gauntlet of potential egg throwers outside Westminster Abbey on behalf of her “racist” in-laws? Especially after that South Park episode? And in what world would the woman who once told Oprah Winfrey, “The most important title I will ever have is Mom,” be comfortable with skipping her eldest’s fourth birthday in favour of an event that would require her to curtsy not only to her estranged father and mother-in-law – but also her even more estranged brother and sister-in-law?

Meghan never called Kate a cry-monger, but this is too funny: She’s unlikely to be any more enamoured with the idea of bending the knee and bowing her head to “cry-monger” Catherine, the pregnancy-hormone princess.

Meghan was going to be in the cheap seats anyway! Sussex Squadders will insist she took one for the team for fear of “overshadowing” what Harry has described as the biggest day of his father’s life. But more objective observers may point to even greater fears about being placed in the cheap seats alongside their fellow non-working royal, the Duke of York.

Why did the Sussexes wait so long to confirm? Harry’s abject hatred of the media will certainly have played a part. The Duke, who made a surprise appearance at the High Court last month for his claim against Associated Newspapers Limited over allegations of unlawful information gathering, likes nothing more than keeping pesky royal reporters guessing. Even better to see them make predictions that later turn out to be false. Control is key – and in withholding their confirmation for months, Harry and Meghan ensured that the ball remained in their court. The couple seems to relish engaging in games of cat and mouse with the palace – sometimes seemingly against paid advice. On Wednesday night, there was even some confusion over whether they planned to make the announcement themselves initially – before deferring to the palace – or whether the palace planned to announce it all along.

What a heinous way to write about William physically assaulting Harry: Thoughts will now inevitably turn to whether this presents a third – and possibly final – chance for a royal rapprochement. Both sides tried and failed after the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in April 2021, when a family summit did not resolve matters following the Oprah interview. Queen Elizabeth’s funeral last September was similarly unsuccessful with Harry revealing in his memoir that he and William “barely exchanged a word”. When Harry returned for last month’s court case, he was told his father was “too busy” to see him while his brother was not even in London. They will meet for the first time since #dogbowlgate in a little over three weeks’ time.

No apologies: Meghan’s absence may smooth the path to reconciliation – but if Harry is still holding out for a royal mea culpa, it seems highly unlikely he will receive one….Many cannot see how the relationship will ever be repaired, with sources close to the Waleses revealing that they are waiting for “some acknowledgement” of the hurt that has been caused “let alone an apology”. Charles will always be willing to forgive his “darling boy” and suggestions there has been “genuine cooperation” over Harry’s attendance is surely a positive sign.

Peg in a crown: But one gets the distinct impression that when it comes to deciding whether Harry should be let back into the royal fold, William will be the one wearing the Crown come Coronation Day.

[From The Telegraph]

“Among their Montecito set, it has been an open secret” and then “the signs were all there” – which is it? A secret or something for which signs must be intuited? Meghan didn’t decide to stay in Montecito because of a South Park episode or fear of “egg-throwing” – please, Charles is the one getting eggs thrown at him, Charles is the one being threatened with a guillotine, Charles is the one who can’t leave the castle without dozens of protesters with bullhorns loudly screaming “Not My King.” Stop projecting, Cammy. Meanwhile, I halfway agree that the whole curtsey/protocol thing might have been a minor factor in Meghan’s decision, in that Meghan doesn’t want to show medieval-style deference to these racist nutjobs. And Kate IS a cry-monger. Crymonger Keen, queen of buttons and baby brains.

As for Tominey’s reference to “dogbowlgate” – I’m taking that as a threat. Tominey is in with the Crymongers, so they must have briefed her about William’s plan to somehow get Harry alone to physically assault him again. Thanks for bringing that up, Cammy. Harry and his security can keep their eye out for an enraged heir.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Instar.

Now that I’ve had time to think about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision regarding King Charles’s coronation, I don’t really hate it. I didn’t hate it when it was announced either – I was mostly relieved that Meghan and the children were staying away, and that Harry was making it abundantly clear that he was only coming for the “crowning” part and nothing else. We might have some angst about Harry choosing to give into his toxic, racist and abusive relations, but Spare made me understand how much Harry still loves his father and wants peace and understanding from his father specifically. Harry’s attendance isn’t “selling out” Meghan or her experience in any way, in my opinion – he’s going because he’s the bigger man and because his father made a point of including him.

Of course, Charles also made a point of excluding Meghan, Archie and Lilibet. The palace made it clear that while Meghan was invited, they hoped she would not come. The palace also made it clear that the Sussexes’ children were not invited whatsoever. So I do judge Harry a bit for agreeing to go to this clownshow when his family is still disrespecting his wife and their children. As for Meghan… Scobie reports that Archie’s birthday was Meg’s biggest priority.

I understand that Archie’s fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple’s decision. Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) April 12, 2023

I hope Meghan and the kids are surrounded by love, friends and cake on May 6th. I hope she throws a party for Archie and all of his little friends come and all of Meghan’s friends come and they just do it that way. Then they can do a family celebration when Harry returns, probably the next day. Meanwhile, the British media is trying to make “Meghan snubbed the Windsors” into a thing, like these people didn’t go out of their way to harass her, smear her and threaten her for years.

Wednesday’s announcement that Harry will attend, without Meghan and their children, Prince Archie, three, and Princess Lilibet, one, will probably fuel the narrative that difficulties between the couple and the palace remain very real, with some undoubtedly interpreting Meghan’s decision to stay away as a snub.

But some believe the decision for Harry to attend alone could be to be down to a failure in negotiations, with the Sussexes not being able to get what they want. With the invitation going out a month ago, “it seems the result of the best part of a month’s discussions and negotiations have not worked,” said the royal historian and author Robert Lacey. The invitation had been on the table for a month, so negotiations were likely, said Lacey, “because it was possible for the Sussexes to reply a month ago”.

As non-working royals, it has been reported that the Sussexes were not expected to play any formal part in the Westminster Abbey ceremony, including any appearance on the palace balcony, though the palace has not confirmed this. Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales will play a prominent role as heir, and his son Prince George, nine, has a substantial role as one of the pages of honour to the king.

Negotiations might have faltered on where the Sussexes could expect to be seated, or whether they should be included in the carriage procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. The Waleses, the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and her husband, the Gloucesters and the Duke of Kent and his sister Princess Alexandra are understood to be part of that procession.

Harry was reportedly not happy over his seating at the Queen’s platinum jubilee service, said Lacey. “It’s all about negotiating over the Abbey equivalent of Siberia as to where Harry was going to be seated,” he added. “There are invitations. And there are invitations,” said Lacey, adding that the seating plan “may have been the substance of what has not been resolved to their [the Sussexes’] satisfaction”.

After Spare’s publication, the king had “acted with a combination of firmness and conciliation”, said Lacey. Firmness in ending the couple’s lease arrangement of Frogmore Cottage, and conciliation “in that he made clear early on that they were both welcome at his coronation”.

“In view of what has happened, it is hardly surprising; the book, the Oprah interviews, the Netflix documentaries, they were sustained attacks on the family itself and on the monarchy. And, especially, an attack on the new queen. For the king to offer an invitation in those circumstances was good-hearted and forgiving. But the Sussexes clearly weren’t offered enough,” he said. On the other hand, he said, it could be seen in a positive light. “The fact Harry is coming could be said to be a fruitful compromise. It actually says quite a lot of hopeful things, considering what Harry has said about his father, and his apparent condemnation of his father, and his being willing to put that aside. So, it could be a step forward.”

[From The Guardian]

The British people/commentators obsessing over their completely tragic little status symbols remains one of the most bonkers things I’ve ever seen. They won’t be allowed on the balcony! They won’t be seated in the front row! They won’t ride in a bumpy procession! Literally no one cares but the people who invented these grim little status events. All of which to say, it’s extremely stupid to believe that Meghan refused to go to the coronation because of the seating chart.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

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Kieran Culkin is SO GOOD as Roman Roy, the youngest brother of the Roy clan on HBO’s Succession. Roman is twitchy, weird, dysfunctional and formerly obsessed with J. Cameron Smith’s Gerri, a surrogate mommy and Roman’s would-be work-wife. I always thought Kieran got the role because he was secretly a lot like Roman, but no – I’ve seen interviews with him and while he does have that twitchy Roman-esque energy, he’s actually happily married with two young children at home. He’s just a very good actor doing very good work on Succession. Kieran covers the latest issue of Esquire and he talks about the Culkin family, his brother Macaulay and some Succession gossip too. Some highlights:

He turned 40 years old last year: “I turned forty and everything changed.Get a little paper cut on my finger; nine days later, why do I still have a paper cut? It’s just f–king slow now.”

Saying goodbye to Succession: “I haven’t had a f–king moment to think about how I feel about it. All I know is I feel kind of down. It’s hard to sort of accept. What are the stages of grief? I don’t know which one I’m in right now. Maybe depression or denial. Maybe a little bit of both.”

He bought an apartment in Greenpoint. He and his wife considered leaving the city but “the idea of having a house and cars and trying to figure out the school system and how to commute—that is very easy for most, I’m assuming, but I can’t do that.”

On his brother Macaulay’s child stardom: “Poor f–king guy. He was little and having to try to accept that level of fame as reality. Even at that time, as a kid, I remember thinking, That sucks for him.”

Everything changed for him with 2002’s Igby Goes Down­. People were starting to talk about his career. “I heard that word and flipped out… I had this unhealthy relationship with what I did for a living. I really wanted to do it, but I didn’t want to be successful at it.” He’d skipped a lot of crucial stages of adolescence to work. So just as his career was about to take off, he stepped back to sew up some loose stitches.

How everyone reacted when they were told the fourth season is the last: Sarah Snook lost it and couldn’t really talk to anyone. Matthew Macfadyen, who plays Shiv’s husband, Tom, got choked up, but his response was similar to Culkin’s: At least we have an answer. I can accept that. “I think Brian [Cox, who plays patriarch Logan Roy] had mixed feelings about it, too,” Culkin says. “He was more like, ‘Well, good, we’ve done it.’ But I bet if you said, ‘Would you like a fifth?’ he’d want to.”

Whether he’ll stay in touch with his castmates: He’ll stay in touch with Smith-Cameron, for sure. But everyone else? “I’m not really going to keep up a proper relationship with anybody just because of logistics,” he says with a hint of anguish. He says that Macfadyen lives in London. Braun is bicoastal, yet mostly in Los Angeles. Ruck is in L.A., too. Strong splits his time between Copenhagen and New York but calls Denmark home. Snook is in Australia. Cox, he lives all over the place. “It’s a big, big loss.”

How he feels about his ‘career’ now: “It’s a f–king job,” he says, but “it isn’t just a job, either.” There’s a feeling—he doesn’t say fire or passion because he’d feel like a pretentious a–hole, so he calls it “that thing in the ol’ tum-tums”—that kicks in while he’s working, driving him to give it his all. But also, he says, “Not having a job? Lovely… I would like there to be nothing for a little while… I feel like what I’m supposed to do is be a stay-at-home dad. That’s where I feel like I’m the most me. And anything that takes me away from that is wrong.”

[From Esquire]

It’s interesting, to me, that Kieran might end up like his brother Macaulay – married to someone he adores, raising a tight-knit family and prioritizing being a husband and father over work. Kieran became a father for the first time during Succession’s run – as did Jeremy Strong – and after reading Strong’s interviews and now Culkin’s, I get the sense that Succession took a big chunk out of them for years and they’re both ready to prioritize their families. Anyway, Kieran is a lot sweeter than I expected. He’s not an a–hole like Roman but he shares Roman’s vulnerability.

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Cover & IG courtesy of Esquire.