General Chat

There was a discussion on 'Loose Women' about the problems the Duchess of Sussex is having with being accepted as a member of the Royal Family.

They felt that the problem was that she was of colour but I don't think I agree. It is hardly noticeable that she is of colour at all but it is very noticeable that she is American and so was Wallis Simpson.

I think this is what makes people a bit nervous about her because, in some ways, she does even look a bit similar.

Unfortunately if you read any of the comments on the gutter press articles online, or the less salubrious websites, a lot IS about colour. The language is very offensive. At 'best' there are a lot of comparisons to the "English Rose" blah blah, and why couldn't Harry have found one, and everywhere some very hypocritical comments on her being a divorcee ( Princess Anne is not criticised for her divorce, funny that!).

As for her being like Wallis Simpson, neither the times nor the circumstances are similar, nor her character as far as one can tell, that's just a bit of media nastiness, to appeal to those who are still stuck in some 1930s / 40s timewarp.

The comparison to Mrs Simpson is entirely my own.

I think there is some physical resemblance and she is American and divorced which, I believe stirs something in the national psyche.

She's tall, slim and dark haired, American and a divorcee. Is that all it takes to be perceived as a "threat" to the monarchy?

Sadly too many judgemental, sanctimonious, parochial gossips who will happily trash other people's lives and decisions but whose own lives are best not scrutinised too closely, I find.

Sorry, who, exactly , are these people?

I have no idea Sharron. They are not the type of people I hang around with :-) but you will find them in the comments section on articles on MM generally, or on the bus gossiping, or virtually anywhere sadly.
:-\

If we don't know who they are, there is not much to be done to control their numbers then, even if there are too many of them.

I agree with both of you!

and the reference to Wallis Simpson was made even before they got married by some. But there were also a lot of comments about the American bringing in a breath of fresh air.

I think part of the problem is turning out to be that she is not adapting to what some people think should be happening as the wife of the 7th in line to the throne, and apparently one that Prince Charles is suggested will be a member of the slimmed down Royal Family when (and if) he takes over.

That is, she is maintaining a lot of her American heritage ........... the baby shower, for example, and now the reference in a post on their official site to "the holiday season" and not Christmas.

Humanity has an extraordinary capacity for victimisation & self-righteousness, for turning the spotlight on those who are different.

The aged, those of a different faith or nationality, the sick & the disabled are often turned into social pariahs.

Get rid of whatever separates human beings from being human.

Education Dermot, not of the intellect necessarily but of the heart. So to speak. :-)

Sylvia " Holiday season" is somewhat more in use than it used to be here I think.

I have just been writing cards some of which have "Seasons greetings" in, which helps when there are people you know who will not have a "merry or happy" Christmas due to bereavement or illness (and a couple who celebrate Hanukkah.)

The States do have two holidays in close proximity at this time of year so, I suppose, it is the season for them to have holidays.

If Britain made more of my birthday then they could have the same.

There was a lot of uncertainty in the world when King Edward Vlll abdicated, just as there is now and people really want to have what is wholly familiar to them at a time like that.

Is there any reason why Prince Charles would not become king? The general consensus was that Edward Vll would make a terrible king, his mother certainly thought so, but he did the job rather well.

She gets trolled mercilessly on Facebook

Two media especially post stories that are from so called insider sources or a royal reporter that are really stirring posts against her and the trolls jump on the bandwagon and post some really nasty things attributed to her

It’s maybe these stories that Harry said in the documentary that are untrue and upsetting and they have no way to respond to them

One of the posters tho are associated with the media they are sueing

Sharron ..............

only the fact that his mother is hale and hearty. If he happens to die before her, then he won't become king.

I happen to think he will be a good king!!

Rose ..............

" the (or this) holiday season" is a particularly American saying/greeting, that covers the whole period from about mid November to include American Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year.

Thanksgiving is the biggest festival of them all .............. more Americans travel to get "home" or to relations or even friends, than at any other time, even Christmas. It's by far the busiest time for travelling within the US ....... the airlines love it. Part of the reason is that it is always on the 4th Thursday of November, so people can get a long weekend away "sorry, boss, I couldn't get a plane on Thursday night so I'll have to take Friday off".

On the other hand, Canadian Thanksgiving is always held on the second Monday in October .......... and people are expected in work the next day!

Christmas in the US is more a time of giving more and bigger presents than anyone else ......... no concern as to whether the recipient likes or wants what they are given. The presents are sent by mail as often as delivered in person. We see many of the overwrought US ads up here ............ usually unwillingly!!!


Season's Greetings is a phrase that has been used for a long time, but only around Christmas so far as I know.