Wordsworth

Is it wrong that I read this about the delay to autumn 2021 “The judge said the trial, due to be held in January 2021, was adjourned for "confidential" reasons after a request by Meghan's lawyers.” and immediately assumed Meghan is pregnant and (understandably) doesn’t want to have to travel and go through this? (It’s v wrong of me, I know, no need to answer!) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54734337

I thought she might actually be delighted everyone’s talking about her, the whole no publicity is bad publicity etc. I didn’t realise Kanye was missing though so if that was the plan it worked!

I don’t remember discussing it here but it might have been! I also don’t see how they can take away a rank he earned through actually serving in the armed forces? I thought all that was going was the stuff awarded by virtue of being part of the RF. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I was just reading that there are rumours about Anna and Bill Nighy, as mentioned above. Seems an odd pairing to me but who knows!

Such awful news. I think it’s incredibly brave of them to share it while it must still be so raw.

Now confirmed

We have schools and universities back open here and apparently closing bars earlier is going to help them remain open...there have predictably been outbreaks at a number of unis already due to inadequate social distancing. I think again the uni halls of residence are more of a problem than restaurants at least, although late night in pubs I can see where there’d be an issue.

There’s something quite similar going round in the UK right now, after the kids went back to school and germs are circulating. I’ve had it and my cough was short and for the exact reason you suspect, so fingers crossed!

We aren’t locking them down fully again (not yet) but we are closing them at 10pm, because the virus only attacks after then...! A lot have said they’ll just open earlier to compensate. And this is the trouble with much of the current approach to covid, stuff may be technically within the rules and being encouraged by some parts of government, but regardless it looks terrible on the front page. It also shows the hypocrisy in approach versus H&M, when the latter are getting nonsense bad press for being “too political” right now. But we don’t forget, as seen in this random jogger’s cry:

This daily mail story about Rose Leslie and Kit Harrington also has a whiff of “bump watch” to it...at least the people in the comments think so! https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-8772539/Kit-Harington-wife-Rose-Leslie-make-rare-public-appearance.html

Eugenie is pregnant: https://mobile.twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1309406638634340352?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet and we are having to top up the Queen’s coffers thanks to COVID, which seems.... https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/queen-bailout-coronavirus-sovereign-grant-royal-family-b572508.html

I now see that the Daily Mail have also linked the Frogmore repayment to Netflix money in their headline, so I’d like to confirm that I am not an official source, just bad at jokes.

I am aware that I am influenced in my views by a lifetime of watching the British class and education systems hand out undeserved advantages to the “old boy” network. This seems just like another of those to me. But at least it looks like Harry got the first Netflix instalment payment through https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54062799

I think it does matter, though, when it perpetuates the idea that to be able to have a success like the cookbook, you need the support of a rich benefactor to get noticed - it still doesn’t result in a more level playing field in the end. I’d prefer there to be space for all to have the potential to succeed regardless. Likewise, could Netflix not have used that money to directly take a chance on female or minorities who are trying to make a name for themselves in the business? That could result in actual diversity rather than those of good fortune getting to pick the causes. Sure, it’s better than nothing, but it’s not the statement it could be - to me it seems a short term business decision (as Netflix will rake in money due to the royal connection) rather than an actual commitment to ensuring long term change at this stage. just my opinion, though - and I like that you bring balance to the force Hoya!

I guess the Netflix deal confirms that in the 21st century, it’s still who you are, and not what talent you have, that matters. Unless I’ve somehow missed the acres of fantastic programming they’ve produced that justifies this multimillion pound backing. I don’t think Suits or “my uncle once made It’s A Royal Knockout” counts. I’m a cynic on the longevity front but given how stubborn both Harry and William appear to be, I can see an unwillingness to let go if it does go wrong.

Couldn’t believe it when I read about Chadwick Boseman this morning, such a shock. I’m glad he was able to retain the privacy he clearly wanted.

You can always rely on a British pensioner not to sugarcoat it: https://twitter.com/pcolemanchester/status/1291403378346676225?s=21

Sounds like what I know as a timeshare model? I wonder if members will be able to “rent” to non members.

I love platinum as a metal. My engagement, eternity and wedding rings are all platinum with either emerald or princess cut diamonds. I’ve been married 15 years this year, but with my other half for 25. I too haven’t worn my rings since lockdown - until last week when we went out, and I was shocked by how loose they were. I lost 2.5 stone two years ago and didn’t really notice the change in finger size until now, but now I have i worry I might lose them. I am not sure I want to get them resized (one is a full circle of diamonds), so might just get a plain thin band to wear instead.

I believe it’s now lab created but was originally identified as naturally occurring, then recreated. I also have no issue about who pays for it. If you’re the one who’s going to wear it every day, get what you like! I love both diamonds and pearls. I actually went years ago (with my then boyfriend as company) to buy myself a diamond ring for my right hand, with a bonus I got from passing my professional exams. I wanted something to celebrate my achievement as it was hard work. The shop automatically assumed it was an engagement ring, but I soon set them right.

I wonder if some of the really big stones we see these days might be mossanite instead, I think there’s been a trend towards that in the U.K. as you can get a larger stone for less than a diamond (but still pricey).

I find enormous engagement rings terrifying, I don’t know how people can leave the house in them. I’d be so worried about losing it! Mine isn’t even a carat and I don’t wear it when we’re travelling for that reason. I love emerald cuts though, it’s my favourite diamond cut.

The Mail is indeed loving the kerfuffle, but I don’t think it will go to trial either. I am not sure a ruling that Meghan’s friends can’t have privacy is in the press’s favour - the other sources might dry up if they don’t have an expectation of privacy! And we know Will and Kate has their “friends” out to defend them recently.

Agreed. I can’t help but notice that aspects of the British press are desperate to lay the blame at their doors even now - rather than suggest that being raised in absolute privilege might have made the blessed princes into entitled little f**kers!

I believe Lainey too, on the not being friends front. I do think it’s possible she might have been getting stuff from the same sources as the people who’ve written the book, because gossip spreads. That’s why we (I) love it! As I said I miss that her site is no longer my escape from royal stuff though, now it’s a daily story at least! But it’s obviously driving hits for her so I can’t imagine she’s sad I’m no longer reading. ? This article from the guardian today is a bit how I feel about all of this royal stuff: https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/28/prince-harry-and-meghan-book-royals-flawed-finding-freedom-sussex#click=https://t.co/9V7S70lK1H