The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 7: Oct. 2022 - Apr. 2023

[Toledo]

...I'm not particularly happy about this lawsuit as it means a lot more Sussexes on the front pages but I do think it's completely fascinating in a strange way that a) the Markles refuse to be like most other families of royals or famous people and basically take an oath of silence and B) they are doing exactly what the Sussexes are doing to the BRF.

@Toldeo Thank you for clarifying that both parties have to give consent for a trial being televised. None are in the UK so I wasn't aware of the rules. I was thinking of the ****show that was the Heard/Depp trial for public consumption.

Re Cameras in the Courtroom vs Televised Trials two different things and each state has their set of rules within the policies. In simple terms, a case might be recorded, but televising is a whole different thing.
For example, the recent Depp vs Heard case is often referred as a mistake for Ms. Heard's team to agree to televise it. It all backfired on her.

https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/989/cameras-in-the-courtroom

...As of 2006, all 50 states allowed some type of camera presence in their courtrooms. Fifteen states moderately restricted coverage, and 19 had a more liberal approach. Sixteen states had rules that disallowed most coverage.

201 Pa. Code § 1910

No witness or party who expresses any prior objection to the judge shall be photographed, nor shall the testimony of such witness or party be broadcast or telecast.

Permission for the broadcasting, televising, recording and photographing of any civil nonjury proceeding shall have first been expressly granted by the judge, and under such conditions as the judge may prescribe in accordance with the guidelines contained in this rule.

 

[Ghost]

This is such an American-centric way to think that British royalty should please an American audience. The Coronation is a public event funded entirely by the UK taxpayer and it's aimed primarily at them or other Commonwealth countries. It supposed to be a represention of British history and traditions, if Americans aren't interested or don't want to watch it because Meghan and Harry won't be it's quite irrelevant. In Europe, people couldn't care less about Super bowl but it doesn't stop Americans. An American audience will not bring that much money to be honest.

Just a small thing: the coronation is not relevant for the Commonwealth, where many member states are republics or some have never been part of the british empire. It is only for the realms that it has any significance.
That’s a thing that is sometimes unclear: the Commonwealth is an association of states. The states that have the british monarch as head of state are also part of it.

 

[Alison H]

Some recent press reports, which may or may not be accurate, suggest that Harry will attend the Coronation and pretty much just stay overnight, with Meghan and the children staying in California. I'd be surprised if that happened, but it's been suggested. The press are also reporting that they've definitely been invited but, again, that may or may not be true. I think most people, whilst there's widespread anger at Harry and Meghan over what they've said and done, would like to see the rift in the Royal Family healed, for the sake of the King and also the children, but don't want any Sussex-related drama taking anything away from the Coronation.

 

[Lilyflo]

Lilyflo, guess we will have to disagree.

Personally, I hope I'm wrong and The Sussex's don't overshadow The Coronation.
But since their reach and reputation seems to be on the decline anyway, it doesn't really matter. Their relevance and popularity did take a hit with Spare and The Docu-series. But the mocking that ensued over Harry's "todger" was great comedy at least.

I certainly did wonder why Saturday Night Live didn't join in to make hay with lampooning Harry, but then it was revealed that Harry was in talks to Host, but it fell apart at the end.
So that, SNL hands off, at least made sense.

I don't think we disagree on much.

I'd rather the Sussexes didn't attend the coronation due to the media circus that follows them. I also think the BRF could relax and enjoy it more without fearing their every move and word was being recorded for the Sussexes' next podcast/TV interview/Book.

 

[Granada]

Lilyflo, well said and better said than me....AND my thoughts exactly !

 

[Kenya]

Whatever this is about isn't the money since $75,000 isn't even going to cover legal costs when all is said and done.

Just to clarify, $75,000 is not the actual amount Samantha is seeking. That's just the jurisdictional threshold for bringing a case in federal court (as opposed to state court), so a lot of plaintiffs will state that they're seeking at least $75,000 rather than stating the actual amount of their damages. I guarantee she's seeking a lot more money than that.

Also, if this case makes it to trial, it won't be televised because there are no televised trials in the federal court system.

As a former law clerk in the court where this case is pending, it's so interesting to follow the developments. I admittedly don't practice defamation law, but when I read the complaint months ago, I thought it was unlikely it would would be dismissed in its entirety. And since discovery has to go forward in the meantime, I'll be fascinated to see how Meghan decides to handle this As a matter of pride and ego, I imagine she won't want to settle it and pay Samantha anything. But settlement is her only hope of avoiding depositions and other discovery, so that must be quite the quandry for her.

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

Some recent press reports, which may or may not be accurate, suggest that Harry will attend the Coronation and pretty much just stay overnight, with Meghan and the children staying in California. I'd be surprised if that happened, but it's been suggested. The press are also reporting that they've definitely been invited but, again, that may or may not be true. I think most people, whilst there's widespread anger at Harry and Meghan over what they've said and done, would like to see the rift in the Royal Family healed, for the sake of the King and also the children, but don't want any Sussex-related drama taking anything away from the Coronation.

I would like the family to officially say Harry is not welcomed or wanted. You're invited but make sure not to come. Or you can come but you're in the 4th row.

 

[Curryong]

What good would it do anyone for King Charles to officially state on behalf of the RF that he doesn’t want his son and daughter in law to attend his Coronation and insist they’re not ‘welcome or wanted’?

Apart of course from giving pleasure to journalists and ‘royal experts’ in the media (who enjoy crowing about so-called ‘snubs’) and others who want the rift in the Royal Family to continue for the sake of clickbait and to continue online disapproval of the couple on places like Twitter for years to come.

Sooner or later father and son have to meet and sort things out in a day long face to face get together and in my view it should be sooner.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

As a parent, I would always want to heal any rift with my child - that would be heartbreaking to be in a situation of conflict. However, I don’t know what Charles is supposed to do. Harry has made it clear that he’s waiting for an apology for Meghan and for the RF to take responsibility for whatever Harry thinks they did.

What about what he’s done? Invaded the privacy of numerous family members, trashed the RF, made it clear he didn’t enjoy his charity work, etc., etc. that we’ve discussed ad nauseum here. His family might be able to forgive but they won’t forget (especially William, with good reason).

So what should the next step be? I believe someone suggested involving the Archbishop of Canterbury as a mediator? I truly wonder if Harry really wants a reconciliation - I’m not sure that he does, sadly.

 

[Roderick]

Harry's wife is supposedly penning a book and Harry himself has indicated he has more damaging revelations concerning the royal family he intends to reveal. This tells me they have no genuine desire for reconcilation and will be completely unsuitable to invite to the Coronation or any other public event where the royal family is appearing, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Curryong]

Neither Meghan nor Harry have stated that they intend to write any more books or take part in any more documentaries about the BRF. Indeed they’ve both publicly said they are moving on. I’ve read in tabloids for a good two years that Meghan had a secret royal journal that she intended to publish within weeks/months. She didn’t. What the tabloid media intimate the Sussexes are doing and what they actually do are two different things.

 

[Roderick]

And what the Sussexes say can be taken with an absolute pinch of salt.

 

[Denville]

A
What about what he’s done? Invaded the privacy of numerous family members, trashed the RF, made it clear he didn’t enjoy his charity work, etc., etc. that we’ve discussed ad nauseum here. His family might be able to forgive but they won’t forget (especially William, with good reason).

So what should the next step be? I believe someone suggested involving the Archbishop of Canterbury as a mediator? I truly wonder if Harry really wants a reconciliation - I’m not sure that he does, sadly.

Hary does not want a reconciliation IMO. He wants money, and notice from the world, and he wants to air his grievances. If he did get an apology and a full reconciliation he woudl be stuck. Besides, he has made it so obvious htat he cant be trusted that Charles would be a fool to ever talk to him again on any kind of intimate basis.

 

[Lilyflo]

What good would it do anyone for King Charles to officially state on behalf of the RF that he doesn’t want his son and daughter in law to attend his Coronation and insist they’re not ‘welcome or wanted’?

Apart of course from giving pleasure to journalists and ‘royal experts’ in the media (who enjoy crowing about so-called ‘snubs’) and others who want the rift in the Royal Family to continue for the sake of clickbait and to continue online disapproval of the couple on places like Twitter for years to come.

Sooner or later father and son have to meet and sort things out in a day long face to face get together and in my view it should be sooner.

As a parent, I feel deeply sorry for Charles because the rift with his 'darling boy' must be so painful. I genuinely wish they could restore their relationship and I've also suggested previously that they need a mediator.

I don't think Charles should tell Harry he's not invited to the coronation. That would just deepen the rift further and feed Harry's resentments. The Sussexes should be invited but as the impact from 'Spare' must still be keenly felt by Harry's family, I hope for their sakes that he doesn't attend.

 

[Moran]

The rift with Charles' "darling boy" didn't just happen. Darling boy wanted it and did his best to achieve it. He also insulted and attacked Charles' other "darling boy" with abandon, as well as insulting the whole country that gave him the cushy life and recognition he would have never achieved on his own merit.

The coronation is a state affair and absolutely the last place where Harry should be welcome and he should be told so. Actually, if Charles has a modicum of decency, he should never show his darling boy to the public again after he lied to the public for years that his dear, dear baby was a man he wasn't. A man who cared about these less fortunate than him and respected the station and privileges he was born to.

Also, which is most important, Harry has shown no desire to heal the rift. In fact, insisting that he should be invited to the coronation at this stage equals saying that no matter what he does, he should be pampered and indulged so he can continue use his country, its monarchy and his family to achieve significance and it's totally fine for him to attack everyone and everyone else just bending down for him. Just no.

 

[Denville]

for goodness sake, Charles iwas not going to say to the public, that his son was a messed up individual who was good at his job in public but wasn't very easy in private. ANd Harry should be invited to the coronation, he may not come or he may be advised not to come but he is part of the RF, and it would look very bad if he wasnt at the ceremony unless he has some big reason for avoiding. No matter what Charles does, he will offend somebody and Harry will be annoyed no matter what his father does. If Ch does not invite him, he wil claim its because of racism or because Charles did not want Meg to be there, if he does invite him, he will claim that he is not taking a part in the ceremony, and that that's unfair but its better to err on the side of generosity.

 

[The Crown]

Harry has said that he has a lot more that could be released. And then he said he is waiting for an apology. From my point of view a very clear blackmail of his family. Either you apologize or i will publish more dirt about you.

 

[Moran]

Harry should not have been given any royal job at all. Problem solved. No need to lie to the public and no need to push a ticking bomb out there. There surely were things that he could have been nudged towards but alas, IMO they didn't go with the kind of publicity he wanted - to be seen and regarded as equal to William or even more relatable than him. But yes, no matter what Charles does, he will offend somebody. Harry, for one, is going to be offended no matter how things go.

I admit I'll be amusing to watch Meghan make a spectacle of herself once again because there's no way he's coming without her. She was so funny trying to present herself as such a part of the RF - "we're so grateful you're here" or something like this, she said to a member of the public when less than a week before, she threatened with her no NDA for her option. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch her act all princessy and so close to her FIL who is, coincidentally, the King.

Not dignified or proper for the runup to a state ceremony but it's Charles' show.

 

[Denville]

Harry has said that he has a lot more that could be released. And then he said he is waiting for an apology. From my point of view a very clear blackmail of his family. Either you apologize or i will publish more dirt about you.

What on earth is left? ANd since he has changed his mind on and off about various things that he said in the book (Camilla is a terrible person, and then suddenly, he gets on very well with her, the family are racist, No, I didnt say the word racist), I dont think most people will take his varous revelations very seriously.

 

[Denville]

Harry should not have been given any royal job at all. Problem solved. No need to lie to the public and no need to push a ticking bomb out there. There surely were things that he could have been nudged towards but alas, IMO they didn't go with the kind of publicity he wanted - to be seen and regarded as equal to William or even more relatable than him. But yes, no matter what Charles does, he will offend somebody. Harry, for one, is going to be offended no matter how things go.

Iand so close to her FIL who is, coincidentally, the King.

Not dignified or proper for the runup to a state ceremony but it's Charles' show.

Harry is one of only 2 sons of the king, or POW as he was then. Of course he was goign to be expected to do royal duties, when the general plan was to slim down the number of royals who did them. He was good enough at the job in public, probalby in private he moaned a good deal. And what job could he have done otherwise? He was only interested in the military and he did do 10 years in it.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

The rift with Charles' "darling boy" didn't just happen. Darling boy wanted it and did his best to achieve it. He also insulted and attacked Charles' other "darling boy" with abandon, as well as insulting the whole country that gave him the cushy life and recognition he would have never achieved on his own merit.

The coronation is a state affair and absolutely the last place where Harry should be welcome and he should be told so. Actually, if Charles has a modicum of decency, he should never show his darling boy to the public again after he lied to the public for years that his dear, dear baby was a man he wasn't. A man who cared about these less fortunate than him and respected the station and privileges he was born to.

Also, which is most important, Harry has shown no desire to heal the rift. In fact, insisting that he should be invited to the coronation at this stage equals saying that no matter what he does, he should be pampered and indulged so he can continue use his country, its monarchy and his family to achieve significance and it's totally fine for him to attack everyone and everyone else just bending down for him. Just no.

Excellent points, as always! I do agree that Harry expects to get away with whatever he’s done because he always has. No matter what Charles or anyone else does or says, it will never be enough. It will never bring back Diana. And because he’s after money and revenge, he/ they will publish anything they can. The only thing the RF can do is to not give them any more fuel to add to their dumpster fire (by not communicating - they have proven they can’t be trusted). Indeed after all Harry has said, why would he want to go unless he gets his way?

I suppose through intermediaries they could find out how much money they want, give it to them (not in a lump sum) along with an ironclad NDA for both of them that the money will stop if they continue to trash the RF. It is galling but it would certainly show the public they were after money all along if they took the money and shut up.

[.....] And this talk of “invite him, he’s a member of the family” doesn’t take into consideration that he’s shown no respect for the family nor the monarchy the coronation celebrates.

 

[Denville]

I suppose through intermediaries they could find out how much money they want, give it to them (not in a lump sum) along with an ironclad NDA for both of them that the money will stop if they continue to trash the RF. It is galling but it would certainly show the public they were after money all along if they took the money and shut up.

I cannot imagine that any family member would want to talk to or sit next to the Sussexes at the coronation. And this talk of “invite him, he’s a member of the family” doesn’t take into consideration that he’s shown no respect for the family nor the monarchy the coronation celebrates.

Why on earth would the RF go into a deal giving them money? They are making their own money, and will manage to do so for quite a while yet, with skilful nonsense peddling. Eventually I guess the well will run dry and the American public will get sick of the whole thing but for now, they are making a living, and they dont need money from the RF.
[.....]

 

[Moran]

I suppose through intermediaries they could find out how much money they want, give it to them (not in a lump sum) along with an ironclad NDA for both of them that the money will stop if they continue to trash the RF. It is galling but it would certainly show the public they were after money all along if they took the money and shut up.

[.....] And this talk of “invite him, he’s a member of the family” doesn’t take into consideration that he’s shown no respect for the family nor the monarchy the coronation celebrates.

I suspect they'd rather take the money and not shut up. What is Charles going to do? Bring his darling boy to court? So unbecoming. And it will only give fuel to those who have no problem with anything Harry and Meghan do scream that you see, the RF has something to hide and is so terrible for silencing Diana's baby. After all, poor Harry lost his mum, so he can never do wrong.

 

[Denville]

They don't need money. They can make their own, and if they were offered more money from the RF they would probably take it but go on writing their books or appearing on TV.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

I know, I know - they can’t be given money and they won’t shut up. Harry has become a laughing stock here in the States. All the RF can really do at this point is Keep calm and Carry on - as they’ve been doing.

And at some point their 15 minutes of fame will be over. They’ll pop up from time to time to pontificate about something to us poor unfortunate souls but no one will care IMHO. They’ll be like other celebs (Kardashians for example) and except for tabloids no one except their fans will pay attention.

 

[Lilyflo]

The rift with Charles' "darling boy" didn't just happen. Darling boy wanted it and did his best to achieve it. He also insulted and attacked Charles' other "darling boy" with abandon, as well as insulting the whole country that gave him the cushy life and recognition he would have never achieved on his own merit.

Regardless of how much the rift is Harry's fault, Charles will most likely wish to mend it. Parents don't tend to give up on their children, whatever they've done. He might be able to distance himself emotionally but I very much doubt it. Everything we know about Charles points to a loving man with deep attachments to his family. I would be very surprised if he's able to cut himself off from Harry for an extended period, as the subsequent pain would be unbearable for him.

 

[Moran]

Regardless of how much the rift is Harry's fault, Charles will most likely wish to mend it. Parents don't tend to give up on their children, whatever they've done. He might be able to distant himself emotionally but I very much doubt it. Everything we know about Charles points to a loving man with deep attachments to his family. I would be very surprised if he's able to cut himself off from Harry for an extended period, as the subsequent pain would be unbearable for him.

I'll also be surprised but if this happens. However, the coronation isn't this far away. This isn't an extended period.

Charles doesn't just have one son. He has one darling boy who attacked the other repeatedly and very publicly. He can't just say "ah well, darling boy, you see, your brother is also my darling boy, so be quiet and play nice as he attacks you and your wife and even brings unwanted attention to your kids. Pa loves him so very much, so let's give him all the ammunition he wants to keep attacking you." He just can't, unless his attachment to his attacking darling boy isn't vastly superior to his attachment to the attacked one. ?

 

[Denville]

William is not a fool. He can see that Harry's eaten up iwth jealousy because he is the older son, and Im sure he's furious. But he will keep up a polite front with his brother and try not to quarrel with him. What will be acheived by fighting?
Harry has ammunition or can make up ammuntion attacking William even if he never comes back to the UK

 

[Moran]

I'm not saying that William would be fighting. I'm saying that he might not want Harry to be invited in the same spaces with him and no one can say he isn't entitled to this.

I'm sure he'd be polite and distant. But I'm surprised at how people are so sympathetic to Charles wanting a relationship with his attacker son and refusing to see that it might well cost him the relationship with his attacked son.

Inviting Harry at the coronation and going over him being Charles' beloved son is basically saying that he can say whatever he likes about William and their father won't care because only Harrykins and his fewwings matter.

 

[Denville]

Not at all. The RF keep up a front in public, like all well known public families. It would be very foolish if they did not, because they are the public face of the UK and they work together and have to pull together in public at least. The RF can probably guess that while they and the Household protected H when he was a working prince, now he will show himself up as a less than desirable individual and that' has happened.
Harry has abused or ignored all his family, in his book and in the past couple of years, and William has just come i for his share of the attacks, but he's not going to come out and complain about it in public. He may find it hard at times to look polite and put on a pleasant face in public but he'll do it, just as he did at Philip's funeral etc.