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Post by gillyp on Jan 7, 2023 17:45:59 GMT
Edited to add: As an American I knew Harry was called the Spare as a joke. But was it confirmed Charles actually said that? I don’t know if Charles said it but Diana did in a televised interview. It’s a long held expression over here. It depends on how it’s used as to whether someone would take umbrage at it.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,022
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Jan 7, 2023 17:49:06 GMT
Heir and a spare was a concept long long before William and Harry. Kings in the times of many wars and illness needed to ensure their lineage, one child was too risky. Kings believed their right to rule came directly from God, they needed to continue the line.
We all know how it went when King Henry VIII's first wife didn't produce an heir. Eta male heir
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Post by mom on Jan 7, 2023 17:59:59 GMT
Heir and a spare was a concept long long before William and Harry. Kings in the times of many wars and illness needed to ensure their lineage, one child was too risky. Kings believed their right to rule came directly from God, they needed to continue the line. We all know how it went when King Henry VIII's first wife didn't produce an heir. Eta male heir I knew that -- but I can imagine it would be hard to hear your parents call you a 'Spare'. Even if it was considered normal. God help me, I am almost feeling sorry for Harry.
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Post by shamrockpea on Jan 7, 2023 18:34:21 GMT
I respectfully disagree. I am turning into a Big Harry and especially Meghan fan. It really seems that Kate and William are rude and really treated Harry and Meghan as "lessers" for no reason. Harry is doing more for the world with the focus on mental health.
"Baby Brain" sound like Kate missed an appointment and Meghan was jokingly trying to let her off the hook and not feel bad. For William to make such a big deal about it and demand an apology? Poor Meghan.
"Bridesmaid Dresses" Sounds like Kate was being over the top ridiculous. Meghan offered to have them altered. To text a bride before a wedding and complain about the bridesmaid dresses being ugly and share that your toddler is "crying" because they are so ugly. Sounds like a spoiled child and sister in law who clearly needs to learn some manners. Then argue that Kate's wedding designer agrees with her that the dress are too big - what, her supposedly superior dress designer should get to weigh in on Meghan's wedding dresses for little girls the week before the wedding? I don't know if I could stand having Kate for a sister in law - she sounds like a horror show.
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
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Jun 25, 2014 19:28:04 GMT
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Post by RosieKat on Jan 7, 2023 20:07:44 GMT
I am quite sure that William holds his own, he just has the smarts to do it in more subtle ways than Harry. I don't really doubt the stories about fighting, both verbally and physically, although they are likely enhanced for dramatic effect. But I don't think that bringing them up makes Harry a more sympathetic character, it just makes him sound like a whiner. Without us literally being there, it comes across as just stuff brothers do, particularly ones as different as these who are expected to be besties. I'm wondering if the best man thing was trying to say that William "had to" pick Harry as best man for the visual, even though that's not who he wanted to pick. I can see that this would be a thing, since again, everyone expects them to be BFFs. I think the camaraderie post-Kate with the 3 of them was genuine. And I do think Megan coming in to that changed the dynamic, as any 4th person would. I happen to also think that much of that was due to the specific personality of Megan, but I think even the Perfect Princess for the Spare (TM) would have altered that relationship. It's really weird to me that they want more privacy, blah blah blah, yet the book is talking about his frozen penis and loss of virginity. The talking about their miscarriage and the burial also hits me as being really odd in this respect, too, as someone else pointed out. I have never known what to make of all the wedding stuff that shamrockpea mentioned, although I do agree that Kate sounds like she is wound pretty tightly. I have to think that keeping her perfect public image requires immense control behind the scenes, and I don't care who you are, that's an astounding amount of pressure. If she fails in the slightest, everyone will suddenly remember that she's a commoner, after all. And although we know she has plenty of help, from all accounts she is still relatively hands on as a parent and she had 2 little ones at that point, which is never easy, either. So while I don't think I'd enjoy hanging out with her, I do think her role is a pretty hard one and then the added pressures of having to welcome someone you may well not even like would be stressful. Anyway, the more of this book that comes out, the lower my respect for Harry grows. I don't mind people being human, but this is just being stupid. Why the hell would you ever write a tell-all book as a public figure? Particularly when you've repeatedly said you want more privacy?
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Post by amp on Jan 7, 2023 20:39:25 GMT
The one thing I’m kind of questioning as problematic out of what I’ve seen released is the physical altercation that Prince William had with Harry, where William grabbed/pushed Harry, tore his shirt, broke his necklace, and in pushing him sent him onto the dog dish which broke and scraped up Harry. I don’t have a lot of confidence in the accuracy of most of what H&M say, but this kind of bothers me even if partially true. I've been thinking about your post. A lot. 1. I think we have to take this whole statement about what happened with a big grain of salt. Do I think William and Harry got into a verbal argument? Yes. Do I think William attacked Harry, physically? Without more proof, no. William has handled this whole freaking mess with Harry with more restraint than what most could have. William could have easily attacked him publicly and no one would have blamed him. But he hasn't (and yes, I know there are reports that William is feeding things to the press. Again, short of proof...). 2. They are brothers and EVEN IF something happened physically between them, I almost expect it. No, violence is never the answer, but as a mother of two boys (who, ironically, are much like William and Harry in how they behave), I can absolutely see them becoming physical with each other. My oldest is more like Harry with his mental state and how 'recollections may vary' when he is in a not-good mental state, and the youngest more like William. My DS2 puts up with a lot from his older brother. A LOT (much like William). And DS1 gets a lot of 'grace' because of his mental state and how hard things can be for him. But when the youngest gets a gut full, he explodes. I can imagine a situation where William just got a gut full. Is violence ever the answer? Not usually. But sometimes a physical fight happens between brothers -- especially when there has been so much anger and jealousy between the two of them. IMHO if Harry wanted to put this information out there for the world, he should have done so when it happened. Get it documented with photos of the injuries, broken bowl, etc. But he didn't. He brought it out years later and after much of what he has said has been confirmed as a lie. It's like the boy who cried wolf too many times. It's just hard to believe it happened. Many years ago, I got into a physical fight or two with my younger brother. For the love of God, I hope he doesn't ever write a book about the travesty...assuming he even remembers or cares. If I was William and the rest of the British Royal family, I would just ignore this drivel. It is too ridiculous to give it moments thought. And they actually keep themselves busy doing positive things for the world. Diplomacy and tons of charitable events. They've got better things to focus on.
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,084
Jan 29, 2016 3:02:55 GMT
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Post by used2scrap on Jan 7, 2023 20:47:33 GMT
Wasn’t Kate like a month or so post-partum with #3 Louise at the wedding? That’s a lot for anyone let alone on the world stage.
I’m flabbergasted at some of the things Harry’s admitting, the drug use (including hits of gas while his wife was in labor!), the virginity, penis stuff, and wetting his pants before his first date with Meghan?
It’s just a bit bonkers IMO for someone who says he hated growing up in the Truman Show.
I also think it’s beyond rude they announced their pregnancy at Eugenie’s wedding.
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Post by amp on Jan 7, 2023 20:53:58 GMT
Wasn’t Kate like a month or so post-partum with #3 Louise at the wedding? That’s a lot for anyone let alone on the world stage. I’m flabbergasted at some of the things Harry’s admitting, the drug use (including hits of gas while his wife was in labor!), the virginity, penis stuff, and wetting his pants before his first date with Meghan? It’s just a bit bonkers IMO for someone who says he hated growing up in the Truman Show. I also think it’s beyond rude they announced their pregnancy at Eugenie’s wedding. It was less than a month...3.5 weeks, I think. i remember being so impressed how well Kate looked and functioned in a light dress at the wedding.
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Post by malibou on Jan 7, 2023 20:54:44 GMT
According to this BBC article there was a ghost writer, details like that probably past by any checking process www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64185688From the article, this made me laugh, ...blander?! Spare might have Harry's name on the cover, but it was written with JR Moehringer, a prolific ghostwriter of celebrity memoirs who made his name writing Andre Agassi's bombshell autobiography in 2009. "The American publishers were very smart to get him in the room with Harry," says Mr Denny. "I think if Harry had written the book himself, it would have been a bit blander. But I think this guy's pulled out and worked on these themes and made the book much more interesting." I know Charles supposedly made a comment about Harry being the spare --- has anyone but Harry confirmed this account? With Harry being only hours old, I assume he isn't the one who has the recollection. Was this a known comment before this book? Edited to add: As an American I knew Harry was called the Spare as a joke. But was it confirmed Charles actually said that? My British in-laws referred to my dh and his younger brother as the first and the extra. 😵 It totally affected my bil relationship with his parents, especially his dad. My mil recently told me that when she was pregnant with bil that she had to ask fil to stop calling my Dh the Golden Rooster. 😱 When I could only have one kid, they wondered what would happen if we didn't have a spare. When bil had 3 children, they questioned the sense of having 2 spares. I cannot begin to tell you how freaked out I was by the heir and the spare concept. They made it seem like it was how things are done in England. For the record, fil was the 3rd child in his family, and never felt loved or that he mattered, and that is what led to him emigrating to Canada and then to the US.
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Post by Chips on Jan 7, 2023 21:31:07 GMT
Anyone else think the behavior of Harry is a lot like BurningFeather? Just putting it out there because that is how it is appearing to me.
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Post by librarylady on Jan 7, 2023 22:11:59 GMT
Anyone else think the behavior of Harry is a lot like BurningFeather? Just putting it out there because that is how it is appearing to me. I remember we had a pea named Burning Feather, but beyond that I don't know what you are making reference to.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Jan 7, 2023 22:22:01 GMT
Anyone else think the behavior of Harry is a lot like BurningFeather? Just putting it out there because that is how it is appearing to me. I remember we had a pea named Burning Feather, but beyond that I don't know what you are making reference to. I was just going to say, I don't know what that means. Chips can you explain?
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Post by pjaye on Jan 8, 2023 0:30:37 GMT
I respectfully disagree. I am turning into a Big Harry and especially Meghan fan. It really seems that Kate and William are rude and really treated Harry and Meghan as "lessers" for no reason Huh, I didn't think anyone would buy into their biased, one sided narrative. You aren't troubled by the fact that they present themselves as perfect? Nothing is ever their fault, everyone around them is yelling and shoving and being rude to them...but they are perfectly serene and calm, getting glasses of water and being rational? People are just rude and pick on them, and they never do a single do nothing to deserve it? Let's not forget they have alienated both sides of their families. The staff who worked with them in the RF made formal bullying claims, and their staff turnover both as royals and since they left has been massively high. Look at all the people they met as royals and we thought they had good relationships with - The Obama's, Clooney's, Beckhams etc. Are they working with them? Being invited to their functions? Nope. You really think that's how life works? two lovely kind, reasonable, rational people just get victimized over and over by different groups of people all of their lives? C'mon. Just look at what is happening with them, isn't the far more likely scenario that THEY are the problem and that they create the problems around them...and not countless others? Others who have great, functional relationships with everyone else in the same circles? It's glaringly obvious that people don't like them...not just his family. They blow every little detail out of proportion and take it as a personal slight. They must be exhausting to be around, and they have clearly exhausted just about everyone in their lives because no-one is sticking around. ETA: I just read a great quote this is so fitting to Harry..."If there's an arsehole in every room you walk into - chances are it's you"
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Post by Chips on Jan 8, 2023 0:38:20 GMT
I remember we had a pea named Burning Feather, but beyond that I don't know what you are making reference to. I was just going to say, I don't know what that means. Chips can you explain? Sorry about that my mistake - BergdorfBlonde. I got my B Peas mixed.
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Post by papersilly on Jan 8, 2023 0:39:41 GMT
I’m flabbergasted at some of the things Harry’s admitting, the drug use (including hits of gas while his wife was in labor!), the virginity, penis stuff, and wetting his pants before his first date with Meghan? I realize it takes sensationalism to sell books but some of that stuff was really eyebrow raising. I just don't think it was necessary or appropriate to give an exact body count of how many people he killed in Afghanistan. Taking a life, regardless of the circumstances, is still taking a life. We know about the horrors that take place in war.
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,650
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Jan 8, 2023 0:49:38 GMT
I'll admit I was sort of interested in reading the book if/when my library gets it. The things I have read in this thread have me completely disinterested, I do not care to read about him peeing his pants before his first date or any of the other things that have been shared here. I cannot believe he is sharing these stories in such a widely public way, and any remaining positive feelings I had towards him are rapidly disappearing. He will forever be remembered not as someone who tried to put a focus on mental health, or any of his other charitable work, but as someone who lost his virginity in a field behind a pub.
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sueg
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Posts: 8,416
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
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Post by sueg on Jan 8, 2023 2:56:59 GMT
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Post by gar on Jan 8, 2023 10:20:35 GMT
I’m flabbergasted at some of the things Harry’s admitting, the drug use (including hits of gas while his wife was in labor!), the virginity, penis stuff, and wetting his pants before his first date with Meghan? I realize it takes sensationalism to sell books but some of that stuff was really eyebrow raising. I just don't think it was necessary or appropriate to give an exact body count of how many people he killed in Afghanistan. Taking a life, regardless of the circumstances, is still taking a life. We know about the horrors that take place in war. Several military people (former comrades and more senior figures) have spoken publicly saying that they thought it was a bad move...that it potentially puts a bigger target on Harry's (and potentially Meghan's) back and that you just don't say those things...that he's betrayed his military family. The Taliban even responded to his words that he saw the men he killed as Chess pieces, by reminding him that they were human beings who had families etc. Not a smart move Harry.
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Post by gillyp on Jan 8, 2023 11:32:20 GMT
I hope King Charles’ advisors say it’s no longer a good idea to have Harry at the Coronation in light of his unthinking and ill advised comments regarding The Taliban. It’s a huge undertaking to provide security at ceremonial events such as this at the best of times, I don’t see why we should have to deal with the heightened security that would be needed to keep, not just Harry safe but every single person there, including the public. I can’t see Harry being welcomed with open arms by the public now anyway.
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Post by pjaye on Jan 8, 2023 12:27:48 GMT
hat he's betrayed his military family I'm interested to see what happens with his involvement in the Invictus Games. Talking about how many people you killed doesn't seem to fit in with what they are all about. Most of the people who participate in the games have significant physical injuries and probably have chronic pain as well as ongoing challenges in their lives from their injuries...and here's Harry, who's always acted like he's one of them...putting other soldiers in danger while simultaneously bitching that his house wasn't big enough and Pa didn't give him another million dollars.
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Post by gar on Jan 8, 2023 12:32:33 GMT
hat he's betrayed his military family I'm interested to see what happens with his involvement in the Invictus Games. Talking about how many people you killed in doesn't seem to fit in with what they are all about. Most of the people who participate in the games have significant physical injuries and would chronic pain as well as ongoing challenges in their lives from their injuries...and here's Harry, who's always acted like he's one of them...putting other soldiers in danger while simultaneously bitching that his house wasn't big enough and Pa didn't give him another million dollars. Indeed. The repercussions will reach far and wide. There’s an article in the Times today saying that William won’t retaliate and Harry knows this and is a coward in that sense - attacking someone who essentially can’t fight back. It also says that William and the family can ‘play the long game in a way that H and M can’t’ They are channeling the late Queen with their Show, don’t tell’ policy. I think Harry and Meghan as a brand will self implode at some point.
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Post by gillyp on Jan 8, 2023 12:53:26 GMT
I'm interested to see what happens with his involvement in the Invictus Games. Talking about how many people you killed in doesn't seem to fit in with what they are all about. Most of the people who participate in the games have significant physical injuries and would chronic pain as well as ongoing challenges in their lives from their injuries...and here's Harry, who's always acted like he's one of them...putting other soldiers in danger while simultaneously bitching that his house wasn't big enough and Pa didn't give him another million dollars. Indeed. The repercussions will reach far and wide. There’s an article in the Times today saying that William won’t retaliate and Harry knows this and is a coward in that sense - attacking someone who essentially can’t fight back. It also says that William and the family can ‘play the long game in a way that H and M can’t’ They are channeling the late Queen with their Show, don’t tell’ policy. I think Harry and Meghan as a brand will self implode at some point. Agreed. I really think Harry will need to pass the Invictus Games to someone else to head up. It would be a desperate shame if they folded but there are quotes from injured ex military and those with PTSD saying how disappointed they are in him and how he’s made their own anxieties worse. There’s an ex-Marine who was running an animal shelter in Kabul, reports are that he’s had to leave for fear of reprisals. I was thinking I’d like to hear from Zara and Mike, and Beatrice and Eugenie with their take on all this but I do think no response from the family is the best way to go.
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Post by gar on Jan 8, 2023 12:57:22 GMT
Agreed gillyp. How could he not have seen or thought about the fallout from what he said in the book 😞
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Post by myboysnme on Jan 8, 2023 15:02:20 GMT
The only reason I have any interest is because they are royals. So they can kick that to the curb all they want, but who really would care about them without the royal connection?
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Post by smasonnc on Jan 8, 2023 15:04:45 GMT
I’ve just seen two ads for shows where Harry is a guest, 60 minutes and Jimmy Kimmel.
Just. Stop. Talking.
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Post by elaine on Jan 8, 2023 15:12:22 GMT
I’ve just seen two ads for shows where Harry is a guest, 60 minutes and Jimmy Kimmel. Just. Stop. Talking. He is also going to be on Stephen Colbert. I’m somewhat disappointed that Colbert is hosting him. I can only hope that Stephen asks some of the questions that everyone has about his stories. I fear that these shows had to sign some type of agreement regarding what questions they are allowed to ask.
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Post by pjaye on Jan 8, 2023 15:15:51 GMT
I’ve just seen two ads for shows where Harry is a guest, 60 minutes and Jimmy Kimmel. Just. Stop. Talking. I thought he was on Colbert, not Kimmel? He's also recorded one for Good Morning America which airs on Monday. and the one for ITV in the UK with Tom Bradby which airs Sun night UK time That's 4 total so far. can only hope that Stephen asks some of the questions that everyone has about his stories. I fear that these shows had to sign some type of agreement regarding what questions they are allowed to ask. I wonder if he'll actually show up for Colbert? Even though there'll be restrictions on the questions and it's pre-recorded a few hours earlier - it's still in front of an audience. So many stories in his book have shown him in a bad light, which I doubt he expected, and as we've all seen he takes every little comment personally.
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Post by bunnyhug on Jan 8, 2023 15:25:36 GMT
I just can't help but thinking how if social media had miraculously always been around, how boring Harry and Meghan would look in comparison to Edward/David and Wallis ... maybe the Queen should have made them ambassadors to some little island somewhere instead of letting them come to North America! I think Harry just needs to get over himself--he's the stereotypical jealous, whiny, sneaky, acting-out younger brother--that gets kinda old after a few decades.
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joelise
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,649
Jul 1, 2014 6:33:14 GMT
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Post by joelise on Jan 8, 2023 16:06:02 GMT
It’s a car crash! I can’t get my head around the things he’s said! This was written before the Queen died! I don’t think he is in a good place mentally! I can’t imagine how Prince William is feeling now! Harry is a very bitter man. I’ll be interested to see how the interview with his friend Tom Bradbury goes this evening.
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Post by gar on Jan 8, 2023 16:13:00 GMT
I’ll be interested to see how the interview with his friend Tom Bradbury goes this evening. Yes in a way it's a shame it's Tom because he probably won't be that hard on him or question him too hard but I guess Harry wouldn't have agreed to anyone too 'strong'.
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