We’re getting more information and speculation about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding. The British and American media outlets are obsessed with trying to figure out who is invited and who is not, which is weird because… I’m pretty sure that the invitations have already gone out, don’t you think? People know by now if they’re invited, I’m sure. Anyway, Kensington Palace has released some new information about the people invited to the grounds of Windsor Castle to view the carriage procession:
Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have said they want their Wedding Day to be shaped so as to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations too. This wedding, like all weddings, will be a moment of fun and joy that will reflect the characters and values of the Bride and Groom.
In addition to the Carriage Procession in Windsor, they have today shared some further details of how the public will be involved on May 19th. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have invited 2,640 people into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrivals of the Bride and Groom, and their wedding guests, at the chapel and to watch the carriage procession as it departs from the castle. This group will be made up of:
1,200 members of the public from every corner of the United Kingdom will be nominated to attend by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices. The couple has asked that the people chosen are from a broad range of backgrounds and ages, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.
200 people from a range of charities and organisations which Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have a close association with, including those which Prince Harry serves as Patron.
100 pupils from two local schools: The Royal School, Great Park, Windsor and St George’s School, Windsor Castle – both of which have a strong affiliation with the Windsor Castle community.
610 Windsor Castle community members, including residents of Windsor Castle and members of the St George’s Chapel community.
530 Members of The Royal Households and Crown Estate.
A nice gesture? Sure. But am I the only thinking “if you wanted to invite all of these people to enjoy your wedding day, why not have your wedding in a bigger venue in the first place?” Like, some of these people could have been invited to the actual wedding, if only Meghan and Harry had decided to marry in London, in Westminster or another large church. It will be exciting for the schoolkids and the members of the Windsor Castle community, etc, to come out for the procession, but the members of charities and foundations and the staffers who work with and for Harry? Where’s their wedding invite?
Photos courtesy of WENN, Pacific Coast News.
I don’t know why but I find the idea of inviting all of these people to only stand outside of the church to watch you come in and out, seems kind of… hilarious and insulting? it’s like they they want the optics of mingling with the peasants and caring about their charities but they don’t actually want the peasants at the wedding.
Yes you said what I was trying to say much better. There is something verging on insulting about this. If it was just a “first come first serve” thing, and people who wanted badly to see them got there early and then got in, that would be slightly different to me. But they are inviting people?
“you’re not good enough to come for the wedding, but come stand around outside! You can catch a glimpse of royalty!”
To me, it comes across as a little self important…like hey aren’t you soooo lucky we picked you ti come stand outside our party! But I am also befuddled by why one would WANT to go stand outside, so what do I know.
My mother in law on the other hands is cross stitching commemorative tea towels.
My thoughts exactly!
It is no different than what they did for Sophie and Edward’s wedding. They held a lottery. Those attending will obviously be folk who shown interest and are nominated by someone.
Well, if they don’t want to go nobody is forcing them, I doubt if many will turn up the opportunity to get a wonderful view of the couple going in and out of the Chapel.
Isn’t it usually rainy in May? Can you imagine if all those people come out to stand on the grass, and it starts to pour??
Also, are they at least going to provide some drinks and nibbles? Like a garden party? It’s the least they can do (harrumph!) 😊
Here’s my advice: don’t go. Then you won’t be “insulted”.
My guess is the government did not want to pay for a BIG London wedding for the second son, but underestimated the level of interest these two are generating and now they’re trying to open things up a bit.
Harry and Meghan could have easily filled the room of the Abbey but I think they were respecting his place in line of succession. The issue is that his popularity is making the Windsor location a little difficult because it is church is smaller and the town is tiny and the amount of people (and press!) attending will be massive.
+1000
Potential King Henry will more eclipse William’s wedding easily (if space allows) and especially the optics of a workshy dodgy past of Willnot Cannot and his Royal Duties; thank goodness for the Fco/brexit and Princess Henry I/w. Since after seven/teen years of middletons hangers – we hear how The POW is excluded from W&w middleton kids- the hangers on of middletons PR.
While HRH Prince Henry has shown dedication to his Royal Duties – the people/charities, the military/Invictus – CW realm, not the least is Americans and the fairytale at long last for HRH The Henry. This event will be huge!
now that’s the real @RoyalSparkle back in action
@Olive
Agreed. I wasn’t having a fake RS. His/Her consistency and unflagging support always make me smile. Royal threads are just not as fun without RS.
The fake RS is so obvious lol
THIS is the real Royal Sparkle!
Same thing Edward and Sophie did in 1999, as I wrote lower down. Could be related to security, to have the closer-in folks vetted.
Don’t the British citizens support the monarchy? Or are the Royals self-supporting?
@Belle – the British taxpayer supports the monarchy through their allowances, and also through income from the properties ‘owned’ by the crown…I would argue their ‘private’ income also in some way belongs to the people/commonwealth as it is historically derived from them.
I think security is the primary focus. Regardless of what some people think, there are many others who do want to be present as well-wishers and/or a part of history. But, as recent events have shown, heightened security is a necessity and crowds close to the couple should be screened. And, as far as optics are concerned, if Harry is so unimportant and far down the line as some say, why allow dissenters close enough to disrupt the enjoyment other onlookers may get from being there?
Probably security and I have no idea about the threats. I was concerned it would be just the public without having a way to vet them.
I know Ed/Sof did it, but a lot has changed in 20 years. And these are the “modern” and “just like us” royals. It seems off brand. Reads very entitled.
In the face of the increasing soft target terrorism? It sounds like a smart security move for everyone.
Any crowd is a potential terrorist target and an event like this most especially. It’s not like there haven’t been incident in London recently so I think the restriction of people within the church property is related to security.
It comes across as wanting to control the optics by hand-picking the crowd, as well as making sure there IS a crowd in the first place. And the ‘right’ crowd. Like extras on a movie set who will wave and cheer on cue. Hence, they will be drawn from the usual obedient suspects: children (on a Saturday for God’s sake), charities associated with Harry and royals etc… They don’t want anyone there who may make a fuss so they’re packing the area with approved people. It’s insulting and patronising to be asked to wait outside to cheer because they are unwelcome at the wedding.
Meghan sure has brought the “common touch,” and brought a “breath of fresh air” to the BRF, as predicted here many times. Especially if you are standing outside, in that new fresh air she brought.
(Not dinging her, just that this is the way they royals treat the plebes. Cheer for us, but know your place!!)
What is meant by ‘optics’ and controlling the ‘optics’??
PrincessK
The way something is seen. Controlling the optics means working to make sure that people have the impression that you want them to have. PR basically.
Thanks Enough Already
I find it strange to stand outside an event when you’re just watching people arrive & leave…
Where have I seen this before???
Answer: Oscars, Grammys, movie premieres, BRF engagements, Diana’s funeral, Kate & William’s wedding, Sophie & Edward’s wedding, Zara & Mike’s wedding (private), Autumn & Peter’s wedding…etc.
People who usually enjoy these occassions will gleefully attend…so I’m not going to deny them their enjoyment…
My question is…will the actual service be televised? I ask because this wedding will be a money-maker for The United Kingdom…
+100
People – Americans Love The Pomp/Tiara Fairytale and circumstance – whats not to Love – want to stand and watch… We do this all the time for regular everyday Royal appearances/duties (deserving of HM appearances); AND excluding the secretive Lambridges, I am a Prince of middleton hen decoy (turnoff!).
@RoyalSparkle, I’m American and Americans find the idea of royalty insulting and absurd. That hard working people support a family whose only achievement is to whom they are born?? That idea went out of fashion in America in 1776.
And yes, we have the Idiot Trumps, but they are all going to end up in jail. HAHA!!
Trixie
Most Americans don’t hold such strong views. Many of us who even bother look at the royals as celebrities with an unusually tight bling game. An even smaller number enjoy the historical perspective and the pageantry.
Trixie, if I recall correctly with the help of France (& Haiti) the USA won their independence from Britain. America didn’t want a monarchy…well, you don’t have one. I would not ever seek to impose my beliefs onto other citizens of another country that chose to have a monarchy. The monarchy was brought back to the British by choice…so whenever the citizens of the UK choose to become a republic let that be their choice.
It’s true, people choose to live in all sorts of societies and most don’t have a choice. I do think it’s odd to stand outside to watch these basically unemployed people who are wearing millions of dollars of bling (I do love the history of the bling!) walk in and out. And yes, we did win our independence and don’t have to pay for a family of mostly unemployed people, so we don’t really care much. The people in England seem to be most concerned about the cost of all this, as they should be.
And at least in the US, we can all look forward to the day Trump, Jared, IvanKKKa, and Donny Jr. go to prison. With about 50 of their best pals.
This, thank you Tonya. Such snide remarks as some on here are unkind. It’s not fair, to dissMeghan and Harry’s idea of nvolving the masses or just chalk it to some sort of selfishness. There are those that will count it a chance of a lifetime to be in the church yard. I’m happy for everybody. I too hope the wedding ceremony is televised.
Exactly, Enough Already
No, we don’t hold such strong views @ EA. I agree.
I watch and analyze for fun and the historical perspective. It is up to the Brits to decide what they want for themselves.
America has plenty of problems so I don’t disparage any one’s country for their choices when it pertains to their monarchies. I like to snark but at the end of the day, they are unusual celebrities with storied bloodlines.
Every year at TIFF there are tons of people who stand outside barricades to watch movie stars get out of a car and walk in a building. A small few go over and sign a few autographs. I don’t see how this scenario is much different from people wanting to see them leave the church.
@Tonya
Yes, there are crowds at a number of public events, though some you mention have security costs paid by themselves (ie private companies) rather than the tax payer.
Years ago, no-one gave a thought to how much the monarchy cost or questioned their right to rule over us. But times change. What was okay in 1999 (Edward and Sophie’s wedding) was indeed questioned in 2011 (Kate and William), and is being questioned again. You cannot see royalty in a vacuum. You need to factor in a deep understanding of the harsh political and social realities and uncertainties affecting British citizens.
I hope Harry and Meghan have a lovely day on 19 May. The BRF should be paying for ALL of the wedding, including security. It is a private event. The same should apply to Eugenie and Jack and whoever else in their family. Taxpayers pay too much for this family. It’s an expensive hobby for a nation to elevate a bog-awful family, invest them with made-up titles, and proclaim them to be so damn precious that they need hundreds of millions of pounds per year to pamper and protect them. Madness! Sheer lunacy!
@Addie….”harsh political and social realities and uncertainties affecting British citizens.”…..don’t make me laugh, Britain is still one of the richest and safest places to live in this world with a standard of living higher than the vast majority of countries in the world.
This wedding is going to make so much money for the british public. About half a billion people watch, if you compare that to a spotting event then a lot of money is being made. If the royal family is to pay for this wedding, should they be entitled to all that money?
What about all the stuff made and sold in their image? They don’t own any of their image so anyone can make money of them.
They are an industry. They sell papers and books and having Meghan is actually a boon to the industry. Americans will be more interested which means more money for the industry.
Talking about security costs are ridiculous.
Edward is nowhere near as popular as Harry.
@princessk
Because Britain has a higher standard of living than other countries around the globe, the British poor should be mocked? So that you can holiday in the UK and stand on a road waving to strangers who don’t give a fig about you, pretending you’re in a Disney fantasy? Okay.
Speaking of royal wedding invites, I’m a bit disappointed the postal service is taking so long to deliver my invitation to the wedding. I’ve even heard rumours that other guests received theirs weeks ago, which is infuriating……as a Celebitchy comments semi-regular poster, I would have expected to be in the first batch of VIP invites to be sent out
If my own invite still hasn’t arrived, what will happen to the small entourage of 15 of my own personal guests whom I intend on taking to the wedding with me?!
I mean, I don’t expect that all 15 guests will receive VIP invites from BP like me, (clearly, the idea of them standing outside with the plebs is nothing short of inconceivable)……. just as long as they’re not treated any worse than the Trump delegation, then I’m happy to look the other way.
PS: I’m really holding back from insisting on being on Meghan’s bridal train – I wouldn’t want anyone to think I was being unreasonable.
I think it’s because of the snow. It must be. I haven’t received mine either.
Bellagio
You should have it by Monday. If you scratch the postage stamp it smells like roast chicken.
@ Ex Mel:
I reckon it got stolen in the post…..so many desperados out there…..maybe we should write to BP to alert them of this potentially huge oversight. I’m sure they’ll send replacements ASAP
@ Enough Already:
Lol….is that what yours smelt like?
Bella
Assuredly so. Interestingly I had to sign for it as apparently the day before, someone named Samantha tried to intercept the mail carrier and refused to show proper ID. *shrug*
I see… Roast chicken scented stamps, you say? So it’s not gotten lost in the post, Bellagio. I reckon we are getting them hand-delivered, No stamps, just the royal seal. Let’s hope the *livery* in delivery isn’t chicken-scented (or liver-scented, for that matter).
Now, about that bridal train…
Don’t worry there was an issue with the post and such, so they have dispatched an army of footmen in royal livery to hand deliver many of them. Mine came today. A cheerful fellow from Leeds delivered it. We had a little chat, and he said the wigs aren’t as hot as I would have imagined blah blah blah, tried on his coat, took some selfies and he was on his way.
Enough Already is right. It DOES smell like roast chicken. My dog tried to snatch it away for a midday snack.
Be warned though a footman racing through the streets in a Royal curricle tends to attract the looky-loos.
At least magnoliarose got photobombed. Sigh.
Now where did I put that leftover produce nesh? DIY fascinators are in this season.
@Enough Already
VERY Jane Austen of you. Will my other Russian cousins help? After an afternoon working on mastering the correct female pursuits such as needlepoint and playing the pianoforte.
Ex Mel:
Is this a joke?! Enough Already and Magnoliarose have both received their invites!
(Supressing panic and trying not to sound too shrill).
Having taken some serious machine gun fire for Meghan + Harry on the occasions when I’ve been brave/foolhardy enough to venture in the DM comments section to defend the purity of their love, the invites had BETTER be hand delivered on a solid gold platter.
In fact, if we’re talking liver infused invites, my invite had better be made entirely of foie gras or I will be throwing the god of all tantrums. (The fact that that tantrum will be suffered by me alone is besides the point).
The Palace is clearly saving the best for last. In fact, I reckon we are not only getting special invites, I suspect we will be sat very close to the couple indeed……specifically just behind the immediate family……I only hope I’m personally not stuck behind Will…..the size of his head at the moment…..it would give the effect of being sat behind a woman wearing a very large hat.
“The Palace is clearly saving the best for last. ”
That was my first thought. I didn’t want to say anything – for obvious reasons – but since you’ve said it out loud… And as long as it doesn’t smell of haggis (organic or not), I am fine. It’s a good thing he is not the Duke of Edinburgh.
BTW, I’m not especially tall, so I am expecting a seat behind the Queen.
Magnoliarose
I am all astonishment! But now that you mention it the laudanum bottle that grandmère doesn’t know we know about *could* use a new cozy. After a walk across the heath of course.
Bella
Now you’ve gone and made us feel like serfs. The liveried footman I saw last week was just a cast member late for Hamilton rehearsal. I’m fine as long as they seat me anywhere near Guy Pelley and nowhere near Thomas Inskip. A bit too fond of farty cushions, that one. Someone had to say it.
@Bellagio
There was a footman flu sweeping the halls of the great old piles, so they have been in short supply hence Enough’s Hamilton substitute. Don’t be alarmed if you recognize yours from the BBC adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel.
@Ex-Mel
I admire your restraint for trying to keep it a secret, but someone had to keep Bellagio from storming the KP with a mob and torches or overdosing on sniffing her vinaigrette.
@Enough
A bracing walk on the heath will put color in your cheeks. I was hoping for a game of Shuttlecock before I work on my pressed flower book when I received a message from Cams, The Duchess of Cornwall to be clear, that I will be seated next to her so we can share her flask full of Brandy and mine will be port.
If anyone has a flask and are willing to fill it with champers, then I may be able to press dear Prinny Chaz to adjust the seating arrangement.
I agree. It is so “big” of them to invite the plebes to watch them go in and out of church, while standing in the rain or the hot sun.
When Diana and Kate got married, there were people along the streets, yes? That doesn’t seem to be the case here? Are these grounds gated/more secluded?
Haven’t paid much attention to any details, but this was funny. In trying to show how much they value the plebes, they are pretty clearly showing they don’t have much use for even their volunteers.
Again, same as was done with previous royal weddings at Windsor. A certain number of people will be inside the walls of Windsor Castle gardens near the church. There is also a carriage procession outside the walls along the public streets.
@not a sugar, so what? How does that make it less insulting, to invite people to stand outside your wedding ceremony? Because other royals did it? What happened to Meghan, the breath of fresh air, bringing the BRF into the 21st century? (And I KNOW she had no say over this. Just like she won’t over most of her life.)
Please. This is like my inviting people to come to my New Year’s Eve party, but just stand outside and watch who comes and goes. It is rude. I don’t care who did it before.
Trixie
You have to see it from a non-American view, as difficult as that is for some Americans to do. Like it or not this is an honor for the selectees and they will tell their grandchildren that were a spectator to history.
@Trixie Americans stand around to watch flowers go by at thanksgiving, camp outside to shop, wait to see movie stars at red carpets, have all kinds of parades where people stand outside to watch randomness walk by this is not different. We like pomp and circumstance and people watching.
Well put!
Redgrl & Enough Already, I think that Americans understand the phenomenon very well…they often line their streets to watch parades (Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, St. Patrick’s Parade, professional teams winning a championship, Presidential Inauguration, concerts, award shows, funerals, etc)… The masses are encouraged to ‘show up’ & be apart of the celebration or commemoration…but everyone knows that only a select few are actually invited to the real event(s)… If people don’t like it then don’t attend…& if it’s televised “just don’t turn it on”…
Everyone that isn’t apart of their family is gonna come and stand outside anyway. And now you are mad they are taking a bit of control for likely security reasons of who is on the castle grounds? The same place many will only be allowed in anyway through invitation but specific also to include those that want to? So now it’s an issue even though anyone that would’ve gone would’ve been standing outside anyway.
Are y’all complaining to complain? Getting closer to being real so it’s “how dare she?”…it’s not even a new thing done. Just mean nearly 3000 will stand outside closer instead of like the long walk or whatever.
Yes, the closer the wedding date gets, the more we’re likely to see people losing their entire shit over this event. Some are already working themselves into a tizzy trying to refute anything benign and decent about the couple or their wedding plans. They know they have absolutely no control or influence over how this event plays out, but they’ll keep up their DM, CB, royal gossip sites and Tumblr poison campaigns because the hate is just so real.
It is very disappointing. I know what bigotry looks like and it usually is more like this than the screaming proud racists. They don’t want to think of themselves as bigoted, but they clearly are.
Thank you. The fake outrage is quite obvious.
I also like how Meghan is making the security decisions about the crowd and not the coterie of Royal bodyguards and police protection that work for the entire royal family.
NC919
Exactly. Meghan is suddenly in a position to overhaul centuries of protocol and control by the entrenched courtiers. She’s had her feminist card and her humanitarian card revoked because she hasn’t changed the world, ended wars, abolished famine and cured cancer.
Yeah, this is what crossed my mind, too. Inviting people to come and stand outside in the weather watching what they can see of you going about your privileged lives and having your expensive wedding? I find it interesting that they seem to think that is a good idea. One part of me wants to laugh and the other part wants to hit something.
Isn’t that what people do with stuff they like? I see people camp overnight in the streets to watch parades, concerts, games, etc. What is the difference? The people were going to be there anyways, proven with most the royals visits. People wake up as ridiculous hours to stand and off chance they will talk by them. So you really think they won’t come out for a royal wedding? All this does it offer a chance for a select few (who want to be there anyways) to be closer to the action.
Well in my opinion this is the essence of a monarchy. There’s the King, his Family and a number of aristocrats (in these days including soccer players, seasoned singers, actors and reality celebs). The rest… plebes.
So they are inviting people to come wait outside for them to arrive and then to hang around during the ceremony to see them depart? It seems like a nice gesture but also kind of weird.
Yeah, that’s weird
It is common. Instead of doing a lottery system like Sophie and Edward where people were selected at random they are giving those spaces to people who are part of the the organizations they are involved with, school kids, etc.
The yokels don’t have much else to do in their petty little yokel lives.
🙂
It’s awesome! If I could, I would be there! And I’m an American.
It just looks so patently obviously pandering.
I’m so very worried about a weekend of terrible fashion and hats from tourists and certain UK folk over that weekend, as well. Like when the Essex crowd arrives at Ascot.*
*this is half-jest, please take it as such. But seriously, I hope the cheap fascinators are kept to a minimum.
I love hats. I hope everyone shows up in their best.
-1
More Facinators and marvelous HAts like the Royal Ascot would be fabulous!
Small, dignified fascinators, like those generally seen at Royal Ascot, are lovely.
The ostentatious, showy hats and fascinators like one sees with the prosecco-swilling crowd show up to Ascot are revolting.
You’re not allowed to wear a fascinator to Royal Ascot (at least not in the royal enclosure). The hat has to have a base with a diameter of at least 10 cm (4 inches).
I’m dying to see what Bea and Eugenie show up in this time. I will never forget Bea’s monstrosity at WK’s wedding.😂😂😂 Don’t know if it looked more like a toilet seat, sperm trying to permeate an egg, or an IUD lol. (And yes, I know she auctioned it off for charity later, but that only came because of the notoriety).
LOL! Those sisters have a very… interesting hat game. Can’t wait!
I have just signed this petition to the UK parliament to commit no public money to this wedding, and to publish a report of all costs to the taxpayer. You can sign it too here:
https://www.republic.org.uk/petition/royal-wedding
Wow. Why THIS wedding? They are that unpopular, huh?
It’s the racists who believe Harry’s her poor innocent victim who deserves better.
I wouldn’t say that as much as optics aren’t great, economy isn’t exactly booming post Brexit vote, there’s likely to be at least one enormously expensive BRF funeral this year, and he’s not a future king.
Klutzy girl, seems a bit silly to imply people are only allowed to have two states of mind: racist, or happy to have tax dollars spent on another person’s wedding.
@klutxy_girl no – sorry nothing to do with race (at least for me) – more to do with our public services being slashed left and right, our pensions being cut (see UCU industrial action), public sector salaries being stagnated.
The LAST think we should be spending public funds on is a private party for two very wealthy people.
I agree that plenty of hateful twats have been awful about this couple. I have no issue with her (I think she is lovely) but it’s not my job, as a tax payer, to pay for their wedding. And, if we ARE to pay for it with public funds, in any way, there should be transparency.
Also – I think as a woman who had a career and could have done so much MORE with her life, she is too good for Harry.
(Looks like I should have clarified that I’ve only seen the racist misogynists pushing this petition at others because they don’t want Meghan ruining their poor, precious Harry and he needs saved).
Klutzy: Republic are an organisation that has been calling for transparency and abolishment of taxpayer funds to the royals for over a decade.
They send a petition to parliament every time there is a royal occasion and give quotes every time there is a royal financing story pointing out that taxpayers are paying and it should stop or be transparent.
They release annual reports related to royal financing as far as they can dig, and are the only organisation in UK that is regularly calling out the gaslighting by the royals that claims that taxpers only pay 56p per year per person. They are not a racist organisation.
Claiming they are racist without knowing anything about them reflects more on you than them.
Perhaps if you acquainted with their website and the information they gather including royal expenditure reports, you might not be such a reactionary : republic.org.uk
https://www.republic.org.uk
Thanks @Lak, for explaining things clearly as usual. You are a treasure.
For Klutzy and others seeing racial motives for me posting this petition and for the petition itself, I do wish people wouldn’t cry racism any time anyone makes any criticism of this couple? It really diminishes the real racism faced by poc (including Meghan!). Does it matter that I am, in fact, very much a poc myself?
For the people going on about Kate and Will’s wedding and lack of petition, others have answered already. Regarding Eugenie, I have no idea if there will be a petition but I doubt very much their costs are going to be as high as H and M.
I am really sad that people have a problem with Harry getting married to a biracial woman. But I do not have a problem with people criticising the taxpayer funded expenses of any of the royals. It’s rather disgusting to say or imply that we are all racists isn’t it? Lastly, I would like to know. How many of you are actually UK taxpayers on here? I am actually one, so I have a right to express my views on how my taxes should be spent (while the cuts to services and benefits and austerity measures are literally killing poor vulnerable people in this country).
In light of Brexit, cuts to the NHS, homeless dying on our streets, cuts to education, and benefits overhaul which has had the effect of eugenics where a lot of disabled people have died, it just seems a bit off to be spending a lot of government money on a royal wedding (although to be fair, I think it’s for security). In light of Brexit and how it’s hobbled us, a lot of things are coming under scrutiny where they haven’t before.
In that case all the money made from televising the wedding and selling merch with their image should go to them personally. You should add that to your petition just to be fair.
That doesn’t happen even for American celebrities. See Aretha’s hat at Obama’s inauguration.
Can someone help me find the same petition for William and Kate’s wedding?
Not sure if you’re just what-abouting but people did express a similar sentiment about cost at that time – here’s an article :
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/16/royal-wedding-bill-cost
Ok, but where is the petition? It was only 2011. Same group raised concerns but no petition. I’m curious about the extra step, but, frankly, whatever. I think this is a terrible idea on Markle’s end.
Because William is the future Monarch? I think, whatever one’s feelings on the monarchy, we understand we’ll be on the hook for a wedding, a coronation, and eventually, a funeral for the King or Queen.
I’m sure there were petitions for that exact thing! But they’d have been utterly unrealistic. They weren’t going to elope or get friends to set up a tent in a field.
But I think asking people to chip in for Harry, or Beatrice, etc., is taking the mick a bit.
Also waiting for the petition against paying for Eugenies wedding
Sam, there’s no petition because that was never going to happen in the first place – Eugenie’s family will pay for the wedding, tax payers will end up paying for extra policing (no real way around that).
That is what people would like for Harry as well.
Apple Hat,Thats the same as Harry and Meghans so again wheres the petition against that?
Perhaps I’m not understanding you Sam –
Why would there be one? Because it was always going to be the case that Eugenie’s wedding would be like that. No need for a petition.
.
The family is paying for Harry and Meghan just like they did for William and Kate and Eugenie and Jack…
So what is the real issue?
Apple Hat: The royals are paying for Eugenie’s Wedding,same as Harry’s.The taxpayers are paying for the security, also same as Harry so why is there a petition against Harry’s wedding and not for Eugenie’s wedding?
Also Eugenie and Jack are getting married on a Friday, which I would think causes a headache to everyday people. On Friday people still have to get to work and back in the midst of security cordons, added patrols, possible road closures, etc.
This will be a larger wedding. There’s more attention to it. The petition is calling for no tax payer funds to be used at all (which, again, with policing needs is impossible) to make a point. They’re also calling for transparency about the funds that used, so that we know what the real score is and feel there’s been honesty.
Republic has a specific agenda and this fits in it, and is a high profile chance to discuss that agenda. Harry could be marrying anyone and they’d be doing it.
Why no petition for Eugenie? Well, bluntly, who really cares about her wedding? The taxpayer cost won’t be the same. A few extra bobbies to pull Fergie off of any camera she sees won’t come close in cost. And Republic know there isn’t the same interest.
Given the amount of screaming about Eugenie and Beatrice that goes on, I’d be surprised if people didn’t make a fuss about the costs of Eugenie’s wedding and security. Moreso than the costs of this one. The hate and misinformation thrown about constantly about those two, if no petition show up against Eugenie’s wedding? Looks like another effort to target Harry and his choice of bride.
Reef there was no petition…There was talk & some articles written about the expense. The Middletons contributed to the wedding costs (as well as the Queen & Charles), but if I recall the ‘taxpayers’ paid for the security (I think it was estimated over 30 million pounds)…Harry picked Windsor for sentimental & practical reasons. It will cost less to secure the location…
A complaint from same organisation regarding taxpayer funding of William and Kate’s wedding.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11771915
This time, rather than get the BBC to carry a news item for their complaint, they’ve organised a petition.
Signed it. Thanks for letting us peasants know about this.
Hahaha yes you really did
Thanks for petition link, duly signed. Hope it gains traction. I would much rather contribute to finding solutions to the homelessness issue than have a penny of my taxes supporting this ridiculously and borderline offensively pampered couple. No offence to Meghan, I like her, but that she and Harry can’t see how inappropriate it would be for them to benefit from public money, then it really doesn’t say much about their alleged social consciousness.
did you really…dont see anything after Suzy?
Well, it has been recommended by a politician that the homeless in the areas around the castle all be removed by the wedding day, so two birds with one stone!!! /sarcasm
Lol…..
Thanks Sarita! Glad I’m not the only republican on this site 🙂 x
Glad to see some like minded people on here @Saucy. xo
Is this going to end up like the tumblr-started petition to prevent Meghan Markle from getting a title via Harry upon marriage? The one they proved was created and signed by people from the US not the UK.
people are foolish and seem to think that a petition can change anything they want
Especially trying to change a situation in a country other than their own!
Whelp, good luck with that. Like drumpf and his taxes, I didn’t know full disclosure even applied to these people.
Mmmh …. vote for somebody like Donald Trump as Head of State?
Sarita, I anticipate the petition for Eugenie & Jack’s big day…They marry in October. If you want to get ahead in impacting the wedding putting it out now would ensure exposure & garner more signatures & thus time for Andrew, Fergie & BRF to modify the event…
what is your point Tonya? Is Eugenie and Jack’s wedding going to be as expensive and taxpayer funded? Are you a British taxpayer?
Yes I am…I am also a decendent from countries the British raped & plundered to obtain their wealth…My countries in Africa are still waiting on the return of priceless pieces that were ‘borrowed’…but even if were not- the last time I checked- I’m entitled to an opinion…like I said…I look forward to the petition for Eugenie
@Sarita Yes Eugenie’s wedding is also going to be taxpayer funded and as a taxpayer,im waiting for that petition for their wedding as well
Sam,
There will be no petition from Sarita and her ilk for Eugenie & Jack, just like there was no petition for Peter & Autumn or Edward & Sophie all of whom used the same venue, took carriage rides and presented the taxpayer with the same bills for securing the areas surrounding Windsor Castle. Nooooo, it’s only Meghan Markle they are targeting and Harry for having the audacity to choose her as his bride. Do you get it now?
@ Merrygirl
Lol…..a lot of transferred bitterness going on here. It’s a bit sad to watch.
I think someone mentioned this upthread but in my opinion, not everyone who’s racist wants to admit (even to themselves) that they are racist. You can only really judge by observing how they react to and interact with people of other races.
One big clue is massive over-reactions to situations concerning poc…..in a way that we don’t see for those concerning white people. For instance, I’ve seen Meghan very, very heavily criticized for being a divorcée, despite Charles, Camilla and most of the queens children sharing a similar status.
Similarly, I’m watching a lot of people scream themselves hoarse about any sorts of privileges Meghan might enjoy…..Despite the fact that there’s a long list of royals who have gone before and enjoyed the same with very little fanfare about the costs/titles/privileges etc.
In my opinion, she had BETTER get the same treatment all other marrying royals before her have got or the BRF will be answering some very serious questions. If you didn’t think to put out a petition for any of the other overblown weddings or celebrations over the years, for other blue veined royals that came before Meghan Markle came on the scene, then I think you can hold on just a tiny little bit longer for the next wedding to implement your bright idea.
And before you ask, I’m a life-long British taxpayer and I am pretty comfortable with how things have been handled thus far.
PS: To the Petitioners: I’m not saying all of you lot are racist, (of course not), just that a very significant faction of you unfortunately are.
Spoiler! 😒
It breaks my heart that you don’t want to pay for THIS wedding. The cost toward security at all because of what exactly? Their is a racist hate crime against Meghan but y’all use THIS wedding to prove a point? It’s funny how those go the extra mile over THIS relationship…this couple. I highly doubt petitions would pop up if he was marrying Cressida type. Or complaints about common sense or doing what is always done.
Y’all will dismiss it & say “it’s not racism” but it is & you don’t care. It hurts…it’s frustrating…
Nessa nessa, if the petition is not based on racism then Eugenie’s petition should be forthcoming…& any other BRF member’s marriage in the future…I think that would be fair…I will agree with you that I never saw a petition for Anne, Charles, Andrew, Edward, Peter Phillips, William, or Zara Phillips in the past. The world is changing and if this new initiative is used this time, I hope to see it utilized in the future. Otherwise I will have to factor in Meghan’s race as a factor behind the endeavour & that will cast the whole premise in a ‘negative light’.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11771915
I’m sure there will be complaints from Republic for Eugenie’s wedding.
Complaints perhaps, but will there be a petition? I eagerly await the petition for Eugenie & Jack using taxpayer funded security with the same spirit and vigor from Republic and those who signed this time.
This might be an unreasonable point of view, but it’s how I’m feeling none-the-less:
I’m a woc and have had my tax-payer funds lavished on countless blue veined members of this family over the years without complaint.
Now that there’s a woc involved, suddenly my taxes cannot, must not, will not be spent on her?!
I don’t think so. Petition the next wedding.
Thanks Sarita, signed! Sick of this parasite family and all the hangers-on
The only petition I care about is the one for a second referendum on Brexit. Let’s focus on what is important.
here here.
@Tina
+1000
Those two are so naive what kind of publicity this is?
Where is sixer?
I think she’s left us for Ireland. I hope she’ll be back for the wedding.
I’ve been wondering too!
I’ve been wondering the same! 🙁
I was just going to ask that. I hope she’s doing well and will be back soon.
If you’re reading this, Sixer, we all miss you.
Why are they inviting people to stand outside of the church? Doesn’t the public come out and do that anyway? When I saw the headline, I actually thought people were being invited to the actual wedding. ☹️
Windsor castle is enclosed and they would not be able to see them if they were standing outside.
People are invited inside the castle grounds. Normal people would not get there. Windsor is a different thing all together.
Some charity staff will likely still be invited to the wedding ceremony, but those who will be outside are some who benefit from those charities.
Is this wise given the earlier outcry from the homeless community?
This is one of those ideas that sounded much better in meetings. Actually, it feels like an agency that hires extras for crowd scenes came up with this. No question who will be blamed for this idea and who will be painted as the innocent one.
What would be lovely is if they provide some sort of garden party for the invitees. Get some entertainment and food in and give them a day out during and after the ceremony.
Medieval royal weddings were feast days for the villages and food and drink were provided. Something similar with tea and refreshments would be nice.
Tea! No, they can do better. Wine and finger food!
If there’s no bouncy castle it doesn’t count 😉
Ha! But, don’t forget turkey legs for the American guests. It wouldn’t be “medieval” without them!
Sounds like you’d make a great forelock tugging peasant at a renaissance fair!
And tankards of mead!
I was thinking the same thing, it would be nice if they had an informal reception for the attendees outside.
2640 people? That seems like a lot. I bet all a lot of them will see is the back of some other random persons head.
I am rather worried that it will now be harder for people like me to get a good position close to the Chapel.
Princessk, there is something in the announcement about selection of 1200 members of the public. Maybe you and your kids could try that?
“1,200 members of the public from every corner of the United Kingdom will be nominated to attend by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices. The couple has asked that the people chosen are from a broad range of backgrounds and ages, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.”
It was 8000 for Edward & Sophie…
Sigh and he ‘s the last of 4. So…
This is similar to what Sophie and Edward did for their wedding at Windsor. It may be a way of letting people participate in a public setting while also being able to have some control (for security reasons) of which members of the public are allowed how close.
Actually, security is a good point. They’ve already had one serious threat against them that’s been made public and I’d be amazed if that was the only one.
Ah thanks for that info. That makes it less weird if there’s a precedent for it.
Really did Ed and Soph get married when the country had just decided to commit economic suicide with Brexit and in a period of severe austerity. If not, it’s not the same thing at all.
So every other royal wedding gets paid for, just not the one where the prince is marrying the divorced, black, American? Got it.
Well in that case, call off the wedding!! Give me a break…
You can’t pick and chose. This is literally the same set up that Edward and Sophie had . Just say your REAL issue with your gut. 😉
As Ari points out, it is the same setup. 8000 people were vetted and given the ability to be within the Windsor Castle grounds for Edward and Sophie wedding. It isn’t H+M doing something unusual, playing at being special, or whatever else people are accusing them of in this thread.
This is what was done last time a higher profile royal married at Windsor, and that was Edward and Sophie who weren’t even supposed to be working royals. Also was back before the steep rise in soft-target terrorism.
True but I think that Meghan is seen to be more woke and will modernize the monarchy. In this case she is just like all the others. I think that is disappointing and people expected more. People are tired of the monarchy spending their hard earned money whoever it is however, in this day and age with poverty becoming more and more in England and the US it is becoming more apparent when money is wasted.
Sherri, I think Meghan had no choice…BRF members have procedures they must comply in order for their marriage to be legal. For example a BRF member has to be present at the wedding to sign…Harry probably would have liked to elope but that could not happen. I think allowing people to stand within the castle walls was a way of ‘making them feel more apart of the service’…
Sadly, as long as The majority of United Kingdom wants a monarchy they will have it & ‘support’ them.
Agreed – but they only have to comply if they want the wealth and prestige that the royal family offers. They can at any time let the money go and live a normal life. Their choice.
The Queen, Charles, and William can also all abdicate and solve that problem for you. Why don’t you go see them about it rather than worrying about the lower rungs on the ladder? Modernizing the monarchy just appears to be a term that means being less unapproachable. Harry and Meghan are doing that. They also obviously plan to use the spotlight they have to do good as much as they are able. Meghan in her couple of months as an almost royal has already shown herself to have more of a work ethic than her other royal contemporaries. Her life will be better than many people, but it will not be perfect. Her privacy is gone forever, she’s getting more death threats than ever, her every breath will be criticized until she dies, and the racist crazies now have a brand new public figure to focus their hatred on.
@Dolly, really? Meghan has done as much in a couple of months, shown herself to have more of a work ethic than the other royals? Where did you get that? What has she done since the engagement in November? 4 events? Maybe 5? In three months!!
I think the opposite – Meghan is going to do as little as Harry does. If he does 120 engagements a year, that is what she will do. If he does 150, that is what her top number will be. And they are NOT going to do more than Wills. They won’t be allowed to do so. It will not be her choice.
Ah, well, we will see. I think fans of Meghan’s here are going to be very disappointed.
209 last year, but again who is counting?
She has done more than KM did in a similar time period in their lives. Yes, that matters.
She has shown herself to be hard-working, ambitious, and having a work ethic. I don’t expect that set of character traits to disappear. Just like I don’t expect Kate Middleton to magically grow a work ethic where none has existed before.
We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
Dream on Trixie they will do as much as they want because it is good for the institution to have popular Royals who capture the imagination. They are hardly going to stop Harry and Meghan if is for the good of the BRF as a whole.
He would be helping his family and Wills expects him to do it.
If Sophie and Edward are allowed to outshine W and K with their numbers do you really think they would hold Harry back when he is the most popular member of the younger set?
It isn’t even logical.
The ones that keep pushing the “Harry did 120 engagements” are the Cambridge fans
Not a Sugar, do every one of Harry’s appearances at Invictus count as an engagement? That is what I read somewhere. And if the 4 or 5 engagements Meghan did since November, say 3 1/2 months, show a great work ethic, I want to work there!! I agree, Kate has never had a work ethic and may never will.
And yes, we will see. I still don’t think they will let Meghan do more than Harry and Wills. Maybe Kate, cause she will have a baby.
And I’m not a Cambridge fan. I think they are bone lazy and need to do more. I just don’t like the way women talk about her here. Criticize her work ethic, but to mock her hair, her face, her makeup, her skin, her age, if anyone ever did that about Meghan, people here would be howling.
Neither of them deserve that.
This is standard, they did the same with Edward & Sophie’s wedding at Windsor. There will still be charity representatives invited to the actual church.
I see nothing wrong with this.Edward and Sophie did this with 8,000 and they managed fine so they can definitely manage 2,000+
Can’t wait.
I can’t wait either Minx. I’d love to see it because it’s history in the making. I like them together
They should have held it at a larger venue. I was reading that the town is worried about being able to find space for all the people they anticipate. Did No one really think harry weddings wouldn’t be a big draw?
The major expense with royal weddings is security. Maybe they don’t want to send the wrong message during Brexit?
Choosing Windsor means it will cost far less in security than it would have done in London.
I wonder where they’ll honeymoon?
Who is doing their pr its like they want a backlash twenty pounds says it rains on the day and the peasants get soaked
Rain on the wedding day is considered good luck in the BRF.
It rained buckets on Letizia and Felipe’s wedding day. You can see the water splashing up out of the soaked outdoor carpet when the car with the bride drove up. Still ended up with a crowd outside the church in the small space provided.
In Jewish tradition, rain on any day of a celebration (wedding, birth, etc) is considered good luck 😊. Rained on my parents’ wedding day and on my birthday. (Wonder if that’s why I love a rainy day so much? 😊☔️
🙂
It rained when I was born too and they were already thinking I was sent to heal the family so that just sealed it. lol
There was a tragedy and then I was the surprise. Hence they still think I am 4 years old and THE BABY. *eyeroll*
This is just KP spin to make the wedding seem inclusive, and it is actually not the case. The ‘invited’ few will stand outside like the rest of the public & only those in front will get to have a proper view of the guests arriving. I personally find it insulting to invite charities & children, just to have them stand outside for hours like props.
KP also mention they want to invite people from all backgrounds but how are those from poorer backgrounds going to afford the transport & accommodation? Windsor is a very hard place to get to & some hotels are reportedly charging thousands for a room.
Again, this is the same thing Edward and Sophie did, it isn’t exclusive to this wedding. Likely a way to have some security control of who is allowed closest to the Church. In this era of terrorist attacks and soft targets? I’m surprised they are having any members of the public anywhere nearby, a carriage procession, etc.
Why are they doing it at all? They didn’t have to. And if they insist on doing it, why don’t they offer them some snack and a drink? Can’t they afford it?
They couldn’t close down the entire village of Windsor and not allow people to be on the streets during the wedding. Believe it or not, there are some people who support the British Royal Family, they like Harry, like Harry’s choice of bride, and want to attend this event in some way. Presumably, this arrangement lets some of that happen.
Except I read that the people who were invited to Sophie & Edward’s wedding were all locals? https://mobile.nytimes.com/1999/06/20/world/at-windsor-royal-wedding-has-a-common-touch.html?referer=https://www.google.com/
That feels like less of a logistics nightmare in terms of getting people there and asking them to find hotel accommodations just so they can stand outside and cheer as the happy couple passes by. If it comes down to it being a security issue of them wanting to control whoever is closest to the church then that makes sense, but the way they’ve presented this as this generous opportunity feels weird to me.
I wonder if the invitations will come with travel and accommodation vouchers.
Normally if you get invited to a wedding, do the bride and groom pay for your travel and accommodation?
Peg, I think in this case, these people are not being invited because they are friends of the couple but are being asked to represent their charities from all over the country. Some, I think, would feel it a responsibility to attend and this might be expensive for them; trains and accommodation are expensive. Since the BRF is paying for the wedding, a voucher for transport/accommodation costs seems a thoughtful gesture, even if it’s a token £100 per person. I also hope the BRF will have food provided, much like they do with a garden party. If you invite people, you need to be hospitable.
In some cases, yes, I have heard of couples helping out a relative attend their day, simply because they are aware of their relative’s situation.
Seems strange and insulting! “Here is an exclusive invite to stand outside my party to to watch me come and go!’ LOL’s Thanks for the laugh today.
How? This exactly thing happened with Sophie and Edward who also married in this church. They held a raffle and people entered and were selected. Only difference is that Meghan and Harry aren’t selecting people at random.
Everyone keeps saying this is OK cause Sophie and Edward did it. How does that make it OK? It is insulting to give actual invites for people to stand outside and watch you come and go. And people expected Meghan to change the monarchy?? How is this changing it at all? Plus, money is much tighter for most people in England now than when S&E got married, so any costs of this wedding will be looked at more closely by those losing benefits. Add in the removal of the homeless from the town? Yes. The common touch. 🙂
Seems like either let willing folks come on the grounds if they choose, or don’t allow anyone on the actual grounds. That wouldn’t work, though, cause they need lots of cheering folks waving flags for propaganda purposes – think of the photo ops!! Meghan and Harry greeting plebes, looking all touched and warmed by the love they are feeling.
It really is funny!! I feel like the whole thing is a throwback to the 16th century, where the peasants could come visit the castle once in a great while, but weren’t allowed in.
That is just the way it is when it comes to monarchies. There are people who are die-hard supporters and who will always support them. They could have gone with a W&K style debacle which cost the country billions. Billions. Instead they’ve gone with a smaller venue and much smaller security costs, which is kudos to them.
Security threats are real, as they were back with Edward and Sophie wedding. There are people who want to celebrate this event and want to be part of it. This set up, plus the carriage procession outside the walls, allows something like that to happen.
No one is forcing these people to attend so I don;t see where the insult it. I doubt those selected are insulting. Don’t project your feelings onto them.
@Ari, maybe the people nominated will be excited, but that doesn’t change the optics of making a big deal and sending actual invites for people to stand outside, rain or shine, to watch you walk in and out. Maybe the peasants will get a wave??
Perhaps I just can’t understand standing anywhere to cheer mostly unemployed, basically unaccomplished people in what is a personal event for them? Harry is soon to be 6th in line to the throne. His marriage will not affect anyone’s lives, except that the citizens now have to support any family he will have. So why would anyone go and cheer? This is NOT the same thing as going to an inauguration of a person like a President or Prime Minister, someone who will affect your life.
So how do they protect these people during bigger events when they parade through the streets? Is Meghan more at risk?
@Trixie… I guess. I don’t see the different in a lot of public events. I mean my brother flying out of town to stand for like 12 hours to watch some football players get their names called. I don’t understand it but it is what it is. That is what HE wants to do.
I don’t think optics for the royal wedding is all that bad. It is smaller than W&K and the only reason people in a fuss is because H&M are higher profile. We all know what it is about. People stand out to watch these people for damn near every engagement they do, I am sure that has many scratching their heads as well. None of these weddings effect our lives if we being real honest nor does it matter. If they want to participate then they will. The world will keep spinning.
People stand in lines for concert tickets, camp out for films and choose what they want to do.
Not a big deal.
people stand outside the grounds for Royal Weddings anyway, and no one is being forced to apply for this opportunity. Those who find it insulting likely won’t apply, and those who want to be there will probably be happy for the opportunity and won’t be insulted.
How kind of them to let the plebs onto the castle grounds. Maybe they can toss some gold coins at them as well.
They are notoriously frugal. Maybe some golden-wrap candy. Wouldn’t that be something? The peasants could actually EAT it!
I pray their wedding carriage doesn’t do a Marquis St. Evremonde and run over any peasant children.
/kidding
This is the 21st century and that’s some very dark, morbid humor for such a joyous occasion.
@Olenna, this does have that “let them eat cake” vibe. I was using an allusion from Tale of Two Cities, a book about the French revolution. Please don’t read more into it than that. I didn’t realize that I couldn’t refer to a classic piece of literature, read by most advanced high schoolers in the US.
Trixie, I began reading Dickens as an adolescent. That said, any talk of hurting children, whether kidding or not kidding has never set well with me. So, IMO, I’m not reading too much into it; I’m reading it from the perspective of my own sensibilities. You think it’s funny; I don’t. Let’s leave it at that.
Olenna
I agree, that was tasteless and unnecessary.
It does have a “let them eat cake” vibe…hopefully they will drive themselves head-first into a republic…even the nutjobs (readers from the DM/Telegraph) that usually turn up for these things are unlikely to on this occasion as they REALLY are not popular…
That isn’t true at all.
If you want to drive them into a republic have a public airing of all of their spending and THEN you will get the pitchforks. Not over a wedding. That is silly.
I liked Daily Mail’s Rachel Johnson’s take, that HM were inviting thousands of their closest strangers.
Like a head of state would if britain was a republic.
If this wedding is televised, I don’t know why anyone would want to stand outside like a cattle call when they can see closeups and the whole affair so much better on TV, in the comfort of their own home.
Same could be said of any royal wedding since the invention of television. And yet crowds still line the streets.
In the USA, the Presidential inaugration is televised but millions attend in person to witness it when they can get a better view from the comfort of their homes…some people love being at events ‘in person’…
Well I have already booked accommodation in Windsor but I am now worried and confused about how to get a good spot. I don’t want to be stuck out on the Long Walk.
Unless someone is within the walls of
Windsor Castle I am not sure how much you can see. Also like someone said it’s England weather hit and miss. Just be prepared.
I will be at the gym.
PrincessK they’ve put out the map of the carriage procession. If nothing else you can get a spot along there near the gates.
I will be on my very comfy sofa, at 4 a.m., with the fireplace crackling and a cup of English breakfast tea and a scone or two. I plan to enjoy the *&^% out of this!
I like them both, and am wishing them every happiness. Looking forward to watching 😊
@Princessk, the best way to ensure getting a good spot is to spend the night before on the pavement. Failing that, get up super, super early (like 3-4am) and get as good a spot as you can.
Thanks @nota and @tina…..I will be arriving on the Friday to do a recce.
@ Princess K
I hope you have a FABULOUS day. Stay safe and bring us all the live gossip! 😀 😀
@Bellagio….Thanks! I will certainly try. 😄
I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s been done before. ::shrug::
For sure – but times are changing. People are more aware of the gap between the wealthy and the poor. In the US people want the wealthy taxed to provide for the poor while the royal family lives off the proceeds of the common person in a life of luxury. Its a problem – times are changing the royal family needs to realize that – all of them!!!! It is just that this wedding is happening right now – it will be interesting to see what Beatrice does. And who wants to be a peasant waiting outside for the crumbs. It just really shows the privilege – I think that things like this will never be looked at the same way again with the changes in the US and the world in the last couple of years.
exactly @Sherri. Honestly don’t understand this whole idea that it’s the way it’s been done, so it’s all good. We should do better! Why have a friggin monarchy in this day and age? Why are they better than the rest of us?
Sure they do but not over a wedding. That is just ridiculous, and it comes off not that good for people pushing this for this wedding. But if the UK wants to be embarrassed by acting as if all of a sudden this is THE moment to demand a Republic don’t be surprised how it will look to the world.
Brexit hasn’t even happened yet.
If money is a concern why aren’t you protesting William’s lavish renovations? There is a long list.
It is obvious what this is, and the excuse it was ok for William’s wedding means it isn’t about the “republic” at all but used as an excuse to protest this. It is transparent but go ahead. Embarrass yourselves.
Anyone other the British signing is pathetic.
@magnoliarose
People did protest William and Kate’s renovations. But the Queen approved those costs and she can’t be criticized, it seems. The money was intended for repairs to Buck Palace, money the old woman has long used to shoot to her family. Now the taxpayer has to cough up more money for repairs on top of what had been periodically paid for palace upkeep since 1952. Unfortunately the BRF is not held to a transparency standard re. public money that everyone else is held to. Did you notice the Queen and Charles’s o/seas investments ( the Paradise Papers ) got buried? Do you understand that the BRF’s shadiness is kept very much under wraps? They exercise huge control over media.
With H+M, it’s not all about race. I doubt most people would care. Don’t keep playing the race card when the issues are not about race. The wedding is a private, family event. Harry has gone on record whining about wanting privacy so why not have a private wedding. The BRF owns their own secure properties (Balmoral, Sandringham) and they could easily have their celebrations there. So could Eugenie and Jack. Release photos later if they wish. There is a fundamental flaw in society when PUBLIC money is frittered away on a show pony event rather than taking care of the public aka reducing NHS, education etc spending. But if you insist the problem is race then consider those most in need of public assistance are not white. Are you concerned about them?
If this cold snap continues and the weather is terrible on the day (possible) it’s going to be very difficult for the school children and others to stand outside in the cold. If Meghan and Harry insist on having plebs playing a part in their big day, the school children and the elderly and the disabled that represent chosen charities should be invited to the actual wedding so they can watch it from inside the church. As it is, their gormless, rich friends will take up those seats and the peasants will be kept at arm’s length outside. But they still want the peasants in the grounds to give off the image that they are being inclusive BAHAHA!!! 🙂 🙂
Terrible weather is a possibility but I seriously doubt this cold snap will continue that long:)
Well, nobody usually expects it to be still snowing in March but here we are…anything is possible tbh. It won’t be as cold as now but it could still be wet, chilly and miserable.
I guess you’re not British? Snow falling at this time of the year (Feb/March) is normal
I am British and no this level or cold and snow isn’t normal for March.
Yes, won’t someone think of the children? Seriously, the wedding’s the third week in May. My friend Google says average temps should be 16C/60F. If not, I’m sure people will be allowed to bring a jacket or raincoat.
700,000 people in Philadelphia came out at the beginning of February for the football team’s Super Bowl parade. It wasn’t only cold, it was d*mn cold. Thousands stood on the side of the road to watch some guys wave from the top of passing buses. Many camped out overnight for prime viewing spots, especially at the museum, where so many were packed in only those towards the front had a reasonable view of actual people.
And yes there were lots of children, lots of everybody. First Superbowl win. Older fans thought they’d never see it in their lifetime. Parents wanted it to be something their children would remember.
Sounds not unlike a royal wedding, to me. Let’s not pretend there aren’t lots of people who’ll enjoy just being around the festivities, even if it’s only waving at the carriage as it goes by.
Re: chairs, etc if the invitees need them – I’m sure there will be appropriate accommodations. AFAIK they haven’t mentioned toilet facilities either, but I doubt anyone expects people to just keep their legs crossed.
I’m not sure why people argue with notasugar…don’t they know who she really is?
You mean she always wins the argument?😊
I wish 🙂
Fact is I’m just terribly mouthy and have been watching the BRF (and other royal families) for a couple of decades now.
No. How could people possibly know who any of us is? So – who is she?
spill
You’ve got to spill now. Is she Markle or someone that knows her personally?
Folks, notasugarhere has been commenting on the royals here for years. I don’t know what the OP thinks she/he know and I really DGAF. Everyone commenting here is allowed their anonymity, so targeting a specific person’s real identity is unwarranted and should not be allowed.
Thank you, Olenna. As someone else wrote, tumblr is leaking hard today.
It is also illegal. It could be considered a cybercrime and the person doxing can end up with a visit from authorities. Also depending on WHO the person is they may retaliate in kind and still press for legal action.
It can easily be framed as cyberstalking. I would totally turn it over to the authorities, and then that person’s online history and behaviors can be looked into to make certain they aren’t a threat to anyone. Then a background check into their lives to see if they are a danger.
She’s been here well before I started posting and deserves her privacy while enjoying the forum. smh
You’re welcome, nota, and I agree: Tumblr is in the house and folks are changing their names/monikers faster than I keep up. The long-winded ones always give themselves away, though. LOL!
ETA: @ magnoliarose, you are absolutely right. Illegal.
Nota is a rock star, we all know this. Also: as an old-ish person, what is up with tumblr? Why do crazy people seem to gravitate there?
Nota slays with knowledge. Always a good thing.
Nota is a rock star? Depends whether she agrees with you or not. One dare not say anything favourable about Kate.
You can say favourable things about Kate as long as they are true. Nota and others point out when something is inaccurate, yes.
Really? I guess it depends on who you are, as I just started coming here and people are saying I’m someone else.
Hmmmmm.
@magnoliarose, you know what else is illegal? Getting people’s IP addresses. I don’t know why people always claim someone is someone else? Unless they have IP addresses, they are being silly, and if they are getting IP addresses, that is a big issue, as that is illegal as well.
And BTW, I have never been on tumblr in my life. I think it is a stupid site.
Nah, you cant say favourable things about Kate on here. You cant even compliment Kate without the jealousy/bitterness seeping through. LAK seems to be the only poster with verifiable facts. Rumours don’t count as facts.
If they really wanted to make a difference, they should extend an invite to the homeless people who are sleeping rough in Windsor, who were so egregiously maligned by whoever that person was who asked the city to clear them out before the wedding. They should do that and reach out to one of the charities that assists the homeless and bring to the spotlight some of the initiatives that they’re working on to help them out. Now that would be a gesture I could get behind.
This is a very good idea. I hope they include and help the Windsor homeless in some way.
How do you know they haven’t reached out to homeless charities? How do you know they won’t shine a light on the problem as part of their work? The wedding hasn’t even happened yet and people are making a lot of assumptions about what they have/haven’t, will/won’t do.
Did I miss Harry or any other member of the BRF protesting against the politician who wants to remove all the homeless from the area before the wedding. Think of the optics, homeless folks in pictures!!!
Can you link to where they spoke out against this idea??
Why do people like when other people think they are better than they are because of who they were born to? (awkward sentence, I know) I just don’t get it.
First, can you link to where Meghan and Harry said they thought ousting the homeless for optics is an awesome idea and are glad they won’t have to step over them on their wedding day? No? Well then.
Second, if you think that they are “better” than you, that would be your issue. I think the BRF have a higher position than I do in my everyday life, but I don’t find them to be “better” than me. They are flawed people like many others.
Lastly, you know better than to think any royal is going to publicly dress down a politician for any reason. Some here and on other threads have gone on about what the royals can and can’t say due to “protocol”, so I don’t generally hear about them offering up opinions on any particular issue. (People were up in arms over the color of Kate’s dress at the BAFTAs and what it meant.) The ones who work tend to simply address issues of the day when doing so. Meghan for example, during this last outing with the other three, spoke when asked about her thoughts on women’s empowerment and the movements out there now. Meghan and Harry made one of their recent engagements to a business that helps and employs the homeless. We’re never going to see them offering up press statements and interviews about everything under the sun, but those that care to seemingly make their feelings clear through the work.
No one in the BRF can protest any politician. That violates the unwritten constitution. Harry has supported homeless charities in the past, but (and believe me, it pains me to say this) homeless charities such as Centrepoint are more William’s area.
Wet blankets everywhere, my god…
So freaking annoying, they can try to wrap it up any way they want. Black woman.
Invite the homeless.
Feed the people.
No one is going to be standing outside, so they’ve to invite people to stand.
Taxpayers money, will cut down on my dole.
It’s going to rain, it’s England, what do you expect.
So you think no one has a point here, except the ones who praise Meghan and Harry to the hilt for the kindness of sending invitations to people who will stand outside for hours, #blessed to catch a glimpse of the happy bride and groom arriving and leaving??
You think it’s ok that the politicians tried to move all the homeless out of the area before the wedding, and Harry didn’t protest? You think it is ok to spend millions of taxpayers’ money on the wedding of the 6th in line to the throne, when people are losing healthcare and pension benefits in England?
OK.
Good grief, Trixie (and Sarah). Maybe you should take a break from this event. You’re not even British but it appears this wedding and it’s plans are stressing you out. Plus, I don’t think you’re gonna sway opinions with the same “talking points” that you’ve repeatedly made and that have been repeatedly addressed by others. Yeah, the security is probably gonna cost a bundle but his family is covering the rest. This wedding is gonna happen. People who are against any part of it should protest through their legislative representatives if they think it is so wrong.
Trixie, my only points to add are Harry is the 5th in line (at this moment) & Edward was 7th in line when he married Sophie. Edward and Sophie had a royal wedding.
To add to Tonya. When Edward and Sophie married, they were not expected to take up royal duties completely. They were expected to earn a living, not be part of the Firm. H+M are going to be 1/3 of the working royal family for the next couple of decades.
I thought Trixie was Veronica. Or is Sarah/Veronica/Trixie the same person?
If people cared so much about taxpayers, then they should take it up with the government. I don’t care what anyone says because the exceptions here are obvious because it is so over the top.
You’re not British Trixie
Why don’t you go spend your time better protesting the orange asshat’s wall. That’s a true travesty.
Everything about the US is depressing right now, I WISH we had something like the pomp of a royal wedding to brighten things.
The orange sloth (no offense to sloths) wants a military parade that will cost more than that wedding, go protest that.
I will be in California at 4? In the morning watching this wedding like I’ve watched every British royal wedding. I remember getting up to watch his mother’s wedding, I watched Will and Kate’s too but I like Harry better so I will enjoy this one more.
Trixie is not even British and doing all this ranting. Go focus on Trump.
CarinaCat, I do protest the Dotard Trump. I have gone to DC twice, and helped organized protests where I live. I also helped organize other events in my area.
And I guess you think I am someone else because I have a social conscience? There are more than one of us in America, you know?
Exactly.The homeless stuff happens for all royal weddings yet Harry and Meghan are the ones expected to fix this.It was there before Harry and Meghan,call your local council and blame the government for that.Royals have been using taxpayers money for weddings for ages yet Harry and Meghan shouldn’t be the ones to use it.im still waiting for a Eugenies petition to pop up if they really are concerned about taxpayers money and the costs
Go people, Nota, Cairina, Tonya, Magnolia, Olena, Peg, Dolly, go go go😁😁😁😘😘😘
🙂
I hope we can all make it through to May 19.
Considering half the comments here are people signing and passing around a petition. Meghan getting threats and powder sent to her. Brits don’t really like her over there so hand picking the crowd near the church is a wise move.
It’s not too late for Meghan to find a rich fine guy with all his hair and ditch all this nonsense that she will later regret putting herself through for guy.
Why would she regret marrying one of the most eligible bachelors in the world?!
@Petty Riperton….you must be believing everything you read in DM or other crappy sites. British people DO like Meghan, it is just a vocal racist minority that are incensed that a person of colour is marrying Harry.
It’s Meghan’s choice to marry Harry, you can marry a man with a full head of hair and eventually he turns bald, what are you going to do? He’s bald, he is not a man anymore.
People posting hatred do not represent the majority.
There is one poster here using four different names and the kicker is, she is not British, can’t wait for that little brown baby to pop out with ginger hair, she’ll have to go on meds.
Yeah exactly, it’s pretty much one American racist chick with multiple names going nuts on here.
She needs to get in her Lane and drive over to protest the orange POS we have in office.
The other people passing around a petition are at least British and protesting is thier right.
But they aren’t the majority.
The majority is a combo of not caring or loving it
My ex mother in law and my son’s English aunt’s and cousins, they are legion, are all needlepointing tea towels with the couple’s face on it, like someone up thread said thier relative was doing.
How do you know if someone is posting under multiple names, unless you have been given access to the IP address? And if that is the case, that is not good.
And I ask cause someone just said that about me, which is interesting cause the only way to tell would be to have IP addresses.
I agree, CairinaCat, and I’m sure she/he knows that commenting under multiple names is against CB guidelines and that we, the readers, don’t need IP addresses (which are not traceable by us) to know when someone is conning the system. And, I’m sure this person knows that we are not simply rocks with lips and have fingers that can type without conscious thought. We can read, process and associate writing styles with people who regularly (or vociferously) express their opinions, biases and beliefs through their written comments.
I think this is a lovely idea for those wishing to take part in the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 👰👦 There is so much sadness and brutality in the world these days, why not be happy for the couple and for those who want to wish them well in their special day? Some people find royal weddings to be a fun way to escape the realities of life, even if it’s only for a brief moment. We should celebrate the lighter moments in life 🎉 💕
I like MM’s shoes but she appears to be swimming in her dress.
Agree. I like the dress, but it could fit better. I think she is just within the standard petite size range and should buy clothing better tailored to her height and slender frame. Queen Letizia usually sets a great example of ‘petite and tailored’.
I think that once Meghan gets a proper dress allowance like Kate, and access to good stylists, and the seamstresses we never hear about who alter the clothes to make them fit perfectly, some of these small issues will be ironed out (pun unintended). However, I believe Meghan will retain her own effortless chic. The only problem is that like Kate people will start moaning about tax payers money being spent on her clothes. But the truth is these moaners would not have anything to live for if they couldn’t moan, so we must just feel sad for these types of people and their peculiar lives.
Haha! PrincessK, I love your last sentence. You are spot on. They’re toxic and always negative/biased.