Was Prince Harry being shady & trying to avoid photo-ops with the Trumps?

Prince Harry views displays of US items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace in London.

There’s just a cognitive dissonance when the British press tries to slam the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by nitpicking every little thing they do or don’t do. To hear the Cambridge-defenders, the “Will and Kate will be king & queen” people, Harry and Meghan are now “minor royals” and no one cares enough about them for their actions to even matter. Except that clearly, there’s an obsession with detailing every single thing about Harry and Meghan, often with a “damned if they do, damned if they don’t” shade. Prince Harry did his duty and showed up for the palace lunch for the Trumps. He also attended the Royal Collection presentation for the Trumps, which he wasn’t even scheduled to attend. Then Harry went back to Frogmore Cottage and didn’t attend the state dinner. Meghan stayed home with Archie for the day, because she’s still on maternity leave (she only gave birth a month ago). We knew that Harry would not go to the state dinner, it was announced weeks ago. But the Daily Mail is still trying to make all of this into some big “Harry snubbed the Trumps because his wife is too political and something something, it’s all Meg’s fault.” I thought they were minor royals and no one cared?

Prince Harry was noticeably absent from the State Banquet staged in honour of Donald Trump, in the wake of alleged comments made about his wife. The Duke of Sussex appeared less than keen to be pictured with the President – who reportedly branded Harry’s wife Meghan ‘nasty’ at the weekend after learning of comments she made about him while she was an actress.

Earlier in the day Harry had chaperoned Mr Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, into Buckingham Palace’s Picture Gallery for a display of US-themed artefacts. But the Queen’s grandson quickly disappeared into the background and did not follow other members of the Royal Family as they walked round the exhibition with the American leader and his party.

Speculation was rife that the prince had been angered by the comments apparently made by the president, after learning of the remarks Meghan made in 2016. Harry, 34, had been a last minute addition to the proceedings after aides initially suggested that neither he nor his wife would take part. This was partly due to the recent birth of their son, Archie, and also the fact that they do not normally get involved in State visits due to their position in the royal pecking order. Harry is now seventh in line to the throne and has only ever attended one State banquet previously.

Meghan is on maternity leave, having given birth to the couple’s first son just a month ago. But her omission would no doubt have come as a relief, with her previously describing Mr Trump as a ‘misogynist’ and ‘divisive’ in a 2016 interview when working as an actress.

A spokesman declined to comment further but it appeared that pressure had been put to bear on the couple to at least show willing given the significance of the Queen’s VIP guest. Royal sources stressed last night that Harry had shaken hands with Ivanka and her husband Jared, as well as with John Bolton, the President’s National Security Advisor. They also insisted that there was no ‘scripted procession’ for members of the royal family to walk round and view the exhibition.

All the guests at the lunch were expected to attend a display of artefacts from the Royal Collection, the treasure trove of art, antiques and artefacts held by the Queen on behalf of the nation, in the Picture Gallery afterwards, which is captured by the media. Harry’s appearance was notably fleeting, though. Although he chivalrously walked Ivanka in, the prince ducked out of joining the group as they politely walked around the display. In doing so he left the US President’s daughter to be rescued by a female member of staff from the Royal household. She quickly paired her up with the Duke of York, who could later be heard chatting to her about golf as they looked at pictures taken of royals through the ages at St Andrew’s. In the end the cameras only caught the briefest glimpse of the prince at the back of the room, with President Trump barely in shot.

[From The Daily Mail]

So, what’s the story here? Prince Harry, a “minor royal,” was not important enough to be invited to the state banquet, but he still barged into the Royal Collection viewing even though it wasn’t on his schedule, and then he purposefully ignored Ivanka and kept his distance from Donald Trump all because… his wife made a completely accurate statement that Trump is a misogynist back in 2016, before she had even met Harry? And on the eve of the trip, Trump called Meghan “nasty” and Harry is somehow to blame for not wanting any f–king thing to do with him?

I mean… Harry was between a rock and a hard place. I think it’s notable and interesting that Harry did NOT want to be photographed with the Trumps during this visit, just as I think it’s notable that William and Kate weren’t around for the day-time photo-ops too. The younger royals do a lot sh-t wrong, but I don’t blame them for awkwardly avoiding certain photo-ops and Trump shenanigans.

Also: Ivanka looked like a dumbass in that outfit. Giant shoulder pads, puffy sleeves and a stiff peplum? Girl, tone down your ‘80s Diana cosplay, that’s Kate’s thing.

Ivanka Trump and Prince Andrew view displays of US items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace in London.

Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Ivanka Trump, Melania Trump, Queen Elizabeth II and Donald Trump view displays of US items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace in London.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

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93 Responses to “Was Prince Harry being shady & trying to avoid photo-ops with the Trumps?”

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  1. Becks1 says:

    Harry was definitely avoiding them lol. I saw a thread on twitter that was like, “spot Harry” and after they entered the room, he just seemed to hang out at the back. Don’t blame him.

    I did find Will and Kate’s absence notable – more so William than Kate. Andrew was there, but the future king couldn’t be? I know his involvement in these types of state visits varies, but it was still kind of weird to me. I’m sure the answer is, “he wasn’t there because he didn’t want to be,” and I don’t blame him for that in itself, but it annoyed me that so many reporters were obsessed with Harry’s absence at the state dinner but William’s absence during the day was “just how it was.”

    • Iknow says:

      Exactly!! Where were the future King and Queen. Again, Harry being thrown under the bus.

    • Tanguerita says:

      maybe William didn’t want to go, because orange ball of pus once insulted his wife by saying that she deserved her nude pictures being published?

      • Becks1 says:

        I literally said that in my comment.

      • Ader says:

        “I literally said that in my comment.”

        Huh? Am I going blind? lol. I read your comment three times and don’t see it! Is it me? Help me out here….

      • Becks1 says:

        @Ader – well maybe not literally, lol. but I said the answer to why William wasn’t there was because William didn’t want to go, and I don’t blame him for that in itself.

      • tealily says:

        “Maybe not literally.” Hahahahahahaha!

      • Ader says:

        If this were a reading comprehension test I would have failed, because I never would have sussed out the same meanings from Tanguerita’s comment and what you said you were implying…lol. Oh well.

      • Tanguerita says:

        @Ader, tealily Thank you very much. I found the “literally”-comment rather confusing, even more so as i was literally pointing out the difference between “just didn’t want to be there” and “didn’t want to be there for a reason”.

    • Lauren says:

      From my understanding, Andrew was thought to be able to entertain Trump better than any of the other royals, and that’s the main reason he was there. He was a sort of buffer for the other royals.

      • Megan says:

        Apparently he was selected to be Trump’s minder because they share a love of golf. Oh, and Epstein.

      • phlylfiremama says:

        So ole Randy Andy was there probably to buffer Trump because they have the same basic…tastes…?

    • Beach Dreams says:

      It’s an excellent point and this isn’t the only state visit where they’ve been virtually AWOL. They tend to only show up for the state dinners in the first place. As 2nd in line, shouldn’t he be appearing in at least one other event during these visits? Eventually he’s going to be the one spearheading these things.

    • Flying fish says:

      Will and Kate were in route from yet another vacation at their country home…

    • Digital Unicorn says:

      Yeah in bits of the footage I saw she was desperately trying to engage him but he basically blanked her. I’ll bet she was thinking ‘if i knew you liked American girls I would have divorced Ken Doll in a heart beat’.

  2. Iknow says:

    Exactly, Kaiser. Who gives a crap if a “minor royal” doesn’t attend a state dinner. Let’s accept it for what it was, his granny asked him to attend the additional event. He said yes to his gran, but obviously did not want to be photographed with those people.

    • Megan says:

      The Gloucesters and Kents all attended the dinner. Now that Harry is DoS, he may be expected to attend with Meghan at future dinners.

      • madthinking says:

        I don’t get this minor royal thing. Harry is ahead of most of the people who attended this dinner. I think Harry not being there was a gift from his grandmother and father to him. First, Trump has said horrible things about his mother, his sister-in-law, and now his wife. Harry is the one royal, who doesn’t always act so stoic royal, and we all pretty much know what he feels. This isn’t an insult, and I’m sure if Harry had to be King he would have perfected the stoic dead look too. Luckily for him and us he doesn’t have too. I’m not sure he was being shady, but I kind of hope he was as Trump really deserves it. Yes Ivanka did look like she stepped off the set of Dynasty. Where’s Krystal Carrington to catfight her and pull her hair when you need it. Seriously, shoulder pads and peplum’s just scream it.

    • Jamie says:

      Yeah, I suspect he was asked to attend this extra event because Trump brought his idiot children along even though they weren’t invited. I read on CNN (I think) that the UK’s government’s invitation for the State events was extended only to Trump and his wife. NOT the children.

      • jj says:

        I don’t blame William or Harry for trying to avoid it. I just can’t remember a President bringing all his grown children and their spouses/girlfriend/boyfriend to a state dinner plus cabinet members like Sarah Huckabee whatever and that obnoxious spokesperson whatever her name is, (could care less so don’t remind me). It’s like the hillbillies or Housewives of the White House Show.

  3. Darla says:

    Ivanka probably groped him during lunch. Remember how she was drooling over Justin Trudeau? Anyway, he did his duty leave him and his wife alone.

  4. Toot says:

    Well, if Harry is shady, so are Will and Kate because they didn’t even mention Trump’s name on their IG post about his visit.

  5. IlsaLund says:

    A bunch of obnoxious grifters, the whole Trump clan and entourage. This has been like the tacky branch of the family foisting themselves on everyone and taking advantage of a major event.

    And yes, the minor, inconsequential royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. They will never win and that’s why I’m glad they don’t play the game with the British media and RRs. H&M should continue to live their best lives, interact with the public via Instagram and other media sources and freeze the haters out.

    • Megan says:

      After Trump banged on about a “next generation meeting” it would have looked like a snub for Harry not to attend anything. He was in a truly awful position.

  6. Sierra says:

    Can’t blame him if he did.

  7. Lauren says:

    Harry looks super annoyed to be there. This had to have been hard for him, and I don’t blame him. I imagine there was a lot of cajoling from the Queen and Charles to get him to not cancel attending this shit show.

    Trump wanted to meet as many royals on this visit as possible, and I’m sure he would have had a tantrum directed at the UK if he didn’t get to see all that were available.

    • Mego says:

      Harry did his duty by showing up. He was under no obligation to look happy doing it despite what Ingrid Seward has to say. I am actually glad he looked a bit grumpy 😀

    • liz says:

      Given what Trump said about Harry’s Mother long before Trump said anything about his wife, I’m surprised Harry showed up to anything. Yes, his father and his grandmother leaned on him to show his face, but made it clear that he didn’t have to interact with the Orange Turd and only had to be barely civil to the rest of them.

  8. Peg says:

    Someone said Harry looked like a hostage😐 In the video he did dump Ivanka and rush over to meet the Lord Chamberlain, was that Rose’s husband? Or every city have a Lord Chamberlain.
    When Harry met Melania in Toronto, he looked uncomfortable also.

    • Kebbie says:

      It wasn’t Rose’s husband that Harry was talking to. The titles are similar but according to Wiki, Rose’s husband is “Lord Great Chamberlain of the United Kingdom” and the guy Harry was talking to is “Lord Chamberlain of the Household.”

      My Wikipedia rabbit hole just has me wondering if British people know all these titles and people. They all sound the same to me, I can’t imagine being able to keep it all straight in my head.

  9. Busyann says:

    Im getting an oil change so I can happily comment the morning away. On my drive to the dealer this morning I was listening to a major radio show and the hollywood report was basically talking about this and how Meghan wasn’t there. Oh, but no mention that of course she wasn’t there, because SHE JUST HAD A BABY.

    I like that Harry was professional and showed up, but was true to himself and his values and kept his distance for him and his wife. I just feel so bad for Harry. He’s having to deal with so much and he’s doing it with such professionalism and aplomb.

    • Kebbie says:

      But I mean, if Meghan wanted to be there, she would have been. If it had been Barack or Hillary, I’m sure she’d have taken a day away from the baby. I wouldn’t get out of bed to meet Trump, much less leave my newborn, so I get it.

      • Godwina says:

        100%, Kebbie. Nailed it. Archie was a very convenient, happy excuse for her (thank God, too).

  10. perplexed says:

    I don’t think I saw any criticism of Harry in that article. Is there deliberate misreading going on? Honestly, I think the media is shading the Trumps more than anything else. I’m almost dead certain everybody wants to laugh at the Trumps, and it’s obviously easy to do.

    Also, I don’t think anybody blames Harry for disliking the Trumps. Trump hasn’t only criticized Meghan, he’s also criticized Diana. There’s long been speculation that both William and Harry dislike him for his comments on Diana.

    • Tate says:

      Yeah I read the article as, Harry did the bare ass minimum like anyone else in his shoes because the Trumps are gross and no one else wanted to be near them. The Cambridges and Sussex probably split the day up, as neither party wanted to be with the president all day. This is just a non story.

    • Becks1 says:

      I think overall the tone of coverage of Harry’s involvement has been sort of, “he’s doing the bare minimum” but in a negative way. I didn’t read this specific article, beyond what Kaiser posted, but on twitter and such there has definitely been a tone of “why isn’t Harry more involved in this visit?!!?!? He’s JUST doing a lunch!” The Sun has an article about how Harry went to the events yesterday, and then – gasp! – he left! he went to the gym! It was like….yeah, he worked, and then he went home or wherever.

      And the article does make it sound like Harry ditched Ivanka ASAP, talks about him hiding at the back of the room, etc, so it does sound like there is some shade there.

      Frankly I think it’s kind of funny if that’s what Harry did. “I’m here, but I’m not happy about it.”

      • perplexed says:

        Whenever I see articles about Harry, I just get the implication that all of Trump’s words have come back to haunt him, and neither William, Kate, and Harry have given him the photo-ops he wants (because, duh, he dissed Diana, Kate and Meghan. I don’t see any criticism of Harry — just people laughing at Trump and his family.

        I feel Twitter is a different beast altogether. That’s not mainstream media and Trump probably has his fans on there. But within the mainstream media, it seems that it’s been heavily implied that no one really wants to give Trump the time of day because the man does not have a filter on his mouth.

      • The Recluse says:

        And who can take that much breathy baby whispering from a woman described as having no intellect whatsoever? Good for Harry for getting clear of her noxious presence.

  11. Alexandria says:

    He’s met Melania and clearly kept his distance. He did his duty already, who cares. Isn’t he a MINOR royal? Sheesh. Also maybe the Queen can’t say no to a state banquet but why must the younger royals go? It’s good enough that she and the next heir (and Andrew I guess) show their diplomacy, there’s no need to lay out the full treatment. Dotard insulted Diana, Kate and Meghan. Gross.

    • madthinking says:

      Well in fairness, I think since the Queen is in her 90’s and Prince Phillip has retired, I do believe both Harry and William are getting more involved in things like this. Yes William and Kate were there, but I wouldn’t be surprised with Phillip retiring if Harry and Meghan in the future didn’t have to attend these events too. Harry and Meghan having just had a baby were given a bit more leeway on this, and it made sense for them to take it, as Trump hasn’t been very kind to them or Diana, or Kate for that matter. I don’t see it as a great invite, and if I could get out of it I would too. Bet if it was Obama they’d both have been there though. Meghan is scheduled to be there on Sat. at the Trooping, along with Louis. What a wonderful picture that will be, and next year we will most likely get Archie, unless they want him to have a more private life, which is totally their prerogative. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

  12. Diana says:

    Omg that outfit on Ivanka… such a vile person

    • Surly Gale says:

      Darlin’, it’s not her outfit that makes her a vile person…….

    • Kristic says:

      The rhinestone belt and button are killing my eyes. Bring the tacky, trumps!

      • liz says:

        Why on Earth would anyone wear a rhinestone belt buckle to Buckingham Palace, knowing that on a whim, the Queen’s jewelers could put together a (better designed) buckle out of the loose diamonds sitting around, collecting dust in her vault?

    • Godwina says:

      She looks like a “Dynasty” villain and that’s in fact kinda what she is.

  13. Olivia Cain says:

    Why is it shady to not want to have your picture taken with a man who is clearly racist, small minded, a misogynist and let’s face it an person prone to assaulting woman who said nasty things about your wife??

  14. jules says:

    Who can blame him? Royalty or not, any man would do the same after someone called his wife and new mother to his first child “nasty”. Good for him. Don’t take his crap Harry.

  15. Enn says:

    He went because everyone who attended the lunch went, and he did the bare minimum before peacing out (as well he should, given what that sentient orange trash bag said about both his wife and mother). Not sure why HM made him attend, tbh.

    • madthinking says:

      We are not sure he was forced to attend. I think it’s also possible he attended to help his grandmother and family a bit. The way it was set up with the royals splitting duties you almost think it was whoever got the short straw had to be around them the most. Trump brings the whole motley crew, and the one thing the royals can do is bring the numbers too. They are a big family.

      • Lightpurple says:

        Someone had to keep Nagini away from the Queen!

      • Moneypenny says:

        This is a visit that really should have featured Princess Michael of Kent much more. Trump’s racism seems right up her alley.

  16. perplexed says:

    Elle Magazine talked about an old tweet of Trump’s where he talked about Kate Middleton.

    Is there anyone in the royal family with some kind of relationship to William and Harry he hasn’t discussed? I’m surprised I haven’t see any tweets about Camilla.

  17. RoyalBlue says:

    Harry showed up for work. You can definitely tell the difference in the man who works his charities and the man who works his state obligations. That joy is missing. Really really wish he and Meghan leave and live their life dedicated to philanthropy.

    • Tate says:

      This is such a weird take. Harry and Meghan like being royal. They are not prisoners hoping one day to escape. They enjoy all the perks, just as much as Will and Kate.

  18. Lightpurple says:

    Nagini’s “fashion” on this trip has been a hoot. I’m surprised you haven’t done a thread about her feminine hygiene product fascinator hat.

    Harry put is more time with Nagini than any human should have to endure.

    • TheOriginalMia says:

      I read a hilarious article last night that said she & Melania were cosplaying Dynasty. I lol’d because it was true.

  19. sunnydaze says:

    I’ve had a few moments in life where I had to attend political events to “be a good sport” and play nice for future support. Of course, I could understand how in the long term that could be beneficial, but I could also whine and drag my heels to get it out of my system beforehand. I would die to hear how some of those conversations go, especially since I’m American and have little understanding of how deep the sense of duty runs when it comes to royalty, but I imagine quite deep as duty and tradition is really what royalty is about, correct? (no really, I’m not sure)

    I mean, do you think they find a friend at these events and sh!t-talk in whispers while they sip a drink? Or send eye roll gifs on their phones when they go to the bathroom? Or is the sense of duty and preserving tradition so thick they partially dissociate and shake it off? Is there someone Harry was talking to that’s just like, “Your gran said 5 more minutes, your highness, and ready her a stiff whiskey when you leave” ? God I hope so.

    • Surly Gale says:

      I don’t know how she did it, but my British mother instilled a very strong sense of duty in us. She was drunk most of the time, but she adored her Queen, and because she left our dad for his best friend, we were used to the stiff upper lip stuff whilst we grew up. BUT: if Harry wasn’t scheduled to be on the walk about, why did he go?

  20. Mayfield says:

    Ivanka has no sense of style. The one thing I can give Melania credit for is that she’s well put together. She really needs to pull Ivanka to the side and tell her when she looks ridiculous. Which is often.

    • madthinking says:

      I see your point, but Melania reminds me of Sofia Vegara without the body, beauty and sense of humor. Sofia is always in the same style of dress, and Melania although not quite as much is generally styled at these things the same way. She’s never the worst dressed, but not the most stylish either. Ivanka is just bad here, not always, but awful on this trip.

    • Lightpurple says:

      I suspect Melania delights in Nagini looking ridiculous

  21. Tris says:

    “80s Diana cosplay”! Well done! I’d love to know that Trump’s favourite crotch goblin knew we were on to her.

  22. SuperStef says:

    Ivanka’s style is so bad it’s laughable. Love that you called her out on the bad 80’s cosplay. Her state dinner dress was even worse.

    Good on Harry for doing the minimum and avoiding photo ops. That pic of Drumph and the Queen was just painful, especially when you see it next to Obama’s genuinely happy pic from a few years ago.

    The whole clan should not be there, paid for by the American people. Haven’t they suffered enough?

  23. TheOriginalMia says:

    Harry attended as he was asked by his Gran. He didn’t have to fawn over people he ideologically disagrees with or a man who insulted not only his wife, but his late mother as well.

  24. Melissa says:

    These reporters and internet trolls need to pick a stance and stick with it. Either Harry and Meghan are irrelevant or they are not because the media is making them out to be more important than the two future kings and their wives.

  25. original_kellybean says:

    I like to imagine that they are talking shit about the orange bastard in that first pic. That thought makes me smile.

  26. Lisa says:

    The media just wants to start trouble. Harry did his duty just fine and peaced out when he was done.

  27. Casey20 says:

    I think the RF was protecting all the “young Royals” from being photographed with the Trump’s because the photos would be exploited by the Trump’s. Donnie hopes that his children would be build a relationship with the Cambridge’s and Sussex’s. Don’t be surprised if after he leaves the U.K. he doesn’t attack them! Emily Andrews and the Sun hate Meghan thus they will go after Harry to get to her. She made up this BS story to single out Harry. Sussex’s and friends have been making her life hell so she’s fighting back…and loosing

    • Lightpurple says:

      I think there was another goal: keep the younger Trumps as far from the Queen as possible. Aside from one shot of Eric photobombing the group picture at the dinner, there are no pictures of her Trump spawn. THAT has to be killing Nagini

      • DM2 says:

        And also no pictures of Harry, Wills & Kate with the spawn, either. Double burn!

  28. LW says:

    I hope all four of the young royals did snub the Trumps. What a ridiculous display and an embarrassment to the US.

  29. TheMummy says:

    I’m surprised more people haven’t also brought up how he said he could have nailed Diana and how in 2012 he told Kate to take her tits out for photos in a tweet.

  30. JanetFerber says:

    The OriginalMia, yes, exactly this. In praise of Harry, he refrained from punching Trump in the face. That alone says he did his duty manfully. More love for Harry!!! Duchess Meghan did the only ethical thing a person with guts and integrity could do– she snubbed him. Remember that Hillary didn’t acknowledge Trump at the Bush funeral. I commend her for not slapping Trump’s face, which would be enormously deserved for that dastardly, despicable, lying worm.

  31. Yoyo says:

    @ casey20
    Did you see the liar tweeted that she got the story from three sources, then went ‘oh well.’
    Bet she made up the story, that’s why she can’t make her sources.

    • Casey20 says:

      YoYo: Yes! Now she comes out with another story about Harry sulking in a corner and not being a good host to the Trumps because he was so mad about the comment Trump made about Meghan. Well, Trump comes out in his interview with Piers and praises Meghan and Harry (much of what he said is a lie, but the media dares to challenge him). My other issue is that the Brit Media was so happy to jump on Meghan for her comments about Trump. Yet they never question Trumps’ comments on Kate’s private nude photo. Meghan’s comments about
      Trump really highlight how he treated Kate as well as other woman. NO one asked him about grabbing woman by the puss* , but they are all ok with him calling Meghan Nasty …just crazy!!

  32. Jaded says:

    Wow…the look on Harry’s face. I see a thought bubble over his head –

    *Effin’ tosser…better count the silver after they leave…*

  33. Lowrider says:

    Why was Harry a last minute add to this event? It was pointless for him to attend considering Andrew was present.

  34. Lucy says:

    PH had to be there. He hung back and did his duty. No more, no less. He meditated before he went.

  35. A says:

    I mean, the decision as to whether Prince Harry would attend the state dinner was announced before Trump made his comment about Meghan. And in spite of that, he attended the Royal Collection viewing, an event that he was not scheduled to be at. He’s going above and beyond to show up for this family of circus clowns, even with everything that’s been said and done. He’s owed the opportunity to avoid photo-ops with these people if he so chooses.

  36. perplexed says:

    I don’t think minor royal is an insult. It’s just stating reality.

    Being a minor royal is probably better than being no royal at all if you’e into whatever kind of life these people are leading. In the end, he’s royal and not a peasant mudblood, so I don’t see Harry crying in his cornflakes about this. He knows his status is better than the rest of us and what the rest of us will never be so I simply can’t see he himself being insulted by the term either. He also has Diana attached to his celebritydom as a royal, so it’s not like he’s ignored like Eugenie and Beatrice. Must be annoying to be a blood princess and have everyone be like “Can we see pictures of Kate and Meghan, the ones who caught the hearts of the princes with the dead mother who was once the most famous woman in the world, instead?”

  37. celialarson12 says:

    The body language at the Royal Collection viewing is interesting . Both Ivanka and Harry look unhappy. The photo of Harry and the two men – Harry looks like he was forced to be there, the man not in uniform seems like he is watching a circus. In the videos Prince Charles and Camilla seemed highly amused, and at one point left the guests and went off on their own to look at the collection. Andrew and the Queen kept their facade of gracious hosts. My imagination is telling me the BRF and their team must have had some quite interesting discussions before this lunch.
    I imagine Harry telling the Queen he will be going home straight after the lunch and the Queen saying he will have to escort some of the guests to the Royal Collection viewing.
    Personally I believe Harry should have done a better job of hiding his annoyance. It costs nothing to be gracious whatever the provocation.

    • perplexed says:

      I think he was gracious enough (or even more than gracious). He’s required to be diplomatic (in this case, silent), not beaming. Also, in some instances with this family, being too gracious does cost something — he, Kate and William probably don’t want to be used for future hotel adverts. This family is that tacky.

      Also, some people just bring down your energy level no matter how much you try. I suspect Ivanka is one of those people. I don’t really get why he’d be required to smile or anything at her. I understand why Trudeau would have to, but even when someone like Trudeau does it, it’s not out of graciousness. It’s simply to make sure Trump doesn’t impose higher tariffs or something like that. They’re dealing with unhinged people — and each is acting according to their roles. In this instance, Harry doesn’t have to kiss up to Ivanka (that’s Theresa May’s job). He just has to be mute but present. That he’s not telling her that her father is an imbecile is gracious enough.

    • Olenna says:

      Harry’s annoyed? Less than gracious? You got that from a few of still photos? I don’t see anyone else in the room ‘cheesing to please’ or posing with the grifters’ for propaganda photos. Harry’s wearing the same game face a lot of people learn to display in the military or professional settings when tasked with rent-a-crowd or escort duty. And, I’m sure he was as polite and respectful to those grifters as he would’ve been to any invited dignitary or VIP.

  38. Penny says:

    Harry’s SIXTH in line to the throne, I feel like whoever calls him seventh does it to make him seem “lower” which is so stupid!! Archie is seventh in line, will be sixth in line when the queen passes, as long as the Cambridges don’t have anymore babies

  39. blunt talker says:

    This noise over Harry’s facial expressions is just noise to sell papers. The young royals were smart not to take photos with the Trumps because they will be used in his campaign for 2020. They don’t want to be used like that for any political leader. Everybody knows Trump likes to show off who is knows. Watch out Piers Morgan had an interview with Trump and it will be on Wednesday. Piers is demanding that Meghan come on his show and explain why she ghosted him. I think the palace should make a statement of saying they decide who will interview any member of the royal family and that can shut him down.

  40. blunt talker says:

    One more thing the queen and Prince Charles do not want the younger royals used in any political discourse in the US. This was done to spread the royals out and each one had their own part to play. They were already instructed to avoid photos because Mr. Trump will use them on his presidential rerun in 2020. The senior royals nicked the so call younger generation meeting to avoid them getting used . Mr. Trump gets back to America and tweets and put photos with his own defining statements. These decisions were made by Prince Charles and the Queen. The Trumps are in the Queen’s house and the Queen make rules and decisions which were discussed over a year ago. Harry rarely attends any state banquets any way. Everybody had a small part to do. William and Kate only to the banquet. Harry only to the luncheon. Enough said.

    • Casey20 says:

      Yes and Trump has already proven he will lie. I doubt Harry spent any significant time talking to Ivana and probably didn’t talk to Trump at all as he stated to Piers Morgan. The man loves a LIE!

  41. Trashaddict says:

    Dear Harry and Meghan, We apologize for putting you in such a spot. Come and visit some time when the baby has grown a bit and the (political) climate is nicer! You’ll be welcome!

  42. Cerys says:

    Being polite and gracious to visiting dignitaries is part of being a working Royal. It’s what the UK taxpayers pay them a great deal of money to do. Personal feelings should be put aside, no matter how difficult it is. It’s hard to tell from the photos but if Harry was indeed grumpy at being there, then he needs to grow up and get on with it. The Queen, Charles and Camilla all got through the visit in a professional manner. I also think our future King and/or Queen should have been involved more too rather than just turning up for a free dinner.

    • jwoolman says:

      Trump would definitely have misused any photos with the younger royals for his own political purposes. They were right to avoid him, and I’m sure they were under orders to be slippery about getting too close to him from the Queen and Charles. Those two are not stupid.

      Trump is a pathological liar and just uses people. He is not normal and he is President of the US only because Putin wanted him to be. Don’t be naive about the situation. Our real President is Vladimir Putin. Trump does whatever Putin wants.

  43. jwoolman says:

    I still think it’s stupid sucking up to Trump, thinking that will get the UK a better trade deal. It won’t. Trump changes his mind easily and often. He can even sign agreements and then reverse himself later the same day.

    And what happens if Harry or anybody is asked to confirm one of Trump’s lies about any interaction? Do you expect them to lie about it?

    It is bizarre beyond belief that Trump dragged his adult family along with him along with apparently everybody else still left in the White House. This is not normal. Nice to have him gone for a while, but it really is not normal to have such an entourage.

    Really, this whole thing is doomed to failure. You have to cultivate more sane relationships with the US. Look to Congress, not the Orange Baby. Trump is babbling on about imposing tariffs on Mexico, and even the spineless Republican Senators are talking seriously about blocking him. And if they have enough Republicans on board with that, then they can overturn the Orange Baby’s veto and all he can do is throw another tantrum.

    We have three equally powerful branches of government, all expected to be checks on the others, and it is time you paid attention to the powerful people in Congress instead of the loon in the Oval Office. Talk directly to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House and the evil Mitch McConnell, Senator Majority Leader. Even Malicious Mitch knows Trump is crazy and is balking about going along with the tariffs. Which the Orange Baby may very well direct against you in the U.K. any time he gets into a snit about anything. Stop trying to negotiate with a tantruming toddler.

    • Fiffy says:

      This might be very stupid but I don’t think the British government can call upon the Congress and the Senate of the US government while excluding the president. At least, I’ve never seen it being done. I’d love to be proven wrong though. Isn’t it the president who negotiates treaties with foreign nations while the secretary of state acts as foreign minister? The senate can therefore ratify these treaties after they’ve been proposed so I don’t think going straight to the senate or congress will be practical in terms of the roles of these different branches of government. Please correct me if I’m wrong, I’m not American and I only read this on wikipedia. I don’t really have a well-rounded knowledge of the US government.
      He’s definitely an awful negotiator and overall person and I hope you’re able to vote him out in 2020.