Here we go again, a new Diana

Common people? Common people? I’m far from common as I’m sure are many GNers?????

So my brother and sister have good icons to copy.
My family have chosen the army for generations, too, going right from the early 1800s in my father's line.

Anniebach I don't think anyone has said that the Windsors are to blame for the public giving them gifts. Of course they can't be blamed for that.

Jen, I wouldn't have mentioned your family, you brought them into this.

The Windsors have always chosen the armed forces as a career , queenie s sons, the Kents, Gloucesters

Strangely enough, my brother didn't escape his sisters by joining the army, as one on my sisters followed him in, although a different regiment.

You really ought to read posts properly, Annie, rather than making childish digs.
I said my brother was the eldest, therefore older than me.
I doubt whether recruitment practices nowadays apply to him, as he's over 70.
Anyway, I thought people were not allowed to ask others about their family concerns.
I would ask you how your work in your brother's family business is going, but that's the sort of comment that gets me reported.

The Windsors cannot be blamed for the public giving them gifts .

I agree with that gillybob. I remember Princess Ann being given a basket of flowers outside a church that the giver had obviously taken a lot of time over (one of those crafty things) and she made a derogatory comment that was overheard. She obviously got a lot of criticism but I think she was right. No one can seriously believe that they need things like that and there are so many needs where those skills could be usefully employed. Giving people who have everything materially that they need a gift is silly and it is a kindness to redirect their energies to something more purposeful.

Sorry Jen, it brought to mind you saying the army seek out recruits in areas of poverty and high unployment .

Was that directed at me, Annie?
I didn't say my brother couldn't find work, did I?

The work of being a royal will benefit from Meghan's acting experience and poise, besides her commoner parentage, in these days when the royal family has to be sympathetic to the common people.

Doesn't cause problems for the line of succession if Megan has or doesn't have children, if they have a child it will be same as Beatrice and Eugenie

Megan is not like Diana. Megan is welcomed as a valuable member of the family firm not as a pedigreed brood mare.

I am sorry your brother couldn't find work .

My brother had four older sisters, became self employed when young, built up a very successful firm. Certaintly no family business to inherit, only the genes of generations of coal miners , certaintly no fear of hard work ?

My brother was the eldest, and he probably went into the army because he had three younger sisters!
No family business either to support him - or us.

Very likely, dj but in my mother's family it was the navy.

No family business to support the eldest unfortunately.

Was that when the tradition was for the second son to go into the army, merlot?

My grandmother used to say, 'One child for Father, one for Mother and one for the Empire.'

That would go down really well today.

Anyway, there should be the 3rd child rule like with benefits - no presents from the public for third and subsequent children.

I’ve always thought that gilly. It’s all part of the fantasy woven around the mystique of the monarchy.

Sorry I know off subject ( and this won’t be popular with the royalists) but I really can’t understand why anyone would want to send a member of the royal family a wedding/engagement / baby present ?????

I mean just why ? Do they think they will use it ? Keep it? Display it? Wear it ?

They will have all the gadgets in existence to check all mail, bet they are snowed under with parcels now with the baby and a wedding in the diary

The people in the post room will be very aware of the need to be careful when opening unsolicited packages.

There are some evil people around aren’t there?

The poor people in the post room must have to wear safety gear to open some mail Anniebach . I knew the royals would never have been in any danger.