Is Harry happy?

Reverting to the op post, I read, for what it’s worth, that Meghan has been given a protocol advisor to work with for 6 months. It must go entirely against the grain for a naturally friendly, outgoing American to act so cool and distant. I thought it looked as though she wanted to go and stand by the Queen on the balcony - not to be pushy but just to give her some company and support, as she might her own mother. She doesn’t understand protocol and after all, isn’t a lot of it old hat these days? As for crossing legs, the Queen herself has done it (at home but nevertheless in a publicly released photograph) and Meghan looks far more elegant and modest with legs crossed that Kate ever does with her legs together in her above the knee when standing (but half way up her thigh when sitting) hemlines. Just a couple of inches on her skirts would add the final touch of elegance to her look.
I hope Harry and Meghan get to do more charity work with real people at home and abroad - I think that is what they enjoy doing together. And somebody - . Andrew or even one of the younger royals, should act as the Queen’s consort until she retires - walking next to her on official occasions. The trouble is that given a choice, she would probably choose Harry! .

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/16/prince-harry-sought-counselling-death-mother-led-two-years-total/

Yes it was as I thought. Harry did have mental health counselling. So glad that his money enabled him to do this. others sadly are not so fortunate and have to "just get on with it".

and before you jump down my throat Annie I am not in any way suggesting that he should not have paid for counselling (of course he should) I am saying that this is a very good example of money helping to buy happiness.

Maybe its about time the royals gave up on their stuffy protocol starbird. Perhaps Meghan is just what they needed to bring them kicking and screaming into reality? Who knows the young ones might all go out to work one day too?

Objecting to the wealth of the Royal family the reason for which has been well explained in other posts does not mean people are jealous. Also people who spend thousands on Winnie the Pooh bears - and obviously others do it, not just Harry - have more money than sense. There are people who actually need money for food, operations, clean water for goodness sake! If you are fortunate enough to have that amount of money you have a responsibility to your fellow man.

I think the 3 outfits Meghan wore yesterday cost more than the average yearly state OAP which some people have to live on, that is why some bitter comments are made.
Multiply this by all the RF, several weeks a year and I know how unjust and unfair it is.

I do not jump down your throat Gilly, it does trouble me that you have so much anger against one family because of their wealth.

Windsor wealth didn’t prevent Harry from grief did it ? The majority of people in this country depend on the NHS, the Windsor money wouldn’t change this. My one gripe against the Windsors is the cost of security . I don’t care that queenie inherited two properties from her father. I agree that Charles is right to slim down the firm.

One thing which I find amusing are the claims that Zara and her husband live lives unlike the rest of the family. They live on Gatecombe estate, neither she or her husband work, they attend all royal events but do nothing for the country

I should think Megan's family are causing a few worries.

Oh Annie again I ask you not to worry.

My "anger" (your description not mine) against this family is the sheer hypocrisy of the way they live their lives. Claiming to be charitable and caring and all the time spending £millions on their own comfort and wellbeing . Chartering private jets on a whim, palaces dotted around the country, servants waiting on them hand on foot, flaunting their fancy weddings and expecting us to pick up the security bill, their never ending wardrobes of designer expensive clothes, fancy cars etc. Of course many of their "adoring" subjects don't get as much to live on in a year that one of them might spend on an outfit and a few accessories. have they no shame? But they are "royal" so we should put up and shut up.

I could go on but you will never understand where I am coming from.

Windsor wealth did not prevent harry from grief, how could it? My point was that his Windsor wealth did buy him (probably the best that money could buy) counselling, which as I pointed out is one way that money can and does buy happiness. Imagine being very ill and having to wait for a year or more for help? Imagine being told after the year that sorry, you can only have one session?

and I beg to differ about Zara and Mike Tindall. They are both Olympic standard athletes, sponsored in their own right. Okay they enjoy the added wealth and privilege that only being a member of "that" family can bring, but IMHO don't in any other way compare with the rest.

I thought they all looked great on the balcony. Meghan was beautiful.

I assume that there is a fixed rate of income for royals and their spouses based on their position in the royal family. I think Meghan has a considerable fortune of her own (entirely self earned) and she may be using some of it for her clothes - being an independent woman. Perhaps to her at this point, high end label clothes give her confidence and are something she feels she can get right.

I would imagine there would be a fixed rate starbird its just that no-one has bothered to tell them what it is. For these people the sky is the limit and they will never have to ask how much?

I agree Meghan is very rich in her own right and has worked for it and earned it so good for her.

gillybob I think almost every single member of the royal family would prefer to be an ordinary citizen given the choice. To be hounded by the press in public and private, with every action, word and dress hung out for public scrutiny, is simply not worth any amount of money to them (unlike some utterly talentless and useless ‘celebrities’ who actively seek fame). The royal family’s effect as head of state and Commonwealth has rapidly diminished and I think they genuinely do try to find a useful purpose for their lives. I am sure William and Harry would rather be flying helicopters in service of their country or some good cause.

I missed seeing them on the Balcony but maybe Harry was feeling reflective in view of his service in the Army. I did see them in the Abbey before the Service, I thought they all looked happy & were chatting away. Anne, Princess Royal looked lovely, her husband however looked excluded when she was chatting to Prince Andrew.

Has anybody wondered how Camilla feels when Charles has to accompany Queenie? Prince Andrew does accompany the Queen many times, Royal Ascot etc.

Have any of you looked at photos of yourselves or other family members when caught unawares, I bet there's times when you look less than ecstatic

No one knows what the Windsors give to help others, and because Zara won a gold medal this secures her financially for life ? I think not. What did her husband win an Olympic gold for ?

gillybob I think almost every single member of the royal family would prefer to be an ordinary citizen given the choice

I very much have my doubts about that starbird

I said "Olympic standard" Annie however I stand corrected and should have said "Olympic gold medal winner and Rugby World cup winner" There that's better. Oh I wish I was perfect and got things right first time.

They both enjoyed (and probably still do) handsome sponsorship.

....and likewise we don't know what they do give to help others, we just know what they keep for themselves.

I agree with gillybob. They are living in an institution - gilded cage anyone? And I think the green outfit MM wore to christening was great, colour suited her.

Actually agree with starbird - must pay more attention to italics.

The aristocracy, including the royals are a diverse lot, plenty of wasterells ( male and female) who squander daddies money, they are spending it extravagantly, cars, holidays, clothes, restaurants, in the process providing employment.

Another comment mentioned 3 outfits Meghan had, that gave employment to many skilled designers and workers in the UK. Is that not good?, surely any adverse comment is envy.

I think they look fine! Harry is well into his thirties, now he's married maybe he's taking life a bit more seriously.

I'm not quite certain why Harry and Meghan are viewed as such royal celebrities. He is the second son and now only 6th in line to the throne, so no prospect of inheriting.

I'm sorry she seems to have been guided into a wardrobe of long dresses that don't really suit her,there are pictures of The Queen, Princess Margaret and Princess Anne showing their knees and a bit of thigh in mini skirts in years gone by, so why she has to cover up so much is a bit of a mystery to me. I also wonder why she feels the need to wear such very high heels all the time, even if she is not uncomfortable I'm thinking that hanging on to Harry is a necessity on some terrain.

A rugby World Cup winner gilly, 2003, I see he is now a brand ambassador for an online trading company and does support some charities

Sodapop. A strain for Meghan being in the public eye?
What's your next joke?
For the majority of her adult life Meghan has been in the public eye. Did she not chose to be an actress ? and from what we have been led to believe, by those who had witnessed her TV performances. not afraid to show herself in the 'all together'. Include two or was it three marriages along the way?Meghan is at 35/36 no shrinking violet and without doubt a woman of substance. Unlike Kate in her 20's , straight from university put ' on trial' for several years to obtain a vision of what her life as a royal would be? royalty were not taking chances. Comments in the media that Harry and Meghan's marriage will not last. I too have doubts. Harry will never have his brothers responsibility but that does not mean he and his wife will be allowed to sit back and watch the world go by. Does she believe she can do as she likes? .If the past weeks since the wedding are anything to go by the new Duchess has not been allowed to let the grass grow under her feet. From what we read there are more tours /visits to come. Is this what she anticipated. Royals may have wealth and their castles. What price freedom.? Meghan is now the property of the Windsors. She has been in charge of her life, not any more .It is this I believe could /would see the end of this marriage .

Right at the end of the service DW and I noticed that the Queen was not smiling. Based on the some of the criteria deployed on this thread, we can only assume that her marriage is in trouble. I remember thinking it wouldn't last, back in 1947.