Meghan and Harry

It seems to me she is over acting . She can’t be nervous , she addressed the UN, walked down the aisle with no arm to hold, been married before then had an affair then met Harry, an actress too.

Funny looking Corgie, perhaps a foot muff for the QM

And as for holding hands because we are soooo in love, yuck
yes, a bit yucky I agree. Perhaps the Aussies won't mind though.

Wasn't it an Australian PM who touched the Queen ?

Nice picture annep - but what's that thing on the floor, it doesn't look like a corgi! Perhaps Princess Elizabeth had knitted it.

True Diana certaintly didn’t, Harry follows her, where there’s a camera

Jalima look what I found. Nice photo.

Anniebach William and Kate certainly haven't followed the Queen in keeping dignified - if "I feel your pain" is your version of dignified. Princess Diana certainly didn't. Harry seems always to have been more ebullient and the fact he's not the heir means he's had more freedom than his brother. He's chosen a wife who suits him who also has more freedom than Kate and can be more outspoken. I'm sure there are enough protocolmeisters among the Windsor courtiers to rein them both in if the romantic handholding gets too much. However, it seems to be going down well in Oz and among the British population (or at least those who aren't uninterested in the RF or too interested in the Daily Fail).

I am not a republican, a president with no political leanings ? I doubt very much. The thought of yet another election every five years ? No thank you.

Charles is slimming down the numbers, there has been some changes. Only the children of the monarch or children of the heir can now hold the title prince or princess. Harry’s children cannot.

I like the tradition and have a thing about dignity which queenie certaintly has. I don’t want royals doing the ‘i feel your pain’ act. Queenie doesn’t , Charles doesn’t and I think William and Kate will follow them.

And as for holding hands because we are soooo in love, yuck.

It just all needs to go.

I am a lot , not a little, Republican, it can’t come soon enough.
However, none of the flummery is the fault of any RF individual, they have just been born into it.
The Queen has done a good job of it, Charles would too and also William IMHO.

annep I have some lovely old-fashioned knitting patterns

The queen is probably busy knitting for the new baby - save the newlyweds some money. It's not easy paying the mortgage!

I think that's the point though Jalima. The Queen and Philip have done their bit, admirably, for decades and been loved for their much more regal, dignified and "distant" presence.

Look at the contrast. We now have The Harry and Meghan global extravaganza representing them. I

We all know it will be Harry, Meghan, David and Victoria before long.

The world has gone a bit star-struck, hasn't it?

I have opted out. It just seems so wrong. I am turning a little bit republican until a sense of proportion has returned to the house of Windsor. I suspect I'll have a very long wait.

Carry on imagining me as tall, slim and elegant everyone
Careful Jalima! you're plagiarising! I've got copyright on that bit of flattery; not to be used indiscriminately on all and sundry without permission. I only use it on special occasions, but you could be the exception to the rule!
Btw. how's that boiled fruit cake coming along? You can put icing on it if you know how!

I couldn’t agree with you more Day6.

I couldn't help thinking the queen would not have to do this.
annep but I can't imagine that any Head of State would have to do that either.

We just don't need so many jewels in the crown.
Perhaps the Queen and Prince Philip should have gone to Australia and the South Pacific, started up the Invictus Games etc.
What else are they doing with their time these days? Mustn't let them loll around doing nothing.

There’s always one ‘party’ type in the RF, ( or black sheep)
So Harry is fulfilling his destiny !
He’s certainly different to William.

Oh Rufus no!!!!

Aaaaargh. Cannot bear the Beckhams. Self publicists who typify all that's wrong with modern society. Best pals with royalty....Please, pass the sick bucket.

I suppose turning off all screens is the only way to blank out the huge vomit-inducing sleb-fest. [sick]

"Harry's way" to my mind Merlot was to use his incredible privilege and top notch network to get an introduction to an actress he fancied. Previously he'd partied his way around the world. I used to rather like him, seeing him as a lost, motherless boy who joined the forces and found camaraderie in the army but as the spare heir he has rather mirrored Princess Margaret with a life of glamorous hob-nobbing and partying.

I am a fan of a much trimmed down monarchy. Displays of Harry and his trophy wife turning on their "we love you" performances just don't warm the cockles in the way the dignified and regal appearances used to.

I think that evolution has a lot to do with it. The monarchy cannot stand still, but perhaps with the march of time we also have to ask if we can stomach the Harry and Meghan show across the globe for the foreseeable future. Their having a baby is really not THAT newsworthy.

Where is it all going to end? You just know that "Child of Meghan and Harry, The Sequel" is just going to run and run. Most of us will be dead and gone when that one is partying with the rich celebrities of his time, who will of course be the offspring of the Cloonies, Beckhams, Cordens, Williams and John-Furnishes etc, etc.

It's got out of hand imo but the majority lap it up without question.

Time to close all but the front windows of that huge department store imo. Bargain basement tat is filtering its way up to the top floor. We just don't need so many jewels in the crown.

The Australians seem to be lapping it up
Day6; Are they ever! Can't get enough and now David and Victoria have arrived! We are truly blessed! OoRoo

"if speaking was more important than listening, we'd have 2 tongues and one ear" Taffy Thomas MBE

I would enjoy touring privately Jalima.
But yes Granny23 I agree. Sitting on uncomfortable plastic chair 2 hours in A&E with feet on next chair trying to sleep I couldn't help thinking the queen would not have to do this.

The commonwealth leaders have said Charles will be the next head of the commonwealth

Although, I must say that if you do suffer from jetlag, you can find yourself wide awake and raring to go at 4 am.

What is Harry to do? - drop out of royal engagements? - refuse to have anything to do with it all?

Well said Luckygirl - because what he is doing is representing the Queen, the Head of State for Australia. Whether or not they vote to become a republic at some future date is another matter; for the time being the RF has a job to do there and Harry is carrying out his duties and it appears that many Australians have welcomed him and his new wife.

Even if, at some future date, Australians reject the Monarch as the Head of State, I am sure they will still want to belong to The Commonwealth, whoever heads it in future.

She wasn’t doing yoga on the beach at 4.30am, she told the people on the beach she enjoys yoga so much she did it at 4.30 that morning.

But I do think I wouldn't enjoy all that touring in Australia. no thank you.
I would - but the early months of pregnancy combined with possible jetlag and then be expected to look good, meeting hundreds of people, getting up at 4.30 for yoga on the beach would have me putting my head under the bedclothes and growling "Go away the lot of you"!.

pissing on your lawn
gillybarb; reminds me of our little Jessie. Bitches (hope that's still an OK word!) are known for leaving brown stains on lawns and she was no exception.
However, a more useful activity was for the chaps to do it up against our lemon tree. Very good at preventing infestations of citrus gall wasps, (of the tree, I mean)!