The War of the Windsors
The real-life drama of the Royal Family is making The Crown look like a documentary
The brouhaha brewing in the palace is making The Crown look like a documentary, writes Kerry in her column for The Sunday Telegraph.
We can conclude Meghan and Harry’s Oprah chat has not been received well by the rellies. When the trailer came out showing Oprah stating, “you have said some pretty shocking things,” it no doubt caused eye rolls at Buckingham Palace. But it looks like it was the, “Were you silent or were you silenced?” question, cutting to an Armani-clad Meghan giving an enigmatic smile, that really chafed those courtiers’ collars, because they appear to have gone nuclear and hit the big red Payback button.
They unloaded to The Times, claiming Meghan did plenty of talking during her time in the Royal Family, it’s just it was not very nice. “She drove two personal assistants out of the household and was undermining the confidence of a third,” it’s alleged.
Camp Sussex hit back pronto claiming Meghan was a victim “of a calculated smear campaign” and was not the bully, but bullied. But Buckingham Palace wasn’t going to let Megs and Haz have the last word this time, instead releasing a statement saying they are launching an investigation. Into her. “Members of staff involved at the time… will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned. The Royal Household… will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace,” it said.
But just when you thought the ball had been smashed out of the court, the Californians hit another volley, with Oprah’s second teaser showing Meghan accusing the palace of lying. “I don’t know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,” she says. “And if that comes with risk of losing things then … There is a lot that has been lost already.”
Here’s what’s been lost – all perspective. The Royal List is not on anyone’s “team” – why do we feel the need to align ourselves into camps over everything, anyway? But the best thing now would be for everyone to shush. Clearly Meghan and Harry felt aggrieved enough to leave The Firm/his family, but maybe they didn’t endear themselves when they were in it. To lose one assistant may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose so many they form a club, is something else.
Whatever the truth, this new drama, The War of the Windsors, is packed with frocks and shocks. Peter Morgan couldn’t make it up. But maybe, for everyone’s sake, like The Crown, this season should be the last.
Mum-in-laws to the rescue
If there’s one thing every daughter can count on, it’s her mum. And where Harry and William are concerned, they’re lucky to have landed mother-in-laws who are 100% solid gold. Carole Middleton, 66, is currently the Good Housekeeping cover star talking about being a successful business woman of Party Pieces and her love of family. While over in LA, Doria Ragland, 64, (rumoured to have moved into Harry and Meghan’s Montecito home last summer) was this week spotted in the back of their Range Rover as the glum-looking couple drove around the city.
They’re thousands of miles apart but share a close bond with their son-in-laws. Harry bonded instantly with his future MiL, with many believing the ‘calm’ and ‘wise’ Doria fills the maternal void left behind by Diana. Apparently he lovingly calls the former social worker and yoga teacher ‘Mom’ and trusts her judgement totally. The doting granny even moved into Frogmore Cottage to help look after newborn Archie.
Similarly, William and Catherine retreated to her family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, after Prince George was born in 2013, spending several weeks with Carole and Michael. The Middletons are famously discreet (Carole asked for William’s approval before appearing in Good Housekeeping) and they’ve fitted into royal life, even passing the Balmoral Test. More importantly though, “in William’s eyes Carole and Michael can do no wrong,” said Anna Pasternak in Tatler. “He absolutely adores them… Their family life is so soothing for him as it’s so different from his own family.”
Mother’s Day gifts fit for a queen
It’s Mothering Sunday in the UK next weekend, so take your pick from our royally-approved pressies and make your mum feel like a queen for the day.
* Restless by William Boyd, £9.99. One of Camilla’s choices for her Reading Room book club. This thriller is about a daughter who discovers her mum was a WW2 spy.
* Highgrove Organic Salted Caramel Fudge Box, £6.95. Made by the Duchy of Cornwall and delivered to sweet-toothed mums everywhere.
* Illuminum London White Gardenia Petals, £80. Catherine wore this delicate refined scent on her wedding day.
* Missoma Interstellar Ring, £49. Good enough for Meghan, good enough for Mum.
* Buckingham Palace Cuddly Corgi, £19.95. The Queen has two new Corgi puppies and one of these will be pooch perfect.
And finally, The Queen Mum has the last word…
The Queen Mother was legendary for her daily G&T habit. When Prince William set off for uni, he revealed the centenarian said, “Any good parties, invite me down.” “I knew full well that if I invited her down she would dance me under the table,” he said.