Does everyone have their popcorn ready for Harry & Meghan?

Was. She quit over 20 years ago and was never a heavy smoker. Although one is one too many in my eyes

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My dad was a smoker. He quit smoking, but then died 14 years later of a type of lung cancer closely linked to smoking.

The best way to quit is to never start.

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How do you know all of this? You never cease to amaze me. :clap: :clap:

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Most of this is from the pool of common knowledge. Maybe not for Americans, but remember that I’m not from here.

For a real experience, come with me to a watch party for The Crown as I point out historical inaccuracies. :grin:

Since we’re between seasons, my friends instead have to listen to me explain the nuances of association football and promotion / relegation while watching Ted Lasso.

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Love Ted Lasso!

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As a Brit, I can’t watch the Crown anymore, as the events are too fresh in my memory and I have heard that it is more like fiction now!

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https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/court-hearing-prince-harry-elton-johns-privacy-case-against-uk-publisher-2023-03-26/
I’ll be following this story. The implications and fallout from this case could prove very interesting.

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Continuing the worldwide privacy tour…

And he chose to enter through the front door of the court, unlike the other famous faces who went to the side door away from all the press and commotion. Not exactly the action of someone who is prioritizing his personal safety… (or indeed worried about money, since he took two security guards with him)

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They do have political ambition or why would one consult someone who worked for H Clinton, M Obama and J Kerry? Either to discuss potential run or for an entry into their circles.

I believe that they overestimate their popularity.

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As does everyone IMO.

She IS popular.

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As The Times puts it:

"Say what you will about the Duchess of Sussex, but she is a woman with a vision. It is true that her vision is found mostly in the mirror, but there are only so many hours in the day and she has to spend quite a lot of them being furious with the rest of us. A profile on the foundation’s website tells us that she is a “feminist, champion of human rights and gender equity and global role model” and who could put it better than that? Over to you, Camilla. Or perhaps the Princess of Wales is having a crack as we speak.

Meghan is saluted for her “lifelong advocacy for women and girls”, which is, we are told, “a constant thread she weaves through both humanitarian and business ventures”, and quite so, and if we all close our eyes and wish hard enough she might tell us again about the time she complained about an advert for washing-up liquid and changed the course of history.

But back to the Ms Foundation, which explains that her Archetypes series of podcasts were record-breaking, which is usefully vague and not necessarily the first word anyone who listened to them would use. Oddly, they didn’t ask me what words I might use, so I will simply note in passing that there has been a deafening silence where talk of a second series should be. This is odd, because deafening silences aren’t really H&M’s thing. Maybe they’re building up to one. And really, who wouldn’t want another series listening to interesting people being shut down so we can hear about the washing-up liquid again?

Until then, if you long for more the foundation is charging $1,500 for a ticket to the ceremony in New York on May 16 and $15,000 for a table. There, you can watch the people’s duchess presented with her award by her dear friend Gloria Steinem. She will be celebrated for her “global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls”, a magnificent sentiment in search of a meaning. If anyone is tempted to ponder the irony that Steinem has a feminist platform because of her ideas and Meghan has one because of her husband, don’t. Rejoice instead that the awards don’t clash with the coronation so we could be in for a double dose of H&M. And no rush for the RSVP, guys, it’s only a coronation, after all, and the seating plan for Westminster Abbey has been extended just in case. You’re in the NCP in Lambeth."

[for non-Brits, NCP = National Car Parks, a chain of parking garages]

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Here are the most recent (AFAIK) approval/popularity numbers in the US (obviously different methodology than being selected for the women of vision award, etc):

and the UK:

1.2 million voters.

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Gift link: https://wapo.st/3GENnWp

“Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet,” (via the Daily Mail).

I highly doubt she will ever set foot in the UK again.

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I kind of hope that’s not the case if it means the children spend less time there. I guess Harry could take their children himself to visit family in England but it would seem a little odd if their mother NEVER goes along.

Perhaps she might go, but I doubt for any formal occasion. It would be on the DL