WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:11.359
Callarogu Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Palace Intrigue. I
2
00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:14.640
am your host, Mark Francis. After several days of attempting
3
00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:17.359
to make private contact, the Duchess of Sussex has now
4
00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:21.160
succeeded in sending correspondence to her father. Meghan had been
5
00:00:21.239 --> 00:00:25.160
unable to confirm which hospital her father was in, prompting
6
00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:29.519
her personally to telephone medical facilities in the Philippines in
7
00:00:29.559 --> 00:00:32.560
an effort to match the hospital logo visible on his
8
00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:37.119
gown in published photographs. In a statement on Wednesday, Meghan's
9
00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:40.719
spokesperson said the Duchess had managed to get a letter
10
00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:44.439
to her father and accused The Daily Mail of breaching
11
00:00:44.520 --> 00:00:49.200
clear ethical boundaries. They said, given that a Daily Mail
12
00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:54.079
reporter has remained at her father's bedside throughout broadcasting each
13
00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:59.159
interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly
14
00:00:59.200 --> 00:01:02.039
difficult for the dutch Is to contact her father privately.
15
00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:06.159
Despite her efforts over the past several days, with the
16
00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:10.040
support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now
17
00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:14.040
safely in his hands. Megan and her father have remained
18
00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:17.560
estranged for more than six years. Mister Markle has never
19
00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:21.280
met either of the Sussex's children, Archie and Lillabet, and
20
00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:26.519
has not met Prince Harry. Express columnists Meeker Smiles writes,
21
00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:29.959
let's cut a long story short. She didn't do what
22
00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:33.959
any normal person would do and give her dad a call. No,
23
00:01:34.120 --> 00:01:36.480
that would be too easy and means she'd actually have
24
00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:40.040
to speak to him. Her representatives say she contacted him
25
00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:44.280
via wait for an email. Now, I'm sorry, but anyone
26
00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:45.879
who has been on the planet for the last few
27
00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:49.000
years knows that sending someone an email is about as
28
00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:52.640
effective as launching a carrier pigeon with a handwritten note.
29
00:01:52.760 --> 00:01:55.879
I receive thousands a day, and the likelihood of being
30
00:01:55.920 --> 00:01:59.439
sent anything of even vague importance to my personal email
31
00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:03.159
addresses pretty slim. And if I just had a major operation,
32
00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:06.319
the last thing I'd be doing is trawling through Black
33
00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:10.800
Friday spam offers clogging up my inbox. So, yes, she
34
00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:15.039
reached out awful phrase, by the way on paper. In reality,
35
00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:17.919
what Meghan did had all the sincerity of a box
36
00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:22.080
ticking exercise. Initially, like many I'd imagine, I wondered why
37
00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:24.639
on earth she hadn't hopped on the next plane to
38
00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:27.800
the Philippines, where he's currently in hospital. But then this
39
00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:31.919
sad story got darker. Let's not forget why Meghan and
40
00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:36.719
Thomas's relationship initially went sour. He set up pretend paparazzi
41
00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:40.479
shots of him preparing for his daughter's wedding for cash.
42
00:02:40.520 --> 00:02:43.960
Since then, her father, sister, and brother have popped up here, there,
43
00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:48.000
and everywhere, taking potshots at her at every given opportunity.
44
00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:51.360
So do I believe Meghan's version of events has always
45
00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:54.599
been entirely truthful? No? But do I blame her for
46
00:02:54.680 --> 00:02:59.319
wanting to put distance between herself and this mad circus? Not? Really? Yes,
47
00:02:59.319 --> 00:03:02.120
It's incredibly sad. After all. At one point, her dad
48
00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:04.560
came across as being the kind of father a girl
49
00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:07.919
could rely on. Now it seems his vulnerability has left
50
00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:11.120
him wide open to manipulation. If I could give Megan
51
00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:13.639
one piece of advice for once, when the press came
52
00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:16.599
calling on Friday, a simple we won't be commenting on
53
00:03:16.680 --> 00:03:20.680
this private issue would have more than sufficed. Harry and
54
00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:23.360
Meghan have issued a new statement through their Archwell Foundation,
55
00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:28.159
responding to Australia's decision to ban under sixteens from accessing
56
00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:33.360
social media platforms. Their message said, we celebrate Australia's leadership
57
00:03:33.400 --> 00:03:36.159
for seeing and acting on how these technology companies are
58
00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:40.120
negatively impacting young people with little to no recourse or
59
00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:43.719
accountability and feeble efforts from the companies to stem the
60
00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:48.039
flow of harms. Under the new measures, major platforms face
61
00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:51.199
flanes of up to forty nine point five million dollars
62
00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:55.599
if they failed to take reasonable steps to disable underage accounts.
63
00:03:56.560 --> 00:04:00.000
The couple continued This bold, decisive action to protect children
64
00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:02.599
at a critical moment in their development sends a strong
65
00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:05.120
signal that a child's mind is not a commodity to
66
00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:09.039
be exploited. It buys young people valuable time back in
67
00:04:09.080 --> 00:04:12.240
their childhoods, but it doesn't fix the fundamental issue we
68
00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:16.279
all still face with social media platforms. Here's the truth.
69
00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:19.720
The ban is an effective measure to stop imminent harm,
70
00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:22.199
but ultimately only works as a band aid that does
71
00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:27.600
not address tax's broken design and exploitive business incentives requiring
72
00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:30.800
us to protect young people in the first place. We
73
00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:32.639
hope this ban is only the start of a reckoning
74
00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:36.079
between society and the tech companies that built these platforms
75
00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:39.600
with growth as their first principle instead of safety. We
76
00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:42.360
look forward to the next step to hold tech accountable
77
00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:46.000
for its design choices, and hope leadership of new technologies
78
00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:49.160
learn the lessons of failing to prioritize the well being
79
00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:51.920
of young people. The world is watching to see if
80
00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:55.399
they'll finally take responsibility and make the changes the world
81
00:04:55.639 --> 00:05:00.120
so desperately needs. Harry and Megan have quietly added a
82
00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:05.120
new project to their Netflix slate, releasing a documentary titled
83
00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:09.199
Masaka Kids. A rhythm within. The film tells the story
84
00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:12.800
of the Uganda based dance collective whose young performers have
85
00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:17.560
endured extraordinary hardship, including the effects of famine and conflict,
86
00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:21.279
and who have found strength and joy through music and movement.
87
00:05:22.040 --> 00:05:25.360
The couple served as producers and last month donated fifty
88
00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:29.120
thousand dollars to the Masaka Kids Africana through their Archwell
89
00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:33.680
Foundation via go fund Me. When the documentary was first announced,
90
00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:37.560
a spokesperson for the Sussexes explained how the project came
91
00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:41.120
to their attention, saying they would watch the videos regularly
92
00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:44.240
with Archie at home, so they were already admirers of
93
00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:47.319
the organization before the film project came to them. Men
94
00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:53.079
twenty twenty three, pr expert Ria Freeman tells the express.
95
00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:56.600
We continually get told more and more about Megan's missteps
96
00:05:56.600 --> 00:05:59.920
and how disasters her show's projects are, and yet she
97
00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:02.199
keeps going to make them, so we have to assume
98
00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:04.959
that maybe, just maybe it's not as bad as many
99
00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:08.920
would like to believe. Personally, I feel they should fully
100
00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:12.079
lean into the Hollywood side of life, embrace social media
101
00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:15.079
fully rather than just as and when it's needed, and
102
00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:17.279
give people who want to like them a chance to
103
00:06:17.279 --> 00:06:20.199
get to know them better in a less edited way.
104
00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:25.000
Take inspiration from the successful reality stars of Hollywood, the
105
00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:28.920
Kardashians being a prime example, and learn some lessons there.
106
00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.319
I appreciate for a long time the couple have asked
107
00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:35.680
for privacy, but their actions don't echo this. I feel
108
00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:38.079
the best course of action would be to really lean
109
00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:41.319
into it, as I feel that more opportunities, maybe even
110
00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:45.279
better headlines, could come from that in the long term.
111
00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:52.079
What palace in just a moment? Megan isn't the only
112
00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:55.199
Royal entrepreneur. King Charles has introduced a new range of
113
00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:59.879
Royal themed Christmas tree decorations through the Royal Collection Trust,
114
00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:04.800
offering festive ornaments inspired by Buckingham Palace, windsor castle and
115
00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:08.800
symbols close to the royal family. The collection includes a
116
00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:12.040
Buckingham Palace for Sad decoration made from white velvet crystals
117
00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:16.480
and traditional Zardozi embroidery for forty pounds, a Buckingham Palace
118
00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:19.639
State coach ornament for twenty four pounds, and a Windsor
119
00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:24.879
Castle facade decoration also twenty four pounds, crafted with velvet, gold,
120
00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:28.560
thread and beading. The most expensive item is the Coronation
121
00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:33.319
Limited Addition Bauble, an eighty five pound fine bone China
122
00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:36.600
ornament produced in a run of one thousand. Decorated by
123
00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:39.360
hand with the Royal coat of arms, national emblems and
124
00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:42.319
twenty two carrot gold. It commemorates the coronation of King
125
00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:47.160
Charles and Queen Camilla in twenty twenty three. King Charles
126
00:07:47.160 --> 00:07:50.360
has attended an annual Advent service at Westminster Abbey, joining
127
00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:53.319
senior Christian clerics from the UK and the Middle East
128
00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:56.360
for what he described as a celebration of light, hope
129
00:07:56.399 --> 00:08:00.720
and above all, the peace of the season. Thereation drawn
130
00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:03.279
from churches across the country gathered at the abbey to
131
00:08:03.399 --> 00:08:05.600
mark the run up to Christmas. In a forward to
132
00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:08.040
the official Order of service, the King, who is a
133
00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:12.399
committed Anglican and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, wrote,
134
00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:14.279
it is a great joy to gather with you in
135
00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:17.639
the most glorious setting of Westminster Abbey as we celebrate
136
00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:19.519
the light, hope, and above all, the peace of this
137
00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:24.199
season of advent. This period is one of preparation, of
138
00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:27.759
readying ourselves and looking forward to the wonder of Christ's birth.
139
00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:31.360
Today we gather for prayer, reflection and music, and to
140
00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:34.840
celebrate the good news in which all Christians rejoice, those
141
00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:37.320
around us and those in areas where it is not
142
00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:40.600
easy to live out one's faith. I am so pleased
143
00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:42.720
to be joined by church leaders from across the UK
144
00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:47.279
and Middle East, leaders of other faiths, charity representatives and
145
00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:49.720
so many of you who contribute to your communities in
146
00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:54.039
myriad ways. Princess Anne has won praise from Royal watchers
147
00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:56.679
for the understated way she chose to sign her annual
148
00:08:56.759 --> 00:09:01.840
Christmas card. The Princess Royal's Festive mess surfaced online after
149
00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:03.960
it was shared by an Australian state governor who had
150
00:09:03.960 --> 00:09:07.279
received it following Anne's recent visit. The card features a
151
00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:10.480
photograph of Anne and her husband, Sir Tim Lawrence, taken
152
00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:14.639
during their landmark trip to sark As the Channel Islands
153
00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:18.759
marked Liberation Day in May. Shot by photographer Aaron Chown,
154
00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:21.000
it shows the couple smiling as they travel by horse
155
00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:26.559
and carriage towards La coupee. Inside the greeting reads simply
156
00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:29.399
with best wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas and
157
00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:33.840
New Year from Anne and Tim. The absence of Anne's
158
00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:36.919
title immediately caught the attention of royal fans and commentators,
159
00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:39.639
who applauded the modesty of the gesture. No need to
160
00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:42.559
blow the trumpet with princess's title, and yet so impactful.
161
00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:46.440
I like it, wrote one person. Another remarked, real royals
162
00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:50.360
don't need to announce themselves. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told
163
00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:53.240
The Daily Mail the card struck the right tone, saying
164
00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:56.480
Anne needs no one to blow a trumpet for her.
165
00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:59.600
The informal photograph of her and her husband, in aid
166
00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:02.840
to life fully bucolic setting, sets the tone for the
167
00:10:02.919 --> 00:10:07.480
simple greetings from Ann Tim. Some observers drough comparisons with
168
00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:10.960
Megan Markle's frequent use of her Duchess title despite no
169
00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:14.440
longer being a working royal, and there you have it.
170
00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:16.720
Would like to email us addresses the Palace Intrigue at
171
00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:20.440
gmail dot com and don't forget you can get this
172
00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:24.240
show commercial free, along with hundreds, if not thousands of
173
00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:28.279
others from Calirouger Shark Media. Just go up top there
174
00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:30.399
on the Apple Player and look for the button that
175
00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:34.120
says listen uninterrupted and you can get this show and
176
00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:39.120
bonus series before anybody else, commercial free. It's just four
177
00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:40.559
ninety nine a month. You can try it out for
178
00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:43.320
a month free if you want. Makes a great Christmas
179
00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:47.960
present for yourself. Oh my, Francis my thanks to John McDermott.
180
00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:50.120
This is Palace Intrigue and contains