Palace Papers 1- From Diana to Meghan: 25 Years of Royal Scandal

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

If memory serves me well Prince Phillip’s code name for MM was DOW - Duchess of Windsor. Phillip was a man of the world and an excellent judge of character, as was the Queen, a very astute lady hiding under those hats. The Queen was known for her very sharp perception, and (privately) a wicked sense of humour.

[@Jess_Connell]

Thank you! That's what I was searching for- I knew it related to Wallis Simpson, but couldn't remember the abbreviation used.

[@Pam-xx2ie]

I always wondered, MM had a degree in International Relations. Did she sleep through the class on respecting other cultures?!

[@Jess_Connell]

@@Pam-xx2ie right?! No respect and she claims no knowledge. 🤔 strange.

[@puffpiece1375]

She slept through all lessons regarding respect. She went to a Christian school but none of it rubbed off on her

[@katiemarie4035]

No she didn’t sleep through anything. She thinks because she wants to spin a story her way we will of course take the whole enchilada hook, line and sinker because she’s the only person on the planet that married into royalty. I think growing up on TV soundstages skewered a fundamental grasp of reality.

[@AlexandraEvans-p9k]

@@puffpiece1375 You casual racists love to hide behind christian "excuses" to hate. I bet you all voted for donald trump. When are you guys going to talk about SLUMLORDs willy and charlie??? 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@pameladigaetano8119]

She did NOT have this degree..she CLAIMED she did.... We have never seen proof of a degree. If we go into Actual degrees given by northwestern we see that They have International studies and not Iinternational relations.

[@ryvirkelley5047]

16:27 And why on earth would you go to HR? Pick up your phone or have your private secretary call a therapist. They make no sense.

[@Jess_Connell]

@@ryvirkelley5047 right??! The actions lack credibility. They were not inexperienced 20 year olds. They’d each lived independently, made plans and decisions, and he’s been chairing a charity for mental health. None of it seems truthful.

[@ryvirkelley5047]

@@Jess_Connell 💯😎

[@elizabethmadron1336]

She is not a genuine person. Neither is he.

[@PCAGA2298]

So excited about this book about the royals. My favorite subject for decades now ❤

[@StrongopinionsRus]

I’m so glad you’re reading this book! I don’t always agree with Tina Brown, but she’s a brilliant writer and I always learn new words when I read her work.

[@Jess_Connell]

Haha! I see what you mean. I’m learning new words also! Fantastic writing.

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

26.41 Correction: Princess Margaret COULD have married Peter Townsend, just not on her terms. She could have surrendered her royal privileges, i.e. income, and become Mrs Townsend - off to the registry office; OR she could have accepted the negotiated offer of waiting until she was twenty-five. I am uncertain of the conditions governing the latter option, but it was negotiated by Queen Elizabeth in conjunction with the Archbishop and senior palace officials. In the event, Townsend was shunted off to Paris, where he eventually met and married a French lady, to whom he remained married. Margaret married Anthony Armstrong Jones, a society photographer.

[@Jess_Connell]

Good detail! Yes we’re gonna dig in and discuss that one- it comes up as context in a couple chapters.

[@yourchristianbookkeeper]

Yes, thank you for mentioning this. People have to go deeper than Netflix to understand the Margaret and Townsend situation. 😂 Even me sometimes.

[@Broadwayshowgirl]

Townsend was actually sent to Brussels & married a Belgian woman.

[@LadyCat183]

At 25 she would still have been forced to give up her HRH and income from the Civil list. Margaret was educated to be a Princess, she had no other role in life. Very sad

[@margaretbarnes2032]

I’ve always felt sorry for King Charles - he did try to do what was expected of him - he couldn’t marry the woman he loved because ‘she had a past’ so he was pressured into marrying Diana. They were both so unhappy in that marriage - although really Diana was a conniving, manipulative piece of work. As for Andrew & Fergie - Andrew Lownie is writing a book about them which sounds like it will be definitely worth a read - thank you so much for taking a look at The Palace Papers.

[@Jess_Connell]

I agree with you. Of course as a child I remember the fairy tale quality of Diana and Charles… and only as I learned more as an adult did I realize what a terrible situation he was in, and that Camilla was a true love for him that he was forced to set aside in favor of the rules. And he tried to go along with it and make good of it… until it all fell apart due to preexisting conditions & imperfect humans inside the situation.

[@margaretbarnes2032]

@@Jess_Connell Yes, we were all sold on the fairytale at the time - I think Charles was hoping it would work - but they were both so different & had nothing in common - I watched a clip of the Queen at their wedding - she was delighted - very interesting to compare it to her reaction at H & M’s wedding 😳

[@Jess_Connell]

@@margaretbarnes2032 yes. Again I agree. There was a glimmer of hope that it might all work. It seems (from William and Kate’s courtship and engagement, marriage) that “the Firm” did learn from that terrible set of decisions with Charles and Diana. And yes. By the time of Harry & Meghan’s wedding, the Queen likely very clearly saw that it was all bunch of drama and mess.

[@JulieReardon-j2z]

A past? She was actually married at the time. Very problematic!

[@jenniferlane6720]

I saw through Diana from the beginning, it was clear Diana used her sons as props. At that time I had no idea of Diana’s multiple affairs & her contacting the media all the time. I did see a self centered woman constantly airing her dirty laundry never thinking about how her actions would affect her sons which 1 would be a King . Her focus should have been on her boys & giving them a great foundation to grow up, but sadly she did not.

[@JGagnon]

I don’t buy into MM’s racism claim. It is a kindness to speak to a future parent regarding features and possible behaviors. I have the red haired gene in my family. We also have some beautiful eye features. So, of the 5 of us siblings 3 had one child with red hair. We have some with beautiful blue eyes, some with green, brown and hazel eyes. What I’m trying to say is that I would be trying to show interest and kindness to the future parents by asking about the baby.

[@Jess_Connell]

My husband and I's genes differ in a few small ways: brown v. blue eyes, brown v. blonde hair as children, and his family had a historical hook nose in some family members that we always wondered about... Those kinds of ponderings are entirely natural, and we had plenty of them! Among our large brood, we have a mix of all of it (though my family's nose genes seems to have more or less mitigated the hook nose) & it has been fun to see those genetics as they show up in our babies. That is just normal family life. It never had to be weird, and Meghan made it seem weird or evil. It's not.

[@judithchandler7368]

In my family, we even had comments about ear shapes! My one sister was said to have Goodwin lugs. Goodwin was a family name and lugs was English dialect for ears and she did have small ears! Not racist but, at some point, someone had noticed. I was said to have my grandfather’s long hands.

[@Jess_Connell]

@@judithchandler7368 yes, exactly!!

[@diannemartinez5284]

Get it correct!! They were concerned about the baby's features!! Way different then showing interest in someone's child!!

[@AlexandraEvans-p9k]

@@Jess_Connell Always you casual racists trying to tell others how they should have perceived something. Racist waity-for a personality-kaity or whoever asked the racist questions was smart enough to know that due to very recent history no one should ask such questions. I will NEVER stop calling out you haters. You clowns need to be stopped! 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@LadyCat183]

I am so tired of M and H, however I will be listening to this book purely because you are reviewing it. Thanks Jess,looking forward to a different perspective

[@Jess_Connell]

Thankfully this book actually seems to include little of M&H until the end.

[@nwad3322]

I thought Meghan’s dress looked like birds had “pooped” on it. The dress is VERY similar to Wallis’.

[@Jess_Connell]

You were not alone. Given the hairstyling too, it seems to me that either Meghan was intentionally referencing Wallis, or her advisor at the time was doing so on the sly. It appears WAY too similar to be accidental at such a moment.

[@clarindam5339]

When u have a husband you should have someone to turn to. Harry would have been the first to help her since mental health is a personal matter. I would not expect her to go to palace HR which handles employees and not the personal life of the royals. It is something married couple would handle or maybe with her mother who also has counseling background or trusted friends.

[@Jess_Connell]

Yes exactly. 👍🏻

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Looking forward to this new book. Thanks for choosing it. ❤️📚📚📚❤️

[@Jess_Connell]

So glad!! 🥳🤩👑

[@tiaralocchetto6745]

Listening while wrapping gifts! I’m excited for this book! Praying you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season!

[@Jess_Connell]

Merry Christmas to you! 👍🏻 and thank you for the kind prayers.

[@kimhughes5030]

It’s come out that the Queen didn’t tell Margaret she couldn’t marry Townsend. She had a choice. According to royal laws- Margaret could have married him, but to do that she would have to give up her place in succession, her civil list money and all the perks that came with being a princess. Margaret is the one that chose- she chose her role as a princess and all the deference and perks over Townsend. I always felt if she had chosen Townsend that the Queen would have made money available to them through her personal funds. I’ve always thought Margaret was scared to give up the the only life she’d ever known.

[@Jess_Connell]

Yes! Chapter one delves into this a bit- next episode! 👍🏻😊

[@maureenball6733]

I always wondered what skintone the couple's future children would have. There was interest, but no spite and no racism involved. I've heard the people of Jamaica would treat this question with wisdom, good sense and lots of experience.

[@Jess_Connell]

Yes!! I think we all wonder it, especially when there is some significant difference… Will they all get his big nose or her small one? Her red hair or his jet black hair? Be crazy tall like him or crazy short like her? Etc. Like you say, questions like these are not racist. They are normal human ponderings.

[@MsBackstager]

Yes, I noted the comparison in looks btwn Megan and Wallace S.

[@psmith2714]

The reason oprah wore those oversized glasses was so she woulnt be upstaged by the royals. It worked as people are still talking about them.😅

[@Jess_Connell]

😂👍🏻

[@lynette4392]

I think I’m going to enjoy this one. I love your book reviews. I’m behind on a few but plan to do a day long catchup 🤣

[@ryvirkelley5047]

28:20 In Lady C's book she said she didn't have to be a virgin. She just couldn't have a past. 🤭

[@Jess_Connell]

Interesting. 🤔 I hadn’t heard it put like that.

[@ryvirkelley5047]

@Jess_Connell I hadn't either till I started reading it. It's "The Real Diana." She said Diana definitely had a past. She wasn't bad though. Her and her partners were very discreet. 😉🤭 Camilla had too much of a past. 🤭😂 And that it was a very common misconception that they don't really try to straighten out.

[@debrawhite751]

I believe this. With the aristocracy, it's not about what you actually are, but what you appear to be. Discretion is the key. That being said, we don't know for sure about Diana. She was very idealistic and may have indeed saved herself for the right man. Her uncle spilt the beans while they were dating and told a publication that she had never had a lover. And she did have a medical exam before marriage, but it was not to determine virginity, but to ensure that she was able to bear children, since she would be expected to have, at the very least, an heir and a spare.

[@Jess_Connell]

@ oh I see! Thank you for raising that. I had heard that before. Perhaps I’ve wrongly inferred the virginity part from that appointment.

[@ryvirkelley5047]

@Jess_Connell Well it's what's been sold really 🤷‍♀️

[@dianasmith8617]

Oh no I wanted to read along with this one! I’m headed over to Amazon to buy this. Thanks Jess☺️

[@Jess_Connell]

Great! Today’s episode is just the 5 page prologue. You’ll have time to catch up! 👍🏻😍

[@dianasmith8617]

I’m an airhead! Lol I looked at my audible account and I bought this months ago and forgot about it. I guess I know how I’m going to spend my Sunday. ☺️

[@Jess_Connell]

@ 😜 you’re gonna get so far ahead you’ll leave us in the dust! 🤣 Enjoy your Sunday!

[@Taryngracia]

I so agree with your points on racism and had similar experiences. I was taught as well in my home, but was also well aware the respectful ways to treat everyone. I heard bad comments, too, (from other parts of family) and well aware who was hateful/toxic.

[@Jassyangelina]

Love this thank youuu 🎉❤

[@Jess_Connell]

👑🎉🤩

[@sarahwrede7646]

Jess I love that we are the same age! I was entering my freshman year of college when Diana passed as well. You are like hearing from a classmate where all the time frames just align with my own point of reference.

[@Jess_Connell]

oh that IS fun. I remember everything was so new and exciting, and then WHAM! We sat down on the dorm room floor and stared at the screen for most of that evening-- all of us in absolute shock.

[@kathleengarnham6191]

Hi Jess, great choice. I always wonder how much of Diana’s influence actually took hold . I admire Queen E as well. The Queen was truly born and raised with Queen Mary of Teck traditions. The fact I think she was a shy person and isolated she stuck with old guard ways. Anyway , so much to discuss. Can’t wait to hear about Camilla and how it is ok for Charles to marry .

[@Jess_Connell]

Yes, the growth and adaptation of Queen Elizabeth is a fascinating thing to consider. Like you I am interested in getting the inside story of how Camilla's position and perceptions were altered over time.

[@lauramason5667]

I completely agree with you on your feelings and admiration for Queen Elizabeth the second. After she died, I had a dream about her which I want to tell you about. I dreamt that I was sitting in this room and there was a screen like we’re gonna watch some kind of movie or show And it was a very elegant room. I looked to my right behind myself and I saw a Queen Elizabeth sitting there very quietly and I said to her I said I’m so sorry. Why don’t you take my seat because you’re the queen you should have the better seat than I. And she just looked at me and gave me that beautiful. smile with that wink in her eye Like and she said don’t worry I’m fine. I thought that is her character gracious giving, and though deserving not entitled. Harry and Meghan are really not worth talking about at this point. Let’s talk about the wonderful people with admire. Thank you for a great podcast.❤

[@Jess_Connell]

Beautiful dream. It does capture her spirit. She seemed so generous and, in her older years, so jovial. As for what to discuss-- I agree. Sometimes it's difficult to avoid discussing H&M - and there'll be times in this book where we'll have to. But one thing I'm glad about is that this book really doesn't get to them until the tail end & we get a lot of wonderful and interesting stories between now and then.

[@lisasumms2114]

So excited about this book! Thank you for the invitation to your book club, already subscribed, but nice to be reminded I can be part of a book club as my schedule allows. 💜

[@Jess_Connell]

@@lisasumms2114 yay! Glad you’re excited too!! 🎉👑📖

[@PCAGA2298]

Good morning Jess❤

[@Jess_Connell]

Good morning!! ☀️ 👑 🤩

[@megansovik5629]

For all a long life in a Commonwealth country I’ve followed the monarchy and loved QE11. This book is all very well known ground, a zillion books have been written on the topic. Can Tina Brown pull off this well known tale…we shall discover.

[@Jess_Connell]

Please share your thoughts as we move through the stories!! She brings lots of details! I'm interested to hear from people who have lived it. :)

[@Taryngracia]

Great podcast, Jess ⭐️! Although some are saying things about some biases by the author, you are on it and interpreting from your logical and intelligent point of view which also comes from a great moral compass imo. On a side note: with several negative news stories right now, it’s so refreshing and necessary to dive into a complex historical family/ story for enjoyment as well as a learning experience…. love history! Thank you. 👍

[@Jess_Connell]

Yes! Whether from royal sources or political ones, we all need a break from the current negativity! Hooray for a bit of (recent) history!

[@Taryngracia]

@ 💯! And end of year holidays can be hard or melancholy for some! 💕

[@janetteellison9742]

Thank you Jess Really enjoying this book and your insights

[@Jess_Connell]

So glad to hear it! 👑🎉

[@vickyaldridge6778]

I am going to enjoy this book and your review of it. Really interesting getting the view of a very kind, non-judgmental American.

[@Jess_Connell]

Aww ☺️ well I’m glad to hear that! I’m eager to learn (or unlearn/correctly learn) about the things I don’t know… and revisit the things I do! Please keep adding your thoughts along the way. 👍🏻💖

[@JulieReardon-j2z]

Looking forward to this. I've always been fascinated with the royal family.

[@Jess_Connell]

Yay!! 😁 me too!

[@Taryngracia]

Just started… looking forward! Love your commentary and the book club style!

[@Jess_Connell]

Yay!! 😁 👍🏻👑🥳❤️

[@lisasumms2114]

The MM agenda to monetize a royal title has not paid off. I imagine she dreams of the days that she just needed to seemingly show up and smile, are forever lost. Instead they continues to “launch”yet another failure. The idea that people would pay them for absolutely nothing but Royal cosplay was a ridiculous idea. The only good thing that has come from Megixt is that it brought awareness to narcissistic personalities. King Charles referred to MM as Tungsten an element with characteristics of being hard, brittle metal that's difficult to melt. Perfect!

[@Jess_Connell]

@@lisasumms2114 yes. You are right that the good that comes from going through the psycho situation of encountering a narcissist is the clarity that comes from what you learn about the person. The royal family has learned. 😳👀😩

[@irenebarlow8865]

Meghan saying she hadn’t been taught the national anthem is ludicrous. Just listen to it Meghan or ask Harry to sing it.

[@Jess_Connell]

Right? This is the life you’re choosing, right? And it’s nothing but magic and joy, right? So work at the little things like this and figure it out!

[@yourchristianbookkeeper]

I paused to comment: I think Meghan tells on herself a bit with her claims on how she perceived the royal family role to be akin to celebrity and didn’t understand the deeper tradition and commitment required. She appears to inadvertently admit she wanted to be a higher listed and ranking celebrity. Or else why would she marry Prince Harry if she did not consider him a higher ranking “celebrity”? I live in Canada, so naturally, I grew up to understand the role of the monarchy is symbolic of the roots and traditions associated with our national history and of our constitution. There is a celebrity aspect but it is certainly not the same as Hollywood; it bears responsibility, even I could figure that out growing up. I am only a year younger than Prince William. Perhaps there is a disconnect in the US? I find it hard to fully believe that she did not understand that there is a reason why the British Royal family gets the notoriety it does without having the same political (and religious) role it did in the past. But again, I will say, maybe I am making harsh assumptions about Meghan…

[@Jess_Connell]

Good call- that she wanted a celebrity life. I don't think Meghan's perception speaks for all of America. At a minimum I would guess that nearly all Americans know there is a service aspect, and some sort of connection with the government (though perhaps the average American citizen wouldn't know what that connection is now as compared with the historical ruling role). Even if we give her the benefit of the doubt that she didn't know, it is one thing to have come into the situation with that understanding, but an entirely different thing to ACCEPT AN ENGAGEMENT, and MOVE INTO KENSINGTON PALACE and start planning your wedding without having started to do a deep dive to learn and understand. I find it impossible to believe that she researched nothing and continued to know nothing.

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

​@@Jess_ConnellI don't think she moved into Kensington Palace. I believe on her arrival to England she moved in with Prince Harry at Nottingham Cottage. They lived together unwed before they married. That was another concession that the Queen allowed .

[@Jess_Connell]

Ah thanks for that clarification. Perhaps I wrongly inferred. I believe I heard “she was brought into the royal household before the wedding” but now that you say that I have heard about “Not Cot” so I suppose that’s my naïveté and wrong assumption at work. Thanks!

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

​​@@Jess_Connell Nottingham Cottage is within the grounds of Kensington Palace...so you were not wrong. Megan Markel did live within the Royal Household of Kensington Palace.It is a grace & favour cottage among many others strewn around the 260+ acres in downtown London that KP lies upon. The palace was very careful when they announced her living arrangements when she arrived in London with her suitcases.🤫 Nothing for this hillbilly gal from the Southern highlands of Appalachia to thumb her nose at. 😉

[@suzanking5625]

The sainted Queen was ALWAYS opposed to Divorce, and divorced persons were not invited to Palace events. One gentleman who demanded to know WHY he was excluded since his marriage had been annulled . He was told, "That might get you through the Gates of Heaven, but NOT through Buckingham Palace!" The Queen found Divorce totally unacceptable UNTIL all three of her married children were unable to sustain their marriages. Suddenly, it became just fine .

[@Jess_Connell]

She held to those formative beliefs of her religious tradition, seemingly throughout her life. It doesn't seem fair to say "just fine"-- I think her heart was broken, and she had to grapple with the realities of it, but it seems to me that she never did adjust to it, and that it never was "fine."

[@christineparckys3326]

Great book! Can’t wait to get into it. Traitor King is another great book I loved about the past royals.

[@Jess_Connell]

Yes! 👍🏻

[@Donna_Relaxing]

Tina Brown was very balanced in this book because (like most journalist) back then KNEW they had to "appear" to "side" Harry and Me-Again in the hopes they will gain access... and believe me you... Tina Brown living in NYC wanted acess

[@Jess_Connell]

Ah. Interesting!! 🤔

[@maryshaver129]

Hi Jess! This sounds interesting. I'll do my best to keep up. Regarding the other book...I can't keep the characters straight and have come to the point where I'm not really interested anymore. That's my honest opinion. I was vaguely interested in the beginning and it's gone downhill from there. This is not a commentary on you. I really enjoy being here and I enjoy you. Thanks for all you bring to this!

[@Jess_Connell]

Thanks for that honest assessment; feel free to pop back into Chappaquiddick as things catch your eye. We'll be getting to the inquest soon. And this book promises an entirely different subject matter!

[@willywonka1854]

great!! thank you for reading this!

[@Jess_Connell]

🥳👑💖👍🏻

[@debbieclark7031]

Queen Elizabeth was head of the Church of England which is against divorce. So she couldn't give Margaret permission to marry. Also Edward couldn't marry a divorcee for same reasons. Oh I definitely thought Mrs. Wallis Simpson right away too, and not just that outfit. Those two remind me of her and Edward. 🙂 I wouldn't trust Harry or Megan on any level. I hope the book talks about Margaret.

[@Jess_Connell]

The book definitely does talk about Margaret- both as a younger woman (in the examples of being unable to marry, as well as her partying/lively ways), and as an older woman as her love for, and bolstering of the Queen continued.

[@debbieclark7031]

@@Jess_Connell Wonderful thank you

[@Broadwayshowgirl]

The founder of the Church of England, Henry the 8th, murdered two of his wives, so I guess you could say he was against divorce.

[@Jess_Connell]

@ 🤣😳🤯😣🙃😭

[@barbarapaige4587]

@@Broadwayshowgirl Yes, and the whole Church of England was started because Henry was determined to get his divorce, so it's ironic that didn't allow royalty to divorce or marry divorcees. Now even the King is divorced.

[@Orangecat1996]

Really looking forward to this ... 😊

[@Jess_Connell]

🎉❤️👑📖🤩

[@atmoms2]

how fun, THANK YOU! "how would he know" has a far different meaning than you perceived it to have.

[@Jess_Connell]

Please tell me what you perceive it means! Help me understand how you’re seeing it.

[@atmoms2]

@@Jess_Connell At great risk of appearing to lecture you and not wanting to offend on your page, i'll just say it's centries of complex relationships. I really enjoy your channel and readings. It is hard to type since my stroke.

[@Jess_Connell]

@@atmoms2 ah! I take it you mean historically? Not as in his current living family members? But the ones he had either not known or had been perhaps shielded from knowing the full measure of, something like that? I appreciate your input and understand about the stroke. For you and anyone else listening, as long as it’s offered respectfully to all, I would always welcome informative input, even if it long, if it helps shed light on a situation or what we are reading. I do this to learn and have had almost no education at all on the history of the British royal family apart from what I’ve picked up from stories about the main characters from the last perhaps 2-300 years.

[@carolynchapman7733]

Jess, what happened to chappaquidick reading today Sunday? Did you change the day?

[@Jess_Connell]

Ah! Good question; things have gotten out of sorts by way of schedules but I have the next Chappaquiddick episode planned for this Wednesday and am shooting to stick with 1-2 a week of those until we finish the book.

[@Jess_Connell]

And I apologize for the confusion; it’s on me!

[@ola9415]

Tina Brown is imho an excellent writer and source with educated opinions. I'm always intrigued to hear her views, and will be intrigued to hear yours too!!

[@Jess_Connell]

I’m glad to hear your assessment of her. I think it’s going to be a fun and fascinating set of stories to read together!

[@ola9415]

@Jess_Connell Thank you for choosing such interesting books and sharing them with us,

[@jadakowers590]

The video has just started. When Megan’s dress was brought up, the first thought that entered my mind was that the dress in the discussion was the bird poop dress. It’s good to find out that I’m not the only person, whose take on the dress was that it looked like bird poop had splattered on it. 🐩

[@Jess_Connell]

🤣😳🫣 she’s so beautiful; it’s a little sad to have such a negative association.

[@debrawhite751]

So excited, Jess! Tina Brown is a good author, although I clash with her more liberal philosophy, as that tends to, in my opinion, color her view of the royals, culture, etc. (I guess you could say the same for me with my conservative Christian views.). I was disappointed in the amount of foul language that she used in The Diana Chronicles so I have not read the Palace Papers. I'm excited about your review. The British royal family, and the House of Windsor in particular has been a lifelong obsession of mine. Like you, I adore the late Queen. I think she was as flawless a monarch as a human being is possible to be. It seems to me that all the UK sadly changed after she was gone.

[@Jess_Connell]

I am not very familiar with Tina Brown, so I'll try to keep these influences in mind as we read. So far, in what I've read, she gives a lot of context and history as she presents information. Please let me know as we move through it if you see places where her perspective is slanted or leaving out important aspects!

[@annelikriek6294]

This is going to be fun. I hope she is fair to Camilla. But now I have to go do the dishes and catch-up op on Mansfield Park.

[@Jess_Connell]

Good point! Because she knew Diana we’ll have to keep our eyes on that!

[@barbarapaige4587]

Hi Jess, I haven't listened to you for a while, as one book on the Kennedys was enough (lol) and I wasn't interested in the others. This one sounds good! I think Meghan did mix up royalty with celebrity, and her real target was Prince William. She actually thought she could "capture" him, and you could see in a few videos how she tried to flirt with him. He wasn't having it; you could see the disdain on his face and he'd turn away from her. She did it right in front of Princess Catherine, too. Too dumb to know what she was getting into, and too arrogant to conform. She's a piece of work.

[@Jess_Connell]

Glad you're back for this one! I've heard that before; I wasn't watching closely enough at the time... and wasn't suspicious of anything like that happening. I (like others) was truly drawn in to Meghan's charms at first, and thought how good it was that she and Harry had found each other. I did find the acceptance of divorce and the approval to marry as surprising, and I wondered at the similarities to Wallis Simpson-- but I was really hoping for them in the beginning. So I just didn't see those things at the time. But it certainly seems feasible now- she is so very calculating (and often miscalculates what she's calculating!).

[@chooseyourownadventure1123]

First person of color to marry a mountbatten -windsor? Sure, but not the only person of color to marry into the fami!y. Look at lady dating Windsor whose two children are further down in the line of succession and who's father is of Maori descent.

[@chooseyourownadventure1123]

Lady Davina Windsor

[@Jess_Connell]

Haven’t heard of this. Thank you!

[@myronhelton4441]

I found a NEW video that clarifies some of the comments you made on a previous video, that if Oswald was the shooter. I am making statements on this NEW video for you to watch. I was 8 years old, & thought it was odd that the news said that there was no fingerprints of Oswald on the gun, but several days later there were fingerprints on the gun. One made a statement that they saw Ruby in a car with 2 men exiting the car with guns, maybe this is something that has to do with what Ruby said to the Warren Commission. I cant remember where I read this, but I googled & saw where Ruby said this to the Warren commission. Ruby told the Warren Commission that he killed JFK. I didnt understand what that meant, until this witness said that he saw Ruby release 2 men in cars, that this video to watch talks about. Also this evil guy that studied diseaes, traveled 2,000 miles to give Ruby a shot, then Ruby died, right before Rubt was to be moved to go to trial again. Then Dorothy kilgallon died like Monroe, right before she was going to tell whaqt Rubt said to her. Read all the comments below the video. This guy has many goof JFK videos to watch. Click next link.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnrLdoKraLh_oa8&rco=1

[@anniebnannie9945]

On the comparison! Crazy

[@psmith2714]

In the past nobility had to marry nobility. Charles is only 1/125 English due to the royals marrying their German and French distant relations

[@Jess_Connell]

I’ve heard this before. But what I don’t understand is - does nobility only mean actually having come from the immediate family of a monarch? Or does it include the children of lords, earls, dukes, viscounts, etc? Did the rules formally change with Charles or was there just a change in his inclinations?

[@psmith2714]

​​@@Jess_Connell royals and the rest. With the exception of Tom in Downton Abbey. It caused hysteria when he married Sybil but eventually he was accepted. I think they changed the rules because they wanted more English blood in the bloodline

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

​@Jess_Connell Royalty is being a member by Blood of a Monarchs family. It has always been the expectation that a Prince of any Royal House(family) marry a Princess of another Royal House. This was considered a necessity for the Heir Apparent to a Monarch. The Peerage or the Aristocracy consists of Duke, Marqess, Earl ,Vicount, Baron. This is a descending order of the English Peerage. Scotland has its own system. In the English System the Aristocracy has a select list of Royal Dukes. The Royal Dukes are the sons of a Monarch or a former Monarch. Royal Dukes take precedence above a Duke.

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

@Jess_Connell English Kings or Queen's have had a problem of a shortage of appropriate marraige material since King Henry VIII. He separated from the Roman Church and it eventually became illegal to marry a Roman Catholic if you were in the line of succession to the Crown. There was a time when just being a Catholic was outlawed in England ,Wales & Scotland. Many Royal Houses in Europe remained Catholic & still are. Hapsburgs, Bourbons, Bourbon-Anjou, Grimaldis, Saxe-Coburge-Belgium, Lichtenstein are just some of the European Royal Houses that remain Catholic. Germany's many ruling Houses were Protestant. Which is how a German came to sit on the English throne. King George 1 of England and Revolutionary War fame in America was the son of Sophia The Electress of Hanover. Yes that sounds very German. It is very German. But she was British & more importantly she was the Protestant daughter of King James the VI of Scotland & King James I of England of the Stewart House of Scotland. He is more well known in the States as the man who authorized a new printing of a Bible to meet his standards. Most US Protestants use the King James Bible. Update: King George III was the grandson of King George I. It was King George III that was of Revolutionary War fame. I had a senior moment. My apologies..

[@Jess_Connell]

@ thank you for your rich comment full of education for us Americans! “The electress” hardly sounds feasible as a real title. I had heard before about there being a German heritage but had not connected it with the Protestant/catholic divide. Thank you for that input. Very insightful!

[@michelegraham9044]

Sorry Jess. I won’t be joining you for this one. I loathe Tina Brown. I saw 2 interviews with her when she was promoting it. It was team Sussex for the American audience and the Royal Family for the English one. I’ve since learned that she’s a ruthless opportunist who says she was a friend of Diana’s. “Recollections may vary “ is what I’ll say about that. Perhaps friendly but not friends remembering that Diana courted certain members of the press outrageously. We can see where Harry gets it from.

[@Jess_Connell]

Ok.

[@jewelminor5526]

The question is did this Royal Family have a part in colonizing Africa, & India. Did this family play a HUGE impact in South Africa Apartheid System against the indigenous black Africans. Is this factual or fiction actions of this European Germany Family?

[@abundantbloomsflowerfarm]

This looks like a fun new book. I think the Kennedy’s are interesting….they just get to depressing for me though.

[@Jess_Connell]

Glad you think so too! I think we all felt the need for something a bit different now that we’re close to the holidays. 🥳👍🏻💖

[@wahlgreengirl7459]

17:30 This why I love your videos. You are a compassionate and empathetic woman, but you don't succumb to celebrity deification.

[@Jess_Connell]

@@wahlgreengirl7459 💖☺️

[@atmoms2]

oh dear

[@Jess_Connell]

I can’t tell if this is a good or bad or vexed or excited or angry or bored “oh dear.” I hope it’s an excited one. 😉🤣🫣👍🏻👑🥳

[@psmith2714]

One thing i read along the way was that Charles was very disappointed that Harry was a boy. He had wanted a girl and not a spare heir. That probably affected Harry throughout his life.

[@dianasmith8617]

Yep he was disappointed he was a boy and that he had red hair.

[@Jess_Connell]

That would be hard for any child to hear. But especially if it was a publicly known disappointment. 😣

[@susanpook58]

Diana knew throughout her pregnancy that she was carrying a boy for the second time but didn't tell Charles. I do believe Charles loved Harry though .

[@Jess_Connell]

@@susanpook58 yes. This book gives plenty of examples of tangible affection and effort from Charles toward Harry. I don’t at all believe the narrative that it was coldness, dispassionate, impersonal parenting. It seems quite the opposite actually - and that he especially made efforts after Diana’s death to connect with and give meaningful affection to them both.

[@Broadwayshowgirl]

Charles wouldn't be the first parent, mother or father, who was disappointed when the second child was the same gender as the first. But it's a momentary disappointment, & you love the child you have brought into the world.

[@Claireanlite]

I have the book. I'm always interested in others interpretations. I always wonder why they describe Tina Brown as Diana's friend when she only met her once in NYC a couple months before she died. So, maybe I missed something. 😂

[@Jess_Connell]

Haha is that really true? They only met once??! I’ve heard they were friends also. 🤔😳🤯

[@Claireanlite]

@Jess_Connell She mentions the meeting in this book I think, but it may be the book she wrote on Diana after her death. The Diana Chronicles 2007. Tina moved to NY in 1985. In her acknowledgements she just cites 250 sources and is a pleasure to be back in Britain after 22 years. Just checked. She met her once before 1981 at the British Embassy.🤔

[@Jess_Connell]

@ ok. Good to know. So only twice then. Still- definitely not besties.

[@LeslieBigos]

Enjoyed this.

[@Jess_Connell]

❤️👑🤩⭐️

[@ryvirkelley5047]

8:28 😂

[@Donna_Relaxing]

Exactly... everyone who know the history and who Wallis Simipson was immediatly thought... her hair and dress are just like Wallace.... though Meghan is the Walmart Wallace version today.

[@Jess_Connell]

The Walmart Wallis!! 😳😆🫣😂

[@DethStroke-fo7he]

Well I’ll pass on this book. I’ve read Tina Brown books back when Diana was the “it girl” and Tina didn’t dig into half the stuff she could have. And I can’t bear to hear this Racism crap yet again. We have Mexican-Americans as close friends and whenever there’s a new bride and groom, the whole family openly discusses “how dark the child will be.” And Chris Rock said the same thing, and his 95% Black audience laughed heartily at that too. Meghan is just a grifter and will exploit anything to advance herself. She’s already been remarkable for her many lies , that I’m amazed she still gets press attention. Oh, and the Spencer’s were more British nobility than the Windsors were. Did you know Queen Elizabeth’s DNA was 70% German.? Not a false rumor but a widely acknowledged fact.

[@Jess_Connell]

You might hang in and give it a try, but obviously it's your call. I've read more than a hundred pages & Meghan isn't mentioned yet again... obviously she'd come in at the end once we get there chronologically but it's all been quite fascinating. But, pass if you wish. Best wishes.

[@clairelariviere3122]

Meghan Markle was expecting a baby. She must have had a team of medical professionals with whom she had lots of contact. What a lie to say she had no one to talk to. Depression sucks but not uncommon during pregnancy. She’s just not that special. Also at the risk of sounding insensitive she’s openly saying that she was prepared to kill her unborn baby and NEVER GETS CALLED ON IT. Why is it everyone else’s responsibility that SHE didn’t learn anything? Good grief…what a professional victim.

[@Jess_Connell]

@@clairelariviere3122 the medical care is the smoking gun here. They ask you often how you’re doing - it’s the natural place for her to go with these concerns. And the whole circumstances around the birth were handled with complete silence so she obviously could’ve trusted them.

[@clairelariviere3122]

@ yes i think your bang on with your take on this. I’m glad you’re doing Palace Papers. I have it as an audiobook but I find Tina Brown’s narration rather grating so I’ll look forward to your discussions.

[@Jess_Connell]

@@clairelariviere3122 I’ll admit, I’ve thought about getting the audiobook to use as a cheat sheet for pronunciations, ha ha! Some British words and places are just tricky.

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

A snippet which might not be in the book regarding the Townsend affair. It came to light by a most spontaneous and incautious action on Margaret’s behalf. At an official function Townsend, the King’s equerry, was in full uniform and Margaret, spotting a piece of fluff on his jacket, removed it. That telling incident revealed the intimate nature of their relationship - and the rest is history. (So warn your Marine of the perils of fluff on uniform!).

[@Jess_Connell]

Haha yes! Isn’t that interesting? It’s fascinating just in light of human behavior and what we instinctively know to be intimate behavior.

[@Donna_Relaxing]

Prince Charles' potential bride had to be highly born, have a virginal reputation and could not be Catholic (the latter was a legal requirement at the time). I am driving from Asheville NC to Orlando FL today... YOU will be blaring through my truck speakers the whole drive

[@Jess_Connell]

Oh that sounds like a beautiful drive. Enjoy!!

[@psmith2714]

Good morning y'all

[@Jess_Connell]

Good morning! 😃☀️

[@cameliawilks2049]

Not a fan of Tina Brown, especially the favoritism she seems to show toward MM.

[@Jess_Connell]

That seems to have moderated significantly in the last few years. She gave some scathing interviews last month in regard to both H&M. It’s of course up to you if you join for this but most of the book has nothing to do with MM.

[@dianemcgill9965]

I'm excited to be reading Palace Papers with you. I like your likening MM to the Duchess of Windsor instead of Princess Diana. I can invision MM visiting Germany a lot easier than land mines in Africa or an Aids patient in London!! Thanks again Jess.

[@Jess_Connell]

MM fancies herself a Diana but - rather than standing up for the truly weak and outcast (as Diana did) she is swayed by the cultural morays in a way that is much more similar to the Duchess of Windsor. I don’t buy into her self regard.