Prince Harry And Megan Markle

[andy-hughes]

The Mail is getting its thong in a right robble over this 'story'.

Today, it breathlessly advised its readers that Harry has been staying with Ms Markle for a week! (the word 'week' was underlined in case anyone missed a chance to be titillated and / or offended).

Other sections of the media have queued up to spill tittle-tattle from the actress's half-sister about 'dubious family goings-on'.

It reads like The News Of The World circa 1961 when the Profumo scandal was at its height.

My question is - in 2016, are we really so obsessed with what the Royal Family's junior members do with their time - and do we really need to denigrate a foreign actress whose only 'transgression' so far appears to be a rumoured romance with Prince Harry?

[naomi24]

The media 'dissects' people and, since this is Prince Harry, the public are interested in his life and what he does, so the media isn't going to ignore it.

[andy-hughes]

I understand that the media dissects people - but that is because its readership demands it - otherwise they would not do so.

My question is - have we not moved on from the 'heavens-to-betsies' attitudes of the 1960's? Are we really so titillated by a so far unproven and officially unacknowledged relationship that we are interested in dubious gossip from a relative?

[youngmafbog]

Clearly some have not AH.

Personally I couldn't give a jot, but then I'd get rid of the whole Royal family given half a chance so perhaps I'm not best placed to comment.

[roopower]

I haven't read a newspaper, except my local weekly, since the phone hacking debacle. I don't care what the royals, or anyone in the limelight does as long as it's legal. I can't understand some people's obsession with wanting to know who's sleeping with who etc. I think they should get a life of their own.

[naomi24]

People are interested in anything concerning Prince Harry. He’s a familiar face throughout the world and a very popular chap – and don’t forget he’s not only the son of the future king, he’s also an ambassador for this country, so whatever he does will generate scrutiny – and possibly criticism. I don’t think that’s anything to do with a time factor, and whether or not we’ve moved on. It’s just the way it is.

[Sqad]

\\\\Are we really so titillated by a so far unproven and officially unacknowledged relationship that we are interested in dubious gossip from a relative?\\

Depends who you mean by "we"........the ordinary folks in the street? Then yes, we are......see which tabloids have the stories ans see the distribution of the tabloids. See the threads on AB. Listen to the chatting in the pubs.

Of course we like a bit of titillation.....well, I do.

[naomi24]

^ :o)

[anneasquith]

I care not a jot.

[mikey4444]

Andy....where the media is concerned, especially the DM, I have long given up on the notion that they give us what they want or need.

They create the interest and then go all out to feed and prolong it.

In other words, we get what we are given.

[naomi24]

The rest of the press is reporting on this story, including the Telegraph and the Guardian.

[ichkeria]

The Times had 'all you want to know about Angela Markle' or whatever her name is 'but won't admit it'
So I started reading and got bored after two lines.
Lots of people love this nonsense. Always have always will
Nothing changes

[mushroom25]

Ich, that's an image I really didn't need - Prince Harry and Angela Merkel....

[Sqad]

ich

\\\So I started reading and got bored after two lines.
Lots of people love this nonsense. \\\\

They do indeed.....more than half of paperbacks are of love stories(romance i think they call it) and publishers have cashed in.
Me, I am a sucker for erotic romances.

[Berniecuddles2]

you should write a novel on your exploits sqad would be good reading i suspect!

[anotheoldgit]

The News of the World or any other publication at that time had every right to highlight the Profumo affair, since it was during the cold war and a threat to national security was a concern.

Whereas this tatty piece of 'news' is of no interest whatsoever, except to those who I suspect are already visualising what the engagement ring will look like, how she will look in her wedding gown etc, etc.

Direct this kind of thing to chatterbank.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - it was not the seriousness of the Profumo affair that I was highlighting - it was the prurient nature of the reporting - perhaps I should have used Princess Margret and Group Captain Townsend as a more appropriate comparison.

Far from directing this to Chatterbank - the fact that it is major 'news' is precisely my point, which is why my OP is here, not there.

[Cloverjo]

The Daily Mail is a strange thing. I don't know it's aimed at. My dad reads it, but he doesn't give a stuff about who Harry is seeing.

I think most people aren't too bothered about what any of the Royals do. You get those people who camp out overnight to see a glimpse of a new-born prince or to throw roses over a deceased princess's hearse, but they are the minority, I would say.

The DM has to sell papers, and thinks that's what its readers want.

[Sqad]

Clover

\\\\\The DM has to sell papers, and thinks that's what its readers want.\\\

If that's what it's readers don't want, then it would soon be out of business and not the Uk's second best selling paper.