michelle, several news outlets keep mentioning catherine's new elegant yet understated sapphire and diamond eternity band which she has been wearing since returning back to public life. i thought on one hand it was lovely that she received diana's engagement ring for her engagement ring all those years ago, but i also have to wonder what kind of a burden it must be at the same time, to be a walking public museum of sorts while wearing it. it's SO associated with diana, even after all these years of will and catherine's marriage, that i'd think there would come a point where while it's so iconic, it becomes an albatross for the person that inherits it. its also a huge ring, and i can only imagine it must be pretty unwieldy to wear. (i'll be it must knock and catch on everything as well as fall to the side of the finger because of the weight...) because catherine hasn't been seen wearing her engagement ring since her cancer treatments ended for public events, i would suspect that its with all the other royal jewels for safekeeping and perhaps future formal events. however, the royals (british and others) have re-worked & re-fashioned jewelry suites, tiaras, crowns and other jewels for eons. my question: do you think they had diana's engagement ring made into the eternity band??? it would be a way of keeping the symbolism but also creating something more in line with kate's style and lifestyle for this next stage of her life. i would think it would have certainly been large enough to make an eternity band with, too. would they dare? would the public "allow" it, even though when it comes down to it it's not up to them??
It is actually a lovely thought. Even if they didn't, they probably chose the diamonds and sapphires to echo the engagement ring.
The Diana obsession is much more American these days than British. Catherine is managing to carve out her own niche. The Christmas carol concert is a case in point. That is very much her. I do think the Prince and Princess have come out from behind that particular shadow and are being recognised as doing their own thing, rather than being adjuncts of Diana if that makes any sense. I just hope Catherine continues to get her strength back as she has proved that she has the right temperament for the Royal family. V much a safe pair of hands.
i love hearing this from someone actually over there because to your point, in america things are presented in a much different light (and depending on who is trying to shape the narrative)! i remember reading about the christmas carol concert, too. they are a lovely family - also, catherine's coronation outfit (and how it twinned with charlottes!) was utterly stunning!!!
It is knowing who is shaping the narrative which is so important and it does make a difference.
I personally think on balance the Royal family is a good thing -- just as long as I don't actually have to bow and scrape etc. Also as long as they don't try to claim various unentitled privileges like Andrew did. It is a fine line they have to tread.
Thank you for the profile of Berkner; I found it interesting. She’s not unlike a lot of Israeli women I know—tough as nails. I can’t help but giggle because the original Michal in the Bible was one of the wives of King David—and the daughter of his predecessor Saul—and she very much comes across as a strong and outspoken character, first helping David escape one of Saul’s assassination attempts, and later excoriating him for dancing too joyously (and possibly exposing his junk) when the Ark was brought from Shiloh to Jerusalem. People often think of Judaism as patriarchal, but the woman reigns supreme in the home, and often in her workplace as well. Jewish women don’t tend to be shrinking violets.
The British legal case backup sounds like horrendous mess.
I am sure she is fairly typical and utterly determined that her man is going to climb to the top of the greasy pole even if she has to hoist him up herself. She certainly has played a blinder as Jenrick has come from nowhere/a go-nowhere gadfly to being one of the two possible leaders for the Conservatives.
The Jewish mother is a thing for a reason.
And as I said to someone the other day -- a man may have many wives or concubines but only one woman ever carried him in the womb. I was explaining why the Old Sultanas had so much power -- mostly the sultans were quite mad when having been kept in a gilded cage until they could rule. And getting it to be your son was quite the feat of political intrigue. The penny suddenly dropped for her as she said that it explained at lot of Italian men as well.
I think the Cult of the Lady in Anglo-American sphere after the Industrial Revolution has a lot to answer for and the drive to ensure that women went from fighting Germans to germs. Women have always been Forces of Nature and the ability to play soft power politics should not be underestimated. I do so admire women who do it well.
Also I think that there is a huge tradition of family owned businesses within the Jewish community. It is often forgotten how hard everyone in the family, particularly the wives and mothers, work -- even though the men like to take the credit and to the hail fellow, well met thing. The rise of the corporation severed that somewhat.
I thought you might enjoy it and am so glad you did.
Speaking of sultanas, I think I had recommended the book Taj Mahal to you--did you ever get around to reading it (with what your writing your own novels, writing this blog, training Paddy, and beekeeping, lol). I am sure you would find it as intriguing as I did.
There's also a series of novels about Nur Mahal, who was the Mughal Eleanor of Aquitaine, only without going along on the Crusades. There's also a trilogy of novels about her by Indu Sundaresan which I very much enjoyed. Totally fascinating woman, and what she accomplished from within a harem is incredible.
I must read it and will put it on my TBR list. I am sure I would find it utter fascinating. One of the big shames of Hindu Nationalism is that they are allowing the Taj Mahal to go to wrack and ruin.
What those women accomplished from the confines of harem is incredible. It is utterly fascinating and a real lesson in how soft power works.
Hello Northumberland! Good to see Ya. Another fine roundup. Thank You.
I love Kemi, too. I hope for the best. When is the final selection done? I vote for renewal.
That's an atrocious article about the case backlog. It's a true statement that "justice delayed is justice denied." I feel for the victims. And also those few who are charged who are innocent. Appalling.
I think that's a wise move for Lithuania and Poland. Better safe than sorry.
I don't understand the morality of praising terrorists either. It doesn't surprise me that those in favor of terrorism are just plain bullies to people like Suella Braverman. It's all of a piece.
Secret Princess for the Warrior looks beautiful. Congrats. And Paddy too, of course.
The membership have until 31 Oct to get their ballots back to Conservative HQ and then the winner is announced on 2 Nov. So keep everything crossed for Kemi!
Back in 2010, it was about 3 months for a case to come to trial (sometimes longer if more court time was required) after the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing. Now it can be 2 years if the defendant isn't in custody. It just is not fair on anyone -- not the defendant with the trial looming over them or indeed the complainant. Before it gets to the PTPH, it can take several years as the police do their investigations etc. The situation should never have been allowed to develop imho and that is solely on the Cameron and May governments. Before COVID you had court centres with the potential of 7 Crown Courts where only one court was sitting because they wanted to save money. Cameron also closed many lower courts forcing people to travel further in the name of efficiency and money saving. Most cases are decided in the lower courts. It is only the most serious which make it up to the Crown Court. The thing is that for most people, the justice system is something which happens to other people and it was easy to ignore. Any way it is a long running scandal which is a shame as it used to be relatively efficient.
The fact that Ken Clarke is the grand high poohbah of the One Nation Tories says everything. He was responsible for the closing of most of the Mags. But yes B Lair really gave it the good college try in destroying the Bar as well. But the backlog belongs to Cameron and May. They keep trying to pin it on Covid and the strike but no dice.
I saw the Grauniad article before they pulled it and was absolutely appalled. Totally morally bankrupt.
And because others might be interested.
They think they have recovered part of Sandy Irvine's body on Everest. Not his camera though. So the mystery endures. Did Irvine and Mallory make it to the summit in the 1920s or not? One could argue -- not only must you make it to the summit but you must make it safely down like Hillary and Norgay did in 1953. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/11/everest-body-sandy-irvine-found-rewrite-history-hillary/ or https://archive.ph/F3U5p
michelle, several news outlets keep mentioning catherine's new elegant yet understated sapphire and diamond eternity band which she has been wearing since returning back to public life. i thought on one hand it was lovely that she received diana's engagement ring for her engagement ring all those years ago, but i also have to wonder what kind of a burden it must be at the same time, to be a walking public museum of sorts while wearing it. it's SO associated with diana, even after all these years of will and catherine's marriage, that i'd think there would come a point where while it's so iconic, it becomes an albatross for the person that inherits it. its also a huge ring, and i can only imagine it must be pretty unwieldy to wear. (i'll be it must knock and catch on everything as well as fall to the side of the finger because of the weight...) because catherine hasn't been seen wearing her engagement ring since her cancer treatments ended for public events, i would suspect that its with all the other royal jewels for safekeeping and perhaps future formal events. however, the royals (british and others) have re-worked & re-fashioned jewelry suites, tiaras, crowns and other jewels for eons. my question: do you think they had diana's engagement ring made into the eternity band??? it would be a way of keeping the symbolism but also creating something more in line with kate's style and lifestyle for this next stage of her life. i would think it would have certainly been large enough to make an eternity band with, too. would they dare? would the public "allow" it, even though when it comes down to it it's not up to them??
It is actually a lovely thought. Even if they didn't, they probably chose the diamonds and sapphires to echo the engagement ring.
The Diana obsession is much more American these days than British. Catherine is managing to carve out her own niche. The Christmas carol concert is a case in point. That is very much her. I do think the Prince and Princess have come out from behind that particular shadow and are being recognised as doing their own thing, rather than being adjuncts of Diana if that makes any sense. I just hope Catherine continues to get her strength back as she has proved that she has the right temperament for the Royal family. V much a safe pair of hands.
i love hearing this from someone actually over there because to your point, in america things are presented in a much different light (and depending on who is trying to shape the narrative)! i remember reading about the christmas carol concert, too. they are a lovely family - also, catherine's coronation outfit (and how it twinned with charlottes!) was utterly stunning!!!
It is knowing who is shaping the narrative which is so important and it does make a difference.
I personally think on balance the Royal family is a good thing -- just as long as I don't actually have to bow and scrape etc. Also as long as they don't try to claim various unentitled privileges like Andrew did. It is a fine line they have to tread.
i completely agree!
Because you like the Royal family, I just saw this article about Samantha Cohen, one of the Queen's former aides. It is a lovely interview about her time working for the Queen. The less said her time working for the Markles, the better. I'd heard from my youngest who had it someone on Oronsay where the Queen used to visit that she did like a turn of speed when driving... https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/samantha-cohen-queen-elizabeth-prince-philip-krnptmkb5 or https://archive.ph/kU1uA
thank you for sharing that! it was a very nice article. i also sent it to my mother. she enjoys reading about the royal family as well. :)
Thank you for the profile of Berkner; I found it interesting. She’s not unlike a lot of Israeli women I know—tough as nails. I can’t help but giggle because the original Michal in the Bible was one of the wives of King David—and the daughter of his predecessor Saul—and she very much comes across as a strong and outspoken character, first helping David escape one of Saul’s assassination attempts, and later excoriating him for dancing too joyously (and possibly exposing his junk) when the Ark was brought from Shiloh to Jerusalem. People often think of Judaism as patriarchal, but the woman reigns supreme in the home, and often in her workplace as well. Jewish women don’t tend to be shrinking violets.
The British legal case backup sounds like horrendous mess.
Paddy looks adorable as always!
I am sure she is fairly typical and utterly determined that her man is going to climb to the top of the greasy pole even if she has to hoist him up herself. She certainly has played a blinder as Jenrick has come from nowhere/a go-nowhere gadfly to being one of the two possible leaders for the Conservatives.
The Jewish mother is a thing for a reason.
And as I said to someone the other day -- a man may have many wives or concubines but only one woman ever carried him in the womb. I was explaining why the Old Sultanas had so much power -- mostly the sultans were quite mad when having been kept in a gilded cage until they could rule. And getting it to be your son was quite the feat of political intrigue. The penny suddenly dropped for her as she said that it explained at lot of Italian men as well.
I think the Cult of the Lady in Anglo-American sphere after the Industrial Revolution has a lot to answer for and the drive to ensure that women went from fighting Germans to germs. Women have always been Forces of Nature and the ability to play soft power politics should not be underestimated. I do so admire women who do it well.
Also I think that there is a huge tradition of family owned businesses within the Jewish community. It is often forgotten how hard everyone in the family, particularly the wives and mothers, work -- even though the men like to take the credit and to the hail fellow, well met thing. The rise of the corporation severed that somewhat.
I thought you might enjoy it and am so glad you did.
Speaking of sultanas, I think I had recommended the book Taj Mahal to you--did you ever get around to reading it (with what your writing your own novels, writing this blog, training Paddy, and beekeeping, lol). I am sure you would find it as intriguing as I did.
There's also a series of novels about Nur Mahal, who was the Mughal Eleanor of Aquitaine, only without going along on the Crusades. There's also a trilogy of novels about her by Indu Sundaresan which I very much enjoyed. Totally fascinating woman, and what she accomplished from within a harem is incredible.
I must read it and will put it on my TBR list. I am sure I would find it utter fascinating. One of the big shames of Hindu Nationalism is that they are allowing the Taj Mahal to go to wrack and ruin.
What those women accomplished from the confines of harem is incredible. It is utterly fascinating and a real lesson in how soft power works.
I am a real admirer of Forces of Nature.
Hello Northumberland! Good to see Ya. Another fine roundup. Thank You.
I love Kemi, too. I hope for the best. When is the final selection done? I vote for renewal.
That's an atrocious article about the case backlog. It's a true statement that "justice delayed is justice denied." I feel for the victims. And also those few who are charged who are innocent. Appalling.
I think that's a wise move for Lithuania and Poland. Better safe than sorry.
I don't understand the morality of praising terrorists either. It doesn't surprise me that those in favor of terrorism are just plain bullies to people like Suella Braverman. It's all of a piece.
Secret Princess for the Warrior looks beautiful. Congrats. And Paddy too, of course.
TY, as always Michelle.
The membership have until 31 Oct to get their ballots back to Conservative HQ and then the winner is announced on 2 Nov. So keep everything crossed for Kemi!
Back in 2010, it was about 3 months for a case to come to trial (sometimes longer if more court time was required) after the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing. Now it can be 2 years if the defendant isn't in custody. It just is not fair on anyone -- not the defendant with the trial looming over them or indeed the complainant. Before it gets to the PTPH, it can take several years as the police do their investigations etc. The situation should never have been allowed to develop imho and that is solely on the Cameron and May governments. Before COVID you had court centres with the potential of 7 Crown Courts where only one court was sitting because they wanted to save money. Cameron also closed many lower courts forcing people to travel further in the name of efficiency and money saving. Most cases are decided in the lower courts. It is only the most serious which make it up to the Crown Court. The thing is that for most people, the justice system is something which happens to other people and it was easy to ignore. Any way it is a long running scandal which is a shame as it used to be relatively efficient.
Yeah, a shame. TY, Michelle.
The whole Bad Enoch has already been noticed.
The fact that Ken Clarke is the grand high poohbah of the One Nation Tories says everything. He was responsible for the closing of most of the Mags. But yes B Lair really gave it the good college try in destroying the Bar as well. But the backlog belongs to Cameron and May. They keep trying to pin it on Covid and the strike but no dice.
I saw the Grauniad article before they pulled it and was absolutely appalled. Totally morally bankrupt.