#charles smith princess moments

[celosindion]

A defenseless pet

Red Dead Redemption 2

type: One shot

Pairing: Charles Smith x m!reader

Warning: Kidnapping, slavery, blood, scratches, shooting, mental and physical abuse, starvation, dehydration, theft, death, cruelty to Animals.

Summary: Robbing drunks doesn't end well. This could be your end, after all you could say you were in hell on earth. But will this be your end?

Note: I've never seen anything like this before. It's time to change that! Overall, I found very little about Charles. It's sad, however... Have you seen this body? Either way, I hope you'll like it! (Instead of Charles I wanted to write something with Tonowari... But my love for cowboys was stronger)

words: 1597

signs/characters: 8840

sentences: 154

+++

It was supposed to be an ordinary day. An ordinary day for every inhabitant of this outback. Because finally the sun is shining, the sky is clear blue. Nothing to complain about, right?

It would have been good for you, too, if you hadn't had the idea to rob two drunken men a few days earlier. Well, everything would be fine, except when you were leaving the saloon, another person nudged you with the shoulder and all the drunks' looted things... They just fell out. The men, despite being drunk, apparently thought rationally and recognized the property belonging to them in the stolen items.

You quickly gathered your things and started to run, but the men ran after you. Despite the fact that your condition was among the better ones, they still caught up with you... And they were not the nicer people. They grabbed you near the general store and threw you against the wall, trapping you against it.

- Well, who do we have here? - The one holding you giggled, and the foul stench from his mouth hit your poor nostrils. The other, who was standing a little further away, responded quickly with a soft chuckle.

- Oh Ben, we have a missing boy here. - So who was holding you was named Ben...

- Rob, I guess we have to teach this shit some culture, right? - He stopped for a moment. He studied your face for a moment, analyzing it carefully. - If you steal, do it with style. - Saying that, Ben grabbed you by the shoulders, pulled you to him and then threw you with all his strength against the wall of the store.

You have lost the ability to breathe for a while, as if someone or something has squeezed your lungs. You had to get out of this situation somehow, they're going to shoot you!

- Gentlemen, take it easy. There's been a big mistake! Your things were on the floor. You know, found not stolen. - You laughed nervously. They were obviously not laughing, despite the fact that they had wide, disgustingly scary grins on their faces. - I'll give them to you and we'll go in peace, we don't have to fight each other as punishment.

Your proposal did not convince them, you could say that they even found an excuse to do something to you, after all, you lied. They knew it and you knew very well that they knew it.

- Oh no boy. We won't fight. Your punishment will be much worse than a simple fight. - Ben said. After that, all you saw was the man standing in front of you raise his hand. The next thing you remember is darkness. He obviously stunned you.

As soon as you woke up, you noticed that you were in a makeshift camp. You were scantily clad, wearing nothing but a torn gray shirt, dirty from the sweat of one of the bastards, and worn trousers. Your wrists were bound and your throat burned. You were thirsty and the fact that there was full sun in the sky didn't make it any better. You noticed someone approaching you. You recognized him as Rob.

- Come on, our little princess is awake? I sympathize with you boy... You will go through ordeal...- He stopped for a moment. - Although no, you could not have robbed us, otherwise you would not be in this situation. -He sent you a mean smile.

You didn't answer for a moment. Maybe it's because of where you are? Or by thirst and slowly growing hunger?

- Can i drink? - But you dared to ask. You hoped they'd have some heart.

- Oh my dear ... You will not drink and eat, you will lie in the heat until you die and we will throw your carcass to the coyotes for food. - So you were wrong.

And so it was three days since you drank and ate nothing, you lay in the sun and sometimes you were tied to horses that dragged you along the ground as sharp as glass. You'd somehow accept it if it weren't for the fact that these motherfuckers were eating and drinking and in front of you, making you even more thirsty.

You were already weak. You barely opened your eyes to greet the sun. Still, you've had some luck. These men went hunting. They weren't there long, so you decided to take the opportunity. You crawled to one of the tents to hide in the shadows. Unfortunately, they took all the food and drink with them, although you were grateful to have even a stupid shadow. Always something, right?

You slowly fell asleep, forgetting about all your ailments. Your paradise was interrupted by a scream and a strong tug on the bound hands.

- You little son of a bitch! Are you hiding in the shadows?! Your punishment will be much worse! - Before you could answer, the skin on your cheeks collided with the fist of one of your tormentors. They hit you again and again, they kicked you blindly.

- Wait Ben... Wait... I have another idea. Rob muttered with a strange, mysterious and scary note in his voice. Ben looked at him curiously. You didn't like it.

Rob fixed your legs with more knots so that you were spread apart, your chest resting on the ground.

You already knew what was coming. They both started to unzip their pants, laughing and throwing insults at you.

- You won't like it, but we will! - Ben chuckled. They wanted to rape you, that was obvious. You didn't have the strength to fight, to free yourself from the knots, so you just waited for it all to pass. The worst hasn't even started and it's already stopped.

- Hey you! - A low voice boomed. You opened your eyes and turned your head to where the voice came from. A tall, muscular man stood in front of the camp. He had long black hair. Native American. Beside him stood a blond, also tall and broad-shouldered. They both looked on in disgust. You didn't know if they were looking at you that way, at those bastards, or for some other reason.

Ben and Rob stood up and quickly zipped up their pants. They were clearly nervous about the intrusion of strangers on "their territory". But for you, it could be an opportunity. You'd either find someone good who would save you from trouble, or someone bad who might kill you later.

- What do you want? - Rob growled. The dark skinned man took a step closer to you.

- Did you kill all these animals? - He asked. As far as you know, Native Americans valued balance in their lives with animals. They thanked them for meat and other nutrients.

- What do you care? - The stranger apparently couldn't take it anymore and shot Ben. Aimed at the head, took his life. The blonde looked at you and shook his head. He approached Rob, who, at the moment of the shot, fell to the ground, covering himself with his hands.

- Do you see Charles? They even have their slave. - So the big one is named Charles.

- I'll untie him, and you kill the other one. - Charles came over to you and cut the ropes. He has freed you from this embarrassing and uncomfortable position.

- Thank you. - Your voice was hoarse. You sat down and rubbed your wrists. You already had wounds on them that bled.

A small noise caught your attention. The blonde didn't kill Rob, he beat him, threatening him that if he didn't tell the others to stop hunting animals, he would find him and kill him. Then he let go of Rob, who ran away until he was dusty.

-Arthur, why didn't you kill him? - Charles asked. So you already know their names. Charles and Arthur. Nicely.

- It's okay, he'll tell the others, and the mass killing of bison will stop, big man. - After that, Arthur looked at you and knelt beside you.

- What's your name boy? - Charles asked first.

-Y/N.

- What did they do to you? - He continued. For a moment, you didn't feel like talking about how you got into trouble, but there's a slim chance these men will help you.

- They didn't abuse me for no reason... I wanted to rob them... And they caught me and wanted to punish me. - You cut it short. Your hoarseness made itself felt as Arthur noticed.

- Charles, give the kid water. - Didn't need to be told twice. The muscular man took out a carafe of water and handed it to you. You thanked him and started drinking greedily.

- Do you have a place to go back to?

- Charles no.

-Arthur! Can you see the state he's in? We have to help him.- He convinced Arthur. The blonde thought for an eternity until he finally made up his mind.

- All right... Take him on horseback and return to the camp. I'll fix something else. - Arthur groaned in defeat and got to his feet. He went to look around the camp of these animal killers a bit.

- Then come on, Y/N. - Charles said and took you in his arms. He carried you as if you weighed nothing.

-You're safe in our camp...- he added after a moment.

- Thank you, if it wasn't for you, I don't know what they would have done with me later. - you kept thanking the man.

-We're not good, but we're not as bad as they are. They killed animals for fun. -Charles said thoughtfully. You quickly interrupted his thoughts.

- Animals are gentle. - You said without thinking.

- Just like you. -Your face blushed.

You knew this relationship would be interesting.

+++

I wonder if in that one shot, I didn't make Charles weak and cute xD

[art1for2the3masses]

Royal Paintbox | Artistry of King Charles III

Royal Paintbox - From PBS - HRH The Prince of Wales reveals an extraordinary treasure trove of rarely seen art by members of the Royal Family past and present, exploring a colorful palette of intimate family memory and observation.

In Royal Paintbox, the Prince of Wales reveals an extraordinary treasure trove of work by his forebears, many of whom were accomplished amateur artists, and traces his family's love of art through the generations. This story is brought to the screen for the first time by award-winning film-maker Margy Kinmonth.

Set against the spectacular landscapes of the Royal Estates and with contributions from Countess Mountbatten of Burma; professional working artist Sarah Armstrong-Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret, speaking in her first ever interview on film; Royal Academy of Arts Chief Executive and Secretary Charles Saumarez Smith; Royal biographers Lady Antonia Fraser, Marina Warner, Jehanne Wake and Jane Ridley; Royal tour artists Susannah Fiennes and Warwick Fuller and Lady Roberts, Librarian at Royal Collection Trust, Royal Paintbox contains insights into The Prince of Wales's own watercolours, and other works by members of the Royal Family past and present.

Speaking about what inspires him to paint, The Prince of Wales says: "I think, you know, drawing from nature, observing from nature, is absolutely crucial. ’ve obviously been inspired by just looking. It’s usually the light, is what catches my attention. You can look at the same view over and over again and then suddenly one moment, there’s the most magical light.”

The Prince recounts how, as a teenager, the great art which lined the walls of the Royal residences in which he grew up suddenly came alive to him.

“Because when you are small you rush about, you know, pedalling or something up and down the corridors, and you notice nothing. It’s just a background. Suddenly, literally and I must have been 14 or something, suddenly all the pictures on the walls, the furniture, suddenly all came into focus. Do you know what I mean? And they had just been blurred sort of backgrounds which were just there. Then suddenly I started looking.”

The Prince of Wales takes the viewer on a journey into his family archives to reveal works of art by members of the Royal Family - including HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, the prolific work of King George III in and his children in the 18th Century, Prince Louis of Battenberg who it is said could have been a professional artist, as well as Queen Alexandra, King Edward VII, Princess Louise, Prince Rupert of The Rhine, Mary Queen of Scots - and a lino cut of a circus horse done by Her Majesty The Queen as a child.

The audience discovers in the film that Queen Victoria drew and painted thousands of sketches and watercolours during her long period of mourning following the death of her husband Prince Albert.

The film also shows how professional, contemporary artist Sarah Armstrong-Jones, the daughter of Princess Margaret, brings the Royal Paintbox story up to date with the inclusion of her paintings and drawings inspired by landscape, with an exhibition of her work at the Redfern Gallery in London.

She maintains that the family link must have helped her talent develop.

“It must come down, you know, I hope we can pass it down to the next generation.”

As an active Patron of the arts, The Prince of Wales is keen to create a record of his foreign tours that goes beyond photography. For over 25 years, The Prince has invited an artist to join the tour party at his own expense. In Australia, artist Warwick Fuller is seen at work on a new oil painting. Former tour artist Susannah Fiennes provides her perspective on the Prince’s passion for art.

“So much of the time he’s on duty and painting allows him a little time for quiet reflection and also a bit of an investigation of things at a deeper level than his whirlwind existence normally allows.”

The Prince shows a selection of the paintings he has done while abroad, and demonstrates a work-in-progress while explaining the power and appeal painting holds for him.

[swordofsun]

Wanted to do something for the new year, so I guess I'll do a 2023 book wrap up. In chronological order from the beginning of 2023 to the end.

Putting in a read more because this is 90 books and that's too much to not hide it.

Rereads marked with a *

The Iron Dirge by Sam Sykes - Grave of Empires #2.5

Three Axes to Fall by Sam Sykes - Grave of Empries #3

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty

The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin - Great Cities #2

Unbreakable by Mira Grant

Apocalypse Scenario #683: The Box by Mira Grant

Juice Like Wounds by Seanan McGuire - Wayward Children #4.5

Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire - Wayward Children #8

The Spirit Thief by Rachel Aaron - The Legend of Eli Monpress #1*

The Spirit Rebellion by Rachel Aaron - The Legend of Eli Monpress #2*

The Spirit Eater by Rachel Aaron - The Legend of Eli Monpress #3*

The Spirit War by Rachel Aaron - The Legend of Eli Monpress #4*

Spirit's End by Rachel Aaron - The Legend of Eli Monpress #5*

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold - Vorkosigan Saga #1 (Publication Order)

The Coup of Tea by Casey Blair - The Tea Princess Chronicles #1

The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown

Lyconthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses by Kristen O'Neal

The Jewel and Her Lapidary by Fran Wilde - Gemworld #1

Sandry's Book by Tamara Pierce - Circle of Magic #1*

Comeuppance Served Cold by Marion Deeds

By A Silver Thread by Rachel Aaron - DFZ Changeling #1

The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older - Mossa and Pleiti #1

The Twice-Drowned Saint by C.S.E. Cooney

Tris's Book by Tamara Pierce - Circle of Magic #2*

The Bones Swans of Amandale by C.S.E. Cooney (Novella)

Even Though I Knew The End by C.L. Polk

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M Danforth

An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard - Unseen World #1

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

The Ghost Network by Catie Disabato

The Keeper's Six by Kate Elliot

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

Servant Mage by Kate Elliot

The Warden by Daniel M Ford - The Warden #1

Daja's Book by Tamara Pierce - Circle of Magic #3*

Jackdraw by K.J. Charles - A Charm of Magpies World #1

The Thief Who Pulled On Trouble's Braids by Michael McClung - Amra Thetys #1

Bluebird by Ciel Pierlot

Lexicon by Max Barry

The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

The Thief Who Spat in Luck's Good Eye by Michael McClung - Amara Thetys #2

Briar's Book by Tamara Pierce - Circle of Magic #4*

The Thief Who Knocked on Sorrow's Gate by Michael McClung - Amara Thetys #3

Murder at Spindle Manor by Morgan Stang - The Lamplight Murder Mysteries #1

Ebony Gate - by Julie Vee and Ken Bebelle - The Phoenix Hoard #1

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells - The Murderbot Diaries #2*

Rogue Protocols by Martha Wells - The Murderbot Diaries #3*

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells - The Murderbot Diaries #4*

Zen Bow, Zen Arrow: The Life and Teachings of Awa Kenzo, the Archery Master from "Zen in the Art of Archery" by John Stevens

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells - The Murderbot Diareis #6*

Apparently I've hit the character limit without a paragraph break. So, we'll be starting over from 1, but it will really be #54.

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells - The Murderbot Diaries #4.5

Compulsory: A Murderbot Story by Martha Wells - The Murderbot Diaries #0.5*

Magic Steps by Tamara Pierce - The Circle Opens #1*

Murder on the Lamplight Express by Morgan Stang - The Lamplight Murder Mysteries #2

Bone Swans by C.S.E. Cooney (short story collection)

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel - Themis Files #1

Mammoth at the Gates by Nghi Vo - The Singing Hills Cycle #4

The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M Valente

Triggernometry by Stark Holborn - Triggernometry #1

Street Magic by Tamara Pierce - The Circle Opens #2*

Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett - The Foundryside Trilogy #1

Advanced Triggernometry by Stark Holborn - Triggernometry #2

Inda by Sherwood Smith - Inda #1

Thief Liar Lady by D.L. Soria

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand

Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne - Tomes and Tea #1

Red River Seven by A.J. Ryan

Dracula by Bram Stoker - via Re: Dracula

Beholder by Ryan La Sala

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather

System Collapse by Martha Wells - The Murderbot Diaries #7

Cold Fire by Tamara Piece - The Circle Opens #3*

Dream of the Falling Axe by Sam Sykes - Grave of Empires #3.5

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Salvation Gambit by Emily Skrutskie

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Hikaru No Go Vol 1 Decent of the Go Master by Yumi Hotta - Hikaru No Go #1

These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs - The Kingdom Trilogy #1

Shatterglass by Tamara Pierce - The Circle Opens #4*

Paladin's Faith by T Kingfisher - The Saint of Steel #4

The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill

Forest of Memory by Mary Robinette Kowal

The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon - The Downworld Sequence #1

On The Fox Roads by Nghi Vo

Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrom by John Scalzi - Lock In #0.5

Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton

Okay, and according to Storygraph:

My longest book was Three Axes to Fall at 806 pages

My most read authors were: Tamara Pierce, Martha Wells, and Rachel Aaron. Which is due to re-reads. I re-read 16 books this year.

My average rating was 4.14 out of 5.

I read the most in June.

I read 41 new-to-me authors.

52 of the books I read were part of series.

So, I guess, feel free to ask me any questions.

Happy New Year!

[atlanticcanada]

'It was wonderful': Princess Anne visits N.B., pays respect to fallen Mounties

Princess Anne's working visit to New Brunswick started in Fredericton where Her Royal Highness met with Lieutenant Governor Brenda Murphy and handed out Diamond Jubilee medals at RCMP headquarters.

She then travelled to Moncton in a military helicopter just before noon for a wreath-laying ceremony at the RCMP memorial for the three Mounties who were shot and killed on June 4, 2014.

Angela Gevaudan, the wife of Mountie Fabrice Gevaudan, was grateful Princess Anne came to the monument honouring her late husband.

“I thought the ceremony was quite beautiful,” said Gevaudan. “I’m very grateful Her Royal Highness took the time to come and pay her respects, to meet each of us and spend a moment to chat with us today.”

Her daughter Emma was also touched.

“I'm very honoured that Her Royal Highness took the time to come and see us and it really fills my heart,” said Emma Gevaudan.

Emma and Princess Anne had something in common with each other and the two spoke about it briefly after the ceremony.

“She actually told me about her niece that is attending school with me in Scotland and how much she was enjoying it which I was glad to hear as I also very much enjoy going to school there,” said Emma.

Nadine Larche, the wife of Mountie Douglas Larche, was also happy to see a member of the royal family come and pay their respects.

“It was an honour that she took the time to come to Moncton, come to the monument, visit with all of us and chat with me and my girls as well,” said Larche.

A crowd of around 250 people came to Moncton’s riverfront to see the ceremony and get a glimpse of King Charles’ younger sister.

Mary Lou Smith was one of them.

“It was wonderful. I came early this morning to make sure I could find a parking space and I think it should have been publicized maybe a little bit more, but I really enjoyed seeing her,” said Smith.

Later in the day, Princess Anne attended a memorial service for the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s) at St. George's Anglican Church in downtown Moncton.

She's been the colonel-in-chief of the New Brunswick regiment for 50 years.

Jim Lockyer, Honourary Colonel of the 8th Hussars, said Princess Anne expressed an interest in attending the anniversary festivities three years ago.

Lockyer said it’s not the first time she’s visited the regiment.

“She visited the regiment when we had a regular force regiment in Germany, a number of times. She visited Base Gagetown in 1985/86. On our 150th anniversary she visited us here in Moncton in 1998,” said Lockyer. “She's maintained a personal interest in this regiment, people from Southern New Brunswick, Sussex, for well over 50 years. that's quite an accomplishment.”

Princess Anne has a busy itinerary of events in Moncton on Saturday and Sunday, she’ll be in Sussex New Brunswick, the ancestral home of the regiment, for a church service and military parade.

For the latest New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/jbDJ0Gf

[ingek73]

The Mail: ‘The Crown’ is ‘lurid,’ portraying Charles as ‘devious, impatient, resentful’

November 01, 2022

By Kaiser

The British royal commentators are playing a dangerous game with Netflix, The Crown and the monarchy. Their gleeful commentary about the “lurid, unflattering” Netflix series shows their eagerness to exploit all of these tragedies all over again, all while assuming an air of performative fury on behalf of King Charles. Does Charles really understand what he’s unleashed? Netflix is laughing all the way to the bank, especially with Salt Island’s media giving The Crown millions in free publicity. Even more than the free publicity, the commentators are making The Crown sound like the most epic royal takedown ever. The Mail’s Christopher Stevens has seen the whole (still embargoed) season 5. And he couldn’t help but throw a huge tantrum about all of it.

There are no depths of bad taste that writer Peter Morgan does not plumb in the new ten-part series of The Crown on Netflix. Divorces, infidelities, the most intimate conversations, the infamous interview with Princess Diana and Martin Bashir, even the death of a five-year-old from cancer, all are exploited for lurid drama. As the eight-and-a-half hours of new film were made available to journalists last night, under a stringent embargo, the sheer virulence of the storylines became shockingly clear.

Charles, Philip and at times the Queen herself are portrayed with disdain bordering on mockery. A teenage Prince William is also shown in an unflattering light, as slightly dim and sulky, though his younger brother Harry is let off lightly and barely features. Netflix may well find that, with the international grief and mourning that marked the death of the Queen less than two months ago, viewers’ appetite for royal muck-raking has disappeared.

Insiders at the streaming video giant say the mood in the company is already uneasy, with some American executives surprised by the backlash from fans who fear the death of the Princess of Wales will be re-enacted in graphic detail. This series stops short of that moment. It ends with Diana, divorced from Charles, preparing for a Mediterranean holiday with her friend Dodi Fayed.

Full reviews, with assessments of individual performances and an analysis of how far the script strays from historical fact, are embargoed until Saturday morning. But no spoiler alert is needed when I say that this series of The Crown is unrecognisable in its tone, compared to the original series in 2016. This show with its almost unlimited budget and all-star cast has become a monstrous perversion of itself.

At the beginning, The Crown charted the affectionate romance of the Princess Elizabeth and her prince, the Duke of Edinburgh, played with touching vulnerability by Claire Foy and Matt Smith. But it has descended into scandal-mongering, intent on inflicting every possible embarrassment on the Royal Family. The Crown is now a nakedly republican polemic, using embarrassment as its chief weapon against the monarchy.

Chief victim is the monarch himself. Perhaps Morgan and his Netflix paymasters imagined, like most of us, that the Queen would survive, ruling above reproach, for a number of years to come – and that the Prince of Wales was fair game. Certainly, none of the preview episodes (labelled, it ought to be said, as ‘work in progress’) carried an acknowledgment of Her Majesty’s death. Any viewers expecting a respectful caption, saluting her 70 years on the throne, will be disappointed.

But from the outset, the campaign against Charles is lacerating. In scene after scene, he is depicted as devious, impatient, resentful, devoid of self-awareness in his desperation to be king. This prince is a plotter whose mind works constantly, even during holidays with friends, on ways to dislodge his mother and force her aside. His aides talk of little else.

Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles – now the King and Queen Consort, a fact shamefully ignored by Netflix – suffer greater indignity still, with the replay of that excruciating phonecall. Dominic West as Charles and Olivia Williams as Camilla, then his married mistress, re-enact every word of it… including that awful extended metaphor about being reincarnated as a tampon. It is performed without mercy, and to emphasise the humiliation we see the reaction of other royals when the transcript is published. Princess Margaret reads it in bed. Diana holds her head in her hands.

[From The Daily Mail]

Charles “is depicted as devious, impatient, resentful, devoid of self-awareness.” “The Crown is now a nakedly republican polemic, using embarrassment as its chief weapon against the monarchy.” DON’T THREATEN ME WITH A GOOD TIME!!! Omg, I was genuinely worried that Peter Morgan was going to soft-pedal some stuff but I guess not! Apparently, Diana’s Panorama interview stretches over two episodes, which is pretty fair – it was the biggest f–king thing to happen to the monarchy in decades. I love all of the agitation about “they didn’t acknowledge that Charles and Camilla are king and queen now” and “they didn’t acknowledge QEII’s death!!” My dude, this is a dramatization of what happened in the ‘90s, not a documentary. In fact, the monarchy has run a huge campaign against the Crown to emphasize that it’s not a documentary. Anyway, one more week!!!

-

yay this sounds fab!

[grandmaster-anne]

The Duke on his way to ski in Munster in the 1950s. On a previous occasion he had forgotten his passport, causing a mini crisis at the airport. This time he remembered

In Uganda with the Duchess of Kent, 1962

Prince Charles with the Duchess of Kent at Balmoral in about 1970. They shared an interest in music, especially opera

Christmas at Windsor Castle in about 1977: The Queen with the Earl of Ulster, and in the background the Earl’s father, the Duke of Gloucester. The Royal Family loved staying at Windsor, and in particular the moment that the Queen threw open the doors and the children rushed in to get their presents

The Queen and Prince Philip enjoying a picnic lunch at Balmoral in the 1970s

The Royal Family together. Left to right (back row) – the Duke of Gloucester, Princess Marina, Queen Mary & the Duchess of Gloucester. Middle row – Princess Alexandra, the Duke of Kent & Prince Richard of Gloucester. Front row – Princess Margaret of Hesse, Prince William of Gloucester & Prince Michael of Kent

Princess Marina with her mother, Princess Nicholas of Greece, and her sister, Princess Olga. Princess Nicholas, a formidable Russian Grand Duchess, and by then a widow, lived at Psychico, a suburb of Athens. Her daughters were frequent visitors

King George VI at Coppins with Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret

Princess Alexandra (left) with cousins Helen Habsburg and Hans Veit Toerring in Norfolk

Princess Marina with Winston Churchill, who came to lunch at Coppins towards the end of the war, in 1944. ‘And who is this?’ asked the great statesman on observing the Duke, then aged nine

With his father, Prince George, and sister, Princess Alexandra

Prince Edward with his parents and sister

The Duke and Duchess together at Coppins in the early days of their marriage

The Duchess of Kent with her Labrador, Columbus, and her poodle, Charlie, soon after she married the Duke in 1961

Prince Edward on a pony at Horace Smith’s riding school at Bray. The Duke found him a bit severe – he was a proper old school riding instructor who always wore highly polished boots

'I always felt I wanted to support her. That’s by far the most important thing in life': HRH The Duke of Kent, then Prince Edward, between the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret, at Frogmore House in Windsor, 1930s

Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) lifting Prince Edward of Kent (Duke of Kent)

Inside the Duke of Kent's private royal family photo album

[sea-dukes-assistant]

Hugo Vickers Has Had Enough of This Shit

From the outset, The Crown has set out to sensationalise and distort the story of the Royal Family.

But of all the many falsehoods, exaggerations and, frankly, downright lies presented as truth, there is a moment in the final episode of the this latest, fourth, series that must surely count as the most wretched and disgraceful.

If you haven't seen it, let me set the scene. The Christmas music is playing and happy voices can be heard as the Royal Family enjoys Christmas Eve festivities at Sandringham.

It is 1990 and Princess Diana is hiding upstairs in her bedroom as her marriage to Prince Charles disintegrates.

Prince Philip knocks at the door and Diana – portrayed to great effect in the series by Emma Corrin – tells him she is in a 'dark, loveless cave' and that she wants to 'break away'.

Yet the response from her father-in-law is menacing; he warns her that it won't end well if she does any such thing.

Diana replies: 'I hope that isn't a threat, Sir.'

Who can be in any doubt that this fictional conversation is a thinly veiled and chilling reference to Diana's impending death.

It supports the scarcely credible rumours, still fuelled by the internet, that Diana's fatal car crash in a tunnel in Paris in 1997 was a murderous 'hit' ordered by Prince Philip and designed to look like an accident.

It's hard to imagine a more hurtful allegation than painting Philip as a mafioso bent on bumping off a fragile daughter-in-law.

And to hint at this in such a convincing way, with the multi- million-pound budgets, extravagant sets and convincing actors at Netflix's disposal, makes it all the more egregious.

Surely the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen's loyal consort who has dedicated his life to duty and who is now in his 100th year, deserves better than this?

Sadly, none of this comes as a surprise to me. As a Royal historian, I have watched each passing episode of The Crown with mounting horror and have dissected all 40 episodes in books charting the untruths the series contain.

From the outset, The Crown has been full of not merely inaccuracies but clear and deliberate departures from the truth.

Prince Philip's treatment by the producers is particularly disgraceful. The drama claims that he refused to kneel at the Queen's Coronation, for example, that he became a notorious philanderer and that he had been accused by his father of being responsible for the death of his sister Cecile in a plane crash. Wrong, wrong and monstrously wrong.

No doubt programme-makers felt that the truth – that Prince Philip is a dutiful consort and even acted as a mediator between Charles and Diana, writing to the Princess at the peak of the marriage crisis – was altogether a much less interesting story.

I disagree. Prince Philip had a good bond with Diana, who affectionately called him Pa, and he worked hard to see if there was a way that Charles and she might be reconciled.

Whatever its reasons, Netflix has presented Philip, particularly in the earlier series when he was played by Matt Smith, as a fractious, bumptious Jack the lad who is very much the villain.

While parts of the latest series show Philip's fondness for Diana, a decision had clearly been taken, presumably with the purpose of giving viewers a salacious cliff-hanger, to insert this cruel and utterly fictitious warning.

After Diana's death, conspiracy theories were perpetrated by Mohamed Al Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the crash.

In 2008, after a decade-long investigation, a coroner ridiculed the claims made by Al Fayed and ruled there was 'not a shred of evidence' that Prince Philip ordered the death of Princess Diana.

But who cares about the justice system when there's a TV programme to make? The danger is that people believe The Crown's version of the truth.

One viewer posted a message on Twitter saying: 'After watching #TheCrown there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that #Diana's death was orchestrated by someone within the Royal Family. She was murdered for sure.'

And Prince Philip is not the only target of The Crown. Pretty much every character is dislikable.

The Queen is portrayed as glum and schoolmistressly; the Queen Mother is given some truly horrible lines; Princess Margaret is downright rude; Margaret Thatcher buttoned-up, and so on.

Yet I found this latest series misled the viewers in a more subtle and cunning way than in earlier episodes. We see the plot enter the realm of pure fantasy with a smoking, drinking Camilla bitterly jealous of Diana.

On Diana's return from America, where she hugs a child patient with HIV, there is an unpleasant scene in which Prince Charles yells at the Princess for 'hurting' his mistress.

'Camilla is who I want!' he screams. Unacceptable nonsense. History does not corroborate any wish for divorce or separation at this time.

Right up until 1992, the Prince believed the marriage could still work, at least publicly if not privately.

The series ends in 1990 with the Royal Family heading for Sandringham for Christmas in a convoy of Rolls-Royces.

The customary dead game birds are hanging up, presumably to stress to the viewers what a brutal bunch the family is.

And so follows the most outrageous calumny of all, Philip's thinly veiled threat to Diana.

Why does this matter? It matters because this country's relationship between Government and Monarchy has always been a delicate balance.

It matters because the reputation of the future King ought not to be sealed in the mind of the average Netflix viewer as a twisted, warped and bitter individual.

That it is so well acted, of course, makes it all the more believable. Significantly, when not in character the actors are often quick to redress the balance.

In an interview, Corrin says: 'Something I realised very early on was the need to separate the Diana I play from the Diana who was.

'We're not mimicking. That's not what we're doing. This is Peter's [Peter Morgan, The Crown's creator] version of what happens.'

But with all the glorious sets, the repeated insistence that script-writers and producers relied on historical advisers to recreate the true story of Diana and Charles, we are led to believe this is real, not just one man's version of events.

A man who, significantly, I believe, has shown scant regard for the Royal Family or the Queen and very little understanding of the great importance of the soft diplomacy the Monarchy wields both at home and abroad.

Why should Mr Morgan's warped and twisted version be the narrative of British Royal history shown around the world?

Rather than making that truth clear in the way that Ms Corrin does, Netflix and The Crown's producers set out to hoodwink viewers into believing that this is real history.

A version intent on showing the Royal Family to be heartless, cruel and ruthless – a cold and dysfunctional organisation that will stop at nothing to protect its leader, no matter how many bodies fall by the wayside. This is simply not good enough.

We are told the next two series will follow the stories of the Royal Family up until 2002. We can't be sure they will.

Those responsible for the show will no doubt argue that whatever they depict is simply artistic licence, but fiction should help us understand the truth, not pervert it.

Perhaps the real Prince Philip said it best himself when he told his biographer Tim Heald: 'I certainly believe in the need for a free press, but there is a difference between freedom and licence, and between the honest pursuit of the truth and the cynical pursuit of thoughtless – even vindictive – sensationalism.'

How poignant, with this Hollywood movie treatment, his words seem now.

Hugo Vickers's works include Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

(source, of which I had the painful experience of 1,000 ads all at once to get you this)

[princesssarisa]

Character ask: Sleeping Beauty's Prince

Tagged by @ariel-seagull-wings.

These answers apply to the Prince from Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm's versions of the tale and all subsequent traditional retellings, as well as to Disney's animated Prince Phillip. They don't apply to any of the pre-Perrault versions of the character who impregnate the Princess in her sleep, nor do they apply to Prince Phillip from the live-action Maleficent duology.

Favorite thing about them: He's a charming fairy tale prince. Even though that archetype is easy to mock, it's still endearing. For Disney's Prince Phillip, let me add to that his warmth, courage, intelligence and sense of humor. He's definitely the best of the three Walt-era princes; Snow White and Cinderella's princes are stuffed shirts by comparison.

Least favorite thing about them: In the traditional tale, kissing a sleeping girl whom he doesn't know. The issue of consent is much more of a real issue here than it is in Disney's Snow White.

I don't think it's quite as much of an issue for Disney's Prince Phillip, though, because he and Aurora were already in love before she fell asleep, and because he knows the kiss will break the spell, as opposed to just kissing her because she's so pretty. About Phillip my least favorite thing is probably his bold pressing of his feelings onto the shy, withdrawing Aurora in "Once Upon a Dream." Of course it's just old-fashioned wooing, perfectly innocent by the standards of its time, but by modern standards, if a girl is reluctant to speak to you because you're a stranger, the appropriate response isn't "But we've met before... once upon a dream."

And for Perrault's Prince: For goodness' sake, how could you leave your ogress mother in charge of the kingdom and leave your wife and children in her care when you went off to war?! You knew she craved human flesh, you hid your marriage for two years to protect your wife and babies from her, but then...?! Perrault's bowdlerization of Sun, Moon and Talia (changing the wife who tries to kill her husband's mistress and illegitimate children into a flesh-craving ogress mother-in-law) is awkward and reduces the Prince to an idiot. The Grimms were wiser to cut that part of the story altogether and end with the awakening of Sleeping Beauty and her castle.

Three things I have in common with them:

*I like stories about princesses.

*Like Disney's Phillip, I love Aurora's singing voice.

*Also like Phillip, I like the color red.

Three things I don't have in common with them:

*I'm not royalty.

*I'm too shy either to kiss a sleeping person I've never met (traditional tale) or to romantically pursue a retiring stranger at first sight (Disney's Phillip).

*Unlike Disney's Phillip, I don't know how to handle a sword, so a dragon would probably make short work of me. Though if I had the fairies to help me, who knows?

Favorite line: From Disney's Phillip:

"Now Father, you're living in the past. This is the 14th century!"

BrOTP: His horse, Samson, from the Disney version.

OTP: Sleeping Beauty.

nOTP: The Old Fairy/Maleficent.

Random headcanon: Perrault's prince has always struggled with the fact that he's half ogre. He has cravings for human flesh too – nowhere near as strong as his mother's, because he's half human, but other people do smell all too tasty to him. Yet he manages to control that side of himself, so he naïvely assumes his mother can control it too, not realizing that she has no desire to control it.

Unpopular opinion: Even though the issue of non-consensual kisses deserves to be discussed, I don't think it makes either the Prince or the story unredeemable. Disney resolved it fairly well by having Aurora and Phillip effectively be already in a relationship when the kiss takes place (yes, it was Love at First Sight, but that's just a storytelling convention), but to do that they eliminated the 100 years of sleep from the original tale. I might be tempted to write a retelling that keeps the 100-year sleep, but draws inspiration from the scene in the ballet where the Lilac Fairy shows the Prince a vision of Aurora, and had the Prince communicate telepathically with Sleeping Beauty thanks to some magical intervention. Every night he would dream of meeting her and talking with her, while in the castle she would simultaneously have the same dream about him, and in the last dream before he actually finds her, she would give him consent to kiss her.

Song I associate with them:

The obvious: "Once Upon a Dream" from the Disney version:

"Slumber" from the Cannon Movie Tales version.

Favorite pictures of them:

This illustration by Charles Folkard:

This illustration by Jessie Wilcox Smith:

This one by Trina Schart Hyman – both here and in her Snow White, her bearded princes are a nice change of pace for fairy tale lovers who prefer manly men to pretty boys, and this moment with his bride-to-be and her parents is so joyous and sweet:

This illustration by Mercer Mayer – I like the way his clothes are tattered from fighting through the briars:

This illustration by Christian Birmingham:

Disney's Prince Phillip with Aurora:

Christopher Reeve in the Faerie Tale Theatre version:

Nicholas Clay with Tanhee Welch in the Cannon Movie Tales version:

Matthew Ball with Yasmine Naghdi in Tchaikovsky's ballet:

[thecrownnet]

From the period-specific tunes of “The Crown” to the surprising instrumental reworkings of modern pop hits in “Bridgerton,” this season’s Emmy contenders in music supervision showcase the growing field’s continued influence.

Alexandra Patsavas

“Bridgerton” may give veteran music supervisor Patsavas her best shot yet at an Emmy thanks to her clever use of chamber music-style covers of modern pop songs, which help trace the emotional journey of Daphne and Simon (Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page) in Regency-era London.

The Vitamin String Quartet’s renditions of Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next,” Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You,” Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood” and Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” along with Duomo’s cover of Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams,” sent streaming numbers into the stratosphere soon after the Netflix series debuted in December.

According to Patsavas, discussions about “how a period project could be relevant and inviting,” musically speaking , began months before shooting with producer Shonda Rhimes and series creator Chris Van Dusen. Says Patsavas: “How could the source [music] moments be seamless, presented with a wink and yet still feel appropriate to the beautiful costumes and production design? [Listeners] might sense that they knew the song, but it wouldn’t be an immediate recognition. You’d hear the lyrics in your head.”

Another cover was tailor-made by score composer Kris Bowers, playing piano, and cellist Hillary Smith, of Celeste’s “Strange,” for the couple making love for the first time. Not all the music is faux-classical. Many numbers are the real thing: selections by Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Vivaldi and Chopin are also heard in the background of “Bridgerton.” Themes in Bowers’ dramatic underscore were inspired by Ravel piano pieces initially suggested by Van Dusen. Patsavas, who is now director, music creative/production for Netflix, is a trailblazer in the music supervision sector, with early credits on “Grey’s Anatomy” and the “Twilight” films. She has three Grammy nominations and eight more from the Guild of Music Supervisors but has never won a major industry honor.

Maggie Phillips

Kansas City in 1950 is the setting for the fourth season of “Fargo,” and that time and place influenced many of music supervisor Phillips’ choices of songs.

As Phillips explains, show creator Noah Hawley sends her (and composer Jeff Russo) his scripts six to eight months prior to shooting. “He writes with music in mind,” she says. “He gives us some initial jumping-off points, me for listening and Jeff for writing.” To wit: Hawley had Duke Ellington’s Jazz standard “Caravan” in mind for the opening of the season’s first episode, which chronicles the history of ethnic businessmen during the first half of the 20th century. Phillips licensed the Ellington tune as the centerpiece, and Russo adapted the music into different period-appropriate arrangements over the first 20 minutes.

Not all the music needed to be specific to that period, though. Jazzman Art Blakey’s “Moanin’” dates from 1959; Willie Dixon’s “Insane Asylum” from 1968; and Johnny Cash’s “What Is Man” from the 1970s. Says Phillips: “It’s important to capture the emotion.

Jeff Richmond

Richmond, composer-songwriter-music supervisor on “Girls5Eva,” is no stranger to coming up with songs in a hurry. “All those years of writing pastiches and jingles and musical numbers on ‘Saturday Night Live,’” he says. “The train is moving, write it quickly, get a demo out.”

The Peacock series imagines a short-lived ’90s girl group plotting a comeback after a rapper samples their one big hit. It fell to Richmond to re-create that decade’s “girl-power ballad” style for the song flashbacks as well as the new tunes to drive their hoped-for resurgence.

Creator Meredith Scardino’s early scripts had “pieces of songs,” and at first, Richmond says, “we didn’t necessarily know if they were going to be full-length.” “Dream Girlfriends” was designed as a big comeback number, but “Space Boys” was a comedy cutaway and “New York Lonely Boy” was a minute-long song playing in the mind of Dawn (Sara Bareilles).

Many were penned by Richmond and Scardino, but as Dawn begins to write her own material in the series, “we knew that the arc of the music should be a little more honest, sound a little more like Sara’s songs would sound.” So she began contributing too, and the finale song, “4 Stars,” is hers alone.

The pandemic complicated the process, as Richmond was writing and producing in his home studio, sending music to arranger-mixer-guitarist Hanan Rubinstein for improvement, the cast was often singing live during shooting (and tweaking the vocals during post-production), and Richmond was adding strings — all recorded remotely — for the final mix of songs and score. “Things got very hectic,” Richmond says.

Sarah Bridge

Season 4 of “The Crown,” which focuses on Princess Diana’s time in Buckingham Palace, featured more songs than in previous years. “It’s a natural progression as we step into the ’80s, but also the introduction of the younger generation of the royal family becoming center stage,” says music supervisor Bridge.

Photo: Ollie Upton/Netflix

The opening and closing of Episode 3, as Diana celebrates, and later regrets, her marriage to Prince Charles, is especially compelling for its use of Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen.” At first, Diana is euphoric, and she and her flatmates dance to it in a nightclub. Bridge persuaded Nicks to let the production access her raw vocals, heard a cappella under the end titles.

Says Bridge: “Hearing the power and fragility as well within it, it really reflected where Diana ends up. It felt a perfect end-credits moment, to leave it in a kind of isolated, lonely feeling, reflecting Diana’s emotion and where she is at the end of that episode. Stevie was really happy for us to feature it.” That same episode features Elton John’s “Song for Guy,” as Diana dances herself into a frenzy. Bridges re-recorded “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” for a scene where Charles and Diana are touring Australia, and gained permission from Andrew Lloyd Webber to re-record “All I Ask of You” from his “Phantom of the Opera” with a 28-piece orchestra for Episode 9, as Diana presents Charles with a tape of her performance of the song.

*Emmys Nominations-round voting begins on June 17, 2021.

[b2bordermanagement]

Rihanna declared national hero of Barbados as island becomes republic

Rihanna was recognized as a National Hero at Barbados's Presidential Inauguration Ceremony Fireworks filled the sky over Barbados on Tuesday as the Caribbean islet nation declared itself the world's newest democracy, lowering Queen Elizabeth's flag as it disassociated social- period ties to the British throne to the sound of triumphant gun salutations.

"Republic Barbados has set passage on her maiden passage,"Dame Sandra Mason said in her induction speech as the first chairman of the country, feting the" complex, fractured and turbulent world"it would need to navigate.

 "Our country must conjure big dreams and fight to realize them,"the former governor-general told those gathered for the form, including Britain's Prince Charles The new period for the nation of ends Britain's centuries of influence, including further than 200 times of slavery until 1834.

  Addressing the matter during the handover, Charles conceded the mark slavery had left on the two countries From the darkest days of our history, and the shocking atrocity of slavery, which ever stains our history, the people of this islet forged their path with extraordinary fiber,"he told the crowd.

A long- running epidemic curfew was suspended to allow Barbadians to enjoy fests, which included protrusions at colorful points across the country and large fireworks displays timed to mark the major transition The" Pride of Nationhood" form itself was closed to the wider public but Barbados'most notorious citizen, the songster Rihanna, took place alongside top officers for the event, complete with military processions, a mounted guard of honor and gun salutations.

One of the first acts of the high minister of the new democracy was to declare Rhianna a National Hero of Barbados"May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation,"Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the transnational celebrity.

Barbados, notorious for its idyllic strands and love of justice, won independence from Britain in 1966 In October, it tagged Mason its first chairman, one time after Mottley declared the country would" completely" leave behind its social history.

Counting on tourism Some Barbadians argue there are more burning public issues than replacing the queen, including profitable fermentation caused by the Covid-19 epidemic that has exposed overreliance on tourism-- which, ironically, is dependent on British callers.

Severance is at nearly 16 percent, over from nine percent in recent times "I know it's commodity that we were going towards for a veritably long time, but I suppose it came at a time which isn't inescapably the stylish time considering our profitable situation and the Covid situation," said 27- time-old office director Nikita Stuart.

For youthful activists similar as Firhaana Bulbulia, author of the Barbados Muslim Association, British colonialism and slavery taradiddle behind the islet's ultramodern inequalities.

"The wealth gap, the capability to enjoy land, and indeed access to loans from banks all have a lot to do with structures erected out of being ruled by Britain,"Bulbulia, 26, said.

For numerous Barbadians, replacing the queen is just catching up with how the nation has felt for numerous times I remember in the old days we'd be really agitated about the queen and Prince Charles and Princess Diana and royal Anastasia Smith, a 61- time-old nanny, told AFP.

"But I do not know if we ever relatively saw them as our royal family. Now, everybody is talking about a democracy. I am not sure that anything about my life is going to change. But I suppose we are doing the right thing and it's a proud moment for Barbados."

Buoyed by Black Lives Matter movements across the world, original activists last time successfully supported for the junking of a statue of the British Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson that stood in National Icons Square for two centuries.

And the end of the queen's reign is seen by some as a necessary step towards fiscal restitutions to address the major consequences of the use of slaves brought from Africa to work on sugar colonies Charles' visit to Barbados was clouded at the last nanosecond by another race row over contended commentary about his grandson His youthful son Prince Harry and his woman Meghan-- who has a black mama and a white father-- have said an unnamed royal asked how dark their future first child's skin would be.

A new book reportedly claimed Charles was responsible, which his spokesperson dismissed as" fabrication and not worth farther comment."

[crimsonrae]

The Wiles of Men and Women

Chapter Four

Summary: Georgiana Stafford has just become betrothed to a man older than her father. Her last chance to enjoy society on her terms comes the night that court celebrates the birth of Princess Mary. She was prepared for just about anything, but she hadn't been prepared for him. Charles Brandon.

CharlesxOC,

Rated: Mature

A/N:  Here is Chapter Four. I’ve been re-watching the first season and Charles really is a little shit: Between thinking of what he had done to Buckingham’s daughter to make her beg, teasing Margret (though really she deserved and enjoyed it) and hearing him tell a paramour to ‘Get her husband to lick it off’ ... I’m like ‘I kind of want to smack you.’ So to clarify this is very early Charles right now - he’s about twenty-three/ twenty-fourish and Katerina: I would place about five years older than Georgiana. Thank you to everyone who liked and showed support. I always love hearing from you guys. 💕 I really appreciate it 😊. Let me know if you would like to be tagged.

If you would like to be tagged in my stories please add yourself to the taglist linked in my bio!!

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Big Bad Wolf

Katerina chewed on the inside of her cheek as she helped Georgiana ready herself. In truth, the younger girl hardly needed her assistance, but the finishing of laces and plaiting of hair was a good distraction from the conversation that the maid needed to eventually begin. It wasn't until Georgiana had tied a simple ribbon around her crown and picked up a cloak that Katerina didn't remember seeing in the Lady's trunk that she knew she couldn't put it off any longer.

"Lady Georgiana..." Katerina began hesitantly, not feeling embolden as Georgiana merely turned a sweet acknowledging glance her way. It was too trusting and made her gut twist with mild guilt. She silently cursed Charles Bandon's name, "When we go to the markets you need to be on your guard."

Georgiana frowned bemused, while she was an Earl's daughter, she had been to the markets before... not London's, but Wiltshire had its own section of stalls and shops. She lifted an incurious brow at her lesser, "Were you planning on stopping in a tavern or a brothel?"

It was Katerina's turn to blink in confusion, "...N-no, milady."

"Are we still getting herbs and a few bits and bobbles?" Georgiana pressed unconcerned as Katerina nodded, "Then what nefarious activity should I be on guard for?"

"Not a what really... more a who." Katerina edged uncomfortably as she refrained from fidgeting.

By this point, Georgiana had turned her full attention to her servant with an expression torn between amused and expectant. The last time she had seen someone look this uncomfortable it had been her mother as her father announced whom she was to marry. As that particular memory, her amusement became somewhat tempered, "A who?"

Katerina nodded, "It seems that Mr. Charles Brandon has taken an interest in you, milady. I believe he will seek you out at the markets today."

Georgiana felt a strange mix of emotions at the servant's words. She was suddenly terrified that Charles had discovered where his lost lamb had gotten to, but also excited? Nervous? Her heart was doing funny things in her chest while her stomach seemed to flutter in dread. She had no liking for any of it.

Feeling flushed and suddenly trembling, she attempted to keep her expression as placid as possible. She had told Katerina much about the man who had taken her maidenhead, but not his name and she was reluctant to give that particular detail away now, "Mr. Brandon? For what purpose? He knows that I'm engaged to Lord Somerset."

An almost pitying grimace crossed Katerina's expression, "Mr. Brandon cares not for such details... He has something of a reputation when it comes to the ladies of court."

Some part of Georgiana was wholly unsurprised by this pronouncement. She had heard a few whispers during tea and promenades with a few of the courtly matrons, but it was the way he had pursued and ravaged her that had already clued Georgiana onto that fact. Charles had been entirely too confident in everything he did that night not to have a few lovers. She had only been relieved to find that he wasn't married. She couldn't bear the thought of humiliating another woman in such a way... though she had hoped, perhaps naively, that Charles would feel the same.

Heart sinking in her chest, she stubbornly pushed her swelling emotions away, "Well, Mr. Brandon will simply have to learn that just because he chases doesn't mean he'll capture his quarry."

"Of course, milady." There was a pause as Katerina watched her young mistress flare almost defiantly at her unintendingly patronizing tone.

Then a thought seemed to occur to Georgiana as her gaze narrowed faintly, "Katerina, how does Mr. Brandon know I'll be at the markets? I haven't told a soul."

Katerina felt an embarrassed flush climb to her cheeks as she weakly uttered, "My apologies, milady..."

A strange stab of betrayal welled in Georgiana as she quickly connected the dots. She felt angry that her information had been given away so easily and wondered at what else her servant had imparted.

Shakily, she demanded, "What else did you tell him? Should I be waiting for more lecherous men to hound my heels now that I'm... I'm damaged goods. Should I expect Lord Somerset to break off our engagement? Will my father be storming through that door to vent his humiliation and anger at me?"

Katerina's emerald eyes widen in surprise as she softly shook her head.

"No, no, milady. It wasn't like that at all..." She sighed and tried to find the right words, "I don't gossip, milady. It leads to too much trouble, especially around here. Mr. Brandon knows this about me... he knows me too well." She said a little bitterly, "The only information I conveyed, was your whereabouts. Anything else he would have to get elsewhere."

Georgiana studied her a moment in an almost surly manner. Katerina's frustrated anger hadn't escaped her notice. She knew resentment like that and it brought a thin strain of concern to the surface as tentatively she asked, "You're angry with him...did he force you, Katerina? Did he hurt you?"

A rueful chuckle left the servant as she shook her head, "I'm angry with me, milady. Mr. Brandon can be quite persuasive when he wants to be and almost single-handedly determined. It's why I warn you to beware of him, be on your guard. You have yet to be exposed to his particular set of charms, but that should only give you armor against him."

Georgia nearly choked on an incredulous laugh that bubbled in her throat. Oh, she knew Mr. Brandon's charms alright... And so too, it seemed did Katerina. A different feeling of betrayal wound tight around her heart, but she knew it was silly to even feel it. Brandon wasn't hers, after all.

Pouting vaguely, she sent an uncertain glance to the fearful maid, "Only my whereabouts?"

"Yes, milady." Katerina stated soundly a feeling of quiet relief settled in her stomach as it slowly became clear that Georgiana wouldn't have her dismissed.

To her credit, Georgiana managed to force out a grudgingly sympathetic smile and retort, "He is rather handsome, isn't he?"

Katerina giggled, "If only he didn't know it, milady."

Georgiana hummed in agreement before her smile turned sly and she teased, "Well, we should go get you some of your tea then."

Katerina blinked in shock at the lighthearted dig but found another chuckle escaping as she nodded in agreement. Suddenly, she was rather looking forward to Brandon's encounter with Georgiana. It would be a show, of that the servant was certain.

       ༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺   ༻✧༺　༻✦༺

Charles was beginning to hate the markets.

Admittedly, the last time he had spent any time here was when he had been a boy. It had been a treat then, now his business tended more towards the smiths and cobblers than any of the food stores. He was finding it all very tedious and boring. He had waved off more than one vendor seeking his coin and quickly learned to steer clear of the stalls selling fish and hens – the stench would wake a dead man. Though a particularly good noonday meal was had, when he had discovered where the baker resided. Since then, he had been content to linger near its walls as he carefully scanned the milling crowds.

A little over an hour had passed and he had yet to see either Katerina or the Lady Georgiana. He was beginning to think he had been misled. On the verge of giving up his hunt, Charles wandered from the food stalls toward the blacksmiths. This trip was not to be wasted; he had been meaning to order a new sword for the tournaments and this was as good a time as any.

Of course, it was when he set his sights on new endeavors that his original one came into view. He found Kitty amongst the stalls catering to spices and liniments. Her fiery red hair made her a beacon in the crowd. Quickly, he stepped back amongst the shadows of the booths as he observed her bartering with a merchant for some herbs. He did another scan of the area but saw no courtly lady hovering nearby.

He frowned.

It was possible that Lady Georgiana had changed her mind and had simply sent Katerina in her stead. If that were the case then his time spent milling about had been wasted indeed.

Quietly, he sidled up to Kitty as a small jar of dried leaves was passed to her. She peered up at him in curiosity before a disgruntled frown befell her lips. He tried not to grin at her dour look. Kitty was always fun to tease – her unwillingly willing participation in his games never ceased to amuse him.

"Kitty."

"Mr. Brandon." His name sounded like an epithet from her lips.

He smiled beguilingly, "Where is your mistress?"

Katerina hummed dispassionately under her breath, though a subtle mocking gleam entered her gaze at his question, "She is here, sir."

Charles found himself narrowing his gaze at the servant, "Where, Kitty?"

"Use your eyes, sir." Katerina instructed almost loftily as she placed her jar into the basket she carried, "Surely, your sight is not so bad."

Charles felt his brow furrow as he continued to stare at her, but when she merely blinked at him, he knew he would gain no further help. Stifling an aggravated sigh, he once again looked over the crowds. The finery of court would have caught his attention, but he saw only fellow courtiers that fell into that role. Instead, he began to study every female with a predator-like intensity, all the while he could feel Kitty growing steadily more amused.

He was torn between storming off and demanding her assistance again when a voice chimed at Katerina's side, "Looking for your lost lamb still, Mr. Brandon?"

Katerina bit her lip as Charles's gaze swung around. Georgiana stood next to her with a perfectly innocent expression painting her mien, but that was momentarily lost to Charles as he took in her outfit. She was dressed not too dissimilarly from Katerina and bore no jewelry at all. Her skin was bare and her hair plaited neatly, her only accessory was a silk ribbon. Though a blossomed young woman, she looked every inch of her seventeen years at that moment.

Startled, he inclined his head as he barely remembered his manners, "Lady Georgiana... I almost didn't recognize you."

"I dare say you didn't." Georgiana replied lightly as she passed a parcel of fabric to Katerina, "Nor have you answered my question."

"No..., I supposed I haven't, milady." Charles agreed almost belatedly. He felt off-put and she... she was unsurprised by his presence, "I'm afraid that my lost lamb will remain lost."

Georgiana raised a brow, "How sad for you. Did you need Katerina for something Mr. Brandon? If not, we have more items to gather before the day grows too late."

Charles wasn't sure if Georgiana realized it, but a vague note of haughty disapproval tempered her tone. His lips twitched with a desire to smirk, but he held it at bay. It appeared that Kitty had divulged something of their tryst to the Lady – well that made things more difficult, "Actually, I was seeking your company, milady, but I'm sure you already knew that."

Georgiana tilted her head in acknowledgment, "Something may have been mentioned, though I fail to understand your interest."

Her sea-blue eyes glittered warily and a sense of familiarity washed over him as it had the previous two encounters that he had with the Lady. He swore he knew her and for a fleeting moment he wondered if she was his Charlotte, but her indifference to him had him reconsidering. His little virginal treat had been full of blushes and smothered giggles – he would be hard-pressed to pull those from the tauntingly affable woman before him. Still... it would be interesting to try.

"A beautiful young lady? New to court? I would be remiss not to take an interest." Charles answered genially and wasn't surprised when both women looked unimpressed. It brought a wicked smile to his lips.

"And that lady is engaged, as you well know, sir. Your interest is undue." Georgiana retorted primly and felt her mother beam with pride somewhere. She nearly gagged on her words, but she refused to let Brandon have anything that looked like the upper hand in this conversation. She wasn't sure if it was the fact that she knew he had already found others to warm his bed that pricked her nerve or the fact that the mischievous spark in his eye still sparked her interest. It now seemed intolerable that where he had once seemed dangerous and seductive, he now seemed cocksure and smarmy.

She was overcome with the desire to hit him.

Just once. If only to wipe the knowing smirk from his all too delectable lips.

"And where is your intended? Should he not be attending to you as a dutiful fiancé should?" Charles prodded lightly as he saw an opening in their little tête-à-tête. It was obvious to all that the engagement was arranged, this was no love match, and he sorely doubted that she wished to bed a man thrice her age.

A biting smirk answered him as Georgiana stepped away from Katerina's side and into his space, "As you know, Mr. Brandon, my fiancé holds an important station and has much to do. Though I'm sure his load would be lightened if his lessers performed their courtly duties with the same dedication that you seem to have in finding bedfellows."

A shocked bark of laughter tore from Charles's throat at her boldness, "Who said anything about bedfellows, Lady Georgiana? Surely, you don't think a man's - my interest is purely carnal? I wouldn't think a lady of your standing would have such indecent thoughts. I'm of a mind to demand an apology."

"An apology?" Georgiana proclaimed incredulously.

"For your indecorous assumptions to my character." Charles stated evenly as he turned a pointed stare to her companion, "No doubt influenced by other sources."

"Hardly, and do leave other sources out of this, sir." Georgiana retorted without missing a beat, "But please do tell, what were your saintly intentions?"

Despite her annoyed inflection, Charles could see that she was enjoying this strange battle of wills, and even more strange he was too. She was quick with her sharp words, but she hadn't strayed yet into recklessness. He wanted to push her there.

He allowed a patronizing smile as he answered, "Merely to offer my friendship and guidance, milady. Court can be quite daunting to those who have no experience."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously at him and Charles wondered how much further he could provoke her before she gave in to her irritation.

Yet, she showed a measure of control that he hadn't expected.

"How kind of you." Georgiana drawled before gesturing to Katerina to continue to the other stalls and stepping back herself. He frowned as she began to make her parting courtesies, "If you'll excuse me, Mr. Brandon. The day grows long and I still have shopping to complete before supper."

"Truly? It looks more like you're running away, milady." Charles taunted and hid a pleased smirk when her back stiffened and she turned to him again.

Her eyes blazed at him as she imitated his mock politeness, "Running away? Oh no, sir, I'm merely letting a little lamb that I unwittingly snared free."

Amusement warred with outrage at her words. He had wanted her reckless, but now he was suddenly so very tempted to throw her over his knee or at the very least teach her to curb her tongue.

His smile turned sharp as he leered over her, "I am no lamb, lady."

"No." She agreed quietly as she registered how close they now stood to each other, "More a wolf in sheep's wool."

As if in agreement with her assessment, a low rumbling growl answered her words as he leant closer still, "I wouldn't bite...much."

His predatory gaze noted that she had begun to faintly tremble as he reached a gentle finger to brush along her cheek. Goosebumps painted her arms at his touch and the shuddering breath she took lighted a fire that traveled straight to his cock. But it was her greenish-blue eyes – eyes that shone with wariness and curiosity, also shone with heady desire. She wanted this. Good...the little minx wasn't nearly as unaffected as she would like to seem.

"I think." Georgiana started somewhat shakily as her soft hand wrapped over his, "I think you would devour me if given half the chance."

He let her pull his hand down from her face and studied her intently. He could see that she was on the edge, but if he pushed too hard then she would fall away from him rather than into him.

Quietly, he asked, "Would that be so bad, milady?"

Georgiana stared at him wide-eyed, "Maybe... it would be trouble. You certainly seem like trouble, Mr. Brandon."

"Careful, Lady, I may extract an apology from you yet."

"I-"

"Lady Georgiana!" Katerina called in the distance like a burst cork from a champagne bottle.

It yanked the couple back to the present and Charles could only watch as she slipped from his grasp.

She pulled her hand from his and he found that he missed its warmth, but he didn't follow after her as she slid back into the crowds like a lovely wraith. His dark blue eyes followed her as she scurried to Katerina's side and dared a timid glance over her shoulder to find him. Her curiosity, wariness, and desire still there, but now muted. His lust burrowed into his veins under that look and was not to be moved.

Yes... yes, he would devour her. The Lady really should know better than to run from a wolf.

       ༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺   ༻✧༺　༻✦༺

"Lord Somerset."

Charles looked up from his paperwork and abruptly moved to stand for a bow at the sight of the Queen. He hadn't heard her approach and was mildly surprised to see none of her ladies attending her, "Your Majesty."

She smiled politely and gestured for him to stand properly, "I did not mean to intrude, my Lord."

Somerset frowned with a passing glance at the plans for a tournament that the King wanted to hold. Another costly waste of frivolity in the Chamberlain's opinion, but he was not one to oppose the whims of his monarch. Especially not one as temperamental as Henry. He shook his head gently and offered the Queen a rueful grimace, "Your presence is never an intrusion. Is there something I can help you with, ma'am?"

"Yes, I am holding afternoon tea tomorrow with a few of the ladies of court. I would like it if Lady Georgiana were to attend." Katherine said simply with an expectant look, "It would benefit her to know her peers better, no?"

Somerset smiled at the Queen's graciousness. It would behoove Georgiana to become more familiar with the players at court. She would spend much of her time here in residence with him and having a few allies in place by the time of their wedding would allow for a smoother transition, "That sounds like a splendid idea, Your Majesty. I am to sup with the Stafford family this evening. I will pass along your invitation."

Katherine's smile turned a little more genuine, "I would be most grateful, Lord Somerset. I would have passed on the invitation myself, but it seems that Lady Georgiana is visiting the markets today. Preparing for the wedding, no doubt."

That surprised the Lord Chamberlain, Georgiana had shown only the minimal amount of interest on their impending marriage. Not that he blamed the poor girl, but he had been under the assumption that her mother would make the majority of the arrangements. His heart lightened slightly at the thought of her becoming more involved. It showed at least a cursory acceptance of her fate... He truly did need to spend more time with her.

Realizing that he hadn't answered the Queen, he smiled pleasantly, "I'm sure, ma'am. There is much to do before the month is out."

Katherine almost seemed to hesitate as she studied the Earl. She was not one to meddle in the affairs of court, unless those affairs somehow affected her and her family, but she would also be remiss not to speak plainly, "Yes, I can imagine. Lady Georgiana showed her grace and obedience well before my husband...but tell me, Lord Somerset, do you know if she is truly happy with this match?"

Charles was hardly surprised by her question, much like Henry he had seen her glimmer of disapproval at the marriage announcement, "In truth, your majesty, I do not know. I have only been presented with her grace and obedience, as well. She doesn't seem to have any objections."

"That is not the same as being content, my Lord." Katherine stated sagely, "She is young and still has much to learn of this world. I would like you to remember that."

A strange mix of chastened and vague amusement welled up in Somerset at the Queen's subtle lecture. A complacent expression crossed his features as he sought the words to placate her, "I shall, ma'am. My Elizabeth, God rest her, was a boon to me in many ways that I didn't expect of a wife. She was my friend. I hope for much the same from Georgiana."

Something softened in the Queen at his quiet confession. She nodded her head understanding, while she had barely known the late Lady Somerset, she had known of her integral role in her husband's work. Katherine could only hope that Henry would one day feel the same of her. Lately, the hopeful shine in the King's icy gaze had been replaced by resigned disappointment. She hated that look.

Drawing a breath, she decided her meddling in this particular affair was at an end, "I shall let you return to your work. Have a good night, my Lord."

"You as well, Your Majesty." Somerset intoned as he watched her sweep from the room.

He pondered for a brief moment over whether Georgiana could count the Queen as one of her courtly allies...

Previous Chapter         Next Chapter

[rosemary-morgan]

HCs about your pregnancy and how the boys would take care of you

Javier Escuella

Javier thinks that you are incredibly beautiful and desirable. He'll let you know.

He won't let you doubt your beauty

Your hormones sometimes go crazy during this special time. But Javier always has the right words to cheer you up.

Javier and you talk a lot about your feelings. He knows that there are days when you go through a difficult time.

When fears and worries rob you of your sleep, Javier sings something for you. His sensual voice always calms you down, and that helps you fall asleep.

On some nights, when you lie in the sheets together, he quietly sings to his unborn child. He gently lays his head on your lap and looks at your belly with love.These moments are very beautiful.

When the evenings become colder, Javier wraps a warm blanket around your shoulders, covering up your beautiful belly so that you and the baby stay warm. He wants to prevent you from catching a cold under all circumstances.

Javier will never allow you to go to any job. He doesn't want anything to happen to you or his baby.

You enjoy walking with Javier. You love the silence, and to talk about the new life that grows in your belly.

Josiah Trelawny 

After you told him about your pregnancy, he was overjoyed

He took you to his private place in Saint-Denis, so you weren't exposed to the stress of the camp.

Josiah cooks for you and doesn't allow you to work. He cleans the apartment, he does the laundry, everything.

In the morning, Josiah wakes you up with sensual kisses before surprising you with a tasty breakfast.

He will prepare baths for you, with fragrant oils, and rose petals.

While you´re enjoying your bath, he caresses your stomach, looking at you with love. He is so proud of you and the baby that grows in your belly.

If you have back pain, you don't need to ask him for a massage. He will do it on his own. 

He loves to spoil you. Josiah is very excited and looks forward to his child.

He buys as much as he can for you and the baby.

Josiah avoids long journeys so that he can be with you again as soon as possible. He wants to enjoy every moment of your pregnancy with you.

Together you take walks in the park. However, at a pleasant time of day, because the climate in Saint-Denis had a terrible effect on your well-being.

You spend romantic evenings with Josiah on his terrace to admire the stars, and to talk about the future.

Arthur Morgan

Arthur is overjoyed!

With your pregnancy you gave him one of the most beautiful gifts ever.

You are his princess, and as such, he also will treat you.

He won´t allow you to do hard work in the camp.

He is over-cautious and overprotective.

If anyone is rude to you - God have mercy on them! Arthur will make sure to teaches them manners!

Arthur will ride for you to every town to get you what you long for. No matter what it is and at any time.

Arthur enjoys caressing your belly, is very excited every time he feels his child's movement.

In the morning he wakes you with tender kisses on your belly, whispering words full of love, and adoration.

Arthur is looking for closeness to you. Even more than before.

You spend many nights lying in the sheets, and lovingly exchanging tenderness with each other.

Arthur watches you when you´re not arround. When he sees your happy face, his heart beats faster.

He loves to draw you. He often draws you as you sit in a meadow, surrounded by the most beautiful flowers - but you will always be the most beautiful among them.

Charles Smith

Charles is very excited because he is going to be a father for the first time!

He always wanted to start his own family. And that's why the young man is so happy.

Charles is very tender and careful with you. He has always been, but now he's overly cautious.

In the morning, Charles always brings you a bowl filled with fruit. Pears, apples, peaches, strawberries, grapes. Everything cut into small pieces and made with love.

You love his tender kisses on your stomach. You love it when he caresses you gently. He gives you a feeling of safety.

If you are not feeling well (nausea, headache), then Charles will take care of you.

Charles knows that on some days you have to deal with the negative aspects of pregnancy. But the young man is there for you. You´re not alone.

He'll gently stroke your hair while your head is resting on his lap, and you cry softly.

He will tell you in his gentle voice that everything will be fine. You will hear words full of love that will make your heart laugh again.

And Charles stays with you until you feel good again.

Against your nausea, Charles prepares you a tea. This consists of certain herbs.

You take long walks together in nature, and you enjoy the peace that surrounds you.

John Marston 

John is also over-protective.

He will never tolerate anyone bothering you or being rude to you. Then you can be sure that he will teach a lesson to that one.

Your pregnancy has brought you two even closer together.

John will probably ask you about thirty times during the day if you need anything.

Whatever it is, he'll get you everything.

He still can´t believe that he will become a father. It hadn't been planned, but he loves that thought with every new day.

John loves to draw pictures of you. His eyes look at you with so much affection. 

You are so special to him. He will protect you with his life.

He goes with you to every doctor's visit.

So that's what happiness feels like.

John now has something in life that is worth fighting for.

You and his baby are the top priority in his life. He will never risk your luck for something he isn´t convinced of.

You both often take a break from the gang by riding out. Mostly to the lake. It's so quiet there and you enjoy it.

[12timetraveler]

Family Matters (HC on their families)

Just a little random thing I came up with today. I also posted this on Campfire Stories though it’s not technically a one shot. 

Made this with the help of @sweet-hoe-vanellope while we were chatting about some of the Van der Linde gang as parents. 

Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charles’ Kids

Charles has a little boy and a little girl.

He makes sure they are well behaved and polite, and that they respect the world around them.

They are always the first to ask to help, and not just because their dad has told them to, they genuinely like to help.

They’re very curious children, always ready with questions.

They want to get to know the world around them.

Quiet and observant like their father

But they don’t require as much silence as Charles, because they didn’t grow up alone.

They’re good influences on the other kids, doing their best to keep them out of trouble (Not always succeeding.)

They’re always there to help when their friends do get in trouble.

They are very loyal and they always have their friends’ backs.

 Arthur’s kids

Arthur has five daughters.

Yes five.

Yes daughters.

And he is completely wrapped around their fingers.

He is fairly certain he is raising five little angels, come to earth in human bodies.

They all look so much like him. Sandy blonde hair, sturdy build.

But some of them have their mother’s eyes.

At first Arthur wants to coddle them, treat them like the princesses they are.

But he soon realizes that the best way to keep them safe is to teach them to protect themselves.

So as beautiful and sweet as the Morgan girls are, they also could slit your throat before you knew what was happening.

They’re not afraid to get their hands dirty, always ready to help dad skin a deer or tend to the horses.

You can tell they’re spoiled, not because they’re bratty, or demand everything go their way, but because they all know their worth, and wont let anyone bring them down.

Arthur made sure not to pass his self-deprecating attitude to them.

 Javier’s Kids

Javier has an older son, then twins, a boy and a girl.

He loves all his children but he has a soft spot for his little princess.

All are musical like their father and keep their appearance crisp and fashionable.

Wild. Children.

Javier is by no means an absent parent

But he’s not going to stifle his children just to make them fit into societies standards.

He lets them do their own thing, unless it’s something seriously bad.

They are opinionated as hell and not afraid to tell you off.

Much to their mother’s dismay, their vocabulary is filled with curses.

Javier swears he never taught those words to them, but we all know he did.

Despite being blunt and passionate, they aren’t rude.

Quite the contrary, they turn their passions on helping others, and are the first to defend their friends if someone is picking on them.

  The family lines merge

One day Javier's eldest son invites Arthur's eldest daughter to go dancing (remember this would be in the roaring 20s)

Arthur leaps into protective dad mode.

He remembers how suave and flirtatious Javier was back in the day.

He’s worried that the elder Escuella boy may just be playing with his daughters heart.

He forbids her from going out with him (vaguely suggests she may never go out with anyone.)

One day Javier shows up on his porch with a bottle of the good stuff.

“Let’s talk, amigo.”

Javier tells that story on their wedding day, when the eldest Morgan daughter became an Escuella.

 Charles tells himself he'll never be like that when his little girl starts dating.

He. Is. Wrong.

The moment the younger Escuella boy comes sniffing around, suddenly he's just as bad as Arthur was.

Maybe even worse.

His wife tries to calm him down and convince him to give the boy a chance to prove himself.

Charles is too stubborn to listen.

Eventually his daughter confronts him, arms folded.

She calmly asks him what he always taught her.

Trust your instincts, listen to your heart, and keep a knife on your person at all times.

Why did he bother teaching her to be independent if he wasn't going to let her use it.

Foiled by his own logic he has to let her go out with the younger Escuella boy.

He shows up at Charles’ dressed in his best suit, with a bouquet of flowers for her, and a bottle of whiskey for Charles.

Soon enough he accepts the that the Escuella boy won't hurt his daughter.

He eventually admits to his wife that there are worse men who could be courting his little girl.

The day they get married, his wife just has the biggest "told you so* smile on her face.

 Next the Morgan and Smith lines finally come together.

Charles’ son and the second eldest Morgan girl have been flirting their whole lives.

Only when he asks Arthur’s permission to take her on a date does it click for Arthur.

Arthur is a little calmer about it this time.

He trusts Charles' parenting more, and now he knows his girls can take care of themselves.

The day his daughter comes home crying is the day a rift nearly tears the Smith and Morgan families apart.

The two kids had a fight and had broken up.

The two dads are pissed at each other, blaming their poor parenting.

The moms try to work out what happened.

Eventually the kids work it out themselves

They're both human, they both have flaws.

Together they work through them and become the strongest couple anyone has ever seen.

Arthur is grumpy about it for the rest of his life.

He never letting the Smith boy forget the day he made her cry.

But he actually does forgive him, if only for his daughters sake.

He just feels the need to bring it up now and then.

Everyone is worried the damage is too much between Arthur and Charles.

Even after the kids are back together, the men don’t say a word to each other.

The day of the wedding, Arthur and Charles apologize to each other.

It's the best wedding present the kids could have asked for.

 Javier is more than shocked when his daughter admits that she is in love with the second youngest Morgan girl.

He's a good Catholic boy.

While he experimented in his youth, he had eventually settled with a woman.

He wasn’t sure about his daughter actually choosing that life

But more importantly, he worried for her safety.

People weren't kind to homosexuals.

What if someone hurt his little girl?

Arthur was a little shocked at first.

But having also been attracted to an Escuella at one point, the father Escuella, he couldn't necessarily blame her.

He too was worried about how others would treat them.

The first night the girls went out dancing, Javier and Arthur sat down with glasses of whiskey and discussed what they'd do.

The both agreed that anyone who tried to stand in their girls' way would meet with a strange accident.

Their wedding was smaller, just the family.

They couldn’t be married by a priest.

In fact the only people who knew about the wedding were the family.

The girls didn’t care.

This was about their love.

They vowed to always love each other, look out for each other.

Arthur swears their vows were more powerful than anything done by a priest.

Javier most certainly didn’t cry.

 Arthur was concerned when Marston's boy started showing interest in his middle child.

Jack was 10 years older than her and he found it inappropriate.

Also, as much as he loved Jack, he couldn't help but think of what a shitty husband and father John had been.

Would Jack be the same?

John, assuming the worst, stormed over to the Morgan ranch.

He was ready to talk, argue, even fight with Arthur I'd need be.

Arthur, having already gone through this a few times, was relatively calm when John arrived.

Arthur and Jack were sitting on the porch, discussing it like men.

Jack was amused (and touched) to see his father ready to throw hands for him.

Arthur just shook his head and said something about taking the man out of the wild and the wild out of the man.

Arthur agreed to let Jack date his daughter, on the condition.

If things went well, Jack would wait until she was 21 to propose.

(She is 18 at the time. Jack is 28)

Arthur wants her to be a grown woman first and make sure she knows what she wants.

Jack agrees to this, far less hot-headed than his father is.

On her Twenty first birthday, Jack proposes.

Arthur knew it was coming.

It had been clear for a while that the middle Morgan daughter would become a Marston.

On their wedding day, John and Arthur tease each other relentlessly.

It's their way of covering their emotions.

 The Youngest Morgan girl meets a handsome young man on a trip to Saint Denis.

The two of them correspond through letter for many months.

Arthur is rightly curious about the man.

And a little suspicious.

Old habits die hard.

One day the man sends a letter that he and his mother will be taking a trip out that way.

He wants to meet Arthur officially.

Arthur has never been more shocked than when Tilly Jackson stood behind her son on his doorstep.

Tilly's husband died recently and she decided to leave Saint Denis with her son.

They bought a little cottage nearby.

Within a few months, the youngest Morgan daughter was engaged to the son of Tilly Jackson.

Arthur doesn't worry about this one.

He knows any child of Tilly will be a good man.

The only concern he has is how people will treat the two of them, being a mixed race couple.

The first time they go into town together, Tilly's son let's go of the Morgan girls hand

Arthur grabbed their hands and pressed them back together.

He told them not to be afraid of what others thought.

The death glares people got from the intimidating old man have never been rivaled.

He'd gladly kill anyone who dares try to stop those kids, or any of his kids, from loving who they love.

This wedding has the town riled up.

While it's true that none of Arthur's children married white people, this wedding drew more attention for some reason.

The protesters didn't stay long

On the back row sat all the parents, guns casually draped over their laps

None of the families minded being outcast from the town.

Just so long as all their kids were happy.

 Grandparents

As the parents grow older, they all move into the Morgan Ranch and give their homes to their children.

It’s easier to have all the grandparents in one place.

And they can look out for each other, like old times.

The Marston’s stay at Beechers Hope

But that isn’t far from the Morgan Ranch anyway.

The grandchildren call all of them grandpa and grandma.

At this point the families are so intertwined its hard to figure out which child is actually who’s grandchild unless you sit down and write it out.

It’s just easier to let them all be your grandchildren.

They all fervently deny that they were ever gunslingers, but their grandkids are very suspicious about it.

 Arthur nearly lost count of all his blood grandbabies.

Ask him how many he has, he’ll shrug his shoulders.

But he can name them all without missing a beat.

And those that aren’t his to boot.

So if you really want the number, he’ll count it out for you.

At first he’s a little upset that there’s no one to carry on the last name “Morgan.”

But he shrugs it off and says that it weren’t that great a name anyway.

Then his daughter and the Escuella girl come to him with news.

They’re adopting a boy, or rather his daughter is.

The little boy will have the last name Morgan.

He didn’t realize how happy that would make him until they said it.

He loves the little adopted baby just as much as any of his other grandbabies.

 Charles is almost mystical to the grandchildren.

They always snap to attention when he speaks, entranced by his wisdom.

He teaches them all about nature and his heritage.

Even those who aren’t descended from him.

He’s the grandpa everyone comes to for advice.

He finds it amusing, but is happy to talk their problems out with them until they figure out a solution on their own.

He also makes sure each and every one of them can use a bow and arrow.

 Javier jokes that there are enough children to form a choir.

At least everyone thinks he’s joking.

Until one day he lines them all up and they sing Oh Shenandoah in perfect 4-part harmony.

He’d been teaching them on the side.

Javier is just as proud of his adopted grandson as Arthur is.

He makes sure the child learns Spanish and music.

The best dressed of the grandchildren, thanks to Javier.

Sometimes you forget the boy is adopted, he’s so much like his abuelito.

 John is terrible at keeping all the kids in order in his head.

He can remember the two that belong to Jack, but that’s it.

The other kids don’t mind.

Arthur told them that a wolf ate part of Grandpa John’s brain so he can’t remember things well.

They all take it easy on Grandpa John.

Abigail knows each and every one of them, and what they’re interests are.

“Why do we have a book on Frogs?” John asks

“Oh I bought that for ____________ ‘s birthday.”

“Who?”

“Oh you know. Javier and Charles’ granddaughter.”

“… she likes frogs?”

 One day Arthur sees a strange man watching the property.

He’s aged drastically since Arthur last saw him, but he knows immediately who it is.

He calls his children to herd the grandchildren inside.

Javier, John and Charles come out and stand by his side, hands casually resting on their guns.

They aren’t sure what he wants, but they aren’t taking any risks with their family.

The man just stares, gives them a nod, then turns and rides away.

It’s the last time anyone sees Dutch Van der Linde.

[mattynmarns]

no noo i am previous anon and i am BACK tell me everything about the royal family i wanna know

yesSS!!! I will tell you ahhhHH!!! 

ok so basically, the whole system is wack. The queen does nothing. absolutely nothing except sit there and look pretty and shake people’s hands. (which is soft power and is important but i’m not really going to get into that)

she used to do things like back in the 70s when Australia's pm was going to go into a government shutdown (except she didn’t actually do anything since it was actually someone acting on her behalf lol) and she basically fired him and said no. they had a reelection real fast and then everyone got on with their lives.

since that happened, everyone kinda looked at that and said “hmm maybe we don’t want that power unchecked” so parliament went and passed a law that said the queen still has that power.... except 2/3 of parliament has to agree. so she basically lost that power to parliament.

Another power she has is she has to approve every parliament bill. Except... she can’t refuse. no ruler has disapproved a parliament bill since.... a long time ago. like 100s of years. And when that happens, chaos breaks out. So she doesn’t do that.

Not a power, but the royal family is a lot more likely to get a blind eye from law enforcement. Like when Prince Philip (the queen’s husband) flipped his car in 2019, “ An example of this is when Prince Philip at age 97, flipped his Land Rover when he collided with a car with two women and a nine-month old baby in January of 2019 while not wearing a seatbelt. The driver and passenger in the other car were injured, but the baby was not. Prince Philip was not charged although he voluntarily gave up his driver’s license (Pérez-Peña). Most other citizens would have been charged £500 and up to three penalty points (twelve penalty points cause license expulsion).” (quote from my own research essay which I will not give proper attribution to uwu) There’s not really evidence on how far this goes, but it’s definitely a problem since some citizens gain more leinecy from law enforcement based directly upon their genetic identity (*COUGH COUGH*)

so we have: the queen does nothing, the queen gets special privileges and blind eyes, oh and did I mention the taxes on the British people?

When I was doing all of this research a few years ago I initially figured that the amount of tax money that goes to the royal family for everything (housing, food, events, security, fun things) would be relatively substantial. like, they’re literally royalty, right? but actually, the average tax payer only pays about 69 (nicee) pence a year to support them. “A main concern for keeping the royal family are the taxes that are put upon citizens to fund their costs of living, including weddings, parties, and unnecessary classes. Removing the royals would not make much of a difference to taxes, as they only cost the average citizen about 69 pence every year (Nicholl).” (no attribution to myself again) This actually is the recently raised tax as well, since a tax law was passed a few years ago to repair Buckingham palace so it wouldn’t literally fall apart. 

(Also important note: the queen doesn’t pay for everything out of tax money. She actually has finances that are family finances (not from royal lineage, she wasn’t supposed to be actually in line for the throne until she was like 12 or something when her uncle abdicated, putting her behind her dad who then turned into the king) and those finances are used for a lot of their personal stuff)

so the queen does nothing, but at least she’s cheap, so it’s not really useful to keep her around but it’s not really detrimental either, at least legally speaking.

If you look at it from a tourism perspective though, the queen is kinda helpful. So over here in America, we’re all about democracy and throwing tea into the harbor and all that good shit (in theory *cough cough*) so in American culture, queens and kings and princes and princesses are only in fairytales. This means that when we hear that there are Real Life Fairytales just across the pond, we want to investigate. So Americans pour a good amount of our lovely American dollars into Brit’s pockets just because “queen on coin ooohh gotta spend that coin ooohh gotta stay in a hotel and look at a real life palace ooohh so cool so different” and I am not joking. But they don’t pour enough money to really make it worth it. retired places such as the tower of London already make most of the tourism money and if the queen were to retire, Buckingham and kensington palace would continue to make a sufficient amount of money. this quote is also relevant, “A point is made by Mace-Archer-Mills who claims that the living history and the physical presence of the Royal Family are what draw people to the UK. However, Graham Smith dismisses this point by simply stating, “This is a debate about democracy and about politics and about power. We shouldn’t be basing our Constitution on what people find entertaining on their holiday.” (Smith).” (once again i’m not giving myself attribution uwu) 

***Important note: if any of you decide to research this, republican in this sense means anti-contsitutional monarchist, not an American republican

so the last big point that i’ll bring up is the very real fact that no one wants to rule

as we saw earlier this year when harry and meghan left the royal family, the pressures of being in the spotlight and having rules about what you can wear, what you can say (the royal family cannot express political opinions. they must be non partisan (in theory)), are very harsh. This becomes more so when you’re the head of the monarchy. Have you ever heard the queen say something controversial? even slightly controversial? probably not. (but then again i’m in the US so I don’t pay attention to what the queen says that much ngl lol) so the next person in line for the throne is Prince Charles. turns out no one like Prince Charles. no one. a lot of people think that’s the main reason why the queen is in her 90s and still on the throne, she dosen’t want Charles to rule. He’s too controversial for that kind of position. Like, every political party disagrees with him (kinda impressive ngl). people claim he’s basically a 60+ year old spoiled brat. It’s rumored that he got into the Uni of Cambridge because of his position, not his intellect (which Cambridge denyed but come on) He’s also a new grandparent and has said that he would like to spend time with his family and focus on being a grandparent. Prince William (the one Dan met) is also very focused on his family and charity work and wouldn’t want to rule either.

TL;DR, I think the monarchy should be continued up until the moment the current queen dies (which, sadly, will be soon). After that, the monarchy serves no purpose and should be eliminated due to it’s uselessness in a modern society. She should be replaced with an elected official who acts like a president and is a leader with soft power (handshakes and looking pretty), but also has the power to veto and actually approve bills.

Thanks for coming to my tedtalk!! lmk if you have any questions!! :D

[gstqaobc]

The Royal Fascinator Friday, May 01, 2020 Hello, royal watchers and all those intrigued by what’s going on inside the House of Windsor. This is your biweekly dose of royal news and analysis. Reading this online? Sign up here to get this delivered to your inbox. Janet Davison Janet Davison Royal Expert

Sophie: The royal who ‘just gets on with it

She has been packing groceries in recent days, volunteering at a kitchen and talking to paramedics. There hasn’t been much fanfare around her actions in support of those working in the battle against COVID-19 — but then again, when Sophie, Countess of Wessex, does her royal business, that’s the way it tends to be. “Sophie does everything very quietly, partly because the media don’t follow her obsessively as they do with William and Catherine and partly because the things she does aren’t necessarily very glamorous,” said Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, via email. That’s exactly what the Royal Family needs, Seward suggests: “someone who just gets on with things regardless of the attention they receive.” Seward likens Sophie, who joined the Royal Family when she married the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, in 1999, to her sister-in-law, Princess Anne. Seward said given that Anne is nearly 70, she thinks Sophie “will take over from her as being the hardest-working royal. [Sophie] approaches her role in an unfussy way and just gets on with it.” That low-key approach has not gone unnoticed by her mother-in-law. Sophie “goes about her duty diligently, quietly and without a great deal of fuss, and for that the Queen adores her,” said Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, Katie Nicholl, via email. “They are very close and spend a lot of time together when they are in Windsor, and the Queen loves riding with her grandchildren James and Louise.” It’s a closeness observers say goes back years. Sophie’s arrival in the family came in the wake — and in some ways the shadow — of Diana, wife of Edward’s older brother Prince Charles. Some saw Sophie as a new Diana, Seward said, “which of course she wasn’t.” “She hated the comparison as she knew she never would or should try to live up to it.” Louise's birth in November 2003 was difficult, as Sophie almost died as a result of blood loss. “People saw how much the Queen cared about her, visiting her in hospital, which is unheard of,” Seward said. “Gradually and without being pushy, she became the Queen’s closest companion — they share a love of military history and a wicked sense of humour.” That’s not to say it’s all been smooth sailing for Sophie. After her marriage, she continued in her career, but quit as head of a public relations company in 2001 after embarrassing comments she made were secretly recorded by a tabloid reporter posing as an Arab sheik and published in the News of the World. Seward suggests the Queen remained supportive of her daughter-in-law, and ultimately decided it would be better if Sophie and Edward worked as full-time royals. “Ever since then, Sophie has appeared looking glamorous when needed and workmanlike when needed.” She has visited Canada several times, sometimes with Prince Edward, sometimes on her own. The last visit came last fall, with two low-profile days in Toronto. Much of the time was spent at Toronto Western and Toronto General hospitals. She talked with critically ill patients and showed a "great warmth" and a "real, genuine skill in listening," Kevin Smith, president and chief executive officer of the University Health Network, said at the time. With turmoil and uncertainty in the upper echeolons of the Royal Family these days —  Prince Harry and Meghan stepping back to seek their independence, Prince Andrew stepping back amid controversy over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — questions have arisen over just how the House of Windsor will approach the future. Some suggest Sophie will find herself in a more prominent role. “We are already seeing Edward and Sophie doing more to support the royals and I think that’s going to be the case moving forward,” said Nicholl.

Royal birthdays — pandemic-style

T(The Duchess of Cambridge/Kensington Palace via AP)In any family, birthdays can come in bunches. For the Royal Family, there’s a real run of them in late April and early May. And this year, the pandemic has been reflected as some members of the family marked their annual milestones in recent days. Queen Elizabeth's 94th birthday was acknowledged more quietly than usual. The gun salutes that normally sound on April 21 were called off, with the Queen feeling they would not be appropriate at this time. Photos released to mark Prince Louis’s second birthday on April 23, taken by his mother, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, showed the happy, colourful and messy aftermath of fingerpainting rainbows in support of the National Health Service. Other birthdays right around now include Louis’s sister Charlotte, who turns five on May 2, and their cousin, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, who will be one on May 6.

Harry and Meghan and the media —  again

Prince Harry and Meghan may be looking for a new life in Los Angeles, but some old issues appear to remain top of mind for them.The couple, who stepped back from the upper echelons of the Royal Family a month ago, caught observers somewhat off-guard the other day when they sent out a message saying they would no longer be co-operating with four British tabloid newspapers.It prompted some to wonder about the timing of the announcement, coming as it did during the pandemic, when such an issue might take a back seat to concerns over how to battle the coronavirus.Harry in particular has had a raucous relationship with the media, and the couple has also taken their battle into the courts.A few days ago, the first court hearing in a privacy case brought by Meghan against a tabloid for printing part of a letter to her father began at the High Court in London.Papers submitted in court included details of text messages Harry sent to Meghan’s father.The whole media swirl prompted Jonny Dymond, the BBC’s royal correspondent, to ask, “So will the real Duke and Duchess of Sussex please stand up?“There is the couple who provoke such sympathy in the court papers published today,” Dymond wrote recently. “And there's the couple who think now is the right time to exercise their quarrels with the bestselling papers of the nation that they have departed from.”

“Royally quotable“

As we approach World Immunization Week, I wanted to recognize the vital and urgent work being done by so many to tackle the pandemic; by those in the medical and scientific professions, at universities and research institutions, all united in working to protect us from COVID-19.”— 

The pandemic prompted Prince Philip to make a rare public statement on April 20. The 98-year-old Duke of Edinburgh, who has had a keen interest in science, has rarely been seen in public since he retired from public duties in the summer of 2017.

Royals in Canada

(Bill Croke/The Canadian Press)Princess Anne has been having something of a moment lately — or maybe several moments. One came late last fall, prompted by the feisty portrayal of her in Season 3 of the Netflix drama The Crown. And right now, the all-business, no-nonsense only daughter of the Queen and Prince Philip is the cover story for Vanity Fair.

But rewind 49 years, and Anne had her share of moments, too, some of them coming in Canada.

Much media attention was focused on the 20-year-old when she arrived with her parents to mark the 100th anniversary of British Columbia’s entry into Confederation.

As much as Anne was the focus of anticipation and attention during that trip in early May 1971, her royal duties were rather routine, even a bit mundane.

“Princess Anne made no official statement at the unveiling,” the Globe and Mail reported on May 5, after she officially opened Canada’s newest national park, Pacific Rim on Vancouver Island. “Her only function was to pull the cord that removed the flag from the rock face to unveil the plaque.”

Later, the Globe reported, Anne told the park superintendent “she was much impressed by the beauty and the picturesqueness of the park region.”

Our friends at CBC Archives have taken an in-depth look at the tour that took the royal visitors to Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Williams Lake and Comox.

Royal reads 1.Prince Harry has told friends he misses his life in the Armed Forces. [Daily Telegraph]

2. Harry has also looked back on his time as a child, recording a special messageto celebrate the 75th anniversary of a book he and others loved in their younger years: Thomas the Tank Engine. [CBC

]3. King Henry VIII might not be the first person you think of as inspiration for how to live in self-isolation, but maybe he could offer some lessons on how to find comfort in quarantine. [The Guardian]Cheers!I’m always happy to hear from you. Send your ideas, comments, feedback and notes to royalfascinator@cbc.ca. Problems with the newsletter? Please let me know about any typos, errors or glitches.

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Hollywood Biggest Celebrity Scandal

Tim Allen arrested for dealing cocaine, 1978 Before he became everyone’s favorite Santa Clause (or the handy tool man, or Buzz Lightyear), Tim Allen was caught dealing drugs—specifically cocaine. He was arrested for possession of nearly a pound-and-a-half of cocaine at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International airport in Michigan in 1978. He spent 28 months in a federal prison, as opposed to a life sentence, for giving up the names of other drug offenders.

Marvin Gaye murdered by his father, 1984 The soul singer of the 80s, known as the Prince of Motown, was shot and killed by his father, Rev. Marvin Gay Sr. after an altercation. (Note: The "e" was added to the singer's stage name.) Gaye's brother Frankie, reportedly held him in his final moments. In his memoir, Frankie wrote that his brother's last words were, "I got what I wanted…I couldn’t do it myself, so I made him do it."

Rob Lowe made a sex tape with a 16-year-old, 1988 A video of the then-24-year-old Parks and Rec star having sex with two women was reportedly recorded the night before the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. (Side note: Lowe was largely into politics before his acting career took off.) When it surfaced, it was discovered that one of the girls was only 16 years old. Her mother slapped him with a civil lawsuit, and he ended up settling, paying her a large sum of money and doing 20 hours of community service.

Michael Jackson accused of sexual assault, 1993 In 1993, Michael Jackson was accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy named Jordan Chandler. After the accusations went public, Jackson cancelled his tour due to health issues from the scandal. He later settled the case, paying the Chandlers $23,000.

O.J. Simpson arrested for the murder of his wife, 1994 Football star O.J. Simpson was arrested for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman, following a now-iconic car chase through Los Angeles. After 15 months in jail, Simpson was famously acquitted of both counts, thanks in part to his lawyer's "if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit" line. In 2008, 13 years later, Simpson was convicted of robbery and kidnapping for a separate incident.

Hugh Grant caught with a prostitute, 1995 In 1995, Hugh Grant paid a sex worker to give him a blow job on the Sunset Strip but the two were found by police and the Four Weddings and a Funeral actor was arrested for "lewd conduct" in a public place. At the time of his arrest, he was with his longtime girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley, who tried to work through the incident. She ended up leaving Grant five years later.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana divorce, 1996 After years of marital strain and four years of separation, Prince Charles and Princess Diana formally divorced in August of 1996. Their marriage was tainted by controversy, especially at the end, with both sides cheating—Charles most famously with long-time love and now-wife, Camilla Parker Bowels. As the future King of England, Charles' status as a divorcee is particularly scandalous.

Princess Diana killed in a car accident, 1997 Less than a year after she and Prince Charles got divorced, Princess Diana was killed in a car accident in Paris after being chased by paparazzi—and it was rumored that the future king planned her death. Later a letter from the princess to her former butler was discovered. In it she wrote that she felt Charles was setting up an incident so he could marry Tiggy, the former nanny of Princes William and Harry, but many believe the note was forged and an inquest concluded in 2008 found no wrongdoing on the part of the royal family.

Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky made public, 1998 In 1995, former President Bill Clinton began having an affair with a then-21-year-old Monica Lewinsky, who was an unpaid White House intern. The huge scandal was made public in 1998, and Clinton denied that he had "sexual relations" with Lewinsky. He later admitted that he did have an affair with her, which contributed to his impeachment in 1999.

Marilyn Manson's music blamed for the Columbine shooting, 1999 After one of the deadliest schools shootings—in which two seniors murdered 12 students and one teacher at Columbine High School—people pointed the finger at musician Marilyn Manson. It was thought that the two students loved Manson and his music, and it was said that the singer's songs inspired them to carry out the tragic act. The rumor was proven false, but Manson's reputation was hurt badly from the reports.

Winona Ryder arrested for shoplifting, 2001 In 2001, the Stranger Things actress was caught stealing over $5,560 worth of merchandise from a Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, California. She reportedly ripped tags off of clothing items and stashed them in her bag. Ryder later spun the incident positively, telling Daily Mail, "In a weird way, it was almost like the best thing that could have happened, because I’d never asked myself the question before of, Is it okay if I’m not going to act? Is there anything else? because that was all that I really knew."

R. Kelly arrested for child pornography, 2002 R. Kelly was indicted on 21 counts of child pornography after a tape showing him having sex with and urinating on an underage woman was sent to the Chicago Sun Times. He plead not guilty to all charges. Since, dozens of women have claimed to have been held in a sex cult by the singer. The hashtag #MuteRKelly started spreading recently, and Spotify was the first company to actually take action.

Madonna and Britney Spears kissed on stage, 2003 During a 2003 MTV Video Music Award performance, Britney Spears and Madonna shocked everyone when they kissed on stage. Christina Aguilera was performing with them, too, and got a smooch from Madonna, but the cameras switched shots and their kiss wasn't televised. Videographers instead cut to a shot of Justin Timberlake's shocked face.

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston announced their divorce, 2005 In January 2005, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston made a shocking joint statement that revealed they were breaking up. "We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate. For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media," they said in the statement. "This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration," the statement continued. "We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another. We ask in advance for your kindness and sensitivity in the coming months." It was thought that their divorce was the result of the scandalous affair Pitt had with Angelina Jolie while filming the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Britney Spears shaved her head, 2007 Also in 2007: Britney Spears shaved off all her hair. The "Oops I Did It Again" singer hit rock bottom, beating up a photographer's car with an umbrella just days after going at her head with a buzz cutter. That year was a rough year for Spears, and it started the famous meme: "If Britney Spears can make it through 2007, then I can make it through today."

Kim Kardashian's sex tape made public, 2007 Before she was married to Kanye West, Kim Kardashian was in a serious relationship with another singer: Willie "Ray J" Norwood. The couple reportedly filmed a sex tape back in 2002 during a trip to Cabo, Mexico, and it was released to the public five years later when Kim began getting more media attention for being friends with Paris Hilton (who also has a sex tape). Kim sued in an attempt to prevent the 41-minute film from being accessible, but it still found its way to the internet.

Heath Ledger found dead, 2008 In 2008, the 10 Things I Hate About You actor was found dead in his bed in New York city. The NYC Medical Examiner's Office later determined that the cause of death was an accidental overdose of prescription painkillers, including anti-anxiety meds and sleeping pills. The Dark Knight, starring Ledger as the Joker, was released that summer in theaters, and his performance won him a posthumous Oscar.

Chris Brown assaulted Rihanna, 2009 Back in 2009, Chris Brown beat up then-girlfriend Rihanna after she discovered a text message from one of Brown's former flames. The "Forever" singer reportedly punched her in the face, repeatedly bit her, and choked her, but not to the point of unconsciousness. In a 20/20 interview, Rihanna opened up about the incident. "It was ugly," she said. "I fended him off with my feet…but it was not like, it was not like a fight with each other. I just…I really just wanted it to stop."

Michael Jackson killed, 2009 Michael Jackson was found dead on June 25, 2009. The cause? Surgical anesthetic Propofol, which was given to him by his personal doctor, Conrad Murray. Murray claimed to be injecting the King of Pop with the drug as a treatment for his insomnia. Jackson's death was ruled a homicide, and Murray blamed for negligent monitoring. He spent two years in jail for involuntary manslaughter.

Whitney Houston found dead in a bathtub, 2012 The world was shocked when Whitney Houston was found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2012. An autopsy revealed that the singer died from accidental drowning. Her body was found with numerous drugs in it, including cocaine, marijuana, Xanax, and Benadryl. Houston had heart disease, so it is thought that the disease mixed with cocaine contributed to her death.

Solange Knowles gets into elevator fight with Jay Z, 2014 Following the 2014 Met Gala, leaked surveillance video captured Solange Knowles physically fighting her brother-in-law Jay Z in an elevator at the Standard Hotel in New York City. Although there was no shortage of speculation on the internet, the Carter-Knowles family gave little information as to what actually went down. “They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologized to each other and we have moved forward as a united family,” they said in a statement given to the Associated Press. Although the family has remained incredibly mum’s the word on the situation, Jay Z broke his silence in 2017 to share that he and Solange truly have moved on. "We had one disagreement ever. Before and after, we've been cool. She's like my sister. I will protect her. That's my sister, not my sister-in-law. My sister. Period,” he said during an appearance on Rap Radar.

30 Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Taylor Swift feud over "Famous" lyrics, 2016 Kanye’s infamous “I’mma let you finish” at the 2008 Video Music Awards turned out to only be the beginning of his beef with Taylor Swift. In 2016, Kanye released the song “Famous” on his The Life of Pablo album, which explicitly mentions Swift in the opening: “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex/Why? I made that bitch famous/Goddamn, I made that bitch famous.” Although Swift claimed she didn’t know about the song, Kim Kardashian decided to interject on her husband’s behalf. In a series of Snapchats, Kardashian leaked a recorded phone call between Kanye and Swift—Kanye shares a clip of the song for Swift’s approval, and the singer is heard saying, “Yeah, I mean, what's dope about the line is it's very tongue in cheek either way. And I really appreciate you telling me about it, that's really nice.” Swift’s response to the Snapchats? The singer claimed Kanye never shared the most offensive part of the lyrics with her. “Where is the video of Kanye telling me he was going to call me ‘that bitch’ in his song? It doesn’t exist because it never happened. You don’t get to control someone’s emotional response to being called ‘that bitch’ in front of the entire world,” she wrote on Instagram. To this day, the feud still remains a case of he-said-she-said.

Harvey Weinstein accused of sexual assault, 2017 On October 5, 2017, Ashley Judd accused longtime movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment—a bombshell accusation that led to the historical Time's Up and #MeToo movements. Since the first allegations, a number of other actresses have come forward with their stories of being sexually harassed or assaulted by Weinstein. After eight months, he finally turned himself in to police in New York City.

20-year-old Kylie Jenner quietly gives birth to first child, 2018 After months of speculation, an uncharacteristically quiet Kylie Jenner took to Instagram to share that she had given birth to a baby girl on February 1. Although news of her reported pregnancy with boyfriend Travis Scott leaked in September 2017, the reality star chose to stay quiet through all nine months, never confirming the news. “I’m sorry for keeping you in the dark through all the assumptions. I understand you’re used to me bringing you along on all my journeys. My pregnancy was one I chose not to do in front of the world,” she wrote in an Instagram post announcing the news. The 20-year-old also released a home video, “To Our Daughter,” that gave fans a peek at her hidden pregnancy.

Princess Diana's phone calls with her lover, James Gilbey, released, 1992 In 1992 The Sun leaked a transcript of Princess Diana's secret phone calls with her lover, James Gilbey. Diana was still married to Prince Charles at the time, who was also reportedly having an affair of his own with now-wife Camila Parker-Bowles. Read the full article