Marianne Heron

As I See It

Marianne Heron When Harry met Meghan... the sequel

e rst three of the Harry and Meghan docuseries released on Net ix has been greeted with howls of derision and criticism. On the one hand, the pair are seen as over-privileged whingers and, on the other, as seeking unfortunatelytimed royal revenge. Is this fair though? e pair have been caught up in an unhappy repeating saga stretching back four generations, where outsiders, especially women who ‘marry in’ to the House of Windsor or fall for one of the family, frequently come to grief. As Harry says at the outset: “ is story is much bigger than either of us.” e saga started with Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, and includes Princess Margaret, Princess Diana, Fergie and now Meghan. e sinister side of the story is the voracious appetite of the media which devours the individuals involved and is often fed by insiders. As Harry puts it: “It’s our duty to uncover the exploitation and bribery.” Meantime they got paid a handsome $100 million for allowing “let people have a bit more of a glimpse of we are ,” as Meghan puts it. e Duke of Edinburgh had a neat idea when he christened the Royal family ‘ e Firm’. But unfortunately, the rm always comes rst and the team didn’t include an HR department so it was sink or swim for the newbies like Meghan.

“What people need to understand is that, as far as a lot of the family were concerned, everything she was being put through, they had been put through as well, so it was almost like a rite of passage,” says Harry. (Could this be a dig at William and Kate?) “Some of the members of the family were like, ‘my wife had to go through that, so why should your girlfriend be treated any di erently, why should you get special treatment, why should she be protected?’.” e rst episode in the six part series starts with the romantic back story of ‘When Harry met Meghan’,(not through the old style aristocratic circles but via Instagram) and continues with footage shot with clever foresight by the couple following their Megxit to California in 2020. All a bit saccharine but very watchable. Part two deals with Harry’s background, his realisation that his family weren’t like other families, his memories of his mother and her tragic end, hounded to death by the paparazzi in 1997.

Harry was just 12 years old and heart-wrenching footage shows him walking behind her co n and having to shake hands with crowds. His desire to protect his wife and family given what happened to his mother is understandable. ”My job is to keep my family safe,” says Harry. (Too bad about the e ect of the couple’s defection and disclosures on the other part of his family).

One of Harry and Meghan’s complaints is about racism and part three takes a look at the in uence of British colonial history on racist attitudes across the water. ey are hardly much better in Meghan’s native America though — just look at the Black lives Matter campaign. e Sussexes departure is hardly surprising. It’s an everyday occurrence in many families where younger generations nd parental values stu y and old- fashioned and quit for greener pastures. In many ways you could hardly nd a family more hide-bound by tradition and in need of a shake-up than the Royals.

Harry has been a sitting duck for the paparazzi for his whole life. Now, with Meghan, he has turned the tables on the exploitive publicity machine, using it to tell their story in their own terms and for their own pro t. Harry’s book ‘Spare’ is due for publication next month for which the Duke of Sussex (shouldn’t he drop the title now?) was reported to have been paid $36m. as part of a three book deal worth $62m.. e couple can’t expect to get much more mileage out of telling the same story and it’s a handy nest egg to have while they nd other ways to earn.

Will their disclosures damage the monarchy? Certainly they may dent perceptions and tarnish the image established by Queen Elizabeth who kept calm , carried on and stayed silent. But the future of the thousand year’s old monarchy will depend far more on how Harry’s Dad, and later his brother Prince William rise to the challenge of ruling their subjects and modernising the Royal family.

Looking after your hands this winter

CLAIR WHITTY

is time of the year your hands can need a bit of attention. ey can become dry with the colder weather whether you leave the house or not. Household chores can leave your hands dry and rough. Or if you are using hand sanitiser regularly your hands are probably su ering and in need of extra care. ere is nothing like a good hand cream. I don’t like heavily scented hand creams, or ones that are too greasy. My favourite one is Lavera Basis Sensitive. Which has a light fragrance and texture that works for me. It contains organic aloe vera and organic shea butter that can intensively care for the hands. I like that it absorbs quickly and nourishes the hands, nails, and cuticles. It’s recommended for normal to dry skin, is vegan, and 100% certi ed natural. It’s environmentally friendly with both the tube and cap made from 95% recycled material.

Wendy, in our Wexford store, admits that she has extremely dry hands, especially at this time of year. She likes Kinvara’s Zesty Omega Rich Hand & Nail Cream. is is an ultra-moisturising hand and nail cream. She likes the smell of it, and nds that it’s a nice rich cream that hydrates immediately and doesn’t take ages to dry in. It’s made from a blend of 6 plant oils that work hard to moisturise, nourish, and protect. It contains Jojoba oil which provides a natural waxy barrier that delivers long lasting hydration, as well as cocoa butter that melts on contact with the skin. You can use it several times a day. It’s also 100% natural and vegan.

Dr Hauschka’s Hydrating Hand Cream is a customer favourite in our Kilkenny Store. It has a mild and fresh scent. It is a great one to consider if the skin on your hands is damaged or prone to eczema. It can be used on rough elbows too. It’s fast absorbing and helps the process of skin renewal without leaving a greasy residue.

All three creams are suitable for men and women.

For an intensive treatment of your hands, you can apply any of the creams in the evening time and pop on a pair of cotton gloves to allow deeper penetration of the cream.

As many shoppers scramble for stocking llers, Irish pet specialist and retailer, Petmania, are o ering guidance on how to buy the pawfect Christmas present for your four-legged friends this festive season, by giving advice on how to go about choosing the correct gift for your pet. For many, getting together with family is the reason for the season, and Petmania include our furry friends as valued members of the clan too. So, it’s only right that they’re spoiled with gifts under the tree this Christmas.

With research showing that one fth of Irish shoppers leave their Christmas shopping until the last minute, and pet-ownership incredibly high in Ireland – with more than half of households owning a pet – these tips will undoubtedly prove incredibly useful to many pet-parents up and down the country.

What’s more, just like us humans, pets can be tricky to buy for, and ensuring you’re buying the right gift for your fuzzy friend is very important.

Emily Miller of Petmania says: “Our pets bring us so much joy each and every day, and Christmastime is the perfect opportunity to include them in the celebrations and show them a little extra love. At Petmania, we’re delighted to be able to o er expert advice on which gift will work for each and every pet, to ensure that all of our furry friends have something special waiting for them under the tree this year.”

Know your pet: choose a gift they’ll love

e pet specialist recommends taking stock of your pet’s preferences – do they prefer chew toys, puzzles to sni out treats from, or are they a cool cat that likes to keep an eye on things from the comfort of their cat tree. Choose a personal gift that suit your pet and their tastes perfectly, instead of being distracted by the latest, ashiest gadget that catches your eye.

Consider your pet’s habits

For those still unsure what type of toy may suit their pet, pet-parents tshould consider their animal’s habits and behaviours.

Lively puppies who get their kicks from chewing through chair legs, slippers, or anything else they can get their paws on may suit a sturdy chew toy best. A cosy cat cave is purrrrfect for kittens who love to curl up in your home’s nooks and crannies, while senior dogs might prefer a special orthopaedic bed that maximises their comfort and provides an ideal spot for a snooze.

One for you, one for me

It’s time to get a little sel sh! It is recommended buying one toy for your pet and their desires speci cally, and one for both of you.

Developing and maintaining your relationship with your pet is important for both parties, and play time is a great way to facilitate this bonding. Ropes and teaser toys work well for this special quality time with your pet.

SPECIAL REPORT Your last-minute gift guide for pet-owners

Invest in some pampering

Maybe your pet is lucky enough to live in a home overrun with toys, or maybe they simply love being spoiled. Toys are fun to play with, but some pets equally enjoy a plush toy to cuddle up to, or a comfy new bed! e expert sta at your local Petmania store can speak to you about your pet’s speci c needs, and help you choose a gift specially tailored to your furry friend.

What’s more, the stores o er a range of Care Plans to suit every dog – why not choose the gift of a care plan, or a dog grooming voucher?

e practical option

Give your pet a constant reminder of how important they are to you by gifting them something they will use every day. Whether it’s a mud suit for walks in the rainy, wintry weather, or a new litter box to keep your cat clean and fresh, Petmania carries an extensive variety of everyday essentials.

All red up for Young Scientists show

e halls of the RDS, Dublin, will be alive with the incomparable buzz of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, with the awardwinning event set to return to the venue from January 11 to 14. Organiser BT Ireland has announced a brilliant line-up of science and technology acts who will perform in the venue, alongside the amazing showcase of projects by school students from across Ireland. e special guests that are sure to inspire all in attendance include: • Secrets of Superhero Science: Dr Barry Fitzgerald ( e Superhero Scientist) shows the science behind the superpowers of some of the most iconic superheroes ever. Most importantly, you’ll discover how these technologies could be used to ght diseases, to combat climate change, and to create new and more sustainable sources of energy. • Strong Women of Science: Join Aoife Raleigh and Maria Corcoran [pictured] in their acclaimed show where you can learn the science behind some of the most astounding circus tricks. In a fun, fast-paced performance, nd out how acrobats, jugglers and hula hoop artists perform their awe-inspiring acts. • Freestyle Physics: Headspins, Back ips, Dance-o s; e laws of Physics like you’ve never seen them before! Join physicist and TV presenter Mark Langtry, aka ‘ e Science Guy’, and his hip hop crew as they fuse science and dance together in this jawdropping display of physics in action, all to the funky tunes from DJ Emc2. • Sustainable Outer Space 3D: In an immersive experience, nd out how we can continue to explore the nal frontier in a sustainable way. e satellites that orbit Earth play a huge role in banking, GPS and data collection which allow us to live in the modern world, but it’s essential that we keep debris and rubbish out of our skies so that we can continue discovering. • Smash your Goals - secrets to success: Discover how science can improve your performance on and o the pitch, with physicist, professional footballer and TV presenter, Mark Langtry, aka e Science Guy. Uncover the secret science to your success, hearing from Ireland’s top athletes and performance psychologists, to help you ful l your potential, achieve your dreams and smash your goals! Announcing the special acts, Mari Cahalane, Head of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, said: “Discovery and learning in a way that is fun, interesting and inspiring is at the core of BTYSTE and the guests and special acts for this year’s exhibition capture that perfectly. Attendees can expect to be blown away.” is year, 550 projects from 212 schools from across the island of Ireland will represent their schools in the BTYSTE. In the Exhibition Hall at the RDS there will also be 50 amazing stands.

Tickets cost €10 for children, €15 for adults, and €35 for a family ticket. ere are also concession for seniors.