BtmBearDad

GVI was always a smoker, but every account details how once the whole abdication crisis began, he wasn’t just a heavy smoker, he chewed them up for the rest of his life. Both his mother, and EVIII were heavy smokers who died from lung cancer, yet at far more advanced ages. So, if the stressors of the abdication, succeeding to the throne, stabilizing the monarchy, fighting the war, dealing with his exiled brother’s questionable dealings were all not on his shoulders, could he have remained a smoker/heavy smoker, and had a lifespan more in line with his mother and brother? Who knows! But one of those fun “what if’s” to game out. In terms of dashing good looks, the Duke definitely couldn’t have held a candle to Capt. Townsend. But, the “what if” that comes into play is that Margaret only met him as he was equerry to the king. So no GVI would mean no equerry role for Capt Townsend. Without that role, it’s doubtful they would have ever met. The Duke on the other hand was someone she knew all her life, and was part of the circle of aristos she maintained friendships with her whole life. Oh, and the Duke was one of the wealthiest peers in the country - which would have been a consideration for a daughter of a royal Duke vs the daughter of a king. Without the whole Townsend romance, would Margaret still have become the “poor Margaret” of the tabloids, or would such a marriage, and children resulted in a happier life? Again, who knows ??‍♂️ But another fun “what if” to game out!

Thank you for the info! Supplying a face pic prior to meeting is something I really don’t mind - better than saying “I’ll be in the hotel bar with a red carnation in my lapel”. Having said that, when it’s the first thing asked for in reply to an initial inquiry, it is suspect, and normally a pass. Makes me think the gent is deciding what they’d do, how much they’ll charge based on pic.

Yes, the line of succession would have been -> EVIII -> Duke of York (GVI) -> Princess Elizabeth of York (EII). But, there would have been all sorts of variables, historical “what if’s?” to consider. Some fun ones to consider: • would the stress of the war had the same effect on EVIII’s health as it did on GVI’s? • without the stress of being king, would GVI have survived EVIII? • not becoming king, would have meant no Capt. Townsend as equerry - would Margaret have ever met him otherwise? If no, would she have wound up with her first suitor, the Duke of Buccluech? If she did meet Townsend would sparks still fly, would marriage be allowed? • as EII was not the direct heiress to the throne, would Mountbatten have pushed Philip to meet her in 1939? Would EII still have married Philip, or a country aristocrat as she wanted as a child, or a foreign prince like Charles of Luxembourg as her grandmother wanted? Would no marriage to Philip have a negative impact on Mountbatten’s career? • who would be EII’s heir? Her children? With no Charles, there would be no Diana, or William, or Harry, or Camilla, etc.. Some fun historical what if’s to consider. Personally, I enjoy these what if’s, and historical counter-factual fiction. I have a friend who is an author of historical fiction, and I’ve encouraged her to pen one based on the premise Charles did die in the 1988 avalanche at Klosters - perhaps I should put a word in her ear about EVIII not abdicating.

Thanks for replying. Hopefully someone will post about any experience or interaction with him ??

Do you happen recall any previous names or if there was any chatter about him in here? Thanks!

Philip, like most royals, didn’t have a last name as such - they’re members of “a House” but go by their title. Philip was born into the House of Glucksburg, and until he renounced his titles, was known as “Philip of Greece”. Technically, his mother was never a “Mountbatten” since she married as a Princess of Battenburg over a decade before GV renounced all the German titles for himself, and his family. Whether Philip was pressured by his uncle Lord Louis to take the name Mountbatten is up for debate, but it was probably the case. Lord Louis was known to have held a grudge over his family’s loss of princely rank and royal status, and took the opportunity to attach his family name to the royal family - tho that didn’t work out quite as he planned.

I had the same thought when I checked https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/ and it said server was not responding. I was relieved when things were back up, and seemingly sorted later on. Keeping fingers crossed this place continues ??

Breadcrumbs

I can’t take all the credit - that belongs to Brother Albertus, an Irish Cistercian who taught me in my teens, and who also, oddly for an Irishman, was an unapologetic royalist. I used to get great joy seeing his face redden when I would refer to EII as “Mrs. Mountbatten” ?

Setting aside whether or not forgiveness is a virtue, or how active, and what was the level of any animosity aimed at the couple, it is worth remembering the pair defrauded, and essentially blackmailed his family. All before their unrepentant embrace of fascism, which many would argue sailed on edge of, if not went over it into treason - when Diana Mosley calls you, with disdain, a “true believer” she’s not referring to your religious faith. I would argue any acrimony there may have been was justified. I do think both EII, and QM employed an “out of sight, out of mind” approach when it came to E&W - they didn’t waste their time or energy thinking of them. If you’re comparing the lifestyles of GVI and EII to E&W’s, you’re being ridiculous. First, the former two were heads of state, while the latter were private citizens. Much of the opulence you see associated with GVI and EII are trappings of state, not personal. When he abdicated, in order to get a better financial settlement, E claimed a total net worth of $5mil - when in fact he had close to $70mil. E also forced GVI to buy Balmoral and Sandringham from him to the tune of $1.2mil a year for life under threat of either setting up themselves there or selling them. This was in addition to an allowance of $1.5mil a year, which was meant to be for life, but ended at GVI’s death. None of these payments came from the Civil List - everything had to be paid from GVI’s personal wealth, which as second son of GV wasn’t substantial by any means. This was all cash too - it doesn’t include the art, jewels, antiques, etc. E had inherited and acquired prior to abdication. The pair were then given the home they lived in as a “grace and favour” type of deal by the city of Paris rent free for life. France also exempted them from both income and inheritance tax. In terms of lifestyle, the pair had a greater income than their family. So yes, the pair lived an opulent, albeit empty and essentially meaningless life when compared with their family.

The link works fine, but as Marylander noted, the text of the article is only available to be read by subscribers. So other than the headline, non-subscribers cannot access the article.

Hey gents - any intel on this fellow: https://rent.men/TopRicanArabStud I ran a search, no results. I’m intrigued so any info would be appreciated! Thanks! BBD

No, you’re not alone Unicorn. When I engage a gent, I always ask “what do you like to be called?” I like to think this heightens things for them too if they’re say “William” but prefer to be called “Billy”. Even having a moment on my own, I will say the name of the gent I’m remembering and/or viewing - this has been especially true during the long, lonely months of isolation due to rona.

As an aside, anyone know why some expired ads are still viewable years after, while others are gone in short order? Something I’ve always been curious about.

While I’ve never engaged his services, I knew of him prior to his placing an ad on RM. He had been offering his services selectively prior to RM. I had a word of mouth recommendation from one who had engaged him. He also had an ad, and messaged me on SA. If you view his IG, lots of pics from luxury vacation spots, like on mega yachts in the Med, St Barth’s, etc. gives you an idea of the types he was engaged by prior to RM. FWIW, I think he is stunning, he ticks nearly all of my boxes, and comes across as charming and genuine in conversation. I’m glad to read all the positive comments from those who have engaged. I’m looking forward to his return to NYC, and engaging him myself before someone snaps him up, and he hangs it up, which part of me thinks is his ultimate endgame/goal.

I would agree - however I have known two gents from Brazil who were cut, as their families were Jewish emigrants to Brazil in the 20’s or 30’s, (also know a Venezuelan who is cut as his family emigrated from Lebanon). So while I wouldn’t necessarily discount him over it on its own, it would be something to weigh in with other factors in determining whether to pull the trigger or not.

QEII did see her uncle at the funerals for her father and grandmother, as well as during his private visits to London after the war. For the Queen to make a visit to her uncle would have been regarded as too great an honour for someone who shirked his responsibilities, openly sympathised/supported fascists, and who lived an utterly frivolous, and opulent life. She only visited him in Paris because she was on a State Visit to France, and the duke was on death’s door. The QM did offer assistance/guidance to Wallis at the duke’s funeral as Wallis was already suffering from the early stages of dementia.

It was meant to convey Andrew strongly favours his mother’s vs his father’s family with those big eyes (like his daughter). Whether you call them the Windsor, or Hanover, or Saxe-Coburg genes, prior really to Charles, the men, and women in the BRF were considered good looking, handsome, beautiful even. There’s plenty of examples from Prince Albert Victor, to Prince William of Gloucester, to Princess Margaret. Now, how they age is a different matter. Not the case - current U.K. Covid legislation does not allow persons of different households to sit together at funerals. QEII and Philip were their own bubble, so without him, she is required to sit on her own. It wasn’t her choice, and it wasn’t due to any supposed antipathy towards Camilla. Prince George, Duke of Kent - KIA in WWII over Scotland. I agree - they definitely know how to pull off the pomp and ceremony bits. To be fair, QEII created him a prince of the U.K., but he was born a prince of Greece and Denmark. He only renounced his title, foreign citizenship, and assumed the “Mountbatten” name when he entered the Royal Navy. Otherwise, he would have been kept from combat, and promotion would have been problematic.

I’ve done this a few times some years ago. Not with a provider, but with a regular FB. He’s married (to a man) now, we’re still in touch, see each other, but no FB business anymore. We’d always act like we didn’t know each other, engage to a degree with some others while we watched each other, then wind up putting on a show so to speak for the others to watch us go at it. It was quite hot! Oh to be that young again! Lol

When I first started engaging in this hobby, it was word of mouth recommendations from other hobbyists, so the gents were known quantities. As such, I felt comfortable hosting or traveling. When I expanded this hobby to Rentboy at the time, I was less comfortable hosting at my home, so I would rent a hotel room. As the years have gone by, and after discovering this forum, I’m fairly comfortable hosting now, and honestly prefer it. Partly due to having established regular contact with some gents, and for new ones, because of the reviews given by trusted forum members. When I’m traveling for work, most of the time I host at my hotel. But again, when a degree of regularity has been established, I’ve no objections to traveling to theirs. In fact one regular in London was very house proud (he had just bought his flat) and was eager to host me in his new digs, so of course I couldn’t say no to his invite. My only negative about traveling, is when everything is done, and dusted the journey home whether on foot or taxi lol

I did wind up catching the funeral streamed on ITV. Even in its greatly reduced circumstances (Philip’s funeral plan originally had 800 at the service), it was well done, and rather poignant. Sadly, I’ve been to a number of funerals during the pandemic (none from Covid tho), and while there are rules/restrictions in place, they’re not as severe - or as severely enforced - as they appear to be in the UK. Then again, none of the funerals I attended were broadcast worldwide either. I honestly wonder if many would have really objected had say Charles sat with his mother. With many restrictions eased from last Monday, there was talk that funeral restrictions would also be updated to allow more to attend - especially in light of Philip’s death on the Friday. It wouldn’t surprise me if QEII was approached, and kiboshed the idea - I think she would have wanted to demonstrate that they are in the same boat as the rest of the UK, especially those who have had to organise funerals for family with limited mourners. As pointed out, QEII has been a bit hunched over, like most over 80, for some years now. It’s not grief, its just age. Yes, Andrew was a bit of a dish back when he was younger. Very strong Windsor genes in him. I remember hearing 2 rumors about him - that he could plow a field naked (ie; he was very well hung), and that the speculation about Edward was a misdirection by the Palace to keep the scrutiny off Andrew’s exploits with both sexes. Who knows if either or both have any grain of truth ??‍♂️ Good call on no military uniforms, just morning suits for the services. It would have been awkward with Harry and Andrew as they’ve both given up public life, and it saved all from the site of Anne in her man-tailored uniform. I do think Peter is a very good looking man - possibly the best looking of the grandchildren. Though, having said that, William has grown into his looks sans hair IMO. James is still too young, so we’ll see as he grows up how he fares. As an aside, I don’t know if it was shown on US coverage, but ITV had the camera following the family as they walked back to the castle after the services. While there was no mic sound on the BRF, when Philip’s German nephews were in the frame, mic was suddenly on, and you heard them chatting away in German as they walked. I suspect that had to be purposeful.

Breadcrumbs

I remember the South African rugger - and agreed on the accent and ass ? As far as I know, he just retired - didn’t go off the rails or anything, thankfully. The rugger I’m talking about was a much thicker/bigger muscular build than the SA fellow. He had some body hair too. He was definitely American - for some reason I want to say he was from CT originally ??‍♂️

Ah yes - the incredibly muscular Marco. I had the pleasure of his company a few times during one of my last business trips to the Gulf before Covid. I’m 99% sure he was referred to me by another hobbyist - I have a memory of him being selective with the gents he entertains. But he was definitely one of the most muscular gents I’ve engaged. Seeing his IG makes me eager for a return to the gulf now ? I have to say, I’ve had luck with big, muscular gents in the Gulf. Others under the “most muscular” banner that immediately come to mind would be the retired Mike Grey. One of my first hires more years ago now than I care to admit - but he was spectacular. There was another gent who I believe generated a lot of chatter on here - he had “rugby” as part of his profile name, as a retired rugger myself, that got my interest. Big, muscular, young man. IIRC, I think he went off the rails after. Pity. More recently would have been MuscleGrip - stunning body, and a sweet gent. AFAIK, he’s left this life behind now that he’s graduated from nursing school, I wish him well. One final gent that comes to mind had been one of my regulars in London - real name was Gary, I can’t recall what name he used on his profiles. Blonde, British, great muscular body, and a genuinely nice fellow. I know he’s taking a break with Covid and is unsure of a return , but hopefully he’ll be back ?? I’m sure others will come to mind, but these were the ones that popped up right away. BBD

And he’s gone, again, no doubt planning his next incarnation.