The British Royal Family - news, views, clothes & shoes! #10

[mcluver23]

I see it as a no-win situation. If MM relishes her new role in life she will be viewed as a sell-out and materialistic. This is a complex issue of race, culture, heritage, norms, and values with a dash of emotional turmoil, grief, and ego thrown in to spice things up a bit. If we really think about our dna containing pieces of our ancestors going back thirteen generations, that’s an enormous amount of conflict in our soul/sole. I know I’m just a Heinz 57 kind of mix. Maybe that’s why I see all sides and have empathy for the underdogs.

 

[Mrs Marple]

Did Queen Elizabeth Just Quietly Remind Everyone Who the Next Queen Is?

Sorry, still do not like Camilla, and never will. Same goes for Prince Charles. He is definitely not "Prince Charming".

They don't seem as high profile as the you get royals. We seem to even hear more about Zara than we do about Camilla. To be fair, that could be some ageist reporting going on. Even so...they have their advisors and PR people, they should do something about that.

 

[Oregonmama]

I am not a MM fan but I agree that the media has been ruthless with her. But it looks like the new PR firm they hired is stepping up the game. MM is a smart young woman and she knew what she was getting into to. Looks like the 6 week leave is suppose to equal to its everyone's else fault but their own. I still think Harry should have not married MM and MM made a huge mistake writing a letter to her Dad. JMO

 

[Lilibet]

It’s not H&M’s fault that we are living in rather self-absorbed times. I wonder if the propensity for over sharing in public on SM is a fad, or here to stay? Because there’s a lot of noise to filter through.

I think you’re onto something regarding SM and over sharing, @rosemadderlake. Meghan had her blog “The Tig” and was able to express herself on a variety of topics important to her...food, exercise, etc. Having had her “voice” silenced in service to the BRF perhaps turned out to be much harder than she expected. And then having a very personal letter to her father (which she was foolish for writing, given his history) being sold to the highest bidder without even being notified would be devastating.

Marrying into the Royal Family is something that requires a lot of deep, serious thought and personal insight. It’s not just about falling in love with someone. It’s a major, life-changing choice. Kate had years to think about it, and an understanding of the culture. I expect that Meghan figured it would all work out and that “love conquers all.” Sadly, that’s not true.

This comment by @firebird may well be very true and seems to be playing out as a “you and me against the world” dynamic, exacerbated by the press and SM.

At first I thought they bonded over their common involvement in popular culture, wokeness, the "good life" and such. Now it seems like they actually bonded over their personal demons. Two people invested in each others unhappiness probably doesn't end well.

I also wonder if Meghan has post-partum depression. Her “thank you for asking if I’m OK” comment was a bit much (even for me) and almost seems like a cry for help. I really hope she and Harry can retreat and regroup and re-examine whatever issues are tormenting them. I think Meghan is a basically decent, well-meaning person (despite her issues—we all have something!) who bit off more than she can chew (at the moment), and Harry is ill-equipped to help.

I wish them both well as they navigate this difficult time, hopefully in private.

 

[Oregonmama]

Also, I think Harry and his wife want the public to think they are being pushed out of the UK. Harry has changed so much and I don't see this union as a lifetime partnership.

 

[Lilibet]

Also, I think Harry and his wife want the public to think they are being pushed out of the UK. Harry has changed so much and I don't see this union as a lifetime partnership.

They are both children of divorce and that can be hard to overcome, especially given the ugliness of his parents’ divorce and the very public lives they lead. They don’t have good role models for a happy marriage. I hope they can beat the odds as my husband and I have...with the luxury of anonymity that we enjoy.

 

[rosemadderlake]

At first I thought they bonded over their common involvement in popular culture, wokeness, the "good life" and such. Now it seems like they actually bonded over their personal demons. Two people invested in each others unhappiness probably doesn't end well.

I’ll second that “Ain’t that the truth”.

Charles and Diana could not overcome their unhappiness. -Which was palpable.

Harry looks stern and angry. Has for some time now. Meghan overcompensating with beaming smiles in every shot highlights the contrast.

And I don’t think this is all about the press.

I think Harry might have felt upended by Meghan’s side of the family that has it out for her. But, her father who I definitely don’t think is all there couldn’t handle the elevation of publicity. Whether he had a heart attack, or not, I think he must have been terrified, and neither Harry or Meghan went to see him before the wedding. It’s something that struck me as terribly passive aggressive on their part. I mean if she felt that strongly about not seeing her father why invite him to walk her down the aisle? And then leave him hanging?

Meghan started out with a whole lot of drama. And she added to it by approving of her friends being spokespeople for her.

I also think her editorial in Vogue backfired. She politized herself in who she interviewed which I think was a big mistake. A PR disaster. Because that overshadowed her cause for working women which we haven’t heard about since.

So, while Meghan might be a perfectly good person, her PR choices, her lack of taking control of her family narrative, involving her girlfriends, all kind of portray her as a victim.

And now Harry is on a crusade with the press.

I don’t think these roles will sustain them. There’s already pressure on being newly married and raising a baby.

It took Charles and Diana a long time to finally separate. That’s part of what was so tragic about Diana. Too much unhappiness and then taken from this world when she was becoming herself, and never looked so beautiful.

 

[Oregonmama]

They (H and MM ) want to leave the UK but it looks better if they get the public to view it as they were forced to leave rather than choosing to leave.

 

[Gardenista]

People are sharing photos of bananas on SM with trite sayings on them that apply to Meghan's poor pitiful me comments. The PR company needs to get their arms around this disaster. Maybe the 6 week time out is their recommendation?

 

[Lilibet]

As we go through life, each decision we make can either matter little or build on each other to create a mess. I see everything you’ve mentioned below as a series of decisions that individually wouldn’t have created the current PR and personal nightmare, but added together (along with the press and SM) have become an almost insurmountable problem. I hope they can overcome this by following the old adage “Least said, soonest mended.”

Whether he had a heart attack, or not, I think he must have been terrified, and neither Harry or Meghan went to see him before the wedding.

BBM

Meghan started out with a whole lot of drama. And she added to it by approving of her friends being spokespeople for her.

I also think her editorial in Vogue backfired. She politized herself in who she interviewed which I think was a big mistake. A PR disaster. Because that overshadowed her cause for working women which we haven’t heard about since.

So, while Meghan might be a perfectly good person, her PR choices, her lack of taking control of her family narrative, involving her girlfriends, all kind of portray her as a victim.

And now Harry is on a crusade with the press.

BBM

 

[Herat]

People are sharing photos of bananas on SM with trite sayings on them that apply to Meghan's poor pitiful me comments. The PR company needs to get their arms around this disaster. Maybe the 6 week time out is their recommendation?

Which PR company?

It was up to 3 at my last count.

 

[Herat]

I’ll second that “Ain’t that the truth”.

It’s something that struck me as terribly passive aggressive on their part. I mean if she felt that strongly about not seeing her father why invite him to walk her down the aisle? And then leave him hanging?

Meghan started out with a whole lot of drama.

Right! Her entrance into the cathedral alone was, indeed, stunning and I believe it was very much calculated theatrics on her part. Having her somewhat shlubby, unfamous and unroyal father accompany her would have had considerably less impact.

I know others don't agree and feel I am unnecessarily harsh on her, but this one thing I am firm on that she did NOT want him there because she was controlling all the camera angles, images, edits, just as any trained actress would do.

It was a massive self-centered ego trip. And has been aptly pointed out by several others here, these relatively minor choices have continuing long impacts.
Let's hope they can both shut off the interviews and close ranks.

 

[Gardenista]

First time I read this

In a video filmed at exclusive Soho House Toronto in 2014, Meghan, 35, explains to camera she has a special talent.

Someone off camera asks: “Can you make yourself cry?”

Meghan, clad in a white shirt and black leather skirt, responds enthusiastically, and says: “Oh I can do that so well!

“Oh my god it’s crazy. They’re like, Meghan, one tear, left eye, go!”

Revealing how long it takes her to shed the first tear, she says: “Give me three seconds.”

Meghan Markle admits she can do THIS trick - but has she used it on Prince Harry?

 

[Lilibet]

People are sharing photos of bananas on SM with trite sayings on them that apply to Meghan's poor pitiful me comments. The PR company needs to get their arms around this disaster. Maybe the 6 week time out is their recommendation?

That’s uncalled for! People on SM seem to lack any empathy at all and delight in being cruel.

I wonder if Prince Charles is involved in suggesting this six week break. He’s the one who admiringly nicknamed Meghan “Tungsten” for her strength at the time of the wedding, and seems genuinely fond of her (as does the Queen). It must really be hard for him to see her (and Harry) so vulnerable and unhappy, even if they have brought some of it on themselves. He must feel protective and I have a feeling he has consulted with his mother and they have suggested this break.

 

[Gardenista]

That’s uncalled for! People on SM seem to lack any empathy at all and delight in being cruel.

I wonder if Prince Charles is involved in suggesting this six week break. He’s the one who admiringly nicknamed Meghan “Tungsten” for her strength at the time of the wedding, and seems genuinely fond of her (as does the Queen). It must really be hard for him to see her (and Harry) so vulnerable and unhappy, even if they have brought some of it on themselves. He must feel protective and I have a feeling he has consulted with his mother and they have suggested this break.

Well, she kind of deserves it for writing trite comments on bananas herself. I think you might be right about the PPD considering PC's Tungsten nickname. Unless the Tungsten-like behavior was just an act.

 

[Mrs Marple]

The banana comments were cringey.

 

[Lilibet]

Right! Her entrance into the cathedral alone was, indeed, stunning and I believe it was very much calculated theatrics on her part. Having her somewhat shlubby, unfamous and unroyal father accompany her would have had considerably less impact.

I know others don't agree and feel I am unnecessarily harsh on her, but this one thing I am firm on that she did NOT want him there because she was controlling all the camera angles, images, edits, just as any trained actress would do.

It was a massive self-centered ego trip. And has been aptly pointed out by several others here, these relatively minor choices have continuing long impacts.
Let's hope they can both shut off the interviews and close ranks.

As usual we disagree and see things through different “lenses.” I don’t think the events that led up to her father not being there were under her control at all. How could she control them? He did that all by himself (with his other daughter’s help) and Prince Charles ended up walking Meghan down the aisle. If Meghan had manipulated her father not to attend, I’m sure he would have told us! I’ve never heard anything to support your belief that she wanted to control camera angles, etc.
JMO

 

[Lilibet]

Well, she kind of deserves it for writing trite comments on bananas herself. I think you might be right about the PPD considering PC's Tungsten nickname. Unless the Tungsten-like behavior was just an act.

They may have been trite comments, but she had good intentions, hoping to let these women know someone cares. It may have been a bit silly, but there was nothing mean-spirited about it, unlike the mocking she is now receiving. I don’t see why she “deserves” that.

I doubt her tungsten-like strength was an act. I’m capable of being extremely strong when I need to be, and collapsing in a tearful heap at other times (even without PPD). We are all complex human beings, and most of us, including Meghan and Harry, are doing our best to navigate our lives, despite our mistakes and internal struggles. How much better the world would be if we could kindly give each other the benefit of the doubt and overlook faults, instead of looking for ways to tear each other down.
JMO

 

[Lilibet]

First time I read this

In a video filmed at exclusive Soho House Toronto in 2014, Meghan, 35, explains to camera she has a special talent.

Someone off camera asks: “Can you make yourself cry?”

Meghan, clad in a white shirt and black leather skirt, responds enthusiastically, and says: “Oh I can do that so well!

“Oh my god it’s crazy. They’re like, Meghan, one tear, left eye, go!”

Revealing how long it takes her to shed the first tear, she says: “Give me three seconds.”

Meghan Markle admits she can do THIS trick - but has she used it on Prince Harry?

Crying on cue isn’t a “special talent.” It’s a skill that those in the acting profession have to master. Even regular people may have that ability, naturally or learned. Whether she uses that skill on Harry is unknown to anyone. I prefer to think her emotions are genuine. Actors are also real people with real feelings and real lives offstage.

How to Cry on Cue

 

[Satchie]

I remember the slow train wreck that was Charles and Diana, I think everyone in the Royal Family would want to prevent that.

Diana was extremely unhappy during her marriage, but wasn't allowed to say anything, she had to pretend to be all sweetness and smiles for the cameras. Instead, she threw herself down stairs, was bulimic, was angry at the whole Royal Family, and had affairs with various other men. The soap opera of their divorce, the revelations about their affairs, her attempts to sabotage Charles, heir to the throne, the media frenzy when she publicly flaunted her relationship with Dodi, was what killed her. People may have loved her, but it hardly seems compensation for dying, and it was extremely hard on her children and on the whole idea of Royalty as a legitimate institution.

So I think insiders want to be much smarter this time, and if Meghan wants to talk about how she feels, they're going to take her needs seriously. I think being an actress made her very sensitive to her public image, but she's not used to being so much in the public eye for her every private move. The gutter press would be quite delighted to force another Diana crisis, they'd sell millions of daily papers over many, many, years.

I hope the two can work it out, their new life is a big change for them both. I think moving away from the hothouse of the UK for a few years would be a good idea.