meghan markle at the fashion awards with rosamund pike and the british designer of the year, clare waight keller pic.twitter.com/oJNKMX7FLD
— best of meghan (@bestofmarkle) December 10, 2018
Richard Kay writes for the Daily Mail. Kay was one of Diana’s “favorite” journalists – she leaked information to him quite regularly, and she used Kay to get our her side of particular stories. He was always known as one of Diana’s favorites, which has given him some cachet as a “royal journalist in the know” in years since Diana’s passing. He’s generally thought to have good connections within the palaces, mostly among the courtiers and communications offices. So… Kay has written a big piece about the Duchess of Sussex, and how she’s Duchess Different (as opposed to Duchess Difficult), and that Meghan needs to do more to change so she can become more like a regular old royal. It’s basically an older white dude telling Meghan that she needs to stop having such a toxic family, and she needs to stop being so glamorous and popular. I’m sure it will work! You can read the full piece here. Some highlights:
The boomerang social media photo Meghan did at the British Fashion Awards: The nature of traditional and mundane official visits by other members of the Royal Family in recent days underscores how flashy Meghan’s seem to be in comparison…But what is so curious about the arty black-and- white picture of Meghan is that no sooner was it posted on the British Fashion Council’s Instagram account than it was abruptly deleted. Some at the palace were not impressed by her posing for such an image. ‘There was something ostentatious in the way she posed holding her bump, plus she was wearing dark nail varnish that the Queen hates,’ says a source. ‘It wouldn’t be surprising if, aware of that, the duchess herself asked for it to be taken down.’
Meghan is a complete novice at royaling: An experienced hand at Hollywood, Meghan is a complete novice at the much more complicated business of British Royal Family public relations. Coming at a time when rumours have surfaced that all is not well between Meghan and her sister-in-law and Kensington Palace neighbour the Duchess of Cambridge, together with reports of tensions with staff, the removal of the fashion awards picture has stoked up suggestions that these are unsettling times for the former actress.
Kate got help, and Meghan needs to get help too: Kate, however, met the challenge by getting help. In the early days, the worldly Camilla took her under her wing and Kate, of course, throughout, had the sensible and practical support of her family, especially her mother Carole Middleton. Kate’s introduction to full-time royal life was gradual, cautious even, and to start with mostly as a support act to Prince William. However, Meghan has adopted a rather different approach.
Meghan actually works & wakes up early, gasp: Last month, it emerged that she sometimes sends emails to staff at 5am. Insiders say she likes to communicate using emojis in her missives. Friends point out that she rises early because of the eight-hour time difference with California where her mother lives, making it easier to reach friends and family on the phone. They also suggest that rising early might be connected to her pregnancy.
Monica & Chandler: Inside Buckingham Palace, waspish below-stairs staff jokily refer to Meghan and Harry as ‘Monica and Chandler’ after two of the characters in the long-running American sitcom Friends.Where is Doria? Though Harry and Meghan will not stay long [at Sandringham], as it is thought they intend to spend time with the duchess’s mother Doria Ragland at their rented retreat in Oxfordshire. Ms Ragland is not due to visit Sandringham. Should she wish to go, I understand, room will be made available for yoga-loving Doria. The Queen is determined that the lessons of the past must be learned. ‘She simply will not allow Meghan to feel unwelcome,’ a courtier tells me. ‘Even at her great age she is putting a lot of effort in to ensure there is family harmony.’
The Queen’s pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday: Behind the scenes there will be some discreet clock-watching. Flunkeys will be checking to see how long the Sussexes spend at the festivities. Last year, they were among the last to arrive and the first to leave. For her part, the Queen is very understanding and Meghan is certainly not the first young royal to make a public misjudgment.
This is all so friggin’ dumb. It pains me to see how much bullsh-t Meghan has to put up with for merely existing. Here are some random points I’d like to make, in general, after reading this piece. One, perhaps Meghan and Harry left the palace lunch early last year because that racist bitch Princess Michael was wearing a blackamoor brooch? Two, the royals are literally freaking out because… Meghan is glamorous, popular and a hard-worker. Three, calling them “Monica and Chandler” is the kind of dated cultural reference I would expect from palace courtiers. Four, people are really, really triggered when they see a black woman doing ANYTHING. “How dare she wear nail polish!” “How dare she touch her bump!” “How dare she wake up early!” “How dare she be organized!” What they’re trying to say is “how dare she be black!”
Photos courtesy of Getty.
I don’t even know what to say to this. Of course she is a “novice” at being a royal. She’s been a royal for less than a year.
I really think the tour triggered people. It was a huge success, she proved that she could handle a grueling schedule, extensive travel, public speeches, etc – and it was shortly after they returned that the smear campaign started in full force. I know it sounds very conspiracy theory-esque, but I just feel like someone did not like the success of the tour.
Yeah, after the tour is when it really seemed to ramp up. I feel bad for her, it can’t be easy to put up with that kind of cr*p day in and day out. And I mean really, pointing out that she uses emojis…really? Gasp of shock, people use emojis!
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The thing is, we all (myself included) see Meghan as a modern breath of fresh air for the RF but this is an old archaic institution that has really not changed much, if really at all in hundreds of years, their motto is always do not bend, do not change! Its always about making sure the monarchy survives no matter what. And that includes throughout history leaving some of their family members out to dry if need be. The only changes (begrudgingly) that happen are after months or even years of maybe public outrage, I think what we fail to understand is the power the courtiers have within the firm, I even dare say they are the real power behind the throne, always serving the crown And not really the family behind it, for them is all about keeping the hierarchical structure and the varying degrees of autonomy. One person down the line cannot outshine the person in front of them, no matter how bad that person might be. I honestly think the actual immediate family, the queen, Charles, and yes, including W&K probably do not have an issue with Meghan, but the extended “family” and grey men do. Diana became the peole’s princess and mingled with celebrities AFTER her separation and not really before. For Meghan this is backwards, she married into the family and shes expected to “fall in line” not the other way round. To me, it feels like probably Harry did not prepare/inform her on that aspect properly. And yes, add racism and sexism on top of that as well. We look at her and see this awesome addition to the rf but the thing is Meghan is not interracting with the public on a daily basis, she’s interracting with the grey men and the extended royal “court” (the dukes, the lords, etc) so to speak and sadly if she doesn’t follow their rules and tries to fit in they will probably make her life very frustrating. Sorry for the long rant, my friend who runs in those circles was explaining it to me and it just seems crazy. No wonder so many people are not interested in marrying into a royal family.
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I think you mean that W&K did not like the success of their tour. All of the information that came out was very slanted at trying to make H&M look bad and W&K look good. With family like that, who needs enemies? Honestly…
Your theory makes sense. Their popularity and commitment helps Charles and makes HM look good. Who does it damage? W&K and Andrew.
Bit of a history rewrite here too, don’t you think? Particularly with Kate, but also with Camilla, who took the poor little bird under her wing. I like Camilla, but IIRC, her profile 7-8 years ago was not great.
Also have to laugh at how Meghan is “a complete novice at the much more complicated business of BRF public relations.” Wasn’t that what the two very successful tours, and cookbook, were all about, BRF public relations?
Perhaps they mean Meghan hasn’t mastered the subtle backstabbing, in the press and elsewhere, that has seemed to me for years to pass for BRF public relations. Case in point – “Should she wish to go, I understand, room will be made available for the yoga-loving Doria”. WTF? This woman is the mother-in-law of the monarch’s grandson. What does “yoga loving” have to do with anything?
I’ve said before I think W&K’s PR in particular has done them no favors, but has set them up for failure over the years. But from what I’ve heard about William, I assume this is on him, that he thinks he knows just how to handle things.
I think any beautiful, independent, hard-working woman that Harry married would cause the same problems, since the issue is how they compare to W&K. The negative press would just take a different form.
Or maybe it was giving a speech without notes, or maybe it was writing her own speech.
Some many things to choose from.
Baking at Admirality House.
Taking a Banana bread to the family in Dubbo.
Meeting with the yoga group bare footed at Bondi beach.
Not getting a bear hug from the athlete on the boat because Harry warmed him not to hug her that way.
The little girl at Toranga Zoo, refusing to hand the flowers to Harry, until Harry realized she wanted to give them to Meghan like the other tiny Zoo ambassador.
That $500.00 bouquet of flowers from the radio station.
Damn! The whole Oceania Trip.
I agree that it was the successful tour that caused this. The narrative that was being crafted is because Harry is 6th in line to the throne, they are unimportant. But the tour showed that that’s not true. They (but especially Meghan) are a force to be reckoned with. The crowds were huge, and the small missteps (tag on the dress) were not enough to overshadow the fact that people really liked her. She added her own personal touches (the homebaked bread, the speeches) that made her seem real and accessible. Even the press was positive, because she kept up the grueling schedule while pregnant. She showed she can not only do the work, but excel at it. I wish they understood that this smear campaign is only endearing her to the public.
The success of the tour and Meghan actually jumping right in to working has triggered these people, specifically those whose job is to pump up and promote the Cambridges. Can’t have W&K outshined by his ne’er do well baby bro and his American actress wife. Oh no, that will never do. *roll eyes* Please spare me. Meghan doesn’t need to become “more royal”. Kate needs to step up to the plate and be the future consort she’s supposed to be.
After an event a few months ago, a commenter here said there was video showing Harry was angry with Kate because she had said something mean to Meghan, and that the video showed Camilla was taken aback by what Kate said. General feeling then was that was hard to believe – but now not so much.
I wish I knew where that was – I’d like to see it.
Ah that was about the Trooping the Colour. This poster claimed that Kate made a rude comment about Meghan to Camilla, Camilla was shocked, and then Kate realized that Meghan was right behind her, so Harry and MEghan and Kate all looked very awkward in all the pictures.
I still don’t know if I believe that, I could never find the video proof of this incident that the poster insisted was out there lol.
The poster was that Royal Sparkles person I believe, so unlikely that something like that occurred…
It was ‘formerly known as Amy’ who posted. Others looked but could not find the video clip from the Trooping she said was referring to.
I believe the same you do!!!
I 100% support this theory, and don’t think it’s conspiracy theorist at all, it just makes sense.
-H & M fell in love like normal people, W made K waity for a decade, which makes them both look ridiculous.
-People love H & M because they show up and do work. Not so much W & K, who only sometimes show up and flap their gums.
-H & M are the “flavor of the month”, and Wills especially wants all eyes on him.
-The Oceania tour was fantastic, and everybody knows it.
So no, to me, it’s just common sense that Harry and Megs, especially Megs, are getting trashed. They are threatening, so they need to be brought down.
I was replying to a comment that isn’t here any longer. But it took so long to type out I’m leaving it. I love how you have to limit it to only events after the wedding which ignores over 20 events and the massive tour after the wedding which is over 70 events. And even then your 12 to 13 events is laughably low. That number is much closer to 30 events including the trip to Sussex, the trip to Chester with the Queen, multiple Sentable and Commonwealth events etc. That is significantly more than lazy Kate managed in 2011, her first year in the family. She ended up with 34 events. It is actually more than Kate did in 2012 (66), 2013 (88), 2014 (91), 2015 (62). In fact, Kate doesn’t match or exceed those numbers until 2016 (140) or 2017 (105).
I expect that the numbers will be finessed to make Meghan look bad as she can’t be allowed to outwork Kate. But she clearly is doing more work in her first year than Kate did.
Kate did over a hundred engagements in 2012 (mostly because of the Olympics, Wimbledon and tours, but still).
No Kate didn’t. The official count has her at 66. She didn’t get over 100 until 2016.
Tim O’Donovan’s count in the Times on 1 January 2013 had her at 111. It was widely reported in the media.
I agree, Becks1. Meghan can do nothing right BECAUSE she does everything so very well. How dare she work hard, look glamorous, speak well (compared to the mostly mute DoC)?
Most of all, as Kaiser said, how DARE she be black!?!
After the tour, I knew there would be hell to pay for being liked.
I dont understand the Monica and Chandler thing – is it meant to be a put down?
I think so. My take on it was that Chandler is the goofy, kind of dense character and Monica runs the show and tells him what to do and when to do it and he obeys. Monica is intense and controlling. So to me using that analogy is meant to portray Meghan as almost a shrew, and Harry just as the goofy go-along guy who doesn’t know any better.
Thanks. I wasn’t a big Friends person but now this makes sense.
On one hand, I do think a lot of the criticisms levelled against Meghan are mean and unwarranted. On the other hand, to the extent there are small things she can do to acclimate herself into her new family – things that don’t change who she is – is there any harm or indignity in doing them? Like, if the Queen doesn’t like dark nail polish, why just not wear it? (Of course it may be that the Queen doesn’t care and the nasties are using this as a fake controversy.)
I know this site is wildly pro-Meghan and I want her to succeed, I am keeping an open mind as to whether there have been claims that are fair. Most notably the aide who quit. (Not Samantha the Panther, the other one). She had had great reviews from former employees. I don’t know what happened there, but I am open to the possibility that MM might be partly at fault there. And if it is true she yelled at one of Kate’s aides, then that too is uncalled for.
@Mumbles – Samantha was set to retire from royal service but agreed to help Meghan and Harry temporarily. Nothing nefarious there. It’s long hours and not great pay.
The temp PA hire, “Melissa”, brought on to help with wedding planning? Reeks of sour grapes that she wasn’t hired permanently. She’ll learn quickly that spinning lies about your employer means no other famous person will hire her.
The business about Meghan yelling at Kate’s staffer could be anything. Maybe his fly was down and they were trying to decide who would tell him and Kate felt she had to have that embarrassing conversation because he worked for her. The tabs get a whiff of gossip and invent a negative story to go with it. Clearly, the Fab Four story didn’t sell they pivoted to the Hatfields and McCoys.
In fairness to Friends, Chandler wasn’t the dense one that was Joey. Chandler was an IT guy and then Monica helped him get a job in advertising. He was more affable and Monica was the super organized doer, or control freak if you like. Of all the things said about Meghan and Harry this one is just kind of funny, and may be a bit accurate. Sure it is a bit of an outdated reference, but with netflix and binge watching everything old is new again.
I know a lot think this is coming from the Cambridges, but I think it is coming more from the royal elites. The ones who work with them all. They’ve never been big on change over there, and lord knows they like to gossip more than us. Plus, aside from the fact Meghan is not from the upper class she’s also a yank, and a yank of color too. Yanks are fun to pal around with, but not as one of their royals. The only yanks who seem to get accepted into any royalty are high bred blonds, i.e. Queen Noor or Grace Kelly. Granted this seems very old fashioned, but it wasn’t too long ago that a King abdicated to marry a divorcee. The Queen may have moved on a bit, but not so much the rest of them.
IKR? Is it saying they’re a good looking, deeply in love couple who want a two kids and a house in the country? Maybe Harry has corny sense of humor and Meg likes to clean?
ETA: saw Becks post. That makes sense (but what are these people? Friends scholars who put way too much analysis into a heavily outdated sitcom?)
I guess? But Matthew Perry was the hottest Friend, and they had the best relationship on the show. I think these courtiers are on to something…
Thanks for asking this — I have only a passing familiarity with Friends and outside of Chandler being jokey and Monica being a compulsive cleaner I have no idea how the characters relate…
It’s an odd reference but from what I could tell, Monica and Chandler would go on to have a loving and successful marriage unlike Ross and Rachel who would probably be divorced by now.
I don’t get it either! Monica and Chandler had a great relationship. They had all the payoff and very little of the ridiculous drama, and their issues were real, tangible problems people have in relationships (commitment issues, figuring out how to live with one another’s quirks, fertility issues, etc.) And most of all, it was a relationship that you could tell would go the distance because they really put in the work for each other.
Black women are CONSTANTLY having to justify our very existence. What Meghan is experiencing is what black women experience all the time just on a much larger public scale. People hate when we take up space (a black woman was literally jailed and her child taken away from her because she was sitting on a floor instead of a chair at a welfare office), they hate it when we don’t apologize for taking up space and for being unapologetically who we are. Meghan IS glamorous. That’s who she is.
So. Much. This! I’m black and grew up in a predominantly white area. To this day, the people there accuse me of being “aggressive” and “conceited.” Meanwhile, my personality is exactly like their precious daughters and sons. I’m much older now, but when I recently went back, that was still the narrative. Also, I moved to a new place last year and met some white women. Everything was going great for a couple of months, until the usual b.s. reared it’s head. Apparently, us black women can’t admit we know things, lest we be accused of being “attention whores.” There must also be some kind of law decreeing that only boring shallow topics can be discussed! Ever! (Oh! Gossiping about people, behind their backs, seems to be an a-ok topic, too.) Unfortunately, I think I’m done with white women in real life. I’ve never had the same issues with other black women or women of color. (No, that is not racism; I’m just tired of being treated like crap.) I just haven’t been able to find a single white woman, in real life, in my adulthood, who understands implicit bias and doesn’t chuck that nonsense in my face on a daily. I hope one day I do; but for now, I need not try, because it hurts too much.
Hang in there. I promise you there are understanding, open minded and open hearted women out there who are not black but they get it. Hugs to you in the meantime, sister.
I’m so sorry. I understand what you are saying- this garbage was on full display with Michelle Obama throughout BO’s presidency and still, to this day.
I wish one day that we could meet and be friends.
NotSo and Monicack. Thank you so very much! I needed those “keep your chin up” pats on the back more than you could possibly know. Cheers and have a super day!
@Ader, I’m sorry this is your experience and the experience of so many! It’s not fair!
I hope you keep being unapologetically you!
I get your frustration and have experienced everything you say here. As a black woman you will always get push back for being outspoken, informed, present, aware, smart. Always. That push back comes in the form of alienation–especially from white women. Imagine having to live in a country that is 99% white. Lol.
Meghan gets pushback because she is black. But the biggest reason is because she shows up Katie’s ineptitude. Kate/Carol feels threatened and if Kate has to put in an effort at Duchessing then William has to put in an even bigger effort at his???. .. what is that dude’s role? So William is threatened and he has called on his mamma’s favourite journo and Carol’s contacts at the Daily Mail to
attack his brother and sister in-law.
I’m sorry you have to put up with that bullsh*t. White privileged can be so blinding.
Thanks everyone!
@FredsMom: Re: “As a black woman you will always get push back for being outspoken, informed, present, aware, smart. Always. That push back comes in the form of alienation–especially from white women.”
Brava! Yes! Being informed and daring to voice our opinions! Arrogance, I tell you! (Grrrrrr, so frustrating!)
And yes, the biggest problem with Meghan right now is that she’s showing her competence.
@FredsMom: Re: “As a black woman you will always get push back for being outspoken, informed, present, aware, smart. Always. That push back comes in the form of alienation–especially from white women.” That comment made me cry so much. I live in a predominant white country and that’s what I have suffered “Social alienation from white women”. I have suffered at my work place. Bullied for my sky color. I have tried to be friends with some but no, the back stabbing gets real. I hope to God Meghan stays strong and doesn’t read that crap. I wonder how will people react if Kate was pregnant and attacked the way Meghan has been. Horrible People
I have recommended the Podcasts Yo, Is This Racist and Keep It to several family and friends who are truly clueless about how racism impacts people of color every day. Not that I think white people should be treated like special snowflakes, but I think these shows are a good first step in getting white people to examine how they contribute to racism even when they don’t mean to because the hosts are all really smart, have cool day jobs, and bring some humor to a huge problem.
Hang in there ladies, not all of us white folk are like that, in fact two of my closest friends are WOC as is my niece. Meghan, fortunately, has the confidence, intelligence and gravitas to handle and rise above this bullsh*t and that makes those who want to take her down furious. It’s a never-ending vicious circle but she has enough support to sail through it all with her head held high.
And apologies on behalf of all the white people who, whether they’re aware of it or not, behave like racist a**holes.
@Hmmmmm: Hugs! I’ve been toying with the idea of making a website for us black ladies living in nearly all-white areas — as a support thing. You have given me inspiration to continue.
@Meghan — thanks for the pod rec.
@jaded – hugs and thanks!
@FredsMother: ‘What is that dude’s role?’
You don’t know?? When Charles, who is now Prince of Wales, becomes king, William will be the new Prince of Wales (=crown prince). He is next in line to the next in line.
The people that matter in the British RF are the queen, Charles, William, George… The rest of them are minor royals. Harry is called a dimwit. If he’s not happy, they say, he should give up the privileges he enjoys now and go live overseas, like the queen’s uncle who chose Wallis Simpson.
I think RFs are obsolete and they will all disappear. It’s only a matter of time.
Imo, the most important monarch in the world is the Saudi Arabian one. SA is an absolute monarchy. That monarch controls the oil price in the world. Right now, of course, SA has to deal with the MbS (Mohammed ‘bone Saw’) problem.
The European monarchs are just symbols. No power. Just cut ribbons/open things, attend galas/events, and go to weddings. The countries are run by prime ministers. I follow two queens, Jordan’s Rania and Spain’s Letizia, and Catherine, the DoC, because I like their clothes.
As a black woman I completely understand but I promise you there are white women out there who are trying hard to learn and just listen. I know a few and they read and attend seminars and ask very smart questions. The most important part is listening and not taking our criticisms as attacks. Are they perfect? No. But i see them really growing and learning and doing a lot to change themselves.
When you are black anything you do is under a microscope and it is exhausting. That is why there is a glass cliff for black women: we can break the damn ceiling but once there white men and white women will work hard to undermine us until we are fired or quit. It’s exhausting. The Meghan narrative is so obvious to us because the same words are used to describe us when we are in board rooms, meetings, workshops, etc… god forbid we have an opinion or even worse “not smile” like we are shucking and jiving for some pennies. But people will make excuses instead of calling a spade a spade.
Whereas I don’t disagree with you as far as it goes in America. The British have a different history with racism than us. I’m not saying the British don’t have racism and problems in their own way too, but I think America’s racist past is unique. Brits didn’t almost tear their country apart over enslaving and owning black people, America did. It truly is our country’s original sin, even written in parts of the early documents of the country. I feel like with the Brits it’s more class. Sure there is some racism thrown in too, but it’s just different.
I can only speak anecdotally, but both my husband and I have family that live in London. They both say it’s no different at all.
I agree that America’s racism is unique and being a young country makes it that much more recent AND present. But Brits have colonialism, which is it’s own horrific kind of racism that leaves a lasting mark.
It is unfortunate that Meghan has made the UK her new home just as this Brexit nonsense and Britain First is coming to a head, giving racists more of a platform. As a result racism in Britain has got worse over the past few years. However the majority of British people l believe are not racist.
I’m a minority in my country and I know exactly what you mean. Not every critique about Meghan is about racism classism but I’ll safely say 80 percent is. The majority of the privileged just cannot understand nor acknowledge implicit or institutionalised racism. Instead we are the sensitive ones. It’s all our fault.
Also a minority where I am living but have previously spent years in the UK and agree 100% that it’s classism as much as anything. And generally being an outsider who doesn’t fit the traditional check list in many ways. If she was a white American actress and divorcee with a very obviously lower class family like the Markles she would have got tons of flack too. Especially given their mortifying behaviour. I am not saying her being black doesn’t play a role, because it obviouslt does, but it is not even close to the whole story.
I did think the BFA panoramic picture screamed Hollywood! I think the issue here is what world does Meghan want to live in? It seems like she’s trying to straddle between two worlds which is being a royal with all the privileges it entails & also being a celebrity. I’m not sure if it is possible to do both. I’m of the belief that if your lifestyle is funded by the British taxpayers then you need to follow most of their rules.
What does that even mean? Beauty and glamour are forbidden in the BRF? More awkward frumpiness needed?
What rules? The nail polish thing is a preference of the Queen’s…there’s no taxpayer rule she’s breaking. If anything, she’s beating them at their own game, and they’re p!ssed.
So what are these “rules” she must follow?
No black nail polish? No touching your own body? No work until 9AM?
And who made up these rules? The Queen? This a-hole writer guy? You?
“what world does Meghan want to live in”
How about the human world, on planet earth, relating to people from many cultures and walks of life? Welcome to the 21st century.
Why is different bad? Are the other royals worried people will expect them to be glamorous, too?
I agree. Royals are not celebrities, they are an institution and they rely on tradition.
Their job is not to promote themselves, but the monarchy, and I think it’s going to be very hard for Meghan to do that.
“Their job is not to promote themselves, but the monarchy”
Then they are failing miserably. I look at William and Kate and wonder why a monarchy still exists. What have they done to justify the existence of a monarchy? At least Meghan’s work ethic MAY help justify it, as much as that is even possible in the modern world. Which is why I thought W&K are actually forever grateful that someone like Meghan joined the family, because I don’t see how the taxpayers can justify keeping them around otherwise. But even though they should be grateful, that doesn’t mean they won’t ALSO be resentful and jealous — I suppose they can be both.
I thought it was a supercool image. No reason the BRF can’t use modern technology to stay connected with the masses.
And the harping on nail polish has got to stop. There are NO RULES regarding nail polish. None. Zip. Ninguna cosa.
MM is the polar opposite of the BRF in so many ways. I remember her public comment at the engagement: I don’t know much about the royal family. I thought: Trouble ahead. And now we’re seeing what happens when two different worlds collide. I hope the marriage, which resulted from a relatively brief, besotted courtship — can withstand it.
If anything breaks up Harry and Meghan, I think it will be the insistence that royals don’t have a political opinion. I feel this will be the thing Meghan will have the a hardest time sustaining. Mainly cause she was politically active before. Now Charles managed to find a cause which has a bit of a political bent, but isn’t overtly political to the Brits at least- the environment. In the US the environment would be a powder keg of a political issue. I think Meghan is going to have to find something like that to do as time goes on.
I agree, and hope she takes over the FGM issue from Camilla when Camilla becomes Queen Consort (as another poster here suggested, I’m sorry, I forget who).
Blame the lame Tumblr women for those rules. For years, they chastised Catherine for bending/breaking every single rule and protocol – really silly stupid stuff. The media caught on and started writing articles on all those supposed rule breaks & protocol breaks. They are now aiming at Meghan with those dumb arse protocol rule breaks and it all started years ago with the royal fans.
It’s not just tumbler women. Have a look at any old posts on this site about Catherine (from pre Meghan days) and you will see plenty of posters screeching about her breaking protocol with her heel heights, her skirt lengths and other petty issues. It’s not a new thing aimed only at Meghan.
I agree, Margo. She can’t live like a ‘celebrity’ in the British RF. She has to adapt to THEIR ways/follow THEIR rules, AND she comes behind Catherine.
When we get another referendum, after the end of E II reign, I hope the majority (Australians) will vote to cut with the British monarch. I’m for a republic.
I mean, of course she hadn’t been a royal before… but she knows how to propagate an image. She’s glamorous, but feels way more friendly and down-to-earth than Kate, who often feels so distant. “She’s different!” Yeah dude… in an archaic institution like a royal family, that’s a good thing.
It is like some in the game (W&K, the Middletons) like the old idea of lazy royals. Meghan getting to work right away, doing 3 times more than Kate in her first year, the successful cookbook, the energy and desire to work hard. It shows W&K’s seven years worth of excuses and lies to be just that – excuses and lies to cover their laziness.
I don’t…I don’t get the “Monica/Chandler” thing…they def don’t scream “Mondler” to me. #MissChanandlerBong
#ChanandlerBongForever
Monica being a controlling, competitive, harpy was definitely used as a gag for much of the show, but I always thought her relationship with Chander was relatively evenly matched. I truly believed he “liked…maintaining [her].”
But whatever, downstairs worker people. Hate on.
Meghan has prob dealt with worse. This is a wrinkle. A huge wrinkle yes but she is too smart, too hardworking and too amazing to not stabilize this crappy situation. She has the support of not only a loving husband but the queen herself.
But like…Monica and Chandler are the best couple from Friends. How is that a putdown?
Agreed. Monica and Chandler were really my favorites.
I thought so too, I think Monica was the doer and Chandler was affable and funny. Their relationship was sweet. It’s kind of a cute and accurate assessment.
Having a nickname is often a sign of affection. Maybe Meghan has got Harry more focussed, the household might actually think it’s funny/endearing rather than a problem.
Bravo on your final sentences.
The biggest give away clue that his ‘actual’ sources are from Buckingham Palace is…Quote Intriguingly, Lord Geidt, who left his post more than a year ago, was seen visiting Kensington Palace last week. Unquote
I believe 100% that Richard Kay is back with a hotline to BP.
Yes! I’m surprised no one has called this out. It also really makes me think that Clarence House/Charles and his people truly might have been the instigators here. Wasn’t Charles supposedly the person that ultimately pushed to get Geidt out? Maybe he was paying a visit to Samantha at work, but if H&M or W&K or their people were getting advice from him, it doesn’t feel like the thing Charles would approve of. In fact, it feels very pointed. Or maybe he was giving them a sense of who the leaks at BP are?
Boy the success of that tour really got people in their feelings everyday it’s something new.
Royal reporters are so passive-agressive with Meghan. They’re pressed because she is doing very well
They’re still pissed, that did not find out who made the wedding dress until the day of the wedding, don’t know where they went on their honeymoon, and found out about the cookbook, the day before it was available to the public.
For all the spies they’ve in place, they though they had an inside track to the Sussexes, despite all the leaks, it is just showing up laziness in others.
I think the things you’ve mentioned right here show that the press really know nothing, and they don’t like it. Their sources are bs, otherwise they’d be right at least some of the time. Seeing the press consistently know nothing real about the Sussexes shows me that everything they print are lies.
The fact that Meghan pulled off keeping her wedding dress designer a secret, meet with the ladies at the community kitchen for months to create a cookbook is a testimony of Meghan’s ability to create meaningful relationships that’s based on trust and discretion. The leaks are probably from people who are not close to Meghan and Harry at all.
I suspect the real issue is that they are racists, but they cannot come out into the light and say that, so they nit -pick at every little, inconsequential thing they can.
ding ding ding
The constant nitpicking for small things has been done with the other Duchess as well. So, if you mix the constant nitpicking with class and racism, you get a horrible mess which reflects badly on all of them.
He knows nothing. The photo was taken down by BFA because people were using the image, specifically Meghan’s image, without permission.
Also, London is ahead of California time. Rising early there is NOT a strategy for getting LA friends on the phone. Quite the opposite.
5:00am in London makes it 1:00pm in Los Angeles, lunchtime as it were. At the moment, it’s 9:35am in BC and 5:35pm in London. (and 12:35 on the east coast hence the time stamp on the comment)
Actually, Lady D, wrong time direction. If it’s 5am in London, then it’s 9 pm in California the previous day (8 hour time difference, and ahead of the US). So while it’s not a crazy time to call, it’s probably not the best. I feel like you’d be interrupting dinners, or people winding down or putting children to bed.
If it’s 9:30 Dec 17 in the morning here, isn’t it still 5:30 Dec 17 at night in London?
I don’t believe this story about ‘royal courtiers’ either. Harry took a picture wearing budgie swimming pants and everyone thought it was a laugh. But Meghan, just like Serena Williams, is being measured by a different yardstick.
I’m reading more and more people on Meghan’s side (even famous people are defending her now). This whole smear campaign backfire enormously and I’m happy.
Given Meghan’s public grace & composure, it’s amazing they thought this criticism would stick. I suspect their rage is blinding them.
This actually convinces me that either W&K and possibly the Midds are behind this or the royal courtiers are seriously just that clueless. There is not a lick of PR sense involved in this strategy of attacking a popular and pleasant pregnant lady with nonsense. And before people go on and on about the “men in grey” and institutions, seriously watch the Crown. Specifically watch the episode entitled “Marionettes.” The men in grey whinged and boasted about institutions, not changing, etc and they got it dangerously wrong. Again, no PR savvy.
@SlightlyAnnony – It’s a colossally stupid strategy. I’m not a PR person, but have enough common sense to see how to play this where W&K could have associated themselves with H&M’s success. And no, I don’t mean take credit for it (or set up an umbrella organization), but build an impression they are part of an effective team. Of course, that still means W&K would have to continue to work at least at the level they have the past few months, and probably more, but Kate doesn’t need to compete with Meghan. Just find areas in her own skill set, and get her butt out there.
Instead, it looks like someone, or some groups of people, are pissed they no longer have control/the upper hand in dictating Harry, and especially Meghan’s, public impact and profile. I’m pretty sure the genie’s out of the bottle on that one. Unless Harry and Meghan split up, things have already changed, and will continue to change as H&M continue in the public eye. Time to get used to it and adapt.
Exactly! Because there’s an entire world out here that can see this for what it is. Maybe if the Internet didn’t exist, or Meghan had absolutely no profile at all, which is highly unlikely in this day and age, the British press would have total control over Meghan’s public image. But Meg’s an American who already had a profile even if she wasn’t famous like she is now. Reporters outside of GB have shown interest in Meghan & Harry and this the RF.
The success of the tour started all of this, IMO. It’s like the press is trying to put the genie back in the bottle, it won’t work, and they’re making fools of themselves.
Yeah, I think Meghan and Harry will have the last laugh. But the ugliness being shown by the others (I think we know who they are) will forever taint their image. And it wouldn’t surprise me if Meghan’s popularity ends up forcing the others to kiss *her* behind and use *her* to rehabilitate their own images.
After all of these ridiculous articles, all I can think is… and? The queen prefers nude nails, Meg wore dark. And? Meg took a fancy photo looking amazing. And? Meg and Harry left lunch with the family early. And? So what. Maybe she isn’t the one that needs to change.
Kate’s worn a dark pedicure (Yeegads!) and you can bring up photos of Diana wearing nail polish in colors well before the divorce hit, so there’s no rule. People get paid to make this stuff up.
It is hilarious to see how this blog has an obsession to relate every little criticism of Meghan with racism.
I guess he/she has never heard of CLASSISM, which is the real problem among royals and aristocracy.
The dailymail saying they all wore white is classism, call it what you want.
Freedom on Celebitchy, I call it racism plus classism.
*side eye, sighs, and shakes head*
Classism is just a cover for racism. I’m a teacher at an expensive, exclusive private school. Over the past decade, our school’s student population has been getting “browner” and “blacker” (yay!) to the point where white students are sometimes a minority in my class. The black and brown kids come from money just like the white kids ($27,000/year to attend). Whispers of white flight are abounding, and open conversations on the subject are ensuing. I think people hide behind the cover of “class” because it’s assumed that POCs would be excluded from any discussion of wealth. When you add POC wealth to the equation, then class breaks down to race.
Brava!!
It may be a cover in the US but not in Europe, since this is a problem we have had for centuries, long before inmigration arrived.
Well said @Lanne.
ITA, lanne.
Classism in the UK is very different. Even as POC, it’s just ingrained in our Brit culture. Class has nothing to with wealth over here.
Oh, of course there are no racist royals, okay..
.https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/culture-news/a20095720/royal-ex-boyfriend-aatish-taseer-racist-allegations-princess-michael-kent/
@ NotsoSocial Well, Harry is also racist. He’s proved that on many occasions.
People can grow, and change.
I think it is both!
Honestly though, do you really think people would have had such criticism and issues if Harry had married a white American actress?
Yes, i do. I think Meghan being an American actress is precisely the issue. I don’t think it’s classicism, i think it’s nationalism. I think marrying an American is the main issue, marrying an English girl next door would have been fine. Plus Brits like an underdog and Meghan is an achiever and doing amazingly well straight away. The British media, and the royal court will hate that Meghan is confident, self-assured and knows her own mind.
It seems like a mix of classism, racism, and sexism to be honest.
Yup
Black woman living in Europe for 15 years now. Always funny when the Europeans deny their racist history and try to explain away their racism with other things. Especially on the Continent….They invoke classicism all the time. It’s a blatant cop-out.
+1,000,000
America’s racism is different from every other countries. I think some people on here are putting their American sensibilities to another country which has different struggles. Racism exists in other countries, but not always in the same way.
Is this real??? Those b&W photos were really good.
I think some took issue with the #svaroski crystal thing, I think sponcon would be allowed. It was a beautiful photo, but it was a bit blurring the lines of Royal and Celebrity.
I feel for her, the Royal family is so weird, but theyre only there because of public approval. They’ve had so much positive PR this decade, royal weddings, babies, The Crown… but the mood at the moment is so jumpy with Brexit and stuff, if people did turn on who knows what could happen. Never mind charity endeavours, the Royal Family have 1 aim only – survive.
Ok I know that everyone wants to believe this is a hateful smear campaign by the Cambridges but I just think that is nuts and allowing prejudices dictate what some want to be reality.
Also this sounds 100% believable to me, and it isn’t a bash it is a Megan is use to a Hollywood way of handling things (which isn’t bad) and not a royal way of doing things. This will take time to learn, and I can’t believe she doesn’t find a lot of it beyond stupid.
Megan is very much a feminist and personally as a feminist the idea of being part of the royal family makes me want to jump off a bridge. I think Megan had this really fairytale idea of the family that she could go in and continue her lifestyles and not getting push back. But this is an insanely old and archaic institution and they aren’t going to bend or adapt easily. Also like it or not she is an American and as an American who works for a European company it is different. Neither one is right or wrong but it is believable there are clashes.
Feminist=the scandalous idea that women should have agency over their own lives, and should be defined by their own accomplishments and identity, not their relationship to a man. That women should get equal pay for equal work, not be judged by double standards, and should have control over their own bodies. THAT makes you want to jump off a bridge? Really?
Meghan’s biggest “crime” is existing and taking up space. If she speaks, she’s an Uppity Bitch. If she’s silent, she’s a lazy Welfare Queen. Since she can’t win a rigged game, all she can do is be true to herself and do her best at this job. Will she make mistakes? Of course, she isn’t perfect! But we’re talking about air freshners and nail polish. Not selling access to royals, infidelity, chumming with dictators and pedophiles.
I think R was saying as a feminist she would rather jump off a bridge than be a royal because of the difficulty in running her own life in that organisation.
please actually read what I said and check the condescending tone. I don’t appreciate it.
I clearly said that I as a feminist find the idea of joining the royal family horrific and would make me want to jump off a bridge. I am a feminist and know what it it means so again don’t need it explained to me.
And hate to break it to you but all these stories are similar which makes me think there is truth to it. She really wants to be famous, hence the actress thing, and she is still acting like a celebrity doing the photo stuff, and whether you like it or not the Royal family isn’t suppose to do that. That is why they HATED Diane.
I think if Megan wants to do charity and good work that is great but this idea she’d get to come in and speak her mind (which is a great thing but not to the royals), comment on politics and go to big events and she’d have zero push back is nuts. All these things she wants to do are wonderful, but she still needs to play the game.
Also megan chose actively to be in the royal family and guess what that isn’t a feminist organization. This is a freaking family where she is REQUIRED to bow to her infant nephew. There is no agency. HENCE WHY I WOULD NEVER WANT TO BE A PART OF IT!!!
I misread you, R. Sorry about that.
R I totally agree. I don’t understand people’s adoration to have Meghan in the royal family. I’m not sure how they thought she was going to change it. She gave up her career and her ability to be politically active about anything, probably for life or be shunned by the royal family which her child is always a part of. I’d feel bad for her except she’s a well educated thirty something woman who had to know what she was getting into. She chose this so I guess it’s what she wants.
Meghan married the man she loves and now has a global platform to do good. Whatever staff need to get their noses back in joint will. BTW Letizia and Maxima are also feminists and exist quite happily in their royal families, doing good on a global scale.
Then William is Rachel and Kate is Ross.
I think William is Gunther.
“We were on a break!” is more William’s cheating on Kate, but I can see it.
I don’t see William using an excuse for his infidelity, he just did it and she chose to stay with him. Time and time and time again.
She is different to the old royals and that’s a good thing.
She has genuine empathy which is lacking in the old guard. When she greets people they feel loved and respected. Listen to what people who come into contact with her are saying. Her collaborating on the cookbook and helping cook was not just a photo op (or at least did not appear to be) neither was her greeting to one of the ladies when she saw them on a follow-up meeting “I wanted to tell you the last time” (paraphrasing). That was her connecting on a personal level and letting them know she was pregnant at the last launch. It is personal and warm vs sterile and impersonal.
Keep doing you Duchess of Sussex. To thine own self be true.
People who have met Camilla say the same, and the Duchess of Kent had a good reputation.
Yes, I do get a good vibe from the DoCornwall.
And to think that just a year ago I believed following Meghan’s new life as a royal would be a fun, lighthearted distraction from hard news. I was so naive.
These posh and pretentious people that have worked or have access to the Royal Family just don’t like The Duchess of Sussex. I think it is because she is beautiful, down to earth and just a really nice woman. I don’t want to do this but this is evident, they just do not like Meghan Markle because she is mixed race. These people are pathetic and don’t have anything to do with their time but to trash Meghan Markle.
Personally, I suspect the problem, fundamentally, is that they know they can’t control her impact. Yes, she’s an outsider (in many ways). She’s also an independent person with her own mind, good media instincts who, given her background, was not raised to have an automatic & unquestioning deference to the Firm.
Given her race/beauty/charisma/style, she is also a natural lightning rod for attention & fundamentally more interesting that others higher up in the (family) chain. It’s a recipe for tension.
She just needs to NOT be BOTHERED by this attempt to hurt her. She has the means to be a great representative for the family, but I suspect they’ll need to work with her as a team player & not attempt to dictate to her.
I agree, basically. I think the number one factor is that people behind the scenes (whoever you believe them to be) feel their power or influence is threatened. Racism and classism march in behind that, because Meghan’s status as a WOC, American, divorced, actress with a horrible family is a way to bring her down. I’m sure certain people can’t believe a woman with that background is in the privileged position she’s in.
Personally, I think anyone with Meghan’s qualities (beauty, charisma, independent, hard-working) and who’s behaved as/accomplished what she has over the last year, would run into problems for the same reason – threat. Even an aristocratic English rose, who would actually show up Kate’s deficiencies even more. The powers that be would just find different ways to undermine such a person to protect themselves and their positions.
Xo, I think you’re exactly right. I think the Queen and Charles are savvy enough to know this. I’m not sure William and Kate recognise this.
Ah, I see. Kate wasn’t lazy. She was cautious! How restrained and regal of her.
That’s some excellent spin, isn’t it?
I always remember, the day after their engagement was announced, an article remarked that “waity Katie” had become “constant Catherine.”
This summed it up-
“…people are really, really triggered when they see a black woman doing ANYTHING. “How dare she wear nail polish!” “How dare she touch her bump!” “How dare she wake up early!” “How dare she be organized!” What they’re trying to say is “how dare she be black!””
It’s as if they are jealous, pissed, threatened that a WOC is “daring” to “try” to be royalty and succeeding. It’s not that she breaking their traditions, it’s that she’s there at all. And to make matters worse: she’s stylish, smart, eloquent and driven.
Megan will never please them unless she completely shrinks herself or fails. So, I hope Megan does the opposite and thrives!
Bs. Diana and fergie and even Chelsea had it worse. They jsuf go after anyone that’s making themselves center of attraction. It’s like a law firm. Follow the image. I think Meghan’s being a poc is Protecing her
All it is is a bunch of people pissing and moaning because they don’t want to have to work so hard. And I think we’ve seen candid pics of even the Queen in her younger days with celebrities…
All these royal courtiers can suck it. She is duchess. She is above them on the social hierarchy and quite literally their boss. Maybe not their direct boss, but her now family is their employer. It’s disloyal, snarky and so stupid. Dark nail polish? Who cares?
Umm she’s an employee basically. She works for the RF. She’s an almost forty year old women who knowingly with eyes wide open, willingly gave up her former life to marry into that institution. Now she has to follow the rules whether she likes it or not.
Nail polish color is not a “rule.” Can you cite a statute or other law that prohibits dark nail polish? And the use of nail polish in the royal family isn’t even that old, so it’s not even a “tradition.” It is a PERSONAL PREFERENCE by some members of the royal family to avoid dark colors. Calling it a “rule” only emphasizes how Meghan’s critics are exaggerating her “faults” to make her look worse than she is. Their agenda is really showing now.
I agree that Meghan knew (or should have known) what she was marrying into, she only had to read the coverage of William and Kate over the last few years to know what was waiting for her. What I dont understand is the free pass Harry is getting. He IS royal – could he not give his wife some hints and tips to make life easier. Example Christmas lunch – why not explain that they should be on time (tho that is just good manners) and not rush out the door? Surely any husband/wife explains his/her family traditions to new partner,
“She is above them on the social hierarchy” no no no..sorry but no one is above anyone else because they were “born royal” or married into this ridiculous family. They are humans whose ancestors pillaged, stole, raped and plundered countries all over the world, never forget that.
“She is above them on the social hierarchy” This @OriginalLala. That very comment is a great example of classism!
I personally agree with you, that no one is above anyone else. I was saying it from the perspective of these courtiers who’s lives are steeped in this institution. They are the ones dedicated to the hierarchy and preserving it, but they are disrespecting a member who is very high up in that hierarchy. They are being completely hypocrites.
This is getting old. Leave MM alone. They are going to have a problem with every. single. parenting. decision. she. makes! UGH. Everyone in the royal family needs to back her, it won’t happen but it should. It’s as if she’s drowning and everyone is just standing five feet away watching.
And the whole policing pregnant women and holding their bumps….get a life. If that is what you are worried about and annoyed about you need a life people(people on instagram in the comment section)!
MM should not be expected to give up everything about herself, all the things that made Harry fall in love with her….I guarantee Harry is trying very hard to try to maintain any sense of normalcy he can for her.
I hate saying it, but sometimes the Queen is as disingenuous with her claims to be “keen”, especially when it has anything to do with the family, as Kate is about her work.
“[The Queen] simply won’t allow Meghan to feel unwelcome”. That’s a lovely sentiment, but if she’s not willing to put her foot down about this nonsense than its worthless. During the past several months Meghan has been made to feel anything BUT welcomed. Quite a bit of the animosity seems to originate from within the RF and it’s courtiers… and she’s indisputably the leader of this group. There’s varying degrees of autonomy within the other Palaces, but they aren’t going to ignore a direct order from the Queen.
Yet, despite her resolution that Meghan won’t feel unwelcome, we’ve watched for months as a relentless smear campaign does just that. The Queen can’t control what the press prints, but she most certainly has final say over staff and the overall agenda of the entire family. So it makes you wonder what, if anything, she’s actually done more than say she’s “keen” to make her newest granddaughter-in-law feel welcome? I think we’re seeing evidence of the long held rumor that the Queen avoids conflict like she avoids taxes play out in real time.
I’m not so sure VaVa – She was invited to Sandringham before being married and TQ persuaded Samantha Cohen to stay on in a lower position to help Meghan get settled. She also then invited Meghan to stay on the Royal Train with her. I think she’s tried to make her welcome. None of us really know what it going on in any of the Royal households, at the moment it’s a game of Royal Cluedo without the solution cards.
I’m probably being too harsh, but if we call out the “Keen Kate” stories than we should call this out too. This isn’t a one-off, it’s actually their MO. Not only are newcomers routinely “put in their place”, but even those born to it are vulnerable (see the Mark Bolland Years for an example). And every time it’s reported the Queen won’t stand for it.
We all knew this would happen and continue to happen. So saying she won’t “allow” someone to feel unwelcome is disingenuous because all evidence points to the fact she either won’t or simply can’t follow through.
I imagine keeping control of the various courts is like playing a game of chess on a three dimensional board . She does need to control them all. They’re position isn’t safe and I’d imagine a media slap isn’t too bad in the long run if it means you all get to keep your privileges. If they were all allowed to do what they wanted the monarchy might be finished by now.
@ Va Va: I agree 100%!
That first Times leak had the Queen’s thoughts in the article about her veil and the tiara issue. The Times is a legitimate establishment paper, the article wouldn’t have been printed without permission from someone higher up. With the Queen, it’s a mix of good friendly PR (the train) and then leaks also being sanctioned from BP/CH.
The Queen buries her head in the sand, but she also made it clear she likes Meghan with the overnight trip and visit. As for the silly tiara story, that was all shown to be false.
What I’m getting from all of this is that Meghan is doing things the Queen doesn’t like, and her courtiers are taking it upon themselves to be offended on her behalf, whether the Queen is actually unhappy or not.
I don’t think the game is rigged and I think ‘they’ really do want Meghan to succeed, just not to outshine the rest of the family or alienate the British public. It’s not just a matter of not outshining W&K. If you soar too high the British tend to look to knock you back down. It’s just the way we are, we don’t always appreciate winners or the best. Check the results of Strictly Come Dancing. Ashley Roberts was a fantastic dancer, the best, but there was no way in hell she was going to win. She had no journey or struggle for us to get behind and was too good from the beginning. It’s not just because she’s American because the other amazing dancer in the final was British and she had a similar problem just not as bad because at least you could see some improvement with her. We might speak the same language as Americans but we are very different people, as foreign to you as someone from Germany.
The boomerang pic was a mistake. The Royals shouldn’t be too ostentatious, after all it’s our money their are spending. If you need to ask why it wasn’t ‘Royal’ just imagine if that was The Queen in the picture.
There is almost 60 years between Meghan and Elizabeth. Huge diff in pictures.
The years are not relevant. It’s the way she gazes into the camera. Good work for an actress, really selling her face and her beauty. A royal shouldn’t be ‘making love to the camera’.
I generally agree, Rosie, but Diana spent years making love to the camera. And God, it loved her back.
What is this ‘making love to the camera’ nonsense ? This is the refrain l see on DM all the time. Meghan is extremely photogenic, that is why she was a model. She doesnt have a bad angle or take a bad picture. The cameras are trained on her from all positions, should she just look to the sky or ground to avoid being in the eye line of a camera. People are clearly jealous of her beauty.
I think Princess Margaret would have LOVED it.
Plenty of glamorous photos of the Queen and Margaret through the years. Cecil Beaton as photographer and sometimes designer, Hartnell often as designer.
She looked so impossibly beautiful, happy and just plain cool at that party that these white bread royal watchers lost their collective minds. Keep being fabulous Meghan. You’re gonna change the way things work there and not the other way around! And that’s why they’re so damn threatened.
I get that you like Meghan. But your statesment about people of European dissent is extremely racist. Can we stop trying to divide people by colour if skin please. Don’t blame others for racist abuse towards Meghan when you yourself have racist abuse if those with a different colour of skin.
You clearly don’t know what the term “whitebread” means. A little help- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.urbandictionary.com/define.php%3fterm=whitebread&=true
There has been a strong racist element in some royal watchers for generations. Look at the abuse Maria-Teresa of Luxembourg got from her racist MIL. “The little cuban” and “la negrita” being some of what she was called.
It continues now, with the unhinged and unchecked racism prevalent throughout royal forums and social media. FFS a white supremacist group wanted to kill Harry as a “race traitor” for marrying Meghan. Anyone who ignores this aspect of the treatment of Meghan is either part of it or willfully ignorant.
Regarding social media, here’s an interesting back-and-forth between R. Palmer and K. Simmons that starts with Simmons asking “what role is old fashioned classi[ci]sm, sexism, racism playing?” Of course, Palmer doesn’t ‘play’ well and comes off as the snowflake royal gossip monger that he really is.
https://twitter.com/KeirSimmons/status/1074740058211708930
I was cheering reading that. Richard Palmer is a dinosaur and he needs to go. He is beyond unprofessional.
Did you read what Obama said when meeting the queen? He didn’t know how to enter the car with her because of protocol. He said, the queen said to him: „just get in the car, this is all nonsense“ i loved this!
i think this proves that the queen is more laid back then some of her staff or the Media, who just tries to get clicks on their „shocking stories“ of breaking protocol.
I’ve been here quite long so help me if I’m wrong. I don’t recall hearing Kate seeking assistance nor guidance from any other royal. There have been many suggestions from commentators here that she should be learning from Sophie or Camilla but no whispers about that. In documentaries, Kate only mentioned the Queen and how she takes care of her. So this is, to repeat Phoebe Buffay, brand new information!
But of course, correct me if I’m wrong.
Also the faux rage sounds so pathetic. Meghan and Harry if you’re here, keep doing what you’re doing and just work your ass off and keep your heads high! And be each other’s cheerleader.
She was offered guidance at the start of her marriage but she declined and said Will would help her. What a fine job he’s done 🙃
It’s amazing that to be successful in the Royal Family, you have to be lazy and unwilling to do your job.
i always find it somewhat hilarious when people say royals should be ostentatious. sure, wear tiaras, crowns, gowns, huge ass jewelry, live in palaces…but god forbid, don’t be show off.
i mean, sure don’t wear your tiara when visiting victims of a horrific event, but is a boomerang really ostentatious?
I am very uncomfortable with the idea that a Meghan has to give up who she is—an actor—once she got married. It shouldn’t matter who she is marrying; she shouldn’t have to drop everything she loved and did because of who she loves.
If she married into a normal wealthy family, things would be different…. but she married into an institution.
You have amazing coverage of all this royal family nonsense! My question is, who are all these unnamed “royal courtiers”? I would love some background on what type of roles, positions, backgrounds these people hold… it seems like a massive faceless entity that has such a loud voice and shapes perception and narratives of different royals to such a great extent.
I think this is less about MM being a black woman and more about she isn’t towing the line. The courtiers have far to much sway.
I do not think it was W&K who started this. I think it was Andrew to throw off the up coming drama with his crap. I also think its Andrew having a small hissy fit because MM takes the spot light off of his girls. They may not be full working royals, but anyone who out shines them is someone he wants gone. While I don’t think K and MM are best buddies, I don’t think the level of drama swirling is really them. I do think the brothers are battling, and its NORMAL. Royal or not, they are brothers. If you can’t fight with your siblings, who can you fight with.
Very possible.
Has anyone thought it might be The Duchess of York’s doing, at least initially?
Maybe she wasn’t happy with the pregnancy announcement overshadowing the recent wedding, and she’s peeved she got dragged through he mud in the media during her hay day-
Where as Meghan seemed to be getting away with everything; breaking protocol, having a personality etc
I had never heard of the Duchess of Sussex before the prince began to date her, and I’ve never seen her in any of her acting roles. I hope she and Harry have a good and happy marriage, but I don’t find them any more interesting than the Cambridges.
Had the Duchess have turned up wearing a twinset made for a woman twenty years older than she, her nails a perfect shade of pale pink; had she allowed Polo baby to carry on kicking (due to all the noise and excitement, one imagines: poor wee thing was agitated) until they’d created themselves an entirely new exit to the one conventionally used by infants at birth; had she shunned all photos, been deadpan and stayed schtum, her hair in a perfect Duchess chignon, her pearls a-gleam – the HeilExpress would STILL have found fault with every element of her appearance and behaviour.
Incidentally, Monica and Chandler had the best lovelife and relationship on friends. How distressing for the “sources”, that they’re actually complimenting her… (ha)
Exactly,what hard work she’s doing that is putting the entire UK to shame? And what if these emails that allegedly were sent at 5 a.m were not even related to this alleged “hard work”? Constantly seeing what these people do being referenced as “hard work” is ludicrous and offensive.
They’ve gone so far as to include her being a feminist in her official bio on the royal website, GiveMeABreak. They don’t consider that to be a terrible thing, even if you do.
I find it hilarious people are insisting Meghan is being too political, at the same time we’re getting the obvious W&K/Middleton leak about Kate going to save all the children of the UK and politics be damned.
Yes, love that
Oh, but you see, Meghan is doing the WRONG sort of politics, because any politics that a visibly black woman does is WRONG and far FAR too political. Whereas Kate is doing the RIGHT sort of politics.
Meghan is married to the sixth in-line to the throne! All this hysteria is crazy!!
I have never posted anything about meghan.
But i do notice that she is aprincess and the sources from the palace are the helps.. like a maid. How come a princess needs to kowtow to the helps. The one who needs to know is their place are the the ones who works there.
You can’t be serious? You can learn a lot about somebody’s character/personality by the way they treat the “help”. Again, nice classism on display.
Re: London GMT – New York EDT time difference
London is 5 hours AHEAD of New York. An easy way to remember which way the time goes is to think of when we see the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square, New York City on TV. London’s midnight celebration and fireworks have already happened. We see them on tape while we are awaiting midnight on the East Coast of the U.S.
Another way is to think of the sun coming up at dawn. The sun always moves from the East to the West. So, at a 5:00 AM dawn in London the sun would continue to move to the West, across the Atlantic Ocean. Thus at 5:00 AM London time, it will still be dark in New York.
I was very happy to see that Bonnie Greer, one of the few African American women who have made the UK their home and risen to well respected prominence within it, was on Sky News yesterday to defend the torrent of bad press Meghan has been getting in such a short period of time. She also believes that there is something sinister behind this plot to topple Meghan.
Camilla took Kate under her wing? When? Also, Meghan HAS been outsourcing help. Did we not get reports of her asking Charles for his advice for their wedding? Didn’t we get a whole thing about how the Queen spent time with Meghan and did a whole day’s worth of engagements with her? It’s one thing to print stuff that can’t be corroborated, but it’s another thing to print something that’s the complete opposite of what we’ve already been told.
Also, is the Monica and Chandler thing supposed to be some kind of insult? Because it’s really not. They were easily the best relationship on Friends, and it was because you could tell that they truly cared for one another as friends and as partners. They worked really hard to get over their emotional bullshit, because they listened to each other and loved each other for who they really were. So if this is supposed to be some kind of backhanded insult, it really doesn’t come across that way at all.
How can they be upset over something they gave her permission to go to?