Late Monday night, the Telegraph (the conservative, mainstream British paper) dropped their big story on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex: the Sussexes, the Telegraph had discovered, have already named their non-profit and grabbed a lot of trademarks for the new name. The news, in my mind, was the fact that the name was confirmed: Archewell. After the Telegraph did their digging, Harry and Meghan confirmed everything with a simple statement and said that further announcements would be coming in a few months, because everyone is rightfully paying attention to the pandemic. Harry and Meghan reacted to the Telegraph’s reporting, they did not decide, on their own, to announce the name. But that hasn’t stopped prissy pearl-clutching royal commentators from casting harsh judgments on how attention-seeking Harry & Meghan totally tried (and failed, of course!) to pull focus from all of the tragedy unfolding.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have today been criticised after revealing some of the details of their plans to launch a new not-for-profit foundation, with one royal watcher describing it as ‘the worst possible timing’. The couple last night said they ‘look forward’ to getting started with the foundation, named Archewell, which will replace their Sussex Royal brand.
But royal biographer Phil Dampier has described the reveal of the details, which came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved into intensive care with coronavirus, as ‘appalling timing’. Details of the Archewell plans emerged on the Telegraph’s website at around 10pm, almost two hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was confirmed to have been taken into intensive care with coronavirus.
Speaking to the MailOnline, Phil Dampier, who has been writing about the Royal family for 33 years, and penned the book ‘Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan in Their Own Words’, said: ‘It’s appalling timing, I would say. It was the worst possible timing. If I were Harry and Meghan I would have laid low until this situation (coronavirus) was over. People everywhere are really concerned with dealing with this and it does not look good, however good the cause is.’
Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator and public relations expert, said: ‘Harry and Meghan, based in Hollywood, have drawn up substantial proposals for Archewell, a non-profit organisation which in effect will be their own charity. At the moment they had obviously not intended for this to be public, The Telegraph unearthed the details. Clearly with the world focused on the devastation the deadly pathogen COVID-19 is having, there is little current relevance in what has been uncovered. Then again it would be ridiculous to expect them to do nothing and these are the sort of plans that might be expected.’
I chuckled at the fact that the Daily Mail couldn’t even work up the energy to get really riled up about it, almost as if even the most racist and hateful Mail editors understand that the story release wasn’t their call, that the Telegraph did their own legwork and research.
Perhaps the better criticism, if there is some criticism to make, is that Harry and Meghan could have just allowed the Telegraph to print the story without any statement or confirmation from them. That was what Lainey at LaineyGossip argued – that Harry and Meghan are in a position where they don’t have to answer every single story about them. My take on that is that “being able to respond in a timely manner to negative/breaking news” is one of the big reasons why they left to do their own thing, to run their own operation. Plus, they’ve been planning the Archewell stuff for months (just a guess) and of course they were bummed that they didn’t get to reveal the name the way they wanted, but their version of making lemonades out of lemons is to explain the name and then immediately throw the attention back to the pandemic.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid and Avalon Red.
I’m shocked the papers are criticizing them!!!!
The blogs are absolutely full of loathing for the couple. Anybody defending them gets insulted.
I cannot believe how the readers on some of these blogs have been so brainwashed. Harry & Meghan are 100% being blamed for The Daily Telegraph story due to responding to a “request for comment” by The Daily Telegraph reporter who originated the story. SMDH
Not shocked, the best way to handle them is to slap them back with, what about when Kate/William… they absolutely hate when their queen Kate is exposed, and they’ll stop retailiating just to make you shut up with the truth about her.
As for Meghan I am really hoping now that she’s not under the royal thumb, to stick up for herself, she needs to put out an article critizing the disgusting way she’s been treated by the press, front page big headline. She needs to set the record straight! Of course she will be knocked by some, but it’ll also open the eyes of a few too.
On Social Media, someone was still picking on Meghan for altering the ring she got from Harry allegedly. This was a long time ago. They can’t let go. And they call her the same names.
Did they bother to read the article from the jeweler who stated it was Harry who redesigned the ring and added their family birthstones? Of course not, because they hate being reminded of how much Harry cares for Meghan vs. William’s dismissive attitude towards Kate.
You almost think they’d be embarrassed at this point. Like, hey, we’ve been revealed as petty bullies, why don’t we try evaluating their latest announcement on its own merits rather than nitpicking for any tiny problem – however absurd?
They are not the Sussexes anymore. They are Harry and Meaghan.
LOL at Mary H. Townsend, keep dreaming 🙂
They remain both HRH and Duke&Duchess of Sussex. Sorry haters.
People want a distraction from the pandemic. Much like the American president, it’s omnipresent and depressing af. Good news is welcome. I guess haters gotta hate though.
+1000
I don’t get what you mean Arb. The papers are accusing them of attention seeking for responding to an investigation done about them. How is that good news? Or are you talking about them having a name for their non profit?
I believe what Arb is saying is that, as opposed to this being bad timing, the good news of them announcing their charity should be welcomed, in these dark depressing times.
Yes, it’s nice to see something of the light of day in the news. I’m thrilled when my morning news bothers to cover weather and traffic (since who really cares at this point?) rather than more COVID horror stories. The name of their foundation is a very small thing, but it’s full of potential for a future we may still have to look forward to.
Lmao Phil Dampier, that shadow of a wet fart of a “biographer”.
shadow of a wet fart—dying laughing!!
They really can’t win, can they.
They need to go completely dark now, in my view. There’s already a huge amount of pain, fear and bitterness floating around because of the deadly virus. People are looking for a target to lash out at, no matter how unfair the attacks may be.
Having said that, we all know that the media would’ve attacked with a different narrative if they hadn’t responded. But silence would have been less damaging, I think.
I agree. And a funny side note, Prince George leaked Archie’s name first. It was still a surprise when Archie was born.
Why do they “need to go completely dark” tho?
They are already nearly completely silent. It will never be enough for some people. They have the right to live their life. Many people are intensely interested in them. The new foundation name has been endlessly discussed. But it’s them who should shut up? Lainey, whatever. Does she work in PR?
Once again: MALIBU is NOT Hollywood!
Some people will say anything for attention, money, and clicks.
I agree.
Yes.
That aside, I think it’s an elegant solution in theory, naming it after (well not after, but you know) the son, but I hate the name.
Sussex Royal was a big loss.
Xo, they had planned to name their organization ‘Archewell’ before their son was born. They weren’t planning on using SussexRoyal long term.
Meh, this is just wishful thinking that silence would have caused less damage. For 3 full years, they were completely silent and said absolutely nothing about the smear campaign against them, tell me how that worked out in their favor…..
Yeah, I figured.
Some chick – I agree the Telegraph started this by printing the name, but I think HM should have said something along the lines of, “Yes that is the name and we will discuss its origins later.” I think it was the part about, “pulling from the well” that might irk people because some have deeper wells to pull from and these are not normal times.
80% of what’s out there now is abuse. Bile filled, bitter abuse in every direction. Even the traditional abusers like Piers Morgan and Trump are getting their fair share of it. It’s like a shit storm out there; step out of the shelter for even a minute and you get covered in it.
I think they need to put their heads down and keep building quietly. If I was advicing them, I would suggest they very quietly reach out to California’s Governor/Government/Leadership to see what they can do to quietly help in the background. Besides that, for now (while Coronavirus active) don’t be drawn on *anything* to do with the brand as it will only be weaponised against them.
I don’t think they need to go dark, because they ARE at the moment going dark.
Meghan and Harry reached a level of stardom and public interest to the levels of Brangleina back when they were together. They get spotted or breathe, and suddenly they are all over the headlines and news stories.
What was it that they do that was wrong? They filed petitions. Likely, their lawyers have done that on their behalf, and they were just doing their job. What are Meghan and Harry suppose to do? Sit around until the pandemic is over, put their staff on hold, and not do any work?
look they are at home, social distancing and going about their work, which they pay their staff and contractors. What’s the problem???
Damned if they do, damned if they don’t. Not sure why they’re getting the blame for this other than spite because a reporter decided to go digging for information. The reporter decided to release the information. I don’t think ignoring the story would’ve helped. They’ve been ignoring stories for 3 years and look at how things spun out of control. Issuing a response was fine, people won’t even remember this by next week.
➕💯 Laila and S808. So ➕💯…..the rabid royal reporters (like Pavlov’s dogs) have trained themselves to start salivating negatively at the mere mention of their name.
People criticizing them for this are absolutely ridiculous – and I include Lainey in that.
They aren’t responding to every story about them. They are responding to major ones – where if they did NOT respond, the press would have continued to build speculation and spread false information. They wanted more control of their narrative, now they have it.
When the DM said they were on a break the criticism was rampant. Now they have something going on they are still criticized.
Exactly Becks. The Telegraph was already hinting that they were going to do self help websites, seminars, retreats, etc… and Harry and Meghan had to issue a denial saying they were really exaggerating. They are now able to shut them down and they hate it. They were supposed to take their abuse with a smile.
I don’t think Lainey was criticizing them so much as saying that they should do what Beyoncé does and only speak to the press when you want. Her premise is faulty though because the British media never leaves them alone, even if they say nothing…. as we saw during Meghan being away for mat leave. Beyoncé has never been hounded by media to that degree which is why she can be silent when she wants because the media will respect that in a way the British media never does for Harry and Meghan.
yeah, I said below that I think that’s a bad take because its just….wrong. The press isn’t going to leave them alone (right now, maybe down the road it will be different.) We saw what happened last summer.
I think they are responding to the press when they want. There a million different stories in the press about H&M, the latest one being Meghan wanting Angelina Jolie as a mentor, eyeroll. But you never hear them saying anything about that. But this is important, it’s their work and livelihood and they don’t want the press f@cking around with that and printing lies.
Lainey’s obsession with Beyoncé is beyond sycophantic, only she could attempt to stitch a story together about how Harry & Meghan should be just like her. She’s not taking into consideration that Beyoncé is American and doesn’t attract the attention of the rabid dogs of the British tabloid world and the RRs so it’s easier her for her to go dark. When you’re royal the tabloid hounds are going to track you down no matter how dark you’ve gone. Harry and Meghan have managed to keep them off the scent except for a couple of minor thing and they can’t stand being outwitted so they lash out.
I would have preferred a simple confirmation or even no comment only because I saw these stories coming. I don’t know how they didn’t see it too, with all they’ve put up with.
It was a simple comment.
Not really. When you go into Greek word origins and the inspiration for your kid’s name, you’ve left “simple” behind. I understand why they did it (being honest and forthcoming), but I think they’ve put themselves on the defense here.
And if they don’t respond then the Telegraph would have put out a bunch of rumours that weren’t confirmed which would be repeated until the actual launch and considered true no matter what you say or do at that point
The British press would have written countless articles on the meaning of the name and getting it wrong. It’s fine to say what the name means and also how Archie got his name. They stopped it before they could get started.
@EB, yes and no. I think it was deliberate word salad so people focus on the name and not the rest of that lame, thirsty article. If they want to geek out a bit on the name, good for them, they have every right to. They’re clearly excited. Also, this may be a working title for all we know, and this IS all we know. Ok, Burr, talk less, smile more.
You’re correct EB
No EB is not correct. The statement was very simple, it did not mention any specifics about the foundation or non-profit or any next steps or plans. Unless your idea of simple is just “yes” or “no”.
@Mslam
I disagree with you. They were too explanatory.
It’s “never complain, never explain,” remember?
That’s the tried & true approach to the British press.
This is really only apparent in hindsight, though. The press will take any opportunity to push them down.
Yet another brand new name on here, Chubs. An opinion cannot be ‘right’. You can choose to agree with her opinion, but that doesn’t make either of your opinions ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.
I think EB’s right in this case!
@Chubs – In hindsight EB has a good point. However, in “real time” I would have done what the Sussexes did regarding “Archewell” as they really had no choice.
@MsIam – “It’s “never complain, never explain,” remember? That’s the tried & true approach to the British press.”
That’s the tried and true way the royal family responds. Meghan and Harry aren’t in the royal family any more, they were hounded out remember? So a “truism” like that doesn’t apply to them any longer. All Meghan and Harry did was add a bit of context to an already revealed foundation name to forestall a lot of wild speculation about the origin and meaning of the name.
I think so, too, EB. At this point, they’re just baiting them and they walked right into the trap. Because as soon as they released that statement, they had the article ready to go on how this is not the right time. This is full-on now.
They issued a simple statement to stop the wild speculation that always follows the bottom dwellers hunting down every scrap of info about them. Simple, easy, puts it in context, and they move on.
Same news media who accuse the Sussexes of hoarding media attention,can’t seem to not control themselves from reporting on them.Just a bunch of hypocrites
If people want to criticise I think they should criticise the Telegraph. They were the ones who dedicated time and resources into checking the website, calling them up to get a confirmation and then writing the story. They didn’t have to report the story. They didn’t have to go searching for filings. But they did.
YES!!! Ridiculous that they are being criticized for responding to a story but the story itself gets no negativity
So many comments here yesterday and no one had words for The Telegraph who has more of a responsibility to focus on more pressing matters than the Sussexes.
The story “going around the world” on other blogs is that Meghan herself, through one of her friends, leaked the story to The Telegraph. This theory is bullshit but there are many out there who believe it besides the rank-and-file Daily Fail subscribers and conspiracy theorists at The DataLounge.
Their PM could be dying and yet this story was still printed. If the Telegraph is more than a tabloid they sure didn’t act like it in this instance. There are so many more important stories to cover right now.
👍👍👍
NIC919, you hit the nail on the head.
I mean, in the eyes of the british media they cant do anything right. It’s a lose/lose so they may as well do what they want. I dont think it’s bad timing to just confirm the name of their charity after it leaked – which does not mean they are responding to all articles about them, just the major stories. If they were responding to all stories it would be like a dog chasing its tail. I think they did the smart thing by confirming the name of their charity and then basically saying “more to come.” Theres nothing wrong with that.
But toxic tabloid culture will always find a way.
Breaking news! Meghan breathed.
A source confides to RRs that the palace is shocked that she would be so disrespectful to TQ and country at this time.
Edited to remove typing the same word twice 🙂
Lainey wants them to be like Beyoncé and go dark and then come back with a bang. Kaiser got it right by saying the very reason they left is that they couldn’t defend themselves. All they did was confirm the name and gave the meaning and they stressed that they wanted the attention on the pandemic not themselves. The British press are upset that Harry and Meghan can now fight back against them. I’m glad they don’t have to be silent anymore.
And the problem with that take from Lainey is that it doesn’t matter if they “go dark.” We barely heard a peep from them through December and into January, and the press couldn’t back off them. Meghan was barely seen during her maternity leave and the negative press only ramped up to absolutely ridiculous levels.
Becks1, you are so correct. The press will never leave them alone until they have another glamorou$ couple to write about who will generate as many click$ for revenue as the Sussexes.
New information about how one tabloid paid to invade Harry’s privacy and make up stories about him has just come out. The lawsuits are gaining steam.
I read comments yesterday criticizing the name, because it sounds like an amalgamation of Rachel (Meghan’s given name) and Markle. People better be careful not to tear a labrum with all that stretching of the truth.
The British media are crazy to say the least.
And after interacting with some Brits online incan say reading comprehension is really low there too.
Hindsight being 20/20, maybe they shouldn’t have responded, so I see Laineys point. But given they were responding to something written about them, it’s easy to see why they did and they were well within reasonable judgment, I think.
It’s unsurprising but annoying that the original piece isn’t getting any heat. If H&M are getting yelled at, why isn’t the source article?
They seem to deny stories that are more serious. Ex: Trumps tweet on their security, and their foundation. This foundation is make or break for them. They can’t fall back on being working royals. They should speak out on their foundation so these vile reporters don’t start an untrue narrative on it.
Yeah, I think that is a super fair argument and opinion, and is probably exactly why they did respond. Either way I think this will blow over by tomorrow so I’m not worried about them or this decision long term
Agree, the culprits, Hannah Furness and The Telegraph, deserve a shit-tonne of criticism and have received a lot of it on Twitter. But, you won’t see it in the tabloid comments sections or royal/hater blogs because it doesn’t jive with their opinion that the Sussexes (Meghan) are leaking or planting stories. The insane thing is we are now a week beyond April 1st, but the tabloids (Telegraph included) and the anti-stans (haters) still can’t let go of their obsessions with the Sussexes. Greed and psychosis have created a terribly toxic situation for this couple and we can only hope these sickos find another target soon.
The Sussexes seem to be the royal reporters sole existance for life. They are the ultimate abusive spouse who will NOT ACCEPT that their victim has left, and will do anything they can to sabotage the victim’s life: filing fake CPS complaints, dragging out the divorce proceedings, fighting over money. The Sussexes chose to remove themselves from the power of the abuser and the abuser cannot stand it. Therefore, all they can do is make their victim suffer more. They are grasping at power in any way they can. For a bunch of so-called journalists, It’s weirdly personal. In fact, the only way the RRs can be satisfied now is if the Sussexes come crawling back, or they end up dead. They must be PUNISHED after all. I guess professionalism doesn’t exist in the land of royal reporting.
While the explanation for the name is really rather sweet the first thing that popped to mind was Archway cookies. We grab their wedding cookies every Christmas.
Lol same here but now I’m going to pronounce them “Ark-way.”
@mumbles…I love that!! I will call them that too!!
You guys will like this story. Back in the day when my first child was a baby, 1983, for some reason I couldnt find oatmeal raisin cookies by Archway any longer. This was in Southern California. So I wrote to the company and asked why, telling them that they were my very favorite cookies. They sent me a package of cookies! Alas, several years later the recipe changed and now I don’t enjoy them as much. (They went from chewy to dry crunchy.)
The British media and the RRs are the worst lot. They’re existence is to draw blood. They want revenge because the Sussexes pulled the rug out from under their feet. Now they’re left high and dry. Gasping. I’m so sorry for the Sussex family. I hope they can stomach all the vile thrown at them. Phew!!! I don’t see it screeching to a stop. Hold up as long as you can, PHarry and Meghan. You both have a strong sense of self and a strong love for each other. Together this will help you overcome and succeed. Good luck and all the best to your new foundation .
Three years of silence, and the tabloids were taken as gospel against them.
Now they’re free to answer BS written about them, if they choose and the Telegraph printed the name and added their take, so they nipped it in the bud, so what the tabloids have to fall back on, this is not the time to announcing a foundation/charity.
Boris Johnson chose to shake hands with Covid19 victims and said you have to take on the chin, and was all for using the herd immunity.
and Future Charles III attended a meeting on water with world leaders like Prince Albert of Monaco who also came down with virus?????
SMDH; The Daily Fail will try and find someway to blame the whole pandemic on Meghan, Harry & Archie
I want to complain that the story of Trump’s moon-mining (!) got in the way of the Sussexes’ press release! See, we can all play a game of Squirrel!
-How are all you lovely people today?
Hi! how are you feeling these days?
Hope you’re well on the mend!
I think this is how they handle leaks- just like their leaving announcement. When it was leaked, they released their statement.
It might not be the correct way to handle things but it is consistent with their previous actions. Truth is, there is no one right way To handle these things, but I can understand their desire to take control of the narrative.
The cognitive dissonance for me is that they didn’t want to announce the name of Archie’s godparents–and have rightly gone to extreme lengths to protect their son’s privacy, even so far as to leave the Royal family (according to Harry)–but now they use his name (or a derivative of it) for their foundation? I think it’s sweet, but doesn’t that just put him front and center, no matter what the Greek origins are?
@Neutralobserver. What you are saying does not make sense. In your logic, because the godparents are not known, and they want privacy for Archie, which they never stated, by the way, so they are not allowed to even take a derivative of their sons name for a noble cause. I thank God Sussex was not used, otherwise, people like you would be writing petition to have it dropped. It is only in H&M’s world, that people are allowed to abuse a victim, and still get blamed for being abused. H&M get no slack, unlike The mediocre Cambridges. They will be victorious!
The name of their foundation predates their son, Neutral Observer.
What has one thing got to do with the other? Archie’s godparents are private individuals and don’t need their names in the public. And Archie’s name is already public so I don’t see how this foundation would put him any more front and center as you say. Unless you think he will be on the board of directors?
Cathy Lee Gifford named two of charities, CodyHouse and CassidyPlace, after her children. Many people do the exact thing and will continue doing the exact same thing.
I believe the “Ford Foundation” was originally the “Edsel Ford Foundation” but I could be wrong.
@MsIam, you asked what one thing has to do with the other? IMO, absolutely nothing, and I think this OP was just eager to use the well-worn term, cognitive dissonance, in order to criticize the Sussexes. Too bad, he/she is unaware of their own cognitive limitations.
If you bothered to read their statement, NO, you’d learn they didn’t name their organization for their son. They found this word first, and decided to use it for their organization BEFORE their son was born.
Nota, Facts are an alien concept for the trolls.
Ma’am/Sir, what in the world does one have to do with the other?
@neutral, Ok, this is a weird and confusing point. What do godparents have to do with this? It also shows how much you are interested in their personal life too. Just because the name sounds like Archie, don’t expect any photos anytime soon.
Hi guys– I am not a troll. I did not just want to use the term “cognitive dissonance.” I am not some Tumblr nut just looking for a good time. I have been following and commenting on this board since long before many of you–back when LAK, Sixer, and lots of other reasonable folks were down for some actual conversation.
Abena: Harry and Meghan have asked for privacy for their son–as any parent would–at nearly every turn. The birth details, the announcement, the intro to the baby, the christening, the godparents, and have been very selective with his image. TO BE CLEAR, I AGREE WITH THEM.
Notasugarhere and LadyD: I did read their statement, for myself. But they don’t say that ArcheFoundation predates SussexRoyal, just that “Before SussexRoyal came the IDEA of ‘arche’—the Greek word meaning ‘source of action.” They go on to say that they “connected to this concept for the charitable organization we hoped to build ONE DAY”–NOT that they named it Archefoundation before Archie was born–“and it became the inspiration for our son’s name.”
Why on earth would they go through all that trouble with SR if they’d always had Archefoundation in their back pocket, even before Archie was born? And why in the world would they be finalizing foundation names before Archie’s birth? That literally makes no sense.
They alighted upon this Greek word, liked what it meant, it inspired Archie’s name. Now it’s inspired their foundation’s name, which like it or not, puts their son out front. They didn’t give him a title because they wanted him to grow up away from the spotlight. This, to some degree, puts the spotlight back on him. There’s the cognitive dissonance for me. That so many of you found that so outrageously offensive beggars belief.
You make no sense.
They themselves state it was before their son’s name, but keep trying desperately to twist their own words to fit your narrative.
Many royals have put effort into trademarking names and titles – to stop others from doing so. What makes sense is they were planning on the 1/2 and half proposal they put forward to the royals. Archewell for their private work, SussexRoyal for their public work for the Queen.
@ neutral
Actually, there was a story posted in the telegraph back in January 2020 that M had ArchewellFoundation dot org and archewelll foundation dot com submitted for trademark/copyright protection eight weeks in to or after her pregnancy. I saved the article to my Twitter bookmarks, but it doesn’t appear in order and it’ll take more time than I have to locate it. However, I’m sure if you google, you’d find it. Also, the split to form their own foundation happened very early bc TRF was trying to use all the together cookbook profits to put into their other charities and not returning the bulk of it back to the ladies at Grenefeld, which cause the first sustaining rift between M and W. that came to in September 2018. The paper work pointed to Oct-Dec of 2018 so I think, it prove this has less to do with Archie and has always had to do with their intentions for their foundation and the meaning they described.
With all due respect, not one of you wrote a coherent reply to my comment.
These people are so boring and predictable in their criticisms that they are even starting to bore themselves.
Valiantly Vanished, they are really missing the Sussex Royal IG comment page. These trolls are so predictable.
Gingerbee and ValiantlyVarnished–would it be predictable for me to point out your ad hominem attacks?
It would be consistently troll-like on your part.
I think it’s unfortunate it leaked but I agree that they need to stop feeling like they need to respond to every leak. I don’t mean that as a shaming statement, just that it’s going to be exhausting trying to answer every ‘investigative story’, especially once this is over and they become more visible again. The press is always going to dig, it doesn’t mean they (or the public) deserve a response, roll things out in your own time and don’t feel pressured to rush things.
I’m not talking about responding to awful racist vitriol, just things related to their movements, projects etc. I think that will come with more time/experience and a good PR team behind them. I also don’t think the name leaking would have been a big deal, people are more excited to hear about the projects they plan to take on and the work they’re going to do then the name, they could have just let it leak and ignored it, people will just twist things no matter what.
And what do you think would have happened if they didn’t respond? The tabloids would have been “nice” to them? Would have played fair, maybe? Please. The tabloids and trolls have attacked everything about Harry & Meghan, from their families, their motives, their intelligence and even their sanity. They would have found something to bitch about regardless. Trolls are even going online and writing fake negative reviews about Meghan’s Elephant doc, for goodness sake’s! So I say f#ck them and do you, Harry & Meghan, do you.
Meghan and Harry can’t control what people write, they can only control how they engage with it. I would have preferred them to let stupid press write stupid stories that are easily debunked when their website goes live (like they did with SR).
I don’t see how they can deal with some of the things written about them in the media and i blogs.I have seen since she came on the scene posts about “something wrong” being with Archie, Meghan had an “extra husband”; there was the name calling, and some referring to her going into Paris tunnel. And how could they cope with petitions against their wedding and her father rushing to the media andSam. Sam was even given heroic status by the Meghan and Harry critics plus her father was considered to be a ‘victim’ even after they went to the media. Unfortunately, I don’t see signs of this stopping and Meghan and Harry are brought up in comments about articles involving the Duke and Duchess of Windsor! Harry’s family should have dealt with this early on. I think they could have also.
agreed. they also make false statements that then get taken as truth (the “list of demands” for their Windsor neighbors, for example, the copper bathtub and floating yoga floor in the house). Without responding, the RRs would have run with stories about Archewell Cambridge Voodoo Dolls to rile up the haters (even though I’d likely buy an Archewell Rosebush gardening set if they would be so inclined to merch one)
In no way do I think the media play fair, nor do I agree with anything they’ve said about the Sussexes. My point was more about how Megan and Harry should just not let the media influence their agenda in any way, if they poke and you respond, they’ll just keep digging Because they can force an immediate response. Again only in terms of their foundation, in terms of personal attacks and slander they have every reason to reply.
Harry and Megan have always won when they’ve set their own agenda and access, I would just hate to see them having to constantly respond to every little thing. And I do think you reach a point where you just can’t win and not engaging is almost the healthier option. The people who really like and care about them already know the truth and don’t believe/read this stuff and I’m not sure it’s worth correcting since the people who do read and believe it won’t listen or care anyway.
The Telegraph has messed with my mum’s point of view about them and try as I might, she cannot see them as the victims. And she does not see the racism. I absolutely adore this woman, but she’s trusted the Telegraph since … well before the war, I guess, and she doesn’t get that they are not the newspaper she thinks they are (and I thought they were, too, until they went rabid). We can no longer talk about the ‘royal’ family….
@Lauren, They don’t respond to every leak. Not even close.Everyone projects so much, and because so many articles are written about them, people think they are responding more than they actually are. A lot of people hear from sources, and assume it’s them, when it’s not. I really don’t understand why people are bothered that they responded to this article, like they’re so saintly and above it all. They clearly said that outside of them or their reps, no one else speaks for them, including the Telegraph. I also expect in future they will be speaking out more for themselves, and won’t always be nice or polite about it.
@L4frimaire I never said they did respond to every leak, just that I hope they don’t feel they have to, because with the press this is a no win situation, unfortunately. I also don’t think that not responding somehow makes you saintly (or that they have no right to respond), I think it just shows the story isn’t worth even acknowledging. I don’t think anyone thinks the Telegraph or Daily Mail or any “news” outlets like that speak for them, they’re just digging stuff up and throwing it at the wall to see what sticks, if people believe they speak for them, that’s a whole other problem they can’t solve.
The Sussexes have every right to respond to incorrect facts. If the British get upset about news about them, then they shouldn’t be digging around in their lives and their business. They know the playbook at this point so nothing new here. They are not the only country affected by this pandemic, and this was not news over here in the US, outside of the usual magazines. They are sheltering at home like the rest of us, so if the press makes a big deal about a trademark filing, why is it the Sussexes problem? Disagreed with Lainey’s take on this. Sometimes she can be annoying with her fake bemusement. She’d criticize if they were slow to respond as well. They have every right to respond and they haven’t said anything since they left the U.K. apart from these final statement. I swear, babe everyone in UK needs to watch Tiger King, bake some bread or something.
Lainey can be really annoying. She wants them to go dark and not comment on anything but on Omids recent podcast, she was begging for them to release a picture of Archie for his birthday. Omid said it won’t happen and he heard we won’t hear from them until July. She seemed really disappointed.
This is just continued abuse period.
I agree. And until the lawsuits are settled, I see this abusive behavior continuing. The RRs are foaming at the mouth rabid that the Sussexes are gone, and their clickbait money is drying up. The can’t seem to get it through their heads that the lawsuits are going forward and that the DDoS will now refute their lies when they feel it necessary to do so. The abuser mindset is stuck on one setting – abuse the victims in any way possible, regardless of the fact that the victims have left the house and are now out of reach and fighting back. The tabloid media in the UK has lost not only the plot, but control, and they are hysterically responding in the only way they know how to. They might as well stop because the DDoS are about a million steps ahead of them.
Well, of course they are to be criticized. Just because you run a family out of a country doesn’t mean you stop the bully tactics. The absolute nastiness projected onto them is disgusting at best. I will NEVER look at the RF as being leaders or example setters again. They have the power and influence to stop this, and instead they feed into it. Despicable.
They could have been on more appearances with Senior Royals. and much more of them. Charles and the Queen should have helped them out and also complained to the media.
But how, when they were the perfect distraction for the not working too much couple and the embarrassing predator uncle?
Let the tabloids have a go at them, that’s what they did.
i’d like to see them launch whatever they want now. now is the time for actions on so many levels. because we are all locked in and we have a chance to use our brains and choose what subjects we want to follow. people think they should just hide and plan things but they have already done that. if they are not blind to the pandemic, and are not obviously let them do the work they can in any way. as someone in a filed of work (writer, film maker) that is threatened now knowing that there is a fondation starting, of any kind, means a lot. and i wouldn’t mind knowing about it. plenty are in a lockdown and working, there are so many that do not have any support and if they can use their influence to help anyone, i want to see it and i want to see it like everything is normal, if only to forget it is not. that is the strength, a silent strength of their brand. and let haters be haters. time will tell who did work, so why stop them if they can contribute in any way? and please don’t follow beyonce – be you.
This is so pathetic.
Keep being gorgeous and flourishing, Meghan!
They’re in an impossible situation with the British press, but they really need to figure something out because they’re losing goodwill with casual observers. Their PR people need to earn the large fee I’m sure they are charging.
There is a pandemic and lives are a stake. Not good timing for pr and they know it. It turns out they cant even move without tabloids using them.
What would you suggest they figure out @Suzy? How to become invisible? They haven’t even been seen in almost a month and that hasn’t stopped the tabloids, the royal experts, the trolls, etc. So why do you feel this is Meghan & Harry’s problem to solve? The truth is they are a money making entity for the tabloids and a cover for the other deadbeat royals. It’s got nothing to do with anyone’s “PR”.
I don’t know. There has to be a better way to manage or anticipate how the British tabloids will set the narrative. I’ll say this too, I don’t think it’ll be hard to earn that goodwill back — they do every time they’re seen in public and showing their work (bc they’re charismatic and genuinely nice ppl). It’s just a matter of doing some offense in the moments that they’re quiet. Def don’t think it’s easy, but I hope it’s something their team is thinking about.
@Suzy – they don’t NEED to earn back goodwill, they have it by the boatload. How do you manage the rampant lies and smearing of the tabloids? YOU SUE THEM. Which is what the Sussexes are doing. It’s not their PR people’s jobs to figure out how to do battle with gutter tabloids, it’s to present their foundation’s future efforts and how people globally can help.
“It’s not their PR people’s jobs to figure out how to do battle with gutter tabloids, it’s to present their foundation’s future efforts and how people globally can help.”
Jaded–I have to disagree. I think that is the EXACT job of their PR people–to figure out how to deal with all media, good and bad, gutter and high-brow, love em or hate em. How can her PR people present the “foundation’s efforts” if the tabloids keep getting in the way? Why else does PR exists if not to deal with the bad sh!! so that the good can outshine it?
Missing the point, NO. Their lawyers are dealing with the gutter press, their PR people are dealing with the Foundation’s future. But keep trying.
They aren’t losing goodwill with anyone who pays attention. All the concern trolling in the world from haters won’t change the fact – Harry and Meghan are not in the wrong here.
Uh, no they’re not. In fact more people are seeing how the British press constantly twists stories on Harry and Meghan, and are calling it out too.
They’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t. What exactly would you suggest they do? Stay quiet and be vilified or speak up emphasizing that now is NOT the right time to be discussing these things? I think I prefer the latter.
Wow, those Bitish tabloids and comments are horrible, it really made me see Britian in a new light, Tan France said he’d never live there, and I could see why. I’m sorry but it’s like mean girl on steroids there, I know not everyone’s that way, but how does bashing a charity become a passtime for so many people, smh, I’ve been there once when I was small, don’t think I will be visiting there again.
I do not understand why a lot of people are on here saying they shouldn’t have engaged with the press, they’re answering too many stories, etc. These statements are so ridiculous, I don’t even know where to start. As many people have already said, the Sussexes stayed quiet for 3 years and that did absolutely nothing to stop the press. In this specific instance, their “answer” to the press was confirming the name of their organization and then stating that now was not the time to launch or announce anything due to the pandemic. Short, sweet, and to the point.
If they had not put that statement out there, the press would have continued to write lies about their new org and then when the Sussexes did launch the foundation, people would’ve thought, well the tabloids got the name right, maybe all the other stories about their org was true too.
Just let them be, people. Damn
1. The world has other problems right now and the news of the Sussex’ new foundation is irrelevant when people are dying everywhere and when there are curfews and lack of medication and medical equipment.
2. All news are currently overshaded by Corona virus infections as are the news of their new venture. Nobody cares cause Corona. And: Do they really assume that Corona will be over in 1 or 2 weeks so that they can get a head start right now? *LOL* It will last a lot longer and the publication of their little venture simply won’t generate much news. Bad timing.
You’re right . The world has a bigger problem in the form of this virus. And let me say that the Sussexes know this. That is why they said in their statement they will launch it “when the time is right .” They were compelled to say something about it earlier than they should’ve because the BM preempted them.
first of all they didnt leak the information. the journalist from the telegraph did – so the sussexes simply confirmed the name and left it at that. why blame the susssexes who said that they wd launch their foundation when it was right
Again, another new troll blaming Harry and Meghan for the foul work done by the tabloids.
@mary,
You and the rest of these tr olls are apparently as thick as 4x4s, and clearly punching above your weight commenting here instead of sticking with your kind on Tumblr, royal gossip sites and SM. Try this the next time you comment here: Read beyond the headline; read to comprehend; take time to think about what you’ve read; think again about it before you put your thoughts to print; and, stop coming here with your megx*t agenda talking points. They make you look stupid, and we’ve seen and read them all anyway.
Once again they’re forced to make some sort of statement before the time is right, all because the BM went digging and didn’t give them much of a choice. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t. I’m glad their statement was short and to the point. They said all they needed to say.
Wasn’t BM it was the Telegraph….BM didn’t get all het up about it, see author’s comments in original post, she was laughing at their lack of enthusiasm to go all in with the telegraph
The Telegraph is BM. Wishing the Sussexes all the best.
hahahahahahahahaha “are being criticized for…” drum roll….. breathing…. anything under the sun. Harry and Meg, keep your chin up.
I will allow for Harry and Meghan to do what is best for them in this circumstance, it is their life and they will have more information about it than any other person(s). They are still s part of the human condition and will make mistakes like other humans. Hopefully they grow and learn from it.(their decision to respond is not a mistake just an exercised option.)
After allegedly over four thousand articles from daily Fail in 3 1/2 years and 1815 in 2019 averaging 5 per day . They have shown considerable restraint and chose cannily to respond via People, the only magazine that did not publish an article about the $70,000 bribe to attack Meghan’s reputation. People benefited by getting the leak of the LA move fifteen minutes before Wooten’s article from the sun. What is disturbing is theasserted right and excuse of the daily Telegraph snooping in a private couple’s affairs(harrassment)?. Why? This is unlike the leak about Harry and Meghan dating? Who told them? It is established that the leak was to prevent a marriage. Is it to prevent the establishment of a successful nonprofit organization?
To provide another opportunity to mischaracterize the Sussexes actions or inactions.
The comparison with Beyonce is a false equivalent, Beyonce walked away from the media after being criticized publicly for espousing feminist beliefs by some feminists. She reassembled a new team then released her album which did extremely well. The realization that having the bee hive as a fandom was enough to continue to garner success. Their reward was the album lemonade .
Similarily the Sussexes have garnered support from all over the world for a different reason and with their status do not have to sell themselves as content. As revealed they will be creators, it is not brand marketing as celebrity which can be predictable, annoying and boring.
The best option I can see for myself as a supporter is to “seek what they
sought” and let them be.