The more I see of Meghan Markle’s Brixton outfit, the more obsessed I become. I’ve been trying to give Meghan some room to grow into the role of duchess/royal, because truly, she’s not even married yet. I know she’ll be judged on a steep learning curve anyway, and she won’t be given the same five years-plus that the Duchess of Cambridge was given to “learn” how to be a princess (insert eyeroll). Even saying all of that… Meghan is a quick study, isn’t she? She heard that we had issues with her Carolyn Bessette styling and her saggy boots. So she gave us brilliant trousers and a completely affordable Marks & Spencers sweater, which reportedly costs £45. The Smythe coat – which is gorgeous – is lined in black silk, a perfect compliment to the black trousers and black budget sweater. The scarf was by Jigsaw, another British brand.
Here are a few videos from Meghan and Harry’s trip to the radio station. For one, a DJ gave Harry his card and offered to DJ at the wedding. It was brilliant and Harry pocketed the card.
Just slipped Prince Harry the old business card in a bid to secure that #weddingdj gig @KensingtonRoyal @ReprezentRadio @meghanmarkle #triedit #godj pic.twitter.com/Rr4TWkQKIH
— Jevanni Letford (@JevanniLetford) January 9, 2018
And here’s Meghan without her coat, so you can really see her sweater.
Harry and Meghan listen in on @GloryTalksUK’s show at @ReprezentRadio🎧 pic.twitter.com/TuOn23FnXb
— Omid Mio Scobie (@_mio) January 9, 2018
My only complaint is that she fusses with her hair too much, which is a problem Kate has too. Other than that, it’s becoming pretty clear that Meghan thrives when she’s in public, meeting new people, and being photographed. She still needs to work on her wave, but I kind of like how (consciously?) unpracticed she is at it. Like, she’s not trying to be stately and dignified – she gave a little actress wave, not a duchess wave.
What else? Let’s see… Harry’s coat is from Club Monaco, one of Meghan’s favorite brands. She might have even bought it for him. And when they were in the radio station, Harry was asked something about gender equality and he deferred to Meghan, saying, “She answers the questions!”
And on Tuesday, Meghan officially closed down all of her social media accounts – no more Instagram, Facebook or Twitter for Meg. She hadn’t updated in a while anyway, but I still wonder if she really had to close down everything? Obviously, she can’t go around drunk-tweeting at Britney and Bigly Buttons, but she could have easily phased her social media accounts into official, personal/work accounts where she highlighted the work she’s doing as a royal. I’m sure that’s “against the rules” but really – Meg’s not going to be queen. Surely a member of Generation Social Media can keep her Instagram to post some official images?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Not surprising. She wasn’t a super active use and I was surprised they kept it up this long. There was a video where Harry told her to give the crowd a wave to essentially put them out of her misery. And she turned and shyly waved. It was cute. While I do think she is more of an extrovert than Kate the attention is on a new level for her.
Also her family is still talking about her *sigh*
I’m quite amused by the introvert extrovert comparison. I wonder if Anne and Sophie are considered introvert or extrovert?
Who knows. I don’t know enough about them to guess.
I don’t think it would matter with Anne. She’s so sure she’s better than everyone that she’s not intimidated. Plus, she was born to the life.
Anne is considered Anne.
She does her duty regardless and is old school in her demeanor. I don’t know enough about Sophie either.
She stopped being active on them last year around March or April. Before that, she was pretty active on all social media including her blog, The Tig. She used social media to build her brand, which is not unusual amongst celebrities.
Oh no, she’s no longer allowed to communicate with the commoners.
Yup. Meghan has given up every part of her old life to marry Harry, who has given up nothing. I hope it is worth it for her. And I dont in any way believe she is a modern feminist, giving up everything to marry a Prince, which is itself an anachronism.
This is my thought exactly. She has given up everything, Harry nothing. She has always promoted herself as a very strong feminist. It will be interesting to see how she reconciles that with now being a member of the royal family. Once the newness of everything fades away and the royal wedding has taken place, is she still going to be happy with this life? William and Kate will always be front and center and will take on the more high profile events. Harry and Meghan will always take a back seat to those 2.
Maxima, Letizia, Mathilde, etc. All gave up careers to marry their royal husbands. Letizia was named top newscaster under 30 in Spain. Mathilde had her own speech therapy practice. All given up because they moved to a new stage in their lives and a new career as a royal.
Are none of them allowed to be considered feminists either? Or any other woman who gets married and changes her career direction as a result? Or does this “argument” only stand for Meghan?
You appear to have a very narrow (or a deeply flawed IMO) definition of feminism.
What happens/happened to all her pre-harry household stuff? Furniture, books, lamps, rugs, art, juicer? In her mid-30s she must have accumulated a life full of things, presumably? Did she donate it? Store it? Selling it online? Gave it all to friends? Was she told to just choose the essentials and walk away because surely the toaster in her new royal life will be better? Maybe it’s a question for those of you who live in Kensington, did a big old moving van pull up to NottCott one day?
she put it all on ebay, didn’t you see it?
@spidee Lol, darn i missed that!
OMG I think this is OTT. Meghan is one of the very very few women that marry into European royalty in one generation. How many married-in are out there? Mette-Marit, Mary, Marie, Meghan, Maxima, Mathilde (so many Ms, major LOL!), Letizia, Sophia, Charlene, Kate, Alexandra (now divorced), and a few other women whose names I don’t remember now from smaller RFs. Yet Meghan is hold beacon of feminism and she does everything wrong by marrying into the BRD. Oh really? Just because she’s worked during her adult life and spoke on women’s issues. SMH.
When you marry into royalty, it is typically the non-royal’s lifestyle that is more flexible to change. When Victoria married Daniel, he was the one making a lot of changes. Also, Meghan didn’t start making changes UNTIL she realized this relationship was going the distance. I can appreciate that. Had she started making all sorts of concessions during initial dating phase then I would approach this with more skepticism, particularly in regards to her feminism. Meghan isn’t and was never going to be a bell hooks. So the standard that people are holding her to seems mismatched.
Finally, I don’t think that Meghan is giving up any “dreams” of hers. Her life is changing, but I don’t think I’d call it “sacrificing.” Her public figure status and ability to be involved in the community/make a difference has taken a different turn, but I wouldn’t say she’s “sacrificed.”
@Nota, but those three women are now queen consorts. I’m not commenting on feminism, but perhaps it’s a little easier to give up everything when you’re marrying the heir, not the spare.
All any of you know is she is getting married. Yes her life is changing in enormous ways but it’s hardly as if she is giving up everything. If you see her life as being made of bits of furniture and physical possessions that is YOUR projection of YOUR value system. From what I see it seems she is marrying a man she loves and they will build THEIR life. Marriage is a huge change in lifestyle for most people and IMO if retention of physical possessions is a sticking point marriage might not be appropriate.
Her fathers family seem to be intent on making money by selling stories of her to the press and publishing books about her so I hardly think she’s missing much leaving them behind. I bet if she invited them to the wedding they’d change their tune until the day passed and they’d be back to selling stories and pictures to the press.
She’s happy and seems to be adjusting to her new life. Life evolves else it becomes stagnant and rotten like still water.
The way some people talk about Meghan it’s like no one should marry Harry, ever because he won’t make you a queen? She seems to actually love him, I don’t think it’s fair to say she’s giving up so much when it’s obvious that she does’t feel that way. There is just so much projection going on.
Did Maxima and Mary, who were marrying the future King – not the 6th in line to the throne – give up: their careers, their homes, their countries, their dog, their charities that they had before, and their homeland accents? Lol!!! Come on, be honest. She is totally in love with fame. I didnt think so, but everything she has done, the clothes, the vacations, the curtsying, make me think this more and more.
And I would bet my mortgage that she wont’t work any more than the rest of the lazy young royals.
She gave up working with an evangelical Christian charity based in Canada and working with the UN. Both of which are considered either too “religious” or too political for a member of the BRF. For all they go to Church fetes, the BRF tends to shy away from things related to religion. Exception being Charles.
And yes veronica they did. They gave up their careers, their homes, their countries their language. Mary now often speaks with a British upper class accent instead of an Australian one, although she slips into the Aussie one sometimes. She also gave up her religion. Maxima gave up her native language, although maintained her religion (but not the right to raise their kids Catholic; they have to be raised in W-A’s religion). She tried to give up her citizenship, but Argentina doesn’t allow you to do so. All of them took on curtsying as well, because it is part of the job.
If the BRF did not require Harry to be part of the ongoing working royal circus, the situation would be different. As it stands, H&M are not allowed to have both a career and be working royals in the BRF. Just like Anne, Andrew, Edward, and Sophie are not allowed to have outside careers. So she didn’t have a choice to keep her career if she, gasp, fell in love and decided to marry him.
She is two months in and not officially on the “working team” yet. Waiting to see what happens.
Even Feminists need to get laid! lol
Oh @cran, there was no suggestion of physical possessions as a sticking point. It was a lighthearted comment and also I am legit curious how it works when one is catapulted into the royal realm. I honestly would like to know if a moving truck was involved. Also, it’s amusing to imagine her standing in her living room clutching a waffle iron and a candleholder with a bunch of grey men shaking their heads. Hell if it was me, i’d happily toss the keys to the house and everything in it to a homeless person on my way to the waiting chauffered range rover…. see ya!
Lol, us Plebs cannot be privvy to royal thoughts or speaking without conformity. It’s always that way, never changed. The masses, in an ironic way, hold the power because the masses are the ones who make or break. It’s just that we’re not allowed to peek behind the curtain to see what we are really making or breaking.
I’m actually very not interested in her or most things in way of our modern royalty, even though I’m a huge fan of history. It’s all too polished and fake and presenting in a way that doesn’t hinder popularity and protocol. I sometimes just read about it because I enjoy the writer of an article rather than the subject necessarily.
I still stand by couples who look similar seem drawn together. And, if you really look, they have a lot of aesthetic similarities.
But hey, good luck to them. I think they are a progressive couple. I hope they don’t “change” her too much. It’s always important to remain true to oneself. Harry seems pretty cool, too.
@Sienna-Feminism is about choice. It is not about being an independent or dependent woman. Women marched for us to have the choice to take on the world or to take on the household or everything else in between.
70s celeb makeup artist Way Bandy was quoted once as saying our families are sometimes just the conduit to the rest of our lives where we find our real families. I read this somewhere and thought how apt a thought that is, and how many people might relate to it.
Meghan just has a different family now but one that is just as real, flaws or not.
Excellent thought and for me personally, well timed. Thanks!
Interesting. Hmmm.
It doesn’t hold for me because I am close to my family of origin, but I see that there is truth in it for many. I consider my friends another family, and for some of them, they are estranged from their family of origin.
This outfit is VERY Carolyn Bessette to me. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! I love it, she looks accessible and professional.
I do too and I love that it’s not extravagant really hope she continues this way
I thought the same. Clean, classic and neutral. She looks beautiful!
She is utterly gorgeous, but I don’t really understand the fawning, either. What exactly has she done, so far, other than go on expensive holidays and wear a really well styled outfit or two? To me, so far, she is Kate with better style and media training.
Yeah, I agree. From all appearances seems like a nice enough person, and so far that’s about it. We’ll see, I suppose.
She is American, an actress, divorced and biracial, so she is being seen as a symbol of breaking norms by many. Which really isnt fair to her. She has never shown herself to be a gate crasher by choice, as far as I can see.
Exactly. Let’s fawn over someone for who they are, for their actions and who they show themselves to be, rather than what they symbolise and what we believe to be their potential.
She is all of two months in. If seven years from now she has wasted 1 million of taxpayer money on clothing and works less than 100 hours a year like her future sister-in-law? Then I’ll be concerned. Until then, waiting to see what she does once she’s official in the role.
Agree. When I see her “working” hard, then she will get a pass. So far, it’s all show, not much go. My jury is out.
Bailie says:
January 10, 2018 at 2:11 pm
She is not even married yet, so let’s not go after her. I certainly don’t know her, but she seems pleasant and down to earth. I will give her time to adjust until a couple of weeks after the honeymoon. I really love this outfit, classy and simple without being stuffy and fussy. Nice to see her face more, very pretty features with her hair up. Fun hairstyle and appropriate. She doesn’t look immature or juvenile.
Unfortunately she will get hate from the bigots, the jealous people and the haters. It’s always sad when women go after women. We complain about men, but very often we go after each other. Meghan should have some breathing room, she is very new at this.
So you like Ivanka? You dont “go after” her?
Just checking that you are consistent.
@Veronica
No, I’m not consistent and I think that Ivanka is as much of a disgrace to the human race as her Orange father. I’ve never said in my comment that we should never ever critique women, no need to nit pick. I do wish that, if we ” go after ” other women at least it should have some serious significance, not just superficial “BS”. I will go after Ivanka, because she is complicit in that nightmare of a presidency of The Big Dump very single day. She deserves it. Meghan is not even married yet, but she is already held to a very high standard about charity work etc. I have a good feeling about her so far, but it’s only instinct, time will tell. I try to be fair and give her time until after the honeymoon, so she can adjust and learn.
I’m in love with her/them!! They ‘re so cute and natural. She looks like a little doe!
I thought the social media thing was weird, but even young, minor royals like Beatrice and Eugenie don’t have public accounts…and you’d think they would be allowed as a way to expand their brands.
Actually, Beatrice has a public Twitter account. I think her Instagram and Facebook are private.
I was surprised she kept the social media accounts open for so long. That is the downside of marrying into that family, you abandon your previous identity.
They all have social media accounts, but set to private. Under pseudonyms. Only B has a public twitter.
I expect MM will reopen new accounts and keep them private as her current social media handles are known and can’t be hidden even if set to private.
Some royals in other families do have official social media accounts, which they use personally (not a staff person posting for them).
Queen Rania of Jordan is on twitter at QueenRania. iirc she posted pictures of the crowd during CP Victoria’s wedding.
CP Mette-Marit of Norway, the original MM, is on twitter at CrownPrincessMM
HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco has an Instagram account, though I think someone else is posting to that account for her.
Sherry, no snark whatsoever. I agree with you. PR is PR. RFs have people hired to do that. Not all are #poorJason. We should not expect that Charlene or any other RF member posted IG or twitter messages. Companies that make money or live off their public image do hire or should hire real professional for social media. There are BAs and MAs programmes for communication and social media FFS. I like Charlene a lot and from all I know she’s done 10-20 minutes long interviews highlighting a few major causes like teaching children life saving skills like swimming and CPR. In my opinion that’s so much more than spending a few minutes with children here or there. Quality is important but Albert bears the grunt as ruler of Monaco. Still, Charlene is more than a pretty face. Accomplished sportswoman (medals count but sportsmanship and sheer work matter a lot!) and well spoken in English. Unlike the BRF, Monaco exists out of sheer business spirit notwithstanding the long rule and tradition of the Grimaldi House. Give me the Serenes Charlene and Albert any day.
Good thing to point out.
Also, Princess Madeleine is quite active on Facebook.
EDITED TO ADD: Oops! I see downthread that P. Madeleine’s Facebook activity was already discussed!
What I knew would happen is happening. Meghan shuts down her social media. Tomorrow will be Meghan painted her toenails! No substance headlines. BUT, I can understand why people want to look at her. She definitely has the it factor, she’s very pretty and radiates happiness. In the cold dark winter, and trump’s antics and North Korea and everything gloom and doom, I will look at this pretty woman, and even if the stories are trite, she does give hope doesn’t she.
Consider it mental rest. The world is so outrageous right now. A pretty lady in fashionable clothes in love with a prince is rest. No heavy lifting required. lol
She’s one of the few happy looking people I know. Most people have a mild look of panic, annoyance, fear, worry or resignation lurking in their eyes somewhere these days.
@MagnoliaRose: just wanted to say I agree with all of your very thoughtful comments in the royal posts!
@Magnoliarose, I’ll second Lorelai – I appreciate your posts as well.
Yes, but we don’t see Meghan all the time. A few pictures a week at most. At least, that’s where I see her. Not around her all the time?
Considering all the backlash shes been getting (and will continues to get in the foreseeable future) and her chatty family, i can see why she wants to delete those accounts and be as private as possible.
I literally just saw her Instagram the other night. It was…interesting. Nothing scandalous in the slight. However, her Instagram reminded me of a funny article (from Marie Claire or Glamour, I think) where the writer tried to become Instagram famous in one week. She had all of these boxes she needed to check and it was hysterical because of its accuracy. So many lifestyle bloggers/gurus do the same things. Photos of my amazing meals? Check. Photos of me on exotic vacations? Check. Photos of my stylish outfit while I look “casually” off into the distance wearing cool shades? Check. Post the occasional inspiration quote? Check. And if you’re a lifestyle blogger it has your website name branded on the quote photo? Check. Meghan’s Instagram ticked ALL of these boxes. So I had a hard time viewing her Instagram objectively. She was definitely trying to raise her profile and turn it into something. What exactly, I’m not sure. Was her lifestyle blog a hobby hoping to become a business? Maybe. I’m not thinking Goop, but more Lauren Conrad or even Jamie Chung.
That was my takeaway upon visiting her Instagram and The Tig and partly the reason I cannot gush about her. She is a cliche. I dislike Goop and celebrity lifestyle websites/Instagrams, naturally my dislike extends to MM.
All true but in her defense there was still a warm, kind vibe to her humble bragging, unlike Goop and Blake Lively etc. There’s nothing wrong with aspirational branding if it is at least sincere-ish lol. Team Meghan!
I also thought it showed some hustle. She obviously doesn’t have family money and was trying to make her own. Nothing wrong with that.
I see where you’re coming from. Although, I’m not so sure if I view it positively or negatively. I don’t know if I didn’t like the hustle or if my issue was that the hustle seemed to generic/cliche.
Eh, actors are the biggest hustlers out there. When I was a tween my sister’s boyfriend was an actor, and he was always doing something new. I went to stay with them in LA, and he was learning how to use a lasso and had bales of hay in their yard. He was in an indie band and drove a cool vintage car.
He was clearly creating himself. Before they met, he had been in a Southern Cal skater band like the Chili Peppers.
A person with a good hustle can get somewhere, and it is admired if it is any good and it gives you something to talk about at auditions. Hopefully, it stands out, and they will remember the actor if not for that part then for the future.
Oh, it was so obvious she was hustling to make things work with her social media and turn it into a business. I think she realized that either she won’t be getting serious acting opportunities soon or she figured why not have something on the side. If this acting this wouldn’t work out… Well, she married royalty :D.
+1000000
Yeah I’m not surprised. If she’s going to be one of the active royals, she would need an official account, not a personal one.
Superficially speaking, she has an angular face that can suit most hairstyles. I’m thinking a good bob would do her right.
Inverted bob, maybe. Mom bob, no lol.
Hell no hahaha
She needs to keep it long enough to put up. She would look good in any style but needs the flexibility of longer layers.
A Bob? Lord nooooooo!!! Hahaha!
I give her credit for not holding her hand with the ring on it the way Kate does. You know like a wooden hand, like her ring needs to be seen at all times in a very obvious way. My two year old holds things on display like that. And look, one can wave the ring-less hand!
She does hold up the ring hand a lot. Check the pics on the DM. She never puts it down lol
from her last 3 major outfits, i’d like to nominate Miss Markle as the Duchess of Camel
I think for anyone over 35/40 ( Megan is in between) not having a social media profile isn’t that horrible. We once lived on a world where that wasn’t “ a thing” nor did I want one for the longest time until I caved in.
Smart move Megan.
Everyone should follow suit and engage with people face to face.
What?! Like talk and in person n’ stuff. No no monsieur. Non! That is too 2010.
🙂
Oh no. How will wre cope with her outstanding intellect and contrubutions…
Are we not going to discuss her near-British accent in that radio station video (at the very end)?
I am sure she will change her accent, intentionally, not by virtue of living in UK
Regarding the accent it would have to be intentional I have been here since 2000 I sound the same to ME but slightly different to my family friends in the US.
I haven’t really listened to her speak other than Suits.
That part was kind of funny….
Accents can change, but I didn’t know it could happen that quickly.
Since she’s been visiting the UK every two weeks for 18 months, and she’s an actress, not surprising if she’s picked it up. If she ends up sounding more “British formal” and forced than the rest of the BRF, I’d be concerned.
A lot of the European royals have clipped, formal British aristocrat accents. CP Mary of Denmark sometimes sounds British aristo, other times she sounds Australian (which she is/was). CP Mette-Marit of Norway has an Aussie touch every so often too, as she spent time in Australia when she was younger.
Oh, no! Just listened. It is in where she put the accents. She sounds British there!
She is an actress, probably has a good ear. I imitate accents without even realizing it. Im sure the British people will LOVE her fake accent! She needs to watch that.
Funny story, my best friend is a teacher and recently had a British boy move to the States and start in her classroom.
A few months down the line, the class giggled when she was answering his question. She was confused and he explained,”When you talk to me, you respond with a British accent!” And the class had been keeping track! She was mortified and had no idea she was doing it, but he said it was really common!
When I first started teaching, I had a little boy from Tennessee in my class. It didn’t take that long to start drawlin’ back at him lol. It really can come from association 😊
I moved around a lot as a…well, my whole life, still moving actually. I pick up on people’s accent SO quickly, and it’s complex and completely involuntary. I get embarrassed so much because I don’t want people thinking I’m mocking them or trying to be fake. When I watch shows in other languages or dialects the same thing happens, sometimes lasts for days. I even pick up on people’s stutters, which is painfully mortifying – can you imagine struggling to speak and having a seemingly normal convo with someone who mimics you? It’s awful, it makes me feel like such a horrible person, and can’t possibly make others feel good.
That’s so interesting. My SIL married a british guy and moved to London to be with him. She used to be unkind to me for years, and her faux-British accent annoyed the crap out of me. Until I found out her co-workers were making fun of her and telling her she sounded like she should be on The Only Way is Essex. It really bothered her. So then I wondered if she wasn’t pretending to pick up the accent to sound cooler… maybe it was involuntary. She’s back in the US now, no British accent anymore, just some british turns of phrase.
Meghan is clearly taking cue from Kate with regards to the phony accent! It’s as if they’re trying to act more posher than they actually are. Meghan just moved to England 2 months ago so this is clearly intentional. Hopefully she doesn’t end up sounding as ridiculous as Madonna did during the time she was married to Guy Ritchie!
It always irks me when I hear people putting on fake accents. It comes off as insincere.
I think my ear is broken. After seeing this comment I went back and listened to it like ten times and I didn’t hear that at all. I don’t doubt it’s there, but why can’t my ear hear it? Weird.
Meghan will get a pass on here for faking a British accent. Because it’s Meghan, of course! I didn’t hear it at first but I’m gonna look at it again. If she’s imitating a British accent after 18 months of on off travel to the UK she is no better – and probably worse actually – than Kate.
She didn’t do a British accent.
Mag- You know you’ll never convince llama and others. They latch on to anything that puts Meghan in a perceived negative light.
My husband of 5 years is from Dublin, I’m from Toronto, I’ve picked up so much of his vernacular. I’ve stopped saying washroom, it’s the loo. I’ve been “going to the shops” instead of the grocery store for years now. It’s so weird because it wasn’t even a conscious choice. These things happen when you spend most of your time with someone.
she didn’t have an accent in the engagement interview.
Lainey pointed that out yesterday. I couldn’t hear it because of the background noise going on.
It was a matter of time before those SM accounts ended, though it looks as though her Snapchat account is still open. She forgot that one.
Yay for her continued support of Canadian brands like Smythe and Club Monaco. I wonder if Jessica Mulroney is styling her style, just from Toronto?
Marks & Spencer should send her their full range. Meghan could be the best thing that happens to their clothes brand in decades!
All that talk about being an independent modern woman and she can’t continue having her own social media account? Like, her life and identity fully now belongs to the Firm now as if she were a (who had said it earlier here?) little doe?
I think her mouth piece will be the KP handle unless she and Harry will have a different one for twitter and IG. Tweets phrased at third person. Not “I” but “they” or “she” or “he” *insert title*. I really don’t see her having her own social media handles/accounts. She will be part of the BRF, and as an unelected person (no snark) that will be her identity. Honestly, I don’t see it as a bad thing. I think that her future deeds as a member of the BRF is what should count.
And if what they said in the engagement interview were true, yet to see, they will do a lot of good things. They already set expectations big time in that interview. Very different from K and W in their engagement interview. I still have very high expectations from both Meghan and Harry.
I am so curious about Meghan’s engagements up to the wedding. IIRC Kate did only one, I don’t remember what or where. And Meghan’s had about two so far, one in December and now in January? Are there more engagements lined up for her and Harry before the wedding in May?
I thought she did four.
@NOTA are you counting the walk to church on Xmas?
@Lorelai, LOL! But am I the only one who doesn’t consider praising God maybe??? a church event with photographers there as a “work” event. Who on Earth could consider going to church as a work event unless they were clergy or some other religious figures. I am saying this in regards to all BRF. I don’t *really* know if members of other European RFs count attending mass as a work event. Major LOL. In my view going to mass should be something personal and sincere. Should one count it as a work event takes away from the honesty of praising God. And neither Kate or Meghan or anyone other than the monarch as the head of the CoE should have attending mass toward their work. SMH, again!
Basically, what his means is that they, Meghan and Harry, are NOT modern, independent people who are bringing something new and fresh to the table. They adhere to the rules of the Firm and will continuing to do so.
The only “modern” member of the Royal family I can think of is Chris O’Neil, who married his princess yet NEVER gave up his job, his name and his entire identity.
Meghan is a plain hypocrite. She is no different from any Stepford wife who likes to shop, vacation and pretend like she really cares about women and women’s issues.
I was writing about Kate Middleton during the period from engagement announcement to wedding. I thought she had done four during that time, while Meghan has thus far done two.
Rhys, the situation in Sweden is different. There is no need for either Madeleine or Carl-Philip to take on full-time duties. Madeleine’s husband refused a title, runs his own company, and supports the family. Carl-Philip’s bride should have done the same, IMO, but chose instead to take a title and start living off taxpayers.
It is the same in places like The Netherlands, Norway, and Luxembourg where it is made clear that only the heir and spouse will be working royals. All other are required to go out and earn their livings.
In the BRF, the situation is different. The Charles trend seems to be there will be six full-time working royals, not the 14-16 they have now. It will be Charles and spouse, William and spouse, Harry and spouse. I don’t see how it makes her a hypocrite to take on working for the Family Firm as required by her future boss (and future father in law Charles).
Two months in, not married yet, not an official member of the working team. I’m waiting to see what she does. If she wastes a million on clothing and works less than 100 hours a year like her sister in law, then time to get the pitchforks.
@NOTA: Ooops, my mistake! Sorry.
@Soulspa: I agree with you completely that it is ridiculous, but don’t the other members of the family count that as an engagement? I could be wrong but I thought they counted literally any public appearance in their “work tally.” Although someone who knows better could correct me 🙂
For god’s sake, Kate counted giving birth as a work engagement, so really nothing is off limits with these people.
@Lorelai, yes, actually that’s what I said in the OP. That I was referring to all members of the BRF re: church – public engagement. LOL. I’m still shaking my head at the thought of K giving birth as a work event. Someone said this here, and someone else said it was actually the baptism and the official photos session. Now I’m wondering if Kate taking official pictures of their daughter for the first day of nursery school counts as a work event. SMH.
I remember early on after the relationship was revealed, according to some, the fact that she had social media accounts was one of many reasons that made her unacceptable for Harry.
If she wasn’t using the accounts there was no need to leave them open. If she left them open after the wedding she would’ve been accused of not letting go of her former life as an actress.
Thank you @NOTA for speaking some common sense.
They have only been engaged for less than 2 full months. Give the woman a chance!
There seems to be so much eagerness to criticize her. Jeeze.
I cannot believe you like this outfit – yes, it is basic professional, but that is about it. She is definately trying, but she never seems to get it quite right. Perhaps because she is more used to beeing without clothes than wearing them… The coat is too big and the entirely wrong shape for her body. It is bulky and square in the shoulders (her body type is inverted triangle with broad shoulders and chest and narrow hips). It is also far too long, and swallows her frame. The combination wide trousers and high heels is outdated. Her hair looks unwashed an unbrushed. With softer shaped coat, cigarett shaped trousers and flats or pointed boots it would have been great. The colours look good on her.
I don’t get the fawning over the outifit too. I think her Christmas look was better.
Wide trousers are coming back into fashion, along with flares.
Yep. Burberry sold out I think.
” Perhaps because she is more used to beeing without clothes than wearing them… ”
Girl stop.
@nea, She probably spent a grand total of one whole hour semi-nude on screen, silver or television, in her entire career. What an ignorant thing to say about her.
Nea- why would she be used to being without clothes than wearing them? What an odd thing to say. Meghan is not known for doing nudes. Stop this foolishness.
WATCH the Princess Clingy routine, Meg. Stop grasping and pulling on his arm. Now. No more. If your man is going to run, his gonna run.
Heaven forbid a newly-engaged couple show PDA, when Harry’s brother shows more public affection to his dog than to his wife.
Watch the video. When they got out of the car, he put his arm back reaching for her. Then she reached forward and took his hand. He’s the one who was rubbing her back as they met their hosts. He initiates a lot of their PDA.
I saw the video of them getting out of the car. Harry even had to wiggle out of her hold when he got close to the people he needed to shake hands with.
I’m not against PDA, but she needs to learn to walk by herself. It will give her a more regal bearing. And what’s with the recently engaged thing whenever someone mentions she holds on too tight?
You’d prefer that a newly-engaged couple show no signs of affection towards each other? He took his hand away, shook hands, and went for her hand again. He’s tactile, she’s tactile. I don’t see anything wrong or unprofessional in that. Letizia and Felipe, Fred and Mary, Victoria and Daniel, Maxima and W-A. Plenty of royal couples show PDA on the job.
I prefer this to the complete lack of PDA or affection William shows towards his wife in public. The few times William does touch her, it is usually poking her in the back to make her move to the proper place, etc.
Not a sugar, are they there in a professional capacity or as friends of the station? Because business people, when married, do not show PDA. Imagine if you went to a bank and the teller and manager were married and the teller (Meghan, the one lower in stature in England) kept grabbing for the manager’s hand and holding him with both hands, and the manager was rubbing her back. I wouldnt trust them with my money!
I get this is different, but they are there as professionals, like Kate and Wills often are, and they should act it. Wills and Kate do hold hands on Christmas, which is personal time, althiugh Harry said that was work for them. 😉
All of the people I mentioned show PDA openly during the performance of their royal duties. There as business people doing their jobs.
For BRF members, Charles and Camilla also openly show PDA during their royal duties. Charles is always putting out his hard or arm for Camilla, guiding her down stairs, putting his arm around her. It doesn’t make them less professional IMO. They’re holding hands, guiding each other, looking out for each other, etc. not making out in public.
Notasugar: when those other couples show PDA, it seems likes respectful, adult, married couple affection. With Meghan and Harry, it seems so desperate and juvenile because they’re not just holding hands, she is usually clinging to him, leaning on him, clutching tightly. It makes her/them look either insecure and unsure of themselves so they are constantly seeking comfort in each other, or it looks like they are at such a new, beginning stage in their relationship they want to always be touching (which makes one wonder about how well they really know each other and how mature their relationship is), or like she/they think that it’s not a “real love” relationship unless they’re always touching which just seems weird for a woman in her thirties who has been in serious relationships before and has even been married before. They’re particular brand of PDA seems a bit juvenile.
@Amy, I think Harry looks rather embarrassed and out of place. Her PDAs *are* OTT. Teenage-like and insecure???? Overcompensating because of the shady timeline of their relationship and the abrupt introduction of Meghan to the British public #injuctionforprivacy #sodofftabs????? Playing on stereotypes reserved vs. carefree? I don’t know, I am just asking, I am all for expressing love and care and support but clinging onto someone and showing off teenage-like PDA behaviour at *this* level is OTT. In my honest opinion. I cringe, sorry. My opinion. I’ve never seen such behaviour pre or post wedding in any other RFs. #OTTPDAs #over30s #allthingsroyal
For some people, it’s always:
Complain, complain, complain…….Bitch, bitch, bitch……criticize, criticize, criticize…….moan, moan, moan…… 24/7……Zero rest required. 😉
Pour moi, I’m getting bored of the chaste hand-holding and getting slightly annoyed we haven’t seen them kiss yet……I’m seriously considering writing an official letter of complaint to KP, detailing my grievance. As a British taxpayer, I DEMAND to see some real PDA, not this half-arsed “hand holding”nonsense.
If they can’t do a full on frenchie, then at least a sneaky little arse grab or something(!) should keep me quiet for a few weeks or so.
Haha, Bella.
I do appreciate you. I hope you know that. lol
A saucy little kiss would send them into apoplexy.
He obviously likes it because they are getting married.
My grandparents always walk with her arm tucked in his. I find it adorable and sweet.
If she grabs a handful of tush, then we may have to talk.
Lol…..thanks Magnolia, I do appreciate your comments just as much….Like your last one….
“If she grabs a handful of tush”……
Lolll…..I hadn’t even considered that……her as the aggressor in that scenario….I would absolutely love it! Lol……give the complainers (Ann Widdecombe et al) something REAL to talk about…..
PS: It would be amazing to see how high her wig would fly off her head, watching that.
I see nothing extreme or unprofessional in their behavior or level of PDA. As others have written on here, it is equally coming from both of them. They’re newly engaged, happy, and tactile. The reaction to this is OTT to me.
The PDA from what I can see is on fairly equal terms. But it is also quite clear that Meghan is a bit nervous and the PDA, holding hands , rubbing backs etc. is for reassurance. Meghan may be an actress but she has NEVER had this kind of attention, banks of photographers with dozens of flashing lenses and hundreds of people screaming your name. It must be both crazy and very scary. The papers are not calling it Meghan Mania for nothing. Harry has experienced it all his life and for her its just been a couple of weeks. At times Meghan does look a bit scared. Also Kate never faced this kind of superstar treatment so early, and I think Meghan and Harry will always attract bigger crowds because they are more edgy and dare I say ‘sexy’ as a couple.
Re Meghan’s clinginess; There was a video on DM yesterday of Meghan and Harry arriving at Brixton. When they got out of the car Meghan immediately reached for Harry’s hand but he just slapped/pushed her hand away because he wanted to shake the hand of the person they were meeting. Her clinginess is obvious and she needs to understand that they don’t have to attached to each other all the time when the camera is on them.
To me it looks like she is playing up the “They are the more affectionate and modern couple in comparison to boring old William and Kate” narrative. While Harry is just doing what he is told. On this occasion, he couldn’t be bothered to even do that.
Kate did face “superstardom” after the engagement. Probably more so than Meghan. However, she had her nice long do-nothing waity period where she clubbed all the time in front of photographers. At the time of her engagement she was used to it and she loved it I think.
No. I don’t think they are doing that because I think she got along with Kate. Kate seemed happy that day they were all together, and she is not one who can hide her feelings well on her face.
I choose to think they will be friends and are glad the other is doing well. I think Meghan is smart enough to know it is in her best interest to get along with Kate. Even if Kate is a tad difficult, which I believe because I think she is indulged, it doesn’t mean they can’t be friends.
If you like Kate, you should want her to have a friend who helps her some. If it were me, I would be relieved to have another woman to kvetch to about the whole thing.
Funny, I watched the same video. I didn’t see him slap her hand away, which sounds like something straight off of tumblr. In fact, he puts his hand back, reaching for her, and after than she reaches out to take his hand. They approach their hosts, he drops her hand to shake peoples hands, then he immediately takes her hand again. He is also the one who was rubbing her back, not her rubbing his. He is the one initiating the contact equally. From videos and photos through the years, Harry has always been openly physically affectionate like Zara Phillips is.
Princess Madeleine of Sweden had her own Facebook account and even posts some candid family photos every once in a while. I don’t know why the UK royalty has such an aversion to any of their members having personal social media accounts. They have to go with the times in order to stay revelant.
I forgot about Madeleine! Yes, she does have an account that she uses fairly regularly. It is a combination of her promoting the work of the World Childhood Foundation and a personal account. It is her way of foiling paparazzi and giving the people of Sweden access to info about her and her family when they live in London. She posts pictures of her family unit on vacation too, so any pap photos taken of them have less value.
I don’t see why they should have their personal media accounts. They are part of an unelected institution. I’d rather prefer their official accounts show a lot of meaningful activities and some more pictures of the children. I’ve lost the count of the official pictures of the DRF, especially of Princess Josephine, IMHO the cutest, most charming free spirit out there in the world of royals, and her twin Prince Vincent. IMHO it’s the number and quality of information that matters, not *who* posts it. Just saying my opinion.
Josephine’s public behavior in the last couple of years looks like spoiled brat to me, not charming free spirit. Christian has done better now that he’s in school, Izzy too who seemed bratty when she was littler. Vincent seems the shyest and quietest of the kids.
Now that Denmark has declared only Christian will be supported by taxpayers in the future? I hope they figure out a way to taper off some of the official coverage of the other three kids through their tween and teen years. Marius, the son of CP Mette-Marit of Norway, has moved to the US for school to escape the press attention. And he’s never been an official member of the royal family, but the press goes after him as if he was.
With social media, it will be even worse for the younger royal kids (the non-heirs) who are going to have to make their own way in the world. Image how much worse the attacks on Beatrice and Eugenie would have been if social media had been in full force most of their lives?
@nota, I think this is the first time that I express disagreement with you. My comment was basically on the use of social media by the BRF as per quantity and quality of information, me thinking that the ID of account should not matter if the info were meaningful. That included releasing in a control manner pictures of the royal children. That was all.
To which you added your opinion about the personalities of the children. I added mine. It isn’t just the Danish royal kids. I have concerns about the public behavior of Sverre Magnus in Norway and the middle member of the A-team in the Netherlands. Hoping they both outgrow it.
You can disagree with my subjective opinion. Even of I don’t like some of the royal children (no names here) I prefer to express my opinion in a complimentary way when I meant it. As for the rest, they are still children. Who will behave or misbehave in public. I don’t feel like criticizing children, royal or not. Not at all.
If you’re going to feel free to praise them, people with a different opinion should be free to express it. Either kids are off the table completely in any discussion, or they’re on it.
My concerns stem from royal kids being taken to public engagements and showing poor behavior during those short public events. It is possible for royal kids not to act out at those times, as evidenced by the behavior of the Spanish princesses.
Maybe they have an aversion because they know they can be quite scandalous and screw up, and they can be polarising in the UK. Safer to display their work outings through a professional social media outlet, than showing their personal life. Isn’t it the romance and pomp of the Crown that is often lauded to inspire the people wahahahha 😃
Good for her!
No comments yet about her lack of a clutch or handbag? Is her lipstick, etc in Harry’s coat pocket? What do we think?
Yeah, Harry is totally the purse holding type of guy so I can see a lipstick.
I still can not figure what is the ingredient for a personality to be likable! Despite her gorgeous smile , decent outfit and the way her smile is shining on her face. She is still not likable to me yet. Also she is not approachable like there is some glass shields, she is more leaning to the royal side than to the public.
It’s just an observation.
No harm in that. I don’t know if I like her yet for the long haul but I like things about her so far and she hasn’t done anything I don’t like. I think she is guarded and not yet comfortable. She may not be your thing after all, but it is early to know. At least for me.
do I hear a slight British accent on her? It has happened to some Hollywood celebrities who started living in London and I cringe when I hear it.
Also, her outfit is ok, not something to be obsessed about though..but her hair! I don’t understand why she just can’t have a neat chignon? Hair spray those loose strands and then you don’t have to fuss over your hair like that..
I am not Hollywood nor royalty but I was fortunate enough to live in a few countries whose languages I spoke. By formal education and by living in those countries and learning more or less the local language. Say I lived in London and American or Irish would tell me you speak like an English (most Americans) and British/English (the Irish). Whatever one could consider a broad English accent. Yet I could get away with it with no criticism of “accent appropriation” because they knew English was not my first language. Accents evolve, it depends on the person. Some keep their own accent tens of years after moving to a certain country. Others manage to change their accents and have them nearly or 100% genuine/native depending on so many factors. Native tongue allowing them to adapt more easily, amount of interaction with native speakers, education or drive, real drive to adopt the native accent in order to be seen as “one of us” and not “the other”.
I hope she stops with the clinging as she becomes more comfortable in her new role.
@Veronica, I agree that their overt displays of PDA are not professional and not appropriate. Hopefully their PR people will tell them to scale it back.
I’m here for the Harry/Meghan ride all the way to the May wedding, PDA or no PDA. They seem refreshingly genuine.
I watched footage of them leaving and didn’t notice anything weird about her waving. Folks over at What Meghan Wore (not run by the same woman who runs What Kate Wore) were harping on her hairstyle, saying the messy bun was “unprofessional” and too “messy looking” for a soon to be royal and I was like what the heck!! I thought her hair looks fine! Kate’s hair often looks overdone and fussy with the weird curling at the edges. I thought it was a weird thing to criticize because her hair doesn’t look messy at all, just a few loose wisps and a bun (which isn’t that messy, I’ve seen messier buns).
So I have a theory… William once publicly referred to Kate’s hair as a ‘nightmare’ (so one can only imagine what he says privately). Between the extensions, wiglets, backcombing and weekly blowouts, Kate’s hair must be the height of high-maintenance and probably off-limits for any sort of touching or mussing. Recall, prior to the engagement, Kate’s hair looked exactly like Pippa’s. Post-engagement the volume of Kate’s hair suddenly expanded to Disneyesque proportions and has never looked back. So much time and energy must be devoted to The Hair and if Will is like any other husband on earth, this effort and expense probably drives him mad.
Perhaps Harry has made Meg vow to never do the same. Seeing what his brother goes through, maybe Harry has an adamant desire for his beloved to have normal, low-stress hair that does not require it’s own luggage, staff and seat on the jet.
As a result, Meg’s hair in Brixton demonstrated her official hair philosophy – the ultimate low-key hair approach, doing it herself, tucking it back and keeping it real.
Kate’s only been out there in tabloids before marrying Will. She has almost no understanding whatsoever of what is deemed appropriate in the work place, even more when one has a job in the public eye. Come one, the most seen female public figures are TV anchors. Say three, four or five times a week, live on TV and internet. Hair in place, make up in place, even when one can see them head to toes they are well dressed or at least appropriately. I for one don’t care how much The Prince Charles pays for clothes and *hair and make up*. Set a reasonable budget like TV stations do, *pay* a few people to style, dress, do hair and make up and *invest* in a public speaking coach and some prep meetings. Reasonable budget and show *value for money*. Too much, I know. #almostsevenyearsandcounting #SMH
@CYNICALCELESTE I admire how you prepared a whole theory devoted to Kate’s hair and it’s effect on Meghan’s hairstyles, complete with examples, history and conclusions. So funny and probably accurate!!
Thanks for indulging me @Zondie 🙂
She is not even married yet, so let’s not go after her. I certainly don’t know her, but she seems pleasant and down to earth. I will give her time to adjust until a couple of weeks after the honeymoon. I really love this outfit, classy and simple without being stuffy and fussy. Nice to see her face more, very pretty features with her hair up. Fun hairstyle and appropriate. She doesn’t look immature or juvenile.
Unfortunately she will get hate from the bigots, the jealous people and the haters. It’s always sad when women go after women. We complain about men, but very often we go after each other. Meghan should have some breathing room, she is very new at this.
+1 Bailie
Exactly! They are not even married yet and yet so much criticism!
Engaged not even 2 full months yet!
Very interesting.
Harry seems to date engaging women with goals and ambition. He never chased the “do nothing bitches”. So, whatever woman he married was going to have to give up most of their interests.
I’m surprised she didn’t close or lock her social media accounts as soon as they knew the relationship was serious. Anyway, I like that she a “past” because at least she lived her life.
Interestingly, neither Chelsea nor Cressida were willing to give up things to be with Harry. I still believe Chelsea is the one that truly had Harry’s heart. He looked very comfortable and in love with her. Not so much with Cressida. And he looks in lust with Meghan, but not the level of comfort he seemed to have with Chelsea. He always seems worried about her, as if she can’t stand on her own. That may change, but I think Chelsea is the same as Jecca was for William. The “one that got away.”
And what makes some women willing to give it all up to marry someone like Harry, and others refuse? Interesting to wonder.
I agree that Chelsy may have been the one, they were together for seven years. H&M seem like they are in the in-lust phase of their relationship. It’s been one and a half year of long distance affair, so it had the excitement of being away and getting back together, plus lots of exotic vacations. I bet everything he’s done has been very impressive for MM. This is not to put her down, it would be for most people: Glamping in Botswana, picnics in Windsor, luxury vacation in Jamaica, special treatments at customs; she was in entertainment business, but these are the types of things even her much more successful colleagues, probably except A-listers, did not have.
Once she gets used to all that luxury and privilege and the in-lust phase is over, I wonder if they will have enough substance to have a stable and long-lasting relationship.
Chelsy was harassed by the paps! They followed her from Leeds to London to SA and everywhere in between. Photographed her walking to and from her university classes, in her lectures, outside her apartment in SA. I remember reading they even bugged her car. I think Harry was definitely concerned for her well-being.
But, I don’t think she was the one that got away, They were young and seemed unstable. They were on and off through the 7 years. I think it was a young relationship that ran it’s course.
I have nothing, but the best wishes for this couple. They seem to be so in love, I hope they have a long, happy, fulfilling and healthy life together. I actually like Harry, I know about his pluses & minuses, but he seems more interested, engaged and willing to use his standing for good than many other members of the royal family. Meghan appears to be kind, informed and level headed. Probably as a bi-racial child & adult growing up and living in the racially charged United States developed her sense of compassion. They won’t have it easy, regardless of the riches they will live in. The bigots will critique anything & everything, there is no way to please everybody. I hope they do their best and that should be plenty.
+1 Bailie
Well said.
So this should be a positive for people who were shouting that using social media meant she’s going to be a disaster for the BRF, right? Anyone? Bueller?
Anyway.
“[Meghan] really did do her homework before because she knew everything about each one of us.”
^^ That was from one of the DJs they met yesterday and bodes really well for her work ethic and taking the job seriously. Yes, I’m aware how low I’m setting the bar, but when you’ve got William bragging about how he doesn’t read his briefing papers and wasn’t even aware that he was visiting a particular charity because of his mother’s involvement with it, it’s such a relief to hear about someone actually bothering to prepare for these engagements!
Who was shouting that her using social media meant she would be a “disaster” for the BRF?!
Sensible. If she is to become a royal, she will be censored and won’t be able to use social media with quite the same abandon.