Ah, I’ve figured out one of the reasons why the British royal reporters were so salty about Gayle King visiting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a few weekends ago. They were salty in general, about literally everything and nothing Meghan and Harry do or don’t do. But the Gayle King thing was especially weird – they seemed to be mad that an American news anchor would be friends with a duchess, and that Meghan and Gayle would both parlay that friendship into… like, positive coverage? Because lord help us if a duchess gets sugary, cloying coverage, or do I need to make a list of all of the asinine “Princess Kate” stories in the American press for years? So, yes, Gayle King put together a CBS special called Meghan and Harry Plus One. It airs tonight on CBS at 8 pm EST. And the salt is coming, because Meghan totally authorized her close friends to speak to Gayle. 100%.
Meghan Markle’s loyal friends are opening up about the Duchess of Sussex in a new special hosted by CBS News’ Gayle King, titled Meghan and Harry Plus One. In a preview of the special — which takes a look back at Markle and husband Prince Harry’s first year of marriage and their life with newborn son Archie — negative headlines about Markle are addressed, including rumors about her being difficult or having a diva attitude. Markle’s makeup artist and close friend, Daniel Martin, fiercely shoots down the reports.
“What’s so frustrating is that you hear these stories and there’s no truth to them,” Martin says. “It’s not the same person. In the years I’ve known her, the years I’ve worked with her, she’s never had a diva fit, never.” Martin later sheds tears, getting visibly emotional. “I think because I know her so well, and I know she doesn’t deserve all of this negative press,” he explains.
Meanwhile, another one of her friends, actress Janina Gavankar, talks about the significance of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex having a child together. Archie, who’s seventh in line to the throne, has already made history as the first British-American, biracial baby born into the British royal family. “There are still a lot of us who didn’t even grow up with dolls that look like us,” Gavankar tells King.
“I was one of those little girls,” King replies.
“Meghan and I have talked about her being a mother for over a decade,” actress Janina Gavankar told King. She explained the former Suits star “always wanted to be a mum”, adding that her significance as one of the only biracial royals has now carried on to Archie. “To have the Royal Family bring a child of colour into the world, it’s pretty awesome,” she added.
I love that Meghan isn’t letting this go – she’s not going to let the racist, parochial, petty royal reporters write her narrative. That’s one of the reasons why they’re so salty – they want to be able to live in their echo chamber where they keep repeating and circulating the same stories about “diva Meg” and “fame-hungry Meg” and “never-as-good-as-Kate Meg.” And Meghan’s like, here are my closest friends telling you what I’m really like. And she authorized her friends to speak to Gayle before she even gave birth! Because Meghan knew that baby Archie wouldn’t stop the harassment and negativity.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid and Avalon Red.
Oh God, cue the apocalypse. 😞😞
Yup, the RRs are going to lose their minds.
Only because they’re not giving access to them. That’s all that it’s about. They weren’t outraged about the People story becuase her friends spoke. It was because they didn’t speak to them, which I’m sure they tried and failed.
You’d almost feel bad for the RRs if they were worthy of sympathy. Outsmarted by a “divorced, American actress,” like Meghan was some naive young beauty queen who dropped out of high school to try her luck in Hollywood. Too bad for them she’s a well educated accomplished adult. With friends.
That’s gonna be ugly. Not the documentary. No. The aftermath.
I am glad they have arranged this though.
What else could they possibly come up with? They have thrown everything at this couple. They have no information regarding them either. If anything, the press played their cards way too quickly. They’ve been recycling the same garbage for months now.
The problem is that the press has been nasty for the past three years. She received no protection during her pregnancy. Reporters encouraged and entertained internet trolls and her toxic family members. They spread lies and conspiracy theories about Meghan, and there are lots people publicly hoping that her marriage fails. The media has orchestrated a smear campaign against Meghan with the help of Palace sources. It’s all horrible, cruel, and unnecessary. That’s why I laugh at the hypocrisy of all these royal initiatives dealing with mental health and bullying. The BRF and the British press are two of the most toxic institutions in the world.
Unfortunately this means the royal reporters/British media will donate some money to her trashy paternal side of the family to come out and play, giving their own comments.
@ Heather
They have almost zero credibility now (which won’t stop them), so let the media keep clogging that dead horse.
By the way, wasn’t Samantha Greed supposed to release a book of lies right about now? What happened? No $$ to publish or distribute? Surely William can come to the rescue for such a worthwhile cause?
Oh yes, this is going to make it worse, not better.
If the RF had done something (anything) about the incredible and unrelenting racist garbage thrown at their newest family member they might not of had to resort to this. I hope it pisses BP off and makes them realize that perhaps they should do something or expect more of the ‘specials’ on TV, because clearly her friends will stick up for her.
I’m really excited to see this. Of course it’s going to be sugary and cloying, lol, but I’m okay with that because I think Meghan could use some sugary coverage.
To be expected. Reporters are also mad that whenever you talk about Meghan you have to have a broader conversation about race and class. They hate that.
Gayle speaking to young black girls about the wedding and baby may feel a bit corny but it has to be said when black children don’t have enough positive images in the media.
I don’t think they are mad so much at the ‘having to have a race conversation’ but rather that they can’t dictate that it’s always a negative raci$t race conversation (with the terrorist mosque crap and straight outta Compton crap and the constant ‘not knowing her place’ narrative and the other piles of bull heaped on Meghan). I think they’d looooove to have race-based conversations/headlines/narratives/innuendo, but only the ones they want to tell. (But maybe that’s what you were getting at?)
Well said. They LOVE talking about Megan’s race. They just can’t stand that a Black woman isn’t going to sit back and let those hacks tear her and her family apart and call her baby a monkey. They also can’t stand that the people she has on her side are some of the most rich and famous people in the world who also happen to be Black/people of colour.
Who is the British media going to drag out to go up against Oprah, Serena Williams, Amal Clooney or Gayle King?
And as an American, Megan gets to dictate how and when her story gets told. What are they going to do? Organize a boycott? The British media can stamp their feet all they want but they know that British tvs will be tuned to Gayle’s special.
Yay Gayle!! Am tuning in, hopeful that Gayle’s stamp is on it and there’s some substance to it. Don’t want a People Magazine version 🙁
Meghan does not represent anything about black people , at least not to me, but just being mixed race. She is part of a class system now that make very hard for black people in the UK to get into certain higher up system, like education because of nepotism and racism. I’m not even going to get into what they did to black people from the different continent. not saying all this is on her. When it come to role model we have lupita nyong’o, misty copeland, Edward Enninful and many more. She working to make that oppressive system look good in today’s society we trying to get eliminate it.
The thing is, it’s not about who black people see as a role mole but who white people see as a representative of our race, and she is one. So, in my opinion, when they attack her they aren’t just attacking her, but all black people, the things they say about her is what they think about all black people, and many young black people see it and may think that about themselves. So, her getting positive press will be good for black people, imo, and it will show how terrible that system is for them, as people will be more sensitive to the comments about her and how they relate to that whole way of life.
I think black people know what things are said about us and what they mean. We didn’t need Meghan for that lol. She is not the first black person in a position result in backlash from racist.
Yes, and those others who have been attacked represented us whether we wanted them to or not. What I am trying to say is, she is a role model for black people and a convenient target for hate about us as well, and I don’t see uplifting her as a bad thing.
She is a servant of the system that allowed us to be targeted for hate and discrimination. She now serves as on cover for PR to convince people they are not who we know they are. I’m not going to uplift her for helping the oppressor stay in power.
Absolutely.
Emma Thynn, Viscountess Weymouth has been going through and dealing with the same crap as Meghan (but not as hardcore or as often because she is not royal) since she married Ceawlin Thynn, Viscount Weymouth who is the heir to the Marquess of Bath. The Weymouths have two bi-racial boys.
This has been my one complication with Meghan. I am fully supportive of her because I know WHY she has been villianized in the UK press and it has everything to do with black DNA. For me, if you attack someone because of their blackness, you attack me personally because I share the same DNA. So I’m am here voicing my support for her. For my friends and me, supporting the Sussex’s is more about fighting the racists. Meghan knew full well what this system was she willingly married into. It’s horrible, bloody, murderous past. It’s horrible past that has been the destruction of millions of people with ramifications that are being felt to this day across the world. I just can’t reconcile that in my mind. And then some times I wonder how Meghan feels about being called a “black princess” by those who want to support her? I some times wonder, if she wasn’t so mistreated by the UK Press s so savagely, would Meghan embrace the support fully. The SussexSquad is primarily led my African American women.
Updated: I stand corrected, some said that Meghan has said that she identifies as a black woman.
I think this point of view has holes in logic. By your logic one can say Enninful is part of a system (fashion magazines ) that are tied to elevating skinny white women above WOC and fuller bodied women. Misty embraces the classical ballet culture which elevated western ideas of dance above those of other cultures. For example, Alvin Ailey company manages to incorporate African American culture into its repertoire. Misty is part of white ballet and says it’s soeaks to her.. Lupita is part of Hollywood culture which does the same. It otherizes others, particular middle easterners as terrorists and blacks and Latinos as criminals . If you respond that Misty, Lupita and Enninful are trying to change the narrative, then one can say Meghan is trying to do that too.
@Iknow . To me i’m glad she found love, happiness and the family she wanted, everyone should have that in life. But i don’t let that get in the way of the reality of the system she part of now. As someone who is practice intersectional feminism, you can’t work for that family and say you are doing change and the greater good . And remember that same family is also helping to keep that racist system that treat her so poorly.
Sorry no. I’ am black British and female and I completely disagree. I don’t see her as upholding an oppressive racist system, I see her as having met and fallen in love with a guy who happens to be royal. She was a humanitarian, feminist and an antiracist before she and Harry ever met. I think it is unreasonable to paint her as a collaborator now because of her choice of husband. She was entitled to marry whoever she wanted.
And let’s not forget that now that she is a royal she is working on lots of admirable charitable projects. And she hasn’t stopped talking about race or womens rights. She voiced her approval of the Irish moves towards legalising abortion, she expressed astonishment and dismay when she was told of the paltry number of senior black lecturers and academics in the UK university system. She has always identified as a woman of colour and talked frequently about her African American heritage. It was her black mother who she introduced the royals to, not her white father. I’ve known black and biracial people who have internalised the racism around them and tried to deny their blackness. I’ve seen that behaviour close up in others, but it is not something I have ever seen in Meghan Markle.
We need to see more black women in the spotlight stepping into role model/mentor roles like Gayle did here…
I don’t blame Meghan for wanting to defend herself and having friends do that. The British press and RR’s attacked this woman from jump and never gave her a chance. They should honestly be ashamed of themselves because they’re making themselves look really racist, xenophobic, classist, sexist and whatever else on a global scale. Harry and Meghan are drawing the lines in the sand and taking control because those supposed journalists were never going to stop. I cannot believe the hell they have put this woman through and for what? Trying to sell papers for your declining industry? To get back at Harry for releasing that 2016 statement, Lack of Access? If this wasn’t motivated by darker motivations like racism then what was it for?
The courtiers and RRs are a bunch of racist snobs who have their panties in a twist because Harry married the woman who was right for him but not right for them. They are too far up their own arses to realize Meghan has the experience, smarts and connections to counter their ridiculous narrative.
Archie will be in the crossfire, too. The racist a-holes will not stop with Meghan and will carry on with her son, too. It makes me sick.
The baby wasn’t even a week old and you have BBC broadcasters comparing him to monkeys. It’s sickening.
This does not fit the narrative that ´Meghan does not read positive or negative coverage´. That she does not care. Of course she cares (which every human being with feelings would), and that is why this sugarcoat gets aired. Daniel Martin would never speak out if he didn´t have her blessing, hence she does read the negative coverage. Why would Oprah praise her for ignoring everything, and then King comes her and interviews her friends about the negative headlines?
The black community really wants to claim Meghan as black, and I get that. Except she does not identify as black herself, she has stated multiple times that she identifies as biracial. Equally white as black. And their kid will also be biracial (and not the first one in history, as some want to say. Queen Charlotte of England is specualted to be of black heritage, and her children were biracial as well).
Meghan Markle is claiming her heritage, which is biracial. It clearly doesn’t matter what she thinks because she and Archie will always be seen as black those racist and xenophobic press and trolls. What does that have to do with anything? Is her mother not black? Is Meghan not black? Is she not also biracial? Her being biracial hasn’t and won’t stop the racist abuse she receives on the daily.
This is very true. Trying to tell someone what race they belong to is racist and frustrating. I am British, mixed race and have the same skin tone roughly as Meghan. When we have to fill in those stupid race and nationality forms I always just say white because if I say mixed race, people always want to argue and question me as though I’m somehow wrong. People also always like to ask me how I have such a tan and is it fake tan. I have totally given up arguing and just say I’m white to make people happy. I guess people always try to tell Meghan she’s black because they know her mum is black and that’s even worse because you know they mean it like it’s a bad thing.
It will be interesting to see how Archie decides to identify when he’s older because he’s probably going to look white. If he weren’t a Royal and having everyone know his history, he’d have one hell of a time with the forms if he chose to consider himself bi-racial.
Why does it bother people so much that black woman want to claimed meghan one of us like it not the British media see Meghan as black as well. Why do you think their so quickly to be overly racist toward her and now her son why are so many people so quickly to tried to downplay Meghan black side everyone loves to bring that Meghan doesn’t identify as black but I never seen her say that . At the end of the day the British media and the racist don’t see Meghan or her son as biracial they see her and son as black
There is a tweet from years ago that has her acknowledging her black side and mother when someone tried to get slick. She’s extremely close to her mother and is proud of her heritage.
I’m sure she hears about things but she’s not on the internet reading every single article written about her.
Meghan correctly identifies as Biracial. The black community doesn’t and will never claim just “fully black” people. We’re a diverse group of people and many are apart of the black diaspora. Barack Obama is known as the First Black President but he’s as biracial as Meghan.
Having one or two black parents doesn’t change the fact that a lot of biracial people or even multi racial people face discrimination. Meghan wouldn’t be dealing with half of what she did if both of her parents were white and THATS why we support her.
The media will even side with her loud and wrong white father over Meghan simply because he’s white. If Thomas Markle was the black parent, he would rightfully be labeled a terrible person. Instead, they sympathize with him over his biracial daughter and her black momma.
@Leyton, exactly!
Yes! Thank you!!
Around the time just before the Meghan note to her father came out it was said Meghan knows the negative coverage. Because her people have to take it to her to co firm or deny what is being said in order to judge how to handle it.
@Leyton, exactly!
I’m sure she’s not actively reading all the stories, but when the palace is constantly being contacted for comments about whether or not Meghan and the Queen got into it over eggs, I’m sure some of that trickles down to her. I cant imagine that she avoids 100% of all headlines. and I’m sure her friends, who are much more active on twitter etc, see a lot of the stuff that gets said about her. So even if she’s not seeing it, if you’re good friends with someone and you see the constant negative comments, I can understand wanting to defend your friend.
@Britt, thank you. @M, Yes, Meghan has also referred to herself as black and did it famously in a tweet when someone said she wasn’t black. She answered that she and her mother would certainly disagree. Do you think her being biracial means she’s not black? It just means she’s black and white. If Meghan were Irish and Italian, and Italian people looked up to her, would you say that the Italian community is wrong for claiming her? The Kardashians only have one Armenian parent but I don’t hear people arguing they shouldn’t be considered Armenian because Kris Jenner is not. I swear I only hear people making comments like yours when black people are involved. Someone having a black parent and non-black parent does not magically cancel out their blackness, and nearly all African Americans have European ancestry. “Mixedness” is an inherent part of the African American experience. We have always claimed mixed people, while white people historically rejected them, or at the very least did not openly claim them.
Also, having her friends speak to Gayle King does not mean Meghan is lying about not reading press about herself. President George W. Bush said the same. Guess what? Rich and famous people have PR teams who relay what’s being said about them in the press. Her PR people likely told her that there are unflattering stories about her, and she would not have had to read any of them to know the general gist of this coverage.
African-Americans have been ‘claiming’ biracial people since the first African woman gave birth to a bi-racial child nine months after she was raped by a European man. Most Black people in the diaspora are multi-racial thanks to the sexual exploitation of Black women over centuries.
The Duchess of Sussex KNOWS she’s a Black woman because the people that hate her and want to tear her down keep reminding her. What bothers them the most is that she isn’t ashamed of her Black heritage. And taking a look at her family, her BLACK relatives aren’t the ones who have given her reason to be ashamed.
But here is the thing, white racists do not care about the equal halves of biracial people. As fare as Meghan is, those racists are clutching their pearls to see how dark the Queen’s great-grandson, the 7th in line to the British throne – will be. And he’s only a 1/4 black. Doria standing next to the Queen in that picture shook a lot people. As Tyrion Lannister said, Never forget who you are, because others will remind you and hurt you with it. I wrote above that some times I wonder about Meghan’s feelings. Others below have mentioned her acknowledging embracing her “blackness” so I stand corrected. I’m glad she does because her blackness is being used against her in EVERY WAY.
Racists sometimes cared about Obama’s whiteness when they wanted to use it to shut down conversations about racism that felt a little too close too home for them. This gets done sometimes in specific ways to women of more than one race or ethnicity too, and not just by one side, unfortunately. A little bit of that is being done with Meghan here. Sometimes when crafty people want to get away with or derail critiques of problematic or just crappy behavior as it relates to a specific person, they’ll downplay parts of your heritage that are south or east Asian, black, Latina, Saudi Arabian, etc. It’s a way of saying “I/they can’t be racist” while being just that. Sometimes it’s used to crap on other (non-racially) marginalized groups too by silencing multicultural members of those groups.
Meghan doesn’t read the press herself but is of made aware of certain things that she has to know about. She of course is notified about certain stories by her lawyers when it’s necessary to contemplate legal action and is made aware of the death threats. Also, it really doesn’t stretch the imagination that her friends see ALL the sh*t flung her way and are negatively impacted. I know it’d be hard if my good friend were subject to 24/7 bullying and harassment. And there is so much crap out there that if Meghan is made aware of even 1% it’d be hard for her (or any human).
No it really doesn’t fit does it? It’s a narrative That I never bought into either. The CBS special is clearly an exercise in pr/image management to counteract the relentless smears over the past year. I don’t believe the lies said about her but those who do won’t be won over by this program – it may even make them more rabidly hate on her 🙁
Agree.
“This does not fit the narrative that ´Meghan does not read positive or negative coverage´. That she does not care.”
It’s interesting that this is the focus for you rather than the extremely racist courage itself…. Anyway it is possible to be well aware of the negative coverage and yet make a point of not reading it. She will have been briefed by her pr people on the tone and content of the coverage. Please link to where it has been said that she does not care.
“The black community really wants to claim Meghan as black, and I get that. Except she does not identify as black herself, she has stated multiple times that she identifies as biracial.”
I don’t want to lecture anyone about race – it’s hard to do so without sounding condescending – but I do feel moved to remind you that race is a social construct. I.e. it is British society that has projected blackness onto Meghan. That is also why some black people have reacted the way they have. They can see that she is reading as black to the racists and it has resulted in her being attacked. So it just brings the continuing racism in our society (British society) into sharp relief. It’s no use saying ‘oh she is biracial – not my problem’ firstly because that is a shitty attitude and secondly because it is your problem if you are also biracial and British and even more so if you are Black British.
As to her identifying as biracial – she is. I really don’t see a problem with that. As I’ve said above, she has presented her mother as her closest family at every turn. She has not taken a single white Markle to meet any of the royals. She is not hiding her black side. If anything she has tried to hide a lot of her white side.
I think Meghan scares a lot of them. For one, she’s a Biracial American who had little to no real care about Royals prior to Harry but she’s somehow moved to a whole new country and bested some of the born Royals in a role she took too like water.
Meghan is literally everything they had hoped Kate would be. She’s smart, charming, humanitarian, beautiful, and relatable.
From the start many wrote her off as some fling or Hollywood Actress (which she was not) Harry would play around with and move on from. They tried to trash her mother while giving a pass to her white father. There is racism, sexism, and xenophobia in how they treat Meghan and everyone sees it.
I’m glad that she doesn’t let it stop her and her friends and who know her rally behind her. The UK Media can’t rewrite her story. She’s not a blank canvas they can paint as whatever they want.
intelligent, accomplished black people are always scary to mediocre white people because it shines a light on their mediocrity. Intelligent and accomplished white people have no reason to fear Meghan. But there are certain white people of privilege who expect that their mediocrity will be covered up/excused/accepted based solely on who they are. Face it, no one likes looking bad, or getting shown up. So the mediocre white person (or mediocre man, or person in power) will look for ways to undermine or “other” the accomplished person rather than thinking, “dang it, I need to up my game.”
I’m going to give Kate the benefit of the doubt and say that her more recent appearances over the past year is her thinking she needs to up her game–whether it’s from competitiveness or genuine concern. Makes no difference to me if the result is that she does more work. But William has shown that he’s willingness to potentially undermine the good will people feel toward his family because he hates getting shown up.
Sometimes I wonder how much human accomplishment and ingenuity gets sacrificed on the altar of a mediocre man’s pride.
A mediocre White man. Black men don’t have that kind of privilege.
The very first time people found out about Meghan the daily mail wrote and I quto straight out Compton will Harry be having tea with Meghan mom in the gangland . They have always wanted to the absolutely gutter racist agenda when it come to Meghan they have painted as a greedy diva difficult person who is out to destroy the royal family. They use every dog whispers racist coded language when it come to Meghan they have use her family to destroy her character.
Perhaps she doesn’t extensively read the coverage but she and her team are aware of it, I think anyone with her exposure would want to be aware of their public image
I know this is off topic, but I was wondering if CB was going to cover the story of King Albert of Belgium and his love child.
@Jaime, King Albert is a mess. He needs to take that damned paternity test already.
he’s getting fined $5k a DAY unless he takes a DNA test? wow. and the woman looks just like him anyway.
This is not going to end well.
@Everley – same. This isn’t going to end well at all.
A big boundary HAS been crossed. Or is calling a three-day old child a monkey status quo in Great Britain? As far as i’m concerned, that was a declaration of war against Harry, Megan and Archie and the Queen of England should have put her foot down. The fact that she didn’t breaks my heart because she’s been my Queen for my entire life and I do admire her. At least I did.
@kerwood – the Queen is from the generation of, “Never complain, never explain.” Once you started complaining and explaining, that’s when things would start to unravel. Which is why when Princess Diana started complaining (about the BRF) and explaining (what drove her to seek out affairs) the Queen was gobsmacked. She pretty much told Charles and Di to divorce because they were talking too much to all who were interested, and letting the light in on the ‘magic’ of the monarchy.
We are a constitutional monarchy and as such, the Queen has to be careful because everything she says can be seen as political. Or even what she wears (when she wore that ultramarine and yellow hat in the opening of Parliament after the Brexit vote circa 2017). I mean, I’d LOVE if the Queen said something, because Meghan Markle’s treatment by the press pales in comparison to say, the racist treatment given to Danny Rose and Raheem Sterling (afro- British footballers who don’t look like Markle), but that would be seen as political from her side.
Supposedly when Prince Harry sent that missive protecting Meghan the family was aghast (he sent it via his communications secretary, iirc). Also, the Queen is married to Prince Philip, and… have you heard/seen his world view? It’s racist AF.
This is down to Prince Harry, I’m afraid, and probably him trying to get his dad on side when the inevitable happens. Because it’s going to happen.
@duchess of Hazard. I just want to say how sorry I am that you’re being treated like that here in the U.K. I’m embarrassed to be British at this moment for many reasons, Brexit and the foulness it’s exposed is a major one. My cousin’s wife, who is Polish, was told “go home” the very day after the vote…it makes me so angry.
So all I’ll say is that you’d be more than welcome for a cuppa at my house any day.
@Rae, it’s nice that you feel bad because of all the Brexit madness but do you REALLY think that Great Britain has been a pleasant place for Black people prior to Brexit? My parents left England 50 years ago because they didn’t think it was a good place for their Black children (my siblings and I) to grow up.
Like hundreds of thousands of Black people from Commonwealth countries, my parents were INVITED to move to England in the 50s and 60s to help Britain recover from the devastation of WWII. These people (some are known as the Windrush generation), took their talents and hard work and gave it to Great Britain instead of staying at home. I wonder what the Caribbean and Africa would be like if they had stayed home and worked to build up their own countries.
I’ve heard about what Polish people have endured in England and I was very surprised because Polish people are White. But I have a doctor who is Polish and he has family in England. He says that some of them, especially the older ones, are terrified. The younger ones, who were born and raised in England and don’t speak a word of Polish are confused and hurt because England is their home and they have no where else to go.
All I know is that I’ve lived in many cities in the world, but I had to return to London, the city I was born in, to have somebody spit in my face. I could tell he had been drinking beer because his spit smelled of it.
What’s happening to Megan is nothing new.
@kerwood That’s why I said “exposed” instead of caused or created. I fully understand that it was there all along. I wanted to reply to the DoH because I, along with many others, are completely against the types of shit-stains of society that she has sadly encountered.
@duchess of hazard, I agree with @kerwood in that it is disappointing that the Queen has not done anything to shut down some of the bad gossip about Meghan.
Why? Because much of it seems to be coming from the Queen’s own camp, Charles’ people and KP. Hence, she could (and should) shut a lot of it down if she wanted to (she could also call the press in like she did for Diana when she was pregnant with William).
This is not a matter of her not responding to minor gossip generated by the tabloids for clicks or a bad or scandalous photo taken without the press’ permission. This is extremely vicious gossip that is sticking because much of it allegedly (probably does) comes from “courtiers,” staff or other people close to the Royal family.
“Never complain, never explain”? Yeah, right . . . . A great excuse to let her own people bash Meghan. I see you Queenie.
They can have their Brexit. We’re returning to France.
What do you think will happen?
@MissyS. I think Meghan and Harry will continue the tug of war with the British press. Eventually, something is going to happen (like a BIG BOUNDARY being crossed) and it’s going to end up with either a big lawsuit, setting some serious precedent ( to the point where it reanimates the Leverson inquiry because some ethics are being trodden on here), or Harry and Meghan decamping for somewhere else. Not necessarily self exile, but near enough.
Will and Harry are already known to be relatively litigious, and quick to use the death of their mum as a shield from the press. It worked for them as young men, but now coming on to middle age, they come across as entitled and grumpy. Sometimes, you have to get the press on side. Especially when they shut down stuff on your behalf (like the papers covering up for Harry’s adventure in Afghanistan, or Kate’s flashing to everyone abroad, or Will’s alleged affairs)
Meghan, to her credit, is going another way in terms of the independent messaging she sends via other means (instagram, friends obliquely speaking on her behalf, etc).
As it is, although Meghan is the model kind of mixed race that everyone likes over here in the UK (she’s dark enough for a tan, but fairly white passing, and slim enough to be a banker’s second wife), she still isn’t white, which seems to be sticking point with the daily Express and the Daily Mail. Also, she’s an immigrant, and the British press hasn’t been charitable to the likes of us for the past two decades.
I know that Laineygossip goes on about Meghan’s Jedi level PR, and how she’s been forged by the bonds of Hollywood, and rah rah rah, but I’m not really convinced. The style works for Americans and Canadians, but as a Brit, it comes across as over egging. An American CBS special with her friends speaking on her behalf? Yikes, what ever happened to ‘never complain, never explain’ (I can see people saying that over here).
I know that Americans do love Meghan and see her as one of their own marrying into Royalty, but Americans just… do things differently, and revel in doing things differently. I understand that Harry and Meghan are telegraphing an image abroad of urbane, forward looking, doing it for the ‘Gram Royalty, which is nice, but I wonder if they overlook the fact that well, they have to telegraph to ‘home’ as well. Considering that home is were the taxpayers who pay for the lifestyle are.
@duchess of hazard Your analysis ignores the fact that the UK press have NEVER given her a fair shake. You’re expecting her to just take the abuse with a smile, a “yes massa”, and to never hit back or take her narrative into her own hands.
“Sometimes you have to get the press on your side”–Pray, tell me how in the world Meghan could possibly do that? From the beginning of their relationship, she’s been dogged by racist, xenophobic, classist, and sexist headlines. She’s become a royal fiancee, newlywed, pregnant woman, and now mother. She’s performed all her duties beautifully, following all protocol, given up her life in service to the UK.
And they haven’t let up once. How can anyone not be familiar with the way that prominent black women are portrayed and attacked in the media? (And yes, Meghan is biracial, but the UK press are attacking her as a black woman). Meghan, like other black women, are not viewed as fully human.
There are really no great options here and maybe this doc will flop but your suggestion that she just take it on the chin and the press will *magically* let up is somewhat naive. That’s what she’s been doing for 3 years and it hasn’t stopped any of the abuse. I also find it odd that, according to your estimation, most Brits would find ONE sugary documentary overegging it among the sea of hateful abuse. I truly hope that’s your miscalculation as that does not make Brits come off well at all.
@MA – I also find it odd that, according to your estimation, most Brits would find ONE sugary documentary overegging it among the sea of hateful abuse.
Well… I live here? (For now, anyway), and from my perspective Brits distrust sugar and earnestness, especially the American sort of earnestness.
“Sometimes you have to get the press on your side”
I was more talking about Harry than Meghan here. In that Harry and Will have been pretty ambivalent towards the press, and the unspoken understanding that Wills and Harry would have been left alone as young adults. But once they became senior Royals, they do have to deal with an increasingly antagonistic press. Which is why I’ve mused that this is all going to end in tears – or in a court room.
Idek what to say about Meghan.
It helps that she’s come into the role as a 37 year old woman with her own world view and ideas, versus say 19 and yet to know the touch of man – or a febrile press. She’s had three years to see the British media’s face, take stock of the temperature towards her – and she married Harry and begat his child anyway.
Meghan’s made her choice, and she’s doing her best with it.
If Harry and the BRF were braver they could actually draw the attention to the fact at how racist the press is, like the rest of us have been doing since 2015. Like footballers (Raheem Sterling, Danny Rose et al) have been doing since then.
I’ve nothing against Meghan, tbh, but again, I don’t have the protection that she has.
. I truly hope that’s your miscalculation as that does not make Brits come off well at all.
Since 2016 and the Brexit vote, it’s been all racism, all the time. From the government to the random people on the street, to the point where my friends don’t speak foreign languages on the road anymore, and no one knows that I’m learning German. Like I said, it’s been terrible.
@duchess of hazard – I’m saying I find it odd, not that I doubt you. Because if true, it’s really an unfair take of theirs and not very complimentary of Brits. I agree that this doc may be very sugary and earnest, but I don’t see how that should be as or more problematic than the UK opposite which has been almost cartoonishly villainry.
Harry did make a (for them) controversial statement calling out the racist media coverage but I agree that the BRF should do more overall. Pretty low of them to use her for positive PR but not protect her the way they’ve protected their own who hang out with pedophiles.
I’m truly sorry it’s been that terrible for everyday POC/non-Brits since Brexit. I used to think of the UK (well, London) as a world class multicultural place and really admired how race relations were seemingly more evolved over there. Clearly that is not the case.
Why it’s going to end well why does the British media get to dehumanizing her and her son to the point where every negative articles that being print about them it’s reporter as the truth.
Yea, I don’t see how having her friend cry on TV about how she’s being treated will help her in the long run. I understand she wants to hit back, but I don’t see this as winning. It sounds exhausting and I don’t see an end to it, but this is the life she chose.
@Jen
Yea, I don’t see how having her friend cry on TV about how she’s being treated will help her in the long run
Yes, that was bizarre. I do like Daniel Martin (I think), because he just seems decent and happy for her. But crying on TV – see what I mean? As a Brit, it’s a bit over egging. Like, why’s he crying, Meghan has some grit in the oyster as well as pearls. She’s fine.
I understand she wants to hit back, but I don’t see this as winning.
Meghan is reaching out to an American audience, I think. Like, she’s taking the gamble that if America and the world outside of Fleet Street and little Britain is on side, she can lean on that. She can make that work. I can see what she’s doing in that respect. Reach the people that you can, and ignore the ones that can’t.
The danger is, a monarchy is a monarchy as long as it’s the will of the people. In a way, the monarchy is supposed to the apotheosis of Britishness, never explain, never complain, keep calm and carry on and all that rot. The whole Hollywood thing of spin spin spin… people hated it when Tony Blair brought this sort of Americanism to British politics (although it was successful enough to the point where David Cameron modelled that aspect of his career off Blair). I can see how the constant spinning and narrative telling will get a bit noisy and a bit old.
It sounds exhausting and I don’t see an end to it, but this is the life she chose.
Quite. Which is why I don’t have much sympathy, tbh. Prince Harry chose her based on her inner steel, because he knew it would be work. Things will be resolved, one way or the other.
Interesting how you don’t mention the media and their war against her because of her race.
Like I said previously, people are desensitized. They can act shocked at the monkey image but really. Had she been half jewish and the image would have been a rat instead, would you say the same thing? Would the public shrug it off? This has been going on now for what? 3 years? It’s disgusting that she has received little to no protection from the rf.
I don’t think this interview is a good idea, don’t get me wrong. But how much can a human being take? Imagine the powerful mainstream media going after you and your baby? Meghan might have steel but she is still made of flesh and blood.
@duchess–well thanks for expanding on my thoughts! I agree with what you wrote, here and up above. I’ve traveled extensively, and while learning about other cultures I also had to learn what being American meant, and how the rest of the world looked at us and our mannerisms. Yes we are very insulated over here! Meghan is American, AND she’s an actress (so she has the stereotypes and Hollywood conditioning in her). And being biracial just adds another layer to it all. Complicated.
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out…
@Justsaying – I have in another thread. Mehgan is mixed race, and relatively white passing. If she was like… her mum dark, the pressure would have been even worse – and I’m her mum’s colour. Meghan is the sort of mixed race that people like over here.
Had she been half jewish and the image would have been a rat instead, would you say the same thing?
I’m walking around whilst black, not mixed race or white passing. After the referendum in 2016, I’ve been getting dog’s abuse walking around in said skin, and it hasn’t let up. When the BBC reporter threw up that monkey bit, I was like, “Yeah, that’s life post referendum.”
Our PM is racist, and heads racist policies, so it’s more like breathing for the papers than anything. Meghan is protected by Harry and the palace. For us BMEs (including Jews) we are protected by no one. I can’t have much sympathy for Meghan, because I’m pretty much at the war with my own British government over my own (British) citizenship. She’ll be fine.
But how much can a human being take? Imagine the powerful mainstream media going after you and your baby
You can sue the media. With enough money you can get them in the courts and set precedent (which I think is going to happen eventually). At least she isn’t fighting against the British government. I’m surprised May even allowed her in the country, tbh, since she’s not white and pretty foreign.
I remember May giving meghan a nasty look in the church and not even saying hello UNTIL harry turned to her and said hello and then she said hello to meghan as well with a nasty look on her face and no smile.
It may look as if black women are defending meghan but really, we are actually defending ourselves against the ugly attacks against her black side, her black mother, who has done nothing to deserve this. No one deserves this.
I don’t even like meghan that much (from what I’ve heard of her from interviews) but I’m not stupid. I know the reason why some people have an issue with her and it’s not because of her nail polish.
Most of the hate she gets is from white women who can’t stand that a (half) black woman is with a white man of status. They’d have little to no problem if harry was a white chav but since he is a prince…
I’m sorry you’ve had to experience the ugliness of racism, hey, I experience it everyday too as a black woman so I know what it’s like.
This isn’t against you personally, but I have found a lot of black women don’t see white women’s passive aggressive “shade” and chess games. They may see meg as white but they *know* she isn’t and that bothers them so they play dumb with black people to get away with racist comments against her. I wrote about it in a previous comment.
She’s got some grit in the oyster? I guess that’s what they’re calling Nazi death threats, anthrax scares, psychological abuse from family members, and racist attacks from public figures.
@MA –
She’s got some grit in the oyster? I guess that’s what they’re calling Nazi death threats, anthrax scares, psychological abuse from family members, and racist attacks from public figures.
And she’s defended by Harry and the BRF.
For the rest of us here, post Brexit, we’re getting actual attacks from our government, being disenfranchised from voting in the elections, psychological abuse from our government doing racist things to us BMEs and being protected from lawsuits by the secrets act… I’m surprised that Theresa May’s government allowed Meghan in, tbh.
As a BME in Britain with more pressing concerns (including stocking food because there’s still a cliff edge re: Brexit), Meghan will be OKAY. Honestly.
@Justsaying
This isn’t against you personally, but I have found a lot of black women don’t see white women’s passive aggressive “shade” and chess games.
Yes. I must say, that you’re right about this. I do find that African American women are pretty sensitive when it comes to white women, especially since white women hide their distaste in layers of politeness. And the British are passive aggressive AF on top of that. I would like to think that I’m getting better, but in comparison to my AA friends, I’m about as sensitive as a black and white TV to the games, white women play tbh.
we are actually defending ourselves against the ugly attacks against her black side, her black mother, who has done nothing to deserve this. No one deserves this.
Ahh, now that you put it that way, I get it. I mean, in Britain, mixed race people will tell you that they are not BLACK, but mixed race (and the ones that I know tend to identify with their white parent over the non white one due to varied reasons) so I tend to hang with people who are noticeably BME.
Most of the hate she gets is from white women who can’t stand that a (half) black woman is with a white man of status.
Agreed. But the aristos weren’t checking for Harry nor Wills, and it’s telling that they had to go out of their circles to marry middle class girls for whom marrying into Royalty is a culmination of a goal (Kate), or some sort of romance (Meghan).
Honestly, thanks for educating me re: why Meghan gets defended by AA women who aren’t mixed race. I know that I can be gobby and I’m anti monarchy, which is why I’m pretty hard on the Princes, because they are tone deaf AF and that helps no one. Once QE II passes, us republicans (as in, anti monarchists, not GOP), will have a stronger case to in terms of opening the Overton window re: abolishing the monarchy.
@duchess of hazard – I get that there are more pressing concerns for POC in the UK. It just read as a callous dismissal of her treatment. For example, the Obamas are extremely privileged and protected, but I always felt defensive on their behalf due to their terrible treatment. It’s terrible to see celebrities and public figures who are POC being treated this way, not because I feel some sort of personal connection with them, but because of what they represent. And despite being privileged and insulated, Michelle has at least talked about how much it got to her and hurt her. So while I think Meghan will ultimately be fine, it doesn’t negate how appalling her treatment has been.
From what I’ve read, the vast majority of prominent Black British media figures who have written thinkpieces are not royalists, yet the negative treatment of Meghan has even gotten to them. Of course this pales in comparison with the Brexit turmoil but it doesn’t mean that the ill treatment of one of the most prominent POC figures in the UK isn’t important.
“It may look as if black women are defending meghan but really, we are actually defending ourselves against the ugly attacks against her black side, her black mother, who has done nothing to deserve this. No one deserves this.
I don’t even like meghan that much (from what I’ve heard of her from interviews) but I’m not stupid. I know the reason why some people have an issue with her and it’s not because of her nail polish….”
All day long, this! Yes!
For me, I respect the heck out of Meghan (she’s maximized every opportunity). But if she was just a normal person living in my town, I can’t imagine us ever being friends. Her yoga-designer-Tig-Hay-House-eyelash-batting-health vibe would clash spectacularly with my fatty-sweatpants-toking-crumudgeon-stankface-Fritos vibe.
BUT! I will defend her to the hilt, because, as you say, it’s a defense of all of us.
Gayle didn’t meet Meghan and Harry while in London. The Daily Beast did a story about that, but had to do a retraction.
Thank you for mentioning that, Toots. I saw the Daily Beast retraction tweet yesterday, but it’s gotten very little attention. Why? Because it doesn’t fit the narrative of the RRs, their followers and the anti-Meghan crowd. Nothing will satisify this group. There is a malevolent swarm of them now trying to dispute the authenticity of the birth certificate (certified copy) because it’s not signed by Harry.
Some people will find fault with Meghan no matter what she does. I don’t know how much help this documentary will be for her, but I wish her well. The fact is that a lot of royalists feel uncomfortable having a divorced, biracial, American actress as a member of the Royal Family. All of the accusations used to demean and abuse Meghan are just excuses to cover up prejudices and biases. These attacks from the media are sanctioned by the Palace. The Queen could have put a stop to this a long time ago like she did for Sophie, Andrew, and several other news stories she had buried. The Royal Family likes to show off photos of Meghan and Doria to make them all look diverse and inclusive, but this 3 year smear campaign is telling the real story.
Agree. Like i said before she is there to make the royal family look good and her purpose is for them to be able to say” look we are not racist like history shows. we let this black girl into the family” and this in turn keep the oppressive system in place.
The birth certificate has been released, Archie was born at the Portland.
So why was the hullaboo in keep this all secret, especially since Birth certificates are all public in the end. It’s all a bit Theresa May, Harry (in that our PM tends to keep secrets with things that don’t even need to be secret, even though everyone knows what’s going on, and then … people are exasperated at the panto of a secret). English home counties dwellers amuse me.
I totally agree with you.
Me too.
What odd reframing. Why not “so why the hullaboo by the media in not having immediate access if they were going to get it anyway?” It’s pretty clear that it’s in the hospital and staff’s interest to have it be released after the birth, after the majority of the hype died down. They didn’t “keep it it a secret,” which is impossible to do with birth certificates, they just didn’t help the press with early access to a publicly available document. The UK press have already harassed hospital employees and tried to bribe them, they even dug up the doctor who gave birth to Meghan. I mean, this isn’t hard.
@MA – compared to say, how other royals births were presented, I just found it odd. Like… taking notes from our Prime Minister odd. But *kanye shrug* it’s out now. Bumbling just seems to be our middle names as Brits, I think.
@duchess of hazard But surely you can see how this royal birth was unlike all the others? In terms of disproportionately high level of interest when compared to royal significance (7th in line), and the parents’ clear attempts to mark out a private life for their child who will not be HRH.
@MA – yeah, I can see why there was a level of interest. Unlike Prince William, Prince Harry is liked. In a lot of ways, Princess Diana’s death gave the boys a gift, as twisted as it sounds. As in a lot of media engagement and interest, and Harry (unlike William) has actually made the best use of said good will. It helps that Harry has always been open with what he was looking for in a wife: that she had to realise that it was a partnership, that she, like him, would be in service to the Queen.
It helps that Meghan is different (in a good way; she’s polished, has a keen work ethic, and speaks languages other than English). So I can see why people’s interest were sharpened.
On one hand, it’s important that there’s an interest in the Royals, in terms of say, public and social engagement (and to their credit, Harry and Meghan get that – Prince William, I worry about). On the other hand, you can’t really try to engage the media on one hand and then hold them at arm’s length at another.
I know that it’s going to rile people, but being a member of the BRF is akin to being social property. People want to know and be interested in the Royals, as much as they want the Royals to be as constant as the North star.
My problem with Wills and Harry is that they want to be ‘normal’ – but in the case of movie stars. In that you show up to a movie and then spend the next year being underground. You just…can’t do that.
But what do I know, I’m just a tax payer of this scepter’d isle.
@duchess of hazard – I think it’s clear that H&M are trying to balance their public role and their private lives. Of course, we won’t know until years from now whether this strategy will work but it seems that they’re zealously trying and from the beginning attempting to create a safe space for their children. I’ve seen similar criticisms like yours that think it’s hypocritical to do this push and pull with the media. But I see it differently. I think they’re doing all that’s expected of them, but the minimum necessary (ex. public wedding and photocall but limited press). And imo, I think they’re justified given Harry’s relative unimportance in terms of status. Harry should be treated like Edward. The Wessexes had a public wedding and I think they did Lindo too, but if they hadn’t would anyone have been outraged? Now, given the intense interest in H&M, it seems like they’re doing more to somewhat match that demand yet should they really be expected to if we’re just talking about their role?
In terms of the certificate, I do think they just waited for the certificate to be publicly available to somewhat stave off harassment of the hospital staff. They’ll still dig around but demand will be somewhat diminished by RRs releasing these stories after the majority of people’s interest in the birth is diminished.
The birth certificate was filed this Friday which is 11 days after Archie’s birth,they weren’t trying to keep anything a secret,they literally just filed it
George’s one was released 12 days after,Charlotte’s 4 days and Louis 9 days
It would be great if you Brits stop treating Meghan as your property but a human!
@duchess of hazard If you live in England then you KNOW that Archie’s birth WASN’T handled differently, no matter what the gutter press and the lunatic fringe say. Archie’s birth certificate wasn’t kept any more a secret than William’s children were. Megan chose NOT to drag herself out of her bed hours after she gave birth and broke a tradition that started with PRINCESS DIANA. It wasn’t handed down from the Tudors.
There was no way that the birth of Harry’s child was going to be given more fanfare than the births of William’s were no matter how well liked Harry is because that would be an admission that William ISN’T well liked and there’s no bloody way they’re going to do that. So even though the press and the lunatic fringe were screaming for things to be handled differently, it was completely SOP.
People are just going to have to decide if Harry, Megan and Archie are as ‘irrelevant’ as their detractors claim in an attempt to ‘keep them in their place’ or admit that the Sussex family is the best thing that has happened to the Royal family in decades and govern themselves accordingly.
They were following what they stated, the birth would be kept private. They didn’t illegally withhold the information, they filed it legally. As such, anyone can pay to purchase a copy. They just didn’t release it themselves, because they were keeping the birth of their private citizen child private.
FYI “hazard” is one of the attacking nicknames given to Harry and Meghan on the more awful sites.
Obviously I could be wrong but I always assumed her name was a play on the old tv show “The Dukes of Hazard.”
@notasugarhere, I’ve had this moniker way before Harry decided to get hitched to Meghan, tbh. I think I had it when Michael Fassebender was a thing, from X-men First Class days.
I got the moniker from my driving instructor because I’m a bad driver.
Again FYI pointing it out if you didn’t know. It is one of the hateful nicknames they use. Hazard, Hazza, etc.
FYI, “Hazza” is a standard British nickname for anyone called Harry.
I think the RRs and the British media fear it will be a take down of them
Those tabloid employees have earned many many takedowns with their behavior over the last 3 years.
If the clip is representative of the special, CBS is essentially broadcasting the television version of the People article. Stay tuned for select friends of Meghan being interviewed by a friend of Meghan. Like the People article, it risks coming off as cloying and insincere.
Do not ask me why but I have gut feeling this Gayle King-CBS special is a bad idea. I am feeling the ghost of the Martin Bashir and Diana, Princess of Wales television fiasco.
I’m also not sure why Meghan’s PR thought this was a good idea. It will be interesting to see the ratings and reviews.
I think this special might been in the works for while they did a special on Kate too when she was first married in . So this is par for the course the only difference is that Meghan is American and she is biracial so you have a extra add interest in her and the fact that the British media has covered her in a very racist way use her family to talk to dehumanized her every thing Meghan does is seen by the British press as wrong she always been accusing of something . And now the British press and royal reporters are starting to target Archie
Other royals have given permission for their friends to talk to the press. Meghan is just the first black American royal to do so. And where do people get the notion that Meghan does not identify as black, when she has said she is black? She’s never denied her mother or her father, but she most definitely isn’t going around saying she’s white.
The morning of the wedding I got up and watched it with my mother. When Meghan stepped out of the carriage, it hit me…strongly…just like it did with Obama, that this black woman had achieved something once thought impossible. She was marrying into the BRF. I teared up because it was a momentous moment. Yes, there have been other blacks who have achieved impossible things (or what we’ve been told were impossible things by whites/society/world at large), but for this one moment, it was all about Meghan. So yes, let us put the truth out there about her. Let’s have her friends and colleagues reiterate that the stereotypes assigned to black women are false narratives. Defend her and in a small way, defend the rest of us.
I am a black woman and I respect Meghan’s heritage. I see her the same way I see Obama; mixed/biracial/half black half white. They are both biracial and I respect that. That said, the attack they both have faced from the media and some of the public is obviously because of their black side.
I mean, straight outta compton, anyone? That was at the beginning of megs and harrys relationship and it only got worse from there…it’s no wonder some black people feel defensive and protective of meghans mother doria. It’s disgusting what the media gets away with. Imagine if meghan had been half jewish and they attacked her jewish side with propaganda and their child with images of rats.
Would the public accept that?
People are so used to and desensitized when it comes to the media propaganda of black people.
I have a feeling all of this will backfire but not on meghan and harry….but on the rest of the royal family. They have silently stood by watching as a pregnant woman gets attacked and done nothing in her defense and karma…God…will definitely get them.
Can we not compare Obama to Meghan . Obama was a president who was running a country , help to create policies, helped us out of one of the worst economic crisis , All Meghan did was get married. If harry didn’t choose her i don’t think any of us would be talking about her today .For example, you will not find 1 article on this very website about her from before the relationship was revealed. I’m glad she find happiness but marriage to the right privilege guy is not an accomplishment that did nothing for anyone especial not black people. well at least in my view
At one point, people were trying to attack her as Jewish. Either claiming she was raised Jewish by her sperm donor or that she had converted for marriage. Some of those same people went after Sophie Winkelman too, the actress who married Lord Freddie Windsor.
Meghan married and instead of sitting on her bum for 8 years like Kate, she got right to work doing charity work. Making a measurable cultural and monetary impact with the Together Cookbook for starters. Met by reporters tying her to extremists, like they tied her love of avocados to war. SMDH
I see the mid-year emergency move to BP as HM and Charles protecting Harry and Meghan. They’ve moved these two away from William’s control, and let them hire a powerful, experienced political PR person to head up their PR team.
waitwho you are welcome not to see her as a role model for yourself. Reading the interviews from many girls and WOC in Britain? They do see her as a strong woman, accomplished in her tv career and in her new royal one, and as a role model.
@waitwho Maybe I wasn’t clear enough but I meant I see them both as biracial and both have faced racism from the media because of their black side…That’s it.
I wasn’t comparing their accomplishments or anything else.
@waitwho YES!! Thank you!
Yes, Charles sends his celebrity friends out regularly. Less so now, but during the Camilla PR rehabilitation years, he even had Emma Thompson out there stumping for him.
Exactly this. There are a ton of BBC and ITV specials about the royals that include friends of various royals speaking about them. They tend to pop up when the Queen or Charles hits an anniversary of some sort. This is really no different except that it is being done by an American network. And it’s frankly not the first one done by an American network because there were definitely specials during the Diana years.
What has some haters so upset? Meghan has media powerful friends who won’t let the tabloids and haters win. Same as Charles and HM did with their friends.
Meghan keep living your best life
Hear, hear!
I can see why Meghan would want to do this, i mean who doesn’t want a prime time special of praise and adulation ? It also makes good business sense for Gayle King, this special is sure to be a hit in the US and the newspapers (including the British tabloids) will feast upon it for days.
However if Meghan’s primary motivation is to put an end to or even just curb the negative press, then this is woefully misguided. The People article was meant to do just that, and it achieved nothing. The British tabloids gleefully published extracts of the People article, criticized her anyway, got plenty of hits on their websites and made money off her. Either way, they win.
The only strategy that could work is for her to be visible only when there is a charity to promote and live as privately as possible which means no celebrity friends speaking on her behalf, no cutesy instagram post, less expensive clothing etc until the media has nothing new to report.
But the problem here is that :
1) her fans want a steady stream of Meghan news
2) Meghan herself wants to be in the spotlight (just without the negative coverage)
So there really is no solution to this conundrum since the Royal Family doesn’t care enough to intervene.
The media attacks started before she even opened her mouth. Back when they were still dating.
I honestly think if harry hadn’t sent that letter things would have been worse. Prior to the letter, and before meghan had done anything that could be percieved as wrong, they were attacking her and her black mother with the straight outta compton-tea in gangland-several slave articles etc.
Could she handle it better? Sure. She could tell her friends to stop talking about her and posting things on instagram, repeat the same dress over and over again, only appear in public once a month, keep her baby hidden etc etc but it will not stop the attacks against her and now baby archie.
You don’t seem to understand WHY she is being attacked in the first place. Maybe because it’s too uncomfortable for you, maybe because it would dredge up things in you that you would rather deny about the world you thought was…
As long as meghan remains half black the media will continue to attack her. Even if she goes away and *especially* if she goes away, they will continue to attack her. Now without the physical protection in the form of royal protection officers.
You can pretend it’s about her nail polish, her expensive clothes, her celebrity….but the truth is, it is and always was about her race.
“However if Meghan’s primary motivation is to put an end to or even just curb the negative press, then this is woefully misguided. ”
It likely not her primary motivation, so we have no problem here. Clearly the motivation is to have an alternative narrative, so it seems they will succeed in that aspect. It seems that they are resigned to the negative coverage–if they were trying to curb it, they would try to court the vultures. They tried to wait out the negative press coverage for 3 years and it didn’t work, so while this tactic may not be ideal there aren’t any perfect solutions out there for her.
Also, Meghan already did these things you suggest pre-new PR strategy and the UK press still abused her. You can’t be serious. She was ONLY visible for engagements, did more engagements than any previous royal fiancee, was productive with her duties, no pap strolls. NO friends spoke out on her behalf. She was on KP’s social media. And she doesn’t dress any more expensively than any other member of the BRF. She disappeared for 1 month prior to the birth and the press still found a way to write about her more than any other BRF member. There have been articles about her knees for goodness sake. It’s interesting that people keep moving the bar for her. She has to twist and turn to the ever contorting standards which are only moved so that she will never meet them. It’s really telling when people blame her instead of examining why she has to be 200% better than any royal.
ITA, MA. The compulsion some people have to find fault with Meghan is unrelenting, especially from those who never or rarely ever criticize what other royals do. That’s how you always know “it’s personal”, with no objectivity involved in the thought process and scarcely a thought to their own hypocrisy.
I sooooo agree with all you just said MA and thank you for saying it so well.
@ duchess Meghan is not white passing I wish people would quick saying that to me it’s when for people to be dismissive towards the racism she faces . You know how many black people who aren’t mix races who are lighter than Meghan I have light skinned black people in my family who look like Meghan and both their parents are black so . White passing to me is Mariah Carey Halsey That actor that was in Mariah Carey we belong together all three of these are mix with black but appeared white .
@Vanessa, seriously, she is. I know white people who actually thought she was one of them (before Harry launched his shot across the bows back in 2016). And I have had people who’ve told me to my face that, well, if she’s mixed race, at least she’s the ‘right kind’ of mix race (I live in the middle of the UK).
If Meghan were darker… I don’t think they would have made it to the altar at all.
I’m not discounting Meghan’s achievements, nor her work ethic (I find her to be admirable) but she has light skinned and beauty privilege. Fair play to her, she’s maximised all her talents in the best way.
If people you know though she was white they haven’t been around enough black people because Meghan is light skinned not white at all . Again I’m black I have people in my family who are lighter than Meghan and are not mix at all black peoples come in all shades we don’t need to be mix with white to come with Meghan complexion .
That hasn’t stopped the racist attacks against her.
I personally don’t care how she identifies, I see her as biracial, but the attacks are against her black side, her light skin hasn’t stopped that at all. And most of those attacks are coming from white women…
She bothers a lot of white women who are jealous of her and hate when black/half black women marry white men of high status. If she had married a white chav they wouldn’t be as bothered.
These same white women then say “she looks white/is white passing so how could I possibly be racist against her?”. It becomes a convenient shield against the usual dog whistle and passive aggressive shots at her hair, her ms murky skin, and maid-like appearance next to kate who conveniently stops tanning whenever she is in public with meghan…she knows the optics.
@Justsaying – nah, if Harry married a chav she would have been dragged even more. Class is a big deal here. If Harry’d married a chav who went to a comprehensive (a run of the mill state school), I think Fleet Street would have had choked on their Friday drinks.
Meghan has that Hollywood sheen (ala Princess Grace), and went to a private school (tick and tick). A lot of British aristocratic men have married divorced North American women, so Meghan isn’t that much of an unknown entity. Or shouldn’t be.
But yeah, the race thing over here is quite wearing. Oh well, the bright thing is, hopefully it means the Royal family in the near future can weigh in on race relations on this wretched isle.
If Meghan were darker… I don’t think they would have made it to the altar at all.
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+100!!!!!! Absolutely the “elephant in the room”
Also, when i saw photos of Meghan & Jessica Mulroney side by side, I often couldn’t tell the difference lol. I recall Jessica posting some pics of them together on vacation in Italy and I couldn’t tell which was which. Granted this was before I became famiiar with Meghan (after the engagement), but still…
You’re still racist. She’s not white passing. She looks like me and I’m black on both sides of my family.
@Vanessa, she is extremely white passing. I’m Afrolatina so my family probably looks similar to yours – we have all shades, all phenotypes and hair textures. We all loosely look related but we’re definitely a rainbow of shades. I am very very light skinned, but I have very tight curls, giant lips and more “ethnic” features, that look especially prominent when I wear my hair natural. When I (very rarely) straighten my hair I’ve actually been told I look like I could be related to MM (people probably just stroking my ego haha), so I am someone who knows how to play up my “white side” and my “black side”.
Most of my family were surprised to find out that she’s half black (they did rejoice in the revelation though).
I’m sure you’re beautiful, just like meghan.
I am fully black and Meghan’s natural hair is kinkier/coarser than mine.
She straightens her hair and that’s her choice. I certainly would never tell anyone how to do their hair, in fact, I hate the policing of black/half black women’s hair in general. We are allowed to play with our hair and do different things with it. If meghan prefers it straight, that’s her business.
@JustSayin’
Thank you 🙂 and ITA about policing WOC hair. It’s only been the last couple of years that I’ve fully embraced the versatility and uniqueness of my hair. I love that I can wear it curly, straight, braids, whatever I want.
I have a cousin that doesn’t like MM just cos she straightens her hair. Seriously.
@Vanessa, over here in Britain, a lot of white people don’t necessarily pick up mixed race with Meghan (the ones I know before they saw her mum). They thought she was from say, Spain or Italy, or Greek because her skin is olive, and her nose isn’t ski jump but not rounded either.
A lot of white people who read the Daily Mail do live in various villages/towns which aren’t necessarily ethnically mixed (especially if you’re into horses) wouldn’t have necessarily known that Meghan was biracial, because they don’t mix like that.
She was in a hallmark movie that I watched once where both her parents in the movie were white. Her sister in the movie was white. I didn’t question it.
You know that movie aren’t real right actors get paid to pretend to be someone else the fact that you saw a hallmarks movie where her pretend family was white . Automatically assume the same for Meghan is not her fault again black people come in all shades the first time I saw Meghan was in suits I knew she was mixed with black I could tell .
@Vanessa – I think what Lilian is saying (hit me with a clue by four if I get it wrong, L) is that Meghan was read as being ‘light enough’ to the point where TV exes was like, “Eh, if two of her parents are white, that’s no big.” That goes to show you how white passing she is. Compared to say, someone like Lewis Hamilton (mixed race Briton Formula 1 driver) where you’d stop and go, “Erm… we have to add some colour to this pairing.”
To Meghan’s credit (as seen by the wedding last year) is that she’s well aware of her heritage, and acknowledges it (and her mum), instead of say, doing a Vin Diesel and just… not have a sniff of what his heritage is supposed to be.
No one is saying that Meghan is going around claiming whiteness. She’s pretty much embraced the whole of her, but I’m saying that for those white people who aren’t really looking closely, she’d be accepted in certain circles whereas say, her mum wouldn’t.
And JLo was in movies where she was playing the child of white Italian immigrants. Meghan main role for seven seasons? Her father was African-American. Guess you missed that.
Meghan’s mother was all over her social media, Meghan wasn’t hiding half of her heritage.
She is not white passing. She is ethnically ambiguous. There’s a difference.
@MA – for ethnically ambiguous, I think of people like, Lewis Hamilton, The Rock or Vin Diesel. Like, when Vin Diesel in those F+F movies has an Italian name and uses a smattering of spanish (the mi familia bit). Like, they are dark enough for the average white person to read as not white, but not black either.
People like Hasley and Markle I think to most white people who don’t look too closely would just think of them as Greek or from Southern Europe or something.
It’s not a slam against Meghan, and it’s not as if she’s hiding it. It is what it is.
I don’t think it’s an insult to be white-passing but I wouldn’t say Meghan presents the way that Halsey does at all. I see white passing as Halsey or Rebecca Hall–you wouldn’t pause and wonder “hm what are they?” whereas with Meghan, you do. Acting abilities aside, Meghan could’ve never gotten the same roles as Rebecca Hall or be cast in a British period drama about royalty or Downton Abbey. Same with Vin Diesel, depending on whether you consider Italians/Spaniards to be white. (I don’t think Vin’s Italian but he looks like it).
The Rock doesn’t “present” as ethnically ambiguous. He is pretty clearly looks Pacific Islander even though he’s partly black as well (which I didn’t know until I just looked it up)
I say Meghan is ethnically ambiguous because she can/has auditioned for roles as various ethnicities (ex. Latina) and I’ve seen people saying that they knew she’s black because of her hair or didn’t know she was black, or even Italian (white), hence the ambiguity. That said, she also looks different depending on how she’s photographed/edited (airbrushed freckles, lightened skin).
I don’t know any BLACK people who didn’t know that Megan was Black the moment they saw her. Many Black people in the diaspora come in a variety of colours.
I find it incredible that so much time is spent talking about how light/dark Megan is. What difference does it make? Do we need to bring back the old slave classifications? Mulatto, octoroon, quadroon? SHE’S BLACK. Her stepsister called Megan’s mother ‘the maid’. Megan’s known she was Black her whole life.
so let me get this straight only some of the royals are allowed to set the record straight about who they are . But Meghan is not allowed to try to set the record the British media has made Meghan out to this greedy woman who made Kate cry cause Harry and William to longer be as close . The British media and the royal reporters have been allowed to making up lies about Meghan for over year Meghan and Harry said nothing did nothing until the people article. Meghan has only fought back once
Daniel Martin does nothing but talk to the media about Meghan. It’s hardly an accomplishment to get him and some d list actress to talk about her.
Aww, from what I’ve seen of Daniel Martin (in terms of how he’s dealt with certain you tubers, and just general demeanour). He comes across as sweet and involved.
Based on him sobbing in the interview, he comes off as a bit nutty.
Bravo Meghan! Those RR can stay mad and pressed.
I’m enjoying the daily takedowns of these tabloid idiots on twitter.
Be a wonderful world when we as a people just identify being humans.
❤
It would be! But since Brexit and Trump, it’s been a bit… difficult for those of us who don’t look like the default.
Her friends don’t need her permission to speak, do they?
Yes they do. No one who is friend with any of the royals speaks without permission. if you see someone who talk to the media and still have a relationship with them they approved of it first
No they don’t. They are free to speak and write about her without her permission, just like her terrible father and half-siblings are.
But then they could no longer be considered friends. The point here is that if they are friends and talking, the talking has been approved. If they are talking without approval, then they would no longe pr be friends. Family is family either way, you can’t change that so the comparison doesn’t hold.
I know you are a fan but hope you are not a delusional one. so please be realistic when it come to the Royals. so i will say it again . NO ONE WHO IS FRIENDS WITH ANY OF THE ROYAL SPEAKS WITHOUT PERMISSION AND STAY IN THEIR CIRCLE. Why do you think the father is in the out. because he was speaking to press when he was not authorize to.
that was @notasugarhere
They are allowed to speak freely, they have freedom of speech. It is only when they go running and reveal details the royal doesn’t want that they are cut off. If they are saying nice things, no problem and no permissions needed. See Idris Elba’s comments about Charles as a simple example. Charles didn’t send Elba out to talk about Charles being slick like a gangster, but those were complimentary things Elba said. No problem, no permission needed.
I don’t understand these comments about how this is a bad idea? There were already going to be documentaries marking the anniversary and the birth of their baby boy, so why not make sure it is not like one of those dumb docs that came out recently interviewing royal reporters.
I guess I just don’t see how it’s a bad thing to try to get some positive press out there. It’s not “cloying” or “too much.” The woman has been harassed by the press for 3 years!
It confuses me how the standards are so different for her. She seems strong and like someone who won’t be silenced. The tabloids want to bully her into submission. They attack her and her family. They discriminate and dehumanize. She’s more than entitled to stand up for herself and to have her friends speak up for her.
I agree with you completely it’s not right that the royal reporters and the British media have been allowed to abuse Meghan in such a nasty way . Their people who believe that all the stories about Meghan being difficult ghosting her family making Kate cry really happen Abby from the view say she wonder if all this stories about Meghan is true that their has to be some truth to them . So if some one like Abby who works in media can wonder if the stories are true or aleast believe some of it . I’m sure Meghan reputation has taking a hit it’s not right that the British press has been able to get away with out right lies about her if the people article didn’t come out and the letter wasn’t mention People who still believe that her dad that she ghosted him after the wedding.
It’s so annoying because people want Meghan to just take her daily beatings in silence, but they fail to mention that the royals have done interviews with Katie Couric, Robin Roberts, and numerous British journalists. Meghan is not even being interviewed, it’s just a couple of her friends. It amazes me how people think that Meghan can’t do the same things that other royals can do.
@Syd I agree. Mocking, disparaging docs are okay but ONE that doesn’t engage in rumor mongering and slander is not? We haven’t even seen if it’s sycophantic yet but even if it is, people are conveniently forgetting that the royals have churned out a ton of fawning documentaries over the years. Have they already forgotten the one for Charles and the Queen of the World one released his past year?
Teapot on the stove…. Ready for Gayle!!!
Well the intro was pretty good. Ingrid Seward is making my eyes roll in her attempts to minimize the racist abuse of Meghan. Idiot.
The racism in the press coverage is being clearly explained by a black woman hallelujah!!!
From my American prospective so far it’s great…However, I’m 100% sure the British Press is pissed off!!!!
Ingrid is one of the royal reporters who has been extremely busy tweet overly negative overly racist comments about Meghan . So I’m shocked that she would even show up to be interviewed on camera considering she is one of the royal reporters who clearly loves to talk crap about Meghan on Twitter . I think one of the reason the British press was so up In arms about This special is because people who don’t follow royal gossip will watch this and see how unfair Meghan has treated been the British press and the royal reporters.
Of course she going to try to downplay the racism she is one of the royal reporters who actively engage in the racism herself when she reported about Meghan . I’m gladly that this special is being air the way the royal reporters have acted towards Meghan is so ugly and disgusting throught her pregnancy they we’re gleefully viciously toward her .
I do like Meghan. I love her in fact. But I think her friends need to shut up. Don’t add fuel to the fire.
I don’t really know how I feel about this. I agree that Meghan hasn’t been given a fair shake (except, maybe, the stories around the engagement about how she was going to revitalize the royal family/hit the ground running/be amazing at everything–some people think those were just instances of the press building her up to tear her down, but I still think they came directly from her independent PR). I guess my feeling here is that this is going to call attention to the negative stories that haven’t necessarily made their way to America, and/or it’ll make the British press double down with more stories and sources to “prove” that they’re right.
Every single Royal Family member has a fawning documentary about them. There’s one about Sophie/Edward, plenty about Kate, many about William and Harry. There are documentaries about Camilla. I’ve watched a whole slew of them on Amazon Prime and Youtube! What’s the big damn deal about Meghan getting one, too? Perhaps if Royal documentaries weren’t a done thing, but they are! It’s crazy how much people try to retcon things like protocol and media coverage around Meghan, acting like she’s the first one to do things that every single member has done before. She’s already been the subject of a bunch of documentaries. A 1-year out documentary makes perfect sense. All the hand-wringing and sturm und drang seems really bizarre to me.
100%. I have seen them aired on CBC and PBS for years. This is nothing new.
It’s because it’s Meghan that’s why people are making such a big deal she not allowed to defend herself against any of the slander she has to take. Every other royal have special made about them it’s par for course but when it’s Meghan it’s too much considering the way the royal reporters and the British press have been reported lies about her the fact that they been allowed to be so racist hateful to Meghan is disgusting.
Good point.
THIS. But as we’ve seen Meghan is subject to a different set of rules.
I’m confused by many of these comments. M&H’s one year anniversary is on Sunday. They’ve just had a child. It’s not surprising that a documentary is being made now about M&H. There are probably several documentaries being made (which I’m sure will have RR’s talking heads spouting on about nothing). But because an American news company does a documentary and the host is an A.A. female journalist and Meghan’s friends who really know her are doing the talking….there’s a problem with that? So, it’s okay for racist RR’s who’ve trashed and abused her for years and who know nothing about who Meghan is to get on tv talking about her. But her close friends can’t cause it will cause more problems. That makes no damn sense.
We’re on the same sheet of music here, IlsaLund. When it comes to Meghan, the hypocrisy and irrational thoughts of some people knows no bounds. This is apparent here and on other SM/blogs when they show their hand with their disingenuous comments, outright negativity or faux concern (in the name of the British taxpayer), and end up looking like the racists, bigots or truly envious that they really are.
@ ma again when I think of white passing biracial i always think of Mariah Carey I didn’t even know Halsey was biracial until recently when she started talking about it . And the guy from prison break is also white passing to me when I see Meghan I see a light skinned black woman not white passing at all
Why does one have to ‘identify’ as black, white or biracial? Looked at logically it’s crazy. I’ve felt personally attacked by the vile stories from the U.K. tabloid press and I’m so called ‘white’. The ideal Royal bride according to them would be another Royal. They dug up all kinds of cousins of Carole Middleton’s and mocked them as chavs. Incidentally my descendants are so white, so blond or red haired that they need Factor 50. Using the mad logic of racists this must make them superior beings, no? Instead it gives increased risk of skin cancer,
The special is a bit of fluff. I wish her friend didn’t cry on camera. I’m glad Bad Dad was only mentioned for Pap gate, the half sibs left completely out and Doria mentioned with fondness. But it was an indictment on the British media and it is so pressed the Fail is writing Meghan had a hand in producing the special. Looks like Gayle struck a nerve.
It will not be airing in Houston. The local affiliate is running a different program. Hopefully it will be available on demand later.
BP released an official statement saying the DOS had nothing to do with this nor did she give her blessing to her friends to participate. Hmmm
Lol that definitely doesn’t seems like a lie 😉
Why are they even bothering to release this statement? People (including the RRs) will blame her anyway.
Buckingham Palace denies this story but does not deny the recent article (last week) about how BP has already taken decisive steps to curb Meghan and her popularity (is this why the US trip was cancelled?).
The CBS Special was created for Meghan fans/supporters. It is not going to change the negative stories the RR spin about Meghan. There are many Royal documentaries about HRH the Queen, Diana, Charles, William, Kathy, and Harry etc.. This is no different.
There will be more to come.
I believe Meghan does not look at the media surrounding her. I stopped looking at the political news shows 7 months ago ( blood pressure/ nerves). I hear news from family and friends but it is not as bad on my blood pressure. I don’t look at nasty Meghan stories/ media.
I think Meghan married Harry knowing there was going to be negativity and backlash. The press was already previewing what racist , lies, and negative stories they where going to publish before the wedding.
Harry is probably more upset than Meghan.
The move to BP is the best for Harry, Meghan, and Archie. I think it is one way of the Queen 👑 and Charles can protect them. I don’t think the negative stories will stop but they have a better support team.
KP was a joke. Meghan was stabbed in the back so many times it was crazy. Their new PR team knew about this CBS special. Meghan has been through the ringer for 3 years. People have already decided if they like her or not. Some people want her to be claim and not make any waves. They don’t want her friends to talk . Thinking it will make her accepted by the RR and Haters. It doesn’t work that way. (Meghan has to define herself at some point.) British media have enlisted her crazy family, royal courtiers, and P Morgan to bash her. Meghan will continue to be her hard working compassionate self. But the damage has been done. Haters going to hate. Racists going to hate. Upper Class going to hate. Jealous people going to hate. Negative press just gives them red meat to feed on.
The negativity will l not go away. But it is nice to have something (Positive) for her supporters and fans to watch.
I watched it. Did not mind the fawning and I loved the little girls loving Meghan.
Wait, I thought they wanted privacy?
In hindsight I will say that the CBS documentary was a master stroke in terms of what it was about and the time of its airing… 2 days before their wedding anniversary. More important than her friends saying she does not deserve the criticism she has been getting, is that Gaylie got the some British press to admit on camera just why the knives have been out for her.
Yes Meghan has given royalling a 100%. She could not be a better representative of the Uk. Cue cookbook roll out, Oceania tour, her making speeches ( what a contrast from just photo opping) , touring Britain with Harry.
Meghan`s crime according to RR. She is an American and “we” expected Harry to marry an English Rose. She said she will hit th ground running… nobody knew she will be running this fast. Baby shower “ostentatious”…. celebrity friends….Hollywood. About being shipped to Africa…… basically there is no room in GB for someboby shining this bright and the future, future King.
As for the timing….today is their wedding anniversary. Anybody who needs to see a summary of what the year has been about just watch the CBS documentary. The last time I checked their IG, the likes on their wedding photos were around 4,3 million.
” This little light of mine, I am gonna let it shine ” LOL !!!!!