The Emmys are on Sunday, which means almost all of Monday will be devoted to Emmy Award coverage and Emmys fashion coverage. But I’ll probably need to do a break in the Emmy coverage if and when we get photos of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arriving in South Africa with baby Archie. This is their first tour with the baby, and their first major overseas tour since last year’s wildly successful South Pacific tour. It was that tour last fall that set off the Year of Smears against the Sussexes. People inside Kensington Palace, Clarence House and Buckingham Palace were very suddenly scared sh-tless about the soft power, the glamour and the work ethic of the Sussexes. So a lot of people have spent the last year trying their damnedest to make sure that Harry and Meg will not be that popular long-term. Private planes! Jeans at Wimbledon! No christening photo-op! Diva! White tears! You know. We all know.
So, Katie Nicholl at Vanity Fair did a lengthy preview of this African tour for the Sussexes. It will be a ten-day trip and Meghan and Archie are not going to every country on the itinerary. It’s likely that Meghan and Archie will spend the entire ten days in South Africa, while Harry travels around and does the actual tour to Malawi, Botswana and Angola. The events on the agenda include “conservation, mental health, female empowerment, and even community cooking.” There will be no state dinner, nor will there be an official greeting on the tarmac from the head of state. Harry and Meg are apparently not looking for fussy protocols in every direction. Here are some highlights from this VF piece:
Harry & Meghan need to shore up the Commonwealth: As Britain’s exit from the EU continues, it’s also a crucial moment for diplomacy. Aides say this will be the first of many trips to Africa for the couple, an opportunity to prove they are not just celebrity royals, but important and vital ambassadors for the Royal Family. In Cape Town, for example, Meghan and Harry will meet young South Africans to discuss the UK’s modern partnership with their country. As one spokesman said, the trip is an opportunity to “to highlight many of the causes they have been involved with for many years (and) demonstrate a modern UK-Africa partnership in action.”
This first engagement: There won’t be a traditional welcome at the airport when the family and their 16 strong entourage arrive on Monday, because the South African prime minister is not there to greet the couple. Instead they will head straight to their first engagement, a visit to a township in Cape Town. Here they will view a workshop that teaches children about their rights and provides self-defense classes and female empowerment training to young girls in the community. Both Harry and Meghan will speak at the event and give speeches they wrote themselves, setting the tone for the tour.
This trip has to be a success: the stakes are high for any royal tour this elaborate and long, but Harry and Meghan’s trip to Africa carries particular weight—and senior aides acknowledge that the tour has to be a success. After a summer of scathing headlines about their private jet use, the Sussexes will fly commercial for their first long haul flight with baby Archie. And the expectations will be high once they get there…This year, their trip comes after not only the private jet drama, but what was perceived as a family snub when the Sussexes decided not to visit the Queen at Balmoral, even as Meghan flew to New York for the U.S. Open a week later. The couple has hired an American PR firm to help with damage control, and sources say they hope the upcoming trip will help turn the tide: “They and their aides know this tour has to be a success, and everything has been planned meticulously so there is no margin for error.”
Ingrid Seward thinks Archie will be used as a prop to tide the criticism: “It will take more than a great tour to turn the tide completely, but if it goes well then it could be the start of a smoother path for them in the press. There’s a lot riding on the tour and the feeling is it really has to go well for the couple…. People will want to see baby Archie who could be the key player in this. I think if they show as a glimpse of Archie it could turn things around for the Sussexes. It’s a small thing but it could end up being a very big thing in terms of better press coverage,” Seward said. “They’ve had a tough run, this is a chance to make it better… It’s a step in the right direction.”
Seward thinks the Sussexes have to “claw back” to get some goodwill: “When you look at all the bad press they’ve had, it’s clear that they’ve got to claw back some of the goodwill that made them so popular around the royal wedding and which has diminished ever since…. I think part of the problem is that they have been trying to do things their way when what they’re expected to be doing is their duty. They did really well in Australia New Zealand and the Pacific, and now they have another chance to show they can be great ambassadors for the Queen and country.”
Ingrid Seward really is a crusty old bitch, isn’t she? She’s bound and determined to make this narrative stick: the Sussexes are SOOOO disliked now, because of reasons, reasons which the British press make up and amplify to rile up racists, jingoists and nativists, and here’s what the Sussexes can do to change that! The way she talks about Archie is especially disgusting – it’s a reminder that all of these crusty old C-U-Next-Tuesdays have already set the Sussexes up to fail no matter what happens. If they show off Archie, then it’s only because they wanted good press after all of the “bad press.” If they don’t show Archie, well then the Sussexes continue to be the most awful royals EVER, how dare they refuse taxpayers access to their baby! And let me guess, when the tour goes beautifully and the Sussexes are riding another wave of good press, the press – and the palaces – will start another smear campaign.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid and Avalon Red.
The entitlement is disgusting.
The entitlement is disgusting especially as they really went extra hard during the pregnancy with no concern about what the stress could have done to the pregnancy. This week it was reported that Harry had complained about the race traitor image created by some nazis that were eventually jailed, that the BBC had published, saying that it caused great distress to his family especially as Meghan was 5 months pregnant at the time. Just a little insight of what they were dealing with.
I’m getting real “ownership” vibes with the way these royal experts discuss Archie especially compared to other royal kids…
The public have seen 4 month old Archie a lot already – royal ‘experts’ like Ingrid just want their own pictures without copyright to sell their magazines, books etc. I am sure they will bring Archie out at some point during the tour but even if they get their photo op -you can guarantee Ingrid etc will still complain.
These reporters want to cast Meghan as the villain, exploit her baby for profit but also want Frogmore invite so they can go on US TV, publish books etc as ‘insiders’ which isn’t reasonable. Some seem to thinking playing the press game will change things. Ingrid said plainly on TV that they had expected Harry to marry an English rose so nothing that Meghan will do will please someone like her and people need to get that – no adjustments will stop negativity with these type of people who don’t feel she belongs in their royal family. Some of these royal reporters/experts just have a visceral hatred for her – look at Richard Palmer’s twitter right now – he openly engages with trolls who use that awful hashtag where they use death threats, mock up porn pictures, and talk about fake babies etc. How can you expect the Sussexes to work freely with people like that (assuming they are aware of it)?
Yes. 👍
👏👏👏
Exactly. What incentive is there for Harry and Meghan to cooperate with these people? Hmmm,🤔 nothing!
Ummm no they don’t have to..
How many times were Zara and Peter trotted out as tots when Anne was working? How about Louise and James when Ed and Sophie were on tours? Why only the outcry for Archie? Why?
Hmmm? I’m thinkin’…thinkin’….. I.. I… just can’t figure this out.
CAN YOU?
(yes, MAJOR sarcasm).
It’s a reference to William and Kate and their wonder baby.
When George was infant, he was huge hit on tours. Easily the most charismatic of three. Beautiful children is ALL the Cambridges have to offer. So they trot them out when necessary, you saw them a lot right after the Rose story broke.
Harry & Meghan may want to make an impact independent of their children. But, after W/K, it’s an easy pot shot at them.
Anance, George is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT story. He is third in line to the throne, a direct line heir, and an HRH. He will ALWAYS be a “working royal”, so yes, he needed/should be “trotted out”.
Archie is a PRIVATE CITIZEN, W/OUT a title (unless later, when Charles is king, his parents accept the HRH status that he is entitled to at that time). Archie is NOT a “working royal”. So no, he DOES NOT “NEED” to be seen unless his parents wish him to be seen.
@JanOG-
This is in response to your second post– so true!! Ingrid et al are just nasty racist cracks who are owed NOTHING.
You’re right, they don’t. Their son is a private citizen with high-profile working parents. He will never be a working royal, he will not be on the royal dole for life unlike W&K’s kids.
Nothing will stop the criticism. They complain about everything. They will simply continue to do their jobs and and carry on-like they’ve been doing all year.
I watched a royal documentary where Seward was interviewed – my god she was pouring it on thick about how amazing Kate is – the most beautiful, most dutiful, bestest figure, tallest royal woman..it was a bit much. I guess she doesn’t feel the need to talk up Meghan in the same way
Seward and Penny Junor (who remains a pure unmitigated Diana hater too) cut from the same cloth… Yet they keep getting wheeled out to comment as though they intimately know and are the authority on all things Meghan (and Harry)….
Crusty old bitch indeed…..
Your last sentence is everything. If the tour is a smashing success, that will only ramp up the smear campaign.
the whole “showing off Archie” thing is kind of weird to me. I mean, I get why the RRs think the Sussexes should parade him out, but he’s not even 5 months yet. He cant even sit up on his own (I’m assuming, maybe he can.) If Meghan takes him to an appearance, she has to hold him the whole time and that means she is limited in what else she can do (because you know she can’t pass him to a nanny or put him in a stroller etc.) So my guess is that we will see Archie a few times but very briefly (maybe they go for a staged walk around the grounds of where they are staying or something.)
The insane irony is that if M&H did the opposite to show off Archie – they will be accused of pimping out their child for anticipated positive press (as she was accused of doing at the Fashion Awards by posing for that Givenchy pic). Really, they cannot win. They just have to just carry on. The only thing that might help is cutting out the obvious racist commentators from any future access, and giving it to neutral journos instead.
If I was in a position to give Meghan advice, I would tell her to just be herself, because pretending to be another person will fail in the long run.
If there is one thing that gets under my skin and makes it crawl, it is when people tell me what I NEED to do. I do not NEED to do anything you say. The idea that these bitter old farts think they are entitled to dictate to H&M what they NEED to do with their own child makes me ragey.
L84TEA…that is the whole purpose, get people riled up. If more people would just ignore these haters, go on about their lives like the Duke and Duchess, this would cut off their air supply. I read some columns, know where it’s coming from, say “ok” and go fix me a cup of tea. Lol
First af all, we don’t have a prime minister, we have a president though.
And can we please stop talking about Africa like it is a country. The UK-Africa partnership makes my eyes roll.
OMG, I was going to say the same thing! Maybe the reporter is some racist still stuck in the 1980s and doesn’t realize that South Africa has changed since then. The position hasn’t existed since, when, 1984? The education/intelligence/research skills of “reporters” now days is really rock bottom.
I hope they don’t. If he’s truly a private citizen then let him exist as such. If they take him out for pictures now it’s still a catch-22. People will cry they’re using their child for PR spin. Set a precedence that he’s off limits.
Mom and Dad are fair game for photos on the trip as representatives of the crown on tour. Baby is not.
I imagine we’ll see a few low key, relaxed photos of Archie. He’s still quite young, so any directive that he has to be carted around and displayed is out of bounds.
I listen to the Sussexsquadpodcast.
I was wondering why the Sussexes aren’t allowing pictures of Archie that are not copyrighted.
Basically copyrighting the photos themselves means the royal reporters cant publish books with the photos without getting g the Sussexes permission.
Pretty smart and hence why the royal reporters are going crazy over the lack of access.
That’s why Kate takes a lot of her children’s official photos herself.
There’s a blind item saying Meghan is trying to sell the photos and is “frustrated her team can’t figure out how to monetize the baby”. But confidentiality has been too hard to maintain to do this…
You really believe that?
I highly doubt that. Selling baby photos is not a big mystery, she would know at least where to start with a magazine to sell to. Even if she did, though, she could never keep the money. It would be *terrible* optics. They would have to donate the proceeds, as Brangelina did with their baby photos, so there is really no point to selling Archie’s photos, if the goal is to make money.
If she wanted to monetise her child, he would be a HRH&Prince.
I saw that blind, too. It’s disgusting. I stopped looking at that site. It’s MAGA city over there. They’re mad that she “didn’t meet a world leader” and “snubbed Grandmother to watch sports”. They want to be able to tell her what to do and they can’t. So the MAGATs hate her. That’s all this Archie stuff is about, too: “making” the Sussexes do something.
People believe anything if it puts Meghan in a bad light. The fact that you felt confident enough to relay that crap says a lot about you. Just say you hate her than spreading ish. Nothing from her past even suggests that she would do that
Considering that part of her beef with the Markles is the fact that they sell info/interviews about her, I doubt she is looking to monetize anything at all. And she knows how to get in touch with People Mag, I am sure they would be thrilled to death to help her “monetize” baby Archie.
Utter codswallop.
Good word, Jaded!
Exactly!!
Seward is basically extorting here….show us your baby or we’ll write mean things. These folks are despicable.
They’ve been trying to extort them for years. The Markles, Diva/Tiara gate, fake family feuds, vogue, baby shower gate, Frogmore and the private jet nonsense. Nothing has brought the Sussexes to the table and the press has only looked bad because of the constant hounding and obvious racism. At this point, they need to throw in the towel because the press are only shooting themselves in the foot.
Then show the baby and be done with it. Sometime the only way you can win is to just quit playing the game. The RRS started this game and it seems that all the Royals are playing it.
The only reason I can some with as it “why” is to deflect from Pedo Andrew for the Royals and to deflect from BREXIT for The Daily Fail, The Dim and The Slow.
They never played the game, that’s part of the reason the press is mad. The press have proved that no matter what they do they’ll always complain so there’s no benefit in complying with their “requests”. They do what they’ve planned and carry on.
The “press” is complaining because they’re not making money off this child. If they do not take him out in public places, paps cannot take pictures and sell them. That is the reason behind all of this – money.
Re: Your last sentence — Take a look at today’s Fail. More from Virginia on Andy’s disgusting behaviour
They do show the baby though. that’s the really maddening part. At 5 months old, we had not seen Louis in public besides his christening and the post birth photo call. We have seen Archie post birth, we saw him at the polo match, and I imagine we will see him a few times on this tour. Plus the released pictures of the christening, and the father’s day picture.
People forget now how guarded the Cambridges were with George, but we went months without seeing him – post birth photocall, christening, and then I’m not sure he was seen again until the Australia tour. Some pictures were released, much like the Sussexes are doing.
Paps got photos of W&K leaving hospital with babies, were able to take photos from a distance (or close-up with Charlotte) for christenings. They’re bitching because they couldn’t make money off Archie on those occasions. Those are big money events for the paps.
@Becks1 You are right. And if I remember correctly, the Cambridges were severly criticized about it here.
Anyway, it’s the Sussexes’ prerogative and duty to decide what’s best for their child. No one is entitled to “see” Archie, the same way no one is entitled to “see” the little Cambridges.
The “little Cambridges” will spend their entire lives being supported by taxpayers as pampered poodles. Archie will not.
W&K have shown they have no problem using their kids and access to them for good PR, especially in the past few months because of Rose Who?
I hope Harry and Meghan will not take that path.
@nota Children are children, no matter who they will be when they grow up. No one is entitled to them or their image.
They are children yes. Should they be hunted like foxes? No. There is a real difference between the status of W&K’s kids vs. the status of Harry and Meghan’s kids. That difference needs to be respected.
See how others are raising young children who will be heirs or spares – Sweden, Denmark, Monaco, Netherlands. That’s how W&K should be looking at raising their will-always-be-working-royal kids. Public activities and some (but limited) press access. Getting the kids used to what their posh lives will be, which they didn’t do until the press had them over a barrel. Obvious how they only started doing it for PR.
It is irrelevant in regards to Archie, as he is a private citizen. Harry and Meghan will always have more right to keep their children out of the public eye.
“Then show the baby and be done with it.” That’s been done and the racist RRs and haters are still not satisfied. Despite these examples being discussed over and over here, I’ll reiterate that Archie was photographed at the polo match, his birth introduction with no less than TQ (FGS), his christening, and on Father’s Day. He’s been seen as much the Cam kids were at the age. And, every time a photo of him has been released or snapped unsuspectingly like at the airport, RRRs still complain and deride his parents and the haters claim he’s a doll, or not Meghan’s son, or the surrogate is somewhere hiding behind the scenes. Now, pray tell (nod to Billy Porter), why should anyone try to appease these hateful media hacks and vicious psychos? They’ll hate on the DDoS not matter what they do.
I was going to say. It sounds like she’s suggesting that if they want positive press, they better show us Archie. Holy smokes. It’s disgusting.
Hope we don’t see him at all on the trip.
Same!
They already tried that nonsense with the whole birth photos at the hospital thing. They really act like Harry is the heir to the throne and the monarchy rests on their shoulders. It doesn’t. There is something really unhealthy and ugly how obsessed they are with Archie and how they want him displayed. There is something quite repulsive about it and a sense that her child does not belong to her,I can’t quite articulate it, but Meghan and Doria know.
I believe their motive is to continually scrutinize this mixed race child and then rip him to shreds on his looks. If that’s true of these bottom feeders, then it’s absolutely abhorrent.
Archie is a private citizen and no one gets to dictate throwing him to the masses to satisfy a rabid press.
They want to see Archie because they want to see how “black” he is. They want to be able to point out his African features and proclaim he’s different than G/C/L. Should Archie not have any African features, then the story will be that Meghan is not the mother, a surrogate was used etc.
‘I think part of the problem is that they have been trying to do things their way when what they’re expected to be doing is their duty.’ – TO THE PRESS.
This woman makes me so angry. We all know that whatever they do the smearing will continue. Racism pure and simple, she needs to be ‘put in her place’ as does Harry for daring to marry her.
I agree with the points in the post and the anger is justified, but I think the gendered and ageist insults are unhelpful at best and counterproductive at worst. To be honest I’m surprised because this language doesn’t seem typical for this website.
Well,it is rare you run across a true one. Lots of contenders, but Sewer up there takes the cake.
Gross.
Has broom-haired pundit Ingrid Seward piped up about the Duke of York and what he must do to turn his tide of bad press? Are palace aides agonizing over how it looks to have a royal enmeshed in the assault and trafficking of girls?
And I agree with those that ask why would the Sussexes be carrying around Archie to their professional engagements? He’s going along because they want to spend time with him when they are off duty. I think it’s been clear that there will likely not be a big photo op with Archie when they deplane because there will not be a greeting ceremony at the plane.
deleted-duplicate comment
Meghan doesn’t have to do a damned thing but stay black and die.
And no, white folks, that’s not a threat. It’s a black proverb uttered by generations of black folks after someone has tried it.
Agree with this comment. These folks are tiresome and Ingrid Seward is the most tiresome of all.
FYI: Ingrid Stewart is and has always been a big buddy of Prince Charles. During the War of the Wales, Ingrid Stewart always sided with the Charles Camp.
Ingrid Seward has always wanted Charles for herself, along with PennyJ. That doesn’t mean she’s acting on Charles’s behalf.
@nota, I did not mean to imply that Ingrid was working for Charles on his behalf.
This entire thing is making me rage. The only people who think it’s been a bad year…are the f*cking British media. H&M don’t have to do jack shit, they’re not making up for anything, and you’re still an absolute snob of a cow Ingrid.
Where’s my smelling salts? I need my smelling salts!
They keep digging themselves into a bigger hole don’t they. This is the same woman who brought up Diana and how she kept her enemies close. She completely ignores the fact that Diana was still hounded and abused by the same enemies she entertained. Harry and Meghan know it’s a waste of time and will keep ignoring them. Archie is not a prop and the press will have to get over not making money off of him because that’s what it’s all about. Seriously, these people need to get a grip and get with the times. They got with Diana, Kate and Will to bend and clearly the Sussexes don’t care. Move on.
WTH is all with this constantly bitching about H & M?
If the British press wants to bitch..go after Andrew, full force!
Andrew is a nasty piece of work. I think H & M are being thrown under the bus to keep Andrew and his ugly behavior w/Epstein on the sidelines.
At this point, Down with the Monarchy!
Trust that they’d eviscerating Andrew if the Royal Family made it legal because that would sell far more than anything else, but they want to protect the monarchy. Andrew is just another rich guy in the US, but he’s a protected monarch as long as Queen Elizabeth is alive. And they’d LOVE to discuss Williams’ alleged affair, but Will will be KING!! He’s happy to stomp those stories out.
The British people should demand that Andrew’s situation be treated by the BRP as the news that it is: human trafficking and sex crimes against minors involving a member of the Royal Family. The British papers can’t tap phones anymore, so all they’ve got are the Sussexes. And the Sussexes don’t need them to get good press, so they are sort of screwed. The stolen cell phone data at the Murdoch-run media provided a LOT of money, and lots of stories to write and repeat, so stoking racism against Megan and demanding to see the mixed-race baby are the only big stories they can make money with.
I am so glad that someone (other than me) has stated that almost all of this tacky tabloid fiasco is about selling newspapers and click bait for click$ for $$$$.
What is this obsession of the british journalists absolutely wants images of the baby Sussex,No, he is not black because Meghan is a birracial with an ambiguous appearance who married a white guy , whose theirs childrens were more chance likely to look like Paula Patton’s children that Sasha and Malia Obama.
Then even if the tour is a success he always find things to criticize.and the ones that really scares me and already makes me angry, is if the press wil make racist attacks and criticism on a baby or the press will realized many articles on how Negan is a bad mother.
Money and Control. Harry and Meghan are stripping them of both. They’ve been used to scaring and bullying the royals into submission for access and Harry especially has not let them in. They are desperate for anything related to the Sussexes.
Sorry there was a mistake to hit on Meghan!
Can I ask who died and made you the arbiter of who is and isn’t black?
Thank you.
Any question about whether or not Archie is Black was settled when he was three days old and a journalist compared him to a monkey. They would NEVER do that to a White child.
Firstly I never said that me was the one who determines who
was black or did not have it. Meghan is biracial, she herself said that she considered like biracial . Then when I say that she is ambiguous, this is a fact because if you put a photo of Meghan among actresses like Nina Dobrev, Ashleey Greene, Mila Kunis or Ariana Grander, nothing distinguish it from other actresses because pyshiologically Meghan them look like, so she can be considered by some people who ignore his ethnic background like a white woman or hispanic.
When I say that Archie is not black, it’s because his mother is biracial and his father is white, and Archie has white skin. Many people forgotten that Doria to a very multiracial biological tree. Consequently you can considere Archie like a black children because is wrong because being black is one part of his many racial heritage which is numerous . If you consider him black only because his grandmother is black you have the same thoughts as the racist trolls, because you deny all his racial heritage.
Kerwood / DS9
Already this comment: (although I can bet on what the police will write on his report when it will challenge you). is just deeply hurtful and a nasty gratuitous comment.
Then Kerwood it is you who declares that the Duchess of Sussex considers herself a black woman, whereas she has clearly said that she identifies herself as biracial. And when a person says that she identifies herself as biracial or multiracial, that means that she embraces her different origins because when I speak of ethnic heritage, I do not speak about the color of the skin, I speak of cultural heritage, (music, beauty, traditions, religions, history of the country in question and all my ancestors …..) Embrace its different origins do not mean that one reject or ashamed of one origins in particulary.
It’s just that we have no problem of race because, they have the abilitity to accept all of our racial heritages. I considered myself as African, Spanish, German and French why I should consider myself as only as black women ? because I have black skin or because White or Black community considered me only as black women .
You say that “As me, my mother and my children, we must decide what we identify as a decision that must be made more easily by a society that will never treat us as whites. nothing wrong with being black, I’m happy to be so. ” It’s good for you, but I built myself like that.
And you two you’re doing the same thing with me, telling me I’m black and nothing else, I’m not naive in thinking that society will treat me as white, I’m not live on parallel worlds.
@line, copy and paste where I said you were black and only black
To be frank, until you said so, I’d assumed you were white.
@line You seem to be under the mistaken impression that if a person doesn’t LOOK Black, then they AREN’T Black. Do you know any Black people? My family has members that range from dark as coal to ‘light, bright and damn near White’. And we are ALL Black.
@Line, I am the biracial daughter of a black mother and the mother of the children of various shades but the same genetic breakdown.
We, as in me, my mother, and my children get to decide what we identify as, a decision must easier by a society that will never treat us as white. And since there isn’t a damned thing wrong with being black, I’m happy to be so.
White folks took our entire culture. I’ll be damned if they get to take my self determination too.
And I don’t appreciate the attempt to call POC racists for their own self identification. I know who raised me. I know where my family comes from. My ancestors are not erased because I came out a lighter shade.
I am black as hell and damned proud of it.
You are absolutely wrong about my way of thinking about race. I’m not considered Meghan than a black women not because she not look like Lupita but for the simple reason, she is biracial.
The same thing for Archie his father is white and his mother is biracial, I considered him to be multiracial.This is my way of thinking, my mother is South African black and Spanish, while my father is German-French. I ‘m did not consider myself like a only black person, because racially I am not only black,because I have many others racial heritages but it is the others who consider me as only black because I look like Alicia Keys.
But I not order to others people tohave a same vision that me, because all each mixed person identifies himself differently.
I embrace all the parts of my inheritance but I refuse that white or black people determines me with only one aspect of my inheritance.
@line I think you’re projecting your own issues about race on Meghan. The Duchess of Sussex is perfectly happy to be considered a Black woman. She doesn’t feel any shame at all. She might be a good role model to emulate.
@line, you are permitted to think how you wish about your own racial makeup. I won’t stop you (though I can bet what the police will write on their report when they pull you over).
Where you went wrong is making a declaration for another.
And btw, biracial and multiracial only indicate a blend, not what blend. I am biracial AND I am black because black is one of the two. Someone else who is biracial might be Asian and white.
We’re talking about people, about community, about heritage, about experiences. We aren’t paint colors.
Interesting thread. I noticed that this poster and another one from South Africa have both questioned Meghan being black because she is mixed race, biracial. I guess part of this is cultural differences. I hope this stems from maybe an ignorance of how race in America is defined (and former British colonies in the Americas). There is no mixed race group ( or colored) as in SA and some other countries. Maybe historically in places like Louisiana with Creoles ( but Plessy vs. Ferguson begs to differ). I just don’t get this whole argument. Regardless of who her father is, she may be black biracial, but all the press cares about is that she is not white, English and treat her as such, and badly. There’s all kinds of anxiety and hysteria wrapped up in that mess. They have their narrative and will stick to it, regardless of what the actual facts are. Also encourage those confused to check out NY Times 1619 project.
I have enjoyed this whole discussion and have learned so very much.
@line, are you from America? In the US, even if you are only a portion black, you will be considered and treated as black. It stems from the one drop rule. In the old times, with slavery and setting slaves free, there were mixed kids from the slave masters. White people didn’t want to give their mixed kids the same privileges as their white kids, so anyone w one drop of black blood was considered black. And treated as such. And I think that’s why now, even mixed people are called black. And I think what you’re saying is that you consider yourself the whole of all your parts, not just the black side. I think it’s a miscommunication, or maybe a cultural issue as to why you say megan should be considered biracial. She is but most people will call her and treat her as black. Well, she can pass for white. I saw her on the TV show, deal or no deal and I had no idea she is mixed. And I think what you’re trying to say is her child is white, because 3 quarters of his parents’ ancestry is white. But the way it is looked at in the USA, he would still be considered mixed.
Now I have a question, how far down the family tree are you considered mixed? Cause I think that’s what you’re saying, you don’t consider him mixed because he would only be 25% black? At what point is a descendant considered white?
Good lord, does this bottom-feeding harpy have an OFF button?
No she does not have an OFF button as she has made millions being a bottom-feeding harpy because people buy and read (but not necessarily agree with) what she has to say.
No and I honestly side-eye Vanity Fair for giving her a platform. Do better Vanity Fair.
Vanity Fair has gone straight down hill since Graydon Carter retired.
BTB – wholeheartedly agree. I got a subscription back when GC was still editor and have noticed the decline since the new editor (can’t even remember her name) took over. Most of the Katie Nichols royal drivel seems to be only published online so fortunately I’ve been spared. Since this seems to be a more detailed piece I suspect it may make the printed edition 🙁
I mean are people really surprised, this is the same lady who said people hoped Harry would have married an “English Rose”
More people (RRs) than Ingrid Stewart have made that exact same statement.
They don’t NEED to do anything. Christonaunicycle. Black woman must do what old white woman demands. GTFO.
South African here and I am already dreading this tour and not because of Harry & Meghan but due to the disgusting British press. I am dreading how they are going to cover South Africa and issues such as crime. And they will dig up dirt on every politician and representative that Meghan comes into contact with. And how interesting they mention that Britain needs to shore up Commonwealth support and Meghan is supposed to help with that when the British press and royal family has shown every woman of color in the Commonwealth exactly how they will treat us if we dare set a foot on their turf.
Oh and yeah, I can live without getting a glimpse of Archie.
Ela – you *should* go to a royal event! Not to see M&H or even Archie, but to grab the sleeve of a British journo and give him what-for. They need to *hear* it directly from a Saffie that you can see the racism from a full hemisphere away.
No, just no. These RRs need to wake up and smell the 21st century because they’re no longer in the position to dictate to a young dynamic couple who refuses to bow to their vengeful demands and harassment. The one pleasure l get out of this is that the more they scream over their so-called “rights,” the more Harry and Meghan will continue do things their own way. These trash reporters haven’t met anyone like them and they’re going crazy trying to figure out how to get a piece of them. Obviously, this couple will not be controlled and refuses to play with them. But the smear campaign will definitely continue on this trip and l fear only worsen.
I’m not in England. This is the only gossip site I regularly visit. I have no idea if the Sussexes are well liked, but I think they are.
Are the royal reporters all this stupid? Just because you guys write hyper critical, frequently non-sensical nasty stuff about Meghan and Harry doesn’t mean we agree with you. We know how lazy and poor at their jobs the Future King and his Embiggened wife are.
Listen, I wish that Harry were second in line instead of however far down he is. If that were the case we would have an arguable right to a few more pics and access. But you can’t trash Harry and then demand access. It’s bizarre entitlement.
Betsy…it is a bizarre type of craziness. They’re minor royals, not next in line, however, we’re so consumed by them we can’t stand it.
This right here. Harry is 6th in line, and will never be king. They never demand to see the Cambridge ( or other royal family) children this much, or wonder who’ll take care of them while they go on tour, or demand photo shoots or to hang out in their classrooms at school. They get lots of pictures of Archie. If all Meghan wore were frock coats and panty hose, they’d moan about it. They wrote a whole article saying she wasn’t being patriotic because she doesn’t wear exclusively British brands even though she is promoting and actively collaborated with 3 very British brands with the Smart Works launch. She is wise to their bullying tactics and just keeps it moving because they’ve been doing this same nonsense since the very first day their relationship was discovered.
H and M should keep doing what works for them and makes them happy! They are productive and the criticism is inevitable. Might as well do it your way and ignore the hate and vitriol that is generated by those who have nothing better to do!
I really feel like this is extortion. Show us the baby or we’ll write you into the ground. It makes me so angry.
Icky Prince “That’s Not My Hand” Andrew gets the white glove treatment from a nauseatingly deferential press for raping CHILDREN, but it’s Harry and Meghan who have to “claw their way back” to respectability ??
Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly be any more disgusted with the tone-deaf hypocrisy of the never ending s**t parade that is being alive in 2019 …
The lack of self-awareness and simple humanity is disturbing enough on its own, but the way she talks about pimping Archie out is CREEPY AF.
Spot on Kendra 👏🏼
PERFECT comment, Kendra! 👍🏻👏🏻
These two really are rather boring. I don’t know what all the fuss about them is for on this site. Just leave them in peace.
But not boring enough to keep from commenting about them.
Cathy & Bill are the boring two. I find Meghan, Harry, Zara, Mike, Rose and David extremely interesting.
Agreed, I find the whole royal family boring, too be honest, except for Andrew who is a travesty.
The Sussexes don’t need to change anything because the criticism has been manufactured and amplified by a rabidly racist and classist media. It is utterly unfair and I pretty much just ignore racist cows like Seward. She has shown her racist ass in her coverage of the Sussexes big time.
Seward seems to forget the vast majority of the Commonwealth are Black and brown people. The nasty racists are limited mostly to the UK. So whenever they go on tour, it’s going to be wildly successful. You’ll be hard pressed to find someone in the Commonwealth outside the UK who is willing to find fault in the only member of the BRF who looks like them.
@Steph The second Brexit takes hold, Great Britain is going to need the Commonwealth even more to maintain any relevancy in this world. The Black and Brown people in Commonwealth countries are watching and taking note. The Commonwealth might not last much past the current Queen’s death.
And the British people better hope that Commonwealth nations don’t ask for a refund of all the treasure that’s been stolen from them, on their way out. My father always called the British Museum, the ‘Museum of Stolen Property’.
The queen and Charles know this which is why they have Harry & Meghan being ambassadors to the Commonwealth.
The Future Future King & Queen don’t realize Harry & Meghan being popular especially in the Commonwealth helps THEM.
The only people who will be writing bad reviews about the Sussex tour are the clowns already writing bad reviews of them.
As much as I would love to see photos of Archie, I hope the Sussexes continue to keep him out of the public eye and we never see him, or that photos are few and far between until he is old enough to decide what he wants to do. His parents made sure he was a private citizen for a reason. Or for many reasons. I’m sure sticking it to the press was one of the secondary ones, but allowing him to grow up with privacy is something H&M value based on how they seem to operate.
We aren’t owed anything and it’s fun watching the RR eat their anger over this entire situation they caused. If they had backed off when Harry asked them to do so and never coordinated a full court harassment campaign with Meghan’s father, then perhaps their access would be different. They only have themselves to blame. And yet they keep trying to shift that blame to H&M.
I just love how Ingrid thinks she is speaking on behalf of everyone. I don’t care if we see Archie much. I want them to do what is best for them as a family. I know with them it is damned if they do damned if they don’t. They will be ripped apart regardless. It’s truly disgusting how the media treats them. We don’t own Archie, he is their child and I don’t see them selling him out for good press.
Ingrid Seward si disgusting. Archie is a baby not an object.
BTW British media are really obsessed with baby Archie, it’s unbelievable.
Also, the British media is also obsessed with Meghan and stirring up the Meghan haters who are literally praying to the MAGA god for her demise.
Archie is an historic heir, a child of African American lineage that can be called a prince. They can’t make money off him and they can’t ruin the tour. The American press and others will be kind to the Sussexes and the British press is fighting against that.
The Cambridges made deals with the press by using their children but at the end of the day it shows the British media owns them. One misstep and they will get mauled. A bad look for a future head of state and his consort.
Archie is 4 months. In those 4 months we have seen him at:
– The day of his birth
– His christening
– Polo
– The jet to France
That’s not bad for a 4 month old royal baby. How many times did we see George, Charlotte and Louis in their first 4 months?
Plus the Fathers Day pic.
And a new photo of the christening for Harry’s birthday a few days ago.
South Africa has a President, Cyril Ramaphosa, not a prime minister
Is he a good dude?
I know her husband cheating on her is not her fault but she comes across as someone who is bitter and want to impose her superiority on another woman to validate her self, she needs to talk to her shrink and leave Meghan alone.
Who are we talking about Ingrid Seward, Penny Junor or Cathy Cambridge?
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Seward said. “When you look at all the bad press they’ve had, it’s clear that they’ve got to claw back some of the goodwill that made them so popular around the royal wedding and which has diminished ever since.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why is Vanity Fair using Crusty Ol’ Bitch Ingrid Seward quotes in support of the fake news that the Sussex Royal is not popular and loved? Vanity Fair and Katie Nicholl should be called out too. I thought Omid Scobie covered this better https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a28943705/harry-meghan-archie-royal-tour-africa-itinerary/
What do they have to “claw” their way back from? Such hyperbole. The thirst is so obvious.
Why are they acting like this is their first tour and they’ve been loafing around for years causing scandals? I remember their first big joint tour of Australia/New Zealand and how big a of a hit they were and how well it went, so much so that the RR harassment jumped up 10 fold afterwards.
And “an opportunity to prove they are not just celebrity royals, but important and vital ambassadors for the Royal Family”? Pretty sure they’ve shown they are more vital than many other sets of Dukes in that family.
FWIW, I think both South Africa and Pakistan will be tricky tours for PH and PW. The history is bad (to say the least) and it will take skill. As far as South Africa is concerned, it’s kind of ominous that there is no official greeting, and no state dinner. No official greeting because “The prime minister (sic: president) wont be there”….this tour has been planned and hyped for what, 6 months? Yikes. This tour needs to be a success not for PH and MM but for the Commonwealth. Pakistan is another kettle of fish.
@Catherine
I am curious on why you think this tour needs to be a success for the Commonwealth.
I know South Africa has already voted to stay in the CW once Charles becomes king. But that still feels kind of shaky. And the politics in SA itself and in relation to UK seem shaky – I am by NO MEANS an expert on these subjects. But I’ve seen some news items (not gossip sites, but news) saying “bring the gold you stole from us back when you come.” That combined with the President not greeting them, and no state dinner, leads me to think this tour will be a lot trickier than Australia or Canada. Which makes the stakes higher for PH and the Commonwealth. Just my impression.
There are 53 countries in The Commonwealth, and only 16 of them have the UK Head of State as their defacto. It is first and foremost an economic partnership. Countries can choose to dump the Windsors as their monarchs and still remain in the union.
There was no official meeting planned for Morocco, haters had a field day. Then guess what, Harry and Meghan were personally asked by King Mohammed VI to extend their tour and spend a night at the Palace.
They don’t have to show media a damn thing. Old leather faced Ingrid can go to hell.
If Harry and Meghan read any of Sewer’s and the other RR puff pieces they must be roaring with laughter. All these supercilious old wind-bags are doing is winding themselves into the ground and making Harry and Meghan look good as they simple rise above all the veiled racist taunts and bullshit and go about doing their works in the best possible way.
I hope the rancid old biddy is reading this post.
The thing is, people ARE stupid and have short memories. If the press says often enough that Kate is perfect and Meghan is nothing but missteps, then after a while that’s what will stick in people’s minds. That is what they will do with Andrew (deny, deflect, deceive) until people forget about it. There is power in the press. That’s why I find their racist attacks despicable.
This is the one time I think the Cambridges got it right. They showed pictures of the children at their birthday, the official holiday photo and maybe an official family photo. That’s it (until recently.) We saw George on the Australia tour, and then with Charlotte to Poland. Their early years were sparse for photos. Archie should be the same.
Maybe once or twice on this tour (he’s still soooo young), then again for their official Holiday photo, then his birthday, and maybe trooping in June. That’s the way it should be. He’s a private citizen and they owe nothing to these racist a–holes who threaten them all the time with bad press. F them.
Lord memories are short. That isn’t what W&K did. They played all kinds of games with the press so they didn’t know which way was up.
They protested photos of PGTips and Carole at a public beach, but okayed publication of photos of PGTips and Kate playing at a farm playground. Up close, clear pics at the farm. They didn’t protest photos of Kate and kids in public parks, as long as they were taken by certain photographers. They didn’t protest photos of PGTips and Kate at the airport on the way to Mustique. That was the Middletons letting William who was in charge of the narrative (he was off in Spain hunting with Jecca).
The weird story of Kate and kids at the local pool, Kate in full smack and pearl earrings, that we all questioned as a plant? A couple weeks later the Rose Hanbury story hit and we all knew why that was trotted out. W&K and kids showed up at a horse event and they welcomed the pap photos? Because they were playing PR Happy Family in the face of ongoing Rose Who stories.
When protests got loud about lack of access to the kids early on, they did behind the scenes meet and greets with the RRs and kids. When protests about their laziness got louder, the paps would “just happen” to get photos of Kate and kids in a public place – photos that weren’t protested. That’s the precedent W&K set up, which is why the RRs keep demanding that of Meghan and now of Meghan, Harry, and Archie.
“Rose Who stories”, god I miss them!
The whole tone of the interview was disturbingly threatening. Give us Archie or else!! Or else what, they will continue to be racist and demeaning. Check already done, still standing. Are they going to stop taking releasing or printing pictures of H&M/A. Not on your Life. H&M have really backed them into a corner and I am here for it.
This is not just about access, this is also about a York smear. Is it not Seward that allegedly talks to members of the York family? E.g., she recently reported that she was told by a family member that Beatrice and her boyfriend will marry. I think she is one of the Yorks’ rotten mouthpieces.
Remember, British royal reporters are the most STUPID and prejudiced bullies in medialand. Harry, Meghan and Archie are SUBJECTS, yet the British RR’s continue to address them disrespectfully as “objects”.
H&M are doing a great job following their own path while serving Britain and the Commonwealth. They are a Godblessed successful couple in their own right with a growing engaged social media following. RR’s will continue to serve their satanic billionaire mediamasters. Exposing their lies and tactics is the best way to demonstrate their evil and stupidity!
We have seen Archie so much which is why I know that actually SEEING him isn’t the issue. It’s being able to make money off of him and it’s disgusting. Basically threatening H&M to get access to Archie is abhorrent. just when I think these people can’t get any lower on the POS pole they drop 10 feet further. they can all go to hell.
The poster KittyKat stated something I did not know. Any photos of Archie has to be copyrighted. They will have to get the permission of the Sussexes. If this is true , I love this way of doing business with the press. Get permission or get sued.
I just read where Meghan/Harry donated $5ooo for a swimming pool in Mozambique in Archie’s name. The people that live in this area 90% of them cannot swim. This is a good thing especially for the very young living their. The man over it checked it out and found out that Meghan/Harry did send the money for this purpose. The donation was put in Archie’s name. I love their touch with this charity.
Ingrid who? The Sussexes remain unbothered because when others go low they go high. Keep living that fabulous life guys 💕💕. They are just envious.
A side note. When KP first posted about Gareth on IG and then the Sussexes posted some were saying they were copying KP. But then gareth announced he was working on a project with Harry which gave more credence to the post. Love prince Harry.
I watched an interview in the early years of Harry dating Meghan, Seward said emphatically that, Harry will never marry Meghan. Apparently she was rooting for Cressida, an English Rose, so she has been bitter since, and wishing Meghan is the wrong girl, but I say Meghan may be wrong for The Royal Family, but she is definitely the right girl for Harry, that is whyHarry happily put a ring on it sharpish! So Madam Seward, wipe your tears and join the winning party. There is nothing to claw back, since it’s all manufactured scandal. They should pray W&K never get caught using their regular mode of transport; private jets or a helipcopter like a taxi. They would probably get a pass, like it’s been happening all along.
The success of the tour will be decided by the people of the Commonwealth nations that the Sussexes visit. The so-called royal expert will not intimidate the Sussexes to show their baby so they can sell newspapers. Some of us will avoid the online services they offer to ensure their ad sales are solely dependent on the haters they cultivated.
This has to be a “watch me” moment, many of us will love to see Master Archie but are willing to wait until they can post copyright images.
If showing Archie is a measure of a successful tour them I’m for the tour being declared a failure and no picture of Archie. Time for the hateful RRs to take out their markers and crayons and start drawing pictures of what they think Archie looks like.