It’s just ridiculous at this point. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said what they said in their ITV documentary, which aired in the UK on Sunday and airs in America tonight on ABC. Their words were important, raw, and heartfelt. Trust that they said what they intended to say, and trust that they wanted to show and tell people what they’ve been experiencing. Let those clips speak for themselves. But no – we’ve had DAYS of royal commentators telling us what the clips mean and putting words into Harry and Meghan’s mouths that they never said. Add to that, Prince William and the royal family seem hellbent on gaslighting Meghan and Harry about what they’ve experienced from the media and from “palace insiders.” Well, here’s the big dumb story now: an unnamed source mouthed off to CNN and it’s a thing.
Following the documentary, palace insiders on Monday reportedly told the BBC that Prince William was “worried” about Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. Those remarks were picked up by many of the UK’s daily publications on Tuesday morning. The source reacted to the many headlines, telling CNN that Prince Harry has never shied away from talking about his own mental health — and the importance of mental fitness and well-being.
The source continued that Prince Harry gave a candid and honest answer to ITV reporter Tom Bradby in the course of the documentary. They added that any sibling or person seeing that would of course be concerned, but said the tabloids and the briefings by so-called “palace insiders and friends” are classic examples of anti-Prince Harry and Meghan hysteria.
The source added that the institution around the British royal family is full of people afraid of and inexperienced at how to best help harness and deploy the value of the royal couple who, they said, have single-handedly modernized the monarchy.
If the source had just left it at “the institution around the British royal family is full of people afraid of and inexperienced at how to best help harness and deploy the value of the royal couple,” I would be right there. It’s true. Harry and Meghan could be doing even more work (they want to do more work), if only they weren’t being undermined constantly by courtiers and members of Harry’s family. But of course it’s the “have single-handedly modernized the monarchy” part that is causing a new rash of headlines. As this source said: “classic examples of anti-Prince Harry and Meghan hysteria.”
Bombshell claims Harry and Meghan Markle have “single-handedly modernised” the monarchy shows their level of “paranoia”, a Palace aide says. But the claims have now sparked a war among well-placed aides in the Palace – with one saying the “plain wrong” comments simply highlight the level of “paranoia” among Team Sussex.
They also said it is actually the Queen who is responsible for modernising the royal family – although “no one has ownership of it”, Daily Mail reports. The well-placed insider told the newspaper: “It’s very much a mentality of ‘us against the world’, which is a real shame. The Duke and Duchess have much to offer and could be a formidable asset for the royal family. But they need to work as a team with the rest of the royal household and, rightly or wrongly, there is a lot of distrust right now.”
The aide also said there was a “startling lack of self-awareness” over problems Meghan and Harry have created – including the row over their private jet use this summer. US broadcaster CNN yesterday revealed how some Palace insiders were reportedly determined to fuel “anti-Prince Harry and Meghan hysteria”.
But the source told the Mail: “It’s akin to saying that [Harry and Meghan] are too good for the royal family, which is extremely disrespectful to everyone who works for, and on behalf of, the Queen and other senior members of the royal family. The truth is that no-one is “anti” Harry and Meghan and no-one is briefing against them. And it is also just plain wrong to say they have ‘single-handedly modernised have single-handedly modernised the monarchy. Modernisation is an ongoing process led by the Queen. None of this is remotely helpful to the monarchy as an institution. It is promoting discord and taking attention away from the good works senior royals do across the board.”
Can you even imagine the hypocritical high horse of the courtier who was sent out to address this? “The truth is that no-one is “anti” Harry and Meghan and no-one is briefing against them,” the courtier told the reporter, clearly having been sent out to brief against the Sussexes. And the startling lack of self-awareness goes both ways – I think the Sussexes have walked into some obvious traps and they’ve failed to “manage” some issues the right way too, BUT… it’s pretty rich to say that the Queen, Prince Charles and the Cambridges don’t also suffer from startling lacks of self-awareness too.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Avalon Red, Backgrid and SussexRoyal IG.
“They’re an emotionally stunted group of fundamentally flawed humans doing a very silly pseudo job.” John Oliver said this Feb. 2018 on the Colbert show about warning Meghan what she was getting into. I laugh at that clip every time it comes up but more and more it’s like he was predicting the future. Go watch the clip seriously. Not only will you get a laugh but many British people (and American people) knew this was coming. I go back to it all the time as the smear campaign continues to roll out against Meg and Pedo Andy is swept under the rug.
#abolishthemonarchy
BRF continue to show their asses by removing the photo of Harry and Meghan from the room where the Queen receives guests. She can do a ride of shame twice with her PEDO son, but can’t show one ounce of at least neutrality for Harry and Meghan. By doing this she is feeding the trolls. After Diana died the BRF rebranded as this close-knit family with the Queen in the role of the doting Grandmother figure. It worked for a long while, but when things are not true, the cracks will eventually show. Families are tough, but throw in the temptations of money, power and influence and it becomes toxic.
It’s not been removed, it is just behond another smaller silver frame…. look closely and you can see the left hand side of the H&M photo is still visible….. just another made-up tabloid non-story…
@Moose I’m not sure where you’re seeing their picture in the most recent photo (of the Queen and the woman from Grenada.) It is not there. It’s there in the photo with Boris Johnson, and it’s there in the photo with the Australian prime minister and his wife.
It was probably just moved to a different area in the room. It was always kind of awkward to have it in front of William and Kate’s picture anyways.
That is a great quote, so true.
John Oliver said it perfectly and I think that the royals and the tabloids are a terrible representation of British people in general and yet they get so much airtime.
@ Nahema
That’s how I feel about Trump. I hope the world knows that he really isn’t too representational of our country as a whole. There are plenty of us that aren’t racist a-holes who think the country is being ruined by foreigners and minorities.
We know, carisel. Very few blame the citizens of the US for Trump’s actions.
Wow! When the mass is against you, you know you are doing the right thing. Stay strong Sussexes, continue on your path. Karma comes to us all.
I mean, just wow.
Obviously that quote (whether from a reputable source or not)is over the top and not really accurate. But the reaction to it shows me that it definitely struck a nerve and seems to have hit home for some palace aides. There is definitely a fear and a lack of ability to “manage” H&M – and by manage I mean, the palaces cant figure out how to best utilize H&M and their star power. they seem afraid of it if anything.
I do love that there is now a fight about who is “modernizing” an ancient institution that is still pretty stuck in the past.
I thought it was pretty ironic that the spokesperson claims the Queen is the driving force modernizing the monarchy, when from everything I’ve read, it’s the Queen who insists on maintaining archaic traditions etc…
+1
Agree with this. Whoever said that was to take a jab at the William concern trolling because that’s where KP feels vulnerable. I don’t think they are willfully trying to be the “modernizers “, or think it’s their job to pick up that mantle. That’s up to Charles and William, and don’t think the Sussexes even want that. However, I think they want to approach their work, philanthropy and patronage’s as real jobs, with active roles and trying to make a real difference and steer the conversation. This is what worries people because to the old crusty bunch, it veers into polItics, and also the possibility they can operate complete independently of the Palace. Harry has been in this system his whole life, so he knows his role in it. I think he doesn’t feel the need to continue being Williams lady in waiting and Kate’s second date,, which again bothers some people. Didn’t need to say everyone there was unprofessional and inexperienced, although too many leakers with loose lips and their own agenda, so actually, sounds about right.
I’ve said this before, but I’m convinced the monarchy does not want to be modernized. It’s an archaic institution that’s anti egalitarian and anti meritocratic. The monarchy wants a light sheen of modernity to distract the public, but more than anything the monarchy wants to cling to power. And it clings to power by making alliances with the current power holders, ie the Brexit crowd (these days). Hence the Meghan bashing, I think.
There is no “modern” monarchy. An institution that believes the people should not only pay for them, but fawn over them and never question them due to a blood line that is chosen by God (or war, murder, or other horrible methods) is the definition of archaic and stupid.
Going on Instagram isn’t modernizing the institution but expanding its propaganda machine. Which has been done for centuries via town criers, then newspapers, radio, television, the internet, and so on. Doing charity work isn’t modern, Queens of old held knitting groups for the poor. It’s kept around for two main reasons: it would be an absolute mess to set up a new government structure, plus people like their pomp and tradition (even while moaning about the cost of it all).
100% with Eliza. You cannot modernize inherited wealth, inherited power, inherited influence.
This. There’s no such thing as modernised monarchy.
The only way the Sussexes could attempt to ‘modernise’ it is to reject it entirely (including all private funds that derive from its holdings).
Modernizing royalty pretty much means abolishing it. The institution itself is archaic. I wonder what would happen if Britain voted on abolishing the monarchy. Would it win like Brexit and then have a bunch of people going no I want it back or what?
You are right. It is a relic of the past. Which is not to say that it is by definition bad. Some people enjoy the nostalgia of the monarchy and its traditions and don’t want it to be modernized beyond stripping the monarch of political power. The assumption that an anicent institution should be modernized is false – it is anti-modern and would cease to have any reason to exist if actually brought into the modern world. It is not needed for society to function, but it does perform the role of a connection to the past.
I think that’s the only way the monarchy can function? They rely on nostalgia and tradition – particularly the love people have for the Queen – and “modernising” too quickly or radically is dangerous for them. No doubt when Charles is King he won’t change a thing because he saw that his mother’s way was successful and won’t want to rock the boat – especially in today’s world where their relevance is seriously questioned. If you modernise in even one small area where you do stop? Do we need the pageantry, do they need all the jewels, do they need the palaces? I think it “shines a light” to use a Meghan phrase on how outdated they are and the answers to these questions will increasingly be ‘no’ and then why do we need them? I absolutely think they want to appear to be as modern as they can be but, ironically, the only way they remain relevant is in being traditional or “archaic”
Hmm… The royal reporters have been gleefully boasting on twitter that palace sources have been briefing them against H&M for ages now, that it’s the family and aides that the bad stories are coming from. And now there’s a claim that it doesn’t happen.
Interesting…
These royal reporters are insane.
They literally contradict themselves and only a few people call them out on it.
The issue is harry and Meghan are too popular and while Charles and William are not.
BINGO! Father and the Egg have very “fragile” egos (see what I did there? 😏), and NO ONE can be more “popular” than them, esp. a second son, and NEVER a woman/wife (except TQ)! Neither Father nor the Egg will, or can, tolerate anyone shining brighter than themselves.
This is a way to embiggen them and put H&M back down into their “place” or niche, where they are thought to belong, down in the pecking order, to be brought out when necessary, and then put back.
Exactly!!! So what do they do? Use the press (which I’m sure they have done in the past) to destroy them!
Agree with this but should qualify “popular “. They are undoubtedly popular, charismatic and have their stans, and champions. However, a lot of people who can’t stand them and think they’re the next Lenin also keep their names in their mouths and continually put them out there, like misogynist stalker Piers Morgan and the Daily Mail Brexit/ MAGA mob. The Sussexes get lions share of the national and international press coverage, which upsets the courtiers and certain other royals who think their rank should equal instant adoration. It’s hard to stay in the news cycle when the tabloids exist on drama and scandal, but your narrative is steady, basic, and never put a foot wrong. Too snoozy.
Royal reporters have only ever been court stenographers and them pretending that they do real journalism is hilarious. While some people who cover tours are actual journalists, like Keir Simmons, the reality is if you are covering what the royals wear or where they go on holiday without any critical thought, then you are no different than a gossip columnist covering celebrities. The pretence that some of these people have that the are more than that is hilarious.
While H&M are the reason for the renewed interest and are properly utilizing social media (IG) and seem to understand it’s importance more than the rest of them, I don’t think there’s any modernizing the BRF. Just get rid of it. I do agree that the palace doesn’t know how to properly utilize them. If they did, most of this would’ve never happened.
How have the Sussexes failed to manage certain things?
Like why are the expectations of perfection placed on them?
No one is perfect and no one deserves to be harassed.
Thank you! Those were my thoughts too.
Unfair criticism isn’t only coming from their detractors. It’s like some supporters feel they need to bend over backwards to show they aren’t blind followers so they nitpick every perceived imperfection. Over-scrutiny is a heavy burden for anyone.
Exactly. This is my feeling. It’s like people are so afraid of being seen as “stans” that they actually SEARCH for things to criticize which ultimately just adds to the pile on.
There havent been any huge missteps IMO. I know some like to mention the private jet story but even that was utter BS. It was AGAIN applying standards to H&M that they werent applying to any of the other royals.
My thoughts exactly.
THIS right here: “It’s like people are so afraid of being seen as “stans” that they actually SEARCH for things to criticize which ultimately just adds to the pile on.”
If we care about them, we really need to stop adding to the pile on!
I totally agree!
I’m personally impressed by their grace under pressure, especially Meghan’s. I can’t imagine how horrific it is to the be subject of such ugly racist commentary.
I realise that they aren’t perfect. However, she’s literally the first biracial British Duchess so they are navigating an unknown terrain.
I’m a Republican and this has been vindicated by the racism directed to Meghan. Her & Harry have skills tho so they don’t need the monarchy to survive. I help the documentary helps shift the public discourse away from racism and Meghan is treated with respect.
My thoughts on how they have failed certain things would be like how they managed Archie’s birth and baptism. I think it’s totally fine how they kept it undercover, but I think to quell the easy-to-anticipate media tantrum, I would have put out a statement that, given Archie’s position in the line of succession, his birth and baptism will follow the example of other royal cousins, and will not be public. The media would still scream and yell, but then that reasoning would officially be out there, and the precedent set by Anne, Edward, Zara, Peter, etc.
I think H&M are rightly furious and indignant about the media, but if they took a step back for some wider perspective, there are definitely steps they could take to make their self-defense a bit easier – and they don’t have to follow the royal playbook to do that either.
@ ShazBot, The media expectation around the birth was a frenzy, the equivalent of waiting for the next heir to the throne, way beyond their rank, plus they were viciously dragging and harassing Meghan throughout her pregnancy. They were already talking smack about her going all celebrity and trying to outshine Kate with a Lindo wing photo op, which they assumed she would do at first. I wouldn’t have released any statement at all, but they had to say something. They were very clear the birth would be private and would have a photo op a few days later. Very reasonable. Why did the press want more than that? They hate her but all they see are dollar signs when they look at her.
The only way to modernise the BRF is to abolish it.
Completely 100% true & correct.
Yes get rid of those parasites.
Agree.
The only entities winning this fight and coming out on top are the bank accounts of the British Tabloid Press.
Maybe a couple Republicans too? Royals fighting in the streets (aka tabs) isn’t exactly the steady dignified calm apolitical figure head model that the monarchy is sold on. Monarchy in chaos = UK Republicans dream.
Sooo in that dysfunctional family there’s a paedo and all the press is doing is talking about H&M….obviously.
On the other side when I read about their relationship I remember thinking: this is not going to end well. She is a feminist, she is independent at a certain point she will need her freedom back. I hope she runs away, it’s not about love, it’s about her health.
“It’s akin to saying [Harry and Meghan] are too good for…”
And there it is. The implicit racism trope rampantly ascribed to black and biracial women in the west. The old “uppity” slam, just worded a bit differently.
Yes they are too good for this family.
This family has shown itself to be racist, petty, backstabbing, and more concerned with protecting a Pedofile.
So yeah I’d say proudly that they are too good for this heap of steaming shit family.
I’m just wondering where all of this is going. Over 13K comments on the Daily Mail article about Meghan yesterday – most of the highest liked comments were so shockingly cruel and bitter toward her. Some suggesting people should go to her events and boo her for being so selfish. Kate faced a ton of criticism over the past 8 years, lowered the bar, hid in the country, kept her mouth shut, quietly shut down all of the Kate criticism blogs, carefully managed her public image, received coaching and training on how to carry herself, and played the long game. Now she is embiggened and all the flashing, crotch clutching, manic grinning, 15 min visits at events is forgotten. I can’t help but think much of the anti Harry/Meg news articles were started to put them in their place in favor of William and Kate. Harry and Meghan can’t be more love adored and popular than William and Kate you know. But it got racist and has fueled hatred and spiraled out of control. I agree that Harry and Meghan have a lot of potential to do good for the BRF and for people and causes they are supporting. But that will most likely require change that I’m not sure the BRF is ready for.
I don’t think BRF can be modernized.
I think in this moment they are a good shield: people are too focused on them instead of cough cough Andrew. Nobody must be used as a human shield.
I don’t think so. Because if one royal looks bad they all do… the people pay for them all. They all represent the Queen. If they are getting negative press, then she is. She’s just more used to it all after the decades on the job. I mean look at the cost to rebuild Camilla – Camila was spat on, had groceries thrown at her in public.
But you are right the public has a short memory. Everyone was up in arms in the summer, but loved their Africa tour. Had they continued on that path and let things go nothing would be as dramatic as it is now. But the question is why should they let things go? I think the timing was bad, as it overshadowed their last days in Africa and really awesome things they were doing, but it needed to be done in some way at some time as well. Would there ever have been a “good” time?
‘Everyone’ wasn’t up in arms in the summer, it was just the racist tabloid press that was up in arms, along with their filthy audience.
I think the DM hires professional trolls to produce the bulk of these comments in their comment section to keep the engagement going and maximize profit. It’s an old propaganda tool. On Wikipedia you can read DM’s sales are declining and the readership is very old.
I love them, but I really hope they didn’t authorize the “single handedly modernized the monarchy” comments. That’s a bad look.
I also think they could take a chapter after Hollywood’s book which is when you want there to stop being stories in the papers, you have to resist the urge to send your publicist out every day to give updates/make corrections. The documentary should have been it. I read a lot of sympathy afterwards. We don’t need daily updates and back and forth and they only stand to lose footing.
My guess is, IF they authorized this person at all and this is a legitimate source (which are big “ifs”), the person just got carried away and was going on about H&M and said the line about modernizing the monarchy just as kind of an over the top point. I don’t think H&M sent someone out to say that. At least, I hope not.
Sara Latham, through a friend, told the BBC that she did not make those comments.
Agree. They said their piece and said it well, and we sympathize with how they feel. I think if nothing else, they won’t feel so beholden to tabloid opinion anymore because they know they’re trash and that won’t change unless the senior royals, esp. KP instructs them to. They can refute egregiously false stories, have their people can handle that. Whatever issues they have should handle privately and internally. I honestly don’t want to see anymore interviews like that. I actually think they are handling things well overall and are very well liked. It would look self indulgent if they packed up and left because of this ( grass always greener, right). The private jet thing was a bit of a fiasco and think that was the straw that broke the camels back vis á vis going public with their press issues. The press was able to fully shape that narrative and basically they’ll have to fly commercial for the next 5 years now. It looked like that was the only way they traveled, especially that stupid Camp Google, which totally undercut Harry’s travel initiative. However, the absolute hysteria surrounding the Vogue launch showed the world the BS and outright lies and hypocrisy Meghan is subjected to.
As I recall, years ago William and Kate were “modernizing “ the monarchy and folks were thrilled. Now when the same is being said about Harry and Meghan, it’s horrible, the end of times! Mmmm, I wonder why that is? *sarcasm*
I really don’t get this. Have these people actually watched the documentary? I’m thinking of people critizing it/Meghan. The documentary is amazing, heartbreaking but also enlightning. I very much enjoyed it and have very high thoughts of Meghan – even more now. She came across as very intelligent, caring and down to earth. It adresses racism quite a bit, which is good for a change!
Really – I don’t see that same hysterics around that narrative that its Charles or the Cambridge’s who are GOING to modernise the Monarchy?!?!
Probably because the Cambridges and their people have never tried to directly claim credit for it the way this source is and have let commentators and reporters assign that modernizing label to them. I mean, at least that I recall. I think that talk has been largely been centered around 1) “Will contemplating his future rule and the changes he’d make,” which would arguably be his right as the king 2) the way they use social media and present themselves and 3) their work and conversations around mental health and emotion
Sara Latham has indirectly advised the BBC that those comments did not come from her. So they are not officially sanctioned.
But in that same article the BBC claims:
“ Two days after the interview aired the Sussexes struck back – an unnamed source speaking for or close to the clearly unhappy couple spoke to CNN.
Alongside suggestions that the fuss over the interview was confected came an attack on the Palace and a slight to the Royal Family that will have come from one of their closest staff.”
And The Daily Beast wrote yesterday:
“ A source described as being “close to” the Sussexes, and widely assumed to be a senior figure in their office speaking with authorization, made the comments to CNN reporter Max Foster.
(…)
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan told The Daily Beast the couple had no comment to make about the reported comments—which, far from a ringing denial of them, might rather be seen a tacit rubber-stamp of their veracity.”
I think they would have issued a denial by now, though that BBC article has me genuinely wondering if Sara Latham still has a job.
If Sara Latham is specifically denying it then those comments seem to have been made from someone else in the office, which is why they are saying no comment. And it was likely an off the cuff comment that they regretted for going a bit too far which is why we are seeing the deletions on social media.
There is a possibility the comments to CNN came not from the Sussexes office in the UK but from representatives in the US. I don’t think it is disputed that Sunshine Sachs, a US-based firm, does communications work for the Sussexes.
I think that the comments to CNN came from Meghan herself. She lashed out with similarly strong language when KP let it drop that the Sussexes were considering a move to Africa.
@Mia , no way Meghan said that.She already said what she said, and was very specific. That’s not even how she talks or says things. She is very measured and doesn’t boast like that, nor show anger. No way she’s leaking sloppy stuff like that, especially since she hates how leaking targets her. Nope.
I have some sincere questions: what are Meghan and Harry hoping to achieve by outright slamming the institution that ultimately supports them financially and provides their (current) platform? What do they want out of this fight—the courtiers to leave, or is it just punishment for the palaces not defending them from the press attacks? Do they just want the anti-Meghan and Harry sentiment in the palace to stop, because this doesn’t feel like the way to do it? Is this their way of negotiating their terms for an exit? Do you think Sara Latham and the rest of their staff feels awkward going into their offices at BP now?
This feels like a slight messaging misfire to me and born out of Harry being specifically mad about the fragile and worried comments (Interesting, though, that they largely let Will off the hook and place the blame for the media hysteria on the courtiers), but I’m not sure why he wouldn’t expect the palace(s) to have a coordinated PR message in response to try to cover their asses that’s exactly what the palace(s) put out. Was he expecting something more from them, or to just be allowed to air grievances and garner sympathy with no pushback from an institution that always protects itself to survive?
The thing is, the Sussexes themselves talked about not being all right in the documentary and both described struggling greatly in their roles (with Harry specifically talking about how his mental health problems have come back again), and the filmmaker even talked about how genuinely burnt out Harry seemed in his Times article about the documentary. We even saw Harry get unusually choked up at the Well Child Awards not even a week ago. So it’s sort of a head scratcher to me to see “sources close to Harry” come back with even more defiant comments to The Sun about how rather than being fragile Harry is “stronger than ever” (and more claims of how the institution is afraid of looking responsible for their misery). They sought to portray themselves as authentically vulnerable in speaking their truth and Meghan even answered she wasn’t sure how/if they could continue, so I think they’re risking looking like they want it both ways while only only wanting to allow their side of the story to be out there.
BP let that comment about Meghan and Harry singlehandedly modernizing the monarchy hang out there all day yesterday without immediate comment because they knew commentators would do the work of portraying that statement as arrogant and disrespectful to the Queen, which of course they did. I won’t be surprised if the usual suspects continue to go with the worst possible interpretation of it, which can be summed up as “they just can’t handle how awesome we are.”
The courtiers’ story has always been that Meghan and Harry won’t take advice. If the Sussexes really do feel like they’re being held back and basically sabotaged by the RF and courtiers to the point that they were willing to fire such a direct shot at them… why not actually leave and seize the freedom of being able to run their lives, fully control their messaging independent of anyone else, and work on projects on their own terms? Those are the things they really seem to want, and it’s clear at this point those things won’t be available to them as they serve in a hierarchal institution that can’t and won’t prioritize them. They’ve already built their social platform and are adept fundraisers so what do they really have to lose?
I’ll give them this: it’s tough and takes guts to stand defiant against both the palace and the press, but I’m not sure this is a fight anyone can truly win.
History has proven that people who stand up and head into “fights they can’t truly win” have become nations hero’s, heroines and mentors.
True, though often people are not looked at as heroes until a new generation looks back on history. Look at Native American history in the US and how long it is *still* taking for the government to right the wrongs and honor those that died.
Re-reading this accidental essay (face palm) the one thing I want to add is that I do genuinely feel for the Sussexes and what they’ve been made to go through the last two or so years. That’s not me blaming them, but trying to work out their reasoning and what’s happening behind the scenes. In some ways I do think they make it harder on themselves by trying to swim upriver and make changes to an institution that doesn’t want to be changed (I still think the courtiers haven’t liked Meghan since she came in with ideas and suggestions on how to do that right off the bat, which they likely read as disrespectful rather than trying to be helpful), but I genuinely respect them for trying to make a stand and sticking to their principles and doing what they feel is right.
Lexa, I always find your comments thought-provoking and right on, as someone who also likes to muse on what might be going on beyond the scenes here.
When you say “Why not actually leave and seize the freedom of being able to run their lives, fully control their messaging independent of anyone else, and work on projects on their own terms?”—I think that is the exact direction that things are heading towards. I would guess within 2 years the Sussexes will be operating separately from the BRF, and largely based away from the UK. I can see no other outcome, to me it is clear that they feel their position within the BRF structure is untenable and undesirable and they are probably right if they think they can accomplish a lot of things outside of the BRF with less aggravation and back-biting.
Thanks, Tourmaline! I like coming at things from different angles and thinking the different narratives through since that’s largely what PR and marketing is–narratives, however true or false. For example, the popular assumption here is that Will and Kate are acting against the Sussexes out of jealousy based on perceived evidence, but I think someone could just as easily use that same evidence to craft a narrative that the Sussexes are the ones who are acting out of spite or frustration or what-have-you as Will and Charles align in advance the big transition and because they feel like they’re being underutilized and sidelined. I also think many things can be true at once and people can be many things at once and that’s what makes it all interesting.
There’s always going to be assumption bias depending on what people want to believe is true, and I’m totally guilty of it. I think it’s almost more intriguing to try to figure out the desires driving them. Clearly, Will and Charles are in a mode of trying to show stability in the monarchy (see: the Duchy documentary) either because of the eventual transition or the Brexit chaos or a combination of these and other things. The more I think about it, the more I agree with you. Even small things, like Harry’s statement not being posted on royal.uk, are an indication of inner-Firm tension and a potential play at independence.
My guess is that the Sussexes feel betrayed by Will and Charles choosing to maintain their relationships with the press (which, unfortunately, I do think they need) and that there’s a “we’ve all had to deal with it” mentality within the family and wider institution that makes them less sympathetic and unwilling to see some of the racist undertones in the coverage.
My prediction is that the Sussexes’ ideal endgame is that they’re allowed to keep their royal perks/titles and live in America where they do their own thing with little to no oversight–similar to how it was reported by the Times that they wanted an office independent of BP when the initial KP split happened. The documentary and these statements feel a bit to me like they’re showing the RF their hand (possibly in a “this is the damage we can do” kind of way) in ongoing negotiations. A big hang up is likely the cost of such a thing to the monarchy, both financially and reputation-wise. Maybe it becomes more doable if Charles funds their security privately and they give up their HRHs, keeping DDoS?
I always really enjoy your thoughts, Lexa. Logical and much better worded than I can accomplish 🙂
I don’t think they are slamming the institution though. I haven’t seen anything that indicates H&M want to abolish the monarchy, or hate the Queen, etc. So I’m not sure how to respond to the rest because I just don’t think they are slamming the monarchy. I think they are slamming the courtiers and the press, but that’s different. The courtiers who are leaving H&M out to dry SHOULD be called out for it.
The Courtiers are part of the institution, so I wouldn’t call it a slamming of the monarchy buy they are calling it out.
While people who fight “losing just battles” do end up the heroes in the long run, I am curious at what their end goal is. What do they want their family and the monarchy to publicly do? I know some on here think it is orchestrated from the Cambridges etc, and I guess they could call them out, but is this direct enough for that? BP originally did speak up against the crap against Meghan when they were dating and it didn’t do much to stop it. I am curious at what people would like to see done. I’d like to see the constant bullying and racist comments stop, but not sure any word from anyone would make it stop it seems to sell unfortunately.
I thought the Sussexes were trying to highlight mental health issues and grief with some of Harry and Meghan’s comments, but these comments from their team does seem to counteract that idea. I do see the mixed messages here Lexa was discussing.
I think at this point, the easiest thing for the royals to do is public appearances with the Sussexes. Send Meghan out for an event with Camilla to show that they get along; have H&M do an event with Charles and Camilla to show that they are supporting Harry and Meghan. Even William saying something like “I recognize the public pressure Harry and Meghan face and the endless scrutiny and I realize how stressful that can be” would be helpful. Have it be known that H&M are having tea with the queen. Stuff like that.
A huge part of what is going on now is this idea that the senior royals are against H&M for various reasons, and that feeds into the negativity surrounding their coverage. If that is NOT the case, then they need to show it. If the queen can stage a church ride with Andy, she can stage a photo op with H&M.
I would be fine with that except for events with W&K. They are the ones behind most of the smears of the Sussexes and they shouldn’t be given a pass by doing an event with the Sussexes.
If they have public appearances with the Cambridges all anyone will be doing is overanalyzing their interactions, but I agree the Queen, Charles and Camilla may help. Hopefully that will happen, and William did say something about this. It might not be to everyone’s liking, but I would be very concerned if my brother spoke about hearing camera flashings and being brought back to our mother’s death, and your sister in law saying how hard it is. Granted it is understandable, but it would be something you need to work on. Not sure Harry would want his brother speaking more though his publicist about this either. Plus people are totally overanalyzing that relationship so the best for them is after the dust settles have a public outing which looks fun or something, but they need to give that one time.
Becks1 I think that there is a disconnect here. People on this forum don’t seem to understand how royals work. The royals are not going to show that they get along with Meghan because they don’t. They are not on her side. They initially were but now they are firmly not. They disapprove of how she has conducted affairs. She has been “unframed”. Nobody is going to go out with her and do engagements. I don’t know how long you have been following royals but this is the first step to freezing her out.
The Queen isn’t going to freeze out someone she just made VP of the Commonwealth Trust. That’s wishful thinking based on a Richard Palmer tweet. Charles is looking to get rid of Andrew and he needs Harry and Meghan for that. He is going to desperately need the multi racial couple to balance the fact they have a pedo in their midst.
The royals don’t tend to do a lot of joint engagements overall. Anytime they do something joint it becomes a story because that’s how uncommon it is.
Agree with Becks1. They never said anything to directly slam the monarchy. Harry was very careful to say he would always be there for his bother and that he loved him. He was way more diplomatic than Williams gaslighting fake concern.They specifically talked about their treatment by the tabloids and the intrusiveness and lack of consideration for Meghan’s well-being during her pregnancy and with the baby. Not once did they imply they want to abolish the monarchy or hate the institution, or disrespect the other Royal family members. Maybe in future they won’t live in England full time, but that could be anything from a summer home in Spain, to months long tours. Who knows, he’s 6th in line so not like they need to be there constantly.
I wonder the same thing, great post!
“I am curious at what their end goal is. What do they want their family and the monarchy to publicly do?”
madsky, I am with you and really want to know two things: 1) What does Meghan & Harry want his family to do and 2) What is it that the Duke & Duchess of Sussex really want?
Ending racism against Meghan is something that is not going to happen. There is no magic wand to wave to get rid of racist people.
The royal family were willing to use Meghan as a workhorse, whilst pregnant, to secure trade deals with Africa, implying they were fair, inclusive and honorable people to deal with; all the while exposing her to horrid abuse by the press, courtesy of William & Kate court. In May whilst on maternity leave there were approx. 140 articles written about her.
The question I would like answered is how did the place think this would end ?
Moreover, Meghan & Harry would not have pursued a legal course of action if the press had not behaved illegally; breach of copyright law, privacy and phone hacking.
I sometimes think there are a lot of rogue courtiers and that we don’t really know how members of the BRF really feel about anything (except the visible support one gives ones pedo son ofcourse).
I think that’s probably right. I think a lot of these comments we are seeing in the press are from courtiers who are just sniping at each other. I think a lot of times when we read comments like “H&M didn’t notify the queen” it just means that a particular royal staffer didn’t know, so is lashing out.
What’s wrong with modernizing an institution that is archaic in its belief that due to an accident of birth one person rules an entire freaking country? The institution has already undergone changes throughout the centuries. Charles is already planning on downsizing it. William has spoken of doing things differently when he becomes king. But yes, let’s come down on Harry & Meghan because some unnamed source says they are interested in modernizing it too. I mean…let’s be honest. Meghan and Archie are proof of the change. No one…NO ONE thought a prince of U.K. would ever marry a biracial American. Everyone assumed the status quo would occur, ie white aristocrat. They have successfully utilized social media to promote their causes. Meghan worked during her pregnancy, like most modern women do. Yes, they have modernized the monarchy. It’s not the end of the world. It needs to happen.
Any royal who claims to modernize deserves ridicule; Charles, William, QEII any of them. Because it’s a stupid thought. As you said it’s archaic. It’s decided by birth who gets to “rule”, who gets millions (billions) of pounds to spend in their lifetime just for existing. Slimming down working royals isn’t modern or new, focusing on charities instead of cutting ribbons isn’t modern (old kings never cut ribbons they just give money to charities and were far less hands on – so technically it’s reverting).
This ribbon cutting started with Princess Mary, Duchess of Teck and was perfected for the tabloid press by Edward VII when he was the Prince of Wales.
This is what I was saying yesterday about royal reporting.
When people were questioning the tiaragate, Meghan made Kate cry, duchess difficult etc stories saying negative coverage was racially motivated, royal reporters pushed back and said stories were coming from the palaces. A quote in Times article about how Meghan was Harry’s degree wife was attributed to a senior royal source.
Emily Andrews from the Sun said Meghan had upset the royal households on twitter as did Dan Wooten (also from the Sun) on a radio show. Now in their paper a source is denying palace briefings? Laughable.
So if we are to believe that palace sources haven’t been briefing against the Sussexes (even though someone apparently is in this piece) does that mean the press have made these stories up? And doesn’t that support Meghan’s point that the press publish lies? I wonder how they will get around that.
Personally I think that CNN source is mischief designed to discredit and add to divisive narrative. There’s nothing they’ve done that’s been modernising- that was press hype before the wedding about diversity. They hyped her being a vocal feminist but she’s championing same stuff as Sophie & Camilla etc on women’s rights. And the line about how to deploy& harness their value is reminiscent of what (I assume) a palace courtier said in the Tim Shipman piece.
You raise an interesting point – which is it? Are people in the palace leaking these stories about Meghan, actively trying to make her look bad? Or are the reporters just making up every single story? It cant be both.
Read the CNN article, and I think you won’t see it the same way. CNN isn’t the British tabloids. Doesn’t mean their sources may not be great, but they don’t generally sensationalize the same way. Most of this person who “supposedly is close to the Sussexes” comments are fine. In fact they make a lot of sense. I think she/he just went too far on a tangential comment about the Sussexes, and you can tell the CNN writer didn’t even see this was the blowout statement as he put it at the end. Funny thing was the commenter was complaining how everyone is going hysterical about Harry’s comments about William and William’s comments about it, and now they are going crazy about this instead.
I think people in the palace(s) leak and are trying to make the Sussexes look bad. It’s “The knives are out for Fergie at the palace” (1992) all over again, same playbook, now with added racism.
I did read the CNN article. I’m talking about the RRs in general, not Max Foster.
@Becks1, The Sussexes sell tabloid newspapers and generate revenue producing clicks. I think the tabloids are taking every verbal tidbit they can pick-up off the ground and spinning it into a sensational story. Then along comes a “real” journalist who tries to string along all the online sensational stories into a narrative that makes some plausible sense for the intelligent informed reader who is interested in the BRF.
Here is what I think happened: Meghan crossed a few “people” in the beginning because she came across as many (all???) Americans do to the British: pushy. Meghan having fought battles in Hollywood was not going to back down and/or appear weak. Low level staffers started to leak for money or just plain spite to tabloid RRs and RRRS From this point, I think everything just spun out of control. Online commentariats just explodes with haters who now had a platform to espouse their hate. Like generates like. so we now have Daily Fail articles on Meghan & Harry that generate 2.1K comments in 38 minutes.
I have no idea how to put the genie back in the bottle
I think this whole statement from the sussexes is a mistake. They come across as self aggrandizing and as insulting the whole family including the queen, who they depend on. Even if they really believe that they are the best thing to happen to the BRF, you don’t go saying this in public. The “they should just leave” opinion is gonna be even worse if they are seen to hold the queen, prince Charles, etc in contempt.
What “whole statement”? These aren’t their words.
They didn’t say it.
They didn’t say it. We don’t even know if it came from Sussex camp at all or if the RR are lying again.
The CNN reporter that statement was given to is Max Foster. He is the CNN London correspondent. No I don’t think he’s a “lying royal reporter”
Well it came from CNN and not a tabloid, and they haven’t denied it.
@Devon, No disrespect to you at all. However, Max Foster of CNN is not lying royal reporter. He is not even a royal reporter. He is the CNN London correspondent and has an excellent reputation. I am sure Mr. Foster would much rather be covering something that really matters and is much more his “ilk” like BREXIT.
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It’s a silly question but who are the courtiers that are feeding information? and why do we hold them to their words?
@Angela i think it’s meant to aggravate that’s why I think this is from a courtier. I think this is part of the palaces pushing back.
Sara Latham has advised the BBC that she is not the source who made those comments about “modernizing the monarchy”. It’s written as a friend of hers told the BBC, but essentially that’s the same thing.
I could easily see a courtier having fun with the anti Sussex sentiment in the media right now and making a comment like that. It would explain why the tweet with this quote was deleted fairly quickly.
Ohh I thought it was them because it said it was a Sussex source. Sorry I misunderstood.
The single handedly modernizing the monarchy is a quote from a CNN piece and they attribute the source as a person close to the Sussexes. Also, most of the piece and quotes by this person are spot on and good. This particular comment is at the end and kind of a throw away remark, and oddly I don’t disagree in one way. Just by marrying a woman of color they have modernized the family. I think this person overstated it, but I agree somewhat with it and it is weird how this crap gets so overblown.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/22/europe/prince-harry-prince-william-british-royals-source-gbr-intl/index.html
The issue with the Sussexes is that they’re international limousine liberals and that makes them extremely vulnerable in a country divided by Brexit.
The entire RF are pampered limo riders. Just because they may hold terrible conservative views doesn’t make them any less pampered than M&H.
Yes, just like the New Pope modernized Catholicism.
Th death knells are long-overdue. The monarchy, like religion, needs to be abolished. It is so embarrassing that they still exist.
I think that the press at this point are going wild with articles about Meghan and Harry it’s just at a free for all I think some people in the palace are going to the press to tried to paint a picture of Megan and Harry as fragile and unwell . Meghan and Harry lawsuit has put a a big spotlight on the palace and the courtiers as to their failure to help one their own struggling with the racist hateful campaign that’s has been going on for the three years . It’s amazing how the palace could get off their ass to protect Andrew at all costs release statements riding with the queen to church but Meghan and Harry finally has had a enough of the press dehumanizing her at every turn using her father against her . Meghan and Harry Are being gaslight every royal reporters who has a issues with them are trying to make seem like their coverage of them was fair that it’s wasn’t racist disgusting.
There are so any lies in that statement from the palace, that I had to stop reading. “No one has been feeding the press stories”? Are you kidding us? And, the Sun (recipient of those stories) actually wrote that?
@Sunshine exactly. I know it’s a trash tabloid so can’t expect anything but knowing your own reporters have written stories using “palace sources” this is shameless spinning. It’s why there’s a real credibility gap missing to me.
Funnily enough uk politics reflects the mess in the royal family and right now there’s meant to be in fighting in Boris Johnson’s cabinet over whether to call an election. #downingstreetsource is trending on twitter because of allegations of anonymous sources spreading misinformation to complicit journalists. Why does that seem familiar.
I bet CNN will retract the sources quotes or the source will be exposed. I don’t think this came from a Sussex insider.
Max Foster is aligning with his fellow royal reporters. Every tabloid jumped on “CNN reported..” which sounds much more credible than “Daily Mail sources say…”. Harry’s complaint is the tabloid press have been spinning lies, well is mainstream CNN reporting lies too?
The press (legitimate and yellow) will stick together in the end. Harry has a BIG fight on his end.
Max Foster is not a Royal Reporter.
Exactly. I would and do draw a distinction between Max Foster of CNN and, say, Dan Wootton of the Sun. I don’t think Sussex supporters (not referring to any one here necessarily at all) do themselves any favors when they paint every media outlet and journalist as cut from the same cloth.
Not to mention, the CNN is not a British news outlet. They are American. They aren’t in this fight at all, because the fight is with the British tabloid press. I don’t think the CNN cares to take sides on this issue in any capacity .
But CNN is trash… no better than Fox news
Max is the royal reporter for CNN.
I always wonder the British claim to hate the monarchy and want to have it abolished but they never really actualize their words. I see no protests against the monarchy. I see no members of parliament being called up and them tabling this motion of a referendum in parliament. I just see a lot of talk but not much action. If they really wanted this abolished, it would have been abolished by now. I think the Brits like the monarchy, they like the idea of having a colonial history of conquests, they may hate paying for their upkeep, but they like the prestige of being the only nation whose monarchy is truly recognized. Which is why i wish they would stop with all the faux concern of “abolish the monarchy” while remaining dormant and continuing to fund the life styles of these people they claim to hate so much. The monarchy were abolished, tabloids would lose out on major business. Its equally annoying that Harry isnt willing to make the sacrifice to leave the monarchy for his wifes sake yet she literally abandoned her career, friends, religion and life behind for him. Sorry but im angry and tired of talk.
Oliver Cromwell abolished the monarch and as soon as Mr. Cromwell died the monarchy disembarked from a Dutch ship, moved back into St. James Palace and started collecting government benefit checks. LOL! LOL!
It is really not that simple but most UK people (especially English) I have met really like the monarchy or totally dislike the alternative. Nobody wants to see BoJo’s face and that of his current girlfriend staring out of the windows of Buckingham Palace drinking a cup of tea from Georgian china.
I feel like we shouldn’t bring up Oliver Cromwell for his republicanism, because he was a virulent anti-Catholic and in general, not a very nice historical figure.
I think the people of Britain put up with the royals because people will always go with the status quo unless something becomes untenable.
@A, I only brought up Oliver Cromwell to make the point that UK Monarchy has been “gotten rid of” once before and manage to come back.
That’s fair, I agree with that. Like I said, I think it takes a lot of energy to work on abolishing the monarchy in the UK. There are going to be ramifications for that right across the Commonwealth, tbh, especially if abolishing the monarchy = removing the crown as a legal entity. So it doesn’t surprise me that people aren’t willing to do it
My understanding as a non-British person is that it would be very annoying to rework their government to remove the monarchy, and judging by the fact they’re still struggling with Brexit… I don’t know. I think inertia is largely on the BRF’s side, but I imagine there’s going to be a number of big conversations about it after the Queen dies.
After QEII dies I think you will hear calls for a formally written one document constitution. However, I could be wrong.
My take on that line “modernized the royal family” is NOT a criticism of H and M. Because they didn’t say H and M are modern, they are saying the “royal family” is modern now. Imho, that’s the royal family’s way of trying to get people to believe they ARE modernizing even though it’s obvious they are not. The royal family wants “credit” for change without actually changing. So they’re using H and M to justify the continued existence of that outdated institution, by implying they really are keeping up with modern times. Just my take on it.
England has a problem. The media always change the narrative into negativity. Something is mentally wrong with that country. The press is so full of shit. Press vomits, public swallows.
England loves to criticize America all the time. England’s has no class. It’s a cesspool! I thought the Trump/Clinton campaign was a joke. What a nightmare. Gotta be Rhesus factor.
I hope the Sussex lives that bottomless pit of chaos country. Their to good for England. Don’t let them suck out your soul. These beings have no soul. It’s a ugly and unhealthy country.
Uh, tell us how you really feel?
Stop roping the VAST majority of us in with the idiots who eat up the gutter press and the crap tossed out by the royals.
I know people are going to yell about the “modernizing the monarchy” bit. But there’s a lot of important information to consider in that full quote, which is, “the British royal family is full of people afraid of and inexperienced at how to best help harness and deploy the value of the royal couple.” And this is 100% true. The BRF IS full of people who are afraid of and inexperienced in helping H&M, specifically wrt the racism that Meghan is facing. They were not prepared for that at all. When people say that the aristocracy is insular and incestuous, this is precisely what they mean. You’re dealing with a group of people who very likely don’t have a great deal of close friendships or relationships with people of colour at all. And this doesn’t just apply to the royal family, but to pretty much everyone in their circle, all of the courtiers who work with the Queen, a lot of whom come from aristocratic or similarly aligned families.
This ignorance and this insularity breeds a profound lack of empathy for anyone outside of their small, rich, overwhelmingly white, aristocratic circle. They don’t care because they’ve never had to care–in fact, not caring about racism is precisely how they are able to preserve their position in society in the first place.
As an older reader, I cannot help but see the parallels between the way Princess Diana was treated and the beginnings (in addition to the added layer of racism) of how ostracized Harry & Megan are becoming. PRincess Diana was a superstar and could not be contained while eclipsing her full husband and the rest including the Queen. She was pilloried for being so immensely loved and eventually doing her own thing. It really showed up BRF how it took them forever to even publicly acknowledge her death/loss. I cannot help but see similar eclipsing happening again here. I am American though so what do I know. Lol.
Like the headline of old we are once again left to wonder and ask, “Where Is The Heart In The House Of Windsor?