Over the weekend, there was a disturbing shift in how Sussexit was covered, especially in the British press. The shift was “the Duchess of Sussex is the one who wanted to leave and poor hapless Harry is being forced to make a choice between his wife and his family.” I’m sure there are a lot of people who believe Meghan is a Machiavellian mastermind, manipulating Poor Harry constantly and “forcing” him to choose. But… I don’t believe that. I think Harry has wanted out of his messy family for months, if not years. I think he would choose Meghan and Archie all day, every day if it was presented to him as an either/or.
Meanwhile, there a million other stories all happening. I do not know when we’ll find out something for sure, and Harry is set to meet with William, Charles and the Queen today. The meeting is possibly happening as we speak. The Queen wants this done fast, so I suspect we’ll hear something tomorrow or Wednesday. Reportedly, Prince Philip is worked up about Sussexit too, but who really gives a f–k at this point.
This weekend’s biggest story was about how Prince William reportedly told friends, “I’ve put my arm around my brother all our lives and I can’t do that anymore…I’m sad about that… All we can do, and all I can do, is try and support them and hope that the time comes when we’re all singing from the same page. I want everyone to play on the team.” That came from the Sunday Times, one of the most respected (and royalist) outlets in Britain. It was clear to me that William put it out and tried to cover his tracks by framing it as “a friend of William said that William said this.” Well, it must have pissed off Harry something fierce, because Harry and William issued a joint statement:
A joint statement from the spokespeople of Prince William and Prince Harry: pic.twitter.com/H8hqYCHirK
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) January 13, 2020
It reminds me of how the similarly half-way official word from Kensington Palace was that William was “worried” about his “fragile” brother following that ITV documentary last year. Instead of showing genuine concern for Harry publicly, William has taken to gaslighting Harry whenever possible about Harry’s mental health, and I guess Harry called him out on it. Update: as it turns out, this denial was about a completely different story in the Times, wherein “sources” said that Harry felt bullied by William. The fact that they bothered to deny it though…means it’s true.
What else? Diana’s former protection officer Ken Wharfe was basically like, senior royals get jealous AF when “junior royals” are really popular. And he says flat-out that popular royals like Meghan get isolated by the Firm.
"The Royal Family really have a problem in dealing with junior members of the family being so popular."
Princess Diana's ex-protection officer tells @KayBurley that Meghan was left 'isolated' in the royal family, similar to Diana.#KayBurley @ #Breakfast https://t.co/Wk4OcWLJgL pic.twitter.com/VXqX5fZOhE
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 13, 2020
And there are stories going around about how the Windsors are very concerned that Harry and Meghan will do a tell-all interview in which they would do some real talk about those racist colonizers. Tom Bradby – the Sussexes’ de facto mouthpiece at the moment – said it was definitely a possibility. And the Sunday Times reported that “courtiers fear Meghan would brand the royal household racist and sexist.” Those white folks are TREMBLING. Oh, and Bradby said something curious: “the atmosphere soured hard and early [around the 2018 wedding]. Really damaging things were said and done… [The Sussexes] find some other members of the family (with the exception of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh) jealous and, at times, unfriendly… there is no doubt Harry and Meghan feel they have been driven out.” Jelly jelly jelly. Whoever could that be?
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid and Avalon Red.
William really dragged Harry into that BS statement defending him and only him, after the tabloids finally called him out by name as the main person bullying Meghan! But he has yet to release any type of statement in defense of his brother and sister-in-law being repeatedly abused by (him &) the media!!!🤔
Harry being the bigger man
Harry is the better man, while William remains the petty manchild.
I think we all know how the jelly one is – you can see the distance in that christening shot and yeah Harry was likely p1ssed at William for his comments to the Times. Remember the Times is NOT a tabloid and they would never make up stories to stir up trouble and for click bait.
Jealousy over popularity is so stupid. People can’t help being popular. Meghan IS newsworthy: she’s an American, she’s biracial, she’s divorced, she’s older than the average royal bride, she’s accomplished, she was already famous. That’s newsworthy.
All of the bullying and attempting to put her in her place has made people rally round her more. Every new bride gets a lot of attention and publicity straight away. That would have faded eventually, but by constantly feeding the press leaks about her, they kept her in the press and galvanized both her fans and those people who wouldn’t have really cared about her but felt the need to defend her because she is a black woman facing racist bullying by the whitest most privileged family in the world.
She had the least amount of engagements of all of them. William and Kate were out and about more often than Harry and Meghan. It’s not like Harry and Meghan were doing 500 engagements a year, pushing themselves to the front of the balcony, or doing anything outlandish to draw attention to themselves. Their popularity was out of their control. Even when they stepped back and took maternity leave or vacations, they were still the most popular royals. It’s not their fault. They’re just newsworthy.
Isn’t it, though? (Stupid, as you say)
If William had just eased up on his brother and sister-in-law, the hysteria surrounding them would have died down. If he had expressed some support for Meghan during Markle-gate, again, the hysteria would have eventually died down. Then all that would be left to report on would be Harry and Meghan’s work, which still would have ruffled his feathers, but the solution to that is easy: Pick up is own slack. It would have been fool-proof, as the RRs are always willing to give him and his wife the benefit of the doubt.
Agreed. William’s jealousy at HM popularity is a major cause of the rift. Charles seems to be like this too, jealous when his sons get a lot of attention. It is all transitory, the newest baby, wedding, attractive young royals will scoop the popularity/ attention (human nature). If he had just waited it would have decreased and eventually his children would be the center of attention (hopefully by then he will have matured and deal with it better). Plus the positive attention HM got was often coupled with negative from tabloids, which is not worth it.
All of which has also ramped up the death threats against the Sussexes to a high degree. That’s the really bad part to me. They all live with the threat of death and the need for high levels of security. (Examples, Shots at Queen when she was on horseback trooping the color, attempted kidnapping of Anne, murder of Mountbatten). People around them have died or been seriously injured. The family have all been taught about security and threats and how to stay as safe as possible — so, for me, if they were complicit in aiding and abetting stirring up this public hatred of Meghan; then they are also complicit in upping the level of security needed to now protect the Sussexes from those that would like to seriously harm or kill them. It’s not just badmouthing her, it’s actually putting her in danger. And Harry is perfectly aware of this, thus his concern about protecting his family isn’t just about media it is about the very real concern of their being harmed. That’s why all this talk about lowering their security to officers with tasers is especially frightening.
William may have been jealous, but it was always within HM’s power to shut down the racist tabs, to declare the Markles off-limits to UK press, etc. This is another case of HM letting a bad situation fester into a crisis. She has learned nothing in nine decades.
Agreed. William has a face like a slapped ass in the christening picture. He didn’t even have the grace to try and look happy. Future king, huh?
I dunno, it was a group picture that included a baby. Doria looks a bit grim too, but I think it’s just a moment. Don’t you think they took like 25 shots and picked the one where the baby is sort of upright and Meghan’s smile is gorgeous and Harry looks reasonably OK?
Is their joint statement enough? If Harry said it’s not about his brother bullying H & M then we all should step away from that narrative.
+1
Yeah, I agree. Sibling relationships are complicated, and I think we all can see that William and Harry’s is strained to say the least. But their joint statement is enough for me to think that Harry’s departure is less to do with William than articles or blogs would like to believe.
No it’s not! He wants to release a “joint” statement with his brother to defend himself, but nothing for his sister-in-law after she had to endure 3+ years of endless abuse?!! Nah, he can keep that bs statement!
Agree. This is what Harry chose to deny—my brother did not bully us out of the country. I believe him. I think things have been beyond horrible for Meghan and Harry, but listen to what Harry is saying.
And I can anticipate some people saying William forced him into that statement. We can’t have it both ways. We can’t say Meghan didn’t force Harry to step away (and to be clear, I don’t believe she did), and then say William forced him into a statement. Harry is his own man.
It would be logical if Harry agreed to this statement, even if it is false, in exchange for getting something he wanted more in the negotiations.
It’s a BS statement that is designed to save williams ass. Harry co-signing is most likely his way of co-operating, like @notasugar said, as part of the negotiations; I still think harry agreeing to this just shows how Much of a bigger man he is compared to William. I have never seen William defend his brother once in his life. Also why are the Cambridge’s releasing statements after every single negative story? Kate’s Botox denials were ok but when the Sussex’s speak out over a two year campaign of abuse, they should ‘stop moaning’.
That’s not what Harry said in his statement at all.
The statement is very carefully worded – no where does it explicitly state that they’re denying any gaslighting or bullying from William, more that they continue to be passionate about highlighting mental health issues and comments like that continue to devalue the work that they’re both doing (well…Harry is anyway).
It’s funny because it’s become a game of guess who and so many refuse to see the answer. Geidt left because Charles didn’t like him. So, Charles’ guy has been running the show the entire time. The smear campaign was started by Jobson after researching a book on Charles. Charles is known to actively participate in smear campaigns against his own family since his sons were little. He benefited the most from the smear campaign. No one came out shinier than Charles. It worked so well, people are still wondering why poor benevolent Charles dithered. He didn’t. He used a smear campaign against both his sons and got away with it as always. William has never had the power that people are giving him. He’s not completely innocent, but it’s Charles who did the most and is still doing the most. Charles has been smearing Will and especially Harry since they were teens. Why would Charles stop now? It’s implied all over the article that it was Charles. Senior Royals getting jealous of junior Royals means Charles vs Harry not William vs. Harry. William doesn’t out rank Harry in any way right now. All the Queen’s kids out rank William and Harry for that matter. The monarchy isn’t ranked by heirs. It’s done by how close you are in relation to the monarch.
I definitely think William and Harry aren’t in the best place as brothers and think a lot of that has to do with Meghan. But yeah, I recall how and from whom the nasty Meghan stories unrelated to her trashy family members came from and it was Charles. It surprised me given how he ‘stepped up’ after her own father tried to screw up the wedding and likely surprised and hurt Meghan and Harry. I do feel William has taken advantage of what Charles started and for some reason, neither of them, nor the Queen (though given what’s now suspected about her staff, not surprising) stopped it and gave Meghan a break. If popularity is why Charles did this, he didn’t help matters at all, but I guess he gets to look like above it all while his sons and their families get the bad press.
Boom! agree with your reading. I was neutral about Charles (but I always thought: royalty, what is it good for…absolutely…lol).
Recently, I skimmed a book about him and people don’t realise how petty and ego-driven he is to finally become top dog. Especially due to the Queen’s age. He was super petty and basically had his side-pieces on lock all through the-war-with-Diana through the media. And he was soooooo immature in those Camilla love letters. His staff are obviously power hungry courtiers who don’t want another Diana or Andrew taking down the Firm.
Famously all have daddy issues & never had really good role models…see also spiteful and prob. insecure William.
Yikes….messy!
Like John Oliver, never marry into the Firm! I think it’s moribund, old fashioned, racist, sexist & v.cutthroat!
Ainsley come Sit by me. It”# not crowded. It’s Charles. 100%.
I think it is both. That stunt William pulled taking the budget flight when Meghan was being ripped to shreds over her baby shower was blatantly intended to add fuel to the fire. And Kate was right there for it.
Ainsley, I’m not sure I understand your last bit. The monarchy is ranked by heirs because that’s who’s closest in direct male descent to the monarch (until Charlotte, due to the change).
So Kate for example doesn’t have to curtsey (ugh) to Anne or Andrew if she’s with her husband. He outranks the monarch’s other children. She does curtsey to Camilla. Etc. William is senior to Harry. He and Kate are the one going to the official state banquets and receptions. (So annoying because Meghan would rock tiaras.)
Am I missing something here?
@Ainsley7: you comment is spot on! I 100% agree.
Eyeroll, you write, “But yeah, I recall how and from whom the nasty Meghan stories unrelated to her trashy family members came from and it was Charles.” Is there really proof the articles came from Charles?
@ Elizabeth, The only one of the Queen’s children who have to bow to W&K is Edward because he’s only an Earl. Andrew is a Duke and Anne is the Princess Royal. Same rank as William. It’s why Anne was given the title. She doesn’t curtsy to anyone aside from the Queen and Charles. Not that she would ever actually curtsy to Charles before he is King, but she’s supposed to. Beatrice and Eugenie only have to curtsy to William because he is a Royal Duke. That is higher than prince/ss in the U.K.
Edward is the one who sort of made the system weird by not becoming a Duke. If he had then order a precedence would match who bows to who better, but also titles and bowing are not directly related to the importance of the person in the British system. The Queen still favors Order of precedence over line of succession. It confuses the rest of the world because no one else does it that way. The fact that titles and bowing don’t match accordingly makes it even weirder still.
I wonder if what’s happening is that KP (William, Kate, their courtiers and staff, and the Middletons especially) leak a lot of information about Meghan and Harry but the press are the ones who spin everything and write it all up to make Harry and Meghan look bad. The press are the ones who choose the words and descriptors in their stories. Meghan is always “worldly Hollywood divorcee, Meghan Markle, who is estranged from her family.” And stuff like “many people are questioning whether or not Meghan broke protocol when she unprecedentedly did XYZ in a move that shocked the royal family to the core.” The editorializing always paints her poorly. I still think the press gets their ideas for articles from leaks that come from all the palaces, but especially KP, but maybe the palaces are just providing information and aren’t necessarily the ones who are spinning it?
Come on now. KP knows exactly how these stories will be spun and they are leaking them to make H&M look bad. It’s sad to see so many make excuses for the Cambridges who have shown themselves to be truly terrible people.
@BestyH I recall how it was Charles’ autobiographer who first spilled the first few negative stories about Meghan from her time in the palace. He likely wouldn’t have said anything if Charles didn’t authorize it as it would damage the relationship he has with the book’s subject.
the first major leaks came from Jobson, Charles`s biographer, and then everyone started leaking like a sieve and the smear campaign was in full swing. Neither Charles nor TQ did anything to stop it. So whatever the Cambs were then leaking to the press, Charles was OK with it as otherwise he could have at least made an effort to stop it (by releasing a statement etc.)
I have always wondered if the tensions surrounding the wedding and “what made Kate cry” were about leaks. Remember at the time, this was at the height of stories about Megan’s family, and I have always wondered if the Middletons especially (Kate ALWAYS comes out as “queenly” in the stories) were leaking like crazy and THAT was when harsh words were said between the brothers.
Right?
My read of the joint statement is that they want to make it clear that this is private, and that anyone who feels that they know what the Duke of Cambridge thinks (even though the leaker likely heard it directly from him) who also runs to the Times with messages or speculation is disrespectful, and it’s cruel to speculate about a personal matter between them. It is a poor example of caring for someone’s mental health to speculate to media about what they think about each other.
That doesn’t mean that what was said was not true. It just means that they want Williams’ friend to STFU because it’s bad enough. I agree with Kaiser’s take: Harry knows his brother said it. The statement is framed to make William stop gaslighting. That’s why the mental health initiative is invoked. It’s like Harry told William, “You are an idiot: you can’t rep mental health and then leak your feelings to the press instead of engaging with me directly. Just stop and let’s deal with this once and for all.
Alllll of this. Harry nailing William about his hypocrisy re: mental health shaming, publicly via this “joint statement”, was the just the tea I needed this morning…
Okay yes this makes sense. Cause this whole “see? It was never William!!1!1” just doesn’t fly.
I see headlines like “Meghan Wore a Bold Emerald Gown to the NYC Gala for Campaign for Female Education, Gave Keynote Speech on Power of Education to Achieve Gender Equality”
This won’t contrast well with some stuffy, ornamental ribbon cutting event attended by William or Kate where they utter a bunch of nothings.
But I doubt William and Charles ever thought Harry and Meghan would ever actually leave. Their goal was to put them in their place – sit down and shut up. If H&M leave for North America and follow in the footsteps of the Obamas, like Meghan’s disney voiceover deal to raise money for charity suggests they will, their popularity will only grow. If they are unshackled, they can do more high profile initiatives in support of causes, speak their minds, and work with big companies like Disney, Netlfix and Apple.
All the bullying has really backfired in terms of dimming H&Ms fame. And having them out in the world getting the public support of Americans and many others will compete with Will and Kate so much more, reflect poorly on the way the Monarchy operates and generally be bad for that institution.
Christina, you’re so right, I would never have thought about the joint statement like that. Both brothers get something out of the statement- William obviously gets his antics papered over by a joint defence, but Harry also gets to point to the hypocrisy of the Prince of Mental Health acting the way he has.
I think we are going to see more of this as part of the Firm’s negotiations with Harry play out. He wants what he wants but unless he is willing to 100% walk away (and according to the Sussexes own statement on their website they want to step back not out) then he is going to have to publicly make statements like this and appear to play happy families as part of Firm giving him what he wants. The breech must appear to be healed, whatever the truth of the state of his relationship with any of them might be. For the Firm it is all about spinning public perception.
Agreed. I think the big problem is The Grey Men. I think if Charles wants to streamline the monarchy so bad then there only needs to be one court at Buckingham Palace. None of this Buckingham/Kensington/Clarence House nonsense.
Oh so they CAN issue statements about (allegedly) false accusations in less than 24 hours. Oh. OK.
So the language around Meghan hasn’t been offensive and harmful? Her husband has stood up for her twice, but as a mental health advocate that you claim to be where have you been William? Charity starts at home. How are we supposed to take your work on mental health seriously when you can’t even do the bare minimum of defending your sister in law?
I had the exact same thoughts. Now that Bill seems like a bully a statement needs to be out, and whenerver the Sussexes are thrown under the bus, that’s ok.
This is just another slap in the face to Meghan. I can only hope Harry agreed to this for the sake of negotiations.
Or statements about Kate’s weave but nothing in defense of Meghan.
THIS !! 🙌🙌🙌🙌
Exactly, S808. Harry probably told Will’s people, “This just makes all of us look bad. Get yourselves together. Talking out of both sides of your mouth undermines the work.”
Idiots…
Will is jealous and has been for a long time. We’ve seen this movie before: Princess Diana. It got her killed. What did they expect Harry to do? It’s really NOT that complicated, but the RF and their staff micromanage and want to control public perception.
This isn’t 1940. We have the internet now. If you mess up, it goes everywhere. All you can do is do the right thing. Do the right thing and you get less bad press.
Going after the Duchess of Sussex was bad behavior by the White Markles and the Cambridges. Times have changed. Stop thinking that you can demand respect. You have to earn it nowadays because privacy is dead. Andrew’s nasty acts can no longer be hidden while he promotes kid’s programs. Will’s little photo ops at airports don’t work when you go back to taking private jets on the downlow. And future Kings who cheat on their wives are going to be gaslighted by the press about it, or they will read about it online from media outlets OUTSIDE of England. The downlow doesn’t exist anymore.
Their refusal to understand this is what will finally kill off the monarchy. Sheesh…
Haha I had this same thought…oh so you DO know how to issue statements/denials?!
Again, William has NO business claiming to care about mental health. None.
Exactly. I thought, “Well, when it makes William look like a sh**, they get the statement out tout suite, no?” If they’d issued one–just ONE–statement condemning the racist tone of coverage of Meghan. ONCE. It would have been over. They didn’t. I’ll never forgive the royal family for it.
As an American, it doesn’t affect me. I follow the royal family for the clothes and the fantasy of it all. It’s not a fantasy anymore, and the fashion cannot make up for what they’ve done to my countrywoman. This has ALWAYS been about Harry and his family, but they’re blaming her for it, and it was never about her. She didn’t “do” any of this. She married a man, showed up, gave of herself, demonstrated her willingness to roll up the sleeves and be a part of the royal machine for the good of the UK. That’s all she did.
Everything Harry has been through with his family over the last two years was from HIM. He believes the media are solely responsible for the death of his mother. He’s the one who wanted his kid kept from them. He’s the one who went ballistic when they aimed their cannons at his wife. He’s the one who saw history repeating itself and fell into anxiety that they were going to kill his wife like they killed his mother. And people are so stupid to believe that Meghan had anything to do with it. She has stood there with her chin up, showing up and trying despite the malignant and vicious treatment.
I’m glad they’re getting out, and this whole thing has reminded me why my culture despises kings.
👏👏👏👏👏 spot on!
Well said!
Yep – if it’s anything negative about William or Kate (even something as stupid as hair extensions), they issue denials and threaten to sue. But if it’s Meghan (even if it’s something serious like racist attacks), then she just needs to learn to “never complain, never explain” — and then we are supposed to compare Meghan negatively to William and Kate who “never complain.” The hypocrisy (i.e., racism) is so very clear.
WHY DON’T THEY SEE IT???????????????????? I do not understand why they (Royal Fam/”journalists” don’t see it??????
Of course they had to issue that statement. The narrative was shifting to paint Meghan as the villain, but wasnt she always the villain? But there was another slight shift IMO, where William was really looking like the asshole here. I was seeing more and more comments to that effect on FB and twitter from people who dont really follow the royals or if they do, were more Cambridge fans than anything. So someone definitely picked up on that and I think thats why the statement was issued.
The line about the royal family not being welcoming is interesting – it pretty much makes everyone look bad except the Queen and the DoE.
I am also curious about the fallout around the wedding. WHAT HAPPENED?
And finally – I am seeing lots of comments about how Bradby/Sussexes are using the idea of a tell-all interview as blackmail and he shouldnt have said that. I dont think its blackmail. I think he’s stating a fact. And I dont think its just Meghan the family is worried about. As several of us have said here for the past few days – Harry knows where all the bodies are buried.
Amusing/cute story about all of this-
I visited the 94 year old gram this weekend. She started talking all excited “Did you hear the news about Harry!? I hope they really do make a move to Canada. I’d be thrilled to have them. And that baby – what an absolute little angel. You know, Erinn. I don’t think Kate has been all that nice to Meghan. I think she was jealous because she’d been the main gal for so long. And that’s a shame because Meghan just seems SO lovely”.
I think the joint statement was useful for both brothers. It takes some heat off Will, it shifts the focus away from Meghan. It seems like a logical solution for both of them, even if it’s not what really happened.
I’m kind of living for all of this, though, in terms of how weird it is. The whole thing. Just SO weird. Between this and rose-gate, things have been going absolutely bonkers in comparison of how I’d have expected things to go.
The anti-monarchist in me would be super thrilled if they walked away from that horrible institution, but the anti-monarchist in my will also be livid if we (Canadians) have to pay for them if they settle here lol.
Hahah, Lala, that’s fair. She did say “oh… who would pay the security?” at one point, so there’s the horror of paying in the background, but she’s very much the kind of 94 year old who would be like “they can just come here, I’ll give anyone who’s mean to them hell.” because she’s a pretty feisty opponent, and would not hold back emotionally destroying anyone who dared look at them the wrong way 😂 In fact, she’d probably set out with the single goal of completely replacing their current soon to be 94 year old white grandmother who she is VERY MUCH not a fan of anymore.
Erinn, If I’m being totally honest, I hope they walk away cleanly and burn the institution to the ground. It’s what the BRF deserves for their centuries of racism, classism and misogyny.
Erinn, that story is indeed adorable 🙂
I vote for your gran replacing their gran any day.
Okay,so I too am responding to Erinn,love your grandmas take!
I also totally agree with Original Lala-This family should be planning on getting out once TQ(whom I have no respect for)is gone..Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the monarchy crumble and H and M and babe do their thing.And leave the others in their wake.
Erinn, gram knows what’s up! 🙂
Agree, the whole thing has been so weird. The Queen and those in line of succession are SO out of touch. Most human beings value loved ones over roles/institutions etc, and to allow it to get to this point is bonkers to those of us who aren’t bigots or living like it’s 1950. I would have hoped William, being relatively young, could have done better here but it looks like that’s never gonna happen.
I believe Trudeau issued a statement today saying Canada will “gladly” pay for the £500K security bill if the Sussexes decide to make Canada their home base.
@(TheOG): Just to clear up any misconceptions, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said today the federal government hasn’t decided if Ottawa would help cover the security costs associated with a move by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan to Canada. A report in today’s London Evening Standard said Trudeau has told the Queen already that Canada would assume SOME of the costs associated with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex IF they decide to take up residence here part-time. It’s too early to speculate on where they’ll land and for how long and to assign a dollar figure to their security costs; they may even cut a deal where they pay a certain amount to defray the cost to Canada. They seem like they’re trying really hard to make this about their financial independence and to not be a burden on either the British or Canadian tax-payers.
If you have to worry about someone outing you as racist and sexist, it’s because you’re racist and sexist. This family! My god!
Yep!
For some reason CBS this morning decided to have on Penny Junor (why didn’t they talk to Scobie?) who hasn’t :1-spoken to Harry on 3 years, 2-doesn’t think “race is a factor” in the coverage of Meghan and 3-referred to her as a ‘girl’ and mentioned “coloured people”. And seeing the media declare she should stay to help the UK talk about race? REALLY? I don’t don’t if you’ve heard this but Black women are NOT your mules!
Interesting comments in another thread that Bradby was trying to goad Harry and Meghan to say more in the first documentary but they wouldn’t go there. I don’t think Harry and Meghan would do a tell-all, but Bradby has a couple of books to sell and he’s playing this for all he’s worth. I wouldn’t trust what he says about the situation.
I think the root cause around the wedding was that it happened, William not wanting Meghan in the family. Then it was hugely popular even though it was scaled down. Add in all the nasty anti-Meghan stories about dress fittings, Kate crying, tiaras – all coming from somewhere in Windsor (Andrew) or KP (W&K) camps.
Agree @ nota exactly with your take on the Sussex wedding.
Oh I agree that Bradby is out for Bradby and he’s definitely using this mess to his advantage. But it doesnt make what he said/implied less true – we all know it – H&M have a story to tell if they want to. They won’t, and we know that too – but thats because they dont want to. The royal family is going to make sure it stays that way I think.
Becks1, GREAT point…I agree, William was starting to look like the villain he is even to pro-Cambridge people. That’s the only reason he agreed to this official statement. He cares about no one but himself.
Also curious about the wedding and what the hell happened. Like nota said here, I’m sure a big part of it is just that it happened at all, which pissed off some people (including William). But I also bet that a lot of racist stuff came out. These people never thought they’d have a real-life non-white person in the family and so close to the crown, and they were shook. Ofmichael with her racist brooch and racist horse names could not have been the only one. I’m sure we didn’t hear about a lot more of that.
I’ve been confused about the wedding too. Because William and Harry looked close and happy at the wedding. They didn’t look like brothers who had had a huge fight over Harry’s choice of bride. They weren’t acting like William had tried to sabotage the wedding or relationship. They looked close.
What I’m wondering is if Harry and Meghan watched the video of their wedding and saw how snobby and awful their family members were acting throughout it and especially during the sermon. They were rolling their eyes, looking like they were personally offended that a black man was preaching to them about love and inclusion, and acting like they were embarrassed to be at “black church” (a service that had some actual life and joy to it). This might have really upset Harry and Meghan who feel like the family disrespected their priest on international television and came off looking racist and snobbish. Perhaps they confronted the family about it? We started to get a lot of gossipy articles about drama to do with the wedding (she used air fresheners! Tiara gate. Wrong florist, wrong cake maker) AFTER the wedding and not before.
Interesting theory, Amy Too! A lot of folks picked up on that in the wedding video. There was a big discussion about it here and it’s still brought up. If that were my wedding, I’d be humiliated and upset, seeing that. Hell, I was humiliated and upset as it was!
In any case, it seems to be down to racism and envy.
I’m disgusted by William.
I’m here for the tell all.
This tell all and the one from the elder Jolie-Pitt kids
And every single child who calls/ed Tom Cruise “dad.”
Hmmm side eyeing that ‘statement’. So they can quickly and officially refute specific pieces concerning William, but stayed mum for 3 years on stories about Meghan. Harry was the one who pushed for statements calling out the press about Meghan, not Harry and William or the Dukes and Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex together. Not the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. They continue to stay mum on Meghan stories even now and have actually fanned the flames themselves with that passive aggressive statement released. It’s quite telling who the royals are willing to rally around and it’s obviously not the biracial American woman, not even during the first year of her marriage and while pregnant. Glad Harry and Meghan said F it and are leaving that toxic cesspool.
The statement was issued jointly by Harry. You can’t blame his family for that one.
that was probably harry still trying to “work with” them in the negotiations & not try to be too nasty. the optics from this angle, anyway
Nibbi, that’s how it reads to me. He participated in this statement in exchange for something else.
Yep, quid pro quo. I’ll do XYZ if you’ll give me XYZ.
With all that has been said and written in the last few days, this is how Harry and Willy respond to?!??!
At this point there are 20 different narratives going around so unless it comes from the SusexRoyal IG page, I’m not going to believe a word (even if it comes from someone like Omid)
And personally I do think Bradby needs to shut up. Doing the two initial interviews was enough to establish the Sussex side but now I think he’s just hungry for the attention. Plus I feel like he’s got an agenda but can’t figure out what.
Yeah, he def needs to go away now. I do think he is on Harry and Meghan’s side but he’s starting to make things worse for them in the court of public opinion.
I feel like he’s more on Harry’s side only. Meghan is an afterthought in all of this. But yeah it’s time for Tom Bradby to stop talking on Harry’s behalf.
I’ll go a step further than Bren and say that Bradby seems more pro-monarchy than anything else—remember he’s acquainted with both brothers. His commentary throughout the past week indicates that stance imo.
Agree – and they also need to stop digging up the dusty former staff from the early 90s. They know nothing about the current situation.
Bradby is on his own side, leaning toward’s W&K. He has books to sell, and right now he’s getting attention and loving it.
I thought they were denying the Times piece about how the Sussexes feel William has bullied them out? Funny how quickly no complain, no explain- royals don’t respond on gossip etc goes out the window for certain royals.
Urgh it’s a real frenzy.
You are correct. This statement was in response to the articles saying William was bullying M&H and pushing them out.
Yes, it was in response to that story, which is funny bc it shows you how fast they can respond when its a negative story about William.
This. Lighting quick denial if it is negative to William.
I wish this would all go away, for all of them. It makes everyone look bad. But one thing I have come to realize over the past couple of years is how brutal the British press is at insulting, especially women. Just terrible awful things are being said and you know that probably 80 percent is not even true. I think the U.S. papers are just really more nosey and intrusive (and yes, at times mean), but the British press are just so damn mean all the time. I read the NY Times every day and wow, I can’t imagine seeing some of the things I’ve seen from the U.K. in that paper or the Washington Post. I could be reading the wrong ones though…I don’t know, where do they get their real news? I listen to the BBC and it seems to be a more balanced opinion on things, but if I had to look at some of those headlines every day, I’d run away too.
I feel there was a sea change last week in the US press. Both CNN and the NY Times were featuring pieces on the UK racism forcing the Sussex’s to leave. CNN had a block of 5 articles on their mobile website one day. One of which I swear to God, was basically “what took you so long?” I suppose they get a cookie for calling it as it is but when I was reading the articles I felt it was “too little too late you mofos.”
The other thing that makes my blood boil is that HOW DID THIS STOP PRESS COVERAGE OF THE RAPING OF TRAFFICKED GIRLS? The blinds recently tipped Sarah Ferguson on being the source of a lot of anti Meghan pieces during the year…is this one of the times we can believe them?
I’m so pissed that the heat is off Andrew now. I hope something new comes out to put him in the spotlight again when Sussexit has calmed down.
You are right, the US press has been so much more reasonable about noting the fact that racism has played into this mess. When I looked at the London Times, which I would assume to be a decent source of news, there appears to be an op-ed piece by a female, who is a minority, noting that racism doesn’t seem to be that big of a problem in Britain. Oh really??!!
And yes, @Truthiness, it is extremely sad that this has cast a shadow over the real problem of all the young girls who were trafficked…assisted by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson all due to their greed and disgustingly creepy sexual perversions.
Mellie, Priti Patel, the Home Secretary “…rejected suggestions that racism has driven negative media reports about the Duchess of Sussex saying she had not seen ‘things of that nature…” which as we all know is total bullshit and pandering to the Brexit Base. She is either blind or deaf to have not seen/heard any racist articles/talk/reports.
Forgive me as a simple American with little knowledge of the royal fam… I just can’t fathom how could anyone be team royal??? They keep showing their a$$es!!
Because Brits have systematically been brain-washed by a downgraded education system and an increasingly powerful oligarch centered media that has more power than politicians and even the PM himself.
The UK is edging ever closer to Aldous Huxley territory in Brave New World,
Explains a lot! Thanks for clarifying!
Sad but true 🙁
Coming from a country that elected Trump. Way to show your arse.
It’s classic Stockholm Syndrome.
Ignore this, it was covered by other commenters above.
It’s a joint statement. What don’t you all understand about the word joint?
??? Everyone understands that it was a joint statement.
A united statement with his brother. That should tell people something about the way the wind is blowing.
What don’t you understand about the nature of high-profile negotiations, where public leaks from the people in charge have made themselves look abusive and racist?
Yeah, this.
Releasing a “joint statement” to help William’s rep is a small concession to make if Harry gets almost everything he’s asking for. Which clearly looks to be happening.
You concede little things to get bigger, more important things. That’s what a good negotiator does.
to be clear, this statement was in response to the “William is bullying them out” articles being run. I find it telling that Harry responded to this of all things being written in the last few days. Because this is what he chose to officially deny, I believe the denial. I’ve always thought all of this was so much more and more complex than it’s been presented
I’m all for the narrative that William looks like an asshole. You know that would be his motive for anything he does to settle this down from now on. He is and always has been his own number one, two and three ultimate priority. He does whatever is best for William. When people balk at his betrayal of his brother, he takes the national pulse and says and does whatever will make William look best. Disgusted by his narcissism and disloyalty. Public duty has never been an ethos for him. Nor common human kindness.
https://twitter.com/kristenmeinzer/status/1215843793511034882?s=20
70% of anti-meghan tweets are by bots
The article literally goes into the difference between bots and trolls, please actually read what you post.
Thank you for the link, Beatrix. This looks interesting.
Will is only upset because even though, as confirmed by article written a few days ago by Daily Beast I believe, he has anti-meghan bots on Twitter, he still looks like a butthole.
Considering the Windsor’s essentially held their noses to “accept” the Middleton’s, I can only imagine the absolute disdain watching the Markles would have brought Meghan by the family.
Within the BRF, I think the biggest wedge between them and Meghan would have been the state of her family (poor, zero dignity, money grabbing, extremely indiscreet, very, very working class etc).
At the heart of it there is not a big difference between the character of the Markle’s and the Windsors. Jealousy is a mighty powerful force for ill.
I think it’s important that the distinction between Meghan’s father’s side of the family (essentially white trash) and Meghan’s mother (an elegant & dscreet black woman) and her side of the family (who we’ve never really heard from nor know nothing about, which is in itself probably a sign of elegance & discretion, given the non-stop hoopla of the past couple of years.)
It seems really unfair to me that the Markles talking in the press, the half-siblings she barely knows, the father who didn’t have much of a hand in raising her, are the ones who get to be identified as “her family” when they’re simply the loudest, crassest ones & those who’ve had little to do with the success she made of herself. it seems to me that the supportive mother who stood by her side at her wedding is the one that should be called “family,” end of.
This has always disturbed me as well. Her family is her MOM. And her chosen fam – her close friends.
I’m increasingly supporting the theory that H&M watched the wedding video and Harry went ballistic over the rudeness of his relations. They’re no better than the White Markles. They’re just more posh.
The Windsors didn’t hold their noses to accept Sophie’s father, who is not wealthy or aristocratic. He, like Doria, has never traded on his royal connection. The Middletons and Markle half-family have.
Isn’t Charles still in Oman? I thought the press release from CH said he’d be there for 3 or 4 days. I don’t think he’ll be in on any meetings today, unless by phone.
Press release from CH said he’d be there for the first of three days – he arrived back in the UK last night.
A statement rushed out after a couple of new stories that don’t paint William as the perfect prince (aka he’s a ego-obsessed bully). Whatever happened to the “never complain, never explain” mantra that the British media and royal watchers love to trot out? 🙃
Yeah that and the “stiff upper lip” went out the window REAL quick.
The statement is carefully worded to only reference the brothers relationship so you know it’s only in retaliation for the William the bully story – this was done as PR damage for William only. Regardless whether true or not the damage has been done AND it shows the media are sharpening their knives for the Cambridges now the Sussex’s are going to be off limits per se as I can imagine Harry will want cast iron assurances from his grandmother and father about them using their clout with the press to protect and support them better.
Yup. someone realized that it was not a good look for a champion of mental health to be labeled a “bully” – but its interesting the statement doesnt go any further about any of the other numerous stories over the past week.
It seems William is allowed to deny stories about himself (e.g. threatening to sue over the Rose stories and this). But no one in the Firm could issue denials about anything Megan related. Possibly because the campaign against Megan felt huge but was made up of smaller accusations that alone didn’t warrant denials (like the tiara etc.) it things the RF can’t control (like the Daily Mail’s relationship with the Markles). Or William just thinks he’s that much more important.
This whole debacle just shows that the BRF has learnt absolutely NOTHING from the days of the War of the Waleses. These people simply won’t learn – and if they can’t and/or won’t then how are they eventually going to adapt the institution to current times so that they’ll still look relevant. Are they even capable of this?
Of course William hasn’t bullied Meghan. He’s too lazy for such proactive behavior. He’s just stood by and done nothing, as usual, while Harry suffered. The rift between Harry and Will is that Will won’t defend Meg and Harry because he believes it’s Harry and Meghan’s job to serve as deflection for Will and bolster his image. The problem is that Meg and Harry aren’t meek enough to accept that anymore.
Or he and Kate made the snowball and KP and Carole threw them.
I think a lot of leaks come from Carole Middleton & family. If you read a lot more recent leaks, they occasionally throw in a jab here and there towards William.
I honestly believe with the exception of Charles (thanks to Camilla and possibly Diana too) that The Windsors are too dumb to get PR.
Everytime BP and KP release statements like this it just further highlights their utter lack of caring about Meghan and what the UK press has done to her. They couldn’t lift a finger to defend her but a story runs about William saying things that we all KNOW he himself leaked and it’s a scurry to release a statement and slap Harry’s name on it for credibility. They are so f-cking obvious and terrible at this that it’s pathetic.
THIS EXACTLY! They’re trying to save their asses as per usual.
It was gracious of Harry to allow William to refute the statement with him instead of calling him out.
Maybe the Sussexes really are threatening to spill the tea
Maybe Harry’s part in the joint denial about William bullying the Sussexes is part of the negotiations. You get this and that, but you have to do this so William doesn’t look like crap
No doubt 😐
I think Harry is agreeing to this to keep it classy because he just wants out. I predict that the deal will be Harry can draw funds from Cornwall for the rest of his life if he and Meghan give up all titles, Frogmore, not monetize anything royal related, and NEVER speak to the media about their time in the royal family. In turn, Charles will foot his security bill, pay his taxes, and give him £5-20 million/year for the rest of his life.
That wouldn’t be bad.
if that’s the deal offered, I think they’d be smarter financially to walk away…more options for them on many levels.
I highly doubt that with all the stories trashing Meghan floating around the world right now that Harry’s first priority is putting his name down to defend Will. Uh huh. Nope. Harry’s been bullied into putting his name on the statement because Will cannot stand any kind of negative heat in the press. Here’s an idea for you Wills: This is your opening to quit now too. Everyone will blame it on Harry and Meghan anyway.
Meanwhile, back at Kensington Palace poor Katie Keen had to dress up in a somber black turtleneck and pull her hair back like she’s in mourning to do the school run today. Oh, the stress!
Seriously, what should she do? If she were smiling, she’d be butchered for that.
I do find it highly amusing how one small statement is enough for some people to run to William’s defense and absolve him of all responsibility in this situation. Please think for a moment and ask yourselves where these types of supposedly “joint statements” were when Meghan was accused of being mean to Kate or anytime the Sussexes were portrayed as being a burden/embarrassment/any negative description in comparison to the Cambridges.
You assume that if people “think” about this that there is only one conclusion to come to. But I’ve thought about it and I will always stick with the Occam’s Razor approach and I don’t think it’s the conclusion you were looking for.
And what conclusion did your line of thinking bring you to, Susan?
Well, where were they?
What was the response to people dragging the Sussexes (and only the Sussexes) for using private jets? Did they say, hey, chill, it was Elton’s jet and he always covers carbon offset?
No, they pulled a weak-azz stunt that required empty planes be flown around for no reason – resulting in more fuel use and exhaust than just taking their own damn jet would have done.
If that doesn’t show you the blatant hostility and bullying that has happened – directly from FFK William – then IDK what could.
Diana was never a junior member – she came in as the Princess of Wales. It was her own husband who was jealous.
I think a lot of the jealousy is from the York “blood princesses”. They were that way to Kate too when she came in.
That whole story about Meghan’s pregnancy being announced at Eugenie’s wedding (which I don’t believe – at the most, they may have just confirmed it quietly to anyone who asked) and the supposed tiara tug of war – all has to do with them. You know they HATE having commoners come in to be HRHs while they are booted off the books.
No. The Yorks were not threatened by or jealous of Meghan and Harry because they have no star power. Andrew’s criminal behaviour doesn’t even garner much press attention. It’s the thirsty heirs who are behind it all.
That’s the point. Jealousy because they were sidelined by a newcomer. Again.
They can’t be jealous because they have no power is one of the weirdest things I have ever heard. That is a reason to be jealous.
I think Andrew at least was super bitter and jealous about how the weddings went down and how Harry got the big wedding and Eugenie didn’t and I wonder if the “true” princesses also felt some of that.
Do I think that it is all Andrew and his daughters? Of course not, but I do think they are the source of some of the jealousy and ugly feelings (and some of the stories like the tiara).
Does anyone really believe that Harry and Meghan didn’t discuss all these options in detail before even getting engaged? Including living outside the UK and becoming financially independent of the whole royal mess, and giving their kids freedoms and opportunities that Harry did not have.
Really, Harry knows how his family and culture and media are. He was obviously tired of the whole scene years ago and was delighted to be too far removed from the throne to worry about extending that dysfunction to the next generation. And I’m sure Meghan had doubts about getting tossed into the royal mud pit herself without an exit plan.
I think they entered into their roles as senior working royals in good faith. They wanted to work hard and do good and forces beyond their control conspired against them.
That may be true, but I’m sure they discussed other options as well if the working senior royals thing didn’t happen as planned or if it became too much of a burden for them or their children.
The dysfunctionality of Harry’s family is rather intense. Meghan can disengage from her own dysfunctional relatives, but Harry can’t if he stays in the UK and tries to be a senior working royal. He has certainly thought about the reality that he would likely have more opportunities to make the world a better place if he cut the family ties or at least made them a much longer and looser leash.
There has been rumors in the UK for some time that Charles has had to effectively bribe Harry to keep him in the fold. He was hoping the wedding and giving them cash would work. It has not.
I’ve always been a Prince Harry fan, and pleased that he settled down with Meghan and now has Archie too. But I’ve been reading HG Tudor’s latest blog posts about Meghan’s supposed narcissism, and worrying that Harry’s going to continue having problems, no matter how this gets resolved.
“Supposed narcissism” roughly translates here to “Uppity Black Woman.” I mean, let’s just call it what it is.
Which I have seen no evidence of. Honestly, if the poor woman asked for a glass of tap water, I’m sure we’d see stories about her demanding Fiji water being flown in by the case from Fiji.
HG Tudor is just another conspiracy theory nutbar who thinks they have all the answers on narcissism. It’s junk, and racist junk at that.
Thanks @anon
You know whom *I* listen to when it comes to Meghan and what she’s like People who have actually *worked* with her before she married into the family. And her reputation in the industry is consistently that she’s one of the nicest people to work with.
People in Hollywood talk, especially people who work “below the line” (makeup artist, caterers, grips, etc). You want to know how and actor, direct or even producer is on set? You listen to what those people have to say. And Meghan has gotten nothing but praise and nice things said about her from those quarters consistently. Word gets around town what it’s like to work with certain people on set. And Meghan has always had nothing but good things said about her.
So excuse me if I take their words over those of some British commentators/”reporters”/etc., who’ve never met her.
This “narcissist” stuff really is just trying to call her and “uppity black woman.” Hell, a few months ago someone straight out DID call her uppity.
Another new poster on here who starts with ‘always a Harry fan’ or ‘used to like Meghan’ and proceeds to promote an anti-Meghan blogger. Surprise.
Per JT Canada will pay security costs for the Sussexes
No, JT has not stated Canada will pay security costs for H&M. From 2 hours ago, CBC news (don’t rely on the Daily Fail or MSN) states:
Finance Minister Bill Morneau said today the federal government hasn’t decided if Ottawa would help to cover the security costs associated with a move by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan to Canada.
A report in the London-based Evening Standard Monday said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has told the Queen already that Canada would assume some of the costs associated with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex taking up residence here part-time.
Morneau said the government has not yet held any formal talks on the matter.
“No, we haven’t spent any time thinking about this issue,” Morneau told reporters in Toronto.
“We obviously are always looking to make sure, as a member of the Commonwealth, we play a role. We have not had any discussions on that subject at this time.”
@Bebe = get a grip! We’re NOT focused on them/this…. we are still reeling about the unnecessary deaths of our citizens in an unexplained plane crash. Our Prime Minister has NOT said we will pay, he has said we will welcome…..so stop, just stop spreading lies to raise outrage against them. Just stop.
Harry has always been a wild card, and I love him for it. I have no doubt that he’s always wanted out, and having a wife and son to protect now only further pushed him to this. Even without all this extra bullshit with William and Kate I think they would’ve eventually made a similar choice.
+1, me too! I think cause I too can be emotional and sensitive. To others, maybe I seem a little crazy crazy but to others, they like my genuineness. I feel like Harry is a genuine person and what you see is what you get. Imo, it takes a strong person to deal with the backlash for being with someone outside your race. Obviously we have it a lot better as white people than minorities but I had no idea HOW upset white people would get at me for being with a non white guy. Sometimes we will get dirty looks. Usually from white guys my own age. I can’t even imagine the level of hatred people will have for a white ROYAL being with a non white person. It was a real eye opener for me so I can only imagine how shocked Harry was treated at the treatment by his rich and famous peers. I think Harry is the perfect person for her, in that I feel he’s a bit of a rebel. So he will push back at any efforts to be told he can’t be with her. Someone who is not as passionate and not as much of a rebel would be scared off, BUT Harry will simply dig in his heels and love her even more.
STILL mad we never got any similar sort of outrage or distancing from KP/ Wills/ whomever about THEIR PEDOPHILE UNCLE WHO PALLED AROUND WITH A PROLIFIC RAPIST FOR YEARS
The combined egos of this family in expressing outrage at being exposed is mind boggling!
What’s hilarious is that political commentators and just ordinary members of the public are calling out the palace spin. Someone referenced the statement on BBC and how the palace denied Diana’s Morton bio when it was serialised only for it to be confirmed as true by Diana later lol. They are terrible at this!
I think that Bradby is pro monarchy but also he’s a tv broadcaster so think he’s here for bit of drama but also being blunt as to what’s at stake. I bet he’s diarising all this…
Oh well this may make a good drama one day. it’s a firm but also family which is hard. I hope whatever issues there are, can be resolved and everyone can find peace.
There are of course a lot of legs to this but I think Ken Wharfe hit the nail on the head by identifying the internal problem that’ probably runs rampant in the BRF when he said that the BRF essentially doesn’t know how to effectively deal with or respond to a situation when a junior royal is more popular than a senior royal. Like he said,’instead of saying good job and embracing them the instinctual action is to isolate that person(s). Once again, the statement made that one couple doesn’t want to be overshadowed and the other doesn’t want to be marginalized really resonants.
I saw that clip and was so glad he said that.
Plausible. Deniability.
As in, I was misquoted!
Stop right there. The Times of London is one of the oldest broadsheet, mainstream newspapers (meaning “Not Tabloid Garbage”) in London. It’s the equivalent of the New York Times in terms of its alleged inviolable reporting.
So, no, I’m not buying that William did not (once again) show himself to be the ham-handed future sovereign with a sibling complex who is apparently being advised by the dumbest crisis communications team in the history of crisis comms.
And let me double down by saying the Granny and Pa Were. Not. Amused. by this interview and forced these two to issue the statement.
Harry: 89
William: 0
The fact remains that William is digging himself in deeper and deeper with his bad, horrible media relations. Lord have mercy. If I were him, I’d get rid of whomever is advising him and get a new press team.
STAT.
William thinks he’s a PR genius and you can bet your last dollar he is NOT taking their advice – he and Katie Keen have surrounded themselves with weak yes men who do their bidding unquestionably.
William is giving the tabloids more ammo to use against him to continue to leak to them – William has many skeletons in the closet.
I think Simon Case (chief of staff) and the entire team needs an upbraiding and reshuffling for how they let their boss spiral out of control.
This whole thing was entirely a self-inflicted wound by William that was about two things: One, saving his image after the Rose Hanbury fiasco. And Two, his palpable contempt for Harry’s wife.
Whether he agreed with Harry’s timing and choice of wife is beside the point by now.
The biggest takeaway from today, however, is this: Harry and Meghan get to keep their titles, their Frogmore, their ability to live in Canada, a salary, their patronages, as well as Invictus and Sentabale, et al. This will hopefully serve as a new day for the BRF. Well done, Harry. What. A. Badass.
Now that they’re not accepting public funding and have booted the Royal Rota to the curb, the British Asshole Public can no longer hold that Damocles Sword of “how dare you we pay for this we pay for that you owe us” bullshit over their heads. Nope.
This statement proves that Harry is a good brother who has given is scumbag brother an out.
Absolutely – again and again Harry and Meghan have gone “high” when William et al have gone “low”. They refuse to be tainted by his childish, self-obsessed character-assassination attempts and simply rise above it all. I have enormous respect for both of them.
Me too.
Can someone explain the whole jealous of popularity thing? I mean, on one level I get it. But on another — their entire JOB is to be popular, or else they’re done, right? H&M were apparently doing OK until the Oceania tour, where they proved “too popular.” But wasn’t that their mission and message? “BRF has incorporated some youthful energy so please don’t leave the Commonwealth when the Queen dies?” What we’re they supposed to do, fall on their faces and insult their hosts?
Because the Windsors are ruled by ego – Charles couldn’t handle Diana’s popularity and Andrew, who is his mother’s favorite, can get over that Charles is more important than him and that his daughters are now far down in the succession (and hence in importance) despite being born royal.
They might call themselves a firm but they are also a family, a deeply dysfunctional one, and reason doesn’t always rule their actions. I think the very fact that family relationships are embedded in a rigid hierarchical system is why they are so fucked up (along with the centuries long tradition of emotional neglect that the monarchs gave their children).
@arthistorian I know you’re right. But if things like the Oceania tour fail, then the Commonwealth is dissolved and the monarchy loses even more relevance. I know they’re human with human frailties. I admit if I were a celeb I wouldn’t love the idea of my little sister outshining me at home. But halfway across the world, supporting the cause, I mean … c’mon!
You have to remember that these people aren’t smart and they are used to being catered to. The Windsors are famously dim.
As a survivor of gaslighting and smear campaigns myself this is really hitting close to home. quotes only stating the things others have done for them but conveniently leaving out the badmouthing is so familiar to me. ‘the queen has had a rough year, she doesn’t deserve this.’ so meghan and harry need to suffer in silence because the queen has been covering for her sex trafficking son? what does one have anything to do with the other? the constant deflection is so familiar to me. its like talking to a brick wall trying to get through abusers and their gaslighting
I agree! I have been there too and I recognize so many of these patterns. 🙁
The best thing to do is step away. They need to create some healthy boundaries or at the very least distance. It won’t be easy. Megan will be blamed, but in reality she’s probably just encouraging Harry to do what’s healthiest.
“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.
My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.
Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.
It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.
These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”
As I said here over the weekend: They’re going to get most of what they asked for, in lieu of not dropping another mic.
+1
Yes, I just hope that they are not required, as part of the negotiations, to drop their lawsuits.
Freudian slip alert 🙂 “Remaining part of my family.” Queen takes ownership of the family, as opposed to inclusivity, “our family.”
They did it! They get to be part time and spend part of their time in Canada. Bad a$$ boss move Sussexes !
Personally I think it was Harry that wanted out more than Meghan. I think Meghan would have been okay trying to stick it out a little longer and Harry is more the driving force. I think he is very protective of Meghan and Archie, as he should be, and because of what happened with his mother and his own mental health he wanted this more. Of course the UK will put full blame on Meghan and say she forced all this which makes no sense either. In one breath the Daily Mail will say Meghan is a pretentious, gold digging social climber who had her eyes fixated on Harry and becoming a member of the royal family and in the next they say she is forcing Harry to walk away. Either she was so desperate for all of the attention and money or she wasn’t. They can’t make up their minds. They play both sides of the story. I feel for both of them and hope the next phase of their lives gives them the peace they both desire.
William’s fragile ego couldn’t take being called a bully, and he probably didn’t have many negotiating chips and demanded the bully talk stop, and Harry was like “sure, whatever, as long as me and my Mrs can GTFOOH.” Such a statement is only going go so far for so long. Because sooner or later William is going to pull this same bully sh*t with someone he *can’t* just issue a joint statement to try and stop it.
PS: so apparently there was a “no paps” rule wrt the Cambridge Kids when they are being taken to school, but yet today Kate was papped with the kids taking them to school. I think Christmas showed who would be sacrificed at the altar of the RRs with the Sussex’s gone and that is the Cambridge kids. The beast must be fed after all, and their favorite meal to bully for clicks is now gone for good. If Will and Kate are lucky, maybe George, Charlotte and Louie won’t hate them for this is 15 or so years . . . .
As someone on twitter pointed out, that “joint statement” isn’t even on Royal Letterhead. That’s pretty much the equivalent of Harry not co-signing this, even if it’s supposedly a “joint” statement.
Also, this: https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1216722155775369218
Prince William does not want to be seen as a bully due in part to being a active participant in the mental health foundation.
Okay.
I feel like the issues with jealousy in this family, particularly this jealousy surrounding how “junior” members of the family are “outshining” the “main” members is at least in part because of the way the Queen has set this precedent when she ascended the throne.
The royalty and aristocracy was a wholly different animal before WW2. There was just no question of anyone outshining the main family back then. The most popular people were the monarchs and their heirs, by default. I feel like it was only after the Queen came to the throne that this whole thing became more of an issue, partially because she insisted on upholding this entirely bogus hierarchy within her family where the heir is above everyone else, even in their interpersonal relationships with each other. And at least some of this was inspired by the fact that the nascent news media at the time, even the respectable outlets, were enamoured by Princess Margaret. For a woman like the Queen, who is used to being prioritized by her family and the people around her because she is “the heir” and the monarch, the fact that the news and the public would prefer her sister, whom she has always implicitly been told is not as important and would never be as important, must have felt deeply frustrating.
I’m just spitballing all of this, but I think that the “main” heirs in this family (Charles, William, etc) don’t like being outshone by people who they feel are “beneath” them in status and rank. Whether that’s Diana, or Kate, or Harry, or Meghan, they feel that the monarch/future monarch is the most important. Plus, and this is where I’m truly spitballing, I don’t think either the Queen, nor Charles, or even William, have a lot of self-esteem. And watching other people get public approval so easily, even though that adulation comes with so much negatives, must make them feel even worse, like they’ve had something “taken” from them that was promised to them.
Very interesting perspective on this.
I think this is good. It’s time to move on. I don’t think there’s any real hatred or anything. They’ve been through a lot together and I hope they will work to rebuild their relationship, if they need to. Anyway who knows what the truth is. Being a part of this family/institution can’t be easy.
All we know is what we are seeing.
Believe nothing of what you see and half of what you hear
Oscar Wilde
William “Joffrey Lannister Baratheon” Windsor – First of his Name, King of the Andals & First Men, Lord of the United Kingdom, Holder of the Wandering Sceptre, Knight of The Rose Bush, and Petulant Man Child.
Essentially, a real life version of Joffrey. I can picture this turd walking around yelling
“Kneel, I said kneel!”
Harry and Meaghan, Prince & Princess of Dorne – Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.
IntheKnow wins today 🙂
Wandering Sceptre says KNEEL
@nibbi thank you 🙂 I need a win so I gladly take this one
I’m suprised people bought this “joint” statement/email which was clearly from KP to do damage control for Bill’s reputation. If anything their response within 24hre shows how they only care about William!! I mean it hints that him calling harry “fragile” after the documentary was true