I remember when, months after Prince William married Kate, they went to California and attended some red carpet event. Americans were surprised that Will and Kate didn’t actually stand and pose for photos on the carpet – instead, they walked at a snail’s pace through the carpet so that all of the photos were “in motion,” because only gauche peasants actually pose for photos. Will and Kate generally still follow that “rule” of never wanting to look like they’re posing when they go to the BAFTAs or a premiere, although they have started standing still and posing at Earthshot Prize red carpets. All of which to say, the Telegraph biddies are clutching their pearls over the fact that the Duchess of Sussex posed on the carpet at Variety’s Power of Women event on Thursday.
Blink and you might have missed it. The slightly twisted torso, the glance just beyond the shoulder, the pause, and that smile. This was the Duchess of Sussex on the red carpet at Variety’s Power of Women event in Los Angeles on Thursday evening. She attended solo, posing for the bank of photographers at the step-and-repeat (an industry term for the part of the red carpet where celebrities pose for photographers in front of host and sponsor logos).
This moment speaks volumes about the differences between Meghan’s life today, and the life she left behind as a working royal; taking the time to ensure that the photographers get a variety of angles which show both the woman and the dress (a taupe, off-the-shoulder design by New York-based label Proenza Schouler) in the best possible way.
For a royal to do the same would come off as a little inappropriate. They wear beautiful clothes too, of course, and attend red carpet events we’ve seen the Princess of Wales at the Baftas, last year’s Earthshot Prize Awards and the Top Gun: Maverick premiere – but royals don’t behave like other famous people, says etiquette expert Myka Meier. Even on the red carpet, “[royals] are always slightly on the move,” she says. “Sometimes at the more glamorous events, they know what they’re there for – to promote it. So I do see them stop and give that time. But it’s rare. It’s usually in passing, a stop, nod, a wave and off they go.”
In taking her time on the step-and-repeat, Meghan showed us that she no longer sees herself as royal. “This was a full-on red carpet [moment]. Meghan’s re-debut, if you will,” says Meier. “I think she looks confident; I think she looks really happy. She looks like she wants to be there. And the over-the-shoulder pose was a major differentiator from her royal pose days. She’s back to her celebrity red-carpet days.”
“When you’re a working royal, there’s a level of modesty,” Meier explains. “They’re representing a brand, and [Meghan] had to stay on brand; even if she wanted to wear red lipstick and red nails, and do 10 over-the-shoulders, she couldn’t. Now she has freedom and flexibility to be more playful on the red carpet.”
Meier says this turn on the red carpet appeared to be second nature to Meghan: “I think she felt right at home [on the Variety red carpet]. She’s in her comfort zone – and when we look back, we can see how hard she must have been trying to maintain [respect to the monarchy] and follow the rules. In Hollywood, on the red carpet, there are very few rules. And I think we’re going to start seeing more and more of Meghan than ever before.”
“When you’re a working royal, there’s a level of modesty” – Kate spent her first five years as a duchess flashing everyone on multiple continents, but sure. The “no posing” thing is supposed to be the Windsors differentiating themselves from mere celebrities, when really, it’s a distinction without a difference. If anything, the Windsors look awkward as hell on red carpets while Meghan looks natural and effervescent no matter what she does. Besides, the royals will happily go commercial when it suits them – Harry and William always posed in front of Land Rover promo for their polo matches. Kate will happily gawp in front of whatever you’ve got.
Photos courtesy of Getty, Backgrid, Cover Images, Variety’s IG.
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- London, UNITED KINGDOM – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Alexandra Palace for the Earthshot Prize in London. Pictured: Prince William, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton BACKGRID USA 17 OCTOBER 2021 BYLINE MUST READ: JOHN RAINFORD / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony at the MGM Music Hall, Fenway Featuring: Catherine, Princess Of Wales, Prince William Where: Boston, Massachusetts, United States When: 02 Dec 2022 Credit: Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA Image/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
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- 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony at The Theatre at Mediacorp. Featuring: William, Prince of Wales and Cate Blanchett Where: Singapore When: 07 Nov 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
I’m pretty sure she said goodbye to her royal life when they moved to California. It’s all still very “you can’t break up with me because I’m breaking up with you!!”
Right? She left years ago. They are truly obsessed.
I guess they did not get the memo… that the Sussexes no longer work for the BRF!
So royals prefer their red carpets laid over grass at nature and animal conservation lands by the people native to the land they are visiting. A land still reeling and very much effected by British colonialism and genocide, being forced from their homes and lands for white “landowners” and estranged from their language and culture.
Not like, at an event to promote a good cause or to raise money.
LMAO!!
It’s so absurd, it makes me think I’m high, every time I read one of these fever dream articles.
Camilla couldn’t even walk ON the red carpet over the dirt, she clung to the side, as if she had been pulled over by the cops, and asked to prove she wasn’t drunk.
After appearing on an American television show during the Coronation events they have zero credibility on anything. That had to be the tackiest PR move ever, but sure let’s focus on the American Princess.
^^ Exactly guys. 💯 🎯 This reeks of desperation, projection, reaching for scenarios, and full-on clout-chasing of our Duchess Meg. 🤣🤣😂😅😆
Psst: ‘They coulda had a bad b$$ch!’ Too late nonces! 😜 Karma is yo’ bad beyotch now. Suck it up, carnival crew. 🤡💀💩😭😫
lol. I still can’t believe that newly crowned King and Queen of UK were on American Idol and UK press will never ever talk about it.
Still shaking my head at the word ‘modesty’ (in either sense of the word) and this family being connected.
Where to start! Kate’s exhibitionist tendencies, the bum groping, the bottom flashing. Willy’s infidelity & violent tendencies rumours. Charles & Cams decades long sordid affair, including of course, tampongate. The fact that practically everyone of them have had extra-marital affairs. Fergie’s toe sucking debacle and decades long, non payment of debt issues. Sophie being outed selling access & trashing family members. Suitcases of illicit cash being accepted. Offshore accounts being regularly fed with (taxpayer?) money. Tindall on a tacky reality show photographed groping a staff member. Then, there is the whole Prince Andrew episode which is the very definition of sordid.
RF & Modesty! Really!
I guess the lesson here is you can be immoral as long as you do it modestly.
Very comprehensive list, @Jojo, yet I’m sure there are still many misdeeds omitted from it.
@Eurydice: What part of flashing your bum across the continents is “modest”? What’s demure about falling on top of a teenaged girl young enough to be your daughter?
Excellent point…
Meghan’s good bye was the day she chose not to attend that coronation. She is over her brief stop over as a member of “that family.” Long may she reign.
Seriously.
^^ Yep, yep, yesiree! Chuck and crew are, “Harry’s family” to deal with. After all, didn’t Chuck inform his ‘Dear boy’ youngest son that spouse, Meghan was, “not wanted at Balmoral” when QE-II was on her deathbed!? 👀 🙄 Oops!
News bulletin for the firm: Meg been done departed with you nonces!
William posed on the red carpet. Kate came to a movie premiere dressed in that gold gown preening before the cameras. More judgmental writing about Meghan.
Exactly, Tessa!
I can’t find what I’m looking for (does anyone else know where to find this?), but when Meghan first arrived in the UK, the RR was very, very happy with Meghan posing so they could get better photos. I think one of the comments was about her pausing when leaving a car and smiling in their direction or something along those lines.
So, “This moment speaks volumes about the differences between Meghan’s life today, and the life she left behind as a working royal; taking the time to ensure that the photographers get a variety of angles which show both the woman and the dress…” this is untrue.
@ML: Yeah, i remember the royal photographers saying that they liked that Meghan acknowledged them and made sure they got good photos unlike William and Kate. My guess is that the photographers praise of Meghan got back to KP and attacked her for it.
What about the famed balcony. Isn’t that the exact same thing? Or the standing in the back of the jeep. Or any of the parades where they wear their fake uniforms. Or for that fact the whole coronation. All of those things are so they can take photos of the royals. Because that is their only job. They don’t do anything else besides get photos taken of them. At least in Hollywood. The photos are usually taken to promote some actual work the person did.
For Pete’s sake, the royal family members were photographed being carried while seated on chairs! What in the world is modest about that?
Yeah, same old story. Anything is okay unless done by Meghan. Apparently, posing on a green carpet is fine. And posing for glamour shots at a funeral, as long as no red carpet. Found some pix of Phil and Liz posing on the red carpet also.
She said goodbye when the Queen died but hopefully now that the Telegraph is saying it, everyone else over there will get the message and shut up talking about her! 🙂
YES. I truly believe THIS was the last time Meghan ever felt any connection or any hint of protection or familial feeling from “that family.” The queen at least bought Archie Christmas gifts, she gifted Meghan and Harry with Frogmore, and offered her collection of tiaras to Meghan. Meg also talked about having a relationship with her grandma and saw the Queen like that. When the queen died, so did any semblance of “kindness” from that family.
Yeah, instead of stopping to pose on the red carpet, Meghan should’ve worn some super nifty custom slippers and demanded that everyone look at them. Like a f–king 5-year-old. That would’ve been much more dignified.
I see the double standard is showing its face. There are still pictures of their so very modest English rose sliding out of the car sans underwear showing her lady privates. But Meg who left salt isle 4years ago isn’t being modest when she walks in a very lovely gown to an event for powerful women on a red carpet and poses. Let’s not forget that whatever event their dear English rose shows up for it is nothing more than a photo op where she poses and shows her jazz hands. But sure modesty.
Your comments are always so spot on.
I very distinctly remember seeing Kate’s English muffins during a visit to a war memorial in India, but sure let’s slag off the black woman because she’s not your punching bag anymore. At this point I think the definition for “hypocrite” in the dictionary says “see also – British media”
Remember that airport runway photo where she was wearing a wrap-around dress without weights in the hem and the wind blew her skirt up? The royal buttocks sans underwear (or the teensiest bit of butt floss) were exposed for all the world to see. Only the German tabloid BILD carried it, the UK press pretended it never happened. There was also a photo of William at the same event in the cockpit of a small jet fighter yelling at Kate as she tried (unsuccessfully) to keep her dress from blowing up again. Ahhh…good times, good times.
You mean the time she came to Calgary?
A level of modesty that’s hilarious. Part of kates campaign to get the ring involved her sashaying down a runway in a see through dress. There was also that roller derby outfit.
This reminds me of what someone said on Twitter the day Harry and Meghan announced they were leaving the royal family: Meghan being so cheerful in saying goodbye to the paps on the last day of her coulda-had-a-bad-bitch tour because she knew she meant GOODBYE.
The difference is Meghan knows how to pose and makes it look effortless. Not all actors can even do this.
William and his wife along with his dad and the dad’s mistress attended last year a movie premiere looking like old chandelier. They posed all 4 of them, but what do I know. They also posed with Tom when William refused to hold his wife’s hand!
“Kate spent her first five years as a duchess flashing everyone on multiple continents”. OMG! I’m laughing so hard.
This Telegraph article seems to have gotten the message that Meghan is done with the Royal Family. They’re in her rear view mirror and she’s not looking back. It’s interesting though the contrast between this Telegraph article and the DM/Times articles that want us to believe the Sussexes are “love bombing” the RF and are desperate to come back. The BM is psychotic.
4 3 2 1
Just wait. In less than a month Bulliam & his emaciated consort will be POSING just like Meghan did.
I said what I said!
Lol, the royals are so very modest. That’s why Earthshot is all about William and never about the actual winners. That’s why W&K show up to charities with empty hands and empty words, and only to have their pictures taken. That’s why Kate’s driveling is “game changing,” “ground breaking,” and “landmark.”
Wow Megan looks great here- her arms are so defined. She looks like she’s been working out. That said, I do wish she’d stick to bright or richer colors. This beige is not best on her.
Wouldn’t surprise me if she’s wearing beige with the mindset Keen won’t copy !
I love the fact that she seems to always choose to show her best asset in a classy way….
Meghan and Harry both left royal life behind when they were forced to flee for their lives from that hellhole. More one BP.
I mean, Meghan pretty clearly said goodbye to the royal family when they left in March 2020, but sure, this is the event that seals it.
Meghan looked happy and confident at the Variety event and that’s the problem as far as the RRs are concerned.
Meghan’s good bye was when she called a complete stranger, Tyler Perry, to escape from the royal family who was trying to kill her, her baby, and her husband.
Meghan deserves all the love and good and lovely and delightful she can find in this world.
The royals deserve the awkward poses and bad press and salty bitterness they put out to the world.
Is this supposed to make Meghan look bad? I’ve seen some Royalists be snobbish about her appearing at this event but I was happy she went. Maybe now the British press, royalists and the Palace will take the hint that Meghan’s left royal life and she’s not interested in going back to terrible life. The Royal Family tried to destroy her life and career and this is Meghan reclaiming it. Good for her.
She said bye to that lifestyle when she left the after their last engagements for those people. The next time she will probably send more than a few minutes in the UK is for upChuck’s funeral.
I doubt she’d go to that.
Meghan’s dress here is the epitome of chic modesty. Not that I think it’s necessarily a virtue, but just to say how silly it is to point to this showing as immodest.
The BM is mad Meghan said deuces to the BRF because it means no pictures of her or the kids on UK soil and Harry won’t come back unless it’s for the court cases. The BM will not have access like US journalists who are professionals and act like adults.
Oh please this royalist would be jumping up down with Joy if kate had one ounce of charisma or being able to pose as gracefully and elegant as Meghan. This royalist aka Karen’s are just jealous that there favorites are boring people no one cares about them seeing them on red carpet they don’t have the glamour that Meghan. Meghan and Harry have left the royal family and royal life they have moved on it’s the British tabloids and royal family who can’t seem to go a minute without talking about Meghan or Harry .
Meghan is so done and I doubt she’ll ever return to the UK unless it’s for a funeral. I really wish Harry would apply for US Citizenship, the meltdown would be spectacular
The Drab Four liked to pose when Elizabeth had just died though. Everybody was very smiley on that one.
Sure did, Lau. Liz’s body wasn’t even cold yet when they raided her jewel chest and were posing and grinning in photos in front of real world leaders.
Oh, heavens. Anyway, I don’t do any social media or twitter or anything, so I went looking on youtube to see what was on there about Meghan because I’m bored, basically, with a report I’m doing. Why did I bother?! The hate. But I found this. No doubt everyone’s seen it already and I’m late to it, but it’s so lovely and an absolute tonic on a dreary Monday afternoon in the UK. I hope it works; I’m no good at posting links. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Ye5ItcDyI
That is lovely. Thank you for sharing, Sparrow!
That is so very lovely! Thank you, Sparrow.
(And the piano music in the background — Kate could never.)
Modesty? Lol, Will and Kate definitely pose on red carpets. Kate poses for staged photos at her “charity” events that last for 10 minutes. Their loser king just showed up to Parliament with his side Chuck turned wife, dripping in jewels and fur while speechifying about the cost of living crisis in the UK.
Nothing about these clowns is modest.
You know, Byline Times said it best (altho they were spkng specifically about dailyFAIL.) They said dailyFAIL is so brazen that even when they are caught with their grubby underwear pulled down to their knees, they will pretend youre not seeing what youre seeing and point at someone else picking their nose.
dfailyFAIL’s cousins, the RacistLeftOverRoyals are exactly like that. In fact, I do believe the RacistRoyals are the ones who taught their cousins in the britshidtmedia that trick. Theyve had a thousand years of perfecting the art of pretentiousness and by god! even in the 21st century they still have their peasants fooled into thinking not only that their shidt dont stink but that they dont shidt at all.
No, she showed the Royals HOW IT’S DONE, and done with style
They have walked more red carpets than Megan over the last few years, and flasher Kate has NEVER been modest.
FFS, Kate posed at Prince Philip’s FUNERAL. (And we all know she holds her rictus grins for the cameras.)
Meghan has been finished with the royal family for years now. It’s just that the royal family and rota can’t quit her.
The royals pose on the red carpet. They stop and just stand there. That’s a pose anyone can do and requires to effort or grace. Not everyone can do red carpet poses, and the camera does not love everyone. What exactly is Kate doing when she is looking directly at the camera and no one else is, or she’s she’s laughing her head off when no one else is.
What an article about nothing. My opinion : All is Vanity.
God these people are unhinged.
She quit royal life when you drove her out with your constant abuse.
She looks gorgeous. Totally jealous that she can pull off that shade.
She said goodbye to Royal life in March 2020. It’s just that the BP refuses to accept it.
William and BRM are like a divorced partner who can’t accept the marriage is over and the ex has the right to live abroad, have a career, family and friends and above all be happy!
Exactly! After 3 years going on 4, They are still Not over it.
Meghan said goodbye to “Royal” life the minute she got on that plane March 7th, 2020!
The bottom line: Meghan is glamourous, and Kate is not. Suck it, royals.
Ok, so if this is true then stop stalking Meghan and counting the cost of her clothing and what type of plane she flies in, how many bathrooms in her home, etc. Ok? After all, you stalk the other “royals” in the name of “public service” because they are taxpayer funded. So………
God, not the green dress look again. My eyes.
What is the Telegraph going on about? Meghan and Harry walked away 4 years ago and the British media have been squawking about it ever since. This article about her walking away only makes sense (and very little of it) if this were written in October 2019 or earlier. She’s been away for years. Get over it!
I follow Myka Meier on Instagram. She’s actually a lot of fun. She coined the phrase “The Duchess Slant” and she teaches a class called the Duchess Effect that refers to both Kate and Meghan. To my knowledge, she has never publicly spoken poorly about Meghan. I don’t think she is in this article either. I think that’s the angle the Telegraph is seeking. She is however, a royalist. She is American/British citizen and lives in NY. I do side-eye her use of the word “modesty” to describe anyone from the royal family these days.
Fun Fact: She is a godparent to Dara Huang and Edward Mapelli Mozzi’s child. You know, Princess Beatrice’s husband. Dara is her friend and has appeared in her etiquette reels on Instagram a few times too.
Are they JUST NOW catching in?! 🤣 She was like Angela Basset setting that car on fire, and they JUST now understand this?! LOL
Simply beautiful….