Judging from all of the batpoop insane comments, I take it that a lot of “people” have a lot of “issues” with… a pregnant woman spending time with her friends in New York, and attending a baby shower thrown by those same friends. It’s actually gotten to the point where the British media – and the British Meg-haters – are screeching so steadily about every little thing and the constant stream of vitriol is just out there for all the world to see it for what it is. These people are going to climb up Meghan’s ass about every single thing she does and does not do. It’s that simple. She breathes and two thousand people will jump on her for breathing the wrong way and breaking royal protocol.
One of the dumbest suggestions is that Meghan’s New York baby shower “proves” that she, like, doesn’t have any friends in the UK. LOL. She has friends in Canada, America AND the UK. The New York baby shower probably won’t even be the only one – Omid Scobie claims that there’s a second baby shower planned in London for next week or the week after. Doria is supposedly going to host that one.
Another suggestion? That Meghan is “pap strolling” or that she organized this whole thing to draw attention to herself. I think Meghan figured out months ago that everyone would climb up her ass over everything, so she’s just living her life. Why can’t she make a private trip to New York? Why would she be required to stay in England just so she can be abused and vilified on an hourly basis? So, she’s just living her life and of course the paparazzi tracked her movements on Tuesday. None of her plans yesterday were a secret. As for the cries of “but it’s so Hollywood/celebrity!” – duh. That’s what happens when an actress becomes a duchess. As we’ve seen many times, Meghan embraces the glitz and glamour. The royal family likes it too – Meghan makes them seem cooler and more relevant by extension.
And finally, all the comments about whether a royal figure can accept gifts. Of course, when they’re personal gifts from personal friends. It happens all the time. Besides, the “no gift” rule is bent all the time with royals, as they receive severely discounted cars, jewelry, services and clothes, and as we’ve seen with the Middleton family, they can accept gifts when those gifts go through a third party. Meaning, a designer wants to give Kate some free baby clothes or some jewelry, so the designer gives it to Pippa to hand off to her sister. Speaking of, didn’t Pippa host Kate’s baby shower in 2013? But sure, tell me again how NO ONE in the UK ever has a baby shower and how dare Meghan be so gauche and American? Aren’t the haters tired of this sh-t yet?
PS… Vanity Fair has an interesting breakdown of who paid for what with this trip. Apparently, Jessica Mulroney paid for Meghan’s private plane flight to New York, and Serena Williams picked up the tab for Meghan’s hotel-baby shower in the penthouse suite. The only thing the British taxpayers are footing the bill for is Meghan’s security, and even then, American State Department security personnel are part of Meg’s entourage while she’s in America. So there.
Astonishing that the Duchess of Sussex seems to be organising her own PR in New York with a fixed point for media and nobody from the palace there. This is how Charles and others used to organise things on ski trips in the dim and distant past before armies of press officers.
— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) February 19, 2019
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
That’s usually how it goes. Someone throws the mom to be a baby shower and pays for most of it.
She makes royal watching fun but I can’t handle the racism and sexism.
@Jessica yes and I really dislike that every joyous occasion gets inundated with the racism and sexism. But, like you, I love watching her and I love the 3/4 length sleeve jacket. I didn’t read many comments yesterday. I quit them altogether for awhile, but it seemed to balance again here. The bots will get busy again and I’m not looking forward to it as the election season nears.
LOL thank you for this post. I have felt like I’m in the upside-down with some of these comments lately.
Totally agree. Reading the comments on the other thread is bonkers. Why people are working themself up into such a lather over this is insane. She’s an American that came back to America to do something traditionally American. Everyone’s so progressive until they think this tacky American is RUINING THE MONARCHY! Is she hurting anyone? Save your outrage and calm down.
You know you’re racist when you think a baby shower in NYC will bring down the monarchy but not pedophilia and ACTUAL NAZIS
If I may, I’m pulling up a chair and joining your club.
Joining you too. Some of the comments on the other thread today were unnecessarily harsh. Let this pregnant woman enjoy the traditions from her home country without snarky comments.
Speak for yourself notasugar, you’re infamous for posting rabid Kate comments on this website all the time…I guess it sucks when the shoes on the other foot ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@Pala
I’m a long time reader of this celebitchy and I have never seen a comment from @notasugar what was mean or hurtful. Maybe you’re mistaking her for someone else?
@Pala
Nota hasn’t been mean to Kate, she has stated facts about her and her husband. There is a difference between what’s said about Kate to the veiled racism and ugliness that people spout about Meghan.
@Melly I laughed out loud. You MUST be joking. That, or you have an extremely selective memory.
Thank you! The comments on the other thread had me pulling my hair out. Who the hell cares if Brits don’t throw baby showers (which is BS because I have actually been to a baby shower in London, BTW, for a British friend)? Megan is an American and her friends are American.
@Becks1 – I’m with you. The constant vitriol, the double standards, the criticism and made up “protocol”…it’s frickin’ TIRING. Just give it a rest already. It’s so exhausting being a black woman sometimes. And I’m not even the black woman under fire in this case!! Can she just live?!
It’s cracking me up too because she married the 6th in line, so insignificant, unpopular, no one really cares about him anymore, Harry…and yet the British press and trolls and racists and Cambridge fans are up.her.a$$ with every single thing she does/says/wears/etc. For someone who no one cares about, she sure is on everyone’s minds and mouths.
Why is Richard astonished? It’s not like the UK press have been civilized. I suspected the details of how & when things were paid for would come out. It’s necessary since her mere presence in NYC seems to be shaking the foundations of the BRF (eye roll).
It’s “bringing about the demise of the royal family,” to be clear. LOL.
😂😂😂Lol@Becks..the crazy train is working overtime.
And that Richard Palmer and his fellow reporters have a rude awakening. They are starting to feel the effects of their sh!ttiness. They are being left out in the cold. No scoops or baby photos for them. They are idiots.
@Becks Personally, I am 100% here for Megs if she can facilitate the end of the BRF. I’m just worried she’s making them more popular!!! I mean, Meghan and her mum made Charles seem nice by proxy.
@FredsMother – yep, and not a moment too soon. I feel the tide is slightly turning on them and I love it.
Why would she want any of the RR’s there? They’ve been trashing her for months!
There are a few who don’t bash her incessantly and are pretty neutral in their reporting. Omid Scobie, who is a RR, kind of broke the story on twitter. He’s also going to be a part of the Morocco entourage.
He said it in a shady way but in the subsequent tweet said it was actually “refreshing” since this is how the royals used to do things. Hard to tell though, he is a snake
All these people are revealing some sick human traits. Richard Palmer included.
All those reporters are mad because the American Press are now involved. They wanted Meghan to play their game and dance to their tune and she hasn’t. If anything, she doesn’t need the British press.
Makes me happy to see that she has spunk!
People are really bugging. You got the Megxit stalkers following her, the British press falling over themselves for scoop about a shower that hasn’t even happened yet, lol. Also, it’s funny how Meghan is destroying all those rumors about her not having friends. It really shows how incompetent and foolish the British tabloid press are. That smear campaign was too quick and too predictable.
Thank you for this post. I thought I was going crazy with some of the commentary.
Especiall the #papstroll brigade. Royal Life IS basically a gigantic papstroll from birth to death. That people can’t see how illuminating the criticism about this is…smh.
I’m British, but even I’m sick to the hind teeth of my fellow Brit’s faux pearl clutching over Meghan.
It’s just so tiring and, honestly, it just makes us look so out of date.
OMG HOW DARE SHE BE SEEN IN PUBLIC HAVING A PRIVATE LIFE!
Oh bog off. The same people who would love to see her leave are now the ones who are picking on her for going across the pond to spend time with her friends. Make up your mind.
It’s so pathetic. She was an actress, trained to deal with the press and she knows how to deal with them. Get over it.
The woman is self motivated, independent and thoroughly UN-BRITISH! Good I say! Makes a nice change.
I just feel utterly embarrassed by the British Press and some of the gutter dwellers on the internet.
No offense but those reports about Meghan being criticized for her work ethic and getting up early, emails etc made me side eye the brits for a second. I knew it was garbage but I was sitting here like, people are mad that she’s a hard worker and wants to utilize her position and do the most with it? I’m saying to myself, this is making them look bad, not her.
I worked for a British company overseas and got in trouble (literally) for working too hard. Apparently, I was setting a bad example about work/life balance despite the fact that I had to work those hours to keep up with what we had promised clients. Seriously.
@ Britt
I side eyed us for the same thing. In fact, I’ll probably say it was the moment that I realised just how baised the criticism of Meghan was becoming. The fact that they tried to use her hard work as negative showed how they’ll turn everything she does into a rod to beat her with.
Rae, I’m with you but…we ARE out of date!!!! We have a flipping ‘royal’ family whose status is determined by which birth canal they pop out of. Their wealth is underpinned by public assets acquired over generations. Yes we curtesy and bow and pledge allegiance to these fools.
If this shit isn’t out of date, I don’t know what is.
The only thing about the BRF that isn’t out of date is Meg’s avocado toast recipe.
This is so true and it’s why I can’t take seriously any of the royalty. IMO both Kate and Meghan are social climbers, both of them enjoy their privileged status and are making full advantage of the system of social inequalities that enable them the privileged lifestyle. I mean, good for them, but just why should we admire any of these women? (Or men for that matter.)
@ Clare Good point well made.
I was never too bothered about the royal family until Meghan came along and I saw all the bullying she was getting, felt the need to try and stick up for her esp on DM.
But yes the royal family are out of date and I hope the demise of them will be on Charles not Megs as she’s already blamed for everything wrong with the world!
I really wish Meghan would take Michelle Obama’s advice to slowdown and learn about her new home country. I won’t be surprised if Meghan’s popularity bother the senior royals (Charles and William).
The monarchy needs to be popular. Charles needs to be popular. He got great press for walking her down the aisle and being so kind to her mother. He’s even started talking about the health benefits of yoga. A Meghan and Doria influence?
If anything, William doesn’t like being pressured and looking bad. With Meghan getting to work right away, he and his wife refusing to work for years after their wedding looks even worse.
That sounds like Charles and William’s problem then not Meghan’s. What would learning more about her new country do to alleviate that jealousy?
What’s there to learn? We are on a fast train about to go over a cliff. I’m sure Meghan knows that already.
Ira, Meghan is damned if she do and damned if she don’t. She comes across as a person who is an extremely hard worker and like to keep busy. Imagine if she took Princess Lessons, folks would have called her lazy. I’m sure she can multi-tasks. William and his staff is probably mad because now they have to actually work. Yeah Charles, smiling giving hugs yet probably stabbing her in the back. If it’s true, he better be careful.
They’ve already been flipping their lid about her getting up at 5am and e-mailing/texting her staff too much (not necessarily that early in the morning).
Wow. What makes you think she isn’t learning about her home country? Because she took a fun trip to NYC. There’s 365 days in a year and she spends most of her time with her British husband. She doesn’t have to be chained to him or the UK. She just had a busy month with her patronages.
So I’m one of the Brits who said baby showers are considered gauche in these parts – and totally stand by that – but I’m loving that you guys are ringing the receipts for Kate’s baby shower!!!!
(Before you start flaming me I personally think she should whatever the F she likes – but culturally baby showers are considered low end)
I guess Kate’s family is kinda low end too, huh. Funny that.
Yeah, and they’ve been called that for years. I agree Kate herself was treated better than Meghan, but lets not pretend like her family was given a light treatment by the tabloids, and this blog too.
Well they do use every possible occasion to sell their party favours/magazine columns and marshmallows…so yes.
Or they are the lovely and normal and here to give William a lovely family home and stability and to modernise the BRF
Depends on who you are and what outlet you are reading, I suppose. But those receipts about Kate’s shower gave me a much need chuckle today. (Fine more like a cackle)
Anitas The Middletons didn’t help themselves tbh, they tried too hard to be something that they are not, Aristos, Kate’s fake accent, the pinky rings, looking for titled husbands for the girls etc. If they had just embraced their middle classness and been themselves they probably wouldn’t have had half the hate they got. Michael Middleton seems to be more down to earth if you like and people tend to go easy on him.
They just came across as too hungry for it all.
Not burning with flames here — but baby showers aren’t considered low end in the US — it’s a harmless custom for all socio-economic levels in the US. An American having a baby shower in America, thrown by (mostly) North American friends, shouldn’t be getting a side eye from anyone. It’s like handling utensils or speaking in a certain dialect — there is no correct or incorrect way — just regional differences.
@Malificient – the thing is, Meghan is no longer a ‘regular’ American. She is part of the BRF, which exists purely because of tradition. It’s a regional difference, sure, but she is part of (and benefits from) an organisation that fastidiously follows tradition and protocol – look, I have no issue with her have 13 baby showers, but we also can’t pretend like she is Lucy from Alabama who moved to Leeds and married a British dude, you know?
Malificient….same in Canada. Usually before a woman goes on maternity leave, a colleague will have a baby shower at work (if allowed) or at someone’s home. There’s often a family baby shower too. It’s a get together with food, sometimes stupid games & these days co-ed baby showers happen.
@Clare. My comment was rebutting your argument that baby showers are a low class activity by indicating that it is not considered low class in North America. Saying that Meghan shouldn’t have a baby shower because it’s specifically not BRF protocol is a separate argument. (And one that also doesn’t hold water since Kate was also “allowed” to have a baby shower by the BRF — so there is precedent for members of the BRF to have a baby shower.)
Meghan didn’t set out party balloons on the front steps of Frogmore or leave cake frosting ground into the carpet at Buckingham Palace. She left town to have a gathering with friends outside of the UK. Because her visit required royal security resources, I’m sure it was thoroughly vetted. If Meghan getting together with some girlfriends to open gifts and drink a virgin mimosa was considered pearl-clutchingly offensive, I’m sure TQ would have put a stop to it.
It appears she was staying at the private NYC home of her English friend, Mischa Nonoo. Oh no, international friends! Horrors.
I hope Kate and a whole bunch of the other young royal ladies show up for her UK shower. That would stick it to the British press.
I hope Fergie turns up.
And points at people as she goes in.
Ah, Fergie. I wish she’s take some good advice.
Did you see the comparisons between her outfit at Harry and Meghan’s wedding and Maleficent’s outfit from the original Disney Sleeping Beauty? Either she did it deliberately or it was a truly stupid fashion mistake.
Pointing, LOL! That’s Fergie’s version of “hey, girl!” Nota, I think Fergie is a bit clueless (even after all these years) and just doesn’t have good fashion sense.
Fergie had few good fashion moments while she was a royal. Her wedding dress was a highlight. One strapless beaded white gown from a visit to Canada. An off the shoulder butter yellow with lace overlay. And little else that was good in that mess of 80s and early 90s fashion.
She had a smart stylist a few years ago, because there was a run of her in flattering evening gowns at international events. Then she fell off the fashion rails again.
Yeah, Fergie wasn’t always a fashion mishap, but I think her struggles with fluctuating weight issues as she ages conflicts with her own sense of what’s stylish and fits well. IMO, the suit she wore to Meghan’s wedding wasn’t bad, but from the waist down it needed better tailoring. I think she does evening better than day wear.
guys, I just love Fergie. Mostly because everytime she gets a little attention I KNOW Philip and Charles are both seething. Call me petty.
Kaiser I’m so glad you brought up Kate having a baby shower in 2013. Someone tweeted a baby shower was unroyal. I posted a second of the article and said “so was it unroyal when Kate did it or has the narrative changed since Meghan has one.” Interesting the article mentioned Kate was going to be a nontraditional royal. I just continue to post this on twitter, youtube. The receipts are out there.
The 31-year-old Royal is believed to have received the Queen’s blessing for the event, which is a first in terms of pregnant royalty.
According to reports, Pippa and Kate’s friends and family have been planning the baby shower for weeks and it is expected to be held at Kate’s family home in Berkshire.
“It isn’t royal tradition but Kate isn’t a traditional royal,” a friend told The Sun. “She is modern and wants a normal life. A baby shower wouldn’t normally happen if you’re in the Royal family, but there is now a modern way of thinking.”
Yup. Kate is a modern royal and her changes are valid and necessary. Meghan is the demise of the monarchy and needs to know her place and fit in.
Apparently the baby shower is happening today. Unfortunate for Emily Andrews, who already wrote an article with details and even some quotes about the event yesterday 🙃
I can’t stop laughing at that Andrews woman LOL
I wonder if she checked with Omid before submitting that story.
@Beach Dreams are you serious.. The Andrews nutter actually wrote about the shower and gave details…? Lol. 😁😁😁😂.
LOL. That is funny. Whew, the reaching of some RRs
Thank you for this post. I’m tired of feeling like I’m losing my mind with all the faux outrage. I find it so funny how the bar has been set so unrealistically high for her. She absolutely cannot win no matter what she does. I mean, she’s not selling pics of the actual baby shower. I’ve said before there are a lot of people that are not happy that a biracial woman is in a position that a lot feel should only be for a white woman.
+1
Thanks for this post. The hate against her is nuts. And so gross, especially when it’s done by those who insist they have nothing against her but just have “legitimate” questions or concerns about what she’s doing and yet they never had those concerns with the Cambridge’s.
+1 So much yes!!
Love girls’ trips in NYC! Glad to hear the $$ breakdown – one less thing for the uk media to be faux outraged about. And now that I think about it, I believe Jessica Mulroney (formerly Jessica Brownstein) is the daughter of the Brown’s shoe store empire – so she’s got pots of cash in her own right, leaving aside that the Mulroneys are politically connected and wealthy also. So not like they can gripe about her “freeloading” friends!
Yes, she is from the Brown shoe empire. the VF article says that the private plane belonged to one of her Canadian friends, and I assume they mean JM. (it doesn’t specify.)
I really feel like so much of this is a “eff you” to the British press. You said she’s difficult and demanding? Well, her friends love her so much they are dropping serious cash on her shower. You said she’s too Hollywood? Well, she’s going all out with her celeb friends, so she clearly doesn’t care about that criticism. etc.
And Serena also has buckets of cash. Not only is she extremely wealthy in her own right but she is married to a billionaire.
Her husband is not a billionaire by any stretch of the imagination. He’s worth less than her and will proudly tell you so.
@Mimi Oh my goodness, you are so right. I don’t know why I thought he was a billionaire. She is worth LOADS more than him ($150M to his piddling $9M). Thanks for the correction.
@Mich: It’s understandable considering he was one of the founders of Reddit. Alexis said that he left long before it became as big as it currently is, so he didn’t get to cash in as much as he could’ve.
Serena Williams is more accomplished than the whole lot of them at that baby shower, and probably richer than them all put together, and very likely that she bankrolled the whole bash.
As does her friend Misha Nonoo, successful designer and now engaged to Michael Hess (Hess Corp oil).
The only eyebrow raising thing for me here is that she is apparently fairly close to her due date.
Is a long international flight there and another back really that great of an idea at this stage of pregnancy? I think insurance doesn’t even cover anything once you hit over 30 weeks.
I know I wouldn’t have taken the risk so late into a pregnancy. I flew at 20 weeks though, so not totally against it.
Plus the friends in New York could have easily flown to the UK.
I’m sure Meghan flew with the guidance and approval of her doctors. Why don’t we leave those concerns to between her and her health care providers.
She flew on a private plane, so I assume the trip was as speedy as possible (no long waits at the airport for everyone to board, etc). I said this on another post – but I have always assumed she was due in March, not April, but with this travel, the trip to Morocco and Charles’s trip in March, the April date sounds about right. So she may be around 32 weeks?
(plus April ties into the polo match LMAO.)
She’s two months from her due date, given her public comments about being due at the end of April or beginning of May. If the people in the crowd reported those accurately. I think Crown Princess Victoria had foreign visits at 7 months.
The KP statement included info that medical advice had been sought and travel approved. Presumably she’s also approved for the 4+ hour flight to Morocco for their official visit in a few days.
Kate & her family got criticised for these same things. Now we’re supposed to make an exception because its Meghan, or stay silent unless lavishing praise? I remember reading all sorts of articles, think pieces & blogs regarding Kate & her family which were less than favorable. If we allowed it then, it seems hypocritical that people can’t call out Meghan for doing the same things.
DId they get criticised? I actually didn’t even know Kate’s had had a shower – but by everything I’ve seen today, Kate was lauded as being normie normalson here to modernise the BRF…with approval of Lizzie, apparently.
Smart publicity by the Middletons, a few quotes and details leaked but no photos or overseas trips, making it seem like just this quirky event at her family home, so it didn’t reflect badly on Kate. Just on them…
Middtletons Are considered to be middle class, new money. Kate had her share of bad press over 15 years.
IMO this babyshower is over the top.
BTW, Of course Omid knows the best, he is Meg’s friend. Just like Markus.
The British press is pissed but this NYC shower is not gonna help. Meg was American but she is now Member of the Royal Family. It is sort of like being property of the Brits.
Im all over the place with this one. I like her in general, but i do not like this. She lived in Toronto, raised in LA. So why NYC? Confusing.
Edit: i agree with Lainey, she gets the confusion
Kate and her family did get their fair share of criticism (and I am sure even more way back when they were in the early stages of dating), but after she and William got married so much of that criticism stopped. I cant think of a time Kate was called “tacky” after their wedding. Maybe the RRs did throw the same kind of shade at Kate that they throw at Meghan, but I havent noticed if they do.
The articles about Kate’s baby shower are a good example. She was praised for not being a traditional royal, doing things her way, etc. Meghan has a baby shower and there is lots of underhanded criticism about how she’s “so American” or whatever.
Even in the milder comments here criticizing Meghan you see the difference. People talking about how she’s not being “appropriate” or she’s “too Hollywood.” When Kate gets criticized in general the tone is different.
@Becks you think so? I personally find the commentary on Kate (and especially her family) can be pretty harsh and borderline vitriolic. I mean, when Pippa had that ridiculous column, or James’ failed businesses – Kate and the Middletons have been subject to a tonne or criticism (and rightfully so IMO) – it was/is just less shocking/disturbing because it wasn’t laced with racism and xenophobia like a lot of comments relating to Meghan.
I mean even just on this blog, there have been entire posts on Kate’s eye make up and sausage curls…it’s just all been…less hateful(?)
@Clare – I think on here we can go after Kate pretty hard, but I think in general the press has left her alone post marriage.
but the fact that the comments are not laced with racism and xenophobia – that’s basically the difference between the two.
And after Meghan came on the scene, the narrative around Kate (as told by the press) has changed dramatically. She is an English rose, she is an experienced royal, she never puts a foot wrong, etc.
ETA and to clarify, I realize that Kate has received criticism even after marrying William. But the tone definitely shifted after 2011, and it shifted again after Meghan.
I truly think SOME of it (and certainly not all of it because it’s insane the kind of hate MM gets) is a case of a lot of posters CARING way more. There’s almost a feeling of: this is an American, she’s ‘one of us’ so I think because of that people are going to be more sensitive to the criticism. Again – plenty of the criticism is insane and unwarranted. But I think there’s times where shade is found when none is intended, or if someone doesn’t like her outfit or whatever they’re obviously just racist. Which… isn’t healthy either. There’s a bit of an over-correction at times.
But in this case specifically – it’s hard to directly compare. Online news has taken a huge jump since Kate had her shower. People are more obsessed than ever with watching famous peoples’ every move and dolling out their own opinion on it. And while I’m sure there are plenty of positive articles about Kate’s shower… I don’t doubt that there were a lot of people out there criticizing her for it, especially where the Queen had to ‘approve it’ as the first one to take place. Just like there’s a ton of negative out there regarding Meghan… but there’s also a lot of Meghan positive sites.
Now I will sliiightly argue the part where you say the tone is different regarding Kate’s criticism. I don’t see posts that dislike something about Kate’s outfit eliciting the kind of super angry response that I’ve seen very often in MM posts. But I do see A LOT of the “ugh she’s an exhibitionist.” “I’m sure she’ll be showing her bits again soon” “how long until she flashes everyone” “her pants are too tight – it’s gross” kind of comments which I also find incredibly troubling. I think both women get a lot of flack for things that are absolutely ridiculous … but unfortunately the racists have also come out in full swing in regards to Meghan.
@Erinn – no, there wasn’t a lot of fall out from Kate’s shower. It was 2013, not the dark ages lol.
Re: your last paragraph, the comments on THIS site should not be taken as “the press,” which is more what I am referring to. I think part of the reason many of us are so negative towards Kate is because the press reaction has become so over the top positive. Kate shows up at one event and she’s suddenly saving the country or whatever the new storyline is. The overall narrative about Kate (from the press) has changed significantly over the past few years. It just has. There’s really no denying it.
Also, I wish people would stop saying “minus the racism” or “except for the racism, Kate got it just has bad.”
The racism is really really bad. Let’s not dismiss it in an attempt to be “allduchessesmatter.”
ETA also I see you didn’t explicitly say the things about racism, but overall when people talk about how bad Kate got it “but without the racism” it bears pointing out that the racism is a HUGE component of this.
And to me this is the other difference. People criticize Kate’s outfit, Meghan’s outfit. But often with the criticism re: Meghan there’s a tone of “who does she think she is, wearing designer clothes” or “she needs to know her place.” That doesn’t happen with Kate, generally speaking.
I recall the criticism was centered around Kate not being able to perform royal duties because of HG. But could fly for hours for holiday
Her life, her choices. She has rich friends, but at the same time should maybe ask them to take the whole thing down a notch, especially if she trying to craft the right image right now as a new member of the royal family.
Why? Are we supposed to believe the royal family doesn’t live a life of luxury and privilege? Isn’t that what being royal is all about. Are you insinuating that the royals have any other kind of image?
Money talks, wealth whispers.
Her friends are one type, the family she married into the other.
The royals live in palaces, wear million dollar jewels, and ride around in luxury vehicles driven by chauffeurs. Everything about being a royal screams money and privilege. Wealth is not a whisper when it’s on display every day, and when you have to bow and curtsy to people because of them being born into a certain family.
Can somebody please tell the queen to stop wearing those bloody crowns/tiaras, it just doesn’t sit well with all the poverty in this country! Tut tut.
It’s absolutely nuts that we’ve gotten to the point that people are questioning whether it’s against royal protocol to accept a gift from a friend. How do you even put that thought together?
And yes, wealthy people are allowed to accept gifts even though they could buy all that stuff themselves. No, it’s not tacky or gauche.
If her friends want to treat her, good. Enjoy.
Serena is a good customer and bringing lots of publicity so I’m sure she got a good deal.
But it’s crazy to me how Harry, Will or Kate get dragged for friends picking up resorts, trips, flights, but Meghan is off hook because her friends are celebrities while the trios friends are just rich. In the end it saves the tax payers money. So that’s a bonus. It’s not pay-for-play but a gift from people so wealthy it’s just a drop in the bucket for them. They should not flaunt their wealthy connections, but you can’t erase that they are privileged.
I mean, do we know that Kate’s baby shower for sure happened and that it wasn’t complete fiction? Like Meghan, she’s had plenty of instances in which a “friend” invents something about her life and sells the info to a press. (Unlike Meghan, I’d argue that, post-marriage, she hasn’t had to deal with truly negative stories that cast her in a really negative light, nor has she had to deal with the racially charged articles and protocol police.)
Admittedly, I do find this whole situation a bit strange (mostly in how the press has handled it), but I’m not at all surprised that it became a bit of a spectacle once people knew she was in town. Like I said before, I think it’s great she’s with loved friends and that they’re celebrating her and the baby, and I also think it’s okay to point out that Meghan doesn’t mind the press attention without it turning into accusations that she’s attention seeking. Her comfort with fame and increased visibility is an asset in her new role, as is her dedication to her causes, public speaking skills, and her sharp mind.
I actually think Kaiser’s point about her reaching a “f—ck it, I’m just going to live my life,” applies to a lot of celebrities and other royals, including Kate. Kate is frequently accused here of being attention seeking/ trying to pull focus or work a false image of normalcy every time a rando snaps a photo of her going for a walk with one of her kids or catches them in a grocery store, at a public event where they aren’t protected by the expectation of privacy, or museum. And yes, everyone, including the Cambridges, try to work narratives in the press, and Kate certainly did call the press when she was younger, and might still do it now, but I think the same can certainly be said of Meghan and some of the other royals. And I *really* do not mean that as a criticism, or to imply she’s somehow not allowed to try to control her narrative, but I am wondering how all of this is going to shake out and whether or not Meghan’s press strategy will be successful.
So, I don’t necessarily disagree. I think Kate definitely still calls the press, and I think she uses her contacts at various sources to push some stories. I also think Meghan does the same thing.
Right now, we know that Kate’s strategy has been pretty successful. She has sold this image of herself as a hands on mother, as a happy homemaker who prioritizes her kids above all else (a lot fewer stories written lately about Kate being lazy, for example), etc. Kate and William have successfully pushed the whole “normal” storyline, even when sometimes it just looks dumb (like remember the story from a year or two ago, it was an interview with William with pictures, and it included a quote from William about how he didn’t want his kids to grow up behind walls….and they were literally playing in a walled garden, lol.)
I do not think it is by accident that there are these strategic pictures of Kate being “normal” leaked. If she was that normal and everyday, and if these pictures weren’t part of their PR strategy, we would see a lot more pictures like that. The fact that we don’t see that many tells me that the ones we see are for a reason (i.e. they want us to see them.)
I don’t mean all that as a criticism. It’s how they have chosen to present themselves and it seems to be working.
Meghan seems to be choosing a different path – I’m not sure what it is yet. Maybe leaning into her actress image (“if you are going to call me a diva, I’m going to stay in a 75k a night penthouse”), maybe leaning in this idea that she has close friends still (we rarely see pictures of Kate with her good friends, even though we know she has a tight inner circle), etc.
So it is interesting to see the difference and to see how/if the narrative around Meghan shifts in the years to come. I think for the past year Meghan has let the palace call the shots, and I think recently she has decided to take control.
Ugh, holy long post batman. sorry. lol.
Long post or not, I really enjoy reading your comments and like to hear your perspective on these things, so thank you for your thoughts!
Her friends seem like a smart group. They knew she would get crap for the price.
Part of me wants Meghan to take on the role of spoiled princess/socialite with Hollywood friends and 100% embrace it. A little bit like Wallis meets Mariah, but without the Nazi connections.
Now THAT would be a F you to the red tops AND the Cambridge’s. It would also be so entertaining.
Good grief. If you are Serena and you are going throw a party for your duchess friend you’re not going to do it at a Hampton Inn.
The only part of this I am side eyeing is Jessica Mulroney paying for the private jet. She probably organized it through a friend.
Jessica Mulroney is wealthy in her own right. Not sure her in laws have the kind of $$ to afford private jet. Though her father in law had no qualms about accepting bags of cash from lobbyists while PM of Canada. Horrid family
Jessica can well afford it – she comes from money and earns lots too. But yeah a lot of this cost breakdown is hearsay and plenty annoying imo.
There is such a marked difference between the duchesses – and that’s ok.
Note how Kate marked her 37th birthday. Celebrated with her closest friends at one of her homes. Walked to church for Epiphany with her friends trailing behind. It was made known that Meghan and Harry were not there. Versus how Meghan celebrates. With close friends in NYC out and about to all the fancy places. They are showing how grown women who earn their own money roll!
Two women, both 37, but with completely different lives. As a woman who got married at 37 myself and had my first child at 38 I can relate more to and totally get Meghan and her girl squad.
I just don’t get why people need to have NYC explained to them…It’s NY-bloody-C. It attracts locals and internationals all the time. I’m going for a girls week there in a couple of months myself.
Meghan doesn’t need to give any reason for why NYC other than “because she bloody wants to”.
Damn, Kaiser!!! You said it all! 🙌🙌. People are absolutely seething and losing their DAMN MINDS. They are so mad that she’s so loved and in-demand and that she MATTERS. Their very fixation proves it.
There is a special place in hell for that palmer POS and the likes.
I also thought the other two posts comment threads were bonkers today but to me it seemed to be coming from both sides. For every person who pointed out this was a pap stroll there was another commenter there to call them “dumb” and anyone daring to express an opinion about the shower had at least four or five commenters right behind them to shout them down and, when necessary, not-so-subtly imply their opinion was rooted in racism. Maybe I’m not understanding because nothing about this girls’ weekend/baby shower for a total stranger seems like something to get too, too worked up about either way, but I’ve always enjoyed the fact that this site posts quite a bit of coverage of the younger royals and I’ve often really enjoyed the thoughtful comments of others here but today just brought out a level of nastiness that surprised me I guess.
Wait there are people unhappy about a baby shower? WTH?
A lot of cultures have something similar to a baby shower or a certain customs for a mom-to-be. Since when was it an American-only thing?
I know in my culture we don’t do baby showers for the baby before it’s born, but we do celebrate the mom being pregnant. It’s typically around the 6/7 month of pregnancy where ppl give the mom things, cook her fave foods etc.
After the baby is when we’ll typically have a baby shower-type celebration, when the baby is given gifts etc.
Either way why would anyone be upset with this? This is a pretty universal thing, finances permitting.
Thank you, thank you!
I’d be happy if I never heard the term “pap stroll” ever again. The notion that Meghan would have to arrange for publicity, as if she is some pathetic nobody desperately thirsty for fame, is just so far beyond stupid.
I also feel irrationally personally offended by everyone who feels that as British taxpayers they have some right to be angry at literally everything she does because she has security as part of the BRF. STFU and sit down already.
I remember an article in Vanity Fair after the wedding for MEG/Harry had occurred. The wedding photographer was talking to the newlyweds and asked about the picture taking. He knew the royal family had a certain way of taking photos. He wanted to stay within protocol and break any rules. Prince Harry told the photog to break protocol when taking their wedding photos. Harry wanted the rules to be broken. That tells me a lot about Harry’s reasoning and thinking. Meg/Harry will perform their royal duties to the best of their abilities,but will live their personal lives in a more modern way.