ITV’s Harry & Meghan: An African Journey aired last night in the UK (it will air on Wednesday here in America). We got to see some tough clips from the documentary ahead of time, including Harry talking about the trauma he still feels when dealing with paparazzi/photojournalists, his comments about whether they would move to Africa full-time, and Meghan holding back tears when she talked about how difficult the past year has been. As the documentary aired last night in the UK, ITV posted more clips on Twitter. Let’s get into it.
Meghan on the British tabloids: “It’s hard. I don’t think anybody can understand that, but in all fairness, I had no idea. Which probably sounds difficult to understand here, but when I first met my now-husband my friends were really happy because I was so happy… But my British friends said to me, ‘I’m sure he’s great but you shouldn’t do it because the British tabloids will destroy your life.’ And I very naively — I’m an American we don’t have that there — said, ‘What are you talking about? That doesn’t make any sense! I’m not in tabloids!’ I didn’t get it. So, it’s been… yeah, it’s been complicated.” This is true – Americans do not have any understanding of the power the British tabloids have in destroying people and smearing them and creating these nasty narratives.
'My British friend said to me 'I'm sure he's great but you shouldn't do it''
The Duchess of Sussex reveals she was warned not to marry Prince Harry because 'British tabloids will destroy your life' #HarryAndMeghan https://t.co/GWs5KfuovM pic.twitter.com/SmUl3ofSnd
— ITV News (@itvnews) October 20, 2019
Meghan on how she deals with being beaten down by lies, smears and criticism day after day: “It’s really hard to understand what it’s like. I know what it seems like it should be, but it’s a very different thing. I have said for a long time to H, that’s what I call him, ‘It’s not enough to just survive something. That’s not the point of life. You have got to thrive. You have got to feel happy.’ I really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a ‘stiff upper lip.’ I really tried, but I think that what that does internally is probably really damaging. I never thought that this would be easy, but I thought it would be fair. And that’s the part that’s really hard to reconcile.” Heartbreaking.
'I really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip'
The Duchess of Sussex admits she's tried a coping mechanism to manage the pressures that come with marrying Prince Harry #HarryAndMeghan https://t.co/GWs5KfuovM pic.twitter.com/XctGTpk94l
— ITV News (@itvnews) October 20, 2019
According to People Magazine, she continued after this clip, saying: “If things were fair … If I’d done something wrong, I’d be the first one to go ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I would never do that.’ But when people are saying things that are just untrue and they are being told they’re untrue but they’re allowed to still say them — I don’t know anybody in the world who would feel like that’s okay. That’s different from just scrutiny. That’s…. what would you call that? It’s a really different beast, you know.” It’s a SMEAR. It is a campaign of smears. That’s what I’ve been saying for the past year!
And here’s Harry talking around his beef with his brother William. He pretty much says that they’re not getting along at the moment, but Harry does the heavy lifting of acting like it’s just a minor phase and they’ll eventually be close again. Keep in mind that William hasn’t lifted a finger to defend his brother and his sister-in-law. Probably because some of the smears (not all, but some) are coming from him.
'As brothers you have good days, you have bad days'
Prince Harry says the 'majority of stuff' written about his relationship with his brother William is 'created out of nothing' and adds: 'I love him dearly' #HarryAndMeghan https://t.co/GWs5KfuovM pic.twitter.com/bW7GVALZR6
— ITV News (@itvnews) October 20, 2019
The journalist interviewing Harry and Meghan for this documentary remarked that Harry and Meghan mostly just seemed burned out, raw and tired from dealing with all of the smears and lies and hate and racism. Congrats, British tabloids. You’re going out of your way to destroy an idealistic biracial American woman for daring to… fall in love, and for doing good work as you guys smear her.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
All those people calling for “kindness” last week regarding George W Bush?
THIS is a person who deserves kindness.
WORD.
YES, thank you.
Thank you!
YES!!!!!!
Yes! Absolutely. She deserves kindness.
This. No #AllLivesMatter hens?😎
YES!!!
Somehow they’ll pretend not to hear you or say that Megan deserves it for…..I don’t know what reason they will come up with now.
I think the fact that she expected it to be fair tells me she really doesn’t see herself as a Black women. No one identifying as Black joining the royal family would expect fairness
I agree with New Kay that no woman who self identifies as Black would expect any differently. I did recently hear Megan refer to herself as a POC during their Africa tour.
As a BW you expect racism in every setting. On a side note there is an interesting article on how Obama is Black and Megan and biracial. And it speaks about self-identity and politics of being biracial.
If I could upvote you, I would!
Me too!
I feel really bad for Megan. But how is she different from other celebrities that had lies printed about them or experienced “smear” campaigns etc. Yes, she deserves kindness but doesn’t everyone? When we read or talk about some celebrity’s divorce or the actual person – do we REALLY know that person? Aren’t we basing our opinions on tabloids or other 3rd party source? (I’m not talking about people who are being tried for crimes or offenses like Weinstein)
Watch the Fergie story Paradise lost on YT. It is eye-opening.
Carol, the main difference is that Meghan and Harry are working royals. The government and the Queen are their bosses. H&M are sent on foreign missions in their name. They are horrible bosses because they have the power but refuse to protect their employees from the constant racial bully press attacks. It’s cynical that they make H&M (interracial royal couple) team Commonwealth to strengthen Britain’s reputation abroad and that they don’t give a damn about the British press destroying H&M’s reputation. That is deeply immoral. Excellent that H&M are speaking up and defending themselves. Now both bosses should take their responsibility and end this smear campaign against their employees H&M. Britain’s international reputation is also at stake.
I get the feeling what she means is when American tabloids blatantly lie its not malicious. They just say absurd stuff like “So-and-so’s surprise twins” or “Brangelina & Jen feuding”. It’s not necessarily positive stuff, but most readers know it’s total BS and at the end of the day it probably doesn’t drive the victims to a psychologist. They can brush it off without it affecting them too much. But in the UK the tabloids are out for blood and RELENTLESS. They don’t just write one-off articles to sell magazines, they write nonstop for months on end, pursuing any low-life relative or friend they can find to give them dirt. And if that doesn’t work just making mean shady stuff up, forcing the narrative.
I think she & Harry are absolutely making the right decision to speak out. It’s hard not to empathize with them. But I’m sure their haters will still find a way to tear them down.
I think another reason the American tabloids don’t seem as bad is that they’re celebrity gossip magazines, not actual NEWSPAPERS. The latter seem more legit and therefore cause more damage.
I don’t think that the Queen and Prince Charles know how to help them. They were raised in a centuries-old tradition of the stiff upper lip and never had any positive role models to show them the right way to respond to vulnerable children. The usual response was to pack them off to boarding school – some that PC has talked about openly as having had a negative impact on him. I think M and H are doing the right thing in confronting the trolls and the tabloids. Apart from setting the record straight (and counteracting the subversive messaging that seems to be coming from William’s team), they will regain a sense of power over their lives. That is crucial for anyone’s recovery from trauma.
Double yes. To be honest this whole thing has made me rethink how we treat famous people on the whole (minus the really harmful ones)
Oh damn. I didn’t read the article because what Meghan states is TRUTH. I hope she realizes the good she is doing no matter how difficult and unfair it is. And yes, not playing fair is the most frustrating part in all of this. And shame on the BRF; she too is struggling as Diana did. Did they not learn anything?
Apparently not. For the tabs, it’s power, clicks/cash over life. I truly believe if TQ or Charles gave ONE STATEMENT in print, and ONE WORD to publishers that their papers/reporters would be cut from the RR rotation if this fabrication doesn’t stop, this would scale back by 90%. For all of those nasty RRs out there, there are hundreds more that would jump to take the empty spot(s).
WHY TQ and Charles are NOT saying anything, ANYTHING at all is astounding! Esp. Charles who seemed to really like Meghan, and grow closer to Harry since the wedding… HOW CAN ANY PARENT LET THEIR CHILD SUFFER?? I know he’s a jealous twat, but still!
#WeLoveYouMeghan was trending yesterday… I hope she saw/knows of it.
I never thought of it like that. Both QEII & Charles haven’t said anything, huh? That’s sad.
There is no excuse for Charles doing nothing. His son is suffering and he’s more concerned about appearances than he is about him. And he is Harry’s only parent for heaven’s sake!
This is very true. This family have a history is not really supporting each other and yet the Queen does seem to support Andrew. Says a lot really. I like reading about the monarchy for gossip sake but I don’t support any of them when it comes to living off of tax payers money. That includes Harry & Meghan, who arguably do a lot. It would be great to see them carry on the work and fundraise for themselves, like other charity workers do but the monarchy is archaic and should have vanished a long time ago. The Royals must be the only charity workers who profit so much for the level of work they actually put in (but if I’m wrong, feel free to correct me).
Seriously. If they can shut down William’s alleged affair and Prince Andrew’s Jeffrey Epstein allegations, surely they could assist in some way with Harry & Meghan. But I think it’s true the royal family probably doesn’t care because it deflects from their terrible behavior.
They didn’t defend her. I doubt Charles ever will – it’s not high on his list of priorities.
It’s a good thing kings and queens no longer have to defend their country. Charles can’t even defend his own son.
Charles doesn’t care.
Let’s put the blame where it belongs —
Every person who supports the tabloids
via clicks, purchases, and subscriptions.
No readers=no tabloids=no blame needed
There is an easy fix to stopping their abuse and destruction of lives.
^ This 100%
There will always be an audience for those articles just as there will always be racists, bigots and extremists but we don’t engage with them in real life because we know they’re idiots and a minority. Just avoid them, let them spew the anger and hatred to each other and everyone else can get on with their lives.
I actually think that there is a growing case for Piers Morgan to get a court order against him as a serial stalker. He has caused serious harm to Meghan and stoked up more hate towards her with his relentless campaign to demonise her more than anyone else. I remember a case of a woman who repeatedly made negative comments about an opera singer saying that she was a fake amongst other things and she was warned to stop defamation .
The royal family “defended” Meghan by saying they will monitor social media and ask that abusive posts against Meghan OR Kate be taken down. Not racist attacks from the press — no, just abusive social media posts against Kate (and Meghan). They couldn’t even address the abuse of Meghan without including Kate as an equal victim, and they didn’t include any statement about the tabloids or press.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/30/uk/meghan-kate-abuse-social-media-help-gbr-scli-intl/index.html
What all this boils down to is, it’s a massive deflection from the scandal around Prince Andrew and I have no doubt whatever that the Queen is encouraging it. She has no problem whatever sacrificing her granddaughter in law to take the heat off her rotten son. The more the tabloids attack Meghan, the less time they will have to devote to attacking Andrew, and by extension, the British Royal Family. It sucks like a Hoover vac.
The situation with Andrew is the WORST scandal that the BRF has been embroiled in in modern times – IMO, it has the potential to topple the entire institution if the case of Andrew’s actions with Epstein and the BRF’s attempts to protect Andrew is blown wide open. I think they are running scared and I think that the Queen’s choice to subtly let the public know that she stands by Andrew is incredibly damaging to them all. He should be removed from representing her in any kind of public capacity. Andrew has become a HUGE liability to them.
I think the problem is they are facing many things that could topple the institution. Through social media they are being judged as well. There are many people unimpressed by the lack of support Harry and Meghan have. There are loads of things to be unimpressed by. Loads.
As for covering up for Andrew – yes, I think this is all part of it. But Andrew was born into the royal family and Meghan was not, and they will always side with their own. But bigger picture, Andrew has shady financial deals and connections, and Meghan is an African-American. The royal family will protect Andrew because he is not the only royal with shady financial dealings, and to protect them all, they cannot allow a member of their family to be sued, subpoenaed, or face charges. They’ll protect Andrew for their own sake, not necessarily for his. Whereas Meghan is an African-American — how does THAT create a problem for anyone else in the royal family? It doesn’t. So she’s on her own, and expendable.
Its so heartbreaking to hear her talk about it. I think most of us here figured she was aware of the various headlines, but its hard to hear how much the smear campaign over the past year affected her. expecting there to be criticism but that it would be fair is not some insane expectation.
Honestly I think this makes the BRF look horrible, especially william and Kate. Your sister in law is being attacked daily, being BULLIED by the press, its affecting her MENTAL HEALTH – and what do you do? stage that PR stunt with the budget flight.
@Becks1
Why just William and Kate, what about the fcking Queen and the next King Charles who actually have the powers to put an end to this? Why are you not mentioning Camila? She of all people knows what it feels like to deal with public hate. Remove your blinders and see that the entire royal family is a shit show the Queen and Charles included. They never stepped up to protect Diana and even Fergie in the early days.
*eye roll* yes, my blinders. I realize the entire BRF is a shitshow HENCE why I said “this makes the BRF look horrible.”
I specifically called out Will and Kate since a) they were the ones who staged that PR stunt with the plane, which was an awful thing to do and b) they are the ones who are soooo anti bullying and so supportive of mental health causes etc. But when one of their family members is being bullied they are silent.
@Becks1
Nope, it’s not enough to call out the BRF as a whole, we should be specific in calling out the power brokers in that family who have done nothing to protect Meghan and Harry and the two main ones are the Queen and Charles. At this point, William and Kate are just low hanging fruit in this context.
But how do you know Charles and Camilla haven’t done anything privately. The press doesn’t care for them and most of the public doesn’t either. They still get bad press over Diana over 20 years later. Charles couldn’t do anything to stop all of that and still to this day can’t get good press for himself and his wife, why do people think he could do anything for his son and daughter in law. Sadly I’m sure they’re all aware that either of them doing anything publicly won’t make a jot of difference
Yeah, I’ve called out the queen and charles before in several posts and comments. This time I’m calling out W&K. They are not just low hanging fruit.
People like to think William could have stopped the British tabloids from their campaign against Meghan. People on this site allow their judgement of William to cloud their thinking. Quite a few of these stories were made up against Meghan, some of them came from her own family, the royal courtiers, etc. I’ve yet to see any active smear campaign by William or Kate against Harry or Meghan.
William was able to silence the talk about Rose Hanbury. He could choose to do something now, he chooses not to.
Yes, William was. And how hard do you think that was? Should William be doing more for his brother? Yes. But so should the Queen & Charles
Considering mental health and anti-bullying are apparently the Cambridges’ pet causes, this doesn’t cast any good light on them.
I hate to say, it’s all racism at the bottom of it all. Yes, they may hook the press to follow a Meghan peccadillo, but they wouldn’t do it she was an “English Rose.”
Prince Charles has no powers, as far as the media is concerned. It was not long ago that the press stopped lambasting him and because they should not be seen to be controllong the press I doubt PC will be saying anything publicly. Meghan knows who have supported her. The British, find being confronted with someone’s problems uneasy, a british will ask ‘how are you?’ and quickly move to talk about the weather. William, and Kate should support H&M, because they are the same generation. Charles is a product of his upbringing, he was never hugged by his parents, however , Charles is a good person, most of us know that, especially, what he has done for minoritties, it’s just that, he has no clout with the press, and is the epitome of stiff upper lip
@Becks1 there is no defence for any of the royals here but William & Kate really do look bad. It’s amazing that people aren’t picking up on this more. Supporting Harry & Meghan would work to their advantage but they don’t seem to see that.
Agreed. William has had conversations about bullying, diversity, and mental health where he doesn’t even give a nod to the scrutiny faced by his brother and sister in law.
The Sussexes are burning down the whole goddamn house. Taking no prisoners. All of this talking isn’t just aimed at the tabloids. There are hidden dragging of the royal family in there. I cannot imagine ANYONE, currently in the royal family doing this. Only Diana and she was already divorced at that point. It does beg the question: I wonder if they’re really planning to leave? The reality is, Meghan and Harry have been working with with a zeal and making new allies to the point where they can get donations for their foundations without royal titles. They will still have the fame and following. They can book speaking engagements and make money like the Obamas and Clintons. If this is the plan, I’m behind them 100%
Also, my Twitter feed has been so “let’s go get Meghan and Archie” and I’m packing for it.
I suspect Doria’s heart aches for Meghan. As a mother, I know I’d want to go and scoop both Meghan and Archie up and bring them home with me. Get them as far away from that insane bullshit. Meghan wasn’t wearing blinders when she went into this, but like she said, she did think there would be a fairness about things. And there is definitely nothing fair about how she’s been treated. And I think if her family hadn’t been weaponized against her, she could have handled things a lot better.
The way her white family has behaved (and has been weaponized by the British tabloid press) must have been an incredibly source of pain. They were going for the most tender and vulnerable spot from the very beginning. It is a special kind of pain when your family turn on you – one of them even her own parent. It is becoming clear that Thomas Markle (toxic though he is) was being deliberately cultivated by the press in order to strike at a moment where it would cause maximum pain, which was right before the wedding. It is no coincidence that the information that he had been working with the press to set up photo ops was released shortly before the wedding. And then Thomas M just escalated the situation being being his own toxic self. Thus, a lot of stress and pain was added to a time in her life that should have been only about joy. And it is just so unbelievably callous and malicious, and it shows that there was a very real agenda to hurt her from the very beginning.
@ Arthistorian
You are so right. Been saying this from the beginning that this entire thing has been carefully coordinated from the beginning, with significant $$$ behind it. It’s not organic and has never been. My only hope is that one day, we get the story on who the individual/organisation sponsoring this smear campaign against her is.
I hope they do burn it down! that’s what it takes, an outsider who looks different *and* dosnst follow the customs for people to see putting them on a pedestal and funding them is a little irrational. it might not be expensive since they generate interest and tourism, but it is irrational and kind of forces us to live with cognitive dissonance.
Do you think Meghan and Harry will be pleased then when the monarchy is dismantled and they no longer are funded?
@ IKnow
Thanks for the heads up…..just saw this tweet from Meghanpedia:
“Duchess Meghan’s friends warned her about the vicious British tabloids and [they] told her the tabs are going to destroy her. Not on our watch!”
Not on our watch indeed. 👍
I think that MOST of this is directed at the RF. The press wouldn’t be as emboldened were it not for their behavior (plane trolling) and lack of (radio silence). It makes me think of when Harry said Meghan would be getting a family now…then her dad s—t the bed completely, and his family participated in the smear & promptly turned their backs. I think that’s why they are so sad…because there are people who understand what they are going through, and can help them privately if not publicly, and they don’t. Must be terribly isolating and make H miss his mum that much more.
@iknow 💯
My heart breaks for her and I’m glad she is able to use this documentary to get her story out… enough is enough. The British press is disgusting and has always been but this is just another level.
We love you here in the USA Meghan!
She’s hit the nail on the head. Fairness. How has any of the reporting on her been fair? She worked before she was married – crucified in the press. Worked after her marriage and through her pregnancy – vilified.
Compare to you-know-who, who is given a free pass despite all her dodgy past photos and behaviour and her current laziness – none of it is remotely fair.
Hmm Harry has a few past photos which are conveniently glossed over nowadays, including by his wife who could probably more offended than most by it…
I think Harry was an idiot (I know the photos you’re talking about). I don’t see how that would feed into the racist treatment of his wife.
@TeddyPicker Thank You. It is so surprising how people conveniently forget things easily these days
Your key word is “past”. Pretty much all of us have done things in our past/youth that we’re not particularly proud of, and wish we could go back and have a “redo” on. The important thing to look at: have we GROWN and LEARNED SINCE that point, so that we wouldn’t make the same “mistake(s)” now that we did then?
I think Harry has grown and matured. He’s not the wild frat boy prince anymore. He’s grown up.
I sure as hell wouldn’t want to be dragged for things I did as a teen/young 20something for the rest of my life if I made every attempt to change my path. I don’t think Harry should be either.
LOL at this bad deflection, which has been discussed on celebitchy and of which I am sure Meghan knows about.
How do past pictures of Harry making bad choices have anything to do with the racial abuse of his wife by the media? Or is the point of bringing that up some weird victim blaming thing or to derail the conversation?
Also, it is always shady when people bring up how dumb or slow they find Harry because demeaning his IQ seems like another way to punch down about his wife as if him picking her could only be due to him not being bright. Folks who do this aren’t slick.
Nothing has been glossed over for Harry. He was raked over the coals for his decisions and for William’s too. William admitted it, once and only once, in an interview. That he had always done far worse than Harry, but the tabloids covered Harry and didn’t cover him.
See how quickly the Rose Hanbury story was covered up.
Years ago. When he was young. That he hasn’t done since. And no, that wasn’t even remotely glossed over. Every misstep on Harry’s part was reported and criticised incessantly.
The shit they’re talking about is happening NOW. His brother and the press are throwing them to the wolves NOW. You’re obvious. Just stop.
Jesus Christ at you two, Teddypicker and civilly. Nobody is glossing over Harry’s pictures. So it is okay for people to haul their racist shite at Meghan. Tells a lot about you two.
Well, TeddyPicker, you tried. Sad.
At this point, Meghan doesn’t owe the British public anything. She really doesn’t. They only want a pound or two of her and her child’s flesh. She said her piece and got her POV across. She should continue to do the work she loves to do with integrity, and represent well in her duties, but other than that, use her voice, wear what she wants, see whomever, go out, take the private jets, vacation where you want, spent that Duchy money. They don’t care, they really don’t and won’t change. Enjoy your life and your husband and baby. The tabloids can complain and complain, write all the mean articles, but they won’t do anything else because the damage already done. Keep setting lawyers on them every once and a while to remind them where things stand, talk to reputable journalists to show them the access they’ll never get. I think her and Harry will put their well- being first, and hope they really do.
Y’know I watched a new trailer for the crown and it reminded me of the “roles” they all have to play. The press where probably never going to be completely fair to her bc she’s the “spare”’s wife but add in all her intersections in a deeply racist and classist country and well. I thought the press would’ve been fair too once upon a time but I should’ve known better.
Whether or not Harry and William “make up” I think their relationship has been irreparably damaged. I don’t know how they’ll come back from this….whatever it is. It seems bigger than just a sibling squabble.
Tabloid culture in the UK is disgusting. The fact that they’re able to print lies with no consequences whatsoever is so damaging.
And they won’t face any changes in the law because the government relies on the tabloids for their image and therefore votes. Politicians who go up against the press get smeared so they won’t get elected and aren’t able y put any measures in place. It’s an impossible spiral.
I’m assuming you’re American? Glass houses and stones and all that. The president lies on a daily basis and nothing changes.
Nope, British.
So Americans can’t call out the terrible U.K. media because an awful man is president? Garbage is garbage no matter who is highlighting that fact. I hope you have those same standards for yourself before you criticize another country.
@Sonia- what are you going on about? The press in America does call out the President. Even Fox News has a few times and they are the true Fake News. Impeachment on a President is brought forth by Congress, not the press.
I think the UK has stricter libel and slander laws, doesn’t it? Why are the tabloids able to print lies without consequences?
Meghan is great, love what she did for the people who lived at Grenfell
The truth is Britain has no libel and slander laws against the press. Britain only has a guideline that the press should control and correct itself. Of course that is not effective. There were political attempts from the opposition to make tight press laws but the Tory governments put them on the shelf, in order to get privileges from the press owners.
Yes, the tabloids are vicious and so different to the tabloid culture in the US. I’m Australian, not British, but I remember the horrible campaign against “frumpy” Fergie very well. At first she was a “breath of fresh air”, but after her marriage the knives came out and she was crucified for the smallest transgression, basically for just being herself.
I am not surprised at all that the same thing is happening to Meghan, especially since the tabloids have her family helping them and the race angle to play up.
It’s not the law, it’s the enforcement. Proving libel in England is much easier than in the U.S., but the tabloids see the payouts from libel lawsuits as a cost of doing business. The settlement amounts are not enough to deter a repetitive pattern of bad-faith conduct.
We love you Meghan!!!
Dot understand the end game of the tabloid press here. Say they succeed in beating her down so much that they split up and she goes back to America to live a secluded private life. What then? Do they just sit back and congratulate themselves on a job well done?
It’s a feeding frenzy, a mob. There’s no thought put into it. That’s high blood, you can’t reason with a mob.
I think there’s definitely thought put into it – as in, what would get the most clicks. Dog-whistling, race-baiting….it’s big money in a country where many act like England is still the empire – and that’s across class lines.
I think, sadly, like so many things wrong with the world, there is no end game other than making money. I truly don’t believe the editors at the Daily Mail etc personally care that much about Megan herself.
They are making money by doing this so they keep doing it. More clicks, more comments, more papers sold, more profit, repeat. If she gives up, they’ll just move on to the next.
“I truly don’t believe the editors at the Daily Mail etc personally care that much about Megan herself.”
@Stripe, This is exactly what I have been saying for a over a year. The British Tabloids run stories that generate the most click$ for revenue$. Over at the Daily Fail today, there is a story on the Sussexes that has generated 11K clicks. The story in and of itself is not that negative but posts by the commentariat are some of the most disgusting I have ever read anywhere at anytime.
Of course not. They didn’t stop hounding Diana. They won’t stop hounding Meghan.
And, this is what I dont get about the people who say they should just step back from royal life, go live in the country, leave the UK, whatever. Its not like the press would leave them alone at that point.
@ Becks…that has to be a big consideration for Harry. They may be fed up with the Royal business but they need the security. It would be very expensive for them to pay privately and they 100% need constant security.
No, they congratulate themselves on their sales figures and pick a new favourite target.
Well, yes, they’ll consider it a job well done to have run out the one they see as a class interloper. And it’ll be a confirmation of their own power, which in reality is waning before social media.
I think the tabloids would love for them to split up. He can go back to being jolly Harry and marry a British aristocrat. There was a lot of venom spewed at H & M because Harry didn’t marry who they thought he should.
They write this stuff because people buy it. Just like how this site writes mostly about the Kardashian’s, Trump and the Royals. Because it gets views and comments. It’s a vicious circle.
As the popular adage goes, “The cruelty is the point.” The cruelty is what sells their papers.
OK do you think that is why Archie is a private citizen because if one day she truly has had enough and wants to live she can take her son will her because he is not a member of the monarch?
I think they did it to protect Archie. Look at what they’re doing to Meghan now. I dread what will be said and done to Archie. I hope they ship Archie off to the U.S. to avoid the nastiness.
Doubt that’s an option because I believe he is still in the line of succession (pretty far down tho.
And I agree, there is no way they’d ever stop being hounded. I think it would probably get worse. You can’t give in to bullying and expect that to make it stop. It emboldens them and makes it worse.
It’s heartbreaking and awful that they get away with it. We can blame a large part of brexit on them too.
Their children were always going to be private citizens, title or no title. They will never be working royals and will never be supported by taxpayers.
Of course he will be supported by taxpayer funds. At the minimum, while he is still a dependent and being raised by his parents.
Nice try, but nope. Like Beatrice & Eugenie when they were young, Peter and Zara when young, like underage Louise and James are now. But Gosh, nobody screams about that.
All of W&K children will be working royals and supported by taxpayers their entire lives. Harry and Meghan’s children will not be.
So he will be taxpayer funded like the others you mentioned, as I stated? I’m confused as to the point you are trying to make.
Just here to say that I am firmly on their side and that I wish nothing but health, joy, and continued good works from both of them. I’m so glad that they are speaking up, and I hope that things get better and better for them, even if that requires leaving the BRF firm.
It takes guts to speak the way they are doing, and I’m proud of them both.
@Frida, agreed. It’s telling that despite feeling this way, they still didn’t let it impact their good work in Africa. They were engaged, supportive, and kind. At the end of the day, those good works will be what feeds their souls, you know. It’s what gives meaning and purpose to their lives. As difficult is their situation, they are focused on bringing joy to others.
It does. I also like how she said,”But when people are saying things that are just untrue and they are being told they’re untrue but they’re allowed to still say them — I don’t know anybody in the world who would feel like that’s okay. That’s different from just scrutiny. ” People tend to assume that only truth can hurt. Lies can do just as much damage, depending on what else a person or group is up against.
Same. Good for them for standing up to these loathsome vultures. It makes me so sad to see Meg in pain at what should be an amazing, joyous time in her married life. I’m glad she and Harry are able to be this strong, united front. It must just chap these racists’ hides to see how much he loves her and stands by her absolutely.
The friends who warned her were kind. Did no one in the Palace warned her more strongly, though? I mean, just look at what they used to print about Camilla. Did no one compile a folder with evidence for her to peruse? I blame Harry a little bit here… I get he was in love, but he very likely messed up her life for a long time to come. And he knew the worst of the tabloids.
I believe William did question his brother about the swiftness of the engagement. I don’t think you can compare the bad press Meghan is getting to what they printed about Camilla. Meghan did nothing wrong to deserve this deluge of negative press. Camilla did, let’s face it. She was the third person in the marriage, and was involved with Charles from the very beginning.
I might be wrong, but didn’t Camilla say that for a while she couldn’t leave her house because people would throw her things, like trash bags? She didn’t receive any help either.
Sof, yes she did. She said she couldn’t leave for a year. I highly suspect that’s an exaggeration, but I do remember the “roll throwing” incident.
Wasn’t there also some interview that said she’d have been happy to continue her relationship with Charles just the way it was, w/out getting married, but HE was the one that pushed for it, as HE is the one that will push for her to be named/crowned Queen, and NOT “Princess Consort” as was promoted at the time. A year or two (or three?) ago, that little tidbit disappeared off his official website.
This is a point that is rarely made. Yes, Camilla and Fergie were vilified in the press, but HEY at the foundation they earned it. Diana was thrown to the wolves, but even she had fidelity and other issues. MEGHAN HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG, nothing to deserve the racist, classist vitriol spewed at her so relentlessly. She’s absof*ckinlutely right. No iota of fairness in it whatsoever.
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, also pushed for Charles and Camilla to marry. He preferred that to them staying unmarried but still together. He gave an interview to The Times about it.
‘He is heir to the throne and he loves her. The natural thing is that they should get married.’
‘The Christian faith is all about forgiveness. We all make mistakes. Failure is part of the human condition and there is no doubt that there has been a strong loving relationship, probably since they were very young, that has endured over the years.’
You also have to remember that the palace had a campaign for the public to accept her long before Charles married Camilla. So, the harassment stopped after awhile, because at the end of the day, the family made it so.
Charles and his aides were heavily committed to rehabbing Camilla’s image in the public eye, and it’s actually worked to a large extent. People were vile about it at first, but have mellowed down as the years have gone by. But there was definitely a palace orchestrated campaign to get the public to accept her.
@A yes there was a campaign for Camilla. And Harry even said that people should feel sorry for Camilla& how him and William adore her and she’s not an evil step mum. So in that light and also his comments about Kate being like sister he never had, hoping press will leave Kate alone to enjoy pregnancy, looking out for her at engagements, the lack of reciprocal public support to Meghan from the family looks pointed in contrast. But who knows BTS.
@Rogue, you bring up a lot of good points. I think Harry has always been a good soldier to the Firm, as it were. He’s shown up, he’s engaged with the public, he’s caring, and thoughtful, and he sticks up for the people in his family if they need it. I remember even quite recently, when the reports about his rift w/ William first started to come around, and he walked with Kate to a certain event that I can’t recall right now. He’s always shown up for his family, even when they didn’t deserve it, and I think it hurts him deeply that they are taking him for granted.
Alas my friend this is not fair. At this point all she can do is to continue to do their work and do your best to starve the trolls. And people are watching the house of Cambridge botch a perfect opportunity to support their sister-in-law and their mental health initiatives. The fact that The Cambridges champion mental health but don’t say anything about what the press is doing to her hasn’t been lost on anyone. The tide is going to turn as it always does and they will yet again be on the wrong side.
Interestingly, as I read your comment the (BBC) Radio 4 6pm news is on, and has just had as one of its headlines, “A Palace aide says that Prince William has expressed concern that Harry and Meghan are ‘in a fragile place'”. Who knows what this signals, though…
I’m not familiar with the British tabloids. Why do Harry and Meghan have to deal with any of it? What if everyone just ignores it? Will they be allowed to physically follow Meghan to the gym or out to lunch like they did to Diana? Or is this about critical stories only? Is the fear that the public will begin to believe the stories? Do people give any credit to tabloids in the UK? In the US I think if it is printed in a tabloid most people won’t believe it. Yes it is mean but why not just pretend it doesn’t exist? Won’t the press eventually get bored? I’m looking for someone from the Uk to explain the vibe around these tabloids. Because like Meghan said as an American “I don’t get it”.
No one with half a brain cell gives any credence to it but that doesn’t stop them hounding people and destroying their lives. Tabloids love to do this to people, or worse, build them up just to tear them down. I feel really sorry for her, all she’s done is marry someone she loves, he just happens to be high profile and now the tabloids feel they own her just as much as they feel they own the rest of the royals. I don’t understand why she wasn’t given some sort of support or prep beforehand.
@Aang: I am a WOC living in the UK and I don’t get it either. I will also admit at the outset that I am not a Sussex fan but my criticism of them has not been influenced by tabloids. Most sane, rational people in the UK don’t read the tabloids. The odd headline or cover page that might catch my eye on the Tube or waiting in line at the shops, I tend to view as mindless drivel and pure fiction. I wasn’t really aware that there was a smear campaign going on until I saw it being referenced on CB and Lainey this past year. I have since gone to DM to see what exactly is being said. And like you, I also feel it would be simpler and more effective to just ignore and not acknowledge but that may just be my personality type talking. I cannot speak for others who feel the need to address and tackle it head on, I’m sure their reasons are valid. Also cannot speak for those who may feel triggered by seeing unfair criticism against Meghan. But for every trash article about the Sussexes in a tabloid, there are several glowing, often gushing write ups and mentions in reputable media. And the millions of people reading the favourable articles are the kind of people the Sussexes want as their followers anyway, not the racists and haters on DM. So I also wonder why they don’t take the good and ignore the bad, especially when the bad is the lowest form of yellow journalism and only published in disreputable media. And we can’t dispute that royals are sheltered enough to not have it affect their everyday lives in a way most victims of racism cannot. So I wonder at the effectiveness of this documentary. Seems like it will have a bit of a Streisand effect and unintentionally draw more people to go back and click on all the negative tabloid reporting that it references.
@Evil Owl—how is the “Streisand Effect” in any way, shape or form applicable here? What are they trying to censor or hide?
“Take the good and ignore the bad?” —the kind of people who could ignore such a negative, unfair and untrue deluge are not the kind of people who care about other people or dedicate their lives to making the world a better place.
@Evil Owl How do you ignore threats against your life or the life of your child. A woman traveled from the UK to the US with the intent of assaulting the Duchess of Sussex to PROVE that the DOS wasn’t really pregnant. And she was funded by other crazy people who felt the same way. How do you ignore that? It’s more than just some yob on the street calling you names? I LAUGH at that. I don’t have any children, but if I knew that there were people out there who wanted to hurt my baby, I’d do whatever I had to do.
It’s easy to say ‘rise above it’ unless it’s you. I would think that as a WOC you’d know that and have SOME sympathy.
@Evil Owl, okay, but the tabloids are hardly banking on “sane, rational people” reading them, are they? They are entirely counting on the emotional responses of the racist, irrational subset of the population, and that has actually proved quite powerful and effective in terms of spreading misinformation and stoking hatred in the past. Let’s not forget that Jo Cox was stabbed by exactly one such individual. Obviously the vast majority of British people aren’t knife wielding murderers, but all it took was one person to lose a life. You’re talking about a particularly virulent group of people who don’t respond to silence as a tactic against them, they just dig in and take it further. Why should anyone sit around and let their character be smeared by outright lies?
And there are plenty of people who would say they don’t read the tabloids, but would have no compunction in saying they agree w/ the sentiments expressed in the tabloids about certain issues. So I think it’s very naive to insist that the tabs don’t have the reach they do because “sane people don’t read them.” Clearly they’re finding an audience, because why else would they be in business?
@Market Street: The Sussexes clearly do not want vile opinions about them being read and discussed. But by referencing it, people who wouldn’t be normally inclined to visit the DM would go in there out of curiosity and be exposed to the crazy conspiracy theories about Meghan teeming in the comments section. I saw a few this past week, much to my shock and horror. I think I was a happier person before I was exposed to terms like ‘merching’, ‘yatching’ and ‘moon bumps’. That is what I meant by Streisand effect (probably not the most accurate term in this particular scenario), not implying that they have anything personally to hide.
But it’s untrue and unfair, like you said. Why even dignify it with a response? A yob on my platform yelled a very vulgar racial slur at me last month just as I was stepping into my train. Everyone in my bogey heard it and shuffled uncomfortably. I chose to ignore it. Does it make me someone who is unable to care about other people? We can’t fight all the battles life throws at us and it is impossible to cure someone of racism. So why engage and spend precious energy showing your detractors that they have the power to wound you?
They haven’t directly addressed it until now and it’s only gotten worse, not better. So I can’t blame them for changing tack and speaking out about it. They’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
@Evil Owl, you are missing the point of the documentary then. The message was not aimed at the racists, they are A-holes for life and it will take of move of God to change their hearts and minds. The documentary was for their supporters to encourage people to continue to stand with them. I believe the press will tread more carefully around them too. They will still take their digs at the Sussexes but I believe it will not be the freeforall that it has been up until now. I think that is what H&M want, not a total press embargo or a slew of puff pieces.
Ignoring harassment only works up to a certain point. Confronting it and standing up for yourself isn’t always about stopping the harassment either. It’s about asserting your own right to exist, to speak, and to fight back. People who bully and harass are expecting their victims to remain silent and take it. Good for you for not choosing to “dignify” such harassment with a response, but fighting back and yelling isn’t undignified either. People, especially women, have a right to assert themselves without being told that they’re causing a scene or are embarrassing themselves. Ignoring such attacks on your person only works up to a certain point.
ETA: And it’s a little more than “vile opinions” no? It’s outright lies printed as fact. Considering the major issues the UK has with misinformation getting spread in the public sphere, often through tabloid reporting, I’d imagine that this should be more of a concern to people, especially since a lot of the attitudes expressed in tabloids have crossed over to whatever counts as the respectable press in Britain. I think people have a right to not be lied about constantly, considering just how much damage that can do to someone.
ETA2: If said sane people are in fact sane, then the fact that they’re reading DM articles wouldn’t be enough to suddenly induce them into believing the lies printed in the DM. So I don’t understand your point about the Streisand effect here, because it’s not as though there are any truths printed in the DM that any rational person would believe, just because they happened to read the article. And if they did believe what was printed, then they weren’t quite so rational in the first place, were they?
THIS: “It’s about asserting your own right to exist, to speak, and to fight back. People who bully and harass are expecting their victims to remain silent and take it.”
Well said, A. Bullies thrive on silence.
I think the way we use the word “tabloid” differs: in the US, it describes publications like the National Enquirer and Weekly World News (or did), and I guess now also includes things like US Weekly and maybe People? (Or is that still considered a magazine?) In the UK it collocates with “newspaper” and used to refer primarily to what are now known as the “red tops” – the Sun (Murdoch-owned, right wing), the Mirror (left wing) and the Daily Star (used to be Communist, believe it or not!). In the past 20 years the Daily Mail and Express have moved into their territory – i.e. small percentage of coverage devoted to politics, the rest split between human interest and lifestyle stories and celebrity content. (Massively boosted by the reality tv genre, which has hugely inflated the number of “celebs” available to pose on Spanish beaches in skimpy bikinis, talk about their love lives and shill for diet companies.) The Sun was always the best-selling paper (and regarded by many as not fit to line the bottom of the budgie cage) but it’s been overtaken by the Mail, which has a) monetized its online presence extremely successfully and b) is a hypocritical, reactionary and *deeply* mysoginist publication that is not known as the Daily Heil for nothing (it’s also xenophobic and pro-Brexit and most of its columnists are deeply unpleasant people).
Tabloids in the US are held in low esteem and often viewed as outright fiction. I’m not sure what the Enquirer’s circulation figures are but its best-selling edition was the infamous “dead Elvis” cover in 1977, which a) still only sold 7 million copies (in a country of 200+ million) and b) had very little competition in the gossip market. The Mail sells close to 1 million copies daily (in a country of 65 million) and is also a very effective part of the gossip ourobouros, meaning its stories have traction and influence far outside its immediate readership.
Tabloid journalists and photographers are notoriously callous and opportunistic; the Sun’s reporting of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 and the tabloids’ coverage of the relationship between Michael Hutchence and Paula Yates (and of their subsequent deaths) in the 1990s are two examples than spring instantly to mind. Some celebs play along, in the “all press is good press” mindset; others have arrangements (take some pap shots now, leave me alone the rest of the holiday), and others try to do what Diana did and play them off against each other. Libel laws are stricter here, but cases can be difficult and expensive to bring to court and might also bring more unwanted attention, so they’re not always enforced. (Although injunctions and super-injunctions, if you can get in ahead of the story, are quite often used.) The BRF generally try to “rise above it” but even in the 1980s coverage of the Princesses was vicious.
DEAR MEGHAN
I wish you could see this, but just know that for every ten racists talking smack about you, there are hundreds more all over the world who appreciate you.
This is a lovely sentiment but it gave me a chuckle because the wording could also be taken to mean that the majority of racists support Meghan, that only a handful talk smack about her 🙂
Oh my goodness, I read my comment again and I can see what you are talking about. Thanks for the correction.
I guess me question after watching is, what’s the end game? This was a gamble on their part that will either pay off or not.
Even now, the royal reporters are putting it out there that H&M should just retire to the countryside and live quietly. We all know that won’t happen. If they leave, they would go to America and probably have enough business deals in one week to make them worth over $100 mil. The media and palace courtiers who want to drive them out haven’t through this through. Neither has William. Losing them would be a massive blow. It would rock that family. Especially since Charles wants to slim down the monarchy. My theory is that the palace, The Queen, Charles, etc…they will spend the next few weeks deciding how to better support them. We’ll see what changes come…
My theory is getting the hell out is the plan. The interest in the Sussexes is there enough to guarantee them tons of money to live well.
Honestly, if they can find a way to have efficient security, I’d suggest leaving as well. They could most definitely still do charity work and not have the restrictions of the royal family. Security is just so costly and probably the main reason why they can’t leave.
She likely needs to tough it out to become a British citizen, but after that, she could be in good shape.
She’s right about thriving and not only enduring. Let’s all keep that in mind.
Right now, on local L.A. news, they’re doing a story about M&H coming home to spend Thanksgiving with Doria.
I hope they extend their stay, and flip the bird to the old bat (TQ) and stay for Christmas in L.A. with someone who loves them (Doria) rather than go into the vipers’ nest that is Sandringham. Imagine having to go there, smile for the cameras of the very people who are making your life a misery, smile at the very people who are throwing you to those vipers, people who *should* be your first line of protection (your family!!).
I sure as hell would stay away!
If they left, nothing would change. The tabloids wouldn’t stop hounding them, wouldn’t stop trying to make money off of all of this.
If they left, they could live fabulous lives in someplace like California. They can afford security, and there are plenty of communities in places like BH and Malibu with enough privacy built in that it wouldn’t matter how hard the paps tried, they wouldn’t be able to get to them. Think about all of the A-list celebrities who are able to stay under the radar when they want to. Plus they could be near Doria, the ONLY family member on either side who hasn’t mistreated them over the past couple of years.
They have the connections to raise money for their philanthropic endeavors on their own. I hope they never go back after Thanksgiving. Who cares if she gets her British citizenship at this point? She deserves some peace and happiness and she’s clearly not going to get it in the UK.
@Lorelai, the paps have been lying about them even though they haven’t had access to them. They have lied BECAUSE they haven’t had access to them. Do you honestly think that shutting themselves up in a private home in Malibu or somewhere else would be enough to shut up the press? The press has already made up stories in their absence. You really think them not being royal, with none of the protection of the title that being royal entails (and there is a fair amount), would help them? That’s not how any of that works.
@A, thanks for the condescension, but if they were no longer members of the BRF, the attention would eventually fade away. The reason that ANY of this is happening is because of the positions they hold. If they no longer hold those positions, they’d be covered the way other regular celebrities are.
Even if they do stay, the attention will shift to William and Kate’s kids as soon as they get a little older. Once they’re teenagers, the focus will be on them.
@Lorelai, there are plenty of non-ruling royals for whom the attention has not, in fact, faded away. The Greek royals for instance, are essentially powerless and exiled, and they still wind up in the press on a semi-regular basis for a variety of things. Heck, there was an article just yesterday about an incredibly minor member of the Austrian archducal family getting married to a Napoleon. Read any European tabloid and you’ll get reams of info about a bunch of royals that no one has heard about outside the pages of history textbooks. And none of these people are members of the BRF. If they generate even the minor amount of interest they do, just how much of a media storm do you think it would be if a former, high-ranking, high profile member of the British Royal Family like Harry were to suddenly decide that he wanted to relinquish his place in the RF?
The way other celebrities are covered isn’t any better. It’s actually a lot worse, considering a lot of those celebs don’t have anywhere near the type of clout or respectability that the RF has. And that’s the big thing–the RF has a certain level of respectability that insulates them from the press. And even with that, Meghan is treated like sh-t. If they were to leave, they wouldn’t even be afforded that level of protection. And I’m not trying to be condescending here, but I do think it’s a naive take to think that the press attention will eventually fade. It won’t. It could get worse, and they’d be left out in the cold on top of everything else.
@Lorelei, “Who cares if she gets her British citizenship at this point?” If I was her, I would get British citizenship just to watch racist heads explode.
@LadyD- Yup! And keep the damn title, Duchy, and all the privileges it entails. She’s bloody well earned it.
That is so heartbreaking.
Watching these snippets the past few days is chilling. I’ve been reminded of how very happy, almost giddy, they were at their engagement and wedding. The strain they’ve shown on their faces since then is heartbreaking. During what should have been the happiest year of their lives, hounded incessantly by jackals. Yeah, I hope the BRF is getting the message.
I don’t think it’s the things that are happening on front street in the media…
I think it’s the mess that’s going on BEHIND the scenes…with the royal infrastructure…and the other royal family members….starting at the VERY TOP…to actually SEE that type of mendacity and cruelty and avarice…from people…who have EVERYTHING in the world…and the horrific affect their actions has had on her beloved husband…
I think THAT is what she can’t reconcile….and every minute of her life is probably spent on trying to figure out how to protect Harry and their Baby…from TRUE harm….
Think about having to live LIKE THAT?
Exactly.
I think she expected to a certain degree the tabloids would be terrible—probably not to the extent that they have, but she knew they would be horribly racist.
I feel like what probably is causing her so much pain is that the BRF is VERY clearly using her as a shield to protect Andrew, and to a lesser extent William, from bad press. Meghan’s got more bad press than Andrew for dealing with Epstein, which just goes to show how much power the BRF has with the tabloids and how they can flex it (to protect the Queen’s favorite child) when need be. There’s been nothing like the “human rights” lawsuit launched by the BRF to protect Meghan from her private letters being published, even though they did it for William’s likely affair.
I really wouldn’t be surprised if they both left the BRF. Harry, in particular, isn’t even trying to hide his annoyance with William even more.
It is absolutely infuriating to see Meghan, who has done such good work, is getting such bad press when Andrew is involved in the WORST scandal ever to touch the BRF in modern times. The Andrew situation is 100 times worse than the abdication, which caused a constitutional crisis in 1937, because Andrew was closely connected to one of the worst kind of criminals (a pedophile) and he most certainly had knowledge of Epstein’s revolting criminal activities to some extent and very possibly engaged in criminal activities himself.
Seeing QEII making a such public show of support for Andrew has been disgusting. He is her son and I understand that this must be a very difficult situation for her – but she certainly didn’t need to make a point of repeatedly being photographed with him riding in her car at her side, which courtiers have publicly said is a clear mark of favour on her part (though they said it in a different context, we can certainly connect the dots ourselves).
Meghan has done great work for the RF whereas Andrew has attached the stench of the worst kind of crime (the sexual abuse of children) to the BRF: Yet it is Meghan who is vilified and who has received no PUBLIC support from the BRF.
Yes, it feels more like this. And Harry likely feels betrayed because he thought he was offering her more of a family. And all of this against the backdrop of Brexit with its periodic waves of anti-monarchist sentiment (which I would share). They’ve taken on a lot in a short time and not been given adequate support in their immediate circle.
So true LaLa. Grandmama could bring a stop to this easily, or she could delegate that to Charles. Charles and William both could issue public statements denouncing the treatment. But they don’t. In some ways this is the hardest thing, the complicity of the in laws in the racist abuse.
@Jumpingthesnark…
THIS!!!
Imagine Meghan thinking that ALL THIS TIME…she was cultivating a REAL relationship with Charles…who so gallantly came to her rescue when her own Father betrayed her…while working to support the relationship between Charles and Harry…which had been fraught….and to go through that betrayal…ALL OVER AGAIN….with someone she THOUGHT she could look up to as a Father Figure, …To be sacrificed….for putrid Andrew…and William’s trifling a–…CAUSE IF Y’ALL THINK WILLIAM WASN’T HOOKING UP WITH HIS COUNTRY NEIGHBOR’S WIFE??!
I got the deed to London Bridges to give you…
It’s TOO much….
@LaLa you are always so insightful. I love your commends.
I think you’re correct. Yes, the tabloids are just a part of a smear campaign. But where is that coming FROM?? People on the inside. Whether it’s courtiers or their own family members actively sabotaging them. They get their inside information from somewhere. We see that Harry and Meg have their camp pretty locked down now and are able to suppress information until they’re ready for all to be revealed. They’ve done so much work behind the scenes before revealing it that we know this is true. So where does the spiteful, bias spin originate from? The call is coming from inside the house. And no one has lifted a finger to stop it. Which is telling.
I feel so, so bad for her. And them.
Thank you for your kindness!!!!!!
Yeah, at the end of the day I think that is what is causing the most distress for the couple. Both of them have family members who have thrown them to the wolves gleefully.
If the Queen, or heck, even William, had done even a fraction of what they did to protect their own asses/pedo Andy, then I can guarantee that the tabloids would have shut up the day after the wedding. If William had called up the columnists just once expressing his displeasure at how his sister-in-law has been smeared in the press in the way he did when it came to hiding his own stupid affair. If the Queen had done a pap stroll, or SOMETHING, to tell the press that this is not anywhere in the realm of okay to be lying about a member of the royal family in this egregious way…they had and continue to have the power to shut this stuff down. And they didn’t. And this is why I’ll criticize them and I’m not hesitant to pile on William or the Queen. They have the capacity to put a stop to things if it suits them. They just didn’t care enough about Harry or Meghan to do it here. Which says a great deal about them and their priorities.
I watched sone of the clips and my gosh, they are raw emotions. Then I happened to read some thoughts from people that support the Cambridges on twitter and it was vile. I don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the UK for long. I would love to see them in the US, but Canada would do too!!
In my honest opinion, a lot of the Cambridge support seems to come from outside the UK, esp America. Many of us here think they’re workshy and embarrassing.
The brand new Kate stans are racist MAGATs, they’re obvious about it.
As a Canadian, I don’t want any royals here. Sorry. I love H&M, but I’m not interested in footing the bill for their stay in Canada. Canada is not a British colony any more, Britain can’t just send its royals here for an extended rest and relaxation tour because they’re too cowardly to stand up for them and do what’s right. Foh w/ this.
Dear Meghan,
In the unlikely event, you see this know that there are people who do not know you but see you and appreciate the impact you make. You are such an inspiration to some of us with your capability of highlighting issues and how lovely you deal with them. Keep being you, radiate in that light that shines where you stand and enjoy your family.Let love lead
Perfectly said, Abby.
To me, it sucks that what should be some of the best parts of their lives will always be remembered as tainted by this b.s. They’ve managed to steal that from them.
I’m glad they’re standing up for themselves and I bet they’ll come out stronger and forge a good life wherever they choose.
“This is true – Americans do not have any understanding of the power the British tabloids have in destroying people and smearing them and creating these nasty narratives.”
Meghan seems like a great person and I feel so sorry for her. Her pain is heartbreaking and she doesn’t deserve any of it.
But the above statement about Americans not understanding the power of tabloids is false. Look at Brad Pitt and his disgusting smear campaign.
The difference is the tabs crap in England is spread everywhere(morning shows,commentators, news programs) , and the Dailymail, a tab, is the number one newspaper.
US tabs aren’t the number 1 source for news in the US.
Yup. The lines between the tabloids and the legitimate press is not quite easy to determine when it comes to Britain. And more often than not, what’s in the tabloids winds up crossing over to legitimate news sources as well. People don’t need to read the tabloids too closely. They only need to read the headlines to form an opinion, which is what the tabloids are counting on. This is how they influence people. And before long the legitimate press has to cover the initial seed of the idea the tabloids have implanted in the public. This is how you get stuff like Brexit, which iirc, was actually started through columns in a broadsheet newspaper, wasn’t it?
I really think that the public (American and English) do like Meghan and Harry.
I think this is just some agenda that a few people in the tabloids decided to pursue.
Diana was loved but hounded as well.
I hope that things do get better for them, and they know how much love and support there is out there for them.
You wouldn’t know that people loved them by reading the comments on the Daily Mail. On the best rated comment on a story about this show, there are people slamming Megan for HAVING HER HANDS IN HER POCKETS. They will grab any excuse to degrade her, and seem to be actively hoping for a divorce.
I am old enough to remember when Diana died (I was 28), when there was no FB or IG or Twitter, and no option of commenting anonymously on the internet. Diana was definitely hounded; I remember it. The ability for mean people to post anonymously created a horrible atmosphere not only in the US, but abroad and anywhere else people have computer/phone access. They are bullies. Of course, you can choose not to read the comments, or the articles. I have been really disgusted with this whole thing, not just for these famous people, but in my own life, with people commenting and snooping. I quickly looked at the Daily Mail (which is a trashy rag on par with the NY Post here) and FIVE THOUSAND people had commented over the weekend. 5,000. That is just not “a few people” to ignore. As soon as she had her Vanity Fair cover she was “out there,” and a target. I thought it was a bad move. Maybe I am a naive 50 year old, or maybe I now fully see how horrible people act…. people LOVE “talking” in a disparaging, anonymous way, and not get punched in the mouth for it. I am tired of it, and stay off FB. If you are a public figure, you are a target. If there is an article published on you, and a comments section, you are a target. People love distracting others (and themselves) from their miserable, crappy lives, and tearing others down online is a perfect venue for them. I choose to be kind; life is hard enough. Just my two cents from NYC, people….
I’m an NYC girl myself remembering the Diana days and her death and I hear you loud and clear with everything else you said.
This is the quality I think I’m most similar to Meghan – I think you should judge me as an employee (which Meghan essentially is a royal family “employee”) based on the quality of my work. I take pride in my work and complete it to high standard. Judge me on that not how much I fake-smile
That clip that went viral on twitter this weekend just broke my heart. I hope Meghan’s friends are taking good care of all the Sussexes
They will leave, they will not put Archie through this. For Meghan going back to England, London, Windsor, must be absolute horror. Maybe Harry will return , after the 6 weeks break, only to break up the household. That is my impression.
Leaving solves nothing and would not decrease this abuse. It would only ratchet it up.
They would be private citizens and yes, the press would still try to abuse them, but if they get sued every time they will give up sooner or later. We had a couple in Germany, Oliver Pocher and Alessandra Meyer-Wölden, who the press also tried to abuse, but the lawyers of them sued the tabloids straight away, so they quickly gave up, since they were paying more money at court then they made with these stories.
Princess Caroline lost her privacy lawsuits, because she is considered a public person and person of interest to the public. Same would happen to Harry, Meghan, and their son. They would also lose all taxpayer security that is protecting them from actually assault attempts.
I disagree that leaving solves nothing. It would solve A LOT. Things wouldn’t be perfect and they’d have a new set of problems, but removing themselves from that family and country would give them a shot at some peace and happiness.
It would also put the BRF in the position of looking even worse than they do now, and W&K would have to step up the work to compensate for losing them. I don’t see how them leaving isn’t a gain for H/M and a major loss for the BRF and the tabloids that caused this.
It was a really good documentary. I loved seeing more insight into the places they visited especially Nyanga& learning more about the demining efforts in Angola and legacy of Diana’s visit there.
I’m from the UK& whilst I knew press would be forever trash as far as Meghan was concerned as it is with BME people generally even I’ve been shocked. I saw an article from the Telegraph when the relationship was announced that said Harry had gone over to the dark side. So as I keep stressing it’s not just been limited to the tabloids- it’s the mainstream too. That’s probably why it’s been so insidious. That and fact she entered family at toxic time politically where US&UK are very divided& declining paper sales leads to aggressive clickbait.
Unexpected things that have made it worse for her and which doubt anybody could warn her of is her dad selling her out& the lack of support from the royal family. People who thought there was “something about her” clung on to that as evidence for their dislike. I imagine the activity around her dad is what she’s been forced to pay attention to and has been the most painful.
Harry and William seemed cool at the wedding& William seemed kind to her at the RAF event and at some other event so something seems to have happened subsequently. As the royal family didn’t seem to protect her meant all gloves were off with the press hence relentless attacks.
I thought Harry handled the rift question really well- said like all family they have good days and bad days and they don’t see each other as much as they are busy but loves him and they are on different paths but would always support each other. But of course that was immediately twisted by the tabs and ITV news that Harry confirms rift! Kind of proving Meghan’s point about the reporting.
I’m seeing on the news that William is furious. Queenie needs to get a handle of things. It would be a terrible look if they are driven out but I can see that being the end game. I don’t think Meghan is prepared to be the media’s whipping girl/Royal family’s cover and I don’t blame her.
Looking forward to tonight’s documentary about the Prince and the Paedophile. I bet royal reporters will ignore that one lol.
I really think that’s what’s driving Harry’s ire and Meghan’s pain, more so even than the tabloids. You can very clearly tell the BRF is doing all they can to protect Andrew (and to a lesser extent, Willi’s likely affair with Rose)—including using Meghan as a scapegoat and to deflect attention. To throw her under the bus to protect a pedo? No wonder Harry is enraged at his family.
I could absolutely see them leaving the BRF. Vogue would murder someone to have Meghan write a monthly column, like that really rich girl from a German royal family. Harry could probably get a job at a conservation or veteran’s organization.
She is fun to watch as an actress. Maybe they will move to LA and be near her mom
Sure. Going from being the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with access to the entire UK, security briefings and protection, and being the president and VP the commonwealth trust, to writing for Vogue and heading some conservation organization. That sounds worse than what they’re dealing with now. As AOC said on Twitter” Sudden prominence is a very dehumanizing experience. There’s a part of your life that you lose, & it later dawns on you that you’ll never get it back” . I think they actually want to serve the Royal family, enjoy the work, and in Harrys case,see it as his duty to carry it out and continue his mother’s legacy. The externals, the press, and the lousy courtiers is what makes it hard. They were articulate and thoughtful, but don’t think they want to leave, just be treated with a bit of fairness and decency. Meghan said she will correct what is considered wrong, but won’t put up with outright lies. They basically told the press they see them, and won’t even play, so stop asking for godparents and seeing their baby. Some are saying this documentary is a game changer. Not sure about that, but I think the Sussexes have decided they will push back and not hide. I mean, the trolls are only falling back on “ she’s an actress who brought it on herself”, but no concrete response to the actual facts in the clips. When it airs on US media, this will be bigger than just airing in UK.
Thanks for the heads up about it! I will look for this one online tomorrow! It’s on Ch 4, right?
What is William furious about? That his brother loves him enough not to call him an A-hole in public?
This was heartbreaking. Just adding my voice to the support for Meghan and Harry! Tabloids shouldn’t have this kind of power!
This was heartbreaking. And to think that if the queen or Kate and William or all of the above just came out and used their voices to show support for Megan and denounce, most of this would go away.
Don’t read the daily Mail comments. It is just obscene the amount of hatred towards this poor woman. There is even a petition out there to revoke their titles. It is just beyond disgusting. And the fact that the queen and Kate and William and Charles are all quiet, I have no words.
I think DM have their own professional trolls in the comment section to keep the narrative going
Harry made it sound as if William was the one with the problem, not him, which…yes, I still don’t believe the Cambridges are behind the smear campaign. But if they were, why hasn’t the future king stepped in to protect the Sussexes? I hate how Charles used Meghan to look good and then did nothing when she was attacked.
I don’t want racists to get away with this, I want Harry and Meghan living in England, working as hard as they are doing now. Tabloids can’t bully someone out of their own country, least of all their own family. Plus, I don’t think they would leave them alone if they became private citizens. They need to fight back and people need to support them.
I think it’s the BRF in general protecting Andrew more than the Cambridges, but Meghan was definitely thrown under the bus once again to distract from the Rose story. The fact that the royal family would threaten a “human rights” lawsuit over Will’s privacy, but not do the same for Meghan? And the uptick in Meghan stories when the Rose news broke out? Suspect.
But yeah, no one wants to admit it because everyone loves the Queen…but she’s the one who is most responsible. The fact that Andrew is getting more press coverage here, in the US, than in the UK—well it goes to show you the heavy hand the BRF still has over the press and tabloids. They’ll wield it for Andrew, but not Meghan. And I absolutely think the Queen is involved in protecting Andrew.
It’s amazing how awful and racist and obtuse some of the royal reporters are, too. I’ve seen POC and American reporters call them out, and they try and turn it around and claim people are upset because they want Meghan portrayed only as “perfect”. Which is a BS excuse for their abuse.
The Andrew situation most likely has the running scared. It is literally the worst royal scandal in modern times (they managed to keep the lid on the Nazi ex-king until very recently) – and this scandal might have the potential to topple the entire institution if it is blown wide open. Andrew has attached the stench of sex slavery and the sexual abuse of children to the BRF – and they can’t suppress this entirely like the Duke of Windsor’s Nazi leanings (and possible treacherous actions) because the media landscape is quite different today.
Honestly, I think they’ve all (KP & York’s) thrown their hats into the ring of ripping Meghan apart in the press. The Queen is not about to step in while Meghan is being the perfect distraction for her pedophile son and Charles is probably too chicken shit to risk the bad press for him and his wife.
“I really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a ‘stiff upper lip.’ I really tried, but I think that what that does internally is probably really damaging.” It can be damaging, both as a personal habit and as a societal expectation. I feel bad for her. We’re not ‘supposed’ to because of her and her husband’s privilege, we’re supposed to perform contempt for people who have more than us to prove that we have brains and ignore their being in other groups too. But she has every right to feel this way.
I’m a Harry/Meghan supporter but I think some British people might be offended by this interview and dig their heels in more. They could take it as Meghan is insulting their “stiff upper lip” attitude, especially since they view her as an outsider.
I think a lot of Brits need to realise relying on a stiff upper lip to get through life is not healthy. There is no pride in acting as though bullying and constant berating when she’s done nothing wrong isn’t affecting her. She is well within her right to speak out about it and should.
A lot of those same supporters have also seen the devastating effects of keeping a stiff upper lip among their own loved ones. They might want to denigrate Meghan but they are going to feel uneasy while doing it.
Someone on twitter posted an article about William saying how damaging the British stiff upper lip is. It was the perfect counter to ppl saying that Meghan was insulting the Brits.
I’m with Meghan and Harry, I’ve stopped going to daily fail and telegraph as they are garbage and not worth any clicks, don’t go to the scum that is the sun so never bothered checking their site.
Suggestion – donate to their charities with #WeLoveYouMeghan as your reason.
Good idea, Nota
I think at the end of the day, Meghan’s only mistake is in not realizing the difference between British tabloids and American ones
She likely assumed it would be like TMZ where most just some it’s garbage and keep on keeping on.
The biggest issue imo is how many lies are formed around this story of “protocol” and how happy it seems the royal family is to let the public believe that Meghan has time and time again flaunted these unspoken rules.
Nevermind that Meghan has shown time and time again how well she studies, how much she prepares. She isn’t someone who flaunts the rules.
This is on a MUCH less intense scale than what Meghan receives and has none of the royalty and racism ugliness mixed in obviously, but I first realized how brutal the British press can be after Tom Hiddleston dated Taylor Swift. The way he is STILL mocked about a 3-month relationship there is absolutely insane to me, especially given what a track record he has for being a stand-up guy. I know that whole relationship was a miscalculation on his part, but at the same time, he essentially went into hiding because of how badly the aftermath was, particularly in the British press. Very disturbing.
My heart breaks for Meghan. She seems like a truly good, kindhearted person. I can’t imagine having such a dark cloud following two of the happiest moments of your life — marriage and the birth of your child.
Hugh Grant had some really insightful comments on the tabloid press during one of his interview for A Very English Scandal. He talked about how he’d done a lot of work with the Leveson inquiry, and he’s still involved w/ some of the associated causes. And whenever he goes to ask politicians for their support, he said that they always tell him his cause is very important and crucial and all that, but they can’t publicly support him because the tabloids would shred them. And Hugh Grant mentioned how he found it astonishing that these politicians, arguably some of the most powerful people in the country, were quivering in front of the tabloid press like this, as if they had no power at all.
The thing with tabloids is, you don’t have to read them cover to cover and believe everything they say. That’s not what they’re there for. They’re there to incite an emotional response in people. You don’t have to read them too closely, but seeing 8000000 headlines about how Meghan is such a b-tch will have even the most casual of casual observers thinking the same. If you repeat a lie often enough, it’ll embed itself in peoples’ minds and perceptions by way of an emotional response, and that’s why tabloids are so damn insidious. This is how they influence culture at large, and it’s why they have to be held accountable for their sh-t.
Unfortunately, and this is the way it usually goes, she has verbalized that it is upsetting to both her and Harry. The press will now pound it on. It’s not fair, but that’s how this game will be played. I personally think they should go on being private citizens and lean in to the work they want to do on a global basis. It’s quite obvious his family is shutting them out or else there would be more support and events. When the RF said they were streamlining the firm, I believe that Harry will be out as well now that William has a family of heirs.
Being private citizens is not going to help them if they want to continue working to support the causes they’re supporting now. For one thing, their support for those causes hinges greatly on the public platform they are afforded because they are royal. If they choose to become private citizens, they will still have to remain in the public eye, and that still makes them fair game with the press, with none of the protection that they have right now because of their royal status.
And why should they leave? This is what the tabloid haters want. They want Meghan to quit and throw up her hands and run off back to America or wherever. Stepping down and retreating to a private life would make them even bigger villains in the eyes of the tabloid press. There is no winning here by acquiescing to their idiotic demands. The only way to win is to fight back and thrive in spite of the odds, which is exactly what Meghan is doing.
Ugh I really hate defending William but in his defense… William’s role is that of the future king. All of Harry’s life he has been programmed to understand that it is Harry’s role as the spare to help his brother (and therefore help the crown.) that means making William look good at all costs. I’ve said all along that Harry would be fine with that (since he was programmed to think that way from childhood) until he got married and had his own children.
HARRY was fine taking that role, but he’s not fine with his wife and child having to take it too. But for that very reason, I’m not surprised that the firm is not coming to their defense. The firm expects them to provide cover for William and his family.
Also, the British tabloids are not going to change. They didn’t change for Diana or Kate, and they won’t be any kinder to Meghan. They’ve certainly been MUCH harsher on Meghan and outright racist too. The real problem for Meghan is she doesn’t have anyone to take her heat. Diana had Fergie and Kate has Meghan. Of course it isn’t fair, but it really was never meant to be. This makes me so sad for Meghan…. but the timing of the press offensive when they were finally garnering good press for their tour is poor. Strategically, a better time would be in collaboration with the Cambridge’s on one of their mental health campaigns which would have forced W&K to show some public support for them.
I agree with most of this, but I don’t get the sense that W & K want to partner with the Sussexes — and very likely, after this mess, M & H don’t want to partner with them either. They have separated their offices and have clearly diverging interests and passions (well, one couple has passions). Yes, the timing of the lawsuits could have been better, but I think that happened when it happened. I doubt they would arrange for that to come out when it did.
I agree – I don’t think that W&K want to partner with H&M any longer. I just think from H&M’s position it would have been strategically sound to find an opportunity within the Heads Together campaign to jump in for one big event and make these comments there similar to that town hall they all did awhile back.
I disagree about the lawsuits though. H&M are the ones who filed them, they could have told their legal team to wait or time it differently. The timing there may have been the only genuine misstep I can recall from them though. The rest is all just super negative hyperbole from the media.
The timing of the lawsuits was driven by the change of venue effective Oct 1 that would put them before a court known to be more sympathetic to publishers. Apologies that I can’t recall the exact terminology (I’m a US lawyer, not UK), but their legal teams had to file before the change.
@Jane, So you think everyone would feel better if the lawsuits were filed next week? That makes no sense. They had a deadline to file. They had been working for months on it and had tried to deal with the Mail privately, but the tabloid didn’t want that. Also, when suit and Harry’s letter dropped, most of the Royal press were out of country so couldn’t immediately respond, and caught flat footed. Their post -tour negative articles didn’t happen and the only reason the tabloids wrote good articles was because the international press was also there, and the Sussexes were prepared. Also, the Sussexes had no problem working with KP, but KP and Cambridge’s leak like a sieve, didn’t want to do anything of substance or take all the credit w/o the work. William shows no leadership and has shown zero decency or backbone since the Oceania tour. Now he’s saying some BS about worried about Harry’s fragility because he looks like he does not have one damn to give about his brother, and to gaslight them. That’s it. As for Harry supporting Will, he did that, still does. I don’t recall Andrew stepping up to serve Charles back in the day, but maybe those with the history know better. I do remember Fergie saying that the Yorks were used to give cover for the Wales’ at the height of the Charles/ Diana drama. The timing of lawsuit has nothing to do with the ongoing nasty tabloid smears and they would continue relentlessly whether or not they sue, which is for one specific article, a detail everyone seems to forget about.
@JaneDoesWork. The lawsuits were filed under the advice of their attorneys. They had to file before October 1 to meet a filing deadline to avoid their cases being heard before a pro publisher friendly court.
@Guest2.0 @C-Shell that makes sense from a legal perspective, but from a marketing/brand position I still think the lawsuit was a poor decision. its not like the british press are just going to leave them alone as the result of that lawsuit. i dont recall things getting better for W&K when they did the same thing. sure, they won the lawsuit, but it didn’t necessarily change all that much. things really seemed to change for Kate when Meghan came along.
That’s interesting because the spare, Andrew, is being protected at all costs from his association with a very known, very famous pedophile… By the Queen, no less. That shows us that the RF protect who they want to and that they have the power to do so.
I agree that Harry was fine with his lot until it started to affect his wife and child though.
As for the tabloid press will not change, maybe not, but they are losing power to social media and that will continue. What’s important is that they can be circumvented, and anyone who wants the truth can find it if they choose. If someone is still visiting those hate sites it’s because they Want a certain narrative in order to confirm their biases. It used to be the press’ way or no way, but that Has changed since Diana and even since Kate.
Andrew is the Queen’s favourite child. She’s always gone out to bat for him, so that does in fact make sense.
I feel terrible for them and the way they are getting savaged by the press. That said, I think it’s a bit ironic to marry into untold amounts of wealth and privilege and then be upset that things are not “fair.” Standing in the position you are in, how can you call for anything to be fair, ever? Recusing oneself from public life is a viable option for them. Why should they have to do it, you might ask, and that is a valid argument, but to knowingly sign up for this amount of excess and wealth and then want things to still be fair is rather wanting to have your cake and eat it too.
As for not knowing about the tabloids, the tabloids destroying Diana is a huge part of William and Harry’s narrative. I am not sure it is so much that she didn’t know as that she didn’t think it would happen to her. Which are arguably the same thing.
But she says she expected it. With the exception of the story about Harry not being Charles’s, the stories told about Diana was true or not that far from the truth.
Meghan says she knew they would tell all of her tales. What she didn’t expect is that they would lie. That’s the part that’s bothersome to her in particular.
I would also imagine that Harry expected the press to have learned something of a lesson from his mother. And let’s be honest, the press has been lighter on Kate. What they’ve reported has been mostly true and rather mild, at least until dude was accused of favoring roses.
And they shut up about Rose when William got persnickety about it.
Exactly.
And lets not forget that Meghan was literally accused of fueling famine and murder because she likes avocados.
Even when they’re not lying (bc she does like avocado toast), they’re still doing their best to destroy her.
That’s not fair, and she could not have anticipated that.
She probably expected some name calling, criticisms about her dress prices or outfit choices, and them to dig in to her past like they did with Kate. I don’t think she knew the level they would sink to to bully her and incite hate against her. Kate was met with praise during her pregnancy, yet after the tour when she was expecting Archie, they made up lie after lie about her and ONLY her. Not a word from them about Andrew, or the Will and Rose situation which could have been dragged out forever from the press if they actually wanted to. Hell the guy Bea is marrying has a sketchy timeline regarding her and the mother of his child and not a single story saying he’s “bringing down the monarchy” has been written. She shows up, does her duties well, supports tangible causes, and is remotely scandal free, they are absolutely not fair to her because they choose to bully her while praising other more privileged BRF members who deserve a lot more criticism than they get.
Edo is an excellent example. He wasn’t even married to the mother of his child, was he? There’s some questionable overlap. Either he or his baby mama are couch surfers and we hardly hear a peep.
Also, I’ve hardly heard Kate called a golddigger or social climber, instead, we’re fed this fairy tale of William choosing a commoner.
Meghan is a how old cable tv actress? If she wanted to marry for money and fame, she could have done that easy peasy without the BRF.
@yiza So people having money makes them fair game for anything? And it’s one thing to criticize people for what they do, but for what they don’t do? That is just bullying and there is no excuse. Having nice things or money doesn’t mean people should treat you like a football out of jealousy.
oh, come on. They don’t just “have money”. They belong to, and work for, one of the most privileged families in existence. That family’s history is fairly atrocious.
@Courtney, at what point do they stop being human beings? With feelings? And are Harry and Meghan responsible for 1000 years of “family history”? And this (what is happing to H&M) has nothing to do with greivances against royalty, this has to do with being attacked by racists and being smeared for dollars by the press.
I think the fact that Meghan showed up ready, willing, and able to work for the wealth and privilege she’d “signed up for” takes most of the teeth out of that argument. After Harry put a ring on it, it was hot gossip off the “palace insider” press:
“Well-meaning as she is, her particular brand of ‘up and at ’em’ West Coast energy is an uncomfortable fit with the more formal ethos of some palace staff.”
Gasp! She emails and texts people before noon!
So yeah, spending half your time sucking down tea and crumpets and the other half yachting around in the South of France? I agree, you don’t get to talk about “fair.” That Meghan is damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t couldn’t be more clear.
And British tabloids’ bankrolling and instigating Meghan’s dumba$$ yokel family is beyond the pale, even for them. Nobody signs up for that.
We love you meghan and harry and baby Archie
Honestly, what a disaster. All of it. She’s done absolutely nothing to deserve the hatred and animosity she is receiving. I think she and Harry hoped she’d be embraced and they could work hard and continue the legacy of warmth and charity Diana created. Instead Meghan has found herself in a pit of vipers and is barely surviving. God, what a mess.
Good for her. Burn down the palace, burn it all down. I don’t know how anyone who works for those tabloids can even look at themselves in the mirror. I love seeing her call them out on their bottom-feeding bullshit.
I feel for H&M not only because of how awful he press has treated them but also how their own families have done them dirty.
I want to give her a best hug ! We love you Meghan! The USA loves you! We see you and feel you. Can the British press let this woman exist ? So much hate for someone who has done absolutely nothing wrong and is actually trying to help the world. F the British monarch! F the racist trolls and the biggest F goes to the British media that are perpetuating all those lies to sell their rubbish rags.
*bear hug
Question: I’m in America, is the British Tabloid the equivalent of the National inquirer
There doesn’t seem to be an equivalent to me. Most people do not take the Enquirer and it’s little friends as gospel anymore, if they ever did.
The closest imo would be the NY Post but they don’t have a nationwide readership the way British tabloids do. Maybe if Fox News had a print arm?
Most people in UK know what tabloids are and how many lies and misinformation they print. I think you either think Brits are really stupid or you give these tabloids too much credit.
I’m really not accusing the Brits of being any more anything than my fellow Americans who believe the lies spewed by Trump and Fox News.
People believe what they want and they flock to publications that print or broadcast their preconceived narratives.
? Sounds pretty disingenuous to me. We all know damn well what the tabloids and media are like. None of this was a surprise to anyone but her? Really? Hyper-planner, 75-year-planner Meghan? None of this is shocking, surprising, or in the slightest bit unexpected. We see it happen daily. We see the stories perpetuated *here* – CB is an extention of the British Tabloids. There is never an opportunity passed up that “Kensington Palace” isn’t blamed for some nonesense or other.
This is 100% how all of us knew this was going to go. She can take as much time off as she wants, because the tabloids are just going to lie about her schedule anyway.
No one thought it would be this bad. Would there be negative stories? Yes. Not only is she Harry’s wife, but she’s black. No one thought there would be a campaign to emotionally abuse her for 3 years. No one thought the tabs wouldn’t even give her a break during her pregnancy. No one thought they would attack her during her maternity leave. No one thought all of this would still be going on as intense and negative as it has. So how in the world do you think Meghan, an American, could have known? Even the Obamas had good press and moments when the racists were over shadowed by positive feelings and stories. Meghan has gotten none of that. It’s been relentless, but sure…let’s blame her for knowing what the British tabs would do.
@Buttphone, you don’t get it. Everyone knows the tabs will not change without an act of God. The interview was for her supporters or those who are on the fence or just decent people who hate bullying regardless of where it comes from. And Meg was putting it out there that 1) Tabs lie, even when they are told the truth 2) it is hurtful to them, so they need the support of people of good will. Evil people like the trolls and the gutter dwellers that write for the tabs are not going to change but H&M want people to know they are not okay with it. And it’s not just H&M who are not okay with it, otherwise we would not get all this pushback about botox and hair extensions and roses. Or about fat fingers.
Of course the editors don’t care for Meghan. She’s a mixed race woman in an all white space. Press had knives out from the beginning& sure most of the stories could be ignored except her father was involved& press interaction has likely destroyed that relationship so yes it was very personal& couldn’t be ignored. In the documentary Harry talks about need to protect his family and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were threats we don’t know about. CNNs report said some of her trolling was spurred on by articles and was really violent.
Plus I don’t see why people should have to just ignore prejudice which some articles contained. It’s like people saying sports stars should just ignore racist chants& carry on playing.
And yes as a publicly funded figure she deserves scrutiny but i don’t see why the privilege they have means she couldn’t expect criticism to be fair based on what she does. I’ve seem more scrutiny about the decision not to release godparents details than Queen’s involvement in Panama Papers which is more relevant to the public seeing as she’s meant to pay taxes.
As for the stiff upper lip thing William also commented a few years back that stiff upper lip was quite harmful& the Heads together and whole mental health campaign has been about being open with mental health struggles and not bottling it up inside. So ironic if the family aren’t supportive of those particular comments. Plus Beatrice and Eugenie have spoken about being hurt by articles criticising their royal wedding outfits and their looks generally so if it’s ok for other royals should be ok for Meghan. Looks like royals are panicking though cos suddenly articles are saying the Queen and Charles have supported Meghan lol. I saw support for Meghan’s clip trending & people questioning what the family is doing so guess that’s why.
I didn’t get sense Harry was blaming anybody for the rift. I heard his comments and related to it as standard up and downs you have with your siblings but they will ultimately have each other’s backs.
And yes for those in the UK- Prince and the Paedophile is on Channel 4 today at 9pm. I hope they show it internationally as well or put it on YouTube. It deserves a wide audience
He was being quite generous. I think William has behaved exceptionally poorly behind closed doors, and it’s likely we won’t know the extent of his behaviour. I think Harry is trying to play down how bad things got between them because he’s not the type to trash talk his brother in public, no matter how deserved it might be.
Thank you for your insightful comments about this @Rogue.
The brf will not try to stop this. Who else is going to take heat off them?
This all looks even more gross considering how the royal reporters have glossed over Prince Andrew’s crimes. Then they crucify Meghan and Harry for nothing. The Queen is complicit in this. I hope karma does bite all these reporters and those in the royal family who have been complicit in smearing and attacking Meghan and Harry.
This is horrible. They haven’t given her a second to breathe, to live, to enjoy her marriage, pregnancy and child. They have mounted a campaign to make her miserable and generate clicks, as if she isn’t a human being with feelings. I’ll say the same thing I said on TRF. People going on and on about how this makes H&M look bad are wrong. It’s the opposite. This makes the RF look racist, cold, uncaring and complicit in the abuse of this woman, whose only crime was marrying the man she loved. And it’s clear…they love each other deeply, so those hoping for a divorce…it’s not happening. All of this is only going to make them stronger.
The royal family continues to fall into this pit where they try to soldier on without emotion and it only makes them look cold and out of touch. Wonder what their excuse will be this time.
possibly weird pov, but it’s almost like the rift between the brothers mirrors the current Brexit rift in the UK between the old white guard and the new multi-cultural vanguard…? and maybe that’s why too the whole thing has “legs” in the media. Not the BRF’s best look tho imo. I like them even less than I always have. Team H&M.
If you don’t like harry and Meghan for the reasons you stared then fair enough. All the royals spent too much money, fly on jets, have designer clothes etc, yet the hate only falls on the Sussex. racism is when a minority and a white person carry out the same action and only the ethnic minority is penalised. And that is a problem with Sussex haters, when Meghan and Kate carry out the same actions, only Meghan is penalise and Kate is praised. I would love to know how much the Cambridge’s holiday to mystique cost, but the press didn’t report on that. As for meghans baby shower, that was funded by her friends, ones she probably doesn’t see very often as she now lives in another country whilst being pregnant for the first time, but at the same time the Cambridge’s were skiing, that was funded on the tax payer, and yet no outrage from the press. That is where the racism comes in, the sheer double standard. If you were to criticise the Cambridge’s and other royals for the same thing, then I would 100% accept your criticism of Harry and Meghan too, but if you were to give them a pass for doing the same shit, then that’s where the problem lies.
Does anyone think Megan misses America? She’s very loved over here. Hopefully she knows this. Even Beyonce bows down to her lol.
I used to read a royal blog concentrated on the UK royals. Fluffy reading for tiaras and gowns and castles. It has changed hands a number of times and now it is 24 hours of We Hate Harry and Meghan. Actually, it is non stop We Hate Meghan. The level of stupidity and racism is astounding with pillow pregnancy talk, dark quotes from Enty Lawyer (can you believe!), even vitriol targetted at the wrinkles in MM’s wedding dress.
I don’t understand it. She’s not a politician/lawmaker with the power to effect changes in one’s life. As if the other royals don’t wear expensive clothing and live in castles and grand estates.
Harry & Meghan don’t let the pricks (and I’m being kind) get you down.
This is why we can’t have nice things. God forbid a woman choose a life in the public eye. How dare she try and be a public figure? Doesn’t she know her place?
And also, this part stuck out to me: “If things were fair … If I’d done something wrong, I’d be the first one to go ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I would never do that.’”
This is why I think Meghan truly made an effort with her wardrobe in the South Africa tour. I think she found the criticism to be fair in the way she’s expressing here. And tbh, that’s entirely to her credit. How many royals would do this? Would Charles ever give up his fifty thousand expensively tailored suits to dress down because he’s spending too much money? The Queen Mother FAMOUSLY refused to dress in anything but her best during the London Blitz, even after it was pointed out to her that it was likely insensitive to dress so expensively when so many people were suffering. Her response was that people turn up in their best to see her, so she would do the same. I’ve always found that response characterized the ignorance and privilege of the royal family. And here you have a person who is genuinely willing to do something about her behaviour, even though she has absolutely no reason to, and she still gets sh-t on for it so much. Well done British tabloids. Well done.
I was very worried about Meghan’s mental health during maternity leave. As Harry said in his letter when she is not visible is when the tabloids can do that worst. But also the counter balance to that was the love Meghan would get at engagements. Not having that she not only loses the positive boost to her brain chemistry from positive interactions and hugs from children, but also the confirmation that reality of public opinion is different from media perception. Add in pregnancy, baby, new home while losing their retreat in the Cotswolds, and all the other stresses from media and BRF conflict. It’s so much to handle.
I hope they find another country place to retreat and relax. Far from the madding crowd.
I was so proud of Prin ce Charles when he walked Meghan down the aisle. He looked so happy and so pleased to be able to welcome a new daughter into the family, especially since her own father had turned out to be a nightmare. Tears come to my eyes even now.
I think Charles likes Meghan. I think the Queen likes Meghan and Prince Phillip. They just DON’T CARE. They don’t care that this young woman is being tortured. It’s partly a generational thing. Neither of them are probably on social media. So they don’t understand the torment Meghan is going through. And they’re both saving their influence with the media until THEY need it. The Queen is using hers to save her sex-criminal son.
I don’t think they realize the damage that is being done. England isn’t lily-White anymore and a lot of people of colour are seeing how the first non-White member of the royal family is being treated. Even more importantly commonwealth countries, many of which are Black and Brown are watching.
When the Queen passes, things will change. And they might try and blame Meghan for not keeping quiet. But it will be their own fault.
As for William, he’s been willing to toss his brother aside because he thinks being King is better. Won’t he be surprised?
I think Charles likes every opportunity to look human in front of cameras more than anything else.
I don’t see how anyone can look at the behavior of the press during Meghan’s pregnancy and act like it was par for the course for women in the BRF. None of the others received that level of vitriol during their pregnancies. NONE.
I’d argue this is why Kate has three this close in age, why there’s so much speculation she’ll have a fourth.
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but even during the Diana/Fergie years coverage tapered off during pregnancy and new baby glow. The most salacious headlines came when they were finished having children
Being famous is like being in high school but X100. The gossiping, the lies to ruin your reputation, ppl ganging up agst you,
Sadly, had Meghan been a blonde haired blue eyed aristocrat, she wouldn’t have gotten it THAT bad, say had he married Chelsey. But being American AND mixed race, they were sadly gunning for her because Harry didn’t go for one of his own so to speak. This has revealed how far we haven’t come with regards to mixed race marriages.
EXACTLY. I’m white, my hubby is mixed. I get the rudest looks from white guys my age.
GET. IT. GIRL.
Reading elsewhere about how the royal family are feeling EVER so blindsided and betrayed these days. Self-satisfied “insiders” have been harrumphing all day about “First, Diana turned on us, now THIS ??” They’re all just so veddy, veddy disappointed.
Right about here is where we all stop to consider A, that Her Royal Frumpiness’s favorite son is more likely than not a pedophile and serial rapist, and B, that Diana is DEAD and the relentless, vicious bullying of royal “insiders” had more than a little to do with it.
Tone deaf, thy name is Windsor.
You know what’s interesting is that from the clips I have seen, H&M level their criticism at the press and not at the family, which is what Diana did. So how can they compare this doc to her interview? Unless they all have guilty consciences.
I hope so much that this doesn’t destroy them. I haven’t watched the documentary yet but I would feel more hopeful for them if attached to all the pain was also said, “no matter what, my love for him can endure every punishment from the press and it will not destroy our marriage or family… no matter what the rest of the world thinks of me.” But how sad….she sounds very depressed, which is so hard on top of being postpartum. I think they could be so happy if not for this suffering. I fear that if it ends, Smug William will be like, told ya so! … nevermind that he did everything to promote their failure.
@Abby, she clearly said that her son and husband were all important to her, so nice try with the concern trolling but they are not divorcing.
MSaim…….lol. I specifically said I had not watched the doc yet, so you can stop with lecturing me about Meghan’s devotion to her family. My comment is that I hope she sends a message back that no matter what, they can’t break their bond.. Unless you are Harry or Meghan, then I wouldn’t be so definitive about what will happen to their marriage in the future if this treatment continues. It is clearly wearing them both the eff out. I’ve been the target of a smear campaign by narc parents and it took an unfathomable toll on my marriage. I was post partum and having private investigators following me. Living it out privately was hell and Meghan and Harry are center stage for the whole world to watch. So, no, I wasn’t concern trolling, I was being genuine. I’m rooting for them. I hope they turn toward each other and don’t let the press destroy their bond.
I really like appearances by both Royal couples. This is possible, no? I don’t think any house is being torn down, some people are interested and some are waiting for the house to tumble, same as always. I don’t think William is likeable but I’m still watching and hopeful he becomes a better person. I love Meghan, I love Kate too. I don’t mean to minimize the obvious racism at play, but we have eyes and we see and we support from a more evolved place. It may not be fair in Britain but internationally, we are applauding change.
I don’t find William as insufferable as some do. Okay, he’s pretty insufferable, but it’s understandable he’d turn out that way. Growing up, the Heir takes a lot more crap than the Spare.
He’s a preening, clammy bore just like his father, and the British Royal family would have it no other way for their future king. (And his wife is dumb as hair; I’m sorry, she’s lovely to look at, but she needs to not talk.)
When she met his royal ginger hotness, she must have been swept off her feet and it must have been intoxicating to meet someone who was so in love with her and could provide a lifestyle most of us could ever dream of. They do seem to be an ultimate love match and that can cloud you judgment. If they had dated for longer and she had lived in the same country, the reality of life in the glitziest of fishbowls might have been clearer. She would still have chosen it, it would still have been resoundingly difficult, but it would have been less of a shock to her system. Factor in becoming a mother and i am surprised and majorly impressed with how she has outwardly handled this with such constructive poise. I hope they find a way to keep their strength and sense of self, and that they are able to move forward and build the life they want together. I believe in them, and hope they can remind themselves of the positives in their life, and to handle the challenges they find on their path together.
Harry is not going to sit by and let his wife be destroyed. He will pack up and move to America before that happens. Mark me on this.
Meghan…if you are reading this….you just have to wait for the old guard to die off. I don’t think this will be Archie’s future.
The tabloids are pissed that they look stupid and cruel again, and trying to spin this that they’re mentally fragile, but a lot of people are calling BS on this. This has blown up bigger than Britain. It’s in real newspapers like NY Times and Washington Post, and it hasn’t even shown in the US yet. What I have seen so far, they aren’t doing this rashly or expecting everyone to love them, but that they will respond when necessary and go on with their work. They seem pretty self aware so those saying they need help should take a few seats. You think they’re not already dealing with this privately? All this relentless pressure and smears through pregnancy with no professional support is highly doubtful. Tabloids will just double down and throw more mud. Piers looks thrown. Even his insults are weak. They refuse to be miserable and want to live their lives, and live it well. Radio program I listened to today had Ronan Farrow on and he mentioned her, and her well being. At some point someone is going to spill the beans on the strategy behind these smears and I am here for it. It’s mind boggling that the British consider the Sussexes a threat when you have Andrew with his orgies and all kinds of shady dealings connected with Brexit power brokers.
“It’s mind boggling that the British consider the Sussexes a threat when you have Andrew with his orgies and all kinds of shady dealings connected with Brexit power brokers.”
YEP. The Andrew scandal has, IMO, a very real possibility to topple the monarchy if everything is blown wide open. It is the worst scandal for the BRF since the Duke of Windsor’s Nazi leanings (which was suppressed until a few years ago).
Please Meghan, I fully understand, that you are sad, exhausted and disappointed, but you should also be angry. Do some digging in your sadness and find fury! You have every right to be angry at whoever is smearing you. And please, get angry with them and tell them, show them your anger. Anger and rage is also pure energy!
Meghan will make it through this. I will keep the Sussex family in my prayers.
I have watched all of the Royal weddings starting with Diana and Charles. I’m American so it was Disney come to life. Then the truth got out about how Diana was used. The only thing Diana got out of that marriage was her kids.
The Royal Family has always been messy. The Queens sister had it rough also. She could not marry who she really loved. Her life was sad with multiple marriages and affairs.
Edward gave up the crown for an American woman.
Harry is not going to stand back and watch his wife get bullied by the press. The RR talking points are all the same. They are pretending as if they haven’t lied and bashed Meghan at all. (Meghan and Harry should put up and shut up…… Or get out and move away. Meghan is acting and Harry is crazy and not acting royal). These RRs want Harry talk friendly with them while they lie and bash his wife. Who are the crazy people?
When Archie was born i told my friends and colleagues that Meghan should run to the American Consultant / Embassy or whatever an get his American citizenship paper work under way. Then the monkey photo came out by that BBC host. There really was not that much outrage about it. That man got a better paying job within 2 weeks. Meghan should have been sending in Archies U.S. Citizen papers that day. The press and Royal family are not going to let up on Meghan she is not British and WOC. Archie is going to be used to protect the Cambridge kids as they get older as well.
I think it is best that Meghan and Harry have an U.S. Home as well as Forgmore Cottage. They can pay for it themselves. No British tax money. A place where the Sussexs can stay during Summer vacations and holidays. It will also give their kids a chance to learn U.S. Culture so they have options for their future. Meghan can have a place to truly relax.
“But when people are saying things that are just untrue and they are being told they’re untrue but they’re allowed to still say them — I don’t know anybody in the world who would feel like that’s okay.”
Sounds like she’s talking about the current hellscape of being an American under this batshit insane administration. I guess even marrying a Prince and moving to England didn’t give her a pass from the harassment and hate-slinging of liars. I won’t say “poor Meghan,” necessarily (she’s a freaking Duchess now) but I can understand her frustration that despite doing everything the nice/correct way, she just can’t win. It feels like none of us can win these days.