meghan markle at the fashion awards with rosamund pike and the british designer of the year, clare waight keller pic.twitter.com/oJNKMX7FLD
— best of meghan (@bestofmarkle) December 10, 2018
I liked LaineyGossip’s theory that the Duchess of Sussex’s appearance at the British Fashion Awards was a “f–k you” to the British tabloids, the stuffy royal protocol bitches, the racists and the shady royal courtiers. It’s more than possible that Meghan would lean in and show her strength after a weeks-long smear campaign. It’s more than possible that Meghan would show everyone what she brings to the table: glamour, the ability to hijack headlines, comfort in the spotlight. But…the Instagram above used to be on the British Fashion Council’s Instagram page, but it was mysteriously taken off just hours after the British Fashion Awards. Huh.
The Duchess of Sussex took part in a starry photobooth session at the British Fashion Awards on Monday night – but the results appear to have been moved from Instagram. The boomerang-style shot of the mother-to-be, 37, with Givenchy designer Clare Waight Keller and actress Rosamund Pike was posted on the British Fashion Council’s account following the awards ceremony.
However, the shot taken by photographer Yvan Fabing is no longer on the BFC’s Instagram page, even though black and white GIFs of other celebrities and designers are still on the account. It is not clear why the photobooth snap of the Duchess has been removed, although another picture of Meghan on stage remains on the BFC’s Instagram account.
I guess we’re supposed to theorize that shadowy men In Grey from the palace called up the British Fashion Council and demanded that Meghan’s boomerang be taken down. But… I doubt that. I think it’s much more likely that some media consultant adjacent to the British Fashion Awards preemptively took it down just so they wouldn’t get a call from the Men In Grey. Another possibility? Meghan asked that it be removed.
Also: as many people have noted, shady sh-t keeps happening with the Kensington Royal social media, the official Instagram and Twitter accounts of the Sussexes and Cambridges. Whenever William and Kate do ANYTHING, there’s timely wall-to-wall coverage on the Kensington Royal accounts, usually within minutes. It took about 16-17 hours for KP’s communications office to post anything about Meghan’s British Fashion Awards appearance, and when they did post something, they sandwiched the photos in-between a dozen posts about the Cambridges. We see you, Jason.
“I feel especially proud to announce tonight’s winner, who is a British designer leading on the global stage with vision and creativity, but also with incredible kindness.” – The Duchess of Sussex pic.twitter.com/7AtfpG3Diy
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 11, 2018
Photos courtesy of Instagram, Twitter and Getty.
But there’s no competition, right?? 🙄🙄
I’ve commented on how I’ve noticed that Kensington IG has massive amounts of coverage all day long when the Cambridge’s are out, in both posts and stories. They had a decent amount of coverage when the Sussex’s were on tour but it just doesn’t feel like the promotion the Cambridge’s get.
You know what? If this double belly cupping is her only way of coming back and annoying everyone to hell, I’m here for it. This is a “you didn’t break me” moment. Fuck em, she has fun and glamour without you. Damnit she’s strong.
Tungsten is PC’s nickname for her!
Tungsten is a hard metal that doesn’t bend with force but breaks. And it’s a possible carcinogen. I’m still not 100% convinced that’s a compliment. Some Britishisms can seem nice but are quite the opposite.
PC?
@Athyrmose, PC= Prince Charles, I believe.
Eliza – it also has the highest melting point of all elements – which speaks for it’s robust nature. It could easily be in reference to that – I’m sure he wasn’t searching for some clever shade on wiki when he started calling her that haha.
I just watched a video of that long double cupping from when CWK was speaking and it’s crystal clear that the baby kicks on the right side her and THEN she goes for the long double cupping. In the video you can see her wince (to the point her right shoulder jerks up, like in pain) and then bring her hand up and she presses on the top of her belly on that same side. She also closes her eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath and even her smile looks a bit pained during the whole sequence. So – not that’s anyone should be so nasty about her touching her own body in the first place – but it is really clear on the video that she has been kicked (or elbowed/kneed or whatever) by the Sussex baby (or twins!).
Thanks for breaking it down. I, too, thought the baby was probably giving her the ‘business’. Just because she’s an actress doesn’t mean that she feels no pressure or stress before or during public events, especially in venues and environments she’s totally unfamiliar with. And, when she’s feeling it, so is the baby.
I honestly don’t care if the baby/babies kicked or not. She can hold her belly for as long as she wants, with or without two hands. She doesn’t need a reason for it.
I can’t believe how easily agitated some people are (not you) by little things people do that really don’t affect them. If you don’t like Meghan (again not you) don’t follow her, that simple.
I’m with Jessica!!
Then her baby is really big – I had my first baby this summer and at 22-23 weeks I felt the first few kick (first time mother) – and it was very light at first.
Here’s a link to the video I was referring to, if anyone cares to see. https://twitter.com/_pammyyy/status/1072703030234148864?s=20
Jessica – I’m with you in that anyone can touch their own body whenever they want and especially a pregnant woman who’s got another human being (or two) inside them!!! I guess I was just trying to provide some back-up for the sooooo many people on the previous day’s threads that had such a problem with it, to say that it’s clear she was actually in pain and not just trying to emphasize her pregnancy in our faces or whatever people were saying. However, even as I try to type this explanation I know it won’t even satisfy them or they’ll already be on to the next made-up way the Duchess has broken (some nonexistent) protocol. So I really shouldn’t even bother trying to get through to them lol.
Yeah I agree. In the beginning of the video, she is clearly grimacing once Claire starts speaking and she grabs her belly in reaction to her baby moving. That was my first instinct when everyone teared into her for holding her belly (I hate the term “belly cupping”) and it was only confirmed when I finally watched the video.
Why the need to explain the belly-cupping as a reaction to the baby’s movements? Meghan happily cupped/cradled her bump most of the evening (even in the boomerang video). Its highly unlikely her small baby was kicking hard and causing her pain all night, especially at this stage in her pregnancy. She clearly poses this way for whatever reason, as is her right. It irritates some people and others are unbothered.
I was in a wedding 6 months pregnant. Mt baby wasn’t a crazy kicker but my nerves must have ramped her up because she went crazy on my walk down the aisle and ceremony. I did not cup or rub belly, because it would have looked like I was trying to up-stage the bride. And she already had a couple family members trying hard that day.
I think it was cloying and overly sweet, and she didn’t have to, but its her body her choice. If she wants to bring attention to her bump for whatever reason (kick, better pose, comfort, f-u to family, etc) it’s her business.
I had Braxton Hicks contractions with my first pregnancy every single day after 18 weeks. Started every evening no matter how much water I had had that day or if I had stayed off my feet and rested. If I walked around or did anything remotely stressful – Braxton Hicks. Super uncomfortable/ painful and just honestly tiring. It wears you down. And I held my belly like that because it helped take the weight off the stretched muscles and it helped ease the spasms. Whatever the reason – sheer joy, revenge, it’s a nice place to rest your arms, kicks, Braxton Hicks – it’s her body and she can do whatever the hell she wants. Rock on Meg
I don’t get the intense anti-belly cupping line of thinking. It feels, to me, similar to the pressure women were under generations ago to hide their pregnancy with their clothes as long as possible. For some reason, acknowledging the amazing things our bodies can do makes people uncomfortable. If men got pregnant, there would probably be mat clothes with belly cut outs. Let’s get over it.
This is a good point! I’ve seen some really insane comments online about women who dare to wear a bikini when they are pregnant. The policing of women’s bodies in every phase of life continues.
Damn right. Guess what, it’s ok to cradle your bump when you’re nervous, when it’s instinctual, when it’s more comfortable, when you want to make a point, when you want to just put your arms and hands in that position. I’ve seen a lot of people say it looked “posed” and “fake” and “not classy”. And? It’s also OK to be super proud and braggy about your baby inside you and want to show it off in front of an audience because it’s no one’s damn business. I know people like Mike Pence would disagree, but its not a crime to show off your baby bump.
I just assumed to extra cradle was from the baby pushing on her bladder and she was trying to adjust. But it really doesn’t matter.
When l had my first pregnancy many years back l had a sudden urge to go swimming. I was probably about six months pregnant. My husband took me to an open air swimming pool and sat on a chair poolside and waited for me to have my swim.
When l emerged from the changing room l knew that all eyes would be on me, so l deliberately paraded myself all around the poolside so that everyone could have a good look before l got in the pool. After that they got the message loud and clear and stopped gawping at me.
She’s awesome, and I love her. That is all.
Given the amount of racist comments toward the duchess whenever anything is posted about her, they probably removed it instead of blocking or monitoring comments.
If that’s the case I would rather they just disabled the comments. To take it down completely (if for that reason) feels like it gives the racists too much power.
They can close the comments though…..
Exactly.
And they can add a filter to disallow comments containing specific words or phrases too.
I wish they would just close the comments or moderate them, rather than trying to erase her. That’s nearly as bad as anything one would post.
That shot is beautiful.
None of this is surprising to me….
H&M hit the UNIVERSE LIKE A SOCIAL TSUNAMI!!!!
W&K cannot ABIDE THAT…and will do whatever they can to turn back the tide…it will not work…but hey…it will be fun and embarrassing watching them try…
“Grab’s a big bowl of popcorn”
Yep! And, did you see Meghan has a new engagement for the 18th?! She’s going for a holiday visit to Brinsworth House (the royal variety charity for injured and retired actors)? I’ll bet this ends up being one of her charities!!
I read one of the royal reporters tweet that the Queen is a Patron. I’m guessing that Meghan will probably take it over from her. Just like I think Meghan will also take over being the Patron for the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), given education seems to be a key issue for her. We see this a lot now with the younger royals…taking over QE’s patronages as she slows down.
I know!! Wills must be seething – H&M are just such a glamorous couple, W&K are so boring… they make it so obvious they don’t want to be doing what they feel forced to do, H&M look engaged everywhere they go.
I doubt William cares about what Harry does anymore than Charles cares what Andrew does.
In both cases I’m sure they hope the illegal things have stopped and etc but don’t worry much beyond that.
Harry is sixth in line. He may be popular with people, but he’s not relevant to the future of the firm. Hm media overexposure is useless, at the end. Literally the only reason they are popular is cos he’s Diana’s son. Otherwise no one would care for Harry.
You’re kidding, right?!
Just watch and see how much the Firm uses those two. They are golden PR. Plus, William is lazy. He’s going to need Harry to do everything he doesn’t want to do, which is a lot.
No i am not kidding. They bring good pr, Will is lazy. Still, Will is future king and there’s no contest. I don’t wanna see Chucky near the throne cos hes amoral prick, but the law doesn’t care. And btw Harry was even more lazy until Meg. He is gonna go back to that once he has a child, cos why not?
Harry and Meghan will be working royals for the next 20 years. If W&K’s kids are as lazy as their parents, those three won’t start working until they are 35+.
As much as some hate it, Meghan and Harry are here as globally-recognized working royals for a few decades. Their work gathers big attention, from Invictus to the Together Cookbook. W&K have a lot of catching up to do, but they’re too lazy to turn it around.
Look at that picture of her laughing!! Amazing.
Ditto! I think it’s Getty images that has some great stills of the event. There’s one that has the most perfect lighting and she is just glowing.
Disgustingly photogenic! I say this as someone who hates the camera.
Im Still shook after reading a comment stating,That Meghan is being tacky by “constantly cradling her bump”..I mean WTF??Shes a first time mother,it’s her body her baby!
It’s Grinch season. Maybe the bump police will find something positive to focus on before it’s over.
Haha, good one Olenna! They will just find something else to criticize Meghan for (like the one shouldered dress)…and when they are provided photographic receipts that other royals (like Kate and Sophie and Margaret and even the queen) have done what they’ve just slammed Meghan for they will just go on to the next criticism (like the colored nail polish…so “vulgar”) and act like they never thought the previous issues was any big deal. And around and around we will go.
I don’t think it is tacky. But i do think she was posing.
I think any royal would get comments for over posing at an event. I know Crown Princess Mary got a lot with her baby bump spread too.
I seriously don’t understand all the belly cupping hate. What’s the big deal? It’s her body, her baby. And when partners cup? It’s their child. They want to feel close to it too.
On a side note Besides the obvious black dress,There is something Angelina Jolie about her look.
I think a sleek bun and black dress is a timeless look and isn’t defined to one person.
Meghan has more or less the same body type as A. Jolie. Long slim limbs, shorter torso, not much of a waist. Obviously Meghan is very petite, and has a bit more muscle. She is very pretty. I love how Harry and her look together.
Her arms look so shimmery and pretty. I wonder if she uses something like the fenty dusting stuff, or some sort of body oil or cream with a hint of shine to it. It’s a stunning effect.
Her makeup artist said he uses Aquaphor to get that glow to her face and body. It’s made by Eucerin and is really inexpensive. You can buy it at Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart etc.
Ouuuuu thank you! I will keep an eye out for it.
Yeah Aquaphor won’t make your skin glow like that. They used a subtle body shimmer on her arms and shoulders. I use a body shimmer as well and that’s how it looks on me. Meghan’s skin tone isnt that different from mine.
Lol there’s no way in hell Aquaphor does that, I use that stuff all the time (it’s great for new tattoos) and I’ve never shimmered like that. She’s uses body glitter. I thought we got rid of that trend in the naughts?
VV – I’d imagine the aquaphor will probably help it cling better, though? My skins starting to get that winter dry, dull look and I’m pretty pale so I don’t find I have much of a ‘lively’ kind of healthy glow. So I’d imagine the combination would work out well for me. And if I hate it, it can go to the husband who tends to get cracked skin on his hands this time of year haha.
Herewegoagain – I hate the chunky glitter look. But if we can manage a really fine, shimmer instead of chunked up look, I’m down for it coming back within reason ahah. I did own a blue raspberry chunky hideous body glitter in the 90s though, so my taste is questionable at times.
maybe some kind of subtle highlighter, like something from Laura Mecier, Matte Radiance 01, which I haven’t been able to get my hands on.
In close up pictures at events you can see she has some sort of luster dust on. She’s coming for j.los glow.
Fenty makes this liquid body shimmer called Body Lava, which suits darker skintones. I imagine it would give a similar effect to what Meghan is wearing.
Love it. I love she makes some so angry. You do you Meghan. Cradle your bumb every day 🤣
It’s her first pregnancy and she’s clearly overjoyed. She’s probably subconsciously trying to protect her child from all of the attacks she’s been facing in the press too.
TBH I don’t know who run the KP Insta but they are not really good at their jobs. The posts are usually very late : it’s called Intstagram not Latergram guys.
Also notice the pictures they posted have zero belly touching.
They def tried to bury it between Cambridge events.
It’s probably someone who doubts their own ability to call the shots & is waiting for approval from someone else prior to posting. (Could be they got in hot water before & anticipate emotional reactions. . . )
I’ve been saying the KP Twitter is shady ever since the big tour. I noticed that during the tour if William and/or Kate had a single engagement, there would be like 2-3x more photos of them than the full day of many separate engagements for Harry and Meghan. Not to mention that things were not being posted in real time from the tour, even though there was supposedly a social media staffer traveling with them. I also noticed that (it seemed like) the photos would usually be timed in such a way to always end with a Cambridge engagement at the top of the feed. And that kind of thing continues even now (as this article notes Meghan’s photos are sandwiched in between the Cambridges). Not every time, obviously, but enough for me to notice and start paying attention to.
And, yep, as I kept saying on the threads from the past few days, this is yet another reason the Sussexes need their own dedicated admin and PR staff!
With the tour, I think they were waiting and trying to post during the hours the UK was awake, but they should have done more as-it’s-happening coverage than they did.
The social media stuff is funny to me because the Cambridge fans on Twitter seem to have the same complaints in reverse—they think Meghan and Harry have a dedicated social media staffer and that’s why they get more coverage. It honestly feels pretty even to me overall, but KP has been super slow to post events on Twitter and Instagram lately (maybe they’re waiting for higher quality photos to be taken and can’t post as it happens for that reason?). I will say that I noticed KP either missed some of William’s events during the Sussexes’ tour or they posted about them very late.
This event with Meghan was just weird in general. I’m wondering if there was some confusion over whether it was an official engagement, because it seems like it was even added to the CC a bit late.
Royalwatcher, I also noticed that during the tour, any event the Cambridges had would be posted about for days afterwards. Like a constant reminder.
I think it’s just KP communications department incompetence. A communications staffer waits to post about Meghan’s appearance until the middle of an event for William and Kate? One where Kate is being announced as patron for the organization hosting the event? And it’s definitely not the first time that’s happened between all parties.
That’s just really poor messaging and press for all parties. Doing things that way splits headlines and focus. Totally detracts from organizations at the center of these appearances and/or events. Which isn’t fair to the organizations involved. Incompetence.
I agree overall that KP’s social media is lackluster, but I honestly feel that both the Sussexes and Cambridges get about equal coverage…
They also fail to delete or shut down racist comments about Meghan, but the second a negative thing is written about William it is removed. And it is obvious.
She looked beautiful and happy which is a plus and it shows the DM etc that they’re not giving her sleepless nights. I just don’t think the whole event was a great idea. She shouldn’t underestimate the men in grey. They don’t just control people below the monarch in the hierarchy, in history they have guided the monarch too. Queens Elizabeths 1 & 2 and Victoria had long reigns but that kind of continuity is rare. The men in grey keep the show rolling along at the same speed in the same style irrespective of the monarch. She has a challenge to be seen not as an actress and acting the star at this point is just reckless. She needs to take care which events she picks.
Oh give me a break. Half the royal family has made multiple appearances at fashion and entertainment industry events. The Queen sat next to Anna Wintour at a fashion show and part of the Cambridges’ first tour was about mingling with the Hollywood elite. Meghan’s attendance of this event is nothing unusual, except to those who want to keep calling her “too Hollywood”.
Agree, and I don’t know why the presumption is that BP or CH weren’t consulted before she committed to the event?
@Olenna: I’ve seen the assumption that Meghan is trying to shake up the royal family and ‘punch above her weight’ too many times now without actual proof. A week or two ago, I asked a poster what exactly Meghan has done to try to upset the balance. They couldn’t give me an answer.
The only “upsetting” thing she’s done is work more than we’re used to seeing from certain others. She’s made sure to avoid standing out at family events and she’s not doing anything out of the ordinary. I’m still waiting to see how she’s supposedly upsetting the apple cart.
@Beach Dreams, I’m not surprised your questions go unanswered. Most of the harsh, pick-her-apart comments come from people who just don’t like Meghan. These people avoid logic, embrace hypocrisy, state rumor as fact and relish in disparaging her character for whatever personal issues they harbor. Some of them remind me very much of the ultra-right commenters I see on news sites–their insecurities seem to always put them in the attack and retreat mode, or they resort to nastiness.
Give me a break!! You do know that the queen herself sat runway-side at a fashion show earlier this year, right?! Right next to Anna Wintour. Diana has also attended this exact same event!! I think it was when she wore that white beaded “Elvis” dress. Not to mention Sophie is patron of some fashion related charity and at their last event, Kate went with her (remember, Kate wore black after refusing to wear black to the BAFTAs in support of MeToo and her fans said Kate wasn’t allowed to wear black…even though she did at her very next outing with Sophie). Also, Charles received an award from GQ. And let’s not even get into the number of movie premieres that William and Kate have attended over the years!! Basically, almost ALL of the other royals have done a similar type of event and not a peep out of certain quarters, grey men, tabloid trash papers or the like. So, again, why is it a problem now?! What is it about Meghan that has all the protocol Pattys out for blood? Hmmmm…I wonder.
@Royalwatcher – “Protocol Pattys” — I.LOVE.THIS.SO.MUCH!! I hope you don’t mind if I borrow this in future posts? 😀 Love your posts!
Regarding black clothing… there’s no rule, it is just a tradition of some sort. Black is for funeral, nail polish is neutral, there’s no rule book. Diana broke manu of those traditions, but most of them when she was fed up with Chucky. But Kate was always in hot water for shorter dresses, so it’s like a pastime to see which unwritten rule Meg broke now. The same people are also complaining about york sisters, even though they are not working royals.
I’m with Fluffy Princess! Great comments and “Protocol Pattys” is absolutely the perfect description for these Misstep (their word) and Shaming Police!
Fluffy Princess – borrow away, my friend!! xx
That picture of her laughing is the perfect reply to haters, trolls and racist. And of course to royal sources.
It’s interesting looking at the footage and pictures from this event. She really looks happy & glowing, and one might theorize that’s because at this event, she got to experience the glitz, glamour & level of attention she hoped for in her life as an actress. It also could absolutely be an “F U”…they didn’t break her, won’t break her, and she knows they will always try to. She’s a strong person, and I don’t think they fully understand who they are playing with here.
I don’t see Meghan asking them to take it down, why bother doing it then?
But the coverage of the tour was very inconsistent. For a good few days KP would go hours without posting anything about the events (and “early” ones at that, where it was still evening in the U.K.). Enough people certainly complained about it on social media.
This was in response to Danielle btw.
The belly cupping is perfectly normal for a pregnant woman but Meghan literally had her hands glued to it in almost every picture. It’s a bit excessive and doesn’t look “professional”. It also steal the spotlight from the award winner.
As for the “smear campaign”, it obviously comes from the men in gray. Meghan’s ambition is simply unreal and is truly amazing but she does come across as a bit of a social climber and is a total outsider. Any rich family (let alone the RBF) would be wary of someone like her. They probably want the spare to ride off into the sunset with his wife and be progressively phased out of the royal household in a decade or so. It’s a thin balance between using her novelty + her popularity for now during George, Charlotte and Louis’ childhood but without making it impossible for her to become a forgettable figure in the background when the times comes. They want a Sophie, not a Diana.
We’ll just have to agree to disagree; I think it’s crazy to call a woman unprofessional for holding her large pregnant belly.
All pregnant women touch their belly every once in a while but they don’t walk around with their arms wrapped around it like that for the entire night. It looked excessive, that’s all. Maybe she’s trolling people after the backlash of the last two weeks but it will only make things worse. She can’t beat the press and she can’t beat the men in gray.
Agree completely. Getting mad that a woman is holding her own body. People are so sad
I’m on my second pregnancy and definitely don’t go around the office holding my pregnant belly but we definitely don’t have the same type of jobs. I think she was just posing for pics and it’s how she likes to pose. Might look a little silly but it’s her baby bump her choice!
We’re probably evenly split here: to cup or not. I love Meghan but not the cupping.
The “men in grey” are powerful, but they’ve misread the public mood before. . . . I suspect their weakness is her strength.
Absolutely agree with Maxie. Meghan is lovely and undoubtedly will do great work for her charities etc. but she needs to tread more carefully. It is as if she hadn’t quite understood how much her career and role in the spotlight have changed…
I agree about the constant belly cupping being too much. We know you’re pregnant Meghan!
I’ve always liked her but these photos make me wonder – it is over the top and seems very ‘look at me!’
The coverage on KP SM accounts has always been biased against Harry so this is nothing new all it does is highlight how much the Sussex’s need their own PR team.
I wonder what the Cambridges response to this will be and you can bet you bottom dollar that Katie Keen comes out with a similar style in the next few days.
Kate DID wear a one shoulder gown to the Diplomatic Dinner a few weeks ago, a pink number, I believe. Are we now going to say Meghan “copied” Kate? FGS, this is stupid! ALL of the women in the RF have worn one shoulder dresses at some point, who are THEY “copying”?? If we really want to drag this, they are all, through the centuries, copying ancient Greeks and Romans. So let’s just let it go. Wearing a “style” or “color”, or “print” someone else has worn sometimes, does not constitute “copying”! Stripes, plaids, polka dots, etc have been around a LONG time!
There are countless examples where the shoe was on the other foot & the Cambridges events were not covered until 24 hours later most recently during the Australia tour. William & Kate have been doing more public events together so of course their event will get more coverage than a private ‘surprise’ engagement.
I think this appearance was a misstep for her. She did nothing to win over anyone in the palace offices by talking about herself in the speech and coming off like an actress. A more humble attitude showing support for everyone there for a more worthy cause would have been a better avenue for a “take this, you bastards” stance.
I think she still has to figure out the difference between actress celebrity, and royal celebrity.
And the cultural differences she is facing.
She should take her time to learn and slow down.
Meghan really is a Kardashian. She wanted fame her entire life, and now she has it.
I think she should beware of what she wishes for. She doesn’t have any true allies in the royal family. If William makes it about choosing between he and Meghan, she will be thrown under the bus. And run over – twice.
Both William and Charles are fickle. If they think she’s hurting Harrys image or especially their own they will not hesitate to run to the press and have the grey men’s on their team to keep it going
The only things that separates the Windsors as a whole from the Kardashians is a country, an accent and the Americans don’t pay for Kris’s clan. If we’re being real.
This is too funny. She already had fame on a smaller scale when she was on Suits and making regular appearances on morning shows. People are acting like no one knew of her existence until she was connected to Harry. It’s funny how she’s the “Kardashian” when she wasn’t clinging onto Harry and getting constantly papped (often intentionally) for her relationship for years on end.
It doesn’t take much for people to switch from “she’s a nobody” to “she’s too Hollywood” apparently. Nevermind the appearances royals have made at these events over the past few decades…
Sounds like wishful thinking @GiveMeABreak.
Also, your point yesterday about Meghan always making everything about herself because she talked about working her way through Northwestern. Relating to your audience does not equal making everything about yourself. I clearly like Meghan but I can talk about when I think she’s taken a misstep just as I can talk about when I think she’s doing well. If you cant do both, then you lack perspective and insight and are just throwing everything at the wall and looking to see what sticks.
I think William is a pompous idiot who was born on third base but thinks he hit a triple but I still remember him talking about his experience with the word, Mum, after his mother died. How such a ubiquitous word in a person’s vocabulary changes and it’s something I understood and to which I related.
Kacy do tell who is humble in that family and why Meghan has to be the only one to humble herself?
Don’t worry I’ll wait.
Anne. End of list. Lmao.
Damn, mic drop.
You mean Anne who en/forced the rule change that all those who married in have to bow to her when their husbands aren’t around?
I’m done. Good day.
You think Anne is humble LMAO OK
Still didn’t get answer as to why Meghan should humble herself when it’s not asked if anyone else in that family but I already know why.
I hope she keeps cupping her belly,holding her husband hand, closing car doors and wearing dark nail polish since it makes the girls so angry.
Wow, sick burn! You totally got me, someone who likes Meghan and wants her to do well, but can see she’s not making friends with her in-laws, who she’s financially dependent on, with this appearance by acting more like an actress vs. royal.
I actually think we’re seeing what some of her charities will be based on her recent meetings and the awards ceremony (which was a fundraiser for the British Fashion Council) and also her visit next week to Brinsworth House.
And I don’t remember people clamoring for Kate to be “more humble.” Why are people so anxious for Meghan to work LESS? She said prior to marriage that she wants to be a woman who works and has clearly spent lots of time doing research behind the scenes. So know it’s been 6 months and she’s beyond ready to get to work. Why is that such a problem? Not everyone needs 5-7 years to ease into a (pretty easy) job.
Kate’s fans should be excited about Meghan because this is part of what will get Kate to move out of her comfort zone and start testing herself. Picking up new patronages, trying new looks, giving more speeches etc.
Kate’s fans don’t want that. Meghan has shown up, gotten straight to work, is professional, and is blowing all of their 7 years of excuses about Kate out of the water.
Exactly. It’s nice that she’s comfortable under the spotlight but things are different in the UK. A mix of her easiness and Kate’s “Britishness” would be a perfect.
People would be more willing to accept it if she was married to the future King but she’s married to the sixth in line. I truly believe that’s what annoy many of detractors. She’s expected to be nice but somewhat forgettable, not to be the talk of the town. The “competition” between the two couples is possible but one is destined to be the King and Queen while the other … isn’t. There’s always going to be one winer.
She hasn’t done anything other that was is expected of her. Not her fault she’s more popular than William and Kate.
@Jules, That is just not true. According to a poll of the British, Meghan is below Kate, William and Harry in popularity. And let’s be honest, the only people who really count are the British, not her American fans, because if the British people decide they want a slimmed down monarchy, Harry and Meghan will be out looking for real work. What we Americans think counts for less than nothing.
@GiveMeABreak, Meghan, unlike Wills and Kate has had real jobs. She’d be fine.
She has people advising her and they know better than royal watchers.Those same people obviously didn’t find anything wrong with her going to the event and it was also in the CC.
It’s not so much the event but the speech and how she posed with people. If she had come to the event, given a nice speech about the designer and not been in the spinning picture, I would not have seen a need to comment like I did. Her speech had a sense of proving that she belonged their (I already knew some of you, etc), vs celebrating the event at hand.
The British Fashion Council is a charity that the QUEEN herself is an honorary member of. This year when she sat front row at a fashion show it was to present the “Queen Elizabeth II Award” to Richard Quinn. An award design by HER MAJESTY’S own personal advisor Angela Kelly for the British Fashion Council. Also, this year, Sophie and Kate hosted and event at Buckingham Palace for the BFC and the Commonwealth Fashion Council. Stop projecting on Meghan as though she has done something wrong when it seems it’s just fine when the Queen or other members of the royal family do the same thing. So over the bias.
Anyone else notice there is a constant theme of ‘she needs to be more humble’ running through all her story comments? No matter her actions, she’s just pushy. Her only role is to stay in the background, preferably hidden behind someone taller so she doesn’t show up so well in the pictures. It does not matter what Meghan does, she is going to pay for marrying Harry the rest of her life. She will be slammed by the masses, the press, and certain members of her backstabbing new family, and has been from first date on. I hope their love is strong.
As if Harry would have married someone with a ‘humble’ demeanor.
I didn’t call for her to be humble (nor do I see the need for it), but this kind of knee-jerk all-or-nothing reaction is not helpful either. I see plenty of positive, supportive comments, so not sure what you’re talking about when you say criticism is running through “all” her story comments, it’s certifiably not true. And no, not “no matter her actions”, her actions matter. People are allowed to like some of her actions, but not all of them. “Staying in the background” is not the only alternative to “being humble”. Surely we can find the presence of mind to see some nuance at least in such inane fluff stories? I really hope Meghan isn’t insecure enough to care what the Internet thinks of her. I’d guess that if anything bothers her, it’s her relationship with Harry’s family, if it is indeed strained. The rest is just white noise.
I agree, I think it was a misstep. I don’t think she did it out of arrogance but rather just misjudged. I think she wants to do a good job, but neither she, nor anyone else, really, knows what the boundaries are.
It was an appearance to give the award to the designer who is famous for designing Meghan’s wedding gown. Perfectly appropriate for her to show up and give the speech.
Jason is William & Kate’s PR man. I don’t see things changing until the Sussexes get their own SM person. Jason’s job is to pump up the Cambridges first and H&M second.
I don’t think the palace, the royals, the British press totally understood that Meghan Markle is a smart, independent, modern woman.
She respects the crown and her duties, but she would not just sit back quietly after her wedding day.
She’s passionate, ambitious and has projects and causes that she wants to work on. She stands by all that and it makes some uncomfortable, but they need to get used to it and to her.
That’s the problem. No one is bigger than the monarchy. The BRF isn’t supposed to get used to outsiders because they’re supposed to get used to the royal rules.
When Kate married in, there was a great deal of protectiveness around her because of how Diana had felt stifled by that family. The Windsors were expected to change. It would be nice if that same concern was extended to Meghan but in her case, it’s clear that Meghan is the one who is supposed to go along with things.
I do wonder if that is part of the contentiousness between William and Harry. Harry watched William push back against the family for so many years yet joins with them when it comes to Harry wanting to carve out his own space.
No one is bigger than the crown. No one.
Not Charles.
Not Andrew.
Not Diana.
Not Fergie.
Not Kate.
Not Meghan, the newest member.
No one.
And Charles and then William will be the crown.
You run out there with your own agenda and your own PR and they will crush you. You arrogantly think your agenda and you and your PR are bigger, and they will show you that you are wrong. They took that instagram video right down.
Ask Fergie how this all worked out. And she was a beloved English girl. Meghan is already looked at with suspicion by many in the country that pays her bills.
Fergie was photographed topless with a man sucking her toes while she was still married to Andrew. It was not her first affair, either. But Meghan’s polish!?
Exactly what has Meghan done that makes her such a threat to “the crown?” Work harder than the two sloths who will someday have a titular post in a country that wields little power?
If she just laid low, they’d say she was lazy and mooching off the taxpayer. She can’t win with the tabloids.
^This.
It’s amazing to me how people are saying Meghan needs to humble herself why should Meghan hide her confidence because it’s makes some of you uncomfortably . Why should Meghan be put in the corner because William and Kate had no charisma what so ever it’s like the Beyoncé thread in here when it’s comes to Meghan how it ok to police a black woman body everything Meghan does is a scandalized to some of you . New flash the royals have been hanging out with celebrities for years how we all soon forget about the stars wars premiere Harry and William went to or how William and Kate went to Hollywood gala meet with celebrities how the queen was sitting front row with Anne Winstors at a fashion show. It’s only a problem when Meghan does something that every royal did before here like how Kate using to belly constantly there was not a peep for any of you so called haters of belly cupping. The overly faux outraged of Meghan being at this event is ridiculously because last year when Kate and William went to the BRF awards people were saying how Meghan couldn’t never ever go to a event she a d lister at best and William and Kate belong their more than Meghan . The metal gymnastics some people do to justified their criticism of Meghan before she was a nobody who no one has ever heard until she married Harry now it’s well she actress so she comfortable with the industry and mingle with these sort of people all time but according to some of you she a nobody actress who couldn’t even get a invitation to anything. Now everytime Meghan does something good you guys will use her actress background against her it’s ok for some people to be cocky and have confidence but the moment a woman of color showns a hint of confidence she told she needs to humble herself and take two steps back so others won’t feel threatened how that ok why should Meghan have to become shrinking violet because Kate has finally decided after 8 years to step up do her job . Why is that Kate hasn’t been held to a some sort of standard of work ethic why is that Kate could show up in a boring ribbon style dress she meet with praise but Meghan reach out to a community of woman of color who has lost a lot she meets with disgusting and petty comments .
Like Lainey said, Meghan can’t win their game b/c the game was set up to exclude her to begin with. If she does something to try to play the game, they’ll just move the yardstick to keep her out. She fails at their game just by the sake of her existence. The only thing she can do is be true to herself, do her best, carve out her own position, and live her life. There will inevitably be people who will feel threatened by what she does, there will always be detractors. Those detractors will never accept her because they don’t want to.
Uh, people are constantly ripping WK to shreds. What site are you reading?
They only get ripped apart because of their laziness other than that people act like they are God’s gift.
William and Kate have built a reputation as being work averse and have been rightly criticized given the fact they live a lavish lifestyle funded by the British taxpayer.
Meghan over the past year has shown herself to be someone who can get some serious work done, has shown herself to be kind and caring, has always been deferential when accompanying the Royal family in public events, loves Harry to bits and is getting all kinds of racist/sexist/classist s**t thrown her way. It’s hardly the same and it’s very very unfair.
@Vanessa – W&K came out ahead of Meghan in the you.gov popularity polls, so the idea that no one likes them is something that’s only true here. But that said, those polls don’t matter. What matters is not making it look like while you’re overjoyed to take the perks of the new system you married into, you still want the right to put two fingers up to it at the same time.
The game is the survival of the monarchy, and the monarchy only survives if it straddles a fine line between “democratizing” but keeping its “mystique”, and that mystique is tied in with traditions, history, and respect.
These people are immensely wealthy, immensely influential, and immensely powerful.
I’m sure Harry explained it all to her and she said, “Oh, yes, I get it, I so get it, I just totally get it,” only the first thing she did was threaten the British press. I don’t think she does get it.
And Diana made the same mistake. She didn’t want that divorce – she thought the Morton book would bring Charles home, get rid of Camilla, and install her as the victor of the field.
Instead, the Queen called them both in and said, “Enough. Divorce. Now.” And Diana was booted out of the family. And she was a white English aristocrat, a beautiful blonde with blue eyes, daughter of a family that had been connected to the royals for a long time, her grandmother was a close friend of the Queen Mother’s, and she was born on the Sandringham estate.
And she still lost the game.
In this arena, from where I sit, the old saying about discretion being the better part of valor applies big time.
You want the perks, the title, the status, the global fame, the homes renovated at the expense of the British taxpayers, the allowance for lots of clothes by Dior, de la Renta, Givenchy? You also respect the rules of the system that gave you all that.
It’s the way the thing works.
Harry wrote the letter to the tabloids, not Meghan. Meghan has no tell–all book, so why compare Diana to her? Being nicer, prettier, more articulate, harder working and more photogenic than the in-laws is not something she can change, nor should she. In the US, we appreciate hard work. If W&K continue as they have been, there won’t be anything to be king of.
I joked about ending the monarchy below but that is an unlikely scenario in the near or medium term. The Royal family has strong support with the British public and, while that may slip in the future, it still would be very expensive to get rid of the Royal family given the financial complexities of the Crown Estates. As we’ve seen, the UK has been hugely challenged with enacting Brexit, so I can only imagine the eternal deadlock divesting from the BRF would cause.
Also, I get really liking Meghan but I have learned from experience that constant pedestal praise and sending out ranting negative vibes to that person’s perceived opposition isn’t positive for inward growth and health in the long run.
Peeps are always going to criticize public figures. Always. I love President Obama like a crazy person and used to go nuts defending him online but then I felt like I was harming myself without really helping him much because anyone who steps into being a public figure, especially as an adult, is aware that it comes with a heaping side of public criticism and must have developed a good defense system to ignore it.
As far as the institutional machinery favoring Kate and William, yeah, that’s built in considering it’s a hierarchy. Harry himself has spoken about fading into the background in the not so distant future so it shouldn’t be surprising that they aren’t getting equal time on the BRF social media accounts given that he’s sixth in line to the throne. There’s just nothing that will change that so it is better not to look at it like a competition, I think.
This. I totally agree. You explained it perfectly!
I’m glad they’re separating offices. They also need a SussexOfficial handle on all social media.
I don’t know if we’re still on bump talk, but i love the cradling. I know it’s a little OTT. But imagine how nervous you would be speaking in front of such a large audience? Just because she makes it look easy doesn’t mean she wasn’t nervous. Also, I’m 33 and if i got pregnant by my BF (who i am crazy in love with), my hands would never leave my belly. It’s a beautiful, primal gesture. We are animals, after all.
It is beautiful and it is primal, which is why I don’t believe the women who say they never cupped their belly, adamant they have not done it. I just don’t buy it.
Obvious belly cupping is so obvious. LOL. She can do what she wants but there’s an over the top ridiculousness to it. It’s like, yes, we see that you are pregnant. We know that you are pregnant. Yes, you are excited. Also the two hand two arm cupping does look awkward.
I wonder if she is also self-conscious about her changing body. You lose control to some extent and it can be disconcerting despite your joy over the pregnancy.
Did you not see the video of her wincing and her shoulder jerking upwards? The baby kicked, hard, and she simply reacted by trying to calm it down.
Too much logic for the Kate-obsessed anti-Meghan crowd.
Ok protocol patty
I think there’s a world of difference between the image of the Queen sitting front row and the Boomerang pic. Which is probably why it’s been taken down. I hate how celebrity obsessed the York’s are and I’d happily see them relocated to a housing estate in Grimsby (sorry Grimsby). The Beckhams are appalling and I’d hope both the Cambridge’s and Sussexes steer clear. It’s not just Meghan that needs to be careful with the RF brand they ALL do. I might sound like a petty Meg hating witch but I’d really like to see her do well and thrive long term as part of the RF.
The British never liked strong, independent women…starting with and including THE QUEEN herself. The only person who seems to hate on Meg from the RF is precious William and his pouty wife.
@Dani – Oh for heaven’s sake, one thing Kate has never been is pouty, and in fact, William IS precious because of where he stands in the line of succession and I’d guess that the Yorks are far more resentful of Meghan after her Look At Me! stunt at Eugenie’s wedding than William and Kate.
And do remember that it was Meghan who decided to sic her lawyers onto the UK press a year before the engagement was announced.
The family itself have nothing on the British tabloids, famous for their ability to pursue, dodge, pursue again – and hold a grudge.
It was a huge mistake, and it was Meghan who made it – not William and Kate.
She’s not pouty, she does seem bored all the time. I think she’s finally getting some lessons in “pretending to give a damn.” But it’s only been 7+ years, cut her a break.
It was Harry not Meghan who wrote the letter and had lawyers dealing with all the slander and racism against Meghan online.
Lol. How many female PMs did Britain have Dani? Meanwhile US elected Trump over Hilary who could be their first female president ever.
@Sza, yeah, I don’t think Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May are the examples you want to go with if you’re trying to prove how much more advanced and forward-thinking Britain is in comparison to America.
Okay so how about the current head of state Queen Elizabeth the second or her namesake Elizabeth the first?
Somehow the monarch of the UK (where people apparently don’t like strong women) and Meghan’s own boss is a woman. Ironic when People from Meghan’s old home country are yet to have a female head of state.
QEII is a monarch solely because she didn’t have a brother and Elizabeth I because she had no surviving brothers which is quite the opposite of equality in action. Also, Nancy Pelosi has been and will again be Speaker of the House which is not that different from a PM given that the PM is a parliament member not a president.
So, in summary, let’s just say both the US and UK have not been great with gender equality and calling Kate pouty doesn’t come across as empowering to women either. I find this whole Kate vs Meghan thing really distasteful. That said, because a monarchy is by its nature, inequitable, William and Kate have already ‘won’ given that he is the heir to the heir and no amount of taking sides will change that fact so I don’t get why people don’t either extend more goodwill to the Royal family members as a whole or just support getting rid of the lot of them.
The Queen loves Sophie, an independent and strong woman. Just like she loved her mother and sister who were the same.
Full disclosure: I now check into the DM a few times a day. Meghan “grabbed the headlines” for about an hour or so, and then was quickly replaced by Caring Kate in her demure frock at the Evelina Hospital. The DM always puts up a “Duchess Stuns in . . l!” or “Duchess Dazzles in . . .!” as soon as one of them, any of them, show up glammed up. Then they get moved down the page.
The DM is about clicks. They move fast, the headlines change quickly, and the only places still pumping up Meghan at the British Fashion Awards are HELLO and Lainey . . .
Those headlines in the real newspapers last about half a day. Everyone else is talking about BREXIT, the meltdown in Parliament, and the attack in France.
Those headlines are meaningless.
I mean, Meghan at the awards show was up the entire night on the DM site and generated a ridiculous number of comments (over 14k I think). Kate at the Evelina was up for about 2 hours or so only.
Meghan generates clicks for the DM…their readers love to hate her.
@wisdomheaven – Well, their night is my day, I don’t check in during what is my night, and as this was an evening event, it makes sense, and the Evelina Hospital visit was a daytimes one and not in the glamor column. But, yes, I’ll agree with that re the comments and the clicks. But the Evelina “Caring Kate” headline was just as huge and then got moved down a couple of hours later.
The DM does hate certain people, and Meghan is one of them, but in the end, so far as I can tell, even that takes a back seat to Business Business Business.
I like Meghan but not the belly cupping it just looked plain silly.. She was even doing it in the Instagram pic with Claire Waight Keller. It just looks so contrived.
I don’t think she does feel self conscious about her changing body as Belle mentioned above because she’s actively drawing attention to it in a very bizarre way.
I like her though and I want her to succeed I just feel like the belly cupping is a weird add on to what was a successful appearance
I didn’t state it well, but my thought was that she might feel the need to emphasize her bump so as not to appear frumpy or overweight. But I agree that she only drew more attention to herself.
At the end of the day, I just don’t understand it and I think it detracted from the really good aspects of the appearance.
I should add that I have been pregnant twice, and my first child somersaulted his way through the third trimester, so I have had the experience of pregnancy.
If that woman didn’t design Meghan’s wedding dress, she wouldn’t be getting an award. I don’t think she deserves it in any case because her designs for Meghan are really basic and the wedding dress didn’t even fit properly. This black dress sure is no masterpiece either. Why are the British designers so dull? They’ll never match the French and Italian ones.
I guess you missed the memo that CWK designs for Givenchy (French) and her 1st 2 haute couture collections have been receieved enthusiastically
@Erin – I guess you also missed that ghastly tablecloth ill-fitting bizarre tablecloth dress by de la Renta that Meghan wore to the Spencer wedding? Even the model didn’t look good in it.
That was Italian.
violet – the tablecloth dress was Oscar de la Renta, who was from the Dominican Republic. He died a few years ago (so sad, he was a fantastic designer) and the current designers are Fernando Garcia (Dominican-American) and Laura Kim (Korean-Canadian). They also design for Monse. Sorry, not Italian. But technically speaking, Commonwealth, thanks to Ms. Kim’s heritage!
I didn’t mind the loose fitting dress at the private wedding, Meghan should be able to wear what she likes in private, and frankly her husband looks more slovenly in his private time than she does. The men always get off scot-free, don’t they?
Sarah Burton won the award when she designed Kate’s dress. So, yes, it makes sense for Claire to win this award now. Designing the wedding gown does have a lot to do with it.
In that boomerang picture, I am so jealous — Meghan does not have a bad angle. Whhhaaaaaat is that about? She is amazingly photogenic.
I bet Meghan is probably disappointed at all the flak in the press, but honestly, probably not too surprised.
The fact that she keeps her head up, keeps smiling, has Harry’s adoration and love and her new baby — it’s driving so many crazy, and that is probably delicious in her most petty, secret corners of her mind. “Living well is the best revenge.” Suck it haters!
Aside from all the thinly disguised racist snark she gets about literally everything she does, Meghan has the most important personality trait that will take her great places – confidence. She, like her mother, rises above the petty nastiness and just gets on with her work, her marriage and her impending motherhood with grace and aplomb.
Quote I think it’s much more likely that some media consultant adjacent to the British Fashion Awards preemptively took it down. Unquote because of the massive trolling.
Top and Mid courtiers from the 3 courts (BP, CH and KP) have their speed dial with x journalists. Like Meghan has it with Scobie (almost + Jessica is giving the scoops to Lainey).
It has always been this way with the BRF. The whispering of MM comes mainly from CH seconded by BP. The KP staff meetings with Harry and Meghan…what are your inclinations charity wise is going to happen. She pretty much knows where she wants to dedicate, the past 6 years should give you a clue.
The discrepancy between H&M and W&K’s coverage on social media, by the PR team that’s supposed to work for both of them, kind of cements the theory I’ve had for a while that Harry’s falling out wasn’t just about William “not rolling out the red carpet” for Meghan–it has more to do with how he thinks Kensington Palace has handled the press surrounding Meghan, specifically the coverage of their relationship and her work as Duchess.
I think it’s likely that he had a word with them about this, and the staffers at KP didn’t take kindly to it at all. Plus, maybe Harry expected William to back him up on this, and William flaked out on him. Hence the reason why H&M are separating their household from W&K and hiring their own set of staff to oversee coverage. It also explains the reports of Meghan’s supposedly bossy “American” behaviour.
Protocol patty here 😉
There Is a reason black isn’t popular with the Queen for daytime. For the older generations it’s considered funereal. When the royals do a public engagement it’s a big deal to the people involved. On a par with a wedding and they will put thought into what they wear and put on their best outfit. If the royals rock up looking like they are ready for a funeral it’s like Debbie Downer arrived. They also don’t stand out to the people waiting to catch a glimpse of them. Anyway, no it won’t break the monarchy but it’s a little sign of respect to the people they are meeting.
You know very well who is behind this sudden media hate. Pierce Morgan himself. DM and all. It’s his revenge. Inviting Tom and Samantha, and all of that.
I don’t know if he’s behind it all but it doesn’t hurt to blame him. I don’t know how he has so many jobs.
The criticism seems to be over the top rabid. Beatrice, Eugenie and Zara have all posed in similar fashion, at similar fashion events. Zara cupped her belly when expecting her three babies (sadly losing one to miscarriage). The press needs to show some restraint. It’s an echo chamber at this point. One “grey” man leaked, and then all the other reporters ran with that story, without any original sourcing. I seriously doubt their “impeccable” sources. I remember the 80’s, when Diana was newly pregnant every week, QEII was constantly about to divorce Phillip, and the QM was going to remarry. None of that happened, and what did happen was not covered by the tabloids at the time.
We need to give the RF some space, and while they will always be on a pedestal, they don’t need to be lifted quite so high up on it.
B, E, and Z are insignificant, minor Royals, as everyone loves pointing out. If they’re so insignificant in the grand hierarchy of the BRF they shouldn’t be held to the same standards as a Senior Royal. Bea and Eug have social media accounts because they aren’t working Royals, Meghan is acting like a celebrity. The tabloids stories were all true about Diana and Charles but everybody thought they were false. The press knew the truth, the family knew the truth.