Here’s another excerpt from People Magazine’s cover story this week, all about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new life and new vibe in Canada. There were some questions about who was leaking what and whether “palace sources” really know anything. I truly don’t know anything for sure, but historically, both the Sussexes and the Cambridges leak sugary, positive information to People Magazine, out of all the American outlets. It’s possible that Camp Cambridge is still providing quotes to People about the Sussexes, just as possible that Camp Sussex wants a little bit of positive coverage too. It’s also possible that People Magazine just has some good sources in Meghan’s camp (that’s been clear for some time, honestly). So, here’s the very basic new excerpt:
Meghan Markle is adjusting well to life back in North America. With the decision to step down as senior members of the royal family behind them, Meghan and Prince Harry have begun to put down roots in Canada as they look to the year ahead.
“It was just this tremendous shift when Meghan returned to Canada [after their announcement],” a source tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “You could tell that she felt so much less stressed.”
The couple — and their 9-month-old son Archie — have been staying in a $14 million mansion on Vancouver Island, with Meghan enjoying the scenery on hikes with her beagle Guy and the couple’s Labrador. “They are enjoying living a quiet life,” an insider says. “They go for long walks, they do yoga, and Meghan cooks. They are real homebodies who love to chill out with Archie and the dogs.”
Most of all, Meghan, 38, and Harry, 35, are enjoying their time as mom and dad to Archie.
“Archie is the priority. It’s very much still about taking care of him and putting the family first. He’s a happy kid—he loves to laugh,” the close friend says. “Archie and Harry have such a good time together. And Meghan is a great mom. She’s very much about tending to him. They are trying to live their life as regular parents.”
I’m starting to wonder about something and I hope no one jumps down my throat about this, but here goes: do you think Meghan and Harry would have left when they did if they had taken a proper maternity and paternity leave? Meghan worked throughout her pregnancy, and she was still working on British Vogue and SmartSet and planning the African tour when she was just weeks postpartum. I feel like Meghan really didn’t give herself a chance to properly rest and readjust after she had Archie, and those postpartum months were so frenetic and chaotic and the racist, misogynistic criticism kept piling up and Meghan thought she could just work through it all. I feel like this time in Canada is the “family leave” they probably should have taken immediately after Archie was born. I’m not saying that the Sussexit would never have happened – I think it would have always happened. But their decision to exit was compounded by all of Meghan’s postpartum hormones and the fact she didn’t give herself time to breathe.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Avalon Red and Backgrid.
“They are trying to live their life like regular parents.”
As much as I like Meghan and Harry, they are not trying to live like regular parents. They are both unemployed and living in a $14 million dollar mansion. I know they have their foundation and the charities, but it is not the same. Not remotely. Harry has never really understood what the “regular” life he speaks of really is. He will always be so, so privileged.
I agree. It would be more accurate to say they want to live like normal multi-millionaire parents. No judgement, I just think Harry and William have no idea what “normal” is – they don’t even know what they don’t know.
Harry’s idea of a normal life is Rose Astor and Hugh van Cutsem; very aristocratic non-titled landed gentry. Harry has no clue what a true “normal” life is.
This is what I’ve always felt. Normal to him is what a lot of their friends have. A trust fund type lifestyle, an estate, and the ability to come and go as they please while working on things that they are interested in. He doesn’t understand REAL people normal, he wants super privileged aristocrat ‘normal’. I don’t think that’s necessarily wrong of him, but it’s always been a bit of a farce to claim that he wants normalcy.
@Erinn – What I think Harry does not and cannot understand is that if you are born an HRH, even and HRH of Albania, you can never have a totally normal life.
As I said before, these two don’t need to be “ normal”. They are too driven and where Harry comes from, ambition and drive is not acceptable. I think they want a more venture philanthropist type life. We were a normal family at a very elite preschool, being a small fish around some multi millionaire tech types ( not Zuckerberg level but they knew those types) . They work really hard while earning a LOT, but while “friendly”, are very used to getting their way and getting things done, their way. You don’t doubt their smarts and drive, and they seriously believe their change the world viewpoint. Definitely interesting, different set of rules. Also another thing we don’t get is the amount of access these people have to people we only read about in newspapers. They have no problem calling up a congressman or some mega star. People forget how well connected both Harry and Meghan are, and how discrete these people can be. And their connections have a lot more insider information on what actually happened than we ever will.
I think “normal” means not being hounded by racist reports, hurling nonsense at them. My normal isn’t your normal and that’s okay. My normal is running 60 mile weeks, cross training, my career as a chief operations officer, and so forth. I don’t understand what’s it like to sleep in or take it easy, and many people do not understand the way I choose to live my life. So I don’t think it’s fair to chastise him for using the word normal!
If they keep saying they want to be independent, why are they taking Charles’ money?
The British Royal family is very rich. Rich families support their children. Do you see Georgina Bloomberg or Athena Onassis turning down family money?
Athena Onassis has no siblings.
Not comparable.
ETA: the half siblings are on her father’s side and they have plenty of her money. He’s comparable to Mr. Markle as well as her ex husband.
What is comparable is that she left Greece and didn’t come back, but she is still sole heir.
Maybe because Harry’s money isn’t liquid, and his father was one of those who allowed him to be hounded out of the country for marrying a bi-racial woman? Maybe Charles just feels really guilty and uses money to make himself feel better. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t want H, M or A to be murdered so he’ll help pay for the extraordinary security that they need.
It will take time for things to fall into equilibrium for the Sussexes. They said they were working toward financial independence. This is them doing that. It’s absolutely none of any one’s business whether his father wants to help him out or not.
yes, she has, and she probably gives her siblings money(half brothers and sisters, but she was raised along with them).
My guess is that, going by history, actual work is a novelty in theUK aristocrat set. Really what do the rich set do besides going to CEO meetings and live off trust funds?
With the money they have, they can invest in several ways. I don’t like to speculate. They’ll do things their way in their own time.
I remember. I had to laugh at myself for the impulse because she has a few half siblings! Brain isn’t working today.
You are correct though, of course. Not one of those people are not not going to be rich.
Another new name with the same old tumblr trope? They stated they are working to become financially independent. Given the number of security issues they face, it isn’t surprising it would take some time. The white nationalists trying to kill Harry, the tumblr freaks plotting openly online to physically attack Meghan? Those dangers have not gone away simply because they’re stepping back. And if stepping back makes them more vulnerable? See Diana refusing her taxpayer RPOs going with her to France and the outcome.
Why do they keep talking Charles’ money? Because Charles gives it to them. I don’t get why people tie themselves in knots about money that belong to someone else. It’s not our money it’s prince Charles money and if he chooses to give it to his financially independent son and his wife and grandson, well it’s his money to do with as he pleases.
And you don’t hear Onassis harping on about being independent? Well, neither are the Sussexes harping on about their situation. Rather, it’s the Piers Morgans of this world plus the MAGA fanatics and tumblr crazies harping on it non stop, carrying on about how the Sussexes should stop taking Charles’ money, as if Charles money belongs to anyone else but Charles. You never hear the Sussexes going on and on about anything do you?
Uh, “keep saying” sounds like harping, and no one (especially the Sussexes) is harping about anything but those people who believe every negative thing written about this couple. And, these people can’t seem to help themselves from repeating what the tabloid media (including People) says about the Sussexes as if it came straight from their mouths.
Harry has no idea of a middle class “normal” life. I blame Diana for instilling this “normal” BS in both William and Harry. Like taking them to MacDonalds or to Disneyland showed them “real” life. Especially as they probably were escorted all over Disneyland and skipped the lines. I think normal for Harry is a well to do aristocratic “normal” like some of the richer aristocracy: Duke of Westminster etc. And as for Meghan and lack of maternity leave, I agree. Plus she had so many extreme changes over the past couple years and so many were going out of their way to make it difficult for her. I’m pretty sure Vancouver Island is a bit of bliss for her right now.
Very true tiger lily!
Diana did speak about william and Harry’s being royal and their future and hoped Harry would be William’s support. I don’t blame DIana. William and Harry skewed the “normal” spin the way they wanted it. Especially William. DIana I think would not have approved of William avoiding full time work by taking a “normal” job as a Copter co-pilot for an ambulance corps. The way William presents “normalcy” seems to include Kate wearing an outfit (which cost $$$) again. He did not date a’ “normal” woman whose parents supported her as she waited eight years doing little work, for that ring. Also Diana was not with them since August 1997. They have not had their mother around for 22 years.
You know, a “normal” person like yourself , can also be escorted around Disneyland and skip the lines if you want to, just pay for the VIP service. Stop with this “ normal” fetishization. What they don’t want is to live in a place where the national press or taxpayer money has been weaponized against them, at the expense of other national news of more importance. No one questions the funding and purpose of the other Royals, why Andrew and his debauched ways are still under protection with no pushback at all, how this is used as a distraction from real issues affecting your exalted middle class. The reality is all these naysayers and concern trolls want this couple to fail, whether as official working royals or as private citizens earning their own income. There is this desire to smack them down for some grievance that still hasn’t been fully explained.
Yeah, I remember all the stories of William fetishizing a “normal life” to the point that we call him Normal Bill and Normal Kathy. These people aren’t normal and never will be.
To people like Prince William et al, “normal” to them is the same as Marie Antoinette playing shepherdess. You guys are barking up the wrong tree with this “ normal” narrative. It’s off base. I don’t recall them saying that.
William could only “play” at being normal. While his mates in the Ambulance Corps made this their careers and took it seriously and did the real work, William would grandstand for occasional photo ops and the media would praise only William for doing the “rescuing.” I found that pathetic.
I mean that’s true, but the same can be said of most of the commenters on this site compared to the majority of people on Earth.
It’s interesting that what is “normal” vs what is “privileged” is based entirely upon the experience of the person commenting.
I see them as similar to the Obamas who got criticized for having Michelle’s mother live with them at the WH to help with the girls. Cause apparently still working and having a ton of events means people of means can’t ever take a breath or have help. And if you live in an expensive home, your problems stop at the door.
The rich bashing that occurs on Celebitchy about Meghan and Harry not having “real problems” is gross.
Also gross that people demand that they somehow are leeches if any country pays for their security detail. Which based on latest calculations would be about a freaking $1. Sorry, I rather they be safe since there have been mass death threats against both of them instead of everyone acting like these two are acting like prima donnas.
I don’t think it’s so much “real problems”, as different problems vs. regular problems. Yes, they’re rich so they don’t have to worry about things a lot of regular people and a lot of young parents do, but they do have security issues and intense media scrutiny and a lot of awful things said about them.
I feel like most people on this site are pretty sensitive to the issues H&M deal with, but at the same time I think we can recognize that they aren’t rushing back to an office job to keep health insurance and the rent paid.
LUCY2, well said.
@Lucy2, for the 1000000th time, regular office 9-5s are NOT the only jobs on the planet. I RME every time I see comments like ” they’re not working, they aren’t doing a 9-5 job”. It’s like people”choose” to be “deliberately” uninformed.
WHATSINANAME … that was very well written. XO
I really do not think that any of their security should be paid for by any government.
Their needed and necessary security should be paid for privately.
I think until the spring anyway the Brits and the Canadians are paying for their security.
You’re gonna take some heat for that BTB but I for one agree wholeheartedly. Canada welcomes them with open arms but we do not want to pay for security costs – why should we pay for a UK citizen & a US citizen? It’s been said before but it bears repeating
I get both sides of it. I’m Canadian. I’m absolutely not opposed to helping them get set up with security initially – but I don’t think even CLOSE to the bulk should be up to Canadian’s to pay for. Neither of them are Canadian citizens. THEY chose to move here (and I don’t blame them for wanting to). And while the situation was absolute bull for them, they still chose to set up in a new country, and they both have personal wealth. It’s not the same situation as a refugee in dire circumstances living in a war torn country needing help to get their lives started because there is a very good chance they could wind up dead.
I’m fine with a small tax increase. But I guess what I have a problem with is the idea of “well it’s only $1”. But at what point should we start/stop paying extra to support people that are worth infinitely more money than I will ever see in my time. And while it’s only about $1… how many arguments could be made for covering security for other famous people. If we start saying ‘sure thing!’ to incredibly wealthy people, that $1 will keep growing.
That’s just it Erin – why should Canadians pay for security of a uk & a us citizen? They aren’t here in an official capacity 🤔
Has anyone actually said that Canada will be responsible for their security? I’ve heard and read rumors from outlets that have traditionally wanted to stir up trouble against the Sussexes say it’s going to happen, but nothing concrete.
I don’t think we should pay for their security costs either. We already unfortunately pay for the upkeep and security of an un-elected Governor General who represents the Crown,we shouldn’t be responsible for other members of that family. They are all stinking rich and can pay their own way, esp since they are still getting $$ from Charles.
Not Canadian, so no dog in the fight, but I’d feel this way if they came here to LA (US): why SHOULD we pay, even $1/pp?? That $1/pp adds up to over $300M here in the US: think of how many homeless that could house, how many veterans could get *proper* medical care, hell, just *proper* medical/dental for citizens who can’t afford the premiums? How many more doctors/nurses/teachers would that $1/pp pay for? The list is endless.
I know they NEED security. They ARE in a position to pay for it themselves, and/or their Granny, being one of the WEALTHIEST women in the world (PERSONAL fortune to the tune of HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF £s) and his dear Pa (again, is worth TENS OF MILLIONS OF £s PERSONAL fortune), can sure as hell help them pay for it.
GuestWho, thank you. I don’t think anyone has officially said that Canada, or the US if they have a home here too, will be paying for their security. I think it’s likely this is coming from the same sources who have been smearing them since day one. I will be the first to eat my words if it comes out that this is going to be on the taxpayers. But man, some people want to believe every negative thing about the Sussexes.
GuestWho – Nobody has said for sure. It seems like we’re willing to consider playing ball to a point, but nothing has been decided. And like I said – I don’t really have an issue with the idea of helping them out a bit initially, but the bulk SHOULD definitely not be on the people of Canada. For all I know they’ll pay it all themselves – but I suspect at least some help will be provided initially, and I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing as long as the boundaries are set.
I do agree that much of the talk has been an attempt at a further smear campaign, but I only brought it up in the first place because the OP had brushed it off like “meh, it’s a buck, who cares”. I think we just need to strike a balance between making sure anyone living here feels safe while expecting the incredibly wealthy to pay their fair share. And contributing to the initial setup would probably prevent too many resources being pulled away from the RCMP.
You’re are right, Erinn, nothing has been confirmed one way or the other. I think people are just trying to stir the pot and get people all riled up – you only need to look at the Globe’s comment section whenever they’ve published an article or op ed about the couple.
Anyone know if there is any truth to this – it was reported that prior to moving in, the Sussexes asked nearby residents to sign NDA’s. I can understand them doing that when they are hiring people, but to ask private citizens…..seems a little problematic to me.
Sorry, I will always be cool with taxes going to prevent someone from being kidnapped or murdered. All of you people talking about your taxes crack me up. I don’t have kids yet my taxes go to schools cause it’s seen as a public good. Same issue with taxes for health care and other things. I loathe Trump, but when he’s out of office, taxes will be paid going to his security detail. I would be more angry if they were honestly not trying to figure out ways to pay for things themselves. They are, but it’s not like they can just make all of their money liquid and will not have to vet security firms and also work out how they handle movements with countries, as well as with local and state municipalities when they don’t have the BRF handling all of that on their end.
I also bring it up since they have gotten hateful comments all through their instagram feed that if they don’t want to be full time Royals they should not be allowed to have Charles pay for their security at all. Some people are literally hoping Meghan gets killed so Harry has to return back to his “family with Archie so he can make his grandparents last days happy.” I have reported a ton of users to Instagram and have been told that they are not violating the terms of agreement. It’s mind-boggling.
Whatsinaname, such good points. Stepping back hasn’t made them less vulnerable. See Diana refusing her taxpayer RPOs in France and the outcome. They need time to figure this out, but they are physically vulnerable from the attacks by white nationalists, tumblr freaks, all of it. Security needs to be sorted but it isn’t going to happen over night.
You’re right Erin and it comes down to a huge inequality. The rich and poor divide isn’t going to change any time soon but it’s painful that the poor end up funding the rich, in order to protect the wealth of the rich, so that they can maintain their privileged position. God forbid those rich became less rich and the playing field was levelled in any way. We can support Meghan and Harry all we want but there are few people who would really be willing to give up their comforts, status and privilege once they have it.
I know we are just talking a few million for security here and the cost to the average person is minimal but it is unjust when it comes down to protecting their wealth as much as their physical safety.
This has nothing to do with protecting any private wealth. They are global targets for ISIS, white supremacists, and unhinged tumblr idiots everywhere. That danger is a result of them being connected to the family firm. Leaving that firm? That doesn’t mean the danger has decreased, but the likelihood the crazies will succeed against them has decreased.
Diana left the Firm and still had taxpayer security, because she was a high profile target. She chose to ignore them and as a result she died.
@Whatsinaname, you make an EXCELLENT point. I don’t have children and never will but I pay school taxes, even if I wonder where my money’s going when I encounter the average Canadian child.
What would the complainers do (most of whom probably aren’t even Canadian) if having Harry and Meghan on Canadian soil makes Canada AND Canadians targets for terrorists and racist lunatics? I know that I won’t mind if some of my tax dollars keep me and mine safe from White supremacists and the kind of lunatic that would plan an attack on a pregnant woman. Right now my tax dollars go to protect Brian Mullroney, the best friend the US ever had. If Canadians get to pick and choose who we protect, I choose NOT to protect that piece of shit.
@notasugarhere, I’m sure the BRF and the British government will be kicking in money for the Sussexes security because it will be cheaper than the ransom they’d have to pay if the Sussexes were kidnapped by terrorists after being driven out of the UK.
Yeah. I mean, money makes SOME things much easier, but it doesn’t change basic human relationships and realities. I accept “normal parents” as a term from their camp. Normal parents, no matter the circumstance, hope to raise their children in a safe environment and minimize outside stressors for the child as much as possible. In impoverished homes, that means providing food and shelter to the best of ability. In middle-class homes, food and shelter are not the primary focus because they are givens, so middle-class “normal” parents concern themselves with the education and financial opportunities for their children. In homes like the Sussexes, food, shelter, and education are givens. They focus on keeping work and social stressors outside of the home’s boundaries.
It’s the same impulse with different manifestations in different situations. Basic needs and then social/emotional health. These are the concerns of every “normal parent.”
Rich people are still people, and life isn’t free from suffering for anybody. Vilifying rich people or diminishing their real struggles isn’t virtuous or even realistic; it’s just willful blindness borne out of envy and resentment. I don’t resent rich people. I’ve met too many of them, and my middle-class life is so much less stressful than many of theirs. Sure, the money would be nice, but it doesn’t remove suffering; it just changes the suffering. Ask anyone who grew up poor and then moved into a different socio-economic sphere. They’ll tell you they’re glad they no longer struggle for food and shelter. They’ll also tell you that money didn’t make their lives free from pain, disappointment, sadness, or tragedy.
Thank you@Marigold, yr above comment sums it all up for me. Nothing to add.👏👏👏👏
If they’re breaking tax law, then they should go to prison for it, but it doesn’t change the fact that rich people are “normal parents,” too, which is the only point I was speaking to.
Not every rich person dodges taxes. That’s a political talking point, and it has no bearing on the average wealthy person who gets up every day to be a human. I am not wealthy by any Western standard, but because of my husband’s work, I’ve met a lot of rich people. Most of them…are normal people with more money than I’ve got. Their lives are not that different from mine. They have just as much stress, just as much suffering, and get the flu once a year just like everyone else. That was my point.
notsugar, Diana was cut loose. All the Queen had to do was let her keep the HRH to ensure her protection permanently.
Duh. Of course she’d be less stressed in Canada. We didn’t need one of her “friends” to talk to the media to figure that one out.
Or People just made it up. It’s a pretty harmless, innocuous article so even if not factual, I doubt anyone would sue them for libel. Having Meghan on the cover will sell magazines, period – no need for anything new or earth shattering.
Agree.
That’s why “friends” is in quotes. None of her real friends are talking to the press so this is either a shot in the dark from an unrelated source or completely made up by People mag.
lol. of course they’re not stressed out. I mean what with all the yoga and legalized pot. jk of course but I wonder how Vancouver is going to benefit from this glamourous exposure (suddenly the real estate prices go up even higher 😉
I agree about the Mat leave. Both she and Kate should have had a full year off.
But she feels less stressed because she is living in a beautiful house, in a beautiful place.
She’s also away from that awful royal family too, so that might be helping as well.
I mean TBF she went after and married into that awful royal family. it has perks.
She was living in a beautiful house in a beautiful place in the UK but the difference is they are not dealing with royal racists and media racists now.
She lived in a beautiful house and a beautiful place beforehand, so the argument doesn’t track. She’s less stressed in Canada (if that’s true) because she’s no longer being hounded by racists and anti-American zealotry every time she leaves the house.
This is another fiction piece
Way to boil an adult woman’s decision to protect herself and her family down to hormones.
XO. And on leave she would have had time to read all the crap they were writing. I don’t think leave makes a difference, in this case. What? So she has more energy to calm herself down from the racism? The Royal Family is a bunch of garbage. Meghan and Harry are geniuses. And I for one will happily pay my dollar!
Yes
@Natasha
Yeah honestly I’m surprised at the victim blame-y tone of this article. Saying Meghan is somehow a bit responsible for feeling the effects of the racist and bile abuse by the British tabloids and her in-laws is because of her hormones and not “letting herself” breathe, just sounds wrong.
Ugh I always bristle at things be chalked up to hormones too. Having a baby is a real concrete life change that shifts tons of things and priorities in your life, it’s not just that your brain is fuzzy from all those darn “lady chemicals”!!
@Maevo, I love that term! Lady chemicals! I’ll have to remember that!
This.
And also way to assume that this is all Meghan’s master plan with Harry just along for the ride.
He’s been doing his own thing and chomping at the bit since long before he met her. I think this was going to happen in one form or another no matter who he married.
No woman can steal away a man who is truly happy with his family and his life.
Everyone seems really determined to remove Harry’s agency completely, don’t they? I guess it’s much easier to blame Meghan for everything, rather than entertain the possibility that he, the blood Prince, just got fed up with all the abuse and attacks and said fine, we’re out. All the RRs and tabloids would rather blame the biracial Duchess, rather than admit their own culpability. He’s not that grief-stricken little boy walking behind his mother’s coffin anymore. He’s an adult, a soldier who served two tours in Afghanistan, and was an Apache attack helicopter driver. He is perfectly capable of making his own decisions, and if anyone still doubts that, just look at how they have given the reporters the slip time and again, such as where they honeymooned, when Archie was born, where they spent the holidays (until KP outed their location), and most recently, this trip to Miami. The guy is a damn Ninja when it comes to them being in stealth mode, so these idiots need to give over on this crap of Meghan being in charge of everything, and at fault for this life-change.
@Babz – Preach it. I’m 100% with you. I think the majority of this was Harry. I think Meghan agreed, but I think it was 100% HIS impulse to get out of dodge. Something happened in that family behind closed doors that was his last straw, and he pushed the eject button.
Yeah, but I think it’s a good point, nonetheless. Women DO have a physical and emotional vulnerability around childbirth. It’s a fact. It’s biology. It’s not diminishing a woman to admit this and expect society to respect it.
We DO spend several months before and after birth with hormonal surges FOR A REASON. They are there for survival and they are necessary. Stress around the physically weakened mother and physically weak infant are actually dangerous, so we have impulses nature put into us for a reason.
That doesn’t make us less credible. It makes us a higher priority. By nature.
Meghan (and Kate, too) were not given what any natural mother should have a right to expect: protection and safety and a moment to breathe after giving birth. And when we rob women of that right, it causes problems.
No. Im sure Meghan was dealing with post-partum depression. Which was exacerbated by the intense racism and negativity thrown at her. I think her taking a maternity leave has zero to do with it. Because as we saw – even when the Sussexes went away for six weeks the press was still attacking them. I think Meghan gets a lot of her value and happiness from working and I think that’s WHY she started working again so soon. Because it brings her joy and purpose.
As for them leaving it’s clear now that Harry and Meghan had begun discussing it while she was still pregnant and probably hoped that things would get better. But once their son was born -and portrayed as a MONKEY in the press – they were done. Mental health issues of course are exacerbated by things like that. That’s a given.
The tabloids went after Meghan almost every day of her time away. She never got a break. During this time the chimp tweet came out as well.
Meanwhile Kate was left alone and she was treated as the second coming of the Madonna for having given birth. There is nothing Meghan could have done to change this double standard.
@Valiantly Varnished – if Meghan was depressed it was due to all the negative press coverage and finding out royal life is NOT what normal people think it is. It was too much for her to bear especially with Archie now in the picture.
Despite the privileges of royal life, I am sure Meghan had no idea how un-glamorous it really is to be a royal. When she found out she would basically be a civil servant (civil servants in the USA must be politically neutral) in a tiara she was, like,”‘No way, I am an activist and worker”. I think Royal life would have been a disappointment to Meghan even if she had received fair press, neutral press, good press or no press at all.
That’s a given. Racism will make you depressed. But it can’t be disregarded that she may have struggled post birth. Because most women do. HOWEVER- I think Kaiser’s connecting maternity leave to their leaving is fundamentally flawed thinking. Because it first of all boils down Meghan to “hormones”. And it also completely disregards and negates the two year racist campaign against her. THAT is why she left. Not because she worked too hard.
“When she found out she would basically be a civil servant (civil servants in the USA must be politically neutral) in a tiara she was, like,”‘No way, I am an activist and worker”. I think Royal life would have been a disappointment to Meghan even if she had received fair press, neutral press, good press or no press at all.”
I disagree. If you remember H&M’s engagement interview, they specifically said that “seeing CHANGE in the world” was one of the first things they talked about on their date and possibly what they hoped to achieve in their role. Even at the Royal Foundation forum, they talked about “maximizing their impact”. And you don’t get to be President and VP of an organization that “champions, funds and connect young leaders” if you’re just gonna be a “civil servant in a tiara”. I believe she would have made the role work for her (and not vice versa). I think had she had the protection and support of that family, she would have stayed.
VV, I agree the work wasn’t the issue. She is made for this kind of role, like Maxima or Letizia. Instead of being embraced, she’s been attacked like Masako.
I think she was stressed because the tabloids kept attacking her – even when she was out of the public eye, I think it was less to do with work.
Slightly off topic but I question if Harry and Meghan are really going to “put down roots” where they are as People magazine says. I see a move back to the US (most likely California) within the year as that location seems to be more in tune with their plans for their foundation and their new careers along the lines of the Obamas (making documentaries on worthy causes, etc.). Victoria (and Vancouver Island) is a wonderful place – beautiful with friendly people and all the outdoor living anyone could want. But it may prove too far off the beaten trail for their purposes.
I thought I remember reading somewhere she didn’t want to move back to the states if trump was still president? That could have been made up, too, of course, but I gut said yeah, of course when I read it.
If they’re going to continue supporting the Queen and the Commonwealth, they’d most likely have to settle down in a commonwealth Country. Which Canada is, and the U.S. is not.
The Queen is not worthy of their support and in particular, Meghan. She had the power to put a stop to the BM’s vitriol and she stayed silent. On the other hand, her pedo son gets full support and a blind eye to his boorish, immoral behaviour.
Security-wise, Canada is safer than the US. That’s why, IMO, they will make their main home in Canada.
And if Trump is reelected they for sure aren’t going to make anywhere in the US their permanent home. Bank on that. A summer home is the most I see them getting.
A 3 hour flight is really nothing if they have to come to LA for business. And Skype and FaceTime exist now. They don’t have to be in LA to do business most of the time.
Of course she’s happier. That’s obvious. and who can blame her?
I don’t think working instead of taking a proper mat leave affected their decision. I think it was frustrating bc while she was working, it was all behind the scenes and not announced events, so as far as the press went she was out of sight, but we still got story after story about the planes and the Queen wanting to give Meghan “tips” on her “behavior” and everything else. I think that made them realize it didn’t matter what they did. Be out and about in the public eye, be private, work, not work – the press was going to attack them no matter what.
And then when Vogue and the Smart Set came out – there was a lot of praise but there was some really stupid criticism too, and I think that also probably stung. she probably thought “here I was, working instead of just taking a break like others have done, and I still am getting criticism for it in the press.”
She was also told to give Kate credit for her project too. I can’t remember if it was for Smart Set or the Vogue cover.
Yes, the the leave would have been good but in the wake of all the attacks and vitriol i wonder if she kept working because she thought surely the British people will love me if they see how hard I am working. I said I would hit the ground running and I am. Remember that the media used to dub Kate lazy and if Meghan had taken time off they would have hurled worse abuse at her. Quite frankly Meghan was on a hiding to nothing no matter what she did and I think when that realisation hit, and the Archie comment was made with no support from anyone in the Mafia family it was time to pick up sticks.
Maybe she kept working to help take her mind off the rabid press attacks and who knows what all was going on behind the scenes with Harry’s family? Maybe she just likes to stay busy and connected. Maybe she thought it was the right thing to do for her charities.
I agree with this assessment. I think it was a combination of all those factors. She was damned if she did, and damned if she didn’t, so I think she did what made her feel the strongest and most positive – work.
They left because their work environment was made untenable by their employers. They were in a toxic work environment where they were bullied and harassed and management did nothing. I think the only influence having a child had was to motivate them to leave sooner rather than later.
Well said!
Yes, this. No matter how much or how little time taken off, she still had to return to a toxic work environment that had become unmanageable. Also, the press didn’t give her a break and she had less power as a working royal to go dark.
I had my first baby and didn’t return to my job as planned, because of some shenanigans that were pulled during my maternity leave; these shenanigans made it clear that, as bad as I thought it was going to be when I returned, I had seriously underestimated the toxicity that was going to come my way and I couldn’t see a way to get through it without having a nervous breakdown. So, I left and 6 years later am still a SAHM. I was very privileged to not need to work to survive, of course, as is Meghan.
It’s REALLY sh***y if you to try to blame something on a persons pregnancy hormones. If she took a break while pregnant she would’ve been called lazy. Surely you aren’t this dumb?
No, I don’t think Megan’s leaving vs resting more vs working impacted the decision to leave. I think they left because being a member of the royal family is weird. They have strange rules and behavior that’s not modern. Your freedom of speech is denied. Your dumbed down . Megan is an activist. She wants to change wrong, and she probably tried, with well meaning intentions to change or show them you could be modern and tried to break through some light into the house of Windsor and she paid a horrible price.
@CatWoman – Excellent post. “Your dumbed down” says it all. The courtiers loved Cressida Bonas because they thought they could easily “dumb her down”. The courtiers hated Chelsy Davy because they knew they could NOT ‘dumb her down”.
I know believe that all the animosity against Megan was started by the courtiers and finished-ff by Normal Bill Cambridge.
All is explained at: https://www.royalfoibles.com/prince-harrys-potential-runaway-bride/
That was certainly one snarky, stabby post, wasn’t it??? Not favorable regarding Harry, and rather nasty when terming Fergie a “whore” and referring to Kate as “increasingly high strung, and “on again/off again anorexic.” Yikes! One thing it pointed out to me, again, was the role that the courtiers play is very powerful. They literally can make or break relationships or marriages, and have done so forever. I still can’t quite figure out why the royals have allowed them to garner so much power. They sound like a nasty bunch, and I completely agree that they played a significant role in the attacks on Duchess Meghan, and I also believe they had a lot to do with the royals not coming to her defense. H&M are well out of that environment.
I think arguably, Kate would have treated Cressida worse than Meghan. She actually was not seen with Cressida like she was seen with Chelsy. Cressida is the half sister of Isabella Calthorpe–William was reportedly interested in her. I can only imagine if Kate had to grin and bear it if Harry married Cressida.
I’m wondering if H&M remaining in the UK until post Archie’s birth was to insure Charles established a trust fund for Archie. No doubt Harry has one from Charles. Hormones may or may not play a role. I was a stay at home mom, very easy for me to relax and enjoy my baby.
It’s been said, toxic living conditions plays a major role in stress often resulting in PTSD, MDD, (major depressive disorder).
No absolutely not. The media with the help of members of the RF would’ve continued to use her as a punching bag. I believe it’s the other way around. Meghan needed to leave the U.K. and the RF to have peace of mind and to center herself. Harry needed to leave to protect his family. I hope the story is coming from the Sussex’s because it’s good to hear that they’re happy away from the toxic UK.
“Did Meghan being a neglectful mother to her bi-racial baby knock her off the peaceful path of accepting vicious racism? Discuss.”
This is very annoying now. They aren’t coming back Media, so the podcasts, bloggers, clout chasers, body language experts, Piers, Royal Rota need to Let it go. It’s crazy to me that the same people who were saying that they’re irrelevant and need to step back or leave if they aren’t happy are the same people angry that they actually left. Everyone knows why they left and are just trying to drag out the nonsense at this point. They want them back in the public eye so badly because too many jobs and industries are losing money.
As a woman, I wouldn’t want to instruct or force my preference over other women. Women are different. What works for one doesnt necessarily work for another plus the HATE she got before Archie was born must’ve forced her to keep working & must’ve thought they might attack her for taking mat leave😞
@WHATSINANAME
“I see them as similar to the Obamas who got criticized for having Michelle’s mother live with them at the WH to help with the girls. Cause apparently still working and having a ton of events means people of means can’t ever take a breath or have help. And if you live in an expensive home, your problems stop at the door.
The rich bashing that occurs on Celebitchy about Meghan and Harry not having “real problems” is gross.”
You said it so eloquently. It’s sad that people here are shaming their decision to distance themselves from the backstabbing toxic family & tabloids. I mean did you really expect harry to get a job at McDonald’s??!!🤦♀️
They are in no rush. They know what’s best for them and their 9mths old baby. For all we know they might be finalizing some projects before the reveal as unlike katiekeen they prefer to announce things after completion. I look forward to seeing their work
Exactly. If they don’t work a 9 to 5 job with barely any pay or leave apparently they don’t have real problems. It’s insane. I make 6 figures, I own my car outright and more than half of my mortgage is paid off. I am not going to apologize for that or accept that I as a black woman can’t say that things are still hard for me because I have more money than most Americans. It’s beyond ridiculous.
I brought up the Obamas because once out of office people lost their minds about buying a home in Washington, DC on Martha’s Vineyard and with Obama and Michelle doing paid speeches.
I think Kaiser makes a valid point.
There was no maternity leave and anyone woman who CAN take it, SHOULD take it. But Meghan was in a Catch-22 position. If she had taken time off, she would have been raked over the coals for being lazy and living off the sweat of the British taxpayer. Meghan seemed eager to make a good impression. That’s the saddest part. She put herself and her own needs second because she wanted the people of her new country to like and accept her and instead, she was torn to shreds.
Oh that’s crazy! She was ready to work and so she did. I had my baby and took four months leave but as my daughter was an excellent napper, 6 weeks after my csection I would visit the office for a couple of hrs whenever I felt like it. It’s up to the mother to decide how she feels and i think it shocked me to read that it was because of her hormones. Sorry. Meghan did nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing Her fault is in working hard, being eager to do so, having fantastic results and being well loved by her charities. This upset the powers that be and they put a hit out and decided to take her down. That is the modus operandi of the courtiers. They have been successful thus far but I feel like it’s an episode of Star Wars and we will see the rise of the Sussexes once more. This chapter isn’t over.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 to RoyalBlue. I agree.
Love your comment Royalblue- except for the part about returning to work after only 4 months! When I had my kids I took the full year & I believe you can now take up to 18 months (that seems a bit long t be out of the work force imo). Were u pressured by your employer or just anxious to get back?
@rachel I am an expat in a British overseas territory and we are mandated 3 months but can take more. It was my busy audit season and I had numerous reviews to be done. In Retrospect I could have stayed home but it definitely held me in good stead for many career moves later on.
I think Meghan’s maternity leave would have been better if she could have spent it surrounded by people who love and appreciate her. I think she still would have worked behind the scenes and mastered every project she took on because she’s a hard worker who finds joy and purpose in what she does. I think her overall experience would have been better if she’d been able to have a great group of women whom she trusts and be her village.
That said, I don’t think their decision to leave the BRF has anything to do with her postpartum hormones so much as being in the throws of a toxic mess. I don’t recall any information about Meghan having a particularly strong bond with any of Harry’s friends WAGs, Kate was a bust, and her mom can only take so much time off to hop across the pond. Compound that with Charles’ refusal to restructure (or at least reprimand) the royal rota for their vitriol, a lot of red tape to jump through when launching a project (gotta protect the palace employees feelings before Meghan’s!) and Meghan giving up her entire life only to be brutally rebuffed, of course they left.
So while I think her postpartum experience definitely factored into their choice, I don’t think it was a hormone based choice.
I don’t think it has to do with working. Meghan seems to love to work . I think it was the constant articles that were written about her. Didn’t someone say that 1 month there were over 400 articles written about her when she was on maternity leave and was out of sight? That’s obsessive and no doubt got to her.
I don’t think a longer maternity leave would have solved racism.
That about sums it up doesn’t it.
This!
Thanks @Aruora. Now I don’t have to type out the long reply I probably would have ended up trying out. You said it all in one sentence.
ipso facto 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Again, this article does not have anything new so I don’t see how there are any “leaks”. We know from the pap shot that Meghan goes on walks with the dogs and Archie. At Christmas it was reported that they went on frequent hikes and there was the picture they took of the couple in the park. And we saw pictures of Archie smiling, so yeah he’s seems like a happy baby. So I think this is a nothing article because there are no leaks. Just a rehash of what we already know. As far as Meghan being less stressed, well duh, who wouldn’t be after getting out of that circus in the UK.
I think the issue during maternity leave is not that she continued working, but that she was isolated from people. The one thing she had in Britain was that when she was events she received the reassurance that many people supported her. The crowds at least provided a positive counter balance to all of the negative media. She lost that counter balance on maternity leave.
How do we know she was isolated? They could have had many visitors. We know about the Clooneys having dinner there several times, Ellen and Portia were there, her mother was there, supposedly Jack and Eugenie were there for dinner, Jessica Mulroney came with her daughter, two of Meghan’s long time friends came over and were seen with her at a tennis match. And those are just the public things we know. They both have many friends (whatever the press might tell us or want us to believe). The press didn’t even know when they left for the hospital to deliver the baby. I think any number of friends and family could have flown or driven in and been with them. I don’t think they were isolated at Frogmore. This isolation thing is just another thing the press liked to push because the press had no frigging idea what was going on at Frogmore. Just like the press has no frigging idea what’s going on with them now.
Meghan is from a middle-class American family — so she wouldn’t likely have grown up with the idea of considering a one-year maternity leave. Obviously, she’s aware that parents should take more leave than is available to the vast majority of Americans. But she’s used to being busy and multi-tasking. And most of the women that she grew up around probably worked late into pregnancy and with very young babies.
I work for an international company (was pregnant at the same as my British boss), so I see pretty regularly that people from various countries have very different expectations of parental leave. Intellectually, we’re all aware of the differences in leave between each others’ countries, but we’re still “adjusted” to our cultural norms.
Of course she is. In the one shot a photographer got on her walk with Archie and dogs, she already looked ten years younger. And I think that was within weeks.
I think it’s less about needing a break from work (because she clearly loves work) it’s more that having a kid puts things in to perspective in urgent ways. I think once Archie was in the picture all the racism and hate, that was also starting to get directed at him, simply became unacceptable instead of something to be endured. And even the other parts of royal life, like having to spend every Christmas doing photo ops at Sandringham, which probably seems ok in theory, probably becomes horribly unappealing once you have a baby you would rather be spending that time with.
I am sorry. Length of time off after the baby, stories written by the press…all of it. If these things were happening and Harry and Meghan had the support of the majority of the BRF. not just the queen, I am sure things would be different. But they didn’t- in fact they were being betrayed by their family and the courtiers. So yeah..here we are. I wish them all the very best. William the Commonwealth is watching you and we don’t like what we see.
I would be less stressed living in a mansion not really working and doing hiking/yoga all day.
I know this will make many mad, but maybe Meghan is lazy and not just Kate? Meghan comes off as wanting to have an easy rich life. All the power to her, but it must be nice!!!
Can you back up your assertion of Meghan being lazy tho? Proof? Because theres a ton of very public evidence to the contrary. And yes, I can agree Meghan cares about being rich. She bought quite a sum into the marriage that she earned herself. Working and hustling her ass off by the way. Why cant she enjoy it? I sure as hell would! And you would too, don’t even try to lie.
It’s as impossible for her to be lazy as it is for Kate to be a workhorse.
Exactly. Meghan is what many would call a go-getter.
Meghan did the CookBook, SmartSet and Vogue in a year and a half. Kate’s patronages are literally failing because no money is brought in. Kate has been a duchess for 9 years, and she has NOTHING tangible to show for her charity “efforts.”
Meghan’s cookbook helped the people of Grenfeld keep their kitchen open 7 days a week instead of 2. SmartSet got enough clothes for their closets and for women for over a year’s worth of outfits. Vogue featured women of all different backgrounds and was the best selling month in ages.
So, no Meghan is not lazy, and yes, Kate is. Kate should have something more than a garden to her name. That is not something that helps everyday people, as does new clothes for a interview, or bringing attention to smaller charities that then receive huge donations, or to a community nearly decimated by a fire to rebuild. It not even in the same league. Not even close.
what makes you believe that Meghan is lazy? There is literally nothing in her past that would suggest that. Nothing. You are buying into a dangerous narrative that has no basis in fact. What people seem to ignore is that Meghan arrived in the UK with a stellar reputation. You’d do better to pay attention to that than the undermining drivel you’ve apparently been reading. She is not a woman who has ever come across as just wanting a easy rich life.
@Momof2rats, Kate’s devoted all of her adult life to being lazy. She’s got being lazy down to a fine art. Meghan’s worked most of her adult life. She’ll never be as good at being lazy as ‘the English Rose’.
You tried didn’t you. Too bad Meghan’s documented work history is available for all to see and Kate is still working on un breaking Britain.
@ momif2rats, are you for real. Meghan was working before marrying into that family. She is not a layabout as that other lazy duchess.
The funny thing is the ‘$14 million dollar mansion ‘ on Vancouver Island may not be nearly as fancy as anyone thinks it is. There’s an online game called “Mansion or Crack Shack” from 2012 and a sequel that makes clear how shockingly high the real estate values are for so little.
This. Location, location, location. I live in the Florida Keys where real estate is absolutely bonkers. A friend of mine is selling his house for $1m. It has plexiglass over fencing for some of the window coverings and won’t qualify for any kind of traditional loan. The house is tiny, too. But he’ll still get a buyer to snatch it up for a cool million because of the location. A $14m house on Vancouver Island could easily be smaller and not as much as people think it is.
According to Lainey, they aren’t resting at all – they were in Miami this week as keynote speakers for a banking conference? There’s no way they weren’t paid for that.
Of course they were paid for that. Why shouldn’t they be?
They are trying to be financially independent so of course they have to make some $$$ at some point. And it’s on the same pace for one of their Youth projects. A twofer.
The source said, “The conference is all about building wealth for future generations, and making the world better for future generations, a topic close to Harry’s heart.”
“Harry said despite how difficult the separation with the British royal family has been, he does not regret their decision, saying that he and Meghan are optimistic about their future, optimistic about being able to be financially independent while still working on projects that mean a lot to them and supporting the charities they believe in.”
Harry gave a speech to JP Morgan high rollers in Florida. They are going after big donations for their Foundation in my opinion. Wealthy investors like to be wooed for donations at very private, very exclusive events. Investors at that Miami event are the kind that write donations for 6 or 7 figures. Of course the Sussexes are hustling. They’re going to be doing a lot of meet and greets, and private speeches at these type of events to bring investment into their Foundation. That’s how that world works.
Miami huh? During Super Bowl week. I honestly don’t pay attention to the Super Bowl that much, but yeah, not only can I see them having been invited by someone to watch the game (probably in a private box or somewhere else secluded), but I guess conferences like this probably happen during Super Bowl week too. IF what Lainey is reporting is true of course.
If it’s true, then I can also see them quietly going to one of the Oscar After-Parties this week. Not the Vanity Fair Party, no way, maybe not even Elton John’s party. But maybe some private party or something, where a lot of wheeling and dealing and pitching takes place.
They allegedly turned down an invitation to present some award at the Oscars this weekend. Everyone wants Harry and Meghan. They are a hot commodity right now.
@OriginalCarol I had a small feeling they might be asked to present, though I admit I kinda hoped they wouldn’t be. I’m glad they smartly turned it down.
IMO, they shouldn’t go to the Oscar Ceremony itself until they have their production company/deals fully ready to go. And don’t present unless they are nominated in some way or, like Michelle Obama, have done some big arts philanthropy project they’ve been involved in for a time.
I won’t rule out them going to an after party just yet, even though they turned down the presenting gig. (You don’t get paid to present BTW, you just get a gift basket). You don’t have to go or be part of the main show to go to the after parties. But yeah, they are going to be in HIGH demand like this and, IMO, it’s only going to grow. But I think they are doing it exactly right by playing it low key when they do things like this right now.
Super Bowl week was last week, not this week.
I think the Miami event was just last night.
@Bren yeah, I recently saw the event was last night. I had assumed it was last week, or just after Superbowl Sunday, like on Monday or something like that.
According to Omid (a very reliable source) they were not keynote speakers. Only Harry spoke. Meghan was just attending.
Omid Scobie @scobie
A source confirms reports that Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan travelled to Miami yesterday to attend a private @jpmorgan event. Only Harry spoke in front of guests (neither gave a keynote).
Harry spoke & not Meghan?! That surprises me & I would have thought the opposite – she is a very engaging speaker from what I’ve seen…
in case you missed my above post, it totally makes sense that Harry spoke at the event if going by this person:
“The source said, “The conference is all about building wealth for future generations, and making the world better for future generations, a topic close to Harry’s heart.”
As is Harry, who is a very engaging and charismatic speaker. Do not confuse him with his brother.
And being very stealthy besides. On and off the island with no press. At event with no press. How’s Piers Morgan going to spin this to make Meghan a fame whore?
The new RR line is to go on about their security costs for attending this.
No, they were leaving no matter what. Would you rather live a glamorous life and become an all-star philanthropist or be stuck in England opening up WWII exhibitions and local charity shops?
They already started the whole “let’s fly in a private jet to make a $1M speech in front of a few bankers” business.
I don’t get this. What could they possibly speak to bankers about? Is this for the pay day?
As a guess, I would say philanthropy.
@Maxie & Anon: Their keynote speech would have been about their philanthropic endeavours and how JP Morgan’s charitable arm would be a good fit with theirs. JP seems to concentrate on these 4 areas: Jobs & Skills, Small Business Expansion, Financial Health, and Neighborhood Revitalization. Certainly the small business expansion and jobs and skills, especially for underrepresented women, would be a fit for Meghan’s focus. They’re not looking for a personal “pay day”.
Let’s not start ripping them apart again about flying private jets or leeching money from bankers. Do you know that’s how they flew? They’ve have no problem getting on and off the island in secret, I’m sure they were hustled onto a commercial flight in Vancouver with a minimum of fooferall – where are the pictures?
Finally, I live in Victoria, a 15 ride to where they live. The Islanders here are very laid back and value their privacy. They’ve been doing all they can to not allowing media into shops to chasing photogs away when they get too close to where they’re living. Boat taxis are refusing to take paps past the home where they’re staying. Several people have sighted her walking her dogs and all they’ve done is say “Good morning” and walked on their way. No autograph seekers, no “Can I get a selfie with you?” type stuff.
@Jaded – there would be absolutely nothing wrong with them being paid to deliver Key Note addresses. Perfectly acceptable practice.
Good info from your comment btw. JP Morgan does seem to be in their wheelhouse. Good for them.
@GuestWho completely agree. Hell, one of the arguments those of us made about them leaving and working to make money was the whole Guest/Keynote speaker route. It’s what many wealthy people who have a philanthropic endeavor and/or foundations do, and yes, get paid to do it.
They are going to be invited to speak a *lot* of places IMO. Count on it.
And yeah @Jaded, banks aren’t just in the business of doing banking stuff, not in this day and age. No business usually only focus on one thing anymore, but have multiple revenue streams. If they are smart at least.
ETA: Just saw that Magic Johnson spoke at that same Miami conference. He posted about it on twitter: https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1225825146058887168
@anon —– you do know banks don’t just do banking right? do you know how they actually get those ‘deals’?
We live in world bombarded by info and yet, we appear to be less and less informed about how the world works!!! amazing really!
Bankers? What are you talking about. This isn’t some little lunch at some country club. All major corporations, which JPMorgan is, have fully staffed philanthropic departments. They’re just as staffed up as HR. They’re little fiefdoms They have paid, speakers, fundraisers, partnerships and endowments. They pay a lot of money to partner with the right people. How else can they justify not paying their fair share in taxes.
They weren’t speaking to just bankers. There were all kinds of people there from what I read. These were wealthy investors from all arenas.
The royal reporters want a punching bag. Meghan AND Harry have refused to be willing victims. Wouldn’t you? How many of us on Celebitchy would agree to being treated the way the Sussexes have been treated?
Who would accept this invitation?
Congratulations, Celebitch! You may join our exalted royal family. You will get a title. You will be surrounded by assistants and courtiers. You will be able to wear pretty clothes paid for by your FIL. Unfortunately, even though the members of your family may smile tightly in your face, they will collaborate with people whose sole purpose in life is to drag you down. Every action you take will be questioned. Every word you speak and gesture you make will be publicly criticized. A random dude on a TV show who you had drinks with once will dedicate his life to destroying you because…reasons. Racists will try to poison you. You will be publicly criticized for the same things that your SIL is praised for. When you have a child, grown men will compare him to a chimp. You will be attacked by racists so harshly that the people who study the racism you face get stressed out by it. An entire media wants to to fail at your new position. Honestly, they wouldn’t mind if you die. They will try to bully you into a miscarriage when you get pregnant. They will weaponize estranged family members against you regularly in the media. Your brother in law will hate you and try to drive you out of the family. The entire media will have decided that you, and only you, are the cause of every ill in the country.
Step right up and grab a tiara! (that people will claim you had a temper tantrum over, but here it is).
Who would say yes to this? Sure, you get a guy you love, and sure, you get access to wealth, but you’re already rich. If the man you love said (as I would hope any man would say in this situation) “Let’s peace out. My family sucks. Let’s make our own life together with our baby.” Would anyone here say, “no, I want to wear a diamond brooch! I want to be called Your Royal Highness and have people curtsy to me! So what if it means I have to take abuse!”
I think not. Take the man. Leave the motherf—ing diamonds.
@Ianne – EXCELLENT POST except you forgot to mention Ma Middleton!
@Ianne, bravo! Excellent post! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼lanne.
*applause*
Bravo!!! And so true. The karma is coming back on the BRF in the form of Andrew. The snipping between Chuck and Bill by their media proxies/ toadies will be epic and will escalate when the queen passes.
@Ianne, your comment brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
BRAVO…………huge applause and standing ovation for your post
A restful leave wouldn’t have really been possible for Meghan. Mostly because they had little choice but to use the time to plan next maneuvers as it had become painfully apparent before giving birth that they had no real support in the RF; but also because Meghan knew she would be watched and accused of being lazy like her sister-in-law, which is not something Meghan could deal with.
I think Meghan and Harry have made good choices, right for their family and I can’t fault them one bit.
Everyone seems to forget that Harry wanted out a long time ago and was livid when forced to resign his Army commission so he wouldn’t outrank Big Willy. He loved the Army and was by all accounts a good soldier and officer. Had he just been Harry Windsor, he would have been a lifer and retired as a full bird colonel or whatever the British equivalent is.
If one digs through all of the BS, I think a pretty clear picture appears of a young man who finally grew up. He saw what a toxic mess his family and how devious the “grey men” are. Couple that with having a wife who was being ripped apart on a daily basis for breathing and a child who he’d wanted for a very long time being compared to a monkey and said ” buh-bye”.
But it’s so much easier on the Royal Family and the British Tabloid Media’s conscience (if any of them possess such a thing) to blame “Delilah” aka Meghan.
ETA – the author of Royal Foibles with his dog whistles so loud, students at Gallaudet would hear them can miss me with his ish.
This is an excellent comment. Thank you. I agree. I think Harry made the decision and Meghan is supporting him in it. I wonder about his mental health, too. He has talked about how triggering the press cameras can be for him.
I suspect he also felt deeply betrayed by his brother, the only person he had trusted when he was young just to grow up to realize that he was being used as distraction-bait for the press by his brother. That must have left him feeling deeply alone. And this tendency of Will’s to throw Harry under the bus started before there was a Meghan. It simply increased when she came on the scene.
About the maternity leave question… I think Meghan feels better when she is “doing” and as such, I’m not sure she would have found a long maternity leave restful. I am the opposite, I excel at doing practically nothing and am content picking fuzz off the carpet one strand at a time but my dad was a doer and for him, rest always involved activity. I feel like I understand how different we can all be about what is restful.
Do not fall into the ‘fragile Harry’ trope from William. I don’t have concerns about Harry’s mental health, but I have serious concerns about William’s. His downward spiral is just beginning.
I don’t know about his mental state, but William is one nasty, mean spirited, self-entitled individual. And I don’t believe he’s in a position to lecture others about racism.
I also wonder how Harry’s mental health is faring through all these changes. He gave an interview to Vogue a couple of years ago saying he had been close to a breakdown on several occasions, and that William had helped him, so he is vulnerable.
I totally understand the “doing” thing. I say I’ll set aside some time in my day to read, meditate, go for a leisurely walk…but always end up “doing” something – rearranging the storage locker, washing the kitchen floor, fixing a squeaky door, sweeping off the patio, cleaning and organizing the fridge/freezer was my latest project. I admit I’m happier being a “doer” like Meghan, and I think Harry is the same way. He’s had his struggles for sure, who wouldn’t after what he went through as a child and growing up in that cesspool of a family. But the turning point must have been when William turned against him and Meghan and threw them under the bus. I admire what he and Meghan have done and am thrilled that they’ve chosen my home – Vancouver Island – to recuperate.
Meghan wouldn’t have been allowed a longer maternity leave. When she first married in& it was summer period when royals are usually quiet, reporters started suggesting she was lazy/wasn’t bringing value. Then when cookbook dropped narrative flipped to she was working too hard. Essentially she could never win.
As Harry noted when she was absent the press were even more hostile& the end of year engagements count was published, press reported that Meghan had lowest count, deliberately omitting time off on maternity leave& again suggesting she was lazy.
I can see why she tried to go against racial stereotypes of laziness by trying to hit the ground running& prove herself as she would never be given room someone like Kate was. Meghan had errors like anyone new to a job but nobody seemed to give her room to breathe whereas 9 years in, people are saying Kate has only just grown into her role.
Still maintain if they had had family backing- they might not have left but sounds like it was hostile work environment on top of hostile press made it untenable.
“You have to be twice as good to get half as much.” The manta taught to ever black child in the America and I’m sure one Doria taught Meghan.
Only in this instance, Meghan couldn’t even get half the recognition from certain quarters for her work, never mind full recognition. She was never going to win with these people no matter what she tried or ever did.
Delete
Apparently, Harry and Meghan were invited to attend the Oscars this weekend and present the Best Picture award, but they turned it down, royal correspondent Emily Nash reports for Hello!. The duo was “were honored by the request, but declined the invitation,” a source reportedly told Nash.
I am a daily fan of Celebitchy.I also admire The strength and courage of Harry and Meghan.I love baby Archie and I m old enough to remember Diana.But, Everyday the topic is about racism,it’s true,and Meghan.Less about Harry and I m concerned about him since I remember the very young red hair boy in his mother’s arms.
I wish the Sussexes were going to the Oscars but I understand the reason. They would have been dragged (again) for upstaging the Cambridges’ BAFTA appearance, especially if Harry and Meghan were to receive a standing ovation. And if there were Sussexit, Andrew and Rose jokes at the Oscars the Sussexes would not be caught on camera for a reaction. They probably saw what happened to Will and Kate and said not us.
Yeah, right. They were invited to the Oscars but declined. Just like the Queen was hosting Meghan for tea for her birthday at Balmoral last year, but they never went and respectfully declined.
Yeah, only know they can focus on Archie. There was an alternative scenario. Sometimes ambition becomes your undoing. As others mentioned the only thing is Harry as normal.. yeah, a super privileged aristo normal. I get it. He’d be lost if he suddenly became average Joe.
What was the alternative scenario?
I know the feeling. I moved 5 years ago and immediately it enabled me to retire. That is the most incredible stress free life changer. It’s like floating on a cloud. There is the period of adjustment. Waking up and wondering if I am late for work. Oh no! I don’t have to go to work. Wow! I say that all the time. Oh, no rush, I don’t have to go to work.
If only everyone could be so blessed.
I personally don’t think the lack of leave played into it that much. Yes, she worked on some projects, but it isn’t like she was back at a 9-5 within weeks like so many people are. I know the US has a lot of problems with leave (trust me, I know it) but she didn’t have a very short leave by American standards, which is probably what she’s most used to.
I do think Archie’s birth in particular did speed up the timeline in a “you may have messed with me and I took it, but there is no way you’re going to mess with me kid” way. Not to mention all the trolls when they traveled to Africa who said she was a bad mom, Harry was disengaged, etc. Some of this may have been prevented/slowed down if they were still on leave though.