People Magazine and Us Weekly both have big stories on the You Coulda Had A Bad Bitch farewell tour. I still don’t believe that “bittersweet” is the emotion we should go with for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I’ll admit, Harry still seems “emotional” (to use Willileaks’ wording), but Meghan seemed utterly serene. She just seemed happy to be saying goodbye to all of these musty old fools. But according to People Mag, “bittersweet” is still the emotion.
After an emotional final round of official engagements, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have left their life as senior royals. “It’s bittersweet for Meghan and Harry,” a source tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “It’s been really sad for them, because they tried.”
“It has been a poignant few days,” a royal insider says of the Sussexes’ final royal lap, during which they showed the family—and the world—what they would be missing, from red carpet-worthy entrances to powerful speeches to the history-making inclusion of a biracial American woman in the royal fold. But for all the warmth and positivity projected by Meghan and Harry during their last round of appearances, tensions within the family are still running high. “It’s not been an easy few months for anybody,” says a royal source.
For Harry and Meghan, their last days as senior royals also offered the opportunity to tie things up with several of their patronages. “There is a lot of goodwill—everybody’s really reassured, as the couple has gone out of their way to let everyone know that they aren’t abandoning anyone,” says a royal insider.
While the family has been spending time in Canada, they have their sights set on California next. They are expected to spend time in Meghan’s hometown of L.A. this summer.
“This is what Meghan and Harry have always wanted—to create their own life,” says the source. “It’s got to feel like an immense relief to get out of the U.K. and go down their own path.”
Will that path at some point merge again with William, Kate and the rest of the royal family? No one seems quite sure. “This is all so untested,” says the royal insider. “There are no comparisons with the past.” At the same time, the Queen has stressed that Meghan, Harry and Archie are “much loved members of the family,” says the friend of the couple. “That stuff runs deep. There is an element of working things through.”
I feel like an outlet like People Magazine doesn’t really know which angle to take in calling out what actually happened. So Harry and Meghan’s decision to leave is framed as something that came out of nowhere, with no torturing past behavior towards them, you know? As for the Sussexes’ future with the Cambridges, Us Weekly said some words too:
Don’t expect Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to be on great terms with Prince William and Duchess Kate anytime soon. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not in a rush to mend their strained relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a source reveals exclusively in the new issue of Us Weekly.
“Harry misses his brother and Kate, but there’s too much mud under the bridge at this point for any meaningful communication,” the source tells Us. “They’re cordial, but that’s about as far as it goes.”
The insider notes to Us that Meghan isn’t as fazed as Harry because she’s been estranged from her family before. For now, the couple are focused on 10-month-old son Archie.
“Meghan isn’t as fazed as Harry because she’s been estranged from her family before.” This could be one of the things that British people don’t understand – how someone could just walk away from their toxic family members with a shrug and have the wits and self-control to continue to edit people out of their life when those people are terrible. Does it go against the British way of doing things? There she goes, breaking protocol yet again.
As for the idea of some softening between Camp Cambridge and Camp Sussex… I honestly think it will probably take the Queen dying? I’m not trying to be macabre, I just think that Harry and Meghan will be in North America until Charles is king.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red and WENN.
Wow, look at that. A beautiful duchess next to… uh? Slappy the Dummy?
On behalf of Britain I’m so sorry our racist royals pushed their best asset away.
+1. Hell, +1,000,000
Why is name calling of women necessary? They are both beautiful and neither one is a dummy.
Slappy the Dummy is a puppet. I think the driving point is that Kate is nothing but a puppet.
Kate is not the brightest bulb in the box and as vacant as a puppet.
I find nothing beautiful or appealing about Kate. Shes a bitter insecure person who used her status and snobbery to destroy another family member, because she couldn’t measure up. Don’t care how much eyeliner,big jewelry and stupid hats she wears,she is forever diminished. Her and the rest of them.
Always trying it, eh? Meghan is everything the Kate stans pretend Kate is. That’s why they’ve been so against Meghan from the beginning. She stepped into this role like Maxima and Letizia – made for it. Put all of the stan excuses about Kate needing years to be eased in look even more pathetic.
Oh exactly, @notasugarhere! The contrast between Meghan’s womanly strength and substance, and Kate’s mealy-mouthed mean girl snobbery and insecurity is definitely stark and pathetic.
To boot, Megs is gorgeous. She’s not perfect, but she comes damn near close because she’s courageous. Meghan is comfortable in her own skin and she’s upbeat about living life to the fullest with joy and hard work, but above all ‘giving back’ and encouraging others to realize their own self-worth. As Meghan learned and has counseled others: “You are enough!”
If Kate had simply chilled and been more magnanimous and less insecure, Meghan would have been someone Kate could have learned from and been encouraged by. As it is the Lamebridges and the rest of the royals have learned and stolen so much from Meghan already about how to go about doing purposeful and impacting ‘royal work’ in the modern age.
All I got from this is that it’s water not mud under the bridge People. You can’t change an expression. It’s not an expression.
I was thinking the same thing. I thought maybe the British had mud under their bridges instead of water.
Freudian slip of the tongue – they meant mud-slinging.
Bazinga!
I can see it being bittersweet from the perspective of “we tried.” Meghan tried to fit in, she tried to work, she tried to make a difference, she tried to support Charles and the queen – and none of that was appreciated. They tried to deal with the racist press. etc. I think they are at peace with their decision, especially Meghan, but there can still be a sense of “it didn’t have to be this way.” At this point, after the past 2 years, they know they are making the right choice, but the past two years were rough and I can see there being some emotions that this IS the right choice, if that makes sense.
To me, “bittersweet” means there is both something good and bad about a situation. I don’t see how this is anything other than bittersweet for them and I’m confused why it’s such a hot button word here?
Good that they’re on their own and feel they can protect themselves better and work better. Bad because it’s such a shame that this had to happen. Bad because Harry was thrown under the bus and ultimately had to leave behind his family and the life he’s known up to this point.
Exactly. They tried, they wanted it to be different, it wasn’t and they could’t change that because they didn’t set the “rules.” Its a sad situation because it feels so blatantly avoidable and I feel like this past week we have gotten such a beautiful glimpse into what they could have contributed to the Firm if things had been different.
“It’s a sad situation because if feels so blatantly avoidable”…For sure. Also makes me wonder, is there a mistake this family hasn’t made?
Distress and offend survivors of sexual assault by parading your loathsome, unrepentant son on a ride to CHURCH, wearing big smiles? Check. Offend (not sure that’s the right word) members of the Commonwealth you claim to value, by giving the one POC in the family no choice but to leave? With subheading, on a day devoted to diversity and said Commonwealth, refuse to talk to that POC, as clearly shown on video and in photographs? Additional subheading – offend members of Asian community by appointing Katy Perry ambassador to the British Asian Trust? Check, check, check. Offend members of the military, by stripping a respected member of their community of his honorary appointments, while allowing said loathsome son (who was forced to pull back because of scandal) to retain his? Check again. I’m sure there’s a few more I don’t recall at the moment.
Yes, they certainly are a remarkable family./s
@JaneDoesWork, the problem with “what the Sussexes could have contributed to the firm,” is that William didn’t want the Sussexes contributing to the firm their star quality and down-to-earth connection with regular people.
M&H were supposed to “dim their light,” and step back while the Cambridges piggy-backed on the Sussexes’ astute, successful way of doing things. Meanwhile, William wanted to take all the credit for Sussex-driven ideas and projects, while serving Meghan up to the tabloid wolves in an attempt to ‘keep her in her place’ (behind the Lamebridges).
The kicker is: No one can keep a lovely songbird suffocating in the gilded cage ‘place’ designed by others. She naturally must be free to sing her song out loud and with joy. Songbirds don’t merely survive, they thrive!
The Cambridges will only get worse once the queen dies.
Nope this relationship is dead.
Yeah, I see them coming back for funerals and maybe a wedding or two but that is it.
Exactly this Kaiser. I think Harry was sad and now he’s just flat out pissed and disgusted by his family. But Meghan has experience dealing with toxic family and she knows that what you have to do is cut them off at the root. And that’s why I think she is taking this better than Harry is. As someone who broke off all contact with my narcissistic pathological liar father when I was 18 – I know EXACTLY where Meghan is coming from.
Harry also is getting a firsthand up close view of what systemic racism looks like – and it was coming from inside his own house. And directed at his wife and child. So I think his anger is justified. And also his sadness that his own family – who HE has always been loyal to – weren’t loyal to him. And that has to hurt a LOT.
I agree VV! The only “hurt” Harry is feeling is the hurt from finding out how horrible his family really is and how they don’t care who they crush in order to keep their cushy life.
I think it’s different for Harry than it was for Meghan. Not only is he leaving behind his entire family, he is leaving the only world he knows, a world unto itself, for a radically different way of life. Culture shock. Meghan cut SOME (not all) family off, and was still essentially living the same lifestyle in North American cities, doing the same work etc. While I’m sure they’re both excited about the future, I can imagine it must also be anxiety-inducing for Harry.
Strangely I didn’t see you express the same concern when Meghan left everything behind to move to the UK. Harry is white, I guess his feelings matter more.
He is an ADULT and can adapt just like Meghan had to do. They are going to be in Canada and Harry can always fly to the UK when he misses his ‘family’ (LOL)
I absolutely feel for Meghan. And you’re right, she went through hell. Yes, he is an adult and I’m sure he’ll adapt. Did I say otherwise? That doesn’t change the fact the Harry is facing some big changes. My comment was in the context of cutting off family and what may or may not go along with that. I am rooting for them and have never done otherwise, whatever you may think.
Harry is not some poor little muffin. Like he allegedly said in the fake phone call, he’s more normal than his family thinks. The man’s been in the army, Antarctica, etc. He can handle it. And it’s not like he can’t go back to visit. He’s not going to prison for the rest of his life.
@MsIam —— you would think the guy was going to some countries with no access to a plane! Meghan had to do it, he can as well.
General question: is this internalized sexism or what? people had no issues with Meghan moving away from everything: her career, friends, and mother but Harry has to be cuddled! oh no poor him; he is moving away from everything he has every known; how is he going to survive????
@Golly Gee —— please don’t feel attacked; I have seen too many post the same thing you just did about poor harry moving away from the UK!!! he should be running as quickly as U. Bolt can!
I get what you are saying, but remember, Harry has also been front lines in War. THAT has got to be much scarier than just moving continents. Technology today makes it easy to stay in touch, and he can visit or vice versa.
He’ll be fine. He’s been trying to escape the palace for ages anyways. . .
I don’t think it’s because he is white. He is Prince Harry and has been the most popular member of the royal family and its traditions are more deeply entrenched, respected and understood by Harry than Meghan. He must be very traumatised by the treatment meted out to him and Meghan by an institution within which he was raised and had allegiance to.
Golly Gee – This
Wow the photoshop on Kate. Picture of the cover vs the one below……..
Anyway I am glad H&M are free; I watched the Vice documentary and the following was striking “No amount of money is worth your dignity”. Indeed, I can attest to the fact if one is miserable, even loads of money won’t make them happy
All the best to Harry and Meghan. I will continue to support Meghan; ALWAYS because this is was really about her; most would have been so glad to have her go with Archie and leave Harry but Harry said Nope; wherever my wife and child go, I will go. Good for him!!!!
I don’t think there will be any softening between the camps after the Queen passes. Harry’s words about ‘if you knew what I knew’, mentioning in a speech he wasn’t allowed to talk about some legal issues, rumors of something illegal being done to Meghan by someone in a Palace.
If he has proof anti-Meghan stories came out of KP and Camp Middleton, in addition to their mistreatment of her for three years? He’s never going to forgive any of them.
I think they are done with the Cambridges, once and for all. I do hope eventually we get the dirt on this, though. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Middleton family contributed to the problem, and I hope karma comes back to haunt each and every person who participated.
Bravo Sussexes for getting the heck out of the snake pit.
@nota – any idea of what this illegal thing could pertain to? Like, just hazard a guess, I’m just curious in what direction this illegality could be…Thx!
Please note how US Weekly addresses William, Harry, and Kate by their titles, but not Meghan.
They’re even worse than People Magazine, who called Kate “Princess Kate” until Meghan became a duchess. Then, rather than calling her “Princess Meghan” or “Duchess Meghan,” they revered back to calling Kate and Meghan by their maiden names.
It wasn’t just the British press; the Americans were just subtler.
It’s interesting because until recently Us Weekly was a very pro-Sussex publication. I got it every week in the mail. They ran lots of “Meghan likes this beauty product” blurbs and featured her in several places throughout the magazine.
That doesn’t mean they run pro-Meghan stories, it means they’ll try to make money off her any way they can.
Us Weekly is part of the National Enquirer Pro-Trump/Anti Meghan cabal. They keep trying to make Melania and Ivanka happen.
Harry said if you knew what I knew in a speech? When was that?
He said it his last night in London in January in a public speech at an event for Invictus. You can find it on the Sussex IG page. He also said something pretty similar in the documentary when they were interviewed in Africa.
He said it in their documentary covering their Southern Africa tour
From the documentary
‘My mom taught me a set of values of which I will always try and uphold despite our role and job. I will always protect my family, I have a family to protect. Everything she went through is incredibly real every single day and that’s not me being paranoid, that’s me not wanting a repeat of the past. If anybody else knew what I knew, be it a father or husband, you would probably do what I’m doing as well.’
From the Sentebale speech
‘Before I begin, I must say that I can only imagine what you may have heard or perhaps read over the last few weeks… So, I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share — not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years — but with a clearer perspective.’
So, @notasugarhere, to answer @What…now’s query, I would hazard a guess that the illegality has to do with people at KP leaking harmful information to the press that compromised Meghan’s safety and security, specifically during the time she was pregnant.
I do hope that the specifics of all this behind-the-scenes back-stabbing and skullduggery is eventually revealed in full. It can not happen soon enough, but it will probably take years. I hope I live to see it happen. Or at least be able to see karma in action, taking it’s ‘like a b**ch’ retribution on the royal firm’s deserving uptight snobs and entitled a’holes.
Harry also mentioned ‘dark forces’, l think during the South Africa tour.
Another article generalising about Britain. Speaking as a dual Irish/ British citizen who has never sung the British national anthem and has no time for royalty, even I find this offensive. The royal family and upper classes are not Britain – lets be clear, a nation made up of different and distinct countries with long histories. Everyone I know and speak to is thinking about coronavirus and wondering about their offices, schools being closed, not the antics of the Windsors.
Then maybe you should get more upset at things like William saying everyone is overreacting about the virus.
Sorry but the Windsors have appropriated an enormous amount of wealth from the British people and they are not just the British version of the Kardashians.
And the racist treatment Meghan dealt with is part of the UK national character. Lived and paid tax there, so don’t @ me. People are already xenophobic there and with coronavirus hitting it’s going to be even worse. Hell, Brexit, that the majority voted for BECAUSE of that xenophobia, is going to cause major medical supply shortages if there aren’t already.
“Have the wits and self-control to continue to edit people out of their life when those people are terrible” is an Awesome way to describe it and make it a shining example 🙂
People mag is a cambridges leaning publication. They are OBSESSED with kate hence why they are always making not so subtle digs at Meghan
I wonder why that is. You would think that being an American publication, they would be more loyal to Meghan.
Racist/misogynoir narratives sell?
I know that it’s not likely, but the Queen could make like her Spanish cousin and abdicate in favor of the heir apparent and live the rest of her life in retirement.
Holy photoshop! Meghan barely but what have they done to Kate’s cheeks. Compare that to the real picture below ahhahahahah.
William you give respect you get respect, it doesn’t work only one way, the monarchy is a sham, and everyone knows it. I think WIlliam feels insulted his brother refuses to stay in the country and worship him.
I am glad Harry left, The press were vicious with Diana, I remember being young and wondering why the press hated her so much, and I’m convinced if she were alive they would’ve continued their vicious attacks and gotten uglier, they ‘d chase her out like they did Meghan.
If Diana had lived she l doubt she would have found true peace, especially with the press and social media we have today which is even worse.
@Maria I’m sorry but that’s so offensive, 60 million people are xenophobic because of where the live? Your idea there’s a UK nations character will he news to most UK citizens. I’ve no idea why you think I’d be sticking up for the Windsor’s but writing off the citizens of a whole nation (most of whom didn’t vote for the PM or Brexit, I am a political activist who campaigned against both) because you don’t like the way they treated Meghan?
Good for you, but you’re one individual. People are speaking up against broader cultural attitudes and patterns in Britain which make people act in extremely unwelcoming and unkind ways towards visible minorities especially. If you’re not like that, good for you, but to take offence at something that actual people do in fact experience, even from the nicest, most leftist political activists out there in Britain, is enormously dismissive, rude, and callous.
Complaining about how such generalizations make YOU look bad instead of seeing the discussion for what it is is just another way of telling people to stop airing their dirty laundry because it’ll embarrass you in front of your neighbours and it makes you uncomfortable. It’s the worst sort of tone policing a person can engage in, and this exact knee-jerk defensive behaviour from self-professed progressive people in Britain who are more offended at the suggestion that they might be living in a racist society because they see it as a personal insult rather than something abhorrent to fix asap is exactly why people characterize UK’s national character as small-minded and prejudiced.
I don’t think it’s cultural for British people to refuse to walk away from their toxic family, if it ever came to it? From my perspective, they’re much more healthier in terms of their attitudes regarding this. Americans are by far the most sentimental people on this front. “But they’re your fAAAAAMILy,” absolute strangers will whine, as they protest you cutting off your mom who fraudulently opened credit cards in your name when you were 18 and left you saddled with debt you didn’t rack up (not my mom, just a story I read somewhere, my mom is wonderful). “You can’t turn your back on faaaamily, you should forgive them!!!!” Ugh.
I think this is a toxic ROYAL family thing. It’s a toxic dysfunctional British aristocratic family thing. Every last emotional shortcoming the British people are supposed to have has only ever been something I’ve observed in posh and repressed fcks like the Cambridges. Emotionally mature people who know how to manage their relationships effectively and capably don’t belong to groups that have self-labeled themselves the Turnip Toffs and engage in flagrant bed hopping on weekend shoots up in the country. And I’m including the Cholmondeley’s in this as another example of a dysfunctional af aristocratic pairing–aristo party girl settles down with a rumoured bisexual man 20 years her senior after they had to rush down the altar because she was pregnant with twins, and now doesn’t want to divorce him because then she’d have to give up her title, is textbook emotionally dysfunctional aristocrat behaviour.
These people can’t fathom cutting off their own family unless they absolutely have to because they’d have no identity to speak of otherwise. Who are you if you don’t have a vaunted lineage going back thirteen generations of inbred cousins, thanks to whom you’ve now come onto an inheritance consisting of one drafty and dilapidated country pile fixer-upper replete with old dusty paintings showing the slow disappearance of any semblance of a chin over the generations? Cutting off toxic family members is only for COMMON PEASANTS you see. Setting healthy boundaries is for the poor and working class riffraff, not aristocrats and titled land owners.
Kate was ice-cold and very unfriendly to meghan. I watched a video of the event where you see it much better. The pictures did not show everything. Sorry no excuses now – kate may have tried once to have a better relationship with her but nowadays not. Bäh…