This weekend's media are promoting a curiously uniform line about the Sussexes trip to South Africa.
Finally, Harry and Meghan have a PR Success! writes the Daily Mail. "New team of aides have orchestrated some 'magic' moments with adorable photo opportunity with Archie."
At the Telegraph, the headline read Harry and Meghan's Africa Tour is a storming success, but have they turned the corner with the public yet?
"Beaming and tactile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have summoned the spirit of Diana with their effortless ability to win hearts and warm souls during their first official trip abroad as a young family, in Africa," Telegraph writer Angela Epstein effused.
Across the pond, Page Six at the New York Post wrote: "The trip, so far, has been a true master-class, reminding the once-adoring public why they fell for Meghan in the first place."
The "magical moment" showing off Archie in Africa only made it more bitterly clear that the Sussexes have never seen fit to have a similar magic moment in the UK, which is paying the entire family's bills.
The Duchess's insistance on being photographed at the site of a horrific murder in Cape Town - and then letting her affiliated website inform fans how to buy the super-cute top she was wearing in the pix - was a new low even for her.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has looked shabby and shiftless while surrounded by well-dressed Africans, and made numerous odd comments in front of the press that suggest he is struggling with his mental health.
This is not a success, except in some reverse bizarro world.
In fact, Sunshine Sachs is mentioned in both the Daily Mail and New York Post articles, a neat bit of advertising for themselves.
Since Sunshine Sachs represents a wide variety of celebrities, it seems likely that the media outlets were promised access to some other star or exclusive interview in return for pumping up the Sussexes.
And who are they really selling the Sussexes to? Who is their target market?
Most PR, marketing, and advertising agencies create a range of target profiles for each job, little biographies of imaginary people who might be interested in the product or person, and then think about how to reach them.
For the Sussexes, they might create:
- Susan, a 34-year-old new mother with a full-time job. She's interested in seeing how Meg and Harry balance work and parenthood.
- Mary, a 58-year-old grandmother and Royalist. She's followed Harry since he was a child and wants to see him happy in his marriage.
- Mike, age 42, a former soldier in the British Army. He wants to see the royal line continue and is interested in Harry's role supporting the military.
- Angela, a 24-year-old Black woman ambitious to make it in her chosen field. She's interested in Meg as a role model, not just politically but also in terms of fashion.
These four profiles could all be potential fans of Meg & Harry.
Finally, Harry and Meghan have a PR Success! writes the Daily Mail. "New team of aides have orchestrated some 'magic' moments with adorable photo opportunity with Archie."
At the Telegraph, the headline read Harry and Meghan's Africa Tour is a storming success, but have they turned the corner with the public yet?
"Beaming and tactile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have summoned the spirit of Diana with their effortless ability to win hearts and warm souls during their first official trip abroad as a young family, in Africa," Telegraph writer Angela Epstein effused.
Across the pond, Page Six at the New York Post wrote: "The trip, so far, has been a true master-class, reminding the once-adoring public why they fell for Meghan in the first place."
Bizzaro world
But the tour has not been a success, as anyone following the comment sections on these same media outlets can testify.The "magical moment" showing off Archie in Africa only made it more bitterly clear that the Sussexes have never seen fit to have a similar magic moment in the UK, which is paying the entire family's bills.
The Duchess's insistance on being photographed at the site of a horrific murder in Cape Town - and then letting her affiliated website inform fans how to buy the super-cute top she was wearing in the pix - was a new low even for her.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has looked shabby and shiftless while surrounded by well-dressed Africans, and made numerous odd comments in front of the press that suggest he is struggling with his mental health.
This is not a success, except in some reverse bizarro world.
Sunshine Sachs can "raise the dead"
The Sussexes' high-powered PR agency Sunshine Sachs has boasted of its ability to "raise the dead" when it comes to widely-despised celebrities, and clearly they are behind the push to make the Africa trip look like a success.In fact, Sunshine Sachs is mentioned in both the Daily Mail and New York Post articles, a neat bit of advertising for themselves.
Since Sunshine Sachs represents a wide variety of celebrities, it seems likely that the media outlets were promised access to some other star or exclusive interview in return for pumping up the Sussexes.
Who are they selling to?
But if Sunshine Sachs is really so smart, why haven't they done a better job with the Sussexes?And who are they really selling the Sussexes to? Who is their target market?
Most PR, marketing, and advertising agencies create a range of target profiles for each job, little biographies of imaginary people who might be interested in the product or person, and then think about how to reach them.
For the Sussexes, they might create:
- Susan, a 34-year-old new mother with a full-time job. She's interested in seeing how Meg and Harry balance work and parenthood.
- Mary, a 58-year-old grandmother and Royalist. She's followed Harry since he was a child and wants to see him happy in his marriage.
- Mike, age 42, a former soldier in the British Army. He wants to see the royal line continue and is interested in Harry's role supporting the military.
- Angela, a 24-year-old Black woman ambitious to make it in her chosen field. She's interested in Meg as a role model, not just politically but also in terms of fashion.
These four profiles could all be potential fans of Meg & Harry.
However....
However, Meg and Harry would have annoyed young mother Susan by rarely showing Archie to the British public and making flatulent statements about how hard it is to balance work and parenthood, when everyone knows they have a team of helpers to fulfill their every wish.
Susan is exhausted from trying to work full time, be a good parent, and keep up with her 50% of the housework, and she's not eager to hear from Meg how "it's not easy" being in the public eye.
When it comes to grandmother Mary, she's also annoyed by the Sussexes' hide-and-seek games with Archie, and she worries about how thin and ill Harry looks and how his grooming seems to be sliding.
Was this the right woman for him? And why doesn't he get along with his brother William any more? That seems like a shame to Mary.
Mike, the former soldier, is not pleased by the Sussexes' #woke positions on political issues, and by Harry's neglect of his military charities. He also doesn't like the Sussexes' rampant overspending at a time of austerity in the UK.
Angela, the young Black career woman, is the type of target that Meg seems to think she's aiming for, and Angela is indeed very happy that there is a mixed-race woman in the Royal Family.
However, Angela isn't too impressed by Meg's style, particularly her frequent hair and makeup fails, and thinks Meg's much-vaunted SmartWorks collection was rather low-rent.
Angela's a new graduate on a budget, but her clothing choices are much more chic.
Who do they think they're converting?
So who does Sunshine Sachs think they're converting with these ridiculous articles about the successful Sussexes?
Perhaps they're looking for the sterotypical low-information voter, the person who simply skims the headlines and doesn't think much about this particular issue.
But my belief is that they're underestimating the general public, and that the organic positive interest in the Sussexes is relatively small.
Sunshine Sachs seems to be calling in a lot of favors on this job - Ellen DeGeneres, Pink, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama - but it's all for naught.
Looks like Sunshine Sachs may be getting Markled.
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Note: Still working on the new format - great to see so many new people!
Some commenters have pointed out that it can be difficult to make clear which post they are replying to.
One way to handle that is with italics: "@Mischi, you said The PR people will tell them what they want to hear. They don't want to lose this gig. I think...."
To do this, just type <i> at the start of the italcized area and </i> at the end of it.
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Note: Still working on the new format - great to see so many new people!
Some commenters have pointed out that it can be difficult to make clear which post they are replying to.
One way to handle that is with italics: "@Mischi, you said The PR people will tell them what they want to hear. They don't want to lose this gig. I think...."
To do this, just type <i> at the start of the italcized area and </i> at the end of it.
Comments
In an unrelated news, seems daily mail on Sunday has a glossy pull out about Kate. Has anyone gotten the print copy, cos it's not online. I don't know the impact Kate's profile will have since there is no digital copy.
I couldn’t believe it when I looked at the DM today and saw such a ridiculous article as the one about the success of this tour. Seriously, it’s like a parallel universe exists and I’ve missed something. My mother is in her 70’s and when we met up the other week I asked her (as a DM reader, the UK paper daily they get) her views she said she can’t stand her and my mum thinks most people are ‘nice’. You know what I mean, she cant see fake PR and thinks the best of everyone. So if my mum can see it I don’t see how anyone cannot believe for one moment that H and M will last much longer,
My view is that H is suffering and has suffered mental health issues. My boy cousins were the exact ages of W and H when their mother passed and I can tell you the eldest spent years doing hard drugs. He’s now a daily weed smoker, but more balanced. The younger spent years as a festival follower, also medicates through weed. We’re a close knit family, but could only do so much. They have wives, a child each, but those wives have it hard. Also, they keep their remarried father at arms length, he’s a duty, not a father. So, I think H needs propping up, probably self medicates and M played him totally, as his understanding helper, needy men love that. My cousins do too.
Scandi, age undisclosed, single mother of 4 cats.
Grew up watching Princess Diana because her Asian mother said she dreamt of Diana before discovering she was pregnant with Scandi (even almost named Scandi after Diana). Owns copies of the Andrew Morton books (one an original English copy, one an Asian translation). Interested in seeing how all this drama will play out in the end because of its shady beginnings, projects her own life issues a lot.
However...
Scandi can't believe Diana's son turned out this way. Finds their hypocritical shallow "wokeness" insufferable. Sees traits/behaviours in Meghan Markle that remind her of some of the worst people she has had the misfortune of meeting in her life. Can't believe this "feminist" hired the same PR firm that Harvey Weinstein used. Also utterly disgusted with the way serious social issues are used like PR tools and victims as PR photo-op props, it reminds her of the things she used to see at her previous jobs that made her cynical. She's kind of glad her mother never named her after any member of the British Royal Family now... Continues watching the funded-by-British-taxpayers reality show with morbid fascination because she currently can't afford MUBI/Netflix.
So looked at that way, I would say definitely SS have failed in their mission. It's all so very obvious, even a fool could see the PR at work. I would say the ONLY chance these two have of redeeming themselves with the British people - and at the end of the day it's the British people who count - is to lay low, go back to tax-payer renovated Toad Hall and enjoy their baby, while doing regular low key unglamourous events in Doncaster or North Wales. But we all know that's simply impossible for them, or at least for her. Her constant need to be the centre of attention at all times and at any cost will be her undoing. No amount of PR can fix that.
I find from those that I speak to in Canada that most people are not aware of her shenanigans. As Nutty said, most people don't follow news in depth.
https://amp.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/james-weir-recaps-the-behind-the-scenes-mess-of-harry-and-meghans-tour-of-south-africa/news-story/f96e5277bdec2cc001dc21f68d84ffd7?__twitter_impression=true
Agree 100%. I also think the Sunshine Sachs people also have a certain amount of vanity - "We can do anything. We can sell ice to Alaskans." They think if they keep trying, the PR is bound to take.
The RF does a great deal of private polling, however, so I'm sure they know the true extent of the disaster, at least from a UK perspective.
Yes you're probably right. I used to think he had been bamboozled by her and was desperate to settle down, now I reckon he's almost as bad as she is.
Speaking of PR, I think an example of good PR at work is the way in which Harry's image was rehabilitated after the 'Party Prince' years of being caught with his pants down in Las Vegas and similar antics. His involvement with Invictus -which you can e sure was thought up by palace goons, not by Harry himself - went a long way towards creating the image of a prince motivated by humanitarian concerns, much like his mother. You can also be sure that there is a major PR push behind promoting the Cambridges as the devoted, down-to-earth royals, their hugely expensive and work-shy lifestyle aside. But the PR is done well in that you don't see it in action. By contrast, SS are a typical American crisis management PR firm, highly aggressive and in your face. That might work for a Hollywood producer accused of sex abuse, not so much for public servants whose role is to represent the crown.
Coincidence? I think not.
Up until 2 years ago, or however long it was, MM was just a small time American actress on a barely watched tv show. She then marries PH and is suddenly setting herself up as some sort of icon/someone to be followed/listened to/respected. It just doesn't work that way. Kate Middleton was built up for years by the press, and even she doesn't make pronouncements about how other people should live their lives.
The RF exists on a tightrope of people thinking that they are somehow better than us and that they should automatically be respected and treated with deference. It's a delicate and rather odd way to approach other humans, but it just about works as they have the UK media on their side. But when someone like MM comes along who was a nobody a short time ago, and then instantly tries to set herself up as some sort of cultural figure that should be respected and listened to then it just looks odd. She hasn't done anything to deserve this respect from other people. Well, other than marrying the right man which is probably at odds with her 'feminist' opinions.
To take it a step further, most people like/respect celebrities because they see a bit of themselves, or their idealized selves, in them.
I think this is true of William and Kate at the moment - people see a "nice family" they imagine as a nuclear family ideal - and it is certainly true of the Queen.
People have been projecting themselves and their feelings about the country and society and proper behavior and morality onto the Queen for a very long time. In fact, someone wrote a book a few years ago called Dreams about the Queen, in which a variety of British subjects discussed their (nonsexual) dreams that featured an appearance by the Queen or another member of the Royal Family. The Queen's appearance in your dream reflects what you subconsciously believe is admiraable behavior.
At the time, the author said, "The dream is not about the Queen. It is about you."
http://movelovesun.com/ebooks2/?q=Dreams+About+H.M.+the+Queen+and+Other+Members+of+the+Royal+Family+by+Brian+Masters
That's the thing. There is no getting away from the fact that royalty is an anachronism in the modern age. The Windsors have been acutely aware of this since as long ago as the 1940s, if not before. The idea that someone is somehow better than everyone else, purely by being born or getting married, is at odds with modern ideas of democracy and meritocracy.
The Windsors seem to have figured out that the way to cope with being a living anachronism is not to try to act like celebrities, but retain their appeal as a link with the past, a symbol of national unity, not courting controversy and not flaunting their privilege in people's faces. That's worked reasonably well until now, but how it will fare under the reign of King Charles is another story. And the Harkles aren't helping.
I also think they're blowing an opportunity to strongly represent that unity at a time of national division in the UK.
Where the hell is the Queen, or Charles, or even William? We should be seeing them all over the place right now, calmly representing the values that bring British citizens together.
Instead, we get Markle selling organic cotton baby jumpsuits. It's a fail, in my opinion.
“Speaking to a group of prominent anti-apartheid activists and politicians, the Duchess of Sussex said : 'We can learn a certain amount from the outside, by tracking it through the news, but it's not the same as being able to truly understand what it's like on the ground."
What does she think the news does? Report every last nuance and detail about a situation? What does she mean by learning from "being on the ground?" Does she equate her ignorance with the experience of the activists and politicians? As usual she insults others who have made a career out of what to her is a sound byte.
I think the House of Windsor simply has no clue how to deal with Meghan.
Just as they had no clue how to deal with Diana, and before her Wallis Simpson.
I think they will weather Storm Meghan, just as they did the previous much more serious crises. But they are not making themselves look good in the process.
Their PR team is telling them the same thing. After all, they don't want to lose this gig. (italices attempt but it is saying tag not inclosed)
I read "gig" as "pig". Which isn't too far off when you think about what they must be spending (and have spent in the last two years or so on PR.
All this obvious PR leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. I don't like being hit on the head and told I ought to feel a particular feeling.
Re the DM article - the top 10 comments are negative about calling this successful. And, they aren't being kind about it either.
The prime days of that movement were 1960-1990, mostly before Markle's time.
It looks as inappropriate as Charles trying to play World War II hero at all these anniversary celebrations (he was wearing a military uniform just this week at a memorial ceremony) when he was born in 1948.
As tasteless as her appearance at the murdered girl's memorial was, at least that's a current issue with some relevance to contemporary South Africans.
I'm sure it's not something the South African government wants to call attention to in an international forum, however.
So using PH and MM what would people see-sanctimonious globe trotting millionaires taking private jets to stay with Elton John, whilst at the same time deriding others for using air travel to go on cheap holidays which everyone looks forward to after working 40+ weeks a year.
And as you say, compared with Prince William and his nuclear family then the difference is startling. Goes some way to explain the ludicrous 'PH and MM had lunch in a pub' story. Whilst jetting around the world, going barefoot at a climate conference preaching environmental causes whilst surrounded by multi millionaires, billionaires and celebs, they then try to change the direction of their PR by going to a pub lunch. It just doesn't make sense as it totally goes against what they want to be. They are elitists who believe themselves to be above everyone else, and a pub lunch fools no one. And the fact that both of them believe they are part of the elite, and act like it is when the believability issue becomes a real problem. He is of average intelligence, a party boy who has fully exploited his great privilege in life. MM is a pretty small time actress. And we're supposed to think that they're the Obamas or something? Not a chance.
One more thing. You're right. Where is William in all this? I'm sure he's livid about PH exploiting the memory of Diana. It was his Mum too!
My guess is that any attempt to get involved will tarnish his brand, even if he goes against them. Imagine it, it would bring him down to their level and make it a cheap soap opera. And then the deference with which the RF relies on will be reduced even further. Strange times indeed.
How did she get the Vanity Fair cover story? How did she pay for Kruger Crowne or Sunshine Sachs back in the day on her Suits salary?
I never read that Vanity Fair Article. Was it interesting?
this link has the video of MM trying to get Archie to smile and then he won't and she gives a disgusted look. she is horrid.
A few thoughts: Humans are such funny creatures. Some (sheep) will buy the new story from the Sussex’s PR and see Meghan in a new, kinder light. Some people are very gullible.
However, we can almost be assured that Meghan and Harry will do something very soon again that will “look horrible/be horrible/upset the Royal Family/upset Lord Geidt/put them squarely back into a bad light”. Take your pick from the foregoing list. It is very difficult for humans to change the way they operate in the world.
The above is especially true if Meghan plans to “follow her dreams” as opposed to performing her royal duties, as quoted in the Daily Mail last week.
Also, Christmas season is nearly upon us — the peak season to merch, merch, merch... So, many opportunities for Meghan and Harry to get it wrong.
I fear the Royal Family thought this downgraded tour would rehabilitate Harry and Meghan. Hence, the silence on merching Archie at H&M, etc. They just want the problem to go away without having to address it directly. Unfortunately, with someone like Meghan, that strategy will not work....
For those who want an edit button. Chrome seems to let me preview & edit before publishing. I'm too lazy & my ADHD is too bad for me to be a good self editor, though. When I want something to be perfect, I have to ask one of my kids to proof it for me! LOL.
Our "local" newspaper posted a story of her solemnly merching the white blouse. Shocked I was because they (H&M) don't usually get much mainstream coverage here, especially since we are heading into a federal election. Canadians quietly tolerate the RF but don't engage. Although there was buzz around the wedding initially, because of the Toronto connection, it waned quickly.Thanks for the great blog everyone. Keeps me somewhat sane.
It was Meg's standard word salad. What I find interesting is the fact that longtime Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter resigned the day after the article was published.
Coincidence? Carter resigned very suddenly, with no successor in place.
Respect to MM, as I said in a post a couple of weeks ago, I am tired of her and her manipulative ways.
I live in SouthAmerica and thankfully nobody here talks (or cares) about her. Maybe some magazines, like Hello, or some other gossip magazines. My mom just knows that Harry married someone with dark hair and that she is just not as good as it was supposed to be.
But everything changes when I get into the Internet. She is everywhere (lol, at least in the pages of entertainment that I visit). I have been to the UK several times and I love it so I had always been interested in the BRF. MM and me are both the same age (at least I was indeed born on 1981) so she raised on me a natural curiosity. But I can't stand her. I don't stand people who thinks is better than the others and she has always thought she is better than everybody, so entitled. So, ladies, we just have to wait together for the end and be grateful of having this wonderful blog to share our thoughts.
Where are the Windsors? Protecting the Queen I suspect, just like on that TOC balcony. But really Andrew is in a load of trouble. He probably thought Epstein’s death freed him, but law enforcement has turned its eyes to him. Trump is not protecting him as may have been hoped. The Royals are going to allow the Harkles to sop up all the public’s negativity as long as they can.
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/09/meghan-markle-cover-story
notice at the bottom that they print a retraction about the date when the two met.
In reality, as I've said before, there has been minimal coverage of this 'tour' and your average Brit probably hasn't got a clue that it's even happening. I doubt networks in other parts of the world are more enthusiasic.
“Meghan Markle thrills a classroom of students when she SKYPES them during Prince Harry's visit to their college in Malawi on the couple's African tour”
If you weren’t closely reading, you’d miss it:
“This comes after the royals were met with signs of protest as they visited the Bo-Kaap area in Cape Town earlier on the tour.
adding this one more link - to a video where the woman mentions that MM may have had a child already? Alledgedly of course :)
They should have never moved the Sussex Council meeting regarding stripping the Harkles of the Sussex title from October to December. When they vote to do it, all the Queen has to do is accede to it. Then we’d be freed of Smirkles running around referring to herself as a Duchess and Dirty Harry idiotically trying to be called “The Duke.” Smirkles would have to be satisified with Prince Harry as her title. LOL.
@HappyDays, As usual she couldn’t let Harry have his own engagement, but had to butt/Skype in.
The younger woman has never sought publicity (unlike Samantha, Tom, Tom Jr., etc.), so there seems to have been a general agreement to leave her alone.
Diana was aristocratic to the core, her manners were impeccable and she was sincere in her duty - through much personal unhappiness she went out there and did her bit because she knew it brought joy and helped others. Us Marys recognized this as mirroring our own lives. We were “getting on with it”. People felt she cared, because she truly did and she was just finding her way to tangibly using her position to make a difference when she was taken.
Us Marys could forgive MM’s lack of style and decorum not being on par with Diana but it’s not just that. MM has zero sense of duty, her actions and cliched word salads directly contradict the image she’s trying to project. Therein lies the difference us Marys pick up on that that no amount of PR can fix. Us Marys, and most people with any critical thinking skills recognize hypocrisy. PR fail number one was to play the Diana card to us Marys - we witnessed Diana in action, she set the bar way too high for someone as woefully inadequate as MM to ever scale.
PR fail number two to us Marys was letting MM open her mouth. SS and MM haven’t grasped that “actions speak louder than words”, “lead by example” , and “thou shalt not lie” are core values my generation grew up on. Telling me what I should do and how I should think is something this Mary got over a long time ago. Why does this matter? Us Marys are at a life stage where we have more disposable income than ever now our children are grown. I’m not buying purses from a phony and I’ll donate to causes that make an actual difference, not foundations set up to fleece the needy.
MM can spend a gazillion on PR - it won’t work on us Marys who lived and breathed feminism way before MM even knew the word. Us Marys were among the first to call out racism and homophobia so don’t even THINK of calling us racist for recognizing a grifting, hypocritical, virtue signaller when we see one.
@RoyalFan - I totally agree with you. It appears HMTQ does not have a clue about the sh*t storm surrounding PA.
AS to Today's DM articles, I roll my eyes however one got my attention: "The Queen will be delighted by H&M's tour and success - says royal expert." Seriously? As a parent, i would be mortified at everything I have seen depicted in photographs and texts from the stand point of behaving as a guest in a foreign country a) Meghan has been accused on not eating the food prepared for her at a person's home, b) walking in an sitting on the floor, when clearly seating arrangements were made, merchandizing a private moment at a memorial, let alone post the pictures of a private moment (that is an oxymoron in itself - how can a private moment stay private if it is publicized), and the creme d'la creme - the paid visit with Her Silliness. Not Harry - the grandson of the Queen, but Meghan. I guess we humble peasants across the pond are not meant to understand why HMTQ puts up with this nonsense. How is this a PR visit for the Crown/ Commonwealth when it is being staged for an audience that probably isn't Commonwealth to begin with?
@Bootsy, "One more thing. You're right. Where is William in all this? I'm sure he's livid about PH exploiting the memory of Diana...."
Last weekend, William was at Balmoral. I doubt he went for the weather. Chas was there, too. I suspect they were doing the duck. Hopefully, William picked up a new supply of scarves from the Outer Hebrides while there. I think he is going to need them.
As for the Sussex reboot, in addition to my note to Rach last night on the previous post, I would say to SS: oh lololololhellno. Take the money but do it knowing there is no reboot for the markle. People see her too clearly. She cannot quit being herself and her self is a cheap, lying, soul-sucking mess (note: it's the Sabbath, so I'm being nice today lol).
I checked and after all of this, they are still sitting at 9.5M on IG. So much for breaking the internet, Rach.
W&K are at 10.1 now, so someone is becoming more popular on IG.
Note re searching: if we all do the "@" when responding, then we can search for replies to us using Ctrl+"F", I think.
I happen to agree with your observations.They are mirroring mine. I keep asking myself "Cui bono?" It isn't the skanky ho, IMO. Any merching $$ that she gets aren't that great over time. She would have been far better off financially and for the child to do her best to fit in with the royal family and make Harry look good rather than go out of her way to disrupt the monarchy and inflame the people of her new country. Time and time again, she has deliberately flouted advice and the rules.
So, who would benefit most by systematically removing the symbols of British nationalism?
I feel like The Sussex’s PR monster machine is trying to brainwash the British public etc! No-one is buying it though, but it’s insulting to think that SS believe they can change public opinion with a few OTT articles about the couple. It’s not going to happen.
I thought Elle’s rant about Murky on the previous post was simply fan-bloody-tastic! and sooo spot on, bravo Elle!!!!
I need a cup of tea and a nice choccie biccie now.
It seems like a long time ago in the Haz 'n' Megz saga, but what a very very odd royal patronage that was.
"CB posters appear to pride themselves on their fancy jobs and high fashion, but they categorically reject any post about MM that isn't complete and total praise. At the same time they viciously bash other women in a way that is totally hypocritical given what they post about her."
I've found that it's simply impossible to discuss Meghan with the sugars as they'll just freak out and call you all sorts of names. Hence why I post in 'safe spaces' like this!
CB is the very worst. They're the same with Angelina Jolie - a woman I think quite similar to Megs in many ways - in that they simply will not tolerate anything other than blind adoration. I find it fascinating, in a sad sort of way, how people become so totally invested in celebrities who they will never meet and who pay (OK in Meghan's case the British taxpayer pays) security staff to keep 'fans' like them well away from them. At least Jolie has had an established career for years. But Meghan? None of them cared about her until she married a dumnb prince.
That said, Celt News did cover this topic some time back so for those who care to, you can look at this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NeB7azZFHd8
More Markle mystery. Her niece had been vociferously defending her aunt, but has gone strangely quiet.
Sad really.
Yes, Kaiser has always had it in for Kate but that has increased 100 fold since Meghan came on the scene. Where Kate is dull, work-shy and jealous (of what or who?) Meghan is dynamic, super-stylish and most of all'woke'. Never mind that Kate is very popular in Britain and Meghan is .... not. But of course the CB gang would put that down to 'racism' as they completely fail to understand Britain and the role the monarchy plays there. Clue: it's not about amassing Instagram followers.
And it's kind of laughable how they and many other Meghanistas think Kate is jealous of Meghan. Kate will be queen and her son will be king. 10 years from now, in the unlikely event she's still in the royal family, few will have the slightest interest in Meghan and her sad hubby.
Jenx and SwampWoman: Really good question: So, who would benefit most by systematically removing the symbols of British nationalism?
HappyDays: Good find! So despite all the controlling, there are protests which are not happening locally to the palace. The needing to have others present to prevent that booing has not gone away.
JL: I think you are correct in that SS doesn't really have a good handle on the UK and even less in SA. And, they come off as heavy handed at best. The isn't everything wonderful articles in the DM all have best comments which are clearly saying that they disagree. They are roaring ever louder disagreement to being force fed the idea of she's redeemed herself now, so now all you klunkheads need to change your tune to sing happy to see you songs.
Adding to this, as others (wizardwench is one), she comes off as has a lot of difficulty following advise.
It is like watching a slow car crash in front of you. Which part is likely to be the complete smash up of the car - flipping over over in circles, the lamp post taking off the rear half of the car, over the cliff (more bouncing) or the complete slam into the ground when landing. It's all bad but only a question of which one is really going to the fatal undoing for the car.
I don't know what will be the final blow to tip the tide into a tsunami towards her but the water is pulling back and ... is rising.
Wait, Rach "Skyped in" to a Harry event?
Sorry, but I'm not going to be able to read/watch more of this travesty until I can have a glass of wine later in the day. I just can't.
? for Kate: what time is the right time for a Crack Baby? We're talking earliest possible appropriate time, btw. Noon? Elevensies? Cocktail hour? --- Asking for a mutual friend.
How long will she be able to keep paying for it? At this point, I suspect PR funding comes from the Disney money, other donations to the dodgy "foundation," merching deals, paid "private" appearances, and whatever they had in the bank. At some point, I think she'll run out of money to fund both the glam celeb lifestyle and the PR, and then we'll see the wheels come off the bus fairly quickly.
Perhaps that's the Firm's strategy: let thirsty Megs go ever lower, requiring ever more PR to prop her up, which she eventually won't be able to pay for. The more desperate she gets, the more blunders she makes, and the lower public opinion sinks until she's completely rubbished. They won't have to do a thing.
@Rainy Day, well, if I have to have two glasses, then I'll have them. I'm not one to turn down good bad advice lol.
@JL, here's a handy lowdown on earlobes. https://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask372
My thoughts, too. It takes longer, residual and collateral damages done, but if they take her down publicly, the merde could really hit the royal fan.
BTW I was formerly Flowerz but I changed to the handle I usually use to go with the new format.
Anyway, I’m here out of concern for The Duke of Hazard who has completely resigned to waiting for her in car. It’s simply not worth the fight. Anything to avoid the night rage. These strong, empowered wimen 🙄 who take on masculine roles will only find themselves frustrated with responsibilities and decisions they are simply not hard wired to manage. Men and women complement, not rival, each other so the more docile he becomes, the more rabid she grows. Their frustration manifests first as mere hissy fits, then raging tantrums, followed by throwing projectiles, and finally with throwing punches. Harry presents to be in the midst of stage 3. Recordings of him going to great lengths to calm her down will be used as evidence. The abuse will be pinned on PH and the RF will be accused of covering for him just like with PA. He, however, will never breathe a word of her abusive nature for men never do and their women know they wouldn’t dare. The woman will be released and conveniently step right into a speaking tour and book deal of how she came out a survivor. The Duke will be left a pariah for no one will want to be seen in a relationship with an alleged abuser.
This is a cancer and, if left to fester, will destroy the whole body.
@Mischi: Elle, all the BRF have to do is plant drugs on their private plane on the way back. Everyone will say to themselves "I knew they were on drugs"
No, that wouldn't be shocking. It might only stir up sympathy and give them an excuse. "On drugs" is not really the character assassination it used to be, ditto with finding out someone is gay. There may be gossip in provincial circles, but overall, it's shrug-worthy IMO.
@QueenWhitby, lol and I wish on the Crack Babies! I have never had one, but if Kate loves them, then I know I'd love them, too. Besides, what better cocktail to drink while watching Prince Louis roll large lol. Here's a recipe in case you'd like to whip some up and drop by!
1l passionfruit juice
375ml vodka
280ml Chambord
1 punnet of strawberries, hulled
750ml brut champagne
If that girl talked, could you please give us her name? Or some more information on that juicy bit of news (to me at least)?
Did anyone get a load of that trailer trash, circus top with the black strapped bra underneath? What in the living h? That could only have been intentional. Who in their right mind would wear black under white? We’re putting lipstick on a pig here. Seriously, how hard can it be? She’s either completely void of talent or just plumb defiant. Again, how bleeping hard can it be?
The tossed photos must have been horrid.
As I said yesterday, she is where she is now because after that long train of buying and selling it, she (finally) screwed a prince with some fame and money. She may have a fleeting title, but she will always be seen as a skeezy harlot and will never be more than she ever was. Fame won't make her trashiness go away. She was, is, and always will be the fake wannabe who makes us roll our eyes. And lest she kid herself, she is a markle, through and through.
And @Unknown:
Because I am a woman who does now and always will support myself and believes myself to be just as strong as a man and equally hardwired to handle big decisions, I just have to say that I'm all for "strong, empowered women who take on masculine roles" (WHAT ARE MASCULINE ROLES EXACTLY - the ones that require brains, advanced degrees, training, logic, law, medicine, business, what exactly?).
I am not now and will never find myself frustrated with "responsibilities and decisions" that I've more than happily managed my whole life. In fact, I consider responsibilities and decisions to be mine to have and make and the ability to make them allows me the freedom and independence to do whatever I effing please, and i am definitely hardwired for that, TYVM.
Sorry,that viewpoint you've expressed is your right, but it is just offensive sexism to me. If you're not hardwired for it and overwhelmed by it and want to defer to some big, strong man to take care of you, then that is your prerogative, but that's just offensive AF to me, and some things on this blog I just scan on past, but I will not scan past this misogynist, sexist BS because I was indoctrinated with it in my early life and I saw its negative impact then and I see it now.
There are too many of us on this blog who have successful professional careers and have worked our asses off to get the cred, and no one, esp a woman, is going to tell me I am not hardwired to handle it. Sorry, not sorry.
- first they make you doubt your reality and attack your self-esteem
- then, they start to badmouth you to everyone behind your back
- finally, the discard occurs and it is often sudden and unexpected
Since the narc has been working on the discard for a long time, while their partner has been trying to mend the relationship, it is often extremely hurtful to the discarded party.
When we start seeing bad press and rumours regarding Harry, we know that she's planning for the discard.
When we use the other one the replies get lost sometimes
@Mimi: I'm thinking IV drip would be better. I need it constantly right now lol.
And @Mimi, I don't want to have to keep buzzing the nurse for another syringe (even if I hire a male nurse who is really hot and mute).
Yes, @Mimi, who could forget?
https://mwnation.com/nkhata-bay-chiefs-to-petition-prince-harry-over-massacre/
I have no idea whether or not this is standard procedure for royal visits, or if the petitioners just think Harry is a sap. Can't imagine the Foreign Office would be too thrilled about it, & would assume this is the kind of thing the RF would want to steer clear of at all costs. Apparently the petitioners want reparations for a 'massacre' which occurred in 1959. The Telegraph also has a story on Malawians who are upset that Harry met with their president, who seems to be somewhat controversial. Maybe this kind of thing is par for the course for royals on their trips. As an American, I wouldn't know. American politicians are subjected to all sorts of embarrassments when abroad, but I thought the RF was supposed to steer clear of controversy, as they're not political.
Old school tailors don't like black shoes or belts with navy or charcoal grey suits. Until recently, many couture types didn't do black with jeans.
I think Harry would look nice in Harris Tweed jackets. Not in Africa, but in casual settings in stead of sporty stuff. I have a thing for red haired Irishmen in Tweed or Irish knits. It would boost ENGLISH industries and design too.
There are lots of chic British brands. MM should sit herself in the front row of some fashion shows during LONDON fashion week. She fancies herself a fashion icon, she could support young British designers. Harry could wear Burberry. Better option than J Crew. Not merchong, just supporting Brit Brands. She could go to other COMMONWEALTH fashion shows too.
Harry gave the President of Malawi a copy of "Meghan's" cookbook!
Mischi, there is a rumor that MeGain is going to be smuggling diamonds back already so no need to pack the fuselage with Malawi Gold.
I can’t help but wonder if someone asked M just what she wants;what is her end game,what her answer would be. We all have a hard time understanding her methods and motives because we are normal people. Haven’t we all thought about what we would do if offered a similar position? Me-I’d gaze in awe at the architecture and interiors, drool in amazement at the costumes, pore endlessly over all the historical documents. No man necessary but if the proper one should present himself... . Seriously, what does M see as her ultimate goal? A house in Malibu? Movie roles? So much money that she can use $100 bills for toilet paper? She wants the admiration without the work.
Marcus Anderson has been off the radar lately except for slopping into Misha Nono’s Wedding incognito. He seems to be at the heart of it all from the beginning.
The “Never complain Never Explain” credo isn’t going to work on this. I’m with everyone who wants to see a big public takedown. I want the truth about Archie. Does M even realise what a mice life she could have had by just playing the game according to the rules? Who knows, she may have even EARNED the adoration she seems to crave.
@Mimi: you eco-warrior! Boxed wine is actually much "greener" than bottled *and* you can add the coolness factor if you do the Tour De Franzia soiree.
She will spend the rest of her life trying to repay the people who have wronged her in some way - by snubbing her, not giving her what she wanted, not recognising her genius, awesomenes, you name it.
She will never be happy and she will ruin the lives of all the people around her - her father, husband, child or children, friends (if they aren't narcs).
--- just had a thought --- the sudden discard and bad mouthing of Thomas Markle and her second husband is typical of a narc. Not the fact that she froze them out, but that she suddenly decided that she had had enough. Normal people don't do that. Everyone speaks of how she cut contact with them, but it's not so much that she did, but how she did it.
@Gabe - the problem with someone like Meghan is that she will never be satisfied. She will see someone who is younger, prettier, richer, has more influence, more friends, cuter children, and she will stew! She will then plot to bring that person down, just like she is doing with Kate and how she has done with Eugenie.
Maybe Meghan would have been considered normal if she had stayed in Hollywood. Perhaps that is the norm there.
Hilarious.
@Mischi, definitely Hollywood is filled with its share of narcissism, but I don't think she was ever considered normal. How many of them stayed away? How many still do? Look at how Bey treated her (slapped la puta into place with the "princess" remark). There really are people in Hollywood who became famous because of talent but are still decent people. I personally don't believe everyone in ANY group is bad and I think the sweeping statements are unfair because it discounts so many people. That said, I do know that So Cal as a whole is very materialistic as opposed to other parts of the WC, but let me just add that there are other parts of the country where the same is true. I live where I live b/c the values are more aligned. That gross materialism makes me queasy. How about your locale?
IDK where you were on the WC, but I assure you, it's very different even from No Cal to So Cal and Oregon and WA are nothing like that. None of what you describe is the focus on the northern end. So Cal is very like that, however. But so is Houston TX and Atlanta GA, for example.
@Mischi: This would be a VERY Berkeley/SF/Portland/Seattle greeting, too: "It was quite different from my friends who ask me what books I am reading when they first greet me." I've lived on the WC for years and except for So Cal and parts of the middle of the state, have NEVER experienced people like the plastic ones you describe. In Denver, Dallas, and Houston, yet, but not on the WC.
I heard the woman's name is Lauren Foster. I actually saw a post supposedly written by her so I hope I'm not outing anyone against their will. She had a company called Stretch Recipes.
Markle has a psychological disorder that is about attention seeking. She is not about women who are strong and perfectly capable of leading. From what I can tell most of the women who comment here are extremely intelligent women who do not degenerate into hysteria when serving as public or private leaders. Furthermore as far as I am concerned however you define “masculine roles,” more and more women need to move into them because the men who have been hogging these roles are doing a good job of messing everything up.
@JL,
Furthermore as far as I am concerned however you define “masculine roles,” more and more women need to move into them because the men who have been hogging these roles are doing a good job of messing everything up.
LOLOLOLHellYeah and go you, girlfriend! I'm buying the next round of Contemptinis for this comment!
KnitWit, I agree. Harry would look very nice in Harris Tweed jackets. I would like for somebody to sneak in and set that awful gray suit and those shoes on fire, but I don't suppose anybody knows where he's staying. Perhaps LG can take care of it.
@Elle, you said to unknown: @Unknown:
Because I am a woman who does now and always will support myself and believes myself to be just as strong as a man and equally hardwired to handle big decisions, I just have to say that I'm all for "strong, empowered women who take on masculine roles" (WHAT ARE MASCULINE ROLES EXACTLY - the ones that require brains, advanced degrees, training, logic, law, medicine, business, what exactly?).
I'm not @ unknown, and I have done well in non-traditional roles. However, when it comes to brute strength, men have the advantage. If I were to fall and break my leg in the third floor stairwell of a burning building, I'd rather a 6'3" fireman who could bench press 400# carry me out, rather than a 5'4" 120# woman that could bench 120#. It has nothing to do with how determined to carry me out the 5'4" woman is. It comes down to speed and strength. It is the reason that the males who identify as females (who couldn't even make the team in male sports) are dominating female sports.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/princeharryandme.tumblr.com/post/183005985131/when-the-engagement-was-announced-last-year-there/amp
@Elle Thank you for earlobe genetics—and the Contemptini.
@Mimi, yes I remember MM slapping Harry in the carriage, which makes it all the more worrisome how she pressed her fingers into baby Archie’s sternum when she was displeased.
Finally @Veena. Re Marcus Anderson conspiracy theory. It begins with the premise that MM was never pregnant and used a surrogate. So the question is why? A guaranteed quick pregnancy? Or one of them is infertile? Him? There are rumors that Harry is due to a childhood disease (forgot which). Or Her? I do believe her solo jaunt to Toronto in Aug 2018 had something to do with her pregnancy (picking up frozen eggs perhaps). Harry not being able to have children could explain why the Royal Family went along with the charade. (I have my own suspicions about a possible sperm donor, but no point involving any more people in rumor mongering, right?)
Then there are plenty of conspiracy theorists who put up photos such as Markus Anderson and baby Archers aide-by-side to show they have the same eye shape. That’s when I noticed the ear lobes.
I am pretty visual and really like to look hard at the detail in photos. The photographic evidence of all the photoshopping has been fascinating. The Christening photos were taken the same day as baby Archers infant reveal, only with two different kids or one with a doll and the other with a kid. And that beauty can’t be the South African Archers because he doesn’t have his slightly wonky eye. Course they may have photoshopped the eye on Christening Archie too. And that kid then was not 2 months. More like 4-5.
Another recent example is when you compare Markle carrying polo baby to her carrying Archers at the airport (on her way to JoBurg) the Polo baby’s legs were considerably longer than South African Archers and Polo was 2 1/2 months ago.
I belabor the red hair because it is the perfect example of what Skippy says all the time which is that Markle is really really bad at the details when it comes to all her immoral if not illegal shenanigans. It would be typical of her to dust the peach fuzz with some bright red henna not realizing that redheads don’t arrive with bright red Ronald McDonald hair.
And Meghan didn’t think we’d notice that her supposedly 4.5 month son is vocalizing (kinda barked Arch), teething, parents wiping drool left and right but no drool cloth on hand so amateurs, is standing with assistance if not pulling himself up given that the bottom of his socks were dirty and he’s undoubtedly a speedy crawler.
Her arrogance is so complete that she thinks no one will notice the details. She is the only smart one and she has derision for everyone —every—single—one else.
@Mischi—your description of when the Narc breaks up with someone was perfect.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/femail/video-1842820/Video-Volunteer-calls-Meghan-Markle-fat-lady-visit-charity.html
Ok, I did some digging, and it was from the time that Meg was "pregnant", so never mind.
And a large part of that are the fascinating commentators!
There's one who's literally peeked inside the windows at Frogmore cottage, one who has ordered a copper bathtub from Europe, one who wears silk trench coats... who are you people?? You fascinate me! I don't get instagram, but if you guys were on it I would follow you! (I need to see this copper tub.)
Anyways, we're all buddies now. Mischi, Scandi Sanskrit, and Liver Bird all stand out. I'm probably forgetting a lot.
And of course Nutty Flavor- I so enjoyed your posts on CDAN that I clicked your picture just for kicks some months back and here you are :D
However, when it comes to brute strength, men have the advantage. If I were to fall and break my leg in the third floor stairwell of a burning building, I'd rather a 6'3" fireman who could bench press 400# carry me out, rather than a 5'4" 120# woman that could bench 120#. It has nothing to do with how determined to carry me out the 5'4" woman is. It comes down to speed and strength.
In fact, it makes me want to fall down a stairwell just to get that hottie over here lol, BUT that is not what anonymous was talking about at all, and what was said was demeaning to those of us who have worked our asses off and can make decisions and choices without a big, strong man guiding us along the way, so I stand by what I said. However, I will add this: I have known some very intelligent, kick-ass, own-the-room, successful men, and their egos were fine with a sassy woman who didn't defer and wasn't afraid to speak up, and I love those kind of men. Unfortunately, they are hard to find, but they're wonderful and confident and strong emotionally and their egos do not require a shrinking violet (in fact, they seem to enjoy the challenge of a woman who doesn't sit down and know her place lol).
Also FTR, I love Harris Tweed. Harry would look beautiful in those, but until someone takes garlic to Rach, he's going to be a mere shadow of himself. Narcissists suck the life out of a person. We all have a dark side and, no doubt, Rach has revealed PHs, and yet, I know that there is some good in him, there's too much evidence of that. However, Rach only seems to have a dark side and the rest is faux *uckery (skipped the F again), and she is wretched, just wretched.
And as for those Crack Babies, I suspect it will be quite the party, and we'll happily share @Swampwoman.
Yes, @Mimi, and it's exactly what the press is trying to do and it makes most of us very, very angry.
@Nutty, have you seen the rumblings about why Rach is pulling out of things scheduled specifically for her? I saw it on Tumblr.
I never got past her Skype photo, that was enough for me. Why did she need to Skype in? Why does she even need to be on the tour? None of this makes any sense. And it looks like she's done nothing, just nothing to make the situation better. In fact, best comment I read was about how patronizing and insulting those baby hand-me-downs were -- from PrinceHarryAndMe: “Imagine if she took a bag of old clothes to America if on tour?”
Also, where is Hikari?
Thanks for the reminder about the story re: Lauren Foster. I watched that YouTube JL linked....truly a sign of what could have been!
Duchess of Cambridge says nothing is more important than 'Queen, country and family' | Daily Mail Online
Off my soap box now....... somehow I didn’t explain my desire to see MeGain’s takedown well. All her lies and deceptions made public. All her fathers secrets about her made public. All her salad tossing tapes released. Total public humiliation. Her soul laid bare.
As I said, we reading this can’t relate to her brain. I gag over hearing what someone paid for something at times and know I wouldn’t do the same if I could afford it. I don’t need the Cullinan diamond around my neck. Y’all are absolutely correct in saying that no matter what she has will never be enough. That’s an emptiness from within. There’s no hope for her. Well, actually there is but I can’t think right now what event it might be to make her WANT to change. Youth fades with time and no amount of nip/tuck will stay it forever. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Botox. The sagging boobs are mine and I earned them. M is an amalgamation of all the bad traits of certain people I have known rolled into one.
I can only laugh at M as she gnashes her teeth when she looks in her mirror. Those cute young things have only one thing to offer and it’s unfortunate that men seem to value perfectly pert breasts over so so ones and a mind. It’s their loss. I am disgusted with watching her destroy an institution that is such a symbol of civility and tradition. Those aren’t valued by the young.
So, in answer to the original question Can SS Save The Day ? Nope. It’s looking like they just want to cash the cheques. No pr firm can rescue a reputation when it’s past a certain point even if the client was willing to listen to them in the first place. If she had actually given birth to Archie I might be tempted to say that a diagnosis of leukemia or some such parents nightmare might wake her up but the child is just an accessory to her. She has never let herself care that much about any living person. Nope. Meggie is broken. As much as I hate to say it, she is destined to live an unfulfilled life. The only question now is how to stop her from dragging anyone else along with her.
@Unknown said: These strong, empowered wimen 🙄 who take on masculine roles will only find themselves frustrated with responsibilities and decisions they are simply not hard wired to manage. Men and women complement, not rival, each other so the more docile he becomes, the more rabid she grows. Their frustration manifests first as mere hissy fits, then raging tantrums, followed by throwing projectiles, and finally with throwing punches. Harry presents to be in the midst of stage 3. Recordings of him going to great lengths to calm her down will be used as evidence. The abuse will be pinned on PH and the RF will be accused of covering for him just like with PA. He, however, will never breathe a word of her abusive nature for men never do and their women know they wouldn’t dare. The woman will be released and conveniently step right into a speaking tour and book deal of how she came out a survivor. The Duke will be left a pariah for no one will want to be seen in a relationship with an alleged abuser.This is a cancer and, if left to fester, will destroy the whole body.
I'm none to sure what "masculine roles" are in 2019, where both men and women can take on tasks that were traditionally associated with the opposite gender. (A friend set up a cooking and baking class for local teenagers, and was surprised when only boys signed up.)
That said, I think that couples need to complement each other. Person A is good at, say, financial stuff and bill paying, so Person A takes care of the household budget; Person B has an interest in vehicles and vehicle maintenance, so Person B takes care of the mechanical jobs. The balance is what makes a partnership work.
I can't see any balance in Meghan and Harry's relationship, or in fact any partnership. There's none of that, "Honey, you're great at this, so I'm going to step back and let you handle it." I particularly don't see that from Meghan's side.
If you don't have a certain amount of respect for your partner, you're in the wrong relationship.
Funny you mention how Meghan doesn't seem to step back and let Harry shine - I just saw some video clips showing how she doesn't just fail to step back metaphorically but also physically. One was from the Garden Party and Harry was starting to follow Camilla through the doorway, but Meghan touched his arm to stop him and let her walk through first. Another was from some event where they collided when trying to walk forward to shake a dignitary's hand, and she didn't even look at him or acknowledge the collision but continued to stick her hand out and he gave way. Another one was when she looked frustrated that the official guests were interested in greeting and conversing with Harry and hadn't noticed her, so she leaned in closer, interrupted the conversation, stuck out her hand to introduce herself, bring herself into the conversation.
I don't understand why many more people don't find this as strange but instead see Meghan as a model for women's empowerment. Imagine if you were Harry and a brand new work colleague joined, acting as Meghan in that they physically pushed you aside to meet the visiting VP or director or interrupted you talking to a group of clients to introduce themselves and change the topic to what they wanted. I think people would very much have a problem with this. This isn't an empowered woman to me; it's a desperately insecure one.
. . . and extremely rude and disrespectful of Prince Harry, her husband. Imagine what she would do to the rest of us "little people".
But he continues to put up with this uncivil offensive behavior from her -- and more. Is he a masochist?
@NeutralObserver: Elle, I feel as though I can almost see you, although your description of yourself doesn't match how I imagine you.
Okay, you've got to tell me what I look like, I'm just dying to know.
@GabesHuman: Wow! What you've done is awesome! I am in awe of the welding and after reading your comments, I bet most men would wish they could pee sitting down (some can, but I'd imagine it's messier lol).
@Nutty: I so agree re respect. If it's not there at the beginning, the relationship is going nowhere, and if it's lost during the process, well, good luck to those people. I think it's more important than love in an LTR. And it doesn't matter what genders are in the mix - it is still the key IMO.
I think that there are a lot of reasons that people loathe the Dumbarton Duo. Watching someone grift through a 'global lens' is maddening and I wish the press would 'shine a light' on what we can all see clearly. Instead, for whatever reasons, the press vacillates between gaslighting and pettiness. An actual bare-facts expose is what is needed. Of course, Harry could have spared himself (and all of us) by just "escorting" her instead of marrying her, but that would have been too easy. Instead, it's how many millions of pounds spent trying to make Rach into anything other than the SoHo fraud she is.
Eowyn, my guess is that he doesn't know what to do. He's alienated his family and friends and I'm not sure he's a long-term strategic thinker (lolololol phew! first snark of the day, so I guess I didn't wake up nice ;)
I have been quite politically active in the past, a true believer, but I, too, have watched the virtue signaling on the left and right and seen behind the curtain, and I feel like I have lost my religion. Now, I either see the actions match the words (almost never) or I just let the hot air blow over me (almost always).
This is not female empowerment. This is rude behavior. There is more than one photograph where she appears to be flicking off a photographer. This is crass, not empowerment.
I would respect her "empowerment" platform now if there were concrete interventions in place. How did the SmartWorks 1:1 project go? I haven't seen any numbers yet, and I still feel the project was flawed from the beginning: MM went to SmartWorks and decided the available clothing wasn't right for the women. So she proceeds to "curate" a collection of items and dresses women exactly like herself?
There are just too many rumors of MM's bad behavior, merching and charging for appearances for them to all be lies. Both of her parents have documented problems with finances that are a matter of public record, not speculation. This doesn't mean that MM has problems with money, but a great deal of what we learn about money, good or bad, generally comes from people who exert influence over us, like parents.
PH apparently gave another lecture about the environment yesterday. I did not follow his story really until after he got married, so I don't know if he has always been like this or if it could be someone else's influence. What are his credentials? If he and MM were told they would attend events but not give speeches I bet we would see a lot less activity.
That is female empowerment.
Meghan's enablers call skeptics a "bizarre cult":
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-bizarre-cult-of-meghan-markle-pregnancy-truthers
The Bizarre Cult of Meghan Markle Pregnancy Truthers
The author, Jasmin Malik Chua, has never written for the Beast before. She's a freelance journalist whose speciality is fashion; in fact, I cannot see that she has ever written about the Royals before.
She's kind of an eco-warrior with a strong dislike for fast fashion and people who eat meat. Maybe that's why they thought she'd be a good fit for a piece on Meg and Harry.
I see she quotes Lainey in her article. It's racism, I tell you! All racism!
>>> where is Hikari?
Here I am! I was offline yesterday, though I read through the comments. New Iphone user here, still haven't figured out how to post from it. I did post on Saturday, so I haven't been gone long. It just feels like it. :p
To be honest, I am suffering from extreme Dumba$$ Duo fatigue. If there are no consequences for Meg after all the stunts she's pulled on this trip, I may have to go cold turkey from this whole sordid saga, because it is negatively impacting the quality of my life.
It was fun to jeer at the Dum Dums for entertainment value when it was just horrid fashions and watching a Prince of England get emasculated on a daily basis. But we have now entered the most sinister phase of Smeaghan's plot, and one that she planned all along: the relentless and heartless exploitation of an innocent baby she is claiming as hers. It's hard to deny that the baby shares her DNA, and possibly Harry's, though that is still in some dispute. Looking at Meg's baby pictures, Archie looks so very like her. The only thing that has kept me going in all of this over the last year was the expectation that she was going to be Dealt With in unequivocal terms by the RF, and for a while it seemed that they were foiling her schemes. Kicked out of KP and banished, ostensibly to Fraudmore, the dilapidated House of Frogs in the middle of a swamp. Kicked out of William's Royal Foundation. Denied the 'Sussex Royal' independent brand of paid 'philanthropy'. Cut dead by every single member of the RF in public. And, it seemed, her Pregnancy Plot foiled by being denied custody of a precious infant, however he came into this world.
But all of this was just for show, we now see. 5 months after the debacle of Archie's birth, what do we have?
1. Meghan turns up where she pleases, when she pleases, merching her tacky sh*t without ramifications, including to RF events from which she has been expressly banned--and yet, there she is, horning her way in. The fact that she was body-blocked on the balcony from standing near the Queen is a hollow victory. *She was there*, albeit not in the prime row. She got the carriage, got to merch her sh*t.
2. The couple flies unfettered around the globe via private jets paid for by celebrity friends . . Ibiza, Italy, the U.S. Open . . she goes where she wants to go and makes her shady deals for whatever she's wheeling and dealing.
3. Despite generating toxic press for the RF at every turn, the Suxxits are rewarded with this sham 'tour'with more self-promotion. Pimping an innocent baby in front of Desmond Tutu, aparteid freedom fighter . . forcing him unwillingly into the role as a baby model for cheap infant clothes; insulting cultural and religious customs of their hosts left and right . . and a new low, even for the Smeagan . . merching hooker-esque clothing worthy of Carrie Bradshaw at the site of the horrific murder of a beautiful, innocent teenage girl.
I figured that it was going to be, in the end, Archie that brought her down--that she couldn't pretend forever to be the Mother of the Year to this bouncing baby boy. Yet, there he is, in her clutches . . getting smothered so Mommy can leave the papp sight lines clear as she gallivants off to Joburg. I weep for what this little boy's life is going to be like if he is really with this hopeless pair--the Sadist and her submissive--on a full-time basis.
This woman is a sociopath and she is going to destroy this sweet baby AND her hapless husband. In the case of Harry, it's already underway. I don't claim to be a psychic, but I have, over the years, made Cassandra-like predictions of things which have come to pass . .bad things. And from my vantage point, I don't think Harry is going to survive his brush with the Devil in the long-term. I fear that he is going to come to harm, either from his own hand or via an accidental overdose . . or some other form of 'accident'. His personhood has been nullified. This is classic Narcissist MO. Classic. In years to come, the Dumbarton Dynamic is going to be endlessly dissected, and it may well be that Megdusa will go down in the annals of infamy. Worse than Wallis Simpson . . I'm thinking, Hitler, Ted Bundy, and that ilk. Unfortunately at this point, with the Bizarro World press coverage they are receiving at present, the true nature of her evil will not be acknowledged widely until something terrible happens to Harry and/or this innocent baby.
It's a train wreck we are helpless to prevent, because nobody in authority has the balls to step in and shut her down.
Meghan is a profoundly damaged person; she acts in the only way she knows how. There is some fundamental piece of her humanity which is missing. She was wired up without compassion or care for anybody beyond herself. Other people like her have been locked up for life in institutions for the criminally insane--usually after they maim and/or kill multiple victims. This isn't histronics on my part, but what I fear is a dire prediction. We are seeing her grow more and more grandiose and reckless the longer she is allowed a free reign. Simply cutting off the money isn't enough--a grifter like her will always find ways to get large sums of money. The RF is over a barrel, and right now, Smeaghan is winning. It makes me sick.
There appears to be a push to frame her as a contemporary of Michelle Obama and Michelle is playing along. So we have MO, Ellen, Hillary, Anna Wintour all showing their support. Any fans or corporations supporting this group of women is Meggy’s target audience and source of income. Oprah appears to be siding with Harry. Is it because Harry happens to have interests more in line with what Oprah wants to sell or does she see the downfall of the Duchess?
At some point the queen had enough (fake pregnancy?) and instructed team members (Lord Geidt?) to negotiate an exit strategy with Meggy’s American lawyers/publicists. The queen remained quiet as the duo began establishing their revenue-generating schemes. In exchange, they will be dropped from the public dole. They’ll move to the States (NYC is my guess, LA was a red herring) by the end of the year, hence the reason for not cancelling the tour.
They will “choose” to give up the HRH part of their title with the reasoning that it is too ostentatious for their humanitarian efforts, but will continue to be called “The Duke” and “The Duchess”, hence why we are seeing ramped up use of “The Duke” on IG (has she copyrighted that yet?). Archie didn’t get a title because he was not born “of body”, but it could also be because the Queen knew they would be going to the states and she is OK with letting that happen to child with no royal title?
Publically, Harry will go along with the plan. Privately, he will probably spend more time in Africa “working with his charities” as it is clear that he is already superfluous. Meggy has her revenue-streams in place, a baby requiring royal child-support and public-admiration of influential women (at least for now) that will allow her to move in the circles she had dreamed of since she was a little girl.
This is purely speculation on my part after observing the antics of this pair and reading lots of comments here and elsewhere. I would love to hear what others think!
they lied about some of the people Markle was meeting with - some of them are activists, not public servants. So these two are again breaking the rules about staying above politics.
And she thinks that that is a selling point because women can relate to her being bigger after supposedly giving birth.
I don't think she is winning though. She may think she is, but she's not convincing people except those who were already on her side.
This is the death throes we are seeing.
Where are the 10k$ gowns, the state dinner,the tiara - everything she wanted? She's pretending to be important in front of 20 South Africans, and the photographers are framing the photos to mask the size of the crowd. South Africans may be happier than most to see her because let's face it, no one important wants to go there.
I'd like to think these are the death throes, but then maybe not, as she's got Archie in her clutches.
I think rather than death thoes, these are the flamboyant actions of a supreme Narc who is thumbing her nose on the global stage at the marriage family that has made this trip possible.
The horrid fashions--re-wearing several of her most heinous outfits in wildly inappropriate settings--a sleeveless beach dress to a High Commission dinner with VIPs, a disco jumpsuit and ostentatious earrings to meet with mothers coping with a potentially fatal disease--and forcing them to sit on the floor so she could demonstrate her woke flexibility in said disco attire . . the hootchie display at the mosque, looking like a refugee from a fallen women's camp who'd walked there in a sandstorm . .even the new pieces managed to be inappropriate . .too much boob, too much skin . . all of this is the posturing of a nasty provocateur who is *daring* Harry's family to do anything about her. "You want to cut off my money?", she says. "I will dress like I took a dive headfirst in a ragbag while supposedly representing you, and then I'm gonna merch all I want and get people to pay me to show up and you can't stop me."
I receive a number of women's catalogs for online fashions that are for professional women. Not designer but solidly midrange professional clothing, where nice dresses, shoes, coats, are in the $100 - $150 range. I see a lot of very nice day dresses and suits that would serve very well for royal engagements, that could, with jewelry and accessories added, see a woman put together smartly for a professional office or teaching career for $500. Any of it is nicer than anything Smegs has worn, and with her, the higher the price tag the worse it looks. She does not have to go around looking like an Oxfam charity case or a teenybopper that ran amok in Forever 21. She just doesn't give a f*ck. These are costumes for her current role, "New Mother Heartlessly Cast Off by Husband's Racist Family."
If she were truly in the death throes, we wouldn't be seeing her smug face every time we turned around. She wouldn't be jetting off to Italy for a sunset wedding in Rome with the glitterati and spending weekends at Elton John's home. I think she's getting *exactly* what she's always wanted--the globe-trotting celeb lifestyle without any dreary 'obligations' to earn them. I doubt they were lodged at a Motel 6 in Cape Town. If this is NOT a royal tour with the stamp of approval from Buckingham Palace, we haven't heard a peep to the contrary.
The only way to stop her is to strip her of the Sussex title and kick her to the curb. But now she's got an innocent bambino in her clutches. She's going to bleed the RF for as much as she can, crying aggrieved motherhood for as long as she possibly can. This could go on for years, if the RF continues to refuse to denounce her publicly. She's got the 'A' card and the 'R' card and she's gonna play those cards until the cows come home. She's a virus, and viruses kill their host by taking what they need.
The Dum-dums never should have been allowed on this tour. Never. Pandora's box is open; good luck getting it shut. Even though she alienates everyone she meets, people are still clamoring to plan events for her and get her picture. Until the entire world can be made to stop watching and caring even less, the Markle will keep on and on. She's not just a loose cannon . . she's a rogue WMD.
@Hikari, if you quit completely and I quit completely then we could start a blog about how we're not talking about the Dumbartons and why lol. I'm glad you're still here, though!