Day One of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official trip to Africa went surprisingly well.
Meg's wardrobe was better than usual, although she did show a slightly excessive amount of decollatage, at least for daytime, in a black-and-white cotton wrap dress made in nearby Malawi.
Prince Harry, unfortunately, appeared to be freeballin' it beneath his crumpled trousers. His continued poor grooming suggests larger health problems, mental or physical or both. He trailed behind Meg all day.
Anyway, Meg's second dress of the day was a rewear of a blue shirtdress that first appeared on the Sussexes' previous tour of Oceania.
Meg likes this dress; a photo of her wearing it graces the Royal thank-you notes she sends out to her fans.
Diamonds are a fraught topic in Africa due to the "blood diamonds" controversy, and there were also sour suggestions that Meg was afraid to wear her rock for fear it might fall victim to local criminals.
The whole diamond ring thing was a lost opportunity for Meg's paid cheerleaders at Sunshine Sachs.
Here's how it's done, boys: a few days before the trip, you plant a story about how Meg has "damaged" her ring at home while lovingly caring for Archificial and a "stone has fallen out" and it was "rushed to the jeweler to be repaired."
Oh dear, the ring can't come along to Africa. The repair is taking too long. We'll pick it up when we get back to London.
That's all well and good, but they're only going to do that once. Better come up with something else for subsequent tour days.
Meg's wardrobe was better than usual, although she did show a slightly excessive amount of decollatage, at least for daytime, in a black-and-white cotton wrap dress made in nearby Malawi.
Prince Harry, unfortunately, appeared to be freeballin' it beneath his crumpled trousers. His continued poor grooming suggests larger health problems, mental or physical or both. He trailed behind Meg all day.
Anyway, Meg's second dress of the day was a rewear of a blue shirtdress that first appeared on the Sussexes' previous tour of Oceania.
Meg likes this dress; a photo of her wearing it graces the Royal thank-you notes she sends out to her fans.
The ring question
The only sour note was the apparent absence of Meg's diamond engagement ring, although some commmenters suggested that perhaps she had just turned it around.Diamonds are a fraught topic in Africa due to the "blood diamonds" controversy, and there were also sour suggestions that Meg was afraid to wear her rock for fear it might fall victim to local criminals.
The whole diamond ring thing was a lost opportunity for Meg's paid cheerleaders at Sunshine Sachs.
Here's how it's done, boys: a few days before the trip, you plant a story about how Meg has "damaged" her ring at home while lovingly caring for Archificial and a "stone has fallen out" and it was "rushed to the jeweler to be repaired."
Oh dear, the ring can't come along to Africa. The repair is taking too long. We'll pick it up when we get back to London.
Media coverage of the trip
Media coverage of the trip was mostly positive, with almost all of the UK papers featuring the expected photos of Meg with pretty African children on their front pages.That's all well and good, but they're only going to do that once. Better come up with something else for subsequent tour days.
Comments
by the way excellent blog and sorry for my english.
They flew commercial, gave us a glimpse of the golden child, she wore a reasonably priced African made dress to the first event and repeated a dress to the next (not sure why an outfit change was required at all but that's a minor point), and seemed engaged with the people at her events. I even think not wearing the engagement ring was a smart move, as it would be a more than a little tacky to flash super-expensive diamonds in a poor township. Yes, her 'I am am a woman of colour and your sister too' speech was cringey, but not outrageous.
So all in all, credit where it's due, I have to say, good show Megz. Now about your husband.... had he taken full advantage of the free bar in the first class lounge or what?
I agree it was a good idea not to look ostentatious. I just think a convenient pre-planned cover story would have eliminated the diamond issue entirely.
They knew enough not to send Meg in a tiara, so they should have also figured out that the diamond might be an issue.
Although I think this was one of Meg's better days, I wouldn't say she's winning me over.
She didn't connect well with her African audiences, in my opinion.
And really, what's in it for them? Here comes an American lady and a bloke from the UK, let's line up and have our pictures taken. Are they coming with a contribution to the cause or not?
Meg's speech was really for Western media consumption.
The question is, what has brought about this change in demeanour, and will it last? Is this SS finally earning their fee? It doesn't seem like their style. Or has the palace finally put its foot down and told them no more shenanigans... or else? If so, why is the queen's grandson still looking like he slept in his clothes and had a few too many?
I will be watching with interest!
At any rate, dressing down works well for Meg. She appears friendly and accessible. If she really wants a “brand” that would be different from Will and Kate’s, this would be a good one.
On the one hand, Meghan is probably quite pleased with her success of a day. On the other hand, it probably kills her that she hasn’t been able to win with her own strategy and that she had to try mirroring Kate instead.
Also, finally showing Archie must have been a real kick in the gut for Meghan. He was her biggest bargaining chip for money, and now she was forced to show him publicly in order to gain some desperately needed positive press.
CNN has, however, been very supportive in the "It's all racism!" narrative Meg wants to promote.
Personally, I think that's a losing strategy, and "laid back California girl in the British Royal Family" could take her much further.
Show off his "tufts of red hair", show him in cute little outfits, show him looking cute at home.
Definitely a shot of him interacting with something old and Royal/a gift from someone Royal/something of Diana's.
Here's Archie with Diana's favorite teddy bear!
And alienating the British press is terribly stupid. After all, it's not CNN who'll be there when she open an old folks home in Basingstoke or visits a sheep farm in Wales, is it? Then again, I guess she feels she's above all that stuff so it probably doesn't matter for her. Foolish.
And the appearances so far are also quite strategic - young children, dancing, centre for girls, self defense classes... It's the age demographic, happy faces photoops that they aim at. Nothing serious so far.
Let's see what the rest of the week brings.
https://people.com/royals/meghan-markle-opens-up-about-parenting-with-prince-harry-hes-the-best-dad/
Maybe the surrogate really has turned over Archificial!
If not, she really does have balls of tungsten.
Clever.
I have been mistaken for early pregnacy when I put on weight.
As for her dresses. I really do not understand her love for belted dresses and coats. They are just so messy and unkempt looking. I know her figure isn’t perfect but there are other ways to mask it. I’m just not a fan of the sloppy belt ties. And what is up with her rug burns again on her knees? She just comes across as a mess and awkward looking.
As for success, yes it seems so since SS has inundated the papers with fluff piece after another.
And that woman running out of the crowd to embrace Harry and her seemed too contrived. Where was security to stop her?
I liked her wrap dress yesterday. In typical MM style though, she showed up at the event and grabbed the mic. I would have advised touring for a few days, thanking the citizens for hosting them at events, and engaging in some active listening rather than the fresh off the flight pontificating.
Word salad at its best! Someone from SS needs to get them to stick with the script, and fast.
"Harry and I enjoy learning about mental health from the experts who so kindly advise us on these projects."
Oh.my.God! the dress is too long and too big, and the headscarf looks like a winter scarf she put on her head.
She seems to be very intent on showing off her extensions. The middle parting is so obvious, and she keeps parting it like a curtain. It's almost like a substitute for the baby bump.
Her entourage had a hairdresser, whatever happened to him/her? These hair styles are so basic Archie's nanny could have done these.
I suppose that I have lowered the bar for acceptable fashion and behavior to ground level. It used to be that I expected them to be appropriately turned out for the job with professional behavior. Now I'm happy with them wearing actual clothes and undergarments with no sex in public.
Mischi, I wear that color very well. I may be outraged that she is out-swamping me.
I didn't like the dress, at all. It really didn't do her any favours.
And lest I be accused of being sexist by only focussing on the woman's attire.... Haz is an absolute mess from scuffed shoes to balding head. Again, casual is one thing, unkempt is another. You're (supposedly?) representing queen and country. Make a bit of effort ffs!
The first time I recall learning the definition of "word salad" was in college in psych. class. The reference was about how people with mental health disorders string words together that don't make sense to anyone but themselves.
Ha haaaa. Megs using her favorite buzzword again: "... who so KINDLY..." sheesh.
Whether snorting cocaine in its powder form or smoking the substance, the chemicals in cocaine can wreak havoc on the system, and it all starts inside the mouth. A healthy human body needs a number of nutrients to run efficiently; ingesting powder cocaine on a daily basis will strip the body of its essentials, such as vitamin C and calcium.
The overuse of hair extensions which make your hair look fake with the addition of tons of pomade to tame it, isn't a good look on anyone.
Well, she had a one-day streak of dressing almost appropriately. I suppose it will be all downhill from here.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2203059/Kate-Middleton-makes-visit-mosque--wears-veil-attire-like-Princess-Diana-did.html#comments
I still think they behave as if they're on a holiday or third honeymoon. And the hypocrisy of being a humanitarian when she uses her dad on her Insta to improve her image and then cast him off without even sending him an invitation to the wedding or introducing him to her fiancé visit him, not to mention that the boring events like cutting ribbons at dull village fairs or talking to poor, underserved youth centers in Britain do not seem to fit into her vision of what her royal role is. Until she does these things, like reconcile with her dad (who cares about her sister) and primarily do the unglamorous events in the UK without mingling with Hollywood friends or use the opportunity to pretend she had a career in fashion or use POC as props for how woke she is, I'm not going to be convinced.
But I am likely dreaming. Charles is spineless and narcissists do not improve their behavior. They only get worse. This trip is likely a breather from spending brought on solely by SS snd perhaps some of their personal staff and maybe Lord Geidt.
An appropriate reminder for this trip for those who might be fooled by Meghan: Leopards never change their spots.
I think the curly hair would be a better nod to her ethnic background than all the fake bronzer on the face while having Casper the friendly ghost legs.
The same thing she should have used with her infertility - be upfront about it.
They both need a good psychiatrist or psychologist, but even a top notch psychiatrist or psychologist can’t help someone who doesn’t think they have a mental health issue and that it’s everyone else who is in the wrong.
Maybe they have finally received a stern warning from the palace, which would be great. But I still think she could get away with a modestly priced new dress from a British or South African designer, so clearly she is trying to Make A Point. Also, I wonder if it's any accident that all the pieces she's 'repeated' in these 2 days have been from the Oz tour?
And while I might say that the dress she's wearing now, while suitable for a beach in Oz, is a bit casual for an official embassy reception, the real mess here is Harry. The Queen's grandson, on a supposedly official tour in the British embassy, wearing dirty shoes and a wrinkled suit he's been wearing since he landed, and during the flight going by the state of it? It's just so disrespectful to his hosts, his family and indeed to Britain.
There are a few more days to go on this jolly and I think the best is yet to come.
And if Kate got critisism for that, people should be screaming at MM. Actually MM should just have been shown out of the mosque.
@Nutty I do think you’re right that’s she will definitely find ways to mercy off of Archie, I would suspect that a magazine cover with hos first public appearance is perhaps off the table since he’s been revealed coming off the plane (?)
Honestly - this is a working tour isn't it? So they should be a bit professional shouldn't they? All the PDA and hand holding is just so inappropriate. @Button - I love the new names - Wrinkle and Crinkle :) LOL
Also agree with you about hypothetically choosing between Hazbeen and the young Duke of Edinburgh. The latter was absolutely gorgeous in his day and even if he may not have been the nicest person, did have a certain manly bearing to him. Haz? Not so much.
Unfortunateky, like all good narcs, Meghan will be nice to get what she wants and then return to her usual behavior. As some others here have commented, she has had some public slips already on this tour. And I still am guessing she’s still nasty in private at the places they are staying when away from the cameras.
I read that during last fall’s tour, she was pleasant to staffers she judged to be good looking and very rude to the ones who weren’t.
Compare Meghan to this. Her acting CV is negligible and at times embarrassing. She's not of royal birth and as a woman she doesn't have the reversal of male/female roles to overcome (which still exist in lesser form) so it wouldn't be so embarrassing to give precedence to Harry. Yet she pushes in, cuts him off and walks ahead. And even if she was, for example, both a princess and a brilliant surgeon or QC, she would still have to give way. Yet she never seems to get it. The constant PDAs are perhaps her way of smudging the rules of precedence out of existence. By clinging on to Harry, she's No. 1 too. After all, she did it not just on a DIY tour like today, but at the Lion King premiere.
Even more damning is a comparison to an equivalent couple today. Jack and Eugenie. Someone posted photos today on the Lizzie blog of their visit to the hospital that helped Eugenie with her scoliosis, where she was in intensive care for three days. This was back in March I believe, and it passed me by at the time. Eugenie is dressed neatly and elegantly and Jack supports her perfectly. He stands and walks where he should, when he should. As at their wedding, they are the breath of fresh air, not H&M, as they behaved as proper representatives of the royal family.
In the programme for the Queen's 90th birthday I was also impressed by the interviews with Beatrice. I know Prince Charles wants to cut down the BRF to just him and his sons, but one of his sons, at this rate, won't deserve that place, and one or both of the York princesses may well deserve it more.
As for funds being cut off.... maybe. But then how do you explain the 10K dress for the wedding in Rome only a few days ago? Also, for foreign tours isn't it the FCO, not the Duchy, which funds all expenses, including clothing? I reckon it's her basically saying 'You wanted me to spend less and recycle clothes. Well, here I am doing just that. What say you now?'
But Harry is the real disgrace on this tour if you ask me. A born prince, grandson of the queen and son of a future king, and he can't be bothered to have one of his minions bring him a freshly ironed suit? What a little spoiled brat.
This has Sunshine Sachs all over it, although I could have told her to dress more modestly and for a much lower fee.
Meghan, however, despite being merely a D list actress married to an increasingly irrelevant royal, thinks she's the star of the show. And Harry encourages it.
I also didn't understand the head covering.. not very feminist when the men are allowed to be uncovered.
There are other extensions that come on a kind of rope that you fix under your own hair as well. These add volume and can be attached and removed quickly as well.
There are other extensions that have to be glued to your hair. These can damage your own hair.
That's all I know about the stuff.
The Queen and Philip expected them to have to wait decades before she ascended the throne.
How many times does she have to metaphorically give the world the bird before the Queen says enough?
There's one good thing on a personal level. I used to like some modern jewellery similar to that worn by Meghan in her more attractive phase (not the merchy stacks of rings she wore for Eugenie's wedding). I dislike it all now. She's done wonders for my bank balance.
How Harry must long to hear those words. I think she's having to spend more of his money now.
But the point is, this sounds like a typical royal visit to a foreign country. Uncontroversial, nice photos, every i dotted and t crossed. One assumes Kate & Wills were thoroughly briefed on how to behave and what to do before they got there, and had ample and competent support staff while they were in KL. I've always assumed royal ladies had someone like Lady Mary's maid Anna on Downton Abbey to help with dressing and hairdos. Is it so hard to avoid looking like a dog's dinner while traveling for the queen? There were reports of all the staff that the Harkles were taking to SA. Were they really there? Are Megs and Harry being cut off from funds and support staff? Do they get briefed? Do they listen to advice? There were reports of Megs barking at underlings trying to help her with her clothing on her earlier trips, so maybe its hard getting people to work for them. Harry's appearance in SA is shocking. He doesn't look healthy, never mind well groomed. At least his fly was closed. That is a small mercy. Sorry my posts are always so TL/DNR!
@Louise: When in Rome. Women are supposed to cover hair, arms chest, & even ankles in mosques, someone here has pointed out. When I was in Burma (now Myanmar) many years ago, we had to take off our shoes to enter Buddhist temples, which usually had floors covered with bat s**t.
Major faux pas! Bra is visible in this pic because her buttons are not done!! Really??
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/09/24/16/18878138-7498827-image-a-13_1569340455165.jpg
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/09/24/16/18872930-7498827-image-a-152_1569337443890.jpg
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/09/24/15/18872342-7498827-image-a-121_1569334862149.jpg
I also have zero problems with her recycling outfits. Her clothes cost too much, but she needed a year to generate a wardrobe. Now that she has, it's fine if she starts recycling. We can't be mad at her for buying new clothes all the time and then be mad at her when she re-wears them.
I saw on another blog that the Sussexes would like to be called Harry and Meg while in Africa. If that is true, I think that is so disrespectful and simply wrong. Her Majesty's tax payers are covering the cost of this trip. They are there to represent Her Majesty and promote British/Africa relationships. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were asked to take on that task, not "Harry and Meg". So, NO, you two imbeciles, you don't get to be called Harry and Meg while you're there. Because people want to see royalty, not be a party to wokeness and preaching. Poor Hikari, I just blasted her in email in all caps because I was so annoyed at Ginge and Cringe over that.
I'm also debating whether or not to mail a few safety pins to Buckingham Palace to be forwarded wherever Smirkle is, so she can ensure her bra remains a mystery.
Just unreal. How many more days of this nonsense do we have to endure? (And you're darn tooting I'm going to be reviewing every photo I see, every day, as I "endure" their shenanigans.)
https://ladygreyhound93.tumblr.com/search/cooter
I know a lot of people think Megs is doing sort of well during this trip but I am seeing something else (maybe I am reading too much into things - I am a analyst so it is what I do:). I think She was given the riot act on her return from NYC and as a result is putting on a act so either Haz or Queen doesn't turf her. Her dresses are ok however I will bet she is marching them to the 9th degree.
To me it is clear she has had hair extensions - not even great ones as you can easily noticed the break from her natural hair to the lengths. I wonder if she has also had a boob job or maybe pregnant?
Her and Haz displaying affection is contrived because reading the body language there is no togetherness - you can tell a true couple but their bodies closing space between them, when they have kissed for the camera's from the neck down he is maintaining a certain distance. When the videos of him engaging locals, you can clearly see him totally dismiss her without being obvious - as evidence by a couple of clips out there showing her pat his back to get his attention and he doesn't acknowledge her at all.
Photos of them holding hands shows her smugness but he looks down and he is noticeably disheveled and looks exhausted. He has a pallor and body language that I would attribute to substance withdrawal (not saying this is the case but just my observations - I have been around people who have gone through this so I tend to take notice)
Hope that makes sense it is early here so need my coffee:)
Demands for privacy make no sense when they show up at celebrity events. Saying things like "They don't make it easy" is classless and ungrateful. You know what is not easy? Being so poor you have to choose between food or medicine. Living in a war zone. Being stuck in a cycle of a crummy job and needing to pay for childcare, wanting to break out of it, but not having the help or resources to get more education so that you can provide more for your child.
The need for so many celebs to speak publicly about defending her from criticism makes her appear quite fragile and very narcissistic. It doesn't mesh with her "I'm tough, I'm a force of change" persona she is trying to sell. What it telegraphs is "Don't you dare say anything negative against me, or I'll sic my friends on you."
"Archie has been such a good baby," is a very bizarre statement indeed. It sounds like an experience that is wrapping up. Is she intending on giving him back to the nanny? When asked about my kid I say "She's doing well" or "She's impossible today."
This is where I am afraid she is just not listening to advisors. Surely they have let her know that dragging Harry away from interactions is incredibly rude. These actions make the rumors of her behavior believable.
My sister and I are only 12 months apart.
But, for her to get pregnant, it would have to be the immaculate conception because we know that Harry can barely tolerate to look at her in his unguarded moments.
The number of comments online about the Harkles' appearance - unkempt, dirty, drugged-up etc is astonishing. Me-again is clearly a narcissist with a personality disorder & Harry seems to be suffering from clinical depression. It is obvious the Palace needs to step in asap otherwise I dread to think what might happen. This "Royal" couple are simply not up to the job of representing UK pLc either at home or abroad & ought to be removed from their duties forthwith preferably with an investigation into their "charity foundation" & possible financial irregularities. Just take a look at the photo's of this tour, the Sussex's are out of their depth it's embarrassing. Please, someone senior at Buckingham Palace - act now, save Harry from himself as he obviously cannot.
I think this trip is mainly an attempt to rehab their images, especially Meghan’s. But you can tell her true nature is lurking just beneath the facade she’s presenting for public consumption via jumping out in front of Harry to shake hands at the mosque, her numerous obvious attempts to force Harry to hold hands, and the cleavage action dresses yesterday and the peek-a-boob unbuttoned shirt today.
Also, I noticed today that Meghan always has the same cookie cutter wide open mouth smile in many photos.
It is the same smile as she had in a group shot from her trip to Africa in 2015 or 2016 when she was polishing up her humanitarian credentials up as she stalked Harry. Meghan gets in center surrounded by happy little faces of brown people as she opens her gaping smile to pretend she’s having the time of her life when in reality, she can’t wait for the photo op to be finished so she can leave, never to be seen again.
She got what she wanted from these people and that’s all she really cares about.
Headscarves should cover the hair. That it is the point.
I know where she got her wigs, she stole them from the wardrobe department. I was watching a TV Western. All of the American Indian actors had too much bronzer and ratty black wigs.
Looking disheveled with under garments showing, buttons bursting, cleavage on display and hair/make-up a mess... perhaps she isn’t being provided a stylist.
Obvious wigs and hair extensions... perhaps she doesn’t have a hair dresser in tow.
Being called Harry & Meg... is someone removing her title or is MM trying to avoid them being called the Prince & Duchess? After all, she failed at calling H “The Duke.”
She’s trying to show the BRF that she can do this all on her own and it’s torturous watching her make a fool of herself.
I still question what lends to her manic behavior - the wobbly euphoria at the engagement announcement for starters. She looks to hang on H sometimes for balance. She reminds me of a drunk college girl trying to walk a straight line.
It’s all too much... she’s bizarre, erratic, & manipulative... a child is supposedly involved (one who can’t have had the recommended vaccines for this trip) and now H is talking about not wanting to get out of bed because of the problems in the world. This is getting worse quickly and I don’t like where it’s leading.
As for the teeth and drugs thing, drugs do not generally yellow the teeth (oral thrush medications may) or it may be simply a lack of dental hygiene. Hard drugs (especially opiates) destroy the teeth rather than yellow them, the teeth simply crumble and fall out, accompanied by decay and gum disease which addicts are rarely inclined to deal with. Rich addicts go for implants which are much harder to destroy.
This is more evidence of the schizophrenic messages that she sends out and her completely inability to see the complete world around her and is constantly hampered by her limited lens. Those stupid bananas. Bringing crayons and coloring books to children who are witnessing staggering violence on a daily basis. These are nothing more than facile attempts to prove to herself that she cares. Do we really think that those prostitutes walked away with a bunch of bananas in hand feeling empowered by her simplistic messages? How are we supposed to ignore someone whose hypocrisy is on display every single day. Waxing passionately about the environment and eschewing anything but private jets for her travel. Bleating about women's issues while running a blog that focuses solely on expensive vacations and boozing it up as much as possible in revealing poses. I wish I had a dollar for every selfie or shot she took that featured alcohol. THIS IS WHY PEOPLE THINK SHE'S AN EFFING HYPOCRIT. There is nothing in her history beyond a bunch of speeches and staged photo ops that show any dedication to any cause except the ones that fuel her shallow passion for clothes, celebrity, and fame. She named her blog after an expensive wine. It wasn't labeled, Women Together, or Save Our Oceans, or another title that might reflect something other than her feeding her shallow needs. Maybe it's just me., but "The Tig" doesn't sound very woke to me. And that is her problem. As a no one, this schizophrenia was more or less hidden. How many followers did she have pre-Harry? Fifty on a good day? No amount of spin can hide what a shallow, egotistical person she is. She can hug a zillion kids with that manic smile. The fact that she's doing is baring a bunch of boob says all we need to know.
just came across this link - Megs taking over the conversation - again
I think she is going to try to make herself curvier. That's why she has the butt pads. She will eventually get some inserted surgically. She will really truly Kardashianise the BRF.
It reminds me of these situations in certain places where 49 people speak 2 languages but try to have a conversation in the national language, but because one expat who has lived here for 40 years has never bothered to learn a word of the language, we all have to speak our 2nd or 3rd or even our 4th language, so that person can understand. So 49 people uncomfortable, so that 1 can be comfortable.
Of course, today's Diana cosplay, the slut strands with the headscarf, the hooter show, the uneaten cake and tea and the faces of MM and PH, the whole spectacle de merde that was today wipes out the 15 minutes of decency from yesterday anyway. That baby-poo-brown sack she wore to the mosque made her look dumpier than ever - just heinous. And the unbuttoned blouse - why would she do this? I'm just getting caught up on the past two days, and it seems it's spinning out of control already.