Prince harry says he and his wife have been bought together for a reason!

Greta8

I'm not surprised at all that they got an award from NAACP. Meghan and Harry actually do stuff, rather than just pretending to do so - e.g. the Grenfell Tower cookbook, Harry's Invictus Games and many other initiatives. It must have been a huge culture shock for the Royals when Meghan married in, with her dynamism and work ethic. I'll probably be slated on this thread for my opinion, but personally the Royal family made a grave error in not helping her settle. I think noses were put out of joint -and particularly Kate and William felt threatened by them. The Royals in comparison now look like a moribund, static, dying, dysfunctional institution limping its way on. They certainly have nothing tangible to offer - oh sorry, Kate's inspirational early years work - which is what exactly?

I'm not arguing for the sake of it, Greta but I would like to correct a couple of misconceptions in your post.

Many of the RF have a work ethic - in fact most are still working well past retirement age. Sometimes three or four engagements in a day in different areas. They've had to take over the duties which Harry and Meghan did previously too.
If you say they just have to look glamorous, turn up and speak, well that is what Meghan does too.

I'll probably be slated on this thread for my opinion, but personally the Royal family made a grave error in not helping her settle.

That is wrong too. Because of the mistakes made with Diana they made sure that Meghan had full instructions and training in what would be expected of her as a member of the Royal Family. I know that for a fact.
Being older, an actress and a self-assured, confident woman she knew exactly what was expected of her.

I think noses were put out of joint -and particularly Kate and William felt threatened by them
That is untrue as well. The Sussexes didnt like to be second fiddles.

Sparklefizz

^fighting for equity in Covid Vaccines^

How did they actually fight? I remember them mentioning it but what else did they do? Anything?

After all, I mentioned it to some friends.... does that mean that I fought for it too?

I don't really mind informed criticism but this is a typical example of not bothering
to find out anything and just posting completely biased and uninformed opinion. From the Archewell site
In partnership with Global Citizen, Archewell Foundation is helping to lead a worldwide effort to equitably distribute COVID-19 vaccines to the global population. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex served as Campaign Chairs of Global Citizen’s VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World, which mobilized critical funds — more than $360 million — for the ACT-Accelerator and COVAX, the vaccine sharing program co-led by the World Health Organization. This partnership has been raising awareness about vaccine inequity, supporting vaccine dose sharing, reducing COVID-19 misinformation, and improving public-private collaboration.
Link to Global Citizen www.globalcitizen.org/en/
Link to Archewell archewell.com/foundation/

trisher
Your post made me wonder if they are jumping on the latest bandwagons which come along in order to remain in the public eye and gain as much media attention as possible?

That is what I think is very odd indeed as Harry gave us to believe media attention was the last thing he sought after he left the RF.

It puzzles me.

As far as the RF working goes the hardest working was Anne who still only managed 170 days and 179 engagements. Now if we work out a working week as 5 days that means she worked 34 weeks, so 18weeks holiday. Most of us wouldn't mind that life/work ratio!
This concept of the RF being so hard working is just not true.
Incidently William came well down the list
www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/the-hardest-working-royal-revealedand-prince-william-and-kate-middleton-didnt-make-the-top-three/

Callistemon21

trisher
Your post made me wonder if they are jumping on the latest bandwagons which come along in order to remain in the public eye and gain as much media attention as possible?

That is what I think is very odd indeed as Harry gave us to believe media attention was the last thing he sought after he left the RF.

It puzzles me.

I've said this before but I will repeat it. They didn't say they didn't want any publicity, they said they wanted to control their publicity and not have to provide photographs or details of their private lives because of media interference or pressure from others. It seems to me that they have done this extremely well. Few photos of their children, interviews with people they are comfortable with, public appearances for charitable purposes. But it seems some would deny them that, I suppose they aren't the people benefitting from the money they raise.

The jumping on the latest bandwagon idea strikes me as being contrived too. Not that they can't make a comment about important happenings, but turning up to so many award ceremonies and congratulating the winners, the achievers, the high flyers. Harry used to sit and play with poorly children and wounded soldiers, his visits gave real positivity and hope to many people. I preferred that side of him but fear that it has gone recently.

There are some very minor but important charities they support on the Archewell site. Things like SmartWorks a UK charitywhich povides unemployed women going for n interview with an outfit to wear, coaching and help with presentation and interview techniques. It's not a "latest bandwagon"

trisher

As far as the RF working goes the hardest working was Anne who still only managed 170 days and 179 engagements. Now if we work out a working week as 5 days that means she worked 34 weeks, so 18weeks holiday. Most of us wouldn't mind that life/work ratio!
This concept of the RF being so hard working is just not true.
Incidently William came well down the list
www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/the-hardest-working-royal-revealedand-prince-william-and-kate-middleton-didnt-make-the-top-three/

It's how you tell 'em trisher! Days or engagements?
18 hour days if there are 3 or 4 engagements per day.

Princess Anne: 387 engagements in 2021 after Covid restrictions lifted somewhat.
2018- about 490 engagements.

Not bad going for someone past retirement age!

Gew photos of their children, interviews with people they are comfortable with
I have been their greatest admirer in terms of how they have protected and not used their children for their own gain.
However, the people they are comfortable with and align themselves with are just not my cup of tea.

* Few not Gew

trisher

As far as the RF working goes the hardest working was Anne who still only managed 170 days and 179 engagements. Now if we work out a working week as 5 days that means she worked 34 weeks, so 18weeks holiday. Most of us wouldn't mind that life/work ratio!
This concept of the RF being so hard working is just not true.
Incidently William came well down the list
www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/the-hardest-working-royal-revealedand-prince-william-and-kate-middleton-didnt-make-the-top-three/

Are you forgetting trisher that she is 72 this year and therefore is working well past retirement age, albeit part time.

I think trisher would have us all back to work until we drop ?
Personally, I couldn't be bothered to get up early and fight my hair daily!

trisher is right that SmartworksUK is a great charity launched by Meghan, but that was back in mid 2019 before they disappeared off and all the rest. I had time for her then, but most of us are criticising the new behaviour in the past 24 months or so.

I'm heading back to Mumsnet!

We're harmless really!?

Josieann

trisher is right that SmartworksUK is a great charity launched by Meghan, but that was back in mid 2019 before they disappeared off and all the rest. I had time for her then, but most of us are criticising the new behaviour in the past 24 months or so.

But Archewell is still supporting Smartworks Josieann and Meghan didn't launch it in 2019. The charity was started in 2013. On their website there is a videao of Meghan catching up with the women she met in 2019 in 2020. She's still a patron smartworks.org.uk/about-us/our-team/patrons-ambassadors/the-duchess-of-sussex-5/

Ok she became its patron in 2019 and gave it a face lift, good on her. I was actually admiring her for it. And meeting the actual women is fitting.
What I was saying is that the glitzy, glam appearances now seem to have taken over from that style. Maybe it's all to do with being in America?

trisher

Callistemon21

trisher
Your post made me wonder if they are jumping on the latest bandwagons which come along in order to remain in the public eye and gain as much media attention as possible?

That is what I think is very odd indeed as Harry gave us to believe media attention was the last thing he sought after he left the RF.

It puzzles me.

I've said this before but I will repeat it. They didn't say they didn't want any publicity, they said they wanted to control their publicity and not have to provide photographs or details of their private lives because of media interference or pressure from others. It seems to me that they have done this extremely well. Few photos of their children, interviews with people they are comfortable with, public appearances for charitable purposes. But it seems some would deny them that, I suppose they aren't the people benefitting from the money they raise.

I too understood that they wanted to control their media exposure, and then came under fierce criticism from some quarters for "wanting it both ways".

TBH, I think Harry & Meghan have blotted their copy books now to the extent that the monarchy-followers are going to view anything he or they do as a couple with suspicion and contempt. They are - in their eyes - completely beyond redemption and they are never going to be forgiven for publicly criticising the monarchy in that interview, and most of all for upsetting the Queen in her dotage.

My opinion - which doesn't matter a fig - is that Harry is self-absorbed and immature and I think he's like that partly because he's had an abnormal upbringing, one that's been conducted largely in full public glare. I don't think he's evil or vile and I suspect he might - in his head - believe that he's trying to make a better world for certain groups of people, and with his involvement in certain projects, possibly is. There might even come a day when he regrets that TV interview - when he's old enough to 'look back' - who knows? But in the meantime, I can think of many worse people who've committed much worse crimes who've not had the media attention he has had, but in some people's eyes, the betrayal (for that's how it's seen) of the RF is the crime of the century. And for that, he will never be forgiven.

From here on, I am butting out of these discussions - these almost weekly 'look-at-what-H&M-have-done-now' instalments. If you attempt to defend any of the couple's actions, you'll simply be regarded as a "Sussex" supporter - even if you're not (and I'm not but have been accused of it). More importantly, there's no rational discussion to be had, no objective discourse, little critical thinking or attempt at analysis of the behaviour of two very high-profile people. Harry will never be able to redeem himself in his critics' eyes - nor Meghan. So I'm going to take the advice of some grans who've suggested that if you don't like or approve of a topic - just scroll on... and if anyone wants to criticise this post (assuming anyone bothers to read it of course!) I'll accept the criticism, but won't respond.

Would just like to add that - in common perhaps with quite a few on here - I'm a touch-typist so this long-winded comment only took a few minutes to write...

Dickens good post, but I think anyone who fell into the description of your 2nd paragraph would be very churlish. It is possible to look for good, even having been disappointed in the past. I very rarely criticise a post, so won't picking on yours.
I wish I were a touch typist, but I'm improving my speed.

Sick to death of the useless pair

So, apart from serving as an officer in the Army, being a self-made woman, founding Sentabale and the Invictus games, raising $3mn for vaccine equity, raising awareness of mental health issues, showing solidarity with Ukraine, anonymously delivering aid during the US lockdowns, putting their children first and financially supporting researchers advancing racial equality, what have the Sussexes ever done for us?

Well they’re in the papers all the time and they probably upset the Archbishop and the Queen! I’ll never forgive them!!

I'm sure M&H DGAF about what UK grans think about them.

What I find more disturbing is that the NAACP is being run down by some on here as a dodgy organisation, instead of one of the most important organisations fighting racism in the US.

All truly admirable stuff volver that they’re doing and then the totally unnecessary bits in your last paragraph! What did they gain from hurting two people who’d done so much for them?

She has form on that score but Harry? He didn’t seem to have a mean bone in his body and so much personal goodwill from most British people.

You don't know if they hurt them or not, you're assuming. You have no idea at all, you're making it up in your head. Over the last few months GN has built a story around these two that has no basis in fact but is based on supposition and prejudice, and now you can't tell what is truth and what is fiction.

I won't be as eloquent as Dickens, but what concerns me is that the GN demographic can be led by the MSM to believe exactly what the MSM want them to believe. That you are all so worked up about it that we have weekly "What Meghan did next" threads. When it's minor royals it doesn't matter. But when it concerns matter of constitutional importance, its important. It will matter in the future. And you won't even know you're being manipulated.

BTW what had the Archbishop done for them? Married them? Isn't that what we pay him for?

People who do good work for charity and then attend glittery events to accept awards for their charity work..... dunno. My father did amazing work for the 3rd world. He did it out of compassion and a spirit of human solidarity. He would never have wanted publicity and awards.