Duchess of Sussex the bullying has to stop.

What she should have done was just sit it out for a while as Michelle Obama apparently suggested and then little by little she would have crept into people's hearts and we wouldn't be having these discussions here

I do agree with this but in Meghan’s defence I don’t suppose that would have been easy with Harry heaping his own grievances and petulance on her shoulders. He definitely saw her as a way of getting even with his family, the press and the whole world if necessary.

Instead of a force for good we ended up with two troubled and vengeful individuals who don’t care who they trample on in their quest for whatever it is they’re looking for.

NotSpaghetti

Your penultimate paragraph sums up what many people think, I’m sure.
But no, she dashed in, ‘hitting the ground running’.

If only she had taken it slowly and eased her way into her new life, things could have been so much better, for everyone concerned.

imaround - I'm another one who welcomes an American perspective - so thank you.

I think part of the problem is that on the whole (massive generalisation) there is a different view of wealth and "status" in America - wealth is not dirty word there and status is "achieved" rather than an accident of birth. Striving for wealth and a "lifestyle" is certainly more commended than it would be in the UK where we are more likely to say someone is "above themself".

I also remember from my time there and subsequent visits that the media doesn't bite the hand that feeds it quite the same as ours do and that "ordinary" people in America are less suspicious of successful people.

Meghan no doubt feels she is a successful woman and as others think she is too, this gives ger a voice. I expect people are interested in what she has to say abd therefore will listen.

Over here we have problems simply with her notion of her own importance. Other than birth royalty, here I think we maybe expect people to acquire sucess slowly by persistently doing the right thing.

I'm not sure if this is even 100% relevant to this debate but I think the British public on the whole were originally pleased to see Meghan and thought she was the breath of fresh air. What she should have done was just sit it out for a while as Michelle Obama apparently suggested and then little by little she would have crept into people's hearts and we wouldn't be having these discussions here.

Just my thoughts.
And apologies for the liberal smattering of inverted commas I've just noticed.

Of course she knows she's no Mandela. But perhaps even telling me this story is a mode of defense (sic), because if you are a symbol for all that is good and charitable, how can anybody find you objectionable, how can anybody hate you?"

Meghan’s idea of charity certainly differs from mine. I don’t hate her but loyalty and trustworthiness come high on my list of essential ingredients for a symbol of all that is good and charitable.

I don’t see either of these in Meghan.

nanna8

Well it is good to have an American perspective here. We don’t hear a lot about Meghan here in Australia and most wouldn’t care much, anyway. I think in general, however, the view is not too positive but then we only hear what the papers and media choose to tell us. I don’t like the whole idea of the RF, personally, I think they should disappear in a puff of smoke and the French had it right all those years ago. That’s clearly a minority opinion here, though.

I actually don't think the French had it right, or at least how they went about removing the monarchy, it was called the Reign of Terror for a reason.

I agree with Maw above, there is an inbuilt cynicism in Britain, I don't know how many times a person in the public eye can get away with recounting a version of events that doesn't tally with other peoples' view of what was said and happened, especially when those people don't have an axe to grind, which makes the Queen's diplomatic "recollections may vary" observation resonate loud and clear. Too much introspection and dwelling on perceived hardships, whilst living a life of unimaginable luxury in California where so many are camped out on the streets. Not to mention taking private jets for pretty unnecessary recreational pursuits previously having addressed forums on green issues with a "we could all do better" comment!

Don't the previous pages demonstrate that wherever Meghan Markle goes, trouble follows. Her father, her siblings, her first husband, her new in-laws and family, her staff, her 'friends' to name but a few. Her marriage into an ancient and august family, the 'gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name' seen merely as a stepping stone to appearing on a trashy chat show. And laughing all the way to the bank justifies it?

Finally, this gem from today's Telegraph, a quote from the person who interviewed her for The Cut,concerning Meghan's lies about the Lion King visit:

"Of course she knows she's no Mandela. But perhaps even telling me this story is a mode of defense (sic), because if you are a symbol for all that is good and charitable, how can anybody find you objectionable, how can anybody hate you?"

Really?

Let’s not make it personal. But I wonder if there is an inbuilt British cynicism when it comes to people who publicly invent (or exaggerate) anecdotes about themselves - the Nelson Mandela comparison was clearly invented , the Lion King cast member encounter likewise, the “getting married in the garden” , equally tosh.
“Truth” is not just what we want it to be and saying something often enough or in a podcast does not necessarily make it so.
My feeling -for what it is worth- is that H and M are desperate to remain in the public eye and that their pronouncements are designed to achieve just that. Otherwise, if they truly wanted a “private” existence away from the media, I would be the first to say Good Luck to them.

Xenophobic jealousy ?The vast majority are lovely on here but there is always one and fine that they should have different views but not fine to personally attack the person they disagree with.

Why do our American members get such a hard time?

Makes no sense to me

That wasn't ok

heath480

So delighted that you are American and listen to the news,three cheers for you.Perhaps stick to American forums,you are making a complete fool of yourself here.

You actually were comparing Meghan Markle to Michelle Obama,re read what you wrote,do you understand basic English?

Hilarious that you continue to defend the indefensible.Nelson Mandela’s grandson has been interviewed today on GB News,confirming Meghan’s lies.It all she is capable of,lie after lie,after lie.

You appear to have just joined Gransnet to comment on this thread,do you work for Omid Scobie?

Appallingly unpleasant, xenophobic post. Reportable but I won’t. Hopefully even those who are firmly in the anti MM camp will agree this is not representative of either GN or the Uk.

Well it is good to have an American perspective here. We don’t hear a lot about Meghan here in Australia and most wouldn’t care much, anyway. I think in general, however, the view is not too positive but then we only hear what the papers and media choose to tell us. I don’t like the whole idea of the RF, personally, I think they should disappear in a puff of smoke and the French had it right all those years ago. That’s clearly a minority opinion here, though.

Thanks Posh. I do actually live my life in the way you described. I do not care what other people think and at the end of the day, another persons opinion of anyone, including me, is none of my business.

I engaged in this thread because, like I said, I enjoy lively discussion sometimes. There have been many other H & M threads that I choose not to engage in. I know that no matter what I say, I am not going to change anyone else's mind, nor them mine.

I commit myself to disagreeing without being rude or condescending. If someone else makes the choice, well it says more about them than it does me.

So, I am all good. We have a long holiday weekend this weekend in the US and I have many adventures planned with my husband. So this thread can continue on without me and by the time I am back, I am sure there will be other topics we can all disagree on.

I am definitely going to finally get my mini bundt cake tomorrow though. Didn't want the calories, but I am walking in an additional 5K this weekend so I am going to splurge.

imaround Fri 02-Sep-22 01:34:06
Aren't you a peach?

I have been a member of this forum for 3 years. There are posters from all over the world on GN, including the USA.

I do understand basic English and no, it was not a comparison. Do not put words in ny mouth.

I am not a member of Meghans PR team (or Oprah's sadly), nor do I work with or for Omid Scobie.

Luckily for me, I do not care if you think I am making a fool of myself. I have the same opinion of you right now just based on you telling me to leave because I am an American and can't understand basic English, despite the fact that I am communicating with you in basic English.

I am sorry you are triggered by my provable facts.
--------------------------------------------------------

imaround you're sounding upset & hurt - don't be either.

I stopped commenting on granset because of certain holier-than-thou/I'm-always-right/my-opinion-is-the-only-one-that-counts posters some time ago, and only started again very recently. Now I think, "well fuck them, they're clearly arrogant, unpleasant old biddies so what they say is irrelevant", and it's rather nicely freeing.

For what it's worth, I can't understand all the hostile beliefs and views of Meghan Markle. It seems to me the MSM decided at the outset that the theme was to be anti-Meghan and anything she does is turned around until they can find some negative swing.

They don't whack on about HM the same way, do they? For example, how many media outlets made headline news of this outrageous example ..."The Queen has had her tax bill slashed by thousands of pounds for three Scottish shooting estates including Balmoral after making a successful appeal, The National can reveal.

In a controversial move, the new rateable value (RV) for deer stalking at Her Majesty’s largest property in Aberdeenshire – Balmoral Castle – is now lower than that of many pubs, shops and restaurants in the area – some of which may be struggling amid the pandemic."

In fact, now I think about it - wtf is all the interest in these total strangers lives all about?

Oh and you misquoted me. I said I read. I never said I listen to the news. The news in the US can not always been trusted. So I search out unbiased facts about a variety of topics. You know, fake news and all.

And in case anyone else wants to put words into my mouth. To recap I have said that:

I could care less about Meghan, I do not know her personally

I do not work for Meghan, Oprah or Omid Scobie

I think that Meghan is her own worst enemy and she does say things that are not true.

I also believe that some of what is reported about her is false and will prove those things wrong when I can. Because I can.

I like her podcast, but not because it is her podcast. Because the discussion needs to be had about women, especially black women. I also like that she and Harry rescued chickens because I also rescue chickens. Doesn't mean I am her best friend.

I think it is sad that her podcast will not reach as many listeners because she is NOT Michelle Obama. Again, the conversation is an important one for women all around the world.

I am not a black woman. I am a white woman whose ancestry comes 90+% from Ireland, Scotland and England and am an American citizen. Not that that should matter, but I have a feeling it does to someone out there. I have never had anyone here claim otherwise, I am just heading that off at the pass just in case.

I get to have an opinion that is different than everyone else's and I get to state that opinion and be part of the conversation.

After this thread is gone, I will post on other threads and agree with the same people that I disagreed with on this thread. That is what being able to have a mature conversation and a difference of opinion is all about.

I still want cake.

heath480

So delighted that you are American and listen to the news,three cheers for you.Perhaps stick to American forums,you are making a complete fool of yourself here.

You actually were comparing Meghan Markle to Michelle Obama,re read what you wrote,do you understand basic English?

Hilarious that you continue to defend the indefensible.Nelson Mandela’s grandson has been interviewed today on GB News,confirming Meghan’s lies.It all she is capable of,lie after lie,after lie.

You appear to have just joined Gransnet to comment on this thread,do you work for Omid Scobie?

This comment has everything

All the insults

All the misinformation

All the gate keeping

All the othering

Brava

Aren't you a peach?

I have been a member of this forum for 3 years. There are posters from all over the world on GN, including the USA.

I do understand basic English and no, it was not a comparison. Do not put words in ny mouth.

I am not a member of Meghans PR team (or Oprah's sadly), nor do I work with or for Omid Scobie.

Luckily for me, I do not care if you think I am making a fool of myself. I have the same opinion of you right now just based on you telling me to leave because I am an American and can't understand basic English, despite the fact that I am communicating with you in basic English.

I am sorry you are triggered by my provable facts.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

I did NOT compare her to Michelle Obama. I said IF Michelle Obama said it you would laud it. I know quite a bit about Michelle Obama since, I am an American and well, I can read and I vote. You all really do see only what you want to see don't you.

Money is important when you have a mortgage. So which is it? She and Harry earn their own living or they live off the UK Taxpayer dollar.

Looks like her podcast is going to be #1 again on Spotify this week, so it doesn't really matter if you don't listen Callistmon21. Your loss.

merlotgran

^I am sure she is laughing all the way to the bank when you do.^

For now.

Is that the most important thing then?
Money?

It really is a wonderful podcast and I recommend it

I think, having listened to her other interviews and pronouncements, she's proved so far that she has nothing important to say other than air her perceived grievances. If now, she thinks people might be interested in her new thoughts about the world, it's rather too late, she's cooked her goose, shot herself in the foot etc, whatever metaphor anyone might like to choose.

If only she'd kept ? up until the time she had something profound to say about the place women in the world in general instead of trying to destroy her in-laws, more people might be interested.

Callistemon21

^If it were say, Michelle Obama, instead of Meghan people would be shouting from the rooftops at what a wonderful thing she is doing to advance women's issues and feminism^.

I don't think Michelle Obama would ever discuss her husband's family in the negative way that Meghan has Harry's.
Michelle Obama is smart, very intelligent and dignified. And I would think she's a very kind woman too.

And wasn’t her advice to Meghan to ‘watch and learn’ for the first year?

That must have gone down well!

I am sure she is laughing all the way to the bank when you do.

For now.

If it were say, Michelle Obama, instead of Meghan people would be shouting from the rooftops at what a wonderful thing she is doing to advance women's issues and feminism.

I don't think Michelle Obama would ever discuss her husband's family in the negative way that Meghan has Harry's.
Michelle Obama is smart, very intelligent and dignified. And I would think she's a very kind woman too.

I think I have read it all now on this thread! How can anyone compare Meghan Markle to Michelle Obama!!!They are absolute opposites!! Clearly the poster defending Meghan knows little about Michelle.

I do believe Meghan tried to ingratiate herself with Michelle.....she got nowhere.What a surprise.

Go ahead and complain away, it makes no difference to me. I am sure she is laughing all the way to the bank when you do.