Oh dear Harry and Meghan

Not after 18 months!!!

I agree maddyone. GI brides found it very difficult to fit into the culture of their adopted country,but I doubt many of them tried to change it. For most it became easier over time, for some they couldn't settle, and the came home usually without their husbands. As has been said, MM is an actress and the RF and we, the welcoming public,(because we were,) were sadly just bit part players in a film, where the final scene ended in Hollywood ! Lets face it, with hindsight it's all fairly obvious! Ever been had? Well we were and so were the RF financially (big time) as well as emotionally!

‘ If Meghan didn’t like the job description she shouldn’t of taken the job’

Well I know this is Gransnet, & most of us our past our sell by date, but presumably many of us had stars in our eyes when we were saying our vows, only to gradually seem them dim over time - a little ( or possibly a lot )

Do we know her husband didn’t much like it either ? he certainly put on a good act and lied to the country for years if
so. He sort the camera more than any of the family .

If Meghan didn’t like the job description, she shouldn’t have taken the job.

trisher do you respect the culture of ethnic minorities here in Britain? I wager my house you do. You will be respectful if you enter the house of a Muslim family and in doing so, you will remove your shoes. I always did when it was part of my role when I was working. Why therefore, would you not expect Meghan to respect British culture?

And why the hell should you put up with it
Why should you suggest it’s okay to be rude and disrespectful towards British culture? Why do you regard British culture with such disdain and dislike? Are other cultures somehow more worthy?

Incidentally sitting with your legs crossed is not a good idea for any woman wearing a tight or short skirt, unless that woman wishes the world and his dog to see the colour of her knickers. If wearing trousers or a full skirt, it’s fine to cross your legs.

It is often said that Meghan wanted to change the Royal Family and that she had said that she had or was going to, single handedly modernise the family. Whatever else I think about Meghan, I can’t imagine that she actually said that. Does anyone know the truth of this or is it just a rumour?

Annie she did what anyone would do if the firm didn't fit-she left

Jabberwok most of us dont realise that the way we do things is linked inevitably to the culture we grew up in. Years ago an American friend told me how she couldn't adapt at first to the British habit of always offering hospitatlity twice and it was her MIL who eventually said something to her. I never realised either but a lot of Brits ask if you want a cup of tea, guest refuses but host offers again. If you say "No" in America that's it. My in-laws were also upset when they visited their son in Canada because hospitality was so casual and people were often expected to help themselves to things. It's not unusual for people to find differences difficult to adapt to and the differences here were huge. And why the hell should you put up with it? Especially if it was obvious that actually your husband didn't like it much either.

Meghan must have realized that there were protocols that needed to be respected, she would have been briefed by assistants so there is no excuse. She is an actress she knows how to perform in public, you do what is expected of you, if the director says don’t cross your legs or pout more you obey.

The Royal family is like any soap and the performers play their part as the audience expects, having been given everything you want and then turning you back so quickly is very disappointing.

I can't believe that this modern young woman was so naive as to think that she could change the way of thinking of a whole family single handedly. I don't many of us would be that stupid when we were first married however grim the in-laws were! Perhaps over time you could gradually do things differently in your own household but nothing more. I suppose eventually Prince William as head of the family will be able to alter things, but MM? I don't think so!!!

then don’t join the firm and don’t think you can change it,
what junior member of a firm thinks they can change how the
firm works ?

Of course it wouldn't and really what modern young woman would expect to stick to these ridiculous rules? Possibly she knew there were some, possibly she hoped some things could be changed and possibly she just decided it was all too much and she wanted out.

My great Aunt sorted me out on sitting with my legs crossed
when I was about 12 , another was - as you age the less flesh
you expose ?

I went to a Convent and we had to curtsey to Reverend Mother when she paid us a visit! Not sure that would be a goer these days!!

Surely family protocol was explained, if one is prepared to learn and accept there shouldn’t be problems , same as joining
any firm, rules of the workplace.

We used to have to curtsey at school. One after another the girls had to curtsey to the headmistress Miss Smith and the boys had to bow. Doubt that would happen in schools these days.

But if you marry into the family and don't realise, the family protocol is ridiculous. No kissing in public! (except on the balcony)! No sitting with your legs crossed! Even who you have to curtsy to isn't simple www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/who-does-kate-middleton-have-to-curtsy-to.html/

I think you're right Suffolkborn. Famously Mrs Thatcher, rather disconcertingly practised a deep courtesy, which curiously Mrs May emulated!!!! I think in fact a bob, or inclination of the head is ok these days!

The Queen is sticking to the tradition of curtsying to ‘the crown’ , the public are not expected to curtsy to any member
of the family. So really it’s a family tradition and doesn’t affect
the public

I heard that if people didn’t want to bow or curtesy a quick head bow was fine. Perhaps people choose to go the whole hog to make their once in a lifetime opportunity seem more special. I guess most of us will never know.

I agree maddyone. I think once the Queen goes things will be relaxed hopefully under Charles (Camilla's influence?) but almost certainly under William. The Queen is of her generation and people respect that as do lots of families with very elderly relations.

Greymar I like history too. I’ve heard the Queen insists on curtsying, and the correct and outdated (in my opinion) protocol, and it has been reported that she recently changed the rules re curtsying, so that none blood princesses ie Catherine, Camilla, Meghan, must curtsy to blood princesses ie Anne, Beatrice, Eugenie. Given this really outmoded view of the Queen’s, will William and Catherine change these rules, which are really past their sell by date in my humble opinion? They seem to be much more grounded in the real world than the Queen, who is a product of her time, much as my elderly mother is.
Maybe Charles will change the rules, but my hope is more with William and Catherine.

Marry in haste , repent at leisure, yes those words ring true to me & many others I’m sure.
Love would not be love if we listened to reason.
If we cannot follow our hearts , what is the point of it all.
Perhaps find someone you despise , marry them & perhaps end up loving them. ?
They will sink or swim just like the rest of us, yes before anyone else says it , they will still be finically secure & not have to worry about money, they will have comfortable surroundings, but the pain will be the same , and possibly worse when photographed ,or performing one of those tedious ribbon cutting affairs with everyone’s eyes boring into the back of you, flashbulbs in your face .hatred in people’s hearts.