The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 9: August 2023 -

[shady lady]

In their minds they are forming a parallel "we can do it better" Court. Diana, in her times, just wanted to do that. Kudos to them to achieve this legacy of the late Princess of Wales.

All seems pretty and nice. Until reality will come knoking at their door. And it will. You can"t parade yourself in semi official/private/whatever capacity deprived of any diplomatic credentials without any consequences. I bet the Foreign Office is watching them very carefully right now and the BRF is well aware of that.

Are the Sussexes naives or desperate of any visibility ? I guess, in some levels, both. Anyway it's a dangerous game because they are obviously becoming some kind of lever of action from some countries to gain the UK's, if not the World's attention. For the UK diplomacy (and don't tell me they are citizens of World, they are holding British titles for Pete's sake) it's a problem. All things considered, the unfamous Windsors 1937 Germany tour comes to mind and i will not be suprised, in the challenging, twisted world we are living in, that the Sussexes could be snatched at some point by less than stellar foreign interests. Making marmalade in your garden is one thing, playing on the World stage is another ...

What strikes me the most here and there in all this Sussexes oupla is all the negativy they bring around them. Not the negativity AGAINST THEM mind you , but their capacity to federate all kind of frustrations on various topics : anti Charles and Camilla, anti Williman and Catherine, anti Monarchists, anti establishment , anti UK, anti White privilege etc. I don't know what to think for now of this peculiar mishmash, but i'm pretty sure some ill intented minds (if not the Sussexes themselves ?) perfectly know what to do with it.

I'm refusing to subject myself to watching any more of H&M's shenanigans this weekend as they happen (I will assess them retrospectively) but felt compelled to briefly break my self-imposed lurking as I had to say this:

Nico, what a fantastic post! Thank you. If I could give give your post a crown and one of these I would!

Especially the highlighted bits. I've tried to draw attention here before to what you say in your third paragraph, and I do fear the process you describe has already started behind the scenes.

Back to the sunshine.

 

[Alisa]

Sussexes’ Nigeria trip is a royal tour – on their terms

Great article indeed. The trip seems very much centered on their agendas and charities that they support. Women's education and empowerment, mental health, and veterans affairs.

They look absolutely radiant and they're beaming. They're in their element. Glad they received such a warm reception and are bringing attention to such great causes.

 

[Ghost]

Great article indeed. The trip seems very much centered on their agendas and charities that they support. Women's education and empowerment, mental health, and veterans affairs.

They look absolutely radiant and they're beaming. They're in their element. Glad they received such a warm reception and are bringing attention to such great causes.

Wasn’t it a visit on behalf of Invictus? I don’t see how it’s acceptable to center it around their agenda. If not on behalf of Invictus, what are two private individuals playing at being official representatives? Who or what do they represent?

 

[Alisa]

Wasn’t it a visit on behalf of Invictus? I don’t see how it’s acceptable to center it around their agenda. If not on behalf of Invictus, what are two private individuals playing at being official representatives? Who or what do they represent?

Perhaps you should revisit the article you posted about the visit:

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 9: August 2023 -

As has been extensively discussed in this thread, the couple never claimed to be official representatives and the British ambassador also made it clear that they are in no way shape or form representing the UK or it's monarchy.

 

[Ghost]

The visit is at the invitation of the Nigerian Defence Headquarters for the Invictus founder. Not archewell, not women empowerement, not betterup.
Invictus.
I rather it was clear for everyone involved. When the program was published it was such a mess that the High Comissioner had to issue a statement that the Sussexes are not government or RF representatives.

Those who prefer rose tinted glasses can dismiss the incomfortable fact that they don’t represent anyone or anything but Invictus (for which Meghan is just Harry’s plus one).

 

[Durham]

References in the Nigerian media to:

“British royals”

“Britain’s Prince Harry”

“the British prince”

Also, during the official military welcome, the duke was referred to as both royal highness & highness. Not to mention being fanfared by a rather distinct bugle rendition of The Royal Salute usually heard played by state trumpeters on the arrival of the sovereign.

The lines seem very blurred here. All very unsatisfactory. It would be interesting to know what the FCO make of all this.

 

[Hallo girl]

Thank you for the article, MonacoRoyalFan. This was a great read.

After some growing pains, it seems as though TRH The Sussexes are finding a balance in what they want to do with their lives. They get to focus on their philanthropic efforts, build their commercial interests, and maintain privacy for their personal lives and especially those of their children. Good for

The visit is at the invitation of the Nigerian Defence Headquarters for the Invictus founder. Not archewell, not women empowerement, not betterup.
Invictus.
I rather it was clear for everyone involved. When the program was published it was such a mess that the High Comissioner had to issue a statement that the Sussexes are not government or RF representatives.

Those who prefer rose tinted glasses can dismiss the incomfortable fact that they don’t represent anyone or anything but Invictus (for which Meghan is just Harry’s plus one).

She didn’t want to be his plus one at the service at St Paul’s.

 

[Hallo girl]

References in the Nigerian media to:

“British royals”

“Britain’s Prince Harry”

“the British prince”

Also, during the official military welcome, the duke was referred to as both royal highness & highness. Not to mention being fanfared by a rather distinct bugle rendition of The Royal Salute usually heard played by state trumpeters on the arrival of the sovereign.

The lines seem very blurred here. All very unsatisfactory. It would be interesting to know what the FCO make of all this.

As we always suspected they are only wanted because of their royal connection.

 

[Hallo girl]

You are correct that you do not need to be Royal to do charity and philanthropic works. The problem is they do want to be royal, trade on the titles then pick and chose what charity and philanthropic works they want to do, in between making jam.

 

[Alisa]

The visit is at the invitation of the Nigerian Defence Headquarters for the Invictus founder. Not archewell, not women empowerement, not betterup.
Invictus.
I rather it was clear for everyone involved. When the program was published it was such a mess that the High Comissioner had to issue a statement that the Sussexes are not government or RF representatives.

Those who prefer rose tinted glasses can dismiss the incomfortable fact that they don’t represent anyone or anything but Invictus (for which Meghan is just Harry’s plus one).

Not quite. If you re-read the article you posted and other subsequent ones in the media. The couple were invited in Düsseldorf to visit Nigeria-visit servicemen and their families and participate in other "activities".
So it was clear from the beginning that this visit was going to involve other activities besides Invictus.

The High Commissioner did not seem to be bothered by the couple's visit and certainly didn't think it to be a "mess". In fact he said, "It's great that the couple are visiting Nigeria..." but wanted to clarify that they were not representing the British Government or His Majesty. Not that the couple ever claimed to.

If people want to continue to be negative and pessimistic about this couple they can. However it still doesn't negate the fact the couple does do good work and draws attention to organizations and causes. Which at the end of the day is all that matters.

 

[soapstar]

Sussexes’ Nigeria trip is a royal tour – on their terms

Great article. They have much to offer. I am glad they are in Nigeria.

This bit from the article is interesting: “Kaduna is labelled as a no-go zone by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which advises against all but essential travel to the state.”

Harry has made such a big deal about his security in the UK, so I’m really surprised that he would venture into a no-go-zone. Thankfully everything turned out okay, but it was a risky and dangerous decision.

This visit is an interesting one, it’s supposed to be private, yet has all the hallmarks of an official royal visit. This is the type of half in/half out the Sussexes wanted, so I wonder how the BRF feel about it.

I noticed that the the reaction from Nigerians on Twitter (X) has been mixed. Some are happy they came, while others don’t understand the point and feel the money for the visit should have been better spent on the people in their country. This might explain why the crowds coming out to see them have been so sparse.

Video of Harry meeting wounded veterans
Simon Perry on Instagram: "Prince Harry toured the wards of the Nigerian military hospital Kaduna #princeharry #nigeria"

 

[irish_royalist]

In my opinion, Meghan is completely self-absorbed and interested only in the cameras and how the photos will look, and not in the local people who have turned out to see her and present her with gifts. Harry looks like a lost soul who still yearns to be the Royal that he was born to be. Sorry if I offend, but this is how I feel about this trip.

 

[Muhler]

I need to look away. I just saw the video of her being introduced to the school delegation and when she gets to the beautiful and statuesque lady, the one with the long hair on the shoulder, she is talking to the duchess and Mrs. M turns her face toward the camera ignoring the young lady in her mid-sentence. So she continued talking to the back of Meghan's head while she smiled for photos.

Every time I try to give her the benefit of the doubt and hope to write a positive remark once she's released in her element, the sea of paparazzies she vents they run away from, the look-at-me-only switch turns On and she stays to be in front of the paparazzi and Harry on the horizon as her backdrop.

If I recall my manners taught by family, the gentleman escorts the lady toward the left side. I remember this was a tradition from the Middle Ages in Italy where the lady walks toward the inside to protect her from falling...water and other things in pots.
This power balance is so reversed at times I think she was the member of a royal family Harry married into.

Not aside, the white dress suit she wore looks nice for the other event.

Pardon for me going full nerd here.
I think that varies from country and culture.

In Scandinavia a man escorts his lady to his right, in particular if she is his wife or mother (or grandmother or mother-in-law.) while concubines and mistresses walk to his left, hence the old custom of being "married to the left hand" = official mistress, who BTW enjoyed rights and privileges by that status.
The reason was also to keep her on the inside when walking on a road, making sure he was between her and intoxicated horses, rowdy cart drivers not to mention cattle that might splatter her with unmentionable debris...
Also as his sword/dagger/axe was usually worn to his left side he would be able to grab his weapon than is if his lady was to his left - lest his slice her arm off when pulling his sword.
- Well, the one with the sword at least is one reason, but it is more likely that the right side was the "good" side as it indeed still is in many cultures, while the left side is the "bad" side.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

I didn't like the article. Logically, what they are doing makes no sense. Royals do these tours as essentially diplomats, in order to promote their countries relationship with the touring country. Here it's just two people, the man being the figurative head of a supporting competition for injured veterans, swanning around being treated like royalty. Basically being promoted as royal because that's the only thing about them.
If this is what they wanted, it'd be better to stay working. Deeply bizarre. Unless Bill Gates, who gives millions to charity,.gets similar responses? I'm sorry but I'm not like good for them, they are there because he's the Kings son. Also, realistically, there won't be many of these. What's next an invite to Russia?

If anyone is able to post this article without a paywall, I’d appreciate it - thanks!

 

[EllieCat]

You are correct that you do not need to be Royal to do charity and philanthropic works. The problem is they do want to be royal, trade on the titles then pick and chose what charity and philanthropic works they want to do, in between making jam.

Very succinct and I agree completely. I would have a lot more respect for H&M if they ditched the royal titles, certainly as it looks as though their complete future is in the USA where titles are not part of the fabric of American life.

 

[Toledo]

Are the Sussexes naives or desperate of any visibility ? I guess, in some levels, both...

What strikes me the most here and there in all this Sussexes oupla is all the negativy they bring around them. Not the negativity AGAINST THEM mind you , but their capacity to federate all kind of frustrations on various topics : anti Charles and Camilla, anti Williman and Catherine, anti Monarchy, anti establishment , anti UK, anti White privilege etc. I don't know what to think for now of this peculiar mishmash, but i'm pretty sure some ill intented minds (if not the Sussexes themselves ?) perfectly know what to do with it.

I feel the tour will be over when they gather enough film material to comply with all those Netflix obligations to produce content or not get paid the rest of the 100 mill +. They will leave Nigeria in the same exact situation with no changes in the lives of the people that they met. And I feel there won't be any looking back or return trip to follow up on all the speeches and grandiosity that comes out of their mouths when a microphone is nearby.

My take is, this was a footage trip to be used for two projects marketed to Netflix and prevent the company from holding back the money agreed upon:

1. Meghan needs footage for her new identity quest about her DNA family roots in Africa. I assume she'll skip mentioning in her Hollywood job resume she hid this and stated was only from one race and wasn't the one on her mom's side.

2. Harry needs footage for Invictus, the organization created by others but uses Harry as the face of the brand.

From comments above, the people they are associating with are the Oligarchs. And if anyone knows what oligarchs in any country is to keep people in their place as they become richer from their labor. This is not Switzerland, Singapore, Monaco or other countries where government improve the life of citizens to make the economy stronger.

If H&M were able to make and press on these oligarchs to create institutions or charities to benefit education, employment and quality of life out of this trip then the visit would be a success. But the moment the plane takes off with them, everything will be back to be the same.

They both have the potential to change lives, permanently, but will they even try for real and not for show? That remains to be seen.

 

[soapstar]

The discussion about titles has been moved to the Sussex Styles and Titles thread. You can find the discussion here.

Posts comparing the Sussexes to the BRF and discussing who have better tours, have been deleted.

 

[Curryong]

Meghan Markle thanks Nigerians for welcoming her to 'my country'

The Duchess of Sussex, who recently discovered she is '43 per cent Nigerian', wowed crowds today as she and Prince Harry continue their whirlwind 'royal' tour to the African nation.

www.dailymail.co.uk

She told the audience: 'I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you've all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country... my country.'

She also added: 'I am just flattered and honored and inspired. It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion.'

 

[MonacoRoyalFan]

Meghan and Harry are so good at being royals on the international stage. [....] They do it with ease and flare. The King is just missing a trick for the monarchy by not asking them to represent the UK on the global stage.

 

[Erin9]

Meghan and Harry are so good at being royals on the international stage. [...] They do it with ease and flare. The King is just missing a trick for the monarchy by not asking them to represent the UK on the global stage.

The King really isn’t missing anything imo.

 

[Erin9]

Meghan Markle thanks Nigerians for welcoming her to 'my country'

The Duchess of Sussex, who recently discovered she is '43 per cent Nigerian', wowed crowds today as she and Prince Harry continue their whirlwind 'royal' tour to the African nation.

www.dailymail.co.uk

She told the audience: 'I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you've all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country... my country.'

She also added: 'I am just flattered and honored and inspired. It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion.

I cannot fathom calling Germany, Scotland and Ireland “ my country” the way Meghan is Nigeria. I just cannot. Maybe that’s unfair, but I have about as much actual connection to those countries as she does to Nigeria.

And I’ve been to Germany. I never thought of it that way at all. Much less referred to it that way.

 

[HRHHermione]

Meghan and Harry are so good at being royals on the international stage. That's the truth the haters can't accept. They do it with ease and flare. The King is just missing a trick for the monarchy by not asking them to represent the UK on the global stage.

I think it is very important to remember here that opinions are not facts. This is something we try very hard to reinforce.

Opinions are subjective and depending on experience and context, people can see the same facts and come to radically different conclusions.

 

[Curryong]

Prince Harry visits wounded in Kaduna State.

From Nigerian News service.

Incidentally in this latest US polling on the royals Meghan has spiked upwards.

Meghan's popularity soars in the US as most-loved royal stateside laid bare

Prince William, Princess Kate and Prince Harry all dropped two to three points - but Meghan Markle has experienced a significant rise.

www.express.co.uk

 

[HenRach Dominion]

One thing I've loved seeing about this visit is how much it meant to the Nigerians TRH The Sussexes interacted with. Many of the wounded Nigerian veterans seemed inspired and validated by having HRH The Duke of Sussex there, and many of the Nigerians actually seemed to feel a connection to HRH The Duchess of Sussex because of her 43% Nigerian heritage.

Of course, every Nigerian person won't feel the same way about TRH The Sussexes; heck, most probably have no feelings for them at all. But this visit has shown that for the dozens/scores of Nigerians who actually came out to see them or met them during their events, it has been worth it.

 

[Chimene]

Newsweek can be bought the same way you do People magazine. Pay for play…I don’t mean to be cynical, but none of this is organic. That’s why she’s Nigerian today and is having a homecoming fashion show and yesterday she was Maltese. God only knows what she’ll be tomorrow.

 

[MonacoRoyalFan]

Newsweek can be bought the same way you do People magazine. Pay for play…I don’t mean to be cynical, but none of this is organic. That’s why she’s Nigerian today and is having a homecoming fashion show and yesterday she was Maltese. God only knows what she’ll be tomorrow.

Or maybe it's this new UK based press person they hired. Relationships matter in PR, press and communications fields. Having someone in the UK who has relationships with UK press seems helpful. The positive headlines seem to possibly indicate that.

 

[Chimene]

That’s my point. People with terrible image problems hire spin doctors. The British and American tabloids as well as all the “legitimate” media are all on board whether their motivation is to destabilize the monarchy or to avenge Diana, lots of games being played here.

 

[Ghost]

If anyone is able to post this article without a paywall, I’d appreciate it - thanks!

Prince Harry and Meghan's Nigeria trip is a royal tour – on their ter…

archived 10 May 2024 21:09:44 UTC

archive.is

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

Prince Harry and Meghan's Nigeria trip is a royal tour – on their ter…

archived 10 May 2024 21:09:44 UTC

archive.is

Thank you, Ghost!

 

[Muhler]

I cannot fathom calling Germany, Scotland and Ireland “ my country” the way Meghan is Nigeria. I just cannot. Maybe that’s unfair, but I have about as much actual connection to those countries as she does to Nigeria.

And I’ve been to Germany. I never thought of it that way at all. Much less referred to it that way.

You have a point there. If a Canadian came to DK saying she's 43 % Danish I'd react (and so would most here, I believe) with a: Okay, interesting.
If she called DK: "my country" I would react with slight amusement. Because to me she would first and foremost be a Canadian who just happens to have some Danish ancestry. She would not be Danish.
I suspect the Nigerians, being polite to their guests as most people are, would think the same.

I'm not sure what this visit is in the eyes of H&M but to be brutally honest I'm pretty confident that to most Nigerians present this was a case of wanting to "see the giraffes". - H&M are celebs, novelties if you will. This weeks story. Not much more, I'm afraid.