Engagement of Prince Harry of Wales and Meghan Markle: November 27, 2017

[mariazil]

...some years later, Queen Frederika was in exile, the Monarchy abolished in Greece etc. Meanwhile, the "actress" was a much loved princess to the end of her days... Don't get me wrong, I do not share my co-patriots hostile feelings towards the late Queen. I rather admired the woman; but she, too, was only human and, I believe, she would also tolerate graciously her eldest grand-daughter's divorce, her other grand-daughter's problems with justice and her grandsons' marriages to commoners.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Nico

Basically that's how aristocracy works...
You have to be in the known. Strangers outside the circle are rarely welcome.
Nothing new here ...

If that's the case, then Meghan still shouldn't be controversial at this point though since we had Fergie, Sophie, and Kate. All of whom are/were HRH and non-aristocracy.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by Somebody

Queen Frederika was quite a character it seems; what was the context of this quote? Luckily for her, her children married royal partners.

Quite a character indeed. I think this comment was made in 1956, When Rainier married Grace.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

For the most known family in the world an escalation would be a big image problem indeed and certainly not "worth it"...!

The Dutch monarchy survived... and yes, of course there is a short media storm and the queen might be weary to do such a thing after her uncle caused a lot of trouble - BUT she was willing to go that route with her own sister! So, I do think it would have been a possibility had she thought it necessary (although I don't see why given Meghan background (the only real controversial part to me is being divorced but that ship has sailed) what she has permitted over the last 40 years).

Camilla comes from a family that always socialised with the aristocracy and people of influence in England. Her first husband was a courtier (and still is) who is a firm friend to the Princess Royal for decades.
Camilla never was just any english lady next door - that´s a myth!
No matter what her role was during the Diana/ Charles marriage, she at least never walked the red carpet with a cleavage down to her belly or starred in a 2nd class soap....

Nobody claimed that Camillas was 'just any English lady next door' That was not the reason why allowing Charles to marry her was a risk for the monarchy and troublesome to many. Camilla is doing really well (a controversial background in one sense or another doesn't preclude doing a bad job as a royal - she has shown to do a great job although the public (except for those who personally met her) seemed to never have warmed to her but mostly accepted her as the woman who makes Charles happy) but it might flare up again when Charles ascends the throne and destabilize the monarchy (I hope it doesn't but it might).

I am not sure how many in Britain would nowadays say that being an aristocrat trumps everything else... (and if so, they have already been hugely disappointed by the BRF, so I am sure they can handle one more disappointment)

I don´t know if Meghan is a nice person or not. I do not know her like nobody here does. She´s pretty and has a lovely smile. But is someone like her really the right person to be a royal duchess, daughter in law of a monarch, a represantative for Britain and the Commonwealth...?!
I think this union is once more water on the mills for those you claim the monarchy was just a soap opera!

Why not? She seems respectable and able to move around easily in their circles (that helps) and able to connect with those outside of it (also a crucial aspect of the job) - so, of course it will be a steep learning curve (as it so far has been) but that learning curve would exist for anyone marrying Harry. He is the one who knows her best and he is confident that she will do fine.

[French Toast]

Originally Posted by Dman

Meghan is really going to be such a wonderful addition to the royal family. I was really impressed by her in this interview.

Harry is a very lucky man.

[jacqui24]

I just want to point out how the Archbishop of Canterbury finds her acceptable enough to marry them in the church, yet some people on the internet find her unacceptable.

[soapstar]

That was a great interview. It sounds like they've both thought long and hard about this decision and Meghan understands what it means to marry into the royal family. They make a really lovely couple and I look forward to what's in store for them.

It was nice to hear that both sides of Harry's family have been so welcoming and how William and Kate have been there for Meghan. This is going to be a big adjustment for her, so having all that support will prove invaluable.

I will say I was surprised to hear that Harry hadn't met Meghan's father in-person yet. I would have thought that they had already met. Maybe now that Meghan has settled in, her dad can come visit them in London.

Originally Posted by evolvingdoors

Okay they are adorable together!
Happy to learn one pup is already in the UK, i’m Sure the other will soon follow. Wonder if he’s been staying with Harry this entire time or a good close friend?

There was an article earlier in the year that said Meghan shared custody of her dog (Guy) with her ex-boyfriend, so he might be with him in Canada.

[Hendrik-Jan77]

I just watched the interview and hopefully their love will last.
My impression is that Harry is first of all incredibly relieved that he found someone who, in his eyes, fills the job description (a working member of the Royal Family) and Meghan is, beside being in love with Harry, also very in love with the prospect of being a member of the Royal Family.
Just my feeling and opinion.

[Florestane]

Wonderful news. I wish them all the best.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Hendrik-Jan77

My impression is that Meghan is also very in love with the prospect of being a member of the Royal Family.
Just my feeling and opinion.

Yeah, I'm not getting that impression. I think she's taken on all that being a member of the BRF entails because she loves him. She got to know his family first and foremost as his family--not as the British Royal Family.

She said she's also gotten to know his mother's sisters some. I always had a feeling William and Harry see a lot more of all their relatives than we have any idea of.

[PetticoatLane]

The immediate response in my office was 'bank holiday next year?!'. It doesn't look good in that regard at the moment (boo!).

No mention of Megan being 'unsuitable' for the RF at all. I've been a big Suits fan for years now and she will always be Rachel Zane to me, at least for the foreseeable.

I'll be interesting how she fits in with the British 'family'. By which I mean the British people as opposed to the RF. She'll be accepted well enough, but we are if nothing else an eccentric lot and it'll likely take her a lifetime to get us. We are a very distinct bunch from the rest of Europe as well as from the other Anglophone nations. If she makes a genuine effort to assimilate she'll be ok.

[HRHHermione]

I think that interview was a delight from start to finish and they seem adorably besotted with each other. She also handled it so well- I think this couple is going to be a joy to watch

[Somebody]

A few more things that I noticed about the interview (now I've been able to also watch the final part).

Meghan likes overstating how long they have been together; she said a year and half - two; which Harry corrected into 'a year and a half'. They were very specific about their 'back-to-back dates' in London. So, it seems the time line is: first meeting in May in Toronto (on a date that was set-up by a mutual friend), two dates early July in London (when Meghan visited Wimbledon), a 5-day camping trip in Botswana in August - and after that seeing each other at least every other week.

Her 'keep in mind' came off a bit strong - probably reflective of her ease with the media but something she needs to be a little careful with (as we've seen with Letizia as well; although Meghan was not cutting off Harry).

Meghan's face lit up when talking about meeting the Queen; and the story about the corgi's immediately being at ease with Meghan was also really cute. Furthermore, it seems that William and Catherine were the first to meet Meghan and probably also closest to her 'as neighbors' - and especially Catherine was mentioned to being of great help to Meghan (undoubtedly sharing her experiences of joining the BRF).

[evolvingdoors]

Thinking about the interview again as I am reading comments, and while I adore Harry this relationship is really a case of nationality reversed George and Amal Clooney.
Meaning: Harry is marrying someone waaay out of his league. But like Clooney’s they are both good people who want to make good in the world, so I hope they will make it work like it seems the clooney’s Are able to.

[Anna Catherine]

It was a lovely interview. Very sweet. I loved hearing about her meeting the royal family and how supportive Charles, William and Kate have been along with the rest of the family. They seem like fun. She seems to have a pretty good understanding of what she’s taking on which is good. I think she’ll be taking time to get acquainted with everything and ‘learn the ropes’. I liked that they talked about joining the team that is the royal family. So I don’t think it’ll be the Harry and Meghan show in the sense that they’re vying for the spotlight. I think they know they’re place within the institution and just want to help and make a difference. Everything seems great!

[Empress Merel]

Meghan and Harry geeking out over the husband title was really cute. My sour soul actually smiled.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

She said she's also gotten to know his mother's sisters some. I always had a feeling William and Harry see a lot more of all their relatives than we have any idea of.

And 'Julia', that must be a reference to Julia Samuel; friend of Diana, princess of Wales; and godmother to prince George of Cambridge.

[Osipi]

What I found that was completely and utterly Harry and Meghan is that the proposal wasn't some big, extravagant thing with a destination. It was over roasting chicken at home doing what they've been doing together all along.

This is a couple that will make their ordinary days extraordinary just by being together. Warmed my heart too to hear Harry say "our cottage". Not his cottage or some destination reeking romantic but "our cottage". Bodes well for a happy home life.

Can't get much better than that.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Empress Merel

Meghan and Harry geeking out over the husband title was really cute. My sour soul actually smiled.

Although that was the only time that my thoughts went to Meghan's previous marriage. It will be the first time for Harry but Meghan has had a husband before.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Osipi

What I found that was completely and utterly Harry and Meghan is that the proposal wasn't some big, extravagant thing with a destination. It was over roasting chicken at home doing what they've been doing together all along.

Loved that as well; especially after all the rumors that he would (have) propose(d) in Africa; no, just at an ordinary night at home... (which probably was the only way to surprise her)