The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 6: Aug. 2021- Oct. 2022

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Erin9

[...] particularly about accusing unnamed media of using the n- word about her child. As best I can tell- this is entirely based on her word, and she’s given no one the ability to substantiate anything because it’s vague.

Originally Posted by Sionevar

Articles I am reading today interpret the statement as applying to readers of the RR output, not the RR members themselves.

The accusation seems to be referring to the members of "the Royal Rota" who traditionally publish photographs of royal newborns. (The Duchess specifically refers to being expected to give photographs of her son to them.)

https://www.thecut.com/article/megha...interview.html

“There’s literally a structure by which if you want to release photos of your child, as a member of the family, you first have to give them to the Royal Rota,” the U.K. media pool, she explains. Usually, the photos would be on media outlets before she could post them herself. That didn’t sit right with Meghan, given her strained relationship with the British tabloids (“Harry’s girl is [almost] straight outta Compton” is how the Daily Mail introduced her to the British public), and especially since she would soon have a child of her own to protect. “Why would I give the very people that are calling my children the N-word a photo of my child before I can share it with the people that love my child?” she asks, still ruffled. “You tell me how that makes sense and then I’ll play that game.”

Originally Posted by Erin9

I may be incorrect in my understanding of this, but it sounds like a serious accusation that blankets everyone with zero way for anyone to even respond to since it’s vague.

It does seem that professional and other considerations typically dissuade members of the media from attempting to defend themselves, but in this case, surely it would be easy to verify if multiple media outlets in the Royal Rota had indeed published articles or photo captions referring to her child by a racial slur.

[Erin9]

Originally Posted by Sionevar

Articles I am reading today interpret the statement as applying to readers of the RR output, not the RR members themselves.

Meaning, someone, somewhere in a forum or comments column used the n-word about Archie. Which I can well believe, given the bile I see on the internet every day.

I can buy readers, if that’s what she meant.

It didn’t sound that way to me, but if that’s the complaint- the readers- well comment sections everywhere are full of nasty comments.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Erin9

I can buy readers, if that’s what she meant.

But reader comments sections would not be included in the "structure by which if you want to release photos of your child, as a member of the family, you first have to give them to the Royal Rota" (the Duchess's words), and the interviewer also understood it to refer to "the U.K. media pool" (the interviewer's words). (For reference, see the linked excerpt from the interview above.)

[Erin9]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

But reader comments sections would not be included in the "structure by which if you want to release photos of your child, as a member of the family, you first have to give them to the Royal Rota" (the Duchess's words), and the interviewer also understood it to refer to "the U.K. media pool" (the interviewer's words). (For reference, see the linked excerpt from the interview above.)

Agreed. That is the way I read it the first time too. It does sound like she was referring to unnamed media, not readers.

[kalnel]

Good points, Claire. The first two podcasts almost seem to be designed to validate Meghan's views, rather than drawing out opinions from the guests. I wonder if that is the show's goal or just the outcome of some bad interviews.

But in all fairness, Meghan isn't a journalist, and with only two episodes, the podcast hasn't really found its feet. Time will tell...

You're right about her needing good staff around her. A good producer would realize that Meghan is an actor by trade and give her a script. Her training is in interpreting other peoples' words, so make that happen. She'd be on safer ground.

She could learn a lot by watching old videos of her friend Oprah's interviews, too. Even in the interview she and Harry did with Oprah -- which was not Oprah's finest hour -- Oprah never inserted herself into the interview. It wasn't as if Oprah said, "They were concerned about Archie's skin color? Wow! That reminds me of the time I was talking to..."

Originally Posted by Claire

I am looking at this from a very distant view. Okay, remove Meghan from the scene - another presenter.
Looking at the Serena interview - even narrowing their interview to the topic of Ambition. They could have done a lot. Serena knows ambitions and she is not scared of it - she knocks it out of the park. The interview was not about Serena and considering that Serena is now retiring this could have been a great eye opening interview. It was dribble.
Interview with Mariah - absolutely no preparation. Meghan didn't read the book - she has absolutely no idea what is in that book. She could have had a bumper interview - she could have really driven how Mariah owns the Diva stereotype.
Now lets not hide behind the bush - a regular interviewer would kill for this platform and 2 bit interviewer would have made a better job of it. She wanted a platform, she has a platform - she is squandering the platform. This sounds familiar. It worries me that she is surrounded by people who is not helping. Everyone in the industry has told me the same - what are all those people doing? essentially this can be as technically polished as a gold bowl - if the content is dribble it is pointless. it is mind boggling that she is ill prepared for these interviews. She doesn't have any journalistic skill but surely someone should be assisting.

[Alison H]

William, Peter, Zara, Beatrice and Eugenie have all got university degrees, and Louise is about to start her degree course. But, apart from a very small minority of people, anyone going to university has finished their degree by the time they're 21 or 22, so they have to move on to other things.

[Hallo girl]

Originally Posted by Erin9

Agreed. That is the way I read it the first time too. It does sound like she was referring to unnamed media, not readers.

The reaction of the UK media would suggest they took it as referring to them and not the readers.

[angieuk]

I'm wondering will their platform/profile become even bigger when Charles becomes King. In that, Harry will be the son of the King of England; Meghan a daughter-in-law of a King. Their children will become Prince and Princess. Somehow I don't see them fading into the background; but becoming higher profile. But of course, know one knows for sure how the dynamics will change when that time comes. In the meantime, the negative headlines continue.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...t-Duchess.html

[sophie25]

Originally Posted by angieuk

I'm wondering will their platform/profile become even bigger when Charles becomes King. In that, Harry will be the son of the King of England; Meghan a daughter-in-law of a King. Their children will become Prince and Princess. Somehow I don't see them fading into the background; but becoming higher profile. But of course, know one knows for sure how the dynamics will change when that time comes. In the meantime, the negative headlines continue.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...t-Duchess.html

So she was lying.

[Lee-Z]

Originally Posted by angieuk

I'm wondering will their platform/profile become even bigger when Charles becomes King. In that, Harry will be the son of the King of England; Meghan a daughter-in-law of a King. Their children will become Prince and Princess. Somehow I don't see them fading into the background; but becoming higher profile. But of course, know one knows for sure how the dynamics will change when that time comes. In the meantime, the negative headlines continue.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...t-Duchess.html

Saw the link from the actor on the Lion King movie, but afaik there's also a Lion King musical, so in theory the actor who made the comment could be from that cast.

That said: to repeat it in a public interview, and therefore to compare *oneself* with Mr Mandela and his life is...special...

[SirGyamfi1]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

But reader comments sections would not be included in the "structure by which if you want to release photos of your child, as a member of the family, you first have to give them to the Royal Rota" (the Duchess's words), and the interviewer also understood it to refer to "the U.K. media pool" (the interviewer's words). (For reference, see the linked excerpt from the interview above.)

She was definitely referring to members of the royal rota. But the thing is that was it one person or the entire group of reporters on the rota? We will probably never know.

[SirGyamfi1]

Originally Posted by angieuk

I'm wondering will their platform/profile become even bigger when Charles becomes King. In that, Harry will be the son of the King of England; Meghan a daughter-in-law of a King. Their children will become Prince and Princess. Somehow I don't see them fading into the background; but becoming higher profile. But of course, know one knows for sure how the dynamics will change when that time comes. In the meantime, the negative headlines continue.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...t-Duchess.html

I’m sure Charles will nip this in the bud or at least continue to give them rope.

[sophie25]

Originally Posted by SirGyamfi1

I’m sure Charles will nip this in the bud or at least continue to give them rope.

What would be the point in two American kids growing up as private citizens in America being a British Prince and Princess? They want them to be private but you just know H and M will kick up an almighty fuss and throw the 'r' word about if Charles rescinds those titles.

[Heavs]

Originally Posted by Lee-Z

Saw the link from the actor on the Lion King movie, but afaik there's also a Lion King musical, so in theory the actor who made the comment could be from that cast.

That said: to repeat it in a public interview, and therefore to compare *oneself* with Mr Mandela and his life is...special...

She referenced the premiere of the movie but I suppose it's possible members of the musical could have attended.

I think the biggest point for me is that even if that quote was 100% true, why would you repeat it? Anyone can see that comparing a wedding to Mandela being released from decades in prison was insane and only going to cause her problems. And if you really were a humble, regular person then you wouldn't *want* to compare it. She's her own worst enemy.

I assume if there's any truth to the quote then someone said that they went to a party for her wedding and people danced around and enjoyed themselves.

But it's not like she didn't outright lie about other things in both the podcast episodes and interview so...

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Beatrice and Eugenie got university degrees. And Louise is starting her university course this year. I believe James will go to university too, but it's too early to say.

Frankly I'd be surprised if Louis and Charlotte didn't go to university unless Louis, like Andrew and Harry, chooses a military career. It is a shame that, in the UK, an officer's training in the Army still does not involve getting a Bachelor's degree simultaneously as in other countries.

HRHHermione was discussing 'working in academia', not just studying. Has there been any British royal who got an earend doctorate (PhD) - so not just an honorary one - and started working as an academic?

And indeed, it can be a fulfilling career for those who wish to stay in the academic world. And it could indeed be relatively easy to combine it with some royal activities. The Japanese royals are known for their interest in research.

[HRHHermione]

Originally Posted by Somebody

HRHHermione was discussing 'working in academia', not just studying. Has there been any British royal who got an earend doctorate (PhD) - so not just an honorary one - and started working as an academic?



And indeed, it can be a fulfilling career for those who wish to stay in the academic world. And it could indeed be relatively easy to combine it with some royal activities. The Japanese royals are known for their interest in research.

Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. I was trying to think of career paths that are distinguished, could allow for a flexible work schedule when needed, respected by the public and not the kind of thing where you’d be hitting constant conflicts of interest. That’s been the real struggle for people with royal titles who work- avoiding the appearance of impropriety.

[irish_royalist]

Is there anyone left who looks forward to what Meghan has to say, other than to ridicule her?
I sincerely doubt it!

[SirGyamfi1]

Originally Posted by sophie25

What would be the point in two American kids growing up as private citizens in America being a British Prince and Princess? They want them to be private but you just know H and M will kick up an almighty fuss and throw the 'r' word about if Charles rescinds those titles.

That’s their go to line anytime you rightfully criticize them and they use it as their excuse hence the royal family’s reluctance to seriously deal with them. How the BRF have a lot of patience for these two is beyond me.

[Kronprinz]

Originally Posted by sophie25

What would be the point in two American kids growing up as private citizens in America being a British Prince and Princess? They want them to be private but you just know H and M will kick up an almighty fuss and throw the 'r' word about if Charles rescinds those titles.

Because as private citizens in America it would eventually come down to what they are: nobodies. The royal connection must remain there and H&M will fight tooth and nail to have their children as Prince and Princess.

[Lemon Lyman]

I can’t remember who said it (one of the RR) but she has actually spent more time out of the royal family than as a full time working. She needs to talk about something else - their aims, plans, what they are doing now. Also letting her interviewees talk 🤪