The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Commonwealth

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Oona

Hi there. This thread is about the Sussexes and the Commonwealth of Nations, so I'm wondering if we can take a moment to educate people like me who know virtually nothing about it. I'm guessing that Meghan's entry into the royal family and her position in the Trust are going to bring more people like me to these forums, so could an explanation of the Commonwealth perhaps be made a sticky for this thread?

I have been doing my due diligence and have begun reading up on it but I'm not sure I'm understanding clearly. I really want to, because I want to understand the Sussexes' effect on the Commonwealth and the charities under the umbrella of the Trust. (What I really want to watch is Meghan blossom into her role as a philanthropist and humanitarian, and Harry and Meghan continue to meld and anneal as a philanthropic, humanitarian couple.)

Here in the body of the thread, I'd be grateful if someone could help me understand why some people from Canada, Australia and New Zealand say they want to leave the Commonwealth. I was hearing things like this during the Sussexes' October tour. Since the Commonwealth doesn't restrict, govern or tax, I don't see a downside to membership in it.

I hope I'm not asking for anything superhuman. I'm too ignorant to know if I am.

Thanks for your question; as a Canadian I can tell you that the Commonwealth is something that most of us in this country take for granted and leaving the Commonwealth is certainly not an agenda item in this country. Our head of state is Queen Elizabeth, whom we share with the other Commonwealth countries and the Royal Family, now including the American-born Duchess of Sussex, are frequent and welcome visitors to Commonwealth countries around the world. Indeed, the Duke and Duchess will be celebrating Commonwealth Day March 11 by visiting Canada House in London! There are indeed some Commonwealth member countries that take exception to having their head of government resident thousands of miles away in London and who wonder about the sense in having a constitutional monarchy. Australia, I understand, is one of the more republican-leaning Commonwealth members. Scotland has also questioned the monarchy. The fact that both of these countries are still members of the Commonwealth speaks to the strength of the Monarchy and the esteem in which it is held. In Canada, we honour HM The Queen and her representative the Governor General, Her Excellency Mme Julie Payette.

[MaiaMia_53]

Thanks for your comments gerry. It's good to hear that most Commonwealth countries feel there are benefits to being part of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

At the start of the panel discussion I was interested in how the moderator introduced Adwoa, and then segued into introducing Meghan:

Adwoa Aboah recently had a Barbie doll issued with her likeness [in celebration of International Women's Day]: "Next to Adwoa is the Duchess, who will NOT be known as 'Barbie' for the rest of this session..."

The Duchess and Adwoa (who is mixed African & English aristocrat) have a somewhat similar look physically in that they share similar skin tones, delicate facial features, freckles, and generous hearts:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fas...h-barbie-doll/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adwoa_Aboah
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bul4URGnlfw/

Another thing I noticed during the panel discussion is that the moderator seemed to often come back to Meghan, so much so that Meghan at one point indicated she'd already addressed the importance of men to global feminism, and that others might have something to say. The moderator was very skillful in her job, yet she did seem to want to draw Meghan out on discussing something about race and about the prevalent attacks ongoing in the media against her.

I was particularly impressed by how Meghan was able to navigate the moderator's underlying intentions. Meghan deflected that probing by staying focused on the major threads of the discussion surrounding empowerment for women and girls. One of the panelists had brought up very briefly how being an immgrant and a woman of color had impacted her opportunities. When the moderator then questioned Meghan on the topic of race, I found Meghan to have such a deft way of addressing it at the same time she didn't address it head-on. Meghan acknowledged what she was being asked, but she then drew in the importance of talking about how empowering women impacts us all. So, Meghan stressed inclusiveness and joining together in her response, rather than focusing on the divisiveness that our society's false and often negative focus on race can give rise to.

Meghan was also quite skillful in not talking about anything too personal. She spoke more in broad terms, while lightly touching on specifics that tied together what they were talking about and why she was there. That is a real talent: the ability not to lose focus and not to get bogged down or distracted by tangential matters, and not to reveal too many personal details (aside from something light and humorous). Adwoa was also supportive in interjecting that Meghan did not read anything written about her. A couple of the other panelists chipped in too about the importance of not reading or focusing on negative commentary.

At first, I was critical in thinking Meghan does not want to engage or identify too fully with the issue of 'race.' But then I realized, it actually is a sidebar issue that is too often confused and as Meghan said, 'muddled.' Also, the fact is, Meghan has already written a lot about coming to grips with her heritage and her identity. She also spoke directly about her experiences with issues of 'race' on several occasions, including: a USA Network awareness campaign (there's a video still on Youtube "Meghan Markle: Characters Unite").

Also, when Meghan was asked in the engagement interview about negative attacks against her background in the media, she said it was "disheartening" and that she chose not to read anything negative or positive in the media about herself. She also said she's proud of who she is, and that she and Harry do not focus on 'differences,' but on their mutual passions. Therefore, she's already discussed 'race' and written about it, and there's apparently no need she sees at this point for her to dwell on that aspect of people's curiosity and/or negativity.

I only bring this up because I think it's such an admirable skill how Meghan is able to be genuinely engaged and attentive, while also remaining cool, calm and collected, at least visibly. Her acting training, her intelligence, and her compassion are such great assets. How well she conducted herself also speaks volumes to the fact of her work ethic and months of doing spot-on preparation and homework. These qualities are surely what has won the respect and admiration of Queen Elizabeth! In addition to the Queen seeing how happy Meghan has made her grandson.

[Lilyflo]

Interesting post & analysis of how Meghan's qualities shone through.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by MaiaMia_53

When the moderator then questioned Meghan on the topic of race, I found Meghan to have such a deft way of addressing it at the same time she didn't address it head-on. Meghan acknowledged what she was being asked, but she then drew in the importance of talking about how empowering women impacts us all. So, Meghan stressed inclusiveness and joining together in her response, rather than focusing on the divisiveness that our society's false and often negative focus on race can give rise to.

As I've not yet heard the entire panel discussion yet (going to see if YouTube has it CC'ed today), this post was a great read as to mood of the entire panel. The part I've quoted hit me right between the eyes. Our Meghan has some serious diplomatic skills and is able to, with a few words, deflect things back to the main issues being discussed.

[MARG]

And our Queen is not one to squander talent . . .

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

Daily Mail Article:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...Day-event.html

Did anyone else find Lord Geidt's welcome a bit creepy? I thought only "close" Family and friends did the double peck and bow or curtseys?

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

Daily Mail Article:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...Day-event.html

Oh, do you think Blott could have actually written about the forum instead of Meghan's dress, bump and whether or not Harry was a feminist.

Originally Posted by Dman

Congratulations, Your Royal Highness!

Abslolutely! The original post ended in nothing . . . once again trying to post on my phone.

[Osipi]

Very definitely overly familiar at a public event. The two of them may know each other very well in their private lives but it was a bit much at a public function and put the optics into public view for a whole lot of speculation.

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Osipi

Very definitely overly familiar at a public event. The two of them may know each other very well in their private lives but it was a bit much at a public function and put the optics into public view for a whole lot of speculation.

The Lord Geidt is former Principal Private Secretary to HM Queen Elizabeth II and now a trustee at the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, of which the Duchess has just recently been named vice president. In this way, their professional relationship would certainly warrant a peck on the cheek and the Duchess' American background lends itself to 'touchy-feelyness' in any case.

[Countessmeout]

Kissing on the cheek with someone who is barely known to you is not an American thing. In reality 'American' Meghan may need to adjust to that. Its one thing when you know the person well, Sir Geidt she doesn't.

Yes he worked with the queen for many years. And he may have a very close familiarity with her and other members. But he left the royal service before Meghan entered the picture. And this position with the trust is new to Meghan. It certainly is a level of familiarity that has not yet been made between Meghan and Sir Geidt.

[Ista]

We have zero idea of how well Lord Geidt and Meghan know each other. I am assuming since he did the double cheek kiss, and Meghan neither flinched nor seemed taken aback that they know each other well enough. Whether that was appropriate for a public engagement is another whole question.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by gerry

The Lord Geidt is former Principal Private Secretary to HM Queen Elizabeth II and now a trustee at the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, of which the Duchess has just recently been named vice president. In this way, their professional relationship would certainly warrant a peck on the cheek and the Duchess' American background lends itself to 'touchy-feelyness' in any case.

That statement is a fallacy. Some Americans come from cultures where they hug and kiss a lot--others come from backgrounds that are very reserved, not at all "touchy feely."

I imagine Lord Geidt and Meghan have developed a warm working relationship, hence the greeting.

[gerry]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

That statement is a fallacy. Some Americans come from cultures where they hug and kiss a lot--others come from backgrounds that are very reserved, not at all "touchy feely."

I imagine Lord Geidt and Meghan have developed a warm working relationship, hence the greeting.

Agree and thank you for the clarification.

[MARG]

I think they probably have a very professional relationship which, in my opinion, lends to a warm handshake. Personally, I believe he is staked his superior position.

Sir Christopher, as he was then, resigned from his post as HM PS, a very powerful position, when he came into conflict with both Prince Charles and Prince Andrew in relation to his behaviour. Both princes believed he had greatly overstepped his position doing an end run around both of them and calling a staff meeting of all staff from all royal residences.

He resigned when both princes vented their frustration in the chain of royal command. Neither saw Sir Christopher as being the means through which they accessed their own mother. She agreed. He resigned. She made him a Lord and a golden handshake I am sure.

Being over-demonstrative with Meghan on her first day as Vice President set the standard where he expects it to be. I wonder if Harry will agree. Either way, Meghan certainly didn't look like she was expecting it but as is her public persona, went with the flow.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

Kissing on the cheek with someone who is barely known to you is not an American thing. In reality 'American' Meghan may need to adjust to that. Its one thing when you know the person well, Sir Geidt she doesn't.

Yes he worked with the queen for many years. And he may have a very close familiarity with her and other members. But he left the royal service before Meghan entered the picture. And this position with the trust is new to Meghan. It certainly is a level of familiarity that has not yet been made between Meghan and Sir Geidt.

How would anyone know how well Meghan knows him?

[MaiaMia_53]

Yeah, Sir Christopher Geidt may indeed have been a bit over-familiar in his greeting. Maybe he was excited to see the Duchess of Sussex. I wonder how his greeting would have been had the Duke of Sussex also been present?

In general, he appears to be looking at Meghan with a great degree of admiration and respect. He was perhaps a bit over-effusive, but Meghan handled it with her usual grace and generosity, spending some moments conversing with Geidt and greeting the other gentleman with a handshake before they all entered the building. I was mostly moved to laughter hearing the audible groans and moans of the photogs, as they whined about the vehicle carrying the Duchess not coming close enough to where they could get a good shot of Meghan.

IMO, Daily Mail is as usual, trafficking in clickbait and playing on viewers' emotions by highlighting the greeting with a large video screen emblazoned on the page, and the 'kissing cheeks' moment is set on revolving instant replay. Of course, that invites the gaze of viewers to lean toward questioning the seeming familiarity that's smacking us in our faces. DF never fails to lead with salacious innuendo.

I don't know much about Geidt's relationship with the Queen aside from the fact that he served as her Private Secretary for 10 years (and he worked in the Royal Household for five years previous to that position, first as Assistant Private Secretary to HM and then as Deputy Private Secretary to HM). Even after Geidt was ousted from his ten-year position (due to a transitional power struggle), the Queen demonstrated her highest regard for Geidt by awarding him with a couple of knighthoods since leaving her employ (which appears to bring him to a total of 4 knighthoods, although another source only mentions 3).

IMO, in Geidt's current position as Chairman of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, he has surely met and probably worked/ consulted with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on more than one occasion. That kind of greeting to me suggests they have met before, on more than one occasion. It would definitely be surprising to me if the Sussexes haven't met and worked together with Geidt previously on matters pertaining to their roles with the Commonwealth.

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by ACO

How would anyone know how well Meghan knows him?

He isn't a family friend, or even a family employee. He left the firm before Meghan entered the picture. She may have had some limited contact with him with the foundation, but it is pretty hard to assume they have formed a close bond through it. Kissing on the cheeks, especially kissing a royal on the cheek, speaks to a level of familiarity higher then simply meeting a handful of times at foundation meetings.

No one of course knows for sure. But we are here to discus, and speculate, that is what we all are doing.

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by Osipi

Very definitely overly familiar at a public event. The two of them may know each other very well in their private lives but it was a bit much at a public function and put the optics into public view for a whole lot of speculation.

For me this was a stricing demonstration that Lord Geidt not only approves of the Duchess but actually is willing to put his whole influence in the establishment behind her. As a member of the House of Lords, triple knight and obviously a favorite of the queen (despite the struggle back then with Charles and Andrew) he surely has a lot of weight to offer when it comes to the opinion of the upper echelons in British society, those who are not influenced by the tabloids. Seeing one of society's leaders being fo really, really close and friendly with the "new Royal" in public sounds a bit as if HM had decided that it is time to show utmost support for Meghan. Vice-President of HM's Commonwealth Trust and greeted that way by the Trust's manager? Sounds like a public show to me to make clear how securely established the new Duchess is within Palace and Society circles. It was a very important signal in my reading and one that had the queen behind it. IMHO both HM and the PoW want the couple Harry/Meghan to succeed!

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Kataryn

IMHO both HM and the PoW want the couple Harry/Meghan to succeed!

Was there ever any real doubt in that?

Originally Posted by Kataryn

For me this was a stricing demonstration that Lord Geidt not only approves of the Duchess but actually is willing to put his whole influence in the establishment behind her.

Not sure how you managed to get to that contention. My sense is that Geidt is part of a group of courtiers (current and past) that are perhaps helping Meghan get to grips with the new role, and what it is that she can do to succeed in the role. Nothing more than that, IMO.

[tommy100]

Geidt spent years as the Queen's most trusted and senior aides which also made him the most senior aide to the rest of the RF. He will have been at private events as well as public events and office time, thats how the RF work. I don't think his greeting was inappropriate, after so long with the RF he knows what is and isn't appropriate.
I wonder if, after the furore of his leaving he maybe has been helping H&M behind the scenes, he was recently appointed to some honorary royal position by HM if I recall correctly. Andrew and Charles may have forced him out but HM hasn't got this far in her reign not knowing who she can trust and depend on.

[MaiaMia_53]

Yeah, once again, perhaps some people viewing the clip initially were not that familiar with Geidt and his highly distinguished background and service to crown and country. What I saw in the clip was an effusive greeting, but moreso a look of deep regard and admiration on Geidt's face as he spoke briefly with Meghan.

I would tend to agree with @Kataryn's post that Geidt certainly has prestige and influence within the corridors of British political power and the upperclass British establishment. For Geidt to be charmed by Meghan and to publicly demonstrate his regard is not a small thing. Kataryn takes that view a step further than I imagined, but I don't think Kataryn's speculation is without merit.

Also, the Duke of Sussex would know Geidt well, having had contact with him often over Geidt's 10 years serving as the Queen's Private Secretary.

And for all we know, H&M have had contact with Geidt in intimate social settings as well, such as dinner parties and the like. We are just not that much in-the-know about what goes on behind palace walls, let's face it!

[Osipi]

Over the years reading quite a few books on the monarchy and the royal family, the name Geldt is one I've encountered over and over again. There's no question as to this man's service to crown and country.

I also had the thought that if the "kissing cheeks" incident was purely spontaneous and spur of the moment between Geldt and Meghan, it puts in mind to me that perhaps the man is a bit like Harry and isn't afraid to show his emotions, react spontaneously and show what he's feeling. If he can greet Meghan so warmly, I have a feeling that this man's wife and children get a boatload of love and affection also.

I also agree that Harry probably knows the man quite well and Meghan and Harry both have probably met with him in relation to working with the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.