The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 8: April - August 2023

Muhler said:

It's a very good point!
Being the boss sure comes with challenges.

I suspect that to be a general problem for Harry.
He has after all lived a very sheltered life without having to care about a lot of practical problems that most other people have to deal with.

Any maintenance problems he had were fixed, he just had to point it out and it was fixed.
No hiring someone to do it, comparing prices or hiring and checking a caretaker to look after such details.
He never had a problem with housing, looking for a home, talking to the bank, checking buildings reports etc.
He could trust those who made investments for him, but now...?
Insurances. He never had to worry about that either.
So many countless little things in his life.

Now that he has "freedom" it also means that he basically overnight has had to deal with a multitude of problems he never cared about before. Making a lot of decisions he has never dealt with before. Checking up on a lot of things he has never thought about before. Having to learn about a lot of things he never knew about.
I think Harry must sometimes be pretty confused, even overwhelmed.
- That in contrast to William who is being trained to be the boss, the chief administrator of "The Firm" he is and has to deal with such issues.

I know, Harry has his wife and his mother-in-law, but they can't be experts in everything.
Normally you would also rely on trusted friends or other family members to help and advise you, but H&M are short of trusted friends and family.

And the sharks are circling...

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These are excellent points! Prior to leaving his former role, Harry has not had to deal with “adulting,” all the decisions that adults have to make. He has always had staff take care of the minutiae of his life, the well oiled machine of the Firm.
Now he’s out in the world, undoubtedly bewildered by a lot of this. Meghan and Doria certainly have experience but not with this high level of security and PR needs.
My own young adult daughters are learning about how health insurance, mortgages, and savings work - no one is born knowing this stuff and it takes time to learn and understand.
The sharks are circling indeed…

He certainly cannot get security paid by the British tax payer, and I doubt if Charles is going to shell out for him.. so this little piece of nonsense will do him no good

Two articles from the NYTIMES which are relevant - sorry that I can’t shorten the link on my device one is about privacy and publicity; the other is about the photographers.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/...ytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/19/...ytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare


Do read the comments after the second article

Wow Elenath, you post.... "MOST OF YOU ARE STUCK IN A BUBBLE on this forum and with every article that's posted and every comment made YOU MAKE IT WORSE. "
How disrespectful to fellow Posters and The Moderators.

The Moderators have rules in place regarding what can be posted. And what Articles will be acceptable. I myself have had *some* comments deleted, that were speculation or (inadvertently) brought up past history - actions of The Sussex's, WHICH IS NOT ALLOWED.

Personally, I really enjoy reading the different perspectives and I learn a lot here too. I certainly don't feel I'm stuck "in a bubble" either. I'm pretty well read and informed on British Royal History and the larger than life personalities of "The Royals". From King Edward 1" Longshanks " to Henry Vlll, to Queen Victoria. To the present day.

I leave you with my thoughts though. Harry and Meghan have waged a VERY nasty and public campaign against The Royal Family and the Institution of the British Monarchy since they were DENIED their proposed "Half In-Half Out" Working Model.

To demean The UK Royal Family as "out of touch" Elites and elevate The Sussex's as modernizing agents of change and influence. As "rival" Royals in preposterously, The United States. Hence their over the top usage of "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex" at every turn. Monetizing for millions, self aggrandizement of The Sussex's, for the relentless criticizing and slamming, of Harry's Family. Seemingly at every opportunity.

Even a cheerleader of the Couple, Oprah's bestie Gayle King, just summed up the "Car Chase" debacle on her TV show this week with this statement.
"It was a scary moment, BUT NOT AS SERIOUS AS HARRY AND MEGHAN SAID".

When friends and supporters are publicly calling out The Sussex's exaggerated Report of what happened in NY City, then its fair game for anybody.

I agree with you, Granada - so much of the time it seems like petty “sour grapes,” especially from Harry. They didn’t get HIHO - hence the ridiculous rival “court” they are trying to establish. Harry is so out of his depth.

You go, Granada! I agree with everything you said. They are two petulant brats who didn’t get their way, and will continue to throw very public, headline grabbing, money-making tantrums.

Royalist.in.NC said:

These are excellent points! Prior to leaving his former role, Harry has not had to deal with “adulting,” all the decisions that adults have to make. He has always had staff take care of the minutiae of his life, the well oiled machine of the Firm.
Now he’s out in the world, undoubtedly bewildered by a lot of this. Meghan and Doria certainly have experience but not with this high level of security and PR needs.
My own young adult daughters are learning about how health insurance, mortgages, and savings work - no one is born knowing this stuff and it takes time to learn and understand.
The sharks are circling indeed…

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What sharks? Noone is out to get them, they are rich people who should be able to pay for advisors and helpers to make their lives run smoothly.

Royalist.in.NC said:

These are excellent points! Prior to leaving his former role, Harry has not had to deal with “adulting,” all the decisions that adults have to make. He has always had staff take care of the minutiae of his life, the well oiled machine of the Firm.
Now he’s out in the world, undoubtedly bewildered by a lot of this. Meghan and Doria certainly have experience but not with this high level of security and PR needs.
My own young adult daughters are learning about how health insurance, mortgages, and savings work - no one is born knowing this stuff and it takes time to learn and understand.
The sharks are circling indeed…

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Basically he's had to grow up, and he's struggling with the process. I sympathise; it took me a very long time, without his privileges but to be fair without the downsides either -everyone faces their own unique advantages and challenges.

One of his biggest problems IMO is that he only sees what he wants to see, and reacts accordingly - e.g. he didn't get the smaller bedroom because he was the "spare", it's because he was the younger brother, and that happens in homes everywhere, but he can't or won't see it that way. Instead of playing for sympathy he could have just said, "Willy got the bigger room because he's the eldest; a bit of a drag but fair enough I suppose" but instead he had to turn it into a big thing: I'm the spare, I'm the Plan B, etc. He didn't stop to think that he was lucky to have his own room to start with (I had to share with my sister and loathed it!) and here in the UK there are whole families living in hotel rooms because they've lost their homes (in Cornwall, down here in the south west, it's a serious problem).

He only sees the world in relation to himself; he either can't or refuses to see the bigger picture, and especially these days, that for every action there's a reaction etc.

And yes, the sharks are circling, and unfortunately H&M keep attracting their attention.

Not here mind; here we're more like friendly and concerned dolphins

sorry but what sharks? The British press do not like him, but they are hardly trying to harm him, are they? Eventually they will get bored with writing negative stories about him. He is in the US and they are not livng outside his house, trying to hurt him in any way

shady lady said:

Basically he's had to grow up, and he's struggling with the process. I sympathise; it took me a very long time, without his privileges but to be fair without the downsides either -everyone faces their own unique advantages and challenges.

One of his biggest problems IMO is that he only sees what he wants to see, and reacts accordingly - e.g. he didn't get the smaller bedroom because he was the "spare", it's because he was the younger brother, and that happens in homes everywhere, but he can't or won't see it that way. Instead of playing for sympathy he could have just said, "Willy got the bigger room because he's the eldest; a bit of a drag but fair enough I suppose" but instead he had to turn it into a big thing: I'm the spare, I'm the Plan B, etc. He didn't stop to think that he was lucky to have his own room to start with (I had to share with my sister and loathed it!) and here in the UK there are whole families living in hotel rooms because they've lost their homes (in Cornwall, down here in the south west, it's a serious problem).

He only sees the world in relation to himself; he either can't or refuses to see the bigger picture, and especially these days, that for every action there's a reaction etc.

And yes, the sharks are circling, and unfortunately H&M keep attracting their attention.

Not here mind; here we're more like friendly and concerned dolphins

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I agree, I think what Harry need, first and foremost, is to grow up, but he can't do that if many people and his staunch defenders are always making excuses and keep infantilising him. He is a 38-year-old man who is now a husband and a father, he isn't a 12-year-old boy who walked behind Diana's coffin anymore.

What does he want? He goes on about wanting privacy, but gives interviews and publishes books which include very intimate details of his life. And attends a high profile awards event in New York City and then complains about being photographed. As one of the commenters on the NYT article said, much bigger celebrities than the Sussexes, and heads of state visiting the UN, seem to manage perfectly well without any of this drama.

Harrey said himself that he gets upset when he hears cameras whirring. Perahps it sends him off to driving away from their cars, rushing towards police stations and taxis and generally acting up

What really puzzles me is why there is still so much attention from the papparazi on Harry and Meghan. They are minor royals now who are estranged from the main British royal family and have no public role. Is it because Harry is Diana's son?

I guess Harry and Meghan are still very good at keeping up the status of their brand.

I think it's because they keep stoking controversy with their nasty comments about the Royal Family, which presumably they do to get attention.

Mbruno said:

What really puzzles me is why there is still so much attention from the papparazi on Harry and Meghan. They are minor royals now who are estranged from the main British royal family and have no public role. Is it because Harry is Diana's son?

I guess Harry and Meghan are still very good at keeping up the status of their brand.

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Harry and Meghan get the clicks on the news and tabloid websites, so photos of them are in demand. An angry expression or a wardrobe malfunction can make thousands for a pap.

As far as The Big Chase, I think their security people dropped the ball. I've seen plenty of motorcades in that part of Manhattan over the years I worked on 57 St. and they move smoothly through traffic despite photographers. I can't believe they got stuck behind a garbage truck.

Mbruno said:

What really puzzles me is why there is still so much attention from the papparazi on Harry and Meghan. They are minor royals now who are estranged from the main British royal family and have no public role. Is it because Harry is Diana's son?

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Because scandals sells very well all arround the world. Moves lots of money. They are exactly like the Kardashians or Paris Hilton, they haven't any talent so they're living by making scandals. They are irrelevant without them.

Real artist don't need this kind of propaganda, or better said, attention.

But where are all the pics from this pap chase? I've only seen a couple from the taxi, where they're wearing no seat belts, looking perfectly relaxed.

This is the article I was referencing earlier

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/en...ss-diana-car-chase_n_6467bc96e4b0ab2b97e75407

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If this is truly how he feels and not just manipulation then he really does need to seek effectively therapy immediately. And anyone engaged in encouraging this view point should desist. IF all or some of it is attempted manipulation by at least someone involved then I have no words.

Harry is a public figure, whether he likes it or not. No matter what he does, he will always be either the son of King Charles or the only brother of King William.

What he needs to do is decide whether to stay in the spotlight by going to awards galas or on book tours, inevitably placing him in the proximity of the press he hates, or he retreats to a quiet life with his wife and children where interest in him will fade over time. Several European royals live/have lived in the US with little fanfare, but they don't go looking for it either, which helps.

As with life as a full time working royal, Harry can't be HIHO as a public figure. As long as he and Meghan want to consider themselves activists and influencers, then they need to accept all aspects of that lifestyle, which includes the paparazzi.

The British PM, Rishi Sunak, was asked at the G7 summit for comment after the ' car chase'. His response was ' cars in New York are not my priority. '

To be fair he had to be careful as any comments re concern/ support/ , whatever he said would have been inappropriate considering the Prince is suing the government, or at least has a case against his government, not sure if it is actually suing to be honest.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 8: Apr. 2023 -

Leopoldine said:

Harry and Meghan get the clicks on the news and tabloid websites, so photos of them are in demand. An angry expression or a wardrobe malfunction can make thousands for a pap.



As far as The Big Chase, I think their security people dropped the ball. I've seen plenty of motorcades in that part of Manhattan over the years I worked on 57 St. and they move smoothly through traffic despite photographers. I can't believe they got stuck behind a garbage truck.

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Apparently their security includes someone who was part of Barack Obama’s secret service detail. I don’t think their security was the problem. The Sussexes probably ignored what advice they were given.

Similar to the statement they put out. No competent professional would have advised that statement. They probably would have advised just shutting up period. No statement was necessary. No one knew anything happened.

Harry and Meghan are controversial. That is what really drives the attention. I think being Diana’s son plays a part. But the larger issue now is they have spent the better part of 3 plus years being best known for complaining about something. This incident will only exacerbate that. They sure aren’t best known for their philanthropy or other accomplishments.

The also continue to CHOOSE to live public lives. They didn’t have to attend that minor awards ceremony.

Denville said:

sorry but what sharks? The British press do not like him, but they are hardly trying to harm him, are they? Eventually they will get bored with writing negative stories about him. He is in the US and they are not livng outside his house, trying to hurt him in any way

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Sharks are attracted to money.
H&M have money.
I should be extremely surprised if they will not be taken advantage of at some point, if they haven't already.
That's everything from overcharging H&M for services to downright swindling them. I'm also sure there are lots of goldmines on Svalbard in need of an investor...
Hollywood is full of stories about leeches and people who fleece vulnerable people for vast sums. H&M are vulnerable.
So the sharks are circling.

Heavs said:

This is the article I was referencing earlier


If this is truly how he feels and not just manipulation then he really does need to seek effectively therapy immediately. And anyone engaged in encouraging this view point should desist. IF all or some of it is attempted manipulation by at least someone involved then I have no words.

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His mother's death again-again!

This is getting way beyond the point where the death of his mother is no longer a cause for his issues, but an excuse.

Many years ago I was teamed up with a guy in his late 40s who was an alcoholic. A really nice co-worker, but an alcoholic.
He confided to me one day that the reason he drank was that he lost his daughter when she was around 10-12 or so.
I thought that was terrible and felt sorry for him and I could well understand why he drank.
Some time later I spoke with another group of co-workers my age, that he confided the same thing to them. But they believed the death of the daughter was an excuse for drinking.
I thought that was a pretty heartless thing to believe.
But later on I realized they were probably right and that he was probably an alcoholic before the death of his daughter. - Still felt sorry for him though.
A few years later I learned he ended up getting fired from the job he had for many years, because of his drinking. I guess his life went down the drain from there.

So yes, Harry undoubtedly has some sort of trauma from the death of his mother. It would be very odd if he hadn't!
But he has had counseling, a family around him to support him, to the best of their abilities. A close relationship with his brother and sister-in-law. No doubt a great uncle to his oldest nephew at least (it's an open question as to how well Charlotte know him). A wife and children of his own. And he is or should be a mature man, able to reflect on things and see beyond the tip of his nose.

He has also admitted to using drugs, still is apparently. He has displayed a behavior, even written a book about his behavior, that at least to me leaves the impression of Harry being a not particular likable man.

I guess that he deep down knows that yes, he has money, he has fame, he has a wife, he has children, but despite that his life is pretty much a mess.
I simply cannot believe that this estrangement to his family, friends, his royal status, even his country is something he is happy about.
And as Harry has a habit of blaming everybody else the logic conclusion is that the death of his mother is the core-cause for all this. - The ultimate ain't-my-fault.

Sorry I still dont see these sharks. No evidence that there are people who are trying to get them or over charge them or anything like that.

Mbruno said:

What really puzzles me is why there is still so much attention from the papparazi on Harry and Meghan. They are minor royals now who are estranged from the main British royal family and have no public role. Is it because Harry is Diana's son?

I guess Harry and Meghan are still very good at keeping up the status of their brand.

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Meghan and Harry have new PR representatives, WME, which is a big name in talent/entertainment and media.

Erin9 said:

Apparently their security includes someone who was part of Barack Obama’s secret service detail. I don’t think their security was the problem. The Sussexes probably ignored what advice they were given.

Similar to the statement they put out. No competent professional would have advised that statement. They probably would have advised just shutting up period. No statement was necessary. No one knew anything happened.

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And this, really, seems to have become the recurring theme with the Sussexes, IMO - they know better than the professionals they've hired or who have been assigned to work for them. In retrospect, it seems pretty apparent that they've believed they know how to handle the press better than their advisers at Kensington Palace, and then at Buckingham Palace, and then at Sunshine Sachs... It wouldn't surprise me in the least to hear, years from now, that they disregarded whatever advice/direction their security staff gave them that night.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink is the old proverb that springs to mind when discussing the Sussexes.

shady lady said:

… I hope they also take the time to reflect honestly upon the many mistakes they have made, and somehow find the strength of character to become better people.

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Not a bad suggestion for all of us as we dine tonight.

kimebear said:

Harry is a public figure, whether he likes it or not. No matter what he does, he will always be either the son of King Charles or the only brother of King William.

What he needs to do is decide whether to stay in the spotlight by going to awards galas or on book tours, inevitably placing him in the proximity of the press he hates, or he retreats to a quiet life with his wife and children where interest in him will fade over time. Several European royals live/have lived in the US with little fanfare, but they don't go looking for it either, which helps.

As with life as a full time working royal, Harry can't be HIHO as a public figure. As long as he and Meghan want to consider themselves activists and influencers, then they need to accept all aspects of that lifestyle, which includes the paparazzi.

Click to expand...

I think you hit the nail on the head. If you’re a reasonably well known figure and self promotion is part of your job then sometimes you’re going to have paparazzi taking pictures of you. You don’t actually have to be very famous to have these sorts of photos taken occasionally in the US, I guess because the entertainment market is huge and the laws aren’t as stringent as in some other countries. And if you give advance notice that you’re showing up to accept some sort of award you can guarantee there will be photographers around.

Like others have said, people much more famous and influential than Meghan and Harry manage these sorts of situations without any “near catastrophic” events of any sort. The Sussexes need to debrief with their team to figure out how things went wrong and what they’re going to do differently next time.

Hallo girl said:

The British PM, Rishi Sunak, was asked at the G7 summit for comment after the ' car chase'. His response was ' cars in New York are not my priority. '

To be fair he had to be careful as any comments re concern/ support/ , whatever he said would have been inappropriate considering the Prince is suing the government, or at least has a case against his government, not sure if it is actually suing to be honest.

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That is unbelievable. He's attending a summit of international leaders to discuss the cost of living crisis, the war in Ukraine and other matters affecting the entire world, and the press are mithering him about Harry's fake car chase. Do they think he has nothing better to worry about?!

Alison H said:

That is unbelievable. He's attending a summit of international leaders to discuss the cost of living crisis, the war in Ukraine and other matters affecting the entire world, and the press are mithering him about Harry's fake car chase. Do they think he has nothing better to worry about?!

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He made it clear he had other priorities, he didn't actually say their names.

The Sussexes have been to NY several times in the past three years, and have been able to move about comfortably between their events and their hotel with no trouble at all. Paps and others were able to take photos of them dining and attending award shows and other events. If they are such publicity hounds why didn’t anything happen then?


I think what has to be asked is what happened this time. Have security personnel been changed in any way in the past few months? Were the security drivers and others panicking in any way, driving carelessly or on to sidewalks as has been claimed by some onlookers? Did paps really crowd them in as some have said. I read that Thomas Buda, who runs a private security company contracted to work with Meghan and Harry, told CNN that the chase was likely an attempt to figure out the location where the couple are staying. If paparazzi were able to find their location, they could be able to stake them out for more valuable pictures later on.

I really don’t think that going to default position all the time and blaming the Sussexes for everything that occurred at this most recent evening event is helpful, if it turns out that new and maybe inexperienced members of their security did the wrong thing. If I were Harry and Meghan I would sit down with my team, debrief, get everyone’s take on it, and then perhaps decide on changes if they ware needed.