The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family 11: 7 May - 31 Dec 2025

[TLLK]

I feel like every interview Meghan gives has a moment that is solid gold to satirists. It is uncanny.

This is my pick from this one:

“We’re in a grand brownstone on the Upper East Side that belongs to one of Meghan’s friends. When I enter, the house manager announces, “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,” even though we appear to be the only other two people in the house.”

I wholeheartedly agree.
After reading the latest article about Meghan, it just seems like a repeat of previous ones (Vanity Fair, The Cut, etc.. IMVHO. Much like the previous ones, this various author shares details of Meghan's childhood, high profile friends are there to praise her, how she's "redefining" herself...again and of course "H's" love for her. At this point, I just pity Meghan's obvious need to require these types of articles aimed at bolstering her reputation..again.

Having read this latest one, I can't help but remember another woman, who over six decades ago, married an Army officer that just happened to be royal Duke. Like Meghan, she certainly had her share of struggles with aspects of royal life. However, unlike Meghan, IMVHO the late Duchess of Kent truly lived a life of service to others. Most notably by retiring her royal style and title to teach music to low income children in Hull in addition to supporting her many patronages and charities.

 

[Erin9]

The photos in the article are the most unflattering photos of Meghan that I've ever seen, especially the one of her in the black jacket over the pants. I wouldn't have thought it was possible to get such bad shots.

Agreed. Meghan is a pretty woman. The photos were very unflattering. The cover photo alone shocked me; it was just so bad. What were they thinking?

 

[Mirabel]

I feel like every interview Meghan gives has a moment that is solid gold to satirists. It is uncanny.

It all seems to be bordering on parody at this point.

 

[Erin9]

"And actually I find it quite sad that when Meghan is being interviewed she emphasises the love and support Harry gives to her but very very rarely does she state how much she loves and supports him. And I do think and hope she loves him."

That's exactly what irritated me; it sounds very selfish.

Meghan strikes me as very self centered in general. So I’m not surprised that she talks about how he loves and supports her, but not the other way around.

My general feeling is almost everything revolves around what Meghan wants. It’s partly why they’ve struggled business wise since leaving the BRF.

 

[Hallo girl]

That sounds like something the journalist wrote, HRHHermoine.

And actually I find it quite sad that when Meghan is being interviewed she emphasises the love and support Harry gives to her but very very rarely does she state how much she loves and supports him. And I do think and hope she loves him.

And surely, as Meghan is a genuinely beautiful woman if there are bad shots taken of her that is the fault of the photographer not the subject.

I hope she does too, as for the photographs, I thought Meghan had final say in everything. IMO they went for the natural look, but it didn't quite work out,

 

[Prinsara]

My take, skimming: They asked her if she wanted to be Betty or Veronica from her love of Archie comics when younger (thus somewhat confirming her princely son’s name).
“Oh, Betty, of course. She was so nice.”

She seems to have entirely forgotten a) Betty got periodically fed up with everything, too, and b) her unexpressed, completely obvious wish to be rich, catered-to, self-indulgent Veronica as well.

 

[Kronprinz]

Well, yeah, she holds her title high. But on the other hand: a friendly "You can call me Meg!" or "Harry" or "Wills" is problematic too: Where to use this? Everywhere? At any time? No, it is problematic!

And one can like it or not: Meg(han, Duchess of Sussex) was chosen by the Prince. It is her name now. Which she holds in honors.

Meghan looks like the type with whom you'll be walking on egg shells. She will be cheery, informal and overfamiliar when it suits her in order to sound nice.

Once you overstep the mark, though, she'll quickly remind you who she is.

No wonder she seems to have such a hard time maintaining friendships.

 

[taogg]

When I ask Meghan what she hopes her kids see when they see her working, she tells me, “I hope they see the value of being brave. They saw it when the jam was just a pot on the stove, bubbling. When you’re young,” she adds, ”I think you are a little bit more fearless. As we get older, we lose some of that.”

I get that she’s using her jam business as a way to teach her kids about bravery. If she were an ordinary person starting a business, trying to raise money from banks or pitch to investors, putting her only house on the line or still paying off a mortgage, that would definitely take courage. But she was already famous and wealthy when she started! Sure, starting a new business is hard and takes perseverance, whether you’re rich or not, but being famous already gives her a huge advantage. It’s kind of like Bill Gates teaching his kids about bravery because he started a jam business.

Honestly, wouldn’t something like Megxit make more sense as an example of bravery than a pot of jam?

After reading the latest article about Meghan, it just seems like a repeat of previous ones

That’s exactly how I feel. It feels like I’ve read a lot, but learned nothing.

 

[GondorHasNoPants]

I see they managed to include another mention of the Procter & Gamble dish soap story. A brief mention, admittedly...

I notice the magazine cover says 'The Art Issue'. Does that mean anything?

 

[Kenya]

Unfortunately for "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex," California license plates do not have the required space. The best she she could do would be "MEGDOS1" or something similar.

Maybe "DSSOS" ike she got embroidered on her Chanel bag. Or "DSSOS519".

 

[hereditarytitles]

Maybe "DSSOS" ike she got embroidered on her Chanel bag. Or "DSSOS519".

Excuse my question, but what does DSSOS or DSSOS519 mean?

 

[soapstar]

This is another part of the article was quite telling.

I’ve followed Meghan underneath the iconic green-and-white-striped awning of the entryway and through the cream-carpeted lobby and outdoors onto the patio, where a live piano player’s notes accompany our procession. Long the see-and-be-seen spot for Hollywood dealmaking and politicking, it is a calculated choice as the site for my first interview with Meghan. We are ushered to a circular table in the corner of the garden, a prime seat where we can see the other diners and they can see the three of us. (The Sussexes’ chief communications officer sits between us.)

Harry has talked a lot about his struggles with paparazzi attention and living his life in the spotlight, yet Meghan seems to enjoy and seek it out.

 

[Somebody]

Excuse my question, but what does DSSOS or DSSOS519 mean?

DssoS = Duchess of Sussex
519 = May 19 (their wedding date)

 

[hereditarytitles]

DssoS = Duchess of Sussex
519 = May 19 (their wedding date)

Thank you!

 

[Alisa]

It's very brave to be on the cover of a major US magazine without a stitch of makeup. Still she looked beautiful!
I loved all the photos except the trench coat and black skirt outfit. I felt it made her look wider than she really is and gave her linebacker shoulders.
The black outfit was super elegant and chic!

 

[taogg]

It's very brave to be on the cover of a major US magazine without a stitch of makeup. Still she looked beautiful!
I loved all the photos except the trench coat and black skirt outfit. I felt it made her look wider than she really is and gave her linebacker shoulders.
The black outfit was super elegant and chic!

Of course she is wearing makeup for the Harper photoshoot. It is a “no makeup” look, not truly no makeup. Just look at her eyebrows, eyelids, lips, and probably a light base with a bit of shading. And honestly, that pseudo bare or nude style really suits this photoshoot. With Harper’s or any similar fashion magazine, it is hard to go wrong with the styling.

The article says she wore very little or no makeup during the interview (not the photoshoot), so I will give her the benefit of the doubt on that part.

 

[caethi]

Well, if the media printed news about the cap as clickbait then they must have knowledge that people would read the stories and react accordingly. That doesn’t accord with a complete lack of interest to me.

Incidentally, (I follow polling in Commonwealth countries) and younger Canadians, like younger people elsewhere in Britain and the Commonwealth, don’t appear to care too much about the concept of the British monarchy as a whole either. So what that says is up to the reader I suppose.

I said that there aren't too many people in Canada who care what Harry does, end of story.

 

[Curryong]

End of story? Well, the last popularity poll taken in Canada on RF members, working and non working, showed Harry at 46%, a not inconsequential number, so those Canadians probably care.

A royal revival? Canadians warming to the monarchy again, Ipsos poll finds - National | Globalnews.ca

The poll by Ipsos exclusively for Global News found that 66 per cent of respondents believe Canada’s relationship with the monarchy is useful and helps set us apart from the U.S.

globalnews.ca

 

[Asteria12]

The photographs in the Harper's magazine were taken by Malik Bodian who has a very specific style (unsmiling, languorous, staring straight at camera etc). My guess is that Meghan particularly wanted to project this image and may have specifically chosen him. In my humble opinion, his photos of the actress Zoe Saldana look far more glamorous and interesting while in the same style. I think Meghan just doesn't have the right facial features to pull off this look, she's far more attractive when smiling.

 

[Hallo girl]

End of story? Well, the last popularity poll taken in Canada on RF members, working and non working, showed Harry at 46%, a not inconsequential number, so those Canadians probably care.

A royal revival? Canadians warming to the monarchy again, Ipsos poll finds - National | Globalnews.ca

The poll by Ipsos exclusively for Global News found that 66 per cent of respondents believe Canada’s relationship with the monarchy is useful and helps set us apart from the U.S.

globalnews.ca

Where would we be without the polls.

 

[yukari]

One last thought on her interview. If she aims for "authenticity", she should not forget the trumpetter next time.

End of story? Well, the last popularity poll taken in Canada on RF members, working and non working, showed Harry at 46%, a not inconsequential number, so those Canadians probably care.

A royal revival? Canadians warming to the monarchy again, Ipsos poll finds - National | Globalnews.ca

The poll by Ipsos exclusively for Global News found that 66 per cent of respondents believe Canada’s relationship with the monarchy is useful and helps set us apart from the U.S.

globalnews.ca

Is there newer poll? The article is from May, I wonder if maybe his last remembrance tour would increase his popularity in Canada.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Properly conducted polls are indeed the most reliable measure of public opinion.

I believe this is the Canadian Ipsos poll from May discussed above.

With King Set to Open Parliament, Pro-monarchy Sentiment Rises as Canadians Say It Differentiates Canada from U.S.

Generational divides and shifting attitudes show the monarchy gaining ground - but challenges remain, especially in Quebec.

www.ipsos.com

 

[Somebody]

One last thought on her interview. If she aims for "authenticity", she should not forget the trumpetter next time.

Is there newer poll? The article is from May, I wonder if maybe his last remembrance tour would increase his popularity in Canada.

I doubt it. He didn't get any attention on this side of the country... Probably only some local news?!

And I am not even sure that people would appreciate him pretending to still have some official role.

 

[pieve]

That sounds like something the journalist wrote, HRHHermoine.

And actually I find it quite sad that when Meghan is being interviewed she emphasises the love and support Harry gives to her but very very rarely does she state how much she loves and supports him. And I do think and hope she loves him.

And surely, as Meghan is a genuinely beautiful woman if there are bad shots taken of her that is the fault of the photographer not the subject.

It is indeed quite troubling that Meghan made such remarks, claiming that her husband loves her without expressing her own feelings.

Moreover, this isn't the first time. During her appearance on her friend Jamie Kern Lima's podcast on April 27th, she stated, "This man loves me so much. Look at what we've built," referring to their two children.

I'm also surprised that her latest photos, published in Harper's, are not at all flattering.

“We’re in a grand brownstone on the Upper East Side that belongs to one of Meghan’s friends. When I enter, the house manager announces, “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,” even though we appear to be the only other two people in the house.”

This highlights, if there was any doubt, Meghan's total reliance on her husband's titles. Reminds me of her sending personalised gifts to friends, signed as "HRH The Duchess of Sussex" - Her connection to royalty is all she has.

I wonder if this person had to curtsy to him.

End of story? Well, the last popularity poll taken in Canada on RF members, working and non working, showed Harry at 46%, a not inconsequential number, so those Canadians probably care.

A royal revival? Canadians warming to the monarchy again, Ipsos poll finds - National | Globalnews.ca

The poll by Ipsos exclusively for Global News found that 66 per cent of respondents believe Canada’s relationship with the monarchy is useful and helps set us apart from the U.S.

globalnews.ca

However, there seems to be a contradiction between the graph, where Prince Harry enjoys a 46% approval rating, and the article's text, which states that while interest in the royal family has been renewed, this is not the case for all its members.

Here's what it says: "The popularity of other members of the royal family has stagnated or even declined. Camilla, the Queen Consort, saw her popularity drop by one point, as did Prince Harry, while Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, lost two points."

 

[An Ard Ri]

Journalist Kaitlyn Greenidge revealed the Duchess of Sussex's practice of telling staff to announce her to guests as "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex".
Ms Greenidge recalls 'We're in a grand brownstone on the Upper East Side that belongs to one of Meghan's friends.
'When I enter, the house manager announces, "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex", even though we appear to be the only other people in the house.'
What Meghan's announcements in her pseudo-Royal court get wrong

 

[Kronprinz]

Journalist Kaitlyn Greenidge revealed the Duchess of Sussex's practice of telling staff to announce her to guests as "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex".
Ms Greenidge recalls 'We're in a grand brownstone on the Upper East Side that belongs to one of Meghan's friends.
'When I enter, the house manager announces, "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex", even though we appear to be the only other people in the house.'
What Meghan's announcements in her pseudo-Royal court get wrong

I'm getting visions of footmen in powdered wigs announcing their Royal Highnesses arrival as they come down to dinner in the Palace of Montecito.

 

[Curryong]

I don’t think that would be so as far as Harry is concerned. Diana brought her boys up to be totally unpretentious, plus Harry lived in that tiny KP cottage and was seen regularly at Tescos and Boots in Kensington High St doing his shopping.

 

[Marengo]

You are right, to any onlooker it seemed he was all fine with these things at the time and seemed to have the healthy outlook of not putting too much value on titles, outward signs of status and such. But the last years he is saying the opposite I think? Didn't he make a comment on buying sweaters in discount recently -rather sensible as we overpay so much I would say, but apparently he did not like it, or so he said now. And in Spare about Ikea furniture and other things. Nottingham cottage as opposed to the apartment of William and Catherine and he now lives in a Hollywood villa which in size puts some small palaces to shame.

This [public] focus on these matters seems something of recent years. I am not sure he ever even commented on the titles of his children either. It is sad he went this way. I have an uncle who claims he was disadvantaged by my grandparents in relation to his siblings -something the siblings catagorically see differently. In his case his wife/ my aunt certainly did not help. Once you go down a rabbit hole, it is difficult to get out and what you see there may become truth in your mind.

 

[hereditarytitles]

I don't recognize the “old” Harry either. He has changed his views on some things. Wives often have a strong influence on their husbands, it seems he has adopted some of his wife's views and lifestyle.

 

[Hallo girl]

I don’t think that would be so as far as Harry is concerned. Diana brought her boys up to be totally unpretentious, plus Harry lived in that tiny KP cottage and was seen regularly at Tescos and Boots in Kensington High St doing his shopping.

Then he complained about the size of the cottage and the furniture, yet he knew all single royals, as well as newly wed couples use these as starter homes that joe bloggs would be delighted with, but not good enough for them.