The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 10: August 2024 -


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Harry’s surname is Mountbatten Windsor, nothing complicated.

In fairness to the numerous people here and elsewhere who assume it is complicated, most hail from the United States or another country where surname customs are extremely simple. Most Americans, for example, have a single, one-word surname which is used regardless of context. For example, prior to marriage, Meghan Markle would have used "Markle" and only "Markle" as her surname everywhere: on legal documents, on bank accounts, on her resume, on her social media, while being introduced by a mutual friend at a party, etc.

The longstanding custom that British princes/princesses and British peers/peeresses usually are referred to without a surname (for example, as "HRH The Prince of Wales" or "His Royal Highness The Prince William Arthur Philip Louis The Prince of Wales") but in certain informal settings use the territorial designation from their title as an unofficial surname ("William Wales") and in certain legal papers use their legal surname ("William Arthur Philip Louis Mountbatten-Windsor") - and that none of this involves any changes to names or titles, but is merely a tradition of using different forms of identification in different contexts - is more complicated than the average person from many countries is accustomed to.
 
Netflix renewed Meghan’s show for season 2. It wrapped production in January and will be airing in the Fall.


It’s too bad they already filmed it, since I think the show needed some tweaking and could have benefited from some of the constructive criticism it received.
Agreed, I don’t really understand the strategy of two seasons on an unproven concept when there are often huge gaps in Netflix seasons even for incredibly popular and well-reviewed shows.
 
Another article about the renewal.

It wrapped production in January and will be airing in the Fall.

It’s too bad they already filmed it, since I think the show needed some tweaking and could have benefited from some of the constructive criticism it received.
I'm sure they can incorporate some constructive criticism in the production.
 
Another article about the renewal.

It wrapped production in January and will be airing in the Fall.

It’s too bad they already filmed it, since I think the show needed some tweaking and could have benefited from some of the constructive criticism it received.
Perhaps there will be some post production editing involved to address some of the points offered by constructive criticism.
 
A lot of the criticism was about how Meghan came off and her interactions with her guests, so that’s really not something you can fix in post-production. Nor can you really fix the format of the show. Those are all things you address before you film another season.

Agreed, I don’t really understand the strategy of two seasons on an unproven concept when there are often huge gaps in Netflix seasons even for incredibly popular and well-reviewed shows.
Yeah, it doesn’t really make sense. I’ve seen Netflix shows debut at number 1 and stay in the top 10 for weeks, yet not get renewed.

But I guess since Netflix paid them a lot of money, they’re invested in making the show work.
 
After reading all the reviews about the show I was expecting a terrible show. BUT after watching three
episodes I really liked them. It was entertaining, fun, and I actually LEARNED something (which I did not
expect to do) Glad that the show was renewed for a second season.
 
After reading all the reviews about the show I was expecting a terrible show. BUT after watching three
episodes I really liked them. It was entertaining, fun, and I actually LEARNED something (which I did not
expect to do) Glad that the show was renewed for a second season.
Also FWIW Ive seen just as much praise for the show (from real people) as I have criticism from the press/media/other real people. It's not for everyone (no show is) but it clearly is for many many people -- including me!
 
Agreed, I don’t really understand the strategy of two seasons on an unproven concept when there are often huge gaps in Netflix seasons even for incredibly popular and well-reviewed shows.
I’m not surprised for a number of reasons. First, since Netflix has partnered with As Ever to sell products—none of which were ready and on the market at the time Season 1 premiered—they still need an opportunity to promote the products on the show

Also, Netflix has paid her and Harry an exorbitant amount of money with only one bona fide hit to this point. It’s smart of them to make her do additional work under that contract before its expiration.

I agree, though, that it’s a shame production began and filming wrapped before they could course correct the problems media critics had with Season 1. But it seems the biggest problem critics had was the lack of relatability and Meghan’s perceived lack of authenticity, and without a personality transplant, I don’t think those things would be fixable, even if they started filming months from now.
 
I agree with the speculation that whole stilted conversation was left in as a warning shot to the RF not to strip them of their royal titles. By saying "its our family" Meghan is trying to make it even harder for the RF to strip them of the title (which I actually don't think the RF would ever try to do)
Why would that make it harder?
 
Also FWIW Ive seen just as much praise for the show (from real people) as I have criticism from the press/media/other real people. It's not for everyone (no show is) but it clearly is for many many people -- including me!
The audience ratings on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes say otherwise.
 
The audience ratings on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes say otherwise.
Wow, do they ever! IMDB gives it a 2.7/10 with 61% rating it at 1-2 as opposed to 32% at 10. Rotten Tomatoes says it is 72% rotten.

Agreed that Netflix is just trying to recoup money at this point. The personality transplant comment had me rolling.
 
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is a feminist and champion of human rights and gender equity.
This is a description from Meghan's official website. I thought feminists no longer take their husband's surname, whether it's Sussex or Mountbatten-Windsor
 
Wow, do they ever! IMDB gives it a 2.7/10 with 61% rating it at 1-2 as opposed to 32% at 10. Rotten Tomatoes says it is 72% rotten.

Agreed that Netflix is just trying to recoup money at this point. The personality transplant comment had me rolling.
You can find similar to movies that have been very successful and that many people enjoy.
 
Meghan SAYS she's a feminist, loudly and all the time. A lot of her behavior has never matched up with feminism of any kind though. She tends to take traditional routes for women to get ahead such as using her looks to be a girl on the Price is Right and then claiming feminism because she says (after profiting) that she was exploited, thus upsetting people on both sides of the aisle .

I'm not a feminist at all (anymore) but a lot of my friends are and I don't see a definite correlation between feminist beliefs and taking husbands last name. Some of the fiercest feminists I know took the traditional route here (as Hillary Clinton did). I was always a bit wishy washy, I did (and do) believe in equal pay for equal work but that's about it--and I hyphenated for a long time. It really depends. I like listening to people to hear their reasoning.
The rubber seems to hit the road a lot when it comes to the kids. I know a lot of women, including feminists who feel like Meghan does, that they want their whole family to share a name. I know feminists who hate their ex husband and keep his name because they want to have the same name as their children. It resonates I think with many women when Meghan talks about her 'little family ' and wanting to protect her children and keep the family close. Though I think one can make the case that she set up a lot of the situation that makes her feel embattled and protective, I don't think she necessarily realizes that. And one can understand why she'd feel embattled.
I won't be watching her show -I didn't even watch Martha Stewart though I love to cook, make jam, embroider, house keep but I'm glad it will have a second season and I do hope it does well. That would be the best thing for her, Harry the kids -- and the royal family, for her to have some success and attention for something other than taking wardrobe changing tours, putting uninteresting opinions out there and whinging.
 
I was glad to wake up this morning to news that Meghan’s series has been renewed for a second season. Good on Netflix for not caving in to a lot of backlash. Everyone and their dog was having a go during the last three days, but it didn’t succeed in stopping Meghan or this series.

I want this series to succeed. It’s best for everyone and everything when it does. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if King Charles and other members of Harry’s family are fervently hoping for that too. Who knows, once all the negative hullabaloo fades there may well be a third series.
 
Meghan SAYS she's a feminist, loudly and all the time. A lot of her behavior has never matched up with feminism of any kind though. She tends to take traditional routes for women to get ahead such as using her looks to be a girl on the Price is Right and then claiming feminism because she says (after profiting) that she was exploited, thus upsetting people on both sides of the aisle .

I'm not a feminist at all (anymore) but a lot of my friends are and I don't see a definite correlation between feminist beliefs and taking husbands last name. Some of the fiercest feminists I know took the traditional route here (as Hillary Clinton did). I was always a bit wishy washy, I did (and do) believe in equal pay for equal work but that's about it--and I hyphenated for a long time. It really depends. I like listening to people to hear their reasoning.
The rubber seems to hit the road a lot when it comes to the kids. I know a lot of women, including feminists who feel like Meghan does, that they want their whole family to share a name. I know feminists who hate their ex husband and keep his name because they want to have the same name as their children. It resonates I think with many women when Meghan talks about her 'little family ' and wanting to protect her children and keep the family close. Though I think one can make the case that she set up a lot of the situation that makes her feel embattled and protective, I don't think she necessarily realizes that. And one can understand why she'd feel embattled.
I won't be watching her show -I didn't even watch Martha Stewart though I love to cook, make jam, embroider, house keep but I'm glad it will have a second season and I do hope it does well. That would be the best thing for her, Harry the kids -- and the royal family, for her to have some success and attention for something other than taking wardrobe changing tours, putting uninteresting opinions out there and whinging.
Hi Chen Bao Jun, nice to see you posting again.

IMO it's very clear she wants people to see her as a certain kind of person and genuinely cannot comprehend when many people understandably see her very differently (I suspect that applies to PH too).
 
I was glad to wake up this morning to news that Meghan’s series has been renewed for a second season. Good on Netflix for not caving in to a lot of backlash. Everyone and their dog was having a go during the last three days, but it didn’t succeed in stopping Meghan or this series.

I want this series to succeed. It’s best for everyone and everything when it does. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if King Charles and other members of Harry’s family are fervently hoping for that too. Who knows, once all the negative hullabaloo fades there may well be a third series.
Well as filming had already finished before the first season aired, there was no backlash for Netflix to cave to. Why would they not air something they have already paid for and finished making? What will be more relevant is if they renew the contract with Harry and Meghan and, if they do, what the terms will be. I doubt any deal will be as favorable to H&M second time around.
 
I was glad to wake up this morning to news that Meghan’s series has been renewed for a second season. Good on Netflix for not caving in to a lot of backlash. Everyone and their dog was having a go during the last three days, but it didn’t succeed in stopping Meghan or this series.

I want this series to succeed. It’s best for everyone and everything when it does. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if King Charles and other members of Harry’s family are fervently hoping for that too. Who knows, once all the negative hullabaloo fades there may well be a third series.
You have no idea how much we all want Meghan to succeed, I also hope she refrains from digs about the past. If she is serious about a new life , moving on etc she needs to show that she has.
 
You have no idea how much we all want Meghan to succeed, I also hope she refrains from digs about the past. If she is serious about a new life , moving on etc she needs to show that she has.
Indeed. It would be better to accept that she and PH have made mistakes and not expect instant unqualified adoration from everyone, then imply that "everyone" has it in for them when they don't get it.
 
I too am glad about her series being renewed It's an easy show. Every cooking program doesn't have to be a biology class. And, she is different than other cookery TV personalities and lifestyle mavens. I have no interest in GOOP. Ina and Martha are my favorites. On the other hand, Meghan's show isn't about rolling up your sleeves. It's glamorous.

I'm also glad about the renewal because it seems like she's getting beat up very badly in every media platform in the English-speaking world. Her lighthearted lifestyle show is getting worse press than Andrew's Emily Maitlis interview.
 
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The problem is that, as Somebody said, Meghan was still Rachel Meghan Markle on LIlibet's US birth certificate and Lilibet's surname was still Mountbatten-Windsor as was Archie's on his UK birth certificate. So all 3 are effectively changing their names now, based on a British rule that doesn't apply in the US.

Harry of course is in a different class. He only became the Duke of Sussex when he married, which was not so long ago, but he never had a family name and he was always Prince Harry in the public media, or Harry Wales in school and in the Army. It is really hard for him, as seen on his children's birth certificates, even more so on Lilibet's, which was issued in the US, to fit into the normal document format of Given Name(s) and Last Name (Surname). He could have taken up the last name Mountbatten-Windsor, which even Princess Anne used for example for her marriage certificate and is the family name the descendants in male line of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, except married female descendants, are instructed to use "when they need it", but he didn't do that.
Birth certificates in the US normally use the mother's birth name, even if she uses her husband's for everything else. I know that mine (1961- Iowa) and both of my children (1989 and 1991 - California) use the maiden names of my mother and myself, even though we both use(d) our husbands' names.
 
Birth certificates in the US normally use the mother's birth name, even if she uses her husband's for everything else. I know that mine (1961- Iowa) and both of my children (1989 and 1991 - California) use the maiden names of my mother and myself, even though we both use(d) our husbands' names.

I think the posters who have mentioned the California birth certificate may simply be making the point that Markle has been used as a legal surname.

But yes, the California birth certificate's cell headings in the rows for the parents' names were as follows:

NAME OF PARENT - FIRST
MIDDLE
LAST - BIRTH NAME

My guess is that these poorly laid out and confusing headings are supposed to mean "enter each parent's first name(s) at birth, middle name(s) at birth, and last name(s) at birth". If so, the Duchess filled it out correctly:

NAME OF PARENT - FIRST Rachel
MIDDLE Meghan
LAST - BIRTH NAME Markle​

However, the way the Duke's name was filled out is (I would argue) simply wrong, especially since "Duke of Sussex" was in no way part of his "birth name" (he only received this title upon marriage), even if one generously counts titles as part of a British royal's name.


NAME OF PARENT - FIRST The Duke of Sussex
MIDDLE -
LAST - BIRTH NAME His Royal Highness​

 
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