The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 7: Oct. 2022 - Apr. 2023

[Alisa]

I'd love to know what they're serving that costs 2,500 dollars per head!! Cake topped with gold leaf? The world's rarest truffles?

That's actually not bad. Alot of PAC funding galas charge alot more especially in an election year!

 

[Toledo]

A lot of the money goes toward the fund-raising goal and it's a win-win situation for both planners and people that pay the high price tickets. The buyer can use it as a tax deduction, and these are rich people that need to accumulate them to reach the approved Cap to make a deduction.

Re food, the event planner gets a discount but for sake of impressing they state the full retail cost. The restaurants involved giving the discounts in return get name recognition that increases their business. No doubt they will post signed pictures or photos in their social media accounts alongside the Duchess of Sussex as part of the PR everyone agreed upon.

The event is a business transaction that helps everyone, including nearby businesses, where they get funds for a charity, Meghan gets to do her message to an audience and all business teams involved benefit.

 

[SirGyamfi1]

A lot of the money goes toward the fund-raising goal and it's a win-win situation for both planners and people that pay the high price tickets. The buyer can use it as a tax deduction, and these are rich people that need to accumulate them to reach the approved Cap to make a deduction.

Re food, the event planner gets a discount but for sake of impressing they state the full retail cost. The restaurants involved giving the discounts in return get name recognition that increases their business. No doubt they will post signed pictures or photos in their social media accounts alongside the Duchess of Sussex as part of the PR everyone agreed upon.

The event is a business transaction that helps everyone, including nearby businesses, where they get funds for a charity, Meghan gets to do her message to an audience and all business teams involved benefit.

If they are getting high end restaurants or gourmet food to be served those people wouldn’t need the Sussexes ‘charity’ or money and exposure because those establishments already make money off wealthy people (wealthier clientele).

 

[FigTree]

It’s just the way these things work isn’t it? Very wealthy people having a luxurious night out and giving money to charity too as a nice pallet cleanser. Whatever, most charities won’t survive without these type of donors.

 

[Marengo]

As forwarded by intothesea:

Meghan’s Spotify podcast is out with a new episode with Sophie Trudeau. New info is that Meghan was preparing for the UK citizenship test.

https://newscinema.in/meghan-markle...hie-trudeau-in-new-spotify-archetypes-podcast

 

[Granada]

After reading about her latest Podcast and 'pat on the back' I find Meghan is becoming insufferable.
Lecturing and pontificating about how "stepping out of the mould" regarding being a partner and parent is a necessity for modern women...Again, i find that mindset is VERY dated. I think *most* women understand the balances of work and family now. Its not the 60's or 70's now. Meghan loves her Women Empowerment themes.
But i will say it seems tone deaf during these increasingly tough economic times. But Meg goes boldly forward, from her 16 million dollar mansion complete with Nannies, Maids and Security, to show the way.
I would think that Family dynamics might be something to tread lightly on. As She is certainly complicit in some degree in blowing up her husband's relationships with his own Family and Country of birth.

Not to mention her treatment of her Father. The one that set her on, and enabled her path to success.
Interesting that her "dear friend" Sophie Trudeau was her guest. Haven't seen or heard of her former BFF Jessica Mulroney for years it seems.
Another one " markled " it appears....airbrushed out of Meghan's life once her usefulness was done.

 

[Sister Morphine]

After reading about her latest Podcast and 'pat on the back' I find Meghan is becoming insufferable.
Lecturing and pontificating about how "stepping out of the mould" regarding being a partner and parent is a necessity for modern women...Again, i find that mindset is VERY dated. I think *most* woman understand the balances of work and family now. Its not the 60's or 70's now. Meghan loves her Women Empowerment themes.
But i will say it seems tone deaf during these increasingly tough economic times. But Meg goes boldly forward, from her 16 million dollar mansion complete with Nannies, Maids and Security, to show the way.
I would think that Family dynamics might be something to tread lightly on. As She is certainly complicit in some degree in blowing up her husband's relationships with his own Family and Country of birth.

Not to mention her treatment of her Father. The one that set her on, and enabled her path to success.
Interesting that her "dear friend" Sophie Trudeau was her guest. Haven't seen or heard of her former BFF Jessica Mulroney for years it seems.
Another one " markled " it appears....airbrushed out of Meghan's life once her usefulness was done.

If my father was anything like hers, I wouldn't want anything to do with him either. Life is too short to keep toxic people in your life, whether they're friends or family. I've had to cut family members out of my life because they were absolute pieces of dung, but I don't regret it one bit. DNA is not a good enough reason to keep someone around.

There are plenty of things to criticize Meghan for, but that's not one of them.

 

[HRHHermione]

After reading about her latest Podcast and 'pat on the back' I find Meghan is becoming insufferable.
Lecturing and pontificating about how "stepping out of the mould" regarding being a partner and parent is a necessity for modern women...Again, i find that mindset is VERY dated. I think *most* woman understand the balances of work and family now. Its not the 60's or 70's now. Meghan loves her Women Empowerment themes.
But i will say it seems tone deaf during these increasingly tough economic times. But Meg goes boldly forward, from her 16 million dollar mansion complete with Nannies, Maids and Security, to show the way.
I would think that Family dynamics might be something to tread lightly on. As She is certainly complicit in some degree in blowing up her husband's relationships with his own Family and Country of birth.

Not to mention her treatment of her Father. The one that set her on, and enabled her path to success.
Interesting that her "dear friend" Sophie Trudeau was her guest. Haven't seen or heard of her former BFF Jessica Mulroney for years it seems.
Another one " markled " it appears....airbrushed out of Meghan's life once her usefulness was done.

I have to admit, I didn’t even make it all the way through the transcript this time. I’m not sure who the target audience is supposed to be but I’m not it- and for a show about breaking down stereotypes, it often reinforces them with the giggly wine mom thing.


Jessica Mulroney disappeared from Meghan’s orbit a few years ago. Bowers book states that it was basically because Meghan didn’t like her being labeled her stylist- despite her traveling on a tour ostensibly in that capacity. People disappear from her life quite frequently it seems, even those that were once very close.

 

[Leopoldine]

Imagine telling the world that your husband, fifth in line to the British throne "had no idea" about questions on the British citizenship test.

I just took 2 of them this morning to see how difficult it is. The tests comprise 24 random questions out of many more. I got one 100% correct and the other 2 wrong. The ones I missed regarded dog-walking regulations and a football colloquialism. I still passed, though, and I'm not British. You'll all pass too, I'm sure. It's unimaginable he wouldn't know answers on the test.

 

[Toledo]

As forwarded by intothesea:
https://newscinema.in/meghan-markle...hie-trudeau-in-new-spotify-archetypes-podcast

Thanks Marengo and Intothesea for the link.

I like their "...sprawling nine-bedroom and 16-bathroom mansion (pictured) in upscale Montecito, Santa Barbara, for $14.65 million... home featured on that link.

The description of the layout as sprawling made me look it up. Not to be controversial but the definition 'to spread or develop irregularly or without restraint' made my mind think it somehow defines their life at the moment, too.

I do prefer their previous post Royal Life's Canadian house better, but this one is like summer weather all year around so fewer heating bills are involved.

 

[FigTree]

Imagine telling the world that your husband, fifth in line to the British throne "had no idea" about questions on the British citizenship test.

I just took 2 of them this morning to see how difficult it is. The tests comprise 24 random questions out of many more. I got one 100% correct and the other 2 wrong. The ones I missed regarded dog-walking regulations and a football colloquialism. I still passed, though, and I'm not British. You'll all pass too, I'm sure. It's unimaginable he wouldn't know answers on the test.

It is really difficult. The real one that is. I wouldn't think most British people.would get it.

 

[Mbruno]

As forwarded by intothesea:



https://newscinema.in/meghan-markle...hie-trudeau-in-new-spotify-archetypes-podcast

I stopped reading when the article referred to Sophie Trudeau as the "First Lady of Canada".

 

[Sionevar]

I took the Canadian citizenship test in 2008, and while I wouldn't say it was difficult, it was definitely something you had to study for. And definitely something a lot of natural-born Canadians wouldn't have been able to pass without studying as well.

So I'm not surprised Meghan thought the UK test was hard. It's not supposed to be something you can breeze through. It should be something that requires you to spend some time and effort on it. To prove that you understand what rights you will now have, and what responsibilities you are now taking on.

And I'm honestly not surprised Harry didn't know the answers to the questions. My Canadian co-workers were amazed at what I was expected to learn, and had no clue about most of the subjects. Although, most of them were older, and many years removed from High School civics or history lessons, so that's maybe not surprising.

I have to admit, I didn’t even make it all the way through the transcript this time. I’m not sure who the target audience is supposed to be but I’m not it- and for a show about breaking down stereotypes, it often reinforces them with the giggly wine mom thing.

A lot of what she says comes across to me as attempts to be better than or not like other girls, which I honestly find really tiring. She strikes me as someone who doesn't know how to just be herself.

The word salad is quite tiring as well. In today's episode, she described Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau as 'someone who I think is so emblematic of strength that comes from embracing your humanity'.

I'm sorry, but what on earth does that mean? Because I honestly have no idea.

To be fair, I'm only reading the transcript. Perhaps it would make sense if I listened to her actually speaking instead.

 

[Erin9]

A lot of what she says comes across to me as attempts to be better than or not like other girls, which I honestly find really tiring. She strikes me as someone who doesn't know how to just be herself.

The word salad is quite tiring as well. In today's episode, she described Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau as 'someone who I think is so emblematic of strength that comes from embracing your humanity'.

I'm sorry, but what on earth does that mean? Because I honestly have no idea.

To be fair, I'm only reading the transcript. Perhaps it would make sense if I listened to her actually speaking instead.

Maybe it does sound better- but reading it makes no sense to me either.

Meghan imo does tend to ramble on- talking a lot and saying little. This appears to be another example.

I haven’t paid much attention to this podcast so far, but it appears to be about another subject that would have been better suited a few decades ago.

Personally- I’m ready for this podcast series to be over. I don’t get what the value add of it is. And I’m about at the point of not caring enough to pay any attention whatsoever to it.

 

[Durham]

I stopped reading when the article referred to Sophie Trudeau as the "First Lady of Canada".

The wife of Canadian PM? Really? After everything MM's said.

Why on earth would the wife of the PM of one of the king's realms contribute towards a money making podcast for someone who's acted the way she has.

This whole saga get increasingly weirder.

 

[Katymcwaity]

The wife of Canadian PM? Really? After everything MM's said.

Why on earth would the wife of the PM of one of the king's realms contribute towards a money making podcast for someone who's acted the way she has.

This whole saga get increasingly weirder.

They are pals apparently.

 

[Springbee]

I stopped reading when the article referred to Sophie Trudeau as the "First Lady of Canada".

Well to be fair MM did that herself. From the transcript on Spotify itself
"Sophie’s not just a wife, or a First Lady"

 

[Alison H]

I just did the sample test and passed! But, as I understand it, you get a "Life in the UK" handbook and just have to learn what's in it.

 

[HRHHermione]

Kind of funny that the last few weeks, the theme was all about the smart nerd who excels at jeopardy and this week, a test that people from all walks of life and education levels study for and pass is really hard.

 

[Curryong]

I misread the dog on a leash question. Otherwise answered them correctly. I passed my Australian citizenship test first time years ago. But then I’m a history and current affairs nerd so I found it easy.


However, growing up in England I knew dozens of English people over the years who were indifferent to their history and culture and of the royal family. They often knew more about resorts in Spain and Cyprus than anything geographical in Britain. And these were educated Brits.


And

I?ve taken samples of US citizenship tests over the years. Although generally I come good with most US history, Presidents and current events, there are some things on there that only an American-born person would instinctively know. And I think this is true of any citizenship test, really.

 

[Ista]

Just a reminder that discussion is supposed to be limited to the most recent bit of news posted, and that there is a rule on this thread that any rehashing of past events is supposed to be strongly pertinent to that topic. Therefore, several posts that went into detail concerning Meghan's relationship with her father have been deleted. Please try to keep on topic.

 

[intothesea]

My opinion of these podcasts is Meghan’s true calling is the third hour of the Today show a la Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager.

Talking about wine with the girls, trying to cook a meal with a renowned chef, giggling a lot, but also throwing in empowering mantras and book recommendations and chats with celebs. The hosts sometimes travel too to promote a place.

A lot of people enjoy watching that stuff (I personally find shows like that nauseating), but that would be the perfect fit.

World game-changer, not so much.

 

[Prinsara]

My opinion of these podcasts is Meghan’s true calling is the third hour of the Today show a la Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager.

Talking about wine with the girls, trying to cook a meal with a renowned chef, giggling a lot, but also throwing in empowering mantras and book recommendations and chats with celebs. The hosts sometimes travel too to promote a place.

A lot of people enjoy watching that stuff (I personally find shows like that nauseating), but that would be the perfect fit.

World game-changer, not so much.

Most of that is what she did with The Tig blog before Harry.

Meghan has always wanted to be famous, and relevant in order to support that fame.

World game-changer, not so much.

 

[Toledo]

I stopped reading when the article referred to Sophie Trudeau as the "First Lady of Canada".

I'm reading the transcript now that doesn't mention who is saying what. But, like a game trying to know if John Lennon or Paul McCartney wrote which Beatles' song according to their use of pronouns, we can figure this out too.

Meghan is enamored with the 'I' and often refers to women in third person using 'She', but under the choice of pronouns rug she's really talking about herself. For example:

at the 5:08 mark: There Comes A Time in the life of a woman when she simply says no more. When facade artifice and guile, leaves her nauseated.

I was left nauseated halfway into the start of the podcast until, 9 minutes and seven seconds into this soliloquy, Meghan says "I'm Meghan and this is archetypes" and the not-a-first lady-of-Canada guest and others joined in at the 10:47 mark.

When I reached the 21:56 mark quote:
And now, I'm running a show and these people are paid to listen to me, part of me wanted a refund but remembered I was not paid to listen neither to read the transcript. And another part felt like trapped in a mandatory team building office meeting. You know, the meetings were everyone is asked to share and some just take it too far and confuse a conversation with being a defendant under testimony in court.

I hope she does better next week, I always hope for the best for them but still, the podcast leaves me in a state of confusion. I went back and re-read the transcript and for the life of me I can't figure out what is the subject or lesson to be learned.

 

[Toledo]

The podcast mentions the Life in the UK test, so I searched the practice version online and took it. Failed 16 out of 24 questions

passed 100% Chapter 1: The Values and Principles of the UK 1 out of 1 answered correctly
- no mention on the final score on chapter 2? -
Failed at 72% Chapter 3: A Long and Illustrious History 5 out of 7 answered correctly
Failed at 58% Chapter 4: A Modern, Thriving Society 4 out of 7 answered correctly
Failed at 67% Chapter 5: The UK Government, the Law and Your Role 6 out of 9 answered correctly

Summary: I won't be a British subject anytime soon.

 

[Magnolia471]

Of the 906,464 tests taken between 2005 and 2009, 263,641 were failed (a pass rate of 70.9%). The results of candidates from countries with a strong tradition of immigration to the UK were variable. The pass rates for people from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States were all above 95%. In contrast, the pass rates for people from Iraq, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Turkey were below 50%.
With the introduction of testing on the new study material from March 2013 pass rates fell to an average of 70%.

Honestly, this test doesn't seem that difficult considering Meghan had a degree in Public Relations, lived in a Commommonwealth Country herself and was paid to represent Britain as a public figure. She doesn't come out that bright, Harry neither but I'm not surprised.
I try it myself and despite one or two questions the rest is basic knowledge on UK.

 

[FigTree]

Of the 906,464 tests taken between 2005 and 2009, 263,641 were failed (a pass rate of 70.9%). The results of candidates from countries with a strong tradition of immigration to the UK were variable. The pass rates for people from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States were all above 95%. In contrast, the pass rates for people from Iraq, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Turkey were below 50%.
With the introduction of testing on the new study material from March 2013 pass rates fell to an average of 70%.

Honestly, this test doesn't seem that difficult considering Meghan had a degree in Public Relations, lived in a Commommonwealth Country herself and was paid to represent Britain as a public figure. She doesn't come out that bright, Harry neither but I'm not surprised.
I try it myself and despite one or two questions the rest is basic knowledge on UK.

I don’t know about the practice test but the real one needs study unless you are a political or historical buff. I know two American academics who really had to study for it.

I don’t t Harry would be able to tell you anything about the laws, history or politics of the UK.mit doesn’t surprise me. And what would Meghan know.

 

[Ghost]

These tests are not designed for those who were born citizens of the country, no matter what country. The natives have an innate knowledge that compensates the knowledge of facts that is tested for applicants.

I didn’t understand why she mentioned it and why she mentioned Harry not knowing facts. It only comes to reinforcing the image of him being academically unimpressive and of her being superior to him. Not a good wife if you ask me.

 

[Alison H]

Some of the questions were really easy, e.g. what date is Christmas Day. Others were harder, and would depend on your knowledge of history and politics. But, as I said, you get a handbook and presumably all the answers are in that. You just need to learn it.

 

[Denville]

why was she talking about it anyway? She didn't do the citizenship test as she didnt stay in the UK long enough.