AIBU to think Harry and Meghan are taking the piss?

[ohymygodbethenny]

How are people not more outraged? And no, tourists do not visit the UK specifically because of the royal family.

"This year, 320,000 people were recorded as homeless in Britain"

The media hate Meghan ... that’s the general impression I get ...did not even lay off when she was pregnant which I find repugnant ...
whatever anybody thinks of her .. you have to have a sense of decency when a woman is pregnant and the papers are vile
They stir every little thing up since the wedding ... and unfortunately it goes with the territory ...

I don't think the Royals work particularly hard. I include the Queen in that statement. They get chauffeured to events and appearances, being fully briefed beforehand on what to say; they get fawned over and treated to the best of whatever the place has to offer; then they get chauffeured back home to palaces to be waited on hand and foot. They don't even have to dress themselves in the morning; let alone set to with the housework after a day's 'work'. Then they have months off over the summer and at Christmas. The worst they might suffer is a bit of boredom. That's not 'work'.

^This. Nice work when you can get it eh?

@Ghanagirl I've been trying to understand your viewpoint throughout this whole thread.
You have been asked on numerous occasions to explain what is racist about people not liking Meghan and you have yet to give an answer.
You have been asked to highlight which posts have been racist, we are still waiting yet you now want me to explain myself.

Well let me tell you that someone not liking Meghan does not mean they are racist. They could be but it's not a given is it?
Me saying you "seem to have a chip on your shoulder" is not racist is it because as I explained earlier, I couldn't possibly have known your skin colour and even If I had of known so what? As I said earlier, I said the same thing to my best friend last night.
You called another poster a racist asshole for something she said which in no way could have been misunderstood as racist unless you were looking for a racist undertone that just wasn't there.

So why don't you stop accusing posters of being racist and answer the questions that you have been asked.
If nothing else maybe you will educate us so what have you got to lose?

Kate & William replacing a perfectly good kitchen was obscene. No one needs a £5000 bath, but if the bathrooms needed replacing I can’t get too excited about it!

@CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook
I’m going to let what you said pass as you called me sister.
You’re right I’m lucky with big house etc but it’s not the way I grew up.
I’m not miserable just want to try make my beautiful children’s lives free from racism.
I realise from the vitriol on this thread that’s definitely not going to happen.
If you want to debate issues PM me as I’m done with casual racism being supported.

it's just a bit galling to see newcomers from normal backgrounds adopting that same entlement so quickly

Bit under a monarchical system, marrying in gives you just as much right to the lavish lifestyle as being born to it.

And pp are exactly right. If you’re the type to marry into royalty, you’d probably never see a 5k bath as that big a deal. Everyone you know could afford that.

the media hate Meghan

No. The daily mail hates Meghan. And unfortunately the calibre of the readers are too stupid to actually understand the reality or even know to question it.

I'm disgusted that we have a monarchy at all. However, I also realise that we couldn't have a monarchy unless their lifestyle was more extravagant than ours.

The institution wouldn't work if they lived frugal lives and were relatable. Imo, either let them have £5000 baths and new kitchens or get rid of the monarchy completely.

If they are there to represent us on a world stage, then we live in a world where no one will be impressed with an "ordinary" family with none of their trappings. Aside from pomp and ceremony they have nothing more to offer.

I think there’s a big difference between accusing individuals of racism-which I don’t think anyone is doing- and acknowledging I that there is a racist undercurrent to a lot of the criticism of Meghan. As I said earlier, the two things that make her different from other royal brides is being a feminist and not being white. Both of these are things the press-and a lot of society- hate. And she is confident and doesn’t lower her eyes. So she is something else the Press - and a lot of society- hates, an uppity woman-worse, an uppity black woman. It would be foolish to ignore this. We all have unconscious biases, anew when they are being fed by the media then become even more entrenched. Because she really, truly hasn’t done anything wrong. She’s spent a lot of money on clothes- so do all the younger Royal women- and some of the older ones. They are spending a lot of money on their house- so do all the Royals. What else has she done wrong?

@Ghanagirl what vitriol on this thread?
I will ask you again to please explain all your accusations?

I don't remember Diana being called a hypocrite when she visited orphanages and showed that she cared about disadvantaged children while her own children were enjoying skiing holidays and a top quality public school education. A few may have said this but she was generally highly praised.

@BertrandRussell I could buy what your saying if I hadn't seen the same abuse hurled at Kate and worse abuse hurled at Fergie and IMHO neither of those two women had done anything wrong either.

How do you explain the abuse of those 2 women?

If realise from the vitriol on this thread that’s definitely not going to happen. If you go on the Daily Mail website comments you are guaranteed to read nasty vitriol but are you seriously suggesting that MN is racist. If we are all subconsciously racist then what should we do about it. Honest enquiry.

@BertrandRussell

I think discussing racism with reference to Meghan is incredibly useful. We need to realise that there is more to racism than shouting “Go back to your own country” refusing to let black people stay in our bed and breakfasts or not promoting them at work. It’s like sexism- it doesn’t stop just because there is legislation in place and we’ve had a woman prime minister. There is so much subtle- practically imperceptible - sexism and racism in our society. The nuances of language used about prominent black people-particularly black women is telling. I hold no brief for Diane Abbott, for example- but she is never criticised without an undercurrent of “above her station” being “uppity”. And the same is true of Meghan. She has never been deferential enough.
You’ve summed up me feelings perfectly.
I’ve to get my point across and admitted that I have a relatively nice life and a poster who is apparently black and has criticised MM then tells me that she’s poor, it’s terrible having to continually try and Justify your existence🤷🏽‍♀️

findingmyfeet Diana was one of the worst hypocrites - not (in my view) because her children had a privileged education, but because she spent so much on herself - designer clothes, fast cars, interior decor, jewellery. I don't know how she could pretend to care about land mine victims and others in need while lavishing money on frivolities that could have transformed the lives of many.

To be clear - I know that many in relatively affluent countries, including me, spend some money on luxuries that could save lives elsewhere - it is the hypocrisy I find stomach-churning, along with the wanton excess of maintaining a lifestyle that goes so far beyond that of reasonable comfort with the occasional treat which is the aspiration of most ordinary people.

Diana was far from the only offender amongst the Royals, but she was probably the most blatant in recent times.

They are all annoying to be fair. Lecturing about the environment whilst hopping on to their helicopter/private jet/fleet of range rovers. Or telling us about the addictive powers of social media whilst launching their own Instagram account.

I know people in real life who spend in the same way Meghan does but luckily for them they are in no way accountable to the public. I mean none of the royals are that stylish despite spending £££ on their wardrobes. I mean what was Kate wearing at Ascot? And Meghan has had her share of fashion misses - just like most of us.

I really can't see the Royal Family surviving its present incarnation for much longer. People respect the Queen but there is no way I or anyone I know would curtsey to William or any of that generation. My eldest is working his way throught the DofE stuff and I actually thought the other day how utterly odd it would be for him to get his gold award from Eugenie or whoever - I mean it is just so odd that some lovely girl I am sure gets to present those awards. Crazy.

Screaming I entirely disagree with your thoughts about Diana. She might have been flashy but she did a lot of good.

As I said earlier, the two things that make her different from other royal brides is being a feminist and not being white

I think this is partly my problem with her politics. Feminist where? Do you mean posh elitist feminism? The kind of feminism that sees you give up your country, your religion, your occupation, take your husbands titles, agree to walk behond him, become housewife supreme, and walk around in a wardrobe (by accounts) funded by your FIL, go on engagements in clothes costing thousands to shake hands with working class women, women in need of decent formal clothing for work interviews, women juggling kids, sub-standard overly expensive daycare, working full time for less money than she spends on a pair of shoes -- women that are literally doing it all, without night nannies, or any nannies for that matter, that feminism?

I won't go into the writing cute messages on bananas to sex workers.

It's pretty standard for actresses in Hollywood to embrace feminism as a cause. No better way to up your profile. You really aren't required to live it though. Please don't try and sell it to me.

Diana became Saint Diana after her death. When news of her death broke the newspapers had to be pulled as they were criticising her again. People have short memories if they think only Meghan has suffered at the hands of the press. And as what Sarah Ferguson had to put up with- most would have been broken by it.

I think Meghan Markle is as far from a feminist than is possible
Her claims to be one, along with being a humanitarian are laughable. I think it is this hypocrisy that people find so off putting.

I agree that the hypocrisy is insulting to our intelligence.

I no more want to hear about MMs worthy causes than I want to hear from KM about the difficulties of motherhood or from Charles about green issues.

Sarah did go off the rails a bit though didn't she? I know she did a couple of interviews with Oprah about her emotional difficulties and struggle with sense of self-worth. But I agree she wasn't broken.

I don't think you have to dress in sackcloth and ashes to prove you care about an issue. Just because Diana wore diamonds doesn't mean she couldn't care about land mines or people with HIV. In fact, she did a great deal to combat the stigma around HIV/AIDS in the 80s and 90s by just showing it was ok to touch or hug people who'd contracted the condition.

Likewise, just because Kate has nannies and staff doesn't mean she can't ever find motherhood hard or lonely. And Meghan has been quite consistent in her support for charities supporting women's education, even before she met Harry.

Charles banging on about climate change while jetting back and forth is a different kettle of fish!

Actually, if I had to pick out one royal person who actually made a difference it would be Diana. Her holding children who were HIV+ was a game changer. I was in the field at the time, and the difference her actions made was extraordinary. Her work with land mines was very effective too.

Cross post, @PineappleFwitters!

People who weren’t there have no concept of the impact a Princess cuddling a child with HIV made. She was as mad as a chair- but her heart was so much in the right place.