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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think Prince Harry should now do whatever it takes to cancel his book contract?

808 replies

FromageRouge · 16/09/2022 22:13

And withdraw his book?

A rapprochement looks possible if he meets the RF halfway.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
TomPinch · 17/09/2022 02:54

It's pretty underwhelming though. From the article:

"(50%) said they have seen coverage of Markle that they thought was “racist in tone or presentation”."

(emphasis mine)

On those parameters I would have expected way higher.

But the main point is that it's very different to saying that the press has, overall, presented Megan in a racist way.

DysonSphere · 17/09/2022 02:56

Meili04 · 16/09/2022 23:43

Nope give them an inch they take a mile. They want to merch the RF without doing any of the boring stuff. Absolutely no HRH titles for the children they don't live in the UK nor even a commonwealth country. There's no royalty in the US. They are petty and spiteful they will still find something to complain about let him release the book. There's not much more after that he could sell. MM was in the RF for 2 years . They have been frozen out and won't be privvy to new information they are no where near as popular as Diana.

Once he sells the book the interest in them will massively die down they are one trick ponies with very little talent.

Maybe you're right.

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 17/09/2022 02:57

FarmerRefuted · 16/09/2022 23:42

Harry has wanted to leave the RF for years and has expressed disatisfaction for years, long before he ever met Meghan, then when he did reach a stage of wanting to get married, have children, etc it motivated him to get the fuck out.

Good for him, more people should opt out of toxic situations that are damaging their health and the world would probably be a happier place for it.

He's not opted out though. They want to do what they want, said they didn't want titles for their children then grumble to Oprah Winfrey about the lack of titles. They want it both ways, one foot in the past, the royal family, one in the future, Cali celebrity.

With one foot in the past and one in the future you piss on the present.

onlylarkin · 17/09/2022 03:13

TomPinch · 17/09/2022 02:54

It's pretty underwhelming though. From the article:

"(50%) said they have seen coverage of Markle that they thought was “racist in tone or presentation”."

(emphasis mine)

On those parameters I would have expected way higher.

But the main point is that it's very different to saying that the press has, overall, presented Megan in a racist way.

Newsflash. Things that are seen as racist are, in fact, racist.

DysonSphere · 17/09/2022 03:14

But here's some of the incendiary petty nonsense:. So apparently M&H have been 'uninvited' to the State Reception. Presumably because they are not 'working' royals. Daily Mail of course.

Either the RF want to bring them back in the fold or they don't.

This sort of stuff brings resentment.

HoppingPavlova · 17/09/2022 03:24

YABU. I doubt a rapprochement is possible because I don't think Meghan will ever be accepted into that family, and that's what the problem has always been.

Bulldust. The problem was two-fold. Firstly, she thought she could swan in, become a princess, do whatever she wanted her way and if necessary get the rules bent for her as she thought she was special as she believed she was famous in her own right.

Secondly, Harry was too thick to explain to her from the beginning that about strict Royal protocols, how to behave and that, while he might think she was special, there would be no bending of the rules for her and if she didn’t accept that it wouldn’t work between them.

Then when it went pear shaped, she tantrumed, and he thought he could run to granny and have considerations made for her. Granny laughed. They got a shock, got the shits and flounced thinking everyone else would cave. No one caved and do they made up a lot of shit and went public with it to justify their flounce.

They will never leave public life as she is an attention seeker. Stay tuned for more lies every time they start to fade into the background. She will do whatever it takes to stay ‘in the limelight’. I see not one book but a new book every few years as they desperately try and stay front and centre. When they can no longer stay front and centre and command attention, she will leave him.

TheWheeledAvenger · 17/09/2022 03:24

said they didn't want titles for their children

When did they ever say that? They didn't. Find one single article quoting them as saying that, you can't.

Stop believing everything you read in the tabloids. A tabloid claiming they don't want titles is not the same as them actually saying it themselves.

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 17/09/2022 03:48

TheWheeledAvenger · 17/09/2022 03:24

said they didn't want titles for their children

When did they ever say that? They didn't. Find one single article quoting them as saying that, you can't.

Stop believing everything you read in the tabloids. A tabloid claiming they don't want titles is not the same as them actually saying it themselves.

Omid Scobie tweeted it. I'm not searching for it at 4am.

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 17/09/2022 03:51

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 17/09/2022 03:48

Omid Scobie tweeted it. I'm not searching for it at 4am.

Here it is. Scobie saying that they wanted Archie to have a normal life.

To think Prince Harry should now do whatever it takes to cancel his book contract?
DysonSphere · 17/09/2022 03:54

TheWheeledAvenger · 17/09/2022 03:24

said they didn't want titles for their children

When did they ever say that? They didn't. Find one single article quoting them as saying that, you can't.

Stop believing everything you read in the tabloids. A tabloid claiming they don't want titles is not the same as them actually saying it themselves.

Harry did say he was impressed with the situation of his cousins Zara and Peter and would want that for his children. I definitely remember that.

maeveiscurious · 17/09/2022 04:10

Oprah is backing off "the interview", it is all over TikTok

StClare101 · 17/09/2022 04:17

maeveiscurious · 17/09/2022 04:10

Oprah is backing off "the interview", it is all over TikTok

Do you mean there were rumours of another interview? Surely that’s not true. They are not that silly.

TomPinch · 17/09/2022 04:18

onlylarkin · 17/09/2022 03:13

Newsflash. Things that are seen as racist are, in fact, racist.

You're evading the point.

Byebyebigbelly · 17/09/2022 04:21

I knew these would be your examples. These and the Danny Baker cartoon and blackamoor brooch are always given as the examples of racism M suffered. They are awful but the fact remains that they are all isolated voices who were widely condemned for what they said/did. People lined the streets to watch M marry Harry. She was welcomed and adored by almost everyone. The reason people do not like her is because she is now making a career out of hurling accusations of racism at the royal family, telling lies about her life with them and causing enormous stress and sadness to her husbands grandparents in the last weeks of their lives. Nothing to do with the colour of her skin.

mrschocolatte · 17/09/2022 04:51

We’ve all become a bit unhinged really. At the end of the day how would this book being published directly affect any one of us individually? What hurt will it cause us? If it hurts the Royal Family that is their hurt and sorrow to bear. I’m pretty sure they will give no fucks that people are outraged on their behalf. It won’t make their pain any less. They are a family like any other family at the bones of it all. This public fascination with perfection and observance of archaic protocols and rituals shows us up as ignorant serfs. Yes, I know I don’t have to read these types of threads, yes I know I don’t have to post if I don’t want to, but damn, the levels of toxicity on MN these days is through the roof.

Diverseopinions · 17/09/2022 05:31

I think it's typical that the clip linked to a list above is titled: ' The Me You Can't...'

It's always him. I find it utterly distasteful, when the Royals are there to shine a light on ordinary people who volunteer and act as good citizens, that he focuses on himself. He is just so self-indulgent.

He's got two kids, an actress wife. There are people out there who are struggling to have kids, or to put food on the table: he is just so unbelievably lucky. And given his own choice about where to live, as a free man, released from royal duty, he chooses a whopping great multi-million pound mansion, with all the furnishings and trappings of wealth. What is the point of all that? Why does he need so much status and self-aggrandisement?.

It never used to be typical of the Harry we saw, who was just a good time boy, not taking himself or duty too seriously. Why is he saddling himself and everybody else with costly security problems, each time he keeps up the cycle of drawing so much attention to himself? He's not working on behalf of a nation, so can't access a police or security budget. A security risk might mean some poor unfortunate person doing something stupid because they have some mental health problems, or it might mean somebody else's safety being compromised. Why doesn't he let his profile slip down to suit his non-working royal status. He's got nothing knowledgeable to say about the world that we need to hear, so why doesn't he just find a low profile method of rendering the service he says he still believes in giving?

I find it genuinely disgusting. His self-pity is nauseating. If he'd chosen a discreet cottage and just lived a simple life working at a wildlife project, or something else which tapped into his interests, he could have been the person, he says he wants to be - whenever he visits Africa and says how much he likes the natural scene there and open spaces. That's the other thing which mystifies me..why isn't he being the thing, he has always said he wants to be and doing the things that he has always said he wants to do? He is living like an alien version of himself, popping up to comment on things which he knows little about.

All the anecdotes posted on another thread about meeting him in real life, over the years, are from posters who observed him having fun, going to the pub, larking about merrily with his chums, being surrounded by help and support. He is just so privileged and so fortunate. Clearly, he sees the RF as an asset to be milked for a bit more mileage for his career as a commentator, , but those who seek to market him for PR advantage - his advisors and press's people - are just turning him into a grievance merchant .

I can't imagine many families who would respond to being dissed on prime time TV with as much equanimity and genuine kindness as the Royals have shown towards Harry - especially in the words the new King has spoken about him .

It's generally nor thought to be a loyal or appreciative thing to do to go around slagging off your upbringing and your closest relations, and I'm amazed that some posters seem to think it is natural and acceptable. All it does is to take the spotlight off the ordinary people the RF are there to put a spotlight on, and instead swing the spotlight back on the individuals who make up the ranks of royalty. This is not what a modern day monarchy is supposed to be about.

We've had days of coverage of the queue, the ordinary stories of ordinary people, coming with their friends, their sandwiches, maybe momentos which matter to them, enjoying the communal feeling... and soon Harry will swing the the spotlight back on him. For someone who lives on a giant estate behind iron gates, he probably has little to do with community, but he could at least recognize it gloriously doing its thing in the country he left behind....and decide on a course of not dissing his upbringing.

Justkidding55 · 17/09/2022 05:37

@Fullupdowntown1a1

hes had a say but it’s unfair when the royal can’t have a say back.. they know that. So they’ve flung a lot of mud and the royal family have said nothing back.

LondonWolf · 17/09/2022 05:46

Diverseopinions · 17/09/2022 05:31

I think it's typical that the clip linked to a list above is titled: ' The Me You Can't...'

It's always him. I find it utterly distasteful, when the Royals are there to shine a light on ordinary people who volunteer and act as good citizens, that he focuses on himself. He is just so self-indulgent.

He's got two kids, an actress wife. There are people out there who are struggling to have kids, or to put food on the table: he is just so unbelievably lucky. And given his own choice about where to live, as a free man, released from royal duty, he chooses a whopping great multi-million pound mansion, with all the furnishings and trappings of wealth. What is the point of all that? Why does he need so much status and self-aggrandisement?.

It never used to be typical of the Harry we saw, who was just a good time boy, not taking himself or duty too seriously. Why is he saddling himself and everybody else with costly security problems, each time he keeps up the cycle of drawing so much attention to himself? He's not working on behalf of a nation, so can't access a police or security budget. A security risk might mean some poor unfortunate person doing something stupid because they have some mental health problems, or it might mean somebody else's safety being compromised. Why doesn't he let his profile slip down to suit his non-working royal status. He's got nothing knowledgeable to say about the world that we need to hear, so why doesn't he just find a low profile method of rendering the service he says he still believes in giving?

I find it genuinely disgusting. His self-pity is nauseating. If he'd chosen a discreet cottage and just lived a simple life working at a wildlife project, or something else which tapped into his interests, he could have been the person, he says he wants to be - whenever he visits Africa and says how much he likes the natural scene there and open spaces. That's the other thing which mystifies me..why isn't he being the thing, he has always said he wants to be and doing the things that he has always said he wants to do? He is living like an alien version of himself, popping up to comment on things which he knows little about.

All the anecdotes posted on another thread about meeting him in real life, over the years, are from posters who observed him having fun, going to the pub, larking about merrily with his chums, being surrounded by help and support. He is just so privileged and so fortunate. Clearly, he sees the RF as an asset to be milked for a bit more mileage for his career as a commentator, , but those who seek to market him for PR advantage - his advisors and press's people - are just turning him into a grievance merchant .

I can't imagine many families who would respond to being dissed on prime time TV with as much equanimity and genuine kindness as the Royals have shown towards Harry - especially in the words the new King has spoken about him .

It's generally nor thought to be a loyal or appreciative thing to do to go around slagging off your upbringing and your closest relations, and I'm amazed that some posters seem to think it is natural and acceptable. All it does is to take the spotlight off the ordinary people the RF are there to put a spotlight on, and instead swing the spotlight back on the individuals who make up the ranks of royalty. This is not what a modern day monarchy is supposed to be about.

We've had days of coverage of the queue, the ordinary stories of ordinary people, coming with their friends, their sandwiches, maybe momentos which matter to them, enjoying the communal feeling... and soon Harry will swing the the spotlight back on him. For someone who lives on a giant estate behind iron gates, he probably has little to do with community, but he could at least recognize it gloriously doing its thing in the country he left behind....and decide on a course of not dissing his upbringing.

I couldn't agree more. Excellent summary.

MoChridhe · 17/09/2022 05:47

Why are people so afraid of his book? What do they want to hide? Why is the media allowed to write their narrative but he can't write his own? It's simple really to just not buy the book if you don't want to read his narrative.

daretodenim · 17/09/2022 06:09

I watched that clip (The me you can't see) and it's painful.

I've recovering from an abusive childhood. There was a time - and sometimes still us - when I wanted everyone to know just how awfully I was treated. It's a visceral feeling. It's not the end of the healing process though. Not by a long shot. And it seems that's where Harry is/was when he did this book deal. He'll always feel justified in getting his voice out.

PH is publishing part of his trauma recovery journey to claim some agency. The problem is that the real beneficiaries will be the publishing company and the media, as they have nothing to lose from it. While the The Firm is undoubtedly constricting, if he was still in the UK then ironically it's control over him would have prevented him being used by people who don't give a shit about him, as long as he can make them a lot of money.

daretodenim · 17/09/2022 06:10

(Urgh autocorrect "correcting" too much there!)

Shortandfurry301 · 17/09/2022 06:17

Late to this thread and haven't read it all, but once a book contract is signed, the author does not automatically have the authority to stop publication, unless that is built in to one of the clauses, which I doubt. If the project is reasonably far along, and the manuscript has been delivered, the book is now owned by the publisher, and the launch will go ahead whether Prince Harry likes it or not. Sorry to say but I imagine that the Queen's death will make the book more potentially lucrative, not less, so as a solely commercial enterprise, the publisher will probably be bringing publication forward rather than delaying it.

susan12345678 · 17/09/2022 06:26

But here's some of the incendiary petty nonsense:. So apparently M&H have been 'uninvited' to the State Reception. Presumably, because they are not 'working' royals. Daily Mail of course.

They haven't been 'uninvited' - as I understand it, they were never invited in the first place - and nor would they have been, it is not a family get-together but a state function for working royals only. The claim that they were invited originated with their spokesperson Omid. Perhaps they hoped to force the RF/ officials' hands by making a claim that it would be uncomfortable to deny/retract?

They made a decision to leave and this is one of the more obvious consequences. The RF appear to have been going above and include them this week, but it's never enough.

Attention should be on the queen and those that are grieving her, but for Harry and Meghan it's always all about them and their petty demands.

GretaVanFleet · 17/09/2022 06:29

I’m sure he’ll take your opinion on board.

consortiar · 17/09/2022 06:34

Why is she want to air his dirty laundry?

To get his story across? Money? Fame?