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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

It's amazing what people will do when offered a huge amount of money.

198 replies

TodayIsFridayHooray · 09/12/2022 11:52

Okaaaaay then. So in episode 3, Harry says

"It's amazing what people will do when offered a huge amount of money to sell photos and a story". This was in reference to Thomas Markle agreeing to have photos taken of himself by the papers, looking excited about and preparing for the wedding, for which he was paid.

AIBU to wonder what Thomas Markle did wrong? I thought he looked nice in the photos? The money was probably helpful for him given we are not all multimillionaires. Not sure what he did wrong? What was so bad?

Also, how is what Thomas Markle did worse than what H&M are doing by selling their life story, videos and pictures to every media outlet going for considerably more money than Thomas Markle got? Plus, H&M are managing to put down their entire family, and the UK, in the process.

Harry, when you said "It's amazing what people will do when offered a huge amount of money to sell photos and a story", did you forget that you said this while accepting $100,000 for selling your photo, and your story to netflix? And also selling family photos and stories about your family and country without their consent, for a netflix deal?

OP posts:
LadyHarmby · 09/12/2022 15:20

Yeah but they’re exploiting themselves, their choice, her father was exploiting someone else (i.e. them).

World of difference between talking to the media about yourself, and talking to the media about someone else.

Fairyliz · 09/12/2022 15:21

Redcrayons · 09/12/2022 12:32

Thomas Markle behaved appallingly and continues to do so.

that said, it’s a little bit rich complaining about somebody selling them out for cash when he’s sort of doing the same thing to his family. He has plenty of his own money to live a simple, quiet life with his family.

Can you explain why you think he behaved appallingly?
All I can remember is some photos of him looking happy trying on his suit and reading up on British history. He wasn’t dishing the dirt on Megs.
If my dad had got paid for that prior to my wedding I would be pleased he had made some money.

Ylvamoon · 09/12/2022 15:21

I'm not watching this spoilt, privileged brat ranting about family show... but I'll get the juicy bis from MN.
😁 so placemarking!!

foxychox · 09/12/2022 15:24

Deafdonkey · 09/12/2022 14:42

What finished me off was when Harry said there was no one to help with Meghans mental health. All that money, all those connections he should have helped her.

Try getting help when you have no connections and no money, when you are begging a Crisis team to intervene and they suggest making a hot chocolate and having a bath. When there is 3year wait for therapy and you can't afford it as you are off work with your mental health and there is no money for heating let alone therapy.

This, 100%....

DingDonkey · 09/12/2022 15:28

LadyHarmby · 09/12/2022 15:20

Yeah but they’re exploiting themselves, their choice, her father was exploiting someone else (i.e. them).

World of difference between talking to the media about yourself, and talking to the media about someone else.

Thomas Markle exploited his connection to Meghan for his own personal gain. Now Harry and Meghan are exploiting their connection to the royal family for their own personal gain. Don't see the difference tbh.

I don't know what they were getting at about whoever was texting from Thomas's phone not being him? That bit was weird and just kind of ended with no conclusion or possible explanation. Like who would have his phone and why?

JemimaTiggywinkles · 09/12/2022 15:33

I'm not watching this spoilt, privileged brat ranting about family show

It actually is worth watching. They really don't moan about the royal family in the three episodes so far. There's a couple of hurtful comments (eg the implication that William married Catherine because she'd be good at the job rather than for love). But mostly it is complaining about press intrusion and how like Diana Harry thinks he is. And Meghan's complete lack of understanding about what being in the royal family actually means until they married. (Though they completely ignore the possibility that Harry should have told her.)

It isn't "look how terrible the royal family are", it is "look how amazing we are and the press are really mean".

Youwhatnowffs · 09/12/2022 15:35

Harry really is a first class tosspot.

Redcrayons · 09/12/2022 15:36

@Fairyliz how would you feel if your dad was appearing on TV slagging you off repeatedly? Sold private letters you sent to him? He’s awful.
I seem to remember that he was still coming to give her away up to a week or so beforehand.

ittakes2 · 09/12/2022 15:37

Harry the Hypercrite?

PeaceJoySleep · 09/12/2022 15:39

When I read this I knew who'd said it! As I heard it I thought, yes, yes it is Harry. 124 million for the reality show and another million for the memoir! Very surprising what people will do for money.

At this point it must be neary burnt out. After the other half of the reality show has dropped and after the book which is only a month away then hopefully the self-ptiy that fuels them will have burnt out.

Maybe they could just enjoy their millions then. Go on, enjoy your millions.

PeaceJoySleep · 09/12/2022 15:40

and yes, the rationale for having cut off Thomas is very hypocritical at this point. I got it, at one point. But now? What has he done that they haven't done but for a million times more

Kinneddar · 09/12/2022 15:40

how would you feel if your dad was appearing on TV slagging you off repeatedly? Sold private letters you sent to him? He’s awful

Probably the same as I'd feel if my brother was appearing on TV slagging off our family

Suemademedoit · 09/12/2022 15:43

If they weren’t in the news so much, I don’t think people would care about them overly. But they do things to get themselves in the public eye - interviews, TV appearances, televised award shows, write books and do associated publicity, etc - and then complain about the press.

They’re not after privacy. They’re after secrecy. They just want to expose the bits that they want other people to see, and hide the bits that they don’t. Which is fine and perfectly normal. But like everything else they do it stinks of high hypocrisy because the very thing they’re selling to the public is their private life!!

You couldn’t make it up. Unless you’re Harry & Meghan. They’re just idiotic. Complaining about hierarchy when he’s literally a Prince 🙄

Bluekerfuffle · 09/12/2022 15:47

They seem to have blinkers on when it comes to their own behaviour. Breathtakingly hypocritical. I also can’t see what Thomas Markle did at first that warranted being cut off. It didn’t show them in a bad light or anything so no idea what their problem was with that.

Bluekerfuffle · 09/12/2022 15:50

how would you feel if your dad was appearing on TV slagging you off repeatedly? Sold private letters you sent to him? He’s awful

It wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t been completely ghosted over the first “misdemeanour” of having pictures taken of him before the wedding. What they are saying about his family now is far worse than anything Mr Markle said about her. He was basically just begging her to contact him.

BinBandit · 09/12/2022 15:57

They had enough money and resource to live somewhere beautiful and peaceful and safe and fall into relative obscurity and raise their family. They could have done some charity work on the side if they wanted to and after some months they would have been left alone.

Obviously they have the right to do what they want with their own lives, but you don't push yourself front and centre and then moan about your lack of privacy.

They are just awful people.

Pondere · 09/12/2022 15:57

What Thomas Markle did was terrible. It was more than some photos, but how he continued to appear on TV and the press talking about her and giving interviews. That is not how a father should behave. So I do get their point tbh.

Pondere · 09/12/2022 15:58

Bluekerfuffle · 09/12/2022 15:50

how would you feel if your dad was appearing on TV slagging you off repeatedly? Sold private letters you sent to him? He’s awful

It wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t been completely ghosted over the first “misdemeanour” of having pictures taken of him before the wedding. What they are saying about his family now is far worse than anything Mr Markle said about her. He was basically just begging her to contact him.

Except he wasn’t ghosted. He ghosted them. It came out during the privacy trial around the letter, I think it was, where H&M tried to speak to him after the story of the photos hit the news.

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 09/12/2022 16:01

Pondere · 09/12/2022 15:57

What Thomas Markle did was terrible. It was more than some photos, but how he continued to appear on TV and the press talking about her and giving interviews. That is not how a father should behave. So I do get their point tbh.

And yet they're doing the same thing and doing it to people who cannot defend themselves.

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 09/12/2022 16:01

Bluekerfuffle · 09/12/2022 15:50

how would you feel if your dad was appearing on TV slagging you off repeatedly? Sold private letters you sent to him? He’s awful

It wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t been completely ghosted over the first “misdemeanour” of having pictures taken of him before the wedding. What they are saying about his family now is far worse than anything Mr Markle said about her. He was basically just begging her to contact him.

They didn't ghost him.

He decided he wasn't attending the wedding anymore and told the press, which is how M found out.

BeautifulDragon · 09/12/2022 16:02

It wasn't just the photos though was it? They were still trying to contact him after the photos and he was still meant to be at the wedding. He ignored all contact and then did an interview with TMZ. Why are people pretending that didn't happen?
I thought it was sad and I hope they manage to repair their relationship one day.

He gave up being at his daughter's wedding and a relationship with her for cash.

H&M really only talk about themselves. They haven't actually said anything bad about any individual that I remember. Something about Kate not being a hugger?? Meghan didn't even comment on how she's feels about her father and the loss of relationship etc. Maybe the rest of the episodes will be full of details about other members of their families, but I doubt it...

I also think there is a big difference between choosing to share a few photos/ videos of your children/ family, to them being hounded every time you put your head out of the door.

I'm not surprised they left the UK, it was toxic. It still is, but at least now they can put their side of the story out there too. Walking around smiling and waving aimlessly and never being able to say anything but be awful.

Lampzade · 09/12/2022 16:04

Blondbombsite · 09/12/2022 11:58

I’m not H&M’s biggest fan but what her father did was awful and a complete betrayal of trust. If he needed money that badly he should have spoken to Meghan and he should have had the decency to give her an explanation after the whole wedding fiasco. He was clearly embarrassed he’d been caught out and hid like a coward.

This

BeautifulDragon · 09/12/2022 16:06

And yet they're doing the same thing and doing it to people who cannot defend themselves.

What have they said about any individual that can't defend themselves?

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 09/12/2022 16:10

BeautifulDragon · 09/12/2022 16:06

And yet they're doing the same thing and doing it to people who cannot defend themselves.

What have they said about any individual that can't defend themselves?

Any claims they're making about the RF cannot be defended.

OMG12 · 09/12/2022 16:11

Quite frankly at this point it’s like every time they open their mouths it’s just a.a huge embarrassment and b. A fuck you to almost every other person in the world.

I know Harry had a reputation as being really thick, but come on!