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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think Meghan Markle has every right to worry about her security?

532 replies

Hardware252525252525 · 20/08/2026 22:07

I’m not a monarchist and haven’t really taken much notice of the whole saga, but obviously do know the main points.

However, the comments across Mumsnet and multiple newspapers and websites are absolutely insane and unhinged. People who don’t know them insisting she’s leaving Harry and the kids, is controlling him, that they’re skint and tge
kids will have to go to state school if Charles doesn’t pay, people saying they hope a random stranger sees her and gives her ‘some home truths’.

It is absolutely crackers and I worry about the sanity of the people who seem to really believe they know them.

OP posts:
Morepositivemum · Yesterday 06:33

you do wonder whether people realise how much they’re bothering/ harassing others and how much they think they can take. I’d say Meghan gets it worse than any other person in the public eye right now- actually I can’t think of anyone I hear more mean remarks about

pestowithwalnuts · Yesterday 06:34

Andnowshesatoddler · 20/08/2026 22:08

Completely agree.
I am not anti royal or pro royal but I seriously don't understand the hate for Meghan Markle.

I don't like what I've seen of her but neither can I understand how people can hate her..she not a member of my family and she's not done anything that has directly impacted me Hate is a strong word

Potatoespotaarrrrtos · Yesterday 06:36

Despite reading for months (if not years) that they are going to split up, she’s controlling, they’re unhappy etc etc I saw a little clip of them both the other day and tbh I just thought they appeared so happy and utterly devoted and it must irk all the haters and press so much. I can see that they would be ready for what is thrown at them.

I have zero interest in the monachy, but I do have interest in human psychology and this hate is so media driven that it’s bordering on insanity!

I think it’s perfectly reasonable for a son to return home with a poorly father and the British private education system is a massive draw which is downplayed by the haters!

Anyway all the frothing and foaming at the mouth won’t convince me that this is anything other than a perfectly normal decision in the circumstances.

As an aside, I used to know someone who worked in security for the royals and I know which brother the team preferred working with, they described him as down to earth, funny and kind and it wasn’t William.

Rubyupbeat · Yesterday 06:41

As long as they pay for the security, like any of us would. Harry has millions, they are definitely not skint!

PatioDwellers · Yesterday 06:50

I’ve no interest in them, but I can’t see the British press leaving them alone and they are brutal.

simpsonthecat · Yesterday 07:06

lemmein · Yesterday 04:00

I agree OP - but a year or 2 ago any thread about Meghan would be 95% pure venom, the few I’ve read today have been far more balanced so perhaps the tide is turning? I hope so anyway, for her sake.

I really think they’re making a huge mistake moving back.

No, the tide hasn't turned in fact, on here I think it has got worse. The number of horrible insults and names she is called is unbelievable. Look at the long running thread about her and him, it's up to no. 29. That's 28,000+ posts and it is not balanced in any way. The regulars on there make it their life's work to disparage her, on and on. I reported a revolting post the other day, it wasn't deleted, mnhq said it was just an opinion. No other famous person on this forum could be called that and not have their post deleted. It has become a UK mindset for some people.

I think the hate has got worse. The less Meghan does, the worse it gets. People work themselves up into a complete frenzy about her and it will only take one batshit unhinged person to take it further and the media feeds it. I listened to Angela Levin and read Dickie Arbiter yesterday, they were almost frothing at the mouth.

2021x · Yesterday 07:11

moonraker0 · Yesterday 04:38

South Park nailed them. They created a drama over privacy then went on tv and wrote books about every aspect of their lives. If they really wanted privacy then they wouldn’t come back here, they’d stay where they are and live quietly and drama free. Give it two years and we’ll have another Oprah interview moaning about how horrible everyone has been again.

I agree, but I also think the press should leave them alone.

They are moving back for a reason (I assume safety/money) and that is none of our business.

Likeiloveyou · Yesterday 07:13

Luckily for them they can afford security so you can stop worrying about them.

MrsLeonFarrell · Yesterday 07:18

The intelligence services that filter information to RAVEC will be aware of all credible threats to Meghan. Comments on social media may or may not indicate a physical threat but those whose job it is to know will know. Sadly nasty social media comments are a fact of life for anyone in the public eye, even if they are private individuals being written about because of a tragedy. Comments don't usually translate into action but if they might there are processes to protect anyone, not just a celebrity, from that threat. I think all anyone can do is hope that the intelligence services make the right decisions on the information they have, so far they seem to be successful in protecting those who are threatened.

Morethanadecade · Yesterday 07:19

She’s come back to be in a play, hasn’t she? So that’s very public facing.

Fizbosshoes · Yesterday 07:22

Genuine question-how much security do Mike Tindal and zAra have? Ive no idea but they and kids seem to live reasonably privately.

I think there will be more interest in H and M because they actively left/opted out, but
Also because theyve been pretty outspoken about it. But after the initial interest, I wonder if it would be possible to live in a low key way....

PuttingouthefirewithGasoline · Yesterday 07:23

Op I couldn't agree more I still struggle to understand her crimes against these people

CariadDarling · Yesterday 07:25

No. The last few years have proved they’re not in any danger.

custardbonbon · Yesterday 07:25

Yes. However I don’t see why the tax payer should fund it unless they return to be working royals.

Screamingabdabz · Yesterday 07:27

Dorosomethingbeautiful · 20/08/2026 23:55

@Screamingabdabz Megan needs protection because of people like you who spread lies on social media

She needs protection because I said “words”? 🙄

And not lies. Well documented. She lied on Oprah. She bullied staff. Mocked and slandered the royal family. She has been ditched by people professionally. Called a ‘grifter’ by the head of Netflix etc etc.

Why are you so convinced this is all a conspiracy and not a consequence of people seeing it for what it is?

OrangeAxolotyl · Yesterday 07:27

MrsLeonFarrell · Yesterday 07:18

The intelligence services that filter information to RAVEC will be aware of all credible threats to Meghan. Comments on social media may or may not indicate a physical threat but those whose job it is to know will know. Sadly nasty social media comments are a fact of life for anyone in the public eye, even if they are private individuals being written about because of a tragedy. Comments don't usually translate into action but if they might there are processes to protect anyone, not just a celebrity, from that threat. I think all anyone can do is hope that the intelligence services make the right decisions on the information they have, so far they seem to be successful in protecting those who are threatened.

Yes, I think this is a reasonable comment. The security services are aware of what constitutes a threat and what doesn't. It's tricky because if you want publicity, want to be in the public eye and want to share life stuff, it's going to attract comments and they are a polarising couple, because of what they have done. It doesn't excuse some responses, of course. I just think it's a risky business nowadays, selling your lifestyle like that.

PuttingouthefirewithGasoline · Yesterday 07:30

@Screamingabdabz words degenerating the french king and queen was certainly a part of the cicrunstances that eventually lead to their beheading.

Dweetfidilove · Yesterday 07:35

YANBU at all, OP.

On a site where in-law hate is a sport and women are not to be blamed for men's behaviour; MM sure carries a lot of blame.
Harry misbehaves and she's blamed for alienating him from his family, controlling him, diagnosed with personality disorders and all kinds of billshit.

Why is she moving here? I have no clue, and it's none of my business. Everyone is entitled to live where they want, and it's not for me to question or know. Strangely enough, I can also understand how you end up living in a place where people hate you.

Some of these folks can't even work out how to separate from a parent or husband who hates them and their children; but want to question other people's choices.

I hope the saddos quickly wear themselves out and go back to frothing about 'illegal immigrants' and benefit claimants , so these people can settle in peace.

intsjl26 · Yesterday 07:36

I agree OP, people are absolutely unhinged about them. The threads running yesterday were actually insane, it is pathetic how invested people are in them. I’d be fucking terrified.

intsjl26 · Yesterday 07:38

Screamingabdabz · Yesterday 07:27

She needs protection because I said “words”? 🙄

And not lies. Well documented. She lied on Oprah. She bullied staff. Mocked and slandered the royal family. She has been ditched by people professionally. Called a ‘grifter’ by the head of Netflix etc etc.

Why are you so convinced this is all a conspiracy and not a consequence of people seeing it for what it is?

Just “words”, I wonder what Jason Arday thought of the “words” constantly there about him.

UniquePinkSwan · Yesterday 07:39

2026letsgo · 20/08/2026 22:26

I think most of the comments come from women about their dislike of her character.

She’s not done much politically to warrant the annoyance of men, who are the realistic threat.

I know race comes up as something people feel is an issue but Meghan’s not really an ambassador for any race, religion or country either.

I can’t see that theres much kudos for any man who made an attempt on her life. She’s irritating but not interesting.

Women are also a realistic threat. Are you saying women don’t do anything wrong? There are numerous cases, especially stalking, that dispute this.

Filoparcels017 · Yesterday 07:40

GarlicAnything · Yesterday 00:34

Thanks for your considered reply. I take your points, though I would point out that the examples you gave are of politically active people who stood for something.

H&M would be able to sink into aristocratic obscurity without difficulty. They'd just have to pick a lane and stay in it, as do the UK's other titled bods whom we only see at royal events and occasionally coming out of The Ivy. MM seems happiest doing a Gwyneth Paltrow - she was much more famous, yet now swans around the Cotswolds free of security guards, does her own shopping and so forth.

the Met’s counter-terrorism unit said that the couple faced awful, credible threats and that people had been jailed bc of them.

Goes to show our regular, taxpayer-funded security services work well, doesn't it.

Yes I agree that our tax funded security services work well but some people argue that Meghan and Harry were making up the fact that they were targeted. Neil Basu corrected this notion.

And as he said, many of the threats to H and M face came from extreme right wing on-line individuals or groups, I think the race element is too easily overlooked by some.

If you are black or have a black mother, and become well known, that is enough to make some racist haters believe you stand for something. You become a target no matter what.

A slightly different point but it could be argued that hundreds of people from many different walks of life who fall under the intense spotlight of press attention, make mistakes, and suffer a media pile on, end up dead or destroyed by it, particularly if they have underlying mh issues and that is without a random nutter taking it upon themselves to kill them.

Caroline Flack and Jason Arday are recent examples.

The royals can literally afford to rise above comment and remain silent and discreet, because they have lots of lawyers and employees engaged in PR who speak on their behalf through various channels, lots of security staff to help them move about discreetly and separate them from the hoi polloi, and some aristocrats live in quiet obscurity, bluntly, because they have pots of money to enable them to do this.

So it will boil down to whether the press can step back and leave MM alone so she can work and generate some income, which they are going to have to do, if they are not funded for doing royal duties?

In a nutshell, if you are well known, the richer you are, the more private and obscure you can afford to be.

This HIHO thing is a bit of a misnomer imho because the working Royal Family of course get recompensed very well for their charity work in the form of amazing homes, staff, couture clothes, jewellery etc.

dottiedodah · Yesterday 07:46

I think she is not popular as Catherine is.she is totally different. Maybe though people worry about the royalsnd the problems she had before

converseandjeans · Yesterday 07:50

YANBU I’m not especially interested in the Royal Family but can’t fathom the interest in H&M.

Prince Andrew has behaved appallingly over the years & yet MM gets all the hate. In light of Ann Widdicombe I think Harry is right to worry. Don’t forget his Mum was chased by the paparazzi and lost her life when he was little. That would make anyone worry.

simpsonthecat · Yesterday 07:50

So it will boil down to whether the press can step back and leave MM alone so she can work and generate some income, which they are going to have to do, if they are not funded for doing royal duties?

I agree and this is what worries me. I am listening to BBC news this morning and there was some guy on there who said that the DM had 15 (might have been 25) pages or articles about the couple today. There is a multimillion dollar industry, often hate, around them. That is why I didn't care that Harry wrote his book. Millions $$$ made off the back of him and her, so why shouldn't he?

Will the media ever let up? And before someone comes back and says if they went quiet the media will go quiet, that's bollocks. There have been spells when there is no new news about them. Often for weeks. That doesn't stop the media, they just regurgitate old news or make up new stuff