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The royal family
Original poster

What were Harry and Meghan hoping to achieve?

999 replies

HumousWhereTheHeartIs · 09/03/2021 10:34

This is an honest question not a chance to bash anyone. I'm curious about why Harry and Meghan would do this and what the consequences could be. They must have realised the massive fall-out this would cause. This could be the end of Harry's relationship with his family. But for what? Sympathy? Increased profiles? Honesty?

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 09/03/2021 10:35

A mess

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 09/03/2021 10:36

I don't blame them. They want to get their side across on their terms.

The relationship with the family seems entirely dependent on them doing as they are told.

cyclingmad · 09/03/2021 10:38

To be just have their say, who knows only they know so its futile to speculate but what I got from the interview is to just put their side forward now they can.

Ifnits true that Palace leaked an untrue story about who cried thats pretty bad to be honest because it does smack of not supporting family members and only to tear people down. There is no justification for such a leak really, what purpose does that serve eap if its wrong.

Life goes on and tomorrow something else will be headlines, people who don't like Megan will continue to slate her etc.

PresBide · 09/03/2021 10:38

They're building their brand in America and Americans are not as familiar with the RF so they will lap this up. Although they said they wanted to do half in and half out they're now saying being in the RF was "unsurvivable". It's all a bit contradictory but no doubt it will earn them support amongst their Hollywood friends and help their Netflix listeners.

Sooverthemill · 09/03/2021 10:39

They wanted to have their say. For people to hear how they feel. Fair enough.

PintPot · 09/03/2021 10:40

For Harry, I think it's fundamentally about his mum, and driving what he sees as a sword of justice into the British press*. Everything else is collateral/justification.

  • Just the British press, mind. Not any of the European/US tabloids that also bought the photos.
Cocogreen · 09/03/2021 10:44

I think they wanted to unleash their sadness and their anger and hurt.
They wanted to do it publicly with a sympathetic interviewer who wouldn’t cross examine them.
They obviously feel very wronged and they want to give their side. I don’t think they’ve thought out what this might mean for them in the future, especially Harry. Meghan can probably get acting work, no idea how Harry will fill his days. I feel sad for their kids growing up estranged from both families.

Original poster
HumousWhereTheHeartIs · 09/03/2021 10:45

They aren't naive. They knew this would have enormous implications.
So why was it so important to have their say? It could be damaging beyond repair for Harry.

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Original poster
HumousWhereTheHeartIs · 09/03/2021 10:47

@Cocogreen I agree with you completely

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justinhawkinsnavalfluff · 09/03/2021 10:47

Harry finally wanted his voice and Meghan wanted vengeance for all her perceived ills.

Alexandernevermind · 09/03/2021 10:47

At the end of the day every single family has fall outs and issues, but the vast majority don't air in public. I believe absolutely what they said during the interview, but there will be another perspective, and I also believe her father and the Palace aides she is accused of treating badly. They were wrong to take it to a chat show as the Palace cannot respond in the same way. Could you imagine The Queen sitting with Jeremy Kyle, Vanessa or Trisha in a similar undignified manner?
Harry should have dealt with the issues as a senior royal. As a MN standard saying, Megan has a DH problem. If there were colour comments he should have stamped them out, if she had her Palace keys and passport taken from her he should have got them back, if she needed a therapist he should have organised one.

Freshprincess · 09/03/2021 10:52

Ratings for their Netflix show.

Lindy2 · 09/03/2021 10:53

I think Meghan lives her life like she's part of a tv drama series and this was just the next episode. Harry just gets sucked along into it (at least until he is no longer needed, which will be a future Meghan "episode")

Alexandernevermind · 09/03/2021 10:55

I wasn't answering your question there was I? I think they did it for Megan's profile. Everyone in the world is talking about their survival story now and telling each other how awful the British are. The offers are going to come rolling in at the expense of the reputation of our country. It has made it very difficult for Harry to return to the UK IF their relationship goes belly up.

Plexie · 09/03/2021 11:02

To build a marketable brand that they can commercialise to create income.

The interview reminded me of those scam emails that contain grammatical errors and typos that are supposed to weed out on-the-ball people and ensnare the gullible. There were so many inconsistencies and contradictions that are obvious to UK viewers or anyone with a decent level of knowledge about the Royal Family, but are being swallowed by the more general American/worldwide audience. That's the audience they are aiming at, to portray an appearance of victimhood to elicit sympathy which they can trade on.

BeforetheFlood · 09/03/2021 11:02

So, do you (general MN you) think it was a good idea?

I guess I can understand why they did it. Anyone who has been in an extended family situation and had that feeling of your in-laws slightly disapproving of you, or getting a bit bloody sick of hearing how wonderful your DH's brother's wife is, and how she's a lovely mum and Dniece is so advanced for her age and Dnephew was so brilliant in the Christmas play etc etc knows what it's like to feel overlooked, judged and undervalued, and thought - sod it, I don't really want this in my life or my kids' lives.

I can totally understand the withdrawal and making a new life on their terms, but I'm not sure that they haven't just brought all that negativity with them by doing this. The grenade they've chucked is going to change the landscape permanently and it seems risky to me. Are they going to be any happier in the wake of the changes? Or are they going to be caught up in the destruction just as much as the family they've sought to shake up.

Harry says he loves his father and brother and grandparents. Can you ever be happy knowing that you've deliberately and publicly hurt the people you love, even though you feel a sense of injustice at events of your family life?

Saoirse7 · 09/03/2021 11:03

There has been so many lies and assumptions written about them in the press. Why shouldn't they be allowed to tell their side?

Saoirse7 · 09/03/2021 11:05

@HumousWhereTheHeartIs

They aren't naive. They knew this would have enormous implications. So why was it so important to have their say? It could be damaging beyond repair for Harry.
Why should they have to live under a blanket of lies? Why should they just shut their mouths and accept the treatment they received?
Number3BigCupOfTea · 09/03/2021 11:05

I know. I believe them they were unsupported but accusung probably prince charles of racist remarks about archie, good grief.

Malteser71 · 09/03/2021 11:06

I think M was probably always planning to do it

Kikitheparot · 09/03/2021 11:07

Publicity and revenge.

All real and imagined grievances against the royals aired.

Very tight lipped about her own family circus.

Samcro · 09/03/2021 11:08

maybe they wanted to tell their truth.

Number3BigCupOfTea · 09/03/2021 11:09

@Kikitheparot

Publicity and revenge.

All real and imagined grievances against the royals aired.

Very tight lipped about her own family circus.

True indeed
LIamaDelRey · 09/03/2021 11:10

Closure. Vindication. Freedom to now pursue whatever venues of income they wish.
The burnt bridges really do need to light their way now because I cannot see any way back.

ChameleonClara · 09/03/2021 11:10

Maybe just not to be quiet any more, it is hard reading/hearing about yourself and never responding, whether on a big stage or a small one.