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The royal family

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:
LalalalalalaLand123 · 10/03/2021 14:42

rosetylersbiggun
Everything you say is wrong. There was no initial smear campaign - the media and the public loved Meghan, loved her and Harry as a couple, loved the engagement, loved the wedding, loved the pregnancy, loved having Meghan breathing a breath of fresh air into the monarchy.

Meghan has never spoken about climate change
Of course Meghan has spoken about climate change! a lot! That was made her frequent use of private jets so hypcritical and that's what people criticised her for. She did other things that made people like her less - spending so much public money doing up Frogmore Cottage, the slew of Meghan's royal aides resigning and speculation on her behaviour towards them, keeping the birth of Archie relatively private, touting for work at the Lion King premiere, then the private jets, the tour of impovershment in Africa yet complaining 'I'm not thriving, I'm only surviving'....
She had a huge amount of goodwill, which she squandered through her own choices.
www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1309662/Meghan-Markle-war-climate-change-mental-health-girl-up-speech-prince-harry-royal-family
grist.org/article/meghan-and-harry-want-you-to-care-about-the-environment-at-least-for-july/

IntermittentParps · 10/03/2021 14:43

I did have a thought about this, I'm pretty sure that Meghan said that these are rescue chickens and that she likes to rescue things, we know that she sees the world through stories ( I have sympathy for this, the world needs story tellers) , I think that in her narrative she has rescued Harry and it fits in with her view of herself as a rescuer.

I think this too. It also makes for a nice wholesome image.

derxa · 10/03/2021 14:45

A cursory glance through some of the threads in MN alone is enough to demonstrate how horribly some people behave towards others.
There's a lot of trolls on here and many threads are deleted as a result.

rosetylersbiggun · 10/03/2021 14:47

Meghan was seen as a great asset.

No that shows a profound misunderstanding of how the British monarchy works.

The RF is defined by one word and that word is hierarchy. Every single thing the RF do is to protect the hierarchy and prop up and promote the heirs and protect them from any negativity.

Outshining the heirs is the number one sin in the Royal Family. It's well-established that Charles was wildly jealous of Diana's popularity and her natural charisma and ease with people, and rather than try to capitalise on those qualities, the RF did everything they could to downplay or dismiss Diana - to try to portray her as stupid, for example - because she'd broken the cardinal rule of outshining the heir.

One of the things the Andrew Morton book discussed was that Fergie became deeply unpopular within the RF very quickly because she was far more outgoing and more of a party girl than Diana, the press loved how outrageous she was, and the fear was that she would make Diana look stodgy or dull or steal press attention from her. Of course no one could make Diana look dull, but that was the concern and so Fergie's light had to be forcibly dulled. (Diana wasn't allowed to outshine Charles but as future Queen no one was allowed to outshine her.)

We've witnessed Kate go from being a beautiful, charismatic and outgoing woman who clearly has a sense of humour, to being basically a docile, subservient Stepford Wife who never steps out of line and doesn't outshine her husband. And I mean it's William. It takes a lot of effort to under-shine a human baked potato.

The other aspect is that non-heirs are expected to "do their duty" in doing whatever is needed to protect the heir. Enough people have come forward to testify that the RF would deliberately contact the press to offer them negative stories about or even damaging photos of Harry, starting when he was a teenager, as a bribe to coerce the
press into dropping potentially damaging stories about William. There's also heaps of evidence of senior Royal aides leaking stories to the press and not only not being fired, but actively being rewarded and promoted for breaking their NDAs and selling out/betraying their bosses, so clearly they were being told to leak stories not doing it sneakily on their own initiative. This is page 1 of the Royal PR Playbook and you can see how they've used this technique over and over again with different people across the generations.

Harry and Meghan were welcomed into the RF - clearly there was racism from the start, clearly not everyone was happy with a senior blood royal marrying a biracial woman, but she does appear to have been welcomed originally.

The two turning points appear to be their hugely successful tour down under, which incited a lot of jealousy and the substantial and legitimate fear they were overshadowing William and Kate, and needed to be reminded of their place. This is the exact same thing that happened to Diana.

The second was William's (ALLEGED) affair with Rose Hanbury, which we know William and KP had an explosive reaction to (William claiming his human rights had been violated and unleashing his full legal arsenal against the press. If you look at the timeline certain specific negative stories about Harry and Meghan were leaked to the press at the exact same time the press were being ordered not to report on the Rose Hanbury story. It's pretty clear that Harry and Meghan were being used as sacrificial lambs to protect William and act as a distraction, again this is Royal PR Playbook 101, and it's clearly something Harry and Meghan refused to tolerate.

The RF don't care what qualities a person has. There's only one thing that makes someone an "asset" to the RF and that's being subservient and willing to do as told. Clearly that's not Meghan, and it used to be Harry but it's not anymore.

wusbanker · 10/03/2021 14:47

I don't like all this "they wanted privacy but now put themselves on TV". Celebrities are not public property, they should be allowed to live in peace while occasionally doing an interview.

And Piers Morgan with his "she only wants publicity on her own terms" - well... Yes? Wouldn't we all? It's like saying "if you like sex you should be willing to have it with anyone anytime", she is entitled to announce her pregnancy while also suing a newspaper that released her private letters, that is not hypocritical in the slightest.

Topmum66 · 10/03/2021 14:48

I feel sad for the consequences for Archie and his little sisters relationship with their cousins when they’re older.

LalalalalalaLand123 · 10/03/2021 14:48

The chicken coop and "rescuing" narrative that she was trying to create was more hypocrisy - it reminded me that she abandoned her rescue dog Bogart in Canada because apparently the dog and Harry didn't get along

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 10/03/2021 14:52

Charles has spoken of slimming down the monarchy for years.
At the moment the working Royals are, Queen, Her children and Spouses, and One Grandchild and Spouse (two if Harry hadn't left).

The Kents, the Gloucesters and Princess Alexandra are still all working royals too.

Impatiens · 10/03/2021 14:52

She had a huge amount of goodwill, which she squandered through her own choices

Absolutely right, and same goes for Harry. It's sad, they don't seem to realise how they've sabotaged themselves.

BeforetheFlood · 10/03/2021 14:54

the tour of impovershment in Africa yet complaining 'I'm not thriving, I'm only surviving'...

That reminded me of another part of the interview that made me do an Oprah-style 'whaaaat?' She talked about being on the African tour and it showed the footage of her visiting projects supporting people living with HIV/AIDs, survivors of sexual violence etc, and she said, sounding very wounded, 'no one asked how I was.'

That struck me as being... well, let's just say very self absorbed and having a certain lack of perspective.

Babygotblueyes · 10/03/2021 14:56

I think the royal organization (not necessarily the family) systematically organizes attacks on members who may step out of line, in order to break them down and get them to fall into line. They tried it with Meghan, and because they are in bed with the nastier tabloids, she was voiceless here. I think Harry and Meghan called their bluff by leaving and not putting up with distortions and lies.

IrmaFayLear · 10/03/2021 14:56

I don’t think they’ve sabotaged themselves. I think they’ve hit gold.

Harry has sabotaged - blown up - his relationship with his family. That is sad. Surely the most fervent M&H supporters would be sad if their own dcs fell out like this.

Topmum66 · 10/03/2021 14:57

Megan by use of artfully using issues she knows that no one would dare to publicly question, was trying to achieve maximum damage to the RF.

derxa · 10/03/2021 15:01

@Blueberries0112

There is no double meaning of the chicken coop other than she want to show she is down to earth type of girl
I think she genuinely is. There's pictures of her fishing with her father when she was younger.
Impatiens · 10/03/2021 15:04

Is it gold tho Irma? They've put all their eggs in one basket (pun intended!) now they've got nothing of interest to spill, only more of the same which people will soon get bored of, and no room to backtrack.

GloriaSicTransitMundi · 10/03/2021 15:05

Musicaldilemma
"They were trying to negotiate in good faith initially with the RF but didn’t get anywhere because of the “Rules”- they didn’t get anywhere because they had no power in those negotiations."

But they didn't try to negotiate in good faith - setting up a website saying what you are going to do, with those stated plans against all protocol, and expecting HM to go along with having her hand forced is hardly negotiating in good faith. They announced to the world they were stepping back without consulting HM, Charles or anyone else.

customwatkins · 10/03/2021 15:06

They needed to get the American public behind them and keep themselves relevant to remain employable. (Hollywood will be queuing up with deals right now)

They also needed to prove they weren't spoilt brats who walked out on their responsibilities but were forced out and are victims.

I think there's some truth in what they said, but they both knew it would be that way, she knew what she was getting herself into.

I don't buy being trapped and unable to access help etc. Kate Middleton is frequently spotted out shopping with her kids. Harry has admitted to having therapy since his mum died.

GloriaSicTransitMundi · 10/03/2021 15:09

Babygotblueyes
"I think Harry and Meghan called their bluff by leaving and not putting up with distortions and lies."

And then went on Oprah and peddled their own distortion and lies. The non-wedding, Archie's title, not given a therapist although Harry sees one and is involved with MH charities, not googling Harry or Palace protocol etc, etc, etc. Harry appeared to squirm and looked quite red-faced at times.

Allington · 10/03/2021 15:11

I agree with Impatiens. All they have to sell is stories of the RF, they don't seem to realise that the only news worthy thing about them is being part of the RF.

They want 'a voice's but have no more to offer than I do in terms of talent or expertise.

I am still waiting for Oprah to call so I can share my truth about my family...

TaylorSwaft · 10/03/2021 15:14

Given Meghan's apparent emotionally fragile state, her pregnancy and Harry's clearly damaged state, was it predatory of Oprah to agree to the interview?
I know it's a bit obtuse, but they present as 'bffs' when actually they have no particularly long friendship. Oprah stands to gain a massive amount of kudos and cash however the interview is received. M and H stand to lose a great deal.
Would a real friend of M and H not have said' look I know you are spitting mad but look at your lovely life, you are having a baby, you don't need the stress, let it all die down and kill with kindness and the smug revenge of happiness.'
So I don't know what they hoped to achieve. It's all a bit sad really.

Barney60 · 10/03/2021 15:15

My own thoughts are, racing comment, possibly 2 brothers whom were close joking like close siblings do, perhaps oh when you marry M wonder if your kids will be ginger, wonder how dark they will be, kind of thing.
Re help, well im sorry i dont believe it, she could talk to her friends and Harry who then after having had problems of his own in the past whom sought help could of guided her in the right direction.
The prince title she mentions is a joke, standard practice Princess Annes children as Prince Edwards are not titled.
I just think first and foremost shes an actress that loves the spotlight, Needs publicity for their forthcoming productions.
Did Harry look happy , not to me, think its a shame they did this but like a lot of blokes his other "brain has been controlling him.
No i dont think they did the right thing, also think what they have done is very damaging to our royal family and themselves long term.

Lockdownbear · 10/03/2021 15:18

@PolkadotsAndMoonbeams

*Charles has spoken of slimming down the monarchy for years. At the moment the working Royals are, Queen, Her children and Spouses, and One Grandchild and Spouse (two if Harry hadn't left).*

The Kents, the Gloucesters and Princess Alexandra are still all working royals too.

There was a photo released not that long ago with the 8 Senior working Royals, socially distanced, very clear who is and isn't included.
TillyTopper · 10/03/2021 15:20

For bigger audiences on their netflix and other deals.
To have their say and raise their profile.
Maybe because Harry is bitter towards his father.
And maybe because Meghan has a theme of being in relationships that break down (her father, her half sibling(s), ex husband, BF, RF staff)

LalalalalalaLand123 · 10/03/2021 15:23

@TaylorSwaft I totally agree. Oprah has gone WAY down in my estimation. I read that they'd only met once before M&H invited her to their wedding; now Oprah is giving free advertising for Meghan's oat drink. Oprah doesn't care about them, doesn't care about Meghan being pregnant and the stress and risk of miscarriage, doesn't care about the stress to the Queen and Prince Philip while he in hospital, she just wanted this interview for her own purposes. Quite shameful.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 10/03/2021 15:23

If you look at the Court Circular, which gives the official list of royal engagements, they're all listed (and some of them do more than the younger ones).