What were Harry and Meghan hoping to achieve?

[HumousWhereTheHeartIs]

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?

The problem is also that older people haven’t entirely caught up with how much others take offence. And what causes offence. Years ago it was normal to say a child was a little rascal or a little monkey. Obviously that’s off limits to a black person but what about everyone else? I tend to think people just should not comment publicly at all. People don’t always think something through and say what’s standard in their families. However they now pay the price.

No one is saying that everyone on this thread is racist or that if you don't like Meghan it's because you're racist. I just assume that people think I'm a terrible racist and I find that mentally easier. Although it hurts my heart. It's something you can never prove or disprove.

They would have to go to court to stop it. As they now do re privacy. They could try for racist comments.

We need a society where we can shelter what people say in public. And what they write. It cannot be fawning and lop sided. The RF only had glowing press until Diana. It needed to accept criticism. But that must be fair and well argued.

Some people wait to hear all sides of a picture before they take information as gospel

And very wise too
That doesn't mean we can't be concerned about allegations or feel they need looking into, just so long as we remember there's sometimes a difference between allegations and facts

Especially on threads where folk are convinced it was such-and-such, or even name individuals as hideous racists when the actions referred to were clearly those of someone else (Princess/Duchess of Kent, etc.)

"I'm saying that the press coverage of her in a lot of cases (e.g - her and Harry walking out of hospital with a baby monkey) "
that wasn't press coverage - it's lumping someone's personal tweet (I think worked at BBC) who was then sacked.

That wasn't in the press.

Danny Baker - sacked from his successful radio show and condemned by everyone including the press and the RF.

It was Danny Baker but in his world “little monkey” means a child that might be cheeky and a bit of a handful. It’s a generation thing. That phrase has been used for a very long time about children, mine included. No offence taken.

Presenting Percy in response to the news about Archie and Meghan leaving hospital he posted a picture of a man and woman walking down the steps of a building holding hands with a chimp.

Baker tried to say it was just a funny photo and no offence meant but it came across as shockingly racist and ruined what was otherwise a lovely bit of news.

@ChocShot90

No one is saying that everyone on this thread is racist or that if you don't like Meghan it's because you're racist. I'm saying that the press coverage of her in a lot of cases (e.g - her and Harry walking out of hospital with a baby monkey) has been racist and that the Royal Family were poor to allow that/not call it out. I don't know Meghan, she may or may not be a nice person, but as a member of a royal family at the time, the racism should have been called out for what it was and stopped. No one can say that just because the RF don't comment on media stories, that it wasn't within their power to stop it. It doesn't just hurt her and Harry, it hurts us all because we all see and hear it, the same way we all see and hear it when people deny there's an issue.

But it was called out, the radio host that tweeted that was pulled up. Some years ago the press were called out, the statement was written by Prince Harry’s press person and released via the palace plus I remember reading the Queen being quoted as saying this will not be tolerated.

Has anyone heard the rumours that Meghan’s PR team informed the bbc that they wanted a diverse group to discuss the Oprah interview? Then piers Morgan is asked to resign, also going against the Mail. If true About the bbc Is this what it’s going to be like - only positive stories allowed? I’ve always thought the bbc have bent over backwards to be impartial so was a bit surprised to hear this?

@ImAncient

Has anyone heard the rumours that Meghan’s PR team informed the bbc that they wanted a diverse group to discuss the Oprah interview? Then piers Morgan is asked to resign, also going against the Mail. If true About the bbc Is this what it’s going to be like - only positive stories allowed? I’ve always thought the bbc have bent over backwards to be impartial so was a bit surprised to hear this?

Best thing the BBC can do is put the interview as news and then move on. No need to "discuss" - that is exactly what they want, that they keep stirring it. Meghan's PR team must be working the clock overnight trying to influence any media outlet that goes against them. Dangerous game, it will all come out to light eventually. Going forward, they will be conflicted because of their deals left right and center. For example, let's see if they reschedule their Invictus fundraiser, which was cancelled after they signed with Netflix (and the fundraiser was due to be streamed on Amazon Prime )

I didn’t see the Danny Baker photo post of a chimp. Yes. That’s not acceptable. I thought it was a verbal mistake.

“Meghan’s PR team informed the bbc that they wanted a diverse group to discuss the Oprah interview”

I hope it includes someone who understand both British and American (especially someone from LA because as someone from the Appalachian mountains, I do not understand LA culture)

What is wrong with wanting a diverse group to discuss the interview? Surely diversity is a good thing?

I remember reading that the reason the palace didn't intervene with the press was because the stories were true, so it was v hard to issue denials especially around the staff issues and people quitting left and right (which again is documented)

She got a v hard time but no one was as badly treated as fergie by the press, they were horrendous to her. Also the daughters got an absolutely hammering over their looks or lack there of.

She wanted and expected to be the next Diana
If she really was that naïve and had no idea of what she was getting into the only person to blame here is Harry, he should have made it absolutely clear, like William did with Kate

@IrmaFayLear

But *@Mummy195* , the questions weren’t a surprise. They knew in advance what was to be discussed. It would have been “nicer” to have said, leave names out of it and cite other falsehoods which maybe weren’t refuted. Naming Kate and the row was a definite personal swipe.

yes it was , and in finding freedom i believe there were more personal swipes at kate that were reported , like M found kate cold and not interested in her much , that they were both going shopping in same area and kate just went alone . shes got a definate grudge against kate and it can only be because kate is much more popular than her and was always going to be higher up the pecking order , i dont believe for a minute that the row before the wedding was kate made her cry , the rumours been out there forever that it was M that caused the problem and upset kate ,

I think a huge part of the issue is the speed things happened at.
Since Di and Fergie the Royals have slowly introduced women into the family. Sophie, Kate and Camilla were all slowly introduced. Harry's previous partners would have been slowly introduced but jumped, things went fast with Meghan.

Ok she was a little older and supposedly wiser but another year dating would have made a difference.

@Sprining

What is wrong with wanting a diverse group to discuss the interview? Surely diversity is a good thing?

Well of course it is. But I dislike the pattern of attempting to influence their portrayal in the media.

@user1481840227

the latest statement is they are still much loved members , but they cant really say much else though , i dont see him being welcomed back with open arms anytime in the near future

Well they must not be a very loving family if they wouldn't be willing to welcome him back with open arms!!

At the end of the day leaving the royalty aside and the public image, they are still family so if the family wouldn't welcome them back then that says more about them than it does about him!
I'm speaking about Charles in particular there because while sibling relationships and fueds can last for a long time, parents would normally be keen to make up with their children!!!

hmm not really , between him and his wife hes tried to totally shred them to bits , and not only that hes more or less crowing about how wonderful it is to be free of them , if someone in your family left and said a whole bunch of shit about you , and the rest of your loved ones can you honestly say you,d welcome them back no probs ? if you can say yes then you are a better and more forgiving person than i am xx sometimes things are said that are unforgivable and for me what hes said is just way to much that i could forgive in their shoes

@PresentingPercy

It was Danny Baker but in his world “little monkey” means a child that might be cheeky and a bit of a handful. It’s a generation thing. That phrase has been used for a very long time about children, mine included. No offence taken.

Oh don't be ridiculous!! It is not a generation thing at all! Danny Baker knew exactly what he was doing when making such an underhand disgusting racist post! I'm no fan of Megan but what he did was abhorrent and he deserved to be sacked! It was NOT a 'different generation' thing in the slightest!

Just trying to work it out.The Oprah interview had already been announced before Prince Philip was taken to hospital.?
Meghan said she got briefed by their team in the UK he was ill before H woke up so of course she phoned the Queen immediately. I bet the Queen was thrilled.But being gracious and wanting to leave relations open she obviously took it.
My first thoughts were I would wake my DH and say your GF is ill.Especially in the circumstances.And let H make the call.
I felt like the comment about Kate sending flowers-but then had to add 'As I would do '.
Reminds me of the 'popular ' girls at school .The ones I never quite trusted.Perhaps I'm just feeling grumpy

@Lockdownbear

I think a huge part of the issue is the speed things happened at. Since Di and Fergie the Royals have slowly introduced women into the family. Sophie, Kate and Camilla were all slowly introduced. Harry's previous partners would have been slowly introduced but jumped, things went fast with Meghan.

Ok she was a little older and supposedly wiser but another year dating would have made a difference.

Which is what William apparently alluded to, probably because Kate had a hard time with the press at first too, so he had that experience to share, but apparently Harry didn’t listen! (According to the press)

Meghan said she got briefed by their team in the UK he was ill before H woke up so of course she phoned the Queen immediately. I bet the Queen was thrilled.But being gracious and wanting to leave relations open she obviously took it. My first thoughts were I would wake my DH and say your GF is ill.Especially in the circumstances.And let H make the call

True. I think she was at great pains for us to think she’s bffs with the Queen. As if anyone just grabs the phone and “calls the Queen”. Her own children don’t call her directly. She’s not walking around with a cordless in the apron of her pinny a la Ma Boswell. (For those who remember Bread)

Snugglepiggy

To me this screams of a girl desperate to get accepted and she knows her efforts would be blocked so she is coming up with crafty ways to present herself in a good light so she isn’t shunned.

I think what happened is they rushed the marriage and she figured out after pregnancy that things are a bit too much.. and that nobody really feels she is a welcomed part of the family..

And so she became frantic about wanting to be accepted because she feels her children are now going to grow up away from her custody or away from her home country where she has the support she needs and the career that can help her stand up on her own feet ...

I think she is fighting for her kids and marriage. It’s pretty sad.. to be honest.!

She made a mistake rushing into this marriage and she is worried her relationship with Prince Harry isn’t strong enough for it to withstand all those attacks..

I actually feel sorry for her