Meghan’s birthday video

[Greenlittle]

I like the idea and I like the video. (Not that keen on the big desk) And I though MM looked...alive!

Not sure who the other woman was. But there was good chemistry.

No but his involvement is implied by his presence

Nope. Not as far as I'm concerned. They are married and the 40/40 is on Archewell, but nowhere is it Harry setting it up and being involved.

I hope they do follow up with the results of this initiative, they have to do this to maintain credibility. They could make it the theme of one of their Netflix tv series or podcasts. Get the woman on who have been helped and have them share exactly how they have been helped. I think that would be inspiring - to hear it directly from the horses mouth.

@Roussette

No but his involvement is implied by his presence

Nope. Not as far as I'm concerned. They are married and the 40/40 is on Archewell, but nowhere is it Harry setting it up and being involved.

If I see someone appearing in a video which is launching an initiative, I think it’s reasonable to assume they’re involved in it in some capacity. It’s really not that wild an idea.

We will have to wait and see what’s next as she’s not communicated anything

She has comunicated a lot on the Archewell webpage.

@Rainy365

There’s repeated whataboutery with kate and her early years work on here. So I guess that invites people to comment on it in relation to Meghan. There really is no comparison though.

This is really very summarised as there is a huge amount of info about this. From what I understand she launched that huge 5 Big questions survey, (yes I contributed to it) to gather views from people in the real world. I think she got around 500,000 responses.

The results of that survey formed the basis of this extensive report and lists a steering committee of people who are involved
www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2020-11/ipsos_mori_son_report_final.pdf

Which has now led to the development of the royal foundation centre for early childhood. It acknowledges that transformation is not easy and these things take time. It gives info on what their work will continue to do and what people can do to get involved.

You can see the amount of work and dedication that has gone into this over many years by a number of credible people relevant to the field and not just Kate.

This is worlds apart to Meghan’s initiative. Yes they are both privileged and in a position to influence others and are probably just the face behind the work of others. I’m sure there will be some flaws in Kate’s work which should rightly be critiqued, just like with Meghan’s work. But I think Kate has proven her understanding of the underlying issues and commitment to really use her platform to drive this area she is passionate about. She’s actually talked to people affected over a number of years and listened to what they have had to say for starters. I am more than happy for her to be funded by our taxes if this is the kind of work she is going to front.

Archewell may only be a year old (or 4 in the making) but Meghan is older than Kate and has had much more freedom over the years to pick any cause she wants to get stuck in to, no matter how political. She was apparently already a millionaire before she met Harry and could have been doing something more substantial already. There is no reason why Meghan can’t commit to something like this in the same way Kate has if she really wanted to. I just don’t think she wants to truly commit to something in depth.

In this instance Meghan could have at least spoken to women impacted, listened to what their barriers and deep rooted issues are, highlighted these as part of her launch, maybe launched some sort of bigger long term project around this issue, and then focussed on the mentoring 40x40 trend as a way to kick off the whole thing, as it’s quite simple to action quickly in the short term that may help some people in the moment, whilst bringing publicity to the bigger aim and she can continue any long term work in this area to help others that mentoring wouldn’t make a difference.

What she’s actually done doesn’t even begin to drive the ‘systematic cultural change’ archewell foundation claims to want to do. In a couple of days this thread and chat on Twitter will fizzle out. Then what. We will have to wait and see what’s next as she’s not communicated anything.

This is why I say it’s great to be Kate. She gets given the benefit of doubt a lot on here. Meghan has accomplished a lot before she was a royal, she worked hard as a royal just like Kate. Those who have worked with her, Smartworks, Grenville Kitchen just to name a few have continually said she listens, she gets involved and they appreciated her input.

Meghan and Harry through Archewell have been involved with various charities, World Kitchen, Vax life, Texas homeless shelter just to name a few and those charities have nothing but positive things to say about Meghan. We don’t know yet what difference Kate’s early years project will make, so I personally won’t knock it, but it doesn’t to me it doesn’t mean she is better than Meghan.

Totally wild idea AFAIC. He would be sat there with her if he was part of this, not finishing off the video juggling outside the window just for amusement.
But hey... let's agree to differ. You think this is him too.

I don't

So they pick some poor person whose life is a bit shit, give them a leg up, and make tonnes of money themselves using it to deliver their contracted content to Spotify and Netflix. That's just exploitation with a thin veneer of co--incidental compassion. They've not done that yet, but it would be pretty nasty if they did.

'Are you honestly honestly now knocking Smartworks by talking about their totebags?Good god.'

Rouss you mustn't get so worked up.

I am suggesting a 100 quid 'smartworks' tote back for an interview gives perhaps a glimpse of the kind of mentoring to 'mobilise women' back into the workplace they may be dishing out.

Here's a handy mentoring tip, the handbag doesn't matter, get one from primark for a fiver. I should add myself to the list.

So they pick some poor person whose life is a bit shit, give them a leg up, and make tonnes of money themselves using it to deliver their contracted content to Spotify and Netflix. That's just exploitation with a thin veneer of co--incidental compassion. They've not done that

What in god's name do you mean. Who is picking some poor person? Already there is unwarranted criticism that Meghan has not pledged her 40 minutes.
Have you actually read what this is about? And who is involved? And which companies are involved with this? And the pledges from not just the 40 influential people?
I think not.

But @Roussette - what is the point of his juggling outside the window? Dh is doing a zoom presentation this very second. Why would I juggle outside the window? I’m not part of the business, and why would it be funny?

And, more to the point, why would he want to look like a clown? Is this his role now?

I think this initiative will probably help mid-career women most. What’s wrong with that? We don’t have to just focus on the lowest paying jobs.

What Mm is doing doesn’t cost me anything. If the pay off is fame for her, why should I grudge that?

I will demand tangible outcome measures for initiatives where taxpayer funds are being used or where I have invested my own money.

@Roussette

Giver over yourself lol.

A free pass? Setting the whole thing up, getting these people onboard, managing it, giving feedback on its progress and by the way, there are many famous actors in the 40 who are far more well known and not a suitcase Z list actress (as people refer to Meghan on here)... I am sure they can help the aspiring actors coming through on this.
But hey... a huge flaw with this programme! Forget the Nobel prize nominee, the Poet Laureate, the Senators,the scientists and doctors, the wife of President of Canada... shock horror Meghan hasn't pledged to do her 40 minutes! Scrap the whole programme, not fair then!

Rainy... this is desperation.

Nope sorry, not good enough. She needs to do her 40 minutes too if it’s that important to women. Not just tell others to do it. And if she’s put all the above work in herself, what’s another 40 minutes anyway if it helps at least one other woman?

She’s been very specific about what is required. You think it’s acceptable she’s excused herself?

And yes I expect the same of any royal or person in the public eye (or anyone for that matter!) telling people to do something specific to help someone else and not doing it themselves.

Rouss you mustn't get so worked up

Haha! I just find knocking SmartWorks a low blow but hey... that is your forté !!
I have followed Smartworks, it's not totebags on its own!!

Have a look... honestly it really is quite interesting. It's about confidence and feeling right with what you're wearing, and importantly... interview preparation.

@Tuscancat

Kate does great work on early years? Why are people always pitching Meghan and Kate against each other? They are both excellent in different ways.

Because it's a tool to try and diss Kate - for reasons best known to those that employ it! Two different women, two different circumstances, but some people persist in trying to pit them against each other.

He is outside juggling to provide a visual representation to the public of his practical uselessness to the project so she can argue that the brand is a result of her hard work when they get divorced.

Rainy365 Could you post a link please where she has excused herself?
I haven't seen it.

And this is your pet criticism, I don't agree, so there is no point in discussing this any further with you.... let's agree to disagree please or it's boring for other posters on here.

IF that was all you had to criticise about this initiative, I think she's doing pretty damn good.

And yes I expect the same of any royal or person in the public eye (or anyone for that matter!) telling people to do something specific to help someone else and not doing it themselves

What like William presenting the Earthshott prize on climate change whilst his family recently lobbied parliament and exempted themselves from renewable energy changes... like that you mean?
Hypocrisy at its finest.

He is outside juggling to provide a visual representation to the public of his practical uselessness to the project so she can argue that the brand is a result of her hard work when they get divorced

I never wish divorce on anyone... what a horrible post

I didn't like Smartworks and of course it's now been abandoned for pastures new. This new set-up is a vanity project. Slick video with celebs on board. What more do you need . Just read a scathing piece on the Daily Express written by Carole Malone. Very Meghan bashing . I agree with most of it. Surprise! but Harry escapes all blame which I didn't agree with.

'It's about confidence and feeling right with what you're wearing, and importantly... interview preparation.'

So make it about that. Not about tote bags that at 100quid are cheap for privileged people but for those the breadline aren't. It is an example of the out of touch actions of some 'mentors'. Confidence comes from belief in ourselves not from handbags. I really feel I should be on that list

'what is the point of his juggling outside the window? Dh is doing a zoom presentation this very second. Why would I juggle outside the window'

Oh he has his uses. He's royal y'see. Their usp.

@Applesonthelawn

So they pick some poor person whose life is a bit shit, give them a leg up, and make tonnes of money themselves using it to deliver their contracted content to Spotify and Netflix. That's just exploitation with a thin veneer of co--incidental compassion. They've not done that yet, but it would be pretty nasty if they did.

Sorry this made me laugh, I agree I didn't think of it that way. It would be crass indeed. Maybe choose another forum to follow up on the results of this initiative.

I wonder if she has received advice that she gets a higher approval rating if Harry is featured (and vice versa). They tend to 'guest star' in each other's projects don't they. Even if it is a 'my wife always says' or 'that's what I love about my husband'.

I think the juggling was a mistake as it leads to the obvious 'court jester' and 'village idiot' barbs. Or 'it's good to see Harry has got his balls back'. It may have been better if he was sat on the bench outside the window reading to Archie (or the two of them meditating) as it would continue the theme and help promote the book. Or shirt off, chopping logs - like Poldark or Diet Coke Man.

Vivienne What do you mean 'it's now been abandoned for pastures new?*
Since when?
They are tweeting only yesterday about Meghan. And they are part of this new mentoring initiative.

So you are incorrect.

But do you agree that he is practically useless? He has served his purpose and is now retained as the court jester.

Janiie
I have seen nothing on totebags.

I have seen the various offices, Reading Newcastle Manchester etc, with the clothes, with the shoes with the handbags, the appointments made for hours of interview prep. No idea on the totebags, first I've heard of them.

The tote bags were the first item to sell out I think?

[quote Cacacoisfarraige]@Greenlittle

I think your argument is rather simplistic?

You use the example of Wimbledon. Kate is there as a patron, she doesn’t pay for a ticket.
She will do events, hand out trophies etc. She isn’t paid for that. If you get a celebrity to host an event you may often have to pay for it.

Similarly with taxes, I remember a dodgy tax scheme used by David Beckham and others in the Royal Boxes, which garnered a lot of bad publicity for him and others, his wife wanted government support for her failing fashion brand but had to reverse once found out. In fact reading the David Beckham emails he said he was doing charity for an award and was billing charities for flights even though he was flying free. He came across dreadfully. But he’s largely escaped any consequences.

In fact I doubt anyone in the Royal Box pays for a ticket? But someone can probably correct me.[/quote]
You're right - everyone in the Royal Box at Wimbledon is a guest, and does not pay for their ticket.

Totally off track, but I read that the 'committee' allocate specific days to specific guests - sports stars/theatre etc. This year one day was for health workers - including Dame Sarah Gilbert - has to be the best guest ever!