Harry and Meghan statement on Afghanistan

[Mummyoflittledragon]

“The world is exceptionally fragile right now.
As we all feel the many layers of pain due to the situation in Afghanistan, we are left speechless.
As we all watch the growing humanitarian disaster in Haiti, snd the threat of it worsening after last weekend’s earthquake, we are left heartbroken.
And as we all witness the continuing global health crisis, exacerbated by the new variants and constant misinformation, we are left scared.
When any person or community suffers, a piece of each of us does so with them, whether we realise it or not. And though we are not meant to live in a state of suffering, we are as a people, being conditioned to accept it. It’s easy to find ourselves feeling powerless, but we can put our values into action - together.
To start, we encourage you to join us in supporting a number of organisations doing critical work. We also urge those in positions of global influence to rapidly advance the humanitarian dialogues that are expected to take place this fall at multilateral gatherings such as the U.N. General Assembly and the Leader’s Summit.
As an international community, it is the decisions we make now - to alleviate suffering among those we know and those we may never meet - that will prove our humanity.”

• THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUFFOLK

H&M are being criticised for making this about them and for not calling out Biden, notably the FLOTUS is report as being a personal friend of H.

What do mumsnetters think?

Isn't that how most royals do it? They don't fund projects personally but are involved in organisations to draw attention to various causes.

That's funny. YOur view on this.

Where have they flown in for ten minutes to hand out packages? It sounds like something his brother or father would do! If they have, at least they are paying their own airfare!

You dislike them, we won't agree on this subject.

I think they're doing great. And it really angers some people that they are thriving over in the US. I have no idea why it upsets people so much when they're not here, they're not taxpayer funded, they aren't hurting you, they are highlighting issues, they are earning their own money.
Weird.

here, they're not taxpayer funded, they aren't hurting you, they are highlighting issues, they are earning their own money.

Aren't these all things people said they should do? And they've done them but now what? The titles? It'd be nice to think that if they gave those up then it would stop but I'm sure people would then find another stick with which to beat them!

@Why2why

They can say what they want. You don’t like it tough. Save the outrage for the alleged rapist.

The Meghan and Harry hatred club is boring and pass its sell by date. Britain just looks bitter now. These people are in the US and the British media constantly feasting on everything they do and say. Britain media behave like a jilted lover who constantly stalks the lover who has rejected them.

They know you hate them. They don’t care and are not looking for your support. They don’t expect it. Get over it and move on. Focus on Prince Andrew or other infractions of the Royal Family who actually live in Britain and who your taxes support.

Most of us in the U.K. are happy not to think about them. They are irrelevant and become increasingly so as months and years pass.

AnnunciataZ The only stick left to beat them with are their titles. Everything else, they have done.
If those were stripped from them (not likely unless that happens to the Balmoral One) what else could there be, because there will be something!
Wracking my brains here...

Plonkers.

@Roussette Meghan would release an organic baby food range or something, and then they'd be outraged because she isn't a nutritionist

Actually, that doesn't sound so far fetched does it??

[quote Why2why]@crocidura the British media did not report it? What a surprise.[/quote]
@Why2why
I probably wouldn't have seen it if they had tbh.

I can't find anything online though, which includes international press, but you obviously know, so what award did the elephant doc win?

A big word salad with some self serve sauce on the top.

I think this is a very good point and I'm glad they said this:

'When any person or community suffers, a piece of each of us does so with them, whether we realise it or not'

I also like the way they acknowledge the feelings of powerless. I definitely feel that. And encourage supporting organisations that can help. I've done this prior to their statement, but spoke to people who felt powerless and didn't know what to do.

So I think their statement is valuable and helpful.

For so many reasons, the Afghanistan situation and what women will be going through has really got to me, so yes I agree GLTM

Agree that it comes across as an utterly pointless and self-serving word salad. If they really wanted to help, why not put together a list of ways people can help? As it is, the message is just a lot of waffle.

Interesting. We’re left speechless. Followed by a long speech. Hmmmm

Agree that it comes across as an utterly pointless and self-serving word salad. If they really wanted to help, why not put together a list of ways people can help?

Again and again on this thread, it has been posted that they did put together a list, I even posted what was on that list further up the thread.

Honestly, I hate it when anyone presumes to articulate how I feel on my behalf. A simple ‘we are appalled by the current situation and urge anyone who feels the same to support organisations who are working to help the people affected. A list of suggested organisations is below’ would suffice.

@MrsSkylerWhite

Interesting. We’re left speechless. Followed by a long speech. Hmmmm

This.

I didn't finish reading it either. It's all a PR exercise from their ivory tower. I don't think they're particularly relevant, but I suppose that could be said for the royal family as an institution.

Cut ribbons, accept flowers, smile nicely, let us nose around the stately homes etc. I don't care for their opinions to be published and that goes for H & M too.

The statement doesn't include how people can help, so of course they are not appearing in any of the reporting. You have to go to the website, scroll past the statement, then scroll past another long blurb ("The Archewell Commitment") about what they're already doing - the kitchen project in Haiti, vaccine equality (slightly shoehorned in imo) and "hope to do what we can to meet the moment" in Afghanistan but no firm commitment there yet.
And then right at the bottom are the five suggested organisations that we can support.

So to recap, it's laid out like this:

1. Listen to our sanctimonious twaddle
2. Look at how great we are
3. Here's how you can help

Rousette, can I ask why you seem so utterly obsessed with Meghan and Harry and that they should be seen to be saintly and can do no wrong? You post on all threads relating to them (and slag off the Royal family on other threads. Do you know them personally?

Brevity is the soul of wit according to Shakespeare and that might be part of the problem here. The joint statement from Meghan and Harry is verbose and seems to encompass all the world's current woes. Harry's statement through the Invictus twitter account is succinct and direct as, for that matter, is the tweet from Malala:

We watch in complete shock as Taliban takes control of Afghanistan. I am deeply worried about women, minorities and human rights advocates. Global, regional and local powers must call for an immediate ceasefire, provide urgent humanitarian aid and protect refugees and civilians.

If they wanted to comment, I think they should have 'twitter-condensed' their statement to heighten the impact.

It is almost spoof like in its content, you have wonder who is writing this for them. It just doesn't sound sincere at all.

Someone mentioned above that their 'target audience' is the US now. Target audience of what though? I can't see that they have a product of any description apart from talking about themselves, their families and making high level comments on world events/issues.

Does the US really want this from two ex minor British Royals? Maybe there is an appetite for this in the US, I don't know.

@GLTM

I think this is a very good point and I'm glad they said this:

'When any person or community suffers, a piece of each of us does so with them, whether we realise it or not'

I also like the way they acknowledge the feelings of powerless. I definitely feel that. And encourage supporting organisations that can help. I've done this prior to their statement, but spoke to people who felt powerless and didn't know what to do.

So I think their statement is valuable and helpful.

Yes it's the hypocricy that stands out for me though - "when any person suffers" blah blah (does this not include either of their own families?)

"Acknowleding feelings of powerless" - ie we can run down the employees of the Palace and the RF because we know they are unable to respond (due to confidentiality etc.)

As always they shoot themselves in the foot highlighting their own hypocricy. Charity starts at home and all that.

People that leave a trail of destruction in their wake really are not in a position to preach about loving one another.

Empty gestures is their branding and the hollow sound grows louder with each new "statement". My ears hurt from the tinniness of their latest "gesture".

I agree they use their words against themselves.

When any person or community suffers, a piece of each of us does so with them, whether we realise it or not. And though we are not meant to live in a state of suffering, we are as a people being conditioned to accept it.

Putting aside all of the other people upset, are they not conditioning HMQ, PW and PC to accept to suffer by their hand?

I understand they / PH may be suffering and / or have suffered. But they’ve had their say. Isn’t it time to stop and allow the healing and togetherness they are promoting?

Surely even those, who are 100% pro H&M should be able to see continuing to vent and dish dirt promotes the opposite of healing and hurts not only their families but them themselves?

I agree they use their words against themselves

I think they use their words to reinforce the fact that they believe they've been wronged. The sufferers are them, the community the royal family.

It is hard to believe they/their PR reps are so naive to release a statement that could possibly be misconstrued. They have chosen those words deliberately.

'When any person or community suffers, a piece of each of us does so with them, whether we realise it or not. And though we are not meant to live in a state of suffering, we are as a people being conditioned to accept it.'

'Putting aside all of the other people upset, are they not conditioning HMQ, PW and PC to accept to suffer by their hand?'

Yes exactly, as always so brazenly hypocritical.

Also so full of their trademark twee, gushing twaddle.

His invictus statement was heartfelt and moving, this is neither.