Kerry Kennedy’s recent interview about H&M award - some thoughts……

[Glorified]

I don’t think Kerry Kennedy’s characterisation of H&M’s actions from her recent interview (below) is accurate:

uk.style.yahoo.com/style/meghan-and-harry-royal-family-racism-kerry-kennedy-comments-164718226.html

"They went to the oldest institution in UK history and told them what they were doing wrong, that they couldn't have structural racism within the institution; that they could not maintain a misunderstanding about mental health."

The lawyer and human rights activist added that the Sussexes "knew that if they did this there would be consequences, that they would be ostracised, they would lose their family, their position within this structure, and that people would blame them for it.
"They have done it anyway," Kennedy said, "because they believed that they could not live with themselves if they did not question this authority. I think they have been heroic in taking this step."

What’s going on here? Is Kerry Kennedy just stepping in to defend her decision against recent public criticism of the H&M award (even by her own brother)…..?

Did H&M actually directly address the RF / institution around structural racism and unsupported MH or did they just drop those issues / concerns on a TV show for “bombshell” impact a year later in a fit of pique?

H&M pushed hard, as I understand it, to have a half in half out situation and it was only afterwards when this was proved problematic/unachievable that they left the RF and subsequently a year later first issued complaints publicly during the OW interview of racism and MM’s unsupported MH issues.

I am not questioning that these issues didn’t happen just that if they were so bad surely you wouldn’t try to stay half in with the institution or continue to be very publicly associated and identified with it by using the titles of a regime that oppressed you?

If H&M cared enough about racism in the family and institution they could have gone followed this up to address it and root it out - bring a formal complaint etc ironically that’s what this award is partly about - tackling racial injustice - it doesn’t look to me like they have managed their most tangible opportunity to do so directly.

"Told them what they were doing wrong" - typical American guff. The least H and M can do is relinquish their use of their remaining titles.

Indeed. However I suspect that Harry still might hope that if he behaves impeccably at the coronation as he did at the funeral, he might still be able to recreate some goodwill, because I genuinely think Harry has little idea just how damaging his and his wife's behaviour has been. I think he believes whatever his wife and "team" tell him.

That’s a good point.

Celebrating the oppressor?

Maybe H&M will ask KK to retract her comments?

That is a fair point.

If H does accept the award after that statement, it emphasises even more how he is willing to throw his family under the bus for his own personal gain. I wonder if only M will show up for the award giving.

If I understand correctly , Harry - as a blood Prince- will be required to kneel and kiss hands with the King . How can he do that if he has so publicly trashed his father, stepmother etc ?

He can try to bite the hand that feeds him - literally this time!

KC must do something. Leaving things in place not only sends the message that he is weak but also that he does not disagree with their perspective. All eyes on KC.

Very good 👏👏

I read a good piece once explaining what a racket it is. The so called philanthropists benefit from raising their profile and thus their income.

Actual deserving people are a side show.

I think he's already started.

In his first speech immediately his mother's death and his accession , he said: "I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas"

ie - they're not coming back

It's sickening really. Routing it all through Delaware so that they cannot be pinned down when you just know that they aren't exuding warmth and goodness despite all the contrived facial expressions and false modesty.

'Coming back' is the very least of the problem (oh, lordy). KC has to remove the titles - I don't even care which ones as long as the association with the UK is broken.

Shall I start a countdown to “ what about Andrew ?”

Seriously , Andrew should also be stripped of titles and privileges. If the weekend reports are true , the sooner the better .

Of course he should be. Anyone in public office who can't observe the most basic rules of decent behaviour should be relieved of their associations with the UK - publicly.

I don't think titles will be removed.

Andrew will live out his life in obscurity - the snub in having no part in the major Remembrance events on the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War makes that pretty clear. He'll still see his family, and might turn up at family occasions, but that'll be it.

I don't think Harry will be stripped of his either, but it'll fall in to disuse - they're already well-known as PH and MM, and this will become the major form. He'll only appear at major family events, and perhaps the odd charity tour. They've had very unlucky timing round covid - must have stymied their original plans and they have failed to build any real momentum or real world achievements since (yes they still get air time, and make some donations, but there's no sense of anything solid/enduring)

They're DC are now in the same position as the Wessex DC were. Entitled to be HRH Prince/ss, but not using it. Wessex example means it's parental choice. No announcement from PH/MM, and no sign of them using either (they could hardly style their DC HRH whilst not using it themselves). So I think this one will wait until PH/MM feel ready to announce their choice. Whether KC is influencing that timing can only be speculation. If DC grow up in US, I doubt they would opt to adopt them at 18 (parents make the decision for minors, once of age they choose for themselves)

You are right, of course, Edith. It is interesting that the only winner in all of this is MM - not PH, not PA, not KC, not the British people, not the monarchical system, who have all lost something. MM is the only one to have gained.

You are right, of course, Edith. It is interesting that the only winner in all of this is MM - not PH, not PA, not KC, not the British people, not the monarchical system, who have all lost something. MM is the only one to have gained.

Spot on. She has played it brilliantly even for a hustler and at this point, has secured a jackpot. There was the usual doe-eyed, clingy Hallmark acting on the video message to Elton John this morning. Elton even gets a kissy because he is wealthy. Apparently, he is a 'mother figure' to H&M, especially M 😆Now why would she choose a clumsy, old musician who is loaded and well connected as a substitute 'mother' I wonder? 😏

I'm disappointed they're still keeping quiet about Uncle Andrew, but I live in hope that Meghan Sussex will say something soon. Perhaps he's one of the racists discussed in the forthcoming docuseries?

www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2019/11/19/prince-andrew-accused-making-racist-remarks-against-arabs-politicians/

www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2019/11/8844252/prince-andrew-n-word-racist-comment-news

(The 2nd link isn't behind a pay wall.)

I would be particularly disappointed if Uncle Adrew is protected from their ire because Harry likes Eugenie. That has a disingenuous air about it.

Now why would she choose a clumsy, old musician who is loaded and well connected as a substitute 'mother' I wonder?

I may be overthinking this but perhaps it’s also because of the connection that Elton has to Diana? I get the impression Meghan still hankers after being Diana#2 🤷‍♀️

Exactly. There was a 'Thanks for being friends with my mum' Comment made by Harry even though it was a trying friendship where they drove each other up the wall by all accounts. He said his short lines and she rewarded him with affection in the same way in which a dog trainer issuing a doggy treat. I suppose that it is also a good strategy: the more she takes over all the Diana associations, the harder it will be for H to ever get out of the marriage. For now though, it is a marriage glued together by physical attraction on his part and attraction to money and fame on hers.

Did Elton and Diana not have a huge fall out not long before she died ?

Clearly they haven’t spent much time together as Elton’s penchant for telling people where they are going wrong and MM dislike of being corrected would have meant falling out once moving beyond the polite acquaintances stage

Elton for a substitute mum, Foster for substitute dad. I sense a theme here 😂

'You can only become part of our elected family if we can share your private jets, stay in your mansions and beachfront homes across the world and name drop to help our own situation.'

I found myself watching Michelle Obama’s documentary ‘Becoming’ yesterday. What a masterclass on how to use a platform. She’s so positive, gracious and uplifting. I also noticed how she wanted to involve other people in her documentary and really listened to individuals. Watching it really cheered me up. She’s everything M is not.