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The royal family

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Harry and Meghan -- Why I dislike them BOTH

947 replies

PipinwasAuntieMabelsdog · 03/12/2022 23:02

I keep seeing threads that say everyone who dislikes the Sussexs is based on some form of racism and I wanted to put my view across. I will set the parameters of my points:

  1. Meghan absolutely did receive racist coverage from sections of the British media.
  1. I believe that there were threats to their safety by far right loons.
  2. I believe they were both unhappy as working members of the RF

However...

I still find them both very disingenuous. They highlight and speak up against the racism of others, whilst failing to address Harry's previous and documented racist behaviour. As a Jew I cannot understand how Meghan can just remain silent about her husbands former mistakes. This makes her seem untrustworthy to me and seems like she will put up with anything for money and cache, whilst arguing (rightly) that racism is totally unacceptable. He keeps saying others need to learn and he is right, but he should acknowledge that he too needed to learn, acknowledge the support needed to help others learn and offer that support to others (including his own family, if needed).

Their attitude towards the public also seems 'off' and ungrateful to me and they seem to collocate the press and the public as the same thing. There is a lot of footage of the public support for them before, during and after their wedding. Yet, apparently, they did not want the big public wedding and the 'UK' was racist towards them. Harry particularly understands the 'deal' between the monarchy and the public and ought to have explained this to Meghan, the comments re the wedding on Oprah came across as quite spiteful and tone deaf. Almost like, 'we suffered through the big wedding for the plebs.' Ditto all the strange behaviour around Archie's birth. They could have followed the Tindall's approach if they wanted to avoid press intrusion.

During financial pressures around the world they are still complaining and not acknowledging their wealth and privilege, whilst claiming to give voice to the needs of those living in poverty and suffering. The Africa interview was a prime example for both of them. It just all comes together to make them feel untrustworthy to me, and makes me dislike them. I do not wish them any ill, but I wish they would acknowledge their fortune and live private, useful lives.

OP posts:
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12
Morestrangethings · 04/12/2022 11:35

BernardBlacksMolluscs · 04/12/2022 09:53

It never goes well for the spare, does it?

Prince Andrew obvs
Edward VIII effectively fell into the 'spare' role after he abdicated and became a full on actual traitor (www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/edward-viii-traitor-ww2-documentary-b2043974.html)
Prince Harry

It makes me fear for Charlotte. I'm a natural small c conservative and am generally in favour of the royal family in a 'why change it' kind of way. but the toxicity we see around the spare increasingly makes me think the whole institution is rotten

I had similar thoughts about all of those 3 children. I wonder at the weight of expectations on George’s shoulders - he may already being start to feel it. Having his life mapped out for him according to the Royal institution.

And ‘spares’ really do seem to struggle -it’s a shit job -somewhere I read that ‘the heir gets to zoom around on a bike but the spare just sits in the side-car’. It seemed like appropriate imagery.

Louis may do okay -less expectations, change of a more normal life. I think he’s luckiest of the three.

As much as I believe Kate and William are apparently trying to make as normal a life as possible for their children - it’s just not really ultimately possible at all. Why each generation of monarch wants the next generation to follow in their footsteps is beyond me. Charles seemed pretty miserable about it, for quite a long time. He certainly seemed to chafe at it, at times. I can’t see why he’d want it for his kid and grandkids.

Maybe there’s something really wonderful about the royal life? But, If they abdicated/retired they’d still be as rich as all get out, but free of all the crap. Who wouldn’t want that for their kids? . Perhaps never having lived another sort of life, they can’t imagine it.

PeaceJoySleep · 04/12/2022 11:50

I think Louis and Charlotte will go to university with the intention of becoming an.... architect/engineer/art historian..... they won't n3ed to be paid well, it's all about identity. Also, Charlotte and Louis will have better morecambe parenting than Harry and Andrew had.

IcedPurple · 04/12/2022 11:54

And ‘spares’ really do seem to struggle -it’s a shit job

Yes really shit.

Getting to live in a palace for free.

Never having to worry about paying a bill.

A full staff working just for you but paid by others.

Round the clock security, paid by the taxpayer.

Major charities established to give you something to do.

Prestigious sport and charity patronages handed to you.

Getting to be Captain General of the Royal Marines.

Hanging out with world leaders.

Top seats at the best sports events, for free.

All because of an accident of birth.

Such a shit job.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 04/12/2022 11:54

The people who are trying to "hold harry accountable" are not saying the same about any other member of the royal family

Perhaps you've missed those of us who post pretty regularly about other members of the RF - in fact the entire institution - and their utter lack of accountability?

BernardBlacksMolluscs · 04/12/2022 12:02

Jazzandblues · 04/12/2022 11:27

The people who are trying to "hold harry accountable" are not saying the same about any other member of the royal family. That tells us all we need to know about your intentions. It's one sided. It's singling. And has nothing to do with holding anyone to account.

heavens

could we give the imaginary racism accusations a rest? I presume that's what you're implying?

Theunamedcat · 04/12/2022 12:11

minmooch · 04/12/2022 10:25

So many paragraphs of vitriol aimed at people you've probably never met or know.

I don't suggest I know any of the Royal Family but I did spend an afternoon and evening with Prince Harry. A charity event for very sick children. I watched him with all the children, my own included, the parents, me included, and the Drs and nurses who look after these children. He knew all their stories, was never once 'briefed' by his people. He was warm, generous, funny, real. He had done his homework on every single person in that room. He had a wonderful, and rare it would seem, ability to make every single person feel special and important. You can't kid a kid, especially kids who have seen so much shit in their short lives. You can't kid their parents who have witnessed horror most people will never know. I spent the evening sitting next to him, just me, my 2 kids, my mum and his personal assistant. He was gracious, empathetic, funny, kind, warm and cried with everyone of us.

I will never forget how he was to me, my sons, all the children there that night. This was before he had children of his own.

He showed compassion and warmth, sometimes not always shown by others I came across during my son's illness and death.

This was away from cameras. There was no need to 'perform' for cameras. The dinner speech and awards were for the cameras but the hours spent away from the cameras were the important bits for the children and their families.

My own experience was of a genuine person, showed huge emotional intelligence, funny, he was really funny, kindness, empathy and he shone a huge light into the lives of people whose lives were in indescribable darkness.

I'm sure he doesn't always get it right (who does?) but there's a huge part of his, and other RF members, lives that do not make news, that means something to those they meet.

They are briefed in advance its ridiculous to think there will be someone constantly whispering prompts in their ears and checking the buttons on their trousers

DriftwoodOnTheShore · 04/12/2022 12:27

Trouble at t'mill?

www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/breaking-archewell-boss-resigns-days-28649432

Soon people will become bored by their histrionics. They've already resorted to making stuff up.

Morestrangethings · 04/12/2022 12:42

IcedPurple · 04/12/2022 11:54

And ‘spares’ really do seem to struggle -it’s a shit job

Yes really shit.

Getting to live in a palace for free.

Never having to worry about paying a bill.

A full staff working just for you but paid by others.

Round the clock security, paid by the taxpayer.

Major charities established to give you something to do.

Prestigious sport and charity patronages handed to you.

Getting to be Captain General of the Royal Marines.

Hanging out with world leaders.

Top seats at the best sports events, for free.

All because of an accident of birth.

Such a shit job.

Mostly it’s a shit job because you are waiting in case your brother dies. And that’s what you do until your brother has a child. you are committed to waiting.

Lesserspottedmama · 04/12/2022 12:43

ElmoNeedsThePotty · 04/12/2022 05:21

What sickens me is their constant going on about racism yet not an utter peep about classism.

The titles are way too valuable to ditch.

Exactly. Racism at its root is essentially believing you are superior to someone else because they are of a different race.

But the entire concept of royalty is based on being a superior race to everyone else, literally superior to every race.

IcedPurple · 04/12/2022 12:47

Morestrangethings · 04/12/2022 12:42

Mostly it’s a shit job because you are waiting in case your brother dies. And that’s what you do until your brother has a child. you are committed to waiting.

That's a very strange interpretation of the role.

As a 'spare' Harry had immense privilege and could have continued to play a meaningful role with his patronages for decades to come. He wouldn't have been 'waiting' for anything, and in any case William has 3 children now who rank above Harry.

In any case, Harry doesn't share your view that it's 'a shit job' because he actively chose it when he dropped out of the army, becoming a full time working role 2 years before William. He also never wanted to give it up, at least not the cushy bits. And given that he's failed to achieve much in his nearly 3 years of 'freedom' other than slagging off his family, you can understand why.

Morestrangethings · 04/12/2022 12:50

minmooch · 04/12/2022 10:25

So many paragraphs of vitriol aimed at people you've probably never met or know.

I don't suggest I know any of the Royal Family but I did spend an afternoon and evening with Prince Harry. A charity event for very sick children. I watched him with all the children, my own included, the parents, me included, and the Drs and nurses who look after these children. He knew all their stories, was never once 'briefed' by his people. He was warm, generous, funny, real. He had done his homework on every single person in that room. He had a wonderful, and rare it would seem, ability to make every single person feel special and important. You can't kid a kid, especially kids who have seen so much shit in their short lives. You can't kid their parents who have witnessed horror most people will never know. I spent the evening sitting next to him, just me, my 2 kids, my mum and his personal assistant. He was gracious, empathetic, funny, kind, warm and cried with everyone of us.

I will never forget how he was to me, my sons, all the children there that night. This was before he had children of his own.

He showed compassion and warmth, sometimes not always shown by others I came across during my son's illness and death.

This was away from cameras. There was no need to 'perform' for cameras. The dinner speech and awards were for the cameras but the hours spent away from the cameras were the important bits for the children and their families.

My own experience was of a genuine person, showed huge emotional intelligence, funny, he was really funny, kindness, empathy and he shone a huge light into the lives of people whose lives were in indescribable darkness.

I'm sure he doesn't always get it right (who does?) but there's a huge part of his, and other RF members, lives that do not make news, that means something to those they meet.

Oh minmooch, I’m so sorry your son was ill and died. My heart goes out to you.

StormzyinaTCup · 04/12/2022 12:52

It’s surely only a shit job if you have aspirations to be the heir. There are more options and freedoms that are available to you as the ‘spare’. The issue is if you are hugely entitled (PH and PA) and expect the kudos and standing of the heir but the flexibility and freedom of the spare ie. Cake and eat it option.

IcedPurple · 04/12/2022 12:58

StormzyinaTCup · 04/12/2022 12:52

It’s surely only a shit job if you have aspirations to be the heir. There are more options and freedoms that are available to you as the ‘spare’. The issue is if you are hugely entitled (PH and PA) and expect the kudos and standing of the heir but the flexibility and freedom of the spare ie. Cake and eat it option.

I actually think the 'spare' has a much better deal. OK, you may not get the crown and your wife may not get the best tiaras, but it's still an immensely cushy gig. Most of the privileges with way fewer of the responsibilities and restrictions. If William and Kate had decided they wanted to find freedom making Netflix 'documentaries' in California, it would have been a major constitutional crisis. When Harry did, it created a lot of headlines but barely made a ripple in constitutional terms.

I think Harry is pathologically jealous of his brother and all this is an attempt at 'revenge' for him being born first. But it will harm Harry way more than it will harm William.

themessygarden · 04/12/2022 13:06

minmooch · 04/12/2022 10:25

So many paragraphs of vitriol aimed at people you've probably never met or know.

I don't suggest I know any of the Royal Family but I did spend an afternoon and evening with Prince Harry. A charity event for very sick children. I watched him with all the children, my own included, the parents, me included, and the Drs and nurses who look after these children. He knew all their stories, was never once 'briefed' by his people. He was warm, generous, funny, real. He had done his homework on every single person in that room. He had a wonderful, and rare it would seem, ability to make every single person feel special and important. You can't kid a kid, especially kids who have seen so much shit in their short lives. You can't kid their parents who have witnessed horror most people will never know. I spent the evening sitting next to him, just me, my 2 kids, my mum and his personal assistant. He was gracious, empathetic, funny, kind, warm and cried with everyone of us.

I will never forget how he was to me, my sons, all the children there that night. This was before he had children of his own.

He showed compassion and warmth, sometimes not always shown by others I came across during my son's illness and death.

This was away from cameras. There was no need to 'perform' for cameras. The dinner speech and awards were for the cameras but the hours spent away from the cameras were the important bits for the children and their families.

My own experience was of a genuine person, showed huge emotional intelligence, funny, he was really funny, kindness, empathy and he shone a huge light into the lives of people whose lives were in indescribable darkness.

I'm sure he doesn't always get it right (who does?) but there's a huge part of his, and other RF members, lives that do not make news, that means something to those they meet.

I could absolutely see him being like this, because this is how he came across and it did seem genuine and it did seem like he had so much empathy, along with a sense of fun.

That is why his behaviour, these past few years, is so jarring in context to how he carried himself before.

themessygarden · 04/12/2022 13:08

@minmooch Condolences to you on losing your precious son.

derxa · 04/12/2022 13:17

VladmirsPoutine · 04/12/2022 11:29

You seem to have a lot of ire for a couple who you don't know, who don't know you and probably couldn't give a toss what you think. You don't need to like them, less so 'trust' them. You need to find hobbies that give you fulfilment. Then maybe you'll be able to move on with your life.

If everyone agreed then Twitter would close tomorrow. It has been a feature of human nature to gossip for millennia.
H&M have everything anyone could possibly want and now seem to be determined to turn it into a pile of ash.
Oh and I'll never forgive Meghan and Mellissa McCarthy ridiculing the Queen. Low class individuals.

MarshaMelrose · 04/12/2022 13:22

As for hypocrisy? what could be worse than listening to William bleat on about climate change, whilst flying around the world, just why does he have to be in Boston USA ? or any of the other places he will be flying too over the next 12 months?

What could be worse? Maybe Harry taking a private jet to a polo match and having his clothes chauffeured to the airport in a separate car?

RiverSkater · 04/12/2022 13:29

They have to do this ( documentary, book) now to get the most money from their stories about their time at the palace.

Once it's all out, then what?

They are quite boring without all these stories. With so many of us struggling with our everyday lives their continuing bleating about themselves is in very poor taste.

I'd like Charles to remove any titles from them and let them get in with it.

Then they are neither British Royalty nor Hollywood Royalty and they wanted to be both.

MintyFreshOne · 04/12/2022 13:31

MarshaMelrose · 04/12/2022 13:22

As for hypocrisy? what could be worse than listening to William bleat on about climate change, whilst flying around the world, just why does he have to be in Boston USA ? or any of the other places he will be flying too over the next 12 months?

What could be worse? Maybe Harry taking a private jet to a polo match and having his clothes chauffeured to the airport in a separate car?

Both are pretty bad tbh and I really don’t want to hear from either of them

RiverSkater · 04/12/2022 13:36

Absolutely agree with you there @themessygarden

He seems to have had a personality transplant.

LondonWolf · 04/12/2022 13:37

RiverSkater · 04/12/2022 13:29

They have to do this ( documentary, book) now to get the most money from their stories about their time at the palace.

Once it's all out, then what?

They are quite boring without all these stories. With so many of us struggling with our everyday lives their continuing bleating about themselves is in very poor taste.

I'd like Charles to remove any titles from them and let them get in with it.

Then they are neither British Royalty nor Hollywood Royalty and they wanted to be both.

Some marriages/relationships are built on and supported by drama and feeling it's them against the world. Once they've monetised all the drama and it's all out there I do wonder what they'll have left to talk about. People say they'll split eventually. I'm not sure they will. Who else would have them after all this?

MrsGusset · 04/12/2022 13:43

And ‘spares’ really do seem to struggle -it’s a shit job

I don't buy the poor hard done by Spare argument. The Spare to the Throne is one of the most privileged people on earth. The role is far more desirable than that of the actual Heir, with all of the benefits and few of the responsibilities.

It only becomes a problem if The Spare's level of egotism blinds them to their own great good fortune - as is spectacularly the case with Harry.

MarshaMelrose · 04/12/2022 13:49

@minmooch I'm glad you had a positive experience with a member of the RF. They all do their homework and are fully briefed. Many of them do follow up phone calls and letters as well. It's been well commented in the past by members of the public how impressed they are by how family members are so recognisant with details and how well they understand the subject matter. Its their job and they take it seriously.

Of course, he was nice. He wants to do good in the world. As do the rest of the RF. I don't think many people come away from meeting a royal without saying how nice they were. As far as I can see, people are criticising Harry for his charity work or leaving the RF to pursue his own interests. It's the constant dragging of his close family members who he has professed to love in the past in order to make money that annoys people. I'm surevhis family have made mistakes in the past, the same way we all as parents make mistakes. You dont need it to be consistently thrown in your face, though, do you?

It's not as if there are any expectations of him anymore. He's free to live his life however gives him joy. I just guess no one thought constantly moaning how hard he's had his life and slagging off his family is what he'd enjoy doing most.

Readinginthesun · 04/12/2022 13:50

Harry didn’t seem to struggle with being the “ spare” until Meghan came on the scene. Whether he didn’t explain protocol etc or she assumed they would be equal to W and C , it became clear that playing second fiddle in terms of seating , housing , jewels etc became a HUGE issue

Puzzledandpissedoff · 04/12/2022 14:01

Once it's all out, then what?

Wait for the palace reaction and then create yet another victim narrative on that?
Which is why it could be wise for the RF to keep largely schtum and let H&M go right on destroying their own credibility among those who recognise the difference between the "their truth" bilge and what's provably true