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The royal family

Discussing the things we liked about Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary series

1000 replies

MrsMaxDeWinter · 08/12/2022 14:22

There are so many threads on things posters hated about Harry and Meghan, the Netflix series, and fair play to those posters, so I thought I would have a go at stating a thread discussing some of the things that posters liked about the series.

I'll start.

I liked that this was supposed to be this bomb detonation, but has actually been a measured, warm, and loving look at H and M's relationship, and the pressures that the press put on them, and also on other royals. I genuinely did not notice anything incendiary. Maybe that is still to come.

I enjoyed the thoughtful insights shared on the invisible contract, especially, as Harry says, having to perform for a press that you know has said hurtful things about people you love.

I loved the warm memories of Sandringham, and meeting the Queen. And Meghan's memories of growing up. I think it was a wise, though sad, that they did not include Thomas. I really loved hearing Doria: my favourite bit is when a journalist offered her money, for an interview about Meghan and she said, "That's my child!"

I also learned for the first time about Meghan's relationship with her sister Samantha's daughter Ashleigh. I had no idea that she had been raised by her grandparents who adopted her, or that she had such a warm and caring relationship with Meghan. Along with Doria's, that was my favourite interview.

I enjoyed hearing from her childhood friends, as it is often said here that she had no friends who came to the wedding etc, just celebrities. They seem a tight nit grip who have been here fr years, and I am glad she has them.

I was gobsmacked that she needed security in Toronto after the relationship was announced.

I also thought the discussion on racism, in its wider context of colonialism and imperialism, was very well done, but then again it was led by David Olusoga and Afua Hirsch, who are always great, and I love their writing.

Most of all I love that Harry confronted head on the Nazi uniform debacle, and what he learned from it. And I loved, loved, loved, the segment on his life in Lesotho where they gave him the Sesotho name, "Mahale". A wonderful name.

“It was one of the biggest mistakes of my life,” Harry said. “I felt so ashamed afterwards. All I wanted to do was make it right. I sat down and spoke to the chief rabbi in London, which had a profound effect on me. I went to Berlin and spoke to a Holocaust survivor. I could have just ignored it and made the same mistakes over again in my life. But I learned from that.”

I predicted on another thread that Harry would address this and other episodes head on in his book. I was scoffed roundly for this. I expect him to say more in is book, and I am happy to be proved right.

If only for this, I am very glad they did this.

OP posts:
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anexcellentwoman · 09/12/2022 08:49

And the favourable comments about Harry and Meghan from all over the world make no difference to the Royal Family in this country. It is our Royal Family. They are a UK institution and this documentary has put our Royals firmly back in the public glare. You just are not aware of the Spanish Royal Family or the Dutch ( Netherlands) Royal Family to anything like the same degree. Who would have thought it? Not Willie Hamilton back in the sixties when he foresaw the end of the Royal Family within a generation.
Like them or hate them Prince Harry and Meghan have kept the monarchy in the public eye very successfully for a future generation.

Novella4 · 09/12/2022 08:58

😂
That's some impressive double think

ShirleyPhallus · 09/12/2022 08:59

anexcellentwoman · 09/12/2022 08:49

And the favourable comments about Harry and Meghan from all over the world make no difference to the Royal Family in this country. It is our Royal Family. They are a UK institution and this documentary has put our Royals firmly back in the public glare. You just are not aware of the Spanish Royal Family or the Dutch ( Netherlands) Royal Family to anything like the same degree. Who would have thought it? Not Willie Hamilton back in the sixties when he foresaw the end of the Royal Family within a generation.
Like them or hate them Prince Harry and Meghan have kept the monarchy in the public eye very successfully for a future generation.

I’d be really interested to see something like this from Prince Albert of Monaco and wife Charlene!

anexcellentwoman · 09/12/2022 09:22

I can't help but notice Harry's reluctance to drop the title Prince and Megan's desire to see her children given titles. In terms of keeping them in the public eye, royal titles help. I genuinely find it amazing that an institution heading for the chop in the brave new post war world has so successfully reinvented themselves for the instagram generation. I would be interested to see if other European Royal Families might generate the same interest but I doubt it. However you want to spin it, all publicity is good publicity and Meghan's desire to see her children with a Prince/Princess title says a lot about the continuing power of the UK Royal Family

Elisabetty · 09/12/2022 09:22

I really loved this document. They are such a beautiful and fun couple. I really don't understand the hatred. I think I am going to rewatch the series, it really made me feel really good...

BedTaker · 09/12/2022 09:27

anexcellentwoman · 09/12/2022 09:22

I can't help but notice Harry's reluctance to drop the title Prince and Megan's desire to see her children given titles. In terms of keeping them in the public eye, royal titles help. I genuinely find it amazing that an institution heading for the chop in the brave new post war world has so successfully reinvented themselves for the instagram generation. I would be interested to see if other European Royal Families might generate the same interest but I doubt it. However you want to spin it, all publicity is good publicity and Meghan's desire to see her children with a Prince/Princess title says a lot about the continuing power of the UK Royal Family

Yes, I thought this whilst watching. A lot of episode 3 was spent slagging off the idea of the commonwealth, colonialism, generally pretty anti-royal.

I don't necessarily disagree. But then if it's so terrible, then why don't they just cut ties completely, let go of the Royal titles and just become Harry Windsor and Meghan Markle and get back into acting etc?

BedTaker · 09/12/2022 09:30

Elisabetty · 09/12/2022 09:22

I really loved this document. They are such a beautiful and fun couple. I really don't understand the hatred. I think I am going to rewatch the series, it really made me feel really good...

They are a beautiful family, but I'm not sure about fun? Meghan comes across as a little bit 'faux fun', which I think is why she got salty when Kate apparently didn't scream and flap her hands and hug when they first met, like Meghan did when she met her old teacher in front of the cameras.

And when she was talking about the queen and did that big curtsey and was cracking up at her own hilarity, Harry's face was literally like this 😏

anexcellentwoman · 09/12/2022 10:00

I remember Prince Charles investiture. It was supposed to capture the imagination of young people. It was the biggest, yawniest event ever. The Royal Family were dull, boring and seemed irrelevant to modern society. Now a considerable percentage of MN threads are devoted to the extended Royal family. William and Kate will continue to be honourable and worthy and serve to the best of their ability. It really doesn't hurt to have a glamorous couple trading on being members of the Family. When Meghan talks about Prince Haz and names her daughter after the Queen, it continues to promote the mystique of the Royal Family. Many people are proud that our Royal Family continues to be in the world's spotlight. William and Kate can continue to lead quiet, dignified lives and let Prince Harry suggest to everyone that the Royal Family are glamorous and glitzy and feuding and completely worthy of attention. If they keep this going until the Royal children become teenagers and adults, it will ensure the survival of the Royal family for another generation. Clever, if you think about it.

Elisabetty · 09/12/2022 10:04

BedTaker · 09/12/2022 09:30

They are a beautiful family, but I'm not sure about fun? Meghan comes across as a little bit 'faux fun', which I think is why she got salty when Kate apparently didn't scream and flap her hands and hug when they first met, like Meghan did when she met her old teacher in front of the cameras.

And when she was talking about the queen and did that big curtsey and was cracking up at her own hilarity, Harry's face was literally like this 😏

I thought it was funny. I could see myself doing a similar mistake. But of course I don't think I have curtseyd after childhood. Really not a thing in Scandinavia, althought I think I remember seeing princess Sofia of Sweden doing a similar, very deep medieval curtsey that Meghan described, in her wedding.

Lesserspottedmama · 09/12/2022 10:08

MrsMaxDeWinter · 08/12/2022 14:40

Firstly, no ‘trashing’ of the royal family. They’ve barely mentioned them.

Exactly @LadyHarmby

They are mostly discussing the press.

Am gutted about Ashleigh not being invited to the wedding on the recommendation of their comms team, because "how do we explain that the half-sister's is not invite dot the wedding but her daughter is."

I think everyone made a bad call on this, but I can understand why it was made. Ashleigh is incredibly gracious person.

I’m sure Ashleigh knows which side her breads buttered on.

Ohnonevermind · 09/12/2022 10:09

Irish reviews of the series (Pat Kenny), so slightly removed from the U.K.

They seem very in love and are very attractive and charismatic.

they raised issues but let experts speak rather than themselves which lessened the impact

There was no discussion or push back so it stayed at a light entertainment level rather than a deep debate

Perhaps they will expand in later episodes. I think this review seemed fair. Perhaps people will disagree, in fact I’m sure people will disagree 😀

I don’t think these interviews will fracture the relationship further. Sometimes the uncertainty before the interview is worse than what is actually said (the human brain hates uncertainty) so that must be borne in mind too.

Lesserspottedmama · 09/12/2022 10:18

This is what I have been thinking lately, it could quite possibly just all be a long running publicity show to keep them all relevant and everyone has their different roles to play. That’s not to say the royals are the ones who are running the show, it could be purely invented by the media. Or it could be that they themselves are behind it.

anexcellentwoman · 09/12/2022 10:28

Honestly, Meghan and Prince Harry are not republicans. They have no desire to see the downfall of the British monarchy. It is their key selling point. I would have admired them if they had ditched the titles but Meghan wants her children to have them too. They are seen as the glitzy instagram face of monarchy with glamorous American overtones. Meghan would love to become the American branch of the Royal Family. I think they will love to return for the Coronation which will big up the Coronation on the world stage and give it a huge audience of onlookers hoping for feuding and fighting. Otherwise the Coronation would be a bit dull, just like the Investiture. The 'feud' will continue for years and keep the public eye on an otherwise fairly dull institution.
Willie Hamilton and the Post War Republicans would be gnashing their teeth in fury. All the modern republicans are are lapping up the feud and the glamour and rather forgetting the idea that an old fashioned staid Royal Family would quietly disappear.

Lesserspottedmama · 09/12/2022 10:29

Novella4 · 08/12/2022 17:40

@Icedlatteplease and @GreenwichVillage83
You are both right.
That's why Harry and Meghan are so intriguing

Can't say that about the rest of the royals

Well exactly. I find it bizarre that many people stubbornly refuse to acknowledge anything bad about them OR stubbornly refuse to acknowledge anything good. That’s just not real life. People can be over-privileged, spoiled, sanctimonious, dishonest, mercenary etc AND have essentially a good heart, be a loving spouse, parent etc, not deliberately intend to harm their family and be worthy of sympathy for their damaging past etc.

Roussette · 09/12/2022 10:48

Lesserspottedmama · 09/12/2022 10:29

Well exactly. I find it bizarre that many people stubbornly refuse to acknowledge anything bad about them OR stubbornly refuse to acknowledge anything good. That’s just not real life. People can be over-privileged, spoiled, sanctimonious, dishonest, mercenary etc AND have essentially a good heart, be a loving spouse, parent etc, not deliberately intend to harm their family and be worthy of sympathy for their damaging past etc.

Good point. They are very black and white aren't they?

They are certainly not perfect, they're flawed human beings like the rest of us. I can recognise how they would annoy some people, how the self indulgent twaddle they spout sometimes really really grates but they are not the spawn of the devil and don't deserve the massive vitriol and nastiness spewed out minute by minute.
There is some stuff that is OK with them.

And personally I think these 3 episodes have been good for them. Despite the schmaltzy love story stuff, they come across as warm and fun. I thought it was a good series so far. I found it interesting.

StrawberryFlowers · 09/12/2022 10:52

I've only seen the first episode, but they said people had written books about them who didn't even know them. We all remember the bashing Meghan especially got by the gutter press, so I think it's only fair that they get to put their side across. I liked the first episode

anexcellentwoman · 09/12/2022 10:58

Think about how dull and worthy the Coronation will be without the excitement about whether or not Meghan will deck Kate for taking precedence over her. it's all pantomime and all of this will give the country an appetite for the Coronation that it might otherwise not have. In the long run, Harry and Meghan's self promotion is also promoting the rest of the Royal Family.

Roussette · 09/12/2022 10:59

anexcellentwoman · 09/12/2022 10:58

Think about how dull and worthy the Coronation will be without the excitement about whether or not Meghan will deck Kate for taking precedence over her. it's all pantomime and all of this will give the country an appetite for the Coronation that it might otherwise not have. In the long run, Harry and Meghan's self promotion is also promoting the rest of the Royal Family.

Maybe the Palace realise that. Without H&M they are a tad dull.

Rhondaa · 09/12/2022 11:05

I haven't watched this 3hr reality show but what I can say from the many clips online and on the news it is they are a lovely looking couple, it is beautifully shot, the soundtrack is emotional , left eye tear inducing. It lends itself to a channel 4 style Danielle Steel style film I thought.

If I may offer a couple of negatives, the mocking of a different culture regarding 'hugs' and greeting a head of state would seem inappropriate. Including the estranged daughter of her estranged disabled sister would seem a tad heartless and unnecessary.

Anyway, we must wait for vol 2 with baited breath. We can expect more cultural mocking, whispery hypocrisy and PA digs at W&K. All in time for Christmas. #Lovely#BeKind Xmas Grin

Aspiringmatriarch · 09/12/2022 11:28

ShirleyPhallus · 09/12/2022 08:59

I’d be really interested to see something like this from Prince Albert of Monaco and wife Charlene!

Oh goodness...I think a documentary about them would be pretty upsetting to watch. The poor woman cried through her wedding (def not tears of joy).

anexcellentwoman · 09/12/2022 11:44

@Roussette Worthy and hardworking is a tad dull but someone has to open the new A and E in Middlesbrough or a new factory in Peterborough. It doesn't exactly make the news in the Daily Mail though. A potential Meghan tantrum at the Coronation will help give the Coronation a world wide audience and Heads of State are more likely to attend. Who attends the the Coronation of the Swedish Monarchy? No chance of a bust up. I do see that the H and M dynamic helps enliven dull occasions and boosts the survival of the monarchy

minou123 · 09/12/2022 11:46

The curtsey story did make me laugh as it brought back funny memories of meeting the Queen.

After many hours of practicing my curtsey, on the day, I manged to kick myself in the ankle. Quite hard.
My dad laughed (and still does) : "my daughter is limping because she kicked herself while curtseying to the Queen" 😁

Lampzade · 09/12/2022 11:51

Roussette · 09/12/2022 08:07

Had not thought about this before but yes, the married in women are pitted against each other to protect the bloodline males. And the children are thrown in too. Risible
I agree. The kids on the ski slopes are appalling... do we have to make out the RF are oh so wonderful, by wheeling you young kids to face a barrage of press and no doubt all the pictures were commented on. The price of their skiwear, how they look or don't look like their parents etc. It's all quite disgusting that the RF think this is OK.

I think a lot of people who have never particularly supported the Royal Family now feel very protective towards them. Harry and Meghan in the long run may well have done the Royal Family a huge favour. There is a lot of sympathy for them in their position

I think a lot the opposite. I am reading a lot of favourable comments from all over the world. Some of their 3 episodes needed saying and perhaps the RF have had it their way for far far too long. They need to modernise and take note of what the toxic press does to married ins.... for the sake of George and Louis. I see a lot of sympathy for them.

I have too have read more favourable comments.

Lampzade · 09/12/2022 11:53

minou123 · 09/12/2022 11:46

The curtsey story did make me laugh as it brought back funny memories of meeting the Queen.

After many hours of practicing my curtsey, on the day, I manged to kick myself in the ankle. Quite hard.
My dad laughed (and still does) : "my daughter is limping because she kicked herself while curtseying to the Queen" 😁

Ha ha
It was obvious that Meghan was laughing at herself not mocking the Queen.

MrsTumblebee · 09/12/2022 12:02

“It was one of the biggest mistakes of my life,” Harry said. “I felt so ashamed afterwards. All I wanted to do was make it right. I sat down and spoke to the chief rabbi in London, which had a profound effect on me. I went to Berlin and spoke to a Holocaust survivor. I could have just ignored it and made the same mistakes over again in my life. But I learned from that.”

Yet he still went on to refer to ‘ragheads’ when serving in Afghanistan.

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