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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:
Thread gallery
12
LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 11/12/2022 04:19

DragonsAndDandelions · 10/12/2022 21:59

Asking this on a positive thread for hopefully balanced replies:

If the RF is a racist institution based on its history, would it not make sense for Harry and Meghan to reject their titles? Genuine question, why would they want to be part of something so un-egalitarian and entrenched in historical exploitation?

Because they want to monetise the titles. If they’re plain old Meghan and Harry they aren’t nearly as interesting, especially to an American audience. They lose their titles then they lose their Hollywood USP

Inkanta · 11/12/2022 06:28

Tabloid rule is rule by intimidation. It has long rested on the presumption that no one – not even the royals – would dare to stand up to the papers. The ongoing barrage of fury against the Sussexes is motivated therefore by more than the usual strategy of selling newspapers by monetising hate. It also reflects a creeping realisation that, for all their toxic and unwarranted power, the tabloids are ultimately incapable of destroying this couple

Good article in the guardian by David Olusoga.

dundies · 11/12/2022 06:42

I agree OP. I'm enjoying hearing their story and they are coming across well, I'm now a fan.

Interesting the level of negative press towards the documentary since it aired. The UK press gunning for them more than ever. Smells like RF press office to me, worried H&M will overshadow K&W who are becoming increasingly boring and mechanical.

Even on mums net, every since positive comment is immediately shut down or countered with a strong negative.

I think the RF are concerned this successful documentary will have profound impact on their own ratings.

Justasec321 · 11/12/2022 07:29

dundies · 11/12/2022 06:42

I agree OP. I'm enjoying hearing their story and they are coming across well, I'm now a fan.

Interesting the level of negative press towards the documentary since it aired. The UK press gunning for them more than ever. Smells like RF press office to me, worried H&M will overshadow K&W who are becoming increasingly boring and mechanical.

Even on mums net, every since positive comment is immediately shut down or countered with a strong negative.

I think the RF are concerned this successful documentary will have profound impact on their own ratings.

Very well said.

I actually went back and watched it again to see if I had missed what others so clearly saw.

Nope - still the same. Charming couple, seem genuine. No family thrown under buses, no being rude to the Queen.

They are definately holding a BIG question over the press, and I am here for that. Especially in their treatment of women who marry in.

And like you, the negative push back is SO bonkers (in the Daily Mail especially) but here too, so utterly irrational, and so swift that I now think it is a campaign against them.

MrsMaxDeWinter · 11/12/2022 08:15

I am so enjoying this thread thank you so much for the thoughtful and considered posts.

The aim of this thread - and I intend to post another if this fills up before Thursday - is to have one little corner on Mumsnet that is not full of bile and poison about Meghan and Harry as we discuss their documentary series.

The series raises so many interesting issues about the press, the history of he Royal Family, race and bigotry, Harry's relationship with Meghan, ther kids and wider families that it is my hope that we can have this discussion without the usual poison you find on many current and past threads.

I have been on Mumsnet long enough to know that anyone posting anything slightly positive is rounded on, accused of being Meghan, or accused of being her PR etc.

I would recommend that those with nothing but poison to spill may want do so on the threads that welcome this, but if they choose to do it here, I suggest that we simply just ignore the bile to avoid derailing the thread. There are of course critical posters who do not post maliciously, and but it is clear that three or four just want to derail the thread, as they have derailed other positive threads in the past.

Looking for that David Olusoga article now, will be back when I've read it.

OP posts:
Roussette · 11/12/2022 08:49

They are definately holding a BIG question over the press, and I am here for that. Especially in their treatment of women who marry in

^^ This.

Can't W&K think forward say 15-20 years. Is this how they want George or Louis's intended wives to be treated? I understand Harry asked for Palace help but was told to just accept it as a rite of passage. The press is vitriolic enough now, it is disgusting in its targeting of all women marrying in. Imagine how out of hand it will be then? They should be grateful for Harry doing them a favour and challenging the media!

Aspiringmatriarch · 11/12/2022 08:52

I would recommend that those with nothing but poison to spill may want do so on the threads that welcome this, but if they choose to do it here, I suggest that we simply just ignore the bile to avoid derailing the thread. There are of course critical posters who do not post maliciously, and but it is clear that three or four just want to derail the thread, as they have derailed other positive threads in the past.

Seconding this!

Aspiringmatriarch · 11/12/2022 08:53

twitter.com/factsand2cents/status/1601573321346527233?s=20&t=41kjLsVfMredS7ikLY8PyQ

Has anybody seen this on Twitter?

SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 11/12/2022 08:56

I’ve watched all three episodes and enjoyed them. I think the coverage of it is really strange and doesn’t reflect what I was watching. I have always felt they have been very badly treated and have occasionally commented on here about it but eventually gave up because it was so depressing. But here I am, trying again 😀.
I am looking forward to the next three episodes, especially the photographs and footage from the wedding. I loved her evening dress so much and thought she looked amazing.

SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 11/12/2022 09:00

Aspiringmatriarch · 11/12/2022 08:53

That’s so interesting. Makes a lot of sense actually when you look back at everything that happened.

Roussette · 11/12/2022 09:05

Aspiringmatriarch · 11/12/2022 08:53

I don't doubt this AT ALL.

There have been hints of this over the years (Knauf, Wootton etc) and there is a vid out there of a well know respected journalist saying she was asked to print untrue stories about H&M (wish I could find it, but it was years ago) and...

The Monarchy will protect the Monarchy at all costs even if that means throwing a member of the RF or their spouse under the bus to protect those in direct line.

Aspiringmatriarch · 11/12/2022 09:16

If true, it really begs the question of why. But that is probably thread derailment territory!

MrsMaxDeWinter · 11/12/2022 09:56

I'm also curious as to why.

There is no denying that Harry and Meghan, separately, and together, are much more charismatic than K and W. It's Diana versus Charles, Elizabeth versus Margaret all over.

The problem with this primogeniture based system is that the heir is not always the most likeable or charismatic. So the heir must be propped up, and those threatening t to take the shine away must be dimmed.

My sense is that there was a fear that Harry and Meghan were more charismatic that W and K. And hence the briefings, not necessarily from W and K directly but from those payed to advance their interests.

OP posts:
Ohnonevermind · 11/12/2022 10:23

@MrsMaxDeWinter

It’s a constitutional role, rather than a charismatic one ?

I think the focus is on William behaving in a regal manner, imagine the furore if there were photos of William standing drunk and naked in LV 😀 he would never get over it.

William and Kate have to behave in a regal manner, there is a lot more leeway for the other family members, which can make them seem more fun and charismatic. I do remember vaguely when Andrew would have been seen as more ‘charismatic’ one too, so luckily that’s not the criteria or where would the U.K. be today.

Meghan could have returned to her career if she wanted to but clearly her own charisma was quite enough to pull her to a-list.

Aspiringmatriarch · 11/12/2022 10:28

So then the question again is why do it? I don't believe the Queen was ever known for briefing against Margaret, was she? I agree, being somewhat 'staid' and regal is OK for the heirs to the throne.

Ohnonevermind · 11/12/2022 10:36

@Aspiringmatriarch

its @MrsMaxDeWinter ’sense’ rather than a verifiable fact ? but sure don’t let that stop you

Ohnonevermind · 11/12/2022 10:41

The RF’s role isn’t there to be some kind of upmarket kardasian show, it’s as head of state.

We’ve a president in ireland here. I don’t think we’d want our head of state running around drunk flashing his bits either.

Our heads of state are quite boring too (Mary Robinson, Mary mcAleese, Michael d Higgins) but they have an understanding of the constitution and our parliamentary system which isn’t as exciting to some posters as squating on Ellen but there you go

BellePeppa · 11/12/2022 10:55

Aspiringmatriarch · 10/12/2022 12:49

I don't think this is really true. Lots of people like to claim it was this moment or that moment when they stopped supporting them, but there was a steady drip of poison right from the beginning and when they left there was a huge outcry about them, talk about the wording of their statement, the South Africa interview, the big wedding, bets on how long it would be before the divorce and on and on.

I remember seeing Harry on the top of the bus with James Corden and commenting on how happy and relaxed he seemed. Absolutely no problem with them leaving, no dislike of either of them but the Oprah interview changed all that.

Aspiringmatriarch · 11/12/2022 10:55

I think you misunderstood - I was asking why plant the negative stories in the first place. You responded to MrsMaxdeWinter suggesting it was because they were more charismatic; as you said, this isn't really the point for William and Kate as the heirs to the throne.
Why were KP briefing against them? That's the point. Of course we can only guess and speculate, really. It's odd though.

Aspiringmatriarch · 11/12/2022 10:58

BellePeppa · 11/12/2022 10:55

I remember seeing Harry on the top of the bus with James Corden and commenting on how happy and relaxed he seemed. Absolutely no problem with them leaving, no dislike of either of them but the Oprah interview changed all that.

Fair enough, but that's you individually. I was talking about the general response. Here's an example of the coverage (picture attached, hopefully!)

Discussing the things we liked about Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary series
Onedayatatime22 · 11/12/2022 11:02

MrsMaxDeWinter · 11/12/2022 08:15

I am so enjoying this thread thank you so much for the thoughtful and considered posts.

The aim of this thread - and I intend to post another if this fills up before Thursday - is to have one little corner on Mumsnet that is not full of bile and poison about Meghan and Harry as we discuss their documentary series.

The series raises so many interesting issues about the press, the history of he Royal Family, race and bigotry, Harry's relationship with Meghan, ther kids and wider families that it is my hope that we can have this discussion without the usual poison you find on many current and past threads.

I have been on Mumsnet long enough to know that anyone posting anything slightly positive is rounded on, accused of being Meghan, or accused of being her PR etc.

I would recommend that those with nothing but poison to spill may want do so on the threads that welcome this, but if they choose to do it here, I suggest that we simply just ignore the bile to avoid derailing the thread. There are of course critical posters who do not post maliciously, and but it is clear that three or four just want to derail the thread, as they have derailed other positive threads in the past.

Looking for that David Olusoga article now, will be back when I've read it.

Thank you for starting it. Good to finally have some balance in the discussion, rather than vitriolic comments being thrown about.

SequinsandStilettos · 11/12/2022 11:07

Why were KP briefing against them?
If from "unnamed sources" misguided loyalty?
If from staff with an axe to grind, spite?
If from William or Kate's advisors/with their knowledge, either as a distraction from a more negative story (about their own marriage) or out of jealousy (popularity competition) or as a tit for tat (if led to believe H+M doing the same)?

lollipoprainbow · 11/12/2022 11:11

I watched last night and found it sad and wistful. The music and opening credits did it i think! Really interesting to see what Harry had to put up being constantly hounded by the press. He really feels for his mum and was so close to her. There's no way he should have been made to meet the public or walk behind the coffin that's utterly inhumane. Duty and tradition are the mainstay of the royals doesn't make it right though. Team Harry all the way here.

Ohnonevermind · 11/12/2022 11:13

@Aspiringmatriarch

Where is your evidence that KP have been planting negative stories about them?

Hasn’t tthe Bashir / Diana enquiry taught us that the press lie - Diana believed the manufactured evidence, could Harry not have believed the same, if he was talking about ‘briefings’ against him

we will have to wait to see the evidence. But I think one thing is clear, I can’t see a way back for Harry and William.

Inkanta · 11/12/2022 11:14

Why isn't the palace doing something about the Kensington 'palace sources' leaking nasty stories? Surely it can't be William and Kate.

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