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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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Aspiringmatriarch · 08/12/2022 15:12

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This. Best ignored or we will never get a positive

Goawayquickly · 08/12/2022 15:15

I’m just sitting down to watch it now. They’re both extremely watchable and photogenic.

crumpet · 08/12/2022 15:16

MrsMaxDeWinter · 08/12/2022 14:51

THAT is my complaint . The royals can't stand on their own merit . They are shaped and presented and the people are virtually brainwashed into supporting the monarchy nonsense

This is the discussion I wanted to have thank you.

The older gent, the historian whose name escapes me now, explained it well.

This is a family who owe their place in the world to the notion of being appointed by God.

It is such a ridiculous notion that they need the press onside to continue the weird justification that the blood line of this family was selected by God to rule over the UK and a bunch of former colonies.

So they need to present themselves in a particular way, modern, relevant, appealing, value for money. If the press ever turns on them, they are finished, because how on earth do you justify that this one family is special above others, and that the first born son (now child) in each generation is more special than all the others born in that family?

It's a totally mad system held together by the press as the arbiter of what the British people want. Interesting isn't it that the conversations about ditching the monarchy are only happening in the countries that the British press does not control, in the Commonwealth.

You do realise that the doctrine of divine right of kings was dropped in about 1688, don’t you?

Whatwhowherewhy · 08/12/2022 15:16

I thought Harry came across as lovely. I was utterly shocked at Harry and William out shaking hands and seeing people after their mother had just died and thanking them for coming etc. Who on earth approved that. They should have been protected and not having to be out with the public. It’s a pity they couldn’t make it work in the royal family. I do feel like they would’ve been a real asset.

I didn’t really get the focus on colonialism etc. felt a bit random.

MrsMaxDeWinter · 08/12/2022 15:17

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😁
Good point, I think we should just nod, smile, continue talking.

I thought this series was well done. It's not a surprise that the press is as apoplectic as some of the posters here!

OP posts:
MrNook · 08/12/2022 15:17

I agree with everything you said OP, I really enjoyed it

WidowTwanki · 08/12/2022 15:19

Onedayatatime22 · 08/12/2022 15:06

@Backstreetsbackalrightdadada He was 21. And he apologised at the time - it says so in your link. Doesn't make it right, of course. But you might want to get your facts straight.

No Prince Harry did not apologise at the time and has not acknowledged it since.

He had the opportunity to do so in this series but seemingly has chosen not to.

The MoD and Clarence House responded to the scandal with statements at the time - but PH did not and has not personally apologised.

Guitarbar · 08/12/2022 15:19

I liked how Harry said in one breath that he couldn't remember much about his mum, and in the next said meghan reminded him of her. Oh also when meghan knowing his trauma relating to the paparazzi made a point of highlighting where the (one solitary) pap was when they were in the car- instead of being thankful he hadn't noticed. Her mocking the queen whilst he looked on in disgust but had no minerals to say anything was brilliant as well. Also nice to see how different their children look from the photos that have been published previously, like magic ain't it!

fUNNYfACE36 · 08/12/2022 15:20

Whiney self absorbed bores

rumship · 08/12/2022 15:22

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Onedayatatime22 · 08/12/2022 15:23

Backstreetsbackalrightdadada · 08/12/2022 15:11

He never apologised - others said he had. He has never addressed it. Him being 21 is a really obscene defence, I was a younger than him and gasped when it was on the news. It’s inconvenient to him but doesn’t show any growth that he ignores it. It wasn’t just the one slur, as others have said.

How do you know? I don't know for sure... only that it was reported that he has.

fUNNYfACE36 · 08/12/2022 15:24

WidowTwanki · 08/12/2022 15:19

No Prince Harry did not apologise at the time and has not acknowledged it since.

He had the opportunity to do so in this series but seemingly has chosen not to.

The MoD and Clarence House responded to the scandal with statements at the time - but PH did not and has not personally apologised.

He also kept calling one of the other Sandhurst trainees P**i.

BonnesVacances · 08/12/2022 15:24

His little friend in army was called that "nickname" by everyone he served with, so perhaps they could all get together and issue a group public apology. Or is it just Harry that needs to?

MrsMaxDeWinter · 08/12/2022 15:25

Whatwhowherewhy · 08/12/2022 15:16

I thought Harry came across as lovely. I was utterly shocked at Harry and William out shaking hands and seeing people after their mother had just died and thanking them for coming etc. Who on earth approved that. They should have been protected and not having to be out with the public. It’s a pity they couldn’t make it work in the royal family. I do feel like they would’ve been a real asset.

I didn’t really get the focus on colonialism etc. felt a bit random.

I agree about Harry.
He comes across as sweet and lovely. Can't get enough of the Lesotho scenes, a place close to my own home.
I think the colonialism explanation @Whatwhowherewhy was to set the scene for the discussion on race, and why Meghan seems such a breath of fresh air. Loved the comment that finally, the Royal Family was catching up with the rest of modern Britain.
Watching them, so natural and charismatic, I felt sad for what could have been, but also relieved for them that they left.

OP posts:
rumship · 08/12/2022 15:26

BonnesVacances · 08/12/2022 15:24

His little friend in army was called that "nickname" by everyone he served with, so perhaps they could all get together and issue a group public apology. Or is it just Harry that needs to?

No he was not call that by every one he served with, thats an out right lie.

Onedayatatime22 · 08/12/2022 15:26

@WidowTwanki It says explicitly in that report that 'he has apologised'. I don't know if he has ... but then neither do you. Have you watched the programme? He addresses a lot of this - not that specific incident, granted - but he talks about racism and bias and how he has had to reflect on his own views and behaviours very openly.

BedTaker · 08/12/2022 15:27

BonnesVacances · 08/12/2022 15:24

His little friend in army was called that "nickname" by everyone he served with, so perhaps they could all get together and issue a group public apology. Or is it just Harry that needs to?

Was he? I'm sure some of the people serving at the time would have something to say about that claim!

Riu · 08/12/2022 15:31

They are in a mutually beneficial relationship with the press. They media make lots of money out of them and they make lots of money out of the media. It is like Matt Hancock doing I’m a celebrity. Difficult to take very seriously.

MrsMaxDeWinter · 08/12/2022 15:32

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Novella4 · 08/12/2022 15:35

Re the press , it does seem to be a simplified game of goodies and baddies. But Charles and William are hard work to portray as 'goodies' - sometimes I honestly think the media are trolling the royals but some people lap it up unquestioningly.

I wonder what is stopping them turning on the royals for now .

I do think Netflix have played the royals ! It's all been very calm on the programme so far
The place looks jumpy as all hell ( lol )

WidowTwanki · 08/12/2022 15:36

Onedayatatime22 · 08/12/2022 15:26

@WidowTwanki It says explicitly in that report that 'he has apologised'. I don't know if he has ... but then neither do you. Have you watched the programme? He addresses a lot of this - not that specific incident, granted - but he talks about racism and bias and how he has had to reflect on his own views and behaviours very openly.

No it does not say explicitly in the report that PH apologised - its says:

“Clarence House issued an immediate apology for the video episode and the MoD said the armed services had zero tolerance of racism, sexism and homophobia in the ranks, despite persistent allegations to the contrary.”

amp.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jan/12/prince-harry-racism

PH has had the opportunity for the past 13 years to address it, acknowledge it an apologise - and yet again he chose not to.

Not good enough.

BedTaker · 08/12/2022 15:36

I just don't get how you can make a documentary about how awful the press are, when being in the press is literally your livelihood?

Without publicity they have nothing. Unless Meghan wants to go back to acting and Harry go back to the army.

They are still happy to exploit their connection to the Royal Family. They want all of the wealth and privilege of being part of the RF without having to do anything or sacrifice anything for it.

I get that it would have been difficult. I thought it was very clearly illustrated in that engagement interview. Meghan looked terrified and barely spoke, petrified that she was going to say something wrong, it obviously wasn't the real her at all. But, rightly or wrongly, isn't that the deal? Do your duty, get on with it, and enjoy a life of immense privilege forever.

You can't cut ties with it all, slag it off, but then still expect to benefit from it?

Marulatree · 08/12/2022 15:37

I cancelled my subscription several months ago. But I’m motivated to renew it so I can watch the programme. This is largely to support the couple and enrage their detractors as I’m quite tired of their asinine behaviour. I’m sure a few hours each day engaging in something with purpose would sort out their problems.

BedTaker · 08/12/2022 15:39

Yeah I do think it's bollocks that people claim that they didn't even realise Meghan was mixed race until the wedding or whatever. Of course they did.

The general public didn't really seem to care though, in the main?

peaceandove · 08/12/2022 15:41

“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.”

Hilarious. Of course, Harry couldn't just have a private chat with a local Rabbi. It had to be the Chief Rabbi, of course. And, yet Harry's supposedly really uncomfortable with hierarchy and privilege Hmm

And, I take it there were no Holocaust survivors to be found anywhere in the UK? Nope, not one? So, he had to fly to Berlin to find one. Yes, fly. Towering bastion of environmentalism that he is.

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