Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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
BellePeppa · 20/12/2022 12:10

I agree the Jeremy Clarkson thing was beyond the pale. I may dislike the pair but I’d be happy for them to live a wonderful life but to please please stop rehashing old gripes it’s so very boring now.

Lampzade · 20/12/2022 12:18

BellePeppa · 20/12/2022 12:10

I agree the Jeremy Clarkson thing was beyond the pale. I may dislike the pair but I’d be happy for them to live a wonderful life but to please please stop rehashing old gripes it’s so very boring now.

I trust that you are also bored of the constant articles in the press lambasting the couple

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 20/12/2022 12:19

I thought Megan came across very well.
Very warm and natural.
Easy.

Other family members seem positively brittle in comparison.

She seems warm and fun and she's also a do er. I can see why feathers were ruffled.

Xenia · 20/12/2022 12:26

I have repeatedly said I liked her in suits. I have never said she was a bad actress. I don't think it is the case that people with the usual mixed views about MM say she is a bad actress and secondly say she is putting on fake crying when it suits her. I don't know if her tears were fake or not.
I am sorry she and Harry seem to have mental health issues and I hope they are getting the help they need and can live happily with their family. I wish them no harm but I think they have done some very silly things that are not in their own long term interests.

Sigma33 · 20/12/2022 12:39

Lampzade · 20/12/2022 12:04

There is no way that Harry and Meghan were offered a quiet wedding. In fact , in the documentary Harry said that everyone including the public wanted to see Diana’s son achieve his happily ever after .

Everyone?

Every single person who had ever heard of them?

Unlikely.

It's a great statement to explain why they went to the big wedding - 'everyone wanted it so we went along with it'. But once you take a proper look it raises all sorts of questions. Especially when aligned with 'the press was vile and racist' - again, without defining 'the press'.

Because then on one hand you have huge sections of society being hostile, racist and misogynist as soon as they heard of a black woman dating a member of the royal family, but on the other you have a universal welcome and wish for a big, public wedding as a happy ever after despite the bride being black.

Quirkyme · 20/12/2022 12:43

@BellePeppa

"I just think she's a nasty spiteful person and I think her husband is worse. I am not of the school of supporting every woman for no other reason than they are female. I've met, worked with, crossed paths with some horrible horrible women"

Sounds like projection.

GreenLunchBox · 20/12/2022 18:14

Quirkyme · 20/12/2022 12:43

@BellePeppa

"I just think she's a nasty spiteful person and I think her husband is worse. I am not of the school of supporting every woman for no other reason than they are female. I've met, worked with, crossed paths with some horrible horrible women"

Sounds like projection.

Doesn't it just? 🤭

Sigma33 · 20/12/2022 18:38

Sigma33 · 20/12/2022 12:39

Everyone?

Every single person who had ever heard of them?

Unlikely.

It's a great statement to explain why they went to the big wedding - 'everyone wanted it so we went along with it'. But once you take a proper look it raises all sorts of questions. Especially when aligned with 'the press was vile and racist' - again, without defining 'the press'.

Because then on one hand you have huge sections of society being hostile, racist and misogynist as soon as they heard of a black woman dating a member of the royal family, but on the other you have a universal welcome and wish for a big, public wedding as a happy ever after despite the bride being black.

Any response for the H&M fans?

GreenLunchBox · 20/12/2022 20:57

Sigma33 · 20/12/2022 18:38

Any response for the H&M fans?

You've had zero engagement because its difficult to fathom what you're asking

minou123 · 20/12/2022 21:08

Sigma33 · 20/12/2022 18:38

Any response for the H&M fans?

You've also had zero engagement because you've asked for a response from "fans".

Nobody here is a "H&M fan" because we are not 13 years old.

Sigma33 · 20/12/2022 23:11

Given people have been accused of being 'haters' and 'obsessed' for questioning H&M's account, that is rather funnny! Well done!

My query was my comment:

Weren't H&M offered the opportunity for a quiet wedding and a life outside of being a working royal? Or was that misreported? My recollection is that they chose to be working royals, until they chose to leave. They wanted to 'hit the ground running' as well, and not take time to settle into their new life and role.
No reason why they shouldn't change their mind, of course.

followed by the@Lampzade 's response:
There is no way that Harry and Meghan were offered a quiet wedding. In fact , in the documentary Harry said that everyone including the public wanted to see Diana’s son achieve his happily ever after .

So the question was:
'It's a great statement to explain why they went to the big wedding - 'everyone wanted it so we went along with it'. But once you take a proper look it raises all sorts of questions. Especially when aligned with 'the press was vile and racist' - again, without defining 'the press'.

Because then on one hand you have huge sections of society being hostile, racist and misogynist as soon as they heard of a black woman dating a member of the royal family, but on the other you have a universal welcome and wish for a big, public wedding as a happy ever after despite the bride being black.'

Sigma33 · 20/12/2022 23:27

In other words, how does choosing a big wedding and becoming working royals in an institution founded on racism and colonialism align with being anti-racist activists who find it bizarre to bow/curtsey to the monarch?

Who was the 'everyone' that wanted (pressured them?) into having a big public wedding? Or was there no pressure, and they had the wedding they wanted?

I wasn't in the UK at the time, and wasn't particularly paying attention (royal weddings are not my thing, I don't watch them beyond snippets on the news). But I do remember the 'we want to hit the ground running' comment from the clip on the news, and wondering what on earth they were expecting to be doing.

Did they leave as 'working royals' because of the toxic culture? Or the historical basis of slavery and colonialism? In which case, why did they release a statement wanting to remain 'half in' and still serving the Queen, and why have they kept their titles?

If they have subsequently discovered the ties with slavery and conquest (no surprise to anyone with any interest in history, but perhaps at the point they got married they hadn't taken an interest) - are they now repudiating their ties to the RF as an institution?

clyspa · 21/12/2022 07:26

I liked the kitchen at Frogmore, their California garden, her clothes, Doria.

Some of the experts esp the historians - although a pity it was in service of one couple.

JackandVera · 21/12/2022 09:53

minou123 · 20/12/2022 21:08

You've also had zero engagement because you've asked for a response from "fans".

Nobody here is a "H&M fan" because we are not 13 years old.

No but they are a stan

JackandVera · 21/12/2022 09:54

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 20/12/2022 12:19

I thought Megan came across very well.
Very warm and natural.
Easy.

Other family members seem positively brittle in comparison.

She seems warm and fun and she's also a do er. I can see why feathers were ruffled.

What does she "do" that others don't?

Xenia · 21/12/2022 12:19

I don;'t think most people in the UK had any concern about MM having some black ancestors at all. It is very unfair the way the UK h as been portrayed as very racist. They may not like MM for other reasons but usually not for that reason.

As for the kind of wedding in the not so distance past marrying someone who is divorced (as indeed King Charles did when a Prince) was definitely not the done thing - look at how Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson had to marry and the fact MM was divorced and not a virgin etc in the past might have resulted in denial of a big wedding.
I was surprised the Netflix programme did not mention her first marriage. Presumably that was also a lovely love story so why miss it all out?

Quirkyme · 21/12/2022 12:32

"I don't think most people in the UK had any concern about MM having some black ancestors at all. It is very unfair the way UK has been portrayed as very racist. They may not like MM for other reasons but usually not for that reason."

LOL

MrsTumblebee · 21/12/2022 13:02

Quirkyme · 21/12/2022 12:32

"I don't think most people in the UK had any concern about MM having some black ancestors at all. It is very unfair the way UK has been portrayed as very racist. They may not like MM for other reasons but usually not for that reason."

LOL

I don’t know why you’re laughing.

I agree with Xenia. And in fact I’d go as far as to say there are probably many people who are sickened by being told if you’re not a fan of Meghan it’s because you’re a racist. It’s an accusation that’s counter productive because people then shut down completely when it comes to the couple and anything they then say falls on deaf ears.

SenecaFallsRedux · 21/12/2022 15:03

But the people who say they don't like Meghan and that race has nothing to do with it, is is not possible that some of them have been influenced by media coverage that has some racist, as well as misogynistic, animus. I do think that is highly likely.

Roussette · 21/12/2022 15:41

SenecaFallsRedux · 21/12/2022 15:03

But the people who say they don't like Meghan and that race has nothing to do with it, is is not possible that some of them have been influenced by media coverage that has some racist, as well as misogynistic, animus. I do think that is highly likely.

Yes. As far as I'm concerned, I have never thought that all the posts so anti Meghan were because of racism. Despite a poster a few days ago telling me I'd put down all criticism of her as by racist posters. Nothing could be further from the truth. I think some are because they feel their Royal family comfort blanket has been exposed and/or threatened. Others just find her an annoying woman. Whether that's because of her being an American actress and doing things differently, who knows. Others just don't like her, full stop. Someone said a week or so back, as soon as they saw the engagement interview, they decided they didn't like her because they could see she was 'trouble'. I mean... WTAF... that's just ridiculous.

However... for me (just my opinion) because some of the criticism is so wildly awful and unjustified both here and on SM, I can only assume a small element has racism attached to it.

MrsTumblebee · 21/12/2022 17:55

SenecaFallsRedux · 21/12/2022 15:03

But the people who say they don't like Meghan and that race has nothing to do with it, is is not possible that some of them have been influenced by media coverage that has some racist, as well as misogynistic, animus. I do think that is highly likely.

At 64 and having lived a very interesting life from the age of 18 when I married and moved to the Middle East a few months later I’m quite sure I’m capable of making my own mind up about people, just as others probably are.

Or are you really saying in order to make everything about racism that we don’t actually know our own mind.

SenecaFallsRedux · 21/12/2022 18:25

However... for me (just my opinion) because some of the criticism is so wildly awful and unjustified both here and on SM, I can only assume a small element has racism attached to it.

Same for me. It's the vehemence with which some posters on MN and other sites criticize Meghan that often raises red flags to me. It may not be on its face racist, but when it is all out of proportion to the subject being discussed, I often suspect that it is motivated at least in part by racism. And this has certainly been true of criticism in the US of Michelle Obama, which from some quarters was all out of proportion to her supposed shortcomings. If people enjoy attacking a black woman (or man for that matter), they often take what might otherwise seem to be legitimate criticism up a notch or three.

Ohnonevermind · 21/12/2022 18:40

@SenecaFallsRedux

If posters think lying is acceptable or not and tie themselves in knots minimising or excusing it (and this has nothing to do with race or sex), it just means you can’t speak from any position of authority when a person you don’t like tells lies (like Boris Johnson or Trump)

It’s far easier to call out when you don’t like the person, but for me it’s a fatal character flaw when a person lies for self promotion.

GreenLunchBox · 21/12/2022 19:35

I don't think most people in the UK had any concern about MM having some black ancestors at all. It is very unfair the way the UK h as been portrayed as very racist. They may not like MM for other reasons but usually not for that reason.

FFS

GreenLunchBox · 21/12/2022 19:41

SenecaFallsRedux · 21/12/2022 18:25

However... for me (just my opinion) because some of the criticism is so wildly awful and unjustified both here and on SM, I can only assume a small element has racism attached to it.

Same for me. It's the vehemence with which some posters on MN and other sites criticize Meghan that often raises red flags to me. It may not be on its face racist, but when it is all out of proportion to the subject being discussed, I often suspect that it is motivated at least in part by racism. And this has certainly been true of criticism in the US of Michelle Obama, which from some quarters was all out of proportion to her supposed shortcomings. If people enjoy attacking a black woman (or man for that matter), they often take what might otherwise seem to be legitimate criticism up a notch or three.

Absolutely

Stormzy summed it up perfectly here:

twitter.com/nelsabbey/status/1217148468990500865?t=bajpSGEdbuVrqXOpLLpvxQ&s=19

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.