What next for the Sussexes?

[Casuaala]

I thought yesterday couldn't have gone better, all things considered; there was the least amount of drama or negative coverage possible regarding the Sussexes.

I'd like to hope that this marks a fresh start. Harry's got all the recriminations off his chest. The Royal Family have maintained a dignified silence and hopefully the future is rosy. The Sussexes can have the life they want in the US, with a small presence in family events back here when appropriate. (I wouldn't be surprised however if Megan never makes it back on UK soil).

Yep. Don't let common sense or the truth get in the way of a good story

It depends on their conversations about it doesn’t it? I told my husband to not make a big deal of something racist my in laws said. He was acting on my instruction. It also depends on if she thinks it minimises it the way he said it. She may have asked him to say it or told him that phrase. I understand why people think it minimised it though. I just don’t think that myself.

What is important is that she felt othered by it. Clearly or they wouldn’t raise it.

So we still have no idea what was said, or who said it, or when it was said, and even their own accounts contradict each other's, but you maintain that whatever was said must have been racist because Meghan is mixed race and therefore if she says something it must have happened?

There were concerns around his skin colour. That’s enough for me, yes. It’s not uncommon for mixed race people to be subject to this kind of question, that’s why I believe it. I don’t need a recording of the exact words.

I wonder whether what happened here isn’t more a consequence of various members of the family getting on and the erosion of trust having gone so far that all interactions and exchanges get revisited.

For example, if William saw Harry be distressed about the press treatment and racism against his new girlfriend and said something along the lines of: Harry, I’m worried that if things go well with Meghan your kids may have an even tougher time, especially if they’re darker.

Now if Harry believed William said this because he had his back, as a way of saying ‘this is going to be difficult, how will we, as a firm / family cope with this’, then I don’t think it would be a problem. But if, a few years down the line, he’s become convinced William never supported his relationship and his wife, then looking back that comment could mean ‘he’s trying to put me off dating a black woman’. Which would absolutely be racist.

Not sure this makes sense but I wonder whether it’s one of those situations where original intent is hazy because of everything that happened since.

Obviously I’ve made up that scenario but I can see how in a situation like this all statements - concern about the colour of the kids, recollections may vary, without malice, racism and / or unconscious bias - can all apply, because our more recent experiences always inform our perceptions of the past.

This is a report of what was allegedly said in the correspondence between the King and the Duchess of Sussex. Obviously it is the famous “sources” again so we can in no way be sure it is accurate, but it has not been flatly refuted either (the Duchess merely said she didn’t live in the past and nothing at all from the Palace as usual)

@IronCurtain that makes some sense

You don't think calling racism unconscious bias minimises it?

Meghan linked Archie's heritage to being his denied certain privileges, which is very clear racism. Harry has made her look an idiot by suggesting either it didn't happen like she said it did, or that it's not that bad. I can't stand the "yeah, but it's not really racist" thing any more than I can stand Harry's excuses for his racist remarks in the army - that he didn't mean to insult his colleague, or the one he came up with more recently, that he didn't know he was using a racist slur.

@IronCurtain yes I see your point

This is a report of what was allegedly said

its not a report. It’s a press article.

I think I’ve gone over what I think about both terms enough tbh.

All of which brings us back to the fact that we still have no idea what was or wasn't said so it is impossible to draw any conclusions either way.

There were concerns around his skin colour.

You don’t know this.

Quite

That is what Harry & Meghan have said. As I’ve said. I believe them.

'That is what Harry & Meghan have said. As I’ve said. I believe them.'

Well, as has been said countless times they have form for not being quite accurate in their recollections so sadly that is why people take anything they say with a massive pinch of salt.

I know it’s a press article. Often referred to as a press report in every day English. My goodness @Whaeanui you really are rude and dismissive sometimes. I was at pains to point out that it is what was “allegedly” written etc, yet still you jump down my throat. I was just putting forward another take on the whole thing. I’m really being put off posting because of your constant thread policing and superior attitude. It is most unpleasant.

As has been said countless times they have form for not being quite accurate in their recollections so sadly that is why people take anything they say with a massive pinch of salt

Reasonably enough

Personally I wouldn't say I automatically disbelieve their various stories, but then I don't automatically believe them either. Remembering what's gone before I prefer to wait to see if there's anything concrete to back them up and then decide

It’s not rude, it’s brief and to the point. A report makes it sound like a journalist has actually written something based on an event or evidence. So I think it important to note it’s a press article.

Posting often isn’t thread policing. I’ve been personally targeted by a number of people now and that is far more intimidating than someone replying to you with two simple sentences and zero personal remarks- which I just received a number of from you. Ignore me if you don’t want to engage.

I believe them too.

Whaeanui was not being ‘rude or dismissive’. She was being succinct.

@Morestrangerthings thank you.

They are not particularly credible.

I really would encourage people to read the transcript of the OW interview, it’s easily found. The way certain issues are approached in the interview is as interesting as the words themselves.

To blindly 'believe them' given their form for dishonesty really is 'unconscious bias'!