Page 7 | What next for the Sussexes?

Casuaala · 2023-05-07T13:49:15+00:00

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).

Sudeko · 08/05/2023 09:39

Backgrid don't happen to be hanging around waiting for celebrities. They are used by D Listers trying to keep in the news. The D Lister calls up Backgrid and says "I will be in X place at Y time. Could I pay for a bunch of pap phots?". Backgrid then turns up at X place at y Time and takes the photos which look deceptively spontaneous when they are anything but. That is the only way Backgrid works.

Top tier celebrities obviously don't use Backgrid because the paparazzi are always following them anyway. I hope that clears it up.

Whaeanui · 08/05/2023 09:40

Curtaintwitcher72 · 08/05/2023 09:35

Oh come on, don't be so bloody naive. She hasn't been seen in public for over four months bar that video intro for her mate and she's NEVER papped hiking or shopping or going for a coffee like celebrities often are and suddenly 24 hours after the Coronation she's 'caught' going out, thus guaranteeing her front page coverage? Defend her all you want, but she and her PR advisors know exactly what they're doing.

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I’m sure everyone was looking for her more than they normally do. She has been seen out a few times actually but she is absolutely entitled to go out the weekend of the coronation and not be criticised for it. How insane to get so incensed she went for a walk. It didn’t overshadow a single event.

LimeCheesecake · 08/05/2023 09:41

The fact the paps are there all the time, even though they’ve not done anything interesting for ages, that the express published over 100 stories this weekend about them - even though Harry was only here for a few hours, Meghan stayed away and neither put out statements or did anything noteworthy - really shows the level of fame they have.

understand many hate them - but they sell advertising space, you put a story on your news website about them and it will be clicked on, positive or negative, something interesting or “Meghan walked her dog, Harry smiled at his Aunt.”

Whaeanui · 08/05/2023 09:41

Backgrid don't happen to be hanging around waiting for celebrities.

Backgrid are a photo agency, the buy from independent paps.

Necrotic · 08/05/2023 09:41

SATSSTAS · 08/05/2023 09:34

The pap pic is portraying Meghan and her entourage. She's surrounded by her own team that love and support her, where she is the boss, the most important person. More than anything I think it's a message to Harry: "I've got my hiking boots on and I'm doing this next bit of the walk alone". Poor Harry.

Christ 😂😂 so she can’t even go for a walk now without it having a hidden meaning??!

Sudeko · 08/05/2023 09:42

SATSSTAS · 08/05/2023 09:34

The pap pic is portraying Meghan and her entourage. She's surrounded by her own team that love and support her, where she is the boss, the most important person. More than anything I think it's a message to Harry: "I've got my hiking boots on and I'm doing this next bit of the walk alone". Poor Harry.

Yes, back to her old Soho house mates. It is also odd that somebody would rush back from two long haul flights a few hours apart and not be enjoying downtime with their family altogether. It does make you question what aspects are for show and what aspects are genuine. It is definitely sad for him.

SATSSTAS · 08/05/2023 09:43

@Whaeanui #humourfail 😂

In any case, Megs is ready for the next chapter whether that's to move on or away, who knows. For now she likes to be seen as a very important person in her own right, surrounded by her loyal temporary inner circle. 😆

Rosscameasdoody · 08/05/2023 09:45

notanotheroneagain · 08/05/2023 09:36

The chances are extremely high.

Everyone wanted to know what MM is doing this particular weekend. If there is anytime to stake out for high value pics of MM, it's this one more than any other time, surely.

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Yep. And savvy MM would have known and stayed low profile if she hadn’t wanted the attention.

Howsimplywonderful · 08/05/2023 09:45

Marcus is good friends with Omid Scobie, no email trails this time 😜

Sudeko · 08/05/2023 09:46

Whaeanui · 08/05/2023 09:41

Backgrid don't happen to be hanging around waiting for celebrities.

Backgrid are a photo agency, the buy from independent paps.

No. 100% of the time, when a picture is tagged with Backgrid, they’ve been called by those celebrities to take pictures. Most of the pictures of them are tagged with Backgrid.

changednametorespond · 08/05/2023 09:46

Another book, another series, more interviews, more woe is us.

notanotheroneagain · 08/05/2023 09:46

Rosscameasdoody · 08/05/2023 09:45

Yep. And savvy MM would have known and stayed low profile if she hadn’t wanted the attention.

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Unless her life doesn't revolve sorely around what the RF does.

She is not going to be a hermit because of them. Quite bullying if the RF if that is their view.

Curtaintwitcher72 · 08/05/2023 09:47

Whaeanui · 08/05/2023 09:40

I’m sure everyone was looking for her more than they normally do. She has been seen out a few times actually but she is absolutely entitled to go out the weekend of the coronation and not be criticised for it. How insane to get so incensed she went for a walk. It didn’t overshadow a single event.

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Of course it didn't shadow the overall event but she knows the power of her being photographed less than 24 hours after it happened. This wasn't by chance. Google Backgrid photos and you'll see so many entries about them being the go-to agency for celebs wanting to stage pix. Maybe, giving her the benefit of the doubt for the moment, it was set up by a well-meaning friend wanting to show the world she's thriving despite everything. But in the world of the Hollywood elite, where she's trying to keep her footing, it's really a bad optic, because Backgrid is the set-up agency of choice for the likes of Amber Heard.

Sudeko · 08/05/2023 09:48

Backgrid does staged "candid" paparazzi shoots. They also can allow the client to pick the most flattering photos. It is not some complicated arrangement. They take app bookings.

Curtaintwitcher72 · 08/05/2023 09:49

Sudeko · 08/05/2023 09:42

Yes, back to her old Soho house mates. It is also odd that somebody would rush back from two long haul flights a few hours apart and not be enjoying downtime with their family altogether. It does make you question what aspects are for show and what aspects are genuine. It is definitely sad for him.

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Or maybe she was fed up of doing all the work for the party and hosting everyone and the minute he stepped through the door she chucked the kids at him and was like, 'your turn'. That is what MN encourages mums to do when their OHs have been away and come back thinking they can just put their feet up!

googlejourney · 08/05/2023 09:50

pikkumyy77 · 07/05/2023 15:48

What on earth do you mean “the fashion houses don’t use the royals?” The explicit meaning of alllllll of the coverage of royal fashion is advertising. What is Kate wearing, who made it, how she influences fashion, how you can achieve the look? That is advertising and benefits the brand. Its only more or less tacit because…well..I don’t know why the royals shilling for one designer is seen as virtuous while another royal wearing another designer is seen as embarrassing.

Because Meghan and Harry have worn an awful lot of Dior for high profile events, and it has always been rumoured they get sponsored the clothes to be seen wearing them (not something done by the RF, who don't accept freebies and try to support all sorts if local designers)

There were rumblings that the only reason Harry was going to attend was to fulfil his contract with Dior. So when he arrived in a Dior suit (and not a British designer which is what is usually done by guests as a nod the country) it was almost confirmed.

The fact that Dior has officially used this in their advertising has now confirmed this. (Which is quite a tacky and money grabby thing for a royal to be doing)

Curtaintwitcher72 · 08/05/2023 09:51

Sudeko · 08/05/2023 09:48

Backgrid does staged "candid" paparazzi shoots. They also can allow the client to pick the most flattering photos. It is not some complicated arrangement. They take app bookings.

Yep, Backgrid are known for doing that. I did wonder if the couple of shots of Meghan on her phone were her checking the images the photographer was sending her for approval!

Howsimplywonderful · 08/05/2023 09:52

@Curtaintwitcher72

Her best acting yet - pretending not to see the camera.

SoTedious · 08/05/2023 09:53

I do think it's interesting that before Spare they were rarely seen apart and since Spare they are rarely seen together.

I think it's naive to suggest that the hiking photos were not deliberate on Meghan's part when she can clearly manage to keep a low profile if she wants to.

I was expecting either nothing or some kind of show of unity / support for Harry when he got back, not (presumably) leaving him with the kids and his jet lag while she goes out with her friends.

Sudeko · 08/05/2023 09:54

Curtaintwitcher72 · 08/05/2023 09:49

Or maybe she was fed up of doing all the work for the party and hosting everyone and the minute he stepped through the door she chucked the kids at him and was like, 'your turn'. That is what MN encourages mums to do when their OHs have been away and come back thinking they can just put their feet up!

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It seems unsupportive whatever the backstory. Perhaps she was not supportive about him attending. My Dh gets a heroes welcome when he comes home from the office after a half hour commute 😆

Curtaintwitcher72 · 08/05/2023 09:56

Howsimplywonderful · 08/05/2023 09:52

@Curtaintwitcher72

Her best acting yet - pretending not to see the camera.

😂😂😂

Twitter is going nuts about her paying Backgrid. Someone's actually compiled a montage that proves the few times she's allowed herself to be papped – "give me my privacy!!!" - the pictures are sold by Backgrid. I wonder what her new agency WME is going to make of it - it's not how they and their A-A-A-list clients operate at all.

Howsimplywonderful · 08/05/2023 10:01

@Curtaintwitcher72

Her agency has Kim Kardasian as a client.
They are used to thirsty clients

Whaeanui · 08/05/2023 10:06

googlejourney · 08/05/2023 09:50

Because Meghan and Harry have worn an awful lot of Dior for high profile events, and it has always been rumoured they get sponsored the clothes to be seen wearing them (not something done by the RF, who don't accept freebies and try to support all sorts if local designers)

There were rumblings that the only reason Harry was going to attend was to fulfil his contract with Dior. So when he arrived in a Dior suit (and not a British designer which is what is usually done by guests as a nod the country) it was almost confirmed.

The fact that Dior has officially used this in their advertising has now confirmed this. (Which is quite a tacky and money grabby thing for a royal to be doing)

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Is it really?

Sudeko · 08/05/2023 10:13

WME cannot wave a magic wand and make a couple in their 40s happen if they have no unique or outstanding gifts to share. Revamping her image and using Backgrid for powershots to show connectedness to other names may be the optimal strategy identified for them, in the short run at least. Most reality TV stars seem to use it. They are also famous for being famous. With individuals, they are often encouraged to pretend to hookup in order to generate press. It is harder with a couple, they have gone for the tight knit bunch of friends strategy.

Curtaintwitcher72 · 08/05/2023 10:15

Really interesting too that a few papers this morning are quoting a lip reader who has deciphered the conversation between Harry and Eugenie's husband in the chapel. Jack is said to have questioned 'the meeting?' and Harry is supposed to have replied 'It's sad. I'm fed up. I've tried talking to him' and then they talk about a 'she' and Harry says 'it's not ideal'.

I always take these lip reading stories with a pinch of salt but it would be interesting if there was some kind of meeting between Harry and Charles (I can't imagine William would entertain one right now) and it didn't go well. What did he expect though? That he could write all that shit about his family and in particular Camilla and it would all blow over?