Harry and Megan dubbed "fucking grifters" Part Deux

[Qbish]

Harry and Meghan slammed by Spotify executive after podcast deal ends | The Independent

The old thread got closed, just as I was trying to quote tweet someone! So I've started this one, because this shitshow is still rumbling on

They’ve backed themselves into a corner and it’s difficult at the moment to see how they go forward from everything that’s happened to date.

There are presumably many things that could/would have been open to them initially. But there’s no doubt that damage has been done to “their brand” (and I use that phrase loosely).

The conundrum is that there could be many paths forward but they need those that generate money not just profile. Members of the royal family can associate themselves with causes that resonate with them that are a good match because their income is assured from the privy purse. They can agree to support charities etc that they hold in regard. They don’t have the double edged sword of trying to earn a living from their royal patronage as they are “salaried” by being a member of the RF.

Harry and Meghan are in the unfortunate situation of living an expensive lifestyle that needs to be paid for without actually having a job so to speak. Others in their vicinity have earned their money and their lifestyle by being at the top of their game either currently or living on past performance which has brought them wealth.

Harry has a limited view of life ( apart from the Army which he can’t be knocked for) and Meghan by all accounts desires fame which again is fine, but you have to have a talent at something to achieve it. Of course she was an actress but in all honesty she wasn’t at the top of her game there and her current fame is linked to the fact she married the son of the current King and grandson of the late Queen. It’s not being cruel or vindictive but just factual.

I wonder if you feel the same way about the incessant attacks by the Sussexes and their fans towards the royals. First the Oprah interview, then the documentary, and the book, and that doesn't include the multiple interviews that the sussexes conducted where they criticized the royal family, or made vague threats of spilling tea, or dragging the Wales children as part of their publicity tour, or making insinuations that William has been paid off by media in lawsuits. Do you think that this constant attack on the Charles, camilla, william
And kate, would lead to tragic consequences? Or what about the attacks against Jason knauff, or the bullying of the staff that lead to breaking down at their desks? Are you concerned about them too? If Meghan and harry were to get their way, it would mean they get to monetize the royal brand, get to be treated the same as the king or queen, get to have publicly funded security, get to silence the media where the only news released about them is flattering and approved by them.

Harry can never undo what he has done and the damage he has caused. He’s really burnt his bridges with the future king and queen. I don’t know if he truly understands that.

As a story, it’s grimly fascinating.

I think these statements come from his time with Chelsy, I think maybe he felt part of a family unit very different to where he grew up, absent parents, unhappy parents, boarding school, living in an institution rather than a home. I suspect that time spent with the Davy family felt very different to his world

I tell you what though, their new pr company is doing a cracking job at changing the narrative. Literally nothing has changed , they have done nothing different and nothing more, but lots of more positive articles appearing. You could see it as soon as the grifters comment went out it was counteracted by the albeit short sighted dior leak, now it’s all harry the humanitarian and Africa devotee being pushed heavily , as that can’t be counteracted.

hats off to them, nothing is actually fact, nothing has changed, clearly. But they are flooding with positive stories and this thread alone shows folks are buying it.

experts at their game, they have looked, found something positive from Harry’s past and flooded with it to change the story. And it can’t be counteracted like Dior was. It doesn’t even matter if he never does it.

I think the ‘Africa and conservation’ story draws attention immediately to Harry’s background of guns, shoots, shooting and hunting, and it invites discussion of the whole white saviour issue (as happened above).

He’s a busted flush.

I think you make some excellent points 👏👏

I found it so sad watching William & Harry record totally different speeches not even acknowledging each other for the Diana Awards. I hope their relationship is salvageable one day but I don’t see how. I wonder what she would have made of it all.

I do think that one of the problems they have is that the charity work that people feel H&M ought to be doing, doesn't actually pay the bills. And in fact, people are still a bit squeamish about them earning money. Which is difficult, as I think it's widely acknowledged that they did not start out in 2020 with the cash needed to support the lifestyle they aspired to. Documentaries in Africa are not worth millions and millions and millions. They might cost a fair amount to make, but they're not going to set anyone up for life.

Wasn't that awful. A terrible, terrible shame.

I think, @limoncello23 that no one is bothered about them making money. They chose to move away, although they did seem to think Charles would carry on subbing them and the taxpayers pay for security. I suppose the difficulty was how they made money - turns out it was in a very negative and unpleasant way.

Absolutely!

That thread is a classic example (an Archetype) of "it doesn't matter what William does, regardless of how worthy, or needed, or effective, he will be criticised because of who he is, and because he's not Harry.

And before anyone jumps on with more whataboutery - yes, if Harry can come with the same initiative, backed up by the same charities I would support that too.

It’s a fair point about the PR team finally doing a good job. They may well be planting stories and then gauging the reaction to help steer them in a way that will improve their popularity. I seem to recall Comic Relief criticism of ‘white saviour’ as well so that ship may have sailed.

I don’t think that’s true at all. No one is squeamish about them making money, they are squeamish about how they make money Ie selling stories on the royals. If they were earning money, millions, on good content, talent etc, everyone would be behind them,

tne issue isn’t them earning, it’s the way they chose to earn

it doesn't matter what William does, regardless of how worthy, or needed, or effective, he will be criticised because of who he is, and because he's not Harry

Indees mrsF

It is tiresome and predictable.

Everyone is called from heaven to hell for criticising Harry’s actions and yet it seems to be absolutely fine to throw shade at William.

Not many on here have the moral high ground….

Despite their protestations to the contrary.

If Spare is anything to go by, Harry has a deep and genuine connection with Botswana and feels very at home there. If he could communicate that through his book, then hopefully he may be able to do the same through a documentary and produce something Netflix are happy with.

I’m not concerned by the fact that he and Meghan are on different paths, I’ve always felt Harry was diminished by his place in their “brand” and this gives him the opportunity to regain some credibility. I really don’t care what happens to Meghan. I think she’s a survivor and will be fine.

I'm sure he loves Botswana. Charles took him there after Diana died and funded his trips for conservation and other projects. I don't doubt that Harry's intentions will be good. However. What expertise does he have? What knowledge and experience? Perhaps he could involve himself in some project devised by someone in the know.

Perhaps the squeamish suggestion is inaccurate. I wasn't thinking particularly of this thread in any case.

I still maintain that most suggestions I've read anywhere for acceptable things they could do, don't sound like they would bring in the amount of money that they need.

You're right, @limoncello23 - that's some lifestyle to maintain. It's going to need big bucks. I think they can duck and dive a bit and get freebies, but they need a good solid income.

A documentary about Botswana won’t bring Netflix the audience they want or Harry the income he needs but it’s a nice distraction for them from the fucking grifters tag.

I’m guessing Netflix will push for a final tell all documentary about the RF focussing on William and Kate to suck in the viewers for one last time.

Regarding Harry's interest in Africa and conservation, wouldn't the photo of him with a deceased water buffalo that he shot be a problem?

You'd think, wouldn't you?

I raise this point (and the never explained shooting of protected birds of prey at Sandringham) regularly and it's never addressed.

Likewise the hypocrisy (not just Harold, Willy too) in touting conservation credentials while having continued/continuing to indulge their thirst for bloodsports.

@Maireas assuming for a minute this documentary is a real possibility and not just PR puff, I think you’re right that he needs to let experts do the talking. I’d like to see Harry involved in some hands on work, as he clearly enjoys that part, but the gravitas will come from those whom he involves. I think he has the personality to inject warmth and enthusiasm to the project, as long as he stays away from preaching.

I don't think people expect them to be doing charity work, that's party what the working Royals are for.

People expect them to be earning their own money from anything that doesn't involve them trashing the Royal Family.

Presenting documentaries, possibly doing or giving interviews, fashion even lending their names to brands, like Stella McCartney at Adidas. Something like Prince Harry shoes by Clarks (maybe not).

I agree with that. The big bucks was access to the royal inside info and they went for it big time and sold out.

they aren’t talented in the sphere they wish to enter, that’s not a criticism. They just simply aren’t, like I am not. Meghan isn’t even a great actress, she’s no Judy dench or even julia Roberts, she’s a b or arguably c list actress who appeared as a key but side role in an American tv series as her main achievement, before harry, anyone who knew the series, would likely see her face and know she played Rachel, but few would even know her real name.

They are not creative geniuses either in the way required to create content that the likes of Netflix wish to buy, and sure they can hire the writers to do it, but so can Netflix. And anyone decent is going to sign for Netflix and not harry and Megan every time.

as for product endorsements, you need to have a popularity rating for that to work. There are now only a small minority who are big enough fans they’d buy something as markles face was promoting it. Most other folks it would be a negative for them.

the only way for them to make big money is what they have been doing, selling out on the royals. And they over did it to get as much money as possible , they were too greedy too fast, and now that ship has sailed.

so Africa etc, it’s not going to make them big money, they have over saturated on selling gossip on the royals, they neglected all charity work to focus on capitalising on it when the time was hot, and I think they are in trouble now.

charles would accept them back in a heartbeat. The issue is, and I’m sure they know it, I don’t think William would, and at some point, they may be reliant on Williams good will, but they kicked that to the kerb too.

Presenting documentaries, possibly doing or giving interviews, fashion even lending their names to brands, like Stella McCartney at Adidas. Something like Prince Harry shoes by Clarks (maybe not).

stella is a hugely successful designer, so her designs under the Adidas brand is hugely different to harry and Meghan, Megan has proven she’s very poor at interviews in archetypes, turned it on herself and was a bit gushy and shallow, and they have leant there name to a Netflix doc and it flopped. When folks present a documentary they expect the presenter to be knowledgeable. Not some fluff piece presenting on a subject they know nothing about. None of that would work.