Meghan and Harry spotted out and about - ¡Viva Colombia! Edition (Part 7)

[skullbabe]

Welcome to Part 7 of our positive threads, where we explore all things Meghan and Harry. From the causes they champion and their business ventures to Meghan’s (and occasionally Harry’s 😉) fashion moments, there’s a lot to chat about. This is a drama-free space, so let’s keep it upbeat! High five to @queentim for the original inspiration.

As promised, extracts from the Vanity Fair article:

"In between the dancing and cultural experiences in Colombia, the duke and duchess sat for some real talk that emphasized the global nature of the issues they’re quickly becoming experts in.
The duchess connected earnestly with a group of regular people in a country other royals might not have been able to visit, at least not in an official capacity, and the scenes were a reminder of what the Windsors are missing now that she and Harry have set up their own court in Santa Barbara. Still, it’s hard to get the images of their days as representatives of Queen Elizabeth II off our minds, and that might be why their recent international travels—including a February trip to Whistler, Canada and a May tour of Nigeria—have felt so familiar.

These recent trips were made at the invitation of government officials, but, as the British media is quick to point out, they are not “official royal tours.” Even though there isn’t a cut-and-dry definition of an official tour, it generally refers to the fact that when working royals travel on the public purse, they are often representing the head of state at the request of the Foreign Office. The traditional royal tour is about diplomacy—managing relationships with the heads of other countries.

The Sussexes return to the road in 2024 is a sign of just how much their ambitions have broadened since they left the royal fold. Over the last few years, they have been collecting experiences and making connections on issues that include veteran’s advocacy, mental health, online safety, and women’s empowerment. Now, they are beginning to call attention to just how important those issues are to people around the world. Call it the next step in their plan for world domination—or at least their path to global policy change."

some more:

"On the Colombia trip, which lasted from August 15 to August 18, Meghan and Harry traveled only as representatives of the work they’ve done themselves. The duke and duchess were invited to the country by the nation’s first Black vice president, Francia Márquez, who explained her reasoning in a press conference soon after the couple’s arrival.
“How did I get to know Meghan and Harry? I first encountered them through the media, and I particularly watched the Netflix series about their lives and their story, which deeply moved me,” she said. “It motivated me to say, ‘This is a woman who deserves to visit our country and share her story,’ and undoubtedly, her visit will strengthen so many women around the world.”

Overview of some of the causes which are a main focus for M&H, cyberbullying and online misinformation, and (somewhat less so, I think) ending violence against kids:

"But the main focus of the trip was connected to their recent Archewell Foundation push to raise awareness about the harms that children might encounter online and provide support to victims. The centerpiece was a panel where they spoke about their work, and it had a similar format and topics to the one they hosted in New York City in October 2023. In his remarks, Harry mentioned the couple’s shared belief that “information integrity is a fundamental right.”

That statement is reminiscent of the conclusions from the 2021 Aspen Institute Panel on Information Disorder, which counted Harry as one of its participants. Cyberbullying and misinformation might have felt like “first world problems” as the internet was in its infacy, but Meghan and Harry’s presence in Colombia underscored the fact that they’ve become increasingly common in all countries, regardless of socioeconomic status.

In November, Colombia is hosting the first ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children along with UNICEF and other organizations, and Meghan and Harry’s visit was intended to highlight some of the issues that will be addressed during the summit. In a statement about the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the human rights organization explained why the time is right for a return to conversations about violence against children. “Global changes, like the rise of digital technology, environmental change, prolonged conflict and mass migration are completely changing childhood,” it read. “Today’s children face new threats to their rights, but they also have new opportunities to realize their rights.”

... and some somewhat tongue-in-cheek commentary on the witless British media's 'inability to comprehend' what M&H do, and their hilarious head-scratching😆

"Over the weekend, The Sunday Times published an in-depth look at Harry’s life and career, with commentary from some of the friends and employees he left behind in the UK who worry that his California lifestyle might not be enough to sate the prince’s ambitions. “What is the purpose of Prince Harry and what is Prince Harry’s purpose?” a former aide told the newspaper. “The work with Invictus is great and fatherhood was the role he most wanted, so perhaps those are enough for him. But everything else is a bit woolly. I always thought he wanted more from life. I can’t help but think he must be wondering, ‘Where do I go from here?’’”

In Colombia, Harry’s answer to that question was on display, and if his former confidants were able to see it up close, maybe they wouldn’t be so confused. In their post-royal work, Meghan and Harry have tried to change up the old royal routine. In May, Afam Onyema, the CEO of GEANCO Foundation who accompanied the couple on their Nigeria trip, told Vanity Fair that their goals are about doing, not just looking.

“I was really touched when they said, it’s not just going to be a speech and a photo op. They want to leave something, leave a legacy,” Onyema said. “That’s very important to them, from my experience with them and their team—leaving a legacy and impact and really helping people in direct, tangible ways.”

You almost want to yell: "Read My Lips: cyberbullying is bad, kids need to be protected from online harm, women have rights and injured veterans need to feel valued!"

... "and we have got great taste in clothes!"

😆😆😆

As I commented upthread, paid for flim-flam. The article talks about:

Doing, not just talking

Former friends asking what's Harry actually doing - VF's response: 'Harry’s answer to that question was on display, and if his former confidants were able to see it up close' See what up close, we have no idea because the article doesn't actually say.

'Over the last few years, they have been collecting experiences and making connections'

'The duchess connected earnestly with a group of regular people'

'... the duke and duchess sat for some real talk that emphasized the global nature of the issues they’re quickly becoming experts in.'

It's All smoke and mirrors, every single paragraph. All style (ha) and no substance whatsoever.

Yeah, I think the emphasis is definitely on "smoke and mirrors" @Gorgonemilezola
I've yet to find anything of substance that they've done.

I really don't understand this

"It motivated me to say, ‘This is a woman who deserves to visit our country and share her story,’ and undoubtedly, her visit will strengthen so many women around the world.”"

The ‘Summer of Love’ (or whatever it’s called) PR campaign blitz is having a last puff piece hoorah😁

I expect this is the result of them expecting to see positive media reporting on their return (given they were in control of the output) however, the reality is that most of us were asking ‘what is the point of this?’ and also ‘how can you moan about security in the U.K. and then trot off to Colombia and still expect to be taken seriously?’.

For them it’s always the same MO, it’s all about the optics, generous doses of word salad and a high end wardrobe🙄.

Their lack of self-awareness has been a real problem for them from the get go.

Oops sorry pressed post too early - why would Meghan visiting Colombia strengthen women all over the world?

I don't understand either, @lazybrownfox . What is it she does? She's a rich celebrity modelling clothes isn't she? What else?

" she and Harry have set up their own court in Santa Barbara."

Do people really believe this crap?

'The duchess connected earnestly with a group of regular people in a country other royals might not have been able to visit, at least not in an official capacity...' - so VF either didn't do their research or are deliberately ignoring Sophie's visit highlighting the fight against VAWG

Although that is weasel worded so it's not a direct lie, the total omission of the Duchess of Edinburg's work is shockingly misleading.

Disgraceful

It's a conundrum.

“I was really touched when they said, it’s not just going to be a speech and a photo op. They want to leave something, leave a legacy,” Onyema said. “That’s very important to them, from my experience with them and their team—leaving a legacy and impact and really helping people in direct, tangible ways.”

So what did they leave, then? What is this legacy?

A two million dollar bill, I think.

That will impact women well.

the total omission of the Duchess of Edinburgh's work is shockingly misleading.

Yes, and there's them wanging on at the same time about 'information integrity' being a 'fundamental right'. Yet they are having a magazine article served up on their behalf comprising untruths, misleading statements, wild claims and waffle.

I wonder if they penned it themselves? It certainly seems like a Sussex wish-list projected onto the metaphorical glossy pages of an increasingly trashy publication, what with the aspirations to be leaders of the globally global globe and all.

In that way, the piece is illuminating, as was the interview in The Cut.

They're the worst culprits for misleading statements.

I'm relieved to see Meg looking so much better, brighter and healthier.
Last month (I don't know if she'd been ill) she didn't quite look well.
She's bounced back and looks lovely.

And they're obviously so happy together and still so much in love.

Kudos to the both of them during extremely hateful, bullying times.
A very strong couple, love and admire them.

1.5m.dollar security bill

Cross post

The picture of them both playing the drums, they look so happy together.
Eyes for each other, definitely still in love.

I reckon Harry and Meg have got through the worst part of the social media hounding and have now risen above it.

So happy, we might even see another baby?

And they're obviously so happy together and still so much in love

It's odd I keep reading this - I assume they are happy though picture of Harry with his arm round another woman seems disrespectful to both women.

It's being stated so often I do start to wonder if there are actual problems - along lines of protesting too much as it's almost desperate how much this is being said - as if it in doubt.

People who insist they are unhappy won't change their minds and only time and them still being together show they are talking bull so are best ignored.