With Love, Meghan - criticisms and genuine concern for her mental health

[Lavenderfarmcottage]

I am probably going to be flogged for posting this and chased down the dark laneways of Mumsnet as bystanders yell “Shame Shame Shame”.

I weighed in yesterday about a thread on Meghan and her new Netflix show. I made some criticisms about the trailer and certain cliche’s in the way it was produced. Hypocritical of me to be posting this but I feel guilty and have reflected. I am actually looking forward to watching it on Netflix and my criticisms were pretty minor and not exclusive to her show - it’s a common issue I have.

Meghan has struggled with mental health because of criticism. The reaction to ‘With Love… Meghan’ has been fairly brutal.

I think it would be really good if we refrained from saying anything negative about the series or Meghan Markle. That’s not the point of this thread.

I want to know if you think the criticisms have gone too far. The Princess of Wales is not on the scene and we are protective of her rightly so. That leaves Meghan as media fodder though.

Do you think it’s time Meghan and Harry were given a break ? I do. I think we’ve been far too harsh and the criticisms have gotten out of hand.

I think we also forget the cultural relevance. If we went into the homes or Gwyneth, Julia Roberts etc and I would probably feel the divide too. American culture doesn’t apologise for wealth and hollywoood is highly competitive.

Having a confident demeanour, throwing your head back Julia Roberts style when you laugh and unapologetically selling $$$ vagina products like Gwyneth Paltrow is how it over there. People talk loudly and confidently and are polished and rehearsed especially in the
Competitive world of Hollywood…

Are we all being too hard ?

Are you mental? It's hardly a 'rant', it was a factual statement based on purely the video. Absolutely there were barely any toys on the floor, so makes sense the mums hadn't put their kids on the floor, no?

Did she really care the kids weren't playing with the six items on the floor? Again, I genuinely think she gave a shit if they were or not?

It's hardly a baby shower 'rant'? She had folk show to up she barely knows, same for her wedding really. Noticably no one who was actually a relative aside from her mum. But yep, sure her and the A listers were best mates for years beforehand, and after the event.

Also how is it 'unhinged'? The woman didn't have any kind of friendship with Williams pre inviting her to her wedding shower. Is that not odd then? I mean she stated they'd bumped into each other in 2010, and again in 2014. So clearly they were besties 🤔

@HunterdeButts "The Robert Hardman biography of QEII that came out last year includes claims from a courtier that the Queen got very upset, saying they took the only thing that was truly hers, her nickname."

Obviously we can't know- but I cannot imagine QE2 saying that in a million years!

And as for the "sitting on the floor" thing- imagine the reaction if Catherine or Sophie Wessex had done the same......

In a bad or a good way? Maybe they'd not have plonked themselves on the floor and insisted everyone else did too? It was very a "see me! Moment, and do as you're told!"... Not a 'im winging a less enforced vibe, please join me'.

Other reports say the Queen's permission was given to use the name. Anyone who worked in the Royals' orbit could make any claim and it would likely stand since the royals usually don't comment. 🤷‍♀️

Case in point. Nobody really cares! Aside from Meghan and Henry who seem to be keen to keep the Royal connection so hard whilst arguing against it. In 15yrs the actual royal kids will be adults, and Megs n Haz will be so much forgotten it'll be unreal. They're desperately trying to make their own mark now vs slipping into the obscurity thats inevitable. It's sad really, they could have done so well with being the 'peoples royals'; and following Diana's legacy.

There are no reports that say the Queen gave permission to use the name. Initially H&M said this, and the Palace pushed back. H&M then changed their stance to:

The spokesperson [for the Sussex’s] said: "The duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement - in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called.
"During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57408163.amp

The Palace continue to say permission was not asked, and newspapers reporting this continued to maintain their story and their source, even when the Sussex’s threatened legal action, which did not occur.

Even Megan's face in that picture just makes me want to tell her to piss off. And I've limited to bestow interest in her. She just comes across as a super unlikable person to put it in American terms I'd say 'smug'... Probably quite unhappy she's married a nitwit. Although not winning any competitions herself. They are well suited as a cpl ... The folk you'd not rush to hang out with on a dinner date as you know they're just dull.

@Poppyseeds79 "CurlewKate
And as for the "sitting on the floor" thing- imagine the reaction if Catherine or Sophie Wessex had done the same......

In a bad or a good way? Maybe they'd not have plonked themselves on the floor and insisted everyone else did too? It was very a "see me! Moment, and do as you're told!"... Not a 'im winging a less enforced vibe, please join"

Oh, come on! It would be all "She was super relatable-down on the floor just like us. You can see she's such a hands on mother...."

It's all utter bullshit, of course. And curated bullshit.

Tbf I didn't say any of that 😅

I do agree with it in principle though. I think Meghan has to be the 'star' in any show, and she is furious if any anyone else takes the limelight.

It'll be very interesting to see what/or whatnot the kids do in future years. As I do suspect she'll not relinquish the Royal link easy, if her kids decide to be under the radar Americans.

Well, one thing is certain: We will never know.

I think naming their daughter Lilibet Diana is actually one of the more crass and cynical things they've done, and something the SS always struggle to defend.

Firstly using the private nickname of the Queen without permission - somebody you've recently slated very publicly on the world stage and cast very hurtful aspersions about. It's just an odd thing to do, and a bit of a power play.

Secondly naming your daughter after two white British royals, when you've banged on and on about how you're proud of their mixed race heritage, you've cut ties with that side of the family, and you've talked about how toxic the royal institution is. Where's the nod to her black heritage or to Doria - the only one they have any current relationship with?

SS always defend with "well nobody owns a name, they can call her whatever they like" and that's true, but there's no logical reason to do what they did given what they've said and done - it's just another example of massive hypocrisy.

Sitting on the floor was a misjudged moment on her part, not such a huge deal, even though clearly they were originally planned to sit on chairs for the discussion considering how the room was laid out.

However, there is absolutely no excuse for being so clearly disinterested and bored looking by the poor lady recounting her awful tragedy, Meghan responded in a very offensive manner and it is difficult for most people to excuse it away.

I don't believe we have ever seen Sophie or Catherine being so insensitive, that faux comparison is pointless.

Great points.

Why not Doria Diana ?

I agree—criticism has gone too far. Let’s show empathy and give Meghan and Harry the space they deserve. Kindness matters! ❤️

Funny isn’t it how their avid supporters describe posters who criticise H&M are apparently “unhinged” yet they are the ones defending day after day with lengthy posts celebrities who they don’t know and name call posters they have never met.

And talk about empathy and kindness. Two things H&M have shown themselves to be distinctly lacking. Though I do feel a tad sorry for her reading those YouTube comments.

Catherine & Sophie wouldn't have done it if it wasn't already pre-planned to do. They wouldn't make any guests feel uncomfortable or awkward. That's their job. Had the guests initiated it, then they would have followed, but they're professionals and wouldn't have instigated it.

I disagree. The Sussex’s second statement makes it clear they are no longer saying they asked the Queen for permission to use the name.

Instead, they ‘shared their hope’ of naming her Lilibet. And added that if the Queen was no supportive they would not have done so, although the language used makes it doubtful they said the second part to the Queen, but rather thought it. The Palace has not dispute this version of events.

Harry threatened to sue the BBC who reported otherwise. But then didn’t, and the article is still there. Given how litigious Harry is, I find this telling.

People might snipe about BBC bias, but complaints about accuracy are rare.

Calling people ‘mental’ for pointing out there is a mat with toys on it is seriously weird. You said it’s ‘factual’ that there were no toys and then admit there were 6 toys. Which is it?

It’s clear that she did care because she sat on the floor to be close to the babies/toddlers. Maybe she missed Archie and wanted to cuddle a baby. How dare she, what a witch, eh?

Again, your rants about her baby shower and wedding guests are weird, you don’t know anything about it.

I think you’ve got that the wrong way round.

The lengthy posts are coming from those Poppy who think they know which celebrities Meghan isn’t friends with.

The name calling is coming from posters like Poppy calling people mental for pointing out there is a mat with toys on it.

You haven’t read the full thread then? 😊

Seriously, this level of aggression is weird. She doesn’t know you from Adam, she doesn’t care.