Vanity Fair podcast

[Atlasvue]

Carrying on.

Employee feels Harry is happy doing charity work and is happy for meghan to do all the work to make money so he doesn’t need to

However Elaine Liu is another nasty bully, She is the one who started the Where's Wally, when Catherine was ill. Then backtracked somewhat when it came out Catherine was battling cancer, but blamed it all on a PR disaster by KP, never acknowledging her Where's Wally bullying. She is also the one who reported on how Catherine didnt offer Meghan a lift to the shops

Given this background, I would really not trust anything this commentator has to say, as she has form for attacking without evidence (as happened with Kate)

So her take on this, trailed for Monday, may well just be KateGate tactics designed to boost her standing.

She wasn't the article's author, was she? Just a contributor prepared to have her name used.

I think it's been timed to come out at the same time as the original release date of Meghan's new series. Magazines have such long lead times, they would have gone to print by the time Meghan decided to push her show back.

Are any of us surprised?

Bit of both, I think.

The date for the release of WLM was only announced recently - we don't know when it was decided finally (recent puff pieces had said 'first quarter of the year'). VF had clearly been speaking to someone at Netflix (value of the deal) but that doesn't tell us whether or not they could have known before the announcement when it was coming.

The ostensible peg was 5 years since they stepped back. This article would have been some time in the preparation, so there may have been plans to run it early this year regardless of anything happening with WLM

The most striking thing for me is that the bullying claims are so consistent. They mention the same types of behaviour as previous articles, but in different contexts. A pattern of behaviour is much harder to dismiss, particularly as the article also had a quote about neither of them being able to look at their own behaviour and change.

A lot of the article is opinion which, whilst damaging, won't necessarily last in the public consciousness. However a third serious publication accusing her of bullying and Harry of doing nothing about it, that's something that may cause them problems going forward.

How can you be seriously promoting a campaign against bullying, online or otherwise, when you keep being accused of it yourself?

I don't think the timing has anything to do with Trump, it was timed for the release date of the TV programme. They are not important enough for Trump to bother with beyond the odd negative comment.

The daily beast, about divorce. It also notes the VF turned on her

https://www.thedailybeast.com/stunning-prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-divorce-rumors-surface-in-vanity-fair/

‘Prince Harry and Meghan Markle divorce rumors have surfaced in Vanity Fair just over seven years after she featured in an adoring cover story in the magazine.
This time, however, the storied publication has turned on her in savage style running a comprehensive takedown of the couple, which includes the claim that a member of Meghan’s team spoke to publishers regarding her writing a book about divorce if she were to split from Harry.
The article by Anna Peele has been published to mark the five year anniversary of Meghan and Harry leaving the British royal family.

It makes the astonishing allegation that “a rumor” has circulated in “the book world” that “Meghan’s team had a conversation with a publishing house to gauge interest” in a book about “a post-Harry divorce.”
Peele says it was clear that the idea was not for “a general book on life after marital dissolution,” nor was it about Meghan’s 2014 divorce from Hollywood producer Trevor Engelson. Peele says that the unidentified person allegedly acting for Meghan made it clear that the couple were not getting divorced, but was seeking to know, if such a divorce did happen, “would this publisher theoretically be interested in a book that took place in its aftermath?”

Adding credibility to the story, a second source says, “If that’s true to any degree, she would have been approached and not vice versa.”
The article says that nothing was ever put on paper and that “no offer was ever made, and no manuscript was produced.”

Harry and Meghan did not comment to VF and did not respond to enquiries from The Daily Beast.’

Sure, but even then, if you don't put in the work and make money for people, you're out.

Hollywood is brutal.

These two thought they could swan around with their posh titles and everyone would call them 'Sir' and 'Ma'am and keep giving them money for nothing. It doesn't quite work that way.

That’s just a shame because I feel like Meghan and Harry could have revitalised the royal family in a way that Kate and William can’t.

Must be shit to hear that your wife, who has isolated you from all your family and friends, is shopping around for post divorce book deals when youre supposed to be happily married. I'm sure its all being blamed on lies from the evil 'tabloids', despite the prestige of vanity fair. harry will just feel even more angry about it and it will add more fuel to the vendetta being played out in the courts. I feel bad for his family not able to help him. Imagine if the sexes were reversed in this situation? Red flags all over the place and I don't think Harry is ok mentally at all. Im pretty sure the door is open to him at any time to go home, but only without Meghan because of what she has done to the family. We would all do the same if we had a sibling or child in that situation.

I’ve said frequently that were the sexes reversed most people would be yelling emotional abuse. What struck me about the article is how it says the two of them are so in love but then there is talk of a post divorce book. So who knows!

What does “over for them” mean, though? Is BetterUp going to sack Harry, is Invictus? Meghan’s not acting or doing much Hollywood work bar the final contractually obligated Netflix show, there’s little to sack her from that she hasn’t already lost – Spotify, the Lemonada deal that went nowhere, it’s already over to an extent. Will ARO launch, or not?

Hopefully they’ve had the sense to invest some of the money for an ongoing income (like, financial investments, not Meghan’s random handbags, coffee, hair care investments). Even if not, they can sell the house. They’re in a privileged position where they can cut lifestyle corners, and cut their cloth according to their means, while still living a very nice life – even if it’s without the fame and attention she aspires to. But as long as there’s money to be made from them – they generate a lot of clicks – there’ll be interest in working with them, I think.

I also think they’ll always have an audience – between the extreme hate and the extreme worship there’s a lot of grey space. Some of its indifference, some of it’s “oh, I like that outfit, I’ll click on that” from people who don’t follow the gossip that closely. It’s a takedown, but it’s not as explosive as, say, the Neil Gaiman piece also out this week.

Interesting.
How do you think they would have done that?

But I think the question is have is whether the family should be revitalised. If they behaved like celebrities, chasing the cause de jour, wanting constant approval etc, they wouldn't be the Royal family. They are most successful in their role when they are dutiful, worthy and a bit dull. William and Catherine are perfect for that, just like the late Queen was and just like Sophie and Anne. Longevity isn't about always being the most popular, it's about playing a long game.

I know it's popular to believe Harry would be welcomed back without Meghan but I think that overlooks the fact that he chose to write a book about his family and included private things that no one would want published for the world to read. He chose to release a documentary and an interview. Most of the damage that Meghan caused by her comments came because Harry didn't dispute any of it.

I agree with the article when it says that Harry really doesn't understand what he did by publishing that book. Until he does how on earth can he find his way back?

I think Meghan’s behaviour would have got in the way of them achieving much within the rf. Obviously they would have had the grey suits managing the pr so that would ensure they appeared like the cool, huggy, unstuffy royals with no time for old fashioned protocol, but the truth would have come out eventually, especially as Meghan obviously believes she is so much more than Kate.

William and harry seemed to be very close growing up and have a genuine bond, and then when Catherine came into the picture they all seemed to be close. That's why I think he would be welcomed back. Obviously it would never be the same, or at least not for a while but blood really is thicker than water. I understand that I'm projecting my own non royal family views on that and how I would think if it was my brother or sister, or indeed myself and how my family would react if i got into that situation. I just think William and Catherine actually care about him and it must be really hard for them on a personal level to see this play out.

And there’s no denial about the book, just that it was the other way round ( the publishing firm approaching Meghans team) if it happened.

You’re right, it looks really bad

And there’s no denial about the book, just that it was the other way round ( the publishing firm approaching Meghans team) if it happened.

To be fair, if it did happen the other way round (a publishing company approaching Meghan) then that’s nothing to do with her. A random company making an unsolicited approach to Meghan isn’t something she or her team would have control over!

Another interesting tidbit from this story of relevance is the fact that they got a lot less from Spotify AND Netflix than previously assumed.

I noticed online that a lot of Team Sussex are suggesting this is a hit piece on Meghan rather than Harry. Is it? He comes across as vacuous and polite but with no brains or skills. In the American mind at least that is way worse than being a hustler.

The problem for H&M is that the same complaints have now come from too many sources:

• no original ideas worth pursuing- no USP beyond Royal bitching (reference to ideas having to be abandoned because of the Queen??)
• Meghan creates an unpleasant work environment. Blows hot and cold. Multiple staffers have needed time off.
• People don’t work with them for long.
• She wants to know the right people and climb up the Hollywood ladder (this btw might be looked down upon in the UK but is fine in America- it’s the HOW she is doing it that’s problematic- cashing in on the Duchess but having slagged the Royal family off and producing substandard material).

So Team Sussex can say we have heard these stories before and there will be a puff piece in the next 72 hours from a staffer saying Meghan paid her medical bills or bought her flowers or hugged her mom or whatever. But it’s the same stories but each magazine has gone to different sources so it feels like there is more credibility each time. And that’s their problem.

Hmmmm, why would Meghans team entertain such discussions then? That doesn’t make sense.

I hardly think a random publishing house would think that’s a way to get business.

It’s the publishing firm her team was already working with and there was discussion of such a book. The denial isn’t that the discussions never took place, it’s that Meghans team didn’t go to them with the idea

I agree with the article when it says that Harry really doesn't understand what he did by publishing that book. Until he does how on earth can he find his way back?
I actually think his lack of understanding might be his saving grace: he’s stupid rather than malicious. They can welcome him back the way you would a non-aggressive, incontinent dog: it’s not a danger to anyone but it does keep pissing on the carpet, so you keep it in enclosed old bit of the palace grounds where it can’t do any damage, the way they do with Andrew.

He can come back: no working royal duties, no balcony, no patronages, no pretend military titles and medals, no interviews, media, social media accounts. Drop the lawsuits. No contact with Meghan. Charles (and later, Will) pays the bills, the kids come over X times a year for contact. All the money and no work, just the way he wants it, really. Time for polo and therapy and sitting around being cross. The grey men to direct his life and moves so he doesn’t have to think.

It’s sad (and strange) that he’s made no friends since moving to America. He had friends in the UK, very loyal ones. I’m sure there are people living nearby who would be willing to offer friendship but nothing. He’s completely emotionally dependent on Meghan and that’s so unhealthy. I find it hard to believe he’s happy in a life of failed podcasts and Netflix shows, pretend Royal tours and the total loss of his family.

He could come back while Charles is alive, but William wouldn’t risk him doing the same all over again ans would keep him away.

William tried multiple times to get through to him, but he wouldn’t listen. That relationship will never recover.

That's the feeling I get, Harry is actually stupid, petulant and very easily manipulated. Previously this was all covered up by the palace and he had a very well crafted cheeky chappy type of image. Probably Meghan didn't even realise just how different he actually is to his media personality until a few months in. Once she did she took full advantage and harry joined her, because, as mentioned, he is stupid and gullible.

What about their kids though? I actually think the way they are being raised is very damaging, far more so that what William and harry experienced. They are never seen, never seem to travel with their parents who spend a lot of time away and don't seem to partake in everyday normal activities. Even Hollywood royalty are seen out and about with their kids doing normal things. Not harry and Meghan though. Their paranoia seems to be getting the better of them

I agree,

it alludes to Harry’s naïveté (which he showed himself in his poor judgement in what to include in his book), but also, to coin a favourite word of Meghan’s, they are so much more concerned about how things appear through the “lens” of media (good and bad) than the real feelings and experiences of humans adjacent to them. Examples such as Meghan being photographed wrapping someone’s baby in her big coat at invictus or Harry accusing William of disliking Meghan because of tabloid articles which hadn’t been written yet,rather than lived experience of their own staff. The way they treated the minions would become their undoing in the end.