As Ever Part 6: Definitely NOT a trad wife

[Strudie]

Previous thread here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_royal_family/5286597-as-ever-part-v-two-stunt-lemons-with-love-meghan

Carry on! Reviews from the US are trickling in, so far, not so good - https://variety.com/2025/tv/reviews/with-love-meghan-markle-netflix-duchess-of-sussex-1236327469/

I've spent decades reading Julie Burchill and making a mental note never to piss her off, but just ouch. Meghan is still very attractive and I don't like attacks on looks, especially around ageing, but this is unfortunately what happens when the media gloves come off as they have now.

I've tried watching. I got as far as the inept cutting of cherry tomatoes and felt as soporific as a smoked bee, so gave up.

@Onlyonekenobe it’s interesting to ponder what Harry’s role in ‘all this’ might be. He has spoken about her ‘heart attack inducing beauty’ & possibly this was what the Queen meant by her sage/wry comment about H ‘loving her too much’. She’s charismatic and a decent actress but are looks the only yardstick re: a future partner? It’s all a bit, ‘look boys, I am only a ginger, I did better than your horsey dull as ditch wives’. People usually grow out of this phase.

I think you’re spot on re: future predictions. The only caveat, will this be enough? If she craves status above all else she may need to change horses.

Yesterday evening, I watched the first two episodes of WLM. I set myself the challenge of watching it dispassionately, imagining I knew nothing about her. Under those circumstances, I thought the show visually appealing and Meghan a person I would like to get to know better. If that's what you have in your mind, it becomes astonishing that there is so much negative commentary.

What I'm left with, having reflected on it, is embarrassment her total lack of self-awareness in constantly pushing herself in front of the public in the face of so much criticism. Her hunger for adulation must be her over-riding impetus. After all, and this is ironic, she has the wealth to live exactly the life WLM depicts: a covetable home (we think) in a quiet, private neighbourhood, raising her children, gardening, hosting friends, cooking, flower arranging. With the wealth they are believed already to have and cutting the private jets, she wouldn't even have to work. It's a sad but gripping tale.

That Julie Burchill piece is also coruscating. They almost ALL are.

Narcs are only 'charismatic' to those they are love-bombing who have something they want - its an intentional, studied contrivance adapted and unique to each new target. Totally disingenuous and highly manipulative.

@IdaGlossop to be fair to Meghan there are plenty like her, Diana Dors’ autobio of her time in CA married to a movie producer or similar highlight the world as did Jackie Collins.

It’s shallow & competitive and the players want to win, who has kids destined for best Ivys or Unis, who has the best jet, ski chalet, second home//s etc. Non beautiful daughters on early plastic surgery pathways, fat is failure.

Meghan isn’t yet in top tiny % of wealth, if it’s status she wants - & who frankly cares, count your blessings - is she winning?

It’s nuts that she wants to be adored yet walked away from a role where she’d have adoration just for turning up in a nice outfit, smiling and exchanging pleasantries with some proles.

I’ve watched a few clips online as I don’t have Netflix. I actually don’t mind it although it is dull and I am stunned they’ve left all those awkward moments in (MK and the Sussex, MK and the “lewk”, MM and the weird look at the chef who liked death metal).

As a pp said she does talk about race a lot yet aspires to be a basic-bitch thin white woman with a rich husband.

@IdaGlossop the lack of seemingly real friends is a real chasm. They keep you in check. Maybe Serena W is a real friend, she’s endured. Let’s hope as it must be very lonely. How is Harry bearing up in the sunshine?

Interestingly the Cipellos have branded their estate now. Ooh is that orchard I see in there ?

"And MailOnline can reveal that in the weeks before its release, the Cipollas launched their own new account on the same social network - to promote their Montecito Orchard Private Estate as a venue."

In fact they do have an 8 acre orchard. They don't live there and they didn't just " let her" use it. It was a financial contract. It's out there.

She’s always be second fiddle? If she and Kate genuinely didn’t get along possibly untenable in her defence. I think she tried.

@user14March a shallow lifestyle, but deep enough to submerge a wannabe philanthropist.

She tried? Really? She made only about 70 appearances and flounced out after under 2 years.

Even if she and Kate didn't get on, that shouldn't matter too much as they would only have to be together a few times a year. As Princess of Wales Kate's role is now very different to what Meghan's would be had she stayed. "The Fab Four" was a cute media moniker, but not an accurate description of their status.

And sure, Meghan would never be number one but she'd have far greater prestige and status than she has selling edible flowers online.

I think you've nailed it.

Nothing more to see here

Maybe the show should have been called "Love Bombing With Meghan"?

If she had seen being a royal as a job, she should have been able to see Catherine as a colleague she detested. We all have them. When things started to go wrong in the UK, I remember thinking that the problem was that Meghan wasn't in charge. Her ego is so huge that absolutely everything has to be done her way.

I have always believed that the main reason Meghan couldn't hack the royal world is because it's about service, duty and shining the spotlight on others, rather than on yourself. Her inability to do that isn't because she's American, mixed race or an actress, it's because she's addicted to drawing attention to her own public profile and to promoting her 'brand'.

Look at who does 'royal' well: The Princess Royal, HMK&Q, The Prince & Princess of Wales, The Duke & Duchess of Edinburgh. They turn up to unglamorous venues on wet Wednesdays in Wigan and throw the spotlight on charity workers, hospices etc.

Look at who couldn't do it: The Duke of York, Sarah, Duchess of York, The Duchess of Sussex. All of them more focused on themselves than the places and people they visit.

Exactly. We all have people we work with, or who we have to spend time with for family reasons, who we really dislike. That's life.

In any case, she and Kate had hardly any joint engagements. They had separate patronages and interests, so there would be no need for them to be together other than at a handful of events each year. I do think it really rankled with Meghan that a woman she considered less accomplished and less of a 'star' than her would always outrank her. Like her husband, she seems to be driven by envy to a large degree.

I think Meghan confused royalty with celebrity, it's been said many times before but Harry really didn't prep her well enough along with her reluctance to take the help that was offered to her.

Ha, Julie's bang on the money as usual referencing The Benny Hill theme! Did anyone else notice how much the background music sounds like the Benny Hill theme in Episode 1 "Hello, Honey!" around 16m20s when she and Daniel are making candles? What was that all about? I couldn't stop laughing. Is no-one on her team British? Definitely a wind-up by NF and her team, surely?

Harry did not only not forewarn her but he put her and by virtue himself on a false pedestal. He definitely seem to want a bigger slice of the pie or that extra sausage he always longed for. He believed if not encouraged the hype that they were the new face of the monarchy. I think they fed each others insecurities and in doing so became to big for their boots.

There’s some doubt about her being a decent actress.

Exactly.

I think Kate is really underestimated, even though, superficially, she is less accomplished than Meghan. She signed up for a life under constant scrutiny and manages to be both relatable and inscrutable. I'm pleased for Catherine that she doesn't have to contend with exercising self control in the presence of someone who doesn't like her. William picked well - but I think the two of them need to work harder.

I’ve seen at least 4 articles in the last 24hrs comparing her to Marie Antoinette. How many more labels does she want to collect? She already has:

• Disaster tourist
• Fucking grifter
• Instagram loving Bitch wife (South Park)
• Dictator in heels (Daily Beast)
• Mean girl (Variety)
• Duchess difficult (Hollywood Reporter)

I think a lot of people confuse royalty and celebrity.
Because both seem rich and are gossiped about.

But the roles are very different. Not everyone rich and famous is a celebrity.

Some celebrities are rich and well known because of the particular talent they have.

Some use the celebrity angle to earn more money in another way not related to their talent.

Royals are not famous because of any talent they have and they are not allowed to make money from their fame.

Royals are rich because of the history of their role and the fact we continue to allow this role to have the status of wealth. (We could tax them to smithereens and vote for a Republic any time we like. )

M was not a celebrity before marrying H. She became well known because she became a royal. But she didn't understand why she couldn't use this renown, to make her own money.

The late Queen and Prince Charles tried to explain why you can't have a royal role and use the fame it gives you to cash in.

They didn't get i, and so traded the rich and famous but royal role with it's duty, expectations, boundaries and history for the rich and famous celebrity role where there are no limitations you can do whatever you want and monetise it.

Which is what this show is: look at me because I'm famous, now buy my stuff so I can be richer.
We don't get to ask anything from them it's now entirely transactional.

Whereas we can and do ask a lot from the royals.