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The royal family

Being Mr. Meghan Markle is no honeymoon (The Spectator)

325 replies

Thedom · 30/04/2025 07:11

Sorry, archive not working, so posted the whole article here.

Interesting tidbit about his turn at the aviation thingy, he was either joking and it landed like a lead balloon or he was being sarcasric about being railroaded into having to cough up for a few tables (probably the latter knowing how he hates to pay for anything)

…………..

“Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are finally enjoying their “honeymoon period.” Or they are according to the Duchess of Sussex, who made the statement on a fawning podcast as part of a brand building media blitz – and who certainly seems to be enjoying herself.

But has she asked her husband if he’s reveling in their belated honeymoon quite as much as she is? Once the spare to the throne, his presence as her forlorn shadow at events to honor her now appears largely surplus to requirements even to Meghan.

“That man loves me so much,” she gushed on Montecito neighbor Jamie Kern Lima’s podcast on Monday. She likened their relationship to a video game where you “slay the dragon, save the princess.” An analogy that firmly implies she is the glittering prize and he should be happy with winning her hand.

“You have to imagine, at the beginning, everyone has butterflies, and then we immediately went into the trenches together right out of the gate, six months into dating,” Meghan added. “So now, seven years later when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way, and that’s why I feel like it’s more of a honeymoon period for us now.”

As ever, Meghan’s truth does not necessarily accord with everyone else’s reality.

It’s been a tough week for Harry as Mr. Meghan Markle. His wife undermined his latest warning about the dangers of social media for children by posting photos of their own children on Instagram. He bombed at the Hollywood aviation awards. And he was snubbed by Meghan at the Time100 Summit.

All while his brother Prince William looked every bit the senior statesman with world leaders at the Pope’s funeral in Rome.

Harry’s public troubles began in New York last week. While unveiling a memorial dedicated to the memory of children whose families believe harmful online behavior contributed to their deaths, he demanded stronger protection for young people from the dangers of social media. He was “grateful” that his children were still too young to be online, he said.

Too young, that is, unless Archie and Lilibet are helping Meghan promote her brands.

Meghan used their three-year-old daughter to promote her jam, or rather “preserves” as she calls them (jam has too much sugar, apparently), on social media on Sunday. She posted an Instagram Story showing her stirring her homemade strawberry preserves, saying, “What do you think Lili?” A child’s hand can be seen and a voice purporting to be Lili – but sounding strangely AI – is heard saying, “I think it’s beautiful.”

Meghan also posted Instagram pictures of Lili and son Archie, five, in her rose garden, tastefully obscuring their beautiful red hair and faces. How discrete.

Harry’s woes were compounded during his trip to New York by his wife’s apparent lack of interest in him. When he stepped out of the couple’s car at the TIME event on Wednesday, he reached out to Meghan to hold her hand. But – right in front of the waiting paparazzi – she ignored him, turned away and instead enthusiastically hugged a woman waiting to greet her.

A blushing Harry grimaced, as if he instantly knew the media would seize on it (he was correct), then awkwardly adjusted the back waistband of his trousers under his jacket and dutifully trotted through a door behind his wife as she was ushered in by staff and security. Was it take your husband to work day?

Once inside the auditorium at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Harry was forced to take a literal back seat, applauding enthusiastically from the audience as Meghan trotted out some of her signature lines, such as, “Part of what is really, really important is that love language of taking care of people also feeds me.”

Meghan, wearing a $4,000 Ralph Lauren suit, gave her soft keynote speech promoting her show, podcast, lifestyle brand and family. This marked a stark contrast with the other speakers, such as Yulia Navalnaya, who talked about fighting for human rights after her late husband, the prominent Russian opposition leader and critic of President Vladimir Putin, died in prison.

Making Harry’s recent “whining” about being stripped of his UK security details seem petty. Then Harry was off – alone – to the Living Legends of Aviation Awards, where last year he was honored for his work as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan.

From the stage at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Friday, Harry thanked the first responders who risked their lives to save those devastated by the California fires, but also took a petulant shot at organizers with a joke that didn’t land well. “I feel like I picked the short straw,” he began.

“Someone had to host a bunch of pilots and firefighters, that’s where they are, there are five tables. I agreed with the organizers that it would be a good idea, let’s get them along. I did not agree to hosting two of the tables.”

The sad contrast with William could not be more obvious, royal biographer, writer and broadcaster Hugo Vickers tells The Spectator. “One of them is doing a good job for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. And the other’s doing nothing.”

Vickers believes Haz, as he is nicknamed by Meghan, is hanging on to his wife for dear life, “Harry is petrified of her and petrified of losing her. It is a nasty syndrome. And maybe I’m wrong, maybe they’re blissfully happy, but he doesn’t look happy.

“Now he’s just sort of dangling about in the background of Meghan’s various other things she’s promoting.”

Vickers added that the Sussex children’s appearances on Meghan’s Instagram makes them “awful pawns in the middle of this game.”

“All this gooey talk that you get from Meghan about connectivity and love and stuff doesn’t seem to extend to her own family, does it? She’s playing silly games with them. I just have a horrible feeling it’s all going to end badly somehow.”

How much longer can this go on? The old Harry, with his jack-the-lad swagger and roguish sense of humor, was hugely popular with the public, the royals and the media. His former friends, who were pushed aside when he met Meghan, miss that version of Harry. We miss that Harry.

Perhaps it is time for the prince to pack away his paranoia, apologize and start building bridges with his father, brother and the media, if it is not too late and he loses the petering goodwill toward him that still remains. That couldn’t possibly be more humiliating than this flower-sprinkled existence as Mr. Meghan Markle.”

OP posts:
Serenster · 30/04/2025 11:52

MrsFinkelstein · 30/04/2025 11:23

As have H&M. They are currently choosing to feature their children online for commercial gain and profit.

H&M stepped back from RF but they're still pushing their children into a public tabloid life.

They also featured footage of them in their Netflix documentary, again for commercial gain.

Serenster · 30/04/2025 11:55

foreverblowingbubbless · 30/04/2025 11:49

You are very naive if you think that there is no statesmanship involved in Royal roles. The late Queen was one of the biggest examples of this. Whether you like it or not the senior British Family are held in high regard by many international institutions.

Like it or not, leaders with whom the UK need to engage are delighted to meet with William.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-prince-william-paris-meeting-b2661537.html

notimagain · 30/04/2025 11:55

Ophy83 · 30/04/2025 11:42

If it's a charity dinner and he is hosting them, it might mean that he paid for them all to be there - so if a table is £10k, he might be saying he thought he was hosting one table (i.e. the one he is sitting at) but it turned out to be five. If so, I think it is just a lighthearted joke.

If it was meant to be lighthearted it hasn't been portrayed as such and it's the second time he's said something at "Legends.." that has created ripples.

Last year he caused a few raised eyebrows over a comment he made to the event's host..

Harry maybe needs to get someone to work on his comedy timing before events like this or simply stop the attempted wise cracks.

smilesy · 30/04/2025 11:56

foreverblowingbubbless · 30/04/2025 11:49

You are very naive if you think that there is no statesmanship involved in Royal roles. The late Queen was one of the biggest examples of this. Whether you like it or not the senior British Family are held in high regard by many international institutions.

Indeed. The dictionary definition of statesman might say politician, but the RF are the family of the Head of State of the UK and as such are called upon by the government to represent the country. This de facto puts them in the position of being statesmen or women (whether they are good at it is obviously up
for discussion, but I believe that , on the whole, they are). Being a statesman doesn’t necessarily involve having direct political influence, but it certainly means not contradicting or cocking up the policies of the incumbent government

foreverblowingbubbless · 30/04/2025 12:03

I'm trying to remember who it was that Princess Margaret was sent to " butter up" in the USA on her 1965 tour - the President no less .

foreverblowingbubbless · 30/04/2025 12:06

I know from personal experience how relevant the late Queen was to many countries. It was a personal coup to host the Queen. It was seen as a statement of importance in that country. They are certainly much more relevant than some twat like Starmer.

Welcometothewhitelotus · 30/04/2025 12:10

Meghan also posted Instagram pictures of Lili and son Archie, five, in her rose garden, tastefully obscuring their beautiful red hair and faces. How discrete.

Good article but I am Hmm at a Spectator writer not knowing the difference between discrete and discreet.

JoyousEagle · 30/04/2025 12:18

Profhilodisaster · 30/04/2025 11:18

Can William abdicate if he's not king yet ?

I believe so. But he can’t on behalf of his children. So he could say “that’s it, I’m off”, but that would just mean George is the next king, and would presumably become king quite young.

JoyousEagle · 30/04/2025 12:26

anotherside · 30/04/2025 11:20

His former friends, who were pushed aside when he met Meghan, miss that version of Harry. We miss that Harry

Jesus, can there be anything more puke inducing than character assassination dressed up as faux chummy concern about someone you have no knowledge of whatsoever. Harry and Meghan might be very flawed human beings but I’d rather be locked in a room with them than the author of this rubbish.

Edited

I’m not a fan of H&M but I agree. I hate all this “we Brits loved cheeky chappy Harry, what happened? We’d like him back”. You didn’t know him!

SamDeanCas · 30/04/2025 12:27

Ohh ouch I just went and found Harry’s Aviator speech. It did not land well and made me cringe somewhat.

as for the hand reaching. You can’t actually see anything but it does look like he’s following her round like a puppy.

JoyousEagle · 30/04/2025 12:29

foreverblowingbubbless · 30/04/2025 12:03

I'm trying to remember who it was that Princess Margaret was sent to " butter up" in the USA on her 1965 tour - the President no less .

Lyndon B Johnson?

HiRen · 30/04/2025 12:36

Just to add: the firefighters and pilots Harry hosted, were the ones who worked putting out the LA fires. The “disaster tourism” fires. The ones that got him and MM all that free publicity (even if it did backfire).

It’s very normal here in the US to sponsor/host tables for non-profits. I do it at least twice a year, for my things the ask is normally about 5 grand. It’s another form of giving to charity, all tax deductible/out of pre-tax dollars. The events are boring af normally, and sometimes there’s a fundraiser at the end where guests at the table donate whatever they feel comfortable giving. You always dread being asked, but you can say no. People understand that it’s a lot, year in and year out.

I have never, in all my years of doing this, seen anyone behave as ungraciously and appallingly and dismissively as Harry. He was at the event for a full 11 minutes apparently. Didn’t stay for anything but his speech. For people who go to these events, he’s toast. Nobody will approach him for anything unless they’re getting money out of him. I think this will probably come as a huge culture shock and all-round shock to him. It’s not the genteel British way. It’s brazen transactions.

ETA: it says a lot that Harry didn’t expect to host a couple of tables when he was asked whether he thought it’d be a good idea to have some firefighter/pilots attend. He thought they were actually looking for his opinion. No, Harry. These people are pros, they do this all the time. They don’t need your opinion. They were politely asking you for a donation. So arrogant, so embarrassing.

JADS · 30/04/2025 12:47

Harry really had no appreciation of what he had in the UK. All his housing, security, clothing, utilities were paid. The 2 million he received from Charles was fun money. He now has to pay to turn up at charity events!

angieloumc · 30/04/2025 12:48

Middleagedstriker · 30/04/2025 08:44

Such double standards. William can parade his children all the time and yet the back of hand and some bollocks about an AI voice is berated. I have the Spectator such a sound piece for the elite.

William isn’t the one going on about privacy though is he, so not double standards at all.

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 13:06

JADS · 30/04/2025 12:47

Harry really had no appreciation of what he had in the UK. All his housing, security, clothing, utilities were paid. The 2 million he received from Charles was fun money. He now has to pay to turn up at charity events!

I thought they were bonkers to give that up (well him more than her) as he’d never had to pay for anything in his life. He really didn’t appreciate that being the spare is probably the best gig in the world.

Screamingabdabz · 30/04/2025 13:12

I think she protests too much. If she really was soul-happy and skipping through clover surrounded by love, she wouldn’t feel the need to keep banging on about it.

User14March · 30/04/2025 13:22

Screamingabdabz · 30/04/2025 13:12

I think she protests too much. If she really was soul-happy and skipping through clover surrounded by love, she wouldn’t feel the need to keep banging on about it.

She may be but love stories ‘sell’, it’s the brand.

My2cents1975 · 30/04/2025 13:29

I would posit the reverse @BunnyLake . IMHO, M was far more bonkers to give up the lifetime security of the RF than H.

H never knew anything different so his life of being a cossetted Prince was normal. M was a "Torontowood" actress, 6th on the call sheet at Suits and renting an apartment. Being an actress is hard and even M's mediocre career was far better than many actresses manage...the industry is rife with high competition, low pay and predatory directors/producers.

M failed to appreciate what H had because the pair of them were so obsessed with comparing themselves to W&C. Ultimately H&M were either forced out or left in a huff, depending on which version you believe, and are seeking their fortunes in California.

The whole dinner debacle shows that H no longer has the necessary institutional support from valets, speechwriters and advisors who would have made sure he arrived and departed in line with other VIP guests. And given that H is a pauper relative to other millionaire celebrities involved in the Legends of Aviation, H's petulant behavior will win him no credit to advance his own projects when he needs their support.

Reetpetitenot · 30/04/2025 13:58

Middleagedstriker · 30/04/2025 08:44

Such double standards. William can parade his children all the time and yet the back of hand and some bollocks about an AI voice is berated. I have the Spectator such a sound piece for the elite.

William and Catherine control photos and appearances of their children knowing they're going to spend a lifetime in the public eye.

Harry and Meghan have no need to show their children at all. Commentators on these threads have said for years they'd start putting the children in the public eye when they could use the images to sell stuff.

Not sure even Meghan would stoop to showing back of a hand AND bollocks, mind.

The derogatory comment above about 'Phil the Greek' 🙄missed the point that Prince Philip had a brilliant relationship with service people and the comment would have been made with humour to include the pilots and firefighters. Harry just isn't very good at this stuff - it's like his comment to John Travolta about him dining out for years on the story of him dancing with Princess Diana. It fell flat because it was crass and humourless.

TheSecondMrsCampbellBlack · 30/04/2025 14:06

Ouch at the article! But all of it's true. I have watched bits of her talking on the podcast and the Time event and I really tried to be objective but she just seems so inauthentic and speaks a lot without actually saying anything. Other than the headline which is "I am fabulous"

Not2identifying · 30/04/2025 14:14

anotherside · 30/04/2025 11:20

His former friends, who were pushed aside when he met Meghan, miss that version of Harry. We miss that Harry

Jesus, can there be anything more puke inducing than character assassination dressed up as faux chummy concern about someone you have no knowledge of whatsoever. Harry and Meghan might be very flawed human beings but I’d rather be locked in a room with them than the author of this rubbish.

Edited

I agree with you and think that the Harry the public thought they knew was a PR fabrication.

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 14:18

@My2cents1975 I felt that about Meghan purely because of grey, cold, drizzly England. I could see why a California girl wouldn’t want to swap the sunshine and Pacific coast for that. I wasn’t shocked she left but I did think ‘H’ was mad to not just leave his very cushy number (nothing in itself wrong with wanting to venture further) but to burn his bridges doing so seemed like insanity to me.

derxa · 30/04/2025 14:21

Welcometothewhitelotus · 30/04/2025 12:10

Meghan also posted Instagram pictures of Lili and son Archie, five, in her rose garden, tastefully obscuring their beautiful red hair and faces. How discrete.

Good article but I am Hmm at a Spectator writer not knowing the difference between discrete and discreet.

Yes that jumped out

binkie163 · 30/04/2025 14:37

KeepTalkingBeth · 30/04/2025 10:10

Wait. Oh I get it. Calling Harry Mr Markle is meant to be insulting, right? How misogynistic. Sad.

misogyny is hatred towards women by men!!
us women having a lark at the ginger moaner is not misogyny, maybe look up 'misandry' and try again 😂

My2cents1975 · 30/04/2025 14:38

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 14:18

@My2cents1975 I felt that about Meghan purely because of grey, cold, drizzly England. I could see why a California girl wouldn’t want to swap the sunshine and Pacific coast for that. I wasn’t shocked she left but I did think ‘H’ was mad to not just leave his very cushy number (nothing in itself wrong with wanting to venture further) but to burn his bridges doing so seemed like insanity to me.

That's a good point @BunnyLake . I agree that M would miss the California sunshine, but as a Spare's wife she would have easy access to the sun-drenched Riviera without the financial worries of supporting a billionaire lifestyle that is well beyond their millionaire means. It is not like the pair of them were grafters with all their holidays during M's 72 engagements as Duchess!

I really think that H had no clue how privileged he was. He genuinely believed that the fewer sausages story and the smaller half of the PALACE nursery story were examples of ill-treatment. And per reports, H thought by airing things out in public, his famously private family would realise their mistakes and apologise to him.

I have always maintained that H and reality are parallel lines, so while burning his bridges seems like complete insanity to you and me...well H occupies a different plane of reality.