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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:
binkie163 · 30/04/2025 14:45

Profhilodisaster · 30/04/2025 10:23

And W&K aren't using their children to flog jam .

lol its spread, it doesnt even make the content requirement for jam or preserve. Talking of which, we have seen her promotion where the 'spread' is on a production line, probably in china, why is she rather disingenuously showing herself pretending to make the stuff, we know she doesnt make it. Unlike the superior Highgrove products made locally from the estate gardens in small batches.
I expect Harry absolutely hates having to do these dumb awards & appearances. Keeping up a public persona is more work than he wants to do, probably rather be sat next to the pool getting sozzled.

User14March · 30/04/2025 15:11

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.

I think H’s ‘prince’ status will quite likely carry him for life though (?) Status is huge even without billionaire funds.

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 15:15

My2cents1975 · 30/04/2025 14:38

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.

I agree Harry had no clue how privileged he was. The fact Meghan described her very short time in the RF as being in the trenches show how far removed either of them are from a normal life. Yes she wasn’t royal but she still had a privileged life with ‘daddy’ batting away any hardships before they could happen. Two over privileged, self centred people make quite the pair and I keep myself supplied with plenty of popcorn 😁

Waterweight · 30/04/2025 15:16

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.

I agree. William set the standard on Give-my-kids-complete-privacy-&-we'll-impress-you-peasents-with-'suprise'-appearances

Also most celebrities these days follow this path which harry & Meghan fall inbetween only really vloggers & traditional reality stars ever had there kids on show weekly

IcedPurple · 30/04/2025 15:23

User14March · 30/04/2025 15:11

I think H’s ‘prince’ status will quite likely carry him for life though (?) Status is huge even without billionaire funds.

He's a prince without a realm. Basically a C list celebrity, or Cali curiosity.

Soon enough, many people will be unaware that Charles has another son and William has a brother.

What good is being a prince if you are never seen at royal events and have no contact with the family? Where is the prestige in that? Who wants a prince whose job is promoting a life coaching app in California?

IcedPurple · 30/04/2025 15:27

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.

I remember watching the Cornwall G7 summit a few years ago. All the world leaders had a photoshoot and afterwards, they were practically falling over themselves to be photographed with the Queen. It wasn't Biden or Johnson or Macron that people wanted that photo with. It was the Queen.

Charles or William may not have quite the same stature but still there is a certain prestige in associating with them, in a way which is not true for whatever transient PM happens to be in power today.

User14March · 30/04/2025 15:32

IcedPurple · 30/04/2025 15:23

He's a prince without a realm. Basically a C list celebrity, or Cali curiosity.

Soon enough, many people will be unaware that Charles has another son and William has a brother.

What good is being a prince if you are never seen at royal events and have no contact with the family? Where is the prestige in that? Who wants a prince whose job is promoting a life coaching app in California?

Edited

You’re quite right but M is merching/spinning their status quite well. Possible it endures? The Americans do love even a whiff of ‘royalty’?

IcedPurple · 30/04/2025 15:37

User14March · 30/04/2025 15:32

You’re quite right but M is merching/spinning their status quite well. Possible it endures? The Americans do love even a whiff of ‘royalty’?

Is she?

Her podcast is a flop and she's reduced to getting a commission off random clothes on ShopMy, a site which anyone can join. But I guess that's for another discussion.

The reality is the 'whiff' of royalty from Harry and certainly Meghan is becoming less and less discernible. A balding middle aged man whose only contract with Britain is via the legal system is hardly going to carry royal allure wherever he goes.

Fluffyholeysocks · 30/04/2025 16:01

I think H would do well to perhaps withdraw from appearing award shows/court cases/podcasts for a while. He seems to be getting angrier and more unhappy with the way his life is going. He's sorely missing the RF PR team and their advice - I don't think the situation with his charity would have occurred if he was still guided by the BP machine. I want him to be happy - I really do, but increasingly I think he is isolated and misses the protection of the RF and it's advisors. It's a shame he didn't spend more time in Africa working with his charity when he married - he seemed more at home in this environment and it gave him a purpose - more so than living in Montecito.

BemusedAmerican · 30/04/2025 16:22

User14March · 30/04/2025 15:32

You’re quite right but M is merching/spinning their status quite well. Possible it endures? The Americans do love even a whiff of ‘royalty’?

Her pod casts and show have low ratings. Her jam and cookies had bad reviews. She was called out as a disaster tourist in her own state. Harry does not seem capable of attending an event without publicly insulting other people. So no, I don't think Americans are impressed with them. Most of us are gearing up to facing high prices for everything due to tariffs and worrying about our jobs.

Typos.

Middleagedstriker · 30/04/2025 16:30

IcedPurple · 30/04/2025 15:23

He's a prince without a realm. Basically a C list celebrity, or Cali curiosity.

Soon enough, many people will be unaware that Charles has another son and William has a brother.

What good is being a prince if you are never seen at royal events and have no contact with the family? Where is the prestige in that? Who wants a prince whose job is promoting a life coaching app in California?

Edited

I can guarantee that the same number if not more people know who is Harry is in the world than William currently. The press's (and by the looks of it people on this thread) weird obsession with them is feeding that. I'm pretty certain my, very disinterested in the royal family, teenage age/young adult children couldn't name William but could Harry.

mathanxiety · 30/04/2025 16:32

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.

Yes, agree.

CathyorClaire · 30/04/2025 16:37

Thedom · 30/04/2025 08:44

I think there were 5 tables,, probably 10 guests per table, the guests would have been paid for by the person hosting the table. The tables consisted of firefighters and pilots who assisted with the fires in California. Harry thought it was a great idea to invite them, but either jokingly or sarcastically said he was railroaded into paying for two of the 5 tables.

Edited

Haven't RTFT so sorry if this has already been pointed out but...multi-millionaire Henry is happy to have these guys pose with him for publicity purposes in the middle of wildfires but is now griping about standing them a steak dinner?

All one way with him isn't it?

IcedPurple · 30/04/2025 16:40

Middleagedstriker · 30/04/2025 16:30

I can guarantee that the same number if not more people know who is Harry is in the world than William currently. The press's (and by the looks of it people on this thread) weird obsession with them is feeding that. I'm pretty certain my, very disinterested in the royal family, teenage age/young adult children couldn't name William but could Harry.

I'm really not sure you can 'guarantee' anything of the sort, and I'm not sure why you're making a comparison to William.

William is Prince of Wales and heir to the throne. His status will only increase. The opposite is true for Harry. His status has already plummeted in the past 5 years and will continue to do so. Maybe schoolkids know about Harry's shenanigans, although I doubt it, but William is the important figure on the world stage. Harry is increasingly irrelevant.

BemusedAmerican · 30/04/2025 16:40

Middleagedstriker · 30/04/2025 16:30

I can guarantee that the same number if not more people know who is Harry is in the world than William currently. The press's (and by the looks of it people on this thread) weird obsession with them is feeding that. I'm pretty certain my, very disinterested in the royal family, teenage age/young adult children couldn't name William but could Harry.

Well, lots of people could recognize John Gotti in the 1980's. This was not necessarily a good thing.

Redbluew · 30/04/2025 16:45

This is very funny - The Nerve with Maureen Callaghan reviewing Meghan's podcast interview. It's worth watching the whole thing because she plays clips of Meghan and analyses it really well making the point that the one thing she wants is for her to be relatable but how she is totally inauthentic.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnyZyx04HQg

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 30/04/2025 16:56

CathyorClaire · 30/04/2025 16:37

Haven't RTFT so sorry if this has already been pointed out but...multi-millionaire Henry is happy to have these guys pose with him for publicity purposes in the middle of wildfires but is now griping about standing them a steak dinner?

All one way with him isn't it?

That was an appalling comment by Harry, he should be absolutely ashamed of himself. I don't believe it was a joke, but even if it was you don't joke about having to pay for people at a charity event when you yourself are a multi millionaire Prince.

These kind of "jokes" can be made at the expense of people on a financial equal footing with you - not heroes of the community that wouldn't be able to afford to be there otherwise. Can you imagine how uncomfortable those guests must have been sittinng there at those two tables after that. The enjoyment of the lovely food, drink and hospitality likely ruined.

MaggieMistletoe · 30/04/2025 16:57

binkie163 · 30/04/2025 14:45

lol its spread, it doesnt even make the content requirement for jam or preserve. Talking of which, we have seen her promotion where the 'spread' is on a production line, probably in china, why is she rather disingenuously showing herself pretending to make the stuff, we know she doesnt make it. Unlike the superior Highgrove products made locally from the estate gardens in small batches.
I expect Harry absolutely hates having to do these dumb awards & appearances. Keeping up a public persona is more work than he wants to do, probably rather be sat next to the pool getting sozzled.

I always picture Harry at Home like a scene from MTV cribs in the early 00s.. hoodie up, some kind of ubiquitous garage/dance music on, lolling about half-watching neighbours or homes under the hammer while scowling and muttering to himself, clearly under the influence of some kind of drug. Meanwhile there's a long-suffering staff member who is essentialy his minder as well as a maid of all work, who unobtrusively brings snacks and empties brimming ash trays. All the while, Meghan ignores him entirely and contemptuously.

BemusedAmerican · 30/04/2025 16:59

This is a video of Harry's lame speech at the aviation awards. Also Kurt Russell, when he introduced him, said that Harry had to leave early to pick berries for his wife:

https://x.com/ihtiandrs12/status/1916077529565159819/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1916077529565159819&currentTweetUser=ihtiandrs12

https://x.com/ihtiandrs12/status/1916077529565159819/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1916077529565159819&currentTweetUser=ihtiandrs12

User14March · 30/04/2025 17:07

Redbluew · 30/04/2025 16:45

This is very funny - The Nerve with Maureen Callaghan reviewing Meghan's podcast interview. It's worth watching the whole thing because she plays clips of Meghan and analyses it really well making the point that the one thing she wants is for her to be relatable but how she is totally inauthentic.

She’s right on unappreciative 16-18 year olds getting a bunch of emails & being unspeakably thrilled! Big shock coming…Unless they grow up obedient & scared of course.

I can’t understand a keepsake book but what does she mean by emails every night?

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 17:12

MaggieMistletoe · 30/04/2025 16:57

I always picture Harry at Home like a scene from MTV cribs in the early 00s.. hoodie up, some kind of ubiquitous garage/dance music on, lolling about half-watching neighbours or homes under the hammer while scowling and muttering to himself, clearly under the influence of some kind of drug. Meanwhile there's a long-suffering staff member who is essentialy his minder as well as a maid of all work, who unobtrusively brings snacks and empties brimming ash trays. All the while, Meghan ignores him entirely and contemptuously.

Haha almost snap! I picture him slumped in a chair in that manspreading kind of way. Open beer can on the side table, along with a bowl of crisps, ‘something’ possibly stubbed out in an ashtray before the kids get home, watching footage of his brother and father on news outlets. And yes, Meghan not even registering him there, busy in her own (more industrious) world. The hoodie or sweatshirt will be light grey, possibly a bit stained, no socks.

User14March · 30/04/2025 17:16

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 17:12

Haha almost snap! I picture him slumped in a chair in that manspreading kind of way. Open beer can on the side table, along with a bowl of crisps, ‘something’ possibly stubbed out in an ashtray before the kids get home, watching footage of his brother and father on news outlets. And yes, Meghan not even registering him there, busy in her own (more industrious) world. The hoodie or sweatshirt will be light grey, possibly a bit stained, no socks.

This is spot on re: a brother of a famous, ‘posh’ sister whose circles will have overlapped with H. So I imagine very likely. A sort of hippyish man child, IME they don’t grow up. Let’s hope we’re wrong, Being purposeless destroys you & if monied & purposeless you’re steps away from tinfoil hatdom.

MaggieMistletoe · 30/04/2025 17:21

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 17:12

Haha almost snap! I picture him slumped in a chair in that manspreading kind of way. Open beer can on the side table, along with a bowl of crisps, ‘something’ possibly stubbed out in an ashtray before the kids get home, watching footage of his brother and father on news outlets. And yes, Meghan not even registering him there, busy in her own (more industrious) world. The hoodie or sweatshirt will be light grey, possibly a bit stained, no socks.

The manspreading, slightly stained hoodie and no socks.. you are so spot on.

JSMill · 30/04/2025 17:22

I know H has made his own bed etc but I do wonder about his mental health. He does look sad sometimes and there’s a look in his eyes like my ds had when he was suffering from poor mental health a couple of years ago. It really is not healthy to be isolated from most of your family and friends, especially when they were previously the centre of his life. He had also been used to structure and now he has none. M, I think, is actually happy. Maybe she’s not an A lister but I think she’s bloody loving the series and the podcast when she can ramble on about how wonderful she is.

TheSecondMrsCampbellBlack · 30/04/2025 17:25

I agree, it's only a whiff of royalty and it don't smell that good!

Meanwhile, actual royalty is on the balcony at Buckingham Palace and at the Pope's funeral