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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:
TheSecondMrsCampbellBlack · 30/04/2025 17:29

Also Meghan saying they were "in the trenches" WTAF?

The trenches were world war 1 - you were a couple of spoiled whining nitwits who had no idea how good you had it, you were hardly in a warzone.

I'm just not buying that they're living their best life tbh. And Harry's comment about the tables didn't get a good reception, it was weak embarrassed laughter.

It is embarrassing for the UK and for the monarchy really.

MaryMungoNMidge · 30/04/2025 17:30

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.

That's not a good look on the educational system or your children, I'm afraid. My kids are really interested in politics, so they are perfectly aware of the workings of our governmental framework, who is head of state and who will be the next head of state and why. That's quite basic knowledge about our country's governance for a teenager. They also are very aware of who the movers and shakers are in the celebrity world. Guess who is not on their radar - a third grade actress and a defunct prince.

My2cents1975 · 30/04/2025 17:37

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 was voluntold to help with Halloween last year, and as we were putting up the decorations the conversation drifted to the upcoming Presidential election. One person was sure Kamala would win and repeatedly insisted that she hadn’t heard anyone in her social circles support Trump, she hadn’t been polled, no-one she knew supported Trump therefore in her mind Kamala would win.

We all know how things turned out less than a fortnight later.

Reminds me a bit of the nay-sayers entrenched in their bubbles complete with their narratives. No-one I know supports the RF, my kids don’t support the RF, my kids don’t know who their next Head of State will be, I guarantee that H is more famous than W.

How amusing!

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 17:41

@User14March That email nonsense made me think, this woman is living in cloud cuckoo land. Unless you have unfortunately passed away before your children really got to know you, no teenager is going to care less about a bunch of gushy old emails their mother has piled up for them. My kids would wonder if I’d lost my mind and they would not care less about some stupid emails (and we have a very good relationship). Like a card, if there’s no money inside, it’s not of interest to a teenager.

Ohpleeeease · 30/04/2025 18:12

I think it’s a dangerous game to believe your children will always appreciate you, and understand your motives. Teenagers are judgy animals. They’re much more likely to complain that she was always on her laptop when what they wanted was for her to listen to them in times of woe.

They will certainly not see it as a demonstration of how much she really loved them.

I’m aghast at how self centred this thought process is.

OtherS · 30/04/2025 18:15

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 30/04/2025 16:56

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.

Absolutely, the poor guests must have felt so awkward being told their host begrudged paying for them. I assume he said it to make sure everyone knew he was paying - not much point donating to charity if the world doesn't know about it, after all.

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 18:43

Ohpleeeease · 30/04/2025 18:12

I think it’s a dangerous game to believe your children will always appreciate you, and understand your motives. Teenagers are judgy animals. They’re much more likely to complain that she was always on her laptop when what they wanted was for her to listen to them in times of woe.

They will certainly not see it as a demonstration of how much she really loved them.

I’m aghast at how self centred this thought process is.

I have a feeling she’s not actually doing it and it’s just another one of those weird stories she comes up with, like taking a ‘thin’ book away with her to read to them at night and the Irish Catholic dad giving her, as a babysitter, unasked for advice on relationships. I think she has a book at home called Human Behaviour for Dummies. Time she started reading it! 😆

Profhilodisaster · 30/04/2025 18:58

MaggieMistletoe · 30/04/2025 17:21

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

A bit like Onslow from Keeping Up Appearances.

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 19:01

Profhilodisaster · 30/04/2025 18:58

A bit like Onslow from Keeping Up Appearances.

Haha, a posh version of Onslow, exactly right 😁

Uricon2 · 30/04/2025 19:06

"She likened their relationship to a video game where you “slay the dragon, save the princess.” "

Is there an iteration of this story where the dragon and the prince shack up together and live miserably ever after?

Uricon2 · 30/04/2025 19:09

TheSecondMrsCampbellBlack · 30/04/2025 17:29

Also Meghan saying they were "in the trenches" WTAF?

The trenches were world war 1 - you were a couple of spoiled whining nitwits who had no idea how good you had it, you were hardly in a warzone.

I'm just not buying that they're living their best life tbh. And Harry's comment about the tables didn't get a good reception, it was weak embarrassed laughter.

It is embarrassing for the UK and for the monarchy really.

Agree. You need to be very careful about using the phrase "in the trenches" about anything and I've seen zero indication H&M have any cause to do so.

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 19:09

Archie (18) , here’s some emails I wrote to you over the years.

“My dearest little Archie, aren’t you a clever boy eating up all your lunch at Kindergarten today when you don’t even like mashed potatoes. Mummy is very proud of you munchikins”

Er thanks mum, can you move out the way, you're blocking the game. Any more beers dad?

RedRosesPinkLilies · 30/04/2025 19:18

Read a lot, don’t post. Very entertaining and insightful
Meghan usually has a plan…not all go well
I wondered if the daily email was to counter her children’s future books? Proof.

Uricon2 · 30/04/2025 19:18

The thousands of emails for the kids when they're older thing is actually deeply narcissistic. They will see themselves only through her lens when tiny, but actually this could severely backfire if in the words of their late great grandmother "recollections vary" as they move into a period where they have clear memories, and they will.

ETA my late mothers presentation of my childhood and mine would be clear different things.

flapjackfairy · 30/04/2025 19:21

Uricon2 · 30/04/2025 19:06

"She likened their relationship to a video game where you “slay the dragon, save the princess.” "

Is there an iteration of this story where the dragon and the prince shack up together and live miserably ever after?

Well that is the whole premise of their relationship isn't it? And she uses that to control H really because she portrays herself as the second Princess Di and H is obsessed with protecting her and saving her because he wasn't ( obviously ) able to save his mother.
He still has huge issues and can't let go of what happened when he was a child and I feel sorry for him in that respect because it leaves him completely open to being manipulated . He must live with v high anxiety and stress levels on an ongoing basis.
Even the way she describes their relationship here is weird. She portrayed herself as a strong , independent, intelligent and highly successful woman at the start but she quickly pivoted to someone who was more likely to hit the ground sobbing than hit the ground running as she said she was going to do. Even the suicide threats were reminiscent of Diana's issues and no doubt sent H into sheer panic .
She certainly found Harrys achilles heel and has successfully used that to.persuade him to give up everything and everyone else.He is somewhat stuck now and everything is about his wife and his only role now is to support her every move and stay in her shadow. Sad really .

SoOxon · 30/04/2025 19:25

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

Henry Lacklands

MaryMungoNMidge · 30/04/2025 19:25

BunnyLake · 30/04/2025 19:09

Archie (18) , here’s some emails I wrote to you over the years.

“My dearest little Archie, aren’t you a clever boy eating up all your lunch at Kindergarten today when you don’t even like mashed potatoes. Mummy is very proud of you munchikins”

Er thanks mum, can you move out the way, you're blocking the game. Any more beers dad?

How many pots of cold, leftover one pot pasta slop will that child have had in his lunchbox? No amount of nice notes and emails would make me feel happy about that!

RedRosesPinkLilies · 30/04/2025 19:27

@Uricon2 thats interesting - re narcissism
I I guess I found it odd because I don’t think most mums would have time to do it. I look at videos of my kids childhood and can really remember it, because I was just so busy. It looks great in the videos - very happy. But I didn’t have time to document it

Puzzledandpissedoff · 30/04/2025 19:34

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?

What else would you have expected @CathyorClaire?
For most of his life Harry's expected his royal status to deliver everything he wants for the asking, so I can well believe he'd now shudder at the thought of contributing something of his own

Even if his comments were meant as a joke it would have been an extremely vulgar one in such company, but then to him these are clearly "little people" and he's a PRINCE don'tcha know Hmm

CoffeeCantata · 30/04/2025 19:41

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 30/04/2025 16:56

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.

I'm mortified for those poor guests that Harry insulted. The idiot. The people he makes the butt of his awful jokes are usually brave, hard-working, professionals too, which just makes it beyond cringey.

He's got form for this, hasn't he? The jibe at John Travolta a year or so ago, implying that he had 'dined out' on his famous dance with Diana? So ill-judged. Travolta is/was a Hollywood legend and it was an honour for Diana to dance with HIM really.

Harry reminds me of my son (who is now the most delightful, kind, sensitive young man btw) aged about 12, when he would make what he thought was a witty remark about someone and I'd have to explain how crass, rude and cheeky it was. Luckily he took my criticism on board. Harry really has arrested at a sulky teenage stage and for a number of reasons, hasn't had the bollocking some teenagers need in terms of learning empathy and courtesy.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 30/04/2025 19:46

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.

I'd have thought that unlikely in America, User14March, where a title could actually work against him if (as is becoming obvious) it's all he has to offer

Had he made a huge success of his life after "escaping" that would have attracted kudos - "the guy who made it on his own merits after kicking off the old world chains" - but with much of his life reduced to being a bit part for his wife and professional victim those kudos are less likely

CoffeeCantata · 30/04/2025 19:50

anotherside · 30/04/2025 11:15

The difference between William and Harry is that the former has no choice - his kids have to have a public profile to some extent because of their senior role in the monarchy

Of course William had a choice. He could have abdicated stating I do not believe in monarchy or in inflicting the goldfish life on my kids. He has chosen a public tabloid role for his children.

Edited

This is crazy talk!

It's part of the role for the children/grandchildren of a monarch to appear in public. In the more innocent and deferential era before the internet and the press becoming so predatory, that worked well. I remember watching royal events when I was a child when lots of royal children would take part and no-one would have dreamt of exploiting them.

But nowadays the internet and the no-holds-barred attitude of the press have changed the game out of all recognition and (esp after Diana's death) there's a sort of 'gentleman/woman's agreement' that the royal children will be treated with discretion at least until they leave education. W and C bring out the children when expected in a perfectly-judged way - they're not 'parading' them or exploiting them. People quite rightly want to see them - there's nothing wrong with that in itself.

bluegreygreen · 30/04/2025 20:00

Agree, @CoffeeCantata.

William's children will be children of the monarch and so have to deal with being in the public eye. It makes sense to get them used to a certain amount of publicity as they grow up, with carefully controlled public appearances and release of official photographs. Their private lives seem to be equally carefully guarded.

AnneElliott · 30/04/2025 20:08

I agree that Phil the Greek comment was pretty unpleasant. For all his faults the DoE was well liked by both service people and the emergency services. At the event I attended where he opened a facility they were queuing up to meet him and he had people roaring with laughter.

CathyorClaire · 30/04/2025 20:34

Profhilodisaster · 30/04/2025 18:58

A bit like Onslow from Keeping Up Appearances.

Wayne Slob...