Is it okay to put family first? (Response to royal family stuff)

[cabanafrau]

It doesn't seem they just wanted to break away from his family and the work of being senior royals - it seems they want to bring the whole institution down!

However much they don't want to be royal why would they do this to his family?

When I think about Harry's multiple comments about how much he loves his family, respects his grandmother, etc. it reminds me of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka "warning" Mike Teevee "Stop. Don't. Come Back." It's just correct words for the situation spilling from his mouth, without any inflection of sincerity behind them.

 

[mamamia2005]

Neither of them seen to have shown much respect to the family.

When I think back to how sorry I felt for Meghan in the week before the wedding over her father, and then Prince Charles stepping up to walk her down the aisle. The Royal family are well known for doing things traditionally, and that was far from traditional!
Prince Charles also escorted Meghan's Mother into the vestry near the end of the service too, which I thought was a lovely touch.
From my point of view, the royal family have been very welcoming of Meghan, shown her respect and it has been thrown back in their faces.

 

[cabanafrau]

I know you're being a little devil here , but there's no way the Queen would allow anything like this. She has far too much self-respect and respect for the monarchy. She knows they'll weather this storm.

I, also, think she has learnt from big mistakes that were made re. Charles and Diana. She comes across very differently now from how she did then.

It's not at all likely they would take that risk. However, people speculate about Harry and Meghan routinely, so it seems fair to keep things equal. I'm also advocating for really evaluating carefully what's put out there. An awful lot of what's become largely accepted as true about Harry and Meghan comes from reporting that is attributed to anonymous sources. It doesn't mean a report isn't true because the source is anonymous, but it does give me a bit of pause.

For me the miscarriage op ed really made my radar go up -- it was one of the first extensive comments coming directly from them that I heard and I felt it was incredibly phony and manipulative on its face. They've got work to do now to demonstrate they are prepared to be genuine and straightforward in my eyes. They may very well give a very good showing in this upcoming interview. That won't be the whole story for how I assess whether or not I think it's credible, no matter how shiny and glossy it seems. End of the day it's an interview conducted by someone who is sympathetic and seeking to curry favor and a relationship with them. They won't be under oath. There will be no one there to present questions from an opposing perspective. One of the things I'm most curious about is how much of an insight it will be possible to get into the dynamic between the couple, as in if there's any indication if H or M is largely calling the shots in regard to public communications, or if it's more a Thelma and Louise dynamic with both eager to floor it right into the canyon. I'm also dying to see if they own anything as mistakes and misdeeds on their part and express any genuine regrets in regards to how other people may have been hurt.

 

[NotUrsula]

As to who is calling the shots, I think it will be telling to note just how much literal hand-holding happens when Harry is on-camera. (We have already seen them holding hands in the clip). There is a lot of silent signaling one can do when holding someone's hand. Eye signals when a camera is on your face are very apt to be noticed, but the signals possible with clasped hands are very discreet.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

The timing of the interview is puzzling, isn’t it? Harry and Meghan felt that the media were intrusive while expecting their first child; sadly they suffered a miscarriage quite recently, and yet, knowing she is carrying a child again, they agree to record an interview, which they must have known risked receiving a negative response from some members of the public. Why would they ‘poke the hornets’ nest’ during this time and put themselves through that emotional turmoil, angst, anger etc.? Wouldn’t a rational couple, having suffered a recent miscarriage, be entirely focussed on the well being of their unborn child and do everything possible to avoid stress or anything that could negatively impact the pregnancy, both in terms of happy pregnancy memories and a healthy pregnancy/baby? Why not wait until after a safe birth? What was the impetus for recording the interview now? There must be more to this.

 

[TLSnell1981]

If I were Philip I’d be upset anyone was talking about postponing the interview until some future date, at which point I might be dead. “Don’t leave me hanging, I want to know what it says!”

I know that sounds like I’m just joking, but I’m not. I’m serious.

PP just had heart surgery and has had an owning issue with his kidneys. I think he has more serious problems at this moment.

 

[mom2rtk]

The timing of the interview is puzzling, isn’t it? Harry and Meghan felt that the media were intrusive while expecting their first child; sadly they suffered a miscarriage quite recently, and yet, knowing she is carrying a child again, they agree to record an interview, which they must have known risked receiving a negative response from some members of the public. Why would they ‘poke the hornets’ nest’ during this time and put themselves through that emotional turmoil, angst, anger etc.? Wouldn’t a rational couple, having suffered a recent miscarriage, be entirely focussed on the well being of their unborn child and do everything possible to avoid stress or anything that could negatively impact the pregnancy, both in terms of happy pregnancy memories and a healthy pregnancy/baby? Why not wait until after a safe birth? What was the impetus for recording the interview now? There must be more to this.

She's a much more sympathetic subject when she's pregnant.

 

[TLSnell1981]

There is someone who I am friends with on fb. He is really into a big political storm that is supposedly coming, and says that Prince Phillip died last year.

But no, I don't think Prince Phillip's illness has been fabricated.

I do however think that the investigation into the bullying claims could be a preemtive strike.

I don't believe PP's illness is being fabricated. I do believe it could be a preemptive strike regarding the staff but doesn't mean it's not true.

 

[Tink-osophy]

Eating a full meal ahead of time might help! I expect a spike in liquor sales ahead of Sunday evening. Luckily we are at the beach and are already fully stocked for the weekend so we won’t have to compete if there is a run on supplies.

You're at the beach? That sounds heaven right now!

 

[snappy]

She's a much more sympathetic subject when she's pregnant.

I had not thought of that but you are right! The interview might be strategically timed.

 

[Tink-osophy]

I had not thought of that but you are right! The interview might be strategically timed.

I suspect every aspect of this has been very carefully crafted to give just the message they want - scheduling, prompts, eye make-up, clothes, furniture, plants. etc. etc..

Though we don't know the balance of their relationship, I imagine this type of staging and styling is more Meghan's thing. The thing is you can never present anything so perfectly that everyone will just buy it and go along with you - and, somehow, if you try too hard you undermine your own message.

I didn't see it, but I hear Harry's manner in his interview was more natural? (Even if the call to Meghan wasn't!)

 

[Tink-osophy]

When I think about Harry's multiple comments about how much he loves his family, respects his grandmother, etc. it reminds me of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka "warning" Mike Teevee "Stop. Don't. Come Back." It's just correct words for the situation spilling from his mouth, without any inflection of sincerity behind them.

I don't think I've heard his comments (were they in the Corden interview?). I suspect he does love his family (respect is another matter!!!!!), but maybe because he now has an outlet for all his hurt, he's lost perspective?

 

[Tigerlulu]

Neither of them seen to have shown much respect to the family.

When I think back to how sorry I felt for Meghan in the week before the wedding over her father, and then Prince Charles stepping up to walk her down the aisle. The Royal family are well known for doing things traditionally, and that was far from traditional!
Prince Charles also escorted Meghan's Mother into the vestry near the end of the service too, which I thought was a lovely touch.
From my point of view, the royal family have been very welcoming of Meghan, shown her respect and it has been thrown back in their faces.

Agreed. They were incredibly gracious and broke a of of traditions for her and were very respectful about it.

The timing of the interview is puzzling, isn’t it? Harry and Meghan felt that the media were intrusive while expecting their first child; sadly they suffered a miscarriage quite recently, and yet, knowing she is carrying a child again, they agree to record an interview, which they must have known risked receiving a negative response from some members of the public. Why would they ‘poke the hornets’ nest’ during this time and put themselves through that emotional turmoil, angst, anger etc.? Wouldn’t a rational couple, having suffered a recent miscarriage, be entirely focussed on the well being of their unborn child and do everything possible to avoid stress or anything that could negatively impact the pregnancy, both in terms of happy pregnancy memories and a healthy pregnancy/baby? Why not wait until after a safe birth? What was the impetus for recording the interview now? There must be more to this.

You think they’re rational? Lol

 

[person]

In 1936, when the Abdication Crisis broke, Mrs. Simpson, to give credit where credit may be due, left the country for a secluded location, avoided the media and tried to persuade Edward VIII not to abdicate.

MM baring her soul on TV with strong criticism of the monarchy into which she chose to marry does not compare well with Mrs. Simpson.

 

[Turn the Page]

In 1936, when the Abdication Crisis broke, Mrs. Simpson, to give credit where credit may be due, left the country for a secluded location, avoided the media and tried to persuade Edward VIII not to abdicate.

MM baring her soul on TV with strong criticism of the monarchy into which she chose to marry does not compare well with Mrs. Simpson.

And, lest we forget, Wallis Simpson's actions ushered in a monarch much better suited for the job, two actually, at a time when the world at large desperately needed a strong, inspiring leader. God knows where we would all be today without her and whatever skills she was rumoured to have picked up in that brothel in Singapore.

The results of MM's actions are rather less critical.

 

[Cheburashka]

Wallis Simpson's actions ushered in a monarch much better suited for the job, two actually, at a time when the world at large desperately needed a strong, inspiring leader...The results of MM's actions are rather less critical.

We're actually living in an extremely politically polarized time, not to mention in the midst of a global pandemic, where the unifying force of a politically neutral royal family could do Britain and the Commonwealth a lot of good. Markle's actions are hurting the monarchy and that does have serious implications for the country and commonwealth.

One example: the Queen recently publicly spoke strongly in favor of getting the Covid vaccine, even for people who are hesitant or have never been vaccinated before. That's a strong and important message, however, it didn't get the full attention it normally would, because the very same day, Harry gave the L.A. bus-top interview, stealing the spotlight.

Because Harry & Meghan have gone rogue, no longer coordinating public events with the palace, all the while seeking the spotlight which they get only on account of their royal connections, the royal family's ability to effectively send important & unifying messages to its people is compromised.

 

[person]

Harry & Meghan have gone rogue

Cheburashka:

A good way of putting it.

You can't have two rival White House Press Rooms.

 

[mom2rtk]

Because Harry & Meghan have gone rogue, no longer coordinating public events with the palace, all the while seeking the spotlight which they get only on account of their royal connections, the royal family's ability to effectively send important & unifying messages to its people is compromised.

Exactly this.

 

[person]

Exactly this.

I agree...but if they don't care....

 

[Tink-osophy]

I agree...but if they don't care....

And appearing not to care doesn't match well with their messages of compassion, does it!

If they're not listening to so many others, why should those others listen to them?