Harry and Meghan - OP updated with Threadbanned Users 4/5/21

HildaOgdenx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117895708#Comment_117895708

I know I said this before but the change in Harry's demeanour from a few years ago, is very noticeable, imo. I happened to see some of a programme recently about the royals and the media, going back to when the queen and Philip were young.

Princess Margaret also featured, and then onto more recent times - William, Kate, Harry and Meghan. There was footage of Harry at some earlier public appearances, when he was single. He looked so happy and relaxed, chatting to the crowd. Now he looks permanently tense and dour, imo.

valoren

No surprise as to who wears the pants in that marriage. Jesus wept, the cringeworthiness of the cover.

1966

god those pics are cringey

Kaybaykwah

They’ve influenced me a lot. I have just bought a house with 16 baths.

Neyite

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117895932#Comment_117895932

It stands to reason that he's a lot more dour these days. The palace advisors know their stuff. All he probably had to do was turn up with a speech written for him in a suit chosen for him and not stray into saying anything controversial or political. As well as that, when he did commit blunders (Vegas, the Nazi outfit, the racist comment towards his fellow squaddie) the full force of the RF media office put out all the fires for him, likely by calling in favours with the press or offering some quid pro-quo, or putting some sort of favourable puff piece in the media instead. He was cosseted and protected in so many ways by the Palace PR, they did a good job of making him the golden boy of the RF. The cheeky chappie that was just like us, only richer with everyone smiling indulgently at him like his grannie did.

Now though, he's not got that PR awareness or the polished public appearances so it's clear that it was all managed by the RF on his behalf beforehand and now managed by Meghan who's only experience of doing her own PR is with her blog - so essentially the experience of an Influencer that not many people knew about until she met a prince. Everything they come out with feels clumsy and self-motivated. You get the sense that they couldn't give a shiny sh!t about the fall of Afghanistan but rather see it as an opportunity for self-promotion. Part of that is because they have openly told everyone that they are so broke they need to work so every time there's a picture or a statement or something in the press, we are all thinking "is this for the money or...?" But the other part is that they probably ARE that self-centered and spoilt, and not all that interesting as people.

HildaOgdenx

Even prior to their breakaway, stepping down, whatever, I think a change in his demeanour is visible. He often looks tense and unhappy, in photos with the royals, and she is always determinedly smiling.

I don't know how I forgot to mention that Diana, of course, featured a lot, in that programme!

backwards_man

I am amazed at the reach this pair have in the US. They seem to be hailed as heroes, championing great causes. I just don't get it. They are literally the opposite of everything they spout. They are so obviously self-serving and calculating in everything they do.

seenitall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117899188#Comment_117899188

A cynical interpretation of their popularity over there would be that, with their above-mentioned characteristics, they are in fact the perfect embodiment of the “American way”. However, the currency they trade in, namely their connections, and the perception of them reflected through those connections, is a highly fickle, volatile element. Built on a shameless smear campaign and a very transparent self-regard, hopefully that road will turn out to be a short and ignominious one.

valoren

I wouldn't put too much weight on them making the 100 list. Evelyn Waugh was listed as #97 on their "100 most read female writers in College classes" list in 2016. At a time when internet access is available at the touch of a button, Waugh, a man, got onto the list. I think it was one of the charities they are involved with who nominated them. It's akin to any workplace nominating people for recognition I guess and paper never refused ink.

seenitall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117899404#Comment_117899404

Oh that’s proper funny, with Evelyn Waugh!! :D Wasn’t aware of that. Lots of hot air and style, and a whole lot less substance to this type of venerable publication, it seems.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898834#Comment_117898834

Definitely. I remember photos of him with William and Kate or Kate by herself and he looked genuinely happy. I got the sense that he was a lot of fun, had a sense of humour, didn't take himself too seriously.

Now I see someone different. I know he has been on a journey regards his mental health so maybe that Harry wasn't 'real' and he was putting it all on for the cameras. Perhaps he no longer feels the need to do that.

I don't think so though. He reminds me of a person who is weighed down by difficult choices and circumstances.

As an aside I read Prince Philip's will is to be sealed for 90 years. That will hide his skeletons.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909405#Comment_117909405

Yep, the reference to protecting the Queen's dignity suggest a mistress or two, and perhaps the odd *whispers* illegitimate child got a mention.

Phil was known to be a randy young buck!

Neyite

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909405#Comment_117909405

I suppose when you think of it, it's a massive lifestyle change for him. They met for the very first time in July 16, got engaged 16 months later (Nov 17), married 6 months after that (May 18) straight into royal life as a couple, plus pregnancy/ babies/ several house moves and renovations in the interim. That's not even counting all the stuff with Archiwell, Sussex Royal Foundation, Netflix deals, all that not talking to biographers 😉

Life as a royal is utterly unlike any other kind of life, so really only those within that lifestyle 'get' it. Then within 5 years, he's alienated pretty much anyone who he could turn to about it, trashed them internationally, become a mediocre celebrity and touting for a job with a meaty income despite no transferable skills, and a new dad living in a foreign country. It's bound to be stressful even with all that money - which, for the first time in his life, he needed to actually worry about where it was going to come from.

Philip's will is interesting. Didn't know they were doing that but it makes sense to be honest. He was known for dalliances back in the day - in fact with royalty, it was almost expected that they would have extra-marital affairs. It's really only the recent generations where it's seen to be rather shocking. But back when he was a young prince around town, it was probably expected of him.

tara73

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/princess-beatrices-baby-title-even-25027616

click bait, but this time in at least a witty way...😁

Itssoeasy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909457#Comment_117909457

Well the queen mothers will was sealed when she died and details weren’t released until they were forced to due I think inheritance or something along that line. I got the impression that Prince Phillip was a shrewd operator and he’d hardly put any smoking guns in his will.

Captain_Crash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117920711#Comment_117920711

Yeah I read in one of the articles reporting on Philips will that it’s common practice for senior royals will to be sealed?!? So nothing unusual about Philips I suppose.

Itssoeasy

So there’s a new documentary out on Prince Phillip which was made to mark his hundredth birthday which he didn’t make obviously but I seems that Harry is in it. Be interesting to see this documentary at some point.

Be right back

And they're back!

Lisha

14mins late… ffs says it all really

valoren

Ken Sunshine of Sunshine Sachs (repping for H&M) is a big supporter of De Blasio. Nothing mysterious about it and more than likely a PR move to make them seem like a power couple who can even sway meetings with the likes of the Mayor of New York.

Be right back

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117929257#Comment_117929257

And why are they dressed as if they are attending a funeral?!

Lisha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117929340#Comment_117929340

Is it to do with being somber for the 9/11 anniversary?

cos you know they feel everyone’s pain so so deeply… and it’s not that they are attention seeking numpties..

Yurt2

I'd say Markle is an absolute nightmare as a wife. It's written all over Harry's face, his balls in her handbag and totally isolated from his (admittedly mad) family. Maybe the Royal Air Force can get an evac flight for him from LA once they're all wrapped up in Kabul.

Itssoeasy

Right, I found the Prince Phillip documentary that was on last night and I’ve watched it so other don’t have to. Prince Andrew and Prince Harry were on the documentary but honestly it’d have been weirder if they weren’t there. Bar the two lads, the rest of them actually come across very well and they do give off the feeling that beyond all the airs and graces, they are just a normal upperclass family. The women all come across very well and lady Louise Windsor(Edwards daughter) gives what must be her first TV interview and comes across very well. By the end the interviews conducted after his death, you can see an obvious change and it’s emotional. I’m sure for those who couldn’t care less about the people behind the royal family, this won’t make a blind bit of difference. And Kate and Meghan weren’t interviewed but Kate was mentioned by William. And being honest with the Oprah interview and the other ones he’s given since, Harry’s comments come across as disingenuous, because he’s talking about his grandfather and grandmother and family in warm terms, yet he’s done interview saying very uncomplimentary things about them.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117931169#Comment_117931169

I haven't seen it but if Harry introduced me to someone by my full name I'd doubt my own identity. Haz and Megain just seem so insincere to me now.

I'd imagine she's enough inside information to finance herself as tabloid fodder for the rest of her life and Harry will be left scratching his head and wondering where it all went wrong.

Neyite

I'll probably watch the documentary but appreciate the summary @Itssoeasy. I could see what you mean about Harry's contribution. So two faced anyone could have told him that would happen if you cash in by trashing them.

I think the tide is turning for the RF in general. There are die-hard republicans in the UK who still love the queen and respect her for her decades of service, but her inaction over Andrew and letting him hide in Balmoral avoiding being legally served is disappointing and disgusting to many of her defenders. I honestly think that it would do a lot for the reputation of the RF and it's future stability if they let the FBI have at him. I'd like to think that Charles and William would cheerfully throw him to his fate if it wasn't for the Queen still being in charge, but I don't know would Charles have the balls for that.

dogbert27

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10022453/Self-proclaimed-eco-warriors-Meghan-Harry-travel-NYC-three-gas-guzzling-SUVs.html

Do as we say not as we do!!

backwards_man

Regarding the reports in the DM that homeland security ie federal protection was made available to them I am wondering if the UK embassy requested protection for them, and if they are acting in some sort of special envoy position via the embassy, quietly sanctioned by Buckingham Palace. It is difficult to see why federal protection would be there and how they would even know they were visitiing. Even George Clooney and Angelina Jolie do not get this treatment. This looks and feels like an offical visit akin to a visiting royal, but that cant be as they are no longer acting in an official capacity.....or are they?

Homeland security oversees the Secret Service whose remit among other things is to protect world leaders while in the US and their families. Since they are not protecting Harry and Meghan in general while they are in california, why for this very public yet private capacity trip to NY? The mayor and govenor would have the regular NY police protecting them, not the secret service.

Some journalist should do a FOI on the UK embassy to request a list of protection requsts made in the past 4 weeks.

dogbert27

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932660#Comment_117932660

It is strange that a non working royal and a former actress in a private capacity are entertained by the UN on matters relating to Covid. I mean WTF, it's no different to anyone one of us going there and giving our opinion.

Neyite

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932660#Comment_117932660

It might be a temporary security arrangement based on current intelligence reports. I remember reading before that the Royals don't get to pick their security level, that it's determined by a specialist police task force so it's possible that if Federal agencies got wind of credible threats towards the couple they'd put on security. Especially going to the UN HQ

Or maybe Meghan got someone to ring in a few threats so they'd beef up security and make them look like heavy hitters in the political world 😜

But the two of them going to UN HQ won't be to give expert or unique advice on how to save the world. They are just there as celebs for hire to draw attention to a cause. Like their old job.