Meghan and Harry 6: Everything about this Is Kind of Cringe

[HerNameIsBuffy]

Continued from here...

Thank you @viii for the title thread.

Edited May 18, 2021 by HerNameIsBuffy

[DalmatianCat]

Can’t quote in a new thread, but @Xanarielmade a comment in the last thread about Harry reading comments about himself online. Anytime a celebrity complains about their negative press I always wonder why they bother reading it...or what kind of friend would tell them about it if they know they’d find it upsetting. 
I remember years ago when Kate Gosselin was on Dancing with the Stars and she was flipping out one day to her trainer about how some thing or the other was going to end up in the tabloids and it was stressing her out. His response was basically, “Just don’t listen to it/read it.”

I remember Carole Middleton did an interview  just a few years ago and it was the first one she had done since Kate and William had gotten married. She was asked a question about negative press and said she’d decided before they got married to never read articles about herself. That made a lot of sense to me. If that’s also the attitude the Queen, Anne, and other members of royal family have, I can see why their advice to Meghan was just to ignore the tabloids and their idea of sympathy was, “people say rude things about all of us.”
They probably have no clue what the tabloids are saying most of the time. I doubt they have Google alerts with their names and are checking them anxiously every day.

[Coconut Flan]

There are classes available to pro athletes and also classes for actors and that's one of the things that they are both told is to not read the tabloids, press articles, and especially not the comments posted about them.  

I would think it would do no one any good to read much that is posted about themselves online.  There used to be a forum BBB, I can't even remember now what it stood for.  Their purpose for existing was to make barbed comments about people posting on internet blogs and boards.  For who knows what reason they saw me posting somewhere that I'd made maybe three comments and one of the comments set off one of their regular posters.  Just that tiny incident really impacted me for a few hours.  I wished the person who clued me in had left me in ignorance.  I never posted on that board using that name again.  Magnify that by thousands and it could be crushing to see so I agree the best advice is never look at it.  

[EmCatlyn]

@Coconut Flan Yeah, I have had that experience too.  And the thing is, if you try to reply or defend yourself you just stir things up more.  It is really better to remain in ignorance.

I have to say that I was surprised that Harry was reading and getting bothered by what was written about him even before he met Meghan.  I thought he was just being hyper-protective of Meghan (who might have been more sensitive) because he identified her issues with the press with his mother’s. (Though Diana was being hounded by positive attention as much as anything.)

I would think he’d have learned by now to shrug off the press.  ??‍♀️

[adidas]

The more they talk, the more confused I am. They just don’t make sense. They contradict themselves every second breath.

Harry hates the press because he views them as being responsible for his Mum’s death, yet he reads the stuff the press writes about him.

They want to be private citizens yet they do sit down interviews talking about their private lives.

Harry told Dax Sheperd that he has been seeing a therapist consistently for the past five years, and nobody knew until he divulged that information because therapists are bound by confidentiality laws. But when Meghan asked if she could access help she was told no because people might find out and it could look bad.

[tabitha2]

Obviously they lie through their teeth about a good many things. 

[tabitha2]

Also he is an pompous idiot... 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/prince-harry-calls-first-amendment-083510601.html

You and your Wife are the bonkers one..

Edited May 17, 2021 by tabitha2

[just_ordinary]

As not-American I am very interested how this plays out. 
I actually get what he means. BUT the way he phrased it, after seeking a better life in the US was not a smart move at all. 
Honestly, the whole situation has developed into a G&T occasion, where you take a sip, laughing inside through their newest antics, while outwardly only raising an eyebrows and giving only “golly” as verbal reaction.  

[HerNameIsBuffy]

2 hours ago, tabitha2 said:

Also he is an pompous idiot... 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/prince-harry-calls-first-amendment-083510601.html

You and your Wife are the bonkers one..

Yeah, I can't even defend this one.  I'm no paparazzi apologist, but this was completely tone deaf.  Americans may disagree with how it's policed, but I wouldn't be surprised if freedom of speech was the part of our body politic that most of us agree with in principal.

If they want to be famous some press interest is part of the deal, they both know that.  If they don't want to be bothered by the press then they can stfu with the interviews and live a private life and I'd defend their right to be left alone as private citizens removing themselves from the public eye.  But they can't have both.

I'll forever feel sorry for Harry as a kid who lost his mom way too early....but adult Harry needs to get that if you want to be famous for a living some parts of it will suck.  Some parts of all jobs suck.  I don't particularly enjoy that people at my work keep coming to me with their tech problems, but since I'm the IT it would look pretty ridiculous if I refused to take questions and complained about the harassment.  

Edited May 17, 2021 by HerNameIsBuffy

[anjulibai]

Harry's not the first non-American I've heard criticize the 1st amendment, and if you listen to the arguments, I get it. Lots of really awful things are allowed under the 1st amendment, which aren't in other countries, as those awful things fall under hate speech or slander. Maybe that sort of speech shouldn't be protected? I think a good argument can be made that the 1st amendment does go to far in some circumstances. 

I haven't listened to this podcast, so perhaps Harry explains what he means. I'm not going to judge, because I don't have the context. 

[tabitha2]

The context is he talks with no thought and needs to STFU and take a seat. 

[viii]

I see what he meant but he worded it very poorly. A lot of horrible things can be said under the 1st amendment. However, as a non-American, I'm not wading a toe into that debate because it's not my circus. It is, however, Meghan's, and so I can understand his surprise by some of the things that are legal to say. 

Harry's issue is that he takes great insult to all the side effects of being 'famous', whether that's a royalty or a celebrity. It's becoming more and more clear that Harry wants the lifestyle which he's accustomed to, but doesn't want to do any of the work necessary in order to attain it. He doesn't want to be a royal and he doesn't want to be a celebrity but he wants to live in a million dollar mansions and rub elbows with fellow stars and get paid for just being himself. It doesn't work like that. 

[EmCatlyn]

1 hour ago, viii said:

Harry's issue is that he takes great insult to all the side effects of being 'famous', whether that's a royalty or a celebrity. It's becoming more and more clear that Harry wants the lifestyle which he's accustomed to, but doesn't want to do any of the work necessary in order to attain it. He doesn't want to be a royal and he doesn't want to be a celebrity but he wants to live in a million dollar mansions and rub elbows with fellow stars and get paid for just being himself. It doesn't work like that. 

He and Meghan are sure trying to make it “work like that” though. ?

The sense of entitlement and self-importance is so great with him!

[DalmatianCat]

58 minutes ago, viii said:

Harry's issue is that he takes great insult to all the side effects of being 'famous', whether that's a royalty or a celebrity. It's becoming more and more clear that Harry wants the lifestyle which he's accustomed to, but doesn't want to do any of the work necessary in order to attain it. He doesn't want to be a royal and he doesn't want to be a celebrity but he wants to live in a million dollar mansions and rub elbows with fellow stars and get paid for just being himself. It doesn't work like that. 

So much this. It makes wonder

1) if he realizes he’s making it so hard to root for him and I’ve been a Harry fan since we we were both kids ?

2) maybe he’s always been this much of a mess and the palace/his family just did an amazing job of constantly covering for him, filtering him, burying stories, etc. and this is the Harry he’s always been but without anyone playing interference. Maybe he’s had no idea how much work the palace used to do on his behalf and as he’s digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole he’s confused by all the negative feedback because he thinks he’s being the same person.

Now I’m starting to wonder if Charles and William always knew this is what would happen if Harry went out on his own and why they tried to keep him in the family for as long as possible...and last year they were finally just done and said, “fine, have it your way, but we won’t be cleaning up your messes.”

And Harry naively said, “Everyone loves me, I can’t mess up.”

[viii]

39 minutes ago, EmCatlyn said:

The sense of entitlement and self-importance is so great with him!

I'm still not convinced yet. I'm on the fence on whether it's entitlement vs sheer naivety and dumbness. 

35 minutes ago, DalmatianCat said:

So much this. It makes wonder

1) if he realizes he’s making it so hard to root for him and I’ve been a Harry fan since we we were both kids ?

2) maybe he’s always been this much of a mess and the palace/his family just did an amazing job of constantly covering for him, filtering him, burying stories, etc. and this is the Harry he’s always been but without anyone playing interference. Maybe he’s had no idea how much work the palace used to do on his behalf and as he’s digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole he’s confused by all the negative feedback because he thinks he’s being the same person.

Now I’m starting to wonder if Charles and William always knew this is what would happen if Harry went out on his own and why they tried to keep him in the family for as long as possible...and last year they were finally just done and said, “fine, have it your way, but we won’t be cleaning up your messes.”

And Harry naively said, “Everyone loves me, I can’t mess up.”

I have been a Harry fan since I learned of the royal family, and have really enjoyed Meghan stepping into the ring and seeing what she has to offer. 

However, it's become really difficult some days to root for them, because their narrative is all over the place. They have zero direction and seem completely lost, which is fair, considering that they're attempting something that hasn't been done in the royal family before. There is no blueprint on how to make this work but they seem to rebuff all help offered to them, which seems to hinder them more than helps. Harry doesn't know how to live a non-royal life and it's 100% expected for him to make some missteps as he learns. But that's the issue - he doesn't seem to be learning. Instead, he just doubles down on his mistakes and makes me roll my eyes. SIGH. 

I think the palace has been burying Harry's misdeeds for years, the best they can. I don't like the idea of William and Charles always knowing who Harry is because I personally believe they are *just* as bad as Harry, they just have the firm to continue sweeping under the rug. William's cheating scandals disappeared overnight. 

Like, the Lord works hard but the Firm works harder, imo. 

 

[HerNameIsBuffy]

2 hours ago, viii said:

It's becoming more and more clear that Harry wants the lifestyle which he's accustomed to, but doesn't want to do any of the work necessary in order to attain it.

I would also like the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed, and also don't want to work or give up my privacy to get it.  Where do I apply for a gig like that?   

[viii]

2 minutes ago, HerNameIsBuffy said:

I would also like the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed, and also don't want to work or give up my privacy to get it.  Where do I apply for a gig like that?   

The minute I've applied I'll let you know ?

[tabitha2]

1 minute ago, HerNameIsBuffy said:

I would also like the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed, and also don't want to work or give up my privacy to get it.  Where do I apply for a gig like that?   

Well There are a few Adult unmarried Royal Princes left in Europe to Vamp;) I mean If a Game show starlet, a drug dealers ex girlfriend and a soft porn actress can do it... 

[viii]

Excellent! Sign me up! Where am I moving?!

[EmCatlyn]

1 hour ago, DalmatianCat said:

[Snipped]

Now I’m starting to wonder if Charles and William always knew this is what would happen if Harry went out on his own and why they tried to keep him in the family for as long as possible...and last year they were finally just done and said, “fine, have it your way, but we won’t be cleaning up your messes.”

And Harry naively said, “Everyone loves me, I can’t mess up.”

I kind of doubt Charles and William really gave much thought to what would happen if Harry “went out on his own,” because they assumed he would stay connected with the family.   He had enough money from his grandmother and his mother to support himself and a family, especially as he would get housing provided by the royal family.  He didn’t need “a job,” and if he didn’t want to be a full-time royal, he didn’t have to be, even after he left the military. 

However, I believe you are right that the family protected him and were concerned about what would happen if he did not find a purpose and settle down.  I think for a while they hoped (assumed?) that since he was doing so well working with William on things, he would find a place as a companion and supportive figure to the future king.  

In any case, I get the impression that the problems that came up the past few years probably caught the royal family by surprise.  From their perspective they did their best for Harry and Meghan.  But it seems that Harry wanted something else or something more.  

It comes down to different assumptions and expectations, I think.  No one really thought what Harry might do, “on his own,” because it was never considered that he would go off on his own.

 

[HerNameIsBuffy]

1 hour ago, tabitha2 said:

Well There are a few Adult unmarried Royal Princes left in Europe to Vamp;)

I'm glad you said Europe and not just the UK because I believe Prince Andrew is my only option there, if I'm not mistaken.  Hard pass  

The age appropriate princes from other nations should line up with a sampling of their best tiara offerings so I can make a reasoned and mature choice.

[tabitha2]

 

 

5 minutes ago, HerNameIsBuffy said:

I'm glad you said Europe and not just the UK because I believe Prince Andrew is my only option there, if I'm not mistaken.  Hard pass  

The age appropriate princes from other nations should line up with a sampling of their best tiara offerings so I can make a reasoned and mature choice.

Girl, Look up Arthur Chatto. He is no Prince but he is close enough you might agree

[HerNameIsBuffy]

2 minutes ago, tabitha2 said:

 

 

Girl, Look up Arthur Chatto. He is no Prince but he is close enough you might agree

Oh he is a handsome child,  looks like a young Lorenzo Lamas....but alas Prince Andy is far more age appropriate for me.  Still no, but if a royal is intent on wooing me he needs to have been alive long enough to remember when David Lee Roth left Van Halen.  

[viii]

@HerNameIsBuffy I mean, depending on how badly you want a tiara, Lizzie is available now! Swoop in there! 

[HerNameIsBuffy]

55 minutes ago, viii said:

@HerNameIsBuffy I mean, depending on how badly you want a tiara, Lizzie is available now! Swoop in there! 

I would in a second, but I'm too afraid of what you'd all write about me here!