I did see the company that made Meghan’s pinky ring (she wore it when she was shshing the kids at the window) merching the ring. It was ok to merch the ring but the company had pictures of the children ‘in’ the ad/post. Considering that the Sussex’s are so sensitive about releasing photos of their own kids, I was in agreement (with many) that this company shouldn’t use someone else’s kids in their merching.
As always, well stated. I do have one quibble with your point about Kate ordering cakes for her children's parties. I think it’s possible that she bakes the cakes, but also certainly possible that she orders them.
She was raised in a party planning empire. I’m sure she throws quite charming and elegant parties for her children. Even if she bakes the cakes herself (which I kind of imagine not), I’m sure there are many beautiful bespoke touches that we are not privy to.
Ah yes - totally forgot about Party Pieces! Was thinking more about how she seems to be a hands on mum. And you’re right about the bespoke touches - with advice from her mother perhaps
Hmmm. I really am conflicted over this. Who knows how successful Clare Ptak's company is in these days of inflation, post-COVID? Does she need the publicity? It really is quite a beautiful cake but actually I feel it's Ptak, rather than M & H who is trying to get the publicity. How many of M & H's fans worldwide are going to order a cake from England? But the fact that they were in the UK, well, she may get some business from M &'s UK fans.
Some products are shipped worldwide for a reasonable cost (I doubt a cake would be but who knows.) I admire Kate's and, yes, I admit it, Meghan's jewelry. As an ex-pat Canadian, I bought the least expensive pair of Birks earrings she owns the last time I was home in Vancouver and love them. (I covet the diamond snowmen but, wow, just can't afford them.) I wouldn't have known about them had she not worn them. I have a few pairs of Kate's earrings (am so glad she wears affordable earrings a lot of the time) that have been noted on Jane's and other web pages and a couple of her Black & Co cashmere scarves too. Wouldn't have known about them had she not worn them. So, like Jane, I am not averse to being influenced.
The cake doesn't bother me. And, truthfully, I actually, in hindsight, felt sorry for them last weekend. I had a personal experience the weekend before: it was my 70th birthday which was a big deal in my mind. I had hoped for a lovely cake, nice presents, a "well done Mum, Grandma, dear Wife." It means a lot to me because both my mother and my sister didn't live to see 60 let alone 70. Anyway, unfortunately my birthday fell on the same weekend as my eldest granddaughter's high school graduation. We all live in the same town. So, while a got a birthday card and a vase of flowers and my husband said "Why don't you order yourself something online?" all celebrations were focused on granddaughter's achievement and super news that she had been accepted into the program she wanted at the university she wanted with full scholarship. There were parties, restaurant celebrations, graduation cake, the other grandparents came into town which is always a big deal because they aren't seen very often. I felt like I was watching from a corner (I went to every single event we were invited to); a happy corner but a bittersweet one nonetheless. While the mature side of me realized that I have had many birthdays and, God willing, will have more, and that high school graduation only happens once, I felt sad. Oh, okay, I admit I still feel a little sad (grow up Valerie!)
All this is to say that M & H would have a right to feel sad that they came all that way, that they had (perhaps) wanted to mend fences by having a quiet family party, and they got it wrong again. Wrong time (I mean seriously, the Cambridges were run off their feet!), wrong footed by all that they have publicly said and done in the past. I sincerely hope they were invited to the family lunches and the Party at the Palace and it was their own obstinence that they didn't go. That kind of thing can be got over in quiet reflection--I keep hoping that they will grow up soon and realize you catch more bees with honey. I do believe that if they were to come over again during the summer, stay at Frogmore and extend an olive branch, there would definitely be a positive response from their family. But they have to see that the desire is sincere.
Valerie, first Happy Belated Birthday! No matter what your age, birthdays are a big deal and am sorry it was overshadowed on what was an important day for you. It would be great if your husband ordered you something on line, and surprised you with another pair of Birks earrings!
I too don't begrudge Meghan and Harry a moment of feeling a little sad that things didn't quite go the way they expected. BUT it's their high expectations and that it is all about them and that's where they continue to get it wrong. They knew this was the Jubilee weekend, with schedules full of events planned months in advance, including the Cambridges. Whether that was by design, or not, it's what happened and the weekend was about honoring HM. If they were truthful about why they came, then their two objectives were achieved: 1) accepting the invitation to attend the Jubilee as non-working royals to honor the Queen and do so in a low-key manner, and 2) wanting Lillibet to meet the Queen, by all accounts both happened. The photos of them in the windows at Trooping showed two very happy people who didn't seem like they weren't welcomed in the least, also they were seated next to the York sisters and it appeared that all were having a grand time. What I think is the rub to their 'sadness' is that they weren't allowed to photograph the event with the Queen as they wanted, that added to their 'secondary' seating, and some boo's when they left the Thanksgiving Service were probably big blows to them. I think that it was their choice to not attend other luncheons, perhaps to prepare for the birthday of Lillibet, who knows but for them to expect everbody's schedule to change to accommodate theirs was unrealistic. You are so right though, that they keep getting it wrong, timing, comments, etc, but if their desire was sincere, then why didn't they stay longer, rather than leaving before the events, and giving the appearances that they were purposefully slighted. My sadness isn't for them so much as it is for their children and what they will be missing if this isn't righted, and that won't happen if they don't realize their role in all of this.
Ah yes that was one thing I had also thought about--the children being deprived of all of their extended family. Even Prince George--he adored his Uncle Harry, he must have been so disappointed when he pretty well disappeared from his life.
Even on Meghan's own side. The uncle who enabled Meghan to get her consul posting in South America (and who has since died without any comment from Meghan)--he didn't even merit a wedding invitation. Doria's siblings have never heard from her nor were they invited to the wedding either. What terrible crime did they commit? I've never understood the flap about Thomas Markle's paparazzi shots. Kate's uncle Gary was a far more unsavory character but he was still invited to her wedding (with an injunction to behave himself.)
Someday Archie and Lili will become aware of whom they are related to, why people call their father a Prince or their parents Duke and Duchess (unless things change.) I hope they don't project their own argument on to their children.
Happy 70th birthday, Valerie! I'm so sorry it didn't get acknowledged much. Dashed hopes are so hard! But it is still a fabulous milestone and I hope you are doing some things to treat yourself and enjoy yourself. :)
It would be fine if they just re-open their Instagram, instead of these surreptitious posts by their vendors. They could say that they want to own rights to the images and don’t want a brand to profit from them. It’s more the backdoor-ness of it that seems hypocritical. They missed a massive brand building opportunity with the Jubilee and it would have been free, under their control.
I completely agree. Also your statement "Their platform is continuing to be “influencers” based upon the notoriety they both garnered as senior members of the British Royal Family." - is a spot on categorization of who they truly are now. And while there is nothing wrong with that, its their failure to recognize their own hypocrisy of using their royal title to move back and forth from royal to 'celeb/influencer' status as it benefits them. They chose a lane and they should stay in it, even though they were allowed to move to that lane on the coattails of their royal status. It's a conundrum for sure, because they couldn't have the one without having the other, but I think they thought too highly of their own star power and didn't realize it's the royal status that has the staying power.
Agree with this too; I like the way you put it "they chose a lane and they should stay in it." Meghan chose to go back to California and Harry went along because it all looked good--seeing him on the polo fields lately, he reminds me of a character from something where he poses for shots but there's not much behind the pose. Wish I could remember what film I am thinking of. Meghan couched their leave taking in terms that she was "forced out" but, seriously, she made the choice because it made sense for her. She was a (albeit minor) Hollywood celebrity, a California girl. She'd put up with Toronto weather but now that she had a lot of money, California was the place to be. She wasn't going to be happy full-time in the UK, living in an old house with rain drizzling outside, no friends who spoke her cultural language (I've lived in the UK and Ireland, I understand even though I'm no celebrity) and, above all, not able to choose her own scripts, her own productions. What was egregious was the interview with Tom Bradby after the South Africa tour and above all, the Oprah interview. Without those two episodes, I think they wouldn't have been quite as much tabloid fodder. The tabloids wouldn't have had so much material to "get" them on. Of course it's hard to imagine how they could have handled disappearing from Royal life but I think it could have been done if there hadn't been so much of a disconnect with Meghan's (I don't think Harry was bright enough to do the PR stuff that Sussex Royal came up with on their first website) ideas for what they could be and how things are normally done in the RF. But above all it was the Oprah interview and what Harry has said after that. If they didn't keep criticizing Charles and William (they never are specific but it seems pretty clear they are who they are after,) they could have returned to the UK from time to time without the boos and the headlines. The tabloids could have guessed until the cows came home but they wouldn't have the proof. The Sussexes gave them that.
Thank you, Jane, for this cogent analysis. All along since they got engaged, Meghan and Harry have done this awkward dance of over and undersharing. They like to cloak their lives in mystery when a simple acknowledgment of the truth/facts and consistency in their approach would be far simpler and more appropriate. But, then they turn around and describe in nauseating detail how they both are feeling. I really wish they would go away and do whatever they want that will bring them happiness without relying on their former royal connection. Oh, how I wish that Charles would strip them of their titles when he becomes king since I am sure that Harry's memoir will only be published if it includes damaging statements and innuendo against the royal family. Why should they get to profit from a connection to the royal family that they have tried to deliver really damaging blows to?
It does seem peculiar given Meghan's comment, as noted in "Finding Freedom", after the lack of photos and information about godparents after Archie's christening, that she felt she was expected to “serve her child on a silver platter”.
I agree.
I did see the company that made Meghan’s pinky ring (she wore it when she was shshing the kids at the window) merching the ring. It was ok to merch the ring but the company had pictures of the children ‘in’ the ad/post. Considering that the Sussex’s are so sensitive about releasing photos of their own kids, I was in agreement (with many) that this company shouldn’t use someone else’s kids in their merching.
Agree
As always, well stated. I do have one quibble with your point about Kate ordering cakes for her children's parties. I think it’s possible that she bakes the cakes, but also certainly possible that she orders them.
She was raised in a party planning empire. I’m sure she throws quite charming and elegant parties for her children. Even if she bakes the cakes herself (which I kind of imagine not), I’m sure there are many beautiful bespoke touches that we are not privy to.
Ah yes - totally forgot about Party Pieces! Was thinking more about how she seems to be a hands on mum. And you’re right about the bespoke touches - with advice from her mother perhaps
Exactly!
Hmmm. I really am conflicted over this. Who knows how successful Clare Ptak's company is in these days of inflation, post-COVID? Does she need the publicity? It really is quite a beautiful cake but actually I feel it's Ptak, rather than M & H who is trying to get the publicity. How many of M & H's fans worldwide are going to order a cake from England? But the fact that they were in the UK, well, she may get some business from M &'s UK fans.
Some products are shipped worldwide for a reasonable cost (I doubt a cake would be but who knows.) I admire Kate's and, yes, I admit it, Meghan's jewelry. As an ex-pat Canadian, I bought the least expensive pair of Birks earrings she owns the last time I was home in Vancouver and love them. (I covet the diamond snowmen but, wow, just can't afford them.) I wouldn't have known about them had she not worn them. I have a few pairs of Kate's earrings (am so glad she wears affordable earrings a lot of the time) that have been noted on Jane's and other web pages and a couple of her Black & Co cashmere scarves too. Wouldn't have known about them had she not worn them. So, like Jane, I am not averse to being influenced.
The cake doesn't bother me. And, truthfully, I actually, in hindsight, felt sorry for them last weekend. I had a personal experience the weekend before: it was my 70th birthday which was a big deal in my mind. I had hoped for a lovely cake, nice presents, a "well done Mum, Grandma, dear Wife." It means a lot to me because both my mother and my sister didn't live to see 60 let alone 70. Anyway, unfortunately my birthday fell on the same weekend as my eldest granddaughter's high school graduation. We all live in the same town. So, while a got a birthday card and a vase of flowers and my husband said "Why don't you order yourself something online?" all celebrations were focused on granddaughter's achievement and super news that she had been accepted into the program she wanted at the university she wanted with full scholarship. There were parties, restaurant celebrations, graduation cake, the other grandparents came into town which is always a big deal because they aren't seen very often. I felt like I was watching from a corner (I went to every single event we were invited to); a happy corner but a bittersweet one nonetheless. While the mature side of me realized that I have had many birthdays and, God willing, will have more, and that high school graduation only happens once, I felt sad. Oh, okay, I admit I still feel a little sad (grow up Valerie!)
All this is to say that M & H would have a right to feel sad that they came all that way, that they had (perhaps) wanted to mend fences by having a quiet family party, and they got it wrong again. Wrong time (I mean seriously, the Cambridges were run off their feet!), wrong footed by all that they have publicly said and done in the past. I sincerely hope they were invited to the family lunches and the Party at the Palace and it was their own obstinence that they didn't go. That kind of thing can be got over in quiet reflection--I keep hoping that they will grow up soon and realize you catch more bees with honey. I do believe that if they were to come over again during the summer, stay at Frogmore and extend an olive branch, there would definitely be a positive response from their family. But they have to see that the desire is sincere.
Valerie, first Happy Belated Birthday! No matter what your age, birthdays are a big deal and am sorry it was overshadowed on what was an important day for you. It would be great if your husband ordered you something on line, and surprised you with another pair of Birks earrings!
I too don't begrudge Meghan and Harry a moment of feeling a little sad that things didn't quite go the way they expected. BUT it's their high expectations and that it is all about them and that's where they continue to get it wrong. They knew this was the Jubilee weekend, with schedules full of events planned months in advance, including the Cambridges. Whether that was by design, or not, it's what happened and the weekend was about honoring HM. If they were truthful about why they came, then their two objectives were achieved: 1) accepting the invitation to attend the Jubilee as non-working royals to honor the Queen and do so in a low-key manner, and 2) wanting Lillibet to meet the Queen, by all accounts both happened. The photos of them in the windows at Trooping showed two very happy people who didn't seem like they weren't welcomed in the least, also they were seated next to the York sisters and it appeared that all were having a grand time. What I think is the rub to their 'sadness' is that they weren't allowed to photograph the event with the Queen as they wanted, that added to their 'secondary' seating, and some boo's when they left the Thanksgiving Service were probably big blows to them. I think that it was their choice to not attend other luncheons, perhaps to prepare for the birthday of Lillibet, who knows but for them to expect everbody's schedule to change to accommodate theirs was unrealistic. You are so right though, that they keep getting it wrong, timing, comments, etc, but if their desire was sincere, then why didn't they stay longer, rather than leaving before the events, and giving the appearances that they were purposefully slighted. My sadness isn't for them so much as it is for their children and what they will be missing if this isn't righted, and that won't happen if they don't realize their role in all of this.
Ah yes that was one thing I had also thought about--the children being deprived of all of their extended family. Even Prince George--he adored his Uncle Harry, he must have been so disappointed when he pretty well disappeared from his life.
Even on Meghan's own side. The uncle who enabled Meghan to get her consul posting in South America (and who has since died without any comment from Meghan)--he didn't even merit a wedding invitation. Doria's siblings have never heard from her nor were they invited to the wedding either. What terrible crime did they commit? I've never understood the flap about Thomas Markle's paparazzi shots. Kate's uncle Gary was a far more unsavory character but he was still invited to her wedding (with an injunction to behave himself.)
Someday Archie and Lili will become aware of whom they are related to, why people call their father a Prince or their parents Duke and Duchess (unless things change.) I hope they don't project their own argument on to their children.
The cake didn’t bother me either- it feels like much ado about nothing. And happy birthday Valerie 😊
Happy 70th birthday, Valerie! I'm so sorry it didn't get acknowledged much. Dashed hopes are so hard! But it is still a fabulous milestone and I hope you are doing some things to treat yourself and enjoy yourself. :)
It would be fine if they just re-open their Instagram, instead of these surreptitious posts by their vendors. They could say that they want to own rights to the images and don’t want a brand to profit from them. It’s more the backdoor-ness of it that seems hypocritical. They missed a massive brand building opportunity with the Jubilee and it would have been free, under their control.
I completely agree. Also your statement "Their platform is continuing to be “influencers” based upon the notoriety they both garnered as senior members of the British Royal Family." - is a spot on categorization of who they truly are now. And while there is nothing wrong with that, its their failure to recognize their own hypocrisy of using their royal title to move back and forth from royal to 'celeb/influencer' status as it benefits them. They chose a lane and they should stay in it, even though they were allowed to move to that lane on the coattails of their royal status. It's a conundrum for sure, because they couldn't have the one without having the other, but I think they thought too highly of their own star power and didn't realize it's the royal status that has the staying power.
Agree with this too; I like the way you put it "they chose a lane and they should stay in it." Meghan chose to go back to California and Harry went along because it all looked good--seeing him on the polo fields lately, he reminds me of a character from something where he poses for shots but there's not much behind the pose. Wish I could remember what film I am thinking of. Meghan couched their leave taking in terms that she was "forced out" but, seriously, she made the choice because it made sense for her. She was a (albeit minor) Hollywood celebrity, a California girl. She'd put up with Toronto weather but now that she had a lot of money, California was the place to be. She wasn't going to be happy full-time in the UK, living in an old house with rain drizzling outside, no friends who spoke her cultural language (I've lived in the UK and Ireland, I understand even though I'm no celebrity) and, above all, not able to choose her own scripts, her own productions. What was egregious was the interview with Tom Bradby after the South Africa tour and above all, the Oprah interview. Without those two episodes, I think they wouldn't have been quite as much tabloid fodder. The tabloids wouldn't have had so much material to "get" them on. Of course it's hard to imagine how they could have handled disappearing from Royal life but I think it could have been done if there hadn't been so much of a disconnect with Meghan's (I don't think Harry was bright enough to do the PR stuff that Sussex Royal came up with on their first website) ideas for what they could be and how things are normally done in the RF. But above all it was the Oprah interview and what Harry has said after that. If they didn't keep criticizing Charles and William (they never are specific but it seems pretty clear they are who they are after,) they could have returned to the UK from time to time without the boos and the headlines. The tabloids could have guessed until the cows came home but they wouldn't have the proof. The Sussexes gave them that.
Thank you, Jane, for this cogent analysis. All along since they got engaged, Meghan and Harry have done this awkward dance of over and undersharing. They like to cloak their lives in mystery when a simple acknowledgment of the truth/facts and consistency in their approach would be far simpler and more appropriate. But, then they turn around and describe in nauseating detail how they both are feeling. I really wish they would go away and do whatever they want that will bring them happiness without relying on their former royal connection. Oh, how I wish that Charles would strip them of their titles when he becomes king since I am sure that Harry's memoir will only be published if it includes damaging statements and innuendo against the royal family. Why should they get to profit from a connection to the royal family that they have tried to deliver really damaging blows to?
This is such a good analysis. "Over and undersharing..." So true. Thank you!
It does seem peculiar given Meghan's comment, as noted in "Finding Freedom", after the lack of photos and information about godparents after Archie's christening, that she felt she was expected to “serve her child on a silver platter”.
I don’t think they realize that they’ve made themselves irrelevant and nobody really cares what they’re up to (or not) at this point! 😄😄
Bravo Jane!!