The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 9: August 2023 - July 2024


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GondorHasNoPants said:
I don't understand why she launched ARO without having a CEO and a chef in place. Surely, that's the first thing you arrange when starting up a company like this?

It is all so messy and disorganized.
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Maybe this partially explains why she hasn’t sold anything. She launched that landing page at the beginning of the year. We’re nearly mid way through the year. She’s sold nothing. She sent strawberry jam to influencers- and nothing has come of that yet either.

I don’t get the strategy. If there is one at all.

I believe there’s behind the scene chaos because really nothing has happened. And there always seems to be chaos with them. Nothing ever runs smoothly.

ETA- I do find it believable that Meghan underestimated this project. Par for the course.
 
shady lady said:
It depends on what one considers qualified, I suppose.

Her PH biography seems to be well-regarded; it gets 4.4 stars on Amazon's UK website (other book sellers are available ;) ). If I remember rightly she has spent a fair bit of time with him and got to know him pretty well.

I've heard from other sources about MM's difficulties finding staff for the ARO project (there's also the history of staff turnover, etc.). From reading the article linked, AL is basically saying MM underestimated how much hard work is involved in developing a brand. That sounds likely to me.

I'm not saying these "experts" know everything or always get things right, but she is certainly better placed to know what is going on than most people.

Would she be considered a more reliable source if she didn't criticise H&M ? ;)
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The sources considered reliable on TRF are listed in the second and third posts of this thread. Everything else is supposed to be sent to the mods for review.
 
Thain said:
The sources considered reliable on TRF are listed in the second and third posts of this thread. Everything else is supposed to be sent to the mods for review.
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Ah, I see. I think Angela Levin speaks to quite a lot of different media outlets and networks. So does her reliability as a source depend on which media outlet she is speaking to?
 
Erin9 said:
Maybe this partially explains why she hasn’t sold anything. She launched that landing page at the beginning of the year. We’re nearly mid way through the year. She’s sold nothing. She sent strawberry jam to influencers- and nothing has come of that yet either.
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The article claims 'Meghan will likely officially launch American Riviera Orchard later this spring'. But we are nearing the end of the first week of June - there is no 'later this spring' left.
 
GondorHasNoPants said:
The article claims 'Meghan will likely officially launch American Riviera Orchard later this spring'. But we are nearing the end of the first week of June - there is no 'later this spring' left.
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The jam thing does seem to have petered out. I don't know the exact figure but out of the 50 jars of jam that were sent out to various people, I don't think more than a dozen have publicly acknowledged it. A quick google using various terms indicates no one seems to have declared receiving a jar since the end of April, and the last count I can find suggests 11 people have responded (and two of them are married to each other, and commented on the same jar - number 10/50).
 
My fellow posters: I have an hypothetical scenario for you. If I were handed a platform by marriage, and not even based on merit, I would do everything in my power to prove worthy of that position. Especially if I’m in love with my husband and he’s totally worth the trouble of losing my privacy for. By that I mean, do I have a partner in life to help me, support and grow together with all of life’s hardships?

Now what does the job require? A paid for grace and favor house, some £3 million pounds a year for your clothing and living expenses, and all you have to do is show up for an hour or two, oh say maybe 2-3 times a week. You smile, you wave, people bow, you may make a speech and that’s it. The rest of the time I’m free to be with my family, and as the young people say these days, go live my best life.

This platform comes with built in unlimited photo opportunities, if that’s important to me. There are tons of criticisms and challenges too, both fair and unfair, but let me ask you all, can you point me to the perfect job? Doesn’t responsibility come with both independence and restrictions not to mention compromise and accountability? I believe that’s what we call adulting now. Well, imagine getting all my material means met and a love story to end all love stories. And I blow it…on the world stage…

If I can’t hack it on a job that people are paid to prepare everything for me and I just have to be the face of a cause/charity while operating in an hereditary system, what makes anyone think that I’m going to be successful at anything in a meritocracy where I am expected to operate with my own skills and talents?
 
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Chimene said:
My fellow posters: If I were handed a platform by marriage, and not even based on merit, I would do everything in my power to prove worthy of that position. Especially if I’m in love with my husband and he’s totally worth the trouble of losing my privacy for. By that I mean, do I have a partner in life to help, support and grow together with all of life’s hardships?

Now what does the job require? A paid for grace and favor house, some £3 million pounds a year for your clothing and living expenses, and all you have to do is show up for an hour or two, oh say maybe 2-3 times a week. You smile, you wave, people bow, you may make a speech and that’s it. The rest of the time I spend time my family, and as the young people say these days, go live my best life.

This platform comes with built in unlimited photo opportunities, if that’s important to me. There are tons of criticisms and challenges too, both fair and unfair, but let me ask you all, point me to the perfect job? Doesn’t responsibility come with both independence and restrictions not to mention compromise and accountability? I believe that’s what we call adulting now. Well, imagine getting all my material means met and a love story to end all love story. And I blow it…on the world stage…

If I can’t hack it on a job that people are paid to prepare everything for me and I just have to be the face of a cause/charity while operating in an hereditary system, what makes anyone think that I’m going to be successful at anything in a meritocracy where I am expected to operate with my own skills and talents?
Click to expand...
Bravo!!! This really does explain the situation perfectly.

:flowers:
 
Chimene said:
My fellow posters: If I were handed a platform by marriage, and not even based on merit, I would do everything in my power to prove worthy of that position. Especially if I’m in love with my husband and he’s totally worth the trouble of losing my privacy for. By that I mean, do I have a partner in life to help, support and grow together with all of life’s hardships?

Now what does the job require? A paid for grace and favor house, some £3 million pounds a year for your clothing and living expenses, and all you have to do is show up for an hour or two, oh say maybe 2-3 times a week. You smile, you wave, people bow, you may make a speech and that’s it. The rest of the time I spend time my family, and as the young people say these days, go live my best life.

This platform comes with built in unlimited photo opportunities, if that’s important to me. There are tons of criticisms and challenges too, both fair and unfair, but let me ask you all, point me to the perfect job? Doesn’t responsibility come with both independence and restrictions not to mention compromise and accountability? I believe that’s what we call adulting now. Well, imagine getting all my material means met and a love story to end all love story. And I blow it…on the world stage…

If I can’t hack it on a job that people are paid to prepare everything for me and I just have to be the face of a cause/charity while operating in an hereditary system, what makes anyone think that I’m going to be successful at anything in a meritocracy where I am expected to operate with my own skills and talents?
Click to expand...
The irony is that Meghan did well advancing her career with her own talents for many years. She had a solid -- but not starring -- acting career, and her social media stuff was fairly successful. It was only when she married Harry and tried to leverage the royal connection that things fell apart for her.
 
Chimene said:
My fellow posters: If I were handed a platform by marriage, and not even based on merit, I would
Click to expand...
No one in the royal family earned their position by merit. If you are saying that Meghan does not deserve her platform, then the same logic applies to the rest of the family.

Meghan had a career as an actress on a TV show for years. During last year's actor strike, it was reported that 80% of actors earn less than $26,000 a year. It is obvious that Meghan made more than that while she was on "Suits". While she is not an A-lister like Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie, she was an above average actor if you look at her work history and salary.

Whether or not her new company can be successful is yet to be seen. The life-style brand is a very competitive field, and it is valid to be sceptical of how she can differentiate herself in the crowded field. Her products are not essential. As the world economy teetering on a recession, people's appetite for these kinds of products will be limited.
 
Prinsara said:
Many members here, myself included, would consistently disagree with that.
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🤣 and that's what we call throwing shade.

:unsure: Well, there was this set of events in a recent trip...ok, I'll give you that, but she does have good choices when she's out and about in California or when called to get an award.

She dresses the part like a former TV actress with access to lots of money that can get her an expensive wardrobe. As the boss of a non-profit her clothing needs to reflect finances are good and business is afloat.
 
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OwlBranch said:
No one in the royal family earned their position by merit. If you are saying that Meghan does not deserve her platform, then the same logic applies to the rest of the family.
Click to expand...
Let me elaborate. It’s an hereditary system and those not born into it, especially those coming from a meritocratic societies, should understand and appreciate the privilege they are being given and either take or leave it. I’m in favor of having choices and I’m also in favor of anyone changing their mind. What I cannot do, however, is expect the people running the system and/or operating in it, to adapt my way of doing business because… And this is where I’m completely lost. That’s all I’m saying.
 
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kalnel said:
The irony is that Meghan did well advancing her career with her own talents for many years. She had a solid -- but not starring -- acting career, and her social media stuff was fairly successful. It was only when she married Harry and tried to leverage the royal connection that things fell apart for her.
Click to expand...
It’s the capitalist way. You want bigger, better, advancement, competition, more, more and more. I get it. That’s not how it works here…
 
Chimene said:
It’s the capitalist way. You want bigger, better, advancement, competition, more, more and more. I get it. That’s not how it works here…
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By "here," I assume you mean in the royal house. If so, I agree. I had the impression right from the engagement interview that she had plans to "change things." Even her beautiful wedding gown, which was off the shoulder and virginal white, signaled her willingness to break the rules.

I remember saying to my friends that she wouldn't be able to carry on that way.
 
GondorHasNoPants said:
I don't understand why she launched ARO without having a CEO and a chef in place. Surely, that's the first thing you arrange when starting up a company like this?

It is all so messy and disorganized.
Click to expand...
Very fair point. But in your statement is the implicit assumption that Meghan believes that any CEO might know more about how to build a brand than her!
 
OwlBranch said:
No one in the royal family earned their position by merit. If you are saying that Meghan does not deserve her platform, then the same logic applies to the rest of the family.

Meghan had a career as an actress on a TV show for years. During last year's actor strike, it was reported that 80% of actors earn less than $26,000 a year. It is obvious that Meghan made more than that while she was on "Suits". While she is not an A-lister like Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie, she was an above average actor if you look at her work history and salary.

Whether or not her new company can be successful is yet to be seen. The life-style brand is a very competitive field, and it is valid to be sceptical of how she can differentiate herself in the crowded field. Her products are not essential. As the world economy teetering on a recession, people's appetite for these kinds of products will be limited.
Click to expand...
Yes Meghan had a moment of glory during "Suits" in which she was however a secondary character with few lines during the episode.
But for over years she was a struggling actor while her father and her first husband supported her financially which she herself admitted. Honestly not even the main actors of Suits had relevant roles afterwards, I doubt Meghan would have done who knows what career especially considering her age, given that all her characters were based more on her physical appearance, not so much on her perfomative skills.
In most of previous gigs she was referred as the "Hot girl" and even on Suits she had perform explicit s*x acts to keep the public interest that type of career doesn't last in your 40s unless you are super famous.
I used to watched CSIA religiously back in the days. Yet I cannot even name one actor and I've never seen them after in any production.
 
SLV said:
On what kind of type of visa was Megan allowed to come to the UK?
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My question was snowed under by the Nigeria-discussion.
But I started wondering about this after reading about the Visa-issues harry has for the US.
 
:previous: IIRC it was a visa based on her being engaged to / marrying a UK citizen. And from there, she was going to pursue becoming a citizen.
 
Queen Claude said:
:previous: IIRC it was a visa based on her being engaged to / marrying a UK citizen. And from there, she was going to pursue becoming a citizen.
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Thank you.
Could she have gotten an Visa if they had not yet been engaged?
 
SLV said:
Thank you.
Could she have gotten an Visa if they had not yet been engaged?
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More than likely, there are a great deal of foreign nationals live and work legitimately in the uk, you just need to apply for the correct type of visa. I am sure she could have obtained the correct paperwork to live / work here even if it had not been her intention to marry into the RF>
 
SLV said:
Thank you.
Could she have gotten an Visa if they had not yet been engaged?
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Without doubt. As an American citizen I believe she didn’t need a tourist visa when it all began. As long as she left UK every three months she should have been good. And then she got engaged.
 
Ghost said:
Without doubt. As an American citizen I believe she didn’t need a tourist visa when it all began. As long as she left UK every three months she should have been good. And then she got engaged.
Click to expand...
She probably entered the country on a creative worker visa. You can live and work in the UK up to 24 months (with extension) on that. Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)
 
Magnolia471 said:
Yes Meghan had a moment of glory during "Suits" in which she was however a secondary character with few lines during the episode.
But for over years she was a struggling actor while her father and her first husband supported her financially which she herself admitted. Honestly not even the main actors of Suits had relevant roles afterwards, I doubt Meghan would have done who knows what career especially considering her age, given that all her characters were based more on her physical appearance, not so much on her performative skills.
In most of previous gigs she was referred as the "Hot girl" and even on Suits she had perform explicit s*x acts to keep the public interest that type of career doesn't last in your 40s unless you are super famous.
I used to watch CSIA religiously back in the days. Yet I cannot even name one actor and I've never seen them after in any production.
Click to expand...

Re Suits: I've never heard of that show until it was associated with Meghan. It's just one of hundreds of shows that come and go off the radar and even when the seasons are renewed, they target a fixed audience. To know what Meghan's fate as an actress all you need to do is check the careers of her fellow actors in the show. No one knows them nor are called to be in blockbuster movies, starring in Broadway plays or any major TV shows.

Meghan was lucky to escape the TV B and D listers universe and win the marriage lottery. Yet, like all big payout lottery winners, the what-to-do now situation became uneasy to figure out.
Big time lottery winners lose everything in approximately 2-3 years or so, in her case what she lost was the love and respect of an entire nation (UK) and the credibility in another one (USA).

Re Harry's appeal
Excerpt from the article link above:
"...a legal spokesman for the prince said he intended to appeal, adding: “The duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules...
Like other senior royals, Prince Harry and Meghan had received publicly funded security protection before they stepped back from royal duties and moved to the US state of California."

My take, he needs to stop listening to the lawyers that encourage him continue pursuing messy trials. The only ones winning are the lawyers bank accounts and that Netflix money is going to dry up very soon.
 
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Toledo said:
Re Suits: I've never heard of that show until it was associated with Meghan. It's just one of hundreds of shows that come and go off the radar and even when the seasons are renewed, they target a fixed audience. To know what Meghan's fate as an actress all you need to do is check the careers of her fellow actors in the show. No one knows them nor are called to be in blockbuster movies, starring in Broadway plays or any major TV shows.

Meghan was lucky to escape the TV B and D listers universe and win the marriage lottery. Yet, like all big payout lottery winners, the what-to-do now situation became uneasy to figure out.
Big time lottery winners lose everything in approximately 2-3 years or so, in her case what she lost was the love and respect of an entire nation (UK) and the credibility in another one (USA).

Re Harry's appeal
Excerpt from the article link above:
"...a legal spokesman for the prince said he intended to appeal, adding: “The duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules...
Like other senior royals, Prince Harry and Meghan had received publicly funded security protection before they stepped back from royal duties and moved to the US state of California."

My take, he needs to stop listening to the lawyers that encourage him continue pursuing messy trials. The only ones winning are the lawyers bank accounts and that Netflix money is going to dry up very soon.
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I am really becoming confused about this security issue, I thought I had read that when he intends to visit the UK his security needs would be reviewed. I read that as he will probably receive security. He was not just being written off with nothing.

What is he looking for?
Does he really expect the British taxpayer to pay for 24 hour security for the rest of his life while he stays in another country that he has claimed is now his home.
I know he is not responsible for his accident of birth but he walked away from that, his choice.
 
Hallo girl said:
I am really becoming confused about this security issue, I thought I had read that when he intends to visit the UK his security needs would be reviewed. I read that as he will probably receive security. He was not just being written off with nothing.

What is he looking for?
Does he really expect the British taxpayer to pay for 24 hour security for the rest of his life while he stays in another country that he has claimed is now his home.
I know he is not responsible for his accident of birth but he walked away from that, his choice.
Click to expand...

In an acronym and a word: IPP status.

Which means: Automatic state appointed security and diplomatic immunity.
 
shady lady said:
In an acronym and a word: IPP status.

Which means: Automatic state appointed security and diplomatic immunity.
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IPP status for what? He doesn’t represent anything. He’s not a diplomat, and correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought only the king has diplomatic immunity?

This is the kind of nonsense the family should be training the supporting players on. An institution, a government, a corporation cannot have all chiefs. That’s just not how it works. That’s not how any of this works. Anywhere. Period.

This guy is wasting the court’s time and taxpayer money trying to soothe his ego. Either he’s beholden to people trying to gain access to [insert whatever] or he’s running from [something] that he’s looking for cover from. I’m speculating but really trying to comprehend what’s happening here.

It sure is great to be the son of the king eh! "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!" ~ William Shakespeare
 
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On the question of whether the Sussexes have received definite threats a retired ex counterterror Chief stated ‘Definitely’ in an interview published only in 2022.

. Prince Harry and Meghan faced 'credible threats' by far-right extremists, says Met Police's ex-counterterror chief Neil Basu.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced "credible threats" from far-right extremists, the Met Police's former head of counterterrorism has said.

Neil Basu said teams from the force investigated and prosecuted people behind the threats, which he described as "disgusting and very real".

Asked in an interview with Channel 4 if the threats were credible, the police chief, who is retiring today after 30 years in the force, said: "Absolutely, and if you had seen the stuff that was written and you were receiving it... that kind of rhetoric that is online.

"If you don't know what I know, you would feel under threat all the time."
 
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