General News about the Sussex Family, Part Two: April-August 2020

[Eskimo]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-Middleton-gets-backing-Palace-bad-press.html

Such a shame! The two women often seemed like they were both on different planets.

A “Meghan Markle- professional victim” narrative is in the DM’s best interest so I expect we’ll be seeing a lot of stories like this before the close of play on the lawsuit

 

[winifred]

Didn't the queen say that they were "well loved members of my family" but they are not representing her any more. So the implication is that yes they are members fo the queen's family but they are not senior working royals who work for her, any more...

Yes; as I said, members of the royal family but not the royal house, which the Europeans use for working royals.

 

[Lee-Z]

Yes; as I said, members of the royal family but not the royal house, which the Europeans use for working royals.

FYI: In the Netherlands there are (parttime) working royals who are not a member of the royal house, the definition is declared in the constitution and whether or not one is a 'working royal' is not part of the definition.

i don't know what constitutes the definition in the UK

 

[Denville]

FYI: In the Netherlands there are (parttime) working royals who are not a member of the royal house, the definition is declared in the constitution and whether or not one is a 'working royal' is not part of the definition.

i don't know what constitutes the definition in the UK

Tehre isn't a definition, as such. Most royals in the UK aren't working royals.. they may do some charity work, but they don't do so on behalf of the queen. But Will and K and H and Meghan were doing part time wrork as royals and then a bit later full time work. But H's decision to leave was unprecedented..so I suppose the queen wanted to emphasisse that he was no longer a working royal, representing the crown but he and M and A were still members of her family....

 

[Iluvbertie]

FYI: In the Netherlands there are (parttime) working royals who are not a member of the royal house, the definition is declared in the constitution and whether or not one is a 'working royal' is not part of the definition.

i don't know what constitutes the definition in the UK

There is no separation between royal 'house' and royal 'family' in the UK. Everyone is both.

 

[ACO]

Meghan gives the commencement speech to her alma mater and addresses the current climate surrounding George Floyd.

https://www.essence.com/articles/me...ium=social&utm_campaign=social-button-sharing

 

[Curryong]

It's great to hear that Meghan has addressed the issue of George Floyd's death (and all the other deaths) at this time. Good on her for giving this commencement speech at her old school, even though she and the current crop of students couldn't meet personally. It was a thoughtful speech, though no doubt she will be criticised for it in some quarters.

 

[Lumutqueen]

General News about the Sussex Family, Part Two: April 2020-

Here’s a twitter link which has videos of the commencement speech:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1268417132460683266

It’s a really wonderful speech.

 

[Fem]

Meghan gives the commencement speech to her alma mater and addresses the current climate surrounding George Floyd.

https://www.essence.com/articles/me...ium=social&utm_campaign=social-button-sharing

This is an AMAZING speech. It's current, personal and heartfelt, very eloquently put together. Meghan's public speaking has always been great and it's no surprise she killed it this time too. It was a vert nice gesture and it's clear Meghan has some good memories from her high school.

Is it just too much to ask for them to give up the hostage video background of a blank wall? And maybe like a bit of professional lighting? I swear I never appreciated gaming streamers as much as now

 

[Lilyflo]

That's a great speech & I hope it's shared widely.

 

[EvaH]

Great speech!!

 

[Eskimo]

Here’s a twitter link which has videos of the commencement speech:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1268417132460683266

It’s a really wonderful speech.

Pleasantly surprised

 

[QueenMathilde]

Sometimes they do something I like and sometimes they don't. I'm trying to wait until the book comes out and reserve judgement until then. We'll see if they use it to bash the royal family. Like the rest of us they've been stuck indoors due to corona so they haven't had much of an opportunity to do anything lately.

 

[TLLK]

Thank you to all who have shared videos and articles of her speech to Immaculate Heart High School's Class of 2020.


I appreciate that Meghan wore white for the video as IMHS traditionally has its graduating class wear white long dresses to their graduation ceremony at the Hollywood Bowl.


https://beverlypress.com/2019/06/immaculate-heart-celebrates-class-of-2019/

 

[Zaira]

Incredibly impactful and heartfelt speech from Meghan. You can hear the pain in her voice and how personal this is for her, as it is for all of us who are Black and people of color living in a racist world. I remain so proud of how she continues to speak out and be real to herself no matter the hate/discrimination that comes her way. It reminds me of what a loss her voice, experience/perspective, and work is for the BRF, but I know she will continue to speak out and do great work just like she did before she was a royal.

Omid reports that both her and Harry have been working behind the scenes to talk with and support local Black leaders and to learn more about how they can help. Looking forward to what comes of that because I have a feeling this is the beginning of a larger moment of change. Or I pray it is

 

[Lumutqueen]

I appreciate that Meghan wore white for the video as IMHS traditionally has its graduating class wear white long dresses to their graduation ceremony at the Hollywood Bowl.

Oh this is cool to know, thank you.

 

[muriel]

Omid reports that both her and Harry have been working behind the scenes to talk with and support local Black leaders and to learn more about how they can help. Looking forward to what comes of that because I have a feeling this is the beginning of a larger moment of change. Or I pray it is

It will certainy be interesting to see what charitiable initiatives they involve themselves with going forward, and how they contextualise that work.

 

[Osipi]

Incredibly impactful and heartfelt speech from Meghan. You can hear the pain in her voice and how personal this is for her, as it is for all of us who are Black and people of color living in a racist world. I remain so proud of how she continues to speak out and be real to herself no matter the hate/discrimination that comes her way. It reminds me of what a loss her voice, experience/perspective, and work is for the BRF, but I know she will continue to speak out and do great work just like she did before she was a royal.

Omid reports that both her and Harry have been working behind the scenes to talk with and support local Black leaders and to learn more about how they can help. Looking forward to what comes of that because I have a feeling this is the beginning of a larger moment of change. Or I pray it is

It may sound cliche here but I'm a person that does seriously believe that all things happen for a reason and its struck me this morning how true this well may be. We don't always see the total picture of what people's thoughts and intents and hopes for the future clearly and then, wham!, we're shown a piece of the puzzle that we never could have seen even with the clearest crystal ball in the world.

What we've just witnessed is Meghan addressing her alma mater for the graduating class of 2020 using the limitations put in place not only by a global pandemic but also at one of the most severe times of civil unrest possibly in US history. Because of paths taken before either catastrophic event happened, Meghan was in the right place at the right time and willing and able to lend her voice to inspire and encourage all of us that have paid attention to the commencement speech Meghan gave.

In this respect, Meghan mattered. Not because she represented the Queen or is The Duchess of Sussex but because she connected with the issues she's addressed. Any one can stand in front of a crowd (big or small) and proselytize on an issue and be seen and heard and make front page news holding a book but Meghan connected with those she spoke to not only with compassion and understanding but also is able to address the issues as a person that is not only talking the talk but has also walked the walk.

Well done Meghan!!

 

[Claire]

This is an AMAZING speech. It's current, personal and heartfelt, very eloquently put together. Meghan's public speaking has always been great and it's no surprise she killed it this time too. It was a vert nice gesture and it's clear Meghan has some good memories from her high school.

Is it just too much to ask for them to give up the hostage video background of a blank wall? And maybe like a bit of professional lighting? I swear I never appreciated gaming streamers as much as now

The speech is very similar to the dialogue of a recent episode of Gray's Anatomy. Not certain if it is exactly word for word. But really close. Yep there is not a truly original sentiment on the planet - and well Meghan might not have written the speech, but people will jump on this.

 

[Lumutqueen]

General News about the Sussex Family, Part Two: April 2020-

The speech is very similar to the dialogue of a recent episode of Gray's Anatomy. Not certain if it is exactly word for word. But really close. Yep there is not a truly original sentiment on the planet - and well Meghan might not have written the speech, but people will jump on this.

I’d be interested to see/hear this speech. I can’t see who’s going to jump on it as nobody on social media has already. The last episode of Greys aired on 2nd April, it was probably filmed months ago so I’m genuinely confused at the assertion.

It’s very clearly a personal speech, the inclusion of ongoing events is evidence of that, whether she was inspired by other things doesn’t really matter.

 

[Lilyflo]

The speech is very similar to the dialogue of a recent episode of Gray's Anatomy. Not certain if it is exactly word for word. But really close. Yep there is not a truly original sentiment on the planet - and well Meghan might not have written the speech, but people will jump on this.

Which episode is that because I'd like to do the comparison, now that you've raised it as an issue that "people will jump on"? How could her speech be "really close to word for word" from a TV drama when it's packed with references to her own personal experiences, including those at the school?

Meanwhile, I've watched the whole speech several times now & shared it with friends & family. If my daughter were graduating today, this is exactly what I'd want her to hear from an alumni: an address that's personal, relevant, heartfelt, uplifting and inspirational.

 

[ACO]

The speech is very similar to the dialogue of a recent episode of Gray's Anatomy. Not certain if it is exactly word for word. But really close. Yep there is not a truly original sentiment on the planet - and well Meghan might not have written the speech, but people will jump on this.

You talking about the scene where he said something like "I was scared of saying too much or too little but realized I just needed to say it because not saying it would be wrong."

I feel this is a bit of a reach. This is a common thing to say.

 

[Osipi]

The speech is very similar to the dialogue of a recent episode of Gray's Anatomy. Not certain if it is exactly word for word. But really close. Yep there is not a truly original sentiment on the planet - and well Meghan might not have written the speech, but people will jump on this.

Maybe they will. Maybe they won't. Does it really matter? At this time I think its kind of fitting to just post one quote here by a man that says a mouthful.

“Those who look for the bad in people will surely find it.” - Abraham Lincoln

 

[poppy7]

That sentiment is universal and is encompassed in so many famous quotes.

First they came for...but I said nothing.

All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.

It was a good speech. Performative. Professional. Synathesised. It's what actresses do and she is good at. Brillant speech maker in the execution of it.

I am not particularly interested in what her voice has to add to this though to be honest. Good as it was.

 

[Durham]

It is a very personal speech I agree. It’s delivered well. I saw, as she herself acknowledged, an American, Californian & Angeleno talk about her country, state & city in a heartfelt way.

What I find interesting is that early on she states that “the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing” clearly referring to the violent deaths of African Americans at the hands of the police.

Members of the royal family do not make these sorts of statements. They have never done so about Mark Duggan or others like him, the SUS laws that disproportionally impacted young Black Britons, the fact that BAME Britons have twice the death rate in police custody as white Britons or indeed about the grievances against the police that have provoked race riots in this country in the past. Nor indeed about the historical or contemporary police treatment of the native populations of Canada or Australia.

Now you might argue that they should. You might argue that this is the moral action to take. That however is not the point here.

The Reuters twitter feed on which I listened to this speech introduces it as being by “Britain’s Duchess of Sussex”. That’s not her fault of course but that’s how it may well be seen by much of the listening public in various parts of the world.

This shows the complexities of having members of the royal family living overseas & expressing personal views on contemporary events. It highlights the anomalous nature of the duke & duchess.

I realise that this goes against the grain of much of the commentary so far on this matter but there will be diversity of opinion on this.

 

[evolvingdoors]

I have a lot to say, so many issues my black friends raised about this speech, and why Meghan was the wrong person to do it.

But i’m honestly exhausted by her jumping on bandwagons like so many other tone deaf celebrities and trying to ride a wave when several years ago she proudly supported All Lives Matter.

Also, FYI we are being watched and screenshot by the less rational section of her fandom so..

 

[Osipi]

Also, FYI we are being watched and screenshot by the less rational section of her fandom so..

OMG! And here I sit with sloppy clothes on and no makeup! What to do? What to do?

But seriously folks. No matter where we turn or where we go unless its under a rock next to a hard place, this is a time where everyone *should* be a voice. I don't feel this conversation is about Meghan, her fans or her detractors but actually about her message she presented to the 2020 graduation class of her alma mater.

Raise your hand if your class valedictorian or your keynote speaker touched on the subject of "going forth into the world". I'm including a link which gives commonly known themes for graduation speeches. Looking at the list, Meghan hit on quite a few of them. ?

https://teens.lovetoknow.com/Graduation_Speech_Themes

 

[Lumutqueen]

What I find interesting is that early on she states that “the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing” clearly referring to the violent deaths of African Americans at the hands of the police.

Members of the royal family do not make these sorts of statements. They have never done so about Mark Duggan or others like him, the SUS laws that disproportionally impacted young Black Britons, the fact that BAME Britons have twice the death rate in police custody as white Britons or indeed about the grievances against the police that have provoked race riots in this country in the past. Nor indeed about the historical or contemporary police treatment of the native populations of Canada or Australia.

I disagree that those words specifically refer to the violent deaths.

Meghan is not the only one to use those words recently, Lewis Hamilton posted a thinly veiled attack on his F1 team mates for not speaking out. When they did so, they use phrases such at Meghan.

The Princes Trust, Heads Together and The Diana Award have spoken out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The first two wouldn’t have done show without the permission of the royal patrons.

This isn’t political anymore, nor has it ever been truly, the royal family are respected in this country and others, and black lives matter is a worldwide movement. Throwing their support behind it, in any form is a good thing.

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

Meghan has had her fair share of racial abuse from the British tabloids, so it's great that she's spoken out about the Black Lives Matter campaign. I agree that what BLM is fighting for is beyond political at this point - it's just about basic human rights.

 

[Durham]

I disagree that those words specifically refer to the violent deaths.

She literally names four African Americans shot dead by the police:

George Floyd
Breonna Taylor (shot 8 times)
Philando Castile
Timer Rice

When has a member of the royal family ever made a public comment like this in this country?