As in per above posts, life as a 'Royal' is very, very different from a normally lived life, especially regarding the tabloid press.
It's one thing to court the press as an aspiring actress, looking for good press and good reviews. It's quite another to be the object of venomous comment for no other reason than that one is dating a particular man. That's extreme.
It's why someone like Cressida was so 'perfect', she knows nothing outside of a cosseted existence, but even she had trouble with the ridicule and hectoring. At least she was part of the culture, though, and it was not wholly alien to her. Someone like Meghan is very much different. She has been a free woman, and may already be feeling the pinch of all she has had to curtail because of this relationship. Imagine if she is saying as much to Harry. He won't be happy. It's going to be hard on him if she has to say no.
What specifically do you mean by societal expectations? Are you talking about the public life required or the vetting process or?
I am referring to the expectations that a member of the BRF is somehow de-balled from ever having opinions, or a genuine life of significant activism, because it might 'offend', or (horrors) be political. This is actually something that is quite new, I have come to discover. I've been doing some sleuthing and am trying to figure out which thread upon which to put my 'findings'.
It's this slave-like straight-jacket that has to change. No good will come of maintaining it. Especially for those signed as 'royal'.
If they are still a couple by the end of the year that will be a pretty good indicator where it's headed. LaRae
I'd disagree.
They need a good 3 years to be close to any decision. Look at other European royals. It takes years to establish certainty. Why should Harry be any different?
Royal friends and officials are rarely willing to be quoted on anything "serious". but I just wish this story would go away.. I don't think he is going to marry her but I wishs that there was a resolution...
How in the world will Harry ever marry if he has to meet, date and get engaged within a year?
Won't happen, or shouldn't. I'm not saying it doesn't happen with lots of people (as evidenced by many people's posts on this site) but sharing a normal, anonymous life is one thing; it's quite another for a woman to blend into a 'royal' life when not even of the culture. Even Marie Antoinette had trouble meshing with the French way. Royalty is an arcane institution and Meghan is pretty forward thinking. It's a huge disconnect to think that she could seamlessly morph into a Kate-like presence beside Harry. That's why I say that for this marriage to be even remotely possible (imo) a great deal would have to shift (maybe Harry and Meghan living in the US, for example, half the time, and allowing Meghan to work).
How so? Meghan was already a public figure before she met Harry. Once the relationship became public she has cut down severely on her social media presence, closed down her blog, is rarely seen in public & hasn't once spoken publicly about it. She has taken a lot of hits from the media, estranged family members & trolls, but she has handled it all with class & grace.
You've answered your question: Meghan has been willing to undergo all you have said by allowing herself to become publicly connected to Harry as his girlfriend.
I think he needs to figure it out soon..bc i imagine usa network want to continue the show and have her on...and if shes not engaged she really doesnt have a good reason to say no to another season...so there are alot of factors at play in this relationship.
Well, here we are at the crux.
Meghan should be able to work an 8th season on her show, and she should be able to work whenever she wants, in fact not give up her career. Plus, her politics is no one's business but her own (and Harry's because he would be looking at her across the breakfast table). These are the societal, cultural aspects that need to change if Harry is to be able to marry an intelligent, modern woman. British society, or British conventions, regarding royal spouses has to open up, shift, re-align.
I am still reeling from a poster's comment some time back that if Meghan becomes Harry's wife she will 'have to learn to shut up.' Good lord!