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

[Maryrose]

This system is promoted by Tony Robbins, who has always seemed to me to be an obvious charlatan and I share your skepticism of it having any effect at all.

Some dentists do offer this, so the charitable interpretation is that Meghan was given this by the dentist and had no idea she would be photographed.

My less charitable interpretation is that this is more likely than not a paid promotion opportunity staged to look like a paparazzi shot, which is a common Hollywood tactic.

A bit off topic but I saw Tony Robbins in NYC through the Oprah Winfrey show. He is definitely charismatic and can get the audience so excited that they can do and be all. My feeling is if this works for her so be it. I have never heard of this before but I know people are searching for things to reduce stress and anxiety.

 

[Hallo girl]

Read all about it here https://www.nucalm.com/

That is exactly what the company wanted.

 

[Maryrose]

Defo a deal being done, she even rolled just the sleeve on that arm up so it would be pictured and they have allowed the picture on their social media. I do wonder if one day all this working with, yet complaining about, the media will catch them out.

My first thought was she had the sleeve rolled up so that it wouldn't get knocked off her wrist or rub against it. I know quite a few people think she calls to stage these photos when she is out and about but I honestly think there are photogs waiting and following her. They know the pics will sell.

 

[ACO]

Because Meghan wants us to look. Having said that I am finding it all a bit sad, her life is now either arranging for it to be filmed or tipping off the press to see her walk down steps wearing a patch and what some suggest are autumn clothes.
The attention to detail that her cuff is turned up to show the patch.

Or she was just leaving the dentist and the pap saw her and sold the pic knowing many would pay (and they always do) for the shot and others would spend countless time dissecting every inch of it (again...)

Meghan walking down stairs has created plenty of column inches and posts. It doesn't really take much where Meghan is concerned. I mean people looking up weather and researching random companies. It is actually kind of amusing.

 

[tommy100]

Meghan and Harry guard their privacy very much (no issue with that) so I'd be surprised if that pap pic of her would remain up on social media for the company selling the patches for long if she wasn't happy with it.

 

[Frelinghighness]

good point. See how long it is there

 

[HenRach Dominion]

As always, even if the pictures were staged, no tabloid would buy them unless there was still a vested interest, whether complimentary or critical, in HRH The Duchess of Sussex.

 

[Hallo girl]

Meghan and Harry guard their privacy very much (no issue with that) so I'd be surprised if that pap pic of her would remain up on social media for the company selling the patches for long if she wasn't happy with it.

She might demand their return like they did with the New York incident ones.

 

[Heavs]

There are plenty of pap pics of them that stay up (including the ones of her and Archie that were released around Louis's birthday a few years ago) and the obvious answer is that they do deals with photographers and publications and whatever clothing they're wearing. Especially any with Archie in them (which show his face) could be taken down if they were taken in California without permission ala Sophie Turner's daughter for example.

They certainly aren't the only people that do this (half of Hollywood do) but it's the ones that they haven't arranged and can't control or do deals with that she/they hate IMHO. Not that they've been taken in the first place. But they've backed themselves into a corner where if they *don't* sue or cause a fuss then people assume they're doing deals.

 

[Lee-Z]

Aren't we being very nitpicky here? I mean, I don't really like to talk about bodyshapes, but she is very slim at the moment (i was even a bit startled by these photos in that aspect), and maybe she is just one to easily feel the cold? Especially when spending a lot of time in airconditioned areas?

just my 2 cts..

 

[Hallo girl]

There are plenty of pap pics of them that stay up (including the ones of her and Archie that were released around Louis's birthday a few years ago) and the obvious answer is that they do deals with photographers and publications and whatever clothing they're wearing. Especially any with Archie in them (which show his face) could be taken down if they were taken in California without permission ala Sophie Turner's daughter for example.

They certainly aren't the only people that do this (half of Hollywood do) but it's the ones that they haven't arranged and can't control or do deals with that she/they hate IMHO. Not that they've been taken in the first place. But they've backed themselves into a corner where if they *don't* sue or cause a fuss then people assume they're doing deals.

Really great points, especially the final point, once you appear to complain about things whether it is an article or a photograph the assumption can be made if you do not complain it must be correct or arranged.

 

[ACO]

Really great points, especially the final point, once you appear to complain about things whether it is an article or a photograph the assumption can be made if you do not complain it must be correct or arranged.

Honestly this doesn’t even make sense and seems like a far reach because the only times they sued over images (breach of privacy) they actually won. Outside of those two or three instances involving their children can you actually say what they sued over photos?

People think anything and everything Meghan does is “arranged” because they need to think that, But let’s keep it 100– Meghan doesn’t have to even try because people literally seek out info on her.

NuCalm was all over the morning shows all cause she was seen with it. People have been debating weather cause she wore a light cashmere jacket, This is why media stay on her cause interest in her still at an all time high.

I don’t keep up with the details of people I dislike. I ignore them because I don’t care…

 

[FigTree]

Honestly this doesn’t even make sense and seems like a far reach because the only times they sued over images (breach of privacy) they actually won. Outside of those two or three instances involving their children can you actually say what they sued over photos?

People think anything and everything Meghan does is “arranged” because they need to think that, But let’s keep it 100– Meghan doesn’t have to even try because people literally seek out info on her.

NuCalm was all over the morning shows all cause she was seen with it. People have been debating weather cause she wore a light cashmere jacket, This is why media stay on her cause interest in her still at an all time high.

I don’t keep up with the details of people I dislike. I ignore them because I don’t care…

She's a controversial figure. She hasn't helped herself with that giving interviews to Oprah and her podcast and netflix. She sold her privacy to a bidder. If you dont engage with the media they have no interest in you beyond your work. Sadly interest in her is the only way she has of making money.

So if she likes her house, her lifestyle, leaving the house worth a couple of thousand pounds, she will continue getting herself in papers for this stuff. Because that is all she has.

And yes she is dressed weirdly. I mean it is just weird unless she is very cold and that maybe is worrying in terms of body fat.

I have no sympathy for her at rhe moment. I do think she is trapped but there is no one to blame but themselves.

 

[HRHHermione]

NuCalm was all over the morning shows all cause she was seen with it. People have been debating weather cause she wore a light cashmere jacket, This is why media stay on her cause interest in her still at an all time high.

…

I view this as strong evidence that these were probably not paparazzi photos and were instead a paid promotion for NuCalm if indeed, it was featured on multiple morning shows. Morning show content is rarely organic, especially when it relates to any kind of product placement.

 

[ACO]

I view this as strong evidence that these were probably not paparazzi photos and were instead a paid promotion for NuCalm if indeed, it was featured on multiple morning shows. Morning show content is rarely organic, especially when it relates to any kind of product placement.

Huh? Meghan has no contracts with GMB who put on a stress expert to try and talk her down. That’s just the UK media being their usual obsessive selves. They even had on the patch. Just weird. All of it.

 

[shady lady]

The issue I have is that whatever H&M choose to endorse - be it stuff I can't afford or things like these patches, it will put me off buying the item in question because of their association with it; I'm almost certainly going to find an alternative brand instead. I'm resistant enough to product placement and following trends as it is, but any plugging by these two and I will double down on not being interested (heaven help me if they start plugging Pepsi Max because I'm not too keen on Diet Coke).

Moreover, do H&M really believe these products are genuinely the best out there? How can we be sure? Is it not a case of selling themselves to the highest bidder to make (plenty of) cold hard cash; ergo is it really a genuine and solid endorsement? It's an issue I have long had with celebrities promoting products.

Edited to add this article about the patches in question from the Telegraph.

http://archive.today/nEynn

 

[Hallo girl]

The issue I have is that whatever H&M choose to endorse - be it stuff I can't afford or things like these patches, it will put me off buying the item in question because of their association with it; I'm almost certainly going to find an alternative brand instead. I'm resistant enough to product placement and following trends as it is, but any plugging by these two and I will double down on not being interested (heaven help me if they start plugging Pepsi Max because I'm not too keen on Diet Coke).

Moreover, do H&M really believe these products are genuinely the best out there? How can we be sure? Is it not a case of selling themselves to the highest bidder to make (plenty of) cold hard cash; ergo is it really a genuine and solid endorsement? It's an issue I have long had with celebrities promoting products.

If this is indeed product placement then I find it really sad, yes it will boost her bank balance even if this one isn’t it will let it other companies see what publicity they will get.

 

[wbenson]

Everything about these magic brainwave patches screams scam to me, but I suppose they're not any worse than the snake oil that Duchy Originals sold for years.

 

[Granada]

"IF" true, that Meghan is now into "product placement" marketing services, just wow......Especially in my opinion, for some mumbo jumbo health quakery ......of stress buster patches ?

Remember a few months back, when it was rumored that The Sussex's might be in consideration as Dior Ambassadors ?

At least that, Dior, IS a global brand of giant recognition, significance and relevance. A cultural powerhouse.

I guess we will soon see. But what a journey its been these last few years for The Sussex and yes, their followers. Like myself.

Leaving The Royal Family Fold to "Find Freedom" in 2020 and seeking to set them selves up in America as Global Entrepreneurs, Philanthropists
and Influencers thru their Archewell Foundation. Supposedly ala The Obama's or Oprah. That certainly hasn't panned out the way it was expected to either.

Anyway, I thought Meghan's new Management Agency would steer her towards *something* with a little more gravitas than this. But, then who knows.
Maybe the money was too good to pass up.

 

[HenRach Dominion]

Or, just maybe, HRH The Duchess of Sussex lifted her arm naturally and the paparazzi happened to catch a product she personally uses rather than one she's trying to endorse, as TRH The Sussexes are very open about the products and organizations they endorse, and the companies are eager to tell everybody about that endorsement (doing so surreptitiously would defeat the purpose of being endorsers in the first place). Did NuCalm say anything on the morning shows about working with HRH The Duchess of Sussex or asking her to endorse their product?

 

[Heavs]

1) The pics were taken by Blackgrid (which only takes photos with celebrity permission - they took those photos of Archie's face in 2021 which is illegal in California without parental consent),

2) the company them quickly offered people a 7 day trial and promoted the hell out of this, calling Meghan "The Duchess" which is often a give away since so often she's referred to as "Meghan Markle" still by the US press (and corrects articles which use it).

3) they were featured on US morning shows which doesn't happen every time she's pictured walking around LA or Montecito.

4) sleeves conspicuously rolled up to show the patch on an otherwise winter ensemble.

It's highly likely the are getting paid by this brand. And you know, many, many celebrities do this - set up pics so wearing specific products. They aren't necessarily doing anything that anyone else isn't but yes it doesn't have a lot of gravitas. At least it's not a medallion that can cure COVID yet.

They've promoted things like "Ethic" before for money which turned out to be not so Ethical so it's not the first time and won't be the last.

 

[ACO]

Which US morning show featured this? I was referring to the UK shows. I could have missed it though but only GMB was putting it on their wrist that I saw.

And again blackgrid is a photo distribution agency. I wish people would at least try and be accurate.. They sell pics of anyone and everyone including Kate shopping which I’ve seen a few. All paps go through them as it’s the biggest agency.

Honestly I hope she is getting a deal (doubt it) because dang near everything she touches gets a spotlight.

 

[ACO]

Or, just maybe, HRH The Duchess of Sussex lifted her arm naturally and the paparazzi happened to catch a product she personally uses rather than one she's trying to endorse, as TRH The Sussexes are very open about the products and organizations they endorse, and the companies are eager to tell everybody about that endorsement (doing so surreptitiously would defeat the purpose of being endorsers in the first place). Did NuCalm say anything on the morning shows about working with HRH The Duchess of Sussex or asking her to endorse their product?

That’s just too logical. Anyways I haven’t seen Meghan or this company talk about anything. The company posted her image after they were tagged everywhere. And no doubt getting bombarded with requests.

It’s the media and followers (like this board) doing research and promoting this product all cause they saw it on her wrist. I mean with that kind of free publicity— I would start sending her stuff too.

 

[shady lady]

Or, just maybe, HRH The Duchess of Sussex lifted her arm naturally and the paparazzi happened to catch a product she personally uses rather than one she's trying to endorse, as TRH The Sussexes are very open about the products and organizations they endorse, and the companies are eager to tell everybody about that endorsement (doing so surreptitiously would defeat the purpose of being endorsers in the first place). Did NuCalm say anything on the morning shows about working with HRH The Duchess of Sussex or asking her to endorse their product?

"Maybe" is the operative word here. It is possible that it could be a spontaneous and natural gesture; but IMO someone as calculating as MM plans her moves (including potential and actual photo opportunities) with great care - and we have seen evidence of this in the past. The folded back sleeve was a bit of a dead giveaway to be honest; clothes horses such as MM are usually keen to ensure that their "look" is as perfect as possible. I'm no fashionista but that sleeve is not folded back in a way that is supposed to look "cool" - especially as the other sleeve was not folded back at all

 

[Hallo girl]

That’s just too logical. Anyways I haven’t seen Meghan or this company talk about anything. The company posted her image after they were tagged everywhere. And no doubt getting bombarded with requests.

It’s the media and followers (like this board) doing research and promoting this product all cause they saw it on her wrist. I mean with that kind of free publicity— I would start sending her stuff too.

I am interested not because of the patch and I have not looked into the detail of it but because the wife of the fifth in line to the British throne ‘ appears’ to be doing product placement. Or at least is giving the impression of, if that is unfair so be it.
It was all so promising.


I do not watch GMB out of choice. Lots of reasons for that choice which I will not repeat here.

 

[tommy100]

Given the rumours Meghan wants to restart "the Tig" it would possibly make quite a lot of sense for her to show how one picture of her using a company product can translate into PR interest and eventually sales.

 

[HenRach Dominion]

Okay, let's play devil's advocate and say that HRH Duchess of Sussex specifically got her picture taken in order to make sure that a NuCalm patch was shown on her arm rather than coming out with the endorsement over Archewell media like she has other endorsements or even wearing an outfit that would make the patch more visible to those not obsessive over every detail of her person.

So what? Isn't the main problem people have with TRH The Sussexes that their brand is heavily dependent on their relationship with the BRF? Now they're possibly getting endorsements and therefore money without discussing the BRF and that's a problem too? People may argue that they're only getting those endorsements because of their connections to the BRF, but TRH The Sussexes will always be the son and daughter-in-law to a king, and they can't change that.

Is it the hypocrisy of having commercial ventures along with their philanthropic ones or preaching one thing and doing another? Many well-known and well-regarded people are just as hypocritical, including other members of the BRF, yet the calls of hypocrisy are nowhere near as persistent.

HRH The Duchess of Sussex hasn't said or done anything public in three months. If she was really this mastermind who was manipulating the media to increase her spotlight, I feel that she has bigger cards she could play than random pictures once every 1-2 months.

 

[OwlBranch]

"IF" true, that Meghan is now into "product placement" marketing services, just wow......Especially in my opinion, for some mumbo jumbo health quakery ......of stress buster patches ?

Other members of the royal family have documented history with "health quakery". George VI, the Queen Mother, etc.

King Charles is a documented believer in homeopathy. He has written letters to the government lobbying for adaptation of various alternative medicine practices, which in my view is rather dangerous since his is not a trained doctor.

If someone buys this patch b/c of Meghan, at least it is their choice not a choice forced on them by government.

 

[ACO]

Given the rumours Meghan wants to restart "the Tig" it would possibly make quite a lot of sense for her to show how one picture of her using a company product can translate into PR interest and eventually sales.

This has been a yearly rumor since she closed it but we shall see if this year it actually happens.

And if this was an interest test.... well she smashed it. ?

 

[Granada]

HenRach Dominion, I just find this NuCalm ( product placement, if true) endorsement VERY tacky, that's all, interesting but kind of dodgy.

I mean, part of me understands that "mental health issues" is one of the causes The Sussex's champion, but how scientific or reputable is this patch ?
Just seems to me, since Meghan is supposedly rebranding her image, with a new, very high powered new Management Team, that this stress relief patch would be the first thing She gets involved with ?

I would have figured something more prestigious. Or credible ?

By the way, simply out of curiosity, why do you always preface The Sussex's with TRH or individually HRH ?