Thursday, 1 September 2022

Meghan Duchess of Sussex says she upset the Royal Family ‘just by existing’ - BBC News


ROYALS

7 major revelations from Meghan’s The Cut interview

From her plans for a return to social media to how she feels about the Royal Family now, here are the key takeaways from the Duchess of Sussex’s in-depth profile

 

By Hope Coke

https://www.tatler.com/article/meghan-markle-the-cut-interview-major-moments-archetypes

 

If the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s life in the spotlight has taught us anything, it’s that the couple aren’t afraid to cause a media stir. From their shock Instagram Megxit announcement to their ‘bombshell’ Oprah Winfrey interview, Prince Harry and Meghan rarely shy away from a big reveal.

 

Now, the duchess has offered up a fresh wave of revelations in her new cover story for New York Magazine’s women’s website, The Cut, profiled by Allison P. Davis for its Fall Fashion issue. From life in California after The Firm, to what’s next from the couple’s Netflix partnership, Tatler breaks down the key takeaways from the interview.

 

Meghan is planning a (possible) return to Instagram

The couple ceased using their Sussex Royal Instagram account after their departure as official royals in March 2020, and later indicated that they wouldn’t be returning to social media in light of online bullying the duchess had received. In her latest interview, however, Meghan says she has ‘a secret’ to reveal: ‘I’m getting back… on Instagram’ – although Davis adds that Meghan later says ‘she was no longer sure she would actually return to Instagram.’

 

The family’s Montecito mansion is super luxe

While the public have had glimpses inside Harry and Meghan’s California home in the background of video calls and interviews, Davis offers plenty of detail on their domestic idyll – and quite how luxurious it is. Portrayed as a ‘climate-controlled and high-ceilinged and sun-dappled and perfectly marshmallowy’ paradise, ‘decorated with careful, considered coastal tones’ and complete with Soho House scented candles, Davis describes it as ‘the kind of big that startles you into remembering that unimaginable wealth is actually someone’s daily reality.’ Meghan reveals that the property was initially beyond what they could ‘afford’, but explains: ‘We did everything we could to get this house,’ with Davis noting that ‘a reported $25 million Spotify deal and a reported $100 million Netflix deal’ rendered the $14.65 million purchase ‘within their means.’

 

Harry is the ultimate hype man

Ever the supportive husband, the prince’s cameos in the interview largely consist of him chiming in to voice his wholehearted support for Meghan and all her ventures. Harry relates a conversation after the duchess returned from her photoshoot for the profile: ‘She said, “I’m not a model.” I was like, “No, you are, of course you can be a model.” And she’s like, “I’m a mom!” And it’s like, “You can be both”.’

 

Meghan remains schtum on a possible biographical Netflix series

After a camera crew were spotted shadowing the couple at various events, and in light of their reported ties to director Liz Garbus, there’ve been widespread rumours about a documentary series chronicling Harry and Meghan’s lives. Davis states, however, that questions about such projects ‘are met with half-answers shrouded in winks, codes, and redirection’, noting that while ‘the couple has directly smashed rumours of a reality show’, Meghan does say: ‘The piece of my life I haven’t been able to share, that people haven’t been able to see, is our love story.’ When asked to clarify if this would take the form of a documentary, she adds that she’s ‘not trying to be cagey,’ but will state only that ‘Liz Garbus is incredible,’ refusing to be drawn on further details.

 

She feels that being viewed as an outsider made her life as royal untenable

The duchess reveals that her former life as an actress had given her plenty of experience in playing a role – ‘My entire job was “Tell me where to stand. Tell me what to say. Tell me how to say it. Tell me what to wear, and I’ll do it”.’ Davis adds, however, that Meghan feels ‘her problems stemmed from her being an American, not necessarily a Black American… Her desire to ask lots of questions… seemed to violate an unspoken social norm.’ Meghan also re-asserts an issue raised in last year’s Oprah interview – the fact that there is in fact precedent for royals pursuing independent working lives – saying: ‘That, for whatever reason, is not something that we were allowed to do, even though several other members of the family do that exact thing.’

 

Meghan values her role as a hands-on mother and wishes to ‘protect’ her children

The duke and duchess’s children, Archie and Lilibet, are mentioned frequently in the interview, and even make a number of in-person cameos. Granted privileged access to the family’s daily life, Davis joins Meghan to collect her son from preschool. Reflecting on the differences of life in California, Meghan stresses the importance of her children not being besieged by cameras, as they might be on the school run in the UK: ‘That doesn’t make me obsessed with privacy. That makes me a strong and good parent protecting my child.’

 

She’s hopeful for a positive relationship with the Royal Family moving forward

Although rarely mentioning specific Royal Family members, Meghan does respond to Davis’s question about ‘room for forgiveness between her and her royal in-laws’. With the duke and duchess having recently visited the UK for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations (widely interpreted as a de-escalation of friction in the wake of Megxit and the couple’s Oprah interview), Meghan takes a diplomatic tone, commenting: ‘I think forgiveness is really important. It takes a lot more energy to not forgive… But it takes a lot of effort to forgive. I’ve really made an active effort, especially knowing that I can say anything [now that she’s no longer a working royal].



Meghan Markle on the Struggle of ‘Not Being Able to Afford’ Her $14M House

 

"I don't want to go and look at all the things I can't afford, that doesn't feel good."

 

by JENNIFER SAVIN

 AUG 30, 2022

Who are the Queen's grandchildren?

by Cosmopolitan UK

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a41030312/meghan-harry-house-14-million/?utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=socialflowFBCOS&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR05xEPBeB8czfvxfwf8ZCUD4yq4CQc1IkjUBy3IKt_LzcO4m1llIj3kUSc

 

In a new interview with The Cut, by way of promoting her podcast Archetypes, Meghan Markle has shared more about the adjustments she and husband, Prince Harry, went through after leaving their roles as senior working royals. In particular, the Duchess of Sussex has spoken out about the challenges they faced when looking for a new home together, outside of the UK, saying that when they initially fell in love with the Montecito mansion they live in now, they weren't sure they could afford it.

 

Described by journalist Allison P Davis, who went to Meghan and Harry's home to conduct the interview, as evoking a "classic Tuscan villa, a Napa vineyard and a Beverly Hills country club", the property certainly sounds very special.

 

"We were looking in this area (Montecito, California) and this house kept popping up online in searches," Meghan explains, when asked about their relocation from London.

 

She then adds that, at first, they were reluctant to view the place as they didn't 'have jobs' and its price tag was a cool $14.65 million. "We didn't have jobs, so we were just not going to come and see this house. It wasn't possible. It's like when I was younger and you're window shopping – it's like 'I don't want to go and look at all the things that I can't afford, that doesn't feel good'."

 

Meghan also added that she and Prince Harry did "everything they could" to get the home, as it sparks feelings of joy and calm as soon as you enter it. "It's healing, you feel free." The pair have both signed various multi-figure deals with leading brands, such as Netflix and Spotify, since stepping down from their royal roles, which will have no doubt helped along the way.

 

The Duchess said that the garden was a huge draw too, and spoke about two intertwined palm trees in the garden of the property, remarking that they were the first thing Prince Harry noticed about the nine-bedroom, sixteen-bathroom estate (that comes complete with a pool and tennis court).

 

"See how they're connected at the bottom?" Meghan said. "He goes, 'My love, it's us' and now everyday Archie goes by us, he says 'Hi momma, hi papa'."

 

In other royal homes news, much has been made about Prince William and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, and their decision to move from their Kensington palace apartment to Adelaide Cottage on the Queen's Windsor Estate. Some aren't happy about the switch-up given the current cost of living crisis, saying it seems indulgent and insensitive for the Cambridge family to adopt another residence (they'll be keeping their Kensington spot, as well as a country home in Norfolk too).

 

To clarify, the Cambridge's use of the property is a gift from the Queen and she has given permission for the Duke and Duchess to lease it from the Crown Estate using their own private funds. The Crown Estate is not managed by the Queen, but its income does have some impact on how much money she is given each year.

 

Meghan and Harry are due to visit the UK this weekend as part of a series of charitable engagements, including the One Young World Summit in Manchester which starts on 5 September.


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