I'm trying to puzzle out the strategy behind this leak and I just can't.
(1) Part of the article has Meghan walking back the racism claim by saying the comment made was innocuous and bore no malice (this would ostensibly win points with Charles);
(2) Other parts of the article say she still feels the comment reflected both unconscious bias and was racist (the latter claim was later deleted but not before many noticed the edit; this is completely contradictory to earlier using the term "innocuous" and obviously would cost her points with Charles);
(3) It goes on to rehash complaints about her alleged mistreatment, not getting her children's titles earlier, etc. (this would also cost her points with the royals)
(4) Leaking a letter written to her father-in-law after excoriating her father for doing the same thing to her reinforces charges of hypocrisy (costing her points in the court of public opinion)
What on earth was she trying to achieve here? Was she just so angry about the photo of the grandkids/great-grandkids that she didn't stop to think things through? It must be exhausting for the royals to have these allegations resurrected again and again, particularly in these stressful last weeks before the Coronation.
Hi Iris! I completely agree, it's hard to see what the PR objective is.
My best guess is that it was done in haste, and not thought through. (sound familiar?!)
The line on her saying she still considered it racist was actually deleted within 12 hours (which sounds like wanting to match Harry's recent comment) and another line was added "Sources close to the Sussexes insisted that she decided to stay in California because it was Archie’s birthday."
I personally don't think it had anything to do with the grandchildren photo, as this article would have taken some time. They obviously knew something would be released that day, and perhaps wanted this to be published on the day, but not what it would be.
I've said a million times, that I really believe it's just that Harry and Meghan think if they keep talking and over explaining, they will convince everyone of their side, but all they're doing is turning everyone off!
And now there is a more recent development that posits a (5) -- that Meghan (and Harry) want revenge not on the RF but the British PRESS. So, what about setting up a "sting" on Victoria Ward by having someone masquerade as a "source" and feed Victoria all of this? Then, when she publishes her article, Meghan's mouthpiece Omid Scobie releases a "this is SO old news, nothing new to see, stop it" statement such as they just did. Victoria can't name her source (assuming British journalists follow the same code as US journalists do) so she is left gaping like a fish, trying to say "but, but, but...." And other British media are given a good warning not to use "sources".
They berated her father for the letters leak, when it was them that did. Now this letter leak, not only I’m thinking “what fir” but also the fact that only acceptable for them to leak things not others.
I had just posted that we should let go of the whole Meghan Markle narrative as it seems she herself has gone to ground; she had not opened her mouth for the past few months. And now this. Hmmm.... If I were writing a thriller there would be two possible stories: someone has it in for Meghan and leaked this to make sure that people loyal to the RF stayed angry with her. Or, the alternate story is that Meghan (and Harry) haven't got the memo that their strategy thus far, of painting the RF as cold and uncaring, hasn't worked and they are trying it on again. I am not sure of either scenario being "the truth" although if it WASN'T Meghan who was behind the leaks I am sure we will hear something from Scobie this weekend and Harry will be adding the Telegraph to his list of lawsuits. And if it was the Sussexes, well, as I said this strategy hasn't worked up to now, it's not going to work now. They are finished.
It's equally fascinating and bizarre at the same time, isn't it Valerie! I've updated the post with theories from several reporters who spoke out earlier today, Emily Andrews also added "this came straight from Team Sussex."
I personally think it clearly came from Meghan or her friends, I think it's fair to ask if Harry even knew about it. I think she's perhaps spinning because she's been left out of this global event?
I also see that some of the Meghan sympathizers are insisting that it is BP that leaked the letters because it is BP that “has the letter from Meghan so how can it be Meghan?” They clearly have never kept copies of correspondence. I wonder if she wrote it in calligraphy? And some are claiming that it is Charles trying to cast shade on William by reminding us how it’s now down to a much smaller group of loose lipped (I refuse to use the ‘r’ word) Royals who thought they were speaking to someone who trusted them, and vice versa. It’s truly Machiavellian, right out of, ummm, a Hollywood script.
I've seen those claims, but think first thing to ask is: Who has the motive? I don't think BP want anything but Coronation matters in the news right now, rightfully so.
Also, the first letter came from Charles apparently, to reprimand them for the Oprah allegations, then it goes on to say how she responded. And yes, she would have copies of it all!
I think Charles and William are on the same page and will both be appalled and exhausted by this breach. One of many. I do keep wondering if Harry knew about it, the fact both reporters brought that up tells me they've heard something... just speculating here! But it's interesting to me.
Well said; who has the motive for getting this into the news? My down deep, celebrity-following gut says she's gearing up for a separation/divorce announcement sometime this year. She may start by "separation" but I honestly don't think Harry is any use to her anymore and she discards people who aren't useful to her. Her track record on that is for everyone to see. Again, though, that's pure speculation. I'm trying to think of a celebrity couple that I thought wouldn't last but has and can only (so far) come up with two--the Clooneys and Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Compare the women in those two marriages with Meghan and I don't think she has that kind of strength or honesty.
I can’t get over that 3-1/2 years after Meghan and Harry left England for Canada and the US, they can’t let go of a single detail of their lives during the short time they were a working royal couple. It’s time to move on with the life of service they proclaimed after they left. Meghan has turned out to be the worst thing that could happen to the Monarchy, lately.
Good read , I am enjoying your commentaries. So sad that this was released today, on her late Majesty’s birthday. Seems like twisting the knife to inflict maximum hurt.
I am sure the Coronation will be fantastic but I fear more vile insinuations will be coming out until then.
I'm trying to puzzle out the strategy behind this leak and I just can't.
(1) Part of the article has Meghan walking back the racism claim by saying the comment made was innocuous and bore no malice (this would ostensibly win points with Charles);
(2) Other parts of the article say she still feels the comment reflected both unconscious bias and was racist (the latter claim was later deleted but not before many noticed the edit; this is completely contradictory to earlier using the term "innocuous" and obviously would cost her points with Charles);
(3) It goes on to rehash complaints about her alleged mistreatment, not getting her children's titles earlier, etc. (this would also cost her points with the royals)
(4) Leaking a letter written to her father-in-law after excoriating her father for doing the same thing to her reinforces charges of hypocrisy (costing her points in the court of public opinion)
What on earth was she trying to achieve here? Was she just so angry about the photo of the grandkids/great-grandkids that she didn't stop to think things through? It must be exhausting for the royals to have these allegations resurrected again and again, particularly in these stressful last weeks before the Coronation.
Hi Iris! I completely agree, it's hard to see what the PR objective is.
My best guess is that it was done in haste, and not thought through. (sound familiar?!)
The line on her saying she still considered it racist was actually deleted within 12 hours (which sounds like wanting to match Harry's recent comment) and another line was added "Sources close to the Sussexes insisted that she decided to stay in California because it was Archie’s birthday."
I personally don't think it had anything to do with the grandchildren photo, as this article would have taken some time. They obviously knew something would be released that day, and perhaps wanted this to be published on the day, but not what it would be.
I've said a million times, that I really believe it's just that Harry and Meghan think if they keep talking and over explaining, they will convince everyone of their side, but all they're doing is turning everyone off!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
And now there is a more recent development that posits a (5) -- that Meghan (and Harry) want revenge not on the RF but the British PRESS. So, what about setting up a "sting" on Victoria Ward by having someone masquerade as a "source" and feed Victoria all of this? Then, when she publishes her article, Meghan's mouthpiece Omid Scobie releases a "this is SO old news, nothing new to see, stop it" statement such as they just did. Victoria can't name her source (assuming British journalists follow the same code as US journalists do) so she is left gaping like a fish, trying to say "but, but, but...." And other British media are given a good warning not to use "sources".
They berated her father for the letters leak, when it was them that did. Now this letter leak, not only I’m thinking “what fir” but also the fact that only acceptable for them to leak things not others.
I had just posted that we should let go of the whole Meghan Markle narrative as it seems she herself has gone to ground; she had not opened her mouth for the past few months. And now this. Hmmm.... If I were writing a thriller there would be two possible stories: someone has it in for Meghan and leaked this to make sure that people loyal to the RF stayed angry with her. Or, the alternate story is that Meghan (and Harry) haven't got the memo that their strategy thus far, of painting the RF as cold and uncaring, hasn't worked and they are trying it on again. I am not sure of either scenario being "the truth" although if it WASN'T Meghan who was behind the leaks I am sure we will hear something from Scobie this weekend and Harry will be adding the Telegraph to his list of lawsuits. And if it was the Sussexes, well, as I said this strategy hasn't worked up to now, it's not going to work now. They are finished.
It's equally fascinating and bizarre at the same time, isn't it Valerie! I've updated the post with theories from several reporters who spoke out earlier today, Emily Andrews also added "this came straight from Team Sussex."
I personally think it clearly came from Meghan or her friends, I think it's fair to ask if Harry even knew about it. I think she's perhaps spinning because she's been left out of this global event?
Thank you for always reading and commenting!
I also see that some of the Meghan sympathizers are insisting that it is BP that leaked the letters because it is BP that “has the letter from Meghan so how can it be Meghan?” They clearly have never kept copies of correspondence. I wonder if she wrote it in calligraphy? And some are claiming that it is Charles trying to cast shade on William by reminding us how it’s now down to a much smaller group of loose lipped (I refuse to use the ‘r’ word) Royals who thought they were speaking to someone who trusted them, and vice versa. It’s truly Machiavellian, right out of, ummm, a Hollywood script.
I've seen those claims, but think first thing to ask is: Who has the motive? I don't think BP want anything but Coronation matters in the news right now, rightfully so.
Also, the first letter came from Charles apparently, to reprimand them for the Oprah allegations, then it goes on to say how she responded. And yes, she would have copies of it all!
I think Charles and William are on the same page and will both be appalled and exhausted by this breach. One of many. I do keep wondering if Harry knew about it, the fact both reporters brought that up tells me they've heard something... just speculating here! But it's interesting to me.
Well said; who has the motive for getting this into the news? My down deep, celebrity-following gut says she's gearing up for a separation/divorce announcement sometime this year. She may start by "separation" but I honestly don't think Harry is any use to her anymore and she discards people who aren't useful to her. Her track record on that is for everyone to see. Again, though, that's pure speculation. I'm trying to think of a celebrity couple that I thought wouldn't last but has and can only (so far) come up with two--the Clooneys and Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Compare the women in those two marriages with Meghan and I don't think she has that kind of strength or honesty.
I can’t get over that 3-1/2 years after Meghan and Harry left England for Canada and the US, they can’t let go of a single detail of their lives during the short time they were a working royal couple. It’s time to move on with the life of service they proclaimed after they left. Meghan has turned out to be the worst thing that could happen to the Monarchy, lately.
It's bizarre that they made several "2023 is the year we're moving on" leaks and here we still are..
Thanks for reading Nancy - and joining the chat!
Good read , I am enjoying your commentaries. So sad that this was released today, on her late Majesty’s birthday. Seems like twisting the knife to inflict maximum hurt.
I am sure the Coronation will be fantastic but I fear more vile insinuations will be coming out until then.
Thank you so much, that's very kind of you.
I do think there may be more, hard to see what could top leaking a private letter from the monarch, which is a massive breach. Stay tuned!
Thanks for reading Maureen!