The Queen supports Meghan and Harry’s decision to exit the Royal Family (at least partly), so that’s done.

How it will all play out over the next few weeks has yet to be decided, but the initial meeting between the Duke of Sussex, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, and the Queen seems to have gone well.

In the meantime, there has been a lot of speculation as to why the royal couple decided to abdicate their royal duties.

Trevor Noah is convinced that the media and a fair amount of racism might have something to do with it:

Trevor is probably right.

BuzzFeed compared headlines about Meghan and Kate, and they found an interesting pattern that backs up the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s complaints about the way that Meghan has been treated by the press.

Let’s check out 10 times Meghan and Kate did similar things, and how it was reported:

Kate ‘Tenderly Cradles’ Her Baby Bump. Meghan Must Just Stop It. 

Kate cradling her baby bump was seen as her showing motherly protectiveness.

Kate: “Bumping along nicely! The Duchess was seen placing a protective hand on her tummy as she exited the event.” Daily Mail: March 22, 2018

When Meghan did it the media called it virtue signalling.

Meghan: “Personally, I find the cradling a bit like those signs in the back of cars: Baby on Board. Virtue signalling, as though the rest of us barren harridans deserve to burn alive in our cars.” Daily Mail: Jan. 26, 2019

That escalated quickly.

#Avocadogate

Kate eats an avocado, and it’s adorable.

“Prince William was given one of the green fruit – wrapped up in a bow – by a little boy who’s mother is suffering during her pregnancy too… ‘He said he’d take it to [Kate] and see what happens – and said good luck for [the boy’s] mummy.'” Express: Sept. 14, 2017

Meghan eats and avocado and she’s now responsible for climate change.

“The pregnant Duchess of Sussex and so-called ‘avocado on toast whisperer’ is wolfing down a fruit linked to water shortages, illegal deforestation and all round general environmental devastation.” Express: Jan. 23, 2019

Really?

Royal Branding

Will and Kate are like the Beckhams.

“Creating their own companies will allow William and Kate to bring out, should they ever chose to, myriad items of officially endorsed merchandise from tea towels to coffee cups… Kensington Palace officials said they were doing the ‘sensible thing’ in protecting the couple’s rights.” Daily Mail: Jan. 17, 2014

Harry and Meghan are gold-diggers.

“The Sussexes want to stamp their name on dozens of products including T-shirts, hoodies, journals and gloves for their newly-created foundation Sussex Royal… Experts said Harry and Meghan were actively preparing to quit the Royal Family months ago by filing trade mark applications to commercially protect their brand.” Daily Mail: Jan. 9, 2020

Bit of a double standard there.

Down With Stiff Upper Lips

William is so brave.

“Prince William yesterday backed brother Harry’s brave admission of his mental anguish — and blasted the monarchy’s ‘stiff upper lip’ tradition… William said: ‘There may be a time and a place for the ‘stiff upper lip’ but not at the expense of your health… ‘Sun: April 19, 2017

Harry bucked royal tradition.

“Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have bucked royal tradition once again with their latest TV interview — in which they claimed they were ‘existing, not living.’ The couple ditched the stiff upper lip of previous Royal Family generations and flew the flag for ‘Generation Therapy’ as they revealed their emotions to the world – but were they right to do so? Sun: Oct. 23, 2019

Uhm…

Scenting The Abbey

Kate made charming use of scented candles.

“It was reported that new Duchess of Cambridge requested her favorite scented candles and toiletries from luxury fragrance brand Jo Malone be delivered to scent the Abbey. A selection of candles, handwashes and lotions was requested, specifically in citrus spring scents including Orange Blossom, Grapefruit and the ever-popular Lime, Basil & Mandarin.” Daily Mail: May 4, 2011

Meghan is bridezilla.

“‘Meghan wanted staff to go around with these atomizers, like spritzer guns, and spray the chapel with scent before anyone arrived. Royal Household staff stepped in and told her office politely, but firmly, that this was the queen’s chapel and it simply wasn’t appropriate. I don’t believe they said no because they thought it could affect the chapel in any way. It was simply the principle of the thing. This is a place that has held royal weddings, funerals and even contains the royal vault. I don’t believe a request of that nature had been made before.'” Daily Mail: Nov. 30, 2018

Lily Of The Valley

Clever Kate chooses Lily of the Valley because of its symbolic meaning.

“Yet behind that modest posy lay a secret story. Kate, the commoner-turned-duchess, had painstakingly selected blooms with real meaning. She is evidently well-versed in the language of flowers, a little-known romantic relic from the 19th century. Express: Aug. 29, 2011

Meghan chooses Lily of the Valley in an attempt to kill children.

“[Meghan Markle] was holding a wedding bouquet which flowers were replicated in Princess Charlotte and the other bridesmaids’ flower crowns. Express.co.uk can now reveal the children’ crowns were made of flowers that can be deadly, especially for children. Meghan’s bouquet was made of forget-me-nots as well as sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia…Express: Oct. 13, 2019

The Queen Couldn’t Attend A Christening

The Queen was busy.

“The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh missed the small family affair. The decision is understood not to have been taken on health grounds, and to have been mutually agreed by the Queen and the Cambridges some time ago. The Queen, 92, has a busy week ahead, with high-profile celebrations in central London marking the centenary of the RAF on Tuesday, and a visit by US President Donald Trump in Windsor on Friday.” Daily Mail: July 9, 2018

The Queen was slighted.

“The situation has surprised some senior staff at Buckingham Palace, who feel that the duke and duchess should have planned the day better. ‘There is huge support for the couple in not wanting to conform to tradition. They are young, they are striking out on a different path from other members of the Royal Family and there is enormous goodwill for them. But they shouldn’t do that without regard for tradition,’ said one…Daily Mail: July 4, 2019

No Hats

Kate didn’t wear a hat and it’s fine.

“It is a fashion conundrum not many of us will ever face, but what exactly does one wear for tea with the Queen? The Duchess of Cambridge met this challenge head on yesterday by co-ordinating her outfit with the Queen’s powder blue ensemble… The Queen, on her first ­official event to mark her Diamond Jubilee, was dressed in a pastel hat and two-piece coat dress with military-style rows of gold buttons designed by Angela Kelly. Mirror: Feb. 14, 2013

Meghan didn’t wear a hat and it’s not fine.

“The Queen’s aides had told [Meghan] she would be wearing a green hat as a mark of respect to those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire. The Queen is said to have been ‘baffled’ when Meghan turned up without a hat as she didn’t realize she was supposed to wear one too. A senior aide said: ‘I don’t think the Duchess fully understood. This was not a request. Those are for others to make, not the Queen.’ The Queen’s staff are said to have noted the Duchess’s mistake or ‘lack of deference'” Mirror: Oct. 29, 2018

More Fashion

Kate’s fashion is on point.

“We see a woman in her prime: stylish, confident and positively radiant, nailing outfit after outfit in the style stakes — and it’s a joy to witness… That old uniform of girlish dresses, tan tights and nude heels has been replaced by dazzling super-chic outfits to satisfy even the most exacting fashionista.” Daily Mail: June 16, 2019

Meghan must stop making fashion choices.

“Proper royalty is about tradition and duty, self-effacing service and loyalty — year after year after year, season after season… That is not to say that a monarchy cannot or must not move with the times — simply that it has to resist the temptation to be buffeted by passing cultural trends. Fashion is the exact opposite. And as fashion’s most famous bible, Vogue exemplifies the transient nature of the beast.” Daily Mail: July 29, 2019

Look, I didn’t love Meghan’s Vogue article, but that has nothing to do with anything other than the fact that it was terrible.

But, it’s hard to look at the above headlines and not feel bad for Meghan and Harry. It’s no wonder they sued Mail Online.

It’s easy to see why so many in the British establishment see Kate as the perfect princess, whereas Meghan is viewed as some sort of outsider.

You join the dots…

[source:buzzfeed]