Jungle Red Writers: Oprah interview

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Here at JRW, part of our mission statement is to avoid politics and controversy. Part of it’s because we want you to enjoy our books, no matter which way your wind blows. A bigger part is that we know rank division is all over the internet, and when you come here for a morning read, cup of tea or coffee in hand, you’d like something different. Something peaceful.

Well, friends, I’m sorry, but I have to tear down that sheltered space. There is an issue so important, so all-encompassing in the public square, that we have no choice but to weigh in.

What do we think about Harry and Meghan?

Now, I have neither read the book, seen the Netflix documentary, or watched the Oprah interview, which makes me just as qualified to comment as everyone else on social media. And of course, as an American with absolutely no connection to the UK, its politics, or its royal family, I obviously have a duty to develop very strong feelings about l’affaire Sussex. My verdict? They were done wrong. How do I come to this conclusion?

They are both extremely attractive people.
Poor Harry! When my teen’s father died, she was in therapy for two years. What did the Windsor boys get? A good trot through the highlands and an extra serving of crumpets for tea.
I love the modern, joyful diversity of “Londinistan,” but considering its the same country that voted for Brexit and, you know, conquered large swaths of the world populated by people of color, I don’t find it too far a stretch to think there might be a teensy-weeny bit of racism still lingering.
As someone who majored in 17th century English history, I love the idea of a shadowy cabal of courtiers pulling strings. If it was a good enough policy position for the Parliamentarians, it’s good enough for me.

My sister Reds, where do you stand on this crucial debate?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I have tried not to think about this–and I have tried way too often not to think about it.

It was the Nazi uniform that got me, and the idea that the rest of them gleefully thought this was a terrific idea is upsetting. As for the other, I am shocked shocked that people who accept that they RULE over everyone else by DIVINE RIGHT and that it makes total sense to them might lead to the fact that they live under a somewhat altered view of reality.

I would have given Meghan my entire tube of lip gloss without having a snit over it, and you’d think, in all that talk about royal manners and protocol, someone mighta taught them to have compassion and be real people, but have we EVER seen that from that group?

It’s a snake pit, and I feel..perplexed…that Meghan did not seem to have a clue about what she was getting into. (What do we think about that?) She says–she didn’t know she was supposed to curtsy? Hey, even I know that. I’ve seen movies.

LUCY BURDETTE: Everything I know comes either from THE CROWN or Helen Mirren’s spectacular performance in THE AUDIENCE. So I guess I’m as qualified as the next guy. Truth is, I certainly won’t buy or read the book. And I agree with Hank, Meghan had to have known what she was getting into. Diana was younger and quite naive so I suppose I’m more sympathetic to her…

JENN McKINLAY: Full disclosure, this is not my first response to the question. My original was scathing enough that Julia reached out to see if I was all right (LOL) and I realized I may have been a tad harsh. So, I will leave it at this. I have not had much interest in the royals since Diana and I think she was interesting to me because I was in grade school when her wedding to Charles took place and the media tried to convince us it was a fairy tale and boy did life pound the sparkle out of that. After that debacle…meh. I have no fascination for monarchies or billionaires or anyone who seems to have been born with a fast pass. You want to impress me? Do something amazing and not as a virtue signal but something truly extraordinary then I might care.

HALLIE EPHRON: I wish you all could have read Jenn’s first response, because it’s what I’d like to have said but lack the spitfire and spunk she’s got and sheer pizzazz with words. Yeah, I really don’t give a flying … anything, either. (I’m not even interested in watching THE CROWN.) But the book apparently is raking in the $$$. Seriously big time. Good news for authors at Penguin Random House - a *BIG* book like that floats a lot of boats.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: For all my Anglophilia, I’ve never been much of a royal follower, I’ve always been more interested in ordinary people. I’ve never even watched The Crown, partly because I find the idea of making up stories about people who are still around more than a little distasteful. I admired the Queen, and I shudder to think what would happen to the British tourist industry if the monarchy disappeared. As for H&M, it seems to me that if the whole idea of moving to the US was to get away from the tabloid media and live a normal-ish life with their kids, airing all the dirty laundry for megabucks seems a wee bit hypocritical. But yay for Penguin Random House, as Hallie says!

RHYS BOWEN: Don’t get me started on Harry and Meghan! Claiming they had to step away because they wanted privacy then doing everything they can to hog the limelight! I don’t blame him. He’s an emotionally wounded little boy, never allowed to grieve for his mother. Diana was partly responsible for the man he has become, of course. Getting no love from her husband she smothered her two sons with obsessive, possessive love. I haven’t read Harry’s book (and won’t) but the excerpts I’ve seen sound like any second child–everyone favored William. Lament of every child who follows a successful older sibling.

As for Meghan: she knew exactly what she was getting into! She wanted the fame and the money that went with being royal but wasn’t willing to pay the price for it. It’s like joining a famous football team and then not wanting to play by the same rules as the other players. (Notice she still likes to be called Duchess of Sussex!)

As for the royal family: I had enormous respect for the queen. She never put a foot wrong in all those years. Princess Anne has been stalwart. Charles, in his own damaged way, has tried hard. Think of that childhood at a sadistic school for such a sensitive little boy! And don’t forget the millions of tourist dollars they bring in for Britain. A final thought: at least they are raised for the job and on the whole do it with remarkable dedication. If you look at American presidents how many scandals have we had in my lifetime? How many were in the pocket of a particular industry or cause. The royals, at least, are impartial figureheads and that’s what you want for a head of state. End of rant.