Podcast 74 – Meghan Markle's No-Win situation over attending Prince Phillip’s funeral.

Within hours after the sad announcement of the death of the Queen's husband, Prince Phillip, the UK and World press were speculating about whether Prince Harry and Meghan would  attend the funeral.

In my mind there was never any doubt that Prince Harry would attend. What was not sure was whether Meghan, who is heavily pregnant with their second child, ought to travel in light of the pregnancy and the on-going Covid-19 health issues. Whilst the UK is ahead of the game in terms of vaccinating its residents, the Covid-19 numbers have recently been on the increase in Europe with many countries going back into lockdowns.

I am sure it was a very difficulty decision for Harry and Meghan to have to make, with Meghan on the one hand wanting to support Harry and to show her respects to the Queen, but on the other hand not wanting to jeopardize her own health and that of their unborn child, especially after her miscarriage last year.  

We soon heard that Prince Harry is to attend and with Buckingham Palace announcing that Meghan, despite wanting to go to the funeral and despite trying hard to make it happen, was cautioned by her doctors not to fly to the UK for the funeral.

The UK press have been fairly muted thus far in their coverage of Meghan’s decision, likely because it was Buckingham Palace who issued the statement about Meghan not coming as opposed to spokespeople for Meghan. But certain parts of the Australian press have been taking a poke at Meghan.

Regardless of her pregnancy and her health Meghan is in a no-win situation as far as the trolls on social media are concerned.  In the past the UK press have covered Meghan’s planned attendance at Royal events like the as trooping of the colour and the Queen’s Birthday celebrations, such that if Meghan says she is planning to attend, she is accused of trying to take the spotlight and attention away from the Queen, and if Meghan decides not to come, she is portrayed as ‘subbing' the Queen. Meghan can do no right. 

On a lighter note in what is a somber time for the Royal Family, since the announcement of his death, we have been hearing from many people around the World about the things they loved about Prince Phillip, including his straight talking and his wit.

A renowned petrol head who loved all types of vehicles, especially sports cars, Phillip was very loyal to the Land Rover brand, often pictured tooling around in one of their Discovery SUVs. Now we learn from the Royal Family website https://www.royal.uk/ that as part of his funeral arrangements, Prince Phillip’s coffin will be carried in a purpose-built Land Rover, which The Duke was involved in designing specifically for this purpose. That’s what you brand loyalty.

Which got me thinking about how other famous brand loyal people might design their funerals? 

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry and Archie  and you connect to me and to other listeners through the LinkedIn group for this podcast.  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13955922/

Show written and produced by Jeanette Songolo.

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/