Latest news with #SmartWorks
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
‘Meghan Meghan is too vacuous. Why can't she promote women in a realistic way?' slams expert
Lydia Major Published: Invalid Date, MEGHAN Markle has thrown herself into her jam-making business venture and Netflix cooking show this year. However, royal experts have blasted the Duchess of Sussex, 43, for focusing on 'vacuous' projects following ditching royal life and charity work. 5 5 Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, broadcaster Esther Krakue and Royal Reporter Bronte Coy spoke about Meghan's recent ventures. Bronte claimed: '[She's a] professional hot girl. 'She's a content creator slash influencer now, I would say. 'And there's nothing wrong with those things. 'But the influencer part, she's selling the stuff on Instagram.' Esther added of the former Suits actress: 'I mean, I find it strange that she didn't quite lean into the things that she has professional credits for, like she didn't do some theatre charity or things? 'I just wish she did things that are less vacuous.' She added that she'd like to see Meghan focus on topics such as theatre, art, and also 'promoting women in a realistic way, not this kind of very glossy sheen.' In the past, Meghan has been an advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment, doing a 2015 speech on International Women's Day at the UN. As a working royal, Prince Harry's wife supported numerous women-focused charities, including Smart Works, a UK charity helping unemployed women get back to work, and bringing out a cook book with Hubb Community Kitchen, following the tragic Grenfell Fire in London. Meghan's idea of parenting was a no-go from the beginning, Harry's much more hard-lined Speaking of Meghan's eight-part podcast, Confessions of Female Founder, which featured successful female entrepreneurs and their business and family journeys, Esther claimed many of the women weren't relatable. The London-based broadcaster and columnist explained: 'All these rich women with very rich husbands that had very little to lose, except a couple of her guests. 'Just be real, just be honest and do something that's a bit more authentic, I think.' Helping hand Bronte agreed, sharing how the average mum can't relate to an A-lister speaking about the 'struggles' of home life, while employing a nanny. She added: 'I have a son, and when I hear people from positions of great privilege where they can afford nannies and a lot of help go on and on and on about the working mum thing. 'Yes, it's time away from your kid, I definitely understand that aspect. 'But it's not the same as the working mum idea that, you know, a lot of the rest of the world has to deal with. 'You do have help. And also you are at home a lot. I don't know. I find that a little bit grating.' I find it strange that she didn't quite lean into the things that she has professional credits for, like she didn't do some theatre charity or things. I just wish she did things that are less vacuous Esther Craikoobroadcaster However, Esther stressed: 'I don't even want to feel like we're beating down on everything she does. 'I genuinely wish her all the success, but I feel sad that she feels the need to be this thing that she's clearly not.' The Duchess of Sussex previously shared how she's relied on a nanny for five years to help her raise Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three. The mum-of-two opened up on her close pal's podcast, The Jamie Kern Lima Show. 5 5 Meghan told how jam-packed her morning routine is - before the nanny drops her kids to school and she "jumps into meetings". This year Meghan has been busy with the release of her latest Netflix series With Love, Meghan, in which she hosted Hollywood pals. Shortly after came the roll out of her brand As Ever, despite the company facing a series of setbacks. The mum-of-two then dropped Confessions Of A Female Founder, which has just finished its first season. The Duchess has also been promoting her ShopMy page, where she shares links to her wardrobe and pockets a commission. THE Duchess of Sussex has kept busy since stepping down as a senior working royal in 2020 and relocating to California. Here are some of her business ventures... Archewell Foundation – A nonprofit supporting charitable initiatives. Netflix Deal – Producing content like Harry & Meghan and With Love, Meghan. Archetypes Podcast – Former Spotify show on female stereotypes. Clevr Blends – Investment in a women-owned wellness latte brand. Cesta Collective – Minority stake in a handbag brand supporting Rwandan artisans. As Ever – Previously known as American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand selling jam. ShopMy Page – Online store featuring her curated fashion and beauty items. New Podcast – Confessions of a Female Founder focusing on entrepreneurship.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What Does it Actually Mean to Be the Duchess of Sussex?
Despite being two of the most famous people in the world, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex still manage to confuse vast swaths of their fanbase. Sussex isn't exactly their surname, but, as Markle put it, it is a family name—kind of. 'You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children.,'" Markle recently told Mindy Kaling on an episode of With Love, Meghan. "And that feels so…I didn't know how meaningful it would be, but it just means so much to go, 'This is our family name, our little family name.'" Being a Duchess, however, is about more than feeling connected to one's children. When Markle married into the British royal family on May 19, 2018, her new title brought it with a whole host of duties and responsibilities. Ahead, what it actually means to be a Duchess, and whether or not Markle and Harry kept the moniker after stepping down as senior royals in January 2020. After tying the knot at St. George's Chapel on May 18, 2018, Meghan Markle became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, and Baroness Kilkeel. Likewise, Queen Elizabeth bestowed three titles on Prince Harry: Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel. The titles are therefore not inherited but given by the British monarch. In much the same way, Prince William and Kate Middleton became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they married back in 2011. Of course, they have since also become the Prince and Princess of Wales, following King Charles's ascension to the throne in 2023. The titles of Duke and Duchess are the best one can do when marrying into the royal family, with one key exception: if you married, say, the heir to the throne, you would then become a Princess (exhibit A: Kate Middleton). Otherwise, the titles of Prince and Princess are exclusively inherited. Thus, Prince Harry will be a Prince forever, whereas Markle will likely never become a Princess. The proper way to address a Duchess (or a Duke) is "your grace." It turns out the previous Duke of Sussex (who was around 175 years ago) had two marriages deemed "illegal" by King George III, and thus, there was no Duchess of Sussex. When Prince Harry was granted the title in 2018, Markle then became the first person to ever hold the title Duchess of Sussex. The title was essentially extinct until Harry and Markle married. It is not a surname, however; it is a noble title. In simplest terms, a Duchess is the wife of a Duke. Markle had several responsibilities tied to her senior position in the royal family, including serving as the royal patron for several organizations: the National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Smart Works, and Mayhew. These patronages were removed when the couple stepped down in 2020. "Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service," an official statement from the Palace read at the time. "The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family." Though she is no longer Her Royal Highness, Markle retained the title of Duchess when she stepped down as a senior royal. Because the title was granted to her by Queen Elizabeth, removing it would actually require an Act of Parliament. That, or King Charles could order them to relinquish the titles. Both options are highly unlikely, however. In all likelihood, Harry and Meghan will remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for the rest of their lives. Archie and Lilibet, meanwhile, inherited the titles of Prince and Princess from their father, given that he is a son of the King. Read the original article on InStyle
