It’s an annual tradition. The Queen hosts a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. And for the first time, Prince Harry has an official plus one. Here he is arriving with Meghan Markle. They always drive themselves on this occasion, right? Prince William was also seen pulling in today with Kate in the passenger seat and presumably a nanny behind them. So far no photos yet of Big G and Charlotte in the backseat. Will post if I get them and if they’re good.
But let’s focus now on Meghan’s first Christmas lunch with the Queen, ahead of her first proper Christmas with the Queen at Sandringham. This is the first major royal family event for Meghan, with all if not most senior royals in attendance and other members of Her Majesty’s extended family. It’s not a small deal. Not for her and definitely not for Harry either. Because, as we’ve seen through the years, he’d either show up with his dad or as a tag-along with his brother. Since Big G arrived, he’s had to sit next to Big G in the car on the way in. Now he gets to ride up front, behind the wheel, with his future wife at his side. Adulting, royal styles.
As for Meghan, I wonder if she was trained for this breakfast. Like what preparations they put her through. I mean, at the very least, she would have had to have been briefed on a schedule. This is when they serve the salad. This is when the alcohol comes out. Don’t drink before this person starts. Don’t do this with your hands. Try not to giggle. Here’s a list of all the people who will be there. You should start learning their names and memorising facts. Make sure you ask this dude about his garden. Do not mention horses around that lady.
These are rich judgy people. Among them: Princess Michael of Kent. You remember Princess Michael of Kent, don’t you? In 2004, in New York, she reportedly told a group of loud diners to “go back to the colonies”. They were black. And then, to defend herself, she was interviewed a couple of months later. This is what she said as a proof that she’s not racist:
"I even pretended years ago to be an African, a half-caste African, but because of my light eyes I did not get away with it, but I dyed my hair black," Princess Michael said.
Then she digs some more: "I travelled on African buses. I wanted to be a writer. I wanted experiences from Cape Town to right up in northern Mozambique. I had this adventure with these absolutely adorable, special people and to call me racist: it's a knife through the heart because I really love these people."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s who Meghan Markle’s hanging out with today. And Princess Michael of Kent can’t be an outlier. She’s not an exception. Don’t tell me she’s the only one in that family with these views. Meghan will have to navigate all of this, move through this world. And, also, disrupt it. Disrupt the f-ck out of it.
Here’s the Self Portrait dress Meghan wore today. And earrings by Canadian jeweller Birks.
