Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘Megxit’ is a Modern-Day ‘Leave and Cleave’ in Action…

Two of the Most Popular Biblical Couples Show How to Leave and Cleave...

 

Hello World,

I was one of millions of people the world over who watched Prince Harry & Meghan Markle get married on May 19, 2018. A wedding is one of my favorite occasions so a royal wedding upped the ante to royal proportions! In my glee, I even wrote a gushing blog post about the wedding “7 Reasons Why Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding Was the Best Royal Wedding Ever!!!”

But the trouble is for Prince Harry & Meghan Markle is that since then, the world has not stopped watching Prince Harry & Megan Markle. And watching, unfortunately, is not all that has been done. There has been scrutinizing which in their case is watching with a sinister twist. This scrutiny has led to harsh headlines…Below is a small sampling of the fevered coverage…

  1. “Getting up at 5am, bombarding aides with texts and her eyebrow-raising fashion: Palace insiders reveal how Hurricane Meghan is shaking up the Royals six months after the wedding.”
  2. “Danny Baker fired by BBC over royal baby chimp tweet”

  3. “’A Complete and Utter Bombshell’: Meghan Markle’s “High Risk” Lawsuit Shocks the British Press”

It got to the point that Megan Markle was painfully transparent about how these headlines made her feel in this documentary about their recent trip to Africa…See below…

In that clip, it is clear to see that change was on the horizon and that change was announced last Wednesday. In what has become known as “Megxit,” Prince Harry and Megan Markle announced in an Instagram post that they plan to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.” Additionally, they “plan to balance [their] time between the United Kingdom and North America.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image © PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on

They also launched a new website sussexroyal.com which includes an updated media policy that in which they explain they will “no longer participate in the Royal Rota system.” And they made sure to define this Royal Rota system:

The Royal Rota was established more than 40 years ago as a way of giving UK print and broadcast media exclusive inside access to the official engagements of members of the Royal Family.

Under this system, the rota, or pool, gives these British media representatives the opportunity to exclusively cover an event, on the understanding that they will share factual material obtained with other members of their sector who request it. The current system predates the dramatic transformation of news reporting in the digital age. The core group of UK outlets with Royal Rota access remain the predominant news source through which worldwide media organisations receive content on the official engagements of members of the Royal Family. These UK media outlets are: The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, The Daily Mirror, The Evening Standard, The Telegraph, The Times, The Sun.

On the same day that Princess Harry and Meghan Markle announced their redefined Royal stance, this is the headline The Daily Mail published…”Once Prince Harry was the life and soul of the party, so how did he go from a fun loving bloke… to Prince of Woke?”

Correct me if I’m wrong but there has been a racist tinge to some of The Daily Mail Headlines…Here’s one from before they were married…”EXCLUSIVE: Harry’s girl is (almost) straight outta Compton: Gang-scarred home of her mother revealed – so will he be dropping by for tea?”

From what I understand, the racist tinge to Meghan Markle coverage by the British tabloids is part of what has influenced Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to fight back… Here are two articles that explain this…

“As a woman of colour, I applaud Meghan for refusing to keep calm and carry on” by Natalie Morris

I’m so happy that this couple has taken charge of their family and is launching literally and figuratively into new territory. This principle is Biblical as it is plainly stated in Genesis, the very first chapter of the Bible…

 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

And there are several examples of new couples taking charge of their family and launching into new territory…Below are two of the most dramatic examples of leaving and cleaving…

  • In Genesis 12, it is stated…”Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee…And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
  • In Luke 2, it is stated…”And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David: To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

I’m not saying that in every case that a new couple has live away from family (especially if finances prevent that), but boundaries of some sort have to be put in place so that emotionally a couple can create a new life as one. I don’t think Prince Harry and Meghan Markle originally wanted to separate from the Royal Family in such a dramatic fashion, but I’ve often found that a breakdown is necessary for a breakthrough. And I believe that now, finally, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle can live happily ever after as royals are supposed to do…

And while this issue was brought on by many tears, I’m reasonably sure, I hope that some of these memes and commentary since Megxit have caused them to laugh…hopefully so, anyway…here are two that made me chuckle…

Reportedly, the entire Royal family will be meeting tomorrow with Meghan conference calling in from Canada (YES!) to discuss these recent developments…Let’s hope Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stay strong on their new stance…

#Megxit…

Any thoughts?

 

See ‘Destination Wedding’ Novel Launch Party Photos & More!!!

Hello World,

It’s hard to believe that the first seven days of 2020 are now in the past…It’s even harder to believe that it’s been just over a month since my debut novel Destination Wedding was released on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019! After my blog post “Candace Bushnell from ‘Sex and the City’ Has Endorsed ‘Destination Wedding,’ Which is Out TODAY!!!” on Dec. 3, I took a hiatus from blogging but trust I still had more to do regarding the launch of my novel. One of those things was a fun LAUNCH PARTY at Auburn Avenue Research Library African American Culture and History in downtown Atlanta! Since you weren’t there, I’m sharing pics and a video from the big day! I hope you enjoy them 🙂

Isn’t that nice? My book cover on a cake…

A friend and my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated sister helped me to set up before the event…

Just a few snacks for guests…

Dr. Stewart and my father, Dr. Holness, are from Jamaica so they had lots to discuss…

My supportive hubby taking pictures with my father-in-law in the background…

Guests helping themselves…

Me & Carla Morrison, president of the Friends of Auburn Avenue Research Library…

My line sisters greeting each other. I have the BEST line sisters…

My husband is so handsome…

My line sister brought me flowers!!!

Me and my line sister…

My parents and in-laws…I’m blessed…

They were into the conversation…

We were having a very enlightening conversation if I say so myself…

Dr. Stewart is focused…

It’s going well…

Dr. Stewart breaking it down…

And now book signing…

Why do I look so uncomfortable? Latoicha Andino of luxetipsmag.com says I’m not a good hugger…LOL…

Me and my younger soror and her friend…

So glad that so many of my friends came out and supported…

One of my friends bought SEVEN books!!!

I met one of my Twitter friends for the FIRST time. I had no idea she was so statuesque…

Me and my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated line sisters who came out…

Me and my beloved parents…

Wrapping things up…We didn’t even plan to wear the same colors…

Also, check out snippet of our conversation below…

So if you haven’t checked out Destination Wedding, what are you waiting on?

Any thoughts?

Candace Bushnell from ‘Sex and the City’ Has Endorsed ‘Destination Wedding,’ Which is Out TODAY!!!

My Book Launch Event Will Be at Auburn Avenue Research Library on Dec. 11!!!

Hello World,

DESTINATION WEDDING IS OUT TODAY!!! As the topic of Destination Wedding is love, romance and dating in the city of Atlanta (although the story is applicable to love, romance and dating wherever you are), I was thoroughly inspired by Sex and the City, which is about love, romance and dating in New York City. In fact, below is the first paragraph of the preface of my book.

In December 2009, after nearly seven years of preparing myself to meet THE ONE through prayer, self-help books, counseling, online dating, seminars, and on and on, I finally lost hope that he was even out there at all. I felt like Charlotte on my favorite single-girl television show of all time, Sex and the City, when she whined to her friends Carrie, Miranda, and Samantha, “I’ve been dating since I was fifteen. I’m exhausted. Where is he?” before dropping her head, face first, onto the table in front of her. A relationship that I had dreamed of having years earlier finally happened—only to dissolve like a dream too good to be true within a couple of months. I was devastated and despondent. After swearing off my small library of self-help books on relationships that I had lovingly acquired over that nearly seven-year period and declaring that not a single dollar would be spent on another one, I concluded that God’s plan for my life did not include marriage and I would have to be okay with that.

So I wrote the preface at the beginning of this year. When I wrote that, it never occurred to me that I could seek an endorsement from Candace Bushnell, whose Sex and the City column led to the creation of the wildly successful HBO series of the same name! And I’m a major fan of Sex and the City! Just this summer, I attended a Sex and the City pop-up event at a local restaurant. But beside that, I have been on the Sex and the City bus tour in Manhattan, I have the Sex and the City trivia game, I have seen every episode of Sex and the City three times and more…

Well, at the beginning of September, I attended The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas where Bishop T.D. Jakes preached a sermon entitled “Grasping the Moment,” and it really inspired me! Fast forward to the end of September! I attended a book signing event for Candace here in Atlanta. She was promoting her latest book Is There Still Sex in the City? Y’all, prior to the event, I wrote a letter asking for her endorsement and put it in a package along with an advance copy of my book. So when I got to the location of the signing, I contemplated sitting in the front row as I got there early and seats were available there. But this verse came to me: “But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.” Luke 14:10. Y’all, I sat in the second row, and one of Candace‘s friends, who lives in Atlanta, just happened to sit in front of me in the first row. We got to talking. I told her about my book. She introduced me to Candace after the event. And it went from there. Check out a picture of us together (ABOVE) and the tweet she sent me after the event (BELOW)! Talk about grasping the moment! I wouldn’t have thought to do that if I hadn’t heard that sermon weeks earlier!

Below is her official endorsement:

“It’s terrific!” – Candace Bushnell, New York Times bestselling author of Sex and the City and Is There Still Sex in the City?

Short and sweet, but the point is made. But she is not the only one who has endorsed Destination Wedding! My favorite childhood author of ALL time Brenda Wilkinson also endorsed Destination Wedding! You can read how I tracked her down HERE: Lost Southern Voice Brenda Scott Wilkinson, a Georgia Writers Hall of Fame Nominee, Has Been Found…

Since then, we’ve met, and I took her out to lunch. And she signed my copy of her book Ludell and Willie that I’ve had since I’ve had since I was a little girl. And this is what she said about Destination Wedding:

“The timing of Jacqueline J. Holness’ story is perfect as the subject of ‘black women finding a suitable partner’ becomes the main topic of conversation when three or more of us gather. I discovered this to be true even among senior black women. I was a guest at a book club of professional women in New York recently where they went way off topic bemoaning the lack of mates for their daughters and nieces…Indeed, it is hard out there for a sister – which is why her book is important.”  – Brenda Wilkinson, Georgia Writers Hall of Fame nominee and author of LudellLudell and Willie and Ludell’s New York Time

And I’ve also been endorsed by three other authors that I respect for their work AND their character. Below are their endorsements:

“Jacqueline J. Holness has penned a delightful read that puts a new spin on the age-old dilemma of the beautiful, successful, single black woman finding a mate! Did I say beautiful and successful? Set in the Black Mecca – The ATL – Destination Wedding will have you asking, ‘Why is this so hard?’ I found myself in the moment, rooting for these women – and thoroughly enjoyed their journeys to happily-ever-after.” – Monica Richardson, author of the Talbots of Harbour Island series

“In need of a getaway? Destination Wedding is the read you need. Filled with characters that will remind you of your girlfriends and unexpected adventures,it’s the perfect vacation read.” Chandra Sparks Splond, author and blogger

“In Destination Wedding, Jacqueline J. Holness takes readers on page-turning twists and turns that hijack several friendships on the path to love. If you’re eager for an entertaining read that will leave you rooting for the characters as if they’re your friends, pick up your copy today.” – Stacy Hawkins Adams, multi-published author of Coming HomeWatercolored PearlsThe Someday List and more

Also, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 6-8 p.m., join me and Dr. Dianne M. Stewart, Emory University professor and author of the forthcoming Black Women, Black Love: America’s War on African American Marriage at a hub of African American culture in Atlanta, the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, on Sweet Auburn.

We will discuss the hijinks in Destination Wedding AND systemic and structural factors that affect black women and black love in America from a research-based perspective –a robust conversation that is needed during cuffing season.

As this is the official launch for Destination Wedding, copies will be sold ($15 plus tax) and signed following the conversation.

To register for this event, go to Eventbrite.com.

To order your copy of Destination Wedding, click on one of the websites below!!!

                       

Yay Destination Wedding! Yay God! Yay Me!

Any thought?