Episode 75: The Royal Family Drama AKA "Megxit"

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Paige: You're listening to “Coffee with Gringos.” I’m Paige Sutherland.

Ian: And I’m Ian Kennedy.  

Paige: So today, we're gonna talk about some recent news that just happened. It's pretty big news coming out of the UK. It is about the royal family. So, lots of drama over there. So, Ian is quite an expert (haha), so he's going to break it down for us—our news correspondent. Okay, so again listeners if you get lost, check out that transcript online as well as the vocabulary guide. Okay so, Ian: “Megxit” … big scandal here. “The Meghan Brexit.” Tell us a little bit about what you know.

Ian: It's all I can think about—I can't sleep at night. I'm just thinking about this “Megxit” and what's going to happen and how it's affecting the people and the world and…. No, to be honest, I don't know that much. But I do know that Meghan Markle and Harry of the British royal family, they have made the announcement that they would like to leave the royal family and, I guess, what? Accept lives as normal citizens? That's how that works?

Paige: Basically, they're going to make their own money. And, like, split time between North America and the UK. Which if you're in the royal family I think you have to live in like the house that they give you.

Ian: Yeah, I would imagine. So, this is, I mean, this is, I guess, pretty big news, actually. I don't know, has this ever happened before? The fact that royal members have basically said “We want to do our own thing.”?

Paige: It's funny you asked. So, one of my students is, like, obsessed with the royal family. He, like, tells me all about it. Basically, he peer pressured me to watch “The Crown.”  I was like, “It looks really boring, I'm not interested in the royal family.” And he’s like, “No, no.” So, I said like, “Okay, I'll watch it so we can talk about it.” I tried, maybe three episodes and it's, no offense listeners, it's pretty boring. But it's real, which I like. It’s the real history of the royal family. So, like, because I know nothing, I learned a lot. And one of the few episodes I saw, one of the older kings married an American. And he was, like, madly in love. And she was a divorcee, which you can't marry a divorcee in the royal family—it looks really bad. You can't live outside of the UK. And he was like, “She wants to live in America, she's the love of my life.” And he, like, gave up the throne. He was king, and he said, “No, like, I'd rather be with my wife.” And he moved to America and it was, like, a huge scandal—a big deal. So, this is a little different since Harry is not king, he’s just in line to the throne. But pretty similar, he married an American and chose love over royalty, basically. So yeah, that's my knowledge of it but, I think, when the news came out, I did, like, more research because I know nothing. And it seemed like the main problem was the press.

Ian: Like most of the time… Sorry, you're a journalist, but…

Paige: Not that kind of journalists. When I say press, it's really tabloids.

Ian: Okay.  

Paige: You know, in the UK, the tabloid business is, like, really, really big. I mean, they would follow these people while they're, like, taking shits. Like, it's, like, everything they do is news. That photos of it and they lie, they manipulate the photos, they, like, have headlines that's, like, just, like, so cruel.

Ian:  It’s a little slimy.

Paige: Yeah. So, because she's American, she's not royal. She, kind of, got a lot of the heat from these tabloids. Like, she was the main target and, like, when I was reading more about it, it seemed like Kate Middleton, who's the wife of William, who's the brother of Harry, is from royalty. She's, like, kind of, like, the perfect cookie cutter to fit in a family where Meghan Markel isn't because she's American, she's an actress, she's just, like, outside the family. So, it would be, like, I was reading an article and it was, like, “Kate Middleton wears, like, wedge shoes” and it, like, sets a fashion trend. It's, like, awesome, like, that's what the news, the tabloids report. And then, like, three months later, Meghan Markle wears the same shoes and they're like, “So disrespectful.” So, it’s like she was just getting such a raw deal and the press, like, she could never do anything right—she was always targeted. So, I think she just was, like, exhausted. “I can't do this anymore.”

Ian: “Yeah, I'm done.” Yeah, I don't blame her. I'm sure it's tough having that kind of coverage all the time and have your life under a microscope all the time, and I think it could be a really good thing. I'm sure, financially, they're still going to be totally fine, but yeah, living a more normal life out of that limelight of royalty. You know, I can see why somebody would want to just have that normal life, so I totally get it. Now do you think the queen is pretty pissed off about this decision? Or do you think she's accepting of it?

Paige: It's tough. I mean, she's so old—I don't know. To be honest, I don't know, like, how much she's “there.” I don't know. I mean, she's what…92?  She's very, very old, and she might just be, like, “I don't care anymore.” But because she's really old, if she is, like, still very, like, with it, I bet she is pissed. Because, like, if she's that old, she's very traditionalist, she's had the crown for so many years—her whole life. She probably thinks it's, like, disrespectful, dishonoring the family. And it seemed from the news that I read that it wasn't…the way that they announced it was, like, on Instagram. So, it didn't seem like they, kind of, talked to her and, like, had her in the loop of everything. So, she might have felt blindsided a little. I don’t know.

Ian: I was gonna say I, again, I don't know. You know, what exactly to believe from what from what you can read. But I had heard that it was sort of a shocking announcement, that they hadn't really discussed that much with the family. So maybe in that sense it was a little shocking for all of them to hear that. But yes, so how does this move forward from here? What’s the process, I guess, for them leaving the royal family? Do they have to go through some, kind of, exit process? I don't know, I know we said “Megxit”, but what does that really mean?

Paige: I was kind of surprised too, because when it first came out, I think, like, everything with news, it just gets blown out of proportion. But when I read something a few days later, it seemed like they're not removing themselves from the royal family, they're removing themselves from senior positions. So, they're no longer going to get paid by the government, which I didn't even know the royal family got paid by the government. That's messed up.

Ian: Yeah.

Paige: So, they're no longer going to take money, they're going to make their own money. So, they're going to do less, like, diplomatic visits. Where, like, before, in the royal family, you have to go to Africa, you have to go to different countries in Europe and, like, make speeches and go to events and shake hands. So, they won't be doing that as much, but I guess Harry's still in line for the throne. And it's also up in the air of where they're going to live because his wife is pretty all over the place. She was, like, born in California, lived in Chicago, New York, had her career in Canada. There's no, like, home center. So, who knows where they're going to spend their time.  

Ian: Right. That’s another kind of uncertainty, where are they going to be? And they won't even, they probably won't even be living much in England. So, I'm sure for the family it's a little bit like having like a family member tell you they're moving really far away and disassociating themselves a little bit. So, I'm sure it's not easy, especially on such a global and newsworthy level, right. It's definitely making headlines for that reason. And just a quick reminder if you are interested in taking private classes with Dynamic English, go ahead and check out our website at dynamicenglish.cl. and there you can sign up for private classes in your apartment, in your house, in your office. You can even now take classes online, sitting on your couch, you can log on and practice English. It's very easy. So, if you're interested, check us out also on social media through Facebook or Instagram.

Paige: What's your thoughts on the royal family? I feel like people are either obsessed, or they just, like, don't care.

Ian: I give, like, zero shits about the royal family—I really couldn't care less. For me, they're just it's just like celebrities. And, yeah, I think it's pretty messed up that they get paid by the government just for being royal. Just for being born into this wealthy family—already wealthy and famous family. So, I guess, that that comes from tax dollars?

Paige: I know, I was surprised too, because, I guess, they're like part of the government.

Ian: I'd be pissed off if I was a taxpayer in England and I was paying for the royal family’s quote-unquote what? Their salaries? Their incomes? Whatever that means.

Paige: Because they don’t really do much.

Ian: Yeah, anymore they’re just, you know, cultural icons. They're not really ruling, they're not making any decisions, then it's hard for me to, kind of, justify them getting paid by the government.

Paige: I agree. I was pretty shocked by that too. The other thing that I read too, when this news broke, was that when they said they're going to make their own money, I knew nothing about them. Like, what are they going to do? But, I guess, since Harry's mother was Princess Diana, and she died very young, she left the boys a lot of money. So, he has, like, millions of dollars—from sad news—but from his mother's death. And then Meghan Markle was, like, a fairly successful actress. So, she, like, is doing okay. It was funny, like, they were like, the news broke and they're like, “Are they gonna be poor? Like, what are they gonna do?” And it was, like, “Well, their net worth is only $29 million.” Like, only $29 million?

Ian:  Man, it’s gonna be rough.

Paige: I know, and they'll only have three houses.

Ian: Yeah, what a tough life. No, I think, though I think they're gonna get by just fine. I don't think they're going to be begging in the street.

Paige: I think what will be tough too is to escape from the tabloids. It's just something I feel, like, you can't control—like, you’re royal whether you deny it or not. And you're always going to be news to people because so many people care about it. So, I feel bad. It's kind of, like, they want to live simple lives, and they, kind of, just never can, you know.

Ian: You know, what is normal? When you come from the royal family your definition of normal is different from anyone else’s.  So, even to them, what they probably, what they're going to feel is, quote-unquote “normal” wouldn't be normal for someone like you or me or any other person. So, again, it's all relative to the life they're living now or the life they had before and what's going to be happening in the future. But like I said, they got money. They know people, they're going to be fine.

Paige: Do you feel like if they, say, they moved to California, do you think they'll get a lot of attention? Or, like, do you think they'll just get, like, average? Because there's so many celebrities out there.

Ian: Yeah, I was gonna say I think, like, if they get to California, you know, especially if they're near LA (Los Angeles), Hollywood—probably not a big deal. I feel like there's so many celebrities already that are already there and really in the US, in general, right. We have so many celebrities and so many that, I don't wanna say people worship, but people really put on a pedestal. And so, you know, they might be in that group. But I think they might have a chance to, kind of, blend in a little bit if they go somewhere like that. Because yeah, it's just not that big of a deal I feel like for the majority of people. So, who knows, maybe they'll join those celebrity groups or maybe they'll just be able to walk the streets and not get bothered. Who knows, we'll see.

Paige: She can wear her wedge shoes.

Ian: Yeah, yeah. Without getting ripped on. Exactly, yeah.

Paige: So, that's really all we know about the royal family but I bet it will be quite a developing story.

Ian: Yeah, I'm sure we'll see a lot of tabloid headlines and a lot of people talking about it so, we'll see what happens.

Paige: So again, if you get lost, check out that transcript and audio guide. And as always, thanks for listening.

Ian: We'll see you next time.

Paige: “Coffee with Gringos” was brought to you by Dynamic English, where you can learn English simply by using it. If you’re interested in taking classes or just want to learn more, go to our website at dynamicenglish.cl. Thanks for listening.

Key Vocabulary, Phrases and Slang:

1.     break (it) down (phrasal verb): to explain something clearly.

a.     The teacher is going to break down the lesson for us.

2.     correspondent (noun): a person who reports on certain events for broadcasting.

a.     She has been a foreign correspondent in Korea for years.

3.     obsessed (adjective): to be completely and extremely worried or interested in something.

a.     I have been obsessed with ceviche since moving to Santiago!

4.     to peer pressure (verb): to influence or pressure someone of the same age (peer) into doing something.

a.     The boys peer pressured him into doing something stupid.

5.     madly (adverb): extremely, insanely.

a.     He is madly in love with the girl that he met on vacation.

6.     throne (noun): a special chair only used for royalty.

a.     The king sat on his throne inside the big castle.

7.     rather (adverb): word used to signify preference for something.

a.     I would rather eat seafood than beef for dinner tonight.

8.     press (noun): media, news, broadcasters

a.     The press is always looking for the interesting and controversial stories.

9.     tabloid (noun): newspapers and magazines that mostly discuss rumors and gossip.

a.     I hate reading the tabloids. The stories are always so stupid and untrue!

10.  taking a shit (idiom, informal, vulgar): to defecate, to poop.

a.     Wait a few minutes. I have to take a shit before we leave.

11.  slimy (adjective): immoral, dishonest.

a.     He was a slimy salesman who didn’t care what he had to do to be successful.

12.  get heat (idiom): to receive lots of criticism.  

a.     She got lots of heat for the comment she made about the immigrants.

13.  cookie-cutter (adjective): ordinary, not unique.

a.     He was the cookie-cutter employee and did everything the same as the rest.

14.  trend (noun): something popular, in fashion.

a.     She knows all the newest trends in music and fashion.

15.  raw deal (noun): receiving harsh or unfair treatment.

a.     Her boss gave her a raw deal with the impossibly hard solo project.

16.  targeted (adjective): selected as the aim of an attack.

a.     The press targeted her every day and she almost couldn’t leave her house.

17.  exhausted (adjective): extremely tired.

a.     I am so exhausted after spending two weeks trekking in Patagonia.

18.  limelight (noun): the focus of public attention.

a.     The actor was so excited to be in the limelight following the new movie.

19.  pissed off (adjective, informal): angry.

a.     My mom was really pissed off when I didn’t wash my dishes.

20.  in the loop (phrasal verb): to be aware of something.

a.     He was completely in the loop for the surprise birthday party for his mom.

21.  blindsided (adjective): completely surprised, unprepared.

a.     I felt so blindsided when my brother told me he was moving to China.

22.  messed up (adjective, informal): wrong, immoral.

a.     I think it’s messed up that he left the restaurant without paying his bill.

23.  up in the air (idiom): not confirmed, unsure.

a.     The destination for our vacation next year is up in the air.

24.  to disassociate (verb): disconnect, separate.  

a.     She decided to disassociate with the church after many years.

25.  to give zero shits (phrasal verb, informal): to not care about or ignore something.

a.     I give zero shits about that TV show. It’s so boring!

26.  quote-unquote (phrase): to indicate something someone specifically said but perhaps isn’t really true.

a.     Her dad said that their pet rabbit quote-unquote, “ran away” but I think the dog ate it.

27.  net worth (noun): how much wealth someone has through assets.

a.     Jeff Bezos has the highest net worth in the world.

28.  to beg (verb): to ask earnestly or humbly for something.  

a.     The man on the street was begging him for money and food.

29.  to worship (verb): to completely adore and love something or someone.

a.     She worships her older sister and wants to be exactly like her when she is older.

30.  to put on a pedestal (phrasal verb): to admire or love someone so much that you believe they have no faults.

a.     Her parents put her brother on a pedestal. They think he is perfect.

31.  to blend in (phrasal verb): to be the same as everything around you.

a.     They moved to a small town very far away so they could blend in with the locals.

32.  ripped on (adjective, informal, slang): to be insulted or made fun of.

a.     My brother ripped on me for losing to him in FIFA.