The online pile-on directed at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over their Netflix series is as unfathomable as it is ironic.
In a world where too many young women are not able to find their voice, we have a young articulate woman with a worldwide audience telling her truth and influencing others. The response is vitriol and hatred in forests of print and terabytes of copy and days of talkback — racist, sexist and deeply personal.
In a world where too many young men (and women) are enveloped by mental health challenges, we have a young prince eschewing a mandatory life of privilege and speaking out for those struggling in our armed forces, and those grieving a lost parent, and for equality generally. The response is a tsunami of abuse: he is labelled spoilt, a nuisance, and someone who is easily led. Commentators like Piers Morgan accuse him of being a grifter who used his royal title to put money in his pocket.
In a world where we decry loneliness and a lack of focus on family, two people have fallen in love, married, and spend their days playing with their children. And that’s seen as bad.
Yes, I’ve watched the Netflix series and will do the same on Thursday night. Parts of the first three episodes are a bit cringey. Some of it raises more questions. And some of it could face a good edit. But the over-proportionate response is what we should be discussing more, because it goes to the heart of the royal family, the issue of a republic and the role of the media.
The palace has a very strong taxpayer-funded voice, and if it wants to take on the runaway prince and his bold and forthright wife it should use it.
At the moment it looks like it is hiding behind those historic palace walls, with the voice of the royal family being heard in the unsourced comments of “disappointment” spread across the UK and global media. That’s the media simply playing into the hands of the “establishment” over one of their own — protecting a family whose sins in a confessional are much less venial than those committed by Prince Ginger.
Just a reminder here that Harry’s father, King Charles, wanted to come back after death and live in the “trousers” of Camilla, now the queen consort. And he joked that might involve him being a tampon.
Or let’s take Prince Andrew. It is impossible to equate the serious allegations levelled against him as anywhere near the trivial accusations made about Harry — that he dare leave his family, find love, and live in another country.
On the scale of misdemeanours, Harry wants to be more than a spare prince. He wants to make a mark in the world and to use his voice where he might foster real influence. And all kudos to him. His sin was that on top of that outrageous desire of wanting to find his own path, he fell in love with someone who doesn’t see the value in smiling demurely and not talking. Good on her, too.
We should hope that all our daughters find and use their voice like Markle, and that that not be considered a heinous public crime. Don’t we want them to rally against injustice, fight for their dreams, take on the jobs they want, and give back to the communities they serve? Isn’t that behind the awe and gratitude we have for Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame and Chantel Contos?
That’s simply what Markle is doing, just on a bigger scale.
I didn’t think race was part of this whole picture until last week — and the awful response to the experience the couple claim they have had. Most families have disagreements. Most families have a wayward aunt or an embarrassing uncle you’d like to hide at a family barbecue. Many have a child who doesn’t choose to travel the family route.
But look at the response here. And what a lost opportunity for the new king to have a young, powerful couple working to make the world a better place.
Perhaps the most unfathomable — and ironic — part of the debate is the number of avowed republicans who have a view on every sentence this couple, now based in America, utters. There’s a solution to that: if you don’t like them, don’t watch their Netflix interview.
Don’t add to the hate and hostility that has coloured, globally, an interview with two young parents who simply want to find their own way.
Do Harry and Meghan deserve the vitriol being poured over them? Let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
We shouldn’t be at all surprised that the Angertainment Complex is exploiting the juxtaposition of a dusty old institution and a modern woman & couple as the focal point of its attempt to wring money out of an easily outraged public.
It is essentially a modern day Victorian Morality Play where in order for the audience to follow, characters must become one-dimensional cyphers for virtue and vice.
It is significant how the bile is all coming from the anti-woke brigade, the lowest form of dog-whistling bigots you’ll ever chance to meet and of whom Morgan and Jones are long-established stormtroopers.
From a political POV, apart from craven servitude to corporatism and a hypocritical adherence to conservative Christianity, it’s all the right has left to assault centrist / progressive politics as the failures of neoliberalism are laid bare.
Spectacular comment. I wish I could use words like this
Meghan wasn’t a silent, head down, waiting for years, after being watched and assessed, type of royal wife.
Meghan came with a successful acting career behind her and her own money and no intention of sucking up.
Meghan tried to conform and nearly died.
Kate wins with her eating disorder evident for those who look.
What does she win?
A series of disastrous overseas tours and possibly the title of Queen Consort and King’s mother, if she lives that long.
Meghan and Harry have a happy life.
It doesn’t seem to be a happy life, since their eleborate wedding they have done little else but bitch about how hard done by they have been. Making money out of their misery has a shorter life than they think because people will become over it, if they haven’t already, then what will they think up to keep the dollars flowing in?
I don’t think they’re short of a quid, Daibhin. I sincerely doubt they ever will be.
Funny you should mention Kate’s appearance, Ratty. I keep pointing out to my family that she’s now so underweight her head looks too big for her body and her eyes look too big for her face. I suspect the only reason she has any colour is courtesy of expertly applied fake tan. So looks ill. Every day in every way she reminds more and more of her deceased mother-in-law- and not in a good way.
Hilary Mantel picked up on it back in 2013, remember?
Same old trope, pitting one woman against another. Disappointing comment.
Who?
…and why?
What’s Netflix?
Bloody modbot and it’s “M-word” obsession…..
….” If I want to be manipulated I’ll go see a chiropractor, or read a Mudroch rag – like King’s old Curry or Maul.”
Sledging Meghan has become a favourite indoor sport of Murdoch’s tabloids and Sky Noise Presumably it helps sales and ratings
I don’t watch this stuff. I was born during old Liz II’s first visit here. I had no quarrel with the late Queen, but I have despised her successor for some years. I do not believe in cheating on your wife. Given the disgraceful way that Diana was treated by Charles, (oh but of course the Prince will have affairs) and the rest of the soc called Firm, what the hell is Harry supposed to do. He spent some time doing genuine good in the world, as his mum did, but unfortunately fell for the “wrong type of woman”. Given the lying scum of the tabloids here and in the UK- many times worse- their ranting is utterly hypocritical. If Piers Morgan hates her then I’ll give her a medal.