In the last few weeks we have been let into the mind of Meghan Markle and it is not a pretty place. I always assumed that she was envious of other royals, but it was incredibly shocking to read her call out three minor players in the Windsor dynasty in such an immature manner as part of her privacy lawsuit. It’s also validating as a royal watcher to see her and Harry crash and burn without Kensington Palace’s protections (and PR team, they deserve a raise). But I’m left with a question, what will be next?
Let’s Refresh Everything that has happened this year
In January, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex famously ‘stepped back’ from their role as senior royals. Many were left scratching their heads, because what exactly is a senior royal? And why can’t Meghan seem to hold down a job for longer than three years? First, let’s address the extremely vague statement given by the Sussexes, released via Instagram WITHOUT first running it by the Queen. It was probably the first sign that these two were done with respecting the monarchy, i.e. their elders. The statement was also released on the eve of Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday, which I noticed immediately, and it left such a sour taste in my mouth. The whole thing reeked of spiteful envy of her sister in law.
Within an hour or two of the statement release, Buckingham Palace released their statement that these matters were “complicated” and more information would be released in “due course.” This is code for neither of the Sussexes bothered to tell the Queen about them quitting their job. Most of us commoners have to give a two weeks-notice, and that’s mostly given to bosses who are not our grandmother.
Next were the demands. The Sussexes put up a list of requests on their website, hoping to strong arm the Queen into allowing them to profit off our their royal brand while keeping Frogmore Cottage, the Cornwall allowance, their HRH titles, public funded security and of course, overseas tours because what is a better photo op than with members of the Commonwealth that the Sussexes just abandoned?
In late January, Harry, the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William all sat down to hammer out the Sussex exit plan. And it turned out to be a hard Megxit. They were allowed to leave their roles, but could not use their HRH titles, they could not represent the Queen overseas or otherwise, Harry couldn’t keep his military titles, and what hurt the most, they could not continue using their SussexRoyal Instagram or Foundation name.
At this point, Meghan was in some billionaire’s mansion (rent free of course, when you become a Duchess you apparently don’t have to pay for your housing) in Canada. She had fled the country right after releasing her announcement. Leaving Harry to deal with the fall out.
Months passed in which we sparingly saw them, and then they had their farewell tour that completely turned my stomach. They paraded all around London and for once Meghan wore nice outfits. After 2 years in the royal family she finally got the memo that we don’t wear black unless someone died. A lot of people called this “revenge dressing” but I called it “marketing” only now do I realize they had no plan after their exit, because seriously. Archewell? Are they selling knock off cookies?
We learned pretty much the day they shut their Instagram down that they had been living in LA for QUITE some time. A huge insult to the Commonwealth, but it showed where their desires were. They wanted the fame but didn’t want to cut ribbons or meet with sick people at hospitals. They had only ever cared about getting nice pictures for their Instagram.
What’s the Current Situation?
Nowadays they are in either Tyler Perry’s house or someone else’s but Oprah has denied setting the real estate transaction up, so it’s not clear how they connected with Mr. Perry. Meghan received international attention after she spoke at her alma mater’s virtual graduation. In her speech she honored the life of George Floyd, who I will not disrespect on this page. I want justice for Mr. Floyd, so I will not put any disrespect on his name.
However, during this talk Meghan told the students that they should go out and vote. I’m not sure, but I think this is a huge gaffe for any member of the Royal Family. Senior royals do not vote, nor do they weigh in on any politics, domestic or abroad. Lady Campbell, a biographer of Meghan’s voiced a warning shortly after the talk in which she warned the Sussexes that they would lose all royal privileges if they did not stop wading into politics.
Meghan and Harry then pretty much immediately fired the Queen’s lawyers, who they had been using since January! Which makes me think that there is some weight to Lady C’s warnings.
Meghan’s lawsuit also had a plethora of shocking claims released last week. The most inflammatory being that the Palace had not protected her while she was pregnant. This has been ostensibly denied by the Palace, and it has since come out that Meghan wanted the Palace to deny stories that were true. That’s not how this works, and is honestly, shockingly similar to some other world leaders and their “alternative facts.” But Meghan’s claim has really riled up royal watchers. I’ve seen despicable things (from the Sussex squad of course) calling for revenge on the monarchy.
The Palace has refuted untrue stories about Meghan. But also, the stance of “No comment” has more power than she thinks. Catherine is wrapped up in so much mystery, that we can’t help but be interested in her and William’s lives. With Meghan and Harry wanting to share so much the magic of the royals is frankly lost. They are really shooting themselves in the foot by letting us see behind closed doors.
Meghan also attacked Harry’s first cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and Harry’s first cousin twice removed, Prince Michael of Kent. This was an extremely immature ploy on Meghan’s part, as these individuals keep a mainly low profile in the royal family. Meghan attacked them for being able to “undertake paid work” while also completing royal engagements. I know this statement had to have served some function in the legal context of the court case, but it just looked like she went through and cherry picked a paragraph and released it to the media in order to take revenge on these royals who have full-time jobs like normal people, they do not make millions from commercial deals. This was an incredibly childish thing to put in a legal document, and I am quite frankly ashamed of her lawyers for allowing this vitriolic and spiteful answer in the document.
When I thought things couldn’t get worse, Meghan and Harry come out swinging against the Commonwealth. You know, the voluntary assembly of 54 countries that champions peace and self-rule which Queen Elizabeth has dedicated her life to serving. That Commonwealth is apparently racist, and the countries that comprise it must reckon with the evils of colonialism.
It is no secret that many of the countries have dark histories, and the shadow of colonization persists to this day. But we do not need to hear it from two members of the Royal family who benefit from the very institution that caused harm almost a hundred years ago.
Further, Queen Elizabeth intends for the Commonwealth to be a way to bring all of these countries together, share resources and educational opportunities and pursue peace and equal rights for all. I really admire the Commonwealth, and as an American living in a country with 50 states, I see the benefit in making certain things between countries easy.
This was an incredibly cheap shot from Harry and Meghan as the Queen is 94 years old. She loves the Commonwealth, and I’d say it has done more good than harm over the last several decades. I don’t understand why Meghan and Harry felt that it was necessary to attack the Commonwealth, and I don’t understand why they are insulting the Queen’s life work. Plus, neither of them live in the Commonwealth so it is incredibly unfair (and frankly very imperial) to weigh in on the affairs of other countries.
What will Happen Next?
I’m going to predict that the attacks on the monarchy will only get more brazen as the months continue. A tell all interview in which Meghan slams the Queen (and if I’m being honest) Catherine and the York sisters, seems imminent. The Palace has sent the message that the two ex-royals may do whatever they want and they will suffer no recourse.
Meghan’s end game is to appear as the next Princess Diana. The comparisons have already begun with Meghan to Diana and Sarah Ferguson. Only we know that the Palace has changed everything in the wake of Diana. The women are protected, and like Catherine they may work part time until they are ready to assume full time royal duties. Allowing gradual entry into royal life. But Meghan turned it down and wanted to “hit the ground running.” And now complains that the Palace didn’t do enough for her. Meghan needs to know that this victim narrative is getting old. Stand up and be the feminist you say you are. Stop pointing fingers and move on with your life.
Further Reading:
The Commonwealth Website:
https://thecommonwealth.org/about-us
Old Article on the Legacy of British Imperialism
Information on Meghan's lawsuit:
British Opinion on the Merits of Meghan's Case
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