A Royal Exit
No one is safe from the scrutiny of the British press… especially the Royals
With the current news of TV presenter Caroline Flack’s suicide, the public are realising now more than ever, how relentless and bullying the British press can really be. When you’re in the spotlight, you can do no right.
We recently found out that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, have decided to step down as senior members of The Royal Family. This announcement was received with mixed opinions. But are we really surprised?
Following their announcement, multiple articles have been unearthed, showcasing the stark contrast between how the Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, have been portrayed in the British media.
Having recently become hooked on the royal series, The Crown, I’ve developed a total soft spot for The Royal Family, something which, ashamedly, I had never really considered before. With my new addiction, I did my research on the history of The Royal Family and it became even more apparent how amazing and revolutionary having an African-American, divorced actress joining the family in 2018 was. I found this remarkable and truly a wonderful step in the right direction. Personally, I think she is a great role model and a refreshing face in an otherwise predictable line up .
Clearly the press didn’t agree…
In a number of scathing headlines, Meghan Markle is victimised and treated as a misbehaving outsider. Several comparisons are made between herself and her royal sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.
Given their intolerant, Anglocentric reputation, it is hardly surprising that articles (such as the above) appeared in papers like The Daily Express. I was more shocked to see other papers also adopting the same approach; bullies circling like vultures in the playground.
In a heartbreaking speech at a charity dinner in January, Prince Harry defended the Duchess of Sussex and talked about the excitement and hope they had felt for the future. The heart-wrench continued as he ended the speech by referring to his mother and national treasure, the late Princess Diana. This fairy-tale ending was shortly shattered for the Royal pair.
“The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change.”
Following Prince Harry’s announcement, the Queen released a statement sweetly acknowledging Meghan, Harry and baby Archie as “valued and loved” members of the family.
As part of their exit plan, the pair are due to pay rent on their home, Frogmore Cottage, as well as repay millions for home renovations. They will no longer use their titles, ‘His/Her Royal Majesty’.
It’s abundantly clear that the British press were set to attack Meghan from day one. Everyone knows the cliché ‘there’s no pleasing everybody’ but these headlines really take it to the next level. With every move Meghan makes being dissected by the media’s beady eyes, she’s been ripped to shreds, despite being a very successful and influential woman, no less worthy of royal status than anyone else.
From wedding bouquets, to avocados and baby bumps, it appears that Kate Middleton, who married Prince William seven years earlier, in 2011, escaped the scrutiny that Meghan has endured.
It’s about time we stopped tip-toeing around the elephant in the room and exposed the British press for what they really are. They hound, bully and expose human beings until they’re pushed to suicide or become so weary that they have no choice but to give up the life they worked so hard to create.
“There really was no other option.”
Papers have used Meghan’s diverse background to fuel intolerance and divide society, despite the Royals welcoming her into their family.
The nation has watched the young Princes grow up, faster than most, after the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. In Prince Harry’s charity-dinner speech, he highlights this, telling the audience that he hopes they would trust him to marry someone who “upholds the same views” as he does.
Not only are the articles about Meghan utterly abhorrent and totally unnecessary, my heart also breaks for Prince Harry, who has effectively been forced to leave everything he has ever known and loved.
It’s been confirmed that on 31st March 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will step down from their royal duties, with their departure being dubbed ‘Sussexit’. Any future events must not be carried out by the pair ‘on behalf’ of the Queen.
Prince Harry will, however, remain sixth in line to the throne.
Although the pair are set to appear in certain sporting and music events leading up to their exit on the 31st, it is clearly a deeply emotional occasion for both the Royals, and the public alike.
As a huge fan of Meghan and the fresh outlook she brings to the Monarchy, I am appalled by the harassment and torment she has faced at the hands of the British Press and can only wish them a lifetime of happiness with a certain element of peace and privacy.
#writinginthemedia #universityofkent #royalfamily #meghanmarkle
