Most of us are heartily sick of hearing and
reading about our UK royals, their quarrels, oddities and scandals. A
hysterical atmosphere has been created by the much-hyped US TV interview from
Los Angeles chaired by Oprah Winfrey allowing The Sussexes, Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle, to parade their grievances, including alleged racism and the
indifference to their mental health problems, shown to them by the royal
family. I suspect their case has been much exaggerated but the institutions of
our monarchy need to be overhauled radically when the Queen passes from the
scene.
Oprah’s recriminatory Bear-Pit
Like most Britons, I was delighted when Harry
married Meghan and I suppose I largely accepted the fairy-tale narrative of the
handsome prince marrying the beautiful commoner. The ceremony at Windsor was
magical with Prince Charles winning Brownie-points for escorting Meghan down
the aisle. The fact that Meghan was a mixed-race American divorcee was not
deemed a problem in the general enthusiasm. Meghan scrubbed up well, dressed
elegantly, smiled at the right times and she seemed a positive asset and boost
for the royal family.
But it was not to be. Soon stories emerged of
Meghan’s demanding ways and the ghastly nature of her mercenary father Thomas
and half-sister Samantha. A feud between Harry and Prince William developed,
allegedly egged on by Meghan and Kate. Despite Harry’s excellent work with the
Invicta Games charity for disabled service men and their residual popularity,
the Sussexes talked of stepping back from their duties as full-time royals. After
much wrangling, the palace decreed that it was not possible to be “half-in and
half-out” of the royals. The Sussexes moved first to Canada and then to an $11m
home in Los Angeles. They had to surrender their charity patronages and Harry
his military ranks, a heavy blow. However, they have devoted much energy to
commercial money-making ventures, one of their motives for leaving The Firm,
and an inevitable source of tension.
Which brings us to the Oprah interview. Oprah’s
place of reverence in American society is a mystery to many Brits, but let that
pass. Meghan adopted her little-girl-lost tearful victimhood pose- she is in
fact an experienced showbiz actress on her second marriage – whilst Harry
placidly gave credence to slurs against his own family and the mental torture
he and Meghan supposedly endured. They were oblivious to the enormous benefits
they enjoyed from their privileged and affluent life-style, cocking a snook at
ordinary Britons.
The only subject upon which I would agree with
them is that the British press and media are disgracefully intrusive and
unscrupulous – as exemplified by the obsessional malignity of the likes of
Piers Morgan, breaking all reasonable boundaries.
The supposed Victims
To my eyes, Meghan is an attractive and
talented woman but in retrospect she was completely miscast as a UK Royal
Princess. This really emanates from being American. The Americans are open and
direct, restraint and discretion are less valued. Americans are opinionated and
emote shamelessly – a world away from British reserve and notions of privacy.
It was a doomed enterprise from the start. She is a natural for the Democratic
presidential nomination in the 2030s – after all, the Americans voted in hordes
for Donald Trump, so expect the unexpected!
Prince Harry has burned his bridges with
Britain and the Royal Family and now cuts a sad figure. His future is much less
clear if his Californian idyll falls apart. I support our system of
constitutional monarchy which is running low on “working royals”. I know they cost a lot and have too many
palaces and flunkies. Prince Charles has plans substantially to slim down the
monarchy when he accedes to the throne. The Family is far from squeaky-clean,
scandals and hypocrisy abound but they are not racist. They are part of the
fabric of our nation – long may they reign!
The Queen, Charles, William and George
SMD
15.03.21
Text Copyright ©Sidney Donald 2021
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