Japanese royals Mako and Kei are living ordinary lives in exile. But British royals Harry and Meghan are still living extraordinary lives. The contrast is instructive.
Mako and Kei are no Harry and Meghan
Most New Yorkers have no idea that Mako and Kei are living in New York. That’s how intentional they’ve been about blending in as ordinary people.
But nearly everyone in America can’t help knowing that Harry and Meghan are living in California. That’s how intentional they’ve been about living like royals. Of course, they are doing so without all the fussy duties and responsibilities.
Harry and Meghan are living like royals by trading on their titles and peddling palace gossip. But their grifting and bitching have devolved into an international farce. That’s why they come across more like royal shysters than royal exiles.
Mako and Kei are showing how royals live in exile
Mako and Kei could be exploiting their royal ties too. In fact, they could peddle grievances for cash in ways that would make even Meghan and Harry seem modest. However, unlike Harry and Meghan, they are not entitled, vindictive, and mercenary.
Harry and Meghan take their royal titles for granted. But Mako and Kei’s primary grievance could be that Japanese law forced Mako to renounce hers to marry commoner Kei.
Even worse, though, was the dark cloud of public disapproval. It hovered like a Damoclean sword over their engagement and wedding.
That could be fodder for their most compelling grievance. After all, it made Mako feel obligated to give up her million-dollar dowry. That was bad enough. But it also caused her to suffer an acute case of PTSD.
In other words, unlike Harry and Meghan, Mako and Kei wouldn’t have to lie to market themselves. Their real love story is part tragedy of “Romeo and Juliet” and part triumph of “Cinderfella.” So it would sell like a Colleen Hoover novel.
What are Mako and Kei doing in New York?
Many have no clue what they’ve been up to. Again, that’s because they’ve been so discreet.
Kei failed his first two attempts to pass the New York bar exam. However, as CNN reported this week (on Oct. 25), the third time proved “the charm.” He’s now qualified to become an associate at Lowenstein Sandler.
Without even trying, Kei has endeared himself to New Yorkers. Whereas, despite his best efforts, Harry has failed to endear himself to Californians.
It didn’t hurt that Kei inspired comparisons with the late JFK Jr. Kei during this quest. Of course, JFK Jr. was the putative crown prince of “American royalty.” And he suffered unbearable humiliation for needing three tries to pass this bar exam. But that quest is now the most cherished memory New Yorkers have of him. My own sister would attest to this.
Except that, with due respect to JFK Jr., Kei’s exam was more than twice as hard. How do you think JFK would’ve fared if he had to take the Japanese bar exam – in Japanese? That should make clear why Kei’s accomplishment is so much greater.
Meanwhile, Mako has been doing more than practicing yoga and getting mani-pedis. And I’m not referring to domestic chores in their modest one-bedroom apartment.
After all, she has degrees in art and cultural heritage. So when news broke that she was moving to New York City, every museum began vying for the cachet of having her on staff. She picked the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
What are Harry and Meghan doing in California?
Okay, so Meghan is peddling her podcast. But Harry has been doing little more than playing polo and zooming about mental health. And I doubt either of them lifts a finger to keep their California mansion clean.
But their unfolding arrangement is emasculating. And it would drive any self-respecting man crazy.
Harry has a slacker lifestyle. That’s why Meghan might soon see him as little more than useless baggage. And that must have him living in mortal fear.
Meghan knows what it takes to keep up with the Kardashians. She and Harry are getting “royalties” from her (self-aggrandizing) podcast, his (self-pitying) memoir, and their (Waiting-for-Godot) Netflix show. But that won’t cut it.
Oh, and ‘SPARE‘ yourself! Because, if ever you could judge a book by its cover, this is it. The title says all anyone needs to know about the self-pitying tales Harry is peddling for sales. Especially since he has been telling them for years. And they all stem from the cursed fate that he was not the first-born royal son. Sad. Sick.
Reports are that Harry will donate proceeds from Spare to British charities. This raises the obvious question: How much of those proceeds will he donate?
I doubt Harry and Meghan will donate even a quarter, let alone all. But if you believe them, you probably believe Black South Africans were dancing in the streets when they got married.
Many saw an olive branch when Charles wished them well in his first king’s speech. But I saw a kiss of death. You know, like the one Michael Corleone gave his traitorous brother Fredo in The Godfather Part II.
That’s why I am convinced the delay in releasing Spare was not to show deference to his grandmother. It was more about Harry recalibrating to retaliate more devastatingly.
Whatever the case, the title alone makes clear he has given up all hope of reconciliation. I’m afraid Harry’s relationship with his royal family has become irretrievably broken down – as his daddy might say.
The final cut (or salute, to be more chivalrous) came only yesterday. Harry cherished the honor of being Captain General of the Royal Marines. By all accounts, his self-esteem stems from his military service. But Charles announced that he was stripping Harry of that honor. Further, Charles himself would be the next Captain General. That made very personal Harry’s public dishonor.
When it comes to royals living in exile, Mako and Kei are the antidote to Harry and Meghan. Mako is working as a curator at the city’s most prestigious museum. And Kei is working as a lawyer at a major New York City law firm. Nothing says you’re building a successful life overseas quite like that.
Any royal couple living in exile would do well to emulate Mako and Kei. Indeed, Harry and Meghan themselves would do well to take heed.