The ‘Harry & Meghan’ Docuseries?
No, he should not. That is unless Meghan and Harry issue a public apology. One that expresses regret for all the distress they’ve caused.
Until then, Charles should treat them with regal silence. He should keep calm and carry on – as if they do not exist.
What about stripping them of their titles?
Granted, stripping Meghan and Harry would force them to live more authentic lives in the US. But I no longer think Charles should. Their humiliation during the queen’s funeral made their royal demotion clear enough. That was especially so when Charles barred Harry from wearing his military uniform.
Besides, stripping them would seem petty. Worse, it would not be commensurate with the gravity of their betrayal. It would also smack of an unwitting slight to the late queen. After all, she granted their titles as wedding gifts.
And yes, this should be the case despite Meghan and Harry’s galling hypocrisy. After all, these self-righteous ingrates are damning the Royal family. But they are using their royal titles to impress Americans and enrich themselves.
Hell, Charles should even invite them to his Coronation. Because, if ever an invitation could be a poisoned chalice, this would be it.
That would show him in a magnanimous light. It would also show that Meghan and Harry’s betrayal has had little impact. Put the onus on them to reject the invitation. Because if they rejected it, that would show them in the most villainous light yet. By contrast, if they accepted it, they would be proverbial skunks at the garden party. Checkmate!
Meanwhile, Meghan and Harry are alienating people throughout the British Commonwealth. That’s why they’re hoisting themselves by their own petard.
In a few years, telling their “story” will become too hackneyed even for Americans. But they’ll be living in America with British titles. And that will do nothing but make them look like pretentious misfits. Also, Meghan should not bank on A-list celebrities like Beyoncé standing by her. Because they can forget her even quicker than they befriended her.
But what about William?
William should reply. He should invite the media to hear him deliver something like this, in my humble opinion:
****************
I was disappointed when Harry and Meghan decided to step back from royal duties. I shared my mother’s hope that Harry and I would serve together for life. I envisioned us aseach other’s most trusted and loyal advisor. She would be heartbroken by the developments that have shattered our shared hope.
But I respected Harry’s wish to live in America. And I wished him and Meghan peace, happiness, and success overseas.
But they are building a new life in America by tearing down the life they left behind in Britain. And they are doing so by bringing our British monarchy into disrepute. That is unconscionable. It is also sad and baffling.
I see no point in correcting their notorious lies and misrepresentations. But I gather media outlets – not just in England and America but worldwide – are duly calling them out.
But millions throughout the British Commonwealth might believe them. And I am all too mindful that the worst might be yet to come. That’s why I would be derelict in my duty if I did not step into the breach now.
I am British and proud to be so. Moreover, I am humbled and honored that I was born into a family that personifies public service.
Naturally, this requires my family members to live under intense media scrutiny. But the support of the British people has always outweighed occasional media intrusions. That has been the case even in the face of unspeakable emotional distress. I respect Harry’s wish to step back from his royal duties. But my love of and loyalty to Britain made it incomprehensible that he chose to do so.
Of course, we have many shared experiences. But I could never relate to the unique concerns Harry felt marrying Meghan presented. Even so, I felt a duty to share my concerns as a loving brother. After all, Harry was rushing headlong into a new relationship. And Meghan’s behavior and intentions seemed anathema to our lives of public service.
I appreciate how shocking the events on their TV show might seem. But the reality is that the rift his marriage caused was not only foreseeable but predicted. It didn’t help that they had cameras capturing every breath they took. After all, cameras could have made this rift a self-fulling prophecy. And everyone said things that seemed scripted for those cameras.
But comparisons between Meghan and my mother are even more upsetting than misleading. My mother stepped back from royal duties because her marriage to my father failed. It had nothing to do with the Palace not protecting her.
Harry and Meghan stepped back because their efforts to reform the British monarchy to suit their interests failed. It had nothing to do with the Palace being willing to lie to protect me, but unwilling to tell the truth to protect them.
Harry and Meghan have made some serious allegations of racism. And we have dealt with each one seriously. Because, despite initial misgivings about their haste, not her race, we welcomed Meghan. We did everything possible to show Harry and Meghan unwavering love and support. We also took pains to assure them of the vital roles we wanted them to play. That is, in helping us carry out our duties as working members of the Royal Family.
That’s why we were so disappointed when they decided to bow out. But they have now compounded that disappointment beyond measure. Because they have betrayed the values they promised the queen they would uphold. And they are mocking her and misrepresenting us for financial gain. And they are doing all this with brazen gaslighting and clinical projection.
That’s galling. Because my grandmother could not have been more gracious. She offered Harry and Meghan a way to step back and remain much-loved members of our family. Yet they dismiss her as the docile figurehead of a cabal bent on subjugating Meghan. That is almost too cruel and delusional for words.
My family is not perfect. What family is? Britain is not perfect. What country is? But we are constantly learning and adapting. I trust the way my father dealt with the Lady Hussey and Ngozi Fulani incident demonstrates this.
I regret that Harry and Meghan are causing so much spectacle, confusion, and distress. But we have dealt with greater challenges as an institution and a family. And, with the kindness and support of the British people, we will deal with this one too.
We wish Harry, Meghan, and their adorable children, Archie and Lili, nothing but the best.
Thank you.
Happy holidays everyone!
****************