There’s a lot to unpack after watching Oprah’s stunning two-hour CBS interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry last night. I was going to compile a post of things to look for ahead of time (i.e. Meghan was wearing Diana’s tennis bracelet and whether they reveal the sex of their baby (now headline number 8?)) and wish I had because now there’s just so much more to talk about.
A few notes worthy of discussion (it’s heavy):
We were led to believe that Harry and Meghan chose not to give Archie a royal title so as to afford him a better chance at a normal life. Now we know that isn’t true (according to H&M), that Archie wasn’t given an option to have a title or the security that comes with that title, standard protocol for someone born in his line of succession, which frustrated Harry and Meghan.
Meghan and Harry both revealed that there were concerns discussed (among family, it appears) about the color of their children’s skin.
Meghan revealed that while she was having overwhelming suicidal thoughts while pregnant with Archie, she went to “the Institution” for help and “nothing was ever done.”
Harry talked about the “invisible contract” between the UK tabloids and the palace and revealed that the Royal family relies on the tabloids for positive coverage to maintain their brand/image and that "the institution survives based on that perception.” He says he has compassion for his family because “there is a level of control by fear that has existed for generations.” Harry is deconstructing the celebrity/myth of the Royal family right before our eyes.
Buckingham Palace already took the offensive stance a few days ahead of the interview, announcing they were looking into HR complaints made by Jason Knauf, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s former communication secretary. The complaints allege that the Duchess of Sussex bullied her staff. Keep in mind these complaints, which Meghan and Harry have denied, are from 2018. Also it appears to be a new thing for the Palace to make public the HR complaints against any member of the Royal family. Interesting timing. How do you think the palace will respond after Meghan’s allegations against their HR department that aired last night?
A here’s a topic I might delve into further. Last night Harry mentioned that he’s “spent many years of doing the work and doing [his] own learning” about racism. I think the way he describes his eye-opening awareness of racism within the UK specifically after he started dating Meghan is really important and a model for how we can approach our own lack of awareness. Thoughts?
Feel free to discuss it all here (respectfully and factually) and I’ll engage throughout the day.
So...although I believe Meghan has definitely been a victim of racism and I don’t doubt a member (or two or more) said some very racist things (perhaps not realizing-just the privilege to which they have been born)...Archie didn’t receive a title of Prince and security because of the line of succession, not because of his race. All great grandchildren of the reigning monarch only receive honorary titles except for William’s first born, as that child is directly in the line of succession.
Once Charles becomes King, Harry’s children will receive the title of prince (and now a princess is on the way) as their grandfather will be the reigning monarch according to the current laws. Charles may change this (and that should be expected) as he has made it clear he is going to trim down the monarchy (which means the $ that goes with it). After last night’s interview, Harry may well just plan on that.
I may have misunderstood something-and please correct me if I am wrong. I couldn’t sleep last night and had too much time on my hands “researching”!
That's a great point regarding titles. I've heard that mentioned some today, but I haven't looked into it much myself. It was my previous understanding (as it was reported) that Meghan and Harry preferred that Archie not receive a title, which is why the reveal last night was shocking. Harry said that their decision defied protocol. It's important to note that Prince Andrew's daughters received titles and security. Prince Andrew was in a similar position as Harry succession-wise, but arguably way less popular/recognizable. I think denying Archie (who would be heavily sought-after for photographs) the security that typically comes with the title was the bigger sticking point for them.
So I researched that too (and really, them protecting Andrew’s rep over Harry + Meghan’s 🙄). But Andrews’s children are grandchildren of the reigning monarch. However, Andrews’s grandchildren will not receive the titles/security. I get that they would want the security; I just don’t think Archie was singled out because of his race. It really is protocol.
It is utterly ridiculous that after the Diana fiasco, they denied Meghan help with her mental health issues. Have they learned nothing???
I know all of this is frivolous in light of much more pressing issues...but it is kinda fascinating!
So...although I believe Meghan has definitely been a victim of racism and I don’t doubt a member (or two or more) said some very racist things (perhaps not realizing-just the privilege to which they have been born)...Archie didn’t receive a title of Prince and security because of the line of succession, not because of his race. All great grandchildren of the reigning monarch only receive honorary titles except for William’s first born, as that child is directly in the line of succession.
Once Charles becomes King, Harry’s children will receive the title of prince (and now a princess is on the way) as their grandfather will be the reigning monarch according to the current laws. Charles may change this (and that should be expected) as he has made it clear he is going to trim down the monarchy (which means the $ that goes with it). After last night’s interview, Harry may well just plan on that.
I may have misunderstood something-and please correct me if I am wrong. I couldn’t sleep last night and had too much time on my hands “researching”!
That's a great point regarding titles. I've heard that mentioned some today, but I haven't looked into it much myself. It was my previous understanding (as it was reported) that Meghan and Harry preferred that Archie not receive a title, which is why the reveal last night was shocking. Harry said that their decision defied protocol. It's important to note that Prince Andrew's daughters received titles and security. Prince Andrew was in a similar position as Harry succession-wise, but arguably way less popular/recognizable. I think denying Archie (who would be heavily sought-after for photographs) the security that typically comes with the title was the bigger sticking point for them.
So I researched that too (and really, them protecting Andrew’s rep over Harry + Meghan’s 🙄). But Andrews’s children are grandchildren of the reigning monarch. However, Andrews’s grandchildren will not receive the titles/security. I get that they would want the security; I just don’t think Archie was singled out because of his race. It really is protocol.
It is utterly ridiculous that after the Diana fiasco, they denied Meghan help with her mental health issues. Have they learned nothing???
I know all of this is frivolous in light of much more pressing issues...but it is kinda fascinating!