by Catie Asnis
Word spread quickly throughout the United Kingdom and the entire world on January 8, 2020 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, officially announced their decision to step down from the English monarchy and give up their position as royals. Opinions of all types consumed the world, and many British people felt betrayed by this unprecedented action on behalf of the Sussexes. As one Englishman disapprovingly shared, “He’s a royal prince. She married him. She’s trying to change it.” Even Markle’s estranged father, Thomas, had an opinion to contribute to the conversation, stating that Harry and his daughter were at danger of “turning into lost souls” and that “they are turning it [the royal family] into Walmart with a crown on.” However, many of these critical views from members of the common public are quite unsympathetic, as many ordinary citizens fail to recognize the burdens of being born into royalty and maintaining its expectations. For years, Harry and Meghan have struggled with the demands of the press and media and have willingly given up their royal salary in order to escape from these constant expectations and burdens. Although their decision is certainly unordinary and unexpected for many, it is also one of great courage that will give the couple their rightful ability to live, as Harry said himself, a “more peaceful life.”
Over the course of the past few years, both Harry and Meghan have suffered the great hardship of being ceaselessly scrutinized by the British tabloids, the United Kingdom’s collection of newspapers which has continued to harass the couple and impose on their privacy. Meghan was especially, and with reason, bothered by the press which continued to intensely analyze and comment on private matters of her life, both past and present. As a mother, Meghan felt exposed, saying that motherhood felt like a “struggle” because of constant pressures forced upon her and her family from the British media. As a biracial woman, Meghan was also continuously attacked by both sexist and racist comments from the press ever since she first became acquainted with Harry in 2016. From racist attacks geared towards her family to other comments concerning what one journalist called her “exotic DNA,” Meghan has incessantly been suffocated by the onerous British tabloids. Along with his wife, Harry has suffered greatly from the burden of the press. Harry spoke specifically about the way in which the constant presence of the media has had a personal and emotional effect on him as it brings back the devastating death of his mother, Princess Diana: “Every single time I see a camera, every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash, it takes me straight back. So, in that respect, it’s the worst reminder of her life as opposed to the best.” Therefore, along with the relentless expectations that the presence of the media has had on the Sussex couple, the personal and emotional toll that it has taken on both Harry and Meghan explains their mutual decision to withdraw from the monarchy with the hopes of establishing a private, pleasant life for themselves and their newborn son, Archie.
The once-royal couple has also received unfounded criticism from people questioning their financial plan after having lived off of a royal salary for many years. However, both Harry and Meghan have made it clear to the public that they are aware of their new financial reality and are determined to independently provide for their new family. In fact, they even repaid the £2.4m of the public’s taypaxing funds which was recently used to refurbish their home in Windsor, Frogmore House, now that the couple plans on spending most of their time in their new home in Canada. In addition, Harry has reiterated his commitment and dedication to “supporting the causes, charities, and military communities that are so important” to him. In fact, along with the incessant media, another reason that Harry and Meghan decided to withdraw from the monarchy was so that they could launch their very own charitable organization, which they plan on calling “Sussex Royal” to continue to honor their royal family.
From the outside, it can be quite easy to dismiss Harry and Meghan’s decision to step down from their family’s legacy as egocentric and entitled, but the reality of their situation proves the opposite. For years, they have both struggled greatly from the exploitative media and have sacrificed important parts of their individual identities in order to fit the appearance and expectations that their role as royals requires. Their mutual decision to step down from the life that was forced upon them is both courageous and entirely justified given the difficult circumstances that they have proudly and professionally endured for years. As this once-royal couple embarks on their next adventure in life, one can hope that they will be welcomed with the same open arms which they have always extended to their family, those in need, and the British people.
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