I don't think Harry has a pretty face at all.
However, given that his mother was
literally hounded to death by "the Firm" / "the media" ... I'm glad he has been able to get out of the clutches of the Firm.
As seen on another board:
The ferocious pile-on over Harry and Meghan says more about us than themThe response to the couple's Netflix documentary has been full of bile, vitriol and hate.Madonna King 13 December 2022
www.crikey.com.au/2022/12/13/harry-meghan-pile-on-uncalled-for/The online pile-on directed at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over their Netflix series is as unfathomable as it is ironic.
In a world where too many young women are not able to find their voice, we have a young articulate woman with a worldwide audience telling her truth and influencing others. The response is vitriol and hatred in forests of print and terabytes of copy and days of talkback â racist, sexist and deeply personal.
In a world where too many young men (and women) are enveloped by mental health challenges, we have a young prince eschewing a mandatory life of privilege and speaking out for those struggling in our armed forces, and those grieving a lost parent, and for equality generally. The response is a tsunami of abuse: he is labelled spoilt, a nuisance, and someone who is easily led. Commentators like Piers Morgan accuse him of being a grifter who used his royal title to put money in his pocket.
In a world in which we decry loneliness and a lack of focus on family, two people have fallen in love, married, and spend their days playing with their children. And thatâs seen as bad.
Yes, Iâve watched the Netflix series and will do the same on Thursday night. Parts of the first three episodes are a bit cringey. Some of it raises more questions. And some of it could face a good edit. But the over-proportionate response is what we should be discussing more, because it goes to the heart of the royal family, the issue of a republic and the role of the media.
The palace has a very strong taxpayer-funded voice, and if it wants to take on the runaway prince and his bold and forthright wife it should use it.
At the moment it looks like it is hiding behind those historic palace walls, with the voice of the royal family being heard in the unsourced comments of âdisappointmentâ spread across the UK and global media. Thatâs the media simply playing into the hands of the âestablishmentâ over one of their own â protecting a family whose sins in a confessional are much less venial than those committed by Prince Ginger.
Just a reminder here that Harryâs father, King Charles, wanted to come back after death and live in the âtrousersâ of Camilla, now the queen consort. And he joked that might involve him being a tampon. Or letâs take Prince Andrew. It is impossible to equate the serious allegations levelled against him as anywhere near the trivial accusations made about Harry â that he dare leave his family, find love, and live in another country.
On the scale of misdemeanours, Harry wants to be more than a spare prince. He wants to make a mark in the world and to use his voice where he might foster real influence. And all kudos to him. His sin was that on top of that outrageous desire of wanting to find his own path, he fell in love with someone who doesnât see the value in smiling demurely and not talking. Good on her, too.
We should hope that all our daughters find and use their voice like Markle, and that that not be considered a heinous public crime. Donât we want them to rally against injustice, fight for their dreams, take on the jobs they want, and give back to the communities they serve? Isnât that behind the awe and gratitude we have for Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame and Chantel Contos?
Thatâs simply what Markle is doing, just on a bigger scale.
I didnât think race was part of this whole picture until last week â and the awful response to the experience the couple claim they have had. Most families have disagreements. Most families have a wayward aunt or an embarrassing uncle youâd like to hide at a family barbecue. Many have a child who doesnât choose to travel the family route.
But look at the response here. And what a lost opportunity for the new king to have a young, powerful couple working to make the world a better place.
Perhaps the most unfathomable â and ironic â part of the debate is the number of avowed republicans who have a view on every sentence this couple, now based in America, utters. Thereâs a solution to that: if you donât like them, donât watch their Netflix interview.
Donât add to the hate and hostility that has coloured, globally, an interview with two young parents who simply want to find their own way.