Milica Jaric
Firstly, I have to say that I respected Gayle King, maybe even more than any other journalist at the moment. She is an amazing woman, brilliant and sharp, a great interviewer and reporter, yet I hated the special she did with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
It wasn’t about Harkle, it’s about Meghan, and there was no need to make such a documentary just one year into their marriage. Yes, the baby Archie arrived, and it was a joyous occasion, not a reason for Meghan’s makeup artist Daniel Martin to cry. It is not the time to address the rumors that the Duchess is difficult and that the stuff dislikes her.
We know that some parts of those rumors are true, others aren’t. The same thing happened with every royal wife, so why bother making comments? The most admirable thing about the British Royals used to be “Never complain, never explain.” It doesn’t mean the journalist should dig into their private lives 24/7. It merely states that the British Royal Family is going to do their jobs while staying away from the controversy.
At the same time, the couple wants privacy, but they also want their friends to share their lives. Doesn’t make sense.
That being said, the British tabloids did go overboard with anti-Meghan propaganda, while her PR was working maybe even harder on making her Grace Kelly meets Lady Di. Harry is beloved by the Brits, but it is evident that any woman who marries him won’t be good enough. Getting a special for American journalist and American TV is the opposite of what was expected. Having celebrity friends defend and acting as a constant victim is never going to work with the public. Kate suffered abuse in silence because smiling and respecting the protocol does work.
Even though the documentary is called Meghan and Harry plus One, Harry and Master Archie got roles of the sidekicks. People know everything about Harry, his public life is very well documented, and many parts of his personal life were national stories. Meghan was never A list celebrity, but she is royalty, and that’s not the same. Or at least it shouldn’t be. Modernizing monarchy is a natural process, turning it into a Hollywood, making it more American, goes against the Crown and Americans, who have been free from the Royals since the XVIII century.
Jessica Alba’s role is still a mystery. Turning Meghan into a first black princess is a fairytale because there were and there are many black and biracial princesses and queens. Yes, racism exists, but look at the positive critics Meghan’s mother got. The British press loves her: she always has a friendly smile, she seems humble, and her style is modern, yet charming and original. So instead of going for Hollywood makeover, Duchess of Sussex should be herself, wear more British designers and just let Harry take the lead, not in their marriage, but during official engagements.
Giving official royal reporters nothing, while working with American press can only backfire. As the former first lady Michelle Obama said, Meghan should get to know her new country.
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