A new documentary titled “Royals in Australia” has sparked a flurry of discussion, proposing that the downfall of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle began during their 2018 tour of Australia.
According to the film, Meghan’s lack of understanding of royal protocols was a key factor in the couple’s eventual departure from royal life.
However, this narrative oversimplifies a much more complex situation, ignoring the real dynamics at play within the royal family.
The documentary suggests that Meghan’s unfamiliarity with royal traditions created friction, but this claim is misleading at best.
The actual source of tension stemmed from the royal institution itself, which felt threatened by the unprecedented popularity and success of the Sussexes during their Australian visit.
This tour wasn’t just a media spectacle; it was a remarkable public relations victory that showcased the couple’s charm and connection with the public.
From the moment Harry and Meghan touched down in Australia, they captivated audiences.
Over 16 days, they visited Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga, drawing crowds that rivaled those seen in Princess Diana‘s prime.
For instance, in Sydney, over 15,000 fans braved pouring rain at the iconic Opera House just to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess.
Such turnout was a clear indicator of their magnetic appeal, far outshining the usual attendance figures for other senior royals.
Their presence at the Invictus Games, an event dear to Harry, further solidified their status as beloved figures.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison lauded their warmth and spirit, adding to the overwhelmingly positive global coverage of their tour.
In fact, many commentators remarked that the Sussexes’ Australian visit was the most successful royal trip since Diana’s celebrated 1983 journey.
Given the tour’s undeniable success, it seems absurd to suggest that Meghan simply failed to grasp the intricacies of royal life.
What she may not have anticipated, however, was the extent to which her and Harry’s popularity would unsettle the established order within the royal family, particularly concerning Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Their public image, in stark contrast, didn’t garner the same enthusiastic reception.
The notion that the royal family operates as a cohesive unit is somewhat naive.
The institution is underpinned by a delicate hierarchy where public perception can significantly impact its members.
With Harry and Meghan capturing the hearts of the masses, especially in a country as symbolically tied to the monarchy as Australia, their rise was perceived as a challenge to the status quo.
The parallels between Meghan and Diana were striking, and the royal family likely feared a repeat of history, where one member’s charisma could overshadow another’s.
Following the Australian tour, reports of increasing tensions among the royals began to surface, hinting at a rift between Harry and William.
While the documentary attributes these issues to Meghan’s supposed missteps, it conveniently sidesteps the underlying jealousy and rivalry that often characterize royal relationships.
It’s evident that Meghan and Harry’s burgeoning popularity began to eclipse that of William and Kate, who had been positioned as the future of the monarchy.
This doesn’t imply that the Cambridges actively sought to undermine the Sussexes, but rather that the institution itself felt threatened by the rapid rise of Harry and Meghan.
Royal commentator Omid Scobie, co-author of “Finding Freedom,” has indicated that the media, which had initially been supportive of Meghan, began to shift after the Australian tour.
Internal briefings and negative leaks from royal aides aimed to tarnish her image, highlighting a protective instinct within the royal machinery, keen to defend its hierarchy against a couple whose star was rising too quickly.
The assertion that Meghan didn’t comprehend royal life reflects a shallow understanding of the real issues at stake.
It glosses over the institutionalized jealousy that has long plagued the monarchy.
Meghan, as an American, a mixed-race woman, and a former actress, became a focal point for both media scrutiny and internal dissent, making her an easy target for criticism.
The cracks that emerged post-tour had little to do with Meghan’s supposed failings.
Instead, they revealed an institution grappling with the threat posed by a couple whose popularity risked overshadowing those deemed more central to the monarchy’s future.
In essence, Harry and Meghan became a story too big for the royal family to manage, prompting a defensive response from an institution wary of losing its grip on public favor.
The narrative presented in “Royals in Australia” misses the mark entirely.
Rather than assigning blame to Meghan for her inability to fit into the royal mold, it’s crucial to examine the institution’s role in pushing away two of its most dynamic and popular members.
If we’re going to explore the complexities of royal life through documentaries, let’s ensure they reflect the full story instead of perpetuating convenient but misleading narratives.