The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have recently announced that they won’t be carrying their royal titles for much longer because they will be stepping back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. And to them, I say BRAVO. Harry and Meghan have been through a lot, particularly in the media. I seek to cast some positivity their way with this post though they may never read it (or might be reading it now...if so, heyyyy).
Meghan and Harry‘s Official Statement:
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
We all know that Harry and Meghan lead a privileged life as far as materialism is concerned, but please don’t let that stop you from empathizing with their struggles. Going through s*** is a human requirement. Their power, money, and status don’t shield them from that.
Maybe you’ve noticed the countless magazine covers that focus on Meghan. If you have, you know they don’t seek to portray her in a favorable light; in fact, they actively seek to tarnish her image. That, my friends, is racism. I underlined it for dramatic effect because people don’t seem to get it. When Kate Middleton married Prince William, there wasn’t a negative headline to be found. She was (and is) the media’s darling, both here and in the UK. On the other hand (the one with more melanin), Meghan has been the recipient of extremely nasty, untrue, and defamatory press. From Day One. That means that she was never allowed the chance to prove herself despite the fact that she’s carried herself with grace, confidence, and kindness. When Kate cradled her baby bump, she was portrayed as a joyful, expectant mother. When Meghan did the same, she was portrayed as a woman obsessed with showing off her pregnancy. There are many more examples that serve as evidence of the media’s racially charged spite.
Now, imagine if all that vitriol was directed at you. Would you slug it out, act as if you weren’t affected, or remove yourself from the unhealthy environment? Everyone will answer that question differently, but we must respect M&H for making the decision that was right for them and their young son. I was overjoyed to hear them take the courageous step that few royals have ever dared. I liked them as a couple after watching their wedding because I loved how Meghan’s Black culture permeated what had always previously been a lily-white, unseasoned affair. But, I became truly invested in their well-being upon watching the ITV documentary, Harry and Meghan: An African Journey. I highly recommend you watch it. It’s illuminating on several fronts. My biggest takeaway was Meghan expressing that she knew facing the British press would be hard but she at least thought it would be fair. Given the racist nature of the negative press surrounding her, fairness, which should be a reasonable expectation, seems extremely unlikely.
I hope this brief opinion piece has helped you to see M&H in a more compassionate light. I applaud Harry for prioritizing his and his family’s happiness by ensuring that his wife is not commoditized in the same way that his mother was. I admire Meghan for staying true to herself in an environment that places uniformity above all else. And, I pray them both overflowing success as they embark on this new chapter. May we all have the strength of character to stay ColorFull ... it is no easy triumph!
Colorfully,
CC
*Cover photo and featured quote are courtesy of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Instagram account. Online Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51041950
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