In recent discussions on Newsweek’s The Royal Report podcast, an intriguing and thought-provoking topic emerged regarding the carefully cultivated image of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Their relationship, often portrayed as a royal “fairytale,” has come under scrutiny, revealing potential downsides to this narrative.
Jack Royston, the Chief Royal Correspondent, dished out some interesting insights. He talked about the couple’s image, as showcased in their Netflix docuseries back in 2022, and how it might be contributing to Meghan’s declining popularity in the U.S. But he also had a solution in mind.
Royston proposed that Harry and Meghan could take a leaf out of David and Victoria Beckham’s book. The Beckhams, in their Netflix docuseries, decided to show the world a more unfiltered version of themselves. They shared the ups and downs, quirks, and all, letting viewers see beyond the celebrity façade.
One scene, in particular, went viral. It showed David Beckham interrupting Victoria to set the record straight about her “working class” upbringing. Royston loved it, saying it felt real and relatable. After all, what couple hasn’t had a little friendly disagreement while sharing a story?
So, how does this connect to Harry and Meghan? Royston believes their portrayal of their relationship is a tad too perfect for our modern era. The Beckhams managed to stay a closely bonded married couple on screen but also delved into the more painful aspects of their relationship, like David’s alleged affair and family tensions due to their frequent moves.
Royston thinks this could be a valuable lesson for Harry and Meghan. While they shouldn’t manufacture issues for the screen, some aspects of their lives weren’t explored in their docuseries. One example is the potential conflict between Meghan revealing the “concerns and conversations” about her children’s skin color during her Oprah interview and Harry saying he’d “never” share it. It’s an intriguing topic that could have been discussed in their docuseries.
Unfortunately, their Netflix show and Harry’s memoir, released a month later, ended up harming their popularity in both the U.K. and the U.S. If they want their philanthropic and entertainment careers to thrive, they might need to tweak their public image.
In a world where authenticity is celebrated, perhaps it’s time for Harry and Meghan to show a bit more of their real, imperfect, and relatable selves. After all, even fairytales have their bumps in the road.