The ferocious pile-on over Harry and Meghan says more about us than them

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 — 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 where 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 that’s seen as bad.

Yes, I’ve 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 “disappointment” spread across the UK and global media. That’s the media simply playing into the hands of the “establishment” over one of their own — protecting a family whose sins in a confessional are much less venial than those committed by Prince Ginger.

Just a reminder here that Harry’s father, King Charles, wanted to come back after death and live in the “trousers” of Camilla, now the queen consort. And he joked that might involve him being a tampon.

Or let’s take Prince Andrew. It is impossible to equate the serious allegations levelled against him as anywhere near the trivial accusations made about Harry — 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 doesn’t 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. Don’t 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? Isn’t that behind the awe and gratitude we have for Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame and Chantel Contos? 

That’s simply what Markle is doing, just on a bigger scale.

I didn’t think race was part of this whole picture until last week — 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 you’d like to hide at a family barbecue. Many have a child who doesn’t 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 — and ironic — part of the debate is the number of avowed republicans who have a view on every sentence this couple, now based in America, utters. There’s a solution to that: if you don’t like them, don’t watch their Netflix interview.

Don’t add to the hate and hostility that has coloured, globally, an interview with two young parents who simply want to find their own way.

Do Harry and Meghan deserve the vitriol being poured over them? Let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.