Meghan Markle and Harry: the Queen's last slap
Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are acting like Donald Trump: the backstory of Elizabeth's no
This was just not expected. Proof that they have not yet fully understood the consequences of their choice. Buckingham Palace refused Prince Harry's request to lay a wreath in his name on Rememberance Day. The day the British remember the dead of their wars. A moment deeply felt by the whole population. And that sees the royal family, with Queen Elizabeth in the lead, always in the front row. This year, however, without the prince and his wife, Meghan Markle.
What happened
Like every year, members of the royal family who have military ranks place a tribute in front of the monuments that commemorate the fallen. While from the balcony the queen, surrounded by her daughter-in-law and grandchildren - all with the symbolic red poppy on their lapels in plain sight - observes. Although in a reduced form, this year the ceremony did the same.
And so Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward paraded. All in uniform put down a flower. Also for Prince Philip, justified absent. The British press found that Prince Harry also wanted the same treatment. But that Buckingham Palace responded with a clear no. No longer part of the royals who work for "The firm", "The company" of the family, it is not expected.
A small gesture, some would say. What did it cost to put a wreath even for Harry, who was in the British military for 10 years? In itself nothing. In fact, very much. Because it is a question of substance, not of form. And it seems that Meghan Markle and her husband go to great lengths not to understand.
The family business: The firm
Let's try to explain it like this. The manager (Prince Harry) of a company is entrusted with tasks. When he speaks "for work", he does so on behalf of the head of the company (Queen Elizabeth). Which gives indications on how he wants things to be done. If the manager in question takes action without informing the boss, the boss may get angry. For example, if he finds out in the press that the manager he sent on a business trip to Africa is bringing a television crew to shoot a documentary. Unauthorized and used by the manager and his wife to be seen by the public in a more favorable light. The fact that it was disastrous in terms of PR is irrelevant in this speech.
Or, for example, if the manager and his wife decide, without first consulting with the boss, to sue the British press. Or to announce the resignation from the company to the public even before having discussed it with the boss. In a company, the boss would have immediately fired the manager who does not follow the corporate line. It is no coincidence that the British royal family calls itself The firm. Because this is how it is treated and managed. Whether we like it or not, whether we agree or not, is a fact. And Prince Harry has known this since he was born.
The Whims of Harry and Meghan Markle
This is why it is surprising that, when Buckingham Palace was denied, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reacted by organizing a sort of encore ceremony with the photographers in a Los Angeles cemetery. Look at the pictures above. More than a sincere act of homage to the fallen, that skit felt more like the revenge-spite of a child who throws a tantrum.
The queen's no to a seemingly simple gesture stems from wanting to explain, for the umpteenth time, to his nephew and his wife, that their choice to leave has consequences. It is not possible to have only honors and not burdens. And Elizabeth had to intervene rigidly because Prince Harry can no longer be trusted.
The sovereign found out when Harry, who had written in his famous farewell letter that he would continue to serve and support Her Majesty, took a stand in the American election campaign. Breaking a sacred taboo of the British monarchy of the modern era: politics is not mentioned. The endorsement to Joe Biden and Donald Trump that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made in a video is legitimate. They are free to express their ideas and opinions. But being part of the English royal family means giving up the right to express that idea. Even if it is considered of vital importance.
Harry and Meghan like Donald Trump?
The question is not whether it is right or wrong to impose silence on members of the royal family. The point is that, as it is now, with a sovereign like Elizabeth II at the head of the company, the monarchical institution, as a super partes institution, has chosen to follow this path. It is the substance that has become form.
And if you want to be part of this company, you have to accept its rules. Written or not. Otherwise it goes away. The door closes. Avoiding to reopen it only when it suits you. It is also a question of respect. We are all outraged by Donald Trump's childish refusal to acknowledge Joe Biden's victory in the American presidential elections. Respecting the usual ceremonial. But Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are doing the same with the British monarchical institution.
