When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle come back to the UK this month, they will be returning to a country that has been discussing them from a distance for six years.
Their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are set to start school in the UK in September, and reports suggest that the couple will reside privately outside London for an extended period while maintaining their non-working royal status.
There is anticipation about the couple’s comeback after years of being away, attributed to their challenging relationship with the British media, which played a role in their move to California. Could the intense media scrutiny on the couple diminish this time?
Speculations about the plans and whereabouts of royalty are common in the UK, with Harry and Meghan often portrayed in a polarized manner by the press. The British media has been known to engage in personal attacks and sensationalist coverage.
Initial media coverage included controversial headlines like the Daily Mail’s piece on Meghan’s mother and The Sun’s article linking Meghan to a pornographic website. A Guardian analysis revealed a significant disparity in the negative coverage between Meghan and Kate Middleton.
As the couple prepares to re-enter the British media spotlight, experts suggest they are better equipped to handle the scrutiny this time around. The landscape of public interest might have shifted to other topics, diverting attention from the couple.
Despite the changing dynamics, recent legal setbacks, such as Prince Harry’s court defeat against the Daily Mail, could lead to more negative press coverage. The couple’s return coincides with a broader discussion on media ethics following the tragic death of a Cambridge professor amidst intense media scrutiny.
The parallels drawn between the media treatment of the professor and Meghan highlight ongoing concerns about the press’s treatment of public figures, especially those from minority backgrounds. The lack of diversity in British media has been identified as a contributing factor to biased coverage.
The return of Prince Harry and Meghan to the UK evokes broader discussions on race, diversity, and the role of the media in shaping public perception. Their journey reflects deeper societal contradictions and challenges existing norms within the British elite institutions.
As the couple transitions into a non-working royal status and settles in California, the narrative surrounding their departure has been extensively covered. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how the media portrays them and whether it captures the diverse perspectives of the population.
Experts hope that media coverage of the couple will reflect the positive sentiments held by many, especially Black women, towards Meghan Markle.
