In a revealing interview on CBS News Sunday Morning, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry highlighted a critical issue plaguing our digital age: the devastating effects of cyberbullying.
The Sussexes, in conversation with Jane Pauley, shared their personal struggles and the motivations behind their advocacy for online safety.
The couple’s efforts, driven by their role as parents to Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, are commendable and resonate deeply in a world smothered by social media.
Meghan also spoke about not being believed when she felt suicidal at the height of the couple’s association with the Royal Family.
However, as the Sussexes navigate their own path of public service away from the Firm,
it is becoming increasingly clear that a period of quiet reflection and cooperation with the royals is necessary.
The announcement of an unofficial royal tour to Colombia has reportedly stirred discontent within the Palace. It’s not the first time the Sussexes have gone rogue and decided to undertake a “world leader” style tour of their own. There was Nigeria earlier this year, of course, and Harry thinks an Invictus Games event is on par with a G8 summit.
This reflects a larger issue: the delicate balance the Sussexes must take between their individual passions and their respect for – and still distant links to – the Crown. Burning those bridges any further will not only damage their own future but will drive the legacy left for their children six feet under.
The CBS interview was a reminder of the human side of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, offering a glimpse into their life away from the public eye and the good they can do with their quasi-royal platform.
Yet, it also highlighted an ongoing challenge. The couple’s frequent public appearances and media interviews often ignite tensions within the Royal Family and attract scrutiny that overshadows anything the Sussexes or the Firm are doing at the time.
It’s the wrong kind of noise that’s damaging a global super brand and lowering its stock – but what the Sussexes fail to realise is that they are the ones suffering the most from this behaviour.
In the interest of their causes and, more importantly, their family, Harry and Meghan must now consider a more measured approach. Putting it bluntly – by keeping their mouths shut!
The impact of cyberbullying and the importance of online safety are issues of great importance, deserving of significant media attention. However, their message is drowned out by the constant chatter about what they’ve done in the past and continue to do to this very day.
Their advocacy can be just as powerful, if not more so, without the accompanying media noise drummed up from their own actions.
The Royal Family, with its centuries-old traditions and complex dynamics, operates on a foundation of unity and discretion.
By embracing a quieter, more collaborative approach to their relationship with King Charles, Queen Camilla and the rest of the Firm, the Sussexes will be able to maintain their integrity and continue to work for the greater good while fostering goodwill within the family.
Rebuilding those damaged relations will not only improve the Sussexes’ own standing with the royals but will open up a path for Archie and Lilibet to build a future within the family they are so very much a part of.
It is a path that will allow the entire Sussex clan to support their causes effectively without alienating the institution that remains a central part of their identity.
Harry and Meghan’s voices could be immensely influential, and their commitment to their children and to creating their own path is undeniable.
However, it is time for the couple to recognise that true impact comes from within the fold, not on the outskirts.
By toeing the royal line and embracing a less confrontational approach, the Sussexes can achieve their goals with the support and respect of the Royal Family, instead of constantly battling them and not getting very far.
As they continue to champion their causes, a more harmonious relationship with the Royal Family will not only strengthen Harry and Meghan’s message but also safeguard their own family’s future. It is a delicate balance but one that, if achieved, could yield a new united approach, one filled with benefits on both sides.