Prince Harry’s temper flared this week following the release of a new South Park episode that sharply mocked him and Meghan Markle. The iconic animated series, known for its biting satire, featured an episode titled “The Worldwide Privacy Tour,” which parodied the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s global campaigns for privacy and attention.
In the episode, a fictional prince and princess from Canada embark on a grand tour to demand more privacy while simultaneously flaunting their celebrity status. The satire, clearly aimed at the real-life Sussexes, lampoons their frequent demands for privacy against the backdrop of their high-profile public appearances. The portrayal of the couple as attention-seeking and self-important struck a nerve with Prince Harry, who reportedly lost his composure after viewing the episode.
A source close to Harry revealed that he was “absolutely fuming” over the depiction. The animated series’ skewering of their recent trip to Colombia, presented as a sustainable development tour, was particularly infuriating for Harry. He perceived the Colombia trip as a sincere effort to address global issues, and seeing it ridiculed felt like a personal affront. “He thought they’d have a bit more respect after everything he and Meghan have been through,” the source told Page Six. However, it seems that respect for the Sussexes may be in short supply.
The South Park episode depicts the couple hopping between luxury hotels, lamenting the lack of privacy, and criticizing the impoverished locals who greet them. This satirical take on their Colombia visit was received as a hilariously accurate reflection of their perceived tendencies to prioritize their personal brand over genuine humanitarian efforts. One royal commentator remarked that the episode’s accuracy was “almost painful to watch,” indicating that the show’s writers have closely followed the Sussexes’ public antics.
Despite the episode’s success with audiences and critics, it has deeply upset Prince Harry. The portrayal of the couple’s attempts to blend philanthropy with self-promotion has led Harry to feel that the show crossed a line into outright bullying. Yet, many royal watchers argue that the Sussexes’ frequent public statements and high-profile deals make them ripe for satire. “They can’t keep putting themselves out there and then get upset when people start making fun of them,” said one commentator.
While Harry is reportedly seething over the episode, insiders suggest he may avoid responding publicly. Advisers have advised him to ignore the satirical jab, fearing that any reaction could further emphasize their perceived thin-skinned nature. The episode has undoubtedly struck a chord with the Sussexes and could be a significant topic in royal circles for some time.
As for the future of their public image, some experts believe that this latest roasting might serve as a wake-up call for Harry and Meghan. “If they want to be taken seriously as global philanthropists, they need to start acting like it,” said one commentator. Whether the Sussexes will take this advice to heart remains to be seen, but the South Park episode has certainly demonstrated that the royal family is never immune to the sharp edge of satire.