British television personality Amanda Holden has once again proven she isn’t afraid to share her unfiltered opinions. Recently asked about the ongoing saga surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Holden delivered a delightfully blunt five-word verdict that has sent royal watchers into a frenzy.
“I think they should just shut up, to be honest,” Holden stated plainly, cutting right to the chase in a refreshing display of candor. The Britain’s Got Talent judge made the remarks during an interview on The Breakfast Show this morning, where hosts Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield seemed slightly taken aback by Holden’s forthright assessment.
For those familiar with Amanda Holden’s no-nonsense approach, her comments came as little surprise. The 52-year-old actress and singer is widely known for her ability to speak her mind without mincing words, even on sensitive topics like the ongoing royal drama. In the interview, Holden elaborated on her position, explaining that while she has sympathy for the challenges the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have faced, she believes the couple has a tendency to overshare their personal struggles in a very public manner.
“I just think, you know, when you’re in the public eye, there’s a bit of a code, isn’t there?” Holden mused. “And I think you have to learn to keep some of it maybe private and don’t share every little bit.”
Her words echoed a sentiment expressed by many royal experts and commentators: Harry and Meghan’s constant outpouring of tell-all interviews, documentaries, and memoir excerpts has sometimes veered into TMI territory, overshadowing the important work they claim to champion. Of course, the Sussexes would likely argue that their very public approach is a necessary tactic to combat the unfair treatment and misinformation they believe they’ve endured at the hands of the British press. There’s no denying they’ve shed light on important issues like mental health, racial injustice, and the challenges of royal life. But Holden’s pointed critique suggests that, for some, Harry and Meghan’s crusade has become a bit too self-indulgent, a never-ending exercise in airing their grievances and absolving themselves of any wrongdoing.
It’s a sentiment that will no doubt resonate with many Britons who have grown weary of the Sussexes’ relentless media blitz. Holden is not the only celebrity to voice such an opinion. Earlier this year, beloved British TV host Piers Morgan unleashed a scathing attack on the couple, accusing them of “marching around like they’re Kim and Kanye” and insisting they needed to “shut up about their personal struggles.”
Even some of Harry and Meghan’s staunchest defenders have acknowledged that the couple’s penchant for oversharing has at times backfired. Royal biographer Omid Scobie, who is generally sympathetic to the Sussexes’ cause, admitted that their decision to air so much of their dirty laundry in public has sometimes overshadowed the important work they’re doing.
So, while Amanda Holden’s blunt assessment may ruffle a few feathers among the more ardent Sussex supporters, it’s a perspective likely shared by a significant portion of the British public. In a world of carefully curated celebrity commentary, Holden’s refreshing honesty is a welcome change of pace.
Of course, the Sussexes are unlikely to take Holden’s criticism lying down. They have shown themselves to be fiercely protective of their brand and image and have not hesitated to lash out at those they perceive as enemies. Just last year, Meghan won a defamation lawsuit against a British tabloid that had published a private letter she had written to her estranged father. The couple has been known to deploy their team of high-powered lawyers to aggressively defend their interests.
It remains to be seen whether Holden’s comments will elicit any kind of response from the Sussexes or their supporters. For now, the actress seems unbothered by the potential backlash, secure in the knowledge that she has simply voiced an opinion shared by many.
“I just think, you know, when you’re in the public eye, there’s a bit of a code, isn’t there?” Holden reiterated. “And I think you have to learn to keep some of it maybe private and don’t share every little bit.”
It’s a refreshingly honest take on a story that has captivated the public imagination for years. In a world that often rewards carefully curated celebrity commentary, Amanda Holden’s blunt assessment is a welcome dose of authenticity.