Dear Editor,

Ever since Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan stepped back as working royals, exiting the UK to start a new life in California, they have been in the spotlight, making news almost daily. What must’ve been a nerve-racking decision at the time, given the intense public scrutiny, family rifts, and urgent need to secure their family and provide for themselves, the couple is now thriving as they chart their own course; they now look happier and more relaxed than ever.

Some factions in the media have trolled the couple with fake news and gossip, they were even criticised for visiting Jamaica for the Bob Marley: One Love movie premiere, with some saying they were forced to sit with everyone else in the cinema, which was not true. Others reported that they embarrassed the monarchy by taking pictures with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who declared his intent to “move on” and ditch the monarch as head of State, a move which other countries in the Commonwealth have also been considering.

What Harry and Meghan have done by exiting is to expose the deep cracks and dysfunction in an ancient institution ruled by a family which refuses to modernise and become more relevant to current times.

They have risen above it all, continuing their work, charming crowds, and using their influence and warmth to raise awareness and aid charities. The Invictus Games, which Harry founded in 2014, has helped to put the spotlight on men wounded in combat and their families. The games has become a global success and participants from many countries speak glowingly of how it has improved their mental and physical health.

Harry’s recent visit to London marked the 10-year anniversary of Invictus and showed that he is still very popular on home turf despite the false narrative some in the media have pushed. The non-support from the stoic royal family at the church service of commemoration was noticeable, even as Harry’s relatives from his mother’s side showed their support with their attendance.

The couple recently visited Nigeria at the invitation of the country’s military to support Invictus and wounded servicemen. The visit was a huge success and reinforced their global impact and appeal. The welcome looked very stately and presidential despite the visit being a private one. Nigerians welcomed them with warmth and affection.

The tour was contrasted with the stiffness of other royal tours which oozed colonialism and supremacy. The Nigerian visit displayed layers of culture, history, and tradition, and it received global media coverage. Harry’s other charity, Sentable, which he co-founded, raises funds for children in Africa living with HIV/AIDS through high-profile polo matches.

The British royals lost by not seeing the potential of Harry and Meghan to represent, relate, modernise, unite, and debunk the ancient concept of the monarchy as rulers with supreme authority to keep others beneath them. Unlike other monarchies in Europe, the British monarchy has not changed as an institution in hundreds of years. It exudes stiffness, formality, and entitlement and lacks empathy and emotion. Imagine an ailing King being “too busy” with formalities to meet his son for a few minutes in London during his recent visit. The Sussexes have been seen hugging, kissing, and dancing as they interact with people from all walks of life without the need for palaces, tiaras, gold coaches, and horsemen.

With the increase in anti-monarchy protests in the UK at some royal appearances, many felt that the royals lost a huge opportunity to rebrand their image and purpose within the Commonwealth especially, an influential group of nations with a combined population equal to one-quarter of the world’s.

The survival of the monarchy will be highly dependent on the younger generation and its perception, many have questioned its relevance in the 21st century and now see ‘the crown’ is losing its lustre.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com