Why Meghan must be allowed to thrive
Matthew Bell on a perfect modern bride
Like Prince Harry, most of us had never heard of Meghan Markle 18 months ago. Back then, she was a little-known actress in a second-rate legal drama. Now, anybody who cares about the future of the Royal family must, like Harry, be doing cartwheels.
Not because he has found the love of his life and put away childish things (though that is marvellous). But because he has performed the biggest service to this country – and quite possibly to the world – that a 33-yearold prince could. In an age of growing tension around race and immigration, Harry has led by example.
There can be little doubt that Meghan is the best thing to happen to the Firm for decades and is arguably more charismatic than the rest of them put together. Against the nondescript Kensington Palace setting for her engagement interview on Monday (white walls, grey sofa, cream lamp), she positively shone. She comes with no insecurities about her social status, and has that enviable transatlantic quality of being apparently selfassured. She is also seemingly able to communicate comfortably with anyone, in any context.
American, divorced, self-made, of mixed heritage… Meghan couldn’t tick more boxes of modernity. But only a cynic would have thought that. Here were two giddy, young people declaring their love in the most heartfelt terms. Compare and contrast with that 1981 engagement interview, in which Prince Charles notoriously demurred, when asked if he loved Lady Diana Spencer: “Whatever in love means.”
But before we get carried away, it is worth remembering that we have been here before. Diana was, in her own way, a force for change, who tried to challenge the old ways. She may have been from the same world as the Royal family, but in her views and tastes she was an outsider. Could Meghan be similarly crushed? Or will she be given the oxygen to thrive? It is a test the institution can little afford to fail.
Looking back, it seems extraordinary that anyone ever raised an eyebrow at Kate Middleton. She was the perfect bride, who has blended seamlessly into the Firm. With
Meghan, things will be different.
The comparisons are inevitable, and it is hard to see Kate winning in the fun stakes.
But it is quickly emerging that the
Royal spouses will have very different roles. The Duchess of Cambridge’s job has been the traditional one of providing an heir and a spare. Meghan’s part – though we didn’t know it until now – will be to modernise the Royal family’s image.
Once the “spare” himself, Harry can now leave that job behind and take on a much more fulfilling role, as a global ambassador.
During their engagement interview, he said that the couple plan to spend more time in Canada, Meghan’s home turf for several years, and there is talk of them embarking upon a Commonwealth tour, just as the Queen did early in her reign.
Because for all the good PR they are enjoying right now, the Royal family faces an uncertain future. Inevitably, there will be a change of monarch within the next decade and the popularity of the Queen presents Charles with an unenviable challenge. How useful, then, to have HRH Meghan come bursting on to the scene. If Charles is clever, he will see her as an invaluable weapon in making the case for a 21st century monarchy. How much harder now to accuse them of being out of touch.
So what roles might Meghan and Harry carve out for themselves, and what will their modern royal marriage look like?
For some time now, the Prince has been busy repositioning himself as an international statesmanlike figure, an ambassador not only for Britain but for subjects close to his heart, such as mental health and conservation. His Invictus Games has just completed a successful third year.
Meghan has long been a passionate charity worker; reportedly one of the things that first attracted Harry. In 2016, she went to Rwanda as a global ambassador for World Vision. And she has addressed the UN Women’s Conference, saying: “I’ve never wanted to be a lady who lunches – I’ve always wanted to be a woman who works. And this type of work is what feeds my soul and fuels my purpose.”
It seems likely, then, that the pair will work their magic on the international charity circuit – albeit with a sprinkling of stardust. As well as Meghan’s showbiz friends, they boast an impressive roster of power-players and do-gooders. Harry has struck up a friendship with Barack Obama. While Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, wife of the Canadian Prime Minister and previously a showbiz reporter, is known to have given Meghan advice on handling her image. Indeed, on Monday, she was able to convey an image of herself as someone who has almost no idea what this whole Royal family lark is about – but is nevertheless up for it. It is expected that the Queen will confer a dukedom on Harry
Will Meghan be given oxygen to thrive? Or crushed for being an outsider?
It is no secret that the reason for their quick marriage is children
(Sussex is the bookies’ favourite), which would make Meghan a Duchess. Only those born into royalty can have “Princess” before their first name – Diana was never known by the title officially – but Meghan will, technically, become Princess Henry of Wales.
The couple will live at Nottingham Cottage, the cosy house known as “Nott Cott” behind Kensington Palace, where Harry proposed over a roast chicken. But once they start a family, they might find it a little cramped and decamp to an apartment in Kensington Palace, as William and Kate did. It is no secret that the reason for their quick marriage is children. Harry is 33, Meghan 36. The Prince has spoken of his wish for a family
– “I can’t wait for the day,” he said last year. Even for this very modern royal couple, to have children out of wedlock would have been a boundary pushed too far.
They may also want a country bolt-hole for weekend escapes. This is unlikely to be anywhere as remote as Norfolk or Anglesey – where the Cambridges have felt at home – but somewhere within easy reach of London, such as Oxfordshire or the Cotswolds. The question is, how big a house can Harry and Meghan afford? The bulk of the Prince’s private wealth comes from his mother. When Diana died, in 1997, her estate was valued at £21million, the majority of which was divided equally between her sons. The money was held in trust until they were 25, at which point they had access to the income. Prince Harry was also left a legacy by the Queen Mother, though the sum has never been disclosed (though the total value of her will was thought to be £50-70million). He receives an income from his father’s estate, the Duchy of Wales, for charity work.
Meghan’s wealth is less clear. She is thought to have earned £37,500 per episode of Suits. Her annual salary has been put at around £340,000, which includes sponsorships and endorsements. This will now plummet, given that she will no longer be able to work.
What is certain, is the extent to which their day-to-day lives will now change. In marrying Harry, Meghan is drawing a line under her career. For Harry, too, it’s the end of an era. No more weekends in Vegas, no more drunken tumbling out of clubs. Their work now will be together, taking on engagements to relieve the pressure from William and Kate, and throwing themselves into causes they care deeply about.
For the next six months, their heads will undoubtedly be full of wedmin. Harry will still have official commitments, among them a stint as guest editor of Radio 4’s Today programme over Christmas. I hear he has lined up some corking guests to discuss big topics. Could his fiancée be among them? It would be yet another royal first.