Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
‘Harry & Meghan’ sex scene mild; film offers feminist fight
On Sunday, in anticipation of the upcoming nuptials between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Lifetime will air “Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance.” The film made news last week when the director revealed that Buckingham Palace officials are reportedly “seriously worried about the sex scene” that’s teased in the trailer.
The scene in question is quite tame. There’s some kissing, and the couple (Parisa Fitz-Henley as Markle, Murray Fraser as Harry) are shown cuddling in bed, with sheets covering everything except their bare shoulders. While it’s understandable that quote got the headlines, there’s another scene worth a look.
One of the real-life duo’s most public moments was in November 2016, when the palace released a statement on behalf of Harry to condemn the abuse that Markle, who is biracial, had endured since news of their relationship leaked out. “Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed he has not been able to protect her.”
An impressive gesture, right? Well, in the movie, Markle’s character is shown as actually being furious with the statement, particularly the part about Harry saying he wanted to protect her — because to her, the idea of being a “damsel in distress” was everything she had worked against her whole life as a feminist.
“I have spent years dealing with trolls and death threats all by myself, just a part of being in the public eye,” says Fitz-Henley-as-Markle. “I am ... not some fragile wench up in an ivory tower.”