Harry and Meghan royally millennial

One door opens, another closes. Such is life in England these days.

After several years trying to execute Brexit, the U.K. is finally leaving the European Union.

But now, another imminent departure is rocking the country, and indeed the world.

This time it’s “Megxit” – the looming separation of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle from their senior roles as Royals. It is an unprecedented move, creating quite the “row” – not just for what they are doing, but how they are doing it.

This issue extends far beyond the royal family, as its implications affect even those with no interest in the British Monarchy.

With so many incredible aspects to England’s royals, the real question is, “How can one NOT be enthralled?” What “regular” girl doesn’t fantasize about marrying a prince and riding off into the sunset, while her subjects shower her with unbridled love? It’s no coincidence that the most iconic feature of Disney is its towering fairy tale castle.

The fact that such a fairy tale occurred for Harry and Meghan (and for an American, no less), breathed new life into that most important lesson for our children: “anything is possible.”

But because of Meghan and Harry’s actions, that pristine image is now in jeopardy.

The royal couple publicly stated their intent to step back from their senior positions, become “financially independent,” and split their time between Canada and the U.K. – ostensibly because they don’t like the constant media coverage that surrounds their lives.

Truth is, Harry and Meghan are acting like entitled, spoiled brats who have their cake and want to eat it, too.

Throughout this entire process, they have been self-serving and rude, lacking even the class to tell Queen Elizabeth of their plans. Instead, they blindsided her and the family to the point where they discovered “Megxit” through the press.

It truly pains this author to say it, but Harry and Meghan have become the poster children for everything wrong with our society: they are acting like the ultimate millennials.

People were counting on Harry and Meghan to stay the course – to be themselves – so that admirers could emulate them, look up to them, and be inspired by them. Athletes and movie stars can enthrall, but nothing compares to the panache of real-life royals, who have the unparalleled ability to instill pride in Britain and abroad.

In the end, it’s not about royals being lucky, or “better” than others, but about their capacity to generate hope that the world can be a better place.

If Harry and Meghan weren’t up to that task, they never should have said yes to an extravagant wedding and all the privileges of royal life.

Doing so raised expectations for the young power couple, so their walking away is akin to a below-the-belt gut punch.

By abandoning the very things that made them wealthy (yet keeping the rewards of that wealth), and remaining among the top 10 most famous people on the planet, they have become takers, but no longer makers.

They will reportedly be kept on Prince Charles’ dole (take), still get some form of royal security (take), use the media whenever it benefits them (take), and still retain their Duke and Duchess titles and privileges (take).

But they will no longer make good on prior promises and royal responsibilities. Sadly, Harry and Meghan broke their word, and slapped the face of those who gave them everything. Just shows that money and title can’t buy class.

The Royal Family is strong, and will weather this challenge. The greater damage is reinforcing the notion of entitlement, where it’s acceptable to take that which is given to you, but jettison all responsibilities and promises that were previously agreed upon.

Harry and Meghan would be wise to remember that it’s not so much what you do, but how you do it. Hopefully, as time goes on, they will realize their errors and make amends with the family that made them who they are.

The world is a better place with the British Monarchy. It will be a royal shame if Harry and Meghan don’t remain an integral part of that.

Long live the Queen!