a sane take on meghan

MEGHAN – A HOLLYWOOD PRINCESS

Andrew Morton Michael O’mara Books Review: Sheila Chisholm

MEGHAN Markle’s personal life was virtually unknown to most South Africans until the paparazzi uncovered the fact that she and Prince Harry were dating. From then onwards every aspect of her life was explored, written about, dissected, embroidered, and published in local and international popular magazines and tabloids.

Andrew Morton, the British author who is well-known as the royal biographer, has done the same in his readable book Meghan

– A Hollywood Princess. Only, his approach is sane and as unbiased as any writer can be writing about a living subject.

What are the concerns people have about Prince Harry marrying Meghan? Morton lays these out plainly and simply.

Above being American, a TV actress and a divorcee, Meghan is of mixed heritage. She’s the daughter of a black mother (Doria Ragland) and a white father (Tom

Markle) – a father, who, from a previous marriage has a son

Tom Jr and daughter Yvonne. That’s not the sort of background royal brides have had.

Meghan’s divorce hasn’t been seen as much of a problem as it had been for King Edward VIII when he wanted to marry twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson. After all, Queen Elizabeth’s sister Princess Margaret divorced.

So too have three of her four children including Prince Charles and Princess Diana – Prince Harry’s parents. Even though love wasn’t short in family support, growing up in an acrimonious atmosphere gives the couple a commonality and understanding about growing up under such conditions.

However, while Meghan’s relationship with her mother is sound, it is less so with her father and half-siblings. Baggage that could cause future problems for her.

Princess Diana’s death and its effect on her two children is well documented. It somewhat derailed Prince Harry, behavioural problems that took time working in Botswana and fighting in Afghanistan to straighten out.

These Morton empathetically spells out, bowing to the way this once madcap prince has developed into the responsible human being and humanitarian he is today.

Morton paints Meghan as a glamorous, intelligent, welltravelled and ambitious woman whose compassion towards others – particularly women – she has promoted as a UN goodwill ambassador. She worked hard to find her place in the television show Suits – a part of her life forever over.

Brought up a Christian, nevertheless she has been re-baptised into the church of her husband, as will the children the couple might have. In due course she will receive naturalisation as a British subject.

To marry Prince Harry, Meghan has had to say goodbye to (most) of what she has known all her life. Yet it’s her years in front of television cameras and her strength of character that will stand her in good stead for a life forever in public view.

Morton, and readers of his book, can only wish the couple every happiness.