Sussexes cannot have it both ways
MAZELTOV to the Sussexes. A new arrival is always a blessing and Archie, raised so far in splendid isolation from all relatives with the exception of his maternal grandma, could certainly do with a playmate. Let’s not beat about the bush. Archie doesn’t hang out with Meghan’s dad. He certainly isn’t frolicking with her half-siblings. We remember that Meghan’s mother Doria didn’t invite a single friend or relation to the wedding, so Archie can’t be expected to pop over to her side for a bit of rough and tumble.
As anyone lucky enough to be bubbled-up with family, and everyone else currently aching for their nearest and dearest will agree, it’s a crying shame that Archie’s grandpa Prince Charles and step-granny Camilla, great-grandma Her Majesty and greatgrandpa Prince Philip – not to mention Uncle William,Auntie Kate and fun cousins George, Charlotte and Louis – haven’t had a look in.
Yes, travel is banned right now, but there were junctures even in the pandemic when it would have been possible to fit in a round of visits to the Windsor clan – and wouldn’t Archie have been thrilled by the contact?
As for the iPad-snapped professionallytaken picture accompanying the joyous announcement – if it were not my job to comment on these matters I seriously might have fallen back on the phrase “I have no words”.
FORSOOTH, a dappled glade, a closeup of Harry’s foot, Meghan, gently clasping her bump and the two studiously ignoring the camera to give the impression that a moment of spontaneous intimacy has been captured by a passing stranger.
You might say herein lies the Sussex’s problem. They are very keen to safeguard their privacy and independence, yet equally determined to milk every marketing opportunity. There was no need for a “we are thrilled to be pregnant and head over heels in love” picture. A dry bulletin would have sufficed. Now we learn that Meghan is to appear on Oprah.
The couple are adamant the public is not entitled to chapter and verse on their personal lives but can’t resist the chance to unleash an idyllic fantasy shot.
It would be churlish to wish Netflix stars Harry and Meghan anything but fulfilment in the bosom of their burgeoning family – but it is mildly infuriating that they opt in and out of the public eye whenever they fancy it.