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The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, stirred the dust in his new ABC News interview with anchor Michael Strahan. The 38-year-old, while promoting his new memoir, Spare, went into the details of some of the misgivings about the royals, some of which were propagated by the British tabloids. He also attributed some of these false beliefs to the misrepresentation of the royal family in the infamous soap opera, The Crown.
Speaking to ABC News coanchor Michael Strahan, Prince Harry highlighted the role of the British press in painting royals in a particular light and casting them in a desired role through which the world could view them. Asked if he thought the press dehumanized him, the dad of two hastily responded in affirmation.
Prince Harry Shares His Take With Michael Strahan During The ABC News Interview
In a new interview with @GMA co-anchor @michaelstrahan, Prince Harry says he believes sharing "the truth" is what it will take to help bring peace between him and his royal relatives.
Streaming NOW on @ABCNewsLive or @Hulu here: https://t.co/5AvoCe6HFo pic.twitter.com/7znc1bEogN
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) January 10, 2023
As the ABC News interview progressed, Michael Strahan pointed out that many would argue that Prince Harry should be able to handle whatever the press threw his way, as being a royal meant he belonged to the people. The anchor’s comment set the stage for the Duke to clear that major misconception, saying:
“I think there’s been so many years of widespread propaganda and misrepresentation. There are some people, especially in the U.K, who’ve been led to believe that because you are a member of the royal family, somehow, everyone owns you, or has a stake in you.”
He accused the British tabloid of pushing out that biased message, which creates real problems within the royal family. While the royals and their established relationships suffer the brunt, Harry noted that the tabloids were the only organization that stood to benefit from such misconceptions.
Meghan Markle Also Became A Victim To The Press
Prince Harry also touched on the negative media coverage surrounding his wife, Meghan Markle, and the treatment she received from the press. According to him, the royal correspondents tried writing about the Suits alum in the same way they did other women who married into the royal family to shape the world’s perception of them. However, they hit a gridlock in Meghan’s case, as she already has a pre-established fanbase, a flourishing acting career, and an existing public profile.
Hence, those who knew her from her Hollywood fame pushed back the false narratives the press tried constructing, making it impossible for them to cast her in a particular role like her predecessors.
While Meghan’s Hollywood fame may have worked in her favor while dealing with the press, it has often been a controversial aspect of her life as a senior royal. Although she had to give up her acting career and claim to Hollywood stardom in line with royal protocols, she has since retraced her steps gradually, especially since she and her husband took a step back from their duties as senior royals.
This has put the couple at odds with the British royal family, with some of the tipping points playing out in the public eyes. With Prince Harry’s new memoir addressing some of these major moments, and the repercussions, perhaps the world would get to view the royals in a new light rather than through the lenses doctored by the press.