When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle come back to the UK this month, they will be re-entering a country that has been discussing them for six years from a distance. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are set to start school in the UK in September, and reports suggest the couple will reside privately outside London for an extended period while maintaining their non-working royal status. Amid speculations about their return after years away following strained relations with the British media, there is curiosity about whether the tabloids’ obsession with the couple will diminish this time.
According to Steven Barnett, a communications professor at the University of Westminster, the British press has historically portrayed Harry and Meghan in a polarizing manner, often engaging in personal attacks and sensationalist coverage. This narrative, characterized by extremes and personal scrutiny, has been a defining feature of media coverage on the couple.
The media scrutiny faced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has been intense, with negative headlines dominating the coverage. Analysis of newspaper articles from May 2018 to January 2020 revealed a significant bias against Meghan compared to other royals. As the couple prepares to return to the UK, royal commentator Afua Hagan anticipates heightened interest from the British public. She believes that despite facing challenges from the media, Harry and Meghan are better equipped to handle the spotlight this time around.
The British media’s treatment of public figures has come under scrutiny following the recent death of Cambridge professor Jason Arday. The intense media scrutiny and negative coverage surrounding Arday’s resignation and subsequent death have raised questions about journalistic ethics and the boundaries of media scrutiny, particularly concerning Black public figures like Meghan Markle.
Marcus Ryder, an advocate for media diversity, highlights the lack of representation and diversity in British media, pointing out how Black individuals are often judged collectively rather than as individuals. The narratives surrounding Arday’s rise and fall parallel the challenges faced by Meghan as a Black woman entering elite circles rooted in tradition and privilege.
As Harry and Meghan transition to a non-royal life in the UK after residing in California for six years, the media landscape and public perception of the couple may evolve. With much of the drama surrounding their departure already extensively covered, there is a hope for a more balanced and positive portrayal of Meghan Markle in the media going forward.