Meghan Markle Wasn't Ready, And Her Story With Harry Wasn't The Worst One

Illustration (Raga Granada/VOI)

The names of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry came back after an interview with Oprah Winfrey. They seemed to reveal the dark side of Buckingham Palace. Based on the story, Meghan admitted to being a victim of a kingdom that deified the image, so that her son Archie's skin color was also brought into question. Meghan also admits the difficulties of living as a member of the kingdom. But on the other hand, some people actually think otherwise, Meghan is considered not ready to live as a member of the Buckingham Palace family. In other words, she is said to have experienced a cultural shock. The first of VOI's signature Series Article "Love Opera at the British Palace," deals with the strict living in the British Palace.

Marriage is a sacred ritual for many people, especially for respected families such as members of the British royal family. There is one taboo that members of the kingdom cannot do when choosing a potential partner: they are not allowed to marry someone who has been married and divorced. If you see what has happened before, those who have overstepped the rules will usually end up in trouble.

One example was experienced by Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister, Princess Margaret. She was forced to break off her love affair with Captain Peter Townsend because Townsend was divorced.

Princess Margaret fell in love with Peter Townsend, a distinguished soldier who had served King George from 1944. She is 16 years older than Margaret and has two children, but the two are closely related. They grew closer after the death of King George and Townsend then divorced his wife in 1952, intending to marry Margaret.

The two of them came together at Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. That same year, Townsend proposed to Margaret and was immediately accepted. But Margaret had to receive Elizabeth II's blessing under the Royal Marriages Act 1772. If the blessing was granted, the Church of England would not later bless the marriage because of Townsend's status. Queen Elizabeth II then asked them to wait a while and Townsend was sent to Brussels.

When Townsend returned in 1955, Margaret actually no longer needed Elizabeth II's blessing to marry because she was already 25 years old. But the British Parliament made it clear that they would not approve the marriage. Margaret then felt obliged to cancel the engagement.

Breaking tradition

Unlike Margaret, Meghan Markle's fate can be said to be luckier. Because since the beginning of her relationship with Prince Harry, she has the blessing of Queen Elizabeth II. Until finally the marriage took place on May 19, 2018.

Almost all pairs of eyes of the world community witness the ritual of saying this sacred promise. The portrait of their happiness can be seen clearly. It even continued until they were blessed with a son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

But in January 2020, in an unexpected statement on their Instagram page, the couple Harry and Meghan declared their resignation from the royal family. They said it was a decision they made after months of weighing the decision they were going to make. Afterward, they plan to balance their time in England and North America while continuing to honor royal duties.

Rumors about domestic life and life at Buckingham Palace broke out. At its peak, Meghan and Harry opened their voices for the first time.

In her interview with the famous presenter Oprah Winfrey, Meghan described herself as a victim of the British royal court who is obsessed with looks. Meghan also expressed disappointment over how dark her son's skin was, which Buckingham Palace has allegedly questioned.

During the event, Meghan admitted to being forced to suppress her outspokenness and give up her personal freedom. She said she did not have her passport, driver's license, and car keys after she joined the royal family. All of that was returned when the couple decided to withdraw from the kingdom.

Meghan said the situation was exacerbated by the racism that repeatedly surfaced in coverage of the couple in the British press. Holding back tears, Meghan said she had suicidal thoughts. She was reluctant to share this with her husband.

"I was really ashamed to say at the time, and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially, because I knew how much harm he had suffered. But I knew if I didn't say it, I would - and I wouldn't want to live anymore," she said.

We all agree that any act of discrimination should not be tolerated if it does happen. However, Meghan's complaint about her lack of freedom has drawn a lot of criticism. Because strict protocol from a member of the kingdom is a necessity.

On the other hand, many think that Meghan is also very disobedient to British royal traditions. She was considered several times to have violated the real rules of the kingdom to protect herself.

Harry and Meghan interviewed by Oprah Winfrey (Twitter/ITV)

Rules being violated

One of the rules that Meghan broke was when she decided to do a baby shower in Manhattan, United States (US). This was also alluded to by a former spokesperson for the queen who said the baby shower was "American culture" and that Meghan was "a bit exaggerated."

In addition, according to historian and author, Robert Lacey, the British royal family had their reasons for holding Meghan's car keys, driver's license, and passport. This is so that Meghan is always protected and does not travel alone. "If she goes to drive herself, she will not be protected," explained Lacey, as quoted by the BBC.

The domination chairman of the Canadian Monarchical League, Robert Finch, said, "people assume that the private documents of the aristocracy are kept in vaults, under the security of the palace as a whole." He explained that this method was likely used to ensure that important documents were not misplaced and were always available when needed. Moreover, members of the kingdom often tour and visit abroad.

While on a visit to Wales, Meghan also broke royal rules by signing one of the children present. In fact, the prohibition on signing signatures has the purpose of keeping their handwriting protected from people who might use it for malicious purposes.

Not only that, Meghan also broke unwritten rules. For example, when she wears black clothes, which is usually only used by the royal family when mourning.

Meghan also wore dark nail polish and preceded Queen Elizabeth II when she entered the car. Another violation that was often highlighted was the several times Meghan appeared "intimate" with her husband, Harry, holding hands. Finally, she broke the royal dress code by wearing a dress that was above the knee, not wearing a hat on important occasions, not wearing stockings, and crossing her legs when sitting, even when near the Queen.

Infographics (Raga Granada/VOI)

Cultural shock?

Meghan's behavior, one of which is often disregarding royal protocol, is considered by royal expert Nigel Cawthorne as culture shock. The author of I Know I Am Rude: Prince Philip on Prince Philip even said the signs had been visible since 2018.

"Nothing can help bridge it unless the Duchess of Windsor is still alive," said Nigel, as quoted by the Daily Mail. Therefore, Cawthorne says, it's no surprise Meghan finds it difficult to enter royal life. Even Prince Philip 'found Buckingham Palace difficult to break' after his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, took the throne in 1952.

"It is very difficult for a royal couple to become an integral part of a family with a lot of protocol and unwritten rules. If you do something right, no one will congratulate you or mention the success. As a foreigner, Meghan must be confused," call Cawthorne.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Oprah, Meghan was seen as looking confused when she said she didn't know much about the royal family and didn't fully understand the duties of royal members. Meghan's naivety was even more apparent when she admitted that she had not done any royal research before she married.

"There's no manual either right? There are certain things you can't do. But, you know, unlike what you see in the movies, there's no class on how to talk, how to cross your legs, how to become royalty. There's no training in that. . It may exist for other family members. It is not something that was offered to me," said Meghan.

The strictness of rules as a member of the British Empire is one of the traditions that almost everyone, especially citizens of Great Britain, knows. One of the two factors is the lack of information provided to the public.

However Meghan perceives the opposite, she considers it a form of lack of support from the royal family when she comes under criticism from the British press. In fact, according to royal expert Omid Scobie, Buckingham is known to be more "looking it safe" by not responding much to a number of things to the press.

"You get a little bit (information), you take a little too. This can be good, but it can also get worse. It's the same fast and slow," said Scobie.

Everything related to Meghan and Harry will be written in history. The two parties clearly have different "traits" in that the royal family is accustomed to sharing little happiness, while the couple dares to share the hardships of life as royalty. Meghan and Harry are now moving further away from the unofficial royal motto of "never complains, never explains."

"I think this will be the first time they can really feel this is an opportunity to convey their voice, together," Steven Barnett, professor of media and communications at London University of Westminster, told NBC News.

Barnett predicts the time will come for the British royalty and Harry-Meghan to give a joint statement. "I expect they will also speak to the British press," he concluded.

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