Megxit ~ Who knew it would be bigger than Brexit?
The United Kingdom is set to leave the EU on January 31st 2020, but as it turns out, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex leaving the Royal Family, and the UK, is causing much more of a storm around the world than Brexit has.
For simplicity, I’m going to dispense with formalities, and just call them Harry and Meghan from here on in.
So the happy couple have decided enough is enough, they have resigned from “The Firm”, and moved to Canada in search of a more peaceful life. I wish them well. However, I fear this move will not be anywhere near, as peaceful as they hope.
Harry, for a start has never lived life outside the royal bubble, with the exception of his military service. He is now living away from the only life he has ever known, and is without, not only his family, but also his friends, mentors and advisers. Harry still retains a strong connection to military service personal, and I feel his decision to leave the UK and by default, terminate his association with them, will play on his mind a great deal.
Meghan, was an actress in a TV series, this did not make her a household name or a major celebrity. So it must have been a heck of a shock to suddenly find herself thrust into the limelight and into the ways of the Royal Family. Unlike her sister in law, Kate Middleton, Meghan’s journey from “Girlfriend” to “Wife and Mother” was a swift one. Meghan and Harry met in July 2016, married in May 2018 and welcomed baby Archie to the world in May 2019. That is a huge adjustment in a very short time, for anyone. Without throwing the whole “Royal Family, stiff upper lip, never explain, never complain” thing into the mix as well. Then of course, the icing on the cake is her fractured relationship with her father’s side of her family, which is tabloid gold, and doesn’t look like improving any time soon.
I understand Harry’s desire to protect his family from the media, and oddly enough, as a member of the royal family, they had far more protection than they will have now – as celebrities. I don’t believe either Harry or Meghan really grasp how big a media target they are now. There is already, in the media, talk of a new photo, snapped of the family of three, fetching a cool $1 million.
It is no wonder this couple, want to escape the scrutiny they are under; with every single thing they say and do, being dissected by the media. Sadly, I see no escape, I see so much grief for this family, so many losses have occurred already. and while there will be benefits. there will also be many losses to come with this new life they have chosen.
I fear for the mental health of both Harry and Meghan, as they step into this celebrity world, without the trusted help and guidance, they will so desperately need. The peaceful life they crave will remain elusive, as they swap the life of a royal, for the life of a celebrity, and we have all seen how the media treat major celebrities. While Harry and Meghan search for peace, the media will chase them to the ends of the earth.
Kathrine Carton ~ Counsellor
www.kcartoncounselling.com.au