Prince Harry once again shocked British public opinion with strong statements about how the Royal Family handled the media crisis surrounding him and Meghan Markle. According to Harry, while Meghan alone faced countless criticisms, rumors and attacks from the press, the Royal Palace chose to stay silent to protect Prince William – the future heir – at all costs. This story not only highlights the deep divide between “heir” and “spare”, but also stirs up fierce debate in British society about roles, responsibilities and fairness within the royal family system.
Harry said that Meghan had to smile in public, endure constant pressure from negative articles, implicitly racist comments, and unfounded rumors about her personal life. Meanwhile, the Royal Household – including senior advisers – seems to have decided not to speak out strongly to protect the Sussex couple, instead focusing their resources and communication strategy on shielding William and his family.
Harry calls this a deliberate choice: “They threw us to the wolves and chose William.” Meghan was pushed into the shield position, having to deal with the storm of public opinion on her own, while William was surrounded by the protective shell of the institution.
These accusations are not the first time Harry has criticized the Royal Family. Since his memoir “Spare” published in 2023, Harry has repeatedly described the feeling of being considered a “spare”, sacrificed for the sake of his brother. He told of bitter arguments with William, and how he felt betrayed when palace sources leaked negative information about Meghan. This time, Harry went deeper into the strategic aspect: he believed that the Royal Palace had deliberately let Meghan suffer, to minimize damage to the image of William – who was being groomed to become the future King.
According to Harry, Meghan not only had to face the British press but also the ominous silence from her husband’s family members.
The British public is deeply divided over this information. A part of opinion supports Harry, saying that this is when the truth is finally revealed. They argue that the royal system has long had internal injustices, where “heirs” are given absolute priority, and “backup people” are just buffers or tools to divert attention. Sussex supporters emphasize that Meghan, as a woman of color from the US, has become an easy target for the tabloid press. Articles constantly criticized her style, from clothes to behavior, even spreading to her family.
The Royal Palace’s failure to issue a strong defense statement made the situation worse, pushing Meghan into a state of isolation and depression, as the couple themselves shared in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021.
On the contrary, many British people and royalists believe that this is just “another family quarrel” for Harry, and he is continuing to exploit the image of a victim to attract attention. They argue that the Royal Family has faced countless media crises over the decades, and that protecting the heir is essential to maintaining the stability of the institution. William, as Prince of Wales, is shouldering many important public responsibilities, from environmental projects to supporting mental health. “Sacrificing” a less important member to minimize damage to the future of the dynasty is a practical strategy, not a conspiracy.
Many also believe that Harry and Meghan created much of the problem themselves by leaving their senior royal roles, signing contracts with Netflix and Spotify, and publishing books critical of the family.
This event once again highlights the concept of “heir and spare” – a long-standing tradition in the British royal family. Harry was born with the mission of being a “backup plan” for his brother. From childhood, he was taught that he existed only to support William, and if necessary, even sacrifice his life or personal happiness. In “Spare,” Harry describes that feeling in detail: he is the shadow, the distraction, the spare part.
Marriage to Meghan further complicates the situation, as she brings an image of modernity, independence, and multiculturalism – something that traditional segments of British society are not ready to accept. Harry believes that, instead of supporting the couple, the Royal Palace chose to let Meghan become a “thorn” that attracts all criticism, helping William and Kate Middleton maintain their perfect image.
This event once again highlights the concept of “heir and spare” – a long-standing tradition in the British royal family. Harry was born with the mission of being a “backup plan” for his brother. From childhood, he was taught that he existed only to support William, and if necessary, even sacrifice his life or personal happiness. In “Spare,” Harry describes that feeling in detail: he is the shadow, the distraction, the spare part.
Marriage to Meghan further complicates the situation, as she brings an image of modernity, independence, and multiculturalism – something that traditional segments of British society are not ready to accept. Harry believes that, instead of supporting the couple, the Royal Palace chose to let Meghan become a “thorn” that attracts all criticism, helping William and Kate Middleton maintain their perfect image.
Longtime royal watchers recall a series of events: from the Oprah interview where Meghan spoke about suicidal thoughts, to the series of articles about her alleged “bullying” of palace staff (which Sussex denies). Harry asserted that much of the negative information came from sources within the Royal Family, in order to protect William from comparison or criticism. He said that Meghan had to “smile for the camera” while inside her
