The crass commercial exploitation by the Sussexes

Sep 22, 2024 Letters

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Dear Editor,

As a journalist who has extensively covered the British Royal Family and the intricacies of their public relations strategies, I am both deeply disappointed and appalled by the latest antics of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle. Their decision to aggressively promote their latest film project, mere moments after Princess Catherine shared a deeply personal and uplifting video about her triumphant completion of cancer treatment, is not only tasteless but also demonstrative of their continued tone-deaf approach to public life.

The juxtaposition of these two events is not only stark but revealing. On one hand, we have Princess Catherine, a woman who has quietly fought her battle with cancer in the public eye. Despite the pressure and scrutiny, she managed to handle the situation with grace and resilience, offering the world a beacon of hope by sharing the good news of her recovery. On the other hand, the Sussexes seized the moment to promote a commercial project, showing once again that their actions seem calculated more for self-serving purposes than for any genuine connection with the public or the issues they claim to champion.

The timing of this promotional blitz smacks of exploitation and opportunism, a hallmark of what the Sussexes have become since their much-publicized departure from royal life. Instead of offering grace or, at the very least, the decency to let a moment of national relief and celebration linger, they have once again hijacked the public narrative for their own commercial gain. This behaviour is deeply troubling, especially when juxtaposed against Princess Catherine’s earnest and heart-wrenching journey through a battle that resonates with millions of families around the world.

Princess Catherine’s story transcends the usual royal fanfare. This is not merely about a princess battling illness, but about an individual, a mother, and a wife who stood against the odds, facing the same fears and uncertainties that countless others do. Cancer is a disease that does not discriminate — it affects the wealthy, the poor, the powerful, and the powerless alike. By sharing her story, Catherine gave voice to countless others who may be enduring similar struggles. The Duchess’ message was one of solidarity, hope, and triumph, something the public desperately needed in these times.

The fact that the Sussexes chose to overshadow such an important and emotional moment with their own self-serving agenda is both disrespectful and indicative of their increasingly transactional relationship with the public. It is not just poor timing, it is a glaring disregard for empathy and decency. Worse yet, it is not an isolated incident but rather part of an ongoing pattern of behaviour that prioritizes their public image and bankability over everything else — including family.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s courage in facing cancer, sharing her vulnerability, and ultimately overcoming such a devastating illness is the kind of story that unites people across backgrounds and borders. In a world that is already overwhelmed with division, her moment of triumph provided a rare moment of unity and collective joy. It was an opportunity to remind us of the power of resilience, hope, and the importance of family and community during trying times.

Yet, no sooner had the public begun to digest the joyous news than Prince Harry and Meghan Markle launched into their promotional campaign, using their platform to divert attention away from Princess Catherine’s moment of well-earned celebration. This is not just a faux pas, it is a deliberate act of overshadowing and a clear demonstration of the lengths they are willing to go to remain relevant and, ultimately, marketable. How can anyone defend this as anything but a crass display of commercialism?

While it is true that Harry and Meghan are no longer senior working royals and are free to pursue their private interests, the manner in which they have done so repeatedly raises ethical questions. Their claim to want privacy, to step away from the royal spotlight, has been contradicted by their relentless pursuit of media attention and their willingness to commodify their every action, emotion, and opinion. Whether it is their podcast deals, documentary series, or their numerous public interviews, the Sussexes have made it clear that their true goal is not privacy but profit, often at the expense of others.

The lack of decorum exhibited by the Sussexes is further exemplified by their habitual undermining of important moments in their family’s life. In the case of Princess Catherine, it is not just about cancer survival — it’s about the profound journey she underwent, the physical and emotional toll that the disease takes on an individual, and the strength it requires to come through it. For Meghan and Harry to choose this moment to steal the spotlight reveals either a complete disconnect from public sentiment or an alarming willingness to exploit even the most personal of family moments for professional advancement.

This latest incident adds to a growing list of tone-deaf decisions made by the couple. From their Oprah Winfrey interview, in which they aired deeply personal grievances while the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, to their hypocritical stance on environmentalism while simultaneously jet-setting across the globe, the Sussexes have repeatedly demonstrated that their words and actions rarely align. Their promotional strategies seem to follow the same pattern: always striking at moments that ensure maximum visibility, often at the expense of others, even if it means overshadowing the personal milestones of their own family.

The exploitation of Princess Catherine’s moment of joy speaks to a larger problem within the Sussexes’ media strategy: they consistently act without regard for the wider public sentiment or the impact of their actions on their family members. Their quest for individual branding and market share has created a paradox in which they claim to champion mental health and empathy while showing little of it to those who could benefit from it the most — their own family.

Moreover, the broader implications of their actions must not be overlooked. The promotion of their film amidst such a personal moment for Princess Catherine and the wider public who admire her sends a dangerous message about the Sussexes’ priorities. It suggests that personal milestones, even those as sensitive as overcoming cancer, are secondary to the incessant need for self-promotion. This is not the behaviour of empathetic public figures, but of individuals who see every moment — even those that do not belong to them — as an opportunity for personal gain.

One might argue that this is simply a case of poor timing, an unfortunate coincidence. But the pattern of behaviour exhibited by Harry and Meghan over the years suggests otherwise. Their actions follow a clear and calculated media strategy aimed at maintaining visibility and relevance in the entertainment world. By continuously positioning themselves as victims of an allegedly oppressive royal system, while simultaneously profiting from the very platform that royalty has afforded them, they have eroded much of the public goodwill that initially surrounded their departure.

In contrast, Princess Catherine’s handling of her cancer diagnosis and treatment has been a masterclass in grace, humility, and quiet dignity. She has chosen to share her experience not for personal gain or to elicit sympathy, but to offer hope and encouragement to others going through similar struggles. It is precisely this kind of selflessness that endears her to the public, and why her moment of triumph should have been allowed to stand on its own without the shadow of Sussex-brand opportunism hanging over it.

In closing, it is time for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to reassess their priorities and, more importantly, their sense of timing. The British public, and indeed the world, will not continue to tolerate a strategy built on overshadowing family members and exploiting personal milestones for commercial gain. There comes a point where enough is enough, and this latest promotional push has crossed that line. If the Sussexes truly wish to be seen as public figures of integrity, they must learn that there are moments when silence and respect are far more valuable than any film promotion.

It is time for the Sussexes to step back, reflect, and learn the power of restraint. The public does not forget, and neither should they.

Sincerely,

Wayne Lyttle

Journalist

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• journalist, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Sussexes, Wayne Lyttle

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