As the Duke of Sussex remarks perceptively if without a shred of self-confidence: “It’s amazing what people would do if they were offered a huge sum of money – £50,000 or £100,000 to hand over photos to tell a story “.
While we’re not sure how much the Sussexes put in for providing their own photos and stories for this lavish selfie, it’s certainly a lot more than that.
And it’s amazing indeed that they were so willing to belittle the royal world without which Netflix wouldn’t be remotely interested in their story. So perhaps it is just as well that Her late Majesty did not have to endure her scathing assessment of one of her greatest achievements – the Commonwealth of Nations.
“Britain has calculated that it must grant independence to these countries in a way that protects its commercial and capitalist interests. So it created this privileged club called the Commonwealth,” explains author Afua Hirsch as she examines institutional racism in the UK.
It’s perhaps just as well that Her late Majesty didn’t have to endure Harry and Meghan’s scathing assessment of one of their greatest achievements
“The Commonwealth is still described as a club of friends who share common values. I find this language really problematic,” Hirsch continues. “I sometimes call the Commonwealth ‘Empire 2.0’ because that’s what it is.”
The series also makes a direct connection between modern monarchy, via the Commonwealth and Empire, back to the slave trade and points out that Elizabeth I was an early investor in the transatlantic slave trade (which she actually was).
That racist attitudes persist at the palace to this day is shown by the fact that Princess Michael of Kent wore a “Blackamoor” brooch to a Christmas reception attended by Meghan in 2017.
Ms Hirsch praises Prince Harry for acknowledging his own “unconscious bias”, saying: “I’ve only ever perceived Prince Harry as just another senior royal who’s a little bit racist and very ignorant… but I’ve seen that.” he really took the education that someone like him has to turn into an anti-racist.’
So there we have it in minutes: the royals are secret racists (with the exception of Harry) and the Commonwealth is a fig leaf covering up a monstrous past for commercial gain. At least that’s the conclusion that millions of Netflix viewers will now draw.
Shortly before the couple’s wedding, Her Majesty appointed Harry as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador
The Sussexes may not have said that themselves. But since the name of their production company, Archewell Productions, is credited at the start of what they insist on calling “our story,” they clearly support that version of events.
It’s hard to know where to start. The Commonwealth was not created to support Britain’s “capitalist interests” but to facilitate the transition from colonial administration to independence. At the time, many in Whitehall argued that the Commonwealth was wasting resources. In turn, many member states were furious at the impact on their own economic interests when Britain joined the European Common Market.
The Queen was the first monarch in British history to ascend the throne with the expectation that she would reduce Britain’s footprint, hand over power and do it with good will and a handshake. Its success is explained by the fact that Commonwealth membership has increased from eight to 56 during her tenure. It really is a “club” where anyone can go whenever they want, unless they don’t.
And if it’s Empire 2.0, then what was going on last month when I attended an event welcoming the newest member state, Gabon? It’s never been British. President Macron is certainly not happy that a member of the Paris-based “Francophonie” has now disembarked and will soon be speaking English.
Just this week, delegates from around the world were at Mansion House in the City of London for the recent Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council Trade and Investment Summit on Sustainable Energy, Food Security and Resilience.
Harry and Meghan with Meghan’s dog Guy, the beagle, who is recovering after breaking two legs
She wears her heart on her t-shirt: matching smiles and hats for the couple in love. Pure Romance: An intimate snap as Harry gets on one knee to ask Meghan to marry him
Yet at no point in this TV series – at least so far – have the couple mentioned how the late Queen and the Commonwealth worked so hard to give them both a global platform. Shortly before her wedding, Her Majesty appointed Harry as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.
Not only did she make him president of her Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, she also made Meghan its vice-president. In addition, Meghan has also been named Patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
But now the Sussexes want to portray it all as some kind of imperial throwback as they jet from one glitzy gala to the next, preaching sermons about their “sacrifices.”
Far from sunny California, the head of the Commonwealth was seen visiting a refugee cafe in North London yesterday. From there, the king went to an Advent service for “various Christian communities” at the Ethiopian Christian Fellowship Church.
Who, I wonder, has a better handle on real-world problems?