For the first time since her marriage to Britain’s Prince Harry, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, feels free. No longer held down by royal obligations or expectations, Meghan can “finally breathe” knowing she’s left the “toxic environment” that is Buckingham Palace, an environment she willingly entered two years ago.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced last week that they were stepping back from the royal family, to the surprise of just about everyone, including Queen Elizabeth II. But the signs had been there all along. Meghan had long complained about the tabloid gossip and the rumors that pitted her against members of her own family, as well as the royal family into which she had married. And, recently, the Sussexes had put distance between themselves and their responsibilities, foregoing the family’s usual Christmastime excursion and hiding away in Canada for nearly six weeks.
So, Meghan’s decision to step away from the spotlight isn’t surprising. But she knew full well the implications of marrying into British royalty. She knew what it would require and what it would cost. And if she was not willing to accept the costs along with the benefits, to give of herself and publicly serve, then perhaps she should not have stepped into the spotlight at all.
Stateside, the British monarchy seems antiquated and pointless. The queen’s power is arbitrary, and, as of late, it seems the royal family’s only job is to provide fodder for the weekly gossip columns. But it does serve a purpose, and an important one. The monarchy anchors British politics to British tradition. It is ceremonial and idealistic, but it is also the glue that holds together Britain’s laws and the ideal that gives them meaning.
Every member of the royal family carries this responsibility. And it is not easy. Several members have abdicated in the past due to the unrealistic expectations their positions demanded. But it is important that this tradition continue. And that will require sacrifice from the royals who might not want to live under scrutiny or act as public servants.
Meghan either did not intend to take it seriously or she had hoped to change the system for good. Or perhaps she just really didn’t understand what she was getting herself into. Either way, it’s just as well that she’s gone. Americans have always preferred freedom to ceremony anyway.
