My Thoughts About The Sussexes’ Decision to Step Back.
First of all decisions like these are not made in haste. Nor are they made easily. For nearly 4 years now, Prince Harry has seen the woman he chose to make his Princess and consort treated like a pariah. Numerous social media accounts have been formed by account owners who use derisive handles that are nasty alterations of the Duchess’ name. They are too disgusting and numerous to mention. Imagine Prince Harry seeing, reading and hearing these insults about the woman he not only loves but who is now the mother of his child.
Harry knows what it was like to grow up with a mother who was picked apart in the press, and he suffered through bullying in school with embarrassing headlines about both parents. He and Meghan have simply had enough and frankly, Archie will one day hopefully be relieved of some of the heartache Harry had to suffer.
There is one commentator who has been particularly egregious in his relentless and obsessive insulting harassment of Princess Meghan. He will not be named. Today, he smugly “rested his case” on his assertion that “Meghan ditched her family, friends and now has convinced Harry to ditch the royal family”. How misguided and how sad. I’m going to share some of my own story here, since it colors my opinions.
Prince Harry Made The Right Decision To Remove His Wife, and Son Master Archie from Their Toxic British Environment
I married my high school sweetheart. We were married 12 years. It was a very abusive relationship. He beat me, threw me down and, would regularly take my head and slam it over and over again on the floor. I was scared my skull would fracture! He was always very careful not to leave visible marks. He was in the Army and the abuse reached its pinnacle while we were stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. The one time I reported him, it hurt the family finances because he was demoted a rank, which affected his pay check. I eventually made the decision to take our two children and leave. Having said that, leaving an abusive situation is never easy. I had to leave all my friends, my church, my job and most of my possessions. I came back to America with about $500 in cash and two small children. “Ditching people” is such a dismissive way of describing decisions that are gut-wrenching and only made as a matter of personal survival.
We have all seen the reasons Princess Meghan has been accused of “ditching” her paternal relatives. Who in the world would willingly allow themselves to be exploited, while also being emotionally and mentally battered? The “I rest my case” nonsense is such a misogynistic statement of victim shaming. I for one, am so proud of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for setting the example of taking charge of one’s own life. What wonderful examples of personal strength and boundaries they are setting!
Meghan has spoken about her own tenacity in reaching for her dreams. She went to auditions and crawled into the boot of her car because the doors wouldn’t work. She proved that she is not and never has been afraid of hard work.
At some point though, it had to be more than a little exasperating to be treated like a called a “gold digger” by her detractors, because of the comparatively small amount of money spent to renovate the decrepit Frogmore Cottage. They have held over her head like the sword of Damocles whenever she and Harry made decisions about their relationship with the media. Finally, the two of them said enough is enough. I particularly love the fact that they said they would work toward financial independence.
By earning their own money and paying their way, they can be unshackled from the albatross of abuse ensconced in the constant tax-payer funded gripes, that are disparately leveled at them. They can now be free to focus on their work with some meaningful level of control. I am sure they will prosper on their new path and have the necessary security. In the meanwhile, I say to Prince Harry and Princess Meghan, way to CHECKMATE! Good decision! It must not have been an easy one, but it was the right one for you.
In the “fog of war” even more abuse, accusations and spin are being thrown around. When the dust settles however, my sense is that the monarchy will have wounds to show. What is certain is that this new level of control will definitely take a chunk of change from the pockets of the unscrupulous members of the royal press pack. With that, I REST MY CASE.
