Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have kept relatively quiet since Harry released his memoir, Spare, in early January. Of course, the book didn’t exactly mark the first time the couple had spoken out about the Royal Family, making claims and revealing things hidden up until now.
One main thing the Sussexes have preached over the past two years is that they want more privacy. In the minds of many, however, it seems that their vocalized wishes are at odds with their behavior.
Famed animated adult comedy show South Park decided to make fun of Harry and Meghan in one of their latest episodes, describing the couple as Canadian royalty, dubbing them “the prince and his wife,” as well as calling Meghan a “sorority girl, actress, influencer, and victim,” among other things.
According to reports, Meghan didn’t take the mockery well at all.
As we all know, Prince Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the Royal Family is not at its best. While Harry has asked his family to apologize for their behavior and the treatment of he and Meghan over the years, the royals have remained characteristically silent.
No statement about the Netflix documentary series or Harry’s book Spare has come from Buckingham Palace. When quizzed on the subject in public, no royal family member – including King Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton – have made any comments. Only time will tell if we’ll ever hear a retort to Harry and Meghan’s claims.
While Harry and Meghan have repeatedly complained about the treatment they had to endure in the UK, their dream of becoming more private and living a quieter life has been a central subject, often discussed since their move to the US.
Others have argued that the Sussexes appear to be actively trying to stay relevant, performing interviews, releasing a book, being involved in their own Netflix show, and creating podcasts. Indeed, it’s not quite the stepping back from the spotlight folk might have envisaged.
Harry & Meghan characters featured in ‘South Park’
Some have even decided to take it further, openly mocking Harry and Meghan. In the last episode of the adult television series South Park, the two find themselves the subject of a number of jokes.
It would appear though that neither Harry nor Meghan are laughing.
South Park has made fun of most celebrities over the years, from Barbra Streisand, Tom Cruise, and Rod Stewart to Donald Trump. Now it’s the turn of Harry and Meghan.
In the episode, the writers of the South Park began with a scene from the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Two characters, based on Harry and Meghan, walk past a candle that looks identical to the one talked about last fall, supposedly blocking Meghan from the cameras. Claims were made that the royals had done it intentionally, and the scene in South Park was clearly a nod to the Duchess.
Also in the episode is Harry promoting a new book titled WAAAAGH – an obvious nod to his memoir, Spare.
South Park is one of the most successful television shows of all time. Airing on Comedy Central, the show first saw the light of day in 1997.
Twenty-six seasons have been broadcasted since, with more than 320 episodes.
The show is focused on characters Stan, Kyle, Eric, and Kenny, described as “four foul-mouthed friends who live in South Park.”
In his book Spare, Harry wrote many things about his family, including the somewhat strained relationship with his brother and father, and how he despised the press.
Harry’s book ‘Spare’
Harry also has had his say about William and Kate’s children. For example, he wrote in his book that he was basically shut off from seeing George when he was born and not invited to William and Kate’s home despite living within walking distance.
Harry said he had dreamed about popping into William and Kate’s, hanging out with George, and “throwing himself on the floor” to wrestle with his nephew.
The reality, according to Harry, was completely different.
“I took it for granted that I would be invited to their house at any moment. But the days went by, and it didn’t happen,” he explained.
“I understand, I thought. They’re busy! Building a family! Or maybe… three’s a crowd. Maybe if I get married things will change.”
Moreover, in an interview with The Telegraph just after the book’s release, he once again spoke about the Prince and Princess of Wales’s children, but that time focused on Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Harry admitted that he genuinely fears that his niece and nephew – Princess Charlotte and Prince Luis – will ultimately “end up” just like him.
“Though William and I have talked about it once or twice, and he has made it very clear to me that his kids are not my responsibility, I still feel a responsibility knowing that out of those three children, at least one will end up like me, the spare,” he said.
“And that hurts, that worries me.”
Meghan was labeled “sorority girl” and “victim” in ‘South Park’
Harry continued: “I was brought into the world in case something happened to Willy, I was summoned to provide backup, distraction, diversion and, if necessary, a spare part. Kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion. Speck of bone marrow. This was all made explicitly clear to me from the start of life’s journey and regularly reinforced thereafter.”
As mentioned, neither William nor Kate have commented on the matter. However, several royal experts have since lashed out at Harry for speaking so freely about George, Charlotte, and Louis, stating that he might hurt them more than anything else.
Harry and Meghan’s characters in the South Park episode meet with what could be called a “brand manager” who labels Meghan as a “sorority girl, actress, influencer and victim.” At the same time, Harry is branded a “royal prince, millionaire, world traveller victim.”
When Harry and Meghan began their new life in North America, it wasn’t long before they sat down with iconic TV host Oprah Winfrey. The resulting interview made headlines worldwide and shocked the monarchy to its core.
Of course, South Park did their own version of a Harry & Meghan sit down, with the two animated characters visiting Good Morning Canada in the show.
Upon walking into the studio, Meghan holds a sign that reads: “Do not look at us,” while Harry says, “We do not want privacy.”
The morning show host then asks Harry if he “hates journalists.”
“We’re really serious about wanting to be normal”
The Prince answered: “That’s right, we just want to be normal people – all this attention is so hard.”
The scene ends with Harry and Meghan storming off the stage.
Harry and Meghan decided to step down as senior royals in 2020. The decision was met with shock from many royal fans. In February 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed the couple would not return to royal duties. Meanwhile, Harry gave up his honorary military titles.
The couple finally settled in California, in Montecito, close to Santa Barbara, about a 90-minute drive outside of Los Angeles. The South Park episode also included the story of how they left the UK, though in the show, Harry and Meghan instead moved to the town of South Park.
“If we moved here, people would think we’re really serious about wanting to be normal,” Meghan’s character said.
The other characters on the hit show didn’t appreciate their arrival though. One of the lead characters, Kyle, accused Meghan’s character of “bossing” him around.
“I’m sick of hearing about them! I can’t get away from them!” Kyle says.
Kyle also states: “They have this huge jet parked in front of my house and they keep on wanting me to buy their book.”
Harry & Meghan spokesperson says, “it’s all frankly nonsense”
And according to source in The Spectator, Meghan was not happy with the portrayal.
An insider said she’s been “annoyed by South Park but refuses to watch it.” Moreover, the Duchess was said to have been “upset for days” and “underwhelmed.”
Meghan was reportedly heading towards a lawsuit with her sister, Samantha Markle, who’s suing her for defamation following the Oprah Winfrey interview. But in this case, royal expert Neil Sean said that the Sussexes might even bring on a lawsuit on their own towards the adult comedy series.
“Their legal team are casting an eye over the episode to see what is wrong, and what could be turned into something more sinister. This appears to be their course of action rather than laughing it off, enjoying the moment and showing the world that they get the joke,” Sean told Fox.
However, according to a spokesperson speaking on behalf of Harry and Meghan, the reports that they are angry about how they were portrayed are untrue.
“It’s all frankly nonsense. Totally baseless, boring reports,” the spokesperson told The Guardian.
“Very few positives come from taking legal action”
As mentioned, Buckingham Palace and its members have kept silent about Harry and Meghan’s interviews, the documentary series, and Harry’s book. Furthermore, they have given the couple the silent treatment when appearing in public, not answering any questions about them whatsoever.
Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson decided to break the silence on behalf of the couple. Prior to that, a PR expert suggested it was a stupid thing to do, and that any legal actions could have led to “awkward revelations”.
“The Firm’s comms machine has stuck to their silent guns during the Harry and Meghan attacks, and it looks very much like they are weathering the storm perfectly,” he said.
“Very few positives come from taking legal action, Especially in terms of washing your dirty linen in public,” Barr added. “The cross questioning of Meghan and Harry could lead to some very awkward revelations about their lives and commercial work choices.”