When I read comments about Harry and Meghan, I often notice how quickly people dismiss their experiences. Some claim that the royal family has not said anything against them directly, so the couple should not feel attacked. But from my perspective, that argument does not capture the bigger picture. The truth is the royal family does not need to issue public insults or make harsh statements. They have one of the most powerful tools at their disposal already: the British media. The constant negative coverage that follows Harry and Meghan does the job for them, and it is relentless.
If you follow the UK press, you will see that Harry and Meghan rarely receive balanced reporting. It is either exaggerated criticism of their projects, or a complete dismissal of their accomplishments. Every time Meghan launches something, the coverage seems more focused on tearing it down than evaluating it fairly. The moment Harry speaks about his mental health struggles or his issues with the institution, headlines label him ungrateful or self-indulgent. When you see this pattern repeating over and over, it is hard to believe it is just coincidence. The royal family may not issue direct orders, but the system benefits from keeping Harry and Meghan painted as outsiders who failed.
Harry himself has spoken about how much he struggled with the press even before he met Meghan. His dislike of the media is not something he developed overnight or after leaving the UK. It goes back to his childhood, watching how his mother was treated and how headlines shaped public opinion of her. The intrusion into his private life has always been aggressive. When Meghan entered the picture, the press amplified every criticism and, in many cases, crossed lines with racially coded language. To me, it seems clear that Harry left not because he wanted to burn bridges, but because he wanted to protect his family from that cycle.
Life in the United States appears to give him more freedom to breathe. You can see it in how he presents himself now. He is still connected to his roots and wants a relationship with his father, but he does not want to live under the control of “the firm.” That is an important distinction. Many people think the King is the one calling all the shots, but in reality, decisions are influenced by advisors, courtiers, and long-standing traditions. The King may be the face, but there are layers of control behind him that shape how the family responds and what is shared publicly. It makes sense that Harry wants to connect with his father as a parent, not as an institution.
The argument I hear often is that Harry chose to air his grievances and therefore brought this on himself. I do not agree with that. Sharing his side of the story was the only way he could reclaim his voice. The royal family operates under a “never complain, never explain” culture, but that approach comes at a cost. It means false stories go unchecked, reputations are damaged, and individuals inside the family are expected to remain silent. Harry decided he did not want that silence anymore. If anything, I see it as courage to speak up, knowing the kind of backlash he would face.
As for Meghan, it is striking how she is judged more harshly than most public figures. Her projects are scrutinized to an extreme degree. Take the example of her Netflix series. The criticism in the UK press was immediate and often personal. Instead of evaluating the content as a lifestyle show meant for a particular audience, critics labeled it needy and self-indulgent. When the ratings did not match expectations, it was treated almost as proof that she was failing. But if you look closely, many shows struggle to break into top lists, and not every project is meant to dominate charts. Yet in her case, the failure narrative takes center stage. It feels less like analysis and more like a campaign to reinforce the idea that she cannot succeed outside the royal bubble.
People also say Harry is dependent on Meghan or that they will run out of money. These comments often ignore the reality that they have worked to create their own projects and partnerships. Yes, not every project is a runaway success, but that is normal in any career. They are trying to build something new while raising a family. The standard they are held to is unfairly high compared to other public figures. When one project underperforms, it becomes a headline suggesting their entire future is in question. That kind of coverage feeds a narrative of failure, and people repeat it without considering how slanted the reporting is.
What stands out most to me is how people interpret Harry’s decision to step away as selfish. Critics say he abandoned his duties or left his family responsibilities behind. But isn’t protecting your spouse and children the most important responsibility of all? He saw the cycle of pressure and media attacks and decided not to let his children grow up in that environment. That is not abandonment; it is a choice rooted in love and protection. Some call it victimhood, but I see it as setting boundaries.
Of course, the transition has not been smooth. Harry and Meghan are navigating a different world now, and it comes with its challenges. But I do not believe those challenges erase the validity of their choice. They are not perfect people, but they are human beings trying to carve out a life away from a system that has shown little compassion for their well-being. The royal family, by staying silent publicly while benefiting from negative press coverage, does not come across as entirely innocent in this story. Silence can still be powerful when paired with the weight of a media machine working in your favor.
I do not see Harry crawling back to the family in disgrace, as some predict. If anything, I think he will continue to build a life where he can control his narrative, even if that means facing setbacks. Success for him is not about reclaiming royal duties but about building something stable for his children. He may not always succeed on the scale critics expect, but that does not make him a failure.
When I read harsh comments online, I notice that many people interpret everything Harry and Meghan do through the lens of bitterness. But when I look at them, I see two people who have made a choice to prioritize their own well-being and that of their children. That choice may not make sense to everyone, especially to those who believe duty should come before happiness, but it does not mean it was wrong. The criticism they face is often fueled less by their actions and more by the stories that surround them. And those stories are shaped heavily by the UK media, which benefits from keeping the drama alive.
In the end, I believe Harry is not unhappy because he left the royal family. He is unhappy with how the UK media treats him and his wife. That is a distinction people miss. Living in the US seems to give him the space to live more freely, even if it comes with its own set of challenges. He is still trying to maintain ties with his father while keeping distance from the institution, which shows he values personal connection over public duty. That is a choice many of us would make if put in his position.
This is why I cannot agree with the idea that the royal family has been respectful just because they have not openly attacked him. Respect is not silence while others do the criticizing for you. Respect would have been protection from unfair coverage, support when the press crossed lines, and acknowledgment of the pain he has spoken about. Without that, it is hard to see the royal silence as anything other than calculated distance. And that is why I believe the criticism Harry and Meghan face is less about what they have done and more about the system they challenged.
Photo is from instagram: sussexroyal
Disclaimer: This post reflects my personal opinions and observations. It is not intended as a statement of fact about any individual or organization. The views expressed here are based on publicly available information and media reports. Readers are encouraged to seek out multiple sources and form their own perspectives.
