Did Meghan Markle Actually Ruin the Royal Family?

After today’s announcement that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to step down from their “senior” roles in the royal family, many fans of the royal family are blaming  Markle for the decision.

The couple posted a statement on their join Duke and Duchess of Sussex Instagram announcing the news, saying that they will be working toward financial independence from the royal family and plan to split their time between residences in the United States and the United Kingdom.

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“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image © PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 8, 2020 at 10:33am PST

This is a big change for the royals as one of their most well-known family units resigns from official royal duties. The couple said that they plan to use this time to focus on raising their son, Archie, and launching their new charitable foundation (the issues that the charity will focus on are still unknown).

In 2020 Harry and Meghan will be changing how they work with the media, to ensure diverse and open access to their work. Over the months ahead, through a phased approach, they plan to: pic.twitter.com/KyzW9hEcRs

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) January 8, 2020

The reactions to this news on Twitter have been, to say the least, not so kind. Controversial personality Piers Morgan used the news as an opportunity to bash Markle, saying that she isolated her husband from his family.

People say I’m too critical of Meghan Markle – but she ditched her family, ditched her Dad, ditched most of her old friends, split Harry from William & has now split him from the Royal Family.
I rest my case. pic.twitter.com/xgKLTt2Y0Z

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

Other users agreed with Morgan, expressing their dislike of Markle.

Totally agree, the worst thing harry did was marry her. Princess diana would be devastated that her boys are not close anymore. Hope he wakes up very soon and oh megan we want the money back our taxes spent on the wedding and home. Never liked her, couldn’t act either

— Sandy beth (@1984sandybeth) January 8, 2020

However, is this take justified? Has Markle really ruined the royal family, or has she been thrown into an institution that has been hyper-critical of her from the jump? Lots of Twitter users agree with the latter, saying that this is a great move for Markle’s mental health and her child’s wellbeing.

The hatred people have for Meghan Markle is purely fuelled by the media in this country who have been vile to her since day one, regardless of the statements Prince Harry released to support his wife. No surprise she finally decided to stick two fingers up to them.

— Marissa Thomas (@marissatfooty) January 8, 2020

UK media: Meghan why are you not more like Kate hmm? show us the baby! our baby! YOU ARE HOLDING HIM WRONG! why you not speak to your dad? cruel woman! you’ve ruined everything! we hate you!
Meghan: fuck this shit, we’re off.
UK media: oh how dare she how very dare she

— Kirsty Strickland (@KirstyStricklan) January 8, 2020

She must have been suffering so, so much more than we ever saw or than she ever publicly acknowledged. I’m really happy for them and hope it works out.

— Cora Harrington (@lingerie_addict) January 8, 2020

Let’s call this what it is. Meghan is partly black. The media and the ignorant sections of British society cannot handle this. Large-scale dog-whistle racism has therefore followed. They rightly have had enough. Good for them. The British press should hang their heads in shame.

— Matthew Johnson (@Matthewmj23) January 8, 2020

Since Markle married into the royal family in May 2018, she has received consistent hate from the public and press over her family history, nationality and previous divorce. She even received hate for eating avocado toast.

The British tabloids have been consistently unkind to her. They have been in hot water for invading her family’s privacy, even hacking into their phones and intercepting private letters.

Her being blamed for the demise of the royal family is a lofty accusation for someone who married for love, not entering the relationship with an apparent agenda. “We’re two people who are very happy and in love,” Markle said in an early interview.

Her husband has also always been known as a rebel, not being obedient to the typical royal rules. From confronting paparazzi to *gasp* kissing his past girlfriends in public, he’s never exactly been a royal purist vulnerable to the corruption of an American temptress.

So, is Markle to blame for royal destruction, or is this move what’s best for the family? Let us know your thoughts on social media with the hashtag #HersChat.