No, Meghan And Harry Don't 'Owe Us' Access To Their Newborn Baby

At its core, this is about consent.

Bek Day
WhimnJuly 10, 20198:12am

Image: InstagramSource:Whimn

There's not a plane crash in history that could compete with the stunning drop in altitude of Meghan Markle's fall from public grace this past year.

Pregnancy and new motherhood are life-transforming experiences for anyone. Add a once-adoring press and public suddenly withdrawing their affection and replacing it with gossip and scorn, and it is gobsmacking that the poor woman is still standing.

Among the myriad accusations against Meghan Markle - that she's ruined Harry's relationship with his brother, that she (gasp) wakes up early and does yoga or that she's too US-focused - the most vicious scorn appears to be reserved for Meghan's behaviour around Baby Archie.

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According to British author Anna May Mangan, Meghan and Harry ought to "show some grace and respect" and "stop depriving the public" of information about their baby.

"She can't expect to get all the trappings of royal life and then pick and choose what she shares with the public," gripes one online comment.

'Royal OUTRAGE: Meghan OWES Britons appearance with royal baby' bleats yet another headline.

Image: Getty Images.

Image: Getty Images.Source:Whimn

It's a sentiment overwhelmingly shared by the public, whose reaction to Team Sussex' increased focus on privacy has been a collective howl of outrage.

Which is as stunningly entitled as it is illogical. What is it about celebrity - and the particular celebrity of the British monarchy - that inspires such rabid dehumanisation of its members?

Little Archie's christening over the weekend inspired a renewed round of ire, with criticisms directed at the fact that it was a private affair, with few photos shared.

But the fact is, no matter how frustrating it is not to have our curiosity around baby Archie satisfied, we are owed precisely nothing from his parents.

No, the fact that their lifestyle is funded by the public does not entitle the public unfettered access to their newborn child. Jacinda Ardern's salary is paid by the people of New Zealand, but no one gives a toss whether they're allowed to see her baby get baptised.

Meghan Markle has been estranged from her father since her 2018 wedding. Photo credit: Chris Allerton Source:AFP


No, it isn't 'part and parcel' of being a royal. Harry's mother died as the car in which she was travelling was being pursued by paparazzi. His entire life has been upended by the entitlement of the public to know intimate details of his family's life. That anyone would begrudge him the need to protect his child from that kind of intrusion is puzzling to say the least.

And finally, no, Meghan didn't 'choose this'. She might have made the decision to marry Harry knowing what it would mean for her own life, but anyone who has given birth will understand that everything you think you know about love, fear and priorities goes completely out the window when you finally hold that squishy little newborn in your arms. Saying 'she knew what she was getting herself into' is like blaming a woman's outfit for the sexual harassment she receives.

The portrait people were so outraged by. PHOTO: Chris Allerton/Sussex Royal

The portrait people were so outraged by. PHOTO: Chris Allerton/Sussex RoyalSource:Whimn


Every parent has the right to decide for themselves how much of their child they want to share online. Some parents litter your feed with 50 slightly different shots of their baby's first smile, while others won't post a picture of their baby's face until the child is old enough to decide for himself. Both choices are valid and, again for the people in the back, the right of the parent to decide upon.

Meghan has already had so many of her parenting choices taken from her. Forced to announce her pregnancy early after that purple folder in front of her stomach prompted mass hysteria during her Australian visit, required to christen her son in a religion she didn't grow up with, and made to dress him in a frilly ensemble no self-respecting Cabbage Patch Doll would be caught dead in.

The desire to protect your child from threats real or perceived is an instinct as primal as breathing. To deny Meghan this is not just entitled, it's downright cruel.

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